Why Katy Perry’s Video “E.T.” is Extra Terrestrially Bad

Ever Since the song “E.T.” was released back in February of 2011, fans were really excited to see the video. With the electronic pop mixed with a hip hop bass backdrop, it brought out the dark and edginess of the tune.

When the video was released two months later, none of her fans were expecting a literal alien with one second clips of random animals, an albino male, and Perry’s strange costumes and makeup. Critics even claim Katy Perry was trying to upstage Lady Gaga’s usual weird tactics. Point blank, the song is a smash hit but when it comes to the video, it’s a sad case of a video gone wrong.

1. Hot Alien Chick?

When the video starts, Perry’s voice is heard in the background in the middle of space. Then out of nowhere a random alien pops out and sings along to the song. Right then and there, the video goes from sexy to weird in less than five seconds. Moments later the alien turns back to Perry. By having a literal alien in the video, Perry’s sex appeal drops down. Who in their right mind would even want to kiss an alien in the first place?

2. Questionable Choreography

 During the second verse, Perry is in her second costume floating around in space. Supposedly choreographed, Perry glides even though it actually looks like she’s moving extra slow from back pain. If making a video requires just doing a repeated simple movement for a good moment or two then it shows how music video’s expectations have dropped ridiculous low over the years.

3. Random Animal Clips

As if having Katy Perry’s alien metamorphic transition and her stiff choreograph weren’t enough, the “E.T.” video has dozens of random animal clips. From hunting and feeding to mating, viewers can’t understand the purpose of even showing these discovery channel-like clips. Either it somehow goes with the message of the song, or they’re there just to fill up some video time.

4. Kanye West Raps about Alien Sex

“Pockets on Shrek, rockets on deck/Tell me what’s next? Alien sex/Imma disrobe you/Then Imma probe you/See I abducted you/So I tell you what to do.” The song is about sacrificing everything for that one special someone. West’s rap however is the opposite of that. While Perry sings about love, West raps about getting laid as if that’s a good piece of the puzzle to this song. Kanye, Imma let you finish, but Katy Perry’s original “E.T.” song was better before you added your rap.

5. Product Placement

 Apparently in the future post apocalyptic world, the only two things that survives are a glass case of a pigeon and another glass case of sunglasses. Not just any sunglasses, in fact with a close shot of Perry wearing them, they’re Vogue sunglasses. In today’s music video’s it seems like it’s a requirement to have product placement either directly or indirectly. Another random moment brought to you by Katy Perry.

6. The Mystery of the Albino Man

People are curious as to why Perry would have an Albino man in her video. Is she trying to say that Albino people are extra terrestrial? Is he supposed to help Perry repopulate the earth? It’s not certain about his purpose in the video.

Katy Perry’s “E.T.” video is not only confusing abut also is badly done. Perry is a good song writer and a good singer but she lacks a lot of skills in the visual skills department. Hopefully in her next video it won’t be equally as bad as this one.

*article featured in dgotay.tumblr.com on August 2011