Total Drama Island Taught a Generation Media Cynicism

[@Terrencetheterrible]

Total drama proves that you don't need likable and relatable characters to make a masterpeice. Every character of Total Drama is heavily flawed and It just works.

[@georgemeyers7172]

some characters are More Jerky than others mind you. Some seem at least likeable if a bit annoying for many Im sure.

[@4NeonFun]

You definitely don't need the characters to be likeable but they definitely have to be well-written and possess some qualities that are somewhat relatable or mirrors to their satirized counterparts. The total drama series demonstrate most of the characters, like real people along a spectrum of grey, the characters are all put into a spotlight, flaws and all. There are a few characters that stand out as being more positive and altruistic, wheras their antagonists are on the opposing ends of the spectrum. Conflicts from contrasting drastically contrast with the alliances made by those that are more complimentary in nature shows how multifaceted and dynamic each character is.

[@meoff7602]

Owen was a sweet heart.

[@Periwinkie22]

Ummmm DJ

[@meoff7602]

@@Periwinkie22 DJ is a stone cold animal killer.

[@peterang78]

I love how Chris gets more and more sadistic later on throughout the season.

[@toastedgoodbyes]

I think it represents how even if it starts out sorta bad, if these schemes are allowed to continue they become so much worse, but make so much money that nobody gives a damn.

[@VonKappallot]

Straight up had mans in an insane asylum

[@maikayee246]

I personally don’t, What’s the point of even competing if he changes the rules on a whim.

[@bakeranita6040]

@@maikayee246 because it is supposed to imitate all the rug pulls real reality TV does (like the multiple idols on survivor) plus for a lot of people the host on the shows are just as ruthless as Chris just more grounded because they know they will go to jail if they made someone live in a robot for a year.

[@Hawkatana]

@@bakeranita6040 Nah, it's just flanderisation on the part of the writers who stopped understanding that Chris was as the video suggested: the POV character. The guy was used-car salesman levels of evil, not a literal cackling villain. The later seasons forgot that and suffered as a result.

[@meowsielee]

about lashawna i can definitely say she is loved by any black person who watches the show. it’s weird cause it feels less like she’s a racial stereotype and more like she’s a real girl who gets a racist edit from the producers

[@lwardrop2453]

Exactly! And honestly, that descriptor that had this video writer questioning her portrayal is exactly the kind of racially motivated choice that a(n out-of-touch) reality TV producer (white guy trying to use the latest lingo) would make.

[@matti.8465]

It was definitely not intentional, but Leshawna being kicked out of the show in the most contrived way possible because the producers didn't want her to win makes it all feel more authentic

[@LegendStormcrow]

Honestly, that's a great take.

[@rocketjumper1380]

it is a racial stereotype, and that isn't inheritably bad. The thing that matters is if it's a RACIST stereotype, like, is it made just to downplay or marginalize a specific race or just for comedy (hopefully done in good taste).

[@thisgoddamusernamestoodamnlong]

@@matti.8465 I always thought that. It's "behind the scenes" stuff like that in the show that makes me feel like the writers were very familiar with typical reality shows

[@christopherbennett5858]

Okay, yeah. Reality television was insane in the early-mid 2000’s and it could get wild. Total Drama really reflected that. And people really do forget that it is an in-universe reality show. Explains why Heather was constantly given immunity.

[@jayjaybulldog9180]

Facts it was insane, so it was a genius idea for them to do a cartoon version of reality challenge competitive race for Cartoon Network but different to what people think would be just a KIDS show but more for the whole family

[@InsertFunnyThingHere]

Honestly half the plot holes of the first season could have been fixed just by seeing heather say something about making a deal with the showrunners in the confessional

[@christopherbennett5858]

@@InsertFunnyThingHere Yeah, like how many times she got immunity at the end. It was to keep her in the game to at least the final 4.

[@biihisme]

@@InsertFunnyThingHere she didnt need to have made any deal. In real life reality shows, showrunners always keep the problematic people like Heather, who cause the most drama, until the end because they know it will bring more ratings to the show. Deal or no deal, it was always in their interest to keep her around as long as possible, but not letting her win so there is no backlash that the "worst" person won

[@simonpetrikov3992]

Like fear factor

[@jarronwilliams7227]

I assure you, the black community LOVES Leshawna. Sassy black woman is a legitimate reality show stereotype, so I’m glad it’s represented. From nene leakes, to da’vonne, to New York.

[@skylineXpert]

The attachment of the hose to the shower and sucking of from the sceptic tank. But Gwens red ant usage takes the cake

[@SamCal]

I'm not even black and I loved Leshawna's character. Arguably my favorite one from TDI.

[@stormichigura]

She is perfect representation

[@ye87]

Ye bruh chick is literally my older sister

[@n4ttyyy]

Its also okay to understand Leshawna IS offensive though. Im black, and while yes she is an offensive stereotype, its also funny as hell how absolutely on point she is. Its purposeful, which most 'satire' is not. She's a rarity on that front. Just commenting this because the tokens always love to be like "Leshawna isnt even offensive!!! black women can be sassy!!!!" completely missing the point of her character.

[@All-ze9cl]

Everybody rips at how Heather had so much plot armor but i like it. It's really accurate to how reality shows will do what they want to make it more interesting. Heather is a fan favorite for real watchers and in universe characters. In shows like this they will break rules just to keep the character who will cause drama in. It's not a plot hole, it makes sense

[@mistergrool3941]

It's funny how there really wasn't a "Heather-type" character in Survivor until Russel came along in 2009, two years after TDI aired. I guess it goes to show that if anyone acted like Heather in a real reality TV show, they'd be eliminated immediately, therefore it makes sense that the TDI writers had to use some plot armor to keep the show interesting.

[@jayjaybulldog9180]

To be honest, this is how I had imagined total drama as a kind of controversial theory that had went over my head as a kid. Growing up I’ve told my friends in my schools that this franchise was like a actual reality contestant competitive race but as a Cartoon Network show that still stood out a test of time.

[@4NeonFun]

Most definitely! Since the total drama series is a parody of reality TV and satirizes the way contestants, hosts, challenges, grand prizes, relationships, stereotypes, conflict and even how characters are systematically treated and viewed by the hosts, each other, or to the audience. Each character in the first few seasons were extremely well written and each served a purpose that mirrors their reality show counterparts are satirized. It was also entertaining to see how most of the contestants whom were previously excited about competing eventually lose that excitement and regret to have signed up and are only in it for the grand prize and most would rather not be labeled a quitter. Chris MacLean was written in a way that satirizes through parody how TV show hosts portray themselves and feels almost like a real TV host and how that position of power and authority gets to their heads over time and may deviate the rules in any arbitrary way they see fit. In later seasons, he gradually loses any qualities that make him relatable and treats the contestants and interns as disposable for shock value. Prior to this, the franchise was gripping, which attracts an audience and immersive to keep the audience tuned in. Most challenges started off as direct parodies and presents them in a way that pushes the contestants to interact with others, demonstrating the ways contestants in the shows Total Drama is satirizing contest shows is entertaining wheras that gradually drops off in place of shock value and seasonal rot.

[@meoff7602]

The fact this show exists just tickles me pink. Not many can get away with making a show about hurting teens and putting them into sexual situations.

[@cirnocard5710]

And it was on Cartoon Network no less. The shit some of these shows were able to get away with despite being more directed at kids is astonishing

[@kennmoren2074]

Dan schneider.

[@pepacrow6794]

You say this, then I think about anime...

[@meoff7602]

@@pepacrow6794 Well that's Japan. It's a whole different world over there.

[@Pollicina_db]

@@pepacrow6794 The problem here in the west is that every cartoon is seen as for kids, unlike in Japan where they can tell a clear difference between cartoons for children like Doraemon, teen content like Attack on Titans and mature anime like Mushishi. Like the other day I heard a woman say that The Simpsons are for children. CHILDREN. Does adult content need to have sx, swearing and blood to be adult? I don’t think so.

[@lwardrop2453]

I think Total Drama helped a tween like me at that time by showing me that it’s pretty much safer to be a spectator and not try to fix everyone’s drama. It also helped to visualize the difference between successfully fixing injustices versus getting sucked up into drama. Also when you’re a sheltered kid otherwise, this was a best example of the differences between body positivity, accidental exposure, flaunting and flirting, and sexual harassment. When that litany of topics is covered in other media, they end up getting conflated (especially when media for more mature audiences tend to have fan service, but use one of the other things to initiate the scene when only one of the four ways is consensual to sexualization).

[@lwardrop2453]

To add to my thoughts, the portrayal of four different ways of being sexy (with only one way as an invitation to future sex) is impressive considering that three of the four/five terms were not being used by young adults at the time.

[@ellarasei4404]

YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY WATCH S3. Alejandro puts Justin TOO SHAME And on the topic of Leashanna, she's not too bad, coming from someone who's black. They do play up some things too much in season 1 (they get better at this in season 2 and 3). She's still one of my favorite characters but I know not everyone shares the same opinion.

[@zyaicob]

Yeah season 1 was rough but she never felt unrealistic

[@ellarasei4404]

@@zyaicob I know a real life Leshanna and she's one of the best people I know

[@ViridianCrisis7]

Yeah I think Leshawna’s stereotypical bits got played up a bit in the beginning but the writers made her a lot better as time went on.

[@newgirlde]

As a black woman Lashawna as a character was great, but it is a continuation of a larger issue in media where black women are only shown as aggressive and tough. It did help that she was not the only black person on the show to go a long way. Part of that was likely due to this show being a Canadian show rather than a US show.

[@newgirlde]

Clarification. Lashawna in TDI was not offensive.

[@jrt2792]

Yeah, Canada ain't like the USA. Coming from black guy who lives across Lake Erie. I'm actually grateful that DJ acts like a polar opposite to Lashawna's aggressive demeanor. Balances out the "perception" of black people in the show.

[@avroarchitect1793]

I actually knew a girl with Lashawna energy in highschool. Very strong and indepentent woman who took no bull.

[@n4ttyyy]

The fact that someone replied they knew a strong independent black girl just proves the point. Leshawna is supposed to be a criticism of these stereotypes, but it just reinforced it in a lot of folks (especially white folks). I think its a tough line you have to walk when trying to satirize bigotry. If its too good, the bigot wont get the joke. If its too critical, the bigot will just write it off as pandering. (Kinda hate the word bigot, but don't know another word for "person with prejudice")

[@korickarmstrong3468]

@@n4ttyyy part of your problem is you associate pattern recognition with prejudice. Live in enough places and you start to recognize patterns of people. I swear I have seen 3 copies of the same kid I went to highschool with in different states.

[@kenjishishimaru6114]

As a black man and a Total Drama fan, I LOVE Leshawna. And the issue of her being a 'racist stereotype' has less to do with her personality and looks, but more about how she fits into media depictions of black women as a whole. But at the same time, she's an amazing character who feels like someone I know or know of (as do all the cast members by design), is honest about her intentions to win but isn't so fame hungry that she sabotages and antagonizes everyone else (like Heather), and definitely woulda made it to the finals if the producers hadn't pulled that elimination out their asses.

[@denizwithz9589]

I'm someone who dosn't like reality shows, but even as a kid, I loved that show

[@All-ze9cl]

Its much easier to watch crazy hijinks happen to fake people with no real consquences than actual humans

[@justindevoe9556]

I recently rewatched 6teen, the show these guys made before TD, and it really deserves the love and attention TD gets

[@onlychrisallthetime]

Most of the team from 6teen weren’t actually on the show. Mainly the character designer and voice actors

[@gegnabean]

Honestly I think people don’t give this show enough credit. It’s not high art but it’s got something to say to it’s audience just like every piece of media and what it’s got to say is worth listening to.

[@chemicalfem]

I’m Black and I always thought that Leshawna was MEANT to be a racist stereotype. The writers knew they were putting her in a box because they noticed that’s exactly what happens for Black characters on reality tv. She doesn’t have an attitude problem at all, she just sticks up for herself and what’s right. But when you’re a certain skin color, these normal traits will be interpreted as being threatening and combative. On reality tv, you’ll notice how often the Black character is deemed to have an “attitude problem” no matter what happens. Hell’s Kitchen season 10 and what happened to contestant Barbie is the perfect embodiment of this. Her teammates would threaten to beat her up ON CAMERA but then they’d start complaining about her attitude problem.

[@mr.broman3721]

This is probably the best analysis i’ve seen of this show, holy shit dude great job. I started rewatching td a bit ago and i was surprised just how relentless and important the parody aspect is. I hope the algorithm takes this far, i feel like after a while people kind of lumped td in with the kind of stuff it was making fun of and that’s a shame

[@matti.8465]

What I love about Total Drama is how it answers the question "if reality shows were 100% real would it be fucked up or what?". It's an over-the-top parody of exploitative reality shows where the contestants demean themselves in live television for a shot at fame. We know how horrible it is, and yet we laugh and watch as those desperate souls dance for our entertainment.

[@dannyhargreaves1326]

Seasons 2 &3 are great too, but a few of the characters had to suffer character derailment because of it. Out of all characters, I think Courtney suffered the most. Next is Gwen, who was one of the finalists of s1. Their target is of course thanks to a simple show obstacle: a love whatever the shape is. Some characters get character development in 2, but suffer in 3 too. In season 2, Trent is a little worse than s1. But, Lindsay, Harold, and maybe Leshawna grow in s2. Those who get the worse from s2 to 3 are everyone in Team Victory, thanks to narrative purpose. But, Noah and Cody and maybe Tyler are better in s3. Then there’s Heather. Thanks to Alejandro, one of the s3 newcomers, she becomes an interesting anti-hero. Some characters don’t change at all. Out of everyone who comes back, Beth, Duncan, Ezekiel, Izzy, DJ, Owen, and… I think that’s all relatively stay the same. Brigitte and surfer guy, I forgot his name, have a rockier relationship in the next two seasons. Even though you like Chippendale guy, he gets possibly worse in s2 by being a temporary villain till Courtney comes back, and Alejandro becomes a better realization of his motives in s3. Ezekiel… nobody liked him, but he got one of the strangest changes ever. Then there’s All-Stars… All except for maybe Gwen get worse. Really done dirty.

[@gayaanimation8685]

So proud that T.D. is a Canadian production, and it actually does have a distinctly Canadian feel to it. 🇨🇦

[@jimbatter5246]

I think in the pilot they made her an offensive stereotype as a prototype but in the show they build the stereotype up a bit to deconstruct it . She's sassy but not rude and she angry and has a tude but only when people do her or her friends wrong or even just someone she knows isn't as outspoken as herself . Which is part of what made her derailment in world tour so backward especially to be a fan favorite. In island she didn't let Heather walk all over everyone and was the catalyst for beaths growth , could have and would have been a better storyline for Gwen than Courtney since they actually were best friend but Gwen stopped being trust worthy in action , she became friends with Heather in celebrity man hunt, I don't know when she and herald became a thing but in a perfect world Duncan would have admitted that they stopped being cool because he was mad at himself for crushing on Harold the whole time . She stood up to someone like Eva for Brigette, wasn't bitter with Lindsay (those two deserve to be final two one day ) frankly would love to see her still be friends with Trent .

[@itsmxtwist]

Yeah they have her have stereotyped traits, but then also makes some changes to it to show that while it is a stereotype…it’s not always something that will be or should be hated since they actually have a personality outside of the stereotype

[@annica5313]

Duncan crushing on harold?

[@killer_queen4062]

@annica i would have a problem with that interpretation, with the way duncan was constantly bullying and even physically abusing harold at times. it would be extremely problematic to play it off as him "just having a crush" on him.

[@nateds7326]

When I was a kid my parents wouldn't let me watch total drama because all of the main characters were, in their own words "absolutely terrible". And I was just like "yeah I know it's awesome right!?"

[@donutchan8114]

In spite of how cynical the show is, its one of the few "reality" shows, if not the only one, I like, because somehow a parody has more 3 dimensional characters with more substantial and satisfying conflict arcs than most actual reality shows which are 90% contrived drama amongst the cast. That's right, an animated show with a cast made up of cliche archtypes feels more authentic than real humans on normal reality tv.

[@bambostarla6259]

The fact that TD was pretty much a parady of reality tv is what makes it so special lol

[@premoniticn]

as someone who loved total drama as a kid and whose fave show is now it’s always sunny, the pipeline is real

[@top500codypics6]

I remember watching a video about Kate hashimoto. She was on the reality show Extreme Cheapskates, and she was forced by the show to publicly humiliate and degrade herself for ratings and money, such as pretending that she eats garbage and serves it to her friends. Now tell me that doesn't sound exactly like something that Chris McLean would do. The real kicker is that one of them is a cartoon and one really happened. The events of total drama are not far fetched from reality

[@cindy8966]

Season 2 and Season 3 are really good at emphasizing the role Total Drama is regarded in-universe. I think you'll especially like Justin in S2.

[@spadinnerxylaphone2622]

LeShawna is a stereotype at first glance but ends up being the character who really should have won.

[@Loofwoof]

I’m so glad this was recommended to me. This was exactly my experience. Genuinely great content. Also, 16:30 - have you only seen season 1? If so, you gotta watch seasons 2 & 3. Especially 3.

[@TwentySeventhLetter]

Yeah I really feel like season 3 was the spiritual finale to what the first season started, and what it did with Heather's character was one of the most compelling character arcs in the show for me

[@mistergrool3941]

I think this video actually makes a good point as to why many people consider the first season to be the best. You can definitely tell that there was a clear vision to lampoon reality television with stereotypical characters who weren't supposed to grow out of their one-note personalities. As soon as you get to season 2, in my opinion, the writers were somewhat forced into a corner, because they either had to use the same characters as before (who weren't supposed to grow and change) or come up with a new set of characters, when the fact of the matter is that there's only so many stereotypes to base a character off of (hence why the Pahkitew cast is so hated, because they ran out of ideas). So the writers came up with the solution of using the old characters but making the series more cartoony and absurd. I think that's why, despite many people in the fandom loving season 2 and thinking that World Tour is the best of the series, none of it can really hold up to the realism, cynicism and clear vision to make a parody of reality TV that's present in the first season.

[@ThrarmAnimation]

i love how in the entire 70+ character cast there are like 4 characters who are more likeable than dislikeable

[@hughcaldwell1034]

I think Total Drama does for reality TV what Archer does for spy movies. The comedy genre and the "less serious" medium of animation strip away a vernier of respectability (or at least believability), and show you the absurdity underneath. I especially love how much they lean in with Chris, showing the shamelessness and outright sadism inherent in his position.

[@Plants10000]

okay everyone, now we push him to watch seasons 2 and 3

[@noodlexdoodle]

This show was what I based my expectations of teenage hood on and can't say it was too far off lmao

[@ataperecorder]

very well-put! you’ve got the perfect voice for this kind of content and the ideas were cohesive and engaging. i used to be really into TDI when i was a kid and this was a great nostalgia trip. instant sub!

[@ILTP69420]

The funniest part is Chris actually goes insane and makes you want to feel like him too it’s like he just releases some kind of pent up ducked up side of us as the show goes on it’s pretty funny and awful because you end up laughing at the same insane stuff he says and does and laughs at too

[@bluecheckmiya]

Lawshana is a stereotype but so is every character on the show

[@user9180]

I adore this show sm. The first season was so cozy, where you just want to binge it. The characters, challenges, dialogue, was so much fun to watch. So it makes me pretty sad knowing how many of characters from the first season were completely derailed and ruined. :(

[@user9180]

@@thotslayer9914 No, it’s a singer called Poison Girlfriend.

[@DiegoGangWeedBrando]

Bruh moment

[@OpossumOnTheMoon]

I binge watched season one my freshman year of college when it was added to Netflix. I had to drop it half way through season two. It was just awful. Jokes didn’t land, I hated the Bridget and Trent segments (they were really unnecessary) and it seemed like they boosted the vomit humor x 10

[@drawingwolf]

What an amazing analysis! Missed this show completely as a kid and only ever got to watch it as an adult with one of my friends as a joke, and this video captures the exact surprise I had with just how deeply thought out and mature (used sparingly) it felt. Incredible video all around!

[@horimiya7290]

I just love how they got rid of Lashawna because it feels so point black racist and like what a shitty reality show producers might have done if a black contestant got too far. It’s so blatantly unfair and you know they wouldn’t have done that if they’d all accidentally said someone else.

[@TinyRiver97]

I don't think LeShawna is offensive, because she's really cool

[@forestbigornia805]

Tbh i think Chris has a problem in his life cuz u know that in the first season, he was just a decent host, it didn't have many dangerous challenges yet, the host himself is sane in the first season, And most of all he didn't harass the cast too much yet Let me add something that some of the cast had very good friendships but then maybe the writers just scrapped their friendships in the later seasons Edit: I forgot that Chris can be nice to the cast rarely in the first season

[@trianglemoebius]

I think it's a Mix of Chris always being a bit of a bad person and s1 made him realise what he can get away with, and the fact that him being a bad person sells the show better. In-universe, I mean.

[@OvSpP]

I think of Lashawna in the same way I do Foxy from Drawn Together. A: it’s satire B: it appears the Black woman involved irl if fine with and C: it mixed in some (though if it’s enough is arguable) wholesomeness within her to make her not completely one dimensional.

[@arc8216]

My problem with seasons after the first is that they focus less on the characters and more on the challenges. I get it there's a lot of campers to develop but that's why there's downtime in between the challenges.

[@zyaicob]

This is a very good video, well made, well thought out, it might be the definitive answer to the question "What is Total Drama about"

[@smugglefish8171]

That thumbnail makes it look like Chris' next challenge is just gonna be "You gotta kill someone"

[@DANKKrish]

In my country of Hungary we had a reality game host called Sebestyén Balázs who was uncannily similar to Chris Mclain in both appearance and personality. So for anyone who would think to themselves that no one would actually bi like Chris in real life sorry to disappoint. He's a radio show host these days now that the hayday of reality tv is over.

[@cactusrosi1409]

No one is talking about how Lawshana is a stereotype, but just like everyone else, she's written well enough and not flat out ghetto. In season 2 they constantly mention how she can't dance well, and she even starts liking Harold at some point. She's a little mean, but she wasn't flat out mean and stupid, which was always my problem with the black ghetto stereotype. Edit: I typed well written, but I think I mean not being one noted characters are the words.

[@Timmmmm42y]

I never did like this show and I think it's because rather than fiction telling you how horrible you are I believe it's better to give people something to aspire to. It's why I like silver age superman, titans, the bat family and shazam. All of these show you how good people can be rather then just telling you how horrible everyone is. I think it's also why the snyderverse never kicked off

[@julil3021]

Total drama taught me punks were hot

[@rga1605]

I have to admit I loved Total Drama Island because of how much it parodied reality shows, because it showed how "fake" they were, but the more I grow old, the more I see I was just being an edgy young man back then. There are better reasons to (re)watch TDI and the characters are the main one. In spite of its cynicism, it's a show with heart.

[@michaelsupak7436]

I know this is five months out but I really appreciate this video. You have earned my subscription and I was thinking about playing or getting into Warhammer and now I think I’m going to give it a try thank you now I’m gonna watch another one of your videos. Great job.

[@PeachShortcake_]

Oooh this is gonna be GOOD. Thank you!

[@kafkaesque3407]

11:06 the thing is the va of leshawna was seriously sick and couldn’t be on the show anymore so they had to boot her off, if the va hadn’t been sick leshawna would’ve won since that was the original plan.

[@elfi643]

I create stuff so I can think more about my skrunkly little blorbos from my brain

[@MoHimdi]

It fit so well with the heavy satire kids shows/movies were taking at the time

[@konjfful2963]

Im super picky with my shows and I come back to rewatch this once every few years. It stands the test of time

[@OfficialCourtesyCourtie]

I love your analysis of this show I love and adore. Thank you.

[@baltulielkungsgunarsmiezis9714]

Yes cynicism is a bad thing, people are as bad as they act and they act based on how bad they believe others will.

[@kuwaitgrips4001]

Awesome stuff man, I forgot how much I loved this show as a kid!

[@TheFelipeBZ]

Total drama provided me insight into what really is these kind of shows right when I would watch some at night with family. At day I would learn how to better analyse and criticize so that at night, I could bond better with my parents by starting to be able to understand and comunicate about the shows were watching. Cool and unexpected effect

[@_b7090]

I honestly don't think cynicism does us any good. It's what keeps you and others around from enjoying what's good in life, and it's also what keeps you from changing what's bad about it. Mild disdain for mediocrity is what keeps the mediocrity alive, hence multiple crappy spin offs that nobody asked for.

[@mariankaprzybylowska2079]

I don't remember much from watching season 1, especially the begining and barely watched season 2, but season 3? God damn that thing slapped. To this day me and my younger brothers remember and still can sing most of the songs. It's more cynical but in different ways than season 1? Like losing money and trying to raise them to save the show while producing, insisting on kids travelling via breaking airplane, having one team be stronger and one weaker and doing absolutely nothing, Blaineley, and the favourite - having them sing songs

[@ApexGale]

You could kind of see production influencing opinion with how certain characters would just have sudden turns seemingly out of nowhere. Trent went from a cool guy, one of the most well adjusted people in the cast, to an overly obsessive creepy boyfriend in the span of one episode. Then almost completely back to normal in subsequent seasons. Why? Because production couldn't figure out a way to make you want him to lose. So they flipped his personality to create tension near the end of the season.

[@OvSpP]

So basically TDR is teaching us that *Everything’s Trash and That’s Okay*

[@christopherjobin-official7440]

Yes, actually, I think its a pretty bad thing. One major criticism I have with all this is the fact it was released for a whole generation, but it also tries to convince you that most people you'll meet you'll dislike... doesn't that make a lot of the people growing up on the show those bad people? Another talking point, I think this show heavily encouraged some sort of narcissism among young people that always co-exists with cynicism.

[@VirtualHolocaust]

"offensive stereotype"? My dude thats reality.

[@sagacious03]

Okay analysis video! Thanks for uploading!

[@CooperHudgins]

That ending was golden dude😂

[@Jonathan-A.C.]

Perhaps a few over dramatic points in this, but a lot of really accurate and fundamentally well thought out aspects to it. A really nice analysis blended with some richer looks at the abstract effects the show had one us, and the world had on the show. And really just some great ass points in general in this. Solid video

[@threewaysdivided7143]

As someone who kind of rolled my eyes at T.D. during my tweens (being someone who rolled my eyes at the obvious artificiality of most "Reality TV" and Soap Opera shows) thank you for showing me the parody aspect of it in a new light. T.D. definitely felt like a distillation of all the ratings-driven, arbitrary, thematically-void "Drama TV" I found so frustrating, but tween me wasn't as savvy to the behind-the-scenes media development processes, so I missed the degree to which it was being a self-parody of the *production side* as well. I generally prefer "good faith" productions - works created by individuals and teams whose primary motive is to tell a satisfying story - so I think maybe it was a bit _too real_ of reminder of that cynical flipside to find a place in my already-jaded-by-blatant-cash-grab-adaptations-of-beloved-works tween heart. Perhaps I'll give T.D. another go through the lens of a barbed but semi-loving takedown of commercial TV production some day.

[@mvpfireant5188]

I know this isn’t really what this channel is about, but after hearing your understanding of the making of reality game shows and built in parody- id love to hear you talk about some of the old survivor villains. Particularly coach and russell

[@MoKuZai]

great video, clarifies a lot

[@Wags13]

That show literally changed my life. It made me obsessed over reality tv shows from my 12 y.o. til now LOL

[@BlazeWolf9511]

Leashanna should have won lol. On the stereotype thing. She definitely is, or at least started that way. I think her personality does shine through tho. I found myself agreeing with her most of the time, and liked how no nonsense she was.

[@liammcgrath7051]

10:50 jesus christ seeing chris and chef in that top down angle is unsettling as fuck

[@rorykeefe8954]

Wow! I never realized like half of this as I was watching it, but I think it still worked, the way it was supposed to, on me!

[@velociraptor3313]

Great analyst mate, I loved Total Drama Island as a kid. Some of my favourite characters are Chris, Owen, Gwen, Duncan, Chef and DJ to name a few. I still have it on DVD, by the way are you going to cover Total Drama Action and World Tour as well?

[@jennifern.9303]

total drama is my comfort show it’s a real masterpiece

[@dominiqueneely7457]

Forgiveness isn't always the path to happiness

[@scollaceyuri]

im sorry the thumbnail is so funny out of context😭😭great video though

[@elitettelbach4247]

Excellent analysis! I loved this show/franchise growing up. And while I had already been watching Survivor for a few years when this came out, this show cemented that I enjoy competitive reality show formats regardless of the medium. My biggest takeaway from this show however, was that I can appreciate a character’s role in the story without having to like them as a person. This has greatly shaped how I view pretty much every other piece of media I consume. Also for as much competitive reality tv that I watch, I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone vocalize before that the host is meant to be the audience surrogate! (Probably because a lot of these shows do have an actual audience). Thanks for teaching me something new! And if you’re implying you work on the production of Survivor that’s so cool! It’s definitely changed a lot over the years but I still consider it my favorite show. Also lmao Opposite Worlds was such a shit show. There’s a great video about it (sadly cannot remember by who off the top of my head) that had one of the actual contestants commenting to confirm how awful it was.

[@analyzgolden7774]

This is what I think the fans I've seen of the show forget sometimes. This isn't built like a traditional cartoon. This isn't made for there to be a hero to route for and a villain to stop. There is no easy out. There is no happy ending. There is no justice. There is no right thing to do. (I mean, other than quit the game) You are not gonna have characters blatantly exploit growth or even say it aloud, unless it's a confessional. You are not gonna have moral lessons at the end of every episode. Especially in the show's environment. It's a reality show hosted by a sociopath obsessed with their image. These people have to adjust to the system of playing a game, or face walking off an island (or jump out of a plane, depending on the season) kissing their dreams goodbye. All these teens wanted was recognition in a fame hungry world, and the harshness of the setting was just the tip of the iceberg on how brutal and psychologically torturing fame is. It's not just the game aspect. It's the mentality of it all. These kids have to play a part they've been given, or suffer the consequences, or heck, you could play your role perfectly and the producers will abandon you anyway just because you're not 'popular enough' or 'better ratings'. The 'villains' of the show, if you really think about it, are only villains because the show frames them that way and only shows their bad moments. And they're given the label because they have certain strategies to commit to the game. Or they're Courtney and they tick off the producers with lawsuits. More often than most other cartoons aimed at kids, you'll have characters rewarded for doing bad things, and you'll have good hearted characters punished for no reason. Heather lies, schemes, and manipulates people's relationships for her own selfish gain, and she's rewarded with immunity and a higher spot in the competition. Courtney, in season three, threatens to murder someone and constantly tries to make their life miserable, and she's rewarded with the satisfaction of being the one to kick them out of the game. (You know what I'm talking about, those who've seen World Tour) Duncan bullies Harold, manipulates the friends and loves of his life, treats them horribly, and constantly breaks the rules meant to protect people just because he feels like it, and he's COMPLETELY rewarded in season two, AND gets two relationships that last for about a year. In fact, I don't think his bad consequences catch up to him until the end of his time on the show, which is arguably deserved. Owen is a good hearted soul who just wants to be friends with people, and he's punished with hospitality, a forced mole role by the producers, and harassment and abandonment from the people he wanted to be friends with in the first place. Gwen is trying to be the best she can and stick to herself and stay in her comfort zone, and she's punished with deception, manipulation, broken friendships, broken relationships, all of which blame HER and no one else involved, bullying, being outcasted by her peers, a villain archetype the show slaps on her, and the entire IN UNIVERSE fandom of the show HATE HER GUTS. Honestly, Gwen is probably the biggest social punching bag of the entire show and it makes me sad to watch :( . That's not bad writing. That's how the world works, and that's the brutal truth. In terms of 'character derailment', that is in multiple comments here, while I do agree with some characters like Leshawna and Trent, others I think act differently from Season One because of the show's torture on them twisting their morality. They're all victims, at the end of the day, and turn into messed up immoral people. The first three seasons of the show, in my eyes, is a commentary of what fame and TV can do to people, especially targeting the young crowd who consume the media. The show itself is how we even got Sierra (and that's not a compliment). We are not meant to watch these characters get justice, we are meant to watch them suffer and get screwed up in the head. The show makes you want to AVOID fame and be disgusted by the idea of risking your life for money and constantly being on camera. Yes we have characters we route for in the show, yes we have characters we want to see out, and yes the game aspect is fun, but that's what the show feeds off of. Our expectation that there is a scripted sense of justice and happiness to those who deserve it. But because these are real people and not heroes or villains, that becomes a grey are and becomes drama for the lot of us who have different POVS, like with shipping, or elimination orders, or other stuff. This is also why I can't get into the seasons after season three, and why I only really talk about the first three seasons. (Ridonculous Race is a good show, but it also carries what I say here) The seasons completely miss that point and forget about this, ripping this moral ambiguity out in favor of safe kids content that has a sense of right or wrong and justice. Because I guess they thought moral ambiguity was too complex for a kid to understand or was too harsh for them? Or because half of the fandom didn't like certain risky and controversial plotlines in seasons 2 and 3? I don't know. From there, Post World Tour of Total Drama doesn't become a commentary of reality competition and a study on it's psychological torture, it just becomes a reality competition in cartoon form with zany stereotypes and crass humor. They play everything completely straight and take no risks. In All Stars, they pretty much bail out of every plotline World Tour had, most likely in an attempt to make no one mad! (It didn't work) There is little substance to be had in the later seasons, and whatever good plotlines there are, are also plotlines you could find in any other cartoon.

[@Kobaaming090]

I want to tell you that this comment has really changed the way I see total drama. So much of the writing decisions that I dislike from the series make so much more sense under your perspective.

[@payton.a.elliott]

I remember seeing Total Drama Island as a kid and it just kept giving me a headache so I stopped watching. I think they made it too accurate to reality TV, but I appreciate it more now as an adult.

[@devoteeofmediocrity821]

Even if Leshawna is a stereotype, and even if she’s not the Queen Bee, she is THE Queen.

[@gabrote42]

I mostly quote movies like My Neighbor Totoro or stuff of that caliber to have shaped me, but maybe I underappreciated this one. Thanks

[@catpat4754]

This show introduced me to Survivor

[@KrazyKaiser]

This was a really great video on a show I never had any interest in at all. I think it was mostly the art style and the realty show premise, but I'm glad there's more too it than at first glance.

[@baki484]

Man these shows were something else fosters, justice league, total drama, avatar, Ben 10, Generator, edd Ed n eddy, courage, secret Saturday's, megax XLR and samurai jack just to name a few.

[@ViltrumiteIsRite99]

@3:33 There’s absolutely nothing offensive about Lashawna. There are plenty of black women or people that act like her, so her character is accurate enough. Nothing is actually offensive until it poorly misrepresents the reality of people.

[@Shnyak]

I've never watched the show before, but this video served as a wierd but effective advertisement to me.

[@MrFrye12345]

It’s a pretty good show tbh, anything past s3 isn’t worth it in my opinion

[@pepsicannot]

@@MrFrye12345 that's really a typical opinion tbh

[@MrFrye12345]

@@pepsicannot ehh I mean RR is good, but ROTI, AS, and PI? They’re pretty forgettable, except for Courtney and Gwen’s friendship later in AS.

[@pepsicannot]

@@MrFrye12345 idk if "forgettable is the correct term to describe the later season, Roti is clearly the better on, not to sure about Courtney and Gwen's friendship to be honest, they seem to not get along

[@MrFrye12345]

@@pepsicannot ROTI is definitely better than AS and PI in terms of story, but it still struggled due to the 14 episode layout that they put on those 3 seasons. And also, there wasn’t a follow up with ROTI and PI cast. In my opinion, I think it would have been really cool to combine both casts, but maybe get rid of some characters that didn’t serve much of a purpose.

[@enhaworld]

me and my cousin were actually rewatching the show the other night and i still don’t know how this was on cartoon network as a kids/tweens show

[@SergeantSup]

7:37 😆That makes way to much sense given my general outlook now

[@ghostbased332]

Bruh ain’t no way wit dis music, bro think he kingpin

[@OArthurFeital]

This is the definitive video on total drama 👏👏👏👏

[@CaedmonOS]

In a cast of non stereotypes lashana would not be cool but in a cast full of stereotypes it's fine

[@AlexanderFromTheStarDimension]

6:29 This is precisely why I hate Total Drama All-Stars and Total Drama Pakitew... because these two seasons abandon the idea talked about at this timestamp and instead simply allow the most "likable" and "rooted for" characters to make it to the end.

[@speccogecko7296]

Justin was always one of my least favourites, right next to heather. The rest I remember very fondly overall

[@mikhaelgribkov4117]

I always felt for a nerd and related to him the most.

[@pepsicannot]

I wouldn’t say TD taught any lessons, it’s mostly pure entertainment, and made to mock reality TV