Ask MST3k Creator Joel Hodgson

As turkey day approaches, we have the chance to ask Joel Hodgson whatever you can think of. If you've lived without electricity since the 80s, you might not be aware that he was the creator and original host of what may be the funniest show in history - Mystery Science Theater 3000, as well as the upcoming Cinematic Titanic. I've still got my fan club membership card even after nearly 2 decades. Standard Slashdot interview rules apply: ask your questions here, and we'll pass a bunch of the highest scoring ones for Joel to answer.

Comments

Theme song

[kwabbles]

The only two songs that I've been able to remember word for word in their entirety for my whole life have been the national anthem and the MST3K theme song.

Does it contain a subliminal message?

Well...

[Anonymous Coward]

How do you all eat and breathe on the satellite?

Joe Don Baker (Mitchell), I Believe

[eldavojohn]

Has any actor/writer/director been legitimately peeved by your often acrid, yet so very accurate commentary? The final episode that Joel did was for the movie Mitchell, starring Joe Don Baker. Now, you may actually have seen him in movies today including Goldeneye, Congo, or The Dukes of Hazzard. This actor reportedly threatened to physically harm the MST3K staff if he ever saw them. One of the voices said that he was sure JDB was just joking but I'm not so sure.

Also, there have been some new introductions to the DVDs licensed by Rhino and I've watched them all. At the beginning, they often talk with or about trying to contact the actors/directors of the films. Oftentimes, it's kind of sad when they show the actors or actresses as they really poured their heart into the movie. For Time Chasers, Mike opens up saying that they invited the original cast to see the movie together with them. I guess they thought it was going to be more friendly ... than it was. There were many low blows at acting quality, how people looked, how they talked, the music for the movie, the region it was filmed in, the list goes on. It put the whole movie in a new context when I rewatched it. Still, hilarious MST3K, I highly advise seeing it.

That said, I have spent considerable amount of time and resources researching Manos and although this is off-topic from your question, I must point out that it was written, directed, produced and starred in by the same man. Hal P. Warren, a fertilizer salesman from El Paso Texas. You can find considerable material on that movie including that the camera had no sound function and couldn't hold more than 60 seconds worth of film which resulted in many cuts and bad editing and three people doing the voices. The film crew was not allowed to do anything artsy and soon dubbed the production "Mangos: Cans of Fruit." The unfortunate story of Torgo is that he was supposed to look like a Satyr but instead put the metal leg inserts in backwards (supposed to make his legs look like that of a goat's) and, as a result, had hilariously large knees. This caused him great pain and, whether he was addicted to pain killers or shamed from the movie I can't say, but he committed suicide shortly there after. Rest in peace, Torgo. After I found out about that, I did feel a touch bad for him, considering his short life.

So Joel...

[FnordX]

Which do YOU prefer, Joel or Mike?