What are “Bloopers?”

Image via Wikipedia

In the film industry, a ‘blooper’ is a short sequence of either live media, public broadcast or film that contains material that is deleted either for incorrect delivery of content, lines of material, or other human err that include indecent content. These occurrences are also called ‘outtakes.’ Sometimes, motion pictures will include in the closing credits short outtakes of ‘bloppers’ from the making of the film, there for the amusement of the audience. The movies of Jackie Chan are quite noted for these outtakes and fans of the actor have developed quite cult following of these bloopers. They are expected and exalted.

Made popular by American television producer Kermit Schaefer throughout the 1950s-60s in his series of “Pardon My Blooper!” records, today we have TV spots and YouTube to disseminate these often humorous and outrageous bloopers. The word ‘blooper’ by the way, comes from the motion picture industry use of the word “blue,” being a catch-all euphemism for anything indecent, obscene or objectionable

In recent times, some renowned bloopers are slip or trip accidents that occur in the public eye, such as when a fashion model slips on the catwalk and falls or some other ‘wardrobe malfunction.’ We laugh about on it on the evening news, on video sharing sites and personal bilges. It is far more disseminated now that it ever was back in the era of Mr. Schaefer. While only the deranged would wish and pine for this to occur, there is always this morbid fascination and intense hilarity when it occurs.

The Life of a Model can be so Much More Embarrassing!

This poor model has a ‘costume malfunction’ that would make even Janet Jackson hide in shame! Censored for decency of course, but you will be the general idea of exactly what occurred.

And down She Goes. Again! The News Crew Loves It!

The late George Carlin from his “Class Clown” recording stated that suppressed laughter is the easiest to get the most fun out of. The comic great goes on to point out an example “…like, when you’re kneeling in front of a casket” and he snorts a loud snicker of suppressed laughter, leaving the listener to envision the scene he setup.

In this next video, these nightly newscasters tried so hard to not laugh at this unfortunate fashion show runway accident as they reported it on their evening news with recorded footage, but they failed. The laughter quickly escalates into riotous absurdity with them. They probably brought more attention to this mishap than the mishap itself!

I bet this disgraced model wishes she were in a casket after this blooper!

A Bug’s Life? Not Really! Reporter Bites the Big One in Tape

This one is not safe for work folks! There will be swearing in this next video as this news anchor in the field discovers that he is not the only living thing in that field… He swallows a bug while taping a report and then he, um, bugs out!

 Get the children out of the room and turn the volume down because you’re about to hear some good old fashion country cursing!

And there you have it folks, -undeniable proof that there is a God in Heaven that loves us and wants to see us fighting with all the other miscreant creations He made! I am like so OMG –LMAS over this one! I doubt if this taped blooper was aired live. I’m pretty sure it was only a recorded segment and who knows, -possibly it was even staged. I am not familiar with the details of it merely that it is undeniably funny.

Other ‘blooper’ videos of the similar genre that have cropped up are openly tagged as being spoofs. Still, there is an aura of realism in this one. At least if it is fake the acting is superlative!

Newsreaders and reporters in the field have a lot of content to read and only a short time to deliver it, so bloopers occur frequently with them. We are fortunate that these outtakes are taped and are made available for use to delight in.

Back when Television was Broadcast Live…

Back in the day of live television, a blooper often had no recourse but improvisation. There was a particular episode of the comedy series “The Red Skelton Show” where a live cow was lead up on stage for a dialogue skit, and the cow defecated! I image that this was broadcast live at the time, but we have the B&W recording of this to show. Here is the video from that 1950s episode.

The live studio audience laughed uncontrollably as the two comedians improvised lines which were probably funnier than their intended script. Sometimes, feces occurs folks!