Episode 404: Teenagers from Outer Space
First aired: Comedy Central on 27 June 1992
Availability: iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Amazon (Volume 6), Rhino (Volume 6/out of print)
It's as bad as it sounds. |
You see, the 4-pack contains three episodes and a collection of shorts. There wouldn't be any rights issues with the shorts, so you'd think it was one of the movies that caused the 4-pack to get pulled. But all three of the episodes are available for streaming, and one has been re-released as a stand-alone DVD episode (though not this one). So, I'm thinking it was just Rhino shutting down MST3K production, nothing more. Perhaps the other two episodes (including this one) will be re-released as solo discs soon.
King Moody without Bernie Kopell? Just not the same. |
I had never seen this movie before seeing the MST3K treatment. I don't know if the TV stations I watched didn't air it, or if I just missed every airing of Teenagers from Outer Space. Either way, I never saw it before Joel & the Bots gave it the treatment.
Though I never saw the stand-alone movie -- though it's currently available from several streaming services for free -- I have seen this episode before I began this "watch 'em all" project. This one's a hoot.
Better than Slim Fast! | The lobster gets a death scene. |
Frank calls for help while Dr. Forrester tries to resuscitate Resusci-Annie. | Dr. Forrester on a date. |
Our hero |
I really enjoyed this one. Simple plot. Silly plot. Bad acting. Bad special effects. Begged to be riffed ... and was.
A crew of people, led by Starker from Get Smart, arrive from some far-off planet come to earth to wear duct tape and let lobsters loose. They turn people and critters into skeletons and act all pushy. One lisping alien who's actually the son of the leader of the planet (who looks like one of the Smith Brothers) doesn't want to do it, so he takes up with some chick and a guy named Gramps. They foil the plot and kill all the aliens. The dog dies. The end.
J&tB get real. Or reel. |
One thing I've mentioned before, and must mention again. Though my MST3K experience was mostly Mike episodes before this project, I've really grown to love the Joel episodes. Part of it is because they're new to me -- most of them, anyway. The other part is ... they're just plain good episodes.
I'm wondering how I'll feel when Mike takes over during Season Five.
I don't really know why, but my absolute favorite line in all of MST3K is:
ReplyDelete"WHAT. ABOUT. TORTURE!?"
Wish more people had seen this episode so they'd know what I'm talking about when I use this line.
Right now, it's just my brother.