Homestar Runner: An appreciation and recommendation

[@mithrilld]

fun fact: with the virus email, during the part where homestar's head shows up in repeated pop-ups, it would actually bring up an identical pop-up - they don't show up on modern browsers who easily block pop-ups.

[@akasharkieboi]

I remember that! On the footage of that scene, if you look at my tab, you can see a pop-up block notification lol

[@ashleybyrd2015]

WHOA WHAT STRONGBAD TALKING ABOUT HOMESTUCK NEARLY MADE ME FALL OUT OF MY CHAIR WHEN WAS THIS

[@akasharkieboi]

It was at some gala or something that Wesley Wheaton was throwing a year or two before the april fools revival

[@gardenagnostic]

fun fact: my mom owns a daycare, and there was a Strong Bad plush, i didnt know about HSR, so i just...had it.

[@manifestgtr]

I’ll tell you why it had such an impact on me as a college student from 2002-2004. This was my first experience really being away from “home”. It was new and exciting but also psychologically crazy. Homestar provided this innocent slice of life that I desperately needed around that time. Occasionally, when things would get dark and crazy, there was strongbad on Monday and it just HELPED. I think that, along with it’s clever styling, world building and quotable nature really helped it spread. It was simple and enjoyable but you could tell that it was made by smart people.

[@drewpacabra4136]

I was literally just thinking today about how much I would like to watch a long-form homestar runner video essay of some kind. I got lucky by finding this in my recommendation feed!

[@akasharkieboi]

That's a big reason as to why I made the video! I too had a similar thought, and made it myself!

[@lazchurchyard1229]

Oh! Gork of a port!

[@testerjs]

Google knows when you poop of course they know who needs a video essay about homstar.

[@robbiewalker2831]

@@akasharkieboi 10:20: That bit of trivia is like saying Dr. Slump is more about Arale Norimaki, moreso than the title character, Senbei Norimaki.

[@Dorelaxen]

I came across Homestar Runner in around 2003. I'd gone to a local video game convention and Atari Age was there. They had a prototype of the Atari 2600 Homestar RPG that was supposed to be coming out soon, and it sorta stuck with me. I'd never heard about it before, so I went home and checked it out afterwards. Almost 20 years later, I'm still a fan. Strong Bad is one of the best characters ever.

[@Alucard-A-La-Carte]

I do think a massive part of this ... show's appeal (it IS really hard to come up with a single word for what Homestar Runner is) long-term is the rejection of the contemporary and embracing the evergreen of the absurd. For a long time it was easily the most wholesome thing a lot of us watched, and I dunno about all of you, but it was the one I go back to the most from that period of time. That and the fact that it never "turned." The Brothers Chaps did the impossible and never "monetized" beyond products where you knew EXACTLY what you were paying for and got it. No subscriptions for updates, no "loot boxes,'" the only thing even remotely close was the Kickstarter, and even then: they asked for very little and delivered EXACTLY as promised.

[@akasharkieboi]

Oh absolutely- it was a passion project through and through- one they shared with everybody at the right time and place to do so. Its astounding how well it holds up all these years later- even after making this video, I could watch all these toons again and never get tired of them

[@ruffe777]

I may have not grown up with this show but I still have so much nostalgia towards it and I think that it's lovely. The reason why is because it's style was a huge influence for the web show "Battle for Dream Island" (the first season) which I love (the channel that created the show even had an edited Homestar Runner logo as their channel icon before they changed it in 2018) and have watched for years, so, thank you Homestar Runner!

[@jackson81gaming52]

Me too Ruffi!

[@TomboTime]

Matt Chapman is the Mel Blanc of the internet

[@akasharkieboi]

UPDATE: Level 10 is Up! UPDATE #2: The site's still a kickin'!

[@robbiewalker2831]

HOORAY!!!

[@samringwald]

100% love the video. Liked and subscribed. I thought I'd point out, with great respect, the T in debut is silent. It's "day-bew." I've had this problem with several words I read more than heard: attribute, alacrity, dais, etc. I always wished someone had told me I was pronouncing it wrong. So I do this in good fellowship and not as a dick. I still don't know how to pronounce dais.

[@LNSLateNightSaturday]

I dunno why, but I always feel bad for Strong Sad in that clip where he's getting ready to mail Anthony a card and $100. lol

[@lazchurchyard1229]

Are we not going to talk about inventing "doge" and "potate"??

[@Kuce]

This is a really comprehensive guide to just how great the Homestar Runner series truly is. No minute is ever wasted because you delve into the deep of just what makes this all work. Revisiting the series in recent years has really made me appreciate the care and love the Brothers Chaps and this video was the catalyst that sent me back! This series will always live on! HR FOREVER!

[@snarkiwi]

This video is SO underrated wow...I didn't get into HSR until pretty recently and I've been absorbing all the years worth of content for it lately, and you opened my eyes to some new stuff about it! Super interesting video, definitely worth the watch!!!!

[@akasharkieboi]

Thank you so much!

[@robbiewalker2831]

@@akasharkieboi where can I find more of this Strong Bad looking villain from Aquabats (Carl)?

[@avosmash2121]

@@robbiewalker2831 You wont likely find any more future official clips of the show with him. But I do beleive he and/or SB as his normal self does appear in various concert videos of the Aquabats. You could probably search among their tour footage.

[@sodacrush3052]

kiwi i didn’t expect to see you here!!!!!!😊

[@agoatheadbaby3512]

I hope Ruffle gets far enough in development to preserve this site. I discovered Homestar Runner few months before Flash was kill and it really felt like the precursor to other Flash sites, even ones ran by big companies if that makes any sense.

[@akasharkieboi]

yeah, they were super ahead of the curve it's crazy

[@shelbybunny]

1:04:14 ANDREW HUSSIE JUMPSCARE edit: i need you guys to know i audibly yelped when i saw hussie show up

[@juliagoodwin9510]

I first got into Homestar Runner because my best friend's older brother was a fan, and it's been one of my favorites ever since. I understand the brothers Chaps have moved on to other things, but I can't help but miss the days of weekly updates... Now if you'll excuse me, I have some SBemails to watch.

[@tacitgamingfanREAL]

Boy, do i have some dang good news for you! m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4anlp2efLR6bNU

[@aSongFromTheSixties]

I will save the last email for Strong Bad

[@CometMothman]

I only recently found Homestar Runner this April and it has changed my life... and also I got my mom obsessed with it to!

[@akasharkieboi]

Awesome! Happy for you

[@lily87468_]

i just got into HSR not even a couple weeks ago and it's reeled me in more than any fandom i've ever been in. i like animated absurdist comedies more than any other genre of show, and Homestar is some of the most absurd i've seen. i like shows like that, where it gives you a choice to either turn your brain off and laugh along, or totally dig into the characters and their interpersonal relationships. combine that with some deliciously drawable characters- perfect way to hook me on a show- and a small, extremely respectable team behind it, and it just scratches all the itches. i never realized how much it shaped a ton of pop culture. i was always aware of its existence, but now that i'm finally in the know, it's like magic. late to the party, but great video! i love your passion for it :)

[@akasharkieboi]

Thank you so much- really happy to hear this!

[@homsar]

andrew hussie jumpscare

[@W31RD0W0ND3R]

Dude this vid seriously needs more attention bc of how much effort was put into this appreciation video! I really love this! I hope more people find this video as well! I really appreciate HR too! Luckily, the site is still up and a banger to this day! :D

[@akasharkieboi]

Thank you for your comment! Means a lot to hear- i'm happy to site survived the flash purge and is still going strong!

[@W31RD0W0ND3R]

@@akasharkieboi I agree! Some things there don't work anymore bc of flash, but at least its still being restored by the Ruffle project! (I recently checked the site yesterday, glad its still there ^^)

[@robbiewalker2831]

@@akasharkieboi 40:14: You forgot the Wheelchair that has Bubs’ voice!

[@lazchurchyard1229]

I hope JC Penneys takes 'really appreciate its'

[@SpaceyMcSpacer]

An extremely dedicated review! I have been into Homestar since 2016 and this hit every reason why I love the site to this day

[@ndisfoshiz]

“Nope! Nope! Nope! The land of ten thousand nopes!” Is my favorite quote ever!

[@dmdeester]

My cousin introduced me to the site in the summer of 2007, I was hooked right away. Even though I didn't know about it until it was already past its heyday, I still had loads of fun coming home from school every day logging on in anticipation hoping for a new toon. I was still able to check out the content that came out years before I was into it & loved it. So many great nostalgia trips I take every time I revisit the website.

[@Shartmaster32]

I never really got into homestar runner before this video, I only saw a few videos and I remember them being really funny, but this was a great watch I love listening to long videos of people just rambling on about things that they love

[@akasharkieboi]

me too

[@Fartsanchez]

Great video dude. I actually had no idea Matt Chapman was the head writer on Gravity Falls, now I have a legit reason to check it out. I remember getting into this site early in its run, and watching it evolve, and it felt like such a special time to be on the internet for.

[@NightmareSpriter]

This video is incredible and has an immense height of dedication and appreciation. This is a video I'd gladly watch anytime over again. Thank you for this.

[@Glacier_Nester]

It's kinda fascinating how stark the generational divide is on people who know this, and people who don't. Like, I'm two years older than my girlfriend, and I love homestar to death, while she'd never heard of it before I introduced her, and she doesn't really get the hype. This was a fantastic little encapsulation of the site, and I'm glad I caved and clicked it after youtube dangled it in front of my face for a while.

[@akasharkieboi]

Glad you clicked on it too! And that divide is also exactly why I wanted to make the video

[@marisabelle1152]

Viewer number 324 here! Let’s hope this gets well over just 324 views. All this work should be worth at least 100,000

[@akasharkieboi]

Aww thanks!

[@robbiewalker2831]

@@akasharkieboi 26:40: To anyone who didn’t get the joke, his costume and bad misquote is suppose to be a callback to the actual drive-thru whale who said “sever your leg please, sir”. The Drive-Thru Whale itself was suppose to mock the miscommunication between fast-food employees and the customers when it comes to food orders.

[@TomQuoVadis]

The thing that really helps H*R be so unique is the fact it was two brothers doing the writing. If you have a brother you're on good terms with you know that the two of you will develop your own unique sense of humor that is heavily self-referential. Every time I watch Homestar I feel like it's something I could have written with one of my brothers while we were killing time on a summer afternoon or long car trip. God bless the Brothers Chaps for gifting us this unique experience.

[@akasharkieboi]

Yeah, I have a brother too and we do our own in-jokes and stuff like that too- you're right in that it does show in the writing of H*R

[@sparroni]

Not only is this a fantastic look back at an amazing website & series, but you correctly pronounced .gif. You've earned a sub!

[@Crudely-Drawn-Cupcake]

58:55 I love the way he says “MAAARSHH-MEeellooo”, it’s so silly(I even say it like that sometimes)!

[@ShadBad8]

This was a super nice look into the Homestar body of work! I appreciate all the effort and research shown throughout the video- especially appreciating how you were able to pull perfect clips for your talking points- I usually use video essays like these as background noise during editing, but I was so engaged I had to watch the entire thing to see all the effort Homestar Runner is a super important thing to me and has inspired me since the day I watched it with my cousins. I seriously hope your video gets more views cause this is something I feel people need to appreciate too

[@akasharkieboi]

Thank you so much! Comments like this mean a lot

[@robbiewalker2831]

@@akasharkieboi One small criticism I have with the video: when you were talking about Sweet Cuppin' Cakes, you skipped the Crazy Wheelchair, who shares Bubs' voice; right after Eh Steve was introduced (which is ironic, considering the Wheelchair was trying to get Eh Steve). Also, "Threat Level Midnight" is a more suitable comparison for Dangeresque, when it comes to Action Spy films.

[@Roll-Penut]

It's absolutely wild how when Matt talks you can hear a little bit of everyone he voices

[@ozharms]

This was a really well-made video. Can’t believe you only have 380 subscribers.

[@akasharkieboi]

Thanks! well, I haven't uploaded in more than a year, so...

[@akasharkieboi]

I apologize for casually bringing up Joss Whedon in the video at the beginning

[@nnnomenclature]

This was a treat to watch. Very comprehensive and tied together with a lot of love. There's so much to say about this show/site/phenomenon and this is a fantastic overview. It warms my heart to think of younger people finding these little pieces of creativity and letting it become a part of their lives and it not just living in the very strange world that was the internet in the 2000s. Thanks for this video.

[@joshtaylor6086]

Very well done...and, I didn't skip through any of it.

[@akasharkieboi]

thanks!

[@nthgth]

Fantastic video, man. So many great points! Even some that I never realized or thought about and I've been a MAJOR fan since 2005. And nicely narrated and edited too. This deserves its own entry on the HSR Wiki. I love the wordplay most of all - "scratch the surface of the tip of that iceberg" and "ending closimonies" will never leave my lexicon, among many others. (Englilsh doesn't bother me so much)

[@akasharkieboi]

Thank you so much- means a lot to hear! I mean "deserves a spot on the hr wiki"?? that's too much man!

[@ptanyuh]

I just love seeing all the comments from people who are just experiencing Homestar recently :) I'm glad it didn't die with Flash! Thanks for this video. My ex gave me a Homestar Runner hoodie and I still wear it and love it.

[@keard558]

Hey man thank you for doing this. I wonder if tbc saw this

[@dw4124]

It's a testament to both your good writing and editing, and how much of a dork I am, that I knew what clip you were going to use at the end of a lot of your sentences before you showed them haha

[@akasharkieboi]

Haha that's what i'm going for- happy to see someone point it out!

[@INeverWanted2010]

51:39 Damn, I never noticed that until you pointed it out. Homestar Runner really did stand out compared to every other Flash cartoon!

[@animeangel1134]

Well done! I experienced Homestar Runner as a preteen and it shaped my pre-youtube world! What a time to be alive

[@BoardAtHome]

Wow, I just now came across this video, and I love is so much! So many memories! Amazing job!

[@stevenlowrance1789]

This is so great. What a wonderful cultural phenomenon.

[@JamesMSmithsDeadYouTubeChannel]

I don’t need an hour-long video to preach to me about how awesome Homestar Runner is. Because I already know that.

[@Flashback2020]

This was outstanding. Thanks for the informative video, I learned a lot that I didn't know and it made me appreciate the content even more. Dragon is my favorite episode, but I also love any episodes that had a song. The singing was my favorite part of the whole series.

[@Thomperfan]

I decided to take it upon myself to make timestamps for anyone who wants to go to a certain part. 0:00 Intro 7:04 Homestar Runner 9:27 Strong Bad 16:56 The Cheat 18:41 Strong Mad 19:57 Strong Sad 21:47 Marzipan 23:45 Pom Pom 25:02 Coach Z 27:24 Bubs 29:09 The King Of Town 30:04 The Poopsmith 30:37 Homsar 31:42 Other Characters 35:05 Free Country USA 37:13 Alternate Universes/Sub-Segments 43:46 A Kid's World 45:58 Inanimate Objects Are People Too 47:30 Halloween 48:29 Who is Homestar For? 51:53 Website Function and Interactivity 56:55 Games 58:10 Variation 59:47 Animation 1:01:52 Voices 1:04:09 Hiatuses 1:09:37 Making a Comeback 1:12:22 Conclusion 1:13:43 Tribute to Homestar Runner 1:14:48 Credits

[@akasharkieboi]

ooooh, this is helpful! thank you!

[@Thomperfan]

@@akasharkieboi No problem. This video of yours is definitely deserving of these.

[@akasharkieboi]

Yo, actually is it cool if i could copy/paste these timestamps into the video proper? I'll give you credit for coming up with it

[@Thomperfan]

@@akasharkieboi Of course! And thank you so much!

[@jessclark9725]

me, before this video: "homsar was peak comedy when I was a kid" me now, after this video: "homsar is peak comedy"

[@MantaRaydiated]

Man a video this good of quality and it only have 3.2k views! This is bullhonkey!

[@memyopinionsche6610]

I never knew homestar runner existed. But once I found it on KZbin. Can definitely see it's appeal. And enjoying every episode.

[@MikeJack20]

Marzipan's answering machine is heavily underrated, it's some if the funniest stuff they've ever done!

[@samhartley9882]

This. Was. Sick.

[@Poyostar]

Wow. What an incredible watch this is. I say you deserve more than just a pizza trophy for this, man.

[@sirsnausages2164]

I've watched this video at least TEN TIMES already. It is SO GOOD and SO WELL MADE.

[@akasharkieboi]

Holy crapples thank you for this comment. This is an honor to hear

[@sirsnausages2164]

@@akasharkieboi no problem, it's all in the name of Trogdor.

[@sirsnausages2164]

Something I feel is worth to mention: H*R leans into the rule of 3's a lot. One line that comes to mind is from SBCG4AP, specifically chapter 2, where Homestar says (in reference to "what kind of trouble could the KOT get into anyway?") "Double trouble, triple trouble, stomach trouble, all kinds of trouble!" It heavily leans into "1 time is alright, 2 times is better, 3 times are funny, 4 times are getting old."

[@GrizzlyAdams94]

I spent so much time on this site growing up, this was a great nostalgia trip

[@mikeyhint2788]

Hey, good job on this video. You have made a thoughtfull and detailed exploration of a beloved internet cartoon website. Your clear talent in KZbin video creation makes me wish for your rapid ascension and success on the platform. Thankyou for the nostalgic reminder of HomestarRunner website.

[@thmanmohan]

Wooooooowwwwwww..... thanks for making this. I first watched hsr in 03, one of the best things I learned about in college. I assumed hsr faded out like radiskull and the toons got moved to yt so that's where I'd go to watch them. Never k ew it went so deep. Thanks again

[@ethanreynolds4942]

This is such a perfect recap of everything homestar. Like, this was so awesome to watch. Thanks for all the time you put into this. It brought a massive smile to my face and reminded me of the good times of the internet.

[@MetalAcitistJim]

really was a cool site, so many memories of their shorts and games

[@bobjr4502]

Thanks for all the effort you put into making this! Homestar Runner is definitely worth it. 🥸

[@ArtOfAbandonment]

Thank you for this! This was truly a labor of love, and it shows. Really appreciate the time and effort you put into this!

[@Heatherangelic1]

wonderful video essay! I'm old, and I used to watch Homestar religiously. Thanks for this!

[@vaderdudenator1]

TFW you watch a Feature-length documentary on a topic you are intimately familiar with already

[@joelhagdahl5769]

Spectacular retrospective, thank you so much for putting this out into the world! Every second of this is so well edited and just comfy to watch, it really only makes sense that this took about a year to make :D I especially love little touches like Limozeen's cover of Strong Bad's legendary Cardboard Box song in the background at 45:24. Like, that's a song relating to cardboard boxes, from an easter egg WITHIN an easter egg, and you don't even call attention to it so only a couple people will notice. That's subtle brilliance right there!

[@akasharkieboi]

Thank you so much for noticing that near-unoticable detail! I love it when videos do that too!

[@bigmclargehuge8219]

Sweet cuppin' cakes, where has this video been all my life??

[@zuttoshow]

Wow, I didn't know how much I needed this until I clicked on it and was already an hour in. This was such a good video, I hope it gets the views it deserves. The font was a nice touch btw! Coach Z best character.

[@brentchesson2179]

Great video documentary of one of the best websites ever. I still remember back when the site first popped up being turned onto it by word of mouth. It was an instant classic and brought hours of enjoyment. Even today I get excited when The Brothers Chaps drop us a new nugget of goodness from the glory days.

[@orvilleredenpiller338]

Regarding all the alternate versions and overall discontinuity of H*R: there’s probably an entire Hour+ video essay to be made about how it all seems to be a reaction against the kind of hyper-overcomplicated geek universes that can take the smallest negligible thing and make fandom tearing arguments over it. Simply put, there’s nothing to argue about in H*R and you look like a doofus doing it. And I fucking love it.

[@orvilleredenpiller338]

Oh my god. Scroll button songs. ❤️

[@brendandangelo715]

Thank you. I needed this.

[@akasharkieboi]

Thank you for watching! Means a lot to hear!

[@DaVince21]

A comment or somethin'. Seriously though, this was a great watch and a nice trip back into memory lane for me. I really feel like binging on the series again now.

[@jensenzen]

Thank you for doing the Lord's work and documenting this masterpiece of the Internet of yesteryear!

[@akasharkieboi]

Thank you for the comment!

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

As a kid I remember seeing strong bad everywhere on the internet to where I just he was just a flash mascot like pico. I had no idea what Homestar runner was and when I found out that strong bad originated from a flash show I just assumed he was the protagonist cause of how prevalent he was on the internet

[@MaeveFork]

really well put together!

[@Usapyon_0719]

this was awesome! ive been a fan since 2000 when a friend in college introduced me to it. i really hope they keep making content especially sbemails

[@ZealotFeathers]

The Ruffle Project is keeping them alive with its flash emulator.

[@TaliesinMyrddin]

Looking very forward to watching the entirety of the HSR archives with someone who never watched any of it, and I look forward to watching this video

[@akasharkieboi]

Thanks so much! They're in for some good times tonite

[@TZerot0]

What a great video! Something about homestar just warms my heart in a way that nothing else can.

[@ZealotFeathers]

Hey this was really awesome. Shame it doesn't have more views.

[@brandonporter8509]

I was the 666th view. Used to be able to quote the whole H*R welcome speech from memory

[@ChanceTrahan]

Thanks for the documentary 🙏🏻 very cool to relive this experience again.

[@lazchurchyard1229]

Everybody loves the Strong Bad Guy. He's a terrific Cool Dude Ladies Man.

[@RossOzarka]

Oh man, life was never better than rushing home from middle school on a monday to check out the latest sbemail

[@griffinnovie4921]

I think Homestar is a doofus but is also secretly a bit smarter than he lets on. The dude seems to REALLY like to fuck with people, particularly Strong Bad.

[@akasharkieboi]

There is evidence to support that theory alright

[@Leviajohnson]

I was born in ‘97 so I feel absolutely paralleled with homestar. The children’s books applied to me at the right time, and the more evolved cartoons and games shaped my sense of humor and playfulness as a preteen and adolescent. Now as a grown adult, it’s the perfect work to go back and enjoy again with grownup eyes. Truly a gift that will never stop giving. Mike and Matt, two of my greatest inspirations

[@NebulaBubbles]

You're so underrated! This video is really well made and i wish i knew about homestar runner sooner.

[@gloves_lovur6964]

The site still updates till this day

[@actinopterygiis]

what an enjoyable video!

[@rjlack1975]

Thank you for this. You made my head a splode with joy.

[@TheGrilljon]

I still love Homestar and I've had my kids watch much of it. They love it too.

[@akasharkieboi]

My dad showed me homestar too :)

[@Kronical69420]

Awesome watch. It was really amazing how it spread by word of mouth. At out old Goth and Industrial nights our dj friends who came down from T.O. would end the night with Strong Bads Techno song. I found the site at the Trevor email. RIP Trevor lol

[@pj3679]

He sounds a lot like the character Caboos from the show Red Vs. Blue.

[@THEDARKDEATH98]

I always loved this site. I first was introduced to it through the s email spring cleaning where SB just deletes everything. I thought it was wierd but for some reason the next day I went back and watched some more. All my friends got into it and it was almost all we ever talked about for the rest of our middle school years. The under construction thing in April fools honestly shocked me till I realized it was a joke. One of the best April Fools pranks I ever experienced.

[@Switcharoo12]

As a old school fan of these guys I love your breakdown, you did a great jorb.🤙 My only criticism here is your audio quality, you literally go from whisper quiet to ear shattering and that kinda sucked. Regardless thank you for the upload.

[@akasharkieboi]

Yeah I was litterly recording this on my computer mic, it was rough lol

[@sahilhossian8212]

Lore of Homestar Runner: An appreciation and recommendation momentum 100

[@TheBoip]

Everybody, everybody!

[@bkbland1626]

Best cartoon Evar.

[@Derpy101]

Another good one for new viewers is Donut Unto Others in my opinion :-)