Mr. Cranky, a satirical film critic, was created in 1995 by Jason Katzman and Hans Bjordahl. The Cranky personae premises that all films are terrible; at issue, solely, is the degree. There are no good films in the Cranky pantheon, only films which inflict greater or lesser suffering. Films are rated on a six-step scale. The least bad (i.e. best) film receive one "bomb", and films that cause greater suffering receive additional "bombs", up to four. Films deemed particularly offensive receive a Dynamite or "Boomstick" rating. The worst films receive the Animated Atomic Explosion or "Kaboom!" rating.

In October 2001, a "guest reviewer" named Mr. Smiley appeared. Mr. Smiley is a mirror opposite of the Mr. Cranky personae: all reviews are hyperbolically positive. Mr. Smiley is a stereotypical smiley face smelling a pink Freesia flower, appearing every year near Halloween. Consistent with the theme, the Smiley character has a rising five-step scale going from one smiley face to the "Prozacerrific!" Happy Pill.