Hello, Alvaro/Lance here with something a little different. If you’re into webshows, specifically review shows, you’re most likely familiar with Doug Walker, aka “The Nostalgia Critic” and one of the founders of the website of online reviewers at That Guy With The Glasses from Channel Awesome. By now you may also know that after his lastest review, the Scooby Doo movie, and the anniversary special “To Boldly Flee” marked the end of an era, after four years and over 200 episodes, the tie has been hung, “The Nostalgia Critic” will no longer be a weekly show, and I’m here to remember it!

Like many of his fans, I first found out about The Nostalgia Critic back when another internet reviewer, James Rolfe, who as the Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN) who reviews bad games, made a cross over with Doug’s character. I was curious as to what exactly he did, so the first video I watched of his was his review of the “Batman and Robin” movie by Joel Shumacher. For nearly 3 years I’ve been hooked ever since. As the Nostalgia Critic, he reviewed, well, nostalgic movies, cartoons, TV shows, and one of my favorites, a trilogy of videos showing nostalgic TV commercials.

He was foul mouthed, obnoxious, ill tempered, and yelled to the top of his lungs and even violent from time to time…and we loved every minute of it! Many of his one liners becoming memes in manner of seconds after the videos would go up live online. He caught on like wild fire, creating a successful franchise which has earned him a ton of money and interviews in entrepreneur magazines. My thoughts about this series has a really personal meaning to me, though.

Many of you don’t know this, but in December of 2010 I was involved in a car accident that nearly took my life. I will not go into details, but suffice to say I was banged up, 13 stitches on my head and a battery of tests done to my head. For over 2 months I saw double after that accident, and doctors at one point told me I would never be the same. Something I never told my family or friends at that point, because, well, I’m a numbskull like that. I just told myself “well, I will just have to work hard to prove them wrong”. Double vision and all, I would draw and write. It was frustrating, disheartening, and believe me, many times I did wanted to just give up. But when I would feel like that, I’d clumsily stumble into my bed, tried to turn on my pc, and when I would, I’d go and see various episodes of AVGN and Nostalgia Critic (as well as fellow member of TGWTG Obscurus Lupa). 

Through that trying time, one of the few things that kept me laughing, was the Nostalgia Critic. He along with James Rolfe also ignited my love for movies and I even started making small videos again on youtube, mostly trailers for my webcomic, or me reciting some of my poetry, or just acting silly in front of my camera and recording conventions and activities I went to. Inspired by their countdown of their personal favorite movies, I made a youtube video speaking of the comic books that has influenced me over the years that made me want to make comics.

Over the years Doug Walker made many videos (easily over 250). Here are my top 11 favorite Nostalgia Critic videos (WARNING: if you’re sensitive to foul language, I suggest you not watch it). Why top 11? Well, you should know if you watched his videos….

11-  “A Simple Wish” movie review. A fairly recent one, but memorable for the shocking guest appearance at the end of this video!

10- “Gordy” movie review. Pig Power in da HOUSE!

9- “Harry Potter Book 7 Launch”, not a review per se, but Doug Walker as the Nostalgia Critic character in line for the midnight release of the final Harry Potter book!

8- “Good Son” movie review. I actually kind of liked this movie, but it was hilarious how he ripped this one apart!

7- “Batman and Robin” movie review. The first review of his I watched. Watch him flip out at the iconic “bat credit card” rant!

6- “Godzilla” movie review. That’s a lot of fish!

5- Nostalgic Commercials Trilogy. This was a set of three different videos that went up at different times, but I consider it a trilogy.

4- “Signs” movie review, another fairly recent one, but it’s just funny!

3- “Simon Sez” movie review. This was a crossover with the aforementioned Obscurus Lupa!

2- “Double Team” movie review. This video to me, has the best ending EVER!

And #1- “The Room” movie review. So good, Tommy Wiseu, the man behind perhaps the worst movie ever, actually managed to take this video down for a short  time on claims of copyright infringement, but ultimately the video was reuploaded and actually became even more famous after that. I have probably watched this review a thousand times and it doesn’t get old, you HAVE to listen to Doug Walker impersonating Tommy Wiseu!

In a nutshell, that was “The Nostalgia Critic”. He made us laugh. Sometimes even cry. Made us remember all those little things from our past that brought smiles to our faces. Gave us that escape for 20 minutes every week. To Doug Walker, thank you for your hard work. The Nostalgia Critic remembered it, so we didn’t have to, and we all sure as hell will never forget him. Thank you for reading, stay safe, everyone!

~Alvaro “Lance Danger” Cortes Ortiz Jr