BubblePly Adds Video Color Commentary

A California company named BubblePly has empowered smart-alecks everywhere. Their self-titled Web service -- currently in beta -- allows users to create overlays for videos from YouTube and other online sources. These overlays include speech balloons, thought balloons and captions -- "similar to those found in comics," reads the press release, but if you're a VH1 watcher, you'll immediately recognize it as a user-generated version of Pop-Up Video. (Has it been eleven years already since the show debuted? Where does the time go?)

BubblePly says they dodge any copyright liability because they don't actually alter or duplicate the original video, and of course they're already working with content owners to make their material accessible for use. Given the popularity of shows like Pop-Up Video and Mystery Science Theater 3000, this could be the next big thing. Hey, if it allows the running-commentary maestros I encounter at the cineplex to expend their supposed wit elsewhere, I'm all for it.