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I am Joel Hodgson, creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000, why don't you come at me?
Hi guys. We are getting ready to do our second year of the MST3K Turkey Day Revival (www.MST3KTurkeyDay.com). We had over 100,000 people tune in last year - it was a big success - so thank you for your support and we are happy to be bringing it back again this year.
A quick refresher for those who may not know what MST3K Turkey Day is: we will be streaming MST3K classics starting at 9 AM PST / 12 noon ET on Thanksgiving day on our official site, www.MST3KTurkeyDay.com. It is free and a better alternative than watching football.
Go ahead and AMA. Victoria's helping me get started.
https://twitter.com/reddit_AMA/status/537321400550572032
EDIT this is so much fun, thank you. I'm so happy we get to do Turkey Day again, it's going to be a lot of fun. See you guys Thursday: www.MST3KTurkeyDay.com.
Joel_Hodgson_1294 karma
You're really gonna make me do this? Okay... repeat to yourself: It's a show, you should just relax...
mydearwatson616819 karma
I used to get up early every Saturday to watch MST3K! Thanks so much for the awesome entertainment.
Who is your favorite robot, and why is it Tom Servo?
ReallyJustRelax557 karma
Did you ever lampoon a film on MST3k that you felt bad about mocking later? Like maybe you made a mean-ish joke about an actor or a director who turned out to be a really great guy? I know Joe Don Baker really didn't appreciate being the butt of many butt related jokes in Mitchell for example.
Joel_Hodgson_1037 karma
That's a really good question.
The answer is YES. The movie was EEGAH, and the person I felt we were particularly tough on was Arch Hall, Jr. I believe we called him a "stiff with teeth and hair." I met him this summer at a convention, and he couldn't have been nicer. And he's a wonderful guy and was very complimentary and said he was really glad we riffed the movie. He said something like "It isn't lost on me that I get to work these conventions because you guys did my movie." He was really nice about it. But i was pretty nervous meeting him, because I thought he was really going to hate me, but he was really nice about it.
tupper93425 karma
Thank you so much for MST3K! Several quotes and references from that show have entered my day-to-day vernacular.
- Which is your favorite episode?
- Did you continue to watch after you left?
Joel_Hodgson_753 karma
1) For Joel episodes, I like "I accuse my parents" and for Mike episodes, my favorite is "Final Sacrifice."
2) Yes, yes I did. But it took me a long time to come back and watch the show. I was really frustrated when I left and didn't really want to watch it.
Blame_Cornjob409 karma
Hi Joel, looking forward to another Turkey Day Marathon. Will be be seeing any surprises? TV's Frank? The Bots?
Joel_Hodgson_505 karma
I like to think you're freaking out, that's good. Watch the Turkey Day Marathon. I want 2-3 more days of solid, good freaking out.
Zouch337 karma
Do people make Thunderdome jokes in your presence, or is everyone beyond that now?
Joel_Hodgson_361 karma
Hahahaha!
Wow, that's really great.
I'm not going to tell you to get beyond Thunderdome. I know what you're trying to do, and I'm not going to try to ask you to get Beyond Thunderdome.
dobie1kenobi287 karma
I remember your statement on some behind the scenes clips back in the 90's that you proceeded from a stance that "the right people will get this". This is so contrary to the way most people in production think now-a-days, which is why nothing seems to get made that isn't a reboot, a sequel, a prequel, or something that is based off an already accepted story-line (comic-book movies etc.)
How do you stick to this mantra, and who else do you know is still following it?
Joel_Hodgson_294 karma
Oh my god.
I guess, to answer your question - "The right people will get this" was the way I felt about it at the time, and it just happened to work, you know?
Madcap_Laffriot281 karma
Pardon any ignorance should I have missed a comment in an interview, but for your prospective MST3k reboot have you considered designing new Bots? Many minuses for sure, but I can think of one big plus.
Joel_Hodgson_558 karma
I think, for the reboot, obviously people would really want to see the original robots back. So I intend to do that. But hopefully we'll bring some new ones too.
bill_clay269 karma
In your farewell episode (Mitchell), you allow the bots to destroy a handcrafted replica of Monticello that took years to complete. Was the toothpick model an analogy for the show?
sanjurotsubaki234 karma
Hi, Joel.
Question for you on MST3k. When the series was ramping up in mainstream popularity, was there ever any strange merchandise, promotion, or just general request made by network executives (or others) to further market the brand that you or any of the crew kind of laughed off or outright declined?
Thanks.
Joel_Hodgson_417 karma
No... the amazing thing was, we never had any interference from the executives at Comedy Central when we were making the show. There was only one and that was they wanted us to make the silhouettes green on the B&W movies because they felt people wouldn't be able to see our silhouettes. So we did that for one episode, that was ROBOT MONSTER. But we figured out how to fix it, by putting a blue cast to the film.
origami_rock234 karma
What was the turning point that made you leave L.A. to go back to Minnesota and how long did it take to realize that was the right decision?
Joel_Hodgson_345 karma
Oh! Yeah, I just got worn out in LA. I felt like I'd done everything I'd set out to do, and there wasn't anything left for me. And right away, I was happy I went back. Because I still had a lot of cool bohemian friends that were hanging out in Minneapolis doing fun things, so it was fun right away.
Joel_Hodgson_359 karma
OF COURSE. There are movies that people love and are very familiar with and I kinda feel like, you know - part of the allure of Mystery Science Theater is that you kinda don't know what movie you're getting? It's like going on a tour of a scary house in your neighborhood, you don't know what's in there.
improbablewobble152 karma
Hi Joel, I'm a big fan in Austin, Texas. I've always wondered what happened with Mister Sinus Theater, the comedy group who did a live version of MST3K. They changed the name to Master Pancake and the rumour was that you guys sent a cease and desist. What actually happened? For the record, if you did I don't think it was a bad thing to protect your brand.
Joel_Hodgson_276 karma
I didn't have anything to do with that, those guys are good friends of mine, just last year I riffed a bunch of movies with them in Austin.
Vagfilla149 karma
What are some old really bad movies that you wanted to do but couldn't get rights for? How did you get rights to things like Hellcats? Was it relatively easy of did you fight for some of them?
Joel_Hodgson_269 karma
Well, I'll give you the usual answer, and it's kind of long, okay?
Going back aways - we'd get the movies when they were cleared already, so the lawyers already felt confident that they could license the movies. Not the other way around, because it would take investment and manpower to go through them and riff them. It's somewhat obscure, because I think people think we window-shopped for movies, but it's more like fixing up a home - so you want to make sure you can BUY the home first, before you spend a lot of time and money fixing it up.
ineededtosaythishere144 karma
Who would you rather have break Asimov's 3 Laws of Robotics on you, Crow or Tom Servo?
Joel_Hodgson_241 karma
Hahahaha!
I completely expect I'll be killed by Crow. Tom couldn't do much, he could just pinch you.
just_say_missingno132 karma
Thanks for taking time out of your crazy schedule to walk amongst us adoring peons! Your willingness to indulge our nosy, interrogative spam festival is deeply appreciated. Got a couple of Qs for ya:
Is there anywhere we might be able to see an un-edited, un-bobbitted, otherwise un-jacked-with version of TV Wheel, as you intended it to be seen?
If if you had to pick one thing you wish your fans knew\understood about you (or your career, or your creations), what would it be? I don't necessarily mean this from a "mundane question you're sick of answering because people don't know how to use Google" perspective, but more of a "people just don't seem to realize\understand this" sort of thing.
Live long and prosper, good sir! Looking forward to Turkey Day. :D
Joel_Hodgson_371 karma
Thanks for checking in about that. I'm certain that I'll release a version of it in the future.
I think I should answer this by saying: It sounds like you are letting me write my own ticket, is that correct? And I appreciate that. Thanks for letting me write my own ticket. And I guess I will say: one of my favorite features of the show is the concept of Movie Sign and I put that in there so we wouldn't have to figure out how to end sketches - the Movie Sign just comes in there and we have to run away. Movie Sign is one of my favorite features, and I put it there because it's impossible to write good endings for sketches, so Movie Sign comes in there and interrupts us so we never have to finish them.
dixoncase99 karma
What movie did you most want to skewer on MST3K but couldn't, and why?
Also, what is the worst meal you've ever eaten?
Joel_Hodgson_198 karma
Oh, the movie I would like to do most is HAPPY FEET 2! And why? For obvious reasons.
The worst meal I ever had... oh my god... uh... oh boy... I think a pizza i had at a bowling alley once was pretty bad.
bigbadbarl98 karma
Dear Joel, you're awesome.
Do you have a favorite invention from the old invention exchanges?
Joel_Hodgson_185 karma
Yes, I like the one from when we did surgery on Frank and it was a giant Operation game.
punisher240489 karma
I saw J Elvis Weinstein at Acme last week, and I got him to sign my Beeper printed photo, which he did. I told him that Beeper was by far my favorite character on the show and that I gave up on it all together shortly after he became Servo. Now he got that it was joke, as I am a massive fan who has seen every episode. He laughed and we chatted a bit after the show, he is so funny.
My question is, how close was Beeper to becoming a mainstay, I know you created them the day before the shoot. Was there always a big picture plan to have two talking robots or is there an alternate universe where Beeper survived all ten seasons and a movie?
Anyways I love you as a creative inspiration and I am so thankful you made MST3K in the Twin Cities and thank you for helping define my sense of humor, as I am currently pursuing stand-up/comedy writing/improv. Thanks again!
Edit: correcting the structure to underline the fact that I was joking about Beeper actually being my favorite, I'm 29 so there really was no way for me to even know Beeper existed until the internet did. Thanks for the response though Joel! :D
Joel_Hodgson_397 karma
I think there is no way in hell Beeper could have made it in the show. And the fact that he's your favorite confounds me. Is there a way to block you on this?
Seriously, man, I'm worried for you.
DestinationDis89 karma
If Crow wore one article of clothing. ala a Hannah Barbara character, what would it be?
Joel_Hodgson_168 karma
This is so stupid! I can't believe you are asking me this! But I will answer your question!
A tie! He'd wear a Fred Flintstone style tie!
There's not that many things, when you think about it. It's either going to be a tie or a hat. Did Huckleberry Hound have a tie? I don't think so. They were mostly collars. It seemed like they always gave them collars you know?
Joel_Hodgson_169 karma
It's really nice when they hand me their original INFORMATION CLUB membership cards, that's always kind of amazing, because that means they've held onto it for over 20 years.
poorpeople70 karma
Joel, I'm a huge fan of both MST3K and your stand up work. What advice do you have for someone that wants to get into comedy writing and maybe even stand up?
Joel_Hodgson_233 karma
I would say: just keep a notebook. Write all your ideas down. And take all your jokes, and arrange them from your favorite joke to your least favorite, and start with your second-favorite joke and end with your best joke.
mqbush66 karma
Joel, I am having trouble with velvet leaf and cutworm. Can you recommend anything that is not made by Monsanto?
Joel_Hodgson_114 karma
I was just going to say something from Monsanto!
That's a really good question, but i don't have an answer. It's been so long since I've watched THE FARM REPORT, I can't answer that.
hotbutterpopcorn62 karma
What about a movie about a time travelling vampire or demon slayer or vampire slayer or something?
Joel_Hodgson_194 karma
Perfect! We'll call it ROCK N' ROLL DEMONSLAYER: TIME TRAVEL VAMPIRE! It writes itself!
et11robot60 karma
If you could watch anyone from history - living or dead - riff a movie, who would you want to do it? Which movie would it be?
Joel_Hodgson_135 karma
I guess I would like to riff a movie with George Méliès, because he created fantasy film. And I guess - HAPPY FEET 2?
WorksWork59 karma
Have you ever considered doing a MST3K type show for TV shows rather than movies?
Joel_Hodgson_95 karma
Yeah, we've talked about it over the years. And you know... my impressions is the thing that's nice about MST3K is that it gets refreshed with new characters and new situations. And the thing about TV is that it's the same characters. Obviously I would never say never about that, but that's my impression. It's just easier to refill with new movies rather than with a TV show that has the same characters.
Joel_Hodgson_221 karma
I'll hold him up to the keyboard. It takes him a while, cuz his hands are so small but here goes:
Hithere,I'mTomServo!Thanksforcoming toJoel'sAMA!
And I don't know... this is Joel. Sorry.
Super_Satchel50 karma
What is your favorite movie to riff? Do you ever re-watch a movie and come up with new/better jokes and want to remake the episode? Would you ever do this?
Joel_Hodgson_84 karma
Oh! That's a really good question. And I think it's really true. We've already pioneered this idea for Cinematic Titanic when we re-riffed SANTA CLAUSE CONQUERS THE MARTIANS. We did all-new jokes, except for one.
HankDerb47 karma
Hey Joel, Huge fan of MST3K ever since i can remember.
I was always wondering who came up with the design for tom servo? The gumball machine was just perfect.
Also, do you have a favorite movie or short that was almost too easy to riff on?
Thanks again for doing this ama and for making such a genius show.
Joel_Hodgson_118 karma
Thank you. I designed Tom Servo.
Hehe. Oh my goodness. No, but I can say the hardest one to riff on was MANOS: THE HANDS OF FATE. I can't think of the easiest, but the hardest one was MANOS, for me.
darkscottishloch47 karma
Hi, Joel! I just want to say that MST3K was part of my youth and informed my sense of humor, which may be why no one likes to watch movies with me. Can you tell us about the most memorable, gratifying or just plain weird experience you had meeting a fan? Thanks!
Joel_Hodgson_91 karma
Oh yeah! Just a week ago, I was at a wedding in LA, and I met Mitch Hurwitz, who created ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, my favorite show, and he shocked me by saying he was a huge fan of MST3K. So that was kind of an amazing experience.
AND recent!
Joel_Hodgson_72 karma
Swiss Miss instant cocoa has put it out as an intelligence test. If you order all their flavors and combine them, you'll get an interocitor.
Joel_Hodgson_82 karma
I'll just answer this by saying: Haha, I was only kidding about that. I've actually gone through most of my life relatively unscathed, I'm happy to report.
rocketmonkey123442 karma
Any thoughts on Werner Herzog? He haunts my dreams. Also are there any documentaries you guys would riff?
Joel_Hodgson_96 karma
I'm glad you're finally getting the message, because Werner and I have been working on affecting your dreams, a la Inception, for years now....
Armitando41 karma
Have you heard anything more about MST3K coming to PBS stations?
http://www.avclub.com/article/next-place-find-mst3k-tv-might-be-your-local-pbs-l-211776
chevyfried36 karma
Yo Joel! I grew up watching MST3K after my comedy loving brother introduced me to the show. The early seasons were the best and so funny. I always loved when you, Tom and Crow would interact with what is being shown on the screen. Gypsy always cracked me up too. I haven’t watched MST3K in decades, but I will never forget a tune you and the crew sang during Gamera: “Gamera is really neat, Gamera is full of turtle meat.” Had me in stitches.
1) Was it filmed in front of a green screen? If yes, how did you see what you were doing when you when you physically interacted with the movie?
2) Did you see the movie beforehand and come up with a script, or was it all on the spot improv?
3) What is one current movie you would love to MST3K-ify?
Joel_Hodgson_51 karma
1) Actually, it wasn't a green screen, it was a process called luminance key. Which was essentially a large white wall. And the way I was able to see myself was we had a monitor down below the theater seats.
2) It was all written.
3) HAPPY FEET 2.
UglyMcFugly34 karma
What's your opinion of the "bad on purpose" SyFy channel movies like Sharknado?
Joel_Hodgson_64 karma
My opinion is they are kind of a big misunderstanding.
Movies like that are predicated on confusing a large percentage of the audience into thinking they were meant to be good, but somehow turned out misaligned, thereby driving discussion online and elsewhere.
But it's a common creative exercise to try to make something bad and I think there are a lot of good benefits to that.
nash07634 karma
Thanks for this and for bringing back Turkey Day! Do you have any more holiday surprises like the Patrick Swayze Christmas Choir in store for us this year? :)
Joel_Hodgson_71 karma
Hmmm. If you've been really, really good...
I don't want to spoil anything. That would be telling.
rodomonte31 karma
Thanks for doing an AMA again.
Now that my friends and I can't go see Cinematic Titanic anymore, any chance you'll come do "Riffing Myself" in Milwaukee?
Joel_Hodgson_64 karma
Mostly I do "Riffing Myself" when I make comic-con appearances, so if you have one, bring me in!
pocketmobsters30 karma
How did your time on Cinematic Titanic compare to your time on MST3K? (Shooting in MN vs. touring; riffing in the internet era, etc.)
Joel_Hodgson_49 karma
Cinematic Titanic was really great, just because we got to kind of develop everything in front of a live audience, so we really found out what worked with a different experience. It changed the content a bit, but was also really fun, because we could also see what was working.
killingword27 karma
When you watch movies with people, do they expect you to crack jokes the whole time and give them the MST3K experience?
Jimmy Smits
Joel_Hodgson_49 karma
Sometimes they do, and they're always really disappointed.
I'm like everybody else: when I go to a movie, I'm hoping to be taken up into the movie just like everybody else. Riffing on movies is my job, and I go to movies to have fun.
Joel_Hodgson_48 karma
Oh, what a great question... BEGINNING OF THE END is a good one?
I don't believe that film exists.
danigirl32925 karma
What made you get into MST3K in the first place? Was it well received when you created the show, or was it hard to pitch at first?
Joel_Hodgson_60 karma
Well, fortunately we did 22 episodes before I had to pitch it. So it existed prior to pitching it. So fortunately we just put together a reel and showed that. And it got bought, so...
Joel_Hodgson_54 karma
My favorite Bond movie? I think it's probably... Goldfinger, I guess?
MiNombreEsBread21 karma
Joel, I just listened to the episode of Harmontown where you joined Dan and Jeff at the SF SketchFest earlier this year. How was that, and how drunk was Harmon?
Joel_Hodgson_34 karma
It was really fun to do. I love both those guys SO much. And I think we were all about equally drunk at that time on that show.
AFatMan21 karma
Hey man just wanted to say thanks for all the good memories with my father.
My question is how's your day going?
Joel_Hodgson_30 karma
I've had a wonderful day, thank you.
This morning, I was at the Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC, and the Museum of the American Indian.
Crow_T_Murderface19 karma
What volume of turkeys would properly fill the space required for a turkey day marathon? Will any man harbor a guess?
sharules16 karma
If you had to pick two robots from any other fictional universe to be your riff buddies. Which two would you choose?
Joel_Hodgson_28 karma
TARS from INTERSTELLAR, and Twiki from Buck Rogers? Twiki would be a good counterpoint.
tunchilkin15 karma
I'm a life-long Wisconsin resident living near Fort Atkinson. I understand you lived there as a youngster? Where else in Wisconsin have you lived and how do you think your childhood helped mold your career? Do you miss the tons of snow? Also, thanks to you and MST3K for helping me get through my young teen years.
Joel_Hodgson_33 karma
Well, I was born in Steven's Point. And lived there, and Edgerton, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, and Ashwaubenon, WI. I'm really proud to be from Wisconsin. I love the Packers. And yes, i think it had a lot to do with who I am.
tupper931103 karma
Hey Joel! I've always wondered...
How did you eat and breathe? And other science facts like that.
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