“On the Web, everyone will be famous to fifteen people.”
– David Weinberger, The New Yorker in an article entitled, “Amateur Hour”

Here’s a guy who is famous to slightly more than fifteen people.

Feeling particularly burned out this afternoon, I allowed myself the luxury of mindlessly web surfing. I found myself perusing YouTube, clicking on any clip with a mildly interesting thumbnail photo or description. Of course, there’s a ton of crap on YouTube, but that’s bound to happen when you let every Tom, Dick, and Harry post their content. Sometimes you find a gem or two, though.

Tonight’s find? Gary Broslma is back; the “Numa Numa guy” who became an Internet sensation overnight with only a marginal webcam, a catchy tune, and decent lip synching skills. This time, he’s back with a new video, professionally-produced, backed by a corporate sponsor promoting a $45,000 contest urging fans to create their own “New Numa” video. And let me tell you, this big boy has some fans.

Thus far, 1,600,972 of them have viewed the new video on YouTube, 9723 of them leaving comments.

Can you believe it all started with a talented eyebrow and a weird, albeit memorable, dance move that you can do from the comfort of your desk chair?

In my opinion, the “New Numa” video doesn’t have the same flair or charm that the original webcam video had. It feels a bit staged and unnatural. It just goes to show you that sometimes homegrown is better than manufactured.

So, anyone up for the challenge of creating your own “homegrown” New Numa video for a chance to win some bucks and a chance to be famous to, oh, 15-million people?

Bored? Check out this variation of the Numa Numa video. It’s actually a compilation of various people doing the Numa Numa and I find it pretty darned amusing.

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