YouTube always has had a way with pranks. Some time in the last hour, the world’s largest video portal activated a new button on some videos that looks like a tiny soccer ball. Clicking it will activate an endless, incredibly annoying sound that sounds vaguely like a swarm of insects. Or, for anyone who has been watching the World Cup, like the dreaded Vuvuzela — an instrument commonly played in South Africa at football (soccer) games. South Africa is, of course, the host country for this year’s World Cup, and fans watching the games have been subjected to the vuvuzela’s mindless drone for hours on end.

The noise is so annoying that television networks have taken measures to filter it out, and guides have popped up showing viewers how to block it from their TV sets and computers. But despite complaints, FIFA has decided not to ban the vuvuzela because of its traditional significance. Fun fact: one report says that the guy who brought the plastic vuvuzela to the market in South Africa is also in the business of selling ear plugs. Smart guy.

I’m not seeing the button show up on all videos, but it is definitely appearing on some clips that aren’t soccer related. Here’s one that has it.

Thanks to Ambuj Saxena for the tip.

I found out about the show when I was having a discussion with one of my friends. He was telling us about how his little brother does not drink alcohol, but was absolutely intrigued with the TV show Three Sheets. The explanation I got was: “It’s a show about this guy who travels around the world and investigates the drinking traditions of each place he visits.” That sounds fun already, right? It was no wonder that this dry, twenty-one year old was so intrigued.

The show is riddled with drunken humor, and offers very informative drinking knowledge from different places all over the world. For instance, I learned that Sláìnte is the Irish word for cheers and it is pronounced “slahn-chah”. I’m sure I butchered that, so don’t hold me to it. I also learned about the three grapes that come from the Champagne region of France: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. Not to mention how to properly say Champagne. In any case, this show is amazing and hilarious.

The coup de grâce for me was that it was readily available on Hulu. And I’m not talking about just the last 4 episodes, I’m talking about the entire series — all 4 seasons. So stop what you’re doing, and start watching Three Sheets.

Oh, and did I mention that the show itself is a drinking game. Just wait until you hear about Steve McKenna. Get your beer mugs ready!

This looks promising.  I’m going to need a bigger living room space!

Must… have… now!