Rhett & Link
| Rhett and Link | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Medium | Internet, Television, Film |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 2000-present |
| Genres | Musical comedy Interviews |
| Website | rhettandlink.com |
Rhett and Link are the comedy duo of Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal. They are known for their large collection of videos on the World Wide Web. Rhett and Link are also musicians, filmmakers, and TV hosts. They are originally from Buies Creek, North Carolina, and have been best friends since meeting in first grade.[1]
Early years
Rhett and Link met on the first day of first grade in Buies Creek Elementary School, after having to stay inside during recess for writing profanity on their desks. They became best friends after they were forced to be quiet and color pictures of Paul Bunyan. At age twelve, they wrote a screenplay entitled "Gutless Wonders". In high school, Rhett was on the basketball team, while Link competed in multiple science competitions. Later, they were roommates at North Carolina State University where they studied engineering. [1][2][3]
For several years after attending NC State, Rhett and Link were emcees for various Christian college and youth events.
Music
Rhett and Link are known to perform live musical comedy concerts and have completed two albums.
In 2001, Rhett and Link independently released Just Mail Us the Grammy, featuring the popular song "The Unibrow Song".
In 2005, Rhett and Link independently released I’m Sorry, What Was That? (Live in the Living Room), a live album featuring "The Wal-Mart Song". The album is available at the iTunes store.
In April 2007, Rhett and Link placed 3rd in the Turbotax TaxRap Contest. Over 370 rap entries were judged by Vanilla Ice.[4]
In 2008, Rhett and Link independently released Websongs Vol 1, an online album featuring "Facebook Song", "Cornhole Song" and "Velcro Song". The album is only available at the iTunes store.
Film
Rhett and Link’s first short film, "One Man’s Trash" won best North Carolina Comedy at the 2007 All-American Film Festival.[5] It was also an official selection at the Carrboro Film Festival[6], the Carolina Film and Video Festival[7], the Lake County Film Festival[8], and the Southern Fried Flicks Film Festival.[9]
In 2006, Rhett and Link began work on a documentary about their search for their first grade teacher, Ms. Locklear, entitled Looking for Ms. Locklear. The film is now complete and in consideration for acceptance at a number of film festivals across the country. [1] The trailer can be seen at the film’s website.
Internet
Rhett and Link’s online videos range from comical music videos to man-on-the-street interactions and comedy sketches.
In 2007, Rhett and Link began vlogging for NBC Universal’s comedy website, Dotcomedy.com. Their original web series is called Rhett&Link’s Melodelicious.[10]
Rhett and Link have a video podcast, the RhettandLinKast. In late 2007, the RhettandLinKast became a live weekly streaming web show, RhettandLinKast LIVE.
Television
Rhett and Link are among the first group of internet personalities to make a transition from the internet into network television.[11] Along with Stevie Ryan and Joy Leslie, Rhett and Link hosted the short-lived series Online Nation, a show that featured the best viral videos from the internet, part of the 2007 fall lineup on the CW Network.[12]
Online Nation was canceled after airing only four episodes.[13] The show was the second cancellation of the 2007/2008 season, achieving the lowest ratings ever on the CW. [14]
Rhett and Link quickly responded with an internet video.
Corporate ties and marketing
Rhett and Link have partnered with General Motors, serving as web correspondents for IGotShotgun.com, one of GM's internet marketing strategies.[15]
They have also developed custom internet marketing campaigns for companies such as AJJCornhole, creating a music video, the "Cornhole Song", featuring the gaming company's products.[16]
They spent the summer of 2008 releasing video blogs for the Alka-Seltzer Great American Road Trip. [17]
As of 2008, they are actively seeking to partner with brands interested in utilizing web video as a marketing strategy, and they are also offering to write jingles.[18]
Original Phraseology
Rhett and Link have developed a reputation for coining original phrases and slang, mostly during their live web broadcasts. They include:
Anniversity: (noun) A play on the word anniversary, intended to acknowledge the challenges of marriage. (i.e.: "Happy Anniversity, Brian!")
Confirmative: (noun or adjective) Confirming that what one has just said has been heard correctly (i.e.: "That's a confirmative").
E-hermit: (noun) A computer geek who works remotely from his home and rarely sees the need to interact with people apart from the internet. Refers specifically and endearingly to Brian Layman of B5 Media.
Funilicious: (adjective) Extremely enjoyable.
Internetainment: (noun) Entertainment that takes place on the internet.
P.O.S.S.U.M: (adjective) A false acronym describing a sweeping internet phenomenon (i.e.: "Did you hear about that new Twitter II? It's P.O.S.S.U.M!").
References
- ^ a b c Fayetteville Observer, 2007
- ^ Rhett&Link: An Introduction
- ^ ESPYs Red Carpet PART 2
- ^ Press Release, PRWEb, April 2007
- ^ AA Film Fest
- ^ Carrboro Film Festival
- ^ Carolina Film and Video Festival
- ^ Lake County Film Festival
- ^ Southern Fried Flicks Film Festival
- ^ NewTeeVee 2007
- ^ LA Times, 2007
- ^ Enquirer Wire Reports, 2007
- ^ TV Week, 2007
- ^ The Futon Critic Staff (2007-10-17). "The CW's 'Online Nation' First To Get The Axe". Retrieved 2007-10-18.
- ^ Biography, 2008
- ^ TV Week, 2008
- ^ http://www.speedysroadtrip.com Speedy's Road Trip, 2008
- ^ RhettandLink.com, 2008