Episode 1: The Failed Film Festival
Dumb Industries Chris Gersbeck, the man behind The Mads Livestreams, brings us a brand new show from another MST3Ks alumnus, the incomparable Mary Jo Pehl. Premiering on Twitch, Aug 24th, 2021, and hosted by her pal from Austin, Robert Faires, the first episode is a retrospective of projects she's worked on over the years - from an early sketch comedy troupe, "The Boneless Hamms", to a short titled "Lipstick" - from "RenFest", to Ruth Larson and her "Vuh-log", and finally, my favorite, the hilarious "America Obscurious" which should have been picked up by someone - it's centered around a bunch of found footage, which MJs character builds a false and funny history for. ("Dolls on turtles" was the tagline of the night).
MJ is joined by many faces familiar to MSTies... Trace, Gruber, Kevin, Bridget, you'll even spot some costumes by Beez. Wonderful opening episode, much fun, and frivolity, which highlights what an incredibly talented and clever woman Mary Jo Pehl is - even if networks and streaming sites have failed to appreciate that fact, we fans have always been in the know.
Episode 2: Mary Jo Reads From Her Junior High School Diary
Mary Jo Pehl was a teenage existentialist. MJ is joined by special guests who take turns reading her diary entries - pals like Beez, Howie Michael Smith, Martha Kelly, Devon Coleman, and Dave 'Gruber' Allen. The readings were dramatic, amusing, and conversational, with God, psychology, Roddy MacDowell, and the Vikings among the journal topics (etc, etc, etc). It was a charmer, a cute idea that worked out pretty well. At the end, there was a lecture on puns, a brief Q&A, and a giveaway... a lucky viewer won a wooden urn, handcrafted by Mary Jo's father (and our friend MST3K Temple drew a laugh out of that).
Episode 2: Mary Jo Reads From Her Junior High School Diary
Note: Twitch is also hosting Movie Jo Night's, which didn't work out for me (buffering issues) so I can't comment on that, but be aware, it's another fun thing they are doing. For this show, there were a couple of technical difficulties, brief freezing, but overall, it came off nicely.
Episode 3: Ruth Larson Lives!
For the third episode, we watch 7 "vepisodes" of Ruth Larson's "vah-log". The heart of this one runs about a half-hour, with another 40 mins of Q&A in total. We've seen some of these in the first MJP show, but they're still a kick, and it's a joy to hear the backstories and such in between. Oh, and I love Sandy Thomas's concerned/confused expression during the last episode (while holding a Joey Fatone doll), she cracked me up.
I enjoyed the back half as much as the vuh-log section, Mary Jo's a great conversationalist, sharp as a tack, and funny. Also, there was another giveaway, a MJP Show T-Shirt (and the previous shows winner sent in an unboxing video) - lastly, while I'm unable to attend them, the next Movie Jo Night will be a showing of "VelociPastor"
Episode 4: Mary Jo Cooks a Mystery Recipe
So, the title says it all, MJ didn't know what she was cooking... Chris sent her envelopes with ingredients (like official Viking's wieners) and instructions, with a final reveal, hence the mystery. It's a cute idea and it has its funny moments (especially at the end when Mary Jo decides to send Chris some of it). This week's giveaway was a TV Guide where MJ was a clue in the crossword, and we get another unboxing from the previous winner.
So, the title says it all, MJ didn't know what she was cooking... Chris sent her envelopes with ingredients (like official Viking's wieners) and instructions, with a final reveal, hence the mystery. It's a cute idea and it has its funny moments (especially at the end when Mary Jo decides to send Chris some of it). This week's giveaway was a TV Guide where MJ was a clue in the crossword, and we get another unboxing from the previous winner.
Episode 5: To Tell the Truth
This post-Christmas release was a bit too rough, there were technical difficulties and screw-ups, it wasn't all that interesting a topic (a take-off on the game show, in which they did only a single segment) and despite Bill Corbett being one of the panelists, only mildly funny. Chris thought it was super awesome, but I was not as impressed.
This post-Christmas release was a bit too rough, there were technical difficulties and screw-ups, it wasn't all that interesting a topic (a take-off on the game show, in which they did only a single segment) and despite Bill Corbett being one of the panelists, only mildly funny. Chris thought it was super awesome, but I was not as impressed.
This month's giveaway was a pooping troll - a Christmas gift from MJs dad (BTW, Jim Gaffigan did a funny bit on these things in one of his stand-up specials) - The unboxing was cute, as was the reveal of her new product (transparent logo stickers that turn everything into merch), but all told, this was an awkward, fumbling presentation, and the show might benefit from being pre-recording rather than sticking with the live format.
The MJPS bounces back from last month's "m'eh", with one of their finest and funniest. In this, the first episode of 2022, Mary Jo and her pals discuss all things Partridge - the show, the music, and of course, the tie-in novels - and boy was it a blast, with the book quotes the highlight of the evening. My only complaints, Kay didn't get to say a lot, and the segment ended too soon. I was having such a good time, it was so upbeat and silly, that I was sorry to see it end. Also, I think it helped to pre-record the piece, it ran much smoother doing it that way. The giveaway? Mary Jo's copy of The Haunted Hall
As for my own personal Partridge history - while I never read the books, I do remember that Partridge Family/Brady Bunch hour on TV, and my family had several of their LPs, I Think I Love You was such a great tune, and when I eventually did my own music thing, it was one of the songs we covered.
Episode 7: Chris Gersbeck: The Reckoning
Chris's 6-month employee review, a month late - Mary Jo checks references, which means she calls on Dave Hill, Kevin Allison, Trace, and Frank to get the low down (think, celebrity roast). Hill speaks to Chris's darker, naughtier side, Kevin's all about hygiene and the absurdist qualities, Trace is succinct, Frank is detailed.
The known (cats) are discussed, and there are surprise reveals (one word, "Garfunkel"). After this, we are shown the job interview, which covers the same material. The final portion addresses whether Chris retains his job, before it closes with giveaways and announcements.
So, overall, it was funny, until it wasn't. Chris seems like a cool cat, and he can be amusing in spots, but as a comedic actor, doing a bit, not so much - his and MJs interview was pretty awkward (and the whole 'balls deep' thing was just, ugh, really dumb and juvenile). On the positive, many of the references, especially Frank and Kevin... that section carried the episode.
This month's episode sees Mary Jo fielding questions from fans and colleagues that cover a wide range of topics, like toilet paper, and ghosts. We also learn a lot about Ms. Pehl on a personal level, from her love of chocolate to her unreasonable pizza grudge, and that Trace just might be living in her attic. *
The show is (mostly) conversational than skit based, the vibe, freewheeling - at one point, MJ runs off to retrieve some art hanging in her kitchen, leaving us with an empty chair on one side, and Chris on the other, before a 'please stand by' message fills the screen - but that's all part of its charm.
BTW Chris redeems himself as a comedic actor, more at ease, his delivery and timing beg comparisons to Bill Murray... 's gardener (but I tease, no, seriously, his segment's a hoot). And as the show descends into a drunken free-for-all (Ha), polls are conducted (the next Movie Jo Night will be Heatwave with Ben Murphy) and we are shown a trio of clever and entertaining unboxing videos, I especially enjoyed the one with the Partridge Family book and the place of honor it was given.
BTW Chris redeems himself as a comedic actor, more at ease, his delivery and timing beg comparisons to Bill Murray... 's gardener (but I tease, no, seriously, his segment's a hoot). And as the show descends into a drunken free-for-all (Ha), polls are conducted (the next Movie Jo Night will be Heatwave with Ben Murphy) and we are shown a trio of clever and entertaining unboxing videos, I especially enjoyed the one with the Partridge Family book and the place of honor it was given.
* Postscript - if you haven't guessed, I'm being playful with this overview, she does talk about life as the daughter of a Mayor, as well as the forces that drove her to comedy.
Episode 9: Watch Vintage Ads With MJ
A confluence of disasters forced a change of topic, which now sees Mary Jo and Chris riffing and discussing vintage commercials. These are done live, not pre-written, so it's not a riffing powerhouse, more just hanging out, and watching the weird. Of the ads, the Punk CD was a favorite, it was so, so wrong (from the music selected to the wig the upset punk is wearing) and that's what makes it so right. There is also a string of coffee commercials, where Folgers shames wives and saves marriages. And Robert Logia and Paul Stanley... 'nuff said. The show closes with the usual polls, giveaways (Lynda Barry's book "What It Is?"), and a couple of fun unboxing videos. So, there you go.
A confluence of disasters forced a change of topic, which now sees Mary Jo and Chris riffing and discussing vintage commercials. These are done live, not pre-written, so it's not a riffing powerhouse, more just hanging out, and watching the weird. Of the ads, the Punk CD was a favorite, it was so, so wrong (from the music selected to the wig the upset punk is wearing) and that's what makes it so right. There is also a string of coffee commercials, where Folgers shames wives and saves marriages. And Robert Logia and Paul Stanley... 'nuff said. The show closes with the usual polls, giveaways (Lynda Barry's book "What It Is?"), and a couple of fun unboxing videos. So, there you go.
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It's another game show, show, and I was feeling this one more than the last. There were a lot of laughs and a lot of energy and accidental comedy (like when Chris corrects Mary Jo to point out that only 'cents' are on the line). Anyhoo, the game is "The One Dollar Pyramid" and it pits Jonah Ray and Deana Dolphin against Rebecca Hanson and Kevin Smith (no, not that Kevin Smith), and as previously noted, it was loads of fun.
In closing, l feel I have to unleash my inner nerd and cat fan by pointing out that one of the answers, "Orangy" was a big feline star back in the day, starring in such films as Breakfast at Tiffany's and This Island Earth, which MST3K (the Movie) covered.
Episode 11: Mary Jo Cooks Another Mystery Recipe
The Mary Jo Pehl Show without Mary Jo Pehl, who's off attending a family reunion. She filmed an intro that, mm, well... moving on. I skipped through this episode a lot, it's the lowlight of the series, lifted briefly by a short, pre-taped segment where Bridget Nelson Jones joins MJ to prepare another weird recipe. There's not much to it, though I got a smile watching these pals making each other laugh and having a good time.
Episode 12: Mary Jo Reads from Her New Book, Dumb, Dumb, Dumb!
I want to quote Patton's Rommel line here, but in a nicer way, "Pehl you magnificent... uh, um, person, I read your book!" And it was a delight, it's warm, wise, and funny, I enjoyed it as much as Employee of the Month and Other Big Deals and like Chris said, she really brings you into this time and place, with this person (and her family). While I just read it and am familiar with the stories, it was still a fun night, with taped guest readings (I loved seeing Tim Kazurinski, he was hilarious on SNL, I've always felt he should have received more love for his time there).
And if the show inspires folks to pick up the book, all the better. It's a really good read. (Oh, and I too got a laugh out of the 0 she gave one of my favorite writer's books, Peter Straub (co-authored with Stephen King) The Black House).
Episode 13: The Company Retreat
Chris and MJ celebrate their first year together with an awkward company retreat, which was quite funny and quite well played by the duo and their co-stars. Poor Chris, he's never going to get that $7.50, is he? And he has to apologize for being right (I mean, come on, you don't want people thinking they're playing for dollars when it's only cents!) To add to his indignity, they do an "address the person to your left" exercise (this bit was a total crack-up, BTW). And then there's his spa experience, which leaves Mary Jo breathless from laughter and needing time to collect herself. For her part, MJ excels at not guessing names.
Episode 12: Mary Jo Reads from Her New Book, Dumb, Dumb, Dumb!
I want to quote Patton's Rommel line here, but in a nicer way, "Pehl you magnificent... uh, um, person, I read your book!" And it was a delight, it's warm, wise, and funny, I enjoyed it as much as Employee of the Month and Other Big Deals and like Chris said, she really brings you into this time and place, with this person (and her family). While I just read it and am familiar with the stories, it was still a fun night, with taped guest readings (I loved seeing Tim Kazurinski, he was hilarious on SNL, I've always felt he should have received more love for his time there).
And if the show inspires folks to pick up the book, all the better. It's a really good read. (Oh, and I too got a laugh out of the 0 she gave one of my favorite writer's books, Peter Straub (co-authored with Stephen King) The Black House).
Episode 13: The Company Retreat
Chris and MJ celebrate their first year together with an awkward company retreat, which was quite funny and quite well played by the duo and their co-stars. Poor Chris, he's never going to get that $7.50, is he? And he has to apologize for being right (I mean, come on, you don't want people thinking they're playing for dollars when it's only cents!) To add to his indignity, they do an "address the person to your left" exercise (this bit was a total crack-up, BTW). And then there's his spa experience, which leaves Mary Jo breathless from laughter and needing time to collect herself. For her part, MJ excels at not guessing names.
The show opens with Chris's mohawk, a moment of sincerity from the two, and closes with a look at the year in review. There are unboxing videos and polls, and that's a wrap. Thanks, MJ and CG for a wonderfully charming, lo-fi season of comedy.
Season 2: Episode 1: Mary Jo and Chris Give You Advice
Based on their opening discussion, and the first letter, they could have filmed the show at Chuck E Cheese and gone around giving unwanted advice to the children there 😉 instead MJ and Chris read viewer mail from the safety and quiet of their homes. The letters? Some folks ask for advice, some ask for opinions (like waiting in line for hours to see the Queen). It's actually a serious episode, with one big laugh at the end (I won't spoil it), it's also one of their longer shows.
Season 2: Episode 1: Mary Jo and Chris Give You Advice
Based on their opening discussion, and the first letter, they could have filmed the show at Chuck E Cheese and gone around giving unwanted advice to the children there 😉 instead MJ and Chris read viewer mail from the safety and quiet of their homes. The letters? Some folks ask for advice, some ask for opinions (like waiting in line for hours to see the Queen). It's actually a serious episode, with one big laugh at the end (I won't spoil it), it's also one of their longer shows.
Along with the closing videos and giveaways (they raffle off a book intended for Robert), the pre-show commercials were filled with goodies, like The Great Garloo, which was used as a riff in MSTs Fire Maidens ep.
Season 2: Episode 2: Halloween Special
For the holiday, fans sent in scary stories for Chris and MJ to read. Mary Jo is easily freaked out, which was fun... these bits bookend the special; the middle section sees the duo watching and commenting on spooky vintage adds. The Little Baby's Ice Cream commercial disturbed (do they know there's another, more upsetting Baby's commercial out there, where the guy with the glassy eyed stare eats his own head?) And yay for showing that creepy 1973 PSA where Donald Pleasance gives terrifying voice to the "Dark and Lonely Waters".
BTW, love Chris' backdrop, when he moved you could see a dead body... ah, it's only Torgo sleeping, but yeah, that was pretty creepy too (just imagine having an unmoving Torgo laying the corner of your room? -shudder-)
Season 2: Episode 3: Game Show Night III: Password
Laughs come early when the duo only receive two entries for a giveaway to the New York Show - afterwards Jackey Neyman-Jones, Alonso Duralde and Tom Winner join Chris and Mary Jo for a game of Password, which was a gas... the music and clap-track added to the fun, and after a round 1 blow out, a comeback made it close at the very end ("This is nuts" exclaims Chris, lol), MJs victory dance and song was cute, and Alonso's line "3D House of Password" is one of several funny moments from the show.
Season 2: Episode 3: Game Show Night III: Password
Laughs come early when the duo only receive two entries for a giveaway to the New York Show - afterwards Jackey Neyman-Jones, Alonso Duralde and Tom Winner join Chris and Mary Jo for a game of Password, which was a gas... the music and clap-track added to the fun, and after a round 1 blow out, a comeback made it close at the very end ("This is nuts" exclaims Chris, lol), MJs victory dance and song was cute, and Alonso's line "3D House of Password" is one of several funny moments from the show.
Season 2: Episode 4: Holiday Special
First off, I need to get some MJP Show stickers, put them on bags of lint and give em away for Christmas. The show? The two watch Christmas ads, make comments and crack each other up - A few of the offerings include eggnog (unlike our hosts, I never liked it, yuk) - and that toy, Swing Wing looks like a whiplash lawsuit in the making - lastly, OMG, Little Miss No Name! I had an album by Hoi Polloi that had that doll on the cover, never knew what it was until today. After that they brought Matt in to talk about the clips.
MJ&C check in with past viewer advice askers (Colette, Christopher and Melissa), to find out whether the advice given helped or not. After that a new request for advice involving a crazy story about a phone thief, then letters addressed to the anal-retentive Linda are read, before talk turns to the Captain and Tennille, and apparently Chris lives in a pop culture free cave because he had no clue who they are (something talked about in their chit-chat & tidbits #2, which also includes an update on the phone situation). After this the usual after show doings... overall a relaxed, conversational episode.
A cute and weird idea for a topic, as Mary Jo and Chris judge viewer designs for various cult robes for the show. After a creepy intro, Laundry Evangelist (I kid you not) Patric Richardson stops by to lend judging advice, he was a fun addition to the show, and the subject allows folks a chance to let their creative sides shine. All this and the debut of new episode art, I like the look of these so much I'll be using them here.
While this quality was always present, the MJPS has shifted from sketches to something that's more a "hanging out" type of thing (that's even more pronounced with their tidbits pieces). So, there's a relaxed vibe, as the two pals discuss, contemplate, analyze and share, with amusement, what folks are posting in comment sections. MJs pimple popping offerings are both gross and funny (the outrage over trifles). And Chris sets up his Yelp section with his criterion, etc. (the "why" factor). BTW, Chris has an expressive reading voice, he should record a book on tape, or he could be this generations Ed Herlihy (the voice of Kraft Foods) -he says with a wink and a smile.
In closing, I've never written a Yelp review, and only posted a handful (positive or conversational comments) on the Tube, but the topic did make me ask myself why I write these blogs? Is it for attention, is it ego? No, I think I do this for myself. I look at these things like entertainment diaries, they help me remember. They also give me a voice (I was a very shy kid, who mostly shut up and disappeared; as an old dude, I'm making up for that. Ha!)
As for this episode itself, what else can I say other than, "I do like".
Belching and farting and gamesmanship... I admit I might be too old and doddering for Jackbox games, as the numbers come and go too fast, the rules and what's happening take me a while to suss out. Add in the pregnant pauses and such, and Jackbox might be more fun to play, than watch others play (I enjoyed Password and the One Dollar Pyramid more), but it was fine, it was okay, and I did like the art - Timmy K, and the one with the "Kitty!" stood out.
"Mary Jo & Chris, both disciples of the cult of Trader Joe’s, decide to broaden their taste horizons by selecting weird new products from Trader Joe’s for each other, and then try them live on the show!" - Description at the Clubhouse.
So, I thought it might show them shopping, but nope, they just hang out and eat what the other put on a shopping list. I've used the word "relaxed" in recent write-ups, but it fits. This isn't a crazy, riff fueled riot, there's humor, but it's more a, 'chilling with friends, shooting the breeze' vibe, and it's a nice way to spend an hour - hearing their descriptions of the food, interacting with viewers, sometimes making "yuk" faces ("It tastes like gross water" - Chris), but often just enjoying the treats. BTW, I've never shopped at Joe's, but after this show, I'm going to have to check it out.
Long delayed, much anticipated, in this episode Chris and a "less smart person" (MJ) receive a lesson on D&D - personally I still don't get the appeal of it, and that contributed to me kind of, not having much interest in the ep. Still, there are a couple of laughs, the filming is well done, and Antonio Curtis of Tower Games is a personable storyteller. In addition, character art by Carmen Cerra, and Chris tells a zucchini story.
More sketch based this time out - it's show of reports, like producer reports, from Morbo and the like with their charts and stats. So yeah, telecommunications reports, front office reports, there are questions from shareholders (you, the viewers at home), and clips from the past season. I found the show a bit up and down, some of the timing was off, a little awkward. Now, there are laughs, Laurel's rebranding report, for example, was a highlight - very cute 'n' funny bit.
Season 2: Episode 12: ??
Overview to come
