Ep 3. Why Vandalism?

Why Vandalism? is the third episode of season 3 of RiffTrax Shorts, a comedic commentary show that makes fun of old educational videos. The episode features the riffers - Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett - as they tackle the topic of vandalism. The episode begins with a classic short film from the 1940s called "Goodbye, Mr. Germ," which attempts to teach children about the importance of keeping their environment clean and free of vandals.

The riffers waste no time in pointing out the absurdity of the short film, particularly the comical representation of Mr. Germ. They quip about the exaggerated facial expressions and the unconvincing "germ" costume, poking fun at the ridiculousness of using a person in a germ costume to scare children into cleanliness.

As the short progresses, the topic of vandalism becomes more prominent. The short film shows a group of children defacing a public park with graffiti and litter, much to the displeasure of the local park ranger. The riffers jump on the opportunity to mock the cheesy acting and dialogue, as well as question the effectiveness of the ranger's methods to deter vandalism.

Throughout the episode, the riffers continue to riff on the various anti-vandalism tactics presented in the short film. They take particular delight in making fun of the "Graffiti Smurfs," a group of blue cartoon characters that the ranger employs to teach the children about the consequences of vandalism. The riffers use their trademark sarcasm and dry wit to poke fun at the absurdity of using cartoon characters to teach children about real-world issues.

As the short film draws to a close, the focus shifts to the importance of community involvement in preventing vandalism. The riffers take a more serious tone as they discuss the positive impact that individuals can have on their communities by taking a stand against vandalism. They acknowledge the difficulty of the issue and the importance of finding creative solutions that work for each community.

Overall, Why Vandalism? is an entertaining episode of RiffTrax Shorts that combines humor and social commentary to provide a unique take on an important issue. The riffers' witty commentary serves to both entertain and educate, making for an enjoyable and informative viewing experience.