Close All Tabs Bee Movie, "We Are Charlie Kirk," and the Enduring Bait-and-Switch Meme
According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway because bees don't care what humans think is impossible.
In 2007, Bee Movie hit theaters with a strange plot and was considered a box office flop. Nearly two decades later, it’s somehow more relevant than ever, not because of the movie itself, but because of what happened next. The script became a meme, then a prank, then, eventually, a tool for protest.
In this episode, host Morgan Sung traces the evolution of bait-and-switch memes, from early internet shock images to the rise of the “Never Gonna Give You Up” rickroll, all the way to TikTok-era pranks that burn out as quickly as they go viral. Along the way, she talks to Bee Movie co-writer Spike Feresten about how the film became an unlikely internet icon, and to digital rhetoric expert Bret Strauch about what makes a meme actually stick.
Guests:
Spike Feresten, screenwriter and comedian
Bret Strauch, assistant professor of digital media, University of Colorado Boulder
Further Reading/Listening:
Behind the scenes content on the making of this episode!
MEMES, Part 3: Gotta make you understand — Endless Thread
A Complete History of Bee Movie’s Many, Many Memes — Paris Martineau, Intelligencer
Why Did Bee Movie Become A Meme? — Joshua Kristian McCoy, GameRant
The Josh Hutcherson ‘Whistle’ edit meme, explained — Ana Diaz, Polygon
‘His courage our own’: This Charlie Kirk tribute song is blowing up on Spotify. Was it made by a human—or AI? — Braden Bjella, The Mary Sue
Read the Transcript here
Email us at CloseAllTabs@KQED.org
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Credits: Close All Tabs is hosted by Morgan Sung. Our team includes producer Maya Cueva, editor Chris Hambrick and senior editor Chris Egusa who also composed our theme song and credits music. Additional music from APM. Audio engineering by Brendan Willard. Audience engagement support from Maha Sanad. Jen Chien is our Director of Podcasts. Ethan Toven-Lindsey is our Editor in Chief.
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