Rent-a-Wreck Video Club

[on:]

I was thinking we could have a Peel film/tv club. Sort of like a book club, but instead of reading a book each week, we watch something.

My idea would be to work through every episode of Futurama, with various things slotted in, here and there such as The Thing before "Murder on the Planet Express" and the Star Trek episode "Amok Time" before "Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love?". If you've not seen any of the films and such that I'd pick, then I promise that it'd enhance your Futurama viewing experience somewhat because you'll be getting more of the jokes. Plus, it means that you can watch your way through the entire series again and discuss it with people who are doing the same.

If you'd prefer, we could alternate between an episode of the show and a film or an episode of something else that's thematically similar in some way, each week, but I think it'd be best left with other films and TV only sneaking in when explicitly relevant.

And then, each week, everyone would discuss what we watched - either the Futurama episode with fresh opinions in the relevant episode thread, or the movie/episode of something else in a relevant thread if one exists or this thread if not. Or I could make a discussion thread in the TV section of the forum.

What do you think? I know that similar things have been attempted in the past, but this has a twist of sorts that might make it more interesting (I hope). Is it something people would be at all interested in?

EDIT: The club is a go!

I'll update this first post with each entertainment block as they're released. Feel free to watch and discuss along at your own pace!

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[Reply #1 on:]

I like the idea.

The thing is, I think we should "jazz it up" somehow. Or maybe not.

[Reply #2 on:]

I like this idea, myself. This would help me fully understand some of the jokes that don't make sense to me. I'm willing to go for it!

The thing is, I think we should "jazz it up" somehow. Or maybe not.

We could have a smooth jazz session before and after each episode, if that's what you mean.

[Reply #3 on:]

Also, we don't have to watch just one episode each week if people feel that that would be too slow.

1 episode a week would take 141 weeks to complete (if we include "Simpsorama" which will be out by the time we get to it). That's almost three years and that's not including the other things I plan to drop in for people to watch.

So maybe we should do a "block" of entertainment each week. I'll try to add it up to roughly 90 minutes per block, so it could be 4 episodes in one go, a film of a combination of several other things.

[Reply #4 on:]

I know that similar things have been attempted in the past, but this has a twist of sorts that might make it more interesting (I hope).

Sounds like a combination of Order Up and the Random Order Test. I don't think I'll be participating, but I suppose that a few people will probably be interested. However, I think that three years it a little more than is reasonable to expect people to commit to. Especially since three episodes of Futurama one after the other comes to an hour of TV (roughly) and this would automatically chop the timescale down by a factor of three.

Set a viewing block of three episodes at a time, and don't put too much extraneous nonsense in, and I think it'll be more popular. If you can chop out some of the least popular episodes and cut it down even further (perhaps get it to run for thirty weeks and have people review the episodes in the appropriate threads for added interactivity), I think you'll have more takers.

The "sequel" could then be the less popular episodes, plus some of the material that's most directly parodied in the show. The 1970s adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Minority Report, The Love Boat, etc. were all parodied to some extent, and watching those could give an new appreciation of the episodes which borrowed from or paid homage to them. Another thirty weeks of prescribed watching. Oh boy!

What I think would be much better (and more fun) is to simply put together a list of suggestions for episodes that work nicely as a block (RTEW, TDtESS, TWOF, and GoT, for example) and episodes that are nice companion pieces to a movie (F&LBF with Planet of the Apes, maybe). Allow people to watch them at their own pace, in their own time, with no particular emphasis on when a particular suggestion should come up for watching. I'd participate in that, and I think that I'd enjoy both the watching and the reviewing parts of the process.

Smooth jazz before and/or after should be strictly optional.

[Reply #5 on:]

I'm sure people would drift in and out pending their opinion of the episode in question and interest its related subject matter. Plus, I'm assuming the accompanying viewing material would depend on just how heavily it's parodied within the show. Obviously the straight-up parody episodes (like the ones TNUK just mentioned) would be more necessary viewing material as opposed to episodes that contain a few nods to something.

I'm intrigued, and most certainly on board with the idea, but yeah, I'd only be opting in for certain episodes.

[Reply #6 on:]

I'm sure people would drift in and out pending their opinion of the episode in question and interest its related subject matter.

I think you mean "depending on", rather than "pending" there, since "pending" tends to mean that something is in abeyance or awaiting action. To have people drifting in and out whilst they're waiting to form an opinion of an episode that they're meant to be re-watching sounds a little odd.

I know, it's not really part of the discussion and seems a pretty insignificant nit to pick (considering that I'm not picking up on the other obvious mistake). But you won't read anything I send as a PM, and I figured that the writer in you would be interested in noting the distinction between the two phrasings. Now, back to the topic...

[Reply #7 on:]

Indeed I did. I think I changed it to pending during the writing due to the long sentence, but given that I've been whacked out on cold and flu tablets for the better part of a week now, it's kind of amazing to me that I'm not making more mistakes like that.

[Reply #8 on:]

I'm definitely on board with this idea and would love to participate.
I especially like tnuk's idea of listing certain episodes with movies to accompany them and allowing people to view them at their own pace instead of going by a tight schedule.

[Reply #9 on:]

I especially like tnuk's idea of listing certain episodes with movies to accompany them and allowing people to view them at their own pace instead of going by a tight schedule.

That idea was part of cyber_turnip's pitch from the start.

[Reply #10 on:]

The thinking with a schedule is that everybody is going to be discussing the same stuff at the same time, so more discussion can take place.

But then, I suppose people's messages won't be going anywhere, so there's no real reason for it to be "timed".

My plan was to do a block of programming, aimed at running at about 90 minutes, per week. I'd give a little blurb explaining the extra stuff that isn't Futurama. Block 1 would have been The Simpsons' "Lisa's Wedding", "Space Pilot 3000", "The Series Has Landed" and "I, Roommate" - that's "Lisa's Wedding" to show what might be considered an early blue-print for Futurama for the few people who haven't already seen it, followed by the show's first three episodes.

Later down the line, I would have done blocks containing all sorts, such as old cartoons that inspired "Reincarnation" and movies paired up with episodes that directly parody them. It was just a way to add a bit of spice and variety to what would, otherwise, be a normal list of episodes.


I think it'd work better to portion the viewing out every so often (weekly makes the most sense to me). Otherwise this thread and the list are likely to just die immediately and be lost in time.

Maybe I'll add a new block of programming to the list each week, but you're free to go at your own pace. Would that work for everyone?

[Reply #11 on:]

Sorry, I misunderstood and thought that cyber_turnip was in favor of a more regimented approach.  

EDIT: I like that idea very much, cyber_turnip. I think that would work excellently.

[Reply #12 on:]

Works for me. Though what's the format gonna be for holding such events on PEEL? One thread per block? You should also contain some links to related reading materials and additional short videos that might compliment the episodes in question (ie. a person doesn't need to watch an entire episode of The Odd Couple to appreciate the homage in I, Roommate, but a link to JUST the intro on YouTube would be a good idea).

[Reply #13 on:]

I especially like tnuk's idea of listing certain episodes with movies to accompany them and allowing people to view them at their own pace instead of going by a tight schedule.

That idea was part of cyber_turnip's pitch from the start.

No, he wanted a weekly schedule, dictating the week's viewing material. I can understand the thinking behind that, but think that it's possibly a little restrictive for people who don't really want to commit to the entire project, and might just want to "dip in" and see what's on offer now and then. If they can pick their own block for the week, there's no need for them to feel the need to go with something that just doesn't appeal to them, and they don't need to feel that they can only discuss a particular block during the set week for it.

Works for me. Though what's the format gonna be for holding such events on PEEL? One thread per block?

If that's going to be the case, ask Marc to open a subforum in General Disscussion.

Later down the line, I would have done blocks containing all sorts, such as old cartoons that inspired "Reincarnation" and movies paired up with episodes that directly parody them. It was just a way to add a bit of spice and variety to what would, otherwise, be a normal list of episodes.

Have the blocks generated through discussion and a rough consensus between a few people. Your opinion belongs to you, and you alone. With three or four people coming together to share ideas, you might be able to come up with something that's more representative of PEEL's collective tastes and therefore has a wider general appeal. I'd suggest seeking the input of PEEL longtimers and critical reviewers such as Svip, Gorky, TMC, and futurefreak. They'll have some ideas as to what'd make a good block for one week or another.

Maybe I'll add a new block of programming to the list each week, but you're free to go at your own pace. Would that work for everyone?

Generate a dozen block choices for the first week, then add another block each week. Maybe open up a thread to solicit block ideas, and then refine those with the PEELers who are helping you come up with the definitive block choices.

With more to choose from, people are more likely to pick something that they like and dive in. With no pressure to go through ALL of the presented choices, and maybe a little prompting to try coming up with their OWN blocks, people may engage more with the project from the start.

Of course, these are all just my thoughts. You might want to completely ignore me, and you should feel free to do so. I'm just speaking up in case one of the things I'm saying is actually useful to you.

given that I've been whacked out on cold and flu tablets for the better part of a week now, it's kind of amazing to me that I'm not making more mistakes like that.

The stuff that "whacks you out" is usually epinephrine, phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine. Look at the ingredients on the back of the packet. That's the decongestant. If you want to avoid the "whacking out" sniff Olbas Oil and take paracetamol and caffeine (the other active ingredients). That should keep you decongested, and "whack" free.

[Reply #14 on:]

Works for me. Though what's the format gonna be for holding such events on PEEL? One thread per block? You should also contain some links to related reading materials and additional short videos that might compliment the episodes in question (ie. a person doesn't need to watch an entire episode of The Odd Couple to appreciate the homage in I, Roommate, but a link to JUST the intro on YouTube would be a good idea).

That's a really good idea, actually. I might dig up some classic sci-fi shorts that are relevant, to read online, and that sort of thing.

As for the format, I figured that this thread would serve most purposes, with us migrating over to other episode threads to talk, specifically, about those episodes. But if you think it'd work better with the cleaner approach of one thread per block, then that's cool too. A subforum would be nice, but I don't know if it's completely necessary.

[Reply #15 on:]

It would keep all the disparate threads nicely contained, I thought. Plus, Marc might even give you the job of moderating it, with all the perks^* which come with that.

^*Probably none.

[Reply #16 on:]

This sounds like a good idea and there surely will be discussion, even though not everyone would actively "follow the schedule" and watch everything. One thread could be enough, but some kind of organization/management may be necessary.

Btw, what happened to Fall Madness - or whatever it would have been - for ranking/competition for all episodes? I was looking forward to it.

[Reply #17 on:]

Apparently, nobody thought it was worth petitioning Marc to open the dedicated subforum for it.

[Reply #18 on:]

I completely forgot about that! I think we should do it, as It'd be cool to see everyone's opinions on the episodes.

But yeah, I'd probably only watch 'Blocks' of programming for specific episodes that I'd like to know more about. I wouldn't have the time to do each and every one.

[Reply #19 on:]

Seems like a really good idea.

I'm down.

[Reply #20 on:]

I'm in. I watch a variety of entertainment, so this works for me.

[Reply #21 on:]

OK, I'm going to stick to my original format, more or less - purely because I don't have the wherewithal to figure something else out.

Each week, I'll update a new block of programming.

It'll work best if you keep up with each block, because lots of people will be able to discuss the same stuff at once, but it doesn't matter if you just want to take things at your own pace - they'll all be archived in this thread.

Each block will cover 3 episodes of Futurama, but with various other snippets for educating you in the way of Futurama dropped in, to supplement them. The idea is to watch the show again, but to enhance your experience by making sure you get more of the references you haven't seen.

Plus, it'll create a nice, little communal experience here on the forum, if enough people stick with it.

Without further adieu, here's...



Block One
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Episode 1: "Space Pilot 3000"

Start with The Simpsons: "Lisa's Wedding"
Obviously, The Simpsons stands as something of a blue print for Futurama. Episodes with elements set in the future, in particular, feel like something of a testing ground for what would later be (such as there being a head in a jar in a brief sequence in "Bart Gets Famous") and "Lisa's Wedding" is almost an entire episode of that stuff. It's a good reminder of where the show came from.

Discuss this episode here

After you watch then, if you've never actually played the arcade classic, Donkey Kong, give it a spin, here. It's the first thing Futurama every really spoofed (well, combining it with Star Trek).

Then, dive into the first episode: "Space Pilot 3000", before reviewing or re-reviewing it in the "Space Pilot 3000" review thread!
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Episode 2: "The Series Has Landed"

Here's a classic sci-fi short entitled "A Trip to the Moon". It's one of the most influential early pieces of cinema, and it also served as the inspiration for Craterface. Highly recommended viewing if you're remotely interested in film.


And then onto the 2nd episode: "The Series Has Landed", before discussing it here!
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Episode 3: "I, Roommate"

Here's the opening sequence to the classic sitcom The Odd Couple, based on the film of the same name, based on the play of the same name:


It's parodied in the montage when Fry and Bender move in, together.

Then watch "I, Roommate" and let us know what you think!
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Feel free to discuss anything without a linked discussion thread, in this thread, itself.

I'll update new blocks, weekly. Hopefully a few of you will humour me and "play along".

[Reply #22 on:]

Perhaps you should also include some reading material on the various amusement park attractions parodied in episode 2?

[Reply #23 on:]

"One of these days, Alice-- Bang, zoom, straight to the moon!"

Fry: "That's not an astronaut, it's a TV comedian! And he was just using space travel as a metaphor for beating his wife."

Honeymooners:




On another note; I hadn't ever realised owls being pests, like in I, Roommate, before Bender's Game (as being part of the plot).

[Reply #24 on:]

May I suggest using some clips from Independence Day and Mars Attacks! for the "When Aliens Attack" block? The commentary for the episode stated that the writers were inspired by both movies when they were writing this episode, so I'd figure it'd be useful to have some background knowledge of the two films when watching the episode.