RiffTrax Shorts Season 33 Episode 1 The Tiny Astronaut

The Tiny Astronaut is the first episode of the 33rd season of RiffTrax Shorts. In this episode, the team of comedic commentators brings their trademark humor to a classic piece of mid-20th century American education: the science filmstrip.

Narrated by an earnest American voiceover, The Tiny Astronaut recounts the story of a young boy who dreams of becoming an astronaut. With the help of his space-obsessed teacher, he builds a homemade rocket and blasts off into the cosmos. Along the way, he learns about the history of space exploration, encounters a variety of strange alien creatures, and narrowly avoids disaster at every turn.

As with many of the shorts featured on RiffTrax, The Tiny Astronaut is notable not only for its earnestness and sincerity, but also for the often bizarre and unintentionally hilarious details that emerge when viewed through a modern lens. From the stereotypical gender roles and racial stereotypes depicted in the film to the jarring special effects and occasionally nonsensical plot points, there's plenty for the RiffTrax team to sink their teeth into.

Throughout the episode, the team delivers a steady stream of witty observations and snarky commentary, poking fun at everything from the low-budget production values to the hammy acting of the film's young stars. They also take frequent detours to riff on the broader cultural context of the short, referencing everything from classic sci-fi movies to the infamous Space Race rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Like all episodes of RiffTrax Shorts, The Tiny Astronaut is designed to be enjoyed with friends, family, or fellow fans of the show. Whether you're a long-time fan of the RiffTrax team or just looking for a fun and funny way to spend an hour, this episode is sure to deliver plenty of laughs and plenty of insights into the wacky world of mid-century educational films. So buckle up, blast off, and get ready to explore the galaxy with The Tiny Astronaut!