Memory Hole

Memory Hole is a comedy series produced for the short-term streaming service Quibi that launched in 2020. This host-driven, fast-paced show, true to Quibi's delivery format of bite-sized episodes, endeavors to create a tongue-in-cheek retrospective of the strange and forgotten moments of the past. The essence of the show, implicit in its title, refers to a futuristic concept where inconvenient or embarrassing events, objects, or decisions can be selectively erased from existence or historical memory.

Each compact episode of Memory Hole is approximately six to ten minutes long. It takes viewers on a whirlwind journey of nostalgia, embarrassment, hilarity, and surprise with its exploration of peculiar events from distinct years and places. It showcases news clips, TV shows, ads, and pop culture tidbits that, due to their unusual or humorous nature, were largely forgotten or misplaced in the archives of public memory. The show pinpoints overlooked tidbits from specific years in the near and distant past, giving viewers an enjoyable, if awkward, walk down Memory Lane.

Canadian comic actor Will Arnett hosts the series and sets the tone with his iconic deadpan humor. Known for his roles in celebrated comedies like 'Arrested Development' and as the voice of 'BoJack Horseman', Arnett adds the perfect combination of comedic graces of bemusement, sarcasm, and congeniality to the nostalgic wonderland of Memory Hole. Arnett's delivery, coupled with the show's well-mastered editing, pulls off the tough task of making embarrassments from a bygone era both riveting and amusing.

Memory Hole doesn't just aim to incite smirks and giggles. Underneath the overtones of humor, it also brings the viewer face to face with the absurdity and quirkiness that was part and parcel of past cultures. These strange overlooked artifacts tend to give the audience not only a refreshing sense of comic relief but also a peculiar perspective on how societies, norms, trends, and media have evolved over time. Thus, the show is wrapped around equal parts of casual triviality and observational comedy.

One highlight of Memory Hole is its innovative and playful use of visual aesthetics. The show uses a unique retro-futurist set design with a collage of video screens reminiscent of 1980s pop culture, venturing into the realm of visual fantasy. This visual layout is infused with a quirky mix of neon and pastel colors, creating a visually pleasing, and somewhat trippy vortex into the past. Some may even compare it to the aesthetic of Max Headroom - a popular mid-80s British artificial intelligence character known for his surreal and kitschy presence.

Memory Hole plays with the element of surprise. It dives into the archives without a year or geographical limit and resurfaces with offbeat content that reliably leaves its audience chuckling, raising their eyebrows, or nodding in agreement. It's almost like opening up a time capsule but not knowing what time you're reopening it from. The content selection ranges from surreal to hilarious to profoundly weird and essentially proves that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction.

However, it's worth noting that while Memory Hole relies heavily on realm of amusement, its content is unlikely to appeal to everyone. Much of the delight hinges on a viewer's enjoyment of odd, absurd, and occasionally cringe-worthy moments. The humor can be polarizing, their appeal certainly hinging on individual taste. Yet for those who find humor in the absurdly eclectic, the delightfully bizarre, and the awkwardly authentic, Memory Hole promises a fun, wacky trip down a memory lane we never knew existed.

In conclusion, Memory Hole offers a brief, but boisterous escape from our present-day realities. It mixes the simple joys of nostalgia and comedy with Arnett's charming presentation and the kitschy nostalgia of retro TV to provide lighthearted entertainment. Brimming with hidden gems of history, it colors the past in hues that are strange, hilarious, and nostalgic all at once, proving that history is not just a collection of important dates and grand narratives but also a treasure trove of forgotten follies and absurdities.