We haven’t talked to you about this before, and you deserve an explanation as to why. One of the cardinal rules we live by at Satellite News is “the cast is entitled to a private life.” The standard example was: if Mary Jo gets a speeding ticket on the way to the studio, that’s not something we’re going to report.
A real-life situation arose a while back when J. Elvis was hospitalized with kidney cancer. It was not something we reported.
But in a move that does not surprise us at all. J. Elvis has worked his illness into his standup act, and it’s great stuff.
Enjoy. And to J. Elvis, many happy new years to come.
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Okay, that image of meeting cancer in a dark alley, throwing a kidney on the ground and backing away slowly was perfect.
It’s not exactly easy to make something like cancer laugh-out-loud funny, but you succeeded, J. Elvis. I won’t even add any useless platitudes. I’m just glad you’re still here to make us laugh.
That’s actually one of the curious things about MST3k – none of the major cast members have died. Granted, they were probably all in their 20s and 30s (or teens in Josh’s case), but still…
That also explains the time devoted to the J. Elvis cameo in the Netflix S12, (or the Return of Dr. Erhardt, Without a Voice or Shtick).
Out of context, seemed a long way to go for just an extended classic-series callback, but it’s nice he was able to come back to get in on it.
I had a kidney removed due to cancer when I was 19, so I found that extra funny.
Kidney cancer frequently goes undetected until it’s too late, so we were both lucky (although it’s hard to call a colon rupture “lucky”). In my case, it was blood in my urine.
I strongly support your “private life” policy, gentlemen. Fellow cancer surviving MSTies, let’s unite in supporting J. Elvis in his victorious confrontation.
That’s actually one of the curious things about MST3k – none of the major cast members have died.
I had no idea he was dealing with this, but LOVE that he’s taking the offensive, on something so obviously offensive!
Hope he knows he has a lot of fans in his ‘corner’….
Wonderful news that J. Elvis is doing well. I hope he’ll be with us for a long time to come. Same with the rest of the team.
And I love his attitude. I’ve always found the battle metaphors around cancer to be horrible. But whatever works for people.
Josh had his left kidney removed in January 2014. He’s been officially cancer free for almost five years at this point, which is something to celebrate.
I’m glad to hear J. Elvis is doing better, and is still very, very funny.
And I think that the “private lives should be private” policy is yet another way this site and those who maintain it demonstrate both class and consideration. Well done.
i am with the private lives should be private (especially in this day and age with your TMZ and the like).
I constantly forget that Josh is bald (which, given that I met him in 2010 when he was still bald, you’d think I’d remember that).
Good to know he’s still with us. And that he’s damn funny about it too.
That would be ironic (and sad) if the first person to depart MST3K also ended up being the first one to pass away, but glad he still seems in great spirits.
I hope this works better for him than it did for Gilda Radner. Her cancer, comedically-speaking, really laid an egg…
When I think of all the tragic losses to the Babylon 5 cast, I don’t think you’re wrong. You’re right, Misties and the cast have been blessed.
Robert Heinlein in Stranger in a Strange Land, through his character Valentine Michael Smith, paraphrased humor as the ultimate courage; the ability to look at our fate and laugh at it. Sounds like J. Elvis is following through. My best, brother. Put it in a headlock and make it cry Uncle!
My case sounds just like his. Left kidney removed. Cancer discovered because of another illness. Everything J. Elvis said hit the nail on the head. I loved the line that’s why you don’t name the lobsters in the case.
They say that “tragedy + time = comedy”. That’s certainly true in this case! Very funny routine. I’m glad he’s doing well now.
I’d been wondering why he wasn’t appearing on Rifftrax with the other MST3K alumni.