Indie Spotlight: ‘Nepotism’ Features A Series Of Unfortunate Events

We receive a ton of tips every day from independent creators, unaffiliated with any major motion picture studios, television networks, new media studios, or other well-funded online video entities. The Indie Spotlight is where we’ll write about and shout out to a select few of them and bring you up to speed on the great (and sometimes not-so-great) attention-grabbing series you probably haven’t heard about until now.  Read previous installments here.

Winners are no fun. I’d much rather watch characters who screw up in a myriad hilarious ways then follow cheery protagonists as they overcome trials and make something of their lives. Nepotism is the latest web series to understand this appeal. Nothing ever goes according to plan, and that makes for big laughs.

Nepotism is a sketch series created by Macarony Productions, a New Jersey-based studio that has released everything from drama to comedy to commercial work. Nepotism, however, is Macarony’s crown jewel: It spans more than 40 episodes and counting, with each one running around two minutes.

Macarony calls Nepotism “A Series Of Unfortunate Events” (no, not that one), and that’s a fairly accurate description; whether they are falling for scams, getting pickpocketed, or initiating undesirable threesomes, the series’ characters can never catch a break.

The cast rotates, but Nepotism‘s clear star is Jon Bershad, who recurs as a screenwriter named Dan Maddox. With his dorky glasses, unique inflection, and impeccable timing, he manages to turn very simple sketches into comedy gold.

In addition to its home on YouTube, Nepotism has also been featured on Funny or Die. There’s a nice large archive to peruse, so get clicking.

OTHER UNDER-THE-RADAR SERIES TO CHECK OUT:

• Teenagers. High-schoolers get angsty, argumentative, and violent in this sometimes funny, sometimes serious web series.
• Betwixt & Bethrothed. This series asks the important questions, such as “what happens when you want to watch Breaking Bad and eat ice cream, but your wife doesn’t want you to tempt her into eating ice cream?“
• Only In HelLA. West Coasters will dig this series of sketches set in the organic, gluten-free, “charitable” world of LA.
• His & Hers. Moving in with a significant other shouldn’t be a rash decision, and this comedy shows why.

Got a series you’d like to see featured in the Indie Spotlight? Be sure to contact us here. For best coverage, please include a full episode in your e-mail.