History Website / TheAgonyBooth

** Also, his reviews in general contain frequent pop-culture references, some of them very obscure, but he regularly criticizes other works for making pop-culture references, saying they're only doing it to sound smart.

** Also, his reviews in general contain frequent pop-culture references, some of them very obscure, but he regularly criticizes other works for making pop-culture references in an attempt to sound smart.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTNrGEy4x48&pp=ygUkcnlhbidzIGd1aWRlIHRvIGxvc3QgdGhlIG90aGVyIG93bWFu His review]] of "The Other Woman" he claims Ben ordered toxic gas released to kill everyone on the island. The dialogue in the episode makes it clear that Charlotte and Faraday were only disabling the Tempest as a precaution in case Ben tried it later. There was also no way Ben could have given such an order since he was being held prisoner by Locke at the time.

* CowboyBebopAtHisComputer: In Ryan's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTNrGEy4x48&pp=ygUkcnlhbidzIGd1aWRlIHRvIGxvc3QgdGhlIG90aGVyIG93bWFu review]] of the ''Lost'' episode "The Other Woman" he claims Ben ordered toxic gas released to kill everyone on the island. The dialogue in the episode makes it clear that Charlotte and Faraday were only disabling the Tempest as a precaution in case Ben tried it later. There was also no way Ben could have given such an order since he was being held prisoner by Locke at the time.
** He also claims Ben is lying when he says the people on the freighter are dangerous, despite this being disproven several episodes later. He even repeats this claim in the same episode where Keamy and his men arrive on the island and start killing people, without addressing the discrepancy.

* CriticalResearchFailure: In Ryan's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTNrGEy4x48&pp=ygUkcnlhbidzIGd1aWRlIHRvIGxvc3QgdGhlIG90aGVyIG93bWFu review]] of the ''Lost'' episode "The Other Woman" he claims Ben ordered toxic gas released to kill everyone on the island. The dialogue in the episode makes it clear that Charlotte and Faraday were only disabling the Tempest as a precaution in case Ben tried it later. There was also no way Ben could have given such an order since he was being held prisoner by Locke at the time.

* ArtisticLicensePhysics: Ryan's review of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyfriendshipIsMagic'' notes that the show will gladly ignore physics for the sake of a joke.

* BlatantLies: In Ryan Lohner's ''Series/{{Lost}}'' reviews (most of which have since been deleted) he frequently claimed the Man in Black wasn't a villain and just wanted to get off the island, claiming anything he does that seems evil was an OutOfCharacterMoment to artificially paint him as the bad guy. This is despite the fact that he was consistently murdering innocent people as the smoke monster throughout the entire show, starting with him ripping the plane's pilot apart in the very first episode.

** This is a frequent problem in Ryan Lohner's video review series for ''Series/{{Lost}}'', with a number of characters having their more negative moments severely {{Flanderized}} with any redeeming moments being ignored or portrayed in the worst possible light. The most notable examples are Locke, who is portrayed as an egotistical cult leader who brainwashes and attacks anyone who questions him, and Charlie, who's portrayed as an unlikable psychopath who constantly makes annoying comments.

** His review for the episode "Left Behind" claims the episode is supporting domestic abuse because Kate's mother defended her abusive husband and turned Kate in for murdering him, despite the episode clearly portraying her as wrong for doing so.

* NostalgiaFilter: Mr. Mendo and Ryan avert this trope. For example: a [[http://www.agonybooth.com/agonizer/Saturday_Morning_Glory/Transformers_Girl_Who_Loved_Powerglide.aspx video review]] of one of the weirdest episodes of ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'' cartoon was all about pointing out the series wasn't the piece of art claimed by those hating on the [[Film/{{Transformers}} film series]].
-->'''Ryan''': "After watching an episode like this, I laugh at anyone who accuses Creator/MichaelBay of raping their childhoods."
--->'''Mr. Mendo''': "You know, in spite of [[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Mr_Mendos_Hack_Attack/A_Team_Heart_of_Rock_and_Roll.aspx everything mean I've said]], a lot of people really like [[Series/TheATeam this show]]. A lot of people are quite clearly huffing spraypaint."

* BreadEggsMilkSquick: [[http://www.agonybooth.com/video920_Garbage_Pail_Kids_1987_Movie_Review.aspx Among]] the films that Mendo finds unintentionally funny? ''Film/TheRoom'', ''Film/{{Birdemic}}'', and ''Film/CannibalHolocaust''!

In 2017, the Agony Booth backpedaled from producing video essays and returned to producing exclusively written content. Unfortunately, their new[=/=]old business model wasn't enough to save the site. It posted its final content in November 2021 before going offline sometime next February, with no communication from any of its social media accounts. Currently, the [=URL=] redirects to a site called LOLWUT that -- despite its name, logo, and description -- appears to be nothing but lists of random celebrities' net worth. As a consequence, none of the links on this page work anymore.

->''The Agony Booth is primarily devoted to posting recaps of movies and TV episodes. These are not "reviews". Movies and TV episodes are thoroughly analyzed and dissected in excruciating detail to show what they do right and what they do wrong. But most important of all, the point of this site is to have fun mocking any and all kinds of movies and shows.''

* ValleyGirl: When Sofie reviewed the film of ''New Moon'', a valley girl (played by Sofie in a long haired wig) appeared to challenge Sofie's negative review of the ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' series.

Starting in 2017, the Agony Booth backpedaled from producing video essays and returned to producing exclusively written content. Unfortunately, their new[=/=]old business model wasn't enough to save the site. It posted its final content in November 2021 before going offline sometime next February, with no communication from any of their social media accounts. As of now, the [=URL=] redirects to a site called LOLWUT that -- despite its name, logo, and description -- appears to be nothing but lists of random celebrities' net worth. As a consequence, none of the links on this page work anymore.

Unfortunately, their new business model did not catch on. The website posted its final content in November 2021 before going offline sometime next February, with no communication from any of their social media accounts. As of now, the [=URL=] redirects to a site called LOLWUT that -- despite its name, logo, and description -- appears to be nothing but lists of random celebrities' net worth) and none of the links on this page work anymore.

The Agony Booth (named after [[AgonyBeam a torture device]] from the ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekS2E4MirrorMirror Mirror, Mirror]]") was a website that for most of its history has posted recaps of SoBadItsGood movies and TV shows. Sometimes, its recaps-cum-{{MST}}s raise a work ''up'' to SoBadItsGood. The multipage, scene-by-scene recaps usually take longer to read than watching the movie, but that's a feature, not a bug.

Unlike many movie sites, Agony Booth isn't run by fans; most of the mods are older professionals (their ranks include a computer programmer, a teacher, a lawyer, a soldier, etc.), some of whom are (or have been) professional authors. The house style is therefore based around thoughtful criticisms of technical and storytelling faults as well as less tangible qualities. They are willing [[DeadpanSnarker to mock anything]], but will almost never do so without backing it up. As such, the Booth tends to have a "nothing is sacred" policy. (While it's become more apparent with the shift towards videos, it's actually always been the case, as bad films with sizable cult followings were ripe targets from the start.) The writers also have a tendency to use [[JustForFun/TVTropesWillRuinYourVocabulary Troper terminology]].

Starting around TheNewTens, the site's core mission -- while still fundamentally cynical -- has veered further and further into affectionate nostalgia, with a burgeoning TV-recap section that besides the Worst of Trek includes ''Series/TheATeam'', ''Series/DegrassiJuniorHigh'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Jem}}'' and ''Series/KnightRider''. These now make up the bulk of the site's postings, while films or TV shows that aren't being recapped regularly appear more occasionally then they once did.

A relentless dedication to nosing out the most offbeat and obscure hunks of pop culture cheese (''Film/{{Deafula}}'', anyone?) also marks the site off from the Bad Movie mainstream. Over the years their article subjects have also included music videos ([[http://www.agonybooth.com/agonizer/Heidi_Montag_s__Higher_.aspx Heidi Montag's "Higher"]]), energy drinks (Creator/StevenSeagal's [[http://www.agonybooth.com/agonizer/Steven_Seagal_s_Lightning_Bolt.aspx Lightning Bolt]]), interviews ([[http://www.agonybooth.com/agonizer/Interview_with_Lloyd_Kaufman.aspx Lloyd Kaufman]], [[UsefulNotes/GoldenRaspberryAward Razzies founder]] [[http://www.agonybooth.com/agonizer/Interview_with_John_Wilson.aspx John Wilson]], etc.), and even the website of a presidential "candidate" ([[http://www.agonybooth.com/agonizer/Mercer_for_President_2008.aspx Lee L. Mercer, Jr.]]).

In July, 2010, they began a shift towards video recap series. These include:
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/categories/Mr__Mendo_s_Hack_Attack.aspx Mr. Mendo's Hack Attack]]'', a video version of their traditional articles, occasionally taking on well-liked films, hosted by Mr. Mendo.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Movie_Dorkness/ Movie Dorkness]]'', formerly the Red Suitcase Adventures, a more positive look at popular culture, hosted by [[WebVideo/MovieDorkness Sofie Liv]].
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Stuff_You_Like/ Stuff You Like]]'', an analytical look at great film, great TV (and all kinds of tropes), hosted by [[WebVideo/StuffYouLike Sursum Ursa]].
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Cartoon_Palooza/ Cartoon Palooza]]'', a sarcastic look at recent animated features, hosted by Joey Tedesco.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Cheap_Arse_Film_Review/ The Cheap-Arse Film Review]]'', a look at film that can be purchased inexpensively (in England), hosted by Cheapus.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Film_Renegado/ The Film Renegado]]'': a celebration of Mexican films and culture, hosted by [[WebVideo/TheFilmRenegado Jerry Nava]].
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Good_Bad_Flicks/ Good Bad Flicks]]'', [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin a salute to films that are so bad they're good]], [[TheUnseen hosted]] by Cecil Trachenburg.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Movie_Skewer/ The Movie Skewer]]'', hosted by each of the others in rotation, this is a show for the Boothers to review things outside their normal niches.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Mystery_Madness/ Mystery Madness]]'', a look at what makes mystery films work, hosted by Full of Questions.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/applets20/about/staff/PornCritic/ The Porn Critic]]'', a look at the plot holes in porn parodies, hosted by The Porn Critic.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Unusual_Suspect/ The Unusual Suspect]]'', a (British) look at movies and tie-in games, hosted by ''WebVideo/TheUnusualSuspect''
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Examined_Life_of_Gaming/ The Examined Life (of Gaming)]]'', video game reviews, hosted by Roland Thompson.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Oldschoo_Review/ The Oldschoo' Review]]'', an [[WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd AVGN-esque]] look at films, hosted by Johnny Oldschool.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Bunny_Perspective/ The Bunny Perspective]]'', a celebration of hard to find films and general pop culture hatred, hosted by [[WebVideo/TheBunnyPerspective Phil Buni]].
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Cinema_Slob/ The Cinema Slob]]'', a look at [[BlatantLies good]] films, host by The Cinema Slob.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Friday_Night_Fright_Flicks/ Friday Night Fright Flicks]]'', sketch comedy built around current horror releases, hosted by Creator/CountJackula and The Horror Guru.
* The [[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Joshua_the_Anarchist/ various shows]] of Creator/JoshuaTheAnarchist.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Blockbuster_Chick/ The Blockbuster Chick]]'', celebrating big-budget bombs, hosted by Suzie [=McGinney=].
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/PGSM_Summaries/ P.G.S.M. Summaries]]'', an in-depth look at ''Series/PrettyGuardianSailorMoon'', hosted by Nycea.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Reel_vs_Reel/ Reel vs. Reel]]'', a show that puts competing animated films up for discussion, hosted by The Animated Heroine.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/DVD_Shelf_Movie_Reviews/ The [=DVD=] Shelf]]'', a celebration of classic films and their [=DVD=] releases, hosted by David Rose.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/What_We_Had_to_Watch/ What We Had To Watch]]'', pop culture ephemera from the 21st Century, starring [[WebVideo/WhatWeHadToWatch Il Neige]].
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Graphic_Novel_Picture_Show/ The Graphic Novel Picture Show]]'', focusing on comic book movies, hosted by Solkir.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Minority_Report_Reviews/ Minority Report Reviews]]'', which takes a second look at widely hated films, hosted by Tom Marriott.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Toms_Retrophilia/ Tom's Retrophilia]]'', great stuff from back in the day, hosted by Thomas Stockel.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/categories/Saturday_Morning_Glory.aspx Saturday Morning Glory]]'', a look at insane episodes of Saturday morning cartoons, hosted by Ryan Lohner.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/categories/The_Following_Special_Presentation.aspx The Following Special Presentation]]'', a look at goofy made for TV movies, hosted by Stan Ferguson.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Thoroughly_Manly_Musicals/ Thoroughly Manly Musicals]]'', [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin a show about musicals]], also hosted by Stan Ferguson.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/agonizer/Terror_Obscura/Nightmare_on_Elm_Street.aspx Terror Obscura]]'', a look at horror films, good and bad, hosted by The Fear Fan.
* ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/categories/Britannia_Rules_.aspx The Special Relationship]]'', a spin-off of ''Britannia Rules?'', which examines American remakes of British films and TV shows, originally hosted by Richard Murphy, now run by [[invoked]] [[TheOtherDarrin Sursum Ursa]] as part of Stuff You Like.

The site appears to have rebooted back to a text-based recap format, as no new videos have been posted at all since March 15, 2017.

The forums attached to the site have a reputation of exclusivity that is arguably deserved; the list of rules (and rationales for banning) are long and detailed, and intelligent argument on a par with the house style is expected whether for or against the subject in question. Likewise, poorly-handled comments can expect to receive the same treatment as any recap subject.

[[AC:From the FAQ:]]

::'''What's the point of this site?'''

::The Agony Booth is primarily devoted to posting recaps of movies and TV episodes. These are not "reviews". Movies and TV episodes are thoroughly analyzed and dissected in excruciating detail to show what they do right and what they do wrong. But most important of all, the point of this site is to have fun mocking any and all kinds of movies and shows.

In 2016, Agony Booth [[http://www.agonybooth.com/were-merging-with-happy-nice-time-people-29778 merged]] with Happy Nice Time People, a [[SpiritualSuccessor like-minded]] site that specialized in TV recaps.

It should be noted that at a certain point the old recaps received a paywall enabling full access only to those who support the site through Patreon, so a few links to the Agony Booth on TV Tropes might not have the quoted\mentioned part available.

In November 2021, the website posted its final content before eventually going offline in February 2022. There has been no communication since November on any of its social media channels, leaving the site's future in doubt.

As of February 2023, the URL now redirects to LOLWOT (a site that, despite its name, logo, and description, appears to be nothing but lists of random celebrities' net worth) and none of the links on this page work anymore.

[[http://www.agonybooth.com/ The Agony Booth]] (named after [[AgonyBeam a torture device]] from the ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekS2E4MirrorMirror Mirror, Mirror]]") is a website that for most of its history has posted recaps of SoBadItsGood movies and TV shows. Sometimes, its recaps-cum-{{MST}}s raise a work ''up'' to SoBadItsGood. The multipage, scene-by-scene recaps usually take longer to read than watching the movie, but that's a feature, not a bug.

* AluminumChristmasTrees: Yes, ''Series/TattooedTeenageAlienFightersFromBeverlyHills'' is a [[http://www.agonybooth.com/video779_Tattooed_Teenage_Alien_Fighters_from_Beverly_Hills_S1E1.aspx real show.]]

* CatchPhrase: "Wiki/{{Wikipedia}} is your friend."

* TakeThat: A [[http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Mr_Mendos_Hack_Attack/Donnie_Darko.aspx review]] of ''Film/DonnieDarko'' notes that Donnie's argument about [[Franchise/TheSmurfs Smurfette]] is very much like a Administrivia/{{Natter}} reply on Wiki/TVTropes.

* NiceHat: The Count's top hat & goggles, Renegado's white fedora, Mendo's fisherman's cap, etc.

In recent years, in fact, the site's core mission -- while still fundamentally cynical -- has veered further and further into affectionate nostalgia, with a burgeoning TV-recap section that besides the Worst of Trek includes ''Series/TheATeam'', ''Series/DegrassiJuniorHigh'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Jem}}'' and ''Series/KnightRider''. These now make up the bulk of the site's postings, while films or TV shows that aren't being recapped regularly appear more occasionally then they once did.

* RantInducingSlight: [[http://www.agonybooth.com/video829_The_Sword_and_the_Sorcerer_1982_Movie_Review.aspx Pretty much]] all of ''Film/TheSwordAndTheSorcerer'' for [[spoiler: WebVideo/IronLiz]].

* SomethingCompletelyDifferent: During the ''Film/{{Juno}}'' review, which featured Robert Million as [[Series/TwinPeaks The Log Lady]], Joey from Cartoon Palooza as [[WesternAnimation/{{Metalocalypse}} Dr. Rockso]], WebVideo/TheFilmRenegado as Franchise/{{Zorro}}, Mendo stealing [[WebVideo/BadMovieBeatdown Film Brain’s]] catchphrase, and a random musical sequence from Full of Questions:
--> '''Ursa:''' This…this whole review has been…you’ve scripted this review to be deliberately self-consciously quirky just so you can illustrate how annoying that is!
--> '''Mendo:''' I most certainly did!
--> (a beat)
--> '''Ursa:''' Well played.

In November 2021, the website posted its final content before eventually going offline in February 2022. There has been no communication on any of its social media channels, leaving the site's future in doubt.