While I have my favorite actual episodes of MST3K, I also have my favorite “moments” from MST3K. The thing is that my favorite moments aren’t necessarily in my favorite episodes. This got me wondering if there are others out there that have favorite MST3K moments that aren’t necessarily in their favorite MST3K episodes, and if so, what are they?
For my sons and me, it’s the part in “The Atomic Brain” where the old woman starts her long descent down the stairs to the basement and Mike and the Bots are singing “She creeks, she pops, she’s so, dang old” and then softly sing “scaaaaared” when it shows the 2 women following her.
Okay, the first one that comes to mind is Dr. F’s invention: The Hard Pill to Swallow. Frank and Trace kill it.
What’s yours?
) to help our users cope with "trolls" and other commenters whom they find annoying. Go to our
I love the stop motion skit from Cave Dweller remaking the opening of the movie.
In 906- The Space Children, Crow/Bill’s rant on Jackie Coogan “fashions”. The intensity of the illustrations and Crow’s pain were phenomenal. They really pushed the envelope on this one.
One of my all time favorite moments was during the CATALINA CAPER dance scene and there’s this dude going through his moves and one of the bots says “Why it’s Deney Terrio from ABC’s Laverne & Shirley.” That was so obscure it was classic.
What else but “Pearl, Pearl, Pearl, Pearl, Pearl” duet
with Brain Guy.
(What a performer). Take that Mickey and Sylvia,
The Everly Brothers, Sonny and Cher…
the ‘Cholester-do-all’ ‘ the answer my friend is blow it out your a$$,’ and Mike’s ‘Full Metal Jacket’ bit from ‘Alien from LA.’
All of those “He’s a Failure” riff/songs that Joel and the Bots make in “The Day the Earth Froze”.
One of my favorite riffs comes from ‘The Unearthly,’ when Tor Johnson is out digging a grave, and Servo says in his Tor Johnson-esque voice, “Tisket, tasket, green-yellow casket.” [beat] “Pun!” His delivery kills me every time!
There are probably thousands. But, some that come to mind right away:
Magic Voyage of Sinbad: Joel’s facial expression when the camera pans to him as a nominee.
Pod People: The entire Idiot Control host segment, but particularly Frank’s “he’s the best” and Joel’s “it stinks!”
Master Ninja 1: Maybe my favorite riffing sequence ever –
Lee Van Cleef: “One way ticket and nowhere to go.”
Crow: “Why didn’t you go HOME?”
Lee: “There was something about the tranquility…”
Joel: “The tranquility of post-war Japan?”
The Lost Continent: Rock climbing sequence
Joel (after trying to calm the bots): “Who are you? Where are we? Can we get some kind of perspective here? Please?!?!”
San Francisco Int’l: The entire sequence with the “hippie.”
High School Bigshot:
Mike: “Am I a sweat hog now, Mr. Kotter?”
Mitchell:
Martin Balsam: “I don’t pay for your hookers, Mitchell.”
Joel: “Well, could ya?”
Brute Man is not an episode I watch often, but there is that scene when the old cranky shopkeeper is practically yelling at Jimmy, for no other reason than that he’s old and cranky,…and Mike starts laughing so hard he doubles up. That moment makes Brute Man worthwhile.
Noh Theater and return of Krankor – difficult episode because the movie is so bad, but two of the best host segment moments in Sci-Fi era.
There are too many moments to mention, even if we’re only discussing episodes that aren’t strictly our favorites.
Some come to mind immediately, though.
Women of the Prehistoric Planet: Clay and Lar’s Flesh Barn
The Sidehackers: Cambot’s visual ESPN riff over the sidehacking
Catalina Capers: the Little Richard song
The Hellcats: “I don’t fink on soul brother.”
Stranded in Space: the “BANG!” weapon invention exchange
The Castle of Fu Manchu: Servo singing over the theme song
City Limits: all the James Earl Jones riffs, especially near the end: “This is F-U-N.”
Being from Another Planet: all the scared reactions whenever we get a mummy point-of-view shot
Radar Secret Service: “Radar can’t look into their hearts, sir.”
Teen-age Crime Wave: all the riffs about people reacting to the phone ringing
Bloodlust: “He’s making his famous toe jam!”
The She Creature: the riffing over the montage of Dr. Lombardi taking his act on the road
The Projected Man: Crow accidentally kills Mike, then brings him back to life
A few, all in host segments:
– The whole bit where Pearl is first discovering Castle Forester, when she plays the organ and breaks into some 7th inning stretch music that Mike and the Bots get sucked into, then when Brain Guy goes into his big poetic rant about sensing ghosts in the castle and Pearl responds: “You… are… so… gay.”
– Frank’s heartfelt apology for the badness of Manos that devolves into George Bailey yelling at his kids.
– Perhaps my favorite: Mike’s male-bonding poker game with Brain Guy and Bobo in ‘Delta Knights.’ (“Last time I checked, buddy boy!”)
Observer is made up as a nurse during “Riding With Death” (see my profile pic)
During one of the skits, Professor Bobo throws Observer onto a live hand grenade. it goes off and we see Bill Corbett on his back, he kindof bounces his arms and legs up to simulate an explosion underneath him. Then he says, “Ohhhh. That would hurt….if I had a body.”
There are so many- but, one special moment in time is:
Mike as Captain Janeway. Need I say more? I like it rough.
Top three:
Servo’s theme song (need a ringtone for that one)from The Violent Years
The barber shop sketch from The Corpse Vanishes (minus the accents it was just like the barber shop I went to in KC growing up)
The Ingmar Bergman joke sketch from The Sword and The Dragon (tested the absolute extreme limits of how far you could go to make a really lame joke on purpose)
“Aw, who am I kidding? I’m never gonna build a cat.” – Thepumaman
Girl in Gold Boots ” Whatever white people,”
The end of The Wild World of Batwoman. The movie was of the Z-grade “they just didn’t care” variety, so Servo’s “ENDDDD!!! ENNNDDD!!!” said with as much force as possible was the exact response this movie needed.
Like most of us I can think of many, but I’ll pick The “Pina Colada Song” skit in Monster A Go-Go.
“Not only are they cheating on each other, they’re cheating on each other WITH each other…”
I always love when they use smoke or fire in the host segments. Nothing funnier than seeing the bots on fire and melted running around the set. One segment when Crow is burning ants with a magnifier glass right next to a pile of oily rags and sets the SOL on fire is my favorite one. :sun: :search:
I can name a few:
1) The bots breaking down in tears during the skits on MANOS
2) The space children skits during PARTS THE CLONUS HORROR
3) Pearl’s telethon during OVERDRAWN AT THE MEMORY BANK
The Starfighters is a pretty tough episode for me to get through — I, uh, tend to nap — but when they’re hitting targets at the dusty bombing range and Crow shouts, “It landed on Pig-Pen!” I lose it every time.
The Greg Brady segment from Untamed Youth and the scene with the weird guy wearing glasses (“Ask me about my extra chromosome!”).
A quick moment in Daddy-O when Servo does a Pee-wee Herman-esque laugh over a shot of Dick Contino smiling. Mike does a similar laugh way later in Merlin’s Shop over a shot of that cymbal monkey that gets me rolling too.
In I Accuse My Parents when we see a shot of Jimmy walking starting at his legs and Joel sings “I’m walkin’, yes indeed, I’m talkin’. I accuse my parents…”
Any time Crow/Trace giggles during the later Comedy Central episodes at something silly in the movie (it happens quite often).
In Laserblast when Roddy McDowell puts gloves on and wiggles his fingers a bit to get ’em nice and snug, Mike simply says “Toodles!” in a silly voice.
The “Tearin’ food stamps is hard!” riff from Giant Spider Invasion.
In Devil Fish when Mike says “CHAWMP!” over a shot of the giant monster fish biting down on something.
In Soultaker when Servo sings “I wanna thank you…” in that Peter Frampton voice over a shot of Natalie hooked up to some breathing apparatus in the hospital.
Prince of Space “Dog vs. Bear”
Mighty Jack opening sequence “Only got 5 seconds to live, must get personal finances in order”
When Nick and the Shopping News reporter are in the dystopian future
there are foley sounds of guns being prepared to fire at Nick, Mike says
“Wow, a lot of people are opening beers over there.”
Wow..way too many…. I’ll give it a shot…
The Violent Years moment when the fence said it was okay to destroy some flags (with the the capper line “Communism!!”)
Village of the Giants when Tommy Kirk and gagng (with giant ducks in tow) head to the local hang out while Beau Bridges and his no-goodniks try to finagle the secret formula (with the capper line “What’s going on here???”)
Gamera vs Zigra when the doctors and scientists are tyring to save the day for the two hypnotized scientists (with the capper line “No, Mako, we don’t need anymore dead fish in the operating room.”
Prince of Space when Krankor revals his plans to not-quite-with-it scientists (with the capper line “EACH OF YOU WILL BE PUT IN A SPACE CAPSULE!!!”
Little Richard’s song in “Catalina Caper (with the capper line “Like this, Mr. Richard???) Actualy the “Book of Love” song with the capper line (They grew up to be Jim and Tammy Faye Baker..)
..thos are just a few….
I love Crow’s Crypt Keeper impression during the graveyard scene in Master Ninja II. It’s just so damned good, even if he hates himself for doing it.
I absolutely love it when Crow giggles. Many episodes, but it seems like he did it a lot in the Mike era. I also love the line in ‘Assignment: Venezuela’ when Servo, as the housewife, loudly proclaims ‘I’d boil the HELL out of it if I were you!!’ There are lots more, but none of us have time for that. ;-)
#15, Rip McStudly – which barber shop did you go to? I grew up near the KC area myself. :-)
“Radar Secret Service” 2-second scene with the “wacky,” over-reacting maid – Mike: “The Director’s girlfriend, ladies and gentlemen!!!” (applause, applause…)
“Big McLargehuge”
The wacky bedroom scene parody from the movie, “Pod People”, especially the Mads’ reactions. When Clay and Frank look to each other in a couple glances, then lunge back at the SOL in puzzlement, it’s priceless.
the ’40s slang at the end of the “Unearthly” show.
“Santa Claus” – The mechanical reindeers’ crazed start-up and Mike and the ‘bots reacting to it.
Frank: “We’re evil – EVIL!”
I forget the episode (“Manhunt in Space”?), but when Joel and the bots discuss how fake it is to just glue random objects on a set and call it a space ship interior in the movie… and then look around themselves sheepishly. (I just happen to LOVE meta!)
Everything Petey the Plane!
J&tB rooting for Megaweapon.
When Forrester’s trying to scan Frank’s head off (“The Gunslinger”), as Dr. F is strangling Frank, Trace goes his fisheye lense look to the camera one better before the scene cuts back to the SOL. Both Trace and later, Mary Jo, prove that scenery-chewing can be a *good* thing.
Where Joel and the bots and then the Mads are watching the last of It Conquered the World and they’re listening to Peter Graves speech…
Also,when the button doesn’t work in Deep 13 and Frank and Trace are trying to fix it.
Joel and the bots singing “Idiot Control Now” in the “Pod People” episode.
Joel and the bots talking to Mike as J.C. in “Sidehackers.”
Reel Life vs Real Life in “Teenagers from Outer Space.”
There’s a big fat drunk guy sleeping on your couch!
In “Sampson Vs. The Vampire Women” when Sampson first enters and Crow just laughs.
Also the Wassailing song from “The Touch of Satan.”
@30 – C&F’s look during the Pod People segment is funny, the Annoying Music continuing on into the commercial break is funnier. :)
I’ve also tried to get skeptical friends to watch Monster a Go-Go just for the Static Geiger Counter scene (“Dr. Logan, puzzled by the lab findings…” “Blew up.”), as well as the Evil Cute song from Circus on Ice.
They’d already seen the Failure Frolics from “Day the Earth Froze”, but that was a while ago.
Had to pick a fifth, it would be Tom and Crow imitating a fourth-grade school projector in ‘Why Doesn’t Johnny Care?”
“My race are pacifists. We abhor violence and only kill out of personal spite.” A philosophy I’ve taken to heart.
Special bonus nod to Crow catching fire in the first Poopie reel and Trace screaming in terror. “Whew! I’ll be in my trailer.”
“Warrior of the Lost World” has some boring bits, but I’ll be damned if the “Any fruit to declare?” sequence doesn’t crack me up every time.
I die every time I see the host segment where Joel comes out in a satin robe with a “cigar” in his mouth, imitating the bad guy from Operation Double 007, womanizing the bots, and saying “I knowwww”
While “Quest of the Delta Knights” is not necessarily my favorite episode (Probably in my top 20 though), the chorus of Tom Servos (including the lady version of Tom, complete with clevage and a dress) singing the Delta Knights song is of of my all time favorite moments. Kevin just has a pretty damn great singing voice, and the song is hilarious.
That part of ‘The Atomic Brain’ cracks me up so bad every single time. I even sing it in real life. So funny.
Also have to mention in ‘Village of the Giants’ when Tom is horrified over seeing his mother – the blender – in the film.
In ‘Laserblast’ every time they make fun of the guy who looks like Hank Williams Jr.
Wow, this is a tough one. I could think of favorite moments all day and STILL not be satisfied with a ‘final’ list. I’ll give it a shot though.
– The entire Idiot Control sketch in Pod People. “It stinks!” has become iconic, and of course I love it, but it’s actually Frank’s exaggerated “Good? He’s the BEST!” that just kills me every time.
– In Eegah!, at the beginning right before they first head into the movie, Dr. F sends Frank out to do his ice skating after having replaced his blood with antifreeze. Frank, in a zombie-like state, wanders back in, and Dr. F says “Oh, God.” It’s all about the delivery, and Trace’s is spot-on. It’s a little moment, but man, I’m always rolling!
– The Creeping Terror:
Narrator: Dr. Bradford arrived
(pause)
Crow: I said Dr. Bradford arrived!
Narrator: He was a much younger man than one would imagine.
Servo: Uh, I have no preconceptions!
– So much of the first several minutes of Parts: The Clonus Horror, from the first “BIOGRAPHY!” to “I think you’re neat!” “I like how keen you are!” to “Will he be alright?” “Hellno!” I think every movie segment in the ep is strong (I’m in the seeming minority that don’t like the host segments) but those first one or two movie segments particularly slay me.
– This following exchange from The Incredibly Strange Creatures etc.:
(Carnie with an old-fashioned hat walks on-screen)
Carnie: Hey Stella!
Crow: 23 skiddoo!
Mike: (laughs)
Carnie: How about a date tomorrow night?
Stella: Okay! Should be fun!
Carnie: How does 7 O’Clock sound?
Stella: Great! Where are we going?
Mike: (borderline indignant) Fat Burger, as usual!
Carnie: Oh, I thought we could spend a quiet little evening at your place. I could bring up a couple of steaks, and you could broil them.
Stella: That’s your idea of a good evening? I have to slave over a hot stove cooking dinner for you?
Carnie: Why not?
Crow: Eh, he’s got a point!
Stella: Who’s gonna wash the dishes?
Carnie: Oh, I’ll wash the dishes (tilts his hat)
Mike: (slyly) With my hat!
Servo: He doesn’t know how many dishes I have stacked up, the poor dope!
I go back-and-forth on the episode itself, but that exchange always gets me.
Also, the opening credits of Horror Of Party Beach are a work of art, including Crow’s explanation of additional dialog as well as “Original soundtrack not available. You’ll thank us.”
There are many, many more moments I consider favorites, but man, this would be a mile long post if I listed each one.
Man, where to begin…
-The TV series pitch during the credits of ‘The Final Sacrifice’
-The song toss game a.k.a. “TUSK!” from ‘Werewolf’
-Every time they do the “What’s in the stew?” sigh of exasperation before saying “Onions…”
-Towards the end of ‘Mitchell’ when Joe Don Baker opens the door in his apartment and turns on the lights, prompting Joel and the Bots to shout / sing, “SURPRISE! Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you!”
-Already mentioned but the “You are magic, aren’t you Trumpy!” re-enactment by Joel and the Bots, complete with The Mads quick takes towards the camera
-Servo’s explanation of “Quantum Linear Superposition”, specifically when he warps time and space and more or less resets the entire sketch
-Virtually every host segment in ‘Prince of Space’ – I mean, I think the Mike as a Bot bit is alright, but the time distorted dialogue out of order bit with the chicken puppet, the game of Dog and Bear gone awry (followed by the completely harmless game of Sea Lion and Squirrel), Servo and Crow’s assessment in the sylvan glen that Mike doesn’t handle alternate realities very well
-Mike’s “exit” from the Satellite of Love because he, too, suffered through a Joe Don Baker movie
-Arguably, the entirety of ‘Space Mutiny’ but, well, that, goes without saying
Alright… I’m done… :-)
Then there’s the utterly demented landing strip party in THE SKYDIVERS, with a giantess, a geek, a guy done up in full Scotsman regalia, a girl in a tutu on roller skates, all for NO REASON WHATSOEVER… “Is this a Village People audition?”
#8 & #34
Yeah, you’re right, Frank and Trace’s acting during the “Idiot Control” sequence is what makes it soooo painfully funny. And also when Joel makes the OK sign and blurts out, “It stinks!” in deadpan mode…
The entire sequence in Monster A Go-Go where they are telling Ruth about Frank:
“This coffee’s warmer than Frank is”
“Make other plans, Jimmy”
etc.
The Popcorn Commercial. Ah, sheer brilliance, to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4eR-uZTJZ8
And this is just the first one that came to mind.
“Danger, Death Ray.” Where Servo blasts Crow and he screams as his eyes burst into flames, it’s for peaceful purposes only of course.
While watching MITCHELL during the Turkey Day Marathon, I was HIGHLY amused when the temp, Mike, witnessed Dr. F and Frank telling Joel and the ‘bots about the movie they would be watching. Temp Mike: “you guys watch Joe Don Baker movies?” It’s about as innocuous a moment as you can think of, but that’s MST3K writing at its finest.
#623 – The Amazing Transparent Man:
“You people bring matches for Mikey?”
Red Zone Cuba: “Les Steckel begins training camp!” For an NFL fan, that is GOLD.
One of my favorite moments in the show’s history that happens to take place in a middling episode is the Interrogation sketch from The Dead Talk Back. I always have to waych it at least twice. Once to watch Frank meltdown and go into an increasingly bizarre confession. The second to watch Dr. F’s expressions as Frank goes further and further off the map.