Mighty Jacks MST3K Review: Season 13

Special Event: Santa Claus + Short: Bicycle Driver

Premiere Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2022, 5:00 PM PST

We get a special pairing with this one, as Pearl and the clones, Synthia and Mega-Synthia ride to glory on yet another bicycle safety short (bikes are very Christmassy it seems... though this is more a birthday movie) The short is surprisingly adult-ish, well, at least according to the ladies, who throw in a few naughty quips ("On your birthday, you get to T-bag every bike in the shop" - Synthia). There are the riff-staples: esoteric references, spotting celebrities (Pearl asking, "how's Elaine May doing?" to a guy who looks like Mike Nichols) and the observational ("That was the best take?" said after a bad line reading). While I was expecting fireworks from Mega, Yvonne took it down a notch from what we've seen in host segments and in her Selects bits - nevertheless, she voices some winners, like when a cop asks a bicyclist for his license, and she responds with, "My grandkids drew this and wrote pop pop on it, does that work?"

Onward - Pearl and Synthia once again play host, then Jonah, Tom and Crow ponder the Santa Claus cinematic universe. In the second segment, the bots pelt Emily with Christmas questions both absurd and grim (is eggnog mostly eggs or nog? is Santa a vampire?) Third - Tom speaks of lesser-known demons, Birtchbark, Thornsnap and Crankshaft. Fourth? It's Joel, Joel-splaining gift giving to Jonah. Lastly, brand integration is what Christmas is all about, so says Pearl.

For the after show, it's an MST sing-along, with Paul and Storm, which was probably more entertaining for the audience there, than it was watching at home. But it was fine, though not as splendid as last night's offering.

Finally - Santa Claus is one of my top 5 favorites, and while I'm familiar with the quips and sketches, I was really into the spirit of the thing, maybe it was the happy vibe of the season and the event, but it was like discovering the episode anew, reenforcing what a true classic it is.

Praise be to Craig!

Special Event: The Christmas That Almost Wasn't

Premiere Date: Thursday, October 15, 2022, 5:00 PM PST

No short this time out, though there are new skits. Pearl & Synthia the, uh, donkey return as hosts. Emily sets up the movie, and gets involved in a conversation about the "cantankerous millionaire name generator" (Crow's is Barnabas G. Colhart, Servo's, Gwendolyn Q. Pinchpers and Ems, to her dismay, is not as fun). Next, Jonah explains Mall Santa's, though the bots have their own ideas on that subject, and later with Em they bond over Kris Kringle, which takes an opposite turn (also, Crow has tricked Ms. Connor into paying him money, lol). Crow (Hampton) reads a letter from a teacher, who shows episodes to his students, which turns into a lecture from the bot on the importance of taking roll call. My favorite of the night sees Joel join Emily for a reading of a SOL Christmas story, which puts Tom & Crow to sleep (aww), and lastly Em and bots wish you a happy holiday, and then it's back to Pearl and a hyped-out Synthia, EEE-HAW!

The episode itself is a treat, though it is interesting to come to it after the previous two, and hear the rapid-fire riffing that was par for the course that year - it works, it's funny, but it was a different approach than what they were doing before, and after, with season 13.

The tribute closes with a Q&A from the backer's live show, where they discuss the challenges of writing on the season, and the difference between live shows and studio work. Baron speaks to puppeteering for the first time and playing Dr. Kabahl, and I like Kelsey's duck analogy for puppeteering. They also field a few questions from the audience.

It was another night of holiday cheer... though I did miss having a new short (they'll make up for this by serving up two during January's event).

Santa Claus Screencaps