Tommy Oliver Rage Quits the Fandom

[LeonShi500 155]

He came, he left, the end. I don't keep up with these analyzers or reviewers of the show at all, so I really could care less about this guy leaving. From what I've seen of him in the video where he admits that he's going to leave the fandom, it doesn't seem like much of value was lost. He comes off as a really annoying and whiny brat. People really do love taking a cartoon so seriously, I guess.

I just hope he's ready for the negative response his opinions and beliefs will give him, especially from places like 4chan.

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

The show definitely isn't what it used to be, and I'll admit that the fandom isn't either. I still remain pretty dang loyal to it through and through. I'll probably remain in the fandom after MLP gets cancelled (which it eventually will). These things just evolve over time. That's how everything works. 

 

Here's the problem I do have with Tommy Oliver: he handled this horribly. I didn't expect him to go this way. For someone so analytical, it seems like he would have handled it with more grace. 

 

I get that we need the Analysis Community to hold the writers up to a higher standard. The bar was set pretty high from the get-go. We've come to expect high quality writing and production because we know this show is capable of it. Nevertheless, I've never devoted too much of my time to the analysis community because I've always held the idea that you should have your own opinions. This is where I do have to kind of agree with Tommy that people are looking for a parrot. But you know what? That's just a normal human characteristic. We actively seek those who share in our opinions. That is because we feel like something is more acceptable when there are others doing it. The fandom continues to grow each day and there are plenty of new bronies compared to a couple years ago. As a fan for 3 years at this point, I have seen this fandom grow exponentially. There are probably those who are new into it, and when they see someone disagreeing with them about something on the show, they probably get a little upset. 

 

But yeah, like I said, I've always held that you should watch an episode and form your own opinions. Hell, I've always held that you should form your own opinions in everything. I was once dumped by some girl because she told me about something she read in some book and that pissed me off more than the actual act of being dumped. Do something, and do it for your own reasons. 

 

I only ever went to the Analysis Community because I wanted further insight on something. Maybe I wanted to know what the Analysis Community thought about an episode. Shit, sometimes I sought a dissenting opinion. Perhaps I liked an episode, but I thought there were a load of flaws. And no, my fanboyism doesn't cloud the fact that there are flaws in everything. I love Honda cars. Do I believe they are the ideal car to own? No. My Honda - though brand new - has a few things I detest about it. I love My Little Pony. Do I believe it is the greatest show to ever grace God's green earth? Hell no. Friends was way better. I fucking love Friends. And not even Friends is perfect. 

 

I thought a move like this was below Tommy though. I expected a much more graceful goodbye than that. 

 

Oh well. Good luck in your future endeavors, Tommy.

 

Well said.

 

The top reason why I think people like having their opinions confirmed by the analysis community - speaking from experience - is that they like seeing others who can express their enjoyment of an episode or concept better than they could. I did this, and I'm sure a lot of us who follow or are even in this community do. It's a form of vicarious living, if you will, to see so many people who are so good at expressing such things about the show do what they do best and get all the perks from it: the enjoyment and fulfillment they have from doing it, the discussions they start, the collaboration offers they get, the tons of gift art and recognition, and all the respect from people.

 

However, the real test of one's character is how they consider dissenting opinions. The real analysts are those who can consider the evidence of both sides. I liked hearing both sides, too. If you don't hear a dissenting argument, you can't be bothered to find evidence to strengthen your own.

 

One reason why I didn't consider video reviews, is the price of fame. As others have said, he attached his name and face to that project, and thus there are some things that will be that much harder to overcome now as a result. Also, the wider exposure they get attracts the negative as well as positive attention. Like dissenting opinions, negative feedback is another test of character, and if you're not good with handling that, it's going to be hard to overcome.

[Mr Underhill 219]

There are times.... when factions of the fandom grate on my nerves. that's when I step away for a time, and busy myself elsewhere. I never watched his video. but I suspect that somehow his feelings were deeply hurt to have taken the time and effort to make a video.

May you find peace and happiness, where ever your hooves take you...

 

farewell...

[lomk 20,663]

 

 

If you don't hear a dissenting argument, you can't be bothered to find evidence to strengthen your own.

 

I can't agree with this more.  

 

And you know what? I think there is something good that can come out of Tommy Oliver and Digibro's leaving the fandom. The way I see it, it's an opportunity for others like Dr. Wolf and Silver Quill to come up and take the places of these "top-tier" reviewers. I believe that even without them, the Analysis Community will be alright in the long run and it allows others who do equally good work to rise up. 

[FlitterFlutter 1,583]

So from what I am gathering is one guy is leaving the fandom and now everyone is freaking out? I think everyone needs to take a moment and remember this is just a T.V. show calm down.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

I can't agree with this more.  

 

And you know what? I think there is something good that can come out of Tommy Oliver and Digibro's leaving the fandom. The way I see it, it's an opportunity for others like Dr. Wolf and Silver Quill to come up and take the places of these "top-tier" reviewers. I believe that even without them, the Analysis Community will be alright in the long run and it allows others who do equally good work to rise up. 

 

In the end the analysis community should not be defined by one or two personalities. As noted as those two were, I really can't mark them as the best when it comes to being analytical. Yeah, they have their opinions and have every right to share them, but ones opinions in regards to certain things doesn't always make for good analysis. Personally I've found Silver Quill to be much more effective in that regard. He can criticize without seeming like he's just nitpicking; in other words taking account what an episode is without being deluded on what you thought it could be.

 

I've usually enjoyed videos from Tommy and Digi, but one thing that I never really cared for is that they really felt nit-picky. Honestly, I thought AntonyC did a better job of actual critique before Silver Quill, but that's me (and also a little bit of Jerry Peet). With the likes of Silver Quill, Dr. Wolf, Commander Firebrand, Ink Rose, and others I just think the level of critique has increased. With these people they feel less nit-picky; but that's me.

 

I mean no offense to Digi and Tommy though; they were among the first to really get it started, and they've made some great videos here and there, but things change. Not just fandom wise, but in life as well. They're time has come and gone, and others have come to take their place.

[Tom Snyder 4,112]

In the end the analysis community should not be defined by one or two personalities. As noted as those two were, I really can't mark them as the best when it comes to being analytical. Yeah, they have their opinions and have every right to share them, but ones opinions in regards to certain things doesn't always make for good analysis. Personally I've found Silver Quill to be much more effective in that regard. He can criticize without seeming like he's just nitpicking; in other words taking account what an episode is without being deluded on what you thought it could be.

 

I've usually enjoyed videos from Tommy and Digi, but one thing that I never really cared for is that they really felt nit-picky. Honestly, I thought AntonyC did a better job of actual critique before Silver Quill, but that's me (and also a little bit of Jerry Peet). With the likes of Silver Quill, Dr. Wolf, Commander Firebrand, Ink Rose, and others I just think the level of critique has increased. With these people they feel less nit-picky; but that's me.

 

I mean no offense to Digi and Tommy though; they were among the first to really get it started, and they've made some great videos here and there, but things change. Not just fandom wise, but in life as well. They're time has come and gone, and others have come to take their place.

You can't please everybody, pathfinder. Its just that both sides need to understand the others views and look at it from their pov; not just your own. You can attack them and they may nitpick; but that's their style; its not exactly like you can control what an analyzer does.

Edited June 8, 2015 by Candy Star

[Argumedies 1,748]

Ill probably loose just as much sleep over his loss as i did for Digibrony..... Which was none

 

I stopped watching his videos long ago

Edited June 8, 2015 by Argumedies

[Dark Qiviut 22,430]

I can't agree with this more.  

 

And you know what? I think there is something good that can come out of Tommy Oliver and Digibro's leaving the fandom. The way I see it, it's an opportunity for others like Dr. Wolf and Silver Quill to come up and take the places of these "top-tier" reviewers. I believe that even without them, the Analysis Community will be alright in the long run and it allows others who do equally good work to rise up. 

In some respects, they've been the top-tier analysts for several months. Personally, I find humor in reviews to be distracting; when I watch a review, I want it to be matter-of-fact, and SQ is no exception. But there's no denying the fact how great he is at reviewing, and his comedy's quite refreshing. Dr. Wolf is more optimistic and isn't going to give a negative review. But he's also very fair. The best part is how approachable he is, which you can't really say with most reviewers.

[lomk 20,663]

Maybe I should rephrase that. What I meant by "top tier" wasn't necessarily the quality of the work they did (though the production value of their videos was obviously up there), but more like in what regard they were held. Digibro and Tommy Oliver are, I believe, two of the most easily recognized analysts in the community. Or those who were in the community. They were the ones who were there when the ball got rolling. I was subscribed to Digibro back in 2012 because I liked the work he did. I unsubbed not too terribly long before he left. Everybody is saying, "This is a bad sign," and, "The fandom has really gone to shit when Tommy Oliver comes out like this," but I get the feeling that the sheer popularity of those guys was what drove them out. And the size of the fandom has increased so much since they started reviewing. I do believe that Tommy Oliver will be a lot less well off than Digibro was when he left because of the difference in the way they handled it. This was spontaneous and controversial. Digibro leaving was much more quiet. I guess the thing about controversy is that it gets people talking. Anyway, there will be others who may rise to the level of fame they had, and maybe they'll be able to handle it better. But yeah, maybe they're just tired of trying to keep everyone happy. I will give him this: there is an increasing number of people in this fandom that are expecting reviewers to say the show is perfect in every way. They have unreal views on the show, but there are those people in everything. Those who don't look at things rationally. These are the people who will do their damnedest to polish a turd as much as possible and give you all the reasons why that shit smells great, and any dissenting opinion you may have is meaningless. But they're only the vocal minority; they exist in any fandom and you should never judge a fandom based on that. 

 

If a reviewer doesn't like a show, then so what. To a reviewer, I would say, "Don't be afraid to dislike something even if everyone likes it." Because pandering will get you farther in the short run, but telling the truth will reap benefits farther down the line. Maybe don't call it total shit. Not unless you want to take the Mr. Enter approach to things. I wouldn't encourage anyone to do it, but if you want to, be my guest He's got very extreme opinions about things, but I do have to respect him for those extreme opinions despite how nasty and mean-spirited his reviews can be, i.e. calling a writer a dumbass for a mistake. 

 

I agree that Dr. Wolf just won't give an episode a negative review. I checked out his review of "Appleoosa's Most Wanted" and while he didn't say it was good, he didn't say it was bad. I believe most of the fandom will agree that episode was bad. I've never come out and blatantly said, "I have nothing good to say about this episode," but I did with that one. I think you were there, Buffalo Man. I absolutely did not like that episode. I would encourage any and every reviewer to blatantly say they disliked an episode. I think that for Dr. Wolf to dislike an episode, though, the episode would have to sling shit on everything he holds dear about the show. 

[ThatOneComrade 1,091]

Bye, Tommy. See you at the season finale!

No I just really don't care. It was fun listening to your criticisms while you were around though.

Edited June 8, 2015 by Pokekid543

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

I don't know about you, but that was a hell of an ad for Baja Blast.

 

[Mesme Rize 15,683]

I don't know about you, but that was a hell of an ad for Baja Blast.

 

baja blast intensifies.png

 

I have nothing to say. This pic speaks for itself.

[MountainDrew 1,877]

 

I do agree some fans do attack the analyzer pretty heavily for his opinion on an episode, but that can be a good thing as it provides conversation, a means to get things humming along. Analyzers need to accept they'll get negative responses; use that to your advantage make them discuss it; so not shy away from negativity; embrace it. 

 

Avoiding it only makes it uninteresting and fans need to accept others views for what they are, opinions.

 

 

Some say that failure is the mother of success and innovation.  I couldn't agree more with that statement.

 

If at first your critiques and analyses are taken harshly, then you must reevaluate and adapt in order to form more coherent and accurate critiques and analyses.

[Mand'alor Dash 2,224]

 

 

There's every reason to call his character into question. If you're going to completely lose interest in something, then your reason had better be good. If he lost interest solely because of the quality, then we wouldn't have this discussion. But the second he applied the fandom as another reason why, then you're saying, "You're why I don't like the show." That's pure spite. His whole attitude toward the fandom and the show altogether is open for criticism, because his attitude toward the fandom is horrific.

 

So, I'm supposing you missed the rant about how MLP just isn't very good anymore? (not that I necessarily agree)

 

He only actually got to the fandom once the discussion shifted to his experiences with the "skip the bad" button. He has every right to criticize general trends in the fandom, and I dare say it is intellectually dishonest to ignore his points based on ad hominem fallacies.

 

 

 

It doesn't matter if it's anecdotal. It's still stereotyping. Why? Because he blanketed the entire fandom under one brush. The fandom is eclectic with varying opinions. Anyone who reviews this fandom objectively won't pull the shit that he did in that video.

 

 

When in the video did he even hint or imply that it was the entire fandom?

 

If I'm remembering the same video, he even directly states that not all bronies were like that, and said that he's had very positive experiences with the good side of the fanbase. How did you extract a universal statement about all bronies from what he said?

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Well he's officially lost a subscriber.  :okiedokielokie:

 

I don't care what he says, the brony community has always been a place of warmth and support as long as season one in my experience. Taking the bad with the good has just been a part of it.

[Dark Qiviut 22,430]

He has every right to criticize general trends in the fandom, and I dare say it is intellectually dishonest to ignore his points based on ad hominem fallacies.

Prior to his video, then he does have a right. But by not practicing what he preached and contributing to the friction himself by stereotyping, now he has absolutely no room to talk. He's the wrong person to speak out on this issue.

 

When in the video did he even hint or imply that it was the entire fandom?

1. The very end where he exasperatedly bashed the fandom as a hugbox. Fandoms aren't hugboxes. They're pockets of fans who come together to like and enjoy the show. To call it such is stereotyping.
2. The second he scapegoated the fandom for his lack of enjoyment. I don't care if it's just the lower quality of the product (which I completely disagree with). He added a stupid reason along with it. Scapegoating the fandom is a lot like Godwin's Law: The second you use it, you're going to look foolish.

If I'm remembering the same video, he even directly states that not all bronies were like that,

He does, but that still doesn't mean he deserves slack for what he did. His stereotyping and vilifying of the fandom are more than enough to get you called out. Here, "Not all bronies are like that" is nothing more than a lazy way to try to dodge himself out of accountability.

Edited June 8, 2015 by Dark Qiviut

[Sidral Mundet 1,666]

Ummm well that was something...can't say I'm surprised, he seemed like he lost a lot of interest in the series during season 4 but that was not a very graceful exit. 

 

Also for anyone saying the fandom is dying:

[ggg-2 3,553]

Well, I don't really care for Tommy. I stopped watching his videos a long time ago. It's just sad to see so many talented people leaving the fandom. Digibro, Drowning in Horseshoes, MrEnter hasn't reviewed a MLP episode in ages and now also Tommy.

 

It kinda sucks

With MrEnter, he's still a brony, he just doesn't have the motivation to do reviews because of revolving interests.

[Mand'alor Dash 2,224]

 

 

Prior to his video, then he does have a right. But by not practicing what he preached and contributing to the friction himself by stereotyping, now he has absolutely no room to talk. He's the wrong person to speak out on this issue.

 

That's still ad hominem. You are dismissing everything he is saying and justifying it with a character assassination. That is the dictionary definition of ad hominem, and it is intellectually dishonest.

 

 

 

The very end where he exasperatedly bashed the fandom as a hugbox. Fandoms aren't hugboxes. They're pockets of fans who come together to like and enjoy the show. To call it such is stereotyping.

 

 

He hyperbolously used the term "hivemind," but even after rewatching the ending, there's no mention of a hugbox, nor any condemnation of the concept of a fandom in general. What he mentioned was referencing an overtone and a trend in the brony community, not a totality. I feel you are grievously and maliciously misinterpreting what he said.

 

 

 

The second he scapegoated the fandom for his lack of enjoyment. I don't care if it's just the lower quality of the product (which I completely disagree with). He added a stupid reason along with it. Scapegoating the fandom is a lot like Godwin's Law: The second you use it, you're going to look foolish.

 

 

First, if it was his honest experience with the fandom, then it isn't foolish for him to bring it up.

 

Second, he distinguished the difference between his issues with the fandom and his issues with the show, and applies them appropriately to his enjoyment of both. He does not enjoy the show because its quality has declined; and he does not enjoy the fandom because he has had terrible experiences with it. This has absolutely nothing to do with scapegoating, which is the practice of singling out a specific party to hold the blame for things that do not involve them.

 

Third, that isn't what Godwin's law even states. Godwin's law refers to overused and hyperbolic comparisons played for emotional appeal. Ironically, your comparison might be an invocation of it, in some way.

 

 

 

He does, but that still doesn't mean he deserves slack for what he did. His stereotyping and vilifying of the fandom are more than enough to get you called out. Here, "Not all bronies are like that" is nothing more than a lazy way to try to dodge himself out of accountability.

 

 

You are cherry-picking and you are strawmanning. You are looking for excuses to dismiss the parts which do not conform to your view, and hyping up the parts that (taken out of context) do. Despite his explicitly stating that he acknowledges both the good and bad experiences he has had with the fandom, and both the good and bad individuals he has interacted with, you still assert that he attempted to demonize the entirety of the fandom. You are creating a fake Tommy Oliver to burn in a court of public opinion, instead of addressing the complaints made by the real Tommy Oliver.

 

His criticisms, when taken in a general sense, are very true. There is a large, loud faction of the brony fanbase which acts exactly as he describes. Tommy is not "of questionable character" for pointing this out. If anything, I am starting to question your character for attempting to defame him like this.

[Steve Piranha 29,425]

I find it very interesting that this news comes not long after this thread posted on here about fans having unrealistic expectations of the fandom. Ladies and gentlemen this guy is one of the most glaringly obvious examples of that I have ever seen. I am not saying he dosen't have a point on certain things but that point gets completely lost at the sheer amount of generalizing and "good old days" bias as if he expects the fandom to always be the same as it was early on. There are some bronies that behave exactly like he just described be I don't really see how he is much better and the brony fandom isn't exactly unique for having some jerks in it.

 

I can understand leaving due to losing interest in the show or something but this guy is just a smug asshole who expects everyone to abide by his standards while not practicing what he preaches. I can understand getting annoyed and pissed at certain parts of the fandom, I haven't made it a secret how much I detest the fans that are trying to make this a damn religion and the white knights. And of course jackasses and trolls aren't fun to deal with but did he seriously expect that there wouldn't be any of that in the brony fandom at all when no matter how good something else there will always be people like that? If so than nothing will possibly ever please or satisfy him for long.

 

It kinda sounds like a case of blaming others for something you don't like. If I ever lose interest in FiM, the fandom will have nothing to do with it  :okiedokielokie:

[Cleverclover 1,526]

I feel the need to comment on his complaints about the lacking "narrative integrity" of the lore, or at least the example he gives in the video:

 

 

"A mark is a representation of that 'Eureka' moment when you realize your destiny--that's how it was shown in Cutie Mark Chronicles. If it's something that can happen passively without you truly understanding and requires further reflection, why haven't the Cutie Mark Crusaders gotten their marks yet and simply not understood them?" 

 

 

Well, in my honest opinion, I think that the CMC got it wrong. I believe that Troubleshoes' cutie mark did not have any deeper meaning behind it whatsoever. His "destiny" is to have bad luck for his entire life. That's it. There's nothing more to it than that. The fact that his clumsiness makes ponies laugh is completely irrelevant to the fact that his "destiny" alone is to be clumsy. So in that case, Troubleshoes knew exactly what his cutie mark meant. 

 

I don't think he's cut out to be an entertainer. Even entertainers have to follow routines, and Troubleshoes clearly has no ability to do that whatsoever. Odds are, he's going to end up accidentally breaking props that his fellow entertainers need in the middle of the show, and when that happens, he'll probably be fired. Makes me feel really sorry for the guy, but what can you say? 

 

So, yeah that's just my own headcanon. I believe that Troubleshoes actually knew exactly what his cutie mark meant the whole time, and though the CMC attempted to find a deeper meaning behind it, they ultimately ended up being wrong. 

[Red Cedar 1,408]

Tommy Oliver posted this video yesterday.

 

Who?

 

Seriously, no one person in this whole fandom means that much to it as a whole. We will move on, thanks.

[Tom Snyder 4,112]

Blaming others for his mistake is not only childish, but immoral. Its like if i told you that i hated you for no reason. He has no right to attack the fandom like that; its disrespectful.  Analyzing isn't just one way you have to do it, you can express yourself the way you wish, but never like that.

Edited June 8, 2015 by Candy Star

[DiscordPF 139]

Eh, his specific criticisms of the episode aside, seems like he's taking this very personally. Bronies are people too. A lot of them being socially awkward and that creates the "spaghetti" that we all talk/hear/read/post about. It seems that he didn't like the state of the community that he was perceiving. And that's just the thing. Perception is often reality. Or rather, the reality we create for ourselves. And that filters what we pay attention to and see in everything. I wish him the best and hope that he has success in the future as I do for any human being. Whatever "success" means to them. The brony community will go on. It's not a huge loss in my opinion, but I do remember enjoying his videos for S1 and S2 so I can't say I'm not at least a little sad to see a content creator go like that. But with all things, they must end at some point.

 

Goodbye Mr. Oliver. May you forever ignore the comments on your videos. 

 

 

tl;dr

 

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