Awesomely Horrible Netflix Instant Films: “The Super Mario Bros. Super Show”

We live in a time that's raised nostalgia to an art form. That's why our civilization has come to a screeching halt. It's because we're always looking back at the past. Some stuff isn't really worth looking back at with fondness. And some things, like The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, are friggin' ridiculous but amazing. I loved this show, partly because I loved the games so much. The show went a long way to making Mario and Luigi the household names they are today. And, of course, let's not forget the scene chewing stereotypical Italian goodness of the great Captain Lou Albano.

The show was a tried and true format. Captain Lou played Mario and Danny Wells portrayed Luigi. The beginning and end of the show would take place in their Brooklyn apartment, where celebrities like Vanna White and Cindy Lauper would regularly drop by. Sometimes Captain Lou's fellow wrestlers like Sgt. Slaughter and Rowdy Roddy Piper would stop in. The rest of the show consisted of the animated adventures of Mario and Luigi in Koopaland. The princess would get in trouble, usually kidnapped by Bowser, and then the boys would have to save her. Like the game except...no, exactly like the game. Later the show added an animated Legend of Zelda cartoon as well. A deeply sarcastic Link would banter with a sassy Zelda and fight Ganon's beasts. Then the action would return to Mario and Luigi's apartment for a send off including the Super Mario dance.

This was a bad show by any of the usual standards. But it harkens back to a simpler time in which kids would rush home from school to watch cartoons. Have you seen a group of kids together after school today? They are all on their iPads playing different games. I remember hanging out with my buddies after school and watching the Super Mario Bros. Super Show and "doing our homework". Will the kids of today remember playing beating level 85 of Candy Crush over at their friend's house with the same fondness? I think not. The animation wasn't great but it was fun. Add to that a famous wrestler from the golden age of the WWE and you have a recipe for awesomeness.