RiffTrax Shorts Season 16 Episode 1 Courtesy Counts a Lot

In the first episode of RiffTrax Shorts season 16, entitled "Courtesy Counts a Lot," Mike, Bill, and Kevin are back to their old antics as they riff their way through a series of educational shorts from the 1950s and '60s. This time around, the focus is on the importance of good manners and understanding social norms.

The episode kicks off with "Courtesy: Good Manners at School," a short that aims to teach children the do's and don'ts of interacting with their peers and superiors in a school environment. The guys have a field day with this one, pointing out how creepy and robotic the children seem as they recite their lines about "please" and "thank you" on cue.

Next up is "Right or Wrong?" a bizarre short in which a young boy named Jimmy is visited by a magical elf who helps him learn the difference between right and wrong. The RiffTrax team is merciless in their mocking of the elf's costume and overall cheesiness of the production.

The third short, "The Salesman," follows a hapless shoe salesman as he bungles his way through various sales pitches to a series of skeptical customers. Mike and the gang revel in the absurdity of the salesman's attempts to win over people with his terrible jokes and even worse sales tactics.

"Parents and Teens, A Study in Conflict," the fourth short, is easily the most cringe-worthy of the bunch. The guys can hardly contain themselves as they watch a mother and daughter argue about clothes, boys, and curfews while a narrator solemnly intones about the importance of communication and understanding. This one is definitely not for those with a low tolerance for awkwardness.

Finally, the team takes on "Behavioral Patterns," a dry and confusing short about body language and the different signals it can convey. Mike, Bill, and Kevin let loose with a barrage of jokes about the stiff and wooden performances of the actors and the absurdity of trying to decipher the hidden meanings behind every hand gesture and facial expression.

Throughout the episode, the guys also take breaks to chat with a special guest – comedian and actor Paul F. Tompkins – about their own experiences with good and bad manners. The conversations are funny and lighthearted, and provide a nice counterpoint to the sometimes cringe-inducing shorts.

Overall, "Courtesy Counts a Lot" is a hilarious and raucous start to the new season of RiffTrax Shorts. Whether you're a longtime fan of the show or new to the world of movie riffing, this episode is sure to leave you in stitches.