Idiocracy – We've Got What Listeners Crave

Idiocracy presents us with a glimpse of a fairly dismal future—one full of idiots and societal decay. That may sound depressing on the surface, but Idiocracy was written and directed by Mike Judge (creator of Beavis and Butt-Head, King of the Hill, and writer/director of Office Space). Thus, it is a satirical look at a not-so-bright America in the year 2505.

As Judge's follow up to Office Space, one would assume it would've been highly touted. Not so. Fox, who distributed the movie due to a contractual obligation, essentially buried it. Their cowardice was spurred on by a fear of backlash from their sponsors.

There were trailers for this movie that were never even screened; and Movie Phone—the bygone service that would detail what was playing and when—listed it as "Untitled Mike Judge Project."

It's a shame. Idiocracy is quite funny in parts and is certainly not devoid of salient ideas—capitalism putting profits over people, for example. Though it may not stack up to the lofty heights set by its predecessor, it didn't deserve to flop—especially not on a budget of just $4 million (it grossed just $495,303).

Despite its disappointing run in theaters, the movie has found an audience. It more than doubled its budget in DVD rentals and sales; and elements of it—Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho—have engrained themselves in the cultural zeitgeist.

Plus, the movie's got shit loads of electrolytes, which plants crave! So sit back, jam open a Hop Stoopid Double IPA from Lagunitas Brewing Company with a square peg, and tune into Monday Night Rehabilitation! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Capt. Cash, and Chumpzilla are chugging some Brawndo—the thirst mutilator—and taking down Beef Supreme!

This Week’s Segments:

• Introduction/Plot Breakdown – As a social commentary, there are relevant points; but is it as smart (or as stupid) as it would like to be? (00:00)
• Lingering Questions – Should this have flopped? What was the best running gag? We discuss. (52:06)
• The "Ow! My Balls!" Trivia Challenge – Chumpzilla challenges us to a series of Idiocracy-themed questions. (1:07:58)
• Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week, and next up: We're joined by the good old boys from the Double Turn Podcast to torment Boss Hogg! We're running roughshod over Hazzard County as the Dukes of Hazzard! (1:17:44)

And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—Fox's decision to bury this movie under an avalanche of trash and more—from this week’s episode!

You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, Acast, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music!

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