Genius, That’s what MST3K is, pure genius. Sure there will be some repetition, but with over 600 jokes per eps you got to allow for overlapping and running gags. At its core, few shows are as sharp or as consistently funny as Mystery Science Theater 3000.
And okay, yes, I should probably insert a hyperbole warning, I really love this show and my enthusiasm can get out of hand, Ha Ha. Anyway, I know we won't all agree on this subject, but I hope you enjoy the read.
UPDATED to include new season episodes.
Season 8 * Host: Mike - I love the weird, imaginative movie, and while the Host Segs are alright, the meat and potatoes -the theater riffing- is spot on. For me, there is nothing as smart and beautifully written and drop-dead hilariously funny as the riffing in Frost.
Favorite Riff: “Peter must be walking around denying everyone this morning” - Kevin. This exemplifies the episode perfectly. A fart joke can be a gas, but this joke, drawn from the Bible (Jesus tells Peter that before the cock crows 3 times, he will deny knowing him) goes above and beyond what you hear in most comedies these days. It took some thought and intelligence to come up with that line.
Favorite Sketch: Bobo and Brain Guy argue about who's in
charge. Fleshes out the characters and their relationship. For all his great
power, Observer is flawed and stuck with menial tasks like giving Bobo tick
baths.
#2: Santa Claus
Season 5 * Host: Mike - The movie's opening sequence is drawn
out but the riffing is razor-sharp, like shooting ducks in a row. And the rest
of the episode follows suit. This beautifully absurd film is matched with spirited
observational quips (Love the riffs on the sleepy kid and the little girl
arguing with the devil over a doll).
Favorite Riff: "Now this is good old nightmare
fuel" - Crow. This is used again in "Strange Creatures", but I
wish they hadn't recycled the riff as it is a pitch-perfect, matter-of-fact
truism that sums up the movie in total. I’d have liked it to have stayed unique
to this episode.
Favorite Sketch: The guys sing an all-inclusive Christmas
song. Trying not to offend anyone is funny as hell.
#3: The Beast of Yucca Flats
Season 6 * Host: Mike - Dull, nothing film is met with
hysterical riffs that keep it afloat. The ep opens with 2 solid shorts: Money
Talks and Progress Island USA and then moves onto the feature which is pelted
with one hilarious mocking dart after another. The movie provides much to laugh
at (the dialog, acting, and the paper-thin script). Mike sums the whole thing up
well when he quipped, *"Shoot the film first, ask questions later."
Favorite Riff: "That was my darkest vision yet" –
Crow. From the Money Talks short. I find it such a delightfully pointed
contrast to what the film was trying to say, as opposed to how it turned out.
It does seem like the kid must have gotten into the shrooms.
Favorite Sketch: Anti-Film preservation. Crow goes against the
grain and attempts to erase the Coleman Francis filmography from history.
#4: I Accuse My Parents
Season 5 * Host: Joel -The short is okay but the feature is
amazing. I can't improve on what I wrote in my review... Stupidity, as you
might have guessed, is Jimmy's main character trait. That and the lying and the
'House of Booze' he lives in, must have made the group at 'Best Brains' beam at
all the riffing possibilities. So it's no surprise that Joel and the bots go
with the flow of the film. Riffing each character and situation with
synchronized perfection. The host segments continue this thread. Blending charm
and humor in the reenactment of a musical number, or with the drawings of their
dream families. All of it showcases MST at its best.
Favorite Riff: "Mom, Dad! I won the 'Get the crap
kicked out of me' contest!" - Joel as Jimmy - Joel's delivery sells this
one as poor Jimmy tries desperately to win his parent's attention and approval.
Favorite Sketch: The SOL crew re-enact the musical number.
What a charming piece.
#5: Night of the Blood Beast
Season 7 * Host: Mike - The guys have a lot of silly fun
with this. If you unclench your logic bone, I imagine you will too. The
multiple Steves and dumb blonde jokes. Knocks on the simplistic representation
of NASA. This is a riot and opens with the superb, surreal short, "Once
Upon A Honeymoon". Which is my all-time fav.
Favorite Riff: "No more questions. More boobies" -
Crow as dead Steve - It's low brow but contrasts the 50s film mentality and
fits the scene to a T.
Favorite Sketch: There are 2 versions, both are great. I got a
kick on Crow's diatribe on babies. It's not PC but what a riot!
#6: The Final Sacrifice
Season 9 * Host: Mike - Wonderfully riffable film is loaded
with quality quips. While there is variety in the comedy, the simple repetitive
stuff is just as fun (I love the way they do Troy's clipped, high-pitched voice
when he says, "Rowsdower!"). A special episode for me - family kept
dropping by the house, were drawn into what I was watching, and soon my tiny
living room was filled with people and the sound of their raucous laughter.
Favorite Riff: There are so many but how about the
Queen/Rowsdower theme? "You got mud on your face, you big disgrace,
shoving those sandwiches into your face" "Singing we will, we will
Rowsdower!" - Crow/All
Favorite Sketch: The Canada song is a mean-spirited joy.
Season 5 * Host: Joel - This episode had to grow on me and
once it did, it quickly became a favorite. Sharp comedy clicks when it focuses
on observational humor derived from the film's inherent strangeness. Such as a
wrestling bear, which in the hands of J&TB's becomes a Dan Haggerty intervention.
Or in the wisecracks inspired by a silly underwater musical scene with a
henpecked Neptune and some sorry-looking Muppets.
Favorite Riff: "Welcome to manic-depressiville!" -
Crow
Favorite Sketch: The invention exchange. Especially
Chinderwear with Frank scratching an itch. LMAO! The SOL crew offer a rat pack
Chess Set
#8: The Painted Hills
Season 5 * Host: Joel - Opens with a decent short "Body
Care and Grooming". The film is riffed brilliantly and relentlessly. The
montage scene is one of their best moments. They just groove onto this film so
expertly. The Shep voices are a kick, the bits with the Indians are pointed,
wise, and hilarious.
Favorite Riff: "Thanks for the treaty mister!" -
Joel. Spoken as a person races off on horseback. What a clever kick in the
teeth!
Favorite Sketch: Crow's twisted essay on Rutherford B. Hayes
is one of my all-time favorite host segments.
Season 5 * Host: Joel - This episode leapfrogs over Pod
People to take the ninth position. I was doubled over while
watching it and as I wrote in my review... Crisp and clever riffing make this
one worth viewing despite Eegah's tongue or Junior's music. Highlights include
the lines..."Stop saying Wee!"; "He's wearing corrective shoes
with black socks." and the mystery voice which warns, "Watch out for
snakes" Lots of laughs with riff and host segments
Favorite Riff: "Hi Roxy!"- "Sorry about my
face." - Tom/Joel as Arch Hall Jr.
Favorite Sketch: Tom and Crow attempt to turn Joel into Arch Hall Jr. Really cute and illustrates the playful bond between Joel and his
robot pals.
#10: Pod People
Season 3 * Host: Joel - I've over-watched this episode, but
it will always hold a special place in my heart. Arguably the first truly great
episode. The movie is a chore but the riffing is a steady, smart, observational
delight. The potato scene is hilarious.
Favorite Riff: "Hey, what gives, I'm on the milk
carton." - Joel as Tommy
Favorite Sketch: Many goodies within, I'll go with the guys
doing the "Trumpy does magic things" scene. The look on the Mad's
faces was priceless.
Season 8 * Host: Mike – Many fans feel season 8 didn’t catch
fire until its 2nd half. I don’t share that opinion, as there are many within
the first 11 that I love; and atop them all is Mantis. I watched this back to
back with Mitchell and was surprised to find that while I enjoyed Mitch, I was
in stitches over the giant bug movie. Lots of big laughs for me, the biggest
being provided by the riffing on Professor Gunther
Favorite Riff: "But I gotta mantis in my pantis" -
Crow as Joe. I’m not sure if this really gave me the biggest laughs, but it is
the one that is most identified with this episode and it captures the cute and
silly spirit of the show.
Favorite Sketch: This is a weak group, Mmm, the country radio bit, I guess.
#12: Carnival Magic
Season 11 * Host: Jonah – The first entry from the new era - it's difficult to know where to slot it because I've not spent as much time with it as the others. It is, however, the nu-MST ep I go back to the most. The terrible movie delights me - and while it circles around the same gimmick, I never tired of it, or the guys mumbling chimp voices (and there are other characters and situations - the angry tiger trainer, a romance complicated by daddy issues... but yeah, talking monkey... right to the final act, with Alex on his deathbed, which was hilarious.
Favorite Riff: "The power of Gus compels me!" - Jonah
Favorite Sketch: The parade at the end? (not a strong group)
Season 8 * Host: Mike – This episode enters the top 20 for
the first time. I’d always liked this one, but it has gotten even better over
the years. The strength of the experiment lies in the brain's ability to get
into a groove with each character, and between mellow Sam and Jim Stafford’s
over-the-top hick, there’s a ton of huge laughs to be had.
Favorite Riff: “I may have to investigate the professor's
bag" - Crow as Sam. Any riff that taps into Sam’s mellowness is golden.
Favorite Sketch: M&TB try to understand the movie using a
cardboard Abby.
#14: Monster A-Go Go
Season 4 * Host: Joel - Bad bad movie, awesome awesome
riffing. Season 4 finally makes this list. I think this is steadier than Manos.
Favorite Riff: “Douglas was pear-shaped, very short, and
stood the whole way." – Servo. This is a movie that’s just begging to be
mocked and this riff sums up the style of teasing humor that’s heard
throughout.
Favorite Sketch: The end when Joel tries to cheer up the bots,
if for nothing else than for the way Trace’s Crow laughs when Joel gets him
name wrong.
Season 6 * Host: Mike - Great flick that’s packed with riffable situations and a colorful cast. The first half is very strong but it’s overall funny right to the end. The scenes between Sarafina and Paul Anka's character are classic.
Favorite Riff: "Raunchy slob, you just described my dream girl!" - Crow. There are so many goodies though.
Favorite Sketch: Mostly fair, no one stood out - I chuckled over the intro and opening segments - the Power Steve's and the honor system were cute.
#16: The Touch of Satan
Season 9 * Host: Mike – Sparkling work from the writing staff. The timing, delivery, and tone of the jokes are a dream.
Favorite Riff: “What is it, Papa?" - "It's people saying "Burn the witch"! Do you have any deductive powers at all!" - Melissa/Crow. This is classic Bill Corbett, mad as hell but phrased smartly (He could have just called her stupid etc, but the way the line is written adds wit to the anger)
Favorite Sketch: Anything with Steffi
Season 4 * Host: Joel – Classic episode, the first sequence
with Torgo and the family is some of the funniest stuff ever done on the show.
Favorite Riff: “It's like having Joe Cocker as your
bellhop." – Servo. Just one of many wonderful Torgo related quips.
Favorite Sketch: Torgo delivers a pizza. A memorable
character, he’ll become a welcome staple of the show.
#18: Mitchell
Season 5 * Host: Joel – Joel's final show is one of MSTs most heralded. The humor zeroes in on Joe Don slobbishness, and they are so relentless with that, it's said to have upset the star. They supplement these barbs with pop culture references and such - while I believe there are funnier experiments, Mitchell is an MST3K essential, and one of the series landmarks.
Favorite Riff: "But I'm not a salesman, I'm the chubby blue line!" - Servo as Mitchell (the Mitchell theme is a riot too)
Favorite Sketch: I’ll go with the experiment (Daktari Stool), though goodbyes to Joel tugs at the heartstrings.
#18: Mitchell
Season 5 * Host: Joel – Joel's final show is one of MSTs most heralded. The humor zeroes in on Joe Don slobbishness, and they are so relentless with that, it's said to have upset the star. They supplement these barbs with pop culture references and such - while I believe there are funnier experiments, Mitchell is an MST3K essential, and one of the series landmarks.
Favorite Riff: "But I'm not a salesman, I'm the chubby blue line!" - Servo as Mitchell (the Mitchell theme is a riot too)
Favorite Sketch: I’ll go with the experiment (Daktari Stool), though goodbyes to Joel tugs at the heartstrings.
Season 5 * Host: Joel – I was in stitches with this ep. The
variety of the quips, the sharpness of the lines. They could hit on a running
gag (Danny’s hero-worship of Big Stupid/Carrie’s so very) but also mix it up
with fun esoteric quips ("I’m Xenon, play me" –&- "Why
is she singing the theme to the Six Million Dollar Man?") There’s the
observational as well as silly nonsense ("I'm not saying it isn’t funny,
what are you gonna give kids poop?”) I find this episode hilarious from start
to finish.
Favorite Riff: "Once again Bix saves Danny from a
heterosexual experience" – Joel. This is just one of many great jokes that
zero in on Bix and Danny
Favorite Sketch: A toughie because I love both the baseball
event routine, and Crow does a great Jack Elam in that bit. So call it a tie.
#20: Agent For H.A.R.M.
Season 8 * Host: Mike – Another that has improved with age.
Dry dry spy flick with its judo range and goo. The riffing sparkles throughout
and the scene where Adam cops a feel is hilarious.
Favorite Riff: "Dear medical examiner. Put my friend in
the best pail money can buy. Well, looks like I'm running out of room. Best
wishes, Adam "Harm" Chance" - Crow
Favorite Sketch: Top drawer host segments with Crow’s
profanity-laced defense of Mike the funniest.
Season 6 * Host: Mike – This is just a flat-out fun episode.
The riffing is very good but the movie itself… wow. Normally I try to focus on
the quality of the jokes but this flick makes it all extra special.
Favorite Riff: "I dedicate this song to
Thorazine." – Mike. I love how that line taps into the scene so perfectly.
I also dig the old guy who’d ask people to stay then promptly tell them to get
out.
Favorite Sketch: Clayton sings "Whom Shall I Kill".
The bits are more sentimental than out and out funny, but I enjoyed them.
#22: Werewolf
Season 9 * Host: Mike – There are so many wonderful riff
targets here: Including the hard to understand actors, their hair, and a driving
wolfman
Favorite Riff: "Paul..." - "I enjoyed your
letter to the Philippians" - Natalie/Mike... but there are too many to choose
from, they even riff on a mural and make it funny.
Favorite Sketch: Mike’s escape
attempt or the song Where Oh Werewolf?
Season 8 * Host: Mike – Though it doesn't seem to be a huge fan
favorite, I love it, and admire the way the riffs glide expertly into the essence of the story and characters. The first
night it aired I remember thinking, "Dang these guys are sharp!"
Favorite Riff: "Animals are also afraid of Vacuum
cleaners, so should we bring a bunch of those?" - Crow
Favorite Sketch: As was sometimes the case with season 8,
these weren't stellar. But Crow getting excited about going out to a restaurant
for an omelet was cute
#24: Girl in Gold Boots
Season 10 * Host: Mike – Seedy flick about a dancer is on
the receiving end of some cute quips. Everything from "Eat" to bikers
with drunk butts is noted. Extra fun for folk music buffs as Crow sings
"Hey Little Bird" (Buffy Sainte-Marie) and Mike indulges in a little
song of his own.
Favorite Riff: "Come on I just teleported here, it's
impressive" - Crow as Buzz. The riff has to be heard in context with the
scene, it's a great example of the teasing wit.
Favorite Sketch: Mirroring a scene in the movie, Mike keeps
singing a sweet folk song, despite Crows interruptions.
Season 3 * Host: Joel - Nice evenly paced and balanced work,
the first to receive a "Best in Show" award. I know many point to
Zilla vs Megs as the first “great” MST3K episode, but I don’t think that one
holds a candle to this. The riffing is tighter and offers many a timeless line,
such as….
Favorite Riff: “Hey it's speedy delivery guy and does he
have a package!" - Joel on Ator
Favorite Sketch: Pointing out continuity errors in the
movie
Season 4 * Host: Joel – The humor is one note but that note
is pitch-perfect. They could do Richard Kiel voices while reading the phone
book and I’d still howl with laughter. Also, the angry Beaumont material is a
delight. As with Samson, I really enjoy watching the cheesy movie as it adds to
my enjoyment,
Favorite Riff: “Suppose you tell me how a man who's been
dead for several hours, can drive a car up a mountain road, get out and jump
over a cliff?" - " He's Jesus?" - Hugh/Crow – Boy I sure love
the Jesus riffs don’t I? This clever quip ranks as one of my all-time favs.
Favorite Sketch: All are a joy but if I have to pick one, Hugh
Beaumont returns! Joel’s Beenie copter cracks me up as well. That deadpan
delivery would do Buster Keaton proud.
#27: The Thing That Couldn't Die
Season 8 * Host: Mike – As with Werewolf, this is a movie
that’s begging to be riffed. There is a plethora of colorful characters, each
with their own distinct personality quirks, and an evil head looking for its
body. It culminates with one of the lamest endings I’ve ever seen. Tom doing
the "Jessica" song over and over in one scene was drop dead
hilarious, I’ve always laughed when they do things like that (ala Star Force’s
Rocky/again bit)
Favorite Riff: "Wouldn’t it be funny if she found
Devine?"- Crow as Jessica is walking around with her divining rod (Mike
responds with a quick "Uh, no"). This is just one of many great
Jessica related riffs.
Favorite Sketch: An observer observes the SOL crew
Season 10 * Host: Mike – Oh wow, moon rocks! The material
sometimes goes blue, but it's still so funny. With characters like Johnny
Longbone, er bow, you can't go wrong. There are a lot of 'adding to the dialog'
style jokes here and it's all such a gas. I feel this was MST3Ks last great
episode.
Favorite Riff: "I know what you're thinking." -
"I'm boring and my slide show eats." - Longbow/Servo
Favorite Sketch: The band who sang California Lady is wickedly
on target. It really captures the spirit of those VH-1 documentaries.
#29: The Horror of Party Beach
Season 8 * Host: Mike – Party Beach is a cheese-fest that opens itself up to ridicule quite nicely. Our merry jesters pepper the picture with pop culture references and are on top of every oddball situation, plot hole, and colorful character - quipping each with smarts and silliness.
Favorite Riff: "What do you want to hear?" - "How about, Mmmm.." - "Bop!" - Del Aire/Elaine/Crow – I know it’s a simple ‘listen and respond’ style riff, but it never fails to make me laugh hard.
Favorite Sketch: The host segs are fair and have a few good laughs tossed in there. The ‘music of the Gods’ bit is cute, but Mike's bathing suit dance is the best.
Season 3 * Host: Joel – A delightfully absurd movie. Jokes directed at the characters offer the biggest laughs - from little sister; her traffic obsessed brother and of course, Corn Job. The Richard Burton quips and impressions are a kick, though I’ve heard they go over the head of younger fans (which is okay. I like that MST aims high and that not everyone will get everything. Keeps things fresh when watching these things years down the line).
Favorite Riff: "I'll show her, I'm gonna grow up to break up the Beatles!" - Crow as little girl. Sums up the fun character-based humor.
Favorite Sketch: Michael Feinstein stops by Deep 13 and sings the Gamera theme.
#31: Boggy Creek II
Season 10 * Host: Mike – This one has bounced around on the top 50, sometimes it's near perfection, at others, a little less so - rounding it out, #31 feels about right. I think the colorful characters provide a lot of inspiration. And as a former Southerner; I loved the Waffle House song.
Favorite Riff: "A razorback hat lacks the quiet dignity of a cheese wedge” – Mike. This is just a beautifully written riff. It would be easy to just point out that the hat looked stupid, it takes an artist to phrase it in such a clever way.
Favorite Sketch: The flashback sequence – As things get fuzzier the laughter gets stronger.
Season 3 * Host: Joel – Goofy jibes mark this experiment.
There are a lot of cheap jokes, about poop or whatnot that are funny nevertheless. But if that doesn't appeal, they add spice by tossing in some literary,
film, and music references as well. This irreverent work-over surpasses the
original on the funny-meter. Also includes the shock and terror of Mr. B
Natural as a bonus.
Favorite Riff: "It's like really hard Sir, you try
it" - Joel as Soldiers. This is spoken as soldiers try to keep Glen in check.
The humor comes from Joel's voice and delivery.
Favorite Sketch: A weak bunch, they all run about the same
'fair' humor level.
#33: The Starfighters
Season 6 * Host: Mike – The gray, repetitive, whole lotta
nuthin’ movie must have been a challenge. That the MST gang were able to
squeeze out any laughs, let alone make this as drop-dead hilarious as they do,
is a testament to their impressive comedic talents. The poopie suit scene had
me doubled over with laughter.
Favorite Riff: "Did you know flying a plane is like
making love." - Uh, you have to pay?" - Colonel Hunt/Crow
Favorite Sketch: So many classic ones to choose from, The Servo
chorus, the BBQ sauce bit, and Crow surfing the information superhighway! I’ll
give the slight edge to the Bold BBQ sauce.
Season 5 * Host: Joel – A fun bright flick, featuring cast
members from the 007 franchise. The riffs follow suit, though Neil Connery
takes a few shots, the material is generally light-hearted fun
Favorite Riff: I laugh like mad at their additions to the movies theme song,
Favorite Sketch: I’ve always enjoyed it when they would
imitate a scene from the movie and Joel acting like the villain never fails to
cheer me up.
#35: This Island Earth
Movie * Host: Mike – Riffing for the masses. While there are
esoteric quips, and they throw out the word 'shit-hole' this is generally a
newbie-friendly experiment. The wisecracks go down smooth and easy, and the
movie isn’t a chore to sit through.
Favorite Riff: "Until we find out what happened, all
three of us are blind." - "I'll go poke Webb's eyes out." -
Cal/Crow as Joe
Favorite Sketch: Dr. Forester spanking himself with a
clipboard is pretty funny.
Season 11 * Host: Jonah – Arguably the funniest episode from the new guard, I mean, I laugh hard, I laugh frequently and you can't go wrong with that. It's always good to get something that's not sci-fi or horror, just to mix it up. The guys rarely miss their marks, even before disaster hits, they do good work riffing on the characters, their personalities, and whatnot.
Favorite Riff: Too many to name, and once that Avalanche arrives it's a laugh riot, as when Crow advises a skier, "Turn around and try to reason with it!"
Favorite Sketch: Animal disaster title crawl and the duet
#37: Beginning of the End
Season 5 * Host: Mike – Bert I Gordon’s giant bug flick is a lot of fun, and the guys are in a silly mood, throwing out innuendo and adding a few witty references (Brian Eno) as well.
Favorite Riff: "I'm hiding from a lion; it's got these women scared stiff" – Servo. A funny line in context with the scene, it exemplifies the goofy nature of the material
Favorite Sketch: The Peter Graves screenplay is memorable, but I like the Mads being caught playing house
Season 7 * Host: Mike – The humor takes on a darker tone as
the gang sneer at the smug hero and the overacting villain and smack ‘em silly.
The potato people add a quirky element to the festivities. This would make a
nice doubleheader with “Cave Dwellers”
Favorite Riff: "Quick! Jam a potato in the wound!"
- Servo
Favorite Sketch: Mike visits Tom and Crow’s Ren-Fest.
#39: Pumaman
Season 9 * Host: Mike – Though I felt the laughs slowed down
at the end, it’s got a killer first half and the goofy superhero costume,
manner of flight, Donald Pleasence and an Aztec mentor/Priest keep things
interesting.
Favorite Riff: "You know, I have almost no respect for
pumas now. I now know that if I ever run into a puma I can just push it the
hell over." - Crow
Favorite Sketch: Mike’s dry-look haircut.
#40: Beyond Atlantis
Season 13 * Host: Emily – The debut of the new host, and new Bot voices - the trio slip comfortable into the roles and hit a home run right out of the gate. In a season where they often applied the same, safe, brush strokes on the riff-writing, Atlantis stood out with smart, snarky, observational pearls.
Favorite Riff: "They stuck their little Japanese flags all over me" - Emily
Favorite Sketch: Game show parody, "Milk & Honey"
Season 6 * Host: Mike – Girl gang flick was penned by Ed
wood and aside from that long-winded Judge it was a kick to watch. Perceptive
bon mots and cute additions to the dialog are the episode's strengths. It also
features a pretty funny short about a squishy girl (Young Man’s Fancy).
Favorite Riff: "Dr. Forrester has sent us a TRULY great
movie" – Crow. This is one of many funny quips spoken during the scenes
where the gals take a guy out in the woods and have their way with him.
Favorite Sketch: The theme songs. I howl at Tom's dramatic
number - that is soooo Servo.
#42: Sword and the Dragon
Season 6 * Host: Mike – Another Russian gem, the opening
sequences are about as funny as anything done on the show. While the funny does
take a dip in the middle sections, the episode finishes up strong and the movie
is a trip. Ilya Muromets is my hero!
Favorite Riff: Crow’s line about Ilya's body consisting only
of a torso always cracks me up.
Favorite Sketch: The Bergman sketch is spot on, while the Mads
on a date offer many laughs and an insight into what geeks these 2 were. lol
Season 5 * Host: Mike – A nice mixture of riffs, from the
intelligent to the naughty as well as several cute references. Nice music too
on this, our final Bert I. Gordon flick.
Favorite Riff: "What sins could a duck commit in a
single lifetime?" - Crow as a Giant Duck. What a classic callback to
another wonderful Bert I flick, the Amazing Colossal Man
Favorite Sketch: Frank is fired and replaced by Torgo. These
are all enjoyable.
#44: The Christmas That Almost Wasn't
Season 11 * Host: Jonah – Christmas episodes, so absurd, and often funny in the way they embrace the darkness. Here Santa's out of cash and about to be evicted, there's a creepiness that creeps in here, Prune of course, but even Santa has some of that. The experiment embraces all that absurdity and darkness and brings joy and laughter. It's also darn steady work, with few lulls.
Favorite Riff: The end scene where Prune sings and chases after a child afterward.
Favorite Sketch: Reenacting the montage and a visit from Santa Joel
Season 11 * Host: Jonah – They really pile in the quips here, but they are so hilarious that, who cares. I'm surprised to hear that the writers had a hard time with this because to me, it's like Werewolf, the movie gives you so much and they are so locked into it, the characters and situation. Plus, the new Mads meet the old Mads
Favorite Riff: "Dad please don't carry me like an American Girl doll" - Jonah
Favorite Sketch: Playful raccoons get progressively more dangerous with their destructive antics
#46: Time Chasers
Season 8 * Host: Mike – Sarcasm is used with impunity on
Chasers - a low-budget time travel flick that earns laughs from skydiving
grandma's, women's wear, and pointy chins. This is one of those ‘mood’ episodes.
Unlike a Santa or Yucca Flats, which are always killer no matter where or when
I watch it, I have to be in the right state of mind for TC. When I am, it
strikes my funny bone hard and that's why I've kept its grade high.
Favorite Riff: "So in the future kids become gay
agents?" – Crow. This snarky quip always earns a laugh and is the kind of
smart-aleck-style humor you can expect to hear on this experiment.
Favorite Sketch: These are pretty good, Crow goes to Mike’s
past and surly brother Eddie ends up on the SOL.
#47: Doctor Mordrid
Season 13 * Host: Emily – One of those experiments that get better with each viewing. The opening sketches and inventions were hilarious, and while the first theater segment was good, what came after was even funnier. Love the movie too, season 13 nailed it with movie selection.
Favorite Riff: "If you had a nose, I'd punch you in it" - Emily as Mordrid speaking to Monitor
Favorite Sketch: Dr. Kabahl's sudden appearance, Baron's so good in the role
Season 5 * Host: Mike – There are a few dead zones, but once
they land on the moon, the comedy is out of this world. Both brainy and cheeky.
The invisible face shields, kitties, and "Me-ite!" are a few of the
highlights.
Favorite Riff: "Now I'm activating my wings and I'll
fly" – Crow's response to the absurd invisible face shield.
Favorite Sketch: The Neuvena bits are a hoot.
#49: The Amazing Colossal Man
Season 3 * Host: Joel – The movie is a personal fav, and the quips are irreverent and quick-witted, just the way I like ‘em. Joke delivery is lively - Once more, Joel is especially good in that regard, as his vocal inflection makes even a throwaway line, golden. And when the ep shows signs of slowing down, we get those moments with the giant needle, and it bounces right back.
Favorite Riff: Silly and apropos to the scene is the side-splitting line… “Glenn I need you to drop your sarong and turn around!” - Joel, which is spoken as scientists approach the Colossal man with a giant needle.
Favorite Sketch: I Like Mike as Glenn, but Joel pretending to be the giant, sitting in a tiny room, gave me a fit of the giggles. His understated performance and bright vocalizations are a hoot.
Season 8 * Host: Mike – Though an immediate hit with fans, this one had to grow on me, (though I still rank it lower than most). The episode mirrors riffs from "12 to the Moon" and finds the funny in the broad characters. The movie so ridiculous you can't help but laugh at it apart from the riffing.
Favorite Riff: Anything that taps into the idiocy, such as… "I think it's very nice of you to give that dead woman another chance." - Crow as 'Sting'
Favorite Sketch: Mike tripping over safety railings makes me laugh. I’m often entertained by those gags where they repeat a word or an act, and it interrupts and/or irritates another character.
A few bonus entries for those that were pushed out of the 50
Season 6 * Host: Mike – When I watched this a few years back it seemed I never stopped laughing. Even the short worked better, and the riffs on the dark main feature were a blast. It's never reached those highs again but is still a rock-steady, funny, episode.
Favorite Riff: The line about a Norman Rockwell moment was inspired.
Favorite Sketch: Hmm, close one between specialty breads and Tom and Crow trying to get into Gypsy’s diary.
#52: Teen-Age Strangler
Season 5 * Host: Mike – The episode opens with a stellar
short (Is This Love?), which gets the ball rolling nicely what with its Romulan
woman and uproarious end credits ("Know your ointments"). The grade Z
feature has some charm and is buoyed by the character of Mikey, every time he
was on screen the quality of the riffing spiked. Another high spot was the song
"Yipe Stripes".
Favorite Riff: Anything concerning Mikey, the guy was such
an easy target. I think Crow's simple "What are you?" -when Betty
finds the geeky kid standing in her house- delivered the biggest laugh.
Favorite Sketch: This was a good bunch, with the
Frank-N-Forcer and Mike's spot-on impression of Mikey as standouts.
Season 6 * Host: Mike – A more modern film and not one I’d
normally take to, but the humor is solid, and it has Adam West in it!
Favorite Riff: “He (Thor) just did everything in this
film... he's just like a Michael Landon" - "Oh so you mean he's a bed
wetter?" - Servo/Crow
Favorite Sketch: The Voodoo bit with the Mads and M&TBs
getting even is childish and silly but boy does it makes me laugh like a goon
#54: Terror from the Year 5000
Season 8 * Host: Mike – M&TB create a lot of fun out of making fun of this cast. I really enjoyed the opening bits with our hero -the sharp-haired Sgt. Carter look-alike- and his dim-bulb secretary with her "restrained rage" issues. The riffing that accompanied those two had me rolling in the aisles. The rest of the episode is a hoot as well (what with that perverted 'Jimmy Carter' handyman to toy with)
Favorite Riff: "Brought to you by the Onan Family Foundation" – Crow. I've always liked the way these guys would turn a phrase. They even manage to elevate a common masturbation joke
Favorite Sketch: Crow goes back in time and dates one of Mike's old girlfriends.
Season 6 * Host: Mike – Ed Wood's look at the smut industry is one of those that inspire great character-driven riffs. The subject matter also provides much amusement. Includes a good short, “Keeping Clean and Neat”.
Favorite Riff: "Do you have a daughter Mr. Romaine?" - "Would she be interested in the smut picture racket?" - Carson/Crow. Ah, Trace’s sweet delivery makes it all the better.
Favorite Sketch: Not my favorite group, but Trace's performance during the potato cake bit, his body language and expression, was a hoot.
#56: Devil Doll
Season 8 * Host: Mike – Originally, I was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer ugliness of this movie (Vorelli's a real sleazeball). But there are some great lines -Aunt Bea Airlines, a reference to C.S. Lewis' 'Screwtape' and lots of swipes at the British- and the first time we see Vorelli's act, I was out of breath from laughing so hard.
Favorite Riff: "You'll never win, you'll always lose" - "You're Harold Stassen" - Vorelli/Crow. This is the kind of smart reference I've always looked forward to and loved from this show (Stassen ran for President 9 times, and never even garnered the Republican nomination)
Favorite Sketch: Crow is an evil ventriloquist and Mike is his dummy
Season 2 * Host: Joel – The jokes primarily circle around
one major topic, the age of the students. Despite the heavy reliance on this
target, these jokes are fresh and funny from start to finish. This -with Wild
Rebels- is my favorite episode from season 2. I love Joel's smooth easy
delivery. And the chemistry between he, Crow, and Servo is tight as a drum.
'Course there are other kinds of jokes (I dig the ones about "They").
The "Phantom Creeps" short is shown at the end.
Favorite Riff: "You taste just like They!" - Joel
as Betty. This classic running gag is especially funny here.
Favorite Sketch: So many goodies to choose from – Frank’s
Chauffeur song is a jewel, but I'll give the edge to Mr. Hoover’s autopsy. Both
of these routines have fun with the short/movie shown.Click to see the top 100+
