The season finale of the tragically short first season of Puppet History tackles a case that's been a byword for fans of Buzzfeed Unsolved - "those people in France who danced till they died." First referenced by Shane in the BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural episode "The Bizarre Toxic Death Of Gloria Ramirez" (and assumed then by Ryan to be something Shane made up), it has been referenced by Ryan and Shane many times since. Fans know this and always thought the duo would tackle it one day, presumably on BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural. Finally getting it, and on Puppet History, is a delightful surprise. Including to Ryan - one of the highlights of this episode is the Professor's shocked pause when Ryan once again references the incident, before the episode's topic was unveiled: "Oh yeah, I heard of those guys."
There are some good laughs in this episode, including the use of the word "Jitterbug," and Jermaine's reaction to finding jellybeans in the Professor's satchel. That said, it's not the funniest episode. Nor is the puppetry at its most impressive; I would have liked to see multiple marionettes dancing with Shane pulling the strings, rather than the animation. Despite shortcomings, though, the story is so good that it all goes down well.
Shane, who occasionally wrote his own songs for the Hot Daga, has ended each episode of Puppet History with a musical number. As with "Surviving the Titanic," when he announced the "singer" (the puppet to be used and the subject of the song), the result is cringe-worthy. In the last episode: "Oh no, don't make fun of the horrific propeller deaths." In this episode: "Oh no, leave God out of this." But in both cases, the end result is so funny and well done that I'm left glad Shane did it. His God is truly freaky looking, but then, God's not human; the song is as catchy and hilariously conceived as the propeller's. Here's hoping for a season 2 - and a longer season next time!
There are some good laughs in this episode, including the use of the word "Jitterbug," and Jermaine's reaction to finding jellybeans in the Professor's satchel. That said, it's not the funniest episode. Nor is the puppetry at its most impressive; I would have liked to see multiple marionettes dancing with Shane pulling the strings, rather than the animation. Despite shortcomings, though, the story is so good that it all goes down well.
Shane, who occasionally wrote his own songs for the Hot Daga, has ended each episode of Puppet History with a musical number. As with "Surviving the Titanic," when he announced the "singer" (the puppet to be used and the subject of the song), the result is cringe-worthy. In the last episode: "Oh no, don't make fun of the horrific propeller deaths." In this episode: "Oh no, leave God out of this." But in both cases, the end result is so funny and well done that I'm left glad Shane did it. His God is truly freaky looking, but then, God's not human; the song is as catchy and hilariously conceived as the propeller's. Here's hoping for a season 2 - and a longer season next time!