Smosh Mouth Episode #75 - 2024 Meme Review Summary
Released on December 30, 2024, Smosh Mouth hosts Shayne Topp (Shayne), Amanda Lehan-Canto (Amanda), and their rotating guest Trevor delve into the vibrant and ever-evolving world of internet memes in their #75 - 2024 Meme Review episode. This detailed summary captures the essence of their discussions, personal anecdotes, and insightful analyses of the year's most memorable memes.
1. Opening Conversations and Personal Anecdotes
The episode kicks off around [00:53] with Shayne and Amanda engaging in a light-hearted discussion about Idina Menzel and the infamous mispronunciation of her name by John Travolta. This segment sets a casual and humorous tone for the episode.
Skiing and Snowboarding Mishaps
Before diving into memes, the hosts share personal stories about their skiing and snowboarding experiences:
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Trevor's Ski Lift Incident ([02:04]-[04:06]): Trevor recounts falling off a ski lift during his childhood, detailing the fear and helplessness he felt before managing to free himself.
"[02:47] Trevor: I was just kind of sitting there... waiting until someone comes by."
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Shayne and Amanda's Slopes Adventures ([04:06]-[12:50]): Shayne and Amanda discuss their falls, the challenges of skiing on black diamond slopes, and the pressures from family to perform. They highlight the dangers and humorous frustrations inherent in skiing without proper gear or skill.
"[05:04] Shayne: French fries."
2. 2024 Meme Review
Transitioning to the main focus, around [13:18], Shayne, Amanda, and Trevor begin their comprehensive review of the year's memes, evaluating their quality, longevity, and cultural impact.
Overall Assessment of 2024 Meme Culture
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Amanda's Perspective ([13:34]): Amanda expresses skepticism about the overall strength of meme culture in 2024, suggesting that many memes lacked depth and were more thematic without lasting appeal.
"[13:42] Amanda: I don't know if this was a good meme year."
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Shayne's Insights ([15:09]-[16:15]): Shayne appreciates the evolution of meme language, highlighting new meme words like "Skibidi," "Ohio," and "Gyat Riz," while noting a shift towards more ironic and nonsensical humor driven by Gen Alpha.
"[15:36] Shane: Words like Skibidi, Ohio, Gyat Riz. That is awesome to me."
Notable Memes of 2024
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Mu Dang the Baby Hippo ([17:01]-[23:03]):
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Description: Mu Dang, a baby hippo from a Thai zoo, is beloved for her adorable yet aggressive antics. Memes often portray her as a "violent" yet charming character.
"[17:22] Amanda: She's adorable. She's violent."
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Discussion: The hosts debate hippos' reputation for aggression and their surprising inability to swim, adding a humorous twist to Mu Dang's persona.
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Pesto the Penguin ([24:51]-[28:12]):
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Description: Pesto, a baby emperor penguin adopted by smaller penguins, became a viral sensation for his clumsy and endearing behavior.
"[25:12] Emma Chamberlain: He's a miniature mob Boss baby."
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Discussion: The episode explores Pesto's charm and the relatable humor derived from his attempts to fit in with the penguin community.
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Detroit Bridgerton Ball Scam ([29:46]-[36:55]):
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Description: A fraudulent event promising an immersive Bridgerton-themed experience left attendees disappointed, leading to widespread memeification of the scam.
"[30:07] Amanda: They showed up and it is basically an empty factory room..."
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Discussion: The hosts critique the misleading advertising and the impact on the Bridgerton brand, using it as a case study for meme-worthy failures.
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Chill Guy Meme ([47:48]-[50:11]):
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Description: Originating from Philip Banks' artwork, the "Chill Guy" became a beloved meme for his relaxed and enigmatic demeanor.
"[48:04] Amanda: It's artwork by Philip Banks..."
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Discussion: Shane reflects on the meme's potential versus its commercialization, while Amanda laments how corporate involvement can dilute meme authenticity.
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Smosh-Specific Memes ([52:28]-[59:57]):
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Description: The hosts showcase memes centered around the Smosh cast, including humorous portrayals of themselves as fantastical creatures and meme adaptations of their interactions.
"[54:36] Amanda: So good."
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Discussion: They highlight the creative contributions of team members like Tommy and Spencer, emphasizing the community's role in generating relatable and funny content.
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"Brat Summer" and Political Memes ([44:29]-[51:40]):
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Description: "Brat Summer" emerged as a dominant meme theme, blending pop culture references with political satire.
"[44:43] Emma Chamberlain: What a brat."
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Discussion: The hosts analyze the meme's ubiquity and its intersection with contemporary social and political issues.
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3. Meme Evolution and Gen Alpha Influence
The conversation delves into how meme culture has shifted, particularly with the rise of Gen Alpha:
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Corporate Influence: Amanda criticizes how brands rapidly co-opt memes, stifling their organic growth and altering their original humor.
"[50:11] Amanda: Corporations are now waiting for the memes to happen and they immediately take them."
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Gen Alpha's Nonsensical Humor: Shane praises the unpredictable and abstract nature of Gen Alpha memes, which often defy traditional humor structures.
"[51:03] Shane: Gen Alpha humor is completely nonsensical."
4. Predictions for 2025
As the episode wraps up around [61:00], the hosts transition to sharing their predictions for the upcoming year:
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Shayne's Prediction ([63:32]-[64:36]): Shayne envisions a collaboration between Smosh and popular streamer Ninja for a Fortnite session.
"[63:38] Shane: We are going to play Fortnite with Ninja on Smosh Games."
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Amanda's Insight ([65:31]-[67:56]): Amanda mentions the unexpected success of their podcast "Reddit Stories," which climbed to #9 on Spotify, highlighting the versatility and broad appeal of their content.
"[64:57] Amanda: Reddit Stories was the number nine podcast on Spotify."
5. Acknowledgments and Closing Remarks
The hosts extend gratitude to their team members, particularly Selena for production and editing efforts, and tease upcoming content:
"[67:30] Emma Chamberlain: She's the best."
"[68:00] Shane: I make a prediction..."
They conclude by celebrating their accomplishments for the year and expressing excitement for future episodes, promising even more engaging content for listeners.
Notable Quotes:
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Shayne on Memes ([15:36]):
"Words like Skibidi, Ohio, Gyat Riz. That is awesome to me."
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Amanda on Corporate Meme Co-opting ([50:11]):
"Corporations are now waiting for the memes to happen and they immediately take them."
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Shayne’s Fortnite Prediction ([63:38]):
"We are going to play Fortnite with Ninja on Smosh Games."
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Amanda on Podcast Success ([64:57]):
"Reddit Stories was the number nine podcast on Spotify."
This episode of Smosh Mouth offers a lively and insightful exploration of 2024's meme landscape, enriched by the hosts' personal stories and sharp humor. Whether reminiscing about skiing mishaps or dissecting viral phenomena, Shayne, Amanda, and Trevor provide an entertaining and comprehensive review that both meme enthusiasts and casual listeners will appreciate.