The Day the Shark Jumped Over the Mob
Flash Mob videos used to be pretty cool. It wasn’t too long ago when people would orchestrate these grand affairs in busy train stations, airports or shopping malls amidst unsuspecting onlookers who had no idea what was going on, and then millions of people would email the YouTube videos around to all their friends.
But when I saw this one on YouTube this morning, I cringed as to how silly and formulaic it looked. Especially the big text fade-in with the build up of its location on a train, and ended with a marriage proposal amidst a group of chorus singers waiting to finish the song “Lovely Day” (originally by Bill Withers) after the girl apparently said “yes”. Love the part after that where everyone expectedly goes about their own way (yes, on a narrow train) as if it was completely impromptu. Without any new innovation in the way flash mobs work, I think it’s safe to say that the shark has arrived. Come to think of it, the original song, as performed by Bill Withers amidst a backdrop of an album cover image is far more entertaining (and easy on the ears).
Click here if you cannot see the video above.
