Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Frequently Asked Questions
Sampo
_Mystery Science Theater 3000_
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the official Frequently Asked Questions file for fans of the
TV series "Mystery Science Theater 3000." Please read this before
joining discussions on the newsgroup rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc or
other MST3K forums.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
€ ABOUT THIS FAQ -- An explanation of the origins of this FAQ, who the
authors and contributors are, etc..
€ THE BASICS -- A quick briefing on the whole "MST3K" thing.
€ LYRICS -- The correct lyrics to all six versions of the theme song.
€ COMEDY CENTRAL -- Info about MST3K's former home and why they
cancelled the show.
€ THE SCI-FI CHANNEL (and Sci*fi) -- Info about the most recent home of
MST3K; also included: info on MST3K's former home in England, Sci*fi.
€ CANCELLATION AND ITS AFTERMATH -- Info about how and why the show got
cancelled the final time, and what will and won't happen next.
€ SYNDICATION -- Info about MST3K's one-year run on local TV stations,
including an episode list.
€ BEHIND THE SCENES -- Background on the making of MST3K.
€ OTHER MEDIA -- Info about the Amazing Colossal Episode Guide, the
Rhino home videos and DVDs, and other Best Brains offerings.
€ MST3K - THE MOVIE -- What it was and why you may have missed it in
theaters.
€ CONVENTIONS -- Info about the two official MST3K conventions.
€ MSTIES -- Info on that rare breed of human, the MSTie.
€ MSTIE CYBERSPACE -- Looking to interact with fellow MSTies online?
Here's how.
€ JOEL VS. MIKE DISCUSSIONS -- Tastes great! Less filling! The silly
debate and why it's silly.
€ LEGALITIES -- The legalities behind the phrase "Keep circulating the
tapes" and more.
€ PARTS: THE BOT BUILDING HORROR -- Everything you wanted to know about
those robot pals and other props and set pieces.
€ SUBTLETIES -- Answers to some of the more obscure questions about the
show.
€ WHERE ARE THEY NOW? -- What are the former cast and crew members up
to?
Appendices (inflamed and otherwise)
€ AWARD NOMINATIONS -- Hey, just being nominated is an honor!
€ EPISODE LIST -- A concise list of all of the movies and shorts shown
on MST3K.
€ GUEST STARRING ROLES -- A complete list of BBI staffers and others
who've had roles on the show.
ABOUT THIS FAQ
Q: What's the dreary legal disclaimer you have to put on things like
this?
A: We think it would go something...like this: Mystery Science Theater
3000 and its characters, situations and trademarks are owned by Best
Brains Inc. This document is intended for informational and
entertainment purposes only. No infringement of any and all copyrights
or trademarks held or owned by anyone, including but not limited to Best
Brains Inc. and/or any of its partners or employees past or present,
Comedy Central and/or any of its parent and subsidiary companies, the
Sci-Fi Channel and/or any of its parent or subsidiary companies, is
intended or should be inferred, already.
Q: I bet you have a big ol' honkin' disclaimer too.
A: You bet. Big ol' honkin' disclaimer: The maintainers of this FAQ make
no warranty that the information contained herein is 100-percent
accurate, but, after all these years, we're confident that it's pretty
darned close. Your mileage may vary.
Q: Who is responsible for this FAQ?
A: This FAQ was created, compiled and edited by Chris Cornell and Brian
Henry.
Q: What's the history of MST3K FAQs?
A: The earliest MST3K FAQ that anybody knows about was compiled and
edited by Rich Kulawiec, for an offline newsletter he distributed. When
the first MST3K newsgroups were created in 1992, subscribers to Rich's
newsletter posted his FAQ there, where it was then greatly expanded, and
subsequently maintained by Lisa Jenkins. Later, custody of the FAQ was
handed over to Matthew Duhan. Even later, Matt handed the whole deal
over to us.
All previous versions of the MST3K FAQ are superseded by this one.
Q: I have comments, corrections, suggestions, additions and/or
criticisms. Where do I send it/them?
A: Any and all comments, corrections, suggestions, additions and/or
criticisms are welcome and should be sent to comm...@mst3kinfo.com.
Q: What if I want to publish this FAQ? What should I do?
A: Don't. As with any material on this web site, distribution or
duplication of this information (or Major League Baseball, for that
matter), without our express permission, is prohibited. Please email
Chris Cornell [MSa...@aol.com] and Brian Henry [Erha...@aol.com].
Thanks.
Q: The FAQ is awesome. Can I post it on my website?
A: Um...thanks, but we'd rather you didn't. The problem is that the FAQ
is constantly being updated, and when other people begin posting the FAQ
in different places, you start to see differing versions all over the
web. We'd be delighted if you'd link to our site [at
http://www.mst3kinfo.com/mstfaq/index.html], but we'd rather you didn't
copy the FAQ. Thank you for understanding.
Q: Is there anybody you'd like to thank?
A: Why, yes, there is! Thanks for asking! The following is an incomplete
list of all the people who have contributed in small or large ways,
either to this FAQ or its predecessors. We thank them all for their
efforts. They are:
Stephen Adelson, Jennie Andreasen, Matthew Arndt, David Arnold, Paul
"Monty" Ashley, Amy Ashton, Malcolm Austin, Gregory, S. Bandy, Mike
Barklage, Keith Barrett, Trace Beaulieu, Jerry Beck, Aaron Belisle, Andy
Bell, David J. Bianco, Jeremy Billones, A. Wright Blan, Patrick
Brantseg, Emi Briet, Cheryl Bulbach, Robert Buttram, Joseph Cadotte,
Jeff Caradona, Tom Carberry, Mark Carson, Erin Cash, Noelle Celeste,
Cliff Chaput, Kevin Cheek, Richard Clark, Stephanie M. Clarkson-Aines,
Terri Clendenin, Mike Cohen, Chris Cooley, Jason Corley, Donald
Cotnoir-Strong, Scott Crabtree, George Crawford, Charles Daniels, Grady
Daub, Markus De Shon, Rob DeMillo, Patrick Delahanty, Bill Dennen, Scott
Dexter, Dannielle Dirienzo, Theodore Dubro, Matt Duhan, Robert Duncan,
Brian Dunkle, Tom Dupree, David Eanes, Lorenzo Ellis, Nina Eppes, Scott
M. Fabbri, Anthony Fiarito, Patrick Fitzgerald, Christopher Forman,
Lynn-Anne Friese, Greg Galcik, Pat Gomes, Sherry Gorse, John Gotts, Chad
Gould, Jamie Green, Jay Grymyr, Gerald M. Guglielmo, Joseph Gumber,
Andrew Hannah, Kate Halleron, William Harrison, Justin Hart, Cullen
Hartley, Larry Hastings, Ron Hitchens, Joel Hodgson, Marty Hoff, Dale
Holod, Mark Holtz, Charles R. Hoynowski, Ed Hughes, Jonathan Hughes, Ian
Ingham, Mike Inglis, Chad Jackson, Lucy Jaffe, Lisa Jenkins, Brian
Johnson, Mary Lynn Johnson, Ryan K. Johnson, Todd Johnson, Chuck Jordan,
Norman Joseph, Brad Keely, Sean Kennedy, Ed Klein, Johnny Klonaris,
Vance Kochenderfer, R'ykandar Korra'ti, Amy Kostyn, Rich Kulawiec, Adam
La Chapelle, Donna K. Lang, Tony Lash, Douglas Lathrop, Pat Lawrence,
Sharon Levy, Bob Linehan, Jim Mallon, Stephan A. Mancir, Steven K.
Manfred, Lorrie Matheson, Jef Maynard, Chris McCullough, Dan McKenney,
Jane Melander, Mark Meyer, Will Morgan, Phil Mueller, Kevin Murphy,
Kevin Murray, Katie Muzik, Frank G. Neves, Michael J. Nelson, Michael K.
Neylon, Synth F. Oberheim, Mark Odell, Mary Pat, Mike Pearce, Brian
Perler, Marc Peters, Ken Plume, Jamie Plummer, Kevin Podsiadlik, Lon
Ponschock, Joshua R. Poulson, Ed Powell, Rob Quianthy, Sean Redlitz,
Ellen Sasse, Joel A. Schenkenberg, Leo Schwab, Michael Sensor, Jeff
Shapuras, William Sherman, John D. Shull, Brian Siano, Will Silver,
Steve Simmons, Sarah Skovronsky, Mike Slusher, Spatch, Dave Spensley,
Craig Steinberger, Steve Strassmann, "The Punster," "Tazer One," Barb
Tebben, Paul Thrasher, Chuck Tomasi, Dave Van Domelen, Rob Vincent,
Lance Visser, Julie Walker, Richard Watson, Mark Weissburg, Jon Whitney,
John Wiggins, Monty Wilson, Tom Wilson, Patty Winter, Kate Wrightson,
Michael J. Zavisca...and many other MSTies from coast to coast.
And, most of all, we'd like to thank Matt Duhan, without whom all of
this would not have been necessary :-).
And, of course, extra-special thanks go to the entire staff and crew of
MST3K, whose hard work and dedication have enriched our lives for years.
THE BASICS
Q: What is Mystery Science Theater 3000?
A: It was a unique comedy television program.
Q: Was? Isn't it still being shown on TV?
A: No. The only way you can enjoy the series now is on home video and
DVD.
Q: What is its broadcast history?
A: It first aired as a local program on KTMA-TV, a local UHF station
(not, as is sometimes reported, a cable-access channel) in the Twin
Cities (Minneapols-St. Paul, Minn.) area from November, 1988 to May,
1989. From November, 1989, to December, 1996, it was shown in the United
States on the Comedy Central (hereafter abbreviated as CC) cable TV
network (and its forebearer, The Comedy Channel). It then moved the
Sci-Fi Channel cable network, where new episodes began running in the
U.S. in February, 1997. Its series finale debuted on August 8, 1999. The
last first-run episode on the Sci-Fi Channel ran September 12, 1999.
Reruns of its final three seasons continued for several years on the
Sci-Fi Channel, but ceased at the end of January, 2004.
Q: I could swear I saw it on (fill in broadcast network name here) years
ago. What was that?
A: You are probably remembering its brief stint in syndication. From
September, 1995, to September, 1996, it was seen on lots of local
over-the-air TV stations in the U.S. as part of a syndication deal. See
the Syndication section for additional information.
Q: Was it only seen on televsion in the U.S.?
A: No. From January 1998 to September 2000, some episodes from the
show's eighth and ninth seasons ran in England (and some sections of
northern Europe and Southern Africa) on a channel called Sci*fi.
Q: Did it ever win any awards?
A: The series won the prestigious Peabody Award in 1993; it was
nominated for eight CableAce awards over six years, and nominated twice
for an Emmy. See the Award Nominations section for more information.
Q: What was it about?
A: Although the details of its premise changed radically over its 11
seasons, Mystery Science Theater 3000 was really always about one thing:
making fun of bad movies.
Initially, the main character was Joel Robinson, a janitor at a
top-secret research facility, Gizmonic Institute, who had been marooned
on an orbiting space ship called the Satellite of Love (hereafter
abbreviated as SOL) by two evil scientists, Dr. Clayton Forrester
(hereafter called Dr. F.) and Dr. Laurence Erhardt. At first operating
from within Gizmonic Institute itself, and later from a cave-like
underground hideout called Deep 13, Forrester and Erhardt had an evil
plan: They would force Robinson to watch one bad movie after another, in
order to study how he would cope with such torture. Joel's only
companions on the spaceship were four robots (often referred to
collectively as "the bots") he'd built himself: Crow, Tom Servo, Gypsy
and a camera robot named Cambot, through whose mechanical eye we see the
proceedings. While Gypsy attended to the details of running the SOL,
Crow and Tom joined Joel in the ship's screening room, the Mystery
Science Theater, as he watched the movies.
Over time, as performers departed and others were brought in to replace
them, there were changes in the characters and the premise. In the
CC-era episodes, Dr. Erhardt went "missing" and Dr. F. hired goofy lab
assitant, TV's Frank. In the middle of the fifth season on CC, Joel
managed to escape the SOL and was replaced, as Dr. F.'s guinea pig, by
unsuspecting temp Mike Nelson. In the final season on CC, Frank was
"assumed into second banana heaven" and Pearl Forrester, Dr. F.'s
domineering mother, moved into Deep 13. In the final episode of that
season, all the characters (except Pearl) were mystically transmuted
(see the Comedy Central section for more details).
When the series debuted on The Sci-Fi Channel, Pearl was in charge,
continuing to send Mike bad movies. Pearl acquired two sidekicks: a
refugee from The Planet of the Apes named Professor Bobo and an
omniscient superbeing (whose brain resides outside his skull in a small
dish) known as Observer (but who was often called Brain Guy). (By this
time, the entire original cast had been replaced with new performers.)
During that season, the SOL left Earth orbit and Mike and the bots
visited a series of planets, with Pearl and her crew in a small space
ship chasing them through space--and, later, time. For the final two
seasons of the series, Pearl and her crew made their way back to
present-day Earth, and settled at Pearl's ancestral home, Castle
Forrester, while Mike and the bots again orbited overhead.
But despite the many changes in the series, essentially the same thing
happened in each episode: After some brief preliminaries, Dr. F./Pearl
sent Joel/Mike the movie and in response Joel/Mike and the bots yelled
"Movie Sign!" and then rushed to their places in the theater as we, the
viewers, saw Cambot's path through several strange hatchways to his
place in the back of the theater. There, Cambot watched as Joel/Mike and
the bots took their seats and the movie began. We could see their
silhouettes, sitting in theater seats at the bottom of our TV screens
and, as they watched the movie, the three offered riotously funny
commentary, satire and general heckling.
The comments from Joel/Mike and the bots, about 700 per episode, were
the real heart and point of the show. The comments varied a great deal,
from scatological silliness and sarcastic needling one moment, to
complex wordplay and obscure references the next.
The show ran two hours, enough time to show an entire horrible movie and
sometimes a terrible one-reeler, as well. And three times (about once
every half hour) during the movie, Joel/Mike and the bots came out of
the theater to the SOL's bridge for short comedy bits known as host
segments -- tomfoolery which may or may not have had some connection to
the film they were watching.
Q: Who was responsible for this show?
A: The series was produced by Best Brains Inc. (hereafter abbreviated as
BBI), a production company based in suburban Minneapolis.
Q: What does "MST3K" mean?
A: That's what fans call the show for short: MST stands for Mystery
Science Theater, and 3K is the abbreviation for 3000.
Q: Who played what on the show?
A: In alphabetical order:
€ Trace Beaulieu played Dr. Clayton Forrester and provided the voice
and puppetry for Crow T. Robot from the earliest KTMA days through the
end of season seven.
€ Patrick Brantseg provided the voice and puppetry for Gypsy from
episode 815 through episode 1013.
€ Frank Conniff played TV's Frank.
€ Bill Corbett played Observer (aka Brain Guy) and provided the voice
and puppetry for Crow T. Robot in seasons eight through ten.
€ Joel Hodgson played Joel Robinson.
€ Jim Mallon supplied the voice and puppetry for Gypsy from episode 101
through episode 814.
€ Kevin Murphy played Professor Bobo and provided the voice and
puppetry for Tom Servo in seasons two through ten.
€ Michael J. Nelson played Mike Nelson.
€ Mary Jo Pehl played Mrs. Pearl Forrester.
€ Josh Weinstein played Dr. Laurence Erhardt and provided the voice and
puppetry for Tom Servo in the KTMA episodes and during the first
national season; he also supplied the voice and puppetry for Gypsy
during the KTMA episodes.
Q: How many episodes were made?
A: It all depends on how you count them! Here's a complete list:
€ 1988-89--Season "Zero" (only seen on Minneapolis UHF station KTMA):
21 episodes (22, if you count the short pilot episode, which did not
include a full movie and was never shown on TV.)
€ 1989-90--Season One (The Comedy Channel): 13 episodes.
€ 1990-91--Season Two (The Comedy Channel/Comedy Central): 13 episodes.
(The Comedy Channel merged with its rival Ha! to become Comedy Central
during this season).
€ 1991-92--Season Three (Comedy Central): 24 episodes.
€ 1992-93--Season Four (Comedy Central): 24 episodes.
€ 1993-94--Season Five (Comedy Central): 24 episodes.
€ 1994-95--Season Six (Comedy Central): 24 episodes.
€ 1995-96--Season Seven (Comedy Central): 6 episodes (7, if you count
the special Turkey Day version of episode 701, which had the same movie
theater sequences but a different set of host segments).
€ 1997--Season Eight (The Sci-Fi Channel) 22 episodes.
€ 1998--Season Nine (The Sci-Fi Channel) 13 episodes.
€ 1999--Season Ten (The Sci-Fi Channel) 13 episodes.
Totals: 197 full, televised episodes, including KTMA. 199 episodes, if
you include the unaired KTMA pilot, and the alternate version of episode
701). 176 nationally televised episodes (177 if you include the
alternate version of episode 701).
This total also does not include the live riffing of "World Without End"
presented in Minneapolis in 1992, the live riffing of "This Island
Earth" presented three times in Minneapolis in 1994 or "Mystery Science
Theater 3000: The Movie."
Q: Is there a complete episode guide?
A: A list of episode titles is included with this FAQ. A more
comprehensive episode guide is available at
http://www.mst3kinfo.com/episodes/index.html.
Yes, there are other episode guides. Foremost among them is the Amazing
Colossal Episode Guide, written by the cast. It was published by Bantam
Books (see the Other Media section). It covers all the national episodes
through season six and briefly previews season seven. For a complete
look at season seven, written by the cast, visit
http://www.mst3kinfo.com/guide/index.html.
When the series moved to the Sci-Fi Channel in season eight, the cast
continued examining each episode in a similar way, on the Sci-Fi
Channel's Web site. The text of those episode guide pages are now housed
on Satellite News at http://www.mst3kinfo.com/aceg/index.html.
Q: Were there any efforts to help save the show when it was cancelled?
A: When the announcement came, in early 1999, that the Sci-Fi Channel
was not going to renew the series, fans organized a campaign to get the
channel to reconsider, but they were unsuccessful. See the Cancellation
section for more information on this.
Q: Were fans able to suggest movies the series could feature?
A: BBI did not accept fan suggestions for movie choices. Complicated
legal issues surrounding the rights to individual movies prevented this.
Q: How come they never riffed on a recent, big-name theatrical bomb?
A: For financial reasons. MST3K would have loved to do a big-budget
movie, but gaining the rights to such a movie would have been too
expensive.
THEME SONG LYRICS
Q: What were the lyrics to the opening song?
A: Six different sets of lyrics were created over 11 years.
Music for all theme songs by Charles Erickson and Joel Hodgson
For the KTMA episodes:
Lyrics: Joel Hodgson and Josh Weinstein
Sung by: Joel and the Joels [Joel Hodgson]
Joel: In the not-too-distant future -
Next Sunday, A.D. -
There was a guy named Joel,
Not too different than you or me.
He worked in a satellite loading bay,
Just polishing switches to pay his way;
He did his job well with a cheerful face,
But his bosses didn't like him
So they shot him into space.
We'll send him cheesy movies,
The worst ever made.
Joel says when you got lemons,
You make lemonade.
Now keep in mind he can't control
When the movies begin or end,
Because he used the extra parts
To make his robot friends.
Robot roll-call:
Cambot
Servo
Gypsy
Crow!
If you're wondering how he eats and breathes
And other science facts,
Just repeat to yourself "It's just a show,
I should really just relax
For Mystery Science Theater 3000."
For episodes 101 through 512:
Lyrics: Joel Hodgson and Josh Weinstein
Sung by: Joel and the Joels [Joel Hodgson]
Joel: 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: (All right, 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!"
For episodes 513 through 624:
Lyrics: The Brains
Sung by Mike Nelson
Mike: In the not-too-distant future
Way down in Deep 13,
Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank
Were hatching an Evil Scheme.
They hired a temp by the name of Mike,
Just a regular joe they didn't like.
Their experiment needed a good test case,
So they conked him on the noggin
And they shot him into space. (Get me down!)
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 Mike can't control
Where the movies begin or end (la-la-la)
He'll try to keep his sanity
With the help of his robot friends.
Robot Roll Call:
Cambot! (Show yourself!)
Gypsy! ('m not ready!)
Tom Servo! (h'lo there!)
Croooow! (That's one "o"!)
If you're wondering how he eats and breathes
and other science facts (la la la),
Just repeat to yourself, "It's just a show,
I should really just relax
For Mystery Science Theater 3000!"
For episodes 701 through 706:
Lyrics: The Brains
Sung by Mike Nelson
Mike: "In the not too distant future
Way down in Deep 13
The evil Dr. Forrester
Was hatching a nasty scheme
He hired a temp by the name of Mike,
Just a regular joe he didn't like.
His experiment needed a good test case,
So he conked him on the noggin
And he shot him into space. (Get me down!)
I'll send him cheesy movies,
The worst I can find (la-la-la).
He'll have to sit and watch them all,
And I'll monitor his mind (la-la-la).
Now keep in mind Mike can't control
Where the movies begin or end (la-la-la)
He'll try to keep his sanity
With the help of his robot friends.
Robot Roll Call:
Cambot! (Show yourself!)
Gypsy! (I'm not ready!)
Tom Servo! (h'lo there!)
Croooow! (That's one "o"!)
If you're wondering how he eats and breathes
and other science facts (la-la-la),
Just repeat to yourself, "It's just a show,
I should really just relax..."
Dr. F (spoken): "Did I tell you my mother's here?"
Mike: "For Mystery Science Theater 3000!"
For episodes 801 through 913:
Lyrics: The Brains
Sung by Mike Nelson & Mary Jo Pehl
Mike: "In the not too distant future
somewhere in time and space
Mike Nelson and his robot pals
are caught in an endless chase
Pursued by a woman whose name is Pearl
an evil gal who wants to rule the world
She threw a few things in her purse
And in her rocketship she hunts him
all across the universe.
Mary Jo: I'LL GET YOU!!!
I'll send him cheesy movies,
The worst I can find (la-la-la).
He'll have to sit and watch them all,
And I'll monitor his mind (la-la-la).
Mike: Now keep in mind Mike can't control
Where the movies begin or end (la-la-la)
He'll try to keep his sanity
With the help of his robot friends.
Robot Roll Call:
Cambot! (You're on!)
Gypsy! (Oh, my stars!)
Tom Servo! (Check me out!)
Croooow! (I'm different!)
If you're wondering how he eats and breathes
and other science facts (la-la-la),
Just repeat to yourself, "It's just a show,
I should really just relax..."
for Mystery Science Theater 3000!"
For episodes 1001 through 1013 :
Lyrics: The Brains
Sung by Mike Nelson & Mary Jo Pehl
Mike: "In the not too distant future
somewhere in time and space
Mike Nelson and his robot pals
are caught in a nasty place
They have to survive the wrath of Pearl
just an evil gal who wants to rule the world
From her castle below, she sets her sights above
Just to torture all the captives
on the Satellite of Love
(shouted) GET ME DOWN!!!
Mary Jo: I'll send him cheesy movies,
The worst I can find (la-la-la).
He'll have to sit and watch them all,
And I'll monitor his mind (la-la-la).
Mike: Now keep in mind Mike can't control
Where the movies begin or end (la-la-la)
He'll try to keep his sanity
With the help of his robot friends.
Robot Roll Call:
Cambot! (You're on!)
Gypsy! (Oh, my stars!)
Tom Servo! (Check me out!)
Croooow! (I'm different!)
If you're wondering how he eats and breathes
and other science facts (la-la-la),
Just repeat to yourself, "It's just a show,
I should really just relax..."
for Mystery Science Theater 3000!"
Q: Why is it so difficult to understand what is said during the "Robot
Roll Call?"
A: The Brains have said that they intentionally made it difficult to
understand what was being said so that people would tune in and listen
more. It also adds a sense of mystery -- at least until it is posted in
the FAQ!
COMEDY CENTRAL
Q: I've heard CC cancelled MST3K! Is that true?
A: Where have you been? MST3K stopped running on Comedy Central at the
end of December, 1996.
Q: Why?
A: Executives at CC cited low ratings as the reason, but fans who had
been following the behind-the-scenes battles between BBI and CC know
that the two sides had been growing apart for sometime. It seems likely
that this was less about ratings than it was about those battles.
Q: Now that the series has left Sci-Fi Channel, might CC want to run the
old episodes again?
A: Management at CC has given no indication at all that this is
something they might want to do. It seems extremely unlikely since, even
if they were interested, the channel would have to spend millions to
reacquire the rights to the films featured on the series.
Q: What was Gizmonic Institute?
A: Within the premise of the series as it was explained on CC-era
episodes, it was the top-secret research lab where Dr. F. previously
worked as a scientist and where Joel Robinson previously worked as a
janitor. The corporate culture of Gizmonic revolved around inventing.
Everyone who worked there, including the janitors, were inventors. In
fact, one of the reasons Dr. F. chose Joel Robinson to send into space
was because Dr. F. resented the fact that Joel was a better inventor.
During the KTMA episodes, The Mads spoke to Joel from what was
apparently a lab in Gizmonic. But The Mads moved to Deep 13 in the first
episode shown on network TV, and the inside of Gizmonic was never shown
in the network episodes. (In fact, it was seldom even mentioned --
except in the theme song -- after the first few episodes of season one).
Q: Who were "The Mads"?
A: The Mads was a collective term for the inhabitants of Deep 13. The
term is short for "mad scientists" (although Frank was really neither
mad nor a scientist).
Q: What was Deep 13?
A: It's a cavernous underground lair, located deep in the sub-basement
of Gizmonic Institute (13 levels below ground level, hence the name),
near the Institute's atomic pile, where Dr. F. and TV's Frank lived
after they fled Gizmonic Institute.
Q: Why was Dr. F. living in Deep 13?
A: The management of Gizmonic Institute banished him after he shot Joel
into space, so he fled from Gizmonic to Deep 13 in order to continue his
work.
Q: What was Turkey Day?
A: It was the annual marathon of the series CC ran every Thanksgiving
weekend from 1991 through 1995. The marathon usually included about a
dozen episodes back-to-back, often separated by little connecting comedy
bits called "bumpers."
Q: Why choose Thanksgiving to run a marathon of the series?
A: Thanksgiving and MST3K have been connected ever since the show
debuted on KTMA on Thanksgiving Day, 1988, and first began running on
national TV about that time in 1989. Since the beginning, droll jokes
about the SOL crew watching "turkeys" were often employed.
Q: What happened in the last CC episode?
A: Dr. F. was forced to close Deep 13 for lack of funding. He
disconnected the SOL from its tether and informed the inhabitants of the
SOL that they would soon burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. But the SOL
managed to escape the Earth's atmosphere and was hurled into deep space,
eventually reaching the edge of the universe. There, everyone inside the
SOL was transformed into "pure spirit" and happily floated away.
Meanwhile in Deep 13, Dr. F. (in a take-off of the ending to the movie
"2001") watched himself grow old and, on his death bed, saw before him
not a monolith but a giant video cassette, the label of which read "The
Worst Movie Ever Made." Dr. F. was then transformed into a star baby.
THE SCI-FI CHANNEL (and Sci*fi)
Q: When did the Sci-Fi Channel pick up the series?
A: On June 24, 1996, the Sci-Fi Channel officially released a statement
that said, in part:
"Sci-Fi Channel has rescued the award-winning comedy series "Mystery
Science Theater 3000" from cancellation, and brought it safely to its
original programming lineup where the series will flourish with
exclusive, original episodes..."
Episodes began airing on February 1st, 1997.
Q: Were any of the CC-era episodes shown on Sci-Fi?
A: No. The deal was for new episodes only.
Q: When the series first moved to Sci-Fi, it was reported that the
channel would only let BBI select movies that fit the channel's
definition of "sci-fi" -- which included horror and fantasy films as
well. But later they were doing all sorts of films. What happened?
A: As the channel got more comfortable with Best Brains, they loosened
the reins a bit; and by season ten, they lifted the restriction
completely.
Q: I've heard a rumor that BBI was told not to criticize the movies too
harshly, because Channel executives feared alienating its viewers. True?
A: Of course not. BBI had as much editorial freedom during the Sci-Fi
Channel era as it had during the CC days.
-----
Q: I live in the U.K. Wasn't MST3K running on TV over here for a while?
A: Yes, MST3K ran on the British sister network of the Sci-Fi Channel,
known as Sci-Fi Channel Europe (it later became independent of America's
Sci-Fi Channel and changed its name to Sci*fi) from January, 1998, to
September, 2000.
Q: Sci*fi only showed episodes from season eight and a few season nine
episodes! Why didn't they show the rest of the episodes?
A: The channel chose to purchase the rights to only those episodes.
Q: Weren't Sci*fi executives talking about getting the rights to the
other episodes?
A: Back when Sci*fi was still a sister network with America's Sci-Fi
Channel, officials there publicly declared that there would be no
attempt to acquire any more episodes.
Then the channel became an independent operation, and channel officials
changed their tune, claiming that they *were* going to acquire more
episodes. But it never happened, and many fans came to the conclusion
that this was simply a lie designed to placate the fan base.
Q: Why did Sci*fi stop showing MST3K?
A: Late in 2000, an official from the channel posted the following
message on the channel's website: "One of the major problems we have in
the UK is clearing and licensing these films in the first place -- the
people who own the rights to the original films are often not keen, as
MSK3K does tend to take the p*ss out of their product...[Also] whenever
we do schedule them, they rate incredibly badly. Obviously there are not
as many MST3K fans out there as you think."
CANCELLATION AND ITS AFTERMATH
Q: I heard MST3K has been cancelled! Is that true? When and how was it
announced?
A: On February 24, 1999, BBI released a statement which read, in part:
"After producing its 10th season of episodes, Best Brains Inc. of Eden
Prairie, Minnesota, will close the curtain on its Peabody Award winning
series, Mystery Science Theater 3000, as the Sci-Fi Channel will not be
ordering any new programs.
"'Ten years is a great run for any series. We've had a tremendous ride
and it's time for Mike Nelson and the 'Bots to come down to Earth,'
Executive Producer and Best Brain's President Jim Mallon said today.
"'We'd like to thank our families, friends and our tremendous fans for
all of their support over the years. We'd also like to thank the Sci-Fi
Channel for a great run which brought us to our 10th year.'"
Q: Why did Sci-Fi Channel officials decide to stop ordering episodes?
A: Initially, network executives said the issue was ratings, pure and
simple. Later, they also noted that the cost of acquiring the rights to
movies for riffing was getting too high. Many viewers also noticed a
change in the network after Barry Schulman -- MST3K's chief defender at
the channel -- departed, and Bonnie Hammer -- an executive from what was
then Sci-Fi's parent company, USA Networks -- took over. MST3K
apparently did not fit with her vision for the network.
Q: Does BBI think the show can be saved?
A: No.
Q: So, it's over?
A: Yes. There will be no new episodes of MST3K.
Q: How long did reruns of the show continue to run on the Sci-Fi Channel?
A: The original contract Sci-Fi Channel and BBI signed expired in early
2002. However, in late 2001, the two parties signed a two-year contract
extension, allowing the Channel to continue showing reruns through the
end of January, 2004. At that time, the show ended its run on Sci-Fi
Channel.
Q: So, does that mean that some channel can put the CC-era reruns back
on the air?
A: While theoretically possible, that looks very unlikely. To do that,
some channel would have to find the resources to repurchase the rights
to the movies in many episodes, and having spent all that money, they
will then have to find advertisers willing to pay enough to cover those
costs and make the whole venture profitable. It doesn't seem like this
business formula has much of a chance.
Q: Did they consider making direct-to-video episodes?
A: Yes, BBI and Rhino considered that. But when they crunched the
numbers, it was clear that it wouldn't work. BBI needed a certain amount
of funding to stay in business -- that is, meet the payroll, maintain
its office and studio, and all the things a business has to pay for. And
Rhino needs to be able to make enough from each sale to pay for the
rights to the movie being riffed and for duplication and distribution
costs, and all the other expenses that go into putting the videos on the
market -- and make a reasonable profit. They didn't think the home video
marketplace would provide that level of revenue. The numbers just didn't
add up.
Q: What happened to the idea of running an ad in Variety asking some
other channel to pick up the show?
A: It happened, thanks to generous donations from 145 people in 36
states, Washington DC, Canada and one from New Zealand! A full-page
advertisement appeared in the Friday, June 18th, 1999, issue.
If you didn't have a chance to see the ad, use this link
[http://www.mst3kinfo.com/satnews/MSTVarAd.pdf] to download a copy in
Adobe Acrobat's PDF format.
Q: Was there any response to the ad from TV executives?
A: None that we know of.
Q: I hear that people have been writing to other networks, asking them
to pick up MST3K. Have they gotten any responses?
A: Although BBI in no way encouraged them, some fans took it upon
themselves to write to various TV networks in an effort to get them to
pick up MST3K. Every response we saw was polite but uninterested.
Q: What's happened to the MST3K area on the Sci-Fi Channel's Web site?
A: It has been deleted. The content from the site survives on Satellite
News. [http://www.mst3kinfo.com/archives.html]
Q: What about the "Caption This" feature on the Sci-Fi Channel Web site?
A: In 1999, the channel said [http://www.scifi.com/screengrab/note.html]
that it would remain, stripped of its MST3K-related graphics. But
ultimately it was shut down.
SYNDICATION
Q: Old Joel-era episodes were running on one of the regular broadcast
stations in my area a while back. Why were they there, and where did
they go?
A: BBI had a one-year deal with syndicator Tradewinds Television (a
division of Action Media Group), which sold a package of 23 episodes
from the series' second, third and fourth seasons to local broadcast
stations in dozens of markets across the country (about 75 percent of
the U.S.). Episodes began airing in September, 1995.
Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties at Action Media, the deal
was dropped a year later.
Q: Which episodes were shown?
A: Here's the list:
212- Godzilla vs. Megalon
213- Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster
301- Cave Dwellers
303- Pod People
305- Stranded in Space
309- The Amazing Colossal Man
317- Viking Women and the Sea Serpent
319- War of the Colossal Beast
321- Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
322- Master Ninja I
324- Master Ninja II
401- Space Travelers
402- The Giant Gila Monster
404- Teenagers from Outer Space
408- Hercules Unchained
410- Hercules Against the Moon Men
411- The Magic Sword
412- Hercules and the Captive Women
414- Tormented
415- The Beatniks
417- Crash of Moons
422- The Day the Earth Froze
424- "Manos" the Hands of Fate
Q: The show that was running in my area was only an hour long. What's
the deal?
A: In 1993, CC began running something called The Mystery Science
Theater Hour, which took some full-length season-two, -three, and -four
episodes and divided them into two one-hour shows. About seven minutes
from the original shows were removed from the hour-long versions. Both
CC and BBI had good reasons for wanting to create The Hour, as it was
known. CC programmers claimed it was easier to find slots in its
schedule for a one-hour show. And it gave BBI's syndicator an
alternative product to sell to stations who did not want the two-hour
series. The Hour was dropped by CC in 1995, but some syndication markets
liked the format and used it.
Q: Who was that guy introducing The Mystery Science Theater Hour?
A: That was Michael J. Nelson under a ton of makeup. Although he is
simply referred to as "The Host," he is supposed to be reminiscent of
the Jack Perkins character Mike portrayed in episode 310- Fugitive
Alien. The tweedy Perkins hosted several programs on the A&E cable
channel.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Q: Is the MST3K Information Club still in operation?
A: No. In October of 2007, the Info Club as it was known since the late
'80s was shut down when Best Brains Inc. relaunched at mst3k.com. Most
of the merchandise that was sold has been discontinued (though a few
items were retained) and replaced with new merchandise.
Q: How can I contact them?
A: You can fax them at 952-252-0267. You can send snail mail to them at:
Box 5325, Hopkins, MN 55343.
Q: I never got a chance to tour the studio. What was it like?
A: The tour was brief, because the place was small. All the shooting was
done in different areas of one studio, which also had a kitchen in one
corner. (The kitchen was used as the background for the "infomercial"
shown on Turkey Day, 1995.) The SOL bridge set was at one end of the
rectangular studio (the floor of the SOL was about four feet off the
ground, permitting the puppeteers to stand on the real floor of the
studio as they worked). The other end of the studio was where any other
scenes were shot (the Deep 13 set sat there for many years, later
replaced by Deep Ape, the Observer's Planet, the Camping Planet, Roman
Times, Castle Forrester etc.).
The "theater" was simply a cut-out plywood outline in the shape of
seat-backs, put up in the space between these two areas. Mike sat on a
stool behind this cutout, while the puppeteers huddled behind the cutout
on low, legless chairs to work the bots. In front of them was a large
bed sheet, masking off the SOL set from view (not a movie screen). Mike
and the puppeteers were actually watching the movie on a small monitor
on the floor at their feet, which showed the movie with the time codes
(their scripts had the time codes on them, so they knew when to say
what).
Connected to the studio itself (reached through doors behind the Deep
13/Castle Forrester set) was the prop room. This is where the bots (and
their spare parts) were stored when not in use. Each of the bots had its
own little stall and work area (for the record, Gypsy's stall was on the
left, Tom Servo's was in the middle and Crow's was on the right).
Connected to the prop area was the building's garage, which at one time
housed Pearl's VW microbus, along with a small selection of some Info
Club merchandise. Down the hall was the writing room, which had a
big-screen TV in the corner, surrounded by several large (and rather
soft) leather couches. The rest of the building was mostly offices, a
video editing room, etc..
Q: Where did MST3K get their writers from?
A: They always selected writers from the local Minneapolis theatrical
and stand-up comedy scene (which, for those unfamiliar with the area, is
quite robust). Unless you were already working steadily in Minneapolis
as a writer or standup comic, it was very unlikely you'd be considered.
Q: How did they write and produce the series?
A: Pretty much like you'd think they do it. The writing staff sat down
and watched the movie--with time codes--and threw out riffs, while a
typist nearby typed them into a computer, along with the corresponding
time codes. The movie was paused and rewound endlessly. The head writer,
usually Mike, controled the remote. When he stopped the movie, somebody
said something funny. One time through the movie usually took an entire
working day ("It gets a little tedious about 2:30 in the afternoon,"
Trace Beaulieu once noted.) After a day of much needed rest, they ran
through the movie again, refining the rough comments made during the
first time through. The comments were then assigned to the characters (a
process called "line-assign"), during a third run-through of the movie.
On the off days, they worked on host segments, etc.
In earlier seasons, it took about nine working days to write and shoot
an entire episode. Beginning with season seven, that was expanded to ten
working days.
Q: How does MST3K's episode numbering system work?
A: The first number indicates the season, and the second two numbers
indicate the episode. So, episode 801 was the episode number for the
first show of the eighth season.
Q: I heard that, at one time, some of the writers didn't come to the
studio, and didn't even live in Minneapolis! How did that work?
A: In the earlier years of the show, they had several "home writers" on
the staff. "Home writers," got the movies on videotape, wrote down their
riffs with time codes, and faxed them back to Best Brains. One person
who did that for a couple of seasons was Colleen Williams, who lived in
San Francisco. Mary Jo Pehl and Bridget Jones worked this way, too, at
times. The "home writer" system seems to ended somewhere around the
fifth or sixth season.
OTHER MEDIA
Q: I heard something about a MST3K book being available. Is that true?
A: Yes! The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide,
from Bantam Books, hit bookstores in April, 1996.
Q: What is the book about?
A: It is "the ultimate episode guide," an episode-by-episode look at the
series from the KTMA days through the end of season six (with a preview
of season seven), with remembrances from the current cast (except for
Bill, who wasn't officially with the show when the book was written),
including Trace and Frank. Joel chose not to contribute.
(By the way, MST3K carried on with the Guide on the Web after season
six. You can read the cast's observations about seasons seven here
[http://www.mst3kinfo.com/guide/index.html] and their comments about
seasons eight through ten--originally featured on the Sci-Fi Channel's
Web site--here [http://www.mst3kinfo.com/aceg/index.html].)
Q: Where can I buy a copy?
A: You may still find copies at bookstores, but perhaps your best bet is
to head to a web site such as Amazon.com. The cover price is $17.95
(within the U.S.), but it's selling at book retailer websites for about
$14. Its ISBN number is 0553377833.
Q: How did the book do, saleswise?
A: There were at least five printings of the book. At mid-1996, our
source at Bantam said that about 51,000 copies of the book had been
shipped to book stores. We were told they sold briskly for the first few
weeks, but then (after all the hard-core MSTies had bought one,
apparently) sales trailed off.
Q: Can I buy MST3K episodes on VHS?
A: Rhino Home Video released about 30 episodes on VHS cassette beginning
in 1997 but stopped producing VHS tapes a few years later when they
converted to all-DVD sales. However they are still available from many
online sites.
Q: Are any of these episodes available on DVD?
A: Yes! The following individual episodes have been released on DVD:
€ 106- The Crawling Hand
€ 209- The Hellcats
€ 424- "Manos" The Hands of Fate (with short: "Hired--Part 2")
€ 506- EEGAH!
€ 507- I Accuse My Parents (with short: "The Truck Farmer")
€ 512- Mitchell
€ 513- The Brain That Wouldn't Die
€ 515- Wild Wild World of Batwoman (with short: "Cheating")
€ 517- The Beginning of the End
€ 619- Red Zone Cuba (with short: "Speech: Platform Posture and
Appearance")
In 2002, Rhino began releasing episodes four at at time as part of the
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection series.
€ Volume 1 includes: 204- Catalina Caper, 606- The Creeping Terror,
607- Bloodlust (with short: "Uncle Jim's Dairy Farm") and 609- The Sky
Divers (with short: "Why Study Industrial Arts?")
€ Volume 2 includes: 301- Cave Dwelllers, 303- Pod People, 622- Angel's
Revenge and Mystery Science Theater: The Shorts, Vol. 1.
€ Volume 3 includes: 202- The Sidehackers, 320- The Unearthly (with
shorts: "Posture Pals" and "Appreciating Our Parents"), 518- The Atomic
Brain (with short: "What About Juvenile Delinquency?") and Mystery
Science Theater: The Shorts, Vol. 2.
€ Volume 4 includes: 820- Space Mutiny, 822- Overdrawn at the Memory
Bank, 1002- Girl in Gold Boots and episode 1009- Hamlet.
€ Volume 5 includes: 821- Time Chasers, 908- The Touch of Satan, 1003-
Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders and 1006- Boggy Creek II.
€ Volume 6 includes: 511- Gunslinger, episode 404- Teenagers From Outer
Space, episode 406- Attack of the Giant Leeches (with short: Undersea
Kingdom Pt. 1) and Mr. B's Lost SHORTS??!! (which includes Mr. B Natural
(from episode 319- War of the Colossal Beast), X Marks the Spot (from
episode 210- King Dinosaur), Hired!--Part 1 (from episode 423- Bride of
the Monster), Design for Dreaming (from episode 524- 12 to the Moon),
Johnny at the Fair (from episode 419- The Rebel Set) and Are You Ready
for Marriage? (from episode 616- Racket Girls).
€ Volume 7 includes: episode 407- The Killer Shrews (with short: Junior
Rodeo Daredevils), episode 408- Hercules Unchained, episode 410-
Hercules Against the Moon Men, episode 816- Prince of Space and
Assignment:Venezuela (which includes Assignment:Venezuela, Century 21
Calling (from episode 906- The Space Children) and A Case of Spring
Fever (from episode 1012- Squirm).
€ Volume 8 includes episode 907- Hobgoblins, episode 902- Phantom
Planet, episode 421- Monster A-Go-Go (with short: Circus on Ice) and
episode 603- The Dead Talk Back (with short: The Selling Wizard.)
€ Volume 9 includes episode 104- Women of the Prehistoric Planet, 207-
Wild Rebels, 613- The Sinister Urge (with short: Keeping Clean and
Neat), 812- The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and
Became Mixed-Up Zombies (this volume was withdrawn by Rhino).
€ Volume 10 includes epsode 212- Godzilla vs. Megalon, 503- Swamp
Diamonds (plus short: What To Do on a Date), 514- Teenage Strangler
(plus short: Is This Love?), 810- The Giant Spider Invasion (this volume
was withdrawn by Rhino and replaced in 2008 with "Volume 10.2" in which
episode 212- Godzilla vs. Megalon was replaced with episode 402- The
Giant Gila Monster. That episode was also sold a single-disk via Rhino's
Web site.)
€ Volume 11 includes episode 206- Ring of Terror, 409- Indestructible
Man, 414- Tormented, 1011 Horrors of Spider Island.
€ Volume 12 includes episode episode 419- The Rebel Set, 504- Secret
Agent Super Dragon, 612- The Starfighters, 811- Parts: The Clonus Horror.
Also, in 2004, Rhino also released a special two-DVD set:
€ Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Essentials featuring episode 424-
"MANOS"-THE HANDS OF FATE and episode 321- SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE
MARTIANS. MSTies who ordered the set from a special Rhino web site also
received a bonus disc, Mystery Science Theater: The Shorts, Vol. 3.
Visit Rhino's Web site at http://www.rhino.com.
For a detailed look at the MST3K DVDs, visit:
http://www.mst3kinfo.com/satnews/dvds/index.html
Q: I remember hearing something about a MST3K CD-ROM coming out. Did it?
A: Alas, no. Due to setbacks at Voyager (the multimedia company that was
slated to produce the CD-ROM), the MST3K CD-ROM project was canceled.
Q: I also remember some talk about an MST3K comic book. What's the deal
on that?
A: There was some discussion of an MST3K "graphic novel" from Acclaim
that would have Mike and the bots riffing on old Gold Key and Dell
comics. It should be noted, however, that it always looked unlikely that
MST3K's writers would actually take part in writing the comic book.
Unfortunately, in a repeat of the Voyager situation, Acclaim announced a
cutback in its comics production, and one of the casualties is the MST3K
comic. At one point, Acclaim officials said they were considering
putting the comic on Acclaim's website, but it never happened.
MST3K: THE MOVIE
Q: Whatever happened to the MST3K movie? Did it ever come out?
A: Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie, from Gramercy Films, opened
in "selected theaters" April 19, 1996, and played in "limited release"
(a different set of about 30 theaters total each week) through most of
that spring and summer.
Q: Has the movie been released on video?
A: MCA/Universal Home Video released it to rental outlets on October 1,
1996. It was released for retail sale on April 8, 1997.
Q: What about DVD?
A: A DVD of the film was released, but it is currently out of print.
Q: So I missed it when it was in movie theaters? Why didn't I know that
it was out?
A: It may have played in a theater somewhere near you in the course of
its run, but you probably weren't aware of it because there was so
little advertising and promotion for the movie.
Q: Well, silly me! I foolishly expected that the movie would be released
in theaters all over the country at the same time, and that Gramercy
would promote it! WHAT WAS THE DEAL?
A: Calm down. BBI -- which had no control over how the movie was
marketed -- was just as frustrated as the fans were with the way the
film was released. Gramercy decided to market the movie as a "rock and
roll" film -- that's the term they use to describe a movie that slowly
goes from city to city, plays one-to-three weeks, depending on the money
it brings in, and moves on.
Q: This movie seemed like a natural to play in every mall theater in the
country! Why did Gramercy market it this way?
A: Your guess is as good as ours. But if you're interested in BBI's
opinion, their guess is that it was the Pamela Lee movie "Barb Wire" --
another Gramercy film released at about the same time -- that did them
in: Gramercy apparently could only support one film or the other, and
decided Lee's boobfest was what America wanted, while the MST3K movie
got short shrift.
Q: What's the movie like?
A: It's basically a big-screen version of the TV show. Mike is the star
(not Joel). There are some differences from the TV show, however.
There's an opening sequence that explains the concept to people who have
never seen the show, two internal host segments (rather than three) and
a closing segment. The host segments give us our first glimpses of other
areas of the SOL, including Tom Servo's bedroom and "below decks." Frank
is not in the movie, nor is Pearl.
Q: Were the sets for MST3K:The Movie different?
A: Yes! The SOL bridge set in the movie was a 360-degree set, allowing
them to shoot Mike at different angles. The Deep 13 set also was a bit
more elaborate than the Deep 13 set seen in the CC episodes. But in both
cases, the sets retained the primitive, homemade quality fans have come
to expect from the series.
Q: What movie did they riff on?
A: They chose Universal's 1954 sci-fi yawner, This Island Earth (TIE).
TIE was heavily edited, however: The running time of the entire movie is
less than TIE's original running time.
Q: Hey, I always thought TIE was a pretty good movie! Certainly it isn't
in the same league as "Manos" and some of the other dreck MST has ripped
up. Why riff on this sci-fi classic?
A: It seems to have been chosen precisely because it clearly is NOT as
dreadful a movie as, say, "Manos." Newcomers to the concept certainly
could not put up with a truly horrible movie, so they chose one that was
in color, visually exciting and sort of hokey, offering plenty of stuff
to make fun of.
Q: Was the theme song in the movie?
A: Yes. A low-key, instrumental-only version (arranged by Billy Barber,
who scored the film) can be heard under the opening credits. Another,
more rockin', arrangement, recorded by Dave Alvin (formerly of The
Blasters), can be heard under the closing credits. There was also a
version of the Dave Alvin arrangement that included vocals, but that was
only heard in the movie trailer and in the screen saver
[http://www.mst3kinfo.com/freebees/index.html] made for the film's
website. It was also played for the attendees at the second MST3K
convention in 1996.
Q: I heard they were talking with Universal Pictures about doing a
movie. What happened to that?
A: This is the product of all that talking. At the time, Universal was
part-owner of Gramercy.
Q: I also heard a rumor about a movie deal with Paramount. Was that true?
A: Before talking to Universal, BBI did have some discussions with
Paramount Pictures. What we understand is that Paramount would not give
BBI as much control over the movie as BBI wanted, so BBI looked
elsewhere. Ironically, BBI still found themselves out of control when
they finally DID make a film.
Q: What was the critical reaction?
A: Reviews were relatively positive, including two thumbs up from Siskel
& Ebert, and raves in Time, Entertainment Weekly, Details and in some
newspapers. The majority of reviews seemed to fall into the "good to
fair" range: two-and-a-half or three stars (out of four) being the most
common ratings. There were also a few extremely negative reviews,
especially among reviewers who professed admiration for "This Island
Earth" and seemed to resent any mockery of it.
Q: How did the film do at the box office?
A: Pretty well, considering the constraints put on it by Gramercy. In
the first weekend, it made more than twice as much per theater as the
movie that ranked number one that weekend, as MSTies from all over
traveled hundreds of miles, in some cases, to see it. Ticket sales
plummeted the second weekend, and in the weeks that followed it did
steady but slowly decreasing business.
The movie dropped out of the Top 60 list permanently at the end of June.
The movie officially closed on August 22, 1996, having made a grand
total of $1,007,306, according to the fine folks at boxofficemojo.com.
Q: Did the movie break even or make a profit?
A: No. But Gramercy has only itself to blame.
Q: I hear the suits at Gramercy did a lot of meddling. What happened?
A: Skittish Gramercy executives cut and rewrote some riffs, which may
explain why -- as many MSTies noticed -- the movie has fewer of the
really obscure references that make the TV series so delightful. One
example: When "Scrotor" the bug-eyed monster first appears, the original
riff was "Bootsy Collins!" This was changed in the movie to "Leona
Helmsley!" reportedly because the Gramercy executives had never heard of
Bootsy Collins. (The irony of a bunch of white guys from Minnesota
trying to explain Bootsy Collins to supposedly hip L.A. movie executives
did not go unnoticed by BBI.)
The same nervousness about the movie on the part of Gramercy executives
led to the film being subjected to the appalling "focus group" process
(riotously parodied in a host segment of episode 704- THE INCREDIBLE
MELTING MAN; at the second convention Jim Mallon said those host
segments were very much like the real thing, and were BBI's way of
expressing their anger at the infuriating process).
For reasons BBI did not understand, Gramercy asked BBI to create a
"story arc" within the host segments of the film. Grudgingly, BBI
complied (though they felt it wasn't necessary). But when focus groups
complained the film was too long, an entire host segment was cut, and
the ending host segment completely reshot, utterly demolishing the very
story arc Gramercy had asked BBI to create. (Which is why, in the
finished film, you see Crow pick up a chain saw in Tom's bedroom, but
nothing more is made of it. In the original ending, Crow returns to his
ditch below decks and uses the chain saw in another escape attempt.)
At the ConventioCon, Bridget Jones expressed her exasperation over
reading focus group comments from, for example, "the popular girl from
high school. The handwriting had big looping letters and i's dotted with
hearts, saying: 'I just didn't think it was funny!' This was the sort of
people they were listening to," Jones said with annoyance. In the cut
host segment (which was shown in public for perhaps the only time ever
at the 1996 ConventioCon), Mike and bots retreat to the SOL's "storm
shelter" during a meteor shower, and when the air is cut off, the bots
race heroically (and hilariously) to save their pal Mike from
asphyxiation.
Q: What's the likelihood of a "director's cut" version with those scenes
restored?
A: Not very likely at all. BBI says that Universal would have spend
money to make the rough footage of deleted scenes usable, and that there
is zero interest at Universal for spending another dime on this movie.
Q: What's the likelihood of a sequel?
A: That's not going to happen.
Q: I hear there's some sort of tribute to Frank in the movie. Where is
it?
A: Watch the next-to-last door in the door sequence: That face in the
middle is a familiar one -- you can tell by the spitcurl. This was added
as a salute to Frank by set designer Jef Maynard.
MSTIE CYBERSPACE
Q: Can I send an email to the people who make Mystery Science Theater
3000?
A: Well, you can send email to Barb Tebben, Info Club Poobah, at
bar...@aol.com.
Q: What about the other people at the show? Can I send email directly to
them?
A: Barb can not pass messages to former cast members, but she can pass
messages to Jim Mallon and Paul Chaplin. Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, J.
Elvis Weinstein and Mary Jo Pehl have Web sites where you can contact
them. None of the other cast members have made their personal email
addresses public.
Q: What is BBI's history on the World Wide Web?
A: From 1997 to 2003, their page on the Sci-Fi Channel's Web site served
as BBI's home on the Web. In February 2004, when the show left Sci-Fi
Channel, the content on that site migrated to Satellite News, including
the online continuation of the MST3K Amazing Colossal Episode Guide, the
"Say What?" messages from the characters and Best Brains personalities,
and more. (Satellite News is an independently run site and is not owned
or maintained by Best Brains.)
In November of 2007, BBI relaunched itself with its own Web site, at
MST3K.com.
Q: Are there usenet newsgroups devoted to MST3K?
A: Yes, in fact there are several. Here's a rundown.
€ Rec.arts.tv.mst3k.announce (aka RATMA)--Created as a place to MST3K
news on usenet this site was abandoned by its moderator. However, in the
fall of 2007 it got a new moderator and is now functioning again.
€ Rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc (aka RATMM)--the busiest MST3K newsgroup on
usenet. While many regulars departed following Sci-Fi's decision not to
order new episodes, it still has regular traffic.
€ Alt.tv.mst3k (ATM)--traffic dropped off dramatically since the series
went off the air and it is now deserted.
€ Alt.fan.mst3k (AFM)--although it was the first MST3K newsgroup in
existence, it was quickly eclipsed by ATM. Always the MST3K newsgroup
with the least traffic, it is now deserted.
€ Alt.tv.mst3k.mstings, as its name implies, is dedicated to fan
MSTings, and discussions there usually focus on that topic only (see
below for more info on MSTings). Traffic has dropped dramatically here
as well, and spam has greatly increased.
Note: Some servers still offer Rec.arts.tv.mst3k, the predecessor to
RATMM. This is an inactive newsgroup that should have been deleted from
systems in 1994. The group gets no traffic, except for some occasional
spam.
Q: Is there a special MST3K area on AOL?
A: Not any more. Once a strong and thriving community, the bulletin
board became the target of attacks by a group bent on driving regular
members away. They succeeded. The board sat empty for a couple of years
and in July of '06 it was deleted.
Q: Where else can I find people discussing MST3K?
A: One well-run and fun MST3K forum is MST3K: The Discussion Board.
[http://forrestcrow.proboards47.com/index.cgi/]
Q: Are there World Wide Web sites devoted to MST3K?
A: At one time, there were hundreds. In the last few years, many have
vanished, or have been abandoned. Check The Umbilicus
[http://www.mst3kinfo.com/links.html] for a sampling of them. If you
would like to have your web site included in The Umbilicus, please email
umbi...@mst3kinfo.com with full information about your site.
Q: Are there mailing lists devoted to MST3K?
A: Yes. Visit one of the major mailing list hosting services to find
them. You may also want to check Yahoo Groups. And you can join the
"read-only" Satellite News mailing list by sending a blank email to
mst3kinfo...@topica.com.
Q: I just found an MST3K forum/newsgroup. Should I dive right in to the
conversations?
A: As with any online community, it is advisable to follow standard
"netiquette," [http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html] which
suggests that you read through the forum for a while -- that's called
"lurking" -- and learn the tone and culture of the group. Then, if you
feel you want to contribute, begin by introducing yourself. If you have
a question, read the FAQ (as you are doing now) to make sure it is not
already answered there. There is no single way to get off on the wrong
foot faster, in an online forum, than by asking a question that has been
answered many many many many times, and is in the FAQ.
Q: In the forum I found, it seems like everybody knows each other, and I
feel like an outsider. Will I be accepted?
A: Some of the people who post messages in these forums have, in fact,
met each other in real life, either at the conventions or at small local
get-togethers MSTies hold periodically around the country. If you
approach these groups in a cautious and friendly way, and don't come on
too strong at first, you will get to know people very quickly and soon
you will feel right at home.
Q: My complaint is that people seem to be talking about everything
except MST3K! Why don't they talk about the show more?
A: We're talking about a TV show that's been been around since 1988, and
has been cancelled since 1999. Many regulars have been online MSTies for
so long that every imaginable on-topic discussion (as well as the topic
of being off-topic, which is, itself, off-topic) has already taken
place. It's just something you're going to have to accept with good
grace. Railing against it is not going to ingratiate you.
Look at it this way: An article about the show once sagely noted that,
while the NBC series Seinfeld was famous as being "a show about
nothing," MST3K is, in contrast, a show about everything. If you look at
it that way, no subject is really off-topic. As one online MSTie put it:
"The world is our movie, and we riff on life."
It should also be noted that the arrival of Rifftrax and Cinematic
Titanic and the relaunch of MST3K.com have given MSTies new topics of
discussion, with the result that the off-topic problem has lessened of
late.
Q: I've seen some people posting their own little scripts in which the
characters from the show make fun of things like fan fiction. What is
that about, and how do I do it?
A: This is known as "MSTing." The practice began in the early '90s, when
the usenet was just beginning to become popular, and began attracting
posts by all sorts of crazies. Some fans of the show, after spotting a
particularly stupid post somewhere, began posting commentaries of the
posts, in which comments supposedly by Joel/Mike and the bots were
inserted into the text. Slowly the practice became more popular, and
people began creating more elaborate posts that even included host
segments and other creative elements.
CONVENTIONS
Q: I've heard and read about the MST3K Conventio-Con and ExpoFest-a-Rama
that was held Friday, September 16th through Sunday, September 18, 1994.
What happened?
A: It was great fun. About 2,000 MSTies from around the country gathered
at the Radisson South hotel in Bloomington, MN.
€ The line to get into the merchandise room was endless but its
inhabitants cheerful. Another room at the hotel featured a "museum" of
memorable props and costumes from the series.
€ Episodes were run in three different rooms 24 hours a day; showings
of episode 424- "MANOS": THE HANDS OF FATE were standing-room-only. The
Friday night keynote event included the entire current cast and writing
staff (Joel did not attend) discussing the early days of the show,
showing slides and answering questions from the audience.
€ It was the first time fans has a chance to see the now-familiar
"Poopie" and "Scrapbook" tapes, which not only were shown to fans
waiting in line during the autograph session, but were also shown on the
hotel TV.
€ On Saturday morning, an autograph session scheduled for two hours
stretched to more than four. That was followed by a celebrity Q&A
session featuring Beverly Garland (star of three MSTed movies), David
Worth (director of Warrior of the Lost World -- seen in episode 501) and
John Humphries (who played Mikey in Teenage Strangler -- seen in episode
514). Kim Catrall (who starred in City Limits -- seen in episode 403)
was also scheduled to attend but canceled at the last minute. Studio
tours went on all day Saturday.
€ On Saturday night, the entire convention was bused to a theater in
downtown Minneapolis for a live performance of the show, featuring the
movie "This Island Earth." There were standing ovations beyond count and
deafening cheers rattled the hall. Following the show, conventioneers
returned to the hotel for a gala costume ball that extended well into
the wee hours and where MSTies and cast members mingled freely.
Q: I was unable to attend the convention. Did BBI videotape any of it?
Are those videotapes available?
A: BBI did tape some parts of the con, and some of that footage was
included in a tape the Info Club offered called The MST3K Scrapbook.
Q: How about the live show? Is BBI selling tapes of that?
A: Some footage of the live show is included in the Scrapbook tape. None
of the very funny riffing of the movie was included, but you can get
some idea of what you missed by watching Mystery Science Theater 3000 -
The Movie. Many of the riffs are the same as performed that night.
Q: I couldn't make it to the second convention, which ran from Friday,
August 30th to Monday, September 2nd, 1996. What happened?
A: Dubbed Conventio-con II: Electric Bugaloo, it was held at the
Minneapolis Convention Center. Some 2,300 MSTies attended (short of the
4,000 BBI was hoping to attract. WorldCon, a major science fiction
convention, was held the same weekend and siphoned off some potential
attendees; also, some attendees canceled their reservations when a
planned live show was canceled due to the resignation, only a few weeks
earlier, of Trace Beaulieu).
€ The keynote session featured the entire cast and writing staff
(including Trace) and which featured a few cheerful but confusing
comments from Sci-Fi Channel head honcho Barry Schulman and a wonderful
farewell video of classic Trace moments. Also seated at the table was a
guy (introduced as a new writer) named Bill Corbett. Rumors swirled at
the con that Bill had been chosen to take over Crow, but BBI refused to
confirm them at the time.
€ The celebrity panel featured (at last!) Kim Catrall (featured in
episode 403- City Limits), Russell Johnson (The Professor from
"Gilligan's Island" and co-star of "This Island Earth") and Rex Reason
(star of "This Island Earth").
€ At one session, scenes that had been cut from MST3K - The Movie were
shown. It may be the only time the Dave Alvin version of the MST3K theme
song, including lyrics, was ever heard in its entirety in a public
setting. Also shown was a rough cut of a short, "Assignment: Venezuela,"
that was to be included on the then-planned CD-ROM.
€ At another session, Mike Nelson demolished a number of lucky MSTies
in the video game "Doom," while Mary Jo Pehl and Bridget Jones took
another lucky group shopping at the Mall of America.
The marvelous facility was also a star -- a vast improvement over the
cramped quarters of the Radisson Hotel, where the 1994 Convention was
held.
Q: Will any footage of the second con be available to purchase?
A: Despite the frequent appearance of a BBI camera crew at the con, no
footage was ever made available for sale. However, several fans have
compilations of fan-shot footage available for trade. Post a note in the
forums and someone will probably help you.
Q: Will there be another convention?
A: There will be no other official, BBI-sponsored conventions.
FANS
Q: What are MSTies?
A: Fans of MST3K refer to themselves as MSTies (pronounced MIS-teez).
Also variously spelled MiSTies, Misties, Mysties and Mistees.
Q: What makes MSTies special?
A: MSTies come from all walks of life and every part of the country and
from every niche in the political and social spectrum. Despite this vast
diversity, most truly devoted fans do seem to have some things in
common. With the obvious caveat that there are exceptions to every rule,
here are some of the things we've noticed after meeting many, many
MSTies:
€ MSTies are funny. They laugh easily and comedy is an important part
of their lives. And, despite a culture that tends to discourage women
from having and displaying a real sense of humor, female MSTies are
every bit as funny as their male counterparts -- or more so.
€ MSTies are nice. The show itself has a very positive worldview -- one
that BBI says is intentional -- and it tends to attract people who are
sweet, easy-going and easy to like. As friends, MSTies are loyal to a
fault.
€ MSTies are smart. You'd have to be to love a show with references to
everyone from Nietzsche to Heisenberg to Shakespeare, and they are
invariably intelligent, well-read, thoughtful and erudite.
€ But MSTies are NOT all sweetness and light. They can be cynical,
hyper-critical and impatient. They do not suffer fools easily, they tend
to question authority and can be downright harsh when confronted with
anyone or anything they deem mediocre, stupid and/or pompous. The flip
side of their loyalty as friends is that they can be tenacious
opponents.
Q: With the intense nature of the fandom surrounding this show, it would
hardly be surprising if Best Brains staffers acquired the occasional
stalker or spooky correspondence. Did they?
A: BBI insiders say that these situations were remarkably few and far
between. They consider this a testament to the fact that, although many
fans follow the show intensely, they still remember "it's just a show."
Indeed, throughout the history of the series, the cast members have
always lived remarkably normal private lives and have felt very little
need for extra security precautions. For example, it was only in 1995
that BBI staffers thought to take their names out of the Minneapolis
phone book, take their addresses and phone numbers off their checks, and
things like that. "99 percent of the fans are sweeties," said one BBI
staffer. Although there have been a few troublesome cases, they've all
been more of the "nuisance" variety; none that we have heard about have
been of the "imminent bodily harm" variety.
Q: Which cast members got the most unwanted attention?
A: From what we hear, Joel seemed to get most of the unwanted attention
during his tenure. After his departure, what little oddball mail, etc.,
BBI received was about equally divided among the cast members.
Q: I've heard that a rock band recorded a cover of the theme song. Is
that true?
A: Yes. The band Man Or Astroman (currently on extended, perhaps
permanent, hiatus) did a cover of the Joel-era theme on its album
"Destroy all Astromen." The band's members are reportedly big fans of
the series and also report that the audience response whenever they
played the song live was overwhelming. In 1997, Joel himself made an
appearance at one the band's concerts and sang lead on their rendition
of the song, as the audience went wild. Joel also mentioned them in his
return appearance in episode 1001- Soultaker.
Q: Are there any other famous MST3K fans?
A: Plenty. Among the most notable, who have sung the show's praises
either in verbal coments or in print, are Keith Olbermann, Steven
Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Al Gore, Neil Young, Miles O'Keeffe, Beverly
Garland, Kim Catrall, Paul Schrader, Time film critic Richard Corliss,
"Weird Al" Yankovic, Emilio Estevez, Neil Patrick Harris and the rock
band Rush. Now-deceased musicians Dan Fogelberg and Frank Zappa were
also fans.
Q: What's this "Troops" thing, and what does it have to do with MST3K?
A: "Troops" is a short, homemade parody of the Fox TV show "Cops,"
presented as if an episode of that show had been filmed following the
daily routine of some Imperial stormtroopers on patrol on the planet
Tattooine (from the movie "Star Wars"). It features a brief cameo
appearance by our own Tom Servo. Check it out at
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5351101160052590481&q=troops&hl=
en.
Q: I've heard that some fans have created their own homemade versions of
the show! Is that true?
A: Yes. Perhaps the best known was a group based in Seattle
[http://www.eskimo.com/%7Erkj/MST.html] who, in 1992, filmed themselves
pretending to be Joel and the Bots as they riffed on "Star Trek V." They
followed it up in 1995 with a riff of "Highlander II." A few other
similar groups have sprung up around the country.
Q: I really want to see some of these homemade versions of MST3K, but I
don't know where to find them. Wouldn't it be great if there was some
sort of central database of fanvid information?
A: Check out this site
[http://www.geocities.com/mst3kfanvids/index.html]. Note: Most of these
efforts are in violation of a whole slew of copyright laws and we at
Satellite News neither support nor condone such activities.
Q: I've also heard about an X-rated parody of MST3K! Is that true?
A: Several New York City residents report that this much-rumored short
film, in which some mechanical sexual devices are seen in theater seats
commenting on a porno movie, does exist. The reports say it appeared on
"Midnight Blue," a low-budget, pornographic version of "Entertainment
Tonight" hosted by Screw Magazine publisher Al Goldstein, seen on
Channel 35, one of Manhattan Time Warner Cable's public access channels.
Reports say it has been shown several times. According to one
correspondant who claims to have seen it: "The segments are pretty
short, no longer than five minutes, and aren't very funny. The three
"bots" basically say things like, 'Look at those hooters' and so on."
JOEL VS. MIKE DISCUSSIONS
Q: When I look back over the whole history of the show, I really think
Joel was a better, funnier host than Mike. Am I alone in this feeling?
A: Hardly. In fact, both Joel and Mike have themselves been asked which
of them was a better host, and both of them gave the same answer: Joel.
Joel is beloved by just about all fans of the show.
At the same time, when Mike took over the hosting duties, the vast
majority of fans quickly came to love him, too. Mike has his own
performing style, and comparing the two is really comparing apples and
oranges. Each is good in his own way. Of course, Joel created the series
and made a vital ongoing contribution to it when he was its star, but
those who say he is "funnier" might want to keep in mind that MST3K
scripts have always been a team effort, and Head Writer Mike Nelson and
the rest of the writing staff were writing a lot of Joel's dialog.
Q: I thought Mike did a great job, and Joel was great, too. Do people
seriously argue about which one was better?
A: It doesn't happen much anymore, but immediately after Mike took over
in the fall of 1993, and continuing for about a year, the Great Joel vs
Mike Flamewar roared out of control everywhere in MSTie cyberspace. The
enduring legacy of that time is that bringing up the issue in public
forums is something of a taboo.
However, as the show begins to receed in people's memories, that taboo
is beginning to fade. The emotions surrounding the issue just aren't as
strong as they used to be.
Once in a great while, you may still see somebody in a forum asking "Who
do you like better, Mike or Joel?" or saying "I hate Mike, Joel was
funnier" (or the reverse). One of three things is happening:
€ The person is intentionally trying to cause trouble (and it used to
work, but, as already noted, such tactics are less and less likely to
cause a major argument these days);
€ the person is new to the MST3K discussion area and is just looking to
break the ice, unaware of what a tender topic it is (and while this
blunder once brought scorn and derision, it now actually may work as a
pleasant icebreaker);
€ or the person is a long-time regular slyly mocking the heated
emotions that once surrounded so inflammatory an issue.
Q: It deserves mockery! Why in the world would people get so exercised
about the characters in a TV show?
A: Looking back, it seems pretty silly, now. The only way to explain
those times is to note that MST3K fans were (and in some cases, still
are) remarkably passionate about the series. Plus, it seems to be human
nature, when confronted with a dichotomy, to take sides (tastes great!
less filling!) or to at least compare and contrast. In a situation like
that, somebody, almost unavoidably, will say "host A vs. host B:
discuss."
Those elements were all that was needed, at the time, to spark a very
ugly situation. But that was a long time ago.
Q: I've heard that "Joel vs. Mike" discussions were forbidden! Is that
true?
A: Yes, there was a time when, in some moderated discussion forums, that
topic was off limits. The ban was imposed because years of experience
had shown that the topic only sparked angry words.
Again, the issue is no longer quite the tender topic it once was, but
even those who post in the unmoderated Usenet newsgroups are advised to
steer clear of "Joel vs. Mike" discussions, or approach them warily and
with a light, tolerant attitude.
Q: Sheesh! I thought online discussion forums were for debate! Why
shouldn't people debate this?
A: They can, of course, and increasingly they are. But for many years
they chose not to, because online MSTie groups often saw themselves as
communities -- relatively happy, peaceful communities, at that -- and,
while these communities respected freedom of expression, they also did
their best to avoid and discourage situations where divisions and angry
words could arise. The "Joel vs. Mike" issue was put along side the
topics of politics and religion as conversation topics to avoid.
Some forums have gotten to the point where the issue no longer sparks
angry words, but it's still advisable to be cautious. Here are the three
most popular reasons people give for steering clear of the issue:
€ Been there, done that: It seems like yesterday to some folks, but
Joel left the series in 1993. This is certainly not a new or undiscussed
subject.
€ Nobody's right, nobody's wrong: We are talking, after all, about
something that is purely a matter of opinion--and it's a matter of
opinion about which everybody has already made up their minds.
€ Can you say "faux pas"?: Bringing the issue up was, in the past, seen
as aggressive and inconsiderate gesture, even by those who happened to
agree with you. Even if your post is not intended as a disruption, some
who read your comments could (understandably, based on past history)
consider you a "troll."
If, after reading all those reasons, you still wish to bring up this
issue, we can only say: Be careful out there!
LEGALITIES
Q: I have copies of episodes, and it seems like I could make some money
selling copies of them. Would it be a good idea to post a note to that
effect?
A: MST3K is fully copyrighted, so technically when you make and sell
copies of episodes, you are breaking the law.
Q: Wait a minute! What about "Keep Circulating The Tapes"? Isn't that a
license to sell episodes?
A: It's true that, in the closing credits of seasons one through four,
there was a line in the credits that read: "Keep Circulating The Tapes."
They included that line because, at that time, CC was a new station and
was not available everywhere. They were encouraging fans who were taping
the show from TV and circulating those tapes, free of charge, to friends
who had not yet seen the show or did not have CC on their cable systems.
The line was never intended to encourage tape selling or duplicating.
Beginning with the fifth season, the line was removed from the credits,
apparently because BBI's lawyers were worried about just this sort of
misunderstanding.
(Of course, in the famous "Betamax" case, the Supreme Court ruled that
it is legal to tape any TV show for your own personal use. It's when you
make a copy of that tape that you violate the law; when you sell that
tape, you are also violating the law.)
Q: I have created a MST-related product: artwork, a computer file or
something else that incorporates audio and/or video usage of something
from the series. Can I sell it?
A: The short answer is: No. The not-so-short answer is: Be discreet and
BBI may not notice. If you aren't discreet, you may find yourself on the
business end of a cease-and-desist order. It has happened. And don't
blame BBI if it does. The copyright and trademark laws say that if they
don't defend their product, they could lose their rights to it. And if
they don't prevent infringement by average fans, they will have trouble
doing it when ConHugeCo tries it, because there will be a legal
precedent.
The real answer is: Some entrepreneurs have succeeded in impressing Jim
Mallon enough with their product that he has approved a license
agreement, allowing them to sell their MST3K-themed products legally
(and giving Jim a piece of the proceeds). It is an option, but he has
very high standards. If you plan to pursue it, good luck.
PARTS: THE BOT BUILDING HORROR
Q: Which way did the 'bots face when they were in the theater? It looks
to me like Crow was actually facing away from the screen.
A: The 'bots, in addition to Mike or Joel, faced toward the screen, with
their backs to Cambot and the audience. What you are seeing is an
optical illusion that many people have reported.
Q: Why can't we see through Tom Servo's head in the theater?
A: Puppet doubles were used for filming the theater segments. These
doubles were painted black (Crow's double was used as the evil dark
specter Timmy in episode 416- FIREMAIDENS FROM OUTER SPACE and Tom's
double was seen as the "planetarium" Tom in episode 609- SKYDIVERS). The
doubles made better outlines for the final mix and didn't glare back at
the camera.
Q: Was Servo's head always painted black?
A: No. In the KTMA episodes, the original 'bots played their own parts
in the theater segments, not stand-ins, and the movie could be seen
through Servo's head.
Q: How does Tom Servo see when he has no eyes?
A: The REAL answer to this question is: It's just a show, you should
really just relax. But if you'd like to pretend Tom is real, over the
years there have been several comments about his bubble-head being some
sort of visual sensory device.
Q: Why does Tom Servo's head look like a cylinder in several season two
episodes?
A: There are both "on-screen" and "off-screen" reasons:
On screen, Servo was given a "haircut" in episode 205- ROCKET ATTACK USA.
Off screen, using a different kind of candy dispenser as Tom's head was
an experiment to see if they could find a way to have Servo block less
of the movie screen. It was abandoned after a few episodes and the old
Servo head returned. (Note: that model of candy dispenser is also
available at the many of the same places you can get the standard "Servo
head" model.)
Q: Sometimes Tom Servo's hands were pinkish and sometimes they were
white. Why?
A: Servo hands were created from a mold. For some episodes,
ex-Toolmaster Jef didn't paint them.
Q: As we know, Tom Servo got around by use of his hoverskirt. Why did he
need to be carried into the theater by Joel/Mike?
A: There are both "on-screen" and "off-screen" reasons:
The on-screen reason is explained in episode 110- ROBOT HOLOCAUST: Servo
reminded Joel to carry him over a ventilation grate that was apparently
in the floor at or near the entrance of the theater. Mike was also
informed of this fact in episode 513- THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE, his
first episode as host. Apparently, Servo's hoverskirt had difficulty
providing enough force to carry him over the grate on his own, although
he did it on a few occasions.
The off-screen reason: When they entered the theater, Joel/Mike could
walk in, and Trace/Bill could slide over with Crow from the right, but
Josh/Kevin had to be already sitting in Tom Servo's spot. So Joel/Mike
had to carry Tom Servo in and hand him to Josh/Kevin, and carry him out
at the end.
Q: How many times did Tom Servo's head explode?
A: Four (not counting various times when he was just generally blown up
or his head has fallen off or apart). Tom's head first exploded trying
to think of a good thing about episode 105- THE CORPSE VANISHES. In
episode 107- ROBOT MONSTER, it happened while he was trying to make
sense of the fact that bumblebees shouldn't be able to fly. In episode
211- FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS, his sarcasm sequencer overloaded. And in
episode 419- REBEL SET, it happened because he was trying to figure out
who Merritt Stone was.
And while it really wasn't an explosion, Tom's head suffered a serious
meltdown in the theater during 318- Star Force: Fugitive Alien II.
Tom also suffered some explosions in MST3K: The Movie.
Q: Why did Gypsy talk that way? Was she stupid? And why didn't she watch
the movies with M&TB?
A: Within the premise of the show, Gypsy was probably the most
sophisticated robot on the SOL. She was responsible for controlling all
the "higher functions" of the ship, so that M&TB could watch the movies
without worrying about it. She talked that way because all of her brain
power was being used up in controlling the ship, and she has very little
left over for normal conversation. In episode 207- WILD REBELS, she shut
down most of the ship's functions for a little while in order to have a
regular conversation, and she spoke perfectly normally (while Joel
gasped for oxygen). She does not watch the movies, again, because she is
busy elsewhere.
Q: Gypsy seemed to get smarter over the years, didn't she?
A: Like all the 'bots, Gypsy went through a complex personal evolution.
Certainly the wise, loving Gypsy of later seasons was not the dopey,
almost pet-like Gypsy we knew in season one. But then, you're probably
smarter than you were 15 years ago, too, aren't you?
Q: Could Gypsy enter the theater?
A: Yes. Gypsy entered the theater in three episodes. She made brief
appearances in the theater in episode 112- UNTAMED YOUTH and episode
207- WILD REBELS. Her longest appearance in the theater was in episode
412- HERCULES AND THE CAPTIVE WOMEN, when she actually participated in
the experiment for awhile, before fleeing the horrible movie.
It should also be noted that in the opening credits for the KTMA
episodes it was Gypsy, not Servo, who was shown in the theater with Joel
and Crow.
Q: Who is this Richard Basehart that Gypsy is so fond of?
A: He was a veteran movie and TV actor, perhaps best remembered as
Admiral Nelson on TV's "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea."
The Richard Basehart thing on MST3K was basically a running gag that
started in episode 101- THE CRAWLING EYE: Joel asked Gypsy what 2 + 2
equals. She responded with a complete non-sequitur: "Richard Basehart."
Q: Why do we never see Cambot?
A: Because we are seeing the proceedings through his eyes. We can only
see him if he looks into a mirror (as he does during the opening theme,
from seasons two through seven).
Q: Why is it that, in the opening credits of episodes 201 to 512,
Cambot's image in the mirror looks straight ahead and then pans left,
but the camera's point of view keeps pointing straight ahead and does
not turn?
A: It's just a show, you should really just relax.
Q: What were the robots made of?
A: A whole bunch of stuff! Here's the official list.
Crow was mostly made of sporting equipment and Tupperware:
€ Eyes and head -- His eyes were glow-in-the dark Ping-Pong balls;
pupils were square bits of electrical tape. His head (around his eyes)
was a soap dish manufactured by the Schwartz Plastics Co. of Glendale,
CA. This soap dish is no longer made and is extremely difficult to find.
The top of his head was a hockey mask (Cooper XL7FG).
€ Mouth -- A plastic bowling pin cut in half. It used to have a
circular emblem with what appeared to be a stylized lower-case "e"
imprinted in it, but later the ones with the shapes of crowns embedded
in them were used.
€ Arms -- Adjustable desk lamp parts, with closed-cell foam tubing (the
kind used to insulate water pipes) on the upper part. Flexible rubber
tubing was used for the rest of the upper arm. Toy claws for hands.
€ Neck -- PVC and flexible rubber tubing.
€ Torso -- A Tupperware "Floralier" flower-arranging set, plus part of
another set. This set is no longer made. The set consists of a tall
conical vase that snaps into a short conical vase that then snaps onto a
tray. Two trays, placed face-to-face, make his shoulders. The vases are
below, turned upside down. A short section of drainage hose (the same
type used for Gypsy, see below) separates the two trays.
€ Legs -- More lamp parts, like his arms.
€ The whole thing (except his eyes) was then spray-painted gold over
its original plastic.
Tom Servo was mostly made of toys:
€ Head -- A gumball machine (surprise!) made by Carousel Industries and
distributed by LEAF, Inc. of Lake Forest, IL.; the name for it is
"Executive Snack Dispenser." Although it comes in red, the head and
torso are painted to keep the same consistency in color. His beak was
spray-painted silver after the manual dispenser handle was removed.
Also, there was an added extension (made from the lid of another snack
dispenser) between the top of his beak and the bottom of his globe.
€ Torso -- The barrel was a "Money Lover's Barrel Bank" -- a very
difficult item to find. Chest was a toy engine block. Both items were
later made from a mold.
€ Shoulders -- Eveready flashlight heads. The rest of the flashlight
was used for Gypsy. (See below).
€ Arms -- Arm assembly from a "Mr. Moonie" or "C. More Bunz" doll.
These dolls drop their pants and "moon" people when a rubber bladder is
squeezed. Once hard to find, the "C. More Bunz" doll has been reissued
by its manufacturer and can be bought at almost any Spencer's Gifts. The
entire arm assembly, including the rubber bladder, was kept intact when
installed into the barrel. One change made to the assembly, however,
were the springs. Originally they were also kept intact, but in later
seasons they were replaced with heavy duty springs that can be found at
any hardware store.
€ Hands -- Doll hands. Another rare set of items that were later made
from a mold.
€ Hoverskirt -- A plastic Halloween "Boo Bowl." The base was made of
foam tubing. Black decorations were made from plastic that has been
vacu-formed around a toy train.
Gypsy was made of household items:
€ Eye -- Eveready flashlight, minus the hood. See Tom Servo listing
above.
€ Head -- "Century Infant Love Seat" from Century Products, Inc. No
longer made. The top of the head was the outside of the seat turned
upside down. The lower part was made from the inner liner of the seat
and was connected to the top by a PVC tube.
€ Neck -- Black hose "drain tile."
€ Lips -- Light-blue foam tubing.
The Nanites are made of A/V items and assorted clips:
€ Head -- Plastic audio cassette tape box (not the tape itself).
€ Mouth -- Spring-loaded buckle from duffel bag strap.
€ Eyes -- Plastic lids from small containers. The pupils were small
plastic washers.
€ Body -- VHS cassette with the tape and inner workings removed.
€ Body markings -- Scrap pieces of plastic cut into assorted shapes.
€ Legs -- House gutter clips. Marketed under the name "Fascia Fixer,"
the clips can be found in the gutter section of Menards and other
hardware/home improvement stores.
The many faces of Cambot (whose appearance has changed several times
over the course of the series)
Season 1: Some sort of metal part. Sphere in middle. (The original Gypsy
from KTMA TV23 was made of parts which later became part of Comedy
Channel's Cambot, but both robots have been revised since then.)
Episode 201-512: Rotating alarm light on top. Neck was some sort of
hose, a la Gypsy.
Episodes 513-706: Two fruit ripening bowls joined to form a sphere.
Battery from a pack of Polaroid film. Gypsy tubing.
Episodes 810-1013: He got a new paint job that changed him from gray to
blue.
Q: Why does Cambot's appearance keep changing?
A: The on-camera reason has never been explained, but fans have plenty
of humorous theories about it!
The off-camera reason is: Because Cambot has never appeared on the
show, it was never necessary to keep him around. Once the footage for
the opening theme was shot, he was usually taken apart and the parts
used for other things. So every time a new "robot roll call" needed to
be shot, it was decided, rather than recreate the old Cambot, to create
something newer and more interesting. If this lack of consistency
bothers you, this is not the show for you.
Q: I'm building robots. Where can I find parts?
A: All over the place! Tom Servo's gumball head can be found at Mr.
Bulky's or other candy shops. You might want to look for various items
at Everything's A Dollar store, where everything's a dollar (price
check, Earl!). Another great place to look is in various thrift stores
around town. Also, foam tubing and drainage tubing can be found at most
home-improvement stores. Certain items became so hard to find that BBI
created more copies by using molds of the originals. These items are:
€ Tom Servo -- His torso, including both the barrel bank and the engine
block. In the words of Jef Maynard, ex-Toolmaster of BBI, the bank is
"about as rare as kryptonite." Tom's hands are also reportedly
impossible to find.
€ Crow -- The soap dish around his eyes is another extremely rare item.
Also, Crow's main body is hard to find, since that Tupperware set is no
longer made.
Q: Where can I find instructions for building the bots?
A: There are many web sites devoted to bot building, but we recommend
joining the Yahoo! Groups botbuilders mailing list. Most of the people
who run bot building sites participate and you won't find a more
knowlegeable group of builders anywhere...outside of former BBI
staffers. And if you're looking for pre-built bots, the folks there can
help you out.
Q: What is the Satellite of Love model made out of?
A: Actually, there were three models: the old four-foot model that was
seen in the opening credits of seasons one through six and two others
made specially for the feature film. One of them was another four-foot
long model which has also been used for the opening credits of seasons
seven and onwards. The other, an eight-footer (!) can be seen in the
opening credits of MST3K: The Movie.
All the models were made out of foam core. Why? It's light, easy to work
with, and BBI always seemed to have a lot of it around. In keeping with
the idea of making the SOL look like a giant dog bone, a "soccer ball"
construction of hexes and pents was used, because it was a fast way to
build shapes that are sort of round. The surface action of the four-foot
models is composed of many old model kit parts, along with whatever was
on hand that looked good. Of course, model parts don't provide much
detailing for an eight-foot model, so BBI covered it with a lot of tiny
toys, many of which they got through the mail.
Q: What were some of the items that can be seen in the walls of the set
in seasons two through seven?
A: During the early seasons, it was a popular fan pasttime to try to
spot as many recognizable shapes in the set walls as possible. Here's
the definitive list that was finally compiled:
There were seven panels and half-panels in the bridge set. What follows
is a list by panel, numbered stage right to stage left:
€ Upper half of stage rightmost panel -- motorman's helper; potty seat;
crescent wrench; badminton racquet; bendable Gumby doll (screwed on to
wall through the "heart"); Hot Wheels storage case; flatware trays; LEGO
carrying case; shoe lasts; model train tracks.
€ Lower half of stage rightmost panel -- Speak 'N' Spell; flower pots;
plastic baseball bat; Tupperware grater; ice cube trays, toy jeep;
plastic ketchup bottle.
€ Half panel stage right beneath window -- hair curlers; toy truck; toy
golf club; ice cube trays; Hungry, Hungry Hippos game; toy pistol;
Millennium Falcon model (this might also have been the action playset);
film reel; Star Wars Snow Speeder.
€ Panel areas surrounding Hexfield Viewscreen -- flower pots; speaker;
toy dinosaur; toy telephone; Trouble Pop O Matic game; toy trumpets;
telephone handset; hair curlers; mouse exercise wheel; toy race car;
baby rattle.
€ Also on stage right -- bendable Poky; Big Bird head; plastic bowling
pins; Playskool ball with shaped holes in it that kids put shaped blocks
into; egg tray; two clocks.
€ Pentagonal panel above door to theater -- flatware trays; kneepads;
two potty seats; Hungry, Hungry Hippos game; plastic Christmas reindeer
cut in half (upside down); front of a castle-shaped action toy playset;
bird cage cut in half (one on each side).
€ Hexagonal panel with hose -- speaker; flatware tray; plastic dish
drain rack; hair curlers; Jell-O mold; plastic baseball bats; half a
plastic horse; toy trumpets and horns.
€ Half panel stage left under window -- toy ukulele; toy pistol; toy
boat; hair curlers; bowling pin; ice cube tray; Darth Vader Action
Figure Storage Case; small pitcher; small toy car.
€ Stage leftmost full panel with hose -- motorman's helper; toy push
mower; Santa's head; toy trucks; bowling pin set; baby rattles; toy
pistols; large flashlights; canteen; pitcher; toy brontosaurus; mug
rack; toy fire truck; wrench; shoulder pads; flower pots; sections of
slot car track; model train tracks.
€ Also on stage left -- Fozzy figure sitting in cup; Playskool
shape-ball; toy fencing sword; plastic ladle; plastic toy shovel; toy
boat; toy crane; two kitchen clocks (one is a large "sun"); kid's doctor
kit case; baby's busybox.
€ Desk front -- two bird bath bases (upside down); whiffle ball; toy
bowling ball; hair curlers; seven 35 mm cameras; one Polaroid camera;
bird cage cut in half (one on each side); plastic angel; doll's face;
toy bird whistle.
€ Controls on top of desk -- spray can tops (for the buttons).
€ All over the set -- assorted trays; drawer organizers; bowls; divided
dinnet plates; cups; silverware drawer trays; heart-shaped bowls.
Q: What was the Mads' "techtronic panel" made out of?
A: A teletype machine.
SUBTLETIES, OBSCURITIES, ODDS AND ENDS
Q: How many times has the show's opening changed?
A: Over the years, BBI has updated or altered the opening sequence many
times:
€ The KTMA opening had its own set of lyrics to the song and very
low-budget visuals (and an unrecognizable Satellite of Love);
€ The opening season one had the standard CC-era "Joel" lyrics we are
familiar with, plus visuals that were almost as cheesy as those on KTMA;
€ The opening in episodes 201- ROCKETSHIP XM through 402- THE GIANT
GILA MONSTER had new visuals, and began with a silent graphic that
instructed viewers to "Turn down your lights...where applicable"
(There was also a slight change made beginning with episode 317- VIKING
WOMEN VS. THE SEA SERPENT -- the movie being watched by Joel and the
bots in the theater was changed from episode 101- THE CRAWLING EYE to
episode 212- GODZILLA VS. MEGALON);
€ From episode 403- CITY LIMITS through episode 519- OUTLAW, the "turn
down your lights" graphic was replaced by a title card featuring a still
from the movie, some technical information and voiceover that said
"Mystery Science Theater 3000, show xxx, reel 1" (That voice was usually
that of editor Tim Scott);
€ With the arrival of Mike as host in episode 513- THE BRAIN THAT
WOULDN'T DIE, the theme song lyrics and visuals changed again;
€ Beginning with episode 701- NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST (and the
departure of TV's Frank) the theme song lyrics and visuals changed once
more;
€ With the advent of the new premise beginning with episode 801-
REVENGE OF THE CREATURE, a new opening with new theme song lyrics and
new visuals were put into place;
€ New visuals were added in episode 804- THE DEADLY MANTIS;
€ New visuals were added to the opening again beginning with episode
901- THE PROJECTED MAN;
€ New theme song lyrics--reflecting the "Castle Forrester" premise--and
new visuals were introduced beginning with episode 1001- SOULTAKER.
Q: Why did Joel/Mike watch these bombs? What would have happened if he
had refused to enter the theater?
A: In episode 208- LOST CONTINENT Joel refuses to enter the theater, and
is zapped by remote control by the Mads. So it appears that he has to
watch them, or get a shock to the shammies. In episode 819- INVASION OF
THE NEPTUNE MEN, Mike is so repelled by the movie that he leaves the
theater, only to be forced to return when he discovers that Pearl has
turned off the oxygen supply to the rest of the ship (a trick that Dr.
Forrester similarly used in MST3K: The Movie). So it appears that they
had to watch them, or suffer the consequences. Besides, if they didn't,
it wouldn't be much of a show, right?
Q: I've seen the word MSTing or MiSTing used as verb. What does that
mean?
A: When someone says they MSTed
[http://www.faqs.org/docs/jargon/M/MiSTing.html] or MiSTed (both
spellings are popular) something, it means he or she commented
humorously upon it or heckled it , in a way reminiscent of the way the
characters mock the movies on the show. Example: "My friends and I MSTed
an episode of 'Matlock' last night." A precursor of, and similar to, but
not to be confused with, "fisking
[http://www.faqs.org/docs/jargon/F/fisking.html]."
Q: I've also seen the term "riffing." Is that the same thing?
A: Yes. A "riff" is a humorous comment, and "riffing" is making a
humorous comment. Example: "Keeping riffing (or 'riffing on') the movie
and it won't seem so bad."
Q: So how come they didn't do "Plan 9 From Outer Space," which is touted
the worst movie ever made?
A: BBI said that they did not want to do this movie because the
voice-over from Criswell would interfere with the commenting that
Joel/Mike and the 'bots would make.
Also, while "Plan 9" is certainly awful, MSTies know better than to
think it is the worst movie ever made. MST3K has unearthed several
cinematic train wrecks that make it look like "Citizen Kane."
Q: Where did the Brains get all those bizarre shorts?
A: Most of them were provided by New York City-based film historian Rick
Prelinger. He has a collection of 20,000+ of such films, most of which
you can see at http://www.archive.org/details/prelinger.
Q: Why was Jef Maynard, the show's former propmaster, called
"Toolmaster"?
A: The term came from a song by the now-defunct Minnesota rock band Trip
Shakespeare called "Toolmaster of Brainerd." Frank Conniff apparently
invented a parody of the song that included the phrase "Toolmaster Jef
Maynard." When the time came to give Maynard a title in the credits,
Maynard says, it seemed to make sense.
Q: Who is Torgo, and why did he keep showing up with that annoying theme
music?
A: Torgo was the most memorable character from episode 424- "MANOS": THE
HANDS OF FATE. His big-kneed charisma so captivated the Brains that he
(impersonated by Mike) made several appearances in Deep 13.
Q: Just what IS a hamdinger?
A: Hamdingers (a pivotal plot element in the story of Joel's escape in
episode 512- MITCHELL and mentioned again in episode 513- THE BRAIN THAT
WOULDN'T DIE) are deviled ham patties made by Swift-Premium, which were
sold by the block and often used for fish bait.
Q: Why were the Mole People (the Mads' assistants, seen during the
second and third seasons) named Jerry and Sylvia?
A: The names are a reference to Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, who created
many super-marionation films such as "Thunderbirds Are Go," and the
first two movies riffed in the KTMA days.
Q: How come the Mole People stopped appearing on the show?
A: The Mole People costumes were horribly hot under the studio lights,
and the people (usually unpaid interns) who were inside of them rebelled
and refused to continue the characters, for fear of asphyxiation.
Q: I've seen several episodes that have title sequences with video
that's not even in the movie! What's up with that?
A: Those are movies from distributors Film Ventures International. It
obtained the rights to films after the copyright expired, and then
re-released the film under a different name with a new credit sequence.
Q: So what were the names of the original films that FVI got?
A: Seven films featured on MST3K were given the Film Ventures
International treatment. They are:
€ Episode 301- CAVE DWELLERS--originally "Ator The Blade Master,"
€ Episode 303- POD PEOPLE--originally "The Unearthling,"
€ Episode 305- STRANDED IN SPACE--originally "The Stranger,"
€ Episode 401- SPACE TRAVELERS--originally "Marooned,"
€ Episode 405- BEING FROM ANOTHER PLANET--originally "Time Walker."
€ Episodes 213- GODZILLA VS. THE SEAMONSTER and 403- CITY LIMITS are
also FVI products but were not renamed, as far as we can tell.
Two other MST3K episodes got a similar, but slightly different treatment
from FVI: Episodes 322- MASTER NINJA I and 324- MASTER NINJA II were
each made up of a pair of episodes from the NBC TV show "The Master,"
strung together.
Q: I've noticed that the FVI movies would show clips of entirely
different movies during their title sequences? Has anyone ever figured
out what movies they were?
A: So far three have been identified. They used clips from a movie
called "Galaxy Invader" for the titles to "Pod People." They used clips
from the movie "Prisoners of the Lost Universe" for the credits of
"Stranded in Space." And clips from "Son of Godzilla" were used for the
opening credits of "Godzilla vs the Sea Monster."
Q: I noticed that Gizmonic Institute was no longer mentioned after Mike
became the host. Why?
A: This is an inaccurate observation, mostly repeated by people who seem
to be seeking to find any fault possible with the series after Joel left
the series. Actually, "Gizmonic Institute" was almost never spoken of
(except in the theme song) by anybody after the first few episodes of
season one. After all, the Mads hadn't set foot inside Gizmonic since
the KTMA days.
That said, it's true that the word "Gizmonic" was completely erased from
the premise following Joel's departure, but it was not because there was
some intention to remove Joelisms from the series. Joel invented the
word during his stand-up comedy days, he has copyrighted it and he
himself asked the show not to continue to use the word when he left the
series.
Q: The "invention exchange" that used to start each show stopped in late
season five. Why?
A: There is both an "on-screen" reason and an "off-screen" reason.
On-screen: as already explained, the invention exchange was a form of
greeting between Gizmonic Institute employees. Since both Dr. F. and
Joel were both former Gizmonic Institute employees, that was the first
thing they did each episode. But Mike never worked for Gizmonic (Mike
was a temp hired directly by Dr. F. well after Dr. F. had fled Gizmonic)
and so he knows nothing of Gizmonic's corporate culture. Mike would
therefore not understand what an invention exchange was about and Dr. F.
would see no point in exchanging inventions with him.
Off-screen: the invention exchanges were mostly Joel's doing. He was the
gizmo guy. When he left, there was no interest in continuing the
concept. Instead, Dr. F. began most episodes by performing some kind of
experiment on M&TB.
Q: After Mike took over, it seemed like the host segments didn't having
anything to do with the movie anymore/It seems like the host segments
always had something to do with the movie. Why?
A: It's funny the way people's memories work. After Mike became host,
some fans couldn't help looking for differences between Mike's host
segments and Joel's, and claimed to have noticed all sorts of things.
Perhaps the most popular observation involves the host segments'
relevance to the movie being shown in that episode.
But, interestingly, one group complained that the host segments don't
have something to do with the movie like they used to, while an equal
number complained that the host segments much more often have something
to do with the movie than they used to.
A careful examination of the series shows that the number of host
segments that had nothing to do with the movie steadily increased
beginning in season three and that the ratio of relevant-to-irrelevant
host segments leveled off in season five before Joel's departure, and
stayed pretty much the same since then. Weird, huh?
Q: In season six episodes, M&TB and Dr. F. had the ability to send
objects back and forth to each other. How was that possible?
A: In episode 601- Girls Town a device was introduced that was variously
called the "umbilicus," the "umbilicon" and the "umbiliport." It is,
quite simply, a tube running from the SOL to Deep 13. In the first
episode, it was connected to Gypsy, and objects left the SOL and arrived
there through Gypsy's mouth. In later episodes, a simple oven door-like
device both in the SOL and Deep 13 has served as the hatchway.
Q: How could a tube run from an underground cave to an orbiting
satellite?
A: It's just a show, you should really just relax. The concept was
introduced to allow more interaction between Deep 13 and the SOL. For
the record, the umbilicus/con/port was supposed to be 227 miles long.
The writers at BBI once calculated that for an object to travel from
Deep 13 to the SOL in 10 seconds, it would be traveling at 82,000 miles
per hour!
Q: The name Dr. Clayton Forrester sounds familiar. Have I heard it
before?
A: It was the name of the hero from the 1953 George Pal film adaptation
of H. G. Wells' "War of the Worlds." Also, a "Dr. Clay Forester"
(spelled with one "r") was the protagonist of Jack Williamson's 1947 SF
novel, "The Humanoids," but the similarity of names between the novel
and the later movie appears to be coincidental.
Q: What about Dr. Laurence Erhardt? Didn't that name come from "War of
the Worlds" as well?
A: Despite what you might have read in earlier editions of the FAQ, the
answer is no. Josh Weinstein thought of the name himself. It was based
on Werner Erhardt, the EST founder. Josh thought that the name had an
"evil" ring to it. And he selected the first name "Laurence" because he
thought it sounded pretentious.
Q: It seems like some of the first season episodes aren't in the right
order. What is the deal?
A: This was the subject of much discussion (and precious little
information from BBI) for many years, but was finally answered in The
Amazing Colossal Episode Guide. Episode 104- WOMEN OF THE PREHISTORIC
PLANET is the one that is out of order. It was actually (as many
suspected all along) the last episode produced in season one, and was
made after episode 113- THE BLACK SCORPION. This explains why there were
references in episode 104- in that episode to several "later" episodes,
and the announcement of the winners of a contest that is first announced
in episode 110- ROBOT HOLOCAUST. Nobody from BBI has ever been able to
adequately explain why the episode numbering mistake was made, and the
reason is now very probably forgotten.
Q: What is with this cry of "Hi-keeba!" and where does it come from?
A: It's a long-running riff used when somebody makes a stupid
martial-arts-movie-type move. It refers to a particularly stupid moment
from episode 104- WOMEN OF THE PREHISTORIC PLANET. A comic-relief
character in the film is supposedly trying to show off his martial arts
skill, and while he is doing so, he shouts "Hi-keeba!" and then does a
pratfall.
Q: What's happened to KTMA TV23, the independent UHF station in
Minneapolis, where MST3K first aired?
A: In late '88, just as MST3K was taking off, KTMA attempted to create a
regional network along with a media group based in Fargo, N.D., and a
station in St. Cloud, Minn. The attempt failed and, worse, the money
spent on the attempt pretty much crippled everybody involved. KTMA was
forced to cancel MST3K in May of '89, and by July it had to file for
bankruptcy protection. It plugged along for a couple of years as
bankruptcy proceedings continued (during which Don O'Connor, the general
manager who greenlighted MST3K, was fired by a court-appointed trustee).
In November 1991, the station was purchased by Christian broadcaster
Lakeland Group Television and changed the station's call letters to
KLGT, identifying the station as "Sonlight 23." The format consisted of
Christian programs family-oriented sitcoms, cartoons, old movies and,
later, local sports.
In 1995, KLGT joined the fledgling WB network as its Twin Cities
affiliate.
In 1998, following the sale of the station to Sinclair Broadcast Group,
the call sign was changed to KMWB.
In 2006, with the merger of The WB and UPN networks into The CW, KMWB
became the new network's Twin Cities affiliate and changed its call
letters to WUCW.
Q: When was Pearl Forrester introduced?
A: Mary Jo Pehl first appeared as Pearl Forrester, mother of evil
scientist Dr. Clayton Forrester, in episode 607- BLOODLUST. At the
beginning of season seven on Comedy Central, Pearl became a regular
character.
Q: Who or what is Magic Voice?
A: This has never been explained, but she seems to be the voice of the
SOL's computer. At various times her voice was provided by Jann Johnson,
Alexandra Carr, Mary Jo Pehl and Beth "Beez" McKeever.
Q: Where have I heard the phrase "satellite of love" before?
A: The Jerry Lewis Telethon people call the satellite which receives and
sends out their signal the "satellite of love." "Satellite of Love" is
also the title of a Lou Reed song on his 1973 "Transformer" album. This
song was sung by cast members at the close of every live MST
performance. Also, in the chorus of the Def Leppard song "Rocket" (on
the album "Hysteria"), one can also hear the phrase "satellite of love."
Q: In many of the season eight episodes, when a character's hand was
shown or focused on, Mike or one of the bots say "I thought you were
Dale!" or some variation on that phrase. Who is Dale, and what is that a
reference to?
A: Actually, these references are all based on a mistake by Best Brains.
Here's the whole story. Back in the 1970s, there was a series of
commercials for Ivory dishwashing liquid, in which mothers were mistaken
for their daughters--because the Mom used Ivory and so her hands were
young-looking. At around the same time, there was also a commercial for
Grape Nuts, in which a teenage boy mistakes teenage girl Dale's mother
for Dale and utters the deathless line: "I thought you were Dale!" Best
Brains only vaguely remembered these two commericials, and apparently
mixed them up in their minds. There were apparently never any Ivory
Liquid commercials in which a character said "I thought you were Dale!"
And the Grape Nuts commercial in which that line was spoken had nothing
to do with hands. So basically they goofed. But the writers thought they
were making a reference to the Ivory Liquid commericals.
Q: In a couple of episodes, Pearl calls Crow "Art" for some reason. What
the heck?
A: Calling Crow "Art" is an obscure BBI in-joke. During a host segment
in episode 203- JUNGLE GODDESS, Joel was introducing the 'bots at the
end of a sketch in the same manner Jackie Gleason used to use at the end
of his TV show: bringing out each cast member to take a bow. In fact,
when he got to Crow, he got so into the Jackie Gleason premise that he
introduced Crow as "Art Crow!" much as Gleason would yell "Art Carney!!"
when introducing his long-time co-star. Well, apparently some little kid
saw that, didn't get the Jackie Gleason reference, and assumed that
Crow's name was actually Art. That kid wrote a letter to the show, which
was read in episode 402- THE GIANT GILA MONSTER. The letter included
pictures of each of the robots, and the drawing of Crow was labeled
"Art." When Pearl calls Crow "Art," it's a reference to that.
Q: My Trekker friends tell me that there was some reference to the
series on the set of "Star Trek: Deep Space 9." True?
A: True! The directory on the Promenade included a listing for "Tom
Servo's Used Robots."
Q: I hear Mike and Bridget Jones are married!! Is that true?
A: Yes, Mike is married to fellow BBI writer and performer Bridget
"Flavia" Jones, and they have two kids.
Q: Did anybody at Best Brains ever make a movie before MST3K:TM?
A: In 1986, Jim Mallon directed a horror movie that he later sold to
TROMA films (perhaps best known for such titles as "Fat Guy Goes
Nutzoid") entitled "BLOOD HOOK." Kevin Murphy also worked on the film.
Q: I like those bad old movies and shorts. Why can't Joel/Mike and the
bots be quiet?
A: You have failed to grasp the point of the show. Go back to the
beginning and start reading again. If you *still* don't get it, most of
the movies featured on MST3K are available on video. Now, go away. :-)
Q: I like the comedy, but many times the movie is SO bad, even the jokes
don't save it, and I just can't take it. Why can't they do a *good*
movie?
A: A good movie, if it takes itself seriously, is definitely riffable.
But within the premise of the series, the movies being watched are
supposed to be torture (TORCHAA!) for Mike/Joel & the 'bots.
Q: It seems to me that this sort of thing has been done before. Has it?
A: Well, the concept of commenting humorously on some tedious
presentation goes back at least to Shakespeare (check out the characters
riffing on a boring play in the final act of "A Midsummer Night's
Dream") and further back to the Chorus that was a regular feature of
ancient Greek plays, and probably a lot further.
In recent years we've seen a number of similar concepts. In 1966, Woody
Allen released a movie called "What's Up Tiger Lily?" in which he threw
out the soundtrack of a horrible Japanese spy movie and dubbed in his
own satirical soundtrack, creating a vaguely MST3K-like experience. (The
original movie, for the record, was 1964's "Kagi No Kag" -- English
translation: "Key of Keys.")
That same concept -- dubbing new dialog over old movies -- was used in
the 1980s for a syndicated TV series called "Mad Movies with the L.A.
Connection." When The L.A. Connection performed live, they did so from
the front row of an L.A. theater.
There are reports of underground comedy teams in San Francisco and Los
Angeles in the late 1960s who experimented with humorous commentary of
movies, etc.
There was also the 1982 movie, "It Came From Hollywood," in which Dan
Ackroyd, John Candy, Cheech and Chong, Gilda Radner and others provided
comical narration to clips from several B-grade films.
Of course, the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" phenomenon should be
mentioned.
And from around the country, viewers report that the hosts of
local-station "Monster Chiller Horror Theater" type shows would often
mock the movies they were showing in one way or another, sometimes while
the movie was playing, though never quite in the way MST3K does, and
certainly not with as much success.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Q: What are the former cast members doing now?
A: Let's take a look at each of them, in order of their departure:
JOSH
Josh "J. Elvis" Weinstein left the show after the end of the first
season on national TV. In the first episode of the second season, Frank
held up a milk carton with his picture on it and said, "He's missing."
Josh lives in the Los Angeles area. He most recently was a producer for
ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos." He was a producer on the NBC
series "Freaks and Geeks." He also was producer for the short-lived WB
series "Dead Last," and the short-lived "A Young Person's Guide to Being
a Rock Star." He has his own humor website at stinkburger.com.
Josh is married to blues-rock singer Allison MacLeod; he performs with
her as part of a backup band that also includes actors Dave Allen and
Paul Fieg, both of whom were also involved in "Freaks and Geeks." In
2007, he joined Joel's movie riffing venture Cinematic Titanic.
JOEL
Joel left the series in 1993, in the middle of the show's fifth season
on national TV. His final episode as host was episode 512- MITCHELL. In
the episode, Gypsy, mistakenly believing The Mads planned to kill Joel,
discovered that the SOL had an escape pod. Determined to save him, she
threw him into and and sent it to Earth.
Q: Why did Joel leave?
A: At the time, he told the world that he was choosing to leave,
pleading burnout. "It's time for me to hang up my red jump suit and move
behind the camera," he said in the press release announcing his
departure. "Besides, there's an old show business adage I once heard
Adam West say: 'Stay in the same costume and before you know it, you end
up signing pictures at an R.V. show.' Maybe it was Clayton Moore, now
that I think of it."
At the time, fans were told that Joel was uncomfortable in front of the
camera, with his growing fame and with his inability to move on to his
next new creation. "I want to become a behind-the-camera guy," he said.
"I want to get on to the NEXT weird show. I want to be an idea man."
However, more recently, Joel has said he left the series because of
growing friction with his partner Jim Mallon. "After the fifth season,
he and I were on the verge of a fight that I think would have threatened
the survival of the show. I decided to step down... I created the
appearance to the press that I had other plans, but I didn't. It was all
to keep the thing alive. On the bright side, it worked -- the show lived
on."
Q: What is Joel doing now?
A: After he left MST3K, Joel moved to Los Angeles and now lives there
full-time. He ran his own production company, with his brother Jim. He
did some script doctoring with writer Nell Scovelle (executive producer
at "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch"). He was listed as one of the writers
for the comedy gameshow "You Don't Know Jack." He appeared in a
theatrical production in L.A. called "Up Your Giggy." Joel also filmed
scenes for the Darkstar video game project. He spent some time on the
writing staff of ABC's "The Jimmy Kimmel Show." He puts on an annual
party-performance-barbecue thing called "The Super Ball."
In 2007, Joel announced his movie riffing venture, "Cinematic Titanic."
FRANK
Frank's departure took place in episode 624- SAMSON VS. THE VAMPIRE
WOMEN, the final episode of season six. His character was assumed into
"second banana" heaven, a "beautiful place where lackeys, toadies and
whipping boys are forever safe and free from their oppressors."
Since moving to the Los Angeles area, Frank has kept very busy. He
joined the writing staff for the ABC series "Sabrina, The Teenage
Witch," and eventually became Executive Story Editor for the series. He
left the series when its run ended on ABC. He appeared in 1999 with
fellow MST alumnus Josh Weinstein in an improv comedy show in L.A.
called "Bob's Office Party." He was briefly the head writer of "Invader
Zim," an animated series on Nickelodeon. He also spent some time
punching up scripts for "The Drew Carey Show." He also worked on "O2Be,"
a comedy series on The Oxygen Network. He later joined the staff of the
short-lived "Tom Green Show" on MTV. Frank also filmed scenes for the
Darkstar video game project. He worked as a writer for Air America. For
a while he moved back to New York City but is now again making regular
stand-up comedy appearances in Los Angeles. Most recently he has been
working with the "Cartoon Dump" program.
In 2007, he joined Joel's movie riffing venture "Cinematic Titanic."
TRACE
Trace left the series at the end of the seventh season on national TV.
His last episode was 706- LASERBLAST. See the Comedy Central section for
details on that episode. He moved to the L.A. area. Trace had a small
part in a 1998 movie called "With or Without You," appeared in five
episodes of the NBC series "Freaks and Geeks" and made an extremely
brief cameo in an episode of "The West Wing."
Most recently he worked as a staff writer for the ABC series "America's
Funniest Home Videos," but he has now left the series.
Trace wrote the script for a one-time-only special comic book for Event
Comics called "Here Come the Big People." If you'd like signed copies
(it was released with two different covers), send a check for $9.00
(made out to "Trace Beaulieu") to him at: P.O. Box 311, Marine On St.
Croix, MN 55047. He'll ship you out the two books, signed within 2-3
weeks. Trace also filmed scenes for the Darkstar CD-ROM project.
In 2007, he joined Joel's movie riffing venture Cinematic Titanic.
MIKE
Mike Nelson has written three books: a novel called "Mike Nelson's Death
Rat," and two collectons of essays, "Mike Nelson's Mind Over Matters"
and "Mike Nelson's Movie MegaCheese." He also did a lot of freelance
writing, including an occasional column for TV Guide called "The Watch
Dog." He his own website, michaeljnelson.com. He was also part of the
Web site venture timmybighands.com along with Kevin Murphy and Bill
Corbett.
In 2005 Mike began working with a San Diego company called Legend Films.
He provided commentary tracks for several of their DVDs and roped Kevin
Murphy and Bill Corbett into another one. The relationship eventually
blossomed into his latest project: Rifftrax.com. He blogs regularly at
http://blog.rifftrax.com.
In additon, he, Kevin and Bill produced four DVDs under the name The
Film Crew. Originally produced for Rhino Home Video, they were later
released by ShoutFactory.
KEVIN
In 2002, Kevin Murphy's published "A Year at the Movies: One Man's
Filmgoing Odyssey" for Harper Collins. He has his own website,
ayearatthemovies.com.
For a while he was the semi-official movie commentator for NPR's
"Weekend Edition Sunday." He had a recurring column entitled "The Bottom
Shelf" running in Total Movie & Entertainment magazine, but it has been
discontinued.
Kevin has done a number of Rifftrax commentaries with Mike and Bill. He
blogs regularly at http://blog.rifftrax.com.
In additon, he, Mike and Bill produced four DVDs under the name The Film
Crew.
MARY JO
Mary Jo Pehl did a great deal of traveling after MST3K ended. She
finally settled in New York City, where she got a job as a magazine
editor and did a lot of freelance writing. Her work has appeared in the
Minnesota Women's Press, and Funny Times. She has been a commentator on
National Public Radio and Public Radio International, and on KTCA-TV's
Almanac. She also has been as a consultant for the PBS show "Mental
Engineering."
She's done some work on several independent film projects, as well as
appearing in the Darkstar video game project. Her book "I Lived With My
Parents," was published by Plan Nine Publishing. Most recently, she
appeared in "Master Pancake Theater," a comedy troup that performs live
riffings of movies at the Alamo Drafthouse.
In October, 2007, Mary Jo married Ronald DeGroot. Visit her blog at
http://web.mac.com/degr00t/iWeb/Site/Blog/Blog.html.
In 2007, she joined Joel Hodgson's movie riffing venture Cinematic
Titanic.
PAUL
When MST3K closed down, Paul Chaplin became a prolific freelance writer.
Paul dropped out of sight in 2004 to care for his wife Paula, who
suffers from Hodgkin's disease.
In October 2007, Paul rejoined the relaunched Best Brains Inc.
BILL
Bill Corbett's solo comedy stage play, "Heckler," has been performed in
several cities. Two of his other plays "Hate Mail" and "The Big Slam,"
have been performed by several theatre companies around the country. He
was also part of the Web site venture timmybighands.com along with Kevin
Murphy and Mike Nelson.
Bill did some teaching at the University of Minnesota and at Minneapolis
Guthrie Theater and Kenyon College in Ohio.
He has done a number of Rifftrax commentaries with Mike and Kevin. He
blogs regularly at http://blog.rifftrax.com. In additon, he, Mike and
Kevin produced four DVDs under the name The Film Crew.
He wrote the screenplay for the upcoming Eddie Murphy movie "Starship
Dave."
JIM
Jim Mallon is now the sole owner of the rights to MST3K. When the show
left the air in 1999, Jim and the few remaining staffers at Best Brains
continued to sell MST3K merchandise. Jim began a new business and seemed
to have dropped out of show business.
But in 2007, he launched a new Web site at MST3K.com which would include
web animation, a new merchandise store and more.
AWARD NOMINATIONS
Q: How many national television awards has MST3K been nominated for?
A: Quite a few. Here's a breakdown:
CableACE Awards
The series was nominated for eight awards in six years. It did not win
any of the awards for which it was nominated. In 1998, the National
Academy of Cable Programming announced that it was discontinuing the
national CableACE Awards.
1992
Comedy Series
1993
Writing a Comedy Series
1994
Art Direction in a Comedy Series
Comedy Series
Writing a Comedy Series
1995
Comedy Series
1996
Comedy Series
1997
Comedy Series
Emmy Awards
The series has been nominated twice. Again, it did not win any of the
awards for which it was nominated.
1994
Outstanding Writing In A Variety Or Music Program
1995
Outstanding Writing In A Variety Or Music Program
Peabody Award
The series DID win a 1993 Peabody Award for Outstanding Quality
Programming.
MST3K: EPISODE LIST
KTMA-TV 23 1988-1989
K00- THE GREEN SLIME (pilot, never shown)
K01- INVADERS FROM THE DEEP
K02- REVENGE OF THE MYSTERONS
K03- STAR FORCE: FUGITIVE ALIEN 2
K04- GAMERA VS. BARUGON
K05- GAMERA
K06- GAMERA VS. GAOS
K07- GAMERA VS. ZIGRA
K08- GAMERA VS. GUIRON
K09- PHASE IV
K10- COSMIC PRINCESS
K11- HUMANOID WOMAN
K12- FUGITIVE ALIEN
K13- SST DEATH FLIGHT
K14- MIGHTY JACK
K15- SUPERDOME
K16- CITY ON FIRE
K17- TIME OF THE APES
K18- THE MILLION EYES OF SU-MURU
K19- HANGAR 18
K20- THE LAST CHASE
K21- LEGEND OF THE DINOSAUR
THE COMEDY CHANNEL: SEASON ONE 1989-1990
101- THE CRAWLING EYE
102- THE ROBOT VS. THE AZTEC MUMMY with short: COMMANDO CODY AND THE
RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON PT 1
103- MAD MONSTER with short: COMMANDO CODY PT 2
104- WOMEN OF THE PREHISTORIC PLANET
105- THE CORPSE VANISHES with short: COMMANDO CODY PT 3
106- THE CRAWLING HAND
107- ROBOT MONSTER with shorts: COMMANDO CODY PTS 4 and 5
108- THE SLIME PEOPLE with short: COMMANDO CODY PT 6
109- PROJECT MOONBASE with shorts: COMMANDO CODY PTS 7 and 8
110- ROBOT HOLOCAUST with short: COMMANDO CODY PT 9 (partial)
111- MOON ZERO TWO
112- UNTAMED YOUTH
113- THE BLACK SCORPION
COMEDY CHANNEL/COMEDY CENTRAL: SEASON TWO 1990-1991
201- ROCKETSHIP X-M
202- THE SIDEHACKERS
203- JUNGLE GODDESS with short: THE PHANTOM CREEPS PT 1
204- CATALINA CAPER
205- ROCKET ATTACK USA with short: THE PHANTOM CREEPS PT 2
206- THE RING OF TERROR with short: THE PHANTOM CREEPS PT 3
207- WILD REBELS
208- LOST CONTINENT
209- THE HELLCATS
210- KING DINOSAUR with short: X MARKS THE SPOT
211- FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS
212- GODZILLA VS. MEGALON
213- GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER
COMEDY CENTRAL: SEASON THREE 1991-1992
301- CAVE DWELLERS
302- GAMERA
303- POD PEOPLE
304- GAMERA VS. BARUGON
305- STRANDED IN SPACE
306- TIME OF THE APES
307- DADDY-O with short: ALPHABET ANTICS
308- GAMERA VS. GAOS
309- THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN
310- FUGITIVE ALIEN
311- IT CONQUERED THE WORLD with short: SNOW THRILLS
312- GAMERA VS. GUIRON
313- EARTH VS. THE SPIDER with short: USING YOUR VOICE
314- MIGHTY JACK
315- TEENAGE CAVEMAN with shorts: AQUATIC WIZARDS and CATCHING TROUBLE
316- GAMERA VS. ZIGRA
317- VIKING WOMEN VS. THE SEA SERPENT with short: THE HOME ECONOMICS
STORY
318- STAR FORCE - FUGITIVE ALIEN II
319- WAR OF THE COLOSSAL BEAST with short: MR. B. NATURAL
320- THE UNEARTHLY with shorts: POSTURE PALS and APPRECIATING OUR PARENTS
321- SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS
322- MASTER NINJA I
323- THE CASTLE OF FU-MANCHU
324- MASTER NINJA II
COMEDY CENTRAL: SEASON FOUR 1992-1993
401- SPACE TRAVELERS
402- THE GIANT GILA MONSTER
403- CITY LIMITS
404- TEENAGERS FROM OUTER SPACE
405- BEING FROM ANOTHER PLANET
406- ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES with short: UNDERSEA KINGDOM PT 1
407- THE KILLER SHREWS with short: JUNIOR RODEO DAREDEVILS
408- HERCULES UNCHAINED
409- THE INDESTRUCTIBLE MAN with short: UNDERSEA KINGDOM PT 2
410- HERCULES AGAINST THE MOON MEN
411- THE MAGIC SWORD
412- HERCULES AND THE CAPTIVE WOMEN
413- MANHUNT IN SPACE with short: GENERAL HOSPITAL PT 1
414- TORMENTED
415- THE BEATNIKS with short: GENERAL HOSPITAL PT 2
416- FIRE MAIDENS OF OUTER SPACE
417- CRASH OF THE MOONS with short: GENERAL HOSPITAL PT 3
418- ATTACK OF THE THE EYE CREATURES
419- THE REBEL SET with short: JOHNNY AT THE FAIR
420- THE HUMAN DUPLICATORS
421- MONSTER A-GO-GO with short: CIRCUS ON ICE
422- THE DAY THE EARTH FROZE with short: HERE COMES THE CIRCUS
423- BRIDE OF THE MONSTER with short: HIRED! PT 1
424- "MANOS": THE HANDS OF FATE with short: HIRED! PT 2
COMEDY CENTRAL: SEASON FIVE 1993-1994
501- WARRIOR OF THE LOST WORLD
502- HERCULES
503- SWAMP DIAMONDS with short: WHAT TO DO ON A DATE
504- SECRET AGENT SUPER DRAGON
505- MAGIC VOYAGE OF SINBAD
506- EEGAH!
507- I ACCUSE MY PARENTS with short: THE TRUCK FARMER
508- OPERATION DOUBLE 007
509- GIRL IN LOVER'S LANE
510- THE PAINTED HILLS with short: BODY CARE AND GROOMING
511- GUNSLINGER
512- MITCHELL
513- THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE
514- TEEN-AGE STRANGLER with short: IS THIS LOVE?
515- WILD, WILD WORLD OF BATWOMAN with short: CHEATING
516- ALIEN FROM L.A.
517- THE BEGINNING OF THE END
518- THE ATOMIC BRAIN with short: WHAT ABOUT JUVENILE DELINQUENCY?
519- OUTLAW (OF GOR)
520- RADAR SECRET SERVICE with short: LAST CLEAR CHANCE
521- SANTA CLAUS
522- TEEN-AGE CRIME WAVE
523- VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS
524- 12 TO THE MOON with short: DESIGN FOR DREAMING
COMEDY CENTRAL: SEASON SIX 1994-1995
601- GIRLS TOWN
602- INVASION U.S.A. with short: A DATE WITH YOUR FAMILY
603- THE DEAD TALK BACK with short: THE SELLING WIZARD
604- ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE
605- COLOSSUS AND THE HEADHUNTERS
606- THE CREEPING TERROR
607- BLOODLUST with short: UNCLE JIM'S DAIRY FARM
608- CODE NAME: DIAMOND HEAD with short: A DAY AT THE FAIR
609- THE SKY DIVERS with short: WHY STUDY THE INDUSTRIAL ARTS?
610- THE VIOLENT YEARS with short: YOUNG MAN'S FANCY
611- LAST OF THE WILD HORSES
612- THE STARFIGHTERS
613- THE SINISTER URGE with short: KEEPING CLEAN AND NEAT
614- SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL
615- KITTEN WITH A WHIP
616- RACKET GIRLS with short: ARE YOU READY FOR MARRIAGE?
617- THE SWORD AND THE DRAGON
618- HIGH SCHOOL BIG SHOT with short: OUT OF THIS WORLD
619- RED ZONE CUBA with short: SPEECH
620- DANGER! DEATH RAY
621- THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS with shorts: MONEY TALKS! and PROGRESS
ISLAND, U.S.A.
622- ANGELS' REVENGE
623- THE AMAZING TRANSPARENT MAN with short: THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES
624- SAMSON VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMEN
COMEDY CENTRAL: SEASON SEVEN 1995-1996
701- NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST with short: ONCE UPON A HONEYMOON
702- THE BRUTE MAN with short: THE CHICKEN OF TOMORROW
703- DEATHSTALKER AND THE WARRIORS FROM HELL
704- THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN
705- ESCAPE 2000
706- LASERBLAST
SCI-FI CHANNEL: SEASON EIGHT 1997
801- REVENGE OF THE CREATURE
802- THE LEECH WOMAN
803- THE MOLE PEOPLE
804- THE DEADLY MANTIS
805- THE THING THAT COULDN'T DIE
806- THE UNDEAD
807- TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5000
808- THE SHE CREATURE
809- I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF
810- THE GIANT SPIDER INVASION
811- "PARTS": THE CLONUS HORROR
812- THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME
MIXED-UP ZOMBIES
813- JACK FROST
814- RIDING WITH DEATH
815- AGENT FOR H.A.R.M.
816- PRINCE OF SPACE
817- HORROR OF PARTY BEACH
818- DEVIL DOLL
819- INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN
820- SPACE MUTINY
821- TIME CHASERS
822- OVERDRAWN AT THE MEMORY BANK
SCI-FI CHANNEL: SEASON NINE 1998
901- THE PROJECTED MAN
902- PHANTOM PLANET
903- PUMA MAN
904- WEREWOLF
905- THE DEADLY BEES
906- THE SPACE CHILDREN with short: CENTURY 21 CALLING
907- HOBGOBLINS
908- THE TOUCH OF SATAN
909- GORGO
910- THE FINAL SACRIFICE
911- DEVIL FISH
912- THE SCREAMING SKULL with short: ROBOT RUMPUS
913- QUEST OF THE DELTA KNIGHTS
SCI-FI CHANNEL: SEASON TEN 1999
1001- SOULTAKER
1002- THE GIRL IN GOLD BOOTS
1003- MERLIN'S SHOP OF MYSTICAL WONDERS
1004- FUTURE WAR
1005- BLOOD WATERS OF DR. Z
1006- BOGGY CREEK II
1007- TRACK OF THE MOON BEAST
1008- FINAL JUSTICE
1009- HAMLET
1010- IT LIVES BY NIGHT
1011- HORRORS OF SPIDER ISLAND
1012- SQUIRM with short: A CASE OF SPRING FEVER
1013- DIABOLIK
GUEST STARRING ROLES
The following is a list of all the times Best Brains staffers appeared
in guest starring roles.
We have defined "guest starring roles" as:
€ Any voice provided by Trace Beaulieu other than that for "Crow" (We
are unaware of any physical appearances by Trace other than as Dr. F.)
€ Any physical appearance or voice provided by Pat Brantseg, other
than as "Gypsy."
€ Any physical appearance by Paul Chaplin and any voice provided by
Paul Chaplin other than for "Ned the Nanite."
€ Any physical appearance by Bill Corbett other than as "Observer"
and any voice provided by Bill Corbett other than for "Crow."
€ Any physical appearance by Jim Mallon and any voice provided by Jim
Mallon other than for "Gypsy."
€ Any physical appearance by Kevin Murphy other than as "Prof. Bobo"
and any voice provided by Kevin Murphy other than for "Tom Servo" or
"Wade the Nanite."
€ Any physical appearance by or voice provided by Michael J. Nelson
prior to episode 512; any physical appearance by or voice provided by
Michael J. Nelson other than as "Mike Nelson" subsequent to episode 512.
€ Any physical appearance by or voice provided by Mary Jo Pehl prior
to episode 701; any physical appearance by or voice provided by Mary Jo
Pehl subsequent to episode 701 other than that as "Mrs. Pearl
Forrester."
€ Any physical appearance by or voice provided by Frank Conniff other
than as "TV's Frank."
€ Any appearance by or voice provided by anyone else.
NOT included is any time a regular character is dressed as, disguised as
or is impersonating someone else, i.e. Crow as Jay Leno, Frank as the
Hypno-Helio-Static-Stasis doctor, Mike as the Frugal Gourmet, Servo as
Steisand, etc....
Also not included are the "Mole People" or the many voices of "Magic
Voice."
NOTE: We are unaware of any "guest" appearances by Joel Hodgson (other
than in episode 1001) or Josh Weinstein.
ALSO NOTE: KTMA episodes not included. Void where inhibited by blondes.
*=reprised role in Turkey Day 1991 bumpers
In order of appearance:
Jim Mallon
---------
102- ROBOT VS THE AZTEC MUMMY -- provided the voice of Enoch, King of
the Demon Dogs, on the SOL.
203- JUNGLE GODDESS -- played Great White Hunter in the Hexfield
Viewscreen (HFVS).
612- THE STARFIGHTERS -- provided the voice of the customer support
recording on the SOL's phone.
701T- NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST (Turkey Day version) -- provided
Micheael Feinstein's back in Deep 13.
704- THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN -- played Gary, movie focus group
member in Deep 13.
706- LASERBLAST -- voice of killer robot Monad on the SOL.
801- REVENGE OF THE CREATURE -- was among the extra monkeys in Deep Ape.
802- THE LEECH WOMAN -- was among the extra monkeys in Deep Ape.
803- THE MOLE PEOPLE -- was among the extra monkeys in Deep Ape.
905- THE DEADLY BEES -- was the bowler-hatted guy on the SOL and Castle
Forrester.
Mike Nelson
---------
104- WOMEN OF THE PREHISTORIC PLANET -- provided voice of the Isaac
Asimov Literary Doomsday Device on the SOL.
201- ROCKETSHIP X-M -- played space vixen Valeria in the HFVS (in his
first on-camera appearance).
202- THE SIDEHACKERS -- played JC in the HFVS.
203- JUNGLE GODDESS -- played Great White Hunter in the HFVS.
205- ROCKET ATTACK USA -- played cosmonaut Sorri Andropoli in the HFVS.
208- LOST CONTINENT -- played Hugh Beaumont in the HFVS.
211- FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS -- played Abe "TV's Fish" Vigoda" (in his
first Deep 13 appearance).
213- GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER -- provided the voice of Mothra in
HVFS.
302- GAMERA -- played Gamera in the HFVS.
307- DADDY-O -- played Bruce the gym policy guy in the HFVS.
309- THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN -- played Glen Manning in Rocket Number 9.
310- FUGITIVE ALIEN -- played Jack Perkins in Deep 13.*
312- GAMERA VS. GUIRON -- played Michael Feinstein in Deep 13.
313- EARTH VS. THE SPIDER -- played the Custodian of the Seventh Galaxy
from the planet Ziffalodian in the HFVS.
316- GAMERA VS. ZIGRA -- played Kenny in the HFVS.
319- WAR OF THE COLOSSAL BEAST -- returned as Glen Manning in Rocket
Number 9.
402- THE GIANT GILA MONSTER -- provided the voice of the radio
announcer on the SOL.
403- CITY LIMITS -- played Morrisey in Deep 13.
405- BEING FROM ANOTHER PLANET -- played a holoclown in the HFVS.
406- ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES -- returned as a holoclown in the HFVS.
408- HERCULES UNCHAINED -- played Steve Reeves in Deep 13.
409- THE INDESTRUCTIBLE MAN -- played a cop in Deep 13.
413- MAN HUNT IN SPACE -- played Winky in the HFVS.
415- THE BEATNIKS -- provided the voice of Tony Travis on the SOL's
phone.
417- CRASH OF THE MOONS -- played John Banner in the HFVS and provided
the voice of JB over closing credits.
418- ATTACK OF THE THE EYE CREATURES -- played director Larry Buchanan
in Deep 13.
420- THE HUMAN DUPLICATORS -- returned as Hugh Beaumont in the HFVS.
424- MANOS, THE HANDS OF FATE -- played Torgo in Deep 13.
501- WARRIOR OF THE LOST WORLD -- provided the voice of Megaweapon on
the SOL's phone.
503- SWAMP DIAMONDS -- provided the "Baywatch" voice on the TV in Deep
13.
504- SECRET AGENT SUPER DRAGON -- provided a voice in the Virtual
Comedy crowd in Deep 13.
505- MAGIC VOYAGE OF SINBAD -- provided the voice of Frank Sinatra from
the Rat Pack Chess Set on the SOL.
508- OPERATION DOUBLE 007 -- returned as Torgo in Deep 13.
523- VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS -- returned as Torgo in Deep 13.
611- LAST OF THE WILD HORSES -- provided the Torgo-like voice of Deep
13's computer in "mirror" Deep 13.
614- SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL -- returned as Torgo in Deep 13.
620- DANGER!! DEATH RAY! -- returned as Torgo in Deep 13.
624- SAMSON VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMEN -- played Torgo The White in Deep 13.
701T- NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST (Turkey Day version) -- played Jack
Perkins and Michael Feinstein in Deep 13.
705- ESCAPE 2000 -- played Toblerone in Deep 13.
801- REVENGE OF THE CREATURE -- played Dr. Peanut in Deep Ape.
802- THE LEECH WOMAN -- played Dr. Peanut in Deep Ape.
803- THE MOLE PEOPLE -- played Dr. Peanut in Deep Ape.
804- THE DEADLY MANTIS -- played Dr. Peanut in Deep Ape.
805- THE THING THAT WOULDN'T DIE -- played Observer on the Observer
Planet.
806- THE UNDEAD -- played Observer on the Observer Planet.
807- TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5000 -- played Observer on the Observer
Planet.
808- THE SHE CREATURE -- played Observer on the Observer Planet.
811- PARTS: THE CLONUS HORROR -- played Buddy the Space Child on the
camping planet
812- THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME
MIXED-UP ZOMBIES -- played Buddy the Space Child in The Widowmaker.
821- TIME CHASERS -- played Eddie Nelson on the SOL.
901- THE PROJECTED MAN -- provided the voice of Lembach on the phone on
the SOL.
905- THE DEADLY BEES -- reprised his role as Observer in Castle
Forrester.
1008- FINAL JUSTICE -- provided the voice of Goosio on the SOL.
Frank Conniff
----------
202- THE SIDEHACKERS -- played Gooch in the HFVS.
413- MANHUNT IN SPACE -- provided the voice of Winky's mother on the
SOL's phone and the HFVS.
Trace Beaulieu
----------
301- CAVE DWELLERS -- provided the voice of screaming "TV's Madam" on
the SOL.
320- THE UNEARTHLY -- provided the voice of the Jackie Mason Jar on SOL.
603- THE DEAD TALK BACK -- provided the voice of Winston Churchill on
radio talk show on SOL.
Eli Mallon
-----------
306- TIME OF THE APES -- gave a brilliant performance as a regular-size
baby in Deep 13.
913- QUEST OF THE DELTA KNIGHTS -- was among the Pancake Breakfast
Extras in Castle Forrester.
Tim Scott
----------
306- TIME OF THE APES -- played Miracle Growth Baby in Deep 13.
307- DADDY-O -- returned as Miracle Growth Baby in Deep 13.
521- SANTA CLAUS -- played one of the Nelson Family in the HFVS.
Kevin Murphy
---------
309- THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN -- played The Plant Guy in Deep 13.*
316- GAMERA VS ZIGRA -- played Jerry the Moleman in Deep 13.
406- ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES -- played Patches The Leech in Deep 13.
409- THE INDESTRUCTIBLE MAN -- played a cop in Deep 13.
420- THE HUMAN DUPLICATORS -- played William Conrad in Deep 13.
510- The Painted Hills -- provided the voice of Harry Carey on radio
being run by the "Cholester-do all" in Deep 13.
521- SANTA CLAUS -- played Santa in Deep 13.
603- THE DEAD TALK BACK -- voice of "Abe from Illinois" on radio talk
show on SOL.
614- SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL -- returned as Santa in Deep 13.
615- KITTEN WITH A WHIP -- played the Kitten with the Whip in the HFVS.
617- THE SWORD AND THE DRAGON -- played Ilya Murametz in the HFVS.
623- THE AMAZING TRANSPARENT MAN -- played Ted, guest at Auntie
McFrank's B&B in Deep 13.
701T- NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST (Turkey Day version) -- played the
Kitten with the Whip in Deep 13.
805- THE THING THAT WOULDN'T DIE -- played the Emperor Hadrian on the
SOL.
806- THE UNDEAD -- provided the voice of Digger Smolken on the record.
812- THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME
MIXED-UP ZOMBIES -- provided the voice of the mother of the Space
Children.
816- PRINCE OF SPACE -- played Callipygeas in Roman Times.
817- HORROR OF PARTY BEACH -- played Callipygeas in Roman Times.
818- DEVIL DOLL -- played Callipygeas in Roman Times.
819- INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN -- played Callipygeas in Roman Times.
903- THE PUMA MAN -- portrayed Roger Whitaker in Castle Forrester.
1009- HAMLET -- portrayed Fortenbras in Castle Forrester.
Bridget Jones
-----------
316- GAMERA VS. ZIGRA -- played Helen in the HFVS.
502- HERCULES -- played an Amazon Mom in the HFVS.
524- 12 TO THE MOON -- played Nuveena on SOL and in Deep 13.
614- SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL -- returned as Nuveena in the SOL.
616- RACKET GIRLS -- played Lisa Loeb in the HFVS.
617- THE SWORD AND THE DRAGON -- played Bridget, the new neighbor from
Deep 12 in Deep 13.
621- THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS -- played Shelly, one of the partiers in
the HFVS.
701T- NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST (Turkey Day version) -- played Mr. B
Natural in Deep 13.
702 - THE BRUTE MAN -- provided voice of Mike's old girlfriend Carla on
the SOL's phone.
805- THE THING THAT WOULDN'T DIE -- played Adrienne Barbeau on the SOL.
806- THE UNDEAD -- played the witch on the SOL.
811- PARTS: THE CLONUS HORROR -- played Darlene the Space Child on the
camping planet
812- THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME
MIXED-UP ZOMBIES -- played Darlene the Space Child in The Widowmaker.
816- PRINCE OF SPACE -- played Flavia in Roman Times.
817- HORROR OF PARTY BEACH -- played Flavia in Roman Times.
818- DEVIL DOLL -- played Flavia in Roman Times.
819- INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN -- played Flavia in Roman Times
820- SPACE MUTINY -- played Flavia in Roman Times.
822- OVERDRAWN AT THE MEMORY BANK -- provided the voice of Slicer the
nanite.
Paul Chaplin
----------
405- BEING FROM ANOTHER PLANET -- played a holoclown in the HFVS.
406- ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES -- returned as a holoclown in the HFVS.
521- SANTA CLAUS -- played Pitch in Deep 13.
601- GIRLS TOWN -- was one of The Power Steves in the HFVS.
613- THE SINISTER URGE -- played Huggy Bear in the HFVS.
614- SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL -- returned as Pitch in Deep 13 and
Huggybear on the HFVS.
616- RACKET GIRLS -- was a visitor/wedding guest in Deep 13.
621- THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS -- was one of the partiers in the HFVS.
701T- NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST (Turkey Day version) -- played Pitch in
Deep 13.
702- THE BRUTE MAN -- played Sandy the oily guy in Deep 13 and provided
the voice of baby Matthew on the phone.
704- THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN -- played Doug, member of movie focus
group crowd in Deep 13.
705- ESCAPE 2000 -- played Timmy Bobby Rusty in Deep 13.
801- REVENGE OF THE CREATURE -- was among the extra monkeys in Deep Ape.
802- THE LEECH WOMAN -- was among the extra monkeys in Deep Ape.
803- THE MOLE PEOPLE -- was among the extra monkeys in Deep Ape and
"Pale Day Player #2" on the SOL.
804- THE DEADLY MANTIS -- was one of the mutants in Deep Ape.
805- THE THING THAT WOULDN'T DIE -- played Observer on the Observer
Planet and Finnegan on the SOL.
806- THE UNDEAD -- played Observer on the Observer Planet.
807- TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5000 -- played Observer on the Observer
Planet.
808- THE SHE CREATURE -- played Observer on the Observer Planet.
811- PARTS: THE CLONUS HORROR -- played Scooter the Space Child on the
camping planet
812- THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME
MIXED-UP ZOMBIES -- played Scooter the Space Child in The Widowmaker and
Ortega on the SOL.
813- JACK FROST -- played Earl Torgeson in the Hexfield Viewscreen
(HFVS).
815- AGENT FOR H.A.R.M. -- reprised his role of Ortega in Intergalactic
Court.
818- DEVIL DOLL -- reprised his role as Pitch on the SOL and was among
the "Roman Day Players."
819- INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN -- was among the "Roman Day Players."
822- OVERDRAWN AT THE MEMORY BANK -- reprised role of Ortega in PPTV
studio and supplied the voice of Mookie the nanite.
905- THE DEADLY BEES -- reprised his role as Observer in Castle
Forrester.
908- THE TOUCH OF SATAN -- provided the voice of Stan Johnson on the
phone on the SOL.
909- GORGO -- provided the voice of Nate the Nanite Clown.
910- THE FINAL SACRIFICE -- played Karl in Castle Forrester.
911- DEVIL FISH -- played the electrician in the SOL.
913- QUEST OF THE DELTA KNIGHTS -- played a Delta Knight in Castle
Forrester.
1002- THE GIRL IN GOLD BOOTS -- played Institute of Mad Scientists
inspector in Castle Forrester.
1005- BLOOD WATERS OF DR. Z -- played Barnicle Bob in Castle Forrester.
Mary Jo Pehl
----------
502- HERCULES -- played an Amazon Mom in the HFVS.
513- THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE -- played Jan in the Pan in the HFVS.
517- BEGINNING OF THE END -- played "white trash lady" in the HFVS.
521- SANTA CLAUS -- was one of the Nelson Family in the HFVS.
601- GIRLS TOWN -- was one of The Power Steves in the HFVS.
604- ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE -- provided the voice of Cokie Roberts on the
radio on the SOL.
607- BLOODLUST -- debuted the role of Mrs. Pearl Forrester in Deep 13.
614- SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL -- returned as Jan in the Pan in the
HFVS.
616- RACKET GIRLS -- returned as Jan in the Pan in the HFVS.
616- RACKET GIRLS -- was a visitor/wedding guest in Deep 13.
617- THE SWORD AND THE DRAGON -- played Mary Jo, new neighbor from Deep
12 in Deep 13.
619- RED ZONE CUBA -- provided the voice of the casino announcer on the
SOL.
621- THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS -- was one of the partiers in the HFVS.
623- THE AMAZING TRANSPARENT MAN -- played Barb, guest at Auntie
McFrank's B&B in Deep 13.
802- THE LEECH WOMAN -- provided the voice of Jody the Nanite.
812- THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME
MIXED-UP ZOMBIES -- provided the voice of Shelli the Nanite.
903- THE PUMA MAN -- again provided the voice of Shelli the Nanite.
Brad Keely
---------
507- I ACCUSE MY PARENTS -- played Rodney the exotic cake dancer in
Deep 13.
815- AGENT FOR H.A.R.M. -- played a little Amish boy in the
Intergalactic Court.
1006- BOGGY CREEK 2 -- played the kid in Castle Forrester
Patrick Brantseg
---------
521- SANTA CLAUS -- was one of the Nelson Family in the HFVS.
613- THE SINISTER URGE -- played Rooster in the HFVS.
614- SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL -- returned as Rooster in the HFVS.
616- RACKET GIRLS -- was a visitor/wedding guest in Deep 13.
621- THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS -- was one of the partiers in the HFVS.
803- THE MOLE PEOPLE -- played "Pale Day Player #1" on the SOL.
804--THE DEADLY MANTIS -- was inside the big blue monster suit.
813- JACK FROST -- played Yakov Smirnoff in the HFVS.
818- DEVIL DOLL -- was among the "Roman Day Players."
819- INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN -- was among the "Roman Day Players."
820- SPACE MUTINY -- was a Roman soldier.
821- TIME CHASERS -- played Patrick the cheese factory dude.
902- THE PHANTOM PLANET -- was among those providing the voices of the
villagers outside Castle Forrester.
903- THE PUMA MAN -- portrayed Oberserver's pal Brian in Castle
Forrester.
906- THE SPACE CHILDREN -- was "Lacks" the phone guy on the SOL and in
Castle Forrester.
911- DEVIL FISH -- played cruise ship guest Norm in Castle Forrester.
912- THE SCREAMING SKULL -- played the delivery man on the SOL.
913- QUEST OF THE DELTA KNIGHTS -- played Fred "Eggs" Eggleston in the
theater.
1008- FINAL JUSTICE -- provided the puppetry for Goosio on the SOL.
1012- SQUIRM -- provided the voice and puppetry for Mikey the sprite
and Mike's Socksy the sprite on the SOL.
Bill Corbett
---------
801- REVENGE OF THE CREATURE -- was among the extra monkeys in Deep Ape
and played Phil the alien in the HFVS.
802- THE LEECH WOMAN -- was among the extra monkeys in Deep Ape.
803- THE MOLE PEOPLE -- was among the extra monkeys in Deep Ape.
804- THE DEADLY MANTIS -- was one of the mutants in Deep Ape (in his
first on-camera role without something covering his face).
812- THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME
MIXED-UP ZOMBIES -- provided the voice of the father of the Space
Children.
815- AGENT FOR H.A.R.M. -- played the judge of the Intergalactic Court.
816- PRINCE OF SPACE -- played Krankor on the SOL.
819- INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN -- returned as Krankor on the SOL.
913- QUEST OF THE DELTA KNIGHTS -- played Leonardo Da Vinci in the HFVS.
Beth "Beez" McKeever
---------
704- THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN -- was Cindy in the movie focus group
crowd.
804- THE DEADLY MANTIS -- was one of the mutants in Deep Ape.
807- TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5000 -- was The Terror on the SOL.
818- DEVIL DOLL -- was among the "Roman Day Players."
819- INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN -- was among the "Roman Day Players."
822- OVERDRAWN AT THE MEMORY BANK -- provided the voice of the
"Overdrawn at the Memory Bank Technical Support" operator.
902- THE PHANTOM PLANET -- was among the voices of the villagers
outside Castle Forrester.
903- THE PUMA MAN -- portrayed Observer's pal Staci in Castle Forrester.
904- WEREWOLF -- portrayed the peasant in Castle Forrester.
908- THE TOUCH OF SATAN -- played babysitter Steffi in Castle Forrester.
911- DEVIL FISH -- played cruise ship guest Ann in Castle Forrester.
Barbara Tebben
---------
704- THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN -- was in the movie focus group crowd.
912- THE SCREAMING SKULL -- provided the voice of the friendly phone
representative.
913- QUEST OF THE DELTA KNIGHTS -- was a Delta Knights breakfast extra
in Castle Forrester.
Dan Breyer
---------
819- INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN -- was among the "Roman Day Players."
820- SPACE MUTINY -- was a Roman soldier.
Peter Rudrud
---------
822- OVERDRAWN AT THE MEMORY BANK -- provided the voice of the
recording at "Overdrawn at the Memory Bank Technical Support."
902- THE PHANTOM PLANET -- was among the voices of the villagers
outside Castle Forrester.
910- THE FINAL SACRIFICE -- played Todd Gunderson in Castle Forrester.
911- DEVIL FISH -- was the Sea World phone representative.
1013- DIABOLIK -- provided the voice of the TV announcer in M&TB's
apartment.
One-shot Appearances
---------
211- FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS -- Crist Ballas played the Gorilla in the
HFVS.
303- POD PEOPLE -- Faye Berkholder played the recording studio
assistant in Deep 13.
316- GAMERA VS ZIGRA -- Jef Maynard played Sylvia the Moleman(person?)
in Deep 13.
601- GIRLS TOWN -- David Sussman was one of The Power Steves in the
HFVS.
602- INVASION U.S.A. -- Mike Dodge played Bob the A-Bomb in the HFVS.
621- THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS -- Tim Paulson was among the partiers in
the HFVS.
704- THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN -- Ben Mooers (Tony), Helena Espinoza
and Kelly Schrant were in the movie focus group crowd.
706- LASERBLAST -- Jack Beaulieu was Old Forrester in Deep 13. 803- THE
MOLE PEOPLE -- Robert Smith played Howard the Hunk in Deep Ape.
819- INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN -- Michelle Genlo and Katy O'Neil were
Bobo's "arm candy girls."
820- SPACE MUTINY -- Tim Johnson played Mike Down, CPA, in Roman Times.
904- WEREWOLF -- Humphrey portrayed the wolf in Castle Forrester.
909- GORGO -- Leonard Maltin portrayed himself in Los Angeles.
913- QUEST OF THE DELTA KNIGHTS -- Appearing as the Pancake Breakfast
Extras in Castle Forrester: Benjamin Bakken, Andrea Jackson DuCane, Ari
Hoptman, Katie Johnson, Mikey Johnson, Anne Kleinschmidt, Joe
Kleinschmidt, Marie Kleinschmidt, Rick Kleinschmidt, Edna McKeever, Tom
McKeever, Rachel Mertz, Dara Moskowitz, Kathleen M. Murphy, Sandy Oian,
Gerald A. Pehl, Nick Prueher, David Rudrud, Tom Schufman, Krista
Skogland, Lorin Skogland, Anna Stonehouse, Dan Tanz and Marshall Tebben.
1001- SOULTAKER -- Frank Conniff returned as TV's Frank in Castle
Forrester.
1001- SOULTAKER -- Joel Hodgson returned as Joel Robinson on the SOL.