Supernatural Shake
Meme History
The Harlem Shake internet meme took off in early February 2013. The meme consisted of videos lasting about 30 seconds, overlayed with part of the 2012 song "Harlem Shake" by electronic musician Baauer. The videos all started with one person dancing, while those around them went about their business. The video then cut, and suddenly the screen is filled with people in crazy costumes dancing. The videos then ended with a drop to slow motion.
The Supernatural Version
The Supernatural version, which was dubbed the "Supernatural Shake," was the brainchild of Jensen Ackles.[1] According to director Guy Bee,
- "He showed me samples of others and we agreed that day we had all the elements to do it!"[2]
According to Jensen at his Las Vegas Con 2013 meet & greet, the B camera crew, including "Rosie" (Brian Rose) were laughing at their phones and when Jensen asked what they were looking at, they showed him some of the YouTube versions. He thought it was funny too and agreed to ask Guy about doing a Supernatural one.[3] The crew was so eager to do it that Osric Chau drove for an hour to be in it on his day off. He's the figure flopping around in the body bag.[4]
The video was shot in February 2013, but wasn't posted online until 6 March due to the necessity to get clearance from Warner Bros., who produce Supernatural. Jensen said that Peter Roth, chief executive of Warner Bros. Television, told him that he uses the "Eye of the Tiger" video to convince executive boards about the new ways shows can connect with their audiences.
The video garnered two million views in the first 48 hours. As of December 2023, it has eight million views.
References
- ↑ Tweet by @guynormanbee (Mar 6, 2013)
- ↑ Tweet by @guynormanbee (Mar 6, 2013)
- ↑ The original detailed meet and greet description including this story was up here on the Fangasm Blog but was asked to be taken down by Creation Con.
- ↑ Tweet from @OsricChau (Mar 6, 2013)
External links
- Supernatural Shake video
- Harlem Shake on Know Your Meme
