5.6 / 10 (based on 49 reviews)
A TV program that serves up the latest funny and weird viral videos.
Genre: Comedy, Reality-TV
Main Cast: Joy Hadnott, Rhett McLaughlin, Link Neal, Stevie Ryan
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1 season, 4 episodes, 30-minute runtime
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Ronstadt (2021)
9.3 / 10 (based on 42 reviews)
RONSTADT, starring Rhett and Link, is a supernatural noir comedy set on the mean streets of LA about a 9-1-1 phone jockey whose night job, along with a self-described “Craydar,” leads him deep into Side B
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Adam Devine’s House Party (2013)
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Studio City Kings (2016)
8.8 / 10 (based on 13 reviews)
This dramatic series explores the failing judicial system, police corruption and murder, as well as the bonds of family.
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Rhett and Link’s Buddy System (2016)
7.7 / 10 (based on 640 reviews)
Rhett and Link’s co-ex-girlfriend is now a famous infomercial star, who is threatening to take control of the duo’s famous show, Good Mythical Morning. They must work together on an adventure to get it back.
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The Mythical Show (2013)
8 / 10 (based on 235 reviews)
Hosted by Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal of the youtube channel RhettandLink, in this comedic show Rhett and Link have guests and mainly do crazy things.
Genre: Comedy, Musical, Talk-Show
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In the vast ocean of television history, there are shows that have left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, and then there are those that barely caused a ripple before disappearing beneath the waves. “Online Nation” falls into the latter category, a brief blip on the radar of TV history that many might have missed. This show, which aired in 2007, aimed to capture the burgeoning world of internet culture and bring it to a mainstream audience. It’s an interesting case study in the challenges of translating online phenomena to a traditional television format, the rapidly changing nature of internet fame, and the early days of what we now call “viral content.”
The Premise
“Online Nation” was a straightforward concept: a TV show that featured popular internet videos, essentially bringing the experience of browsing early video-sharing websites to the living room screen. The idea was to curate and showcase the kind of content that was beginning to gain traction online — from humorous clips and viral videos to emerging trends and internet personalities. At its core, the show aimed to be a bridge between the wild west of the internet and the more curated world of network television.
The Execution
The execution of “Online Nation” was, to put it mildly, less than stellar. The show struggled from the outset for several reasons. First, there was the format. In an era before smart TVs and widespread streaming, the idea of watching internet videos on a television screen was novel but not necessarily appealing. People were used to consuming this type of content in a more interactive, on-demand environment — clicking through links, leaving comments, and sharing with friends. Sitting passively in front of a TV screen to watch a selection of these videos curated by someone else felt like a step backward.
Moreover, the show faced the challenge of curating content that was appropriate for a wider, mainstream audience while still capturing the edgy, unpredictable spirit of early internet culture. This balancing act proved difficult. The content often felt sanitized and lacked the authenticity that made many of these videos appealing in the first place.
The Reception
Audience reception to “Online Nation” was lukewarm at best. Ratings were low, and the show struggled to find its footing in a competitive time slot. Critics were not kind, often pointing out the awkwardness of the format and questioning the necessity of such a show when viewers could simply watch these videos on their own computers.
One of the most telling signs of the show’s struggle was its lifespan. “Online Nation” was canceled after just a few episodes, making it one of the shortest-lived shows in recent memory. This rapid cancellation was a clear indication that the show had failed to connect with viewers in any meaningful way.
The Aftermath and Legacy
In the wake of “Online Nation,” there were few immediate attempts to replicate its model. The show’s failure seemed to underscore the difficulties of translating internet culture to a traditional television format, at least in the way “Online Nation” had attempted to do so.
However, the concept of bringing internet content to a wider audience wasn’t entirely dead. In the years that followed, other shows and platforms found more success by adapting the model in different ways. Shows that incorporated user-generated content or internet culture began to emerge, often with a more focused theme or a stronger sense of curation. The rise of streaming platforms also changed the game, allowing for more niche content and a return to the on-demand, interactive experience that makes internet content so appealing.
In a way, “Online Nation” was simply ahead of its time, attempting to bridge two worlds that weren’t quite ready to be bridged. Its failure offers valuable lessons about the nature of internet culture and the challenges of capturing its essence in a traditional media format.
Lessons Learned
So, what can we learn from the brief life and swift demise of “Online Nation”? There are a few key takeaways:
Audience Expectations: There’s a significant difference between the way people consume content online and the way they watch television. Any attempt to merge these two worlds needs to account for these differences and find a way to offer something unique that can’t be easily replicated by simply going online.
Authenticity: Part of the appeal of internet content is its authenticity and spontaneity. Trying to curate and package this content for a mainstream audience without losing its essence is a significant challenge.
Timing: “Online Nation” might have been a case of right idea, wrong time. As technology and viewing habits have evolved, there might be more appetite and better platforms for this kind of content now than there were in 2007.
In conclusion, “Online Nation” serves as a fascinating footnote in the history of television — a reminder of the time when the internet and TV were still figuring out how to coexist. Its failure is not so much a reflection of the concept’s inherent flaws but rather an illustration of the challenges inherent in capturing the dynamic, ever-changing world of internet culture within the constraints of a weekly TV show. As we continue to see the lines between online and traditional media blur, the lessons learned from “Online Nation” remain relevant, offering guidance for future endeavors at the intersection of these two realms.