The Gloriousness, Brilliantness, and Geniusness of "Ridiculousness."

Is a shockingly simple, often idiotic, viral-video clip show on MTV, really one of the greatest, most entertaining, most hilarious, and most successful television shows in the history of the medium?

Why, yes, in fact, it is....and I unapologetically LOVE it.

This is a picture I took of my TV during a usual 24-hour marathon of "Ridiculousness" on MTV. That's the terrific Rob Dyrdek.

From Wikipedia:

Ridiculousness is an American comedy clip show that began airing on August 29, 2011, on MTV. It is hosted by Rob Dyrdek and co-hosted by Sterling "Steelo" Brim, and formerly Chanel West Coast. Ridiculousness strictly showcases various viral videos from the Internet, usually involving failed do-it-yourself attempts at stunts, to which Dyrdek and his panelists add mockery and reaction. The producers of the series and MTV refuse any submitted videos for the show for the safety of their viewers (as mentioned in disclaimers at the beginning and end of each episode), instead licensing already-existing content.

Dyrdek showing a clip of a dog about to NOT clear his attempted jump over a fence...and it's hilarious. "Ridiculousness" at it's finest.

That about sums it up...but, it really doesn't, because if you truly are a fan of the show, you know that there is so much more to this thing than meets the eye.

It started out as another MTV showcase for host Rob Dyrdek, a one-time pro skateboarder who found success as the host and producer of the reality/variety shows "Rob & Big," and "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory."

Rob, because he came from the world of skateboarding, was associated with the crew from "Jackass," the legendary, and hilarious MTV show.

"Jackass" featured the antics of a group of skateboarders, musicians, actors, and idiots, who would pull pranks on one another (and the public), and perform outrageous, often dangerous, and frequently uproarious stunts to the delight of anyone who watched.

Jeff Tremaine was the brainchild and director of the series, which became so popular that it spawned many spinoffs, and four of the funniest feature films ever made (seriously, the "Jackass" movies are genius). Tremaine, a skateboarder himself, thought that Dyrdek was funny and goofy, and gave him his break.

Little did anyone know, that after 41 Seasons, 14 years, and well over 1,000 episodes, "Ridiculousness" would not only still be on the air, but it would be the highest rated show in MTV history, and be shown almost 24-hours-a-day on the channel, with no signs of slowing down.

Dyrdek said recently in an interview, that they tape about 336 episodes of the show a year, and even though he is now a multi-millionaire with several companies under his belt (and despite a few changes in format, and the departure of co-host West Coast - replaced by the equally charming Lolo Wood), the show will go on.

Seriously, if you turn on MTV at anytime of the day, the odds are that you will see an episode of "Ridiculousness."

Some people are baffled by this phenomenon...I am not.

The handsome and very funny (former Chicago Southsider) Sterling "Steelo" Brim, playing back funny clips from his spot on the couch. A key component of the success of "Ridiculousness."

On the simplest of levels the show is funny, I mean really, REALLY funny.

Dyrdek is a charming, goofy, and funny host, and his partners in crime: the handsome and clever Brim (from the southside of Chicago!!) who plays and replays the videos; and the cute (sometimes annoying), but always entertaining, rapper/model West Coast, (who seems to be there to just laugh) are the perfect foils for Dyrdek's antics.

The very amusing Chanel West Coast, who recently left "Ridiculousness" to do her own MTV reality show about having a baby and a rap career.

So, combined with the undeniably funny viral clips of people falling down stairs, animals doing crazy stuff, guys having their genitalia destroyed, cars crashing, boats flipping, and general mayhem, the show is 22 minutes of joy....and it is completely addictive.

I have found myself leaving MTV on for hours, doing other stuff around the house while the warm, familiar, incredibly amusing antics of the show keep me company. Or, sometimes I will simply sit down and watch, with undivided attention, for hours at a time.

I just find the show to be perfection in every way. The cast, the clips, the theme song (Devo's classic track "Uncontrollable Urge" with it's awesome "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!" refrain)....everything about the damn show is awesome.

Is it weird that a 59 year-old man is watching nonsense that is clearly aimed at 14 year-olds? Perhaps...but, I don't care.

Here's the deal: If I feel like I need a laugh, I turn on "Ridiculousness." If I want to see three charming and funny friends laugh and genuinely have a good time, I turn on "Ridiculousness." If I just want to forget all of the bullshit in the world and have a blast, I turn on "Ridiculousness."

This is me laughing my ass off while watching one of the over 1,000 episodes of the hilarious "Ridiculousness."

At this point, the show is like an old, reliable friend, who you can count on to keep you entertained, laughing, and happy for as long as you want.

Yes, it's base. Yes, it's stupid. Yes, it's repetitive. No, it won't win any awards, or make you smarter...but, who gives a shit? It's hilarious and great, and I hope it's on for another 50 years.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to turn on MTV and watch three people laugh their asses off at a video of a monkey falling from a tree and throwing its crap at a drunk guy. Genius.

Thanks, and please SUBSCRIBE to my weekly NEWSLETTER. Consider joining me on Patreon as a paid subscriber to help keep this thing going. Thanks again!