What What (In the Butt)
Encyclopedia
"What What" is a viral video
created by Andrew Swant
and Bobby Ciraldo
for the song of the same name by Samwell
. It is known for its numerous camp
references to homosexuality
and anal sex
. The lyrics of the song, a production of Mike Stasny, mostly revolve around the title. The video was uploaded on Valentine's Day
2007 to YouTube
and as of December 2011, it had nearly 45 million views.
, said that the opening image is "not a cross, but a flaming symbol that [he] just happened to use," but according to Stasny, "[Samwell] wanted it because he's a Christian but he doesn't do Christian morality. For him, having a burning cross is a way to pay respect to his beliefs." The video also parodies the flower petal scene from the movie American Beauty
. Brownmark Films released an interview with Samwell on April 8, 2007, in which he discussed the public reception of the song at length.
television show Lily Allen and Friends
for an interview and performed a live version of "What What (In the Butt)" with choreographed dancers. The video was also featured in episode #53 of ADD-TV in Manhattan. "What What (In the Butt)" was an official selection at the Milwaukee International Film Festival and the Mix Brasil
Film Festival.
In March 2010 Special Entertainment
released an iPhone
App called Shaky Advice from Samwell that functions much like a Magic 8 Ball, with video clips of Samwell giving advice.
In June 2010 Samwell appeared on an episode of Comedy Central's Tosh.0
, television show about viral videos. The segment told the story of how the "What What" video was created, followed by an acoustic duet version of the song by Samwell and Josh Homme, lead singer for Queens Of The Stone Age
and Them Crooked Vultures
.
The creators of the video, and Samwell himself, claim that a feature film called What What (In the Butt): The Movie is in the works.
November 12, 2010, Brownmark Films filed a copyright infringement
lawsuit against MTV Networks
, South Park Studios, and Viacom
for their use of "What What in the Butt" in a 2008 South Park
episode. In July 2011, a federal judge decided that South Park's use of the video fell under the fair use
exception to copyright law and thus the defendants did not owe damages. The decision was unusual in a copyright lawsuit because it was made on a motion to dismiss, before summary judgement had even begun. The case is currently on appeal to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Viral video
A viral video is one that becomes popular through the process of Internet sharing, typically through video sharing websites, social media and email...
created by Andrew Swant
Andrew Swant
Andrew Swant is a writer and filmmaker whose works include Hamlet A.D.D. and William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet, as well as the production of Frankie Latina's Modus Operandi...
and Bobby Ciraldo
Bobby Ciraldo
Bobby Ciraldo is a filmmaker and web-based artist whose works include Hamlet A.D.D., William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet, the production of Frankie Latina's Modus Operandi, and a music video for Leslie and the Ly's called "Zombie Killer"...
for the song of the same name by Samwell
Samwell (entertainer)
Sam Norman, better known by his stage name Samwell is an entertainer whose hit video "What What " made him an Internet celebrity.-Early years:Samwell was born in Greenville, South Carolina...
. It is known for its numerous camp
Camp (style)
Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its taste and ironic value. The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may also be described as being "cheesy"...
references to homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
and anal sex
Anal sex
Anal sex is the sex act in which the penis is inserted into the anus of a sexual partner. The term can also include other sexual acts involving the anus, including pegging, anilingus , fingering, and object insertion.Common misconception describes anal sex as practiced almost exclusively by gay men...
. The lyrics of the song, a production of Mike Stasny, mostly revolve around the title. The video was uploaded on Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
2007 to YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
and as of December 2011, it had nearly 45 million views.
Themes and imagery
With regard to the Christian imagery in the video, Samwell said, in an interview with KROQ-FMKROQ-FM
KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
, said that the opening image is "not a cross, but a flaming symbol that [he] just happened to use," but according to Stasny, "[Samwell] wanted it because he's a Christian but he doesn't do Christian morality. For him, having a burning cross is a way to pay respect to his beliefs." The video also parodies the flower petal scene from the movie American Beauty
American Beauty (film)
American Beauty is a 1999 American drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. Kevin Spacey stars as Lester Burnham, a middle-aged magazine writer who has a midlife crisis when he becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter's best friend, Angela...
. Brownmark Films released an interview with Samwell on April 8, 2007, in which he discussed the public reception of the song at length.
Performances and appearances
In April 2008 Samwell appeared on the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television show Lily Allen and Friends
Lily Allen and Friends
Lily Allen and Friends is a British TV talk show presented by Lily Allen. The programme is produced by Princess Productions for BBC Three. It was first shown on 12 February 2008. The audience consists entirely of Lily's online friends, who sign up via the programme's website...
for an interview and performed a live version of "What What (In the Butt)" with choreographed dancers. The video was also featured in episode #53 of ADD-TV in Manhattan. "What What (In the Butt)" was an official selection at the Milwaukee International Film Festival and the Mix Brasil
Mix Brasil
Mix Brasil is the biggest Brazilian LGBT site on web.Mix Brasil was formed in 1993 and in the following year, by the same organizers and bearing the same name, one of the most important Brazilian GLBTT Internet portals of pop Queer information was formed....
Film Festival.
In March 2010 Special Entertainment
Special Entertainment
Special Entertainment is a film production company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Established in 2003 by Bobby Ciraldo and Andrew Swant, the company currently has two feature films in production: William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet , and Hamlet A.D.D. .Special Entertainment is also co-producing...
released an iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
App called Shaky Advice from Samwell that functions much like a Magic 8 Ball, with video clips of Samwell giving advice.
In June 2010 Samwell appeared on an episode of Comedy Central's Tosh.0
Tosh.0
Tosh.0 is an American television series hosted by comedian Daniel Tosh, who provides sarcastic commentary on online video clips, society, celebrities, and other parts of popular culture.-History:...
, television show about viral videos. The segment told the story of how the "What What" video was created, followed by an acoustic duet version of the song by Samwell and Josh Homme, lead singer for Queens Of The Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
and Them Crooked Vultures
Them Crooked Vultures
Them Crooked Vultures is a rock supergroup formed in Los Angeles in 2009 by John Paul Jones , Dave Grohl , and Josh Homme . The group also includes guitarist Alain Johannes during live performances...
.
The creators of the video, and Samwell himself, claim that a feature film called What What (In the Butt): The Movie is in the works.
November 12, 2010, Brownmark Films filed a copyright infringement
Copyright infringement
Copyright infringement is the unauthorized or prohibited use of works under copyright, infringing the copyright holder's exclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work, or to make derivative works.- "Piracy" :...
lawsuit against MTV Networks
MTV Networks
MTV Networks is a division of media conglomerate Viacom that oversees the operations of many television channels and Internet brands, including the original MTV channel in the United States...
, South Park Studios, and Viacom
Viacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
for their use of "What What in the Butt" in a 2008 South Park
South Park
South Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
episode. In July 2011, a federal judge decided that South Park's use of the video fell under the fair use
Fair use
Fair use is a limitation and exception to the exclusive right granted by copyright law to the author of a creative work. In United States copyright law, fair use is a doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders...
exception to copyright law and thus the defendants did not owe damages. The decision was unusual in a copyright lawsuit because it was made on a motion to dismiss, before summary judgement had even begun. The case is currently on appeal to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
In popular culture
- In the April 2, 2008 episode of South ParkSouth ParkSouth Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
, "Canada on Strike", the boys post a viral videoViral videoA viral video is one that becomes popular through the process of Internet sharing, typically through video sharing websites, social media and email...
on "YouToob" (a fictional version of YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
) of ButtersButters StotchLeopold "Butters" Stotch is a fictional character in the animated television series South Park. He is voiced by series co-creator Matt Stone and loosely based on co-producer Eric Stough. He is a fourth-grade student who commonly has extraordinary experiences not typical of conventional small-town...
performing "What What (In the Butt)".
- In October 2011 a porn parody of Comedy Central's Tosh.0Tosh.0Tosh.0 is an American television series hosted by comedian Daniel Tosh, who provides sarcastic commentary on online video clips, society, celebrities, and other parts of popular culture.-History:...
was released called Tosh Porn Oh. The film (porn star Dane CrossDane CrossDane Cross is a pornographic actor and director. His name is a cross between Dane Cook and David Cross. He was engaged to fellow pornstar Faye Reagan....
's directorial debut) contained a segment based on the the "What What (In the Butt)" video with Samwell replaced by a straightHeterosexualityHeterosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the opposite sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, heterosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, physical or romantic attractions to persons of the opposite sex";...
woman. The segment features a recreation of the original video which, according to the end credits, was fully licensed by Brownmark Films.
- The "What What" song surfaced on an episode of Sweden’s Got Talent in which four naked young men danced to the song.
- Members of the Israeli Army did a spoof of the "What What" video which became popular after being featured on Boing BoingBoing BoingBoing Boing is a publishing entity, first established as a magazine, later becoming a group blog.-History:...
's blog.
- In the video game World of WarcraftWorld of WarcraftWorld of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
there is a quest entitled "What? What? In My Gut..?" in which the player must collect "wiggleweeds". 1