On Tuesday, a brilliant example of AI appeared on Instagram. Inspired by the opening credits for the short-lived sitcom Bosom Buddies (1980-1982), which starred Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari, the Instagram video, created by The Rivertown Collective (which has no ties to The Gossips of Rivertown), features Hudson's three mayoral contenders--Kamal Johnson, Peter Spear, and Billy Blowers--and includes an unexpected cameo. For those who eschew Instagram, the video is now on YouTube and can be viewed here.
Yesterday, Trixie's List, which I like to think of as the Arts and Entertainment complement to The Gossips of Rivertown, published an interview with the creator of the anonymous meme account: "Interview with Henry Hudson of The Rivertown Collective, Hudson's New and Innovative Meme Account." If you haven't read it already, you should.
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Viscerally unnerving
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ReplyDeleteDo not knowingly support or watch AI generated fakeness (and it is all fake), you are only encouraging the destruction of society as we know it. AI is not on the whole better for humans, it is only worsening things. Say no to it all before it is too late, even if it is the most hilarious side-splitting video you will ever see in your life. It's not funny anymore!
ReplyDeleteI share Bill's disdain for AI in principle but I will say this is a successful application of it - possibly the only thing we should be using it for.
ReplyDeleteAside from how it was created, it's quite brilliant in how it adds much-needed levity to what is currently transpiring here. The unexpected cameo is the cherry on top. Whoever is the person behind this has some insight into the political dynamics of Hudson.
I mentioned that video to Billy Blowers today and he told me that he loved it. Good enough for me. As much as I can never resist mercilessly criticizing our political players, they still deserve some comic relief.
I am looking forward to first episode where the current town Mayor comes and announces he has been in a long-term relationship with the towns largest property owner. He apologizes to the town for all the things he did to favor his boyfriend Eric's interests and blames it on being in love. He resigns his position, and later that year marries his partner Eric in the brand new 7th Street Park. Eric buys the former Mayor the largest house on Union Street to live out their years. The episode closes with the former mayor sitting in his garden realizing he finally has that "deluxe apartment in the sky".
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to include the girlfriend of the mayor whose heart is shattered and quickly loses her job.
ReplyDeleteShe has been in on it the whole time and she actually performs the wedding ceremony. Eric gives her a rent free place the rest of her life for allowing the mayor to take his time to come out.
DeleteThe wedding will be held virtually so that all 500 of the groom's Facebook "friends" can "attend" and wish him well.
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