
You Wrote It, You Watch It
You Wrote It, You Watch It is a short-lived MTV sketch comedy series starring members of The State comedy troupe before they were given their own show by the network. It was hosted by Jon Stewart, future host of The Daily Show. The comedians performed humorous sketch recreations of letters sent to the MTV offices by viewers, depicting outrageous stories and events from their daily lives, with introductions by Stewart. An early example of crowdsourcing, the show only lasted one season, premiering in 1992 and being canceled in 1993. Jon Stewart would later quip, "You wrote it, you just didn't watch it!"
Insights
Plot Summary
This is a direct-to-video release that features a compilation of short, viewer-submitted comedic sketches. The premise is that audience members wrote the skits, and then actors performed them, with the final product being this collection. It aims for a lighthearted and accessible form of humor, often relying on simple setups and punchlines. The show was an early experiment in audience participation in television-style programming.
Critical Reception
As a direct-to-video release with a focus on amateur submissions, "You Wrote It, You Watch It" received minimal critical attention. It is generally considered a novelty item rather than a significant piece of entertainment. Its reception was largely lukewarm, with any praise often directed at the concept's ingenuity rather than its execution. The quality of the sketches varied widely, as is typical for such formats, leading to an inconsistent viewing experience.
What Reviewers Say
- An interesting concept that relies heavily on the quality of viewer submissions.
- The humor is often hit-or-miss, typical of amateur sketch comedy.
- Seen as a low-budget experiment in audience-driven content.
Google audience: Audience feedback is scarce for this niche release. Those who recall it often view it as a dated curiosity, with the humor and production values reflecting its time. The participatory aspect was a unique draw for some.
Fun Fact
The show was an early precursor to viewer-generated content platforms that would become commonplace decades later with the rise of the internet and social media.
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