It's January, and that's the month where all the Christmas bills come due. So, if I can save a buck or two here or there, I'm more likely to.
So, today, I took a lunch when I went to work. It was a Hormel microwavable meal, and it was about $2 or so. Some of them taste pretty good (some don't) and it's cheaper than hitting the drive-thru somewhere.
While eating my meal, I notice that the outer paper on the meal had a coupon for 55₵ off some canned chicken. "Whoop-do-do," I thought. Then, I saw on the bottom on the paper, a recipe that used the canned chicken. It was for the Buffalo Chicken Dip.
"Hmmm," I thought, "maybe that would be okay. And there's a game tonight. Hmmm."
So, I clipped the coupon and pulled off the recipe. I figured I'd stop by the Winn-Dixie on the way to the house and get ready for the game.
When I got to the Winn-Dixie, I called Wife and asked her about the other ingredients.
"We got any cream cheese?" No.
"How about Ranch dressing?" No.
"Shredded cheese?" Just a little.
"Buffalo wing sauce?" Nope.
"Chips?" Ummm, no.
So, I needed to buy everything. Oh, and some celery, because someone eats celery. (I don't.)
I loaded the shopping cart with exactly what I needed, plus picked up a 12-pack of Cokes.
That totaled ... $39.21.
For chips and dip.
For a football game that doesn't even feature my team.
From a recipe on the packing of the meal I ate in order to save money.
This saving money is going to break my wallet.
Monday, January 9, 2012
MST3K: Episode 106 - The Crawling Hand
If you've been following along, I'm watching all of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes. More about that here and here.
Episode 106: The Crawling Hand
First aired: The Comedy Channel on 16 December 1989
Availability: Amazon DVD
, Rhino (out of print), MST3KVideos.com
This was the first episode to open with the doors closing on the "Spaghetti Ball" logo and the backwards trip down the hallway. The first four faded out then faded in on the Mad Scientists in Deep 13. This show, though, began the standard of the doors closing and Joel appearing before the Mad Scientists.
During the KTMA season, the doors closed at the conclusion of the opening theme and would either show Joel on the Satellite of Love, or fade out after Door #1 closed and fade in on the Mads in their lair.
It looks like that they realized that, despite the Mads controlling things, the stars are actually Joel & the Bots. Although, again, as in the previous episode, the Bots are not in the opening and are already in the theater when Joel enters.
This is also the first episode with an actual separate introduction rather than a combined Intro/Invention Exchange. Joel uses the time to explain the premise to people who weren't paying attention during the opening theme song.
It is also the first appearance of the Magic Voice, which counts down the time to "Commercial Sign."
The retreads continue. J&tB do the "Joel wants to play" routine from Episode K14 - Might Jack.
They also reused the giant hand prop from Episode K21 - The "Legend of Dinosaurs" in a totally different context.
Let me add this about the retreads. They were originally shown only on a local station in Minneapolis. The whole country didn't get to see them. Had they not redone the skits or repurposed the props, the nation (save the MST3K fans in 1989 Minneapolis) would have missed out.
The movie was okay. The crew ripped Alan Hale, Jr. mercilessly, which I thought was a shame. He played the serious role just fine, I thought. I'd have preferred if they had continued the Gilligan's Island references, rather than insult his acting. Alan Hale, Jr. appeared in hundreds of TV shows and movies other than Gilligan's Island, in both comedic and serious roles, playing good guys and villains. He was a character actor, and, I thought, a darn good one. The Skipper may have been the role for which he was best known, but it didn't showcase his talent.
Having said that, he did appear in stinkers like The Crawling Hand, so he is fair game. I just thought they had too much mean. Alan Hale, Jr. died 17 days after this episode first aired. Now who feels bad?
One bit I noticed and particularly enjoyed was when the teen lead in the movie, Paul (Rod Lauren), speaks into a microphone and Crow's comment makes Joel laugh. That makes it seem more like a bunch of friends sitting around the screen, making fun of a movie. Which, it was.
Episode 106: The Crawling Hand
First aired: The Comedy Channel on 16 December 1989
Availability: Amazon DVD
, Rhino (out of print), MST3KVideos.comThis was the first episode to open with the doors closing on the "Spaghetti Ball" logo and the backwards trip down the hallway. The first four faded out then faded in on the Mad Scientists in Deep 13. This show, though, began the standard of the doors closing and Joel appearing before the Mad Scientists.
 |
| Joel in the opening segment. And in his house robe. |
It looks like that they realized that, despite the Mads controlling things, the stars are actually Joel & the Bots. Although, again, as in the previous episode, the Bots are not in the opening and are already in the theater when Joel enters.
This is also the first episode with an actual separate introduction rather than a combined Intro/Invention Exchange. Joel uses the time to explain the premise to people who weren't paying attention during the opening theme song.
It is also the first appearance of the Magic Voice, which counts down the time to "Commercial Sign."
The retreads continue. J&tB do the "Joel wants to play" routine from Episode K14 - Might Jack.
 |  |
| Joel wants to play, the Bots don't (KTMA) | Joel wants to play, the Bots don't (Cable) |
 |  |
| Giant hand prop (KTMA) | Giant hand prop (Cable) |
The movie was okay. The crew ripped Alan Hale, Jr. mercilessly, which I thought was a shame. He played the serious role just fine, I thought. I'd have preferred if they had continued the Gilligan's Island references, rather than insult his acting. Alan Hale, Jr. appeared in hundreds of TV shows and movies other than Gilligan's Island, in both comedic and serious roles, playing good guys and villains. He was a character actor, and, I thought, a darn good one. The Skipper may have been the role for which he was best known, but it didn't showcase his talent.
Having said that, he did appear in stinkers like The Crawling Hand, so he is fair game. I just thought they had too much mean. Alan Hale, Jr. died 17 days after this episode first aired. Now who feels bad?
One bit I noticed and particularly enjoyed was when the teen lead in the movie, Paul (Rod Lauren), speaks into a microphone and Crow's comment makes Joel laugh. That makes it seem more like a bunch of friends sitting around the screen, making fun of a movie. Which, it was.
Friday, January 6, 2012
MST3K: Episode 105 - The Corpse Vanishes
I am watching all of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes. More about that can be found here and here.
Episode 105: The Corpse Vanishes
First aired: The Comedy Channel on 9 December 1989
Availability: iTunes, Amazon Instant Video
, Amazon (Volume 16 standard edition
/ Collector's Edition)
, Shout Factory (Volume 16 standard edition / Collector's Edition), Best Brains (Volume 16 Collector's Edition)
Another out-of-order episode, but for a different reason than the series opener. This is an instance where the production number simply didn't match the production order. It seems that the number 104 was skipped, but would be applied to the last episode of Season One. Don't know why.
Joel featured another retread of sorts during the Invention Exchange. The Chiro-Gyro was featured in the unaired pilot/demo. As with many of the inventions, the prop was part of Joel's stand-up act.
I remember seeing the chiropractic helmet when he appeared on TV ... at some time many years ago. I didn't recall the name of the comic, although it had to have been Joel Hodgson. Either that, or some other comic stole his gag.
Two of the host segments were retreads. The haircut sequence from Episode K10 - Cosmic Princess was reworked. They also redid the "playing tag" sequence from Episode K11 - Humanoid Woman.
When the serial (another chapter from Radar Men from the Moon) started, Servo and Crow were already in the theater. I don't recall that ever happening in any of the episodes I've ever seen.
This is the Radar Men chapter where Servo first said "Nipple, nipple, tweak, tweak" when Commando Cody prepared to fly. I recall having heard that, and this is the first episode where this was said.
One thing about this serial: the special effects of Cody flying (not the close-up, but the distance views) are actually pretty good, particularly considering this is a low-budget serial from the 1950s.
The movie? Mostly a rip-off of the Wolfman, but with a mad scientist as the catalyst for the transformation rather than a werewolf bite. Bela Lugosi plays a mad scientist, but sleeps in a coffin for some reason. There's a whole plot involving him murdering brides at the altar and stealing their corpses to keep his wife young. Or something.
The plot is off-kilter and illogical enough to make great fodder for MST3K.
One thing I've noticed about myself after having watched all these Joel episodes: I'm not thinking of MST3K as a "Joel" show. It was a "Mike" show for all these years, but having seen so much Joel now, I have a different perspective. I'll be curious as to my reaction when Mike takes over in Season Five. Will I go back to thinking of it as a "Mike" show? Will I fall into the Joel vs Mike trap?
We'll see.
Episode 105: The Corpse Vanishes
First aired: The Comedy Channel on 9 December 1989
Availability: iTunes, Amazon Instant Video
, Amazon (Volume 16 standard edition / Collector's Edition), Shout Factory (Volume 16 standard edition / Collector's Edition), Best Brains (Volume 16 Collector's Edition) |
| The 'Bots await Joel |
Joel featured another retread of sorts during the Invention Exchange. The Chiro-Gyro was featured in the unaired pilot/demo. As with many of the inventions, the prop was part of Joel's stand-up act.
I remember seeing the chiropractic helmet when he appeared on TV ... at some time many years ago. I didn't recall the name of the comic, although it had to have been Joel Hodgson. Either that, or some other comic stole his gag.
 |  |
| "Chiro-Gyro" from the pilot/demo | "Chiro-Gyro" (Season 1) |
 |  |
| Joel gets a haircut (KTMA) | Joel gets a haircut (Season 1) |
This is the Radar Men chapter where Servo first said "Nipple, nipple, tweak, tweak" when Commando Cody prepared to fly. I recall having heard that, and this is the first episode where this was said.
 |
| "Nipple, nipple, tweak, tweak" |
The movie? Mostly a rip-off of the Wolfman, but with a mad scientist as the catalyst for the transformation rather than a werewolf bite. Bela Lugosi plays a mad scientist, but sleeps in a coffin for some reason. There's a whole plot involving him murdering brides at the altar and stealing their corpses to keep his wife young. Or something.
The plot is off-kilter and illogical enough to make great fodder for MST3K.
One thing I've noticed about myself after having watched all these Joel episodes: I'm not thinking of MST3K as a "Joel" show. It was a "Mike" show for all these years, but having seen so much Joel now, I have a different perspective. I'll be curious as to my reaction when Mike takes over in Season Five. Will I go back to thinking of it as a "Mike" show? Will I fall into the Joel vs Mike trap?
We'll see.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
MST3K: Episode 103 - The Mad Monster
I have begun the task of watching all of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes. More about that can be found here and here.
Episode 103: The Mad Monster
First aired: The Comedy Channel on 2 December 1989
Availability: iTunes, Amazon Instant Video
, Amazon(Volume 14)
, Shout Factory (Volume 14), Best Brains (Volume 14)
The 3rd official episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 had some gags reused from the KTMA season during the Invention Exchange. Joel reused his Hell in a Handbag gag from Episode K16: City on Fire.
For their part of the Invention Exchange, the Mads had a variation on Joel's fire-breathing dinosaur from Episode K21: The Legend of Dinosaurs.
They also recycled a host segment from Episode K11 - Humanoid Woman that had Tom Servo hitting on the blender.
About this movie. (*Sigh*) The sound on the movie is terrible. The music score is sparse and the sound is poor. It reminds me of an early 1930s movie. The riffing is good, but the movie just seems to drag. The short, another episode of the Republic Pictures serial Radar Men from the Moon was great. Lots of action and silly stuff for the crew to poke fun at. And poke they did. The feature film, though, was a drag.
The monster ("Petro," though I thought it was "Pedro" until I saw the closing credits) in the movie is played by Glenn Strange. Though he played Frankenstein's Monster in three films -- including Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and House of Frankenstein (with Boris Karloff) -- he's probably best known for his role as Sam Noonan, the bartender at the Long Branch Saloon on Gunsmoke.
One other thing about Glenn Strange. Since the family of Boris Karloff owns rights to his image, including him in Frankenstein's Monster makeup, most of the images of the Monster that the studio used in promotions were of Glenn Strange as the Monster. You've probably seen more Glenn Strange-Monster images than Boris Karloff-Monster images without realizing it.
About 2/5 way through the episode, Joel responds to something Servo said with "Good one, Crow," mixing up the names of the Bots. It seemed to be an actual mistake, not scripted for Joel to mix them up. Whether it was a mistake, or an ad-lib, or what, it was left in. Whatever, it does make it seem like friends just riffing on a movie. And that's a good thing.
The crew is still making little tweaks, but the format is generally set. So far, all the episodes have opened with the Mad Scientists. The format I'm familiar with has the show opening, then Joel (or Mike) & the Bots do a little skit, commercial, then back to J/M&tB who then get a call from the Mads.
I'll be watching for that change to take place.
Episode 103: The Mad Monster
First aired: The Comedy Channel on 2 December 1989
Availability: iTunes, Amazon Instant Video
, Amazon(Volume 14), Shout Factory (Volume 14), Best Brains (Volume 14)The 3rd official episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 had some gags reused from the KTMA season during the Invention Exchange. Joel reused his Hell in a Handbag gag from Episode K16: City on Fire.
 |  |
| Hell in a Handbag (KTMA) | Hell in a Handbag (Season 1) |
 |  |
| Fire-breathing dino toy (KTMA) | Fire-breathing dino toy (Season 1) |
 |  |
| Servo hits on a blender (KTMA) | Servo hits on a blender (Season 1) |
The monster ("Petro," though I thought it was "Pedro" until I saw the closing credits) in the movie is played by Glenn Strange. Though he played Frankenstein's Monster in three films -- including Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and House of Frankenstein (with Boris Karloff) -- he's probably best known for his role as Sam Noonan, the bartender at the Long Branch Saloon on Gunsmoke.
 |  |
| Glenn Strange as Petro | Glenn Strange (L) as Sam Noonan on Gunsmoke |
About 2/5 way through the episode, Joel responds to something Servo said with "Good one, Crow," mixing up the names of the Bots. It seemed to be an actual mistake, not scripted for Joel to mix them up. Whether it was a mistake, or an ad-lib, or what, it was left in. Whatever, it does make it seem like friends just riffing on a movie. And that's a good thing.
The crew is still making little tweaks, but the format is generally set. So far, all the episodes have opened with the Mad Scientists. The format I'm familiar with has the show opening, then Joel (or Mike) & the Bots do a little skit, commercial, then back to J/M&tB who then get a call from the Mads.
I'll be watching for that change to take place.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
MST3K: Episode 101 - The Crawling Eye
In December, I began the task of watching all of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes. More about that can be found here and here.
In December, I covered the KTMA season (Season Zero), in which the format developed into something quite recognizable ... and quite good. Now, as the new year is underway, so is the new season of MST3K. At least, insofar as the whole "watch them all" project.
Episode 101: The Crawling Eye
First aired: The Comedy Channel on 28 November 1989
Availability: iTunes, Amazon Instant Video
, Amazon (Volume 17)
, Shout Factory (Volume 17), Best Brains (Volume 17)
The first episode isn't the first episode after all. We covered that last time.
The new-look Mads? I like them. I really like Dr. Erhardt, who I never saw during the show's run -- remember, I came in late and saw mostly Mike episodes. This exchange from the Invention Exchange shows one of the reasons I like Dr. Erhardt so much:
I also loved Joel's leaf-blower bagpipes from the Invention Exchange. That's a prop for which I have a whole lotta love.
Some background on Deep 13 was provided. Joel suggests that the Mads were kicked out of Gizmonic Institute for shooting him into space. They deny that, saying they simply moved to Deep 13. Joel mentions that it's in the sub-basement of Gizmonic Institute, and he had to clean up a flubber spill there once, and that the place is "incredibly radioactive."
Of course, Joel slaps the table since there's no button. When the crew enters the theater, Tom Servo enters on his own. In the previous episode, Joel carried him. Of course, since this episode may have been filmed first (it's 101 while the previous episode was 102), maybe ... never mind. Anyway, Servo entered under his own power for the first movie segment, and Joel carried him in subsequent movie segment entrances.
The movie was hard to follow, in part because the sound was horrible. The Mads mentioned this fact when they were getting ready to send the movie up to Joel. They weren't kidding. I could have used some closed captioning on this. Though how they'd pull that off -- movie soundtrack and riffing soundtrack at the same time -- I have no idea.
Though this movie is nearly as bad as the Sandy Frank films from the KTMA season, there are no hot Japanese she-villains. There is the lovely Janet Munro, though. She's British and the heroine, but that's close enough.
The riffing degenerates into a series of eye puns towards the end, when the Crawling Eyes (*SPOILER* there's more than one) finally appear.
Oh, and we met Gypsy for the first time (other than the opening credits). She's one big robot. And we hear her first Richard Basehart reference. (*SPOILER*) The answer to the question "What's two plus two?" is "Richard Basehart."
I didn't say it made sense.
Everything I've read indicates that they began scripting -- or seriously scripting -- the riffs in Season One, as opposed to the more ad-libbed fare of Season Zero/KTMA. Even so, they stepped on each other's lines a few times. I wonder if the following the script is still something they're getting used to, or if they're still throwing in ad-libs.
Joel, Josh, and Trace do play well off each other. They've had a year to practice, so that shouldn't be an issue. Still, the dynamic of Joel, Josh, and Trace is a very good one. I'm more familiar with the Mike, Kevin, and Bill team, so it's interesting seeing a different crew doing the same thing.
One other thing: Joel is referred to simply as "Joel." No last name. The credits mention him by his real name, Joel Hodgson. His character's name isn't listed in the credits. I'm not sure when the character became "Joel Robinson," but that'll play out soon enough.
In December, I covered the KTMA season (Season Zero), in which the format developed into something quite recognizable ... and quite good. Now, as the new year is underway, so is the new season of MST3K. At least, insofar as the whole "watch them all" project.
Episode 101: The Crawling Eye
First aired: The Comedy Channel on 28 November 1989
Availability: iTunes, Amazon Instant Video
, Amazon (Volume 17), Shout Factory (Volume 17), Best Brains (Volume 17)The first episode isn't the first episode after all. We covered that last time.
 |
| "It's so hard to find a spot I haven't hit." |
DR. FORRESTER: When's the last time you saw a dog sweat? Larry?I had to hit "pause" just so I could finish laughing.
DR. ERHARDT: Never!
DR. FORRESTER: Exactly! And why is that?
DR. ERHARDT: Dogs don't sweat.
 |
| Joel plays Amazing Grace and Whole Lotta Love |
Some background on Deep 13 was provided. Joel suggests that the Mads were kicked out of Gizmonic Institute for shooting him into space. They deny that, saying they simply moved to Deep 13. Joel mentions that it's in the sub-basement of Gizmonic Institute, and he had to clean up a flubber spill there once, and that the place is "incredibly radioactive."
Of course, Joel slaps the table since there's no button. When the crew enters the theater, Tom Servo enters on his own. In the previous episode, Joel carried him. Of course, since this episode may have been filmed first (it's 101 while the previous episode was 102), maybe ... never mind. Anyway, Servo entered under his own power for the first movie segment, and Joel carried him in subsequent movie segment entrances.
 |  |
| Tom enters under his own power | Joel carries Tom |
Though this movie is nearly as bad as the Sandy Frank films from the KTMA season, there are no hot Japanese she-villains. There is the lovely Janet Munro, though. She's British and the heroine, but that's close enough.
The riffing degenerates into a series of eye puns towards the end, when the Crawling Eyes (*SPOILER* there's more than one) finally appear.
 |  |
| A Whole Lotta Gypsy | Gypsy from KTMA |
I didn't say it made sense.
Everything I've read indicates that they began scripting -- or seriously scripting -- the riffs in Season One, as opposed to the more ad-libbed fare of Season Zero/KTMA. Even so, they stepped on each other's lines a few times. I wonder if the following the script is still something they're getting used to, or if they're still throwing in ad-libs.
Joel, Josh, and Trace do play well off each other. They've had a year to practice, so that shouldn't be an issue. Still, the dynamic of Joel, Josh, and Trace is a very good one. I'm more familiar with the Mike, Kevin, and Bill team, so it's interesting seeing a different crew doing the same thing.
One other thing: Joel is referred to simply as "Joel." No last name. The credits mention him by his real name, Joel Hodgson. His character's name isn't listed in the credits. I'm not sure when the character became "Joel Robinson," but that'll play out soon enough.
Monday, January 2, 2012
MST3K: Episode 102 - The Robot vs the Aztec Mummy
In December, I began the task of watching all of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes. More about that can be found here and here.
In December, I covered the KTMA season (Season Zero), in which the format developed into something quite recognizable ... and quite good. Now, as the new year is underway, so is the new season of MST3K. At least, insofar as the whole "watch them all" project.
Episode 102: The Robot vs the Aztec Mummy
First aired: The Comedy Channel on 18 November 1989
Availability: iTunes, Amazon Instant Video
, Amazon (Volume 15)
, Shout Factory (Volume 15), Best Brains (Volume 15)
So, why am I starting with Episode 102 instead of Episode 101? Because Episode 102 aired first. While records from that time aren't all that great, here's the proof:
[Direct link]
A good source for MST3K trivia and dates and stuff is MST3K Temple. There are actually lots of MST3K Websites out there. People with even more free time than I have.
Anyway, we're clear? The second episode aired first? Yep. Let's go.
The Comedy Channel, by the way, was one of two comedy channels that premiered in 1989. The other was HA! (complete with the exclamation point as part of the name). They merged a couple of years later and became Comedy Central.
Okay, now let's go.
The show has a new opening. The lyrics were changed to reflect the updated nature of the premise: that Joel had been shot into space so they could study the effects of bad movies on the human brain.
Dr. Forrester is wearing the familiar green suit, green glasses, and wild hair. Dr. Erhardt looks a bit more mature than the KTMA season (just a few months earlier). He's still babyfaced, but something about the character is different. Maybe he lost weight.
At the end of the invention exchange, we heard the Mads use their "Thank you!" catchphrase. I don't recall them saying that in the KTMA season, but I may have missed it.
Though the opening lyrics mention Gizmonic Institute, and Dr. Forrester's suit jacket has a Gizmonics Institute logo, Dr. Forrester refers to their location as "Deep 13." There's no explanation for that, though it may have occurred in Episode 101 (which aired second; we drove that point into the ground earlier). I need to pay close attention for that.
Also, the camera angle for the Mad Scientists is no longer tilted. We first saw the Mads in Episode K07- Gamera vs. Zigra, but the camera angle didn't skew until Episode K08- Gamera Vs. Guiron. Now, it's back to a normal angle.
The opening segment (the Invention Exchange) concluded with a slapstick gag that looked like it had to hurt. Oh, and Joel didn't have any buttons to press when he yelled "Movie Sign!" I wonder if they weren't built yet. The whole set redesign must have taken some time to complete.
The redesign included a new hallway sequence, the one we're all familiar with. Or nearly so. I think there was a change when Joel left in Season Five. We'll look for that when the time comes.
The movie didn't start right off. They had a short: an episode of the Republic Pictures serial Radar Men from the Moon. They also had a long explanation of what a serial was.
Seeing Clayton Moore (he played the henchman Graber in the short) without his Lone Ranger mask was odd. I don't recall seeing him in anything else without his mask or a similar disguise.
After referring to Tom Servo as "Servo" the whole KTMA season, Joel calls him simply "Tom" early in this episode.
There were two gags the crew pulled that were not standard riffs. Early in the movie, Joel puts his hand over the singer's mouth several times, and the sound muffled each time. I first thought this was a flaw in the sound of the film that Joel turned into a joke. But, according to Michael J. Nelson (in the Amazing Colossal Episode Guide) this was not so; they messed with the movie's sound to create the joke. And, about half-way through the episode, when the characters are all standing with their backs to the camera, the peeing sound was added, allowing them to tell pee jokes. Again, the kind of thing they wouldn't do later in the series.
The standard of Joel & the Bots leaving the theater for the host segment with Cambot backing down the hallway, with the doors closing, wasn't followed every time in this episode. J&tB left the theater for the Host Segment, and the movie played for another 12 seconds, concluding not with the hallway sequence, but with the spaghetti ball logo.
They did the whole "Lassie" routine ("What is it fella? I think he's trying to tell us something. Dad? He's trapped? Under a rock? Down in Dead Rock Canyon?") when the leader of the Devil Dogs arrived at the door.
One major change involved Tom Servo. He got a major redesign. He's now the familiar red, rather than the KTMA silver Servo. Same voice (Josh Weinstein still has that role), just an improved look.
In fact, all the robots got a redesign to some degree. We'll cover the others later, as well as some of the other changes to the switch from KTMA to The Comedy Channel.
The movie itself was hard to watch, but not impossible. It's not the worst movie MST3K has done, but darn close. The riffing of the short was much funnier than the riffing of the movie. That said, the movie had some fun parts. Just, compared to the short, the movie fell ... um ... short.
In December, I covered the KTMA season (Season Zero), in which the format developed into something quite recognizable ... and quite good. Now, as the new year is underway, so is the new season of MST3K. At least, insofar as the whole "watch them all" project.
Episode 102: The Robot vs the Aztec Mummy
First aired: The Comedy Channel on 18 November 1989
Availability: iTunes, Amazon Instant Video
, Amazon (Volume 15), Shout Factory (Volume 15), Best Brains (Volume 15)So, why am I starting with Episode 102 instead of Episode 101? Because Episode 102 aired first. While records from that time aren't all that great, here's the proof:
[Direct link]
A good source for MST3K trivia and dates and stuff is MST3K Temple. There are actually lots of MST3K Websites out there. People with even more free time than I have.
Anyway, we're clear? The second episode aired first? Yep. Let's go.
The Comedy Channel, by the way, was one of two comedy channels that premiered in 1989. The other was HA! (complete with the exclamation point as part of the name). They merged a couple of years later and became Comedy Central.
Okay, now let's go.
The show has a new opening. The lyrics were changed to reflect the updated nature of the premise: that Joel had been shot into space so they could study the effects of bad movies on the human brain.
In the not-too-distant future, next Sunday A.D.
There was a guy named Joel, not too different from you or me.
He worked at Gizmonic Institute, just another face in a red jumpsuit.
He did a good job cleaning up the place, but his bosses didn't like him so they shot him into space.
We'll send him cheesy movies, the worst we can find (la-la-la).
He'll have to sit and watch them all, and we'll monitor his mind (la-la-la).
Now keep in mind Joel can't control where the movies begin or end (la-la-la)
Because he used those special parts to make his robot friends.
Robot Roll Call (Let's go!)
Cambot! (Pan left!)
Gypsy! (Hi, girl!)
Tom Servo! (What a cool guy!)
Croooow! (He's a wisecracker.)
If you're wondering how he eats and breathes and other science facts (la la la),
Then repeat to yourself, "It's just a show, I should really just relax
For Mystery Science Theater 3000!"
 |
| Drs. Erhardt & Forrester: "Thank you!" |
At the end of the invention exchange, we heard the Mads use their "Thank you!" catchphrase. I don't recall them saying that in the KTMA season, but I may have missed it.
Though the opening lyrics mention Gizmonic Institute, and Dr. Forrester's suit jacket has a Gizmonics Institute logo, Dr. Forrester refers to their location as "Deep 13." There's no explanation for that, though it may have occurred in Episode 101 (which aired second; we drove that point into the ground earlier). I need to pay close attention for that.
 |
| The tilted angle view of the Mad Scientists in their lair was the norm in the KTMA season |
The opening segment (the Invention Exchange) concluded with a slapstick gag that looked like it had to hurt. Oh, and Joel didn't have any buttons to press when he yelled "Movie Sign!" I wonder if they weren't built yet. The whole set redesign must have taken some time to complete.
The redesign included a new hallway sequence, the one we're all familiar with. Or nearly so. I think there was a change when Joel left in Season Five. We'll look for that when the time comes.
The movie didn't start right off. They had a short: an episode of the Republic Pictures serial Radar Men from the Moon. They also had a long explanation of what a serial was.
 |
| The Lone Ranger, sans mask (2nd from left) |
After referring to Tom Servo as "Servo" the whole KTMA season, Joel calls him simply "Tom" early in this episode.
There were two gags the crew pulled that were not standard riffs. Early in the movie, Joel puts his hand over the singer's mouth several times, and the sound muffled each time. I first thought this was a flaw in the sound of the film that Joel turned into a joke. But, according to Michael J. Nelson (in the Amazing Colossal Episode Guide) this was not so; they messed with the movie's sound to create the joke. And, about half-way through the episode, when the characters are all standing with their backs to the camera, the peeing sound was added, allowing them to tell pee jokes. Again, the kind of thing they wouldn't do later in the series.
The standard of Joel & the Bots leaving the theater for the host segment with Cambot backing down the hallway, with the doors closing, wasn't followed every time in this episode. J&tB left the theater for the Host Segment, and the movie played for another 12 seconds, concluding not with the hallway sequence, but with the spaghetti ball logo.
They did the whole "Lassie" routine ("What is it fella? I think he's trying to tell us something. Dad? He's trapped? Under a rock? Down in Dead Rock Canyon?") when the leader of the Devil Dogs arrived at the door.
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| The new Tom Servo | The old Tom Servo |
In fact, all the robots got a redesign to some degree. We'll cover the others later, as well as some of the other changes to the switch from KTMA to The Comedy Channel.
The movie itself was hard to watch, but not impossible. It's not the worst movie MST3K has done, but darn close. The riffing of the short was much funnier than the riffing of the movie. That said, the movie had some fun parts. Just, compared to the short, the movie fell ... um ... short.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Year's Resolutions for 2012
For 2012, I have composed a list of resolutions for the new year. I have reviewed the list and removed the items that I really don't mean, and left the ones that have the best chance of being kept. That might not be in the true spirit of resolutions, but at least it's honest.
I hereby resolve to:
I hereby resolve to:
do a better job of helping out around the housebe respectful of liberalsnot think everyone who voted for Obama is an idiotnot throw rocks at the neighbors' dogsnot make fun of rednecksnot make fun of yankeesnot think everyone who voted for Obama is a moronbe a role model for childrenpay attention when my wife is talkingapologize when I'm wrongcompliment people more oftenbecome a serious bloggerstop recycling old postsnot think everyone who voted for Obama is a dumbass- sprout wings and fly
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