About
RedLetterMedia[1] is an independent film company and webzone created and run by Mike Stoklasa [2] and Jay Bauman [3], and based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is best known for producing the Mr. Plinkett movie reviews and Half in the Bag[4], in which Stoklasa and Bauman review newly released Hollywood films. It also produces the webshows Best of the Worst[5], in which four people (usually RLM cast and crew members, but occasionally guest stars are featured) watch three B-movies of a certain theme, discuss them, and decide which is the best of them, and Previously Recorded[6] (styled Pre-Rec), where RLM cast members Jack Packard (aka Harlack) [7] and Rich Evans [8] review a recently released video game.
History
RedLetterMedia was founded by Mike Stoklasa when he lived in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2004, although it is now based in Milwaukee. It mainly produced low-budget comedic short films until 2008, when, after viewing the Star Trek: The Next Generation movie _Star Trek: Generations [9], Stoklasa decided to create a video review of it. Deeming his own voice “too boring”, he decided to play the character of Mr. Plinkett (first portrayed by Rich Evans in short films, and later in Half in the Bag and Feeding Frenzy ) in the video. Encouraged by positive reaction, he continued to make reviews for the other three Next Generation films [10].
The company remained unknown until Stoklasa released his fifth Mr. Plinkett review, in which he analysed the often-criticized Star Wars prequel film The Phantom Menace[11]. The review is notable for stretching approximately 70 minutes and including clips from the film itself, the Phantom Menace development documentary film The Beginning[12], other films and shows, and live-action segments filmed by Stoklasa. Later, reviews of the other two Star Wars prequel films (Attack of the Clones[13] and Revenge of the Sith[14]), James Cameron’s films Avatar[15] and Titanic[16], Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull[17], J. J. Abrams Star Trek[18], and children’s films Baby’s Day Out[19] and Cop Dog[120].
In 2011, Half in the Bag premiered with a review of Drive Angry and The Adjustment Bureau[21]. The show is the main source of RedLetterMedia reaction images and gifs.
Related Memes
What’s wrong with your face?
What’s Wrong with Your Face originates from the original Phantom Menace review, in which Plinkett reacts strongly to the appearance of a Nemoidean worker. It is often used as a reaction to an ugly or deformed face.
Pizza Rolls
Mr. Plinkett often mentions Totino’s Pizza Rolls, usually ending review videos with “Email me if you want a pizza roll. Leave a comment on this webzone if you want a pizza roll.” This catchphrase, and pizza rolls in general, have since been adopted by the fandom as a symbol of Mr. Plinkett and RedLetterMedia.
Racist Mike
Racist Mike is the name of a recurring gag among RedLetterMedia fans (mainly ones on "4chan’s":knowyourmeme.com/memes/sites/4chan /tv/ (Television and Movies) board) that company creator Mike Stoklasa is a closeted white supremacist. The meme originates from a livestream by former RLM member Garret Gilchrist, wherein he claimed that Mike Stoklasa is a racist, Rich Evans’ parents were addicted to crack cocaine, and Jay Bauman is a rapist (though he later denies saying these things). [22]
Search Interest
Search interest for RedLetterMedia only picked up in 2009, after the Mr. Plinkett Phantom Menace review was released. As of October 2014, a DeviantArt search for “redlettermedia” returns 121 results. [23]
External References
[1]Wikipedia – RedLetterMedia
[2]IMDb – Mike Stoklasa
[3]IMDb – Jay Bauman
[4]RedLetterMedia – Half in the Bag
[5]RedLetterMedia – Best of the Worst
[6]YouTube – Previously Recorded
[7]Twitter – Jack Packard
[8]IMDb – Rich Evans
[9]Wikipedia – Star Trek: Generations
[10]RedLetterMedia – Mr Plinkett Star Trek Reviews
[11]RedLetterMedia – Mr. Plinkett Phantom Menace Review
[12]YouTube – The Beginning: Making Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
[13]RedLetterMedia – Mr. Plinkett Attack of the Clones Review
[14]RedLetterMedia – Mr. Plinkett Revenge of the Sith Review
[15]RedLetterMedia – Mr. Plinkett Avatar Review
[16]RedLetterMedia – Mr. Plinkett Titanic Review
[17]RedLetterMedia – Mr. Plinkett Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Review
[18]RedLetterMedia – Mr. Plinkett Star Trek Review
[19]RedLetterMedia – Mr. Plinkett Baby’s Day Out Review
[20]RedLetterMedia – Mr. Plinkett Cop Dog Review
[21]RedLetterMedia – Half in the Bag episode 1
[22]Free Forums – Garret Gilchrist, the black sheep of RedLetterMedia
[23]DeviantArt – RedLetterMedia search results