Iron Man 2, Mother And Child, & Harry Brown - The Rotten Tomatoes Show

If you guys don't want to pay people for there video reviews then just stop paying for them. Most people would do it for a t shirt and the chance to be on TV.

So... have they changed the format back? Because, seriously, I'm not even going to give it one more try unless someone tells me they went back to the GOOD format.

I wish there was a show that would review the movie review shows so I could determine if I want to view it or not...

I was mad when Infomania added a stupid bar to the bottom of the screen, but this is ridiculous. What ever producer at Current is changing the format of this show needs to listen to the people, and give us our viewer-content back!

I don't know if anyone else has brought up this point and I'm too lazy to read through all of the negative responses to this new format that the show has changed to, but can you even call the show "The Rotten Tomatoes Show" anymore without FINAL Tomatometer Ratings? It doesn't make any sense.. The week lag really helped the show in both the aforementioned respect and also allowed people to see the movies being reviewed and if they hadn't, make an educated or opinionated call on whether to see a movie or not.. Sad shape show..

Like many of the people that left comments, I have also become a new member to express my dislike of your new format. Before, it was a innovative review show and treated the viewer like intelligent active participants rather than a dumbed down audience that doesn't understand film.

I don't think that I need to reiterate what has been said here, but one aspect that bothered me especially is that "Rotten or Fresh". It is too much like all the other review shows, such as the defunct "At the Movies". There is a very good reason why traditional review shows are either gone or disappearing. Films no longer need to be seen solely through the eyes of academics (and this is coming from someone pursuing their master's in film studies).

The green screen looks cheap and it's too much like a boring "talking heads" news show. It also takes away from the dynamic that Ellen and Brett have (and the witty banter).

When I first caught this show back around October, I was hesitant to tune it, because I was afraid that it was going to be exactly like all the other review shows where I usually disagreed with the critics comments or analysis. I was completely surprised at how different the entire format was! And that it wasn't hosted by people with more degrees than an M.C. Escher painting (zing!). It was also fun to see new reviewers and to see recurring people.

If its a matter of budget, I am sure that more than 90% of your reviewers would do it for free or for some cheap Rotten Tomatoes souvenir. Heck, I think many people would even intern for this show!

Please, return to the old format. It was a show that fit perfectly into its demographic, network, and the new generation of digital nerds. I have no doubt that it will be copied for other shows that want the flexibility to be on both television (broadcast and cable) and on the web.

A lot of my frustrations about the new format have already been expressed via previous comments, but one of my biggest complaints is that we are losing a balance of male/female perspectives. Without the home-grown webcam reviews, this becomes just like every other boys club movie review show. (So from now on, I get to hear from professional reviewers that Scarlett Johansson filled out the Black Widow costume really well -- Awesome. I mean, really, was there ever any doubt? Of course she did, that's why she's in the movie.) If this new format is here to stay -- which seems likely, however unfortunate -- please please please give us some lady reviewers too.

the new show format is awful. AWFUL! please go back to having user submitted reviews and more comedy. what makes RT great, the site and show, is consolidating multiple opinions and making a decision based on that. If it stays like this im not watching anymore. We already lost currenttv and go out of our way to watch it online each week, but i see no reason to anymore. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

geeeeeeeezus. please tell me this is a misunderstanding. I thought they were just "bringing in the pros" for one episode. Ya know, kinda switchin it up.
Super lame.
I didn't even have the chance to make it on TV!!! :( I will never be famous.

I'm going to go ahead and join the chorus. Please go back to the old show! What was so great about this show is that it was different from all the other lame review shows. Ellen, love the hair. That is all.

Just logged in to say please please go back to the original format. I can't stand the new format much longer and will stop watching if it doesn't go back. This is not a threat, I don't watch things I don't enjoy and I don't enjoy this at all.

ooohhhh noo is this for real. no viewer submitted videos?? this new format is totally not funny anymore. its crazy how one little change made the the show suck so big. 4real "yall trippin"

Just to let you know...i vote for the old Rotten Tomatoes Show too.
I hate those scrolling text backgrounds, I can't pay atention to the new critics with their fancy boring comments. I WANT web-cam reviewers back. Don't sneak us in the corner. I really hope they are reading all these comments, or else they're gonna inevitably lose a lot of watchers. Not a threat, really, because i loved this show; it's what will happen if they keep showing what I DON'T like.

PLEASE LISTEN TO US.
We're the ones who are watching, we know what we want.

OHHHHHHH SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIT there goes your indie-cred.

Infomania now this? You guys are ruining my Thursdays.

okay i have never been a voice on these forums or even commented on a show but i created an account just so i could ask... no beg rotten tomatos to go back to were they belong. this is how i stay in touch with movies, i go to collage and volunteer, i have no time to go to a theater and sit for two hours. this show was truly "my light house in the stormy sea of movies" and i feel like you have turned off the light. my favorite thing about this show was hoping i could one day submit my own review and now i feel as though i will never get the chance. it is strange how this change really effected me i can't believe the producers of the show didn't expect this, i cant speak for everyone but i can say that i wont continue to watch this show if it continues on like this.

wow, what a huge step backwards for this show. The new review format was dreadful to watch. Where is the humor, pacing, and playfulness I've become so accustomed to seeing on this show? I typically look forward to the weekly RT show. While watching the new format, I couldn't wait for it to end. I only watched all the way through in order to justify my participation on this comment board.

Was that a boom mic or a gun to Brett's head?
Hey Mr. I-Made-MTV-and/or-VH1 money-makers,
The richest people have no money. Current and its viewers/supporters are rich people who care about others and this world, not their big cars or money holders made out of money.
Look at craigslist. Just be something the people love and use and we'll give you the pass. Add a little to our pleasure banks and you'll get our money (viewership). We're smart enough to know that you need money to run a network - but, not by placating to the 'fat white guy's ego.'

Last week, two of these fat white guys (generic term, nothing against the overweight) our boutique with a plan to help us make more money. "We've been in business for over a dozen years!" ... "So, was Bernie Madoff," I replied and gave them a big, Joker smile and said ... "now, go, we make enough money."

The world's change for the better will be made much easier once we get these types out of our way.

Current, please reconsider a more global perspective on what the REAL bottom line is.

To all the talent young people at Current ... I do this with love for you.

Although, Conor, that "I like" bit at the end of infoMania should be saved for twitter or facebook. Don't lead the Smug Life.

peace and thanks to all who made me smile with your smart reviews of the new RT. Let's see what happens.

peace
joe

The most commented Rotten Tomatoes video of all time. I hope they notice.

Sorry guys as much as I love the show, this latest show was just "At the Movies". Honestly I never liked that show, a fat guy and a skinny guy that was just ripping off Laurel and Hardy movies. Though I know change is inevitable, please for the sake of baby kittens and puppies dreams please go back to the old format. Rotten Tomatoes and Infomania are honestly the only shows on television that I watch. If this change is permanent then I wish everyone at the show the best of luck in the future, but unfortunately i will no longer be watching. I think I will just sell my t.v..

the old format was so much more enjoyable. The user generated reviews plus ellen's and brett's let us know how a real movie goer would enjoy a film. I'm so sick of pretentious film critics praising lame arthouse films and criticizing fun action movies. Brett/Ellen and users can see through annoying indie films and love B-movies. They tell us if a movie really is enjoyable which was why this show was so great. By putting the critics in it just becomes another show for movie critics to put their face on tv. Good thing though: I love how you guys recap in the end if you found it rotten or fresh, I really enjoy both ellen's and brett's opinion.

I liked the older format waaaaayyyyy better. This looks VH1 stylized. Not cool.

Please bring back the old format! I loved the user-generated content. The show this week was not nearly as funny as it normally was, and it felt really slow. I really miss the webcams.

Not to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but this is just another prime example of information construction without any control to the viewer. Goddamn Orwellian nightmare. News broadcasting is amping up the trivialities of everyday life as we gradually lose sight of meaningful information, the mainstream is force feeding us an augmented reality on super-conglomerate networks where we are TOLD what's popular, the viewer is treated like a mindless, passive consumer and the advertisements are literally endless. This is something I've come to expect from corporate giants, but I never expected you folks to join the paradigm. Then again, you are loosely owned by FOX.

What had consistently made this show great was the unyielding network of film fans who got to contribute to the ideal format of a movie review show. I know we can still "contribute" but if anything you're just stealing our ideas. If this is how you want to reward us (by slowly removing us from the equation and stealing the credit) I won't be watching another episode of Rotten Tomatoes again. You folks are an extremely talented crew and I am very disappointed that it came to this. Enjoy your summer blockbusters, sellouts.

oh i meant to also add that the fact that that the show was behind the release date never bothered me once. i never see movies on the first day or even the first week they come out anyway.

i just wanna say i LOVE the new format. just kidding, im here to add to the pile of negative comments about the direction of the show. i cant imagine why they did this. im glad its not just me that feels this way. i loved that you had all the user submitted stuff and brett and ellen's stuff, sometimes they agreed with the users more or less and sometimes they didn't. it really made the show feel authentic and not contrived. the funny part is i never realized how much i loved the user stuff until tonight when i saw the episode without them. 2 thumbs down, 0 stars, 0 out of10, Grade-F, 0%

I personally like the user submitted webcams and also enjoy the opinions of pro critics as well. I think a compromise between the two would be awesome.

This feels like a slap in the face.

Brett and Ellen are charismatic, engaging hosts, but even they couldn't save the show in this new format. What made this show stand out from other review shows (and other shows in general) was its unique mix of viewer, comedian, and professional reviewer feedback; without that blend the show just feels like an awkward, less-funny version of The Soup for movies.

The old format gave us a feeling of inclusion, that the viewer was a part of the conversation, even if we'd never sent in a submission we felt like we were an important part of the Rotten Tomatoes experience. This departure leaves us (the viewer) out of the conversation. Where once we were friends with a shared experience to relate, now we're very clearly an audience of consumers being dictated to. It feels like that old movie contrivance where you make the lovable nerd cool for a common purpose but then the nerd realizes he's cool and suddenly he's too cool for you... Rotten Tomatoes, we've created a monster. I'd really like to put a killer example here for clarity, but I'm so upset about the new format that I just can't think of a good one... probably something with Anthony Michael Hall.

On the one hand I feel like it's just a silly half-hour review show and I should get over it, but on the other hand I feel like Rotten Tomatoes was well on its way to revolutionizing the way movie review shows are made, and now it's just one of many. This episode was lifeless, stiff, stale, and kind of sad. It wasn't FUN. Even Brett & Ellen's banter and spark was lackluster & a bit flat without the user reviews to play off of! I

I'm only one viewer, and so it would be silly to make veiled threats or ultimatums, however the plain fact is: that should this new format persist I sincerely don't see myself watching in the future... and now you've made me feel like kind of a jerk because I just told all my friends about how cool you were. Damn I wish I had a good movie parallell.

P.S.And the "Tell us what you think..." segment is a cheap consolation for the loss the user reviews. I feel like the kid whose parent didn't spring for the brand-name toy and is trying to pass off the generic one as 'just as good!' Thanks for giving us Hydrox in place of Oreos. They appear similar, but they aren't as satisfying and you're not fooling anyone.

Not good. Now it's just another review show. I've talked to so many people about the show and ended up meeting one of the reviewers. I liked that that was a possibility. They were such good reviews because there was no pressure. You just say was you think and maybe you get, maybe you don't. There's a freedom to be honest. So disappointed.

Sorry, one more person coming on here to give a negative review about the new format. I actually just read an article about how social media is making professional reviewers obsolete, and I wasn't quite buying it until I watched this. I do enjoy reading professional reviews, I just didn't like hearing them on this program... this was the televised safe haven away from all of that. I know you guys made this change for a reason, but from what I can see in these comments we're not getting it yet.

Average Tomatometer Rating: 0%

No, no, no. The new format is terrible. What, you thought, hey people are watching this show, lets go make it suck? The backgrounds are terrible, the hosts seemed like they were possessed by pod people, and "professional" critics are boring. Webcam reviews from normal people was what made it awesome, this isn't just a format change or a set change, this is a different SHOW. And not a show I want to watch, I wanted to punch a wall after watching this episode, I've never felt so betrayed by a show that I loved and promoted to all my freinds! Seroiusly, in all my years of watching television, no show has ever pissed me off so much with one episode. It felt like maybe the hosts didn't like it either, it seemed like they were reading someone elses script. Now the problem is... you've so thoroughly screwed this up, I don't think you can come back. I WISH I could give the show another chance, provided you bring back the old format, but I'm afraid you may have so thoroughly killed the soul of this show, I don't think I could even try to watch another episode.... You better do some serious backtracking along with some kindof apology to get me (and several of my friends) back.

New Coke sucks. Bring back Coke Classic.

I am curious about the central conceit for the change: that you all need to "get ahead" of release dates in order to appeal to a larger audience.
This has been said in earlier comments, and better, but to reiterate, what made the show special was that it rejected the traditional conceits of movie review shows (telling people what they should watch) and instead saw talking about movies as a back and forth exchange. It seems that we are now only being valued for our potential to spend money, instead of our potential to have cogent insights. This new format, and all the other shows that it emulates, is situated in the pedagogical style of the viewer-critic relationship, with critics talking to viewers, and viewers not having a place to talk back. The 15 second montage of one word contributions at the end does not qualify as conversation, and further, is insulting to the viewer/contributors who have made this show unique and funny. B & E are great reviewers in their own right, but the juxtaposition of web cam reviews to their more polished opinions helped them shine more brightly. Now, without the grounding of viewer web cam reviews, they blend in with all the other talking heads (do yourself a huge favor and at least get rid of those horrid scrawling show title green screen effects) and seem to be engaging in the professional critic distancing techniques of elite opinion and academic jargon.
Lastly, getting reviews after the movies have opened is great for people who wait to see movies past opening weekend. The tomato-meter is more representative and more accurate, and the conversation is enriched by the exchanges about the movies that we may have engaged in with friends, partners and arch nemeses.
The vehemency of opinion, and the overwhelmingly negative feelings about the changes only betray that we care about the show, and felt invested. The changes are a repudiation of that investment. I feel like you threw us overboard in order to cultivate a larger, but dumber audience.

Being a Movie Theater Manager I have to agree with the other posters here. Bring back the old format. There are PLENTY of shows and blogs and web sites that will HYPE up a movie before it opens. We need the show that allows customers to rant or rave AFTER a movie opens.
So many people wait to see a movie after the first weekend so as not to have to deal with the big crowds, so lets return to the format that suites so many more.

So I have been watching RT since the premier episode and even commented that I couldn't wait for repeats and I thought it would be great. Over the months, I have not been let down at all. I look forward to watching a wholly original show every week and often rewatch clips before and after seeing certain movies. Saying that, I'm not too pleased with the direction that this show is going. Many of the reasons why have been posted before me so I won't waste time putting them back up. I'm hoping that this has been an experiment down a different path and RT will veer back to the direction that the fans love. I'll still keep watching, I need to get my Ellen n Brett fix somehow, but I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for a return to form. On a lighter note, Ellen your new haircut is awesome especially paired with that killer Bowie tee. I couldn't help but picture floating hearts and little birdies dancing around your head the whole episode! TMI I'm sure but thought you could use a little pick me up after all these comments.

Revenge of the Body Snatchers? What a cold cold carbon copy of what was once a lively (and funny) show...

This show was great because it provided reviews, previews, and trailers of movies and incorporated movie lovers like myself into the mix. It was funny, entertaining, and witty, while also being informative. Now it just seems tired and rehearsed, WHY WOULD YOU CHANGE SUCH A LOVELY SHOW?! Brett and Erin seem tired and their reviews seem mundane and uninspired, this show has had all the fun sucked out of it. sad.

I loved this show because I felt those on the show "got it" a show for movie lovers FOR movie lovers. Now, it just seems like a televised Clear-Channel rendition.

Also, Erin and Brett seem tired of everything, but mostly of saying "Weekend Peek-end", anyone else agree?

Honestly, I don't care what professional reviewers think. They're not me, they have a professional eye where I don't and are looking for things that I'm not. I want to hear viewer reviews because they're mixed. There are people I agree with, there are people who are bring up points I hadn't thought of, and there are people who make me laugh. With a lot of people reviewing, you get a broad spectrum of opinions and the Tomatometer makes more sense. It looks much better than just having Brett and Ellen whining because they hated a movie that the Tomatometer critics really liked.

Because of where I live right now, a lot of these films come out long after the show but even if I've seen the movie, I go back and re-watch that episode of your show so that I can agree, disagree and laugh with the in-jokes of the home reviewers. By changing your show you've taken all the fun out of it for me.

I'm not watching your show anymore. Think I'll just go read newspaper reviews instead.

I hate to be redundant, but I agree with everyone else here. I get that the reason was that it's more useful to see reviews of movies before they come out, but a) that's not why I watch the show and b) I live in Sweden! Movies come out several months late over here, so everything that is reviewed on here IS useful for me because I haven't seen any of the movies yet!
But I digress. I just miss the old feel of the show.

I'm going to have to agree with everyone else on this. Why watch this show when I can get the same thing from a show available on a basic cable package?

I did like the old format better, viewer reviews were fun...

I hate to be Mr. "Who moved my cheese", but I miss the old format, even if the reviews were for movies that had already had their opening weekends. I watched the show for the show's own entertainment value, not as a Zagat guide for what movies I'm going to go see. I really appreciated the old format, it was still fresh and original. The new format format just feels like "At The Movies" with 20-somethings. Lame.

Also, hate to say it, but a lot of the comedic value that I used to enjoy came from the user contributions. Brett's still funny, but he can't carry this on his own.

I have watched this show since the 5th episode and I even rewatch the episodes. I remeber the first few weeks you guys had the box office tally, trailer time, 3 word review, and the full review of new releases. Then you got rid of the box office and 3 word review. I also noticed that some of the reviews started to get shorter. In the beginning the reviews were like 3 to 4 minutes, then they were 2 - 3 minutes and you guys added sketchs or the top 5 list. Now your getting rid of the main part of the show!!!! The whole point of the show was to be different then other review shows. Now you guys are going to lose a good tv show!!! O ya heres the link to a facebook page "We Want Our Webcam Reviews Back
http://www.facebook.com/pages/We-Want-Our-Webcam-reviews-back-Rotten-Tomatoes/

Ok, so, being a mother of two small children, I'm am not as wedded to release dates so much as the quality of a movie. Which is why the original format worked well for me. I could count on the community at large to tell me whether movies were worth my time and why.
Also, I avoid critics in general, they tend not to share my perspective on film. I actually tend to be baffled by critic choices. Probably as baffled as Ellen and Brett were at the disparity between their review of Mother and Child and the Tomato Meter's rating.
All that said, I think the original format of the show was much more useful than this new animal. I could always latch on to one or two reviewers that seemed to share my particular taste in movies. The professionals used a lot of industry-speak that frankly didn't resonate with me at all. I don't even remember what they said about Iron Man II. The only thing I could take with me was the 72% rating.
The reason why I liked this show was because it wasn't just a conduit for movie industry folks to make their career. It was wiki. Meh, oh well.

I believe the previous posters got the point across, but I feel the need to chime in as well.

The new format is dull. I suppose it's more useful and practically significant to know 1-2 people's 'professional' reviews before the movies come out... but I can read those types of reviews in the newspapers or magazines if I so desire. The appealing aspect of Rotten Tomatoes Show was not to accurately review movies, but to hear about other people's opinions of the movie. Providing useful movie information was the salt to the sirloin.

The fun and humorous part of RTS was watching grainy webcam clips of people sitting in their disgusting houses discussing what was or was not enjoyable about a movie, spliced together with useful commentary from Brett and Ellen. Reducing the webcam 'segment' to a mere 15 second seems degrading and tacked on, I wouldn't want my stupid face popping up for 1 second as I shout out a movie title, blech! In addition, the Weekend Peekend was extraneous. We just saw those 3 movies reviewed - obviously they will be in theatres. (I didn't mind the personal 'thumbs up/down' commentary, but we already know what your opinion was based off the review.)

If the budget is the issue in removing the webcam segments, I urge you to consider reducing the stipend or removing it all together. Having your face on national television is cool enough as it is, people will still be satisfied even without their 100$. Viewer created content is what makes RTS/Current unique.

so....ditto that...uh...everyone.
just to add another thought to the mix.....
the UK release for Iron Man 2 was a week and a half ago. so...i saw it before this review was released. i was able to form my own opinions, as....people will do....and i was so pumped to get more thoughts from back home in the states
(via a well-edited and entertainingly commented upon format, naturally :)
...instead i fast forwarded through [dudes i don't know but apparently they work in the industry]'s opinions, and then wondered how it's decided whether ellen or brett get to wear the more casual shirt.
you kids have something special here...growing and experimenting is wonderful but people were spot on by noting that you've removed the driving force of the show.

wow, this is awful.rotten tomatoes is the only review show i actually watch and this is what it came to. so sad. please go back to the way it was before.

Thank god others agree with me. Take our feedback seriously! Put the show back the way it was.

Current and The Rotten Tomatoes Show should value the user created content the way they planned to at inception. The fun of the The Rotten Tomato Show was tuning in to see how Brett, Ellen and the community at large agreed or disagreed with my opinion of the movie. Without the crude webcam opinions the show loses its edge and may soon loose me as a viewer. And the webcam opinions were edited together, and edited together with Brett and Ellen's summaries with such flare. Why take that away? Visually the show goes down a peg with the closeups and new background images which make it painfully obvious that we're watching a green screen show and irritatingly reminding us of what show we're watching.

The show is no more "useful" a week in advance. There seems to be this interest in appealing to a larger audience but it is diluting value of the show. Why are Brett and Ellen suddenly playing Siskel vs. Ebert at the end of the show? Did their opinions differ that greatly? While I enjoy their presence they should remain the editors and representative voices for the opinions of the public.

The show is fresh because of its Web 2.0 like honesty. Bringing all classical reviewers to the show makes it feel like Narcs have taken over current. The show is disjointed with these critics in it. Why show the rotten tomato meter reading at all? Rotten Tomato by the time the show has taped (before the mass public premiere) has so little data it basically is just a compilation of the critics that we just saw.

I have to agree. The new format has sucked the life out of the show. Please reconsider.

I totally agree with escarondito, professional reviews are great but we get a better feel for the film when the reviews from "normal" people are used. And I'm sure them getting a hundred dollars for being featured on the show is a plus for them and us. I don't even want to see Iron Man 2 now :/

This new change is very disheartening. I can see why you made some changes but I want to be honest with my opinion since I've been with you guys from the beginning and really really enjoy this show.

I understand why you would switch to the known quality of professional critics. 1) they will always see movies. 2) they are tried and true practitioners of quick witty comments. and 3) alot of them live in LA to get to your studio. The only issue is all of their comments lacked any flavor. And to be honest, since they come from a much higher "perceived" level of the movie industry, some of their comments seemed biased. During the "Iron Man 2" segment, one reviewer stated that he thought Sam Rockwell stole the show. I just saw Iron Man 2 last night BEFORE I watched the RTS show and I honestly think we saw two different movies. Sam Rockwell's banter with Mickey Rourke took up most of his screen time in the film and with all his emasculated self musings and lost in translations none of his jokes ever nailed the audience.

I can understand from a business stand point why you end up saving more money by not shelling out dough for every reviewer for 3 segments, when no one does more than one segment a show. $100 at 5-6 reviewers a segment for 3 segments is getting close to $2000 you send out every show once a week for 8000$ a month which leaves you at almost $96,000 a year to pay for all of us. The money that you pay for 3-4 critics who can talk about all three movies relieves a large amount of stress on your budget.

Also, the green screen background for both the hosts AND the critics is off. Are they hosts or are they critics? Cause as of this format it looks like they are having their cake and eating it to. Before when you intercut between the webcam reviews and Brett and Ellen in the studio, they were hosts adding parenthetical comments to the webcam reviewers statement. Now it's as if there is a certain "WE are the show" vibe to it. It's uncomfortable and off-putting to the viewer. Think of the random brand new viewer to the show. In their head it's like if these are the hosts what's the use of the critics? And if you have these webcam reviewers at the end, why not have them do reviews as well? Or why are they doing webcam reviews at all?

If you want to have webcam reviewers, have them integrated into every part of the show. If you just want professional critic reviewers, have just professional critic reviews the entire show. There is a sever mismatch in every part as it currently stands. It's not my show but something I've been apart of for a year now, so if you don't want the webcams anymore drop them all together. It'll be a hurtful break up but a clean breakup where everyone knows what the line is and where it is drawn. Right now your trying to tip toe on every side of the line not to offend any party and by playing the field your hurting your big picture. Kinda like an Obama presidency(Had to. I am an Obama man too).

But the biggest issue relies on where to go from here. Part of the fun I found in watching the show is also seeing into the personal viewers life. Seeing their rooms and how it changes week by week was my voyeuristic vice. I was joking with Haunted_flower that I saw the Death Note poster in her room and couldn't believe she was an anime fan. I think it also allowed people to be a lot more honest in their reviews. I believe it was Jinx who said this but the backgrounds and complete focus(lol) make these current critics and their reviews feel staged(see: perceived bias from being in the industry above). Can you have the critics do it from their home in the same format as before? Yes. But then you alienate the rest of us who have been doing this show as well. It'll seem like,excuse me it will absolutely be like, "We like them, we don't like you". Can you go back to the old format? Yes. But like I said before even breaking down a little math, a person can see why your changing as it is a HUGE budget block that is probably the easiest to drop or alter. Can you drop Webcam reviewers all together? Absolutely. But it officially signals severe harsh business tone, one I feared from the moment this show started, and I think will kill alot of viewership for the show. It will say thanks for building us up, but we don't need you anymore. As it is right now, thrown together at the end of the show, half-second soundbites to say something, the webcam reviews already look like a throwaway segment of the show.

I don't have the stats, figures, or detailed Nielsen ratings, but I would HAVE to have them shown to me to deny my belief that the reviewers didn't help make this show. And not in terms of content,(if know one knows what nielsen ratings are) in terms of viewers. If you ask Hauntedflower, Hannahmcnoface, janisse, davegonzalez, I'm pretty sure that like me many of their friends got in contact with them because they saw them on the show and started watching the show repeatedly. I can't tell you how many wall posts or messages I get from people who say, "Hey I didn't see you on the show this week, what's the deal"? You can't throw us away at the end of the show in our own tiny little segment. It's like JGL seeing Summer with her new fiance. Don't invite us in when you know what we really want. You think your being nice but to us it's a reminder of what we've had and lost. And leaves us wondering if you ever thought we should be together in the first place. Because unlike Summer you told us you were down for commitment. And we said, "We'll fucks with you"(had to add my own flavor since I was starting to sound soft.

So to close, I can't tell you how to run your show but I think a great compromise can be reached. Keep 1-2 professional reviewers, leave Brett and Ellen as hosts with their own asides and clever add-ons, and have 2-3 webcam reviewers in each segment. That way you keep budget costs down, Brett and Ellen have defined, and A LOT would say better, roles on the show, you don't diss the reviewers who have been here, keep the conversation honest and informative at the same time. Granted now there will be much more competition amongst the webcam reviewers but how is that a detriment to the show. Now you will only be able to choose the best of the best comments from your huge submission pile. Isn't that one of those problems you want to have?

All I'm saying is don't go manic pixie dream girl on us. Because no matter how cute and enticing you are, everyone who watches you knows your a flighty bitch.

Was that honest enough for you?

You guys! Your show was really really great the way it was. Please don't change.

Why do you ruin nice things. I could care less about what that critic thinks. I'm sure he's a very we'll meaning person, but that's not why i watch this show. I've faithfully watched every VVFS and RTS, and I am repaid with a complete fail redesign of the format that was the whole premise? Son I am disappoint. I'll keep checking it to see if it goes back for a couple weeks, but then I'm just gonna have to move on.

Man, talk about bad timing. I just started recommending this show to people. Now they'll see this mess and there goes my credibility.

I'm sad. Even Brett's shirt was dull. C'mon you guys. I know you're better than this. Please don't change my favorite show.

much love
Tom - São Paulo, Brazil.

WHAT THE AL GORE IS GOING ON. I agree with everyone else that this change is awful... it blows my mind that someone actually consciously made this decision in a sober state of mind. You took the unique spirit out of The Rotten Tomatoes Show! I've been watching the show for a while (and it was GREAT. Ellen, Brett, and everyone else who works on it- you all do a brilliant job!! BRILLIANT!), but I needed to say this so I took 40 min to make an account and verify my email on my slow computer that overheats too quickly. Please change it back! The webcam reviews from random people were the best!! Before, the show had an edge! It was colorful! It was tongue-in-cheek! Now it's too clean, I can't digest it. It's like when you drink delicious orange juice right after you brush your teeth and it tastes gross (the essence of the show is the orange juice, and the brushing of teeth is the streamlining of the show... I think...). Underdeveloped metaphors that might not work aside, this show was, to imply a world in a phrase, super awesomely wondeful. Don't do this. It will come back and bite you in the ascot.

Also, I am from Tokyo and The Rotten Tomatoes Show has fans here too!!! We think you guys made something really different and we like it.

I only discovered the Rotten Tomatoes Show a few weeks ago. I liked the episode so much that I went to Hulu and watched every episode from the beginning. What makes this show so unique and work so well is the reviews given by normal people who just happen to like movies. I'm afraid that this new format has made this show completely lose it's appeal and charm. I urge you to rethink your reasoning for changing the shows content.

For the record. Don't let the, as Jinxo says, powers-that-be say ... "oh, so we got a handful of negative comments online. The Jinxos, the Jawaads and the Joes are the ones who care.

I'm a designer, commercial director, writer. Yesterday I made over a boutique clothing store - and I occasionally even watch a commercial. I woke up this morning looking forward to my hour of 'infoMania' and 'RT.'
You took a half-hour of happiness right out from under me and my snoring shih-tzu!

the "J" peeps know what's up. Heck, look at Jonsi.

Jinxo!! Spot on. I couldn't have said it better. I KNOW I couldn't have typed it.

- current tv/RT staff: Have another one of those production meetings and show that new, not as cool as he or she thinks decision maker Jinxo's review. You could've saved yourself a lot of time.

NOW, save us one of our favorite shows.

And if you f with infoMania, I'll sick Andy Rooney on you.

Totally agree! I just watched infoMania, laughing away and then I'm ready for RT and I see this new production. As a TV pro, TV watcher and person who breathes, this new deal DOESN'T work. I don't even know what was just said about "Iron Man 2" because I had my head in my hands saying ... "Why? Why?" - c'mon current, stay true.

The real people home vid reviews were incredible in both content and context.
These people were funny and smart. The clips paced the show WAY better. WAY better. This is not an opinion. This is fact. Simple.

Please don't lose the THING you had ... that 'ahead of the curve' 'tude. RT, in the new format can't even see the curve.

Please revert back. We'll forgive you for that, but not THIS.

peace, love and reconsidered 'good' ideas
joe kaz
in philly

Complete and utter failure. I have seen all episodes of this season and this was by far the worst. Whoever came up with the idea to post reviews without the user input doesn't realise that that's what made the show so gr8.

Most of the times, I find myself watching movie reviews after watching the movie and not before. Simply because I want to find out what others "thought" about it .. rather than have them influence what I might "think" about them.

This show did nothing for me today. Usually, I really enjoy it ... but this drastic change is just too drastic. I miss the user reviews.

Wow. Okay, I understand why the Powers That Be would want changes made to the show. Reviewing film a week after they are out already is not going to help viewership at a time where even the classic review show At The Movies can't stay on the air. Still the changes surprised me. I wasn't expecting you to make changes that would drive the show off the air sooner! A daring choice. Previously the show's only real flaw was the previously mentioned week delay in giving out the reviews but it had many positives. The multiple intercut viewer reviews created a real feeling of conversation and interaction. The varying video quality, the small peeks into the reviewers home, it gave it a texture, a casual discussion feel. By contrast, reviewers sitting in a studio in front of the most prefunctory background covered with bright colors and the name of the show scrolling around on top of that? Could it be more dull? Worse than that it makes the show and the commentary seem so staged, plastic and packaged to a saddening degree. And you even have the HOSTS sitting in front of that crap during the reviews? You used to cut to them in their "studio" during the reviews, sometime apart sometimes together. It gave a sense of some connection between the people speaking: at least the hosts are side by side able to hear the review clips and each other. Now it feels like during the reviews they are each locked up in their own separate virtual plastic box very... carefully... reading... their... comments... off.. the teleprompters... but not actually talking to anyone.

Even when they read the Tomato Meter ranking it sounds more canned and flat. I'm not even sure how you managed that. But, again, if you were looking to drain more fun from the show, hey, mission accomplished.

Then, of course, you've added essentially a thumbs up and thumbs down from the hosts. Because that's original and unique. It seemed so out of place, formulaic and slapped on I actually laughed. So I guess there you accidentally inspired some fun, be it inadvertant. But it did make me sad too so I guess it balances out.

And finally, the repurposing of the viewer videos was deeeelightful. No wait... not what I meant to say... It was... what is the word... ah, yes... crap. Half second shot after half second shot of people shouting out movie titles? REALLY? Yes, that captures the community feel of the old show... except where everyone has tourettes syndrome and just randomly shout out single phrases. I have the feeling these changes were mandated from someone higher up and that even keeping that much viewer interaction was begged for, although I could be wrong. If that is what happened, allow me to say to the person who demanded all the changes... that crevasse above your legs and below your back? Your thumb doesn't belong there. Pull it on out. You'll feel more comfortable and likely make better choices in the future.

Seriously, when At The Movies was revamped to unwatchability, The Rotten Tomatoes Show became my bastion for geeky movie review goodness. Even after At The Movies became watchable, I continued to love my Rotten Tomatoes. Now At The Movies is cancelled and The Rotten Tomato Show is... what it now is. To me, it's a sad day for movie review fans.