Here Come The KONY 2012 Parodies

Earlier this month, KONY 2012 burst onto the scene, bringing in over 71 million views and generating more than 2.8 million Facebook fans in less than a week. Despite the campaign’s criticism, and questions about the legitimacy of its views, one thing remains undisputed: KONY 2012 was an internet sensation. So it was no surprise that the internet would treat KONY 2012 like every other meme and parody it. Here are some examples from Funny or Die and Maker Studios.

Funny or Die teamed up with human rights organization Enough Project for a satirical video featuring former NBC Law & Order: SVU star Chris Meloni (who has recently joined the HBO series True Blood), and co-starring Amir Arison. In the video, Kony Hunter with Christopher Meloni, Meloni informs his agent he is quitting acting to pursue Joesph Kony and bring him to justice, all while dressed as Dog the Bounty Hunter.

According to Enough Project Co-founder John Prendergast, Meloni became involved in the Enough Project’s efforts to end the LRA after a 2009 episode of Law & Order: SVU about a child soldier fleeing the LRA conflict: “A few years ago, I helped the producers and writers at Law & Order: SVU do an episode whose central character was a former child soldier in the LRA,” Prendergast said. “The cast was deeply affected by the backstory of the LRA. Mariska Hargitay became an outspoken advocate against sexual violence in the Congo. Chris Meloni decided to get involved in a different way, but you have to see it to believe it. There is so much we can do to help support efforts to bring an end to the LRA and to help the communities affected by the conflict.”

Maker Studios released a more controversial video on its PoliPop channel (yet to officially launch). The video, Kony Responds to Kony 2012 Video, is directed by former Saturday Night Live star Horatio Sanz. In the exclusive sit-down studio interview, Kony gloats about the attention he’s received and rants about atrocities committed by Chris Brown. The video’s more subtle message is a comment on how online and social media has sensationalized Kony, who in the vide is now represented by talent agency Creative Artists Agency (incidentally, the Meloni video takes place in CAA offices—coincidence or conspiracy?!).