Ep 5. Coffee House Rendezvous

In season 2 episode 5 of RiffTrax Shorts, titled "Coffee House Rendezvous," Mike, Kevin, and Bill take on three short films dating from the 1950s and 1960s that revolve around the joys and (mostly) pitfalls of trying to connect with people in public places.

The first short, "Coffee House Rendezvous," follows a confused and nervous young man who enters a beatnik coffee shop and tries to chat up a pretty girl by spouting nonsense poetry and playing a bongo drum. The RiffTrax crew find plenty to mock in this earnest but deeply dated look at bohemian culture, and they have a field day with the awkward dialogue and over-the-top acting.

Next up is "How to Succeed with Girls," which purports to offer advice to shy young men on how to meet and charm women. Of course, the tips offered are hilariously antiquated, ranging from "Don't be too needy" to "Be a good listener," and the RiffTrax crew have a blast pointing out the absurdity of it all - not to mention the deeply questionable gender dynamics at play.

Finally, "More Dates for Kay" follows a lonely young woman who enlists the help of her friends in finding a man. The results are predictably disastrous, with the hapless suitors ranging from a clueless magician to a overly-enthusiastic high school football player. Mike, Kevin, and Bill can't help but poke fun at the painfully awkward situations that Kay finds herself in, but overall they seem to have a soft spot for the well-meaning but misguided characters in this short.

Throughout the episode, the RiffTrax crew are in top form, leveraging their trademark brand of snarky, pop-culture-laced humor to poke fun at the exaggerated acting, stilted dialogue, and outdated social norms on display in these shorts. Fans of the show will find plenty to love here, as the quick-witted banter and wry asides keep the laughs coming fast and furious from start to finish.

While the subject matter may be somewhat niche, RiffTrax Shorts season 2 episode 5 is a great example of the show at its best - providing a hilarious take on some of the most oddball, obscure, and downright silly short films of yesteryear. Whether you're a fan of the golden age of educational films, or just in the mood for some good old-fashioned riffing, this episode is definitely worth checking out.