Mystery Science Theater 3000: C/D, S/D.

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It's about time, too.

― Michael Daddino, Saturday, 12 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Oh *please*, you ask this of me? What episodes *don't* I have on tape?

So gloriously fucking classic it hurts, period, etc. To explain why -- I always loved really bad movies, they're great. Seeing bad movies trashed by people who obviously had brains but weren't afraid of cheap shots either seemed like perfection, and the fact that the perpetrators were seemingly calm Minnesotans who had a clear and total loathing for bullshit of all sorts -- societal, cultural, political, philosophical - - made it all the more fun. Still my favorite ever TV show.

Search -- um, everything. Some episodes you don't need to see as many times, though, and sometimes ones that weren't as great initially become great with time. My Top Ten List At Present:

Manos, The Hands of Fate -- "Honey, I'm scared." "Of WHAT?"

The Starfighters -- "Bob Dornan, wild at heart."

Mitchell -- "She was going to smell like beer sooner or later."

Teenage Strangler -- "I didn't steal no bike neither!"

Overdrawn at the Memory Bank -- "My nuts?"

Red Zone Cuba -- "You and your swank restaurant and your chichi frog's legs!"

Agent From H.A.R.M. -- "There's the windup...and there's the smarm!"

Werewolf -- "C'mon, dead people know what's going to happen next!"

The Starfighters -- "I like coffee."

Pod People -- "Trumpy! You can do MAGIC things!"

Subject to change, but that's a good starter pack right there, along with Eegah!, Jack Frost, Parts: The Clonus Horror, Monster a Go-Go, The Girl in Gold Boots...

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Oh yeah, and Deathstalker, naturally.

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

I absolutely adore this show, though I've only been able to see Sci- Fi episodes and only a handful of them at that due to infernal copyright issues (any channel wishing to broadcast it needs rights to both the episode and the film, thus only about 18 eps have been shown in the UK). So my knowledge of MST3K is very limited, but I'll add my vote to Overdrawn At The Memory Bank and Agent From H.A.R.M. - as for episodes to destroy, I haven't seen any eps that are bad but apparently the KTMA ones weren't that good, so destroy them.

― Chris Lyons, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

First, the lowdown. Classic? Oh my, yes.

Search

Favorite Episode Available on Rihno: I Accuse My Parents or Catalina Caper. Favorite Episode Overall: Alien From L.A.. Favorite Short: The Days of Our Years. Favorite Riff Sequences: The Beau Brummels at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go in Village of the Giants and Fat Linda Rondstadt in The Incredible Melting Man. Favorite Riff: The Albert Goldman/Greil Marcus ref in The Pod People and the "...Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Amityville, Copaigue, Lindenhurst and Babylon. Change at Jamaica for..." line in The Beatniks.

Destroy

The fifteen-minute promo they did for Nintendo; the "sandwich" sketch at the end of The Undead; the long string of lesbian jokes in Racket Girls; and, ultimately, the movie, which while v. good, probably should never have been made; and finally, the various asinine copyright issues that pretty much will ensure its limited availability in non-bootleg form to future generations.

― Michael Daddino, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

The fifteen-minute promo they did for Nintendo

Herein a mystery -- what is this? Given that they're such gaming addicts I'm not surprised they did it...

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

I made a boo-boo. It was actually for Playstation Magazine. Riffing was good, as you can imagine, but it was genuinely painful to watch them hawk stuff. Kinda odd that I can't find more info about it.

― Michael Daddino, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Any film with Joe Don Baker or John Phillip Law is an absolute classic.

But if I'm being honest, I love nearly every one. The only one I think I would destroy is Hamlet, because the adaptation was so static and dull it was hard to make jokes from.

― Nicole, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Oh, and Ned should definitely make me some tapes. The ones on sci-fi I see all the time, but I miss the old episodes.

― Nicole, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Arrangements can be made. I need to get a second VCR for dubbing purposes first, though...

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

And yes, I did forget Space Mutiny, didn't I? "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!"

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Additional Commentary

I brought the subject up because I think it's high time we discussed it at length. A lot of Americans on ILx are pretty vocal about their MST3K-love, but for obvious reasons, much of the UK posse have never even seen the show. Those who have only know the Sci-Fi era shows (and can't get Rhino tapes, either), so they're only getting part of the fun.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Comedy-Central purist at all. The primary reason I got slowly peeved at the AOL NY MST3K contingent was because they were by and large vehemently Anti-Mike, going on and on about how the show was a bunch of boring crap now and how cute and sexy Joel was. I just couldn't see it. Admittedly, though, by the time MST3K left CC, the show's early, woozy charm had long faded away -- but it was replaced by something else that, while slick, was still awfully entertaining. (Charm isn't everything.) At the other end of the history spectrum, the KTMAs aren't bad at all, but all woozy charm and few laffs. Still, that won't matter if you're already a fan.

The worst movie they ever did was, easily, Monster A Go-Go. Scroungily overamped "What'd I Say"-rip at the beginning, but looooong stretches of black & white nothingness punctuated by perhaps the most infuriating cinematic anticlimax ever. Next in line is Manos: The Hands of Fate. It's my impression that MST3K almost single-handedly velcroed this flick onto the Canon of Bad Movies, and that's a good thing, because it's a startling artifact with a great story behind it.

Favorite Sci-Fi-era Episode: Jack Frost. Indeed, every episode involving a children's movie is sterling.

Best Acting in a MST3K Episode: Beverly Garland reads the riot act to The Celery From Outer Space in It Conquered The World. Bela Lugosi tells a fellow scientist off in Bride of the Monster.

Crow vs. Crow: Trace-Crow is more neurotic, Bill-Crow is more snide, yet once Bill got in the groove, I seriously think they were in equal in goodness.

Joel vs. Mike:

Extraneous thought: if in some alternative universe Catalina Caper was a good, no, GREAT movie, the Avalanches' album would be its soundtrack. Perhaps we could kindly suggest to Tim Burton a remake...

― Michael Daddino, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

it's a startling artifact with a great story behind it.

I was going to throw in a link to the article with all the info, but dammit, it's expired! Your vision of a new Catalina Caper thrills and disturbs my soul.

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Although I should at least throw in a link to the more or less official fan site, the Satellite News.

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

The Manos article is here.

― Michael Daddino, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

That's one of the reasons I could never get into any of the MST3K fan discussions/forums online, they all seem to suffer from this irrational hatred of Mike. It's so silly and pedantic. What's so wrong with liking Joel and Mike?

― Nicole, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Why do you say the movie should not have been made, Mike?

― Josh, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

For one, the movie didn't make any money, partly because Gramercy concentrated its promotional efforts on the Pamela Anderson vehicle Barb-Wire, which ended up belly-flopping anyway. Plus, I got this impression from some recent interview with a member of Best Brains (can't remember where I saw this) that they all ended up regretting ever making the thing in the first place. The whole process was too arduous and distracting and they had to deal with all the asshole suits who prided themselves on having a certain level of hepness, yet told BB to take out a joke about Bootsy Collins because they didn't know who was.

― Michael Daddino, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

The other weird indulgence of the AOL MSTies was the tongue-lashing Sampo, a.k.a. Chris Cornell (the mst3kinfo.com guy, not the Soundgarden guy), recieved on a regular basis. People seemed real irritated at the fact that he assumed the role of King of All MSTies rather quickly, and I attribute that to minor professional jealousy and peevishness over his pro-Mike stance, all caught in a spiral of ever-amplifying regicidal loathing that you often see online. (Sampo's sometime pomposity didn't help either.) Pettiness a go-go.

― Michael Daddino, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

dude, fuck all that. after joel left the show totally went to shit. joel really wanted to create a feeling with story /characters and consistancy. mike was just a hired writer. i think i read someone saying in another thread "after a while if felt like the ones running the show just didnt get 'it' "

― chaki, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

As so many of us are such pynchon junkies, here's a great mst3k & pynchon link.

i is brit and loving the mst3k. it can grate if you're not in the right mood, but fuck that for a game of toy soldiers. I also liked the film (riffing on This Island Earth -- fave bit is when the alien is explaining about the fate of his planet "a-huh, yeah, yup... got ya... a-huh"

― Alan Trewartha, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

In point of fact, Mike wasn't merely a "hired writer": as early as the second season, he was the Head Writer. Since MST3K was always a group effort, I think it's difficult to pinpoint one person who was responsible for any particular characteristic of the show. (Two obvious exceptions, of course, are the whole Gizmonics Institute business and the idea for the Invention Exchange.) So he may share some responsibility with Joel H. for creating the rather paternal relationship between Joel R. & the 'bots -- a relationship which, for obvious reasons, would be altered once Mike replaced Joel R. the SOL.

― Michael Daddino, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

The funniest episode of MST3K I've ever seen is a Gammora movie that we watched on KTMA backstage during a high school show choir competition. I can't remember the name of the movie, but the bad monster was a giant gumball machine and the episode contained one of my favorite riffs ever (7-YEAR-OLD GIRL: I love you, Gamora! CROW: Keep your shirt on, honey.). Most of the others I've seen have come from the Sci-Fi years, but "Manos" is definitely classic. I will also put in a vote for "Overdrawn At The Memory Bank" if only because it's fun to watch Raul Julia in something embarrassing, plus "Squirm" and "The Final Sacrifice".

― Dan Perry, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

I loved Overdrawn At The Memory Bank as a child. I believe I still have a video on it somewhere doubling up with Max Headroom.

― Pete, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Ah, the AOL MSTie days. Got my first stalker out of that bunch.

Anyway, I adored the show. Was a staunch Mike defender in the Mike v. Joel days, now I'm not so sure. Favorite bit (of all time): "Are You Happy In Your Work?"

― Colin Meeder, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

What the fuck are you doing here, Colin? :)

― Michael Daddino, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Dan -- you saw a KTMA on the air? I envy and worship you, my liege.

Colin -- yeah, I remember you were torgotback@aol.com, but the stalking? No, not that.

The boards also attracted a number of true mental cases, most unforgettably KeijiKJ. He was similar to Gondola Blob in that he indulged in casebook net.kook behavior: delusions of professionalism, snottily dismissive of any random thing, threw around the word "clique" a lot. I've even heard stories that he scared the bejesus out of BB members during the first con. I personally had a thoroughly pointless argument with him about the population of the cities in California.

Concerning Mike, I'll say this: there are quite a few times during the Sci-Fi-era when he seemed to be sending out his performance via Fed Ex. Sad, because it was clear after CC he was capable of much better. But you know, a lot of the Sci-Fi-era episodes that initially seemed kinda minor and kinda eh to me now strike me as being thoroughly solid.

― Michael Daddino, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

That was my first exposure to MST3K. I had no idea that it was going to become so huge; I only thought that snarky Minnesotans would find it funny!

― Dan Perry, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Well, you're lucky and we hate you. There. ;-)

I'm waiting on Mike's next collection of essays and novel myself. The Megacheese collection was a scream.

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Michael: With you and Dave R. here, it was simply a matter of time.

Stalking resulted from an unfortunate IRL encounter with a nice enough person. I thought it was a lovely afternoon, she thought it was TRUE LOVE FOREVER. Eek. The story resolved harmlessly enough -- she found TRUE LOVE FOREVER again with another MSTie, and this time it was returned.

― Colin Meeder, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

What the hell do I have to do with anything, Mr. Meeder? I've never seen you before in my life! (Weren't you supposed to get me a job?)

MST3K was never that big a part of my life - I watched it sporadically, and I always seemed to be in the wrong state of mind to truly enjoy it. I'll side with the Joel phreex, though, just because bald is sexy. (I'm getting sexier by the minute.)

― David Raposa, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

DR: I'll side with the Joel phreex, though, just because bald is sexy. (I'm getting sexier by the minute.)

But wasn't Mike balder than Joel? I'm confused. No matter. I'm balder than both, and I agree with David.

― Brian MacDonald, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

I'm watching Rocketship X-M right now and it looks as if Joel is balder than Mike. I agree wholeheartedly that BALD(ING) = SEXXXY (my real and imaginary boyfriends are testament to this) but Joel really isn't bald enough to be sexy-bald.

― Michael Daddino, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

grr, watch it daddino.

― ethan, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Le huh?

― Michael Daddino, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Let me second Ned's Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese rec. Even if you don't like or are not familiar with MST3K it is an extrodinarily funny take on a lot of overblown movies of the 80s and 90s.

― Nicole, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Had you gotten that job I mentioned, David, you'd have been laid off about five months ago. So I did you a favor by being a hopeless slacker.

I think that my slight preference for Joel has something to do with a sense that the guy's a bit . . . off, where Mike is merely charming and funny.

― Colin Meeder, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Merely? I wouldn't go that far, though he certainly projects more immediate affability. But every so often he comes out with something or takes on a role that makes you a bit nervous. Thus, when he wigged out about his old temp job in one episode, and in Time Chasers where he played his drunk angry brother or cousin, I forget which. Sure, it's a role, but he inhabited them rather well. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Sampo once remarked that in interview, one can sense that there's something very dark and private about Mike just percolating below the surface, and that's colored my impression of him ever since. One thing to remember: "I suffer from excruciating headaches that dozens of neurologists have tried unsuccessfully to treat. I think I might be possessed."

― Michael Daddino, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

I appreciate the fact that both Mike and Bridget are very private about their home life, but from the sound of it from some of Bridget's comments it's a very happy family, lots of singing and nuttiness and fun with their kids. A good reminder that the show was, after all, just a performance.

But yes, Mike has the angst in there somewhere. He just tempers it very beautifully -- thus his legendary turn as Morrissey.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

Fair enough -- Mike probably *is* a churning cauldren of angst. But I think he (and his rage) are probrably more based in reality, where Joel strikes me as more otherworldly. Which I prefer (slightly, only ever so slightly) in humor.

― Colin Meeder, Thursday, 17 January 2002 01:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

Oh, about time for a revival (thanks in part to a recent link from Mike D.). Actually, there were a number of episodes I didn't have, mostly from the sixth season, but my Seattle trip has given me the chance to dub a lot of those from Brian's collection, yay me. Plus I finally have Daddy-O and Fugitive Alien, that took long enough!

To add to the book recommendations -- Mike N.'s general essay book Mind Over Matters is another fine read (the TV essay alone is some kinda genius, the mock 19th century novel even more so), while I very much liked Kevin Murphy's A Year at the Movies. Chris Piuma mentioned he felt it was fairly Joe Queenan-like and therefore not as distinct as it could be, but I think it was handled very well and worked as both microstudy of the moviegoing experience and general reflection. Certainly any of the ILF/film-going hounds on this board should consider reading/borrowing a copy, at least. Then there's Mike's new novel Death Rat, which I really need to order next month...

And praise to all the other castmembers doing things and the continual rolling out of more DVDs, though apparently Rhino says they've exhausted what they have the rights to right now and are looking into securing more, hopefully...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 25 May 2003 15:08 (7 years ago) Permalink

...although a quick check of the SatNews link sez there's some sort of further DVD thing coming out later this year, hm! Good thing to know. Also, anyone in Minneapolis can go to a writing workshop taught by Mary Jo Pehl next month, which I think would be great (I'm an unabashed fan of hers but she seems to really grate for a lot of MSTies...).

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 25 May 2003 15:11 (7 years ago) Permalink

is this ever shown in the UK?

― mark s (mark s), Sunday, 25 May 2003 15:12 (7 years ago) Permalink

It may still be on the Sci-Fi Channel UK, but your best bet is to go on S0ulS33k and download entire episodes (which are about 700MB a pop, FWIW).

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Sunday, 25 May 2003 15:16 (7 years ago) Permalink

I've never come across it here, Mark - but I have never had the Sci-Fi Channel.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 25 May 2003 15:21 (7 years ago) Permalink

It was certainly on (late night) on the Sci-Fi channel a couple of years ago.

― N. (nickdastoor), Sunday, 25 May 2003 15:24 (7 years ago) Permalink

Michael, I kiss you! I had no idea there were mst3k episodes on soulseek.

― Nicole (Nicole), Sunday, 25 May 2003 15:34 (7 years ago) Permalink

Yeah, that sounds great, rah Mike! Nicole, I might be able to help with dubbing too though I still need a second VCR, but also please drop me a line about another possible source...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 25 May 2003 15:52 (7 years ago) Permalink

FYI, Best Brains Inc. has its own little shop with some non-Rhino treasures. I highly recommend "Mr. B's Lost Shorts" which has the hands-down best short, "Mr. B Natural" - you know, the one with the ridiculously perky, questionably-gendered Neverland shill for Conn brass instruments.

"Bad touch."
"Does this mean I like guys now?"
"I feel ill."
"Spanking time!"

http://www.mst3kinfo.com/satnews/catalog/Basement.htm

― Ernest P. (ernestp), Sunday, 25 May 2003 15:58 (7 years ago) Permalink

Skipping 796 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

Oh, man, LOVE Jack Frost. To this day, nearly every time we hear a little chime, either my wife or I will say, "With Retsin!"

― Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft (Pancakes Hackman), Tuesday, 16 March 2010 19:54 (5 months ago) Permalink

I hope that means a full push to get the rest of the Russo-Finnish ones out on DVD -- The Day the Earth Froze, The Magic Voyage of Sinbad and The Sword and the Dragon are three of their funniest episodes, easy.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 16 March 2010 20:00 (5 months ago) Permalink

7:00 onward. "You see, they just didn't care."

― work makes you pee (latebloomer), Tuesday, 16 March 2010 20:47 (5 months ago) Permalink

omg - i watched that very clip last night, specifically to get to the "Just Didn't Care" sequence. Still can't believe it got through as ATTACK OF THE THE EYE CREATURES - so amazing.

― Doctor Casino, Wednesday, 17 March 2010 01:44 (5 months ago) Permalink

That episode was the second I ever saw, though only the last half. It was enough for me to know I really needed to investigate further...

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 17 March 2010 01:49 (5 months ago) Permalink

I'm working my way through the rest of Season 3. Looking forward to Fugitive Alien 2 tonight, the first was a riot. It's funny how many Gamera films they do. There's running gags and songs they develop through the different riffs and it's awesome. Oh and these poor directors repeatedly get slammed in the funniest ways.

"Wait....this looks like the set for Teenage Caveman!! Roger Corman must have spent 3 days on this production too." etc

― Adam Bruneau, Wednesday, 17 March 2010 02:08 (5 months ago) Permalink

• episode 417- CRASH OF THE MOONS with short, “General Hospital”–Segment 3

The "Gypsy Moon" number in the first act break of this is epic, especially when Crow changes up the tone at the end.

― queen frostine (Eric H.), Wednesday, 17 March 2010 03:06 (5 months ago) Permalink

"You know, you two are getting a little too spicy."

― queen frostine (Eric H.), Wednesday, 17 March 2010 03:06 (5 months ago) Permalink

• episode 621- THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS with shorts: “Money Talks!” & “Progress Island, U.S.A.”

another one of the infamous Coleman Francis trilogy to make it to DVD. yay(?!?)

i can't get skydivers through Netflix, though wasn't that also released on DVD earlier?!?

― Jonsi's on a vacation far away (Eisbaer), Wednesday, 17 March 2010 05:11 (5 months ago) Permalink

i mean, what's up w/ NOT getting all of the Coleman Francis films on DVD. it isn't like there's a Sandy Frank standing in the way or anything.

― Jonsi's on a vacation far away (Eisbaer), Wednesday, 17 March 2010 05:12 (5 months ago) Permalink

It very much was released on DVD and I have it! Beast finally completes the trilogy as such.

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 17 March 2010 05:14 (5 months ago) Permalink

LOL

(singing) "He tried to kill me with a forklift!"

― Adam Bruneau, Wednesday, 17 March 2010 14:56 (5 months ago) Permalink

This is the sonnnnng writ-ten for the train chase...

― Doctor Casino, Wednesday, 17 March 2010 20:44 (5 months ago) Permalink

Love love loving the Marx Bros. references. Consistent LOLs through "Fugitive Alien 2" and the 50s/60s school films like "Mr. B Natural". I swear to god they showed that to us in school and at the time it was extremely disturbing at the time. Here the guys call it out for the satanic androgynous bad acid trip that it really is.

― Adam Bruneau, Thursday, 18 March 2010 05:30 (5 months ago) Permalink

In "The Unearthly" they just made a joke about the soundtrack referencing that Bonzo Dog Doodah band song where they go "Adolf Hitler on vibes".

― Adam Bruneau, Thursday, 18 March 2010 05:35 (5 months ago) Permalink

Meanwhile this is pretty cool -- someone went to the trouble of watching and writing up three of the four Russo-Finnish epics in their original uncut form. Nice!

http://agonybooth.com/forum.aspx?g=posts&m=64934

― Ned Raggett, Friday, 19 March 2010 02:37 (5 months ago) Permalink

"Mr B. Natural" is immortal.

― demonic splendor, demonic majesty (Abbott), Friday, 19 March 2010 02:52 (5 months ago) Permalink

That and the "no springs!" ones are two of my most-loved & quoted.

― demonic splendor, demonic majesty (Abbott), Friday, 19 March 2010 02:53 (5 months ago) Permalink

I actually was familiar with the "No Springs" one before seeing the MSTed version and was sorta disappointed by the latter - - I mean they really miss some opportunities with the lonnnnng scene when the guy is rambling about springs to his golf buddies.

I do like the one bit after the springs have been restored and something works (the car? the couch?) and Mike or somebody goes "SUFFICIENT SPRINGS, MY FRIEND!" and whistles Coily's little sound effect - - - that's kinda great.

― Doctor Casino, Friday, 19 March 2010 03:00 (5 months ago) Permalink

"Hired!" is cracking me up right now though.

― Doctor Casino, Friday, 19 March 2010 03:17 (5 months ago) Permalink

"He tried to kill me with a forklift!"

looooooool, i remember this. how they sing it, even. but which movie was it in?

― wears suburban hang-ups on her sleeve like some kind of corporate logo (daria-g), Friday, 19 March 2010 04:10 (5 months ago) Permalink

The "Fugitive Alien" series gave birth to "He triiiiiiied to kill me with a forkliiiift!" In the first movie they make the song up because that tune is playing as someone tries to kill Ken with a forklift, and they are describing the on-screen action. The series has some hilarious recurring jokes like the huge cheeks on the one captain who's always looking like he's really drunk. During the end of "Fugitive Alien 2" it gets seriously into Star Wars ripoff territory, though with crazy Japanese costumes and karate.

― Adam Bruneau, Friday, 19 March 2010 05:03 (5 months ago) Permalink

"Castle of Fu Manchu" was really really hard to get through, though I did like how each of the gang breaks down over how horrible it is. WFMU's awesome late-night talk show "Night People recently had TV's Frank on as a guest...

http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/34371

― Adam Bruneau, Saturday, 20 March 2010 15:32 (5 months ago) Permalink

Everything old is new again -- here's some future Rifftrax fodder:

― Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft (Pancakes Hackman), Tuesday, 23 March 2010 15:51 (5 months ago) Permalink

just got this from my in-law who's the technical director for Riff Trax:

I need everyone's help. We, that is RiffTrax.com, are testing our ability to produce live internet comedy events and need as many people as possible to watch our upcoming show to see if our servers stand up to the traffic. Will your site break?? We are only charging 25 cents for this so we can get as many people as possible to watch it, while still testing our payment system.

Come join us on Thursday, April 1st at 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern for the world premiere of our new short, Mr. Moto Takes a Walk! Without knowing who Mr. Moto is, you're probably slightly confused about why you would want to watch him take a walk. For starters, Mr. Moto takes a walk through the zoo. So right off the bat, you're seeing some crazy stuff. Second, a somewhat attractive lady accompanies Mr. Moto on his walk. And finally, sealing the deal firmly in favor of Mr. Moto is this: Mr. Moto is a monkey. On his walk, Mr. Moto (who is a monkey) undertakes the demented quest of traversing the entire alphabet, from A to Z, seeing one animal for each letter. Why he has chosen to spend his day this way is a mystery, especially seeing as he is a monkey. But it's an action packed journey full of mischief and exotic animals. And did we mention that he is a monkey?

If you know anyone that you think would like to watch, or who might be fans of the old TV show, Mystery Science Theater 3000!, please pass on the information.

To buy a ticket just go to http://www.rifftrax.com/live/ticket/rifftrax-online-premiere-mr-moto-takes-a-walk you will need to sign up for an account, but it’s easy and safe to do.

― Kaleidoscope Funk Network (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 1 April 2010 15:32 (5 months ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

When Kim Cattrall appeared at ConventioCon ExpoFest-A-Rama 2: Electric Bugaloo in 1996, she shared this story: “I was in my hotel room and was channel surfing. And what do I hear but my own name being sung by a small golden man. And it just went on like that. I yelled for my boyfriend to come in and see this. We were just in shock. A few minutes later, one of my lesser accomplishments came on: ‘City Limits.’ I called my publicity agent and asked him if Mystery Science Theater 3000 was a real show. He said yes. I called my florist and had an odd request: to send a bouquet of flowers to a Crow T. Robot.”

― Adam Bruneau, Thursday, 6 May 2010 14:54 (3 months ago) Permalink

hahaha, that's awesome. Sort of the lighter side of Sandy Frank being really pissed off about the Sandy Frank song. That WOULD be really weird, even for a famous person, to be channel-surfing and just come across this bizarre little show that looks like it was filmed in someone's garage, with puppets singing about you.

― Doctor Casino, Thursday, 6 May 2010 15:46 (3 months ago) Permalink

Hahah the flowers had been mentioned in the official book but I hadn't heard the other side of the story.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 6 May 2010 16:06 (3 months ago) Permalink

"And what do I hear but my own name being sung by a small golden man. He whispered in my ear and said, 'My father killed me.'"

― Astronaut Mike Dexter (Jimmy The Mod Awaits The Return Of His Beloved), Thursday, 6 May 2010 16:08 (3 months ago) Permalink

I <3 Kim Cattrall even more now

― Adam Bruneau, Thursday, 6 May 2010 16:10 (3 months ago) Permalink

2 months pass...

check w00+ today

― tremendoid, Saturday, 10 July 2010 10:54 (1 month ago) Permalink

^^^

heh, just came in to post that very thing. Tom Servo action figure!

― Jaq, Saturday, 10 July 2010 13:50 (1 month ago) Permalink

Pulled the trigger on it, so psyched to get this in the mail (dances)

― VegemiteGrrrl, Saturday, 10 July 2010 18:44 (1 month ago) Permalink

My brain has just broken:

http://www.kvia.com/news/24148455/detail.html

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 12 July 2010 05:37 (1 month ago) Permalink

Oh man, El Paso! What a crazy town.

― wine, the water of life (Abbott), Monday, 12 July 2010 06:03 (1 month ago) Permalink

Oh c'mon one more sacrifice before we go?

OK but this is the FINAL sacrifice.

― andrew m., Friday, 16 July 2010 17:33 (1 month ago) Permalink

also...

Please can't I have just one more justice?

Mm mmm

― andrew m., Friday, 16 July 2010 17:40 (1 month ago) Permalink

Was rewatching Quest of the Delta Knights the other day. Such a perfect skewering of RenFestyness.

― Ned Raggett, Friday, 16 July 2010 17:43 (1 month ago) Permalink

rewatching Manos...

"My intestines: on top of my head!"

― VegemiteGrrrl, Friday, 16 July 2010 22:56 (1 month ago) Permalink

"I WOULD HAVE A DEWLAP"

"[gasp!] Noooooo"

― VegemiteGrrrl, Friday, 16 July 2010 22:58 (1 month ago) Permalink

Night of the Blood Beast!

This bit from Mike made me laugh til I cried: "Are we camping? Is this camping you guys? You know I never went camping. One time we went to North Dakota to visit Uncle Ronnie. He had this horse and it stepped on me..I think it was a horse...If we do have a shower we could probably get stuff that's green or yellow cause even if they are boys or girls they could still use em, and don't the aliens even have sex? I don't think they do..."

― VegemiteGrrrl, Sunday, 18 July 2010 05:13 (1 month ago) Permalink

We had Christmas in July last night watching Santa Claus and all the special features. Maniacally laughing mechanical reindeer! That eye! Those LIPS!

― Jaq, Sunday, 18 July 2010 16:18 (1 month ago) Permalink

The lips are hysterical!

Watching 'Final Sacrifice' today...I can't stop marvelling at the bizarreness of this movie. Also loving the Larry Czonka references.

― VegemiteGrrrl, Monday, 19 July 2010 00:54 (1 month ago) Permalink

And the kid looks like a Ferengi!

― VegemiteGrrrl, Monday, 19 July 2010 00:56 (1 month ago) Permalink

4 weeks pass...

Pretty great interview with the RiffTrax crew that touches on a few MST3K bits. Such as:

Beaks: Here's an MST3K question I have to ask every time I talk to you guys: has there been any movement on the Sandy Frank movies?
Nelson: I'm totally out of the loop on that. Kevin?
Murphy: The last I'd heard from the folks at Shout! Factory was that that organization is a very tough nut to crack. But nothing is ever said and done in the very weird world of film distribution. Right at this very moment, it's not looking great, but who knows? Six months from now, things could change entirely.
Corbett: I liked that you called it an "organization".
Murphy: That's what they call themselves. The Sandy Frank Organization.
Corbett: (Laughs) I didn't know that. That's hilarious.
Murphy: I think he might still be around. He's just this bitter, bony, cigarette-y guy--
Corbett: He is still around. I actually know someone who lives pretty close to him. They said they talked to him, and he cursed our name.
Murphy: He doesn't like us at all. And as long as he's alive, it's like Castro and Cuba: we're never getting in.
Beaks: But that doesn't prohibit Michael from doing the Gamera song whenever he wants.
Nelson: No, I think I have the rights to that.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 17 August 2010 19:49 (2 weeks ago) Permalink

Beaks: So you've never noticed any slash-fiction involving Tom Servo or Crow?
Murphy: I'm sure it exists.
Corbett: I've written a fair amount of it, actually, and I think I've done a pretty good job of it. It's erotic, but tasteful.

― fear mongrels (Abbott), Tuesday, 17 August 2010 19:54 (2 weeks ago) Permalink

I love the idea of a Crow/Servo Brief Encounter.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 17 August 2010 20:01 (2 weeks ago) Permalink

Meanwhile, when Manos met King's X.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 17 August 2010 20:30 (2 weeks ago) Permalink

Sandy Frank! Sandy Frank! He looks ugly and he's been chaaaaaarged!

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 26 August 2010 17:15 (1 week ago) Permalink

And if you need a prompt:

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 26 August 2010 17:20 (1 week ago) Permalink

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