How do I know that he is one of my favorites? Well after laughing earlier tonight while Galifianakis and Kristen Wiig somehow made an otherwise pedestrian skit about bedets funny, I thought to myself, “you know what? I would probably laugh hysterically just watching Zach Galifianakis read the phone book.”

And ultimately, that is the standard by which all comedians should be measured. Because if someone can make you laugh while reading the phone book, you might be a tool, but they are definitely hilarious.

So, despite the fact that we are supposed to be a “sports blog”, I am taking some time on a quiet Saturday evening to enjoy some of the funniest YouTube videos featuring Zach Galifianakis and share them with you.

Hopefully you find them all as uproariously hilarious as I do. If not, you are no longer welcome at Midwest Sports Fans.

All joking aside, if you watched tonight’s Saturday Night Live, you’ll realize that Galifianakis is still using many of the same jokes/themes that he was using as far back as 2001. And if you have a problem with that, and because of it have a problem with these videos, somehow not finding them funny, you are no longer welcome at Midwest Sports Fans.

Without further ado, here are 10 great YouTube moments featuring Zach Galifianakis…in no particular order…

Zach Galifianakis YouTube Video #1: Zach Galifianakis on Physical Comedy

Zach Galifianakis YouTube Video #’s 2 & 3: Zach Galfianakis Gets Hilariously Pissed (Very NSFW)

Description from YouTube: When Zach came to Univ. of South Carolina some idiot started drunk-talking…was it a plant?? that’s up for debate. But here is how it started. Sorry for the beginning quality, I had to hide my camera.

Description from YouTube: Zach already hates the drunk girl. Then her fucking cell phone goes off! And Zach goes Hulk on her ass! We love you Zach!

Zach Galifianakis YouTube Video #4: Zach Galifianakis Singing in a Dress

Zach Galifianakis YouTube Video #5: Zach Galifianakis Plays the Piano & Tells Jokes on Conan

Best line: “You know what I realized the other day? You cannot fax acid.”

For the record, I think this one may be favorite of them all. Must be something about the synergy of Conan and Galifianakis.

Zach Galifianakis YouTube Video #6: Zach’s Interpretation “Under Pressure” by David Bowie

The first thing you’ll notice about this is that Galifianakis has no beard. For the record, I don’t like it…and I bet everyone will agree. Everything he does and says is 10X funnier when he has a beard.

That being said, this is still hilarious.

The second thing that you’ll think is, “Whoa? Galifianakis had a TV show?” Apparently so. I feel so deprived a) that I didn’t know this; and, b) that I don’t have the box set. KVB, I blame you for this. You are my go-to guy for Galifianakis stuff. You’ve failed me. You’ve failed us all…hippie.

Zach Galifianakis YouTube Video #’s 7, 8, & 9: A Vodka Movie by Zach, Tim, and Eric

Background: Zach Galifianakis, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim were commissioned by Absolut Vodka to make a film for their website. They were told they could do anything they wanted as long as they mentioned the product.

Zach Galifianakis YouTube Video #10: “We’re the three best friends…”

And just so you come away from this post with an annoyingly poignant song stuck in your head, there’s this:

If you think that I left out some must-see moments (and I’m sure I did) please post links in the comment section. That’s what it’s there for.

And for the record, I was kidding above about the “not welcome at Midwest Sports Fans” stuff. You laughed, so you’re welcome here any time.

Boomer is reportedly mulling over offers from the NFL Network and DirectTV right now (in between healthy bites of ham sandwiches smothered in pickle relish…but that’s merely speculation on my part.)

What would Berman’s departure mean for ESPN and the landscape of sports media? Who cares!? This is the perfect opportunity to show you leaked ESPN video of Berman being a complete jerk.

Now, before we get to the videos, let’s be serious for one paragraph.

Several bloggers have filed reports from their mom’s basement about Berman’s potential departure from ESPN, which – let’s be honest – would be akin to Brett Favre leaving the Green Bay Packers.

The Big Lead wondered whether Berman’s love for baseball would keep him at ESPN while Sports by Brooks looked at the possibility of DirectTV teaming Berman up with old pal Dan Patrick in the launch of a new sports network.

I have nothing new to add to the Berman speculation, other than to reiterate the obvious fact that losing Berman would be devastating blow to ESPN. These rumors of his potential departure also could be a ploy by Berman to get a new contract from ESPN. But, like with the ham sandwiches that Berman may or may not be eating right this very second, that is just speculation on my part.

In lieu of any additional insight or commentary, I have decided to run down Chris Berman’s greatest hits from a network that he will never leave (and Halelujah for that!): YouTube.

Video: Chris Berman’s crazy rant when his minions won’t let him concentrate (NSFW language)

Video: Chris Berman discusses how to smuggle Canadian drugs (Duh-duh-duhs)

Video: Chris Berman shows his appreciation for the F-word

Video: Chris Berman gets a little flirty with a staffer

Bonus! Video: Emmitt Smith annoys Chris Berman

Bonus! Video: Remix of Chris Berman’s angry rant

Royce White, a highly recruited basketball player from Minnetonka who chose to stay home and play for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, has announced via YouTube that he is quitting the Minnesota basketball team.

White has been suspended for the entire start of the 2009 season after having an altercation with a mall security guard, and then his name later came up in a dorm theft investigation.

White maintains his innocence but says in the video that he is quitting to keep his family, Tubby Smith, and his Golden Gopher teammates from having to deal with the distractions.

To which I, and many others who have watched the video, are responding, huh?

Here it is. Watch for yourself. He doesn’t start talking until a few minutes into it.

It sounds to be like he is just a very confused kid who is frustrated at how his college career has started. And with outlets like YouTube and Twitter now available for immature and frustrated young athletes to broadcast their frustration, I imagine that we’ll see more and more things like this in the future.

According to an SI.com article on Royce White’s YouTube announcement that he is quitting, White has informed no one at the university of his supposed plans.

Something tells me that older, wiser mentors will be able to talk some sense into him and help him realize that quitting the basketball team is probably the worst thing he can do right now.

Whether White’s legal troubles are justified or not (and I don’t know his story well enough to judge one way or the other), he’s a college freshman who is obviously in need of some direction or perhaps just a little time, perspective, and maturity to deal what I’m sure has been a pretty difficult first semester on campus.

Hopefully justice is served, whatever it may be, and then White can can learn from this whole situation. Assuming that is the case, then perhaps he can actually suit up someday for Tubby and the Gophers like he was supposed to do all along.

And I guess if his basketball career never pans out as expected, White could always go into movie production or theater. He certainly seems to have a flair for the dramatic.

(Damnit, if I don’t stop laughing I won’t be able to type this.)

So I was doing my daily perusal of Deadspin.com this morning, and came across the video that is embedded below. The video is about 4 and a half minutes of proud rambling from an Alabama fan in the wake of their 29-9 victory over Tennessee last weekend. My favorite part in the whole thing starts at the 2:47 mark and ends with the glorious line, “But ya’all got ya’all’s ass handed to ye.”

I’m not even really sure what to else to say about this video, except…enjoy:

(FYI…if you’re at work or get offended by profanity, there are a few expletives in the video.  It’s not egregious, but now you’ve been warned.)

A couple more quick hit reactions to this video:

–(Update: According to our first comment the Alabama fan in the above video will be interviewed on the radio later today. Someone please go to the link in the first comment, listen, and post a report. If ye have time, that is.)

–Here is the transcript of my favorite section of this video, which obviously features that best and brightest that the Alabama fan base has to offer. I tried to transcribe in the full spirit of the local patois. (And Mr. Alabama fan, if you read this, “patois” is not something you toast and eat for breakfast on your way to the mill.)

Nick Saban, by God, I don’t know if he, he prolly never watch this but I’m gonna drink this ‘un for you. I love it how ‘ol Tennessee’s uh fans wanna get rid uh Phil Fulmer, though they crying, hell let’s get rid of Phil. Let’s get rid of Phil. Oh, that’s all, that’s all I hear. It ‘aint Phil you gotta worry about, it’s ya damn players ya gotta worry about. Now Phil’s just, just part of the equation – he’s part of the pie.

F*ck it, get rid of Phil. Hell, boycott his ass or something, all I can tell ye.

But, you know I done all this bragging but I will give ya’all credit Tennessee. Ya’all had a hell of a defense. Ya’all wouldn’t lettin’ Alabama run ye over. I give you that, I will. I’m a, I’m a, I’m a damn gentleman. But ya’all got ya’all’s ass handed to ye.

–What does it say for Phil Fulmer’s future as the Tennessee head coach that the strongest and most vociferous support he is getting is from a drunk Alabama fan who looks like he can’t decided whether he is going as Rollie Fingers or Tom Selleck for Halloween?

–You know, I really shouldn’t be so hard on the Alabama fan. He is, after all, “a gentleman.”

Anyway, please feel free to watch the video in amazement as many times as you like. Then leave comments. I say we start a contest to come up with the best name for the Alabama fan. My vote is for Earl Lee Stanton. What’s yours?

[tags]alabama fan, youtube, sec[/tags]