RiffTrax Shorts Season 16 Episode 3 Walking to School

In RiffTrax Shorts season 16 episode 3, titled "Walking to School," the comedic trio of Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett take on the hilariously outdated short films about pedestrian safety. The episode opens with "The Walking Bus," a short from the 1970s that follows a group of children as they walk to school, guided by an adult chaperone. The RiffTrax crew is quick to mock the outdated haircuts, clothing, and attitudes of the children and adults alike. The voiceover narration, which encourages walking to school as a safe and healthy option, is also ripe for mockery.

Next up is "The Golden Rules of Safety," a film narrated by the iconic voice of Roy Rogers. The film covers a range of safety topics, from crossing the street to playing with matches. The RiffTrax crew takes aim at the simplistic animation, questionable safety advice, and the apparent belief that every child in America in the 1950s had a horse to ride. The segment also features an appearance by Roy Rogers himself, who awkwardly appears on screen to remind children to "do as I do, not just as I say."

The third short, "Walk Don't Run," is a more recent production from the 1990s. Narrated by actor Mark Hamill, the short focuses on pedestrian safety in urban areas. The RiffTrax crew expresses disbelief at the notion of children wandering through downtown streets on their own, noting that "these kids are tiny!" They also take aim at the preachy tone of the narration and the cheesy musical score.

In the final short, "Going Places Safely," the RiffTrax crew takes on a classic from the 1960s. The film follows a group of children as they plan and execute a bike trip to a local park. The crew has a field day with the fashion choices of the children, as well as the film's attempts to make basic safety tips seem exciting and action-packed. They also note the unrealistic nature of the children's bike trip, which involves crossing busy highways and taking huge risks without adult supervision.

Throughout the episode, the RiffTrax crew showcases their trademark irreverent humor, poking fun at the films and their creators with a combination of pop culture references, one-liners, and silly sound effects. Fans of the team's previous work will find plenty to love here, and those new to RiffTrax will be treated to a hilarious introduction to the group's unique brand of comedy. "Walking to School" is a must-watch for anyone in need of a good laugh and a reminder of just how far we've come in terms of pedestrian safety education.