Black Friday | Deck the Halls thru Made In America
Added 2025-09-04 23:54:45 +0000 UTCDeck The Halls Of Northville High | Take Me Back | Adore Me | Do You Want To Play | Made in America
Comments
So glad we got to The Monologue! If I were an actor that would be my go to for drama auditions
Cambria
2025-10-04 01:11:47 +0000 UTCI love the timing of Mortius saying “That’s so sweet” when they started talking about carving something into the movie theater seats straight into Becky saying what it was, it was beautiful.
Kenny
2025-09-28 06:52:16 +0000 UTCDuring parts of "Take Me Back" I kept having "Lost Without You" from Oregon Trail (Watch the show if you haven't, please, Mortius!) pop in my head, can't exactly put my finger on why.
d'Altagnan
2025-09-16 14:35:09 +0000 UTCthe complete confusion during the start of act 2 never gets old to me lmao but I do agree that sometimes starkid shows go into small side quests that end up taking time that would be better spent developing other plotlines... especially in black friday where there are so many plotlines...
sofia.
2025-09-11 21:33:28 +0000 UTC'Bad blood' was already shown. When Ethan was beaten and spat out blood Hannah pointed and shouted "bad blood!" Also Joey's character is Wilbur Cross, the colonel that John mentioned went into the black and white and came out 'a raving lunatic'.
Rebecca Carter
2025-09-07 01:46:40 +0000 UTC"I can't be evil, I'm a status quo democrat" is easily the best joke of the show (potentially of every Starkid show)
Addy0302
2025-09-06 22:17:37 +0000 UTCWilbur is the same kind of hot as Owen from saf, and I will not elaborate further
Mars (Martina)
2025-09-06 13:58:13 +0000 UTCpretty sure Joey is Wilbur Cross ^^°
Fitator Quatschfeder
2025-09-06 13:04:01 +0000 UTCGood enough, welcome back Curtwen!
Averie-in-reverie
2025-09-06 07:41:18 +0000 UTCI love the "that what you paid for" bit!!! Makes me appreciate the awareness lol! Also the Doofenshmirtz impression is peak!
Kr1s
2025-09-06 05:30:02 +0000 UTCI’ve been SO looking forward to this! Also love the hot take about indie movie theatres 💚💚💚
Kate Murphy
2025-09-06 05:09:26 +0000 UTCI don't need to comment because I agree with 100% of what you said here (including VR and Starry)
Smee
2025-09-06 04:00:59 +0000 UTCOr maybe there was still a part deep down inside Becky that wouldn’t allow herself to hurt a child even while being manipulated by an evil god. Or a combination of all 3.
Isla Sullivan
2025-09-06 01:13:59 +0000 UTCA few theories on why Becky ended up injecting herself instead of Hannah. Ethan gave her the hat saying it’ll protect her, maybe he was right and the hat really is protecting her. Or Ethan is protecting her from beyond.
Isla Sullivan
2025-09-06 01:07:22 +0000 UTCyes wiggly is voiced by jon!!! i loveeee his wiggly voice its beautiful. i am SO excited for the rest of black friday, the last few songs are my favorites
Violet Casella
2025-09-05 23:21:59 +0000 UTCThe final song is my favorite so I'm very excited for you to reach it
Leah Davis
2025-09-05 23:19:33 +0000 UTCI thought he was doing Jar Jar Binks... more fool I
TiaMattia2
2025-09-05 21:06:58 +0000 UTCTHAT DOOFENSHMIRTZ IMPRESSION THOUGH
Sterling Klein
2025-09-05 19:00:26 +0000 UTCIs the Wilbur Cross/Uncle Wiley connection confirmed? I thought it was just strongly hinted by things like the Joey knowing John's name in the Black & White. You're definitely supposed to know he's the same man who did all those things in this show, but who that man is might not be canonically confirmed.
Mike K
2025-09-05 17:32:35 +0000 UTCIt's even deeper than that, though. Cause he's not just a teacher, he's a father. He tells Hannah about his son. And she's not just a nurse, she's a woman who happens to be a nurse. When my siblings and I were little, our parents always told us that if we got lost and needed help, look for a parent with children or a woman. It's four different types of people kids are told to trust: teacher, father, woman, nurse. And they flip it, with all Becky's lures being common things kidnappers use: playing games, free candy, etc. It's so well done, which is what makes it so horrifying.
Rivby
2025-09-05 15:59:29 +0000 UTCAlso, do you think that the hat Hannah got from Ethan protected her by making Becky inject herself.
Corvacks
2025-09-05 15:24:24 +0000 UTCI knew you'll like this one. Cant wait for you to watch the rest
Etsie_99
2025-09-05 15:10:23 +0000 UTCDo you want to play is especially terrifying to me because not only do we Know that Tom and Becky are usually good people, but they’re also usually the exact people you’d Want to find a child and help them in a dangerous situation- what with Tom being a school teacher and Becky being a children’s nurse. Horrifying.
Petalstripe
2025-09-05 14:20:58 +0000 UTCif you want love songs featuring Dylan saunders and an ominous feeling that it'll end in tragedy I would suggest watching their older show Starship (it's a cross between starship troopers and the little mermaid :D)
Chris
2025-09-05 12:53:58 +0000 UTCAlso, yes, a lot of villain songs, but let's be real... there's very few heroes left.
TiaMattia2
2025-09-05 08:06:04 +0000 UTCJoey plays Uncle Wiley = Wilbur Cross = John's old mentor that came out the portal a madman. Since it has been confirmed by the writers that McNamara is gay and has/had a husband, a popular theory is that Wiley is/was McNamara's husband, but we don't know.
TiaMattia2
2025-09-05 08:05:29 +0000 UTCMortius, regarding the question of who was the man the turn Linda Monroe into the prophet. That man is Wilbur Cross. When he went into the Black and White he went insane. He change his identity to Uncle Willie. Wilber Cross as Uncle Willie made the commercial in the beginning, deliver the dolls to the store, made Linda into the prophet, and sings the song Made in America
Pumpkin Pumpkin
2025-09-05 08:02:53 +0000 UTCThe man that Joey plays “Uncle Wiley” though not sure confirmed is thought to be Macnamara mentor that he mentioned Wilbur Cross
Anthony Velasquez
2025-09-05 07:46:33 +0000 UTCYou know I really agree with you about the songs in Act 2. I think they are all good in Act 1, but all the songs that are on my playlist are from Act 2 (aside from Feast or Famine and What Tim Wants). I feel bad for all the actors who were sick during filming, as I can just imagine how much better the songs would be if they were at their full health, especially since they are already so good!
logicaldreamer
2025-09-05 07:42:58 +0000 UTCTHE MONOLOGUE! I been waiting for this reaction. Her acting is amazing.
Pumpkin Pumpkin
2025-09-05 07:37:14 +0000 UTCTake Me Back is probably up there as one of my favorite songs in Black Friday but my favorite easily is If I fail you which you will hear later in the show probably around the time your getting ready to wrap the show up cant wait for you to get to that one
Anthony Velasquez
2025-09-05 07:34:06 +0000 UTCcould write a whole essay on the religious parallels and undertones of wiggly in this show <3
Ratatosk Clarke
2025-09-05 07:01:43 +0000 UTCI ADORE how black friday plays on the relationship between religion and consumption (looking at a very specific religion that thrives in capitalism 👀)
Ratatosk Clarke
2025-09-05 06:59:41 +0000 UTCYes! I’ve been waiting everyday for this new reaction! I’m so glad you enjoyed this and are so invested in it.
Shantel Lipscomb
2025-09-05 06:48:02 +0000 UTCAdding my vote to this as well. I skipped Nightmare Time because of the Zoom format, but some of the lovely people I met here convinced me to give it a shot recently and, my god, it's worth it. If it were me, I'd record Episode 2 (Forever and Always & Time Bastard) first*. If it doesn't hook you completely, skip to NPMD. But from what you've shown us you like, you would regret it if you didn't record while watching it. *Episode 1 was livestreamed, so it's got distracting buffering issues. But the first season is mostly episodic, so you can always go back once you're hooked.
Mike K
2025-09-05 06:16:57 +0000 UTCAwesome to see you loving Act 2 and this show so much! And that last line you gave us makes me quite happy. :D I actually learned a bit of lore today myself. I've never known why Hannah/Webby said "cross" but you highlighted both Ethan saying "CROSS my heat and hope to die" and the mentor's name being Wilbur CROSS. Starkid is so packed full of lore that I can still new find things even after seeing the show at least 5 times over the years!
Mike K
2025-09-05 05:59:40 +0000 UTCPlease watch Nightmare Time before NPMD! I love how much Jaime is enjoying playing Sherman Young. All my friends hate me, since that is literally one of my favourite characters Jaime plays lol
Verena
2025-09-05 05:38:09 +0000 UTCSomething about Lauren singing Adore Me always gives me Meredith Brooks vibes
kayla ling
2025-09-05 05:34:34 +0000 UTCBlack Friday is easily in my top 3 starkid productions. Take Me Back is easily one of my favorite duets. I look forward to you finishing the show and future starkid productions. (NPMD, Cinderella's Castle, etc.)
Kitty3545
2025-09-05 05:31:26 +0000 UTCYES MY FAVORITE SONG! Made in America is my absolute favorite from black Friday specifically.
Artemis
2025-09-05 05:29:59 +0000 UTCthe randomly perfect Doofenshmirtz impression was wild, thank you so much for that
AllisonSmiles
2025-09-05 04:36:39 +0000 UTCYEEES I am LOVING your Black Friday reactions!! Thank you!
Kelsey Avril
2025-09-05 04:05:47 +0000 UTCI love the song Take Me Back as well, but I honestly will forever think the final song takes the cake for me.
Sterling Klein
2025-09-05 03:41:13 +0000 UTCTo the 13:15 moment... THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR SAYING THIS. PEOPLE NEED TO PUT PHONES DOWN WHILE DRIVING.
Sterling Klein
2025-09-05 03:28:01 +0000 UTCOh! And "Deck the Halls of Northville High" IS a banger isn't it?! :D
White Tiger
2025-09-05 03:24:54 +0000 UTCOh I hope you finish it tomorrow! It's such a great show and there's still so many Starkid shows to see! :D P.S. Hehe "Made in America' sticks in the head doesn't it? :D
White Tiger
2025-09-05 02:59:53 +0000 UTCSpies Are Forever: Deadly Man Alive/ Owen (Joey) wanted to have Silicon Black Friday: character that Joey plays back to back with Curt: In a Valley of Silicon
Nola Scott
2025-09-05 02:49:54 +0000 UTCif I had a nickel for every time that Joey Richter sang a song about silicon and American arrogance while playing a dramatically monologuing villain that “came back from the dead” opposite Curt Mega playing a slightly incompetent but trying his best representative of the American government who’s just overall having a rough time I’d have two nickels Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice
Lolo
2025-09-05 02:36:22 +0000 UTCIt's so tragic, the song "Do you want to play" and Tom and Becky's corruption but also, that song almost always reminds me of the ending of Sweeney Todd, when Sweey and Mrs. Lovett are trying to lure Toby out. Both are creepy stuff but perhaps surprisingly I think I find this one creepier somehow! :o
White Tiger
2025-09-05 02:36:06 +0000 UTCApologies if this has already been commented on other episodes, but I find it important to point out that the majority of the cast was suuuper sick during filming. In the past the cast have come out after the show to sign/chat, but they couldn’t do that for this show due to how many cast members were ill. I was there one of the filming days and they still crushed it regardless!!!
Tiffany T
2025-09-05 02:28:22 +0000 UTCThat's the only possible reaction to listen to Kim Whalen sing 🛐 btw, answering your question, I'm always waiting for the little silly shows inside the hatchetfiled musicals, one of the best songs come from one of them
Lex Villagrán
2025-09-05 02:23:09 +0000 UTCIt's one of those sessions where I had a feeling beforehand that Mortius would love, based on previous political social commentary and the reaction to a Dylan love song related to time 😂 Pretty much everything from this recording session are the reasons why Black Friday has been my favorite of the series. Deck the Halls is one of my favorite comedic songs that goes harder than it should (second to VR in Abstinence Camp), Dylan's songs are always top tier (shoutout to the Starry concept album) and Take Me Back with Kim is my fave from both of them, and Jon as Wiggly is just insane.
Morc
2025-09-05 02:05:10 +0000 UTCWooooooooo! I've been waiting for your reaction to "Take me back" I think pretty much since you started reacting to Black Friday. Absolutely Brilliant lead up to the song, absolutely Beautiful song, of course, it's a Dylan Saunders love song so how could it not be, Brillian female vocals by Kim Whalen, just, an all around great song! Wow.
White Tiger
2025-09-05 01:48:36 +0000 UTCIf I had a nickel for every time Joey sang a villain song about silicon and capitalism on some stairs I’d have 2 nickels which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice. 😂
Kalyssa Pottgeiser
2025-09-05 01:42:53 +0000 UTCAlso the Wiggly face made out of the lights and tinsel is to this date one of my favorite staging decisions in theatre, it is so simple but SO cool. I lose my mind over it every time.
Lindsey
2025-09-05 01:40:32 +0000 UTCYes, you are right, Wiggly is voiced by Jon! I don’t know how that voice comes out of him, it’s insane lol Having finished the video I can’t tell if you put it together, and it’s not a spoiler at this point so I’ll just say it. Joey’s character is Wilbur Cross, the PEIP agent who went into the Black and White and lost his mind.
Lindsey
2025-09-05 01:34:21 +0000 UTCI know it can be hard to remember stuff with so long between recordings, so just a little nudge to help the pieces together, Joey's evil character is Uncle Wiley (aka, Uncle Wiley's Toys who made the Wiggly dolls). And, well, we did hear of another man in this recording bunch who went into the black and white only to come out insane. Wilbur Cross.
Arson
2025-09-05 01:29:28 +0000 UTCthe implications! oh my god, i didn't think about it!
oh no elizabeth
2025-09-05 01:27:38 +0000 UTCSo I would like to just point out some things that have previously happened in the show for you to do with them what you will - Joey as the toy guy works for a company called "Uncle Wiley's Toys" and in the commercial in the first song is called Uncle Wiley when he's dressed as the old sailor - Wiggly in this last part calls Joey "his" Uncle Wiley - John McNamara's mentor that went into the Black and White and came out "a raving lunatic" and vowed loyalty to Wiggly was named Wilbur Cross - Uncle Wiley recognized John when he showed up in the Black and White and also mentioned to the president that he "was a colonel once" Anyways! Awesome reaction, there are so many little twists in this musical that are so cool once they're pointed out, like the tinsel being Wiggly. I'm so glad you're enjoying this!
Alexandra
2025-09-05 01:27:02 +0000 UTCShe’s only 13?????? Wow that’s really impressive gea
Mortius
2025-09-05 01:25:16 +0000 UTCSince I don’t know if I’ve seen anyone mention it, I wanted to point out the fact that Hannah Foster’s actress, Kendall Nicole was 13!!!!! when she starred in Black Friday. She does such an amazing job. I can’t wait to watch you finish off this show!
l3erryPipsqueak
2025-09-05 01:15:39 +0000 UTCFun fact for Made In America!! I got to see both digital tickets (which are now unavailable due to the horrific audio issues from both), and in the first one, Joey actually went high in the final "we're all made in America" instead of going low, but I guess it was hard to do each night and he changed it to going low after that. It's sadly lost media now.
Ace
2025-09-05 01:03:13 +0000 UTCI am so happy for this mega-episode (haha). It makes a little sense that Ethan died, since he has to play Chris Kringle in a bad Christmas movie later on. I still skip Deck the Halls so I can get to Tom and Becky scenes, bless em. I adore this section of Black Friday, and all of the classic horror implications that I yammered on about in the last episode. <3 I freaking love healthy and supportive middle-age couples like Tom and Becky. And they're reconnecting while Wiggly's madness is infecting the entire mall. Thank you for stopping to talk about using technology/being distracted in the car. Lives are ruined when people don't pay attention, period! For the love, just pull over and park. I also hope that Stanley met his end out in the woods, but this is Hatchetfield. The Weird Beyond as I call it causes all sorts of terrible stuff. Hannah shouted 'Bad Blood!' as Ethan was getting attacked at the mall. On to the rest! Speaking of Ethan, he goes full eccentric IT the Clown here and I love it. At first I was put off, but that's the point! I hope you're enjoying the parade of villain songs, I know I am! I just noticed that the decorations hanging down from the balcony are Wiggly's face tentacles. :O
Kory Misun
2025-09-05 00:51:13 +0000 UTCRemember, the TGWDLM threat did NOT actually stop at hatchetfield! The ending scene shows emma in the other town's hospital being told that she and Peanuts the pocket squirrel were the only survivors and also that if the infection got out "there would be no stopping it." She is then told that a friend, ben bridges, is there to pick her up which turns out to be the now infected Paul and the rest of the infected cast. This means the infection DID escape and the IMPLICATIONS are that it will now spread everywhere! 😱
Llexica
2025-09-05 00:39:25 +0000 UTCI was having such a bad day, then right as I laid down to finally unwind and pick something to watch I got the notification. I've said before that Black Friday is my favorite starkid show, if not my favorite musical period, and that's in no small part thanks to that scene with Tom and Becky in the theater. Thrilled to see you loved it as much as me, and thanks for making a rough day a little brighter!
Arson
2025-09-05 00:33:11 +0000 UTCSome very important points made here (especially the driving take), appreciate you so much for sharing those. I HAD THE SAME THOUGHT regarding the Epic reference they make during Kim’s verse in Take Me Back. Also Kim and Dylan together are just magic.
Mahkia
2025-09-05 00:32:28 +0000 UTCOnly 15mins in but genuinely thank you so much for the rant about distracted drivers, i was in a car crash when i was a kid because the other driver was on the phone and i'm aware i am EXTREMELY privileged in that neither me or my family were seriously harmed. It's instilled a fear of driving in me ever since so thank you for taking the time to talk about it so seriously
morhido
2025-09-05 00:25:03 +0000 UTCHECK YEAH!!! Made In America is my favorite Starkid song!
Taylor Pestel
2025-09-05 00:24:07 +0000 UTCThe talk about distracted drivers is absolutely true and I am so sorry that that happened to your mom, Mortimus. The exact same thing happened to my stepmom and she developed an extremely painful nerve disorder because of it and passed in March after years of pain. It's truly heartbreaking and infuriating how much damage can be done by people being selfish on the road.
Tommy
2025-09-05 00:09:42 +0000 UTCDamn where being fed today!!!
EepLeep
2025-09-05 00:01:06 +0000 UTCWHOO! Just started my nebulizer and immediately get new Black Friday?? Hells yeah
Ink Inc
2025-09-04 23:57:25 +0000 UTCYES I CHECKEE EARLIER FOR THIS AND ITS HERE ! SO HYPPPPEEEE !!!!
Mellohi
2025-09-04 23:56:09 +0000 UTC