Ask MST3k Creator Joel Hodgson 191
As turkey day approaches, we have the chance to ask Joel Hodgson whatever you can think of. If you've lived without electricity since the 80s, you might not be aware that he was the creator and original host of what may be the funniest show in history - Mystery Science Theater 3000, as well as the upcoming Cinematic Titanic. I've still got my fan club membership card even after nearly 2 decades. Standard Slashdot interview rules apply: ask your questions here, and we'll pass a bunch of the highest scoring ones for Joel to answer.
Rifftrax & The Film Crew (Score:5, Interesting)
Box Set Frustrations (Score:5, Interesting)
How did MST3k come about? (Score:5, Interesting)
Sci-Fi Channel Years (Score:5, Interesting)
Why'd you stop? (Score:5, Interesting)
Public Domain (Score:5, Interesting)
Hollywood Trends (Score:4, Interesting)
New Content (Score:5, Interesting)
We've all laughed at the choice of just inane productions you guys have lambasted over the years. However, there's new choices for great commentary being made every day (skipping personal suggestions). What sort of licensing issues do you guys run up against for acquiring certain content? Is there a "sweet spot" for movies to be in for it to be worth fighting for? How do you choose?
How's it feel when people quote decades-old jokes? (Score:3, Interesting)
Cherokee D (Score:4, Interesting)
Also if you could could give the MS3K treatment to any move which movie would it be?
My vote would go to the original Star Trek movie.
How much improv? (Score:5, Interesting)
why (Score:4, Interesting)
Permission and Sets (Score:5, Interesting)
Has this caused limitations of content for your treatment?
What movie(s) did you really want to review but were denied for some reason?
One of my favorite parts of the show was the creative use of inexpensive materials for the set (except that Millenium Falcon on the door might be worth something now). Will your current project use the same creativity, or will it be more funded and "polished?"
Dear Joel, (Score:3, Interesting)
The first (Score:5, Interesting)
What do you do in your own off-time? (Score:5, Interesting)
We all know what a great job you did with MST3K, what the show was about, etc. HOWEVER -- I'm more curious about you!
And, perhaps most interestingly, are there any particular movies that you wouldn't dare lampoon?
Inquiring knows want to mind!
Earlier-than-documented influences? (Score:3, Interesting)
All of the on-line biographies of you gloss over your "formative years" and seem to concentrate on your prop comedy stand-up work in the Twin Cities as being the impetus for MST3K. However, having grown up in the Green Bay area myself, I can't help but think that some of MST3K (especially its connection to irresistibly awful movies) was inspired in part by WLUK's TJ and the ANT [milwaukee-...-hosts.com] show. Can you comment or elaborate on whether you enjoyed this show as a teenager?
Re:How much improv? (Score:3, Interesting)
Still, there are moments I could swear were ad-libs, especially during the Joel years, where Joel or one of the bots would say something and earn a surprised-sounding laugh from the others.
Re:Sci-Fi Channel Years (Score:4, Interesting)
I had heard rumors that Sci-Fi was the end of MST3K.
Sci-Fi is where shows go to die. I have never seen a concept so promising completely fail to deliver in all respects, but the Sci-Fi channel is the penultimate failure of cable television. I love science fiction as much as anyone, but I intentionally and actively avoid that channel because the vast majority of the stuff they air is total crap.
Allowing your show to be put on Sci-Fi channel is the death knell of your intellectual property (prime example-- Highlander: The Source).
Hey Joel (Score:5, Interesting)
Other Stuff (Score:3, Interesting)
Pissed off any target? (Score:5, Interesting)
Zippy TV show? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Sci-Fi Channel Years (Score:3, Interesting)
Turds and Treasures (Score:2, Interesting)
Hassled by actors/directors? (Score:2, Interesting)
Live tours? (Score:2, Interesting)
Always liked you more than Mike.
Live action facsimiles of MST3K have been popping up (most notably, at least for Austin, Mr. Sinus Theater (which had to change its name)) lately, and with technology improving, have you considered doing a live action tour? Perhaps with a Jazz band opening act? or TMBG?
Re:Box Set Frustrations (Score:4, Interesting)
Robert Fiveson, the director of "Parts: The Clonus Horror" which appeared in MST3K Volume 12 Set was smart about it appeared in an interview clip on the DVD. He said he'd originally realized that while MST3K would certainly mock his movie, which despite its low budget and cheesy production was actually a decent movie, so decent it was totally ripped off to create the recent "The Island" directed by Michael Bay. Fiveson went on to say that he received tremendous support from the MST3K fanbase when he pursued a lawsuit against the makers of "The Island", which ended in a settlement, IIRC. Fiveson said he's very glad to have been associated with the show.
All that said, however, there are still a large number of unreleased episodes of the show based on movies whose copyrights have lapsed or are otherwise in the public domain, and here's hoping Jim Mallon and everyone else in a position to do so will work with Rhino to continue these quality releases of the best TV show ever.
Expensive or not, I'm more than happy to support Best Brains and everyone who made this wonderful treasure of TV. Yes, that means I'd bought them all on VHS originally, but I think all those have subsequently been re-released by Rhino, and sadly, the rights have expired again on some movies meaning they can no longer sell Volumes 1 and 10 (I think those are the two).
Push the button, Frank!
keep circulating the tapes (Score:0, Interesting)
Could you make it today? (Score:5, Interesting)
What's "Mystery Science Theater 3000"? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Why'd you stop? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Earlier-than-documented influences? (Score:3, Interesting)