RiffTrax Shorts Season 6 Episode 6 6-06
- TV-PG
- July 21, 2009
- 10 min
6-06 of RiffTrax Shorts season 6 features a collection of hilarious short films that our favorite comedians will riff on. The episode begins with "The Selling Wizard," a promotional video from the 70s that tries to sell a bizarre product called the "Wizard," which is essentially a plasticky electronic device that's supposed to help improve your sales skills. The hosts are quick to point out how ridiculous the device is and how the actors in the video are clearly uncomfortable with what they're selling.
The second short film is "The Truck Farmer," a fascinating documentary from 1949 that explores the world of mechanized farming. The episode's hosts hilariously point out how the style of the documentary is more akin to a horror movie, with ominous music and shots of machinery ominously looming over the farmers. They also make fun of the film's apparent obsession with tilling soil.
Next up is "The Snob," a short film from the 50s that tries to teach young children how to behave like good little high-society snobs. The hosts mock the absurdity of the film's message, pointing out how it's actually encouraging children to look down on others who may be less fortunate than them. They also enjoy riffing on the awkward acting and over-the-top dialogue.
The fourth short film in this episode is "Are You Popular?," a 1947 educational video that tries to teach young women how to be "popular" amongst their peers. The RiffTrax comedians find it amusing how the video has a condescending tone and includes ridiculous advice like "don't be a show-off, but don't be a wallflower either." They also enjoy poking fun at the outdated fashion and hairstyles shown in the video.
The next short film in this episode is "The Cigarette Fiend," an anti-smoking PSA from 1915 that warns viewers of the dangers of smoking cigarettes. The hosts have a lot of fun with this one, pointing out how melodramatic the film is and how it exaggerates the effects of smoking to the point of absurdity. They also enjoy riffing on the heavy-handed messaging and disturbing imagery.
Finally, the episode ends with a short film called "The First Christmas," a retelling of the Nativity story made in 1956 by a Lutheran church. The hosts find the film amusing for its tacky special effects and lack of attention to historical accuracy. They also enjoy riffing on the overacting and awkward dialogue.
Overall, 6-06 of RiffTrax Shorts season 6 is a hilarious collection of short films that are ripe for riffing. The comedians' witty commentary adds a whole new layer of entertainment to these already ridiculous films, making for a fun and enjoyable viewing experience.