Shock Treatment reviewed by Siskel and Ebert (Sneak Previews, 1981)

Siskel discusses the cult of Rocky Horror and then reviews its sequel, Shock Treatment. As both songs that they featured can be found elsewhere (and in better quality) on the 'Tube, I cut them out, leaving just the review. Most of the comments come from Gene but Roger responds and makes a few points near the end.

[@VinnieRattolle]

The irony in this review is that Shock Treatment unintentionally became a prophetic satire about reality television/in-your-face media and it ultimately became a cult movie in its own rite... whilst Rocky Horror blew up from a cult movie to a mainstream hit.

[@kencoakley8366]

Jessica Harper was amazing in "Shock Treatment". This movie predicted reality TV and social media.

[@hollywoodholmes1]

Shock Treatment was ahead of its' time. With the popularity of reality TV, Richard O'Brien and Jim Sharman have something there

[@dkt13]

Ironically, they both hit the point of this film, without realizing it. It was made to be "A Cult" film. The whole premise of an entire community tuned into,and being captivated by a "show," is the point. The foreshadowing of "reality T.V." is either a coincidence, or proof that Richard O'Brien is a mad genius. Also, I think the soundtrack of the film is great. The lyrics of the songs are brilliant.

[@BerserkRTL]

Jessica Harper can't sing?!? One of the most incredible voices ever!? And all the songs are amazing. Siskel & Ebert be trippin.

[@madmadhatter]

Wow. I had no idea they (or anyone) reviewed Shock Treatment.

[@ianrosen1952]

Some of the criticisms might be accurate in a technical sense, but to me it completely misses the point of what makes it so entertaining. It's fun in a wacky, original, and unaffected way. And no, I don't think the film-makers were intentionally trying to copy the first one. Siskel's point about the pauses in the film where the film makers expect the audience to participate was completely lost on me. I didn't notice that at all. And I thought Jessica Harper is an excellent singer, and she's very funny in the scenes when dressing up and preening like a stereotyped "star".

[@Garch-the-Great]

There is ONE place where Richard obviously intended the audience to scream a word: "F for... Farly! F for... Flavors! F for... Fabulous! F for... Fast! And F for... Food!"

[@jameshughes3014]

It was a bit of mistake to try to make this a sequel to Rocky, if brad and Janet were named Bob and Sally, it could have stood on it's own. It disappeared in the shadow of rockys greatness but this film taken on it's own is amazing. The singing was good, the acting was amazing, the songs were fun and the movie defanately had something to say... It criticized and satarized the direction mental health care was going long before companies like 'better health' and TV doctors like dr Phil came along, and shone a light on how we tend to celebrate anything if it's just presented to us in a shiny package. With TV over the last few decades, and even KZbin, I am one of those amongst us who feel that this emotive from of presentation is overly manipulative.

[@declanjohn8517]

Tried to load all that I had but the two with S & E were blocked by YT. So far, the clip I posted of Ebert on local (Chicago) news reviewing Shock Treatment has stayed up w/o restrictions.

[@dandylan1471]

Do you have the full episode? Just wondering.

[@ChronoTango]

Christ almighty, Jessica Harper sang better in this movie than most modern pop stars. Everyone’s so obsessed with all this over singing bullshit that Mariah Carey managed to teeter on the not annoying side of. Didn’t realize the hate on real singing started a decade sooner.

[@kencoakley3959]

Jessica Harper is a terrific singer.

[@dandylan1471]

You know there's a Siskel and Ebert website. Have you considered uploaded it there? Is it from their episode talking about cult films (The whole thing has been uploaded their)?

[@its-morbintime]

I didn't particularly like the film either but the thing that is ironic about this is that they say that it's presented as a Cult Film and people won't buy into it because for a cult film to work they needed to have "discovered it"...With the exception of my mother and my brother, I have not met one person that even knows of this film's existence (even then, I'm the only one thats seen it) and you could say that fans of the film "discovered it" and obviously liked it (and I didn't think the film was awful) so...yeah, it still counts as a cult film even though it was made 100 per cent with that in mind (even though most cult films happen by accident).

[@dandylan1471]

How'd you get the clip? Do you have any more Sneak Previews clips? Just wondering.

[@HistoryRepeatingTMU]

Jessica Harper can’t sing??? She was a better singer than Susan Sarandon was!

[@declanjohn8517]

Was a Rocky Horror fan in my youth and recorded a bunch of related material to VHS way back when. I have a few other clips of the guys talking about cult movies but no full episodes of Sneaks.

[@jedijones]

John, which other clips do you have of them? We try to preserve the old episodes on a Siskel and Ebert video site. We'd like to add your unedited clip of this one and the others you have to the site, assuming we don't already have them. Thanks!

[@dandylan1471]

Do you think you can upload those clips? Thanks.

[@dandylan1471]

Also excuse me for asking, but do you have any more videos of Ebert on WMAG. Just wondering?

[@CaptainSpalding72]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fojWeKVma7t5d6M

[@cjlaity1]

Why did you snip snip snip out all the scenes of the movie???

[@declanjohn8517]

Tried uploading the clip with them in and KZbin promptly took it down. You need to be careful; if that happens (copyright claims in which the holder wants the clip taken down) three times within a certain period (not sure of how long that is) and your whole channel is removed!

[@cjlaity1]

Wow. Is that odd. Shock Treatment is such an obscure, forgotten film, why would anyone even care. Not like people are lining up to pay for it. Thanks for the explanation though.

[@imbluz]

Shock Treatment was a dreadful bore. Unlike the Rocky Horror, which had kitschy characters, catchy tunes and fun dance numbers, Shock Treatment has none of those things. It's just a series of dumb songs, idiotic vignettes and nuances that are strung together with no amount of flavor or inspiration.

[@DisneyFan-eg3oz]

David here I been a movie buff for over fifty years and I liked Shock treatment maybe not the first time but it grows on you. It was way ahead of its time. Be sure to see phantom of the Paradise with Jessica Harper it was a pretty rocky horror picture be sure to notice that it has something in common with shock treatment please let me know your thoughts here thanks

[@DonaldTubbs]

TBF, some of the audio is poor quality and you cant sing along with a musical when you can’t make out the lyrics. Also, there are structural problems that hurt the plot. Why does Brad not know he has a twin? Why is the twin introduced at the halfway point? Why is he suddenly obsessed with Janet?

[@GODCONVOYPRIME]

Brad is an orphan who was separated from his brother Farley.

[@BerserkRTL]

He didn't even mention that Brad and Farley are played by the same actor! Too busy dumping on his acting skills to notice, I guess.

[@videobeagle]

S&E didn't go into spoiling movies. That's a pretty big plot spoiler.

[@andrewspitzer]

Denton, Ohio. Not Texas.

[@TomYaz]

It was one big slam on America and quickly produced. Its production should of been held up until the actors strike and they could of developed it better.

[@declanjohn8517]

Sadly, no.

[@winternow2242]

Disagree a lot with Siskel on this, but he does touch on an important subject, those pauses in modern TV and movies that anticipate an emotional reaction. You're not watching a story. You're watching a series of emotional triggers.

[@TomYaz]

Denton Ohio not Texas

[@jacklong1290]

Gene Siskel was such a fucking ignoramus! It may not be a perfect film, but I love it! BTW Siskel, Jessica Harper can sing!

[@PaulAveritt]

Gene and Roger are waaaaaay off.

[@movieman104]

wasent as good without curry

[@joshualieder7524]

Shock treatment is boring and the female lead can't sing.

[@RHPSvegas]

Shock Treatment's still going strong, yet these two have knocked off and didn't give much enjoyment to the world. That's what happens when you criticize everything.

[@TooCooFoYou]

+Ed Guy Unless you were a Rock Horror fan, know one even knew this movie existed. Meanwhile, Siskel and Ebert were celebrated and praised by critics and filmmakers alike.

[@RHPSvegas]

Nah, they're both known as pompous asses; that's the only legacy they've left (aside from Ebert with Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, which just proves he was a hypocrite). Shock Treatment has legitimately achieved cult status.

[@RHPSvegas]

+Mattmannish your comment sucks. ST has surpassed anything you'll ever do. End of story.

[@TooCooFoYou]

Ed Guy Even then, Rocky Horror fans are split between whether ST was a good film or a bad film.

[@citygirl5705]

Most everyone here are siskel and ebert fans. Sorry loser.

[@DaltonGoesSlow]

When you try to out pretentious the pretentious movie

[@TallSilentGuy]

Shock Treatment is to Rocky Horror Picture Show what Agnetha and Frida's solo careers are to ABBA; a HORRENDOUS comedown!