Yoostar Lets People Live their Hollywood Dreams

yoostarChristmas has its fair share of interesting yet impractical technological gifts. But, this one just might take the cake for Nuttiest Christmas Gift of 2009. And no, I don’t mean that inane toy hamster that has shot up 800% in price.

I’m talking about the Yoostar.

Ever see a movie and think to yourself, “Damn, if I was cast in that role I would be so badass”? Well, the helpful Yoostar can make your dreams come true. With a PC, a green screen, and some technologically-compatible movie and television scenes, a lucky schmo with endless free time and an extra $165 lying around can instantly thrust himself into a scene from The Godfather and become the new Don Corleone. Simply memorize the interaction and get your acting chops up to par, and you can be Brando at his finest…or you know, you can try.

Although there’s something to be said about the uselessness of this gift, you can’t help but admire its earnest feeding of the American ego for profit. Mostly because even if you have the Yoostar, you have to shell out $1.99 every time you want to insert yourself in the next big movie. Essentially, the Yoostar people can perpetuate profit using the Itunes model with what seems to be an endless well of iconic film scenes. Well done, Yoostar, for not only tapping into the untamed market of the  at-home vanity green screen, but also making it profitable every time some kid thinks he wants to be Ferris Bueller.

Although I don’t have the means to buy a Yoostar, and I might have a problem with the conscience behind it, I have to applaud the Youtube-style feature on the website that allows people to upload their best takes to the internet to be surveyed by the masses. Through this little gem, I have found that any scene could be made instantly funnier when switching out the right people.

For example, check out this iconic scene from Sesame Street where Cookie Monster and a little girl take turns counting to 20:

Now, take out Cookie Monster and insert Snoop Dogg (click “performance clip”):

If dealing with this product means I get to see Snoop pretending to be a Sesame Street puppet, I guess the holidays won’t be so bad after all.

About Lauren Hockenson

Lauren Hockenson (CAS/COM '11) is the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Quad.

View all posts by Lauren Hockenson →

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *