Watch What Crappens - Episode #2666: "Hot Frosty with Reality Gays Part 1"
Release Date: December 25, 2024
Hosts: Ben Mandelker & Ronnie Karam
Podcast Platform: Wondery
Introduction to "Hot Frosty"
In this episode of Watch What Crappens, hosts Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam, along with guest contributors Poodle and Matt from Reality Gays, delve into Netflix's latest creation, "Hot Frosty." A modern retelling of the classic "Frosty the Snowman" tale, this film attempts to infuse adult humor and controversial themes into the beloved children's story.
Plot Overview and Initial Impressions
Ben Mandelker begins by questioning the core premise of the movie: "Have you ever found the house of your dreams only to learn it has dark secrets?" This sets the stage for their exploration of the film's narrative, where a snowman named Jack Frost comes to life under dubious circumstances.
Ronnie Karam criticizes the film's attempt to modernize the story: "There's no way the movie pit. The pitch to the studios..." Highlighting issues with character development and plot consistency, Ronnie points out that the movie fails to align with the original's whimsical nature.
Critical Analysis of Movie Elements
Character Development:
The hosts express frustration with the protagonist Kathy's portrayal. Ben remarks, "I found it interesting that they chose to make a film about a lady who's terribly unhappy and then stays terribly unhappy," emphasizing the lack of character growth and emotional resolution.
Plot Consistency:
Matt raises concerns about the movie's plot holes: "Have you ever heard of Outlander, sir? It would have been some, like, stuffy English person..." This critique extends to the movie’s subplot involving a stolen snow sculpture, which the hosts feel is inadequately addressed and disconnected from the main narrative.
Humor and Tone:
Poodle and Matt discuss the film's attempt at humor, particularly the camp elements introduced by actors like Craig Robinson and Joe Latru. Matt notes, "They were like having so much fun that I'm like, hey, stop," indicating that the film's humor feels forced and disrupts the storytelling.
Sexual and LGBTQ+ Themes
A significant portion of the discussion centers around the movie's LGBTQ+ representation. Ben expresses discomfort with the portrayal: “...add Lacey Charbet. Charvet. Charbot.” The hosts critique the shallow and stereotypical depiction of gay characters, suggesting that the film misses opportunities for meaningful representation.
Ronnie humorously adds, "I love chocolate. If you're in a hurry and forgot something..." juxtaposing innocent topics with the film's more adult themes, highlighting the incongruity in the movie’s tone.
Notable Quotes
- Ronnie (00:00): “The holidays are upon us and Whole Foods Market is your holiday headquarters...”
- Ben (01:12): “Hims and Hers connects you with a medical provider who will work with you to determine your best treatment option.”
- Poodle (03:03): “Welcome, everyone.”
- Ben (03:16): “I’ve only had a relationship with Ben longer than this.”
- Matt (07:00): “No, I was charmed by this movie. I cannot believe I cried a little bit.”
- Ronnie (10:17): “Fucking body shaming bitches. This is a very dirty podcast.”
- Ben (13:39): “He died, everybody. Sorry, everybody. Spoiler alert. He died.”
These quotes exemplify the hosts' humorous and often irreverent take on both advertisements and the movie's content.
Themes and Deeper Insights
Metaphorical Parallels:
The hosts draw parallels between "Hot Frosty" and religious narratives, particularly the story of Jesus Christ. Matt states, “He melts, and then everybody's like, but, no, don't cry, y'all,” suggesting that the movie's themes of sacrifice and resurrection are mishandled.
Social Commentary:
The episode touches on broader social issues such as body shaming and representation in media. Ben’s commentary on body image and the portrayal of gay characters critiques Hollywood's approach to inclusivity and sensitivity.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
As the episode wraps up, the hosts express a mixture of frustration and amusement with "Hot Frosty." Ronnie encapsulates their sentiment: “This is the most perverted and gross we'll ever get. And it's Christmas week, so enjoy yourself.”
They also tease future discussions, ensuring listeners that Part 2 will continue their critique of the film. The hosts encourage listeners to engage with their content through Patreon for exclusive episodes and content.
Key Takeaways
- "Hot Frosty" attempts to modernize a classic tale but falls short in character development and plot consistency.
- The film's LGBTQ+ representation is criticized for being stereotypical and lacking depth.
- The hosts employ humor and irreverence to highlight the movie's shortcomings, blending critiques with comedic banter.
- Deeper themes of sacrifice and resurrection are present but poorly executed, drawing unintended parallels to religious narratives.
- Future episodes promise continued analysis, promising listeners more in-depth discussions.
For those who haven't listened to this episode, Watch What Crappens offers a sharp and humorous critique of reality TV and pop culture phenomena, making it an engaging listen for fans of satirical commentary.