Why exactly did so many fans dump on the later seasons of "All That" (when they completely started from scratch after Season 6 in 2001-2002)? You have to realize that a sketch comedy show is cyclical, and regularly changes cast members anyway.
I believe that what hurt (in the eyes of older viewers) "All That" when it was relaunched with a completely different cast in 2001-02, was that it simply lacked the edginess and inventiveness previous seasons. A lot of the humor was more formulaic and reliant on cheap slapstick and gross out jokes. It was more garnered toward young children, I feel than being something that teenagers (i.e. say, 15-17) and young adults could enjoy. They also resorted to desperate tactics that seriously alienated hardcore fans like trying to recreate the "Good Burger" skits with somebody other than Kel Mitchell playing Ed.
They also changed too much of the format or what was in the past, familiar when it came back from its year-long hiatus. They didn't have "Vital Information", they had too many special guest stars, the kids stopped introducing the musical guests by saying "Lets have around of sound for...", the old announcer (Soup) was gone, Kevin the stage hand was also missing in action, and there was no Big Ear of Corn.
What also watered "All That" down was that the musical guests were often comprised of teenybopper-friendly, Radio Disney acts. The earlier "All That" episodes most often invited urban-contemporary, R&B and hip-hop musical acts. This helped give the show its unique edge.
Another thing, I believe was that some of the pop culture geared humor is already dated. For instance, they did a lot of skits/jokes about the Osbournes (when their reality show on MTV was a hit), "Total Request Live" with Carson Daly (who isn't even on MTV anymore let alone, host that show), Eminem, when he was at the peak of his notoriety so the speak, etc. The earlier episodes of "All That" would do jokes about people that the most of the target audience probably wouldn't instantly recognize (when compared say, their parents) like H. Ross Perot, Bill Cosby, Roseanne Barr, old James Bond movies, etc.
It can be argued that most of the kids on the newer episodes weren't as talented or versatile as previously. I always thought that Chelsea Brummett for example was primarily on "All That" because of her good looks as opposed to her comedic timing. Jamie Lynn Spears (back when the world knew her best as the poster child for teenage pregnancy) was clearly only on the show because of her older sister. Meanwhile, Shane Lyons was the token Chris Farley/John Belushi/Horitio Sanz/Will Sasso bumbling fat guy on the sketch comedy show. Kyle Sullivan was the token nerdy/neurotic cast member. Giovonnie Samuels was the token sassy/street wise Afro-American female cast member.
I believe that what hurt (in the eyes of older viewers) "All That" when it was relaunched with a completely different cast in 2001-02, was that it simply lacked the edginess and inventiveness previous seasons. A lot of the humor was more formulaic and reliant on cheap slapstick and gross out jokes. It was more garnered toward young children, I feel than being something that teenagers (i.e. say, 15-17) and young adults could enjoy. They also resorted to desperate tactics that seriously alienated hardcore fans like trying to recreate the "Good Burger" skits with somebody other than Kel Mitchell playing Ed.
They also changed too much of the format or what was in the past, familiar when it came back from its year-long hiatus. They didn't have "Vital Information", they had too many special guest stars, the kids stopped introducing the musical guests by saying "Lets have around of sound for...", the old announcer (Soup) was gone, Kevin the stage hand was also missing in action, and there was no Big Ear of Corn.
What also watered "All That" down was that the musical guests were often comprised of teenybopper-friendly, Radio Disney acts. The earlier "All That" episodes most often invited urban-contemporary, R&B and hip-hop musical acts. This helped give the show its unique edge.
Another thing, I believe was that some of the pop culture geared humor is already dated. For instance, they did a lot of skits/jokes about the Osbournes (when their reality show on MTV was a hit), "Total Request Live" with Carson Daly (who isn't even on MTV anymore let alone, host that show), Eminem, when he was at the peak of his notoriety so the speak, etc. The earlier episodes of "All That" would do jokes about people that the most of the target audience probably wouldn't instantly recognize (when compared say, their parents) like H. Ross Perot, Bill Cosby, Roseanne Barr, old James Bond movies, etc.
It can be argued that most of the kids on the newer episodes weren't as talented or versatile as previously. I always thought that Chelsea Brummett for example was primarily on "All That" because of her good looks as opposed to her comedic timing. Jamie Lynn Spears (back when the world knew her best as the poster child for teenage pregnancy) was clearly only on the show because of her older sister. Meanwhile, Shane Lyons was the token Chris Farley/John Belushi/Horitio Sanz/Will Sasso bumbling fat guy on the sketch comedy show. Kyle Sullivan was the token nerdy/neurotic cast member. Giovonnie Samuels was the token sassy/street wise Afro-American female cast member.
