Ep 7. Good Health Practices

In RiffTrax Shorts season 3 episode 7, entitled "Good Health Practices", the team behind RiffTrax takes on the task of mocking and riffing on a collection of public service announcement shorts from the 1950s and 1960s. These shorts were originally made to educate and inform the public of good health practices, such as proper hand washing techniques, healthy eating, and exercise habits. However, by modern standards, these shorts now come across as hilariously outdated and over-the-top.

In this episode, the RiffTrax team of Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett provide their signature brand of comedic commentary as they riff on these hilariously retro health psa shorts. They point out the absurdity of some of the advice given, such as taping your mouth shut while you sleep to prevent catching a cold, or the importance of eating plenty of butter and sugar for good health. The team also pokes fun at the over-acting and cheesiness of the actors in these shorts, as well as the outdated gender roles and societal norms that are often portrayed.

One particularly notable short that is riffed on in this episode is "Soapy the Germ Fighter", which features a cartoon bar of soap as the main character, who travels around people's homes and schools fighting germs and promoting the benefits of proper hand washing. While this short was likely effective in its time, it now comes across as silly and even a little creepy, with Soapy's intense facial expressions and catchy jingle.

Throughout the episode, the RiffTrax team balances their humor and sarcasm with genuine appreciation for the historical value of these films. They acknowledge that while the advice given in these shorts may be misguided by today's standards, they can still hold some value as a window into the past and the cultural beliefs and values of the time. However, as always, the team's main focus is on providing a good laugh for their audience, and they certainly succeed in doing so with this episode.

Overall, "Good Health Practices" is a fun and lighthearted episode that is perfect for anyone who enjoys classic psa shorts or old-timey humor. The RiffTrax team's wit and comedic timing are on full display here, and their commentary adds a new layer of hilarity to these already amusing shorts. Whether you're a fan of the RiffTrax brand or just looking for a good laugh, this episode is sure to deliver.