RiffTrax Shorts Season 21 Episode 7 David and Hazel: A Story in Communication
- February 16, 2012
- 27 min
David and Hazel: A Story in Communication is the seventh episode of the 21st season of RiffTrax Shorts. In this episode, the RiffTrax team takes on this short film from the 1950s that tries to teach children the importance of communication.
The short starts off with David and Hazel, two children who are clearly struggling to understand each other. David is trying to tell Hazel about a bird he saw, but Hazel can't seem to understand what he's saying. A narrator chimes in to explain that David and Hazel are failing to communicate because they aren't using the same language. From here, the short launches into a series of examples to demonstrate the importance of effective communication.
Throughout the short, the RiffTrax team provides their trademark hilarious commentary, poking fun at the over-the-top acting and outdated production values. As the short progresses, they hone in on the more ridiculous aspects, highlighting the absurdity of some of the scenarios.
One particularly funny moment comes when Hazel is trying to describe a dog she saw, but keeps getting hung up after saying "it was a -" and failing to come up with the right word. The RiffTrax team hilariously speculate what word Hazel might be searching for, such as "cthulhu" or "Beyoncé."
As the short goes on, the lessons become increasingly bizarre. At one point, David and Hazel try to communicate using a system of blinks, which rapidly devolves into frenzied blinking and laughter. The RiffTrax team is quick to point out the absurdity of this technique and make light of the fact that it's clearly not very effective.
Despite the humorous commentary, there are still some genuinely interesting lessons to be learned from David and Hazel: A Story in Communication. For example, the short touches on the importance of listening and taking the time to understand one another. The RiffTrax team never loses sight of the fact that the short is trying to teach children something important, and they do a great job of balancing their jokes with helpful insights.
Overall, David and Hazel: A Story in Communication is another great episode of RiffTrax Shorts. Fans of the show will love the witty commentary and absurd scenarios, while newcomers will get a kick out of the hilarious deconstruction of an old educational short. Whether you're watching for the jokes or the lessons, this episode is sure to entertain.