Now, she is following up with a request for stories from others about how this or other TV shows, and the communities that have formed around them, have saved others, with the hope of turning it into a book.
We’re looking forward to reading it.
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Did MST3K (or some other TV show) Save You? Tell Janelle About ItLast month, one of our MSTie tweeps “spooky” Janelle Vreeland (@SpookyJanelle) posted a very thoughtful item on her blog about MST3K saved her life.
20 Replies to “Did MST3K (or some other TV show) Save You? Tell Janelle About It”Commenting at Satellite News
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Aside from being nightly dose of cocaine, which really does make me briefly forget the day’s troubles, MST3K hasn’t really saved me. Although, it nice to a fan of something that I can talk about to others. The same can’t be said for my other, far nerdier, hobby.
After reading her column it doesn’t sound like it was MST3K that saved her but just being able to communicate and fit in with the online world. It might be better for her to canvas such stories from others and leave the “TV Show Saved My Life” for an episode of Springer or something.
In the actual “MST3K Saves someone” realm I’d be looking for something like it being on TV cheered someone who was thinking of doing Bad Things to themselves (I could have sworn I read some comment on this very website to that effect within the last year or two). I could definitely see how laughter at the infectious humor on the show could cheer up even the most depressed.
But, as I said, the far bigger phenomena of web-friendship is probably a lot more appropriate (and more fertile field) for her. And I’m very glad that she got through her teen-age angst (although, truth be told, her story isn’t particularly unique — EVERYONE I’ve ever known felt exactly like her through high school at least).
And by the way, if you DO have a story for her–I think she would prefer if you go to her site and tell it there, not here.
The amazing part of this story is that it was the Hamlet experiment that hooked her into MST. There is one episode that doesn’t get too much love.
“The amazing part of this story is that it was the Hamlet experiment that hooked her into MST.”
Hmmmmmm……wonder if it’s because she felt she could relate…….you know, the whole, “To be, or not to be” thing….. :idk:
Fascinating story……….kind of depressing and inspiring all at the same time.
Just glad she ‘found’ herself before it was too late……..for whatever reason! :-)
I’d have to say that That particular version of Hamlet has killed more people than its saved.
Personally, I’m pretty sure Hell is filled with Danish Clowns.
It’s interesting. I’ve been a member on the CT board pretty much since there’s been a CT board and yet I never realized what she was going through. It touches my heart that she got such a postive result from it. I don’t know if MST3K or CT has changed my life significantly but it’s nice to know that it’s helped somebody.
I love almost every episode of MST3K, but I have yet to make all the through Hamlet.
One day I’ll have like 3 Red Bulls and give it another try.
Sure, why not?
More than just “Oh, nice people I met on the Net who were the same fanboys/girls I was”…
Someone once posted on the old RATMM group that MSTies (and RATMM’ers in particular, but few of the young kids today know what it was to be one) have made themselves a different breed: Their senses of humor are used to picking apart the puffery and pomposity of those would try to impress them, and NOT taking things with overwhelming degree of credibility or seriousness, and yet still keep their humor and not turn into cynical jerks about it.
They naturally spot someone’s ability to make fools of themselves, and are therefore more resistant to advertising, political sways, peer pressure, etc., and keep their opinions independent and original. (Unless they’re Mike-zombies, of course. ;) )
In general, the United Online Nation of MSTie-hood can do wonders for the self-esteem, and teach the values of a literal, intellectual quip, at the age when that can seem strange but is so desperately needed.
@5 – “The amazing part of this story is that it was the Hamlet experiment that hooked her into MST.”
(Uh, yeah….”Astonishing” was the word that sprang to mind. :shock: )
Well, ACEG restored my sanity (a bit) on a boring summer road trip, and one of my college professors once implied that MST3K was the only thing on TV in the ’90s that didn’t make him want to kill himself (or other “bad things” ) but I doubt those count as instances of the show saving someone…or even as stories. Kind of a tough niche to reply to.
I can see how the riffing of Hamlet could inspire someone by demonstrating that NOTHING should be taken so seriously that you can’t have good-natured fun at its expense. Entertainment value notwithstanding.
Shakespeare’s words transcend bad acting.
I don’t know about saving my life, but being a fan of MST3K has gained me some truly trustworthy friends, and is always good for lifting my spirits during a bad day. Good times.
Well, it didn’t save my life per se but it saved my sanity! My son was born the weekend MST3K premiered on the HA channel in my area. I knew OF the series from catching a snippet on a trip. My son was not much for sleeping (and still doesn’t as far as I can tell….) so I was up at all hours walking the floor with him. Fortunately, I had the foresight to tape MST episodes and I watched them over and over, all week until the next fresh one came on.
How many nights did he get his bottle to “My! White! Godde-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s! Honey! I’m, Home!”
Well when I first heard about MST3K I was blown away by it. It in way saved me from all those bad movies that would come out and everyone went ga ga over them. It help put it all into perspective for me especially when I found out how part of the cast went to school at the local university here by me.
“They naturally spot someone’s ability to make fools of themselves, and are therefore more resistant to advertising, political sways, peer pressure, etc., and keep their opinions independent and original.”
This is interesting, because I had these general traits *before* getting into MST3k. Perhaps cause and effect are ambiguous for at least some fans? I.e., people like this are simply drawn to MST3k intuitively?
Fairly certain she doesn’t mean it literally had to “save your life” as in, keep you from death, although that certainly could be the case for some… and would make an awesome tale to tell.
For me, MST3k saved my social life, at many times my emotional life, and just generally improved my existance.
Hamlet!?! That’s a dark one. Jeez. That would encourage self-immolation.
I’m just wondering how many other people first heard about MST3K from their professors. I know I did.
I don’t know if it saved my life, but MST3K has sure seen me through some rough times. I have a pretty severe anxiety disorder that, thankfully, has responded well to medication. But there are times when I really struggle. When that happens, I pop in one of the “safe” MST3K DVDs (Catalina Caper, Overdrawn at the Memory Bank, Prince of Space–anything where nothing really bad happens to anyone) and let it keep my mind occupied.
On a slightly different note, the first episode of MST3K I saw was with my father. It was Riding with Death and we both laughed at the Butterball turkey riff, which was especially neat since my dad was kind of stoic. Since he passed away, that episode has extra meaning to me.