 When we got the press release that Mike Judge was assembling a set of his favorite Beavis & Butt-Head episodes, and then was adding a bonus disc that had their music video commentary on it, it seemed heaven sent. And then I watched it, and was bored out of my skull. Now, I’d like to think that I’m not too far removed from the twentysomething that watched the show regularly during its heyday. And yet, with three exceptions, I found it excruciating to sit through the first two discs, which had 20 episodes apiece. Plus, they didn’t include any of the really funny music video commentaries. The thing is just a colossal disappointment all the way around. So let me have it, people. Is Beavis & Butt-Head still funny? Or have we simply evolved to the point where we (rightfully) expect far more from a show than “dilweed,” “butt munch,” and “Uhhhhhhhhh” as punch lines?
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I still think the show is hilarious, and I just cracked 40. For that reason alone I’m sure I would have enjoyed the disc more than you did.
Reading the review, however, I can see why this particular disc was a disappointment. One question - did they have any of the Journey videos on this disc? I think B & B was the final nail in the coffin of that band’s popularity. Thier commentary was brutal and hilarious.
No Journey, none of the Brit Pop that they always made fun of (their harsh treatment of my beloved Trash Can Sinatras was one of my favorite bits), there weren’t even any GWAR videos. I’m telling you, I’m betting they had huge problems clearing those videos. I think even MTV told Judge to quit being so harsh back in the day. They were making, and breaking, bands in those commentaries.
That makes sense. I can see having trouble getting the permissions.
I think the main thing here is B&B can’t compare with the likes of “South Park.” Back in the day, Judge’s show was the It show, the show that broke all the rules, the show that kids wanted to watch because they knew their parents didn’t want them to. Now, watch any B&B episode after watching an episode of South Park. It doesn’t even come close.
I loved Beavis and Butt-head, but it had its time and its place. And now Trey Parker and Matt Stone have come along and done it much, much better. They raised the bar far higher than Judge could’ve ever hoped to reach with a show like B&B. Hell, even the movie (”Beavis and Butt-head Do America”) was awful, whereas “South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut” is priceless.
Thanks for the laughs, Mike, but we’ve moved on. The question now is, will we be saying the same thing about South Park 10 years from now? I doubt it, but 10 years ago I thought B&B was some of the funniest shit I’d ever seen, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see.