Apple posts 'Backstage' parody sketch from WWDC 2015

Posted:
in General Discussion edited June 2015
With WWDC 2015, Apple chose to kick things off with a humorous sketch video lampooning the lengths to which companies go to produce gala keynote presentations. The video is now up on YouTube for your viewing pleasure.


Actor/comedian Bill Hader and "Tim Cook-alikes" in a scene from Apple's "Backstage" short.


The video, appropriately titled "Backstage," aired at the Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday just before CEO Tim Cook took the stage, amounting to a cold open sequence seen on TV shows like Saturday Night Live.

SNL alum Bill Hader stars as director David LeGary, who is tasked with producing WWDC's grand "opening number." The reference parodies the glitzy, often over-the-top presentations into which keynotes have morphed as certain tech companies try to outdo each other. The film features celebrity cameos, shout outs to popular apps and inside references to the Silicon Valley scene.





Prior to Thursday, "Backstage" was available for viewing through Apple's website, as it was included in the company's keynote presentation video.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 30
    It was okay. Felt a bit off the rails TBH.
  • Reply 2 of 30
    quadra 610quadra 610 Posts: 6,757member
    The water bottle and a laptop.... and the sudden realization that....

    that's Apple. THAT is Apple. It's all you need. And the ideas do the talking.

    Reminded me of when Steve just sat in front of a Mac on stage with a bottle of water and BOOM... Magic.
  • Reply 3 of 30
    bobschlobbobschlob Posts: 1,074member

    For how 'broad' the overall humor style was, there was really a lot of under the surface subtlety in there.

     

    Loved where Hader briefly 'mouths' to the bad rap song.

    Pensively declines the cherry licorice whip.

    And I mean, come on…  "Tim Cook-a-likes"   Classic.

  • Reply 4 of 30
    thrangthrang Posts: 1,008member
    Notice no camera reflection in the mirror behind Hader in the opening shot...neat...could have been no mirrors but a reverse set and an another actor doubling his head movements...

    I don't recall the name of the actress thats his assistant, but I didn't like her in "House" and in this...the only reason is she has horrible enunciation and swallows half her words...
  • Reply 5 of 30
    matrix07matrix07 Posts: 1,993member
    The production quality and actings from everybody was amazing. It's almost too good for showing in an event.

  • Reply 6 of 30
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by TheWhiteFalcon View Post



    It was okay. Felt a bit off the rails TBH.



    No, it was totally awesome for developers.

    Cheeky self-parody is nothing new at WWDC. They know what they're doing.

     

    image

  • Reply 7 of 30
    bobschlobbobschlob Posts: 1,074member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by thrang View Post



    Notice no camera reflection in the mirror behind Hader in the opening shot...neat...could have been no mirrors but a reverse set and an another actor doubling his head movements...



    I don't recall the name of the actress thats his assistant, but I didn't like her in "House" and in this...the only reason is she has horrible enunciation and swallows half her words...



    She's fine. She's definitely meant to "underplay" it.

    She reminds me of "Honey" from Doonesbury.

  • Reply 8 of 30
    I'm surprised we're not hearing more about this. I thought that it was hilarious.. Can't imagine a more perfect intro. Not only was it funny, but it perfectly conveyed Apple's ethos. I loved the ridiculous egocentrism of Hader interviewing himself, multiple nuances keeping us on our toes (e.g. ping of social app, almost chopping a goat's head off, randomly refusing a piece of licorice), the clever developer oriented rap lyrics.. not to mention Hader's perfectly timed furtive glances. They could've stuck just with the humor, but they even interjected meaning, juxtaposing the circus of the over the top extravaganza with Apple's characteristic simplicity, an understated laptop and water. I couldn't help but think that there was also a subtle dig at its competitors, who often, and in ridiculous fashion, do put on a circus like show in order to get attention (e.g. samsung obviously, google with its skydiving glassholes, microsoft with its dancing keyboard clickers..) Apple is conveying that it is about substance, not gimmicks, and that's what this commercial conveyed after all the humor. And the self deprecating comment about the superficial motives of 'I'm pretty sure we're getting an apple watch out of this' was a perfect ending. Good job, Apple!
  • Reply 9 of 30
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by PatchyThePirate View Post

     Apple is conveying that it is about substance, not gimmicks, and that's what this commercial conveyed after all the humor. And the self deprecating comment about the superficial motives of 'I'm pretty sure we're getting an apple watch out of this' was a perfect ending. Good job, Apple!

     

    Today. They've been pretty attention grabbing when they had to be. Don't forget that they ran over laptops with a steamroller, set fire to the Intel bunny suit man, and surrounded a Power Mac G4 with Sherman tanks. All under Jobs. <img class=" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />

  • Reply 10 of 30
    rp2011rp2011 Posts: 159member
    Making fun of that Samsung keynote a few years back
  • Reply 11 of 30

    He should have found all the Tim Cooks' in the kitchen. 

  • Reply 12 of 30
    retrogustoretrogusto Posts: 1,110member

    I like how he accepts or rejects the various performers by swiping (in the air) to the left or the right, Tinder-style.

  • Reply 13 of 30
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,727member
    quadra 610 wrote: »
    The water bottle and a laptop.... and the sudden realization that....

    that's Apple. THAT is Apple. It's all you need. And the ideas do the talking.

    Reminded me of when Steve just sat in front of a Mac on stage with a bottle of water and BOOM... Magic.

    That was totally a homage to Steve. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I felt his presence.
  • Reply 14 of 30
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,727member
    thrang wrote: »
    Notice no camera reflection in the mirror behind Hader in the opening shot...neat...could have been no mirrors but a reverse set and an another actor doubling his head movements...

    No silly, they hired a vampire actor as the stand in double for those shots.
  • Reply 15 of 30
    No silly, they hired a vampire actor as the stand in double for those shots.

    While the cameraman may have a been a vampire due to his lack of reflection, that doesn't explain why the camera won't show up in the mirror. ????
  • Reply 16 of 30
    How many actors from TV's Community were in this piece of art? Who played the angel investor?
  • Reply 17 of 30
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by OcelotWreak View Post



    How many actors from TV's Community were in this piece of art? Who played the angel investor?

     Who from Community was there besides Abed?

  • Reply 18 of 30
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • Reply 19 of 30
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    We were amused. ????
  • Reply 20 of 30
    curtis hannahcurtis hannah Posts: 1,833member
    While the cameraman may have a been a vampire due to his lack of reflection, that doesn't explain why the camera won't show up in the mirror. ????
    He made it a vampire camera.
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