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Weekend Discussion Thread: Favorite Bill Corbett MomentsEvery time we post an updated list of all the discussion topics we’ve done, alert regular “Crowschmoe” complains that we’ve somehow missed doing a “Favorite Bill Corbett moments” thread. Well, let’s rectify that!
As Crow, one of my favorite bits of his is in episode 902- PHANTOM PLANET, in which Crow expresses his outrage and dismay that he has dressed himself like a Solarite. It’s vintage Crow 2.0. But I think my favorite moment is Bill as Leonardo “goodfella” DaVinci. What’s your pick? 164 Replies to “Weekend Discussion Thread: Favorite Bill Corbett Moments”Commenting at Satellite News
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#97: Not confused, just predictable as hell. Of course EricJ was going to show up at the mention of Bill Corbett, since he is desperate, attention-starved, and intent on beating an idee fixe into the ground.
All the best moments have been taken! Hm, there’s Observer’s matter-of-factly producing a noose to hang himself during The Horror of Party Beach. And I’ll always remember his casual reading of the Harlequin romance novel to Pearl Forrester during Deathstalker (glistening with turgid yearning, hm, hm, yielding petals of womanhood, and so on…)
Both my faves have already been mentioned, but I’ll repeat quickly. Turkey Volume Guessing Man is great, but the one bit that never fails to crack us up completely is his report on Malta. Too hilarious.
@101
Uh, hate to break it to you, but Deathstalker is Season 7 . . .
A favorite Crow/Bill Corbett moment of mine is Crow singing “When.. you want.. the flavor of bacon in a dip” in the epic class MST3k episode Pumaman.
Mrs. Snow to the recently near-strangled-to-death and confused Jenny from Screaming Skull: “Shhh. Uncle Lady will take care of you. Shhh. Uncle Lady is here”.
“The Space Children”
I love it when you can hear Bill trying desperately not to laugh while saying “Devil’s office!”
Wow, I still have two left that no one has mentioned!
“GET A BOX !!!!” from “Screaming Skull”
“Hi Mike. I’m a bear. Yeah, that mushroom guy? He did it.”
Oops!
It didn’t take long for me to warm up to Bill after The Change, but the moment I accepted him as Crow – and into my heart – was “Debbie! I broke a window for you, baby!” Truly priceless delivery.
“My race are pacifists and do not believe in war. We only kill out of personal spite.”
Bill Corbett’s body of work in the riffing business has been so tremendous that I have a real hard time narrowing them down to the best or even a list of favorites.
He just has so darn many great moments and so much fun stuff through the years. I could seriously make a pretty long separate list for each & every show alone.
I’m just going to mention a subtle one that I have been laughing at lately when I watch ‘Track of the Moon Beast’.
Well, now I’m thinking of several from that episode alone. No doubt the first host segment when Crow imitates Kathy’s profuse apologizing from the movie is a classic scene that adds to that episode being so much fun to watch.
But I’m thinking of a host segment later on in the movie when Servo & Crow have a remote camera on Mike in his bedroom to see what kind of underwear he has on. Servo says something like “soon we and the whole world will know just what kind of underwear he wears”, and crow says “Yes! and then we can kill him!”
Servo says “Uhh.No.Crow…” to which crow says “Oh right! I was thinking of someone else! sorry.”
I just love the way Bill does the lines. It’s like, whatever else happens in that segment doesn’t even matter, it’s already a hit just from that little exchange. (Though it does go on to be pretty funny throughout).
Lots of great Bill riffs in Moon beast too. I cant even begin to list them, I’d be sitting here all night. I’d rather just pop in the dvd again for 5,834th time instead. (I don’t sit and watch, I just like to have them on in the backround while I do other stuff).
Love his work with film Crew and rifftrax too. What an important addition to the riffing and writing crew he has been. He came in filling some big shoes, but he has carved out his own niche and I would not love the show and post-show materials half as much without him.
[I actually have ‘Final Justice’ on now in the other room and I’m hearing Bill’s classic ‘Maltese Men’ presentation and smiling]…I can’t not mention his expletive-filled deposition for Mike’s trial in ‘Agent for Harm’ now that I’m remembering things…
Thanks Bill Corbett for all the great work over the years!..and don’t you dare stop!
and great, long overdue topic, Schmoe!
Another vote for the “loaner Crow”…
“Later, we will take things and do them…”
Great topic.
Let me preface this; I was and am a huge Trace fan and was very bummed out when I heard he was leaving the show. I couldn’t imagine a replacement for Crow. Bill did a phenomenal job, bringing a fresh new take to a beloved character. Kudos, Mr. Corbett!
A few that immediately come to mind:
“Sargasm…” from Blood Waters of Dr. Z
Moonbeast: when Crow pulls the “prank” on Mike and slowly devolves into madness. “It’s just that we HAD the masks…”
“AGUA” from Clonus Mexican children’s show host segment
“I refuse to accept this as our hero.”
“He’s like pooh alright.”
-Time Chasers
“I don’t remember.” -Hobgoblins “Women” host segment
Krankor’s return in the Neptune Men host segment.
He was a able replacement to Trace.
My favorites have been mentioned although here are a few others that just make me giggle when I think of it.
1) When Observer is mistakenly thought to be taken part in Dress-up day by Pearl and Bobo. That took guts to walk around in that leather garb. If I am not mistaken, his brain was dressed-up as well.
2) From “The Mole People:” (Might be murdering it here) “Lord, I am not a praying man. But, please kill John Agar!”
Uh…I don’t have a favorite Bill moment. I just didn’t want him to be left out. (No).
As Observer: His duet with Pearl, “When Loving Lover’s Love.”
As Crow: His trip back in time in Time Chasers to convince Mike not to take that temp job.
And – His nose job (in, I think Clonus? ’cause of that actress with the ridiculously small nose?)
In a small nasally voice, “what are you looking at?”
I still think his Crow should have been an imposter, though. :)
okay #41 i apologize for my total immersion in crow as an entity unto himself – best Bill moment- When Loving Lovers Love.
As Crow – Crow’s video deposition from ‘Agent From H.A.R.M.’
As Observer – His argument with Bobo where he finds out he does, in fact, stink.
As other character – Phantom of Krankor
It’s not actually part of MST3K, but one of my absolute favorite Bill lines comes from his play “My Monster” (co-written by Joeseph Scrimshaw) and would’ve sounded perfect coming from Crow’s beak:
“We want a badass who feels bad about being a badass, like a cross between Mussolini and Charlie Brown.”
This is going to sounds feeble, but one line from Time Chasers sprang to mind immediately:
“No, I’m saying MAKE ME DINNER!”
This is going to sound feeble, but one line from Time Chasers sprang to mind immediately:
“No, I’m saying MAKE ME DINNER!”
To add on to #47:
Later, in the same short, sprinklers activate on a lawn and scare away some dogs and Bill delivers one of my most favorite riffs.
“Yeah, how do you like it when the lawn piddles on you?”
Crow’s portrayal of ‘The Screaming Skull’ always makes me spill my drink all over the floor, no matter how matter times you watch it!
“STOP IT!! STOP IT!!! STOP IT!!!”
I love Bill’s delivery. So many of his riffs are delivered in a sort of world-weary half sigh, like “Lick your eggs, or have a friend lick them” or “Maybe he’ll be torn apart by Ewoks.” I love Trace, but Bill’s part-amusement, part-boredom delivery absolutely enchants me. Yeah, I said “enchants,” and I’ll say it again if I have to.
As Brain Guy, I think my favorite moments are both songs.
“When Loving Lovers Love” has already been mentioned, but my other favorite is “Stay!” Great chemistry in both.
“But, I gotta mantis in my pantis” :heh:
As Crow, I don’t think anyone mentioned the “Mile High Meringue Pie” bit. “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Crash!
As Brain Guy, the Roman dungeon when his brain is taken away:
“I like fruit!”
Stacia @ 123:
Perfect description of Bill’s delivery style, and the reason why I prefer his Crow by a long way. I’d say his vocal characterization actually turned his alleged handicap as a puppeteer into an advantage, since his more minimal approach to operating Crow complimented his more laid-back, world-weary vocal style (e.g., where Trace might have Crow do a hyperactive double-take, Bill would simply roll his eyes and drop a one-liner, or maybe look away and sigh).
As great as Trace’s Crow was (and I’d never say otherwise), Bill’s more naturalistic voicing was always funnier to me than Trace’s put-on, cartoony Crow voice. It makes even minor throw-away comments hilarious, like the bit in Prince of Space where Krankor is explaining his plans to the kidnapped scientists, and as he’s talking the scene suddenly cuts to stock footage of military men running around a tarmac. Bill looks around confused and mutters in a mostly disinterested fashion, “What the hell is this?” Always kills me.
Matt @119:
The “MAKE ME DINNER” line is always popping into my head, too.
@ 73
That’s one of my favorites as well.
My absolute favorite is when he tells Mike what to expect when Mike becomes a were-Crow in Werewolf. Actually I loved both the were-Crow segments.
As Observer. I loved his Flashdance routine I also like when he gets frustrated when Pearl and Bobo fail to notice things. e.g. the fact that Mike and the ‘bots used card board cut-outs in Hobgoblins
Also his frustration at having to blow up the missile in Future War.
I love the bit where Pearl is trying to impress the guy from the mad scientist board and she tries to give Brain Guy a hump. I nearly fell out of my chair at the indignation in his voice. “Now see here!”
In “It Lives by Night” – Crow as ski bum doctor. Watch out ladies!
Hey, all powerful doesn’t mean being over budget! (Space Child)
Most of my favorites have already been mentioned, but I have a special place in my heart for Crow’s rage during the clay therapy host segment in The Screaming Skull. “Just WORK the LUMPS!”
From “The Final Sacrifice” – “He comes from a long line of “Greid” anuses”. Also the “We Will Rowsdower” song Crow breaks into toward the end of the movie. SING IT!!
From “Century 21 Calling” short when the call transfering system is explained. “Then you can go off with your DRINKING and PILL POPPING!” Classic Angry Crow! Also, from the same short where a system to call home to turn on/off devices is explained and a couple of dogs are scared off by the sprinklers, “Yeah, how do you like it when the lawn piddles on you?” Great Delivery!
Six simple words that made me spit take for the only time I remember in my life… “I sure hope he said Peanuts.”
During hob Goblins when Amy ( the frigid non-supportive girlfriend)says “you really humiliated me out there!”
Bill: All right ! Grab a rake! Let’s go!
The delivery and timing were perfect, almost as though bill was tapping into the movie character’s hidden rage.
Oh, how could I forget that? Crow’s pitch of “Final Sacrifice: The Series” to Mike was hilarious! Though a lot of that does have to do with Mike’s responses to Crow’s ideas, Crow’s constant attempts to keep his idea on track while Mike undercuts him is brilliant.
“SURRRRRRRRRGE!!!!”
Lots of great moments, but Bill’s defining moment as Crow (for me anyway) is his outrage at the choice for the “hero” in “Time Chasers.” “Can I speak to your supervisor movie?”
I have to say that Crow punching out the window for “Debbie!!!” was by far one of my favorite bill moments in MST3K. I’m another person who didn’t take long at all to start loving Bill’s Crow. I did miss Trace at the very beginning, but after an episode or two I knew that they had chosen the perfect guy to replace him. Sadly, as much as I loved Pearl, Bobo, and Brain Guy I can’t say that they were ever a true replacement for TV’s Frank and Dr. F, but for me Bill’s Crow definitely became the equal of Trace’s.
Devil Fish: Crow’s repeat of Bob exclaiming “I KNOW!”
His follow-up review of Tom Servo in a Merlin’s Shop host segment “My second visit to Tom servo was even a greater disappointment!”
OATMB-The Nature of Bobo: Observer charges Bobo only to meet Bobo’s fist. “having challenged me thusly…”
Observer’s brief song about the creature in Boggy Creek 2 which ends in an abrupt “That’s it”.
And so many other moments already mentioned.
I have to go with courteous martian with his Dr. Z monologue, just had me in stitches. “Saddle Soap: Cleaning compound of deceit.” That and “Now I am in a million pieces… but soon those pieces will unite.” Just freaking hilarious. I love Bill.
I loved “loaner Crow’s” great stereo.
I believe it was Crow 2.0 who had the Alien/Humidity detector that he got with his Discover card. And the bit with the prairie dog (mortal enemy of cows) vacuum is excellent. Incidently, Tom did a great cowboy, “c’mon missies”
#123 Stacia,
Correction, “Lick your eggs, or have a friend lick them,” is from “Chicken of Tomorrow,” which is from Season 7. So Trace is still voicing Crow at that point.
“Mike, I’m going to buy a step ladder so you can jump up my butt!!!”
Funniest…line…ever…
Phantom of Krankor impersonation and was easily scared off.
I am someone who discovered MST3K when it was winding down at Comedy Central, so I never became so totally invested in Trace as being the only one who could “be” Crow T. Robot. When they started on Sci-Fi, it was easy for me to accept the transitions because 1.) They started out with a string of movies that I remembered from my childhood, and 2.) The riffing was as strong as ever, in my opinion. When Joel made his guest appearance in “Soultaker”, he summed it up by saying something like “Crow, your voice seems different- oh, you changed your bowling pin! Clever!” Now that I am familiar with the show’s history, I feel like all the transitions had their good and not-so-good points, but nothing that ruined the show for me.
Anyway, most everything has been mentioned, but a couple of my favorites that have’nt:
1. I think during the opening segment of “The Incredibly Strange Creatures…”, when Bobo and Brain Guy appear as television “reporters”, and Brain Guy puts down Bobo’s lack of intelligence, and Bobo gets angry, and grabs a handfull of, well, you know, and flings it at Brain Guy- the way Bill ramps up his terror and disgust always cracks me up.
2. In “Future War”, when Brain Guy imitates Jimi Hendrix burning his guitar at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, and Bobo comes over and starts cooking some marshmallows, and Brain Guy takes it from Bobo and bonks him on the head- that always makes me laugh, too, because of the way they make light of a very iconic moment in the history of “rock” music.
One of my favorite Crow riffs (that hasn’t been mentioned) is in “Riding With Death”, and Buffalo Bill jumps into the action as two thugs are kicking Sam’s butt outside the bar, and Crow says “Super Cracker!”
See ya!
The “interview” with the director of Hobgoblins over the end credits had me rolling on the floor. I did not have high hopes for Bill when he first took over but I think overall he did pretty well.
Today being a sick day, I decided to take this opportunity to revisit some of the Rifftrax shorts I have, and it suddenly dawned on me that I forgot one of the best riffing jobs of a short ever: Drugs Are Like That. All of them are really great in that one, but Bill’s “baby with the DTs” rant is a highlight for me. Bill screaming “Spiders! Spiders!” always brings a great big smile to my face.
I too love Bills tough take on riffing, more like me if I was actually forced to watch bad movies. And no matter how hard i try, I cant find any moment in the show that makes me laugh til i cry like “Crows Deposition”!
Didn’t notice anybody else mention this. Maybe I missed it, maybe its just me…
In Soultaker, when Joel mentions Crow’s change of voice and says it must be the change of bowling pin. I love the look on Crow’s face. I can’t really describe it, Crow just looks down like he’s hiding something. I love it.