The owner of the blog Atchka, which focuses on the issue of “fat acceptance,” interviews Mary Jo Pehl. They discuss MST3K and Cinematic Titanic, and in the second portion of the podcast they have a very frank discussion of the blog’s main topic, touching on Mary Jo’s own struggles with her weight, fat jokes on MST3K, fat comedians and more.
Parental note- Mary Jo drops an “f-bomb” or two during the course of the discussion.
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Podcast Interview with Mary Jo8 Replies to “Podcast Interview with Mary Jo”Commenting at Satellite News
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That was a good interview, far more substantive than the usual fare. Even though it seems to be true, I still can’t believe there were enough bone-headed MSTies that complained about Mary Jo Pehl’s weight during the show’s Sci-Fi era.
I’m beginning to suspect that, no matter what the topic, there is always at least one person out there who is anxious to complain about it.
I have great admiration for Mary Jo and her work. Great interview.
It’s sad to think that the audience for MST3K would stoop to such lows. I thought we were supposed to be a better sampling of people than the audience for, say, America’s Top Model.
Did anyone ever complain about Bobo’s weight?
I thought Bobo should have been heavier.
That’s one of the things I can never quite understand. Okay, fine. Let’s say Doctor Forrester was, in fact, funnier than Pearl. The actor playing him had LEFT. He wasn’t THERE anymore. What’s the point of attacking Ms. Pehl? That’s not going to make him come back.
I always loved Mary Jo. She’s not too friendly with the fans, but I don’t hold that against her. She is funny and talented. How can anyone not see her and Bill Corbett’s rendition of “When Loving Lovers Love” and not be moved?
“She’s not too friendly with the fans, but I don’t hold that against her……”
.
I have to believe her not being overly friendly with the fans (if true) has a lot to do with some of the rough “treatment” she’s received from some of them over the years……..
I have to admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of hers during the earlier “mother of Dr. (Clay) Forrester” years alongside Trace, but once he moved on, and her ‘Pearl’ character more fully evolved, I began to really appreciate her performances and came to love her work with Bill and Kevin, as ‘Brain Guy’ and ‘Bobo’.
I realize there are plenty of fans who don’t really care for the Sci-Fi era (non-movie) “storylines”, but I absolutely LOVED them.
I just hope that there are plenty of fans who DO take the time to let her know how much she IS appreciated, at the fan ‘meet and greets’…… :smile:
Somehow I completely missed this thread and link love.
I’ve interviewed Mary Jo twice now (once for a 20th anniversary article that never materialized) and I have to say that she is one of the kindest, gentlest, most genuine people I’ve interviewed… well, pretty much the whole damn cast is. They can’t help it, they’re Minnesota nice!
I think MJ got the worst of the cast change pushback. The Sci Fi switch was pretty jarring for most fans already in terms of substance and style, but to lose Clay and Frank and Crow within such a short time? It stinks!
So, I understand the anger, but it should have been directed at the Comedy Central assholes and not the cast who was genuinely responding to their personal cast crises. And since the people who couldn’t distinguish between the two may not have been the sharpest crayons in the box, would also go after MJ directly and often for her weight, since it’s an easy target.
MJ’s self-confidence and dedication in the face of such hostility is admirable (as was Mike and Bill’s… Kevin took over so early on that I doubt there was the deluge of contempt felt later on) and she has become one of my favorite riffers on CT.
I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. If there’s interest, I might contact some of the others for future interviews.
Peace,
Shannon