Unleashing the Classic: Homestar Runner Comes Alive on YouTube!
The Forgotten Yet Infectious Charm of Homestar Runner’s Teen Girl Squad
In the pre-algorithmic era, a duo known as Mike and Matt Chapman went viral, sans social media, by consistently uploading relatable content that resonated with an entire generation. Their website, Homestar Runner, played on the nostalgia of 90s media, including cartoons, video games, and action movies, but there’s another hidden gem that I believe stands out from the pack.
The Rise of Teen Girl Squad
The Chapmans’ fascination with the world of "Shows With Stuff Executives Think Girls Like" led to the creation of Teen Girl Squad, a bit that, in my opinion, is the tightest content they ever produced. The concept is simple: follow the adventures of Cheerleader, the overachieving So and So, drab What’s Her Face, and unpredictable The Ugly One as they face various challenges, usually revolving around winning the affections of boys.
Strong Bad’s Creative Influence
The framing device, narrated by Strong Bad, is a comic made and narrated by the same, initially as a challenge, and later, it’s implied, a creative outlet that brings him joy. This setup gives rise to a "teen girl show" as envisioned by Strong Bad’s limited artistic skills and male gaze, which often culminates in the gruesome deaths of its main characters in each episode. Surprisingly, this formula yields piercing observations about adolescence, even for a teenager like me who thought they were too cool for Nick at Nite, yet obsessed with WB shows.
A nostalgic yet endearing premise
I remember being an awkward teenager, sporting oversized pants and a shapeless top, fantasizing about dating a boy like Sci-fi Greg or his D&D-playing analogues. While America Ferrera’s Barbie speech is commendable, Teen Girl Squad’s take on a band, with So and So suggesting the name "Smartly Pretty," brings back fond memories.
A throwback to the good old days
Modern audiences may have Riverdale, but I grew up on the absurdity of Teen Girl Squad, still available in bite-sized bites on YouTube. The phrase "Taking the vowels out of words doesn’t always make them cool" remains a testament to the internet’s knack for prescience, a nostalgic reminder of the early 2000s.
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