Eighth grade English. Friday. The teacher left them a video.
It was the classic Twilight Zone. We had time to watch two episodes. "The Fugitive" and "Little Girl Lost". (If you want to refresh your memory, they're available on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and CBS.com.)
It had been a difficult day. One period would not stop talking. Another whined about having to watch something in black and white. The advanced group was even a challenge to get settled.
I had been warned about sixth period. I braced for the worst.
After booting a kid for defiantly eating in class (his parting shot: "fatty Patty"), the rest of the group sort of almost settled. And then I started the show.
Did they sit back and enjoy the show? Of course not. The kiddos heckled the screen.
They compared the old man in the first episode to R. Kelly. They made fun of the crazy contraption that healed the little girl.
Then there were all sorts of suggestions for the second episode. I had to assure them that the man was the girl's father. (They were dubious on this point.) They urged the father to look in the closet for the little girl. They argued the pocket universe looked dumb. There were references to Poltergeist.
It was like being in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000, but rather than a human and two robots, the theater was filled with loud, obnoxious eighth graders.
I begrudgingly admit much of their comments were on point. Alas, the way they commented...
wow, your own version of NMystery Science theater ....
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately...
DeleteMST3K juvenile style.
ReplyDeleteNever a dull moment for sure! I think they should have appreciated the fact that technology has come so far in such short years that they do not have to watch anything in black and white; that wasn't the case for me when I was in school, LOL. All films/documentaries, etc., were black and white up until I got into high school.
ReplyDeletebetty
Those episodes were scary, at least to me. But then, it was b/w and we were out in the country where there were no distant lights.
ReplyDeleteI also make a running commentary on many commercials and golf shows. So much mat'l there.
There is. And their commentary might have been funny if done in a more appropriate manner.
DeleteYeah, they still have to learn about the whole "decency" thing.
ReplyDeleteAnd this is why I don't sub. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteThere are good days...
DeleteOh brother...they had no class in your class
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteSeriously, they could not just chill and sit back and enjoy an old show, I mean, they were not having to do school work?
ReplyDeleteExactly what I said.
DeleteI would love to have watched TV in English class. Kids....
ReplyDeleteI know, right?
DeleteMST3K rocked. ~grin~ And I love black and white now. It seems to distill horror on screen, the color no longer providing a mental distraction. I may have mentioned my theory before. Heh... Be well!
ReplyDeleteNo, I had not heard this theory before. It may have some merit.
DeleteI'm sure there will be moments of nostalgia about 30 years from now, when they fondly look back to remember the "good old days".
ReplyDeleteI used to love when we got to watch a film of some kind. I don't remember other kids being noisy (we would've been sent to the office and NO ONE wanted to get sent to the office) but I think kids were better behaved back in the olden days ;)
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to go watch those.
ReplyDeleteWe made a friend here whose Christmas tradition included watching Twilight Zone, so we've now had two TZ parties. Today is St. Patrick's Day, so ... why not?
Watched 'em. I totally get the Poltergeist reference.
DeleteI haven't seen the "new" Poltergeist, so I don't/didn't. I know they still do the marathon on the SyFy channel most holidays, so I can see how it would still be tradition to watch it for some.
DeleteLoud, obnoxious eighth-graders?
ReplyDeleteBut, you repeat yourself.
Then again, I'm a cranky, cantankerous old man.
I repeat Myself.
The other day the Husband and I were watching the movie about Queen Mary of Scotland, and he was continually making cracks and sides. I was tolerant for half the movie.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious, how does THe Twilight Zone tie into class? I think you've mentioned before that teachers use episodes for lessons.
ReplyDeleteI should be honored (as someone who has worked in Binghamton, NY - Rod Serling's hometown - for some 21 plus years. But just the thought of a middle school MST2K - it makes me shiver.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, it's not fun.
Delete