Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth Episode #75 - 2024 Meme Review

Hosts: Shayne Topp (Shayne), Amanda Lehan-Canto (Amanda), Trevor (Trevor)

Release Date: December 30, 2024

1. Episode Overview

In Episode #75 of Smosh Mouth, titled "2024 Meme Review", hosts Shayne, Amanda, and their rotating guest Trevor delve into the world of memes, reflecting on the year's most memorable and impactful trends. The episode seamlessly transitions from personal anecdotes to a comprehensive analysis of meme culture, offering listeners both entertainment and insightful commentary.

2. Personal Anecdotes: Skiing and Snowboarding Mishaps ([02:02] - [13:28])

Trevor: Shares a harrowing childhood experience of getting stuck on a ski lift during his fourth-grade skiing trip. Despite limited ski gear, Trevor narrates how he managed to free himself after being stranded in deep powder snow, highlighting the challenges and fears associated with skiing.

• Notable Quote:
  "I got stuck and I couldn't get out... I was really scared. And I got no mercy. I swear to God. Skiing, I got no mercy."
  [04:12] Trevor

Amanda: Discusses her lifelong experiences with skiing alongside her sisters, contrasting her cautious approach with their adrenaline-fueled antics. She recounts falling off a ski lift near the descent point, exacerbating her fear and embarrassment.

• Notable Quote:
  "I fell flat on my face... I was stuck, and I was really scared. And I got no mercy. I swear to God. Skiing, I got no mercy."
  [05:17] Amanda

Shayne: Adds his own misadventures with snowboarding, including a memorable fall that sent his goggles flying into the sky, underscoring the physical and emotional toll of winter sports.

• Notable Quote:
  "I made a wrong turn and I just fully, like, fly back onto my back. I slammed so hard that the goggles just into the sky."
  [07:24] Shayne

3. Transition to Memes: Reflecting on 2024's Meme Landscape ([13:28] - [16:21])

Shayne introduces the core theme of the episode: a review of the most notable memes of 2024. The hosts express mixed feelings about the year's meme quality, suggesting that while some trends were strong, others lacked originality and were overly ironic.

• Notable Quote:
  "I don't know if this was a good meme year. I kind of agree with you."
  [13:54] Shayne & Amanda

Trevor highlights the evolution of meme language, appreciating the creativity in new meme terms but noting a shift towards more ironic and less genuinely funny content.

4. Highlighted Memes of 2024

a. Mu Dang the Baby Hippo ([17:10] - [23:19])

The hosts discuss Mu Dang, a baby hippo from a Thai zoo who became a viral meme due to her aggressive behavior despite her adorable appearance. Memes often depict her biting and spraying water, juxtaposing her cuteness with her violent nature.

• Notable Quote:
  "Mu Dang is a little baby hippo who lives in a zoo in Thailand. She's adorable. Everyone loves her. She's violent."
  [17:38] Shayne

Shayne humorously notes the irony of her name translating to "bouncy pork" in Thai, adding a layer of cultural comedy to the meme.

b. Pesto the Penguin ([24:07] - [28:43])

Pesto, a baby emperor penguin adopted by smaller penguins, gains popularity through endearing TikToks showcasing his awkward yet charming demeanor. The meme celebrates his oversized, clumsy movements, often likening him to characters from beloved media like "Mr. Popper's Penguins."

• Notable Quote:
  "Pesto is a miniature mob boss baby. So cute."
  [25:26] Amanda

c. Willy's Chocolate Experience Scam ([29:15] - [32:48])

Shayne recounts the Willy's Chocolate Experience scam in Glasgow, where attendees paid exorbitant prices for a promised Willy Wonka-esque tour that turned out to be a poorly executed event with minimal attractions. The meme thrives on the absurdity and disappointment of the fraudulent experience.

• Notable Quote:
  "One of them that I wasn't really aware of at first, it took a while was Mu Dang, the baby hippo."
  [29:15] Shayne

d. Detroit Bridgerton Ball Scam ([32:48] - [37:22])

The Detroit Bridgerton Ball promised an extravagant Bridgerton-themed event but delivered a lackluster experience, leading to widespread disappointment and ridicule online. Memes highlighting the stark difference between expectations and reality became widespread, damaging the Bridgerton brand.

• Notable Quote:
  "The Detroit Bridgerton Ball was a complete scam... We spent $400 on tickets."
  [35:48] Shayne

e. Chill Guy and Other Trends ([47:38] - [51:03])

Chill Guy, an artwork by Philip Banks, became a meme symbolizing relaxation turned surreal through "deep-frying" effects, leading to absurd and often nonsensical interpretations. The hosts discuss how corporate entities quickly capitalize on memes, sometimes diluting their original humor.

• Notable Quote:
  "Chill Guy was unfortunate because it like had potential to be like good... it got latched onto by that group of people."
  [50:22] Trevor

5. Discussion on Meme Trends and Cultural Shifts ([46:02] - [51:35])

The conversation shifts to broader observations about the evolution of memes. The hosts note a decline in the quality of meme years, attributing it to over-commercialization and the rapid pace at which brands adopt and abandon trends. They lament the loss of genuine, grassroots humor in favor of fragmented, fleeting viral content.

• Notable Quote:
  "I think corporations are now waiting for the memes to happen and they immediately take them. So they become like kind of capitalized on too quickly nowadays."
  [49:49] Shayne

Trevor advocates for a return to "I funny" memes—those based on genuine humor rather than irony or corporate manipulation.

6. Their Own Memes and Community Reactions ([52:06] - [60:36])

The hosts showcase their favorite Smosh-related memes, including memes about their personalities and inside jokes within their community. They highlight how their content creator friends, like Tommy Bo, contribute to meme culture, creating relatable and humorous content that resonates with their audience.

• Notable Quote:
  "When Courtney freaking Miller is sus or something like that. It was the buff among us with like the penis almost out."
  [56:05] Shayne

Amanda introduces the "I funny" meme, a recurring joke among fans that encapsulates the trio's humorous brand.

7. Predictions for 2025 ([63:08] - [64:07])

As the episode nears its conclusion, Shayne hints at upcoming content focused on their predictions for 2025. They reflect on past predictions that came true, such as Shayne's casual encounter with Markiplier, and encourage listeners to stay tuned for future insights.

• Notable Quote:
  "In a couple of weeks, we're going to recap this, and then we're going to make our predictions for 2025."
  [61:11] Shayne

Trevor humorously predicts a collaboration with famous streamer Ninja, blending humor with aspirational goals.

8. Podcast Success and Future Plans ([64:14] - [68:07])

The hosts celebrate the success of their Reddit Stories podcast, which achieved a top 10 spot on Spotify. They acknowledge the hard work of their production team, particularly Selena, who handles editing and thumbnail creation. The discussion underscores their commitment to expanding their content repertoire while maintaining a casual and authentic approach.

• Notable Quote:
  "Reddit Stories was the number nine podcast on Spotify."
  [64:35] Shayne

Shayne expresses pride in their achievements and anticipates continued growth in their podcasting endeavors.

9. Acknowledgments and Closing Remarks ([66:13] - [68:13])

In the closing segment, Shayne, Amanda, and Trevor extend gratitude to their listeners and team members. They emphasize the collaborative effort behind their content and tease future episodes, promising more engaging discussions and reviews.

• Notable Quote:
  "Thank you to everyone in this room for all the work we're doing. This is really cool. It's such a so much fun."
  [66:40] Shayne

The episode wraps up with a heartfelt farewell, reinforcing their appreciation for their audience's support throughout the year.

Conclusion

Episode #75 of Smosh Mouth offers a rich and engaging exploration of 2024's meme landscape, interwoven with personal stories and insightful commentary. Shayne, Amanda, and Trevor provide a comprehensive review that is both entertaining and informative, making it accessible and enjoyable for listeners who may not be familiar with the original podcast.

Notable Timestamped Quotes:

• Trevor:
  "I got stuck and I couldn't get out... I was really scared."
  [04:12]

• Amanda:
  "I fell flat on my face... I was stuck, and I was really scared."
  [05:17]

• Shayne:
  "I made a wrong turn and I just fully, like, fly back onto my back."
  [07:24]

• Shayne:
  "I don't think this was a good meme year. I kind of agree with you."
  [13:54]

• Shayne:
  "Mu Dang is a little baby hippo who lives in a zoo in Thailand. She's adorable. Everyone loves her. She's violent."
  [17:38]

• Amanda:
  "Pesto is a miniature mob boss baby. So cute."
  [25:26]

• Shayne:
  "The Detroit Bridgerton Ball was a complete scam... We spent $400 on tickets."
  [35:48]

• Trevor:
  "Chill Guy was unfortunate because it like had potential to be like good... it got latched onto by that group of people."
  [50:22]

• Shayne:
  "I think corporations are now waiting for the memes to happen and they immediately take them."
  [49:49]

• Shayne:
  "Reddit Stories was the number nine podcast on Spotify."
  [64:35]

This detailed summary captures the essence of Smosh Mouth Episode #75, providing a comprehensive overview of the key discussions, insights, and humorous exchanges among the hosts.