History Blog / ToplessRobot

[[http://www.toplessrobot.com Topless Robot]] (which, despite [[IThoughtItMeant the name]], is [[BrainBleach usually]] [[{{NSFW}} safe-for-work]]) is a Village Voice Media owned blog dedicated to nerdy interests, formerly run by Rob Bricken, a former writer for ''[=ToyFare=]'', ''Anime Insider'' and Anime News Network. The site has become well known for its daily lists, entertaining contests which get hundreds of entries, and the notorious Fan Fiction Fridays, in which Rob gave the [[MSTing MST3K treatment]] to incredibly awful fanfic. In November 2012, Rob moved on from Topless Robot to io9, where he writes a column titled "Postal Apocalypse". Unfortunately(or fortunately, depending on your point of view), io9's higher-ups asked Rob to stop doing FFF after some readers complained that the concept was mean-spirited. His replacement as TR head was long-time contributing editor Luke Thompson, who revived FFF as a video series under the name "I READ YOUR FANFIC!".

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: ThePokemonStory, the fans demanded it, Rob refused to show it for ages. When he finally caved the fans instantly regretted it.

* ComicsNix: His stories are not only ran on Fan Fiction Friday often, Roboteers REQUEST them because of the fics sheer [[SoBadItsGood insanity]].

* ForcedMeme: WHOSE RESPONSIBLE THIS. KnowYourMeme has it deadpooled because it didn't spread naturally.

* AGoodNameForARockBand: During Fanfiction Friday Rob would often stumble upon some combination of the words and comment "Great name for a rock band # XXXX".

** That applies to {{Transformers}} as well, although he does seem to like WesternAnimation/BeastWars and admits he doesn't have any opinion on TransformersAnimated because he never watched it. The [[TransformersFilmSeries live-action films]] [[BerserkButton are another story]]. He also isn't too fond of WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime, but he stated in a later post that it was more disappointment than outright hate, and in a LATER post, he admitted that, while he still doesn't like it, that he can see why others do.

** When in early 2011 he finally got around to the infamous ''FFVII'' fic "Beast & The Harlots", he went from typing using Toht's picture with the caption "HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE" in one section to '' "'''HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE'''" '' in a later one. And yes, the story really is that bad.

* SchmuckBait: Admit it, the way in which Rob introduces [[http://www.toplessrobot.com/2010/03/fan_fiction_friday_the_other_story.php "The Other Story"]] [[spoiler: (real title "How Videl Discovered Her Abortion Fetish")]] just makes you want to read it ''even more.''

* SitcomArchnemesis[=/=]ShadowArchetype: Abraxas is one of these to Rob, as well as being a NightmareFuelStationAttendant.
** It's ''Dr.'' Abraxas now. OH SHI--
* [[{{Spork}} Sporking]]: Done for all but the [[ThePokemonStory most vile]] of the [=FFFs=].

* UpToEleven: In one episode of Fanfiction Friday, he [[http://www.toplessrobot.com/2010/02/fan_fiction_friday_harry_potter_and_the_surprise_p.php makes a brief reference to a fic he believes to be worse than]] ThePokemonStory.

!!Notable fanfics featured on Fan Fiction Friday include:
* FanFic/RectifiedAnonymity: Rob ''[[TheWoobie discovered]]'' it and popularized the nickname of "The Pokémon Story". He initially refused to run it. The Roboteers begged him. He ran it. We needed BrainBleach.

* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: invoked by Rob after a '''''really''' bad fic regarding SpiritedAway.

The site was given a new tagline in 2014, replacing the former slogan "[[TakeThatUs Nerd News, Humor, and Self-Loathing]]" for being too dark. The next year, the site received a total overhaul and was renamed The Robot's Voice.

*** Which was latter topped [[http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/05/fan_fiction_friday_fievel_from_american_tail_in_th.php The Fievel Story MST]], which required ''over 50 Tohts'' to properly express his horror. By the time he's done he's worshiping {{Darkseid}} and calling for him to end everything.

''"Nerd News, Humor, and [[TakeThatUs Self-Loathing]]"''

** Tons. Use of [[Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk Toht's]] [[http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Toht_face_2898.PNG melting face]] or the [[YourHeadAsplode exploding head]] from ''Film/{{Scanners}}'' to illustrate FFF commentary, [[MemeticMutation WHOSE RESPONSIBLE THIS]], finding [[Film/ETTheExtraterrestrial E.T.]] to be "fucking horrifying", rampant and occasionally [[HoYay homoerotic]] JossWhedon fanboyism, and, most recently, Rob [[ADateWithRosiePalms furiously masturbating]] over any and all news about ''Film/TronLegacy''.

** Tons. Use of [[Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk Toht's]] [[http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Toht_face_2898.PNG melting face]] or the [[YourHeadAsplode exploding head]] from {{Scanners}} to illustrate FFF commentary, [[MemeticMutation WHOSE RESPONSIBLE THIS]], finding [[Film/ETTheExtraterrestrial E.T.]] to be "fucking horrifying", rampant and occasionally [[HoYay homoerotic]] JossWhedon fanboyism, and, most recently, Rob [[ADateWithRosiePalms furiously masturbating]] over any and all news about ''Film/TronLegacy''.

[[http://www.toplessrobot.com Topless Robot]] (which, despite [[IThoughtItMeant the name]], is [[BrainBleach usually]] [[{{NSFW}} safe-for-work]]) is a Village Voice Media owned blog dedicated to nerdy interests, formerly run by Rob Bricken, a former writer for ''[=ToyFare=]'', ''Anime Insider'' and Anime News Network. The site has become well known for its daily lists, entertaining contests which get hundreds of entries, and the notorious Fan Fiction Fridays, in which Rob gave the [[MSTing MST3K treatment]] to incredibly awful fanfic. In November 2012, Rob moved on from Topless Robot to io9, where he writes a column titled "Postal Apocalypse". Unfortunately(or fortunately, depending on your point of view), io9's higher-ups asked Rob to stop doing FFF after some readers complained that the concept was mean-spirited. His replacement as TR head was long-time contributing editor Luke Thompson, who revived FFF under the name "I READ YOUR FANFIC!".

[[http://www.toplessrobot.com Topless Robot]] (which, despite [[IThoughtItMeant the name]], is [[BrainBleach usually]] [[{{NSFW}} safe-for-work]]) is a Village Voice Media owned blog dedicated to nerdy interests, formerly run by Rob Bricken, a former writer for ''[=ToyFare=]'', ''Anime Insider'' and Anime News Network. The site has become well known for its daily lists, entertaining contests which get hundreds of entries, and the notorious Fan Fiction Fridays, in which Rob gave the [[MSTing MST3K treatment]] to incredibly awful fanfic. In November 2012, Rob moved on from Topless Robot to io9, where he writes a column titled "Postal Apocalypse". Unfortunately(or fortunately, depending on your point of view), io9's higher-ups asked Rob to stop doing FFF after some readers complained that the concept was mean-spirited. His replacement as TR head was long-time contributing editor Luke Thompson.

* '''NostalgiaFilter''': When it comes to old-school ''StarWars'', ''WesternAnimation/{{He-Man and the Masters of the Universe}}'', ''{{Tron}}'', or ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', Rob will defend his opinions to the death.

** He then ran that one ("[[SickAndWrong How Videl Discovered Her Abortion Fetish]]"), necessitating more BrainBleach. He's now got ''another'' [[http://www.toplessrobot.com/2011/10/um_fan_fiction_friday_just_defeated_me.php fanfic]] that he refused to post, even unriffed. [[hottip:*:He described it as like ''KanashiiNoImi'', only written as legitimate erotica.]]

* '''NostalgiaFilter''': When it comes to old-school ''StarWars'', ''[[WesternAnimation/{{He-Man and the Masters of the Universe}}'', ''{{Tron}}'', or ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', Rob will defend his opinions to the death.

[[http://www.toplessrobot.com Topless Robot]] (which, despite [[IThoughtItMeant the name]], is [[BrainBleach usually]] [[{{NSFW}} safe-for-work]]) is a blog dedicated to nerdy interests, run by Rob Bricken, a former writer for [=ToyFare=], Anime Insider and Anime News Network. The site has become well known for its daily lists, entertaining contests which get hundreds of entries, and the notorious Fan Fiction Fridays, in which Rob gives the [[MSTing MST3K treatment]] to incredibly awful fanfic.

Starting November 11, 2012, Rob has moved on from Topless Robot to io9.

* GoodNameForARockBand: During Fanfiction Friday Rob would often stumble upon some combination of the words and comment "Great name for a rock band # XXXX".

* [[JustHereForGodzilla Just Here For Fan Fiction Friday]]

* FanFic/RectifiedAnonymity: Rob ''[[TheWoobie discovered]]'' it and popularized the nickname of "The Pokémon Story". He initially refused to run it. The Roboteers begged him. [[ItGotWorse He ran it.]] We needed BrainBleach.

Rob will move on from Topless Robot to io9, starting November 19, 2012.

NeedsMoreLove, and NeedsWikiMagicLove.

** That applies to {{Transformers}} as well, although he does seem to like WesternAnimation/BeastWars and admits he doesn't have any opinion on TransformersAnimated because he never watched it. The [[TransformersFilmSeries live-action films]] [[BerserkButton are another story]]. He also isn't too fond of TransformersPrime, but he stated in a later post that it was more disappointment than outright hate, and in a LATER post, he admitted that, while he still doesn't like it, that he can see why others do.

* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: invoked by Rob after a '''''[[BeyondTheImpossible really]]'' [[BeyondTheImpossible bad]]''' fic regarding SpiritedAway.

* NightmareFuelStationAttendant: Abraxas and Sago both indulge in this, often competing to see who can say the most {{Squick}} and/or [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel Nightmare]]-inducing things.

[[http://www.toplessrobot.com Topless Robot]] (which, despite [[IThoughtItMeant the name]], is [[BrainBleach usually]] [[{{NSFW}} safe-for-work]]) is a blog dedicated to nerdy interests, run by Rob Bricken, a former writer for [=ToyFare=], Anime Insider and Anime News Network. The site has become well known for its daily lists, entertaining contests which get hundreds of entries, and the notorious Fan Fiction Fridays, in which Rob gives the [[{{MSTing}} MST3K treatment]] to incredibly awful fanfic.

* BerserkButton: Do NOT bring up [[MichaelBay Michael Bay's]] films. Especially [[TransformersFilmSeries Transformers]].

* '''NostalgiaFilter''': When it comes to old-school ''StarWars'', ''[[WesternAnimation/{{He-Man and the Masters of the Universe}}'', ''{{Tron}}'', or ''FinalFantasyVII'', Rob will defend his opinions to the death.

** The entire latter half of the MSTing of ''MILF from UNCLE'' consists almost entirely of Toht Faces (understandable, since it combined AngryBeavers with ParentalIncest). He finally [[GoneMadFromTheRevelation went mad from the revelation]] upon realising that the author [[spoiler:was too busy masturbating to complete the story]] and spammed almost a dozen of them.

** Tons. Use of [[IndianaJones Toht's]] [[http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Toht_face_2898.PNG melting face]] or the [[YourHeadAsplode exploding head]] from {{Scanners}} to illustrate FFF commentary, [[MemeticMutation WHOSE RESPONSIBLE THIS]], finding [[Film/ETTheExtraterrestrial E.T.]] to be "fucking horrifying", rampant and occasionally [[HoYay homoerotic]] JossWhedon fanboyism, and, most recently, Rob [[ADateWithRosiePalms furiously masturbating]] over any and all news about ''Film/TronLegacy''.