For several years, Washington D.C.’s Newseum—it’s a news museum, get it?—has operated an installation that lets visitors get in front of a green screen and “deliver the news.” Hapless tourists may assume it’s just their friends watching, but, as comedy writer Sage Boggs pointed out this week, the videos are winding up on YouTube.
There’s a museum in Washington D.C. called Newseum that lets anyone stand in front of a green screen & pretend like they’re a reporter
— Sage Boggs (@sageboggs) August 25, 2016
Newseum News offers the full spectrum of weird stuff humans will do when presented with a camera and microphone. Some, like Dancin’ Ashley, are natural entertainers:
We are all Dancin Ashley pic.twitter.com/7adOSjAsL1
— Sage Boggs (@sageboggs) August 25, 2016
Others take the opportunity to own their friends:
Somebody give Tabitha & Jennifer a TV show stat pic.twitter.com/dLRjnl2SNz
— Sage Boggs (@sageboggs) August 25, 2016
Some don’t have any friends at all. (Bill, if you’re out there, we hope you’re okay.)
Bill pic.twitter.com/rZ0nP2Bt0R
— Sage Boggs (@sageboggs) August 25, 2016
Bill didn’t know it at the time, but there’s at least one person who loves him.
I love you too, Boo Boo pic.twitter.com/3J8GywcuJS
— Sage Boggs (@sageboggs) August 25, 2016
At least some people try to take the news seriously:
Rappo is the purest human being pic.twitter.com/ZyFZEuW6pT
— Sage Boggs (@sageboggs) August 25, 2016
Newseum Network News is a mirror on the best and worst of humanity, including our universal love for poops, butts, and tits. Each one of these is a perfect little treasure.
There are a ton of these on Boggs’ Twitter thread, and dozens more on YouTube. People have been posting underappreciated Newseum Network News compilations for years.
The Newseum is not unaware of this dorky phenomenon. Their social media people noticed Boggs’ tweets taking off, and sent him a polite response:
.@sageboggs, #ThanksForTheUpdate. Come by the #Newseum and record your report anytime! #Summer2016 pic.twitter.com/5fASxUygdP
— Freedom Forum (@1stForAll) August 25, 2016
And that’s the news.