Video Hangover: Mr. Oizo - "Flat Beat" Vs. Interpol - "Evil"
Twice a week, we dig in the archives for videos that we find noteworthy, memorable, or just unbelievably stupid. We’ve been calling it Yo! MTV Crap out of respect for Ed Lover and the fake Doctor Dre, but the time has come to make a change. Same basic idea, but we might mix in a modern classic or two with all the nonsense reggaeton and historically inaccurate hair metal, just to keep things interesting.
Why Video Hangover? Because when you watch as many videos as we do, you're going to feel it afterwards.
In honor of this week’s Puppet Show at SXSW, we present a special puppet-off between two well-known video stars: Norman and Flat Eric.
"Flat Beat"
Mr. Oizo, 1999
vs.
”Evil”
Interpol, 2005
Pedigree
Flat Eric is a Henson creation, which makes him a descendent of Kermit et al. Norman, on the other hand, was commissioned by art-star Charlie White, who specializes in alien pornography. Muppets or alien porn? We always knew this day would come, but that doesn’t make the decision any easier.
Advantage: Eric
Soundtrack
"Evil" is Interpol bringing the heat, or the cool, or whatever it is Interpol brings when they’re on their game. Mr. Oizo throws together a good groove, but "Flat Beat" is essentially crazy frog without the frog.
Advantage: Norman
Name
Flat Eric was named because he was supposed to have his head run over by a car. Norman was named by a bunch of Interpol fans who couldn't think of anything better.
Advantage: Eric
Corporate Connection
Although Charlie White has done commercial work in the past (check out
this unsettling spot for Adidas, Norman only works Interpol videos. Very indie. Eric, in contrast, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Levi's. And that makes him a fuzzy, yellow, whore.
Advantage: Norman
Work Ethic
We don’t know much about Norman's profession, but it's hard to believe he could work as hard as Eric, who appears to be running his own record label. In just over three minutes he makes a few phone calls, signs a few deals, and types a bunch of memos. Later he smokes a hot dog because, well, he’s earned it.
Advantage: Eric
Number of Bottom Teeth
Easy call here.
Advantage: Norman
Dance Moves
A real contrast in styles here. Eric is a master of the indie rock head-nod, while Norman goes for a Gillis-style freakout. Seems about even, until you consider the fact that Eric is doing it all without legs.
Advantage: Eric
A close match, but Flat Eric squeaks out a 4-3 victory.
Got a suggestion for our next video-based bender? Email tips at stereogum dot com.
Posted at 1:12 PM in Video, Video Hangover
Tags: Interpol
I'm a huge Flat Eric fan. Imagine my surprise in early 2000 when I walked into the Virgin Megastore in Times Square and found them selling Flat Erics in boxes. Snapped one up right away. It now sits on a shelf, holding a copy of the "Flat Beat" CD single. I also liked how a Flat Eric was in the background of the UK version of The Office in various scenes (replaced by a Homer Simpson in the American version).
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wanker.
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A few years ago, I got stranded in Copenhagen on my way from Sweden to Paris (long story), and I found a Flat Eric tied to a tree with a card around his neck. The card read "congratulations, you found me. Bring this card back to the Levi's store for 1000kr of stuff". I figured out that it was because Flat Eric was tied to the Levi's ad campaign and was "wanted" (as in by the law). Pretty surreal moment, but Flat Eric's sitting on my left speaker right now, proof that I didn't hallucinate... or proof that I'm still hallucinating right now, OH NO!!
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I love Flat Eric as much as anyone and am glad that he won the war, but that pedigree point still should have gone to Norman. I mean yeah, Henson is one crazy mofo. But Flat Eric's design is pretty throaway simplicity. I doubt Henson (or his team of puppet-crafters put much thought into the design).
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Norman should have one this little contest... Clearly way more cool and way more weirdo. Would've sniffed Eric with one nostril.
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