MLP Analysis: A Fall From Grace · 2:18am Dec 13th, 2015
It's hard to remember a time where the MLP-centric videos online weren't clustered with videos featuring OC pony designs thoroughly reviewing and analyzing the show that we come to this site to write about and celebrate. And it's certainly been a crazy ride these past few years. Not only for us the simple watchers but for the reviewers and show creators as well. And this year certainly saw a lot of shake-ups for MLP. The Cutie Mark Crusaders got their cutie marks, Gilda got redeemed, several background ponies were given the spotlight on the show for an episode, and we saw the return of several villains from throughout the show's tenure. But as the show continues to progress and get better with age, the section of the fandom dedicated to analyzing and reviewing it...has not. As far as I'm personally concerned, MLP analysis has long said farewell to its glory days. I'm not saying that there aren't still good reviewers out there. It just seems like this section of the fandom has been beaten down, torn apart, and weathered by the progression of time. Why do I think this? Well, I suppose it's best to first start at the beginning:
Like I said at the beginning, it's hard to remember a time when reviewing and analyzing MLP wasn't exactly commonplace. In fact, there's only one notable MLP reviewer I can think of who was known prior to the kickstart of the analyst community...someone who I've lost all respect for. I've already gone into detail about this in a blog post I wrote over two years ago but I might as well give a quick summary of it here for those of you who weren't following me at the time. Chad "CR" Rocco was once probably the most noticeable MLP reviewer out there. As a member of Channel Awesome, he was someone who I enjoyed watching and respected highly for quite an amount of time (as he was at the helm of a series "Familiar Faces" long before he started watching G4). In fact, back in 2011, CR uploaded a 2-part retrospective of MLP (spanning from G1 all the way to the current show). It was because of this pair of videos that many more people discovered MLP and became fans of it. Everything seemed to be going great...until A Canterlot Wedding.
From that point on, CR descended into what I can only consider as one of the most unprofessional 180's I've ever seen from a respected reviewer. His enjoyment of the series turned on a dime and his positive outlook on the show came to be replaced by one of contempt and hatred. I want to make it clear here that I have no problems with him having negative opinions about the show. It's his opinions. He's entitled to them. How he went about expressing them is what I had a problem with. He treated his opinions like they were the one and true path the show had to follow. He showed absolutely no respect to anyone who happened to have even the slightest positive opinion about Season 3. Granted, several extreme fans attacked him when his negative opinions became known but he should have acted mature enough to not stoop down to their level. He even once claimed that those who liked Season 3 were "killing the show". It only took the announcement of Equestria Girls to get him to leave the show behind. But that didn't stop him from continuing to belittle fans. He created a new nickname for MLP fans: "trots" (get it? 
). He takes any chance he gets to take jabs at the show and its creators just to rile up fans. And he even posted a condescending video involving Beevus and Butthead which was meant to act as his response to the Season 4 finale. I must say thank you to whoever posted this reaction to it:
Yeah, that pretty much summed up my reaction to this video. He also apparently even drew a picture of the Squidbillies eating the Apple family. It seems that, at this point, CR simply wants to take condescending jabs at the show he now hates just to rile up fans. Heck, the blog I posted referencing to his account here on FIMFiction should be proof of that. He even took jabs at Mr. Enter by saying that his and others' enjoyment of the show was due to them being "entertained by dangling keys". At this point, I think it's clear to understand why I (along with many others apparently due to his incredible loss of subscribers) lost all respect for CR. If he's going to act this immature about his opinions on MLP, how can I possibly take him seriously about anything else he has to say? I can't. I simply can't. It's truly a shame that things went about this way but CR has no one to blame but himself. I don't have anything else to say about him leaving the fandom aside from good riddance. And, unfortunately, this won't be the last bit of drama we'll cover...
And just like that, the MLP fandom lost its reviewing mascot. But while Season 3 saw the decline of CR, it also saw the rise of something else: the MLP Analyst Community. Just like that, reviewers and analysts began to appear. Ready to give their thoughts on the show to an audience waiting to be entertained. Leading the charge were reviewers such as DigiBrony and Tommy "Bronicurious" Oliver. DigiBrony was one of the first MLP Analysts I followed. I never followed Tommy Oliver because he came off as a bit too pessimistic for my taste. A similar feeling I have towards Mr. Enter. Though I do respect Mr. Enter as he's made some really good videos (especially one where he goes over the idiocy of standardized testing here in the United States). From what I've heard, Mr. Enter has recently put in effort to push himself away from the pessimistic image of himself he's created. And I wish him all the best. He's just not my cup of tea.
Anyway, Season 3 saw the rise of the analyst community and I personally believe that it was during the long break between Seasons 3 and 4 that the community was at its peak. This was its golden age. Then Season 4 happened. While Season 3 was a difficult time for the show (in terms of audience reaction, I personally liked Season 3), Season 4 was a difficult time for the analyst community. I used to follow many different analysts. Nowadays, I only follow one: DrWolf. There's a reason for that: the Season 4 Base Breaker. This is what I can only describe as the fall from grace for many of the community's "leaders" and rise of many of the new guys such as DrWolf and Silver Quill. DigiBrony and Tommy Oliver were two notable ones to fall off the pedestal (though Digi did so much quicker than Tommy). Their unexpectedly overly negative, critical, and harsh outlooks on the show turned many people away. For Digi, this all came to a head at the Season 4 finale (which, by this time, he had changed his review format significantly to a version that was far from being an amount of fans' cup of tea). Digi announced his retirement from reviewing MLP episodes and was met with a "good riddance" from many fans (admittedly, myself included as I unsubbed from him long before the end of Season 4). Though, Digi did manage to regain a little bit of respect. From what I've heard, he continues to review to this day (anime now) and even admitted that his personality change during Season 4 was due to some real life problems, even going on to state that Season 4 was his favorite season of MLP. So, at the very least, I can say that Digi managed to leave the community on a somewhat decent note. The same, however, can not be said for Tommy Oliver...
As I've already stated, I never warmed up to Tommy Oliver and his behavior during Season 4 didn't help. His attitude became too pretentious and nitpicky for many fans. Though he still managed to keep a significant amount of Youtube subscribers and Patreon patrons. Then his review of The Cutie Map came, where he responded to his reputation for being exceedingly negative by accusing the fans of being unable of seeing the show criticized. He even, though this is a bit debatable, called those who liked the episode "sheep". Though he could have just been referring to fans who couldn't accept criticism. Either way, this drew him a great amount of ire from fans and fellow analysts alike. A flame war started in the video's comments as a result of a comment made by fellow analyst Joshscorcher which didn't help that much either. Everything eventually culminated with Tommy's review of Appleloosa's Most Wanted, where he lashed out against the fandom again and announced that he would stop reviewing the show. This cost him dearly with a huge chunk of his subscribers and patrons leaving. He even went on to reveal that he never liked reviewing MLP to begin with and only did it for financial reasons, which led many to view him a fraud. It's clear that Tommy is one of the ex-analysts to fall the farthest from grace and, from what I've heard, takes pride in making it seem like the fandom was at fault for his departure rather than him simply losing interest in reviewing. This is only made ten times worse because, around the time this was happening, the fandom was banding together to save analyst Keyframe from her abusive household (which they actually succeeded in). I myself helped with the donations and even tried my best to spread the word when this was happening. Keyframe is an analyst I know very little about outside of this incident but I'm glad that the fandom was able to join forces and save her from a neglectful father and an alcoholic mother who tortured her psychologically and physically (even to the point of barging into her room and viciously attacking her when she was video-chatting with some fellow analysts). Anyway, back to Tommy Oliver. From what I've heard, he's since gone on to admit that the way he left the community was a mistake. So, at the very least, he seems to be taking some responsibility for his actions. But his behavior was too much to bring many of his ex-fans back.
Season 4 was a time where I lost interest in many reviewers I followed. From KP, to Silver Quill, to Golden Fox, to ToonCritic. Each one gradually lost my interest and eventually my subscription. This is mostly due to personal preferences. From KP and Silver Quill becoming one-note to me (even though Silver Quill clearly puts a lot of effort into his videos and I commend him for that) to ToonCritic pretty much becoming the analyst who crosses over with EVERYBODY. Seriously, I think his only solo review of Season 5 was for Castle Sweet Castle. Golden Fox...is a complicated topic. Like Digi and Tommy, he became incredibly harsh during Season 4. Even to the point where his negative review of Filli Vanilli has gone on to become INFAMOUS amongst fans and analysts alike and has been considered to be the catalyst which lead to the analyst community becoming as divisive as it is today. Thankfully, Golden Fox managed to save himself eventually by two things: he showed immense regret for his behavior throughout Season 4 (even the point of considering himself as having failed as a reviewer in the analyst community) and his huge part in helping save Keyframe (with whom he is now living with and dating). A similar situation happened to analyst MisAnthroPony, who, after several infamous rants that led to him losing the respect of many fellow analysts, played a big part in helping spread the word of Keyframe's predicament. This led to several of his ex-fans and fellow analysts forgiving him.
Who else of note is there to cover? A few, I believe. Next there's Byter. Good lord. The best way to describe him is CR 2.0 as he pretty much shares the same problem of constantly insulting and overly criticizing most post-Season 2 episodes as well as those who disagree with him. Even to the point of, although this point is debatable, telling a reader of his to "get cancer" because they liked Season 3. DigiBrony had problems with him (prior to his own fall from grace) and Mr. Enter even got into a feud with him (which I'm sure Mr. Enter won). By this point, all but a select few cannot bring themselves to take Byter seriously and he's considered to be little more than a joke by this point.
Cuddlepug has drawn some ire due to his immense criticism of certain episodes and the Equestria Girls films, labeling those who liked the films as "corporate drones". There's also his criticisms of Pinkie Pie (even when she isn't even in episodes he's talking about at the time). Corpulent Brony has recently drawn some heat for accusing analyst Fallen Wish for scamming her viewers over her own abusive parents situation. He then spread his rumor of Fallen Wish to Horse News (which many consider to be the TMZ of the MLP fandom). Drowning With Horseshoes immediately drew in backlash following his departure from the community due to his departure being marked by a two-hour long video of him blaming and accusing the fandom of being the reason why he was leaving and disbanding the Horseshoes crew. And he apparently had some feud with Joshscorcher, who has found himself at the center of many in-community drama. One of them being his apparent clashes with Lily Peet, who has her own morbid SJW complex going on from what I've heard.
And I think I'm going to stop there because I'm sure I could write several novels and a television series on the drama that's gone on within the analyst community alone. By this point, I'm fine sticking with the friendly and kind DrWolf instead of trying to stick my head back into the analyst bandwagon. There are still good analysts out there and some who I even respect even if I don't enjoy their content. And some of the fallen have even managed to pick themselves up. But, as far as I'm concerned, the community has seen better days and, at this point, it almost feels like the beginning of the end...
Or maybe it isn't. Maybe there's a brand new beginning waiting over the horizon. If people like DrWolf can remain strong and popular through all of this, then I think there's hope for some great reviewers to come.
What do the rest of you think? Did any of you have any experience with what's happened in the community? What are your thoughts on the analyst community as a whole? I'd very much like to hear what the rest of you have to say.
The same for me, except that it's ILoveKimPossibleALot. I don't totally get what you mean by "one-note," but I sense it's her obsession with Discord or Dislestia shipping. I kind of find it amusing, but that's just me. I've seen DrWolf's videos on occasion. Maybe he's worth checking out more. I've also seen Silver Quill on occasion, and I've considered subscribing. I might need to follow more analysts. I realized as I was thinking of stuff for my Season 5 Retrospective blog that I don't have any choices for overrated and underrated episodes or songs because I haven't seen enough opinions to determine how others felt about certain episodes.
I actually subscribed to Mr. Enter after his channel got reactivated because he seems to be one of the few people who felt the same as I did about "Daring Don't." I also find his Animation Atrocities highly amusing. It's kind of the same way I find the Nostalgia Critic amusing though I am aware that the Nostalgia Critic is a character, and he doesn't legitimately feel this irate over these things. But you are right, he will be dedicating to month of December and part of January to only Admirable Animations.
I confess I actually an still subscribed to DigiBrony and Tommy Oliver and even Drowning in Horseshoes. I didn't actually see Horseshoes' farewell video though. I don't watch any videos unless it's MLP related. Unsubscribing just seems so harsh. I don't think I've ever unsubscribed a YouTube channel that wasn't defunct. I think the only ones I ever unsubscribed to were Project Chanology and DailyGrace (and that was only because Grace started her independent YouTube channel). As for Tommy Oliver, I thought his "The Cutie Map" review was odd, but then his review of "Appleloosa's Most Wanted"....
I actually spent a couple of days after considering composing a very long winded comment telling him why he was wrong and even considered posting it here as blog. It could have been that long. But then when he released his follow up video, I could understand why he felt that way. Can you imagine putting effort into something you don't even want to do and then have people complain at you? I kind of know what that's like, and it's not great. Either way, Tommy Oliver has said he will continue reviewing MLP every once in a while. He's even reviewed Season 5's "Rarity Trinity," "Crusaders of the Lost Mark," and "Slice of Life."
As for the other people you mentioned, I don't think I've ever heard of them. Keyframe and her situation I know because you mentioned her once. I've seen Josh Scorcher once or twice, but all I know about him is that he's like apparently in a relationship with InkRose. Byter I think I saw just once in a video with a bunch of other analysts but that's just it.
I've never really gotten into watching reviews or anything. I've seen some random videos here and there but it's only the speculatives that I find the most interesting.
The first (and only) reviewer I follow if I
KimpossibleALot because I enjoy her videos.
I do have to agree with this. Which is sad, because I wanted to do start my own channel {more so on villains} but I'm hesitant to do so because of both the reputation of other critics in the fandom and my own voice.
I'm kind of off and on again with a few critics: Joshscorcer, Dr. Wolf, and Silver Quill I follow because I feel like they give fair reviews without bashing anyone and can offer humor and opinions that I, for the most part, agree with. There are some other small critics, such as 'Voice of Reason' occasionally and Lightning Bliss {who's actually rather pleasant} the same with Saphire Heart. So about six. Huh, more so than I thought when I started typing, but still, it's more of an off and on again thing.
I think we've just hit a plautua with this portion of the community.
I know I'm a bit late to the party, but I figured I'd add my two cents. I can't say that I follow the entire community, but there are three that I follow and have a great deal of respect for: Joshscorcher, Silver Quill, and Lily Peet. I personally consider these three to be the pinnacle of the Brony Social Elite. I find them entertaining and thought provoking. And they are my favorite part of the fandom.
I get asked why I don't watch the others, like Tommy or MrEnter, or the others. My answer is always this: they are too negative. The others I don't follow because I either think they aren't good critics, or aren't very entertaining.
I get a lot of Flak for respecting Lily Peet, but whatever. I would defend her to death any day of the week.
On the whole, I love this community. It's something unique to the fandom, and it has a hundred different flavors for everyone.
I hope you read this.
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I did.
Thank you for adding your two cents and, of course, continue to enjoy whomever you enjoy. I've just personally fallen out of love with, so to speak, with a large majority of the analysis community due to all the drama and BS that's happened over the past couple years or so. But that's my problem and bias to deal with.
-sigh- I don't know if you know this, but on deviantart, I get so annoyed of Cuddlepug all the time.
his reviews, his satires, his essays, even his polls! heck! on my 1 year anniversary of my deviantart account, August 3rd, he made a poll that targeted My All Time Favorite Character Ever, Sunset Shimmer, by saying that she was murdered. one of his options had my name on there and he clearly did that on purpose!!! overall though, I just can't stand Cuddlepug. he needs to stop. 
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My advice would be to just ignore him. That's what I've done. I've pretty much turned away from most of the fanbase aside from what's here on FIMFiction. A lot of the fanbase has become incredibly toxic. I just enjoy the show without worrying about the dribble of angry fantards.
4363281 I agree with you on that part as well. I try to enjoy the show without some people complaining about some characters from the show. like Starlight Glimmer for example, Bronies keep overhating her way too much. :| I however just think Starlight is just underrated because Bronies complain one thing about her: her backstory before she became a villain prior to season 5
and don't worry though, I Blocked Cuddlepug and I already put him on my deviantart block list not too long ago :)
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I know the Season 5 finale has grown a hatedom as of late. While it's not perfect, I personally really liked it. I can understand people having issues with Starlight's backstory but I feel the character has gone through such excellent development that it makes up for it.
4365306 agreed :)
I'm also trying to be one of the few Bronies to stand out and prove to a majority of Bronies to learn not to overhate Starlight Glimmer that much.
for example, you are one of the few Bronies that I know of that likes the episodes in Season 6 in which Starlight Glimmer, or known by her fan nickname as Glim Glam, appeared in.