Font ResizeThe blanket with arms just got even more useful for college students.
Well, maybe not in the conventional sense, but useful nonetheless -- particularly for those looking for a little cover while reading a Playboy, shotgunning a beer or smoking a bong.
That's the notion behind a new video parodying the kitschy late-night infomercial smash that's been produced by University of Colorado improv comedy troupe Left Right Tim.
What: Left Right Tim's "Home for the Holidays" improv show
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Hale Science, Room 270, University of Colorado campus, Boulder
Cost: $3
"The Snuggie commercial has become such a pop-culture hit," said Left Right Tim's Nick Collins, a CU sophomore. "It's so comical because it's so ridiculous."
The group -- which performs this and every Friday during the semester in Room 270 of Hale Science -- began to incorporate multimedia bits into its shows with the Snuggie parody, the highlight of last month's "Snuggie Jams '09," said senior Richie Alfson, a co-founder of Left Right Tim.
For the record, the guys all do, in fact, own Snuggies. And no, they aren't on loan from their girlfriends.
Junior Derek Poppe is damn proud of his zebra-print Snuggie. And junior Evan Duggan's is currently doubling as his comforter.
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Collins said the team's inspiration came during a group Snuggie-wearing roundtable discussion.
"We literally sat around a table in Snuggies, just thinking about the funny things we could do," said Collins, who is the director of the video. "It was definitely helpful for the creative process."
The video -- created by CU student production company Square Two Productions -- mixes clips of the original Snuggie commercial with shots of Left Right Tim members playing video games, taking bong hits, dancing, hugging and, ahem, receiving oral pleasure.
The YouTube clip is a first for the group, which Alfson and senior Matt Barats launched two years ago because they felt there was a lack of live comedy in Boulder.
"We've really taken off the ground," Alfson said. "We've been busting our asses to get our name out there. We sometimes find it hard to convince the random CU student to come to a comedy show, but we exist to entertain our fellow students.
"We're the perfect pre-drinking activity."
The live shows -- including this Friday's "Home for the Holidays" performance -- are completely improvised with bits based on audience suggestion.
"It's very fast-paced and oriented to a college audience," Duggan said.
And that includes, but is not limited to, dirty words.
"We're trying to foster an environment where comedy is something that's fun and cool again," Alfson said. "Just give us one chance and we will blow your mind."
