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.

Stavros Flatley

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.”

Gálvölgyi János

Hungarian comedian Gálvölgyi János, known for his parodies of popular public figures, mocked the famed Flatley in this clip.

Johnny FilmMaker

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.”

The Cast of Twilight

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.

Monkeys

It’s funny and adorable when animals do human things.

The Cast of Final Fantasy XI

This seriously impressive video by Killara Strider shows the cast of Final Fantasy XI busting out some moves you’ve never seen before.

Robert James Hoffman III

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.

Whether being done out of charity, to enhance a slapstick comedy routine or to promote a particular political ideology, seeing someone get slammed in the face with a pie is pretty darn hilarious. Here’s a roundup of some notable folks getting a face full of cream.

Anita Bryant

A popular singer in the 1950s and ’60s, Bryant was a vocal gay rights opponent. In 1977, She became one of the first persons to be publicly pied as a political act while speaking out against homosexuality in Iowa. After being hit, Bryant joked, “At least it’s a fruit pie. She immediately began to pray for forgiveness for the attackers but soon burst into tears. Bryant’s husband later retaliated by throwing a pie at the protester who had hit his wife.

Bill Gates

On February 4, 1998, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates got a pie in the face while walking to meet with Flemish Minister and President Van den Brande in Brussels.

Ann Coulter

While speaking at the University of Arizona, super-conservative political commentator Ann Coulter got pied. Sort of. Two guys who called themselves “Al Pieda” unsuccessfully lobbed baked goods at Coulter, missing her completely.

Drew Carey and The Price is Right models

In less than five minutes, five people get pies in the face during the Showcase Showdown on an episode of The Price Is Right. Weirdly, the contestant doesn’t seem to notice. Too bad her super-focus doesn’t pay off in the end.

Gail Shea

On January 25, 2010, Canadian politician Gail Shea was pied by PETA activist Emily McCoy while giving a speech at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters. PETA claimed the attack was part of a broader campaign aimed at Canada’s support of seal hunting.

Josh Elliott

ESPN sports journalist Josh Elliott received a pie in the face from NFL analyst Mark Schlereth last October. Elliott first joined ESPN in 2004 as a commentator on Around the Horn and Jim Rome Is Burning, as well as serving as guest co-host for Cold Pizza on ESPN2.

Ronald McDonald

PETA strikes again in this clip, featuring the fast-food mascot.

Most of the Cast of Blazing Saddles

Though this is obviously scripted, I just love this clip from the epic Mel Brooks film. Do you have a favorite pie-in-face moment from film or televsion? Tell us in the comments.

If you can read this, thank the gang at Sesame Street. Since 1969, they’ve been cranking out episode after episode of quality, entertaining children’s programming—with some fun stuff for adults too. In the four decades since its debut, Sesame Street has hosted hundreds of celebrity guests to teach the basics. Though we’ve loaded you up on Sesame Street clips in the past, here’s something a little different: 10 of our favorite instances of celebrities reciting (or singing) the alphabet. Do you have a favorite that didn’t make the cut? Tell us in the comments.

James Earl Jones

As an adult I find this mildly creepy. As a child, I suspect I would run screaming from the room. Ironically, Jones thought the same thing about the Muppets themselves. This video is one of several shot and sliced into the unbroadcasted test pilots of Sesame Street. The clips were later included, beginning with episode 0002. However, Jones reportedly told Matt Robinson (who played Gordon) that he didn’t think the show would last and recommended axing the Muppets. “This Muppet business has got to go,” he said. “Kids will be terrified.”

Jackie Robinson

The 1949 National League MVP recorded this insert, which was later included in many shows, beginning with episode 0054.

Lena Horne

I thought the first time I heard of Lena Horne was in a holiday-themed Gap commercial, but I had an instant flashback to my childhood when I saw this clip. Her earliest known appearance on the show was singing “How Do You Do?” with Grover and she later returned to film this gospel version of the alphabet song.

Richard Pryor

The late, great comedian has a storied history with the Muppets, including a brief appearance as a balloon salesman in The Muppet Movie. He recorded this alphabet insert in the 1970s.

Bill Cosby

The Coz filmed this, the first of many inserts, in 1970 for Sesame Street’s season two premiere. Following the success of Sesame Street, Cosby appeared as a regular in the first season of The Electric Company, where many of his segments included “twins” by using a split-screen, an idea that originated in this alphabet skit.

Patti LaBelle

The Philadelphia gospel queen made her way to Sesame Street in 2001 for episode 3922.

Lou Rawls

Rawls sang the alphabet in an insert from episode 0043. Years later, he performed his hit “Groovy People” on the show.

Judy Collins

This season eight clip features Snuffy as you’ve never seen him before. Arranged by Big Bird, he sings a madrigal rendition of “The Alphabet Song” with American folksinger Judy Collins.

Billy Joel

In 1988, Billy Joel made his Sesame Street debut singing “Just the Way You Are” with Marlee Matlin. He also filmed this clip singing the alphabet song.

Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Though Ladysmith Black Mambazo originally performed “African Alphabet” with Kermit in January 1988, they returned a few months later to perform it with Paul Simon, who signs the alphabet while singing. In 1997, Ladysmith Black Mambazo were spoofed by Sesame Street’s worm band, Wormsmith Black Mambazo, when they performed “African Alphabet” at the Worm World Music Festival.

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There are three undeniably cute things in life: kittens, puppies and babies. (How you rank them is an important personal choice.) Combine any of those three things with technology and you have YouTube gold. Here’s three videos of each battling the Roomba. (And never fear, lovers of guinea pigs, turtles or Elmo … there’s cute videos for you, too.)

Baby Vs. Roomba

In our first battle of baby vs. Roomba, we learn that some kiddos just want to climb on and enjoy the ride.

Others, however, enjoy the chase.

But an important lesson: If you’re going to use the Roomba as transportation, you better hold on tight.

Puppies Vs. Roomba

Instead of taking an interest in the Roomba, like the babies, some dogs treat it as a dangerous home invader. This Maltese is not too happy with her new roommate.

Other dogs, however, learn the ultimate skill when battling a Roomba: how to turn it on and off.

But, of course, some pups just want to be left alone to snooze.

Kittens Vs. Roomba

A whole litter of little kitties took a ride on Roomba. Only a few managed to hang on for the whole thing.

These curious dudes tentatively investigate their new robot friend.

And this cat takes control, holds on tight and drives the Roomba around the kitchen.

Does your pet have a love-hate relationship with your appliances?  Let us know in the comments.

Two weeks ago, I wrote about librarians busting moves to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” In that post, I mentioned the 2008 Book Cart Drill Team Champions, Santa Monica’s Well-Stacked Sci-Brarians. Here’s seven more videos of librarians who go above and beyond the call of Dewey.

Oak Park Public Library

The Warriors at Oak Park Public Library took first place when competing at the American Library Association conference in 2009 with their routine set to Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries.”

Gettysburg College Musselman Library

Gettysburg College Musselman Library’s book cart drill team broke into the competition in 2007 with their routine “Gett Down With Your Funky Shelf,” which brought home the silver book cart.

Fairbanks Independent School District

Houston’s Fairbanks Independent School District sent a team of book divas to the ALA conference in 2006. While they didn’t take home any prizes, we respect their commitment to pink feathers and the boisterous musical selections, including Reel 2 Real’s “I Like To Move It.”

The University of Pittsburgh

In 2005, the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Information Science sent their very own Pitt Crew to compete for the gold in Chicago.

Seattle Public Library

For the 2006 competition, the Seattle Public Library Bookaneers choreographed this super-cute three-person routine to the tune of “Mr. Sandman.”

Texas Library Association

Decked out in Rosie the Riveter costumes, the delegation from the Texas Library Association took home first place in 2007.

Austin Public Library System

The Bibliofiles out of Austin, Texas, get bonus points for their creative headgear at the Texas Library Association conference.

I am a TV marathoner. When my boyfriend and I choose a new series to Netflix, our entire social lives disappear until we finish the series. Recently, we finished Six Feet Under, a show that has stayed with me long past the series finale. Here’s a round-up of great series finales. Share your favorites in the comments and please, be forewarned, THIS POST OBVIOUSLY CONTAINS SPOILERS.

Six Feet Under

Possibly the best series finale in the history of television, the end of this HBO drama brings closure to all major characters with the future flashing before Claire’s eyes as she drives from California to New York.

The Sopranos

Set to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which blared through a jukebox at a local diner, the final scene in the beloved mob series surprised tons of fans. For months before the final season aired, rumors swirled that leading man Tony Soprano would not survive the season.

Cheers

The gang talks about the meaning of life.

Newhart

Five years after the entire town—with the exception of Dick and Joanna Loudon—has moved away, a surprise reunion brings everyone together again. As the ex-townfolk chaotically plan an extended visit, Dick is struck by a wayward golfball and collapses. In the next scene, viewers see Bob Newhart’s orginal character, Dr. Bob Hartley, in bed, telling his wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette, Hartley’s wife from The Bob Newhart Show) about a crazy dream he’d just woken up from. The bedroom is a recreation from The Bob Newhart Show and it’s revealed that the entire Newhart series was simply a dream in the mind of Bob Newhart’s 1970s character.

Roseanne

The last 15 minutes of the episode are a monologue from Roseanne herself. She reveals that the series has been a product of her imagination as she wrote her memoir. Anything she didn’t like in her life, her daughters’ boyfriends, for example, she simply rearranged.

ER

With former cast members returning for the opening of John Carter’s new hospital, Dr. Greene’s daughter Rachel applies for a job at Country General.

M*A*S*H*

Still the most-watched episode of television, the series finale of M*A*S*H* is not available on YouTube. This promo aired beforehand, though.

In one chapter, she notes that readers wouldn’t believe how many videos of librarians dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” are available on YouTube. Everyone’s seen the dancing inmates or the hilarious scene from Jennifer Garner’s 13 Going On 30, but librarians? We scoped it out and Johnson was right. Here are some of the best.

National Library of Australia

At the National Library of Australia, librarians break it down at their 2008 Christmas party.

Worthington Libraries

In celebration of being named Library of the Year in 2007 by Library Journal and Thomson Gale Publishing, eight librarians at the Ohio library busted some moves. Worthington Libraries was founded in 1803, just weeks after founder James Kilbourne arrived in Worthington, Ohio.

PB Holiday Parade

Though you can’t hear the song until about halfway through the video, this clip shows a presentation made by librarians for a holiday parade. It may be quiet. But it’s totally worth it to see the book cart drill team dance their bums off in the middle of the street.

Braulio Cesar Linare

In this short film, Braulio Cesar Linare’s “Library Thriller,” a two teenage boys incur the wrath of an angry librarian by chewing gum in the library’s quiet zone. The most plot-focused of tonight’s videos, you won’t peep any dance moves until the 4:30 mark when the dance is used as means to return books through the library’s outdoor slot.

Terrebonne Parish Library

Louisiana’s Terrebonne Parish Library gets some late-night visitors. In August of 2005, Terrebonne Parish Library housed Hurricane Katrina survivors until Hurricane Rita damaged the lower portion of the building in September. Since then, the building has undergone massive renovations, including the addition of a mobile library which was presented to the library system by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Santa Monica Public Library

The American Library Association supports book cart drill teams to increase the visibility of libraries in communities and build morale among staffers. Teams perform at community events and festivals, march in parades and travel to schools. They also compete each year at the ALA Library Book Cart Drill Team Championship. Here’s the 2008 winners from Santa Monica Public Library performing “Well-Stacked Sci-Brarians.”

EBRP Library

The Dewey Decibelles, East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s book truck drill team, performs “Zombies vs. Heroes” at the Louisiana Library Association conference. “Thriller” doesn’t start until a minute and a half in, but it comes with librarian growling.

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Last week, I stumbled upon Uke Springsteen’s MySpace. Uke, who by day is Pat Healy, is a one-man cover band, using his ukulele to strum out renditions of popular Bruce Springsteen songs. (His remix of “Atlantic City” rivals The Band for best cover of the iconic song.) Perhaps not surprisingly, Uke is not alone in his hobby. Here’s nine clips of other Bruce-lovin’ ukulele players.

“Thunder Road”

Sam Love Kemp describes herself as an “amateur ukulele enthusiast.” Along with her college buddy, Erika Strandjord, Sam hits open mic nights around Iowa with her ukulele, a Red Cedar Concert ukulele from Mainland Ukes. Here, she covers “Thunder Road,” one of her favorite Springsteen songs to listen to while driving. She based her ukulele arrangment of the 1975 hit off Bruce’s performance on MTV UnPlugged.

“State Trooper”

Sam’s pal Erika performs her dad’s favorite song since he couldn’t see her at a recent open mic.

“Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”

This version of “Rosalita,” one of Springsteen’s most upbeat tunes, is surprisingly mellow thanks to Kevin’s ukulele.

“Born To Run”

Performed by a true uke enthusiast (as evidenced by the 10—10!—ukuleles hanging on the wall behind him), this version of “Born To Run” comes with the added bonus of a kazoo blasting out the iconic first chords of Springsteen’s most famous tune.

“The River”

Laura O’ Callaghan, Eamon Cagney, Maria Falsey, Eoghan Judge, Thomas Doyle and Owen Sutton perform the title track from Springsteen’s fifth album. O’Callaghan is responsible for the uke and the vocals on this one and contributes to a truly imaginative cover.

“Hungry Heart”

Ian Brown and Stevo Corrigan, otherwise known as Two Blokes, Two Ukes, dedicate this version of “Hungry Heart” to their pal Ellie Daniels. Brown and Corrigan are also open to requests. (Another post for another day: Their version of Lady Gaga’s “Pokerface” is quite entertaining.)

“Dancing In The Dark”

Uni covers the first single released off  Born in the U.S.A.—a song most notable for a very young Courteney Cox’s appearance in the music video—in Bar Mendocino, Helsinki, Finland.

“Out In The Street”

After all these videos, have you been aching to learn how to play some Springsteen on your own uke? You’re in luck! Mark made an instructional video for “Out in the Street.” He also gives a quick but interesting crash course about the difference between a ukulele and a guitar, which is good trivia for any faithful Flosser.

“Growin’ Up”

Mark also covers “Growin’ Up,” which some YouTube commenters erroneously believe is a song by the Beach Boys. In fact, “Growin’ Up” was released in 1973 on Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. and was featured in the 1999 Adam Sandler flick Big Daddy.