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Back during the fourth season of Friends, it was revealed during a trivia game that Chandler Bing is terrified of Michael Flatley, Lord of the Dance. (“His legs flail about as if independent from his body!”) I agree with Mr. Bing. Michael Flatley, the Riverdance dancers and pretty much any other form of performance that includes such rapid-fire leg movement can be a little unsettling—unless it’s supposed to be funny. Then, I love it. Here are our favorite Irish dancing parodies.
Everyone talks about Susan Boyle from the last season of Britain’s Got Talent, but it was the father-and-son team of Demetri and Lagi that brought laughs to the Hammersmith Apollo. Reprising a character from Demetri’s famed burlesque shows, Stavros Flatley quickly became a fan favorite. Even Simon Cowell admitted they were his “favorite ever dance acts.”
Hungarian comedian Gálvölgyi János, known for his parodies of popular public figures, mocked the famed Flatley in this clip.
Of all the homemade parodies, this is one of my favorites—and that’s only partially because it begins a line from Titanic. There’s also a terrible Irish accent, cheesy sound effects, pajamas pants and documentary-style interviews in Johnny FilmMaker’s “The Headband of Flatley.”
What’s that, Perez Hilton? You think Kristen Stewart looks depressed all the time? Somehow, it’s impossible to appear sad while doing an Irish jig.
It’s funny and adorable when animals do human things.
This seriously impressive video by Killara Strider shows the cast of Final Fantasy XI busting out some moves you’ve never seen before.
Just when you thought the parodies had gotten stale, this dance troupe incorporates a very special guest—the bumblebee from Blind Melon’s “No Rain” video.
What about the famous “Riverdance” hit man scene from Mafia? Classic!
posted by David on 3-16-2010 at 11:03 pm
In the film Baseketball (by Trey Parker & Matt Stone of South Park), an early segment pokes fun at the “orchestrated celebrations” performed by pro sports teams. One scene depicts several pro football players doing a Riverdance-style jig in the end zone after a touchdown.
posted by Sandy Wood on 3-16-2010 at 11:39 pm
MST3K!
Mike Nelson IS….
Lord of the Dance!
posted by Tambo on 3-17-2010 at 1:27 am
What about Chris Farley doing Riverdance in SNL?
posted by Lingfry on 3-17-2010 at 6:54 am
Mike Myers did a “Lord of the Dance” parody at an awards show once (I think it was the MTV movie awards).
Also, “Third Rock from the Sun” spoofed Riverdance once upon a time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXrsxgc5fUQ
posted by Misty on 3-17-2010 at 11:31 am
Yep, the MST3K “Lord of the Dance” parody is pretty much the best of the best, though Pinky and the Brain also parodied Flatley with their runaway hit “River Stomp”
posted by Troy on 3-17-2010 at 12:59 pm
snooze
unfunny
posted by valerie on 3-18-2010 at 4:21 am
Stavros Flatley are great, really good entertainers!
posted by x-factor fan on 3-19-2010 at 6:30 am