Way way back in 2003 I discovered a funny show called “Unscrewed” on TechTV’s late-night programming block. It was cool, twisted and and hosted by Martin Sargent. After G4 took over TechTV the Unscrewed’s days were numbered and by mid-2004 it had been cancelled.

Martin and a few former colleagues jumped on the audio pod-casting scene in 2005 with a show called “Infected“. It was, for someone who’d been doing TV for many years, a huge degradation. From local TV star to almost self-produced pod-casts (full disclosure, he was working for Revison3). But Martin and Co. plugged away and the comedy series ran till December of 2006 (- and is still worth a listen on iTunes. It’s some funny shit).

Revison3 then set him up with a video podcast called “Web-Drifter“, which hasn’t really gotten much attention and which I’ll review later….and his current vehicle for success: “Internet Superstar“.

Internet Superstar is -to quote their “about” page and to save me the trouble of thinking something up myself:

“…the show is shot in a dilapidated shed in Martin’s mom’s backyard. Most people think that like all of his other shows, this one is doomed to fail. But most people underestimate Martin’s desire. His desire to become an Internet Superstar.

So join Martin and Gator as they invite the online world’s most popular, compelling and outrageous characters into the shed to swap stories about what life is like at the top of the online heap.”

What life is like as an INTERNET SUPERSTAR.”

The show had a serious format change recently (for the better in my opinion) when they killed off Gator, the co-host… or better put, when Steve Jobs killed Gator… and replaced him with Jay Speiden (Gator in civie’s).

Full Disclosure: I’ve not watched all 39 episodes of Internet Superstar or the 100 +  episodes of “Lil Superstar” the short daily that Martin puts out. But, I can safely tell you the following:

• if you’re interested in some of the personalities behind your favorite online videos, check it out the later episodes.
• if you’re a fan of the twisted, weird and the ribald, check out the earlier episodes.
• if your attention span is about 3 minutes tops, check out Lil Superstar
• if you can’t stand sometimes adult topics and the words shit, fuck, piss or damn – don’t watch. In fact, get the heck off of the Internet (sorry mom).

I’m glad to see the Sarge getting some recognition, glad to see him pulling off a more coherent show, too. This might just be the end of his 40 years in the media desert. Ladies and Gents, Martin Sargent just might be back!

the Bottom Line:

I ain’t seen ‘em all so I can’t give him top marks, but 4 outta 5 is damn good and you can bet that I will be catching up on the complete series over the next few days. YOU should probably be watching this show.