While I know Parry from his time with Nerf Herder, with songs like "New Jersey Girl" and "Van Halen" holding special places in my heart, the slightly younger generation knows him as the man behind countless ridiculously catchy YouTube jingles, from "Do You Life Waffles?" to my personal favorite, "Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom". In the video for "The Girl at the Video Game Store", Parry is joined by AotS female host Olivia Munn as the titular girl, with a rather impressive turn at the drums by the show's male host, Kevin Pereira. I am extremely glad they didn't mix those two up, though I am sure Kevin has a very attractive midriff.

The song itself? Despite some painfully forced lines ("At Tekken she'll kick your ass?" Thanks, Yoda), Gripp's signature infectious melodies are firmly in place, and I've been humming the damn thing all day. I hate you, Parry Gripp.

Video Game Girl: Nerf Herder's Parry Gripp Music Video [G4TV.com]

Dammit, now he has me ranting. I've got Sessleriasys. I need to go lay down.

Keep in mind that these awards are all voted on by viewers, so the Game of the Year Award winner should be a pretty good indicator of the sort of audience G4 has left after they hacked away most of the good bits. And the winner is...Halo 3. Really. Hit the jump for the full awards listing.

G4 ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF FAN-VOTED “G-PHORIA 2008” AWARDS

“Halo 3” Voted Game of the Year
“GTA IV” and “Rock Band” Score Three Awards Each

LOS ANGELES, August 7, 2008 – The winners of the “G-Phoria 2008” awards were revealed TONIGHT during a special one-hour “X-Play” broadcast on G4. The biggest winner of the night was “Halo 3,” taking the highly coveted Game of the Year award. Other big winners were “Grand Theft Auto IV” and “Rock Band” tying with three awards each, along with “Metal Gear Solid 4” and “Call of Duty 4,” each receiving two awards. Set during the summer when gamers can find respite from the heat and take advantage of time off to engage in their passion, “G-Phoria 2008” honors games that were released in the 12 months between July 31, 2007 and July 31, 2008. “X-Play” hosts Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb presented this year’s installment of the annual videogame awards show that included more than 90 nominees in 18 categories.

The “G-Phoria 2008” winners include:

Game of the Year
Halo 3

Favorite System
Xbox 360

Best Graphics
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Best New Character
Niko Bellic - Grand Theft Auto IV

Best Party Game
Rock Band

Best Strategy Game
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution

Best Sports Game
skate.

Best Action Game
Grand Theft Auto IV

Best Shooter
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Best Racing Game
Mario Kart Wii

Best Role-Playing Game
Mass Effect

Most Original
Portal

Best Online Multiplayer Game
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Best Downloadable Content
Rock Band

Best Handheld Game
God of War: Chains of Olympus

Best Voice Acting
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Best Soundtrack
Rock Band

Game Most Deserving of an Uwe Boll Movie
Turok

Longest Lasting Game presented by Stride
Grand Theft Auto IV

“We’d like to thank our dedicated fans for their votes and unwavering support of our games. We’d also like to congratulate the other nominees in this category; their existence improves the gaming landscape,” said Brian Jarrard, Director of PR and Community, Bungie, developer of Halo 3.

Following the awards presentation, Morgan Webb explained what she thinks made Halo 3 such a runaway hit with “G-Phoria” game-playing voters.

“The record-breaking sales we saw with ‘Halo 3’ at the game’s launch and the continued success on Xbox Live are testament to how many people really love this game, as reinforced by the fans’ votes for Game of the Year.”

“G-Phoria” is the only videogame award show that hands control to the gamers, giving fans an opportunity to select their favorites in categories ranging from Best Party Game to Best New Character. By logging interactive votes, “G-Phoria” lets viewers honor those special games that offer spectacular game playing experiences. Winners in each ”G-Phoria 2008” category were determined through votes submitted online at G4tv.com and via text message. Games had to be released between July 31, 2007 and July 31, 2008.

“Given that this was the most incredible year for games in memory I have to commend our fans for making some tough decisions but well deserved spreading of the love to all the great developers out there,” said Adam Sessler, Host and Managing Editor, “X-Play.”

“X-Play” is the most-watched videogame series on television, offering smart, funny and brutally honest reviews of the hottest videogames on the market. More information on “X-Play” and the “G-Phoria 2008” awards presentation is available at http://www.g4tv.com/xplay . Visitors can learn more about the most-watched videogame show on television, find reviews of the latest games, participate in the show’s online forums and become a part of the show via unique interactive features.

"I couldn't be more excited about the direction 'X-Play' is taking," said Adam Sessler, host, "X-Play." "Reviews will still be a big part of the show, but now we're going to make sure that viewers are also updated regularly on everything else going on in the world of video games."

"X-Play" Jumps to the Next Level with New Enhanced Format Emphasizing Daily, Comprehensive Coverage of the Videogame Industry

New Episodes Featuring Daily Videogame News, Reviews, Interviews, Demos and More Premiere on G4 January 14, 2008 at 8 pm ET/PT

(artwork and interviews available upon request)

LOS ANGELES, December 12, 2007 - First came the next-generation consoles. Then, the next-gen games. Now, gamers have a next-gen TV series. "X-Play," the most-watched videogame series on television, will unveil an all-new and expanded format in 2008 that adds breaking news, demos, videos, interviews and more to the series' celebrated reviews. The updated "X-Play," featuring an all-new look and all-new content, premieres Monday, January 14, 2008 at 8 pm, only on G4.

New, half-hour episodes of "X-Play" will premiere every weeknight at 8 pm, giving viewers a comprehensive update on each day's videogame-related developments, along with a wide range of new features, including behind-the-scenes sneak peeks at games in development; interviews with industry luminaries; live, hands-on demonstrations of games before they hit store shelves and in-depth analysis of the latest videogame trends.

"Over the past few years, the videogame industry has evolved at a rapid pace"said Neal Tiles, president, G4. "The all-new 'X-Play'will provide greater depth of coverage, furtheringits role as television's most watched resource for videogames."

Hosts Morgan Webb and Adam Sessler, who have earned a reputation for delivering smart, entertaining and on-target reviews, will continue as "X-Play" hosts. As part of the series' relaunch, Adam Sessler has also been named G4's Managing Editor, Games Editorial, making him responsible for the show's overall editorial focus.

"I couldn't be more excited about the direction 'X-Play' is taking," said Adam Sessler, host, "X-Play." "Reviews will still be a big part of the show, but now we're going to make sure that viewers are also updated regularly on everything else going on in the world of video games."

"The games, the consoles, the companies and even the players are constantly evolving. So is 'X-Play,'" said Morgan Webb, host, "X-Play." "Every day, we'll give gamers the stories behind the games they love."

In addition to the expanded focus on news and industry trends, new "X-Play" segments and features will include:

* Tips and Tricks from "Cheat!" - "X-Play" will include integration with "Cheat!," G4's videogame tips and tricks series. Each week, host Kristin Holt will deliver the latest updates on achievements, unlockables, level guides, secrets and other cheats from the most popular new games.

* "The MMO Report" - The updated "X-Play" format also includes regular updates from the massively multiplayer online universe. Casey Schreiner, host of g4tv.com's "The MMO Report," will update viewers on the hottest MMO news and trends. Complete episodes of "The MMO Report" will continue to air on g4tv.com.

* "X-Play" Gamer Challenges - Viewers will have a chance to win prizes and compete for gamer pride in an ongoing series of game challenges.

* Hands-On Demos - Gameplay demos will give viewers an exclusive sneak peek at the hottest new games before the titles hit store shelves.

The "X-Play" Web site will undergo significant updates as well, including a new and improved "X-Play" videogame review database featuring thousands of game critiques. A new "X-Play Gaming Update Blog," with up-to-the-minute gaming news, previews and exclusives will also launch, along with a wide variety of more behind-the-scenes features, game trailers and gameplay videos than ever before. "X-Play" will also retain its cutting-edge interactive elements that allow viewers to communicate directly with hosts and other "X-Play" fans. Featured on-screen elements will include live updates highlighting the world's leading gamers as tracked by Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo on their respective consoles.

Ghostbusters Gameplay [G4TV.com]

Bad news, G4tv fans. All three of you. Comcast is rolling G4tv into E! Networks to consolidate their entertainment networks. More over? It looks like there'll be even less gaming focus.

E! and Style chief Ted Harbert has been given the newly created title of CEO, Comcast Entertainment Group. He will continue to report to Comcast Programming Group President Jeff Shell. G4 President Neal Tiles, who joined the network in September 2005, will now report to Mr. Harbert.

G4's executive staff will move into E!'s Los Angeles offices. Sources said layoffs among the G4 staff are likely, though Mr. Harbert said it's too soon to tell...

"I do agree with the vision of going after young men more than just going after gaming," Mr. Harbert said. "Gaming has been demonstrated as being too narrow."

Gosh, who's Faith Naked* going to suck up to now? Florian Eckhardt

Don't you just want to beat G4's host with a sack of oranges into a giant oozing bruise? Just shut up already, you idiot. No one cares what you have to say: we want to hear Carmack on the PS3!

Summary: Carmack says the PS3 is technically a more powerful rig than the 360, but that power is off-set by being a pain in the ass to program for. Which might explain why the PS3 games on show at E3 looked no better than the 360 games being developed one year in to the game's life cycle.

Floundering G4TV's identity crisis continues as the cable network is trading games for dudes. Its new slogan is "We Get Guys." Not sure if they mean "get" as in "understand" or "get" as in "purchase" or "go after." Proving that the network doesn't get much of anything, it recently applied for trademark protection of this phrase. No, really.

G4 Continues To Lose Game Cred [Kotaku]
More Here [trivial TV]

A G4TV staffer shot me a link to a hilarious video the channel put together lampooning The Emperor from Star Wars. Anytime you plop a guy with nearly infinite power and a taste that runs on the darkside in a temp job company hilarity is sure to follow.

The Emperor Gets a New Job [G4TV]

American cable channel G4 has posted a bunch of Mario spoof clips that pay homage to gangster flicks like Pulp Fiction, The Godfather, Goodfellas and The Sopranos. The clips originally appeared on the testosterone driven program "Attack of the Show." Hit the link to view.

Watch The Marios [G4TV]