I don't get all the hate for the hipster segment. Sure it was cheesy, but it was intentionally cheesy and I thought kind of funny.
For all that the segment was cheesy, it DID actually do a good job of selling the concept of the Wii U's social features in a context that real players would recognize.
1. You're playing a game.
2. Become stuck or puzzled by something.
3. Run to a discussion thread about the game.
4. Ask a question in the thread or send a private message.
5. Wait for a reply or start an IM with someone.
6. Go back into the game and try the solution.
The scenario as it played out in the skit did try to jazz up the video chat angle, just to show off that concept for the pad controller. But aside from that, it was a pretty interesting look at how all those things could be accomplished while on the couch, using the same controller you're playing the game with, and jumping right back into the game seamlessly.
What's more, with all that stuff happening on an internal social network, it seems to invite the Facebook effect... everything is interrelated within the same universe, all persons, contacts, apps, games, and discussion. Very focused, no need to poke around the Internet or random forums trying to find what you're looking for and tie it all together.
So yeah, whether or not it works out, the actual concept Nintendo is pushing is anything but "weird" and it's not even silly. It has classic Nintendo packaging and stylization, which may be throwing some folks. But underneath that, I think what they've really done is, in fact, zeroed in on the social networking trends that are the most popular, and rather shrewdly tried to bring them all together under one roof.