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Weekend Discussion Thread: Dream Guest Riffer

Alert commenter “DiskoJoe” suggests:

What guest riffer would you like to have seen in the theater with Joel/Mike and bots, if it was possible? The two people that come to my mind would be Ernie Kovacs and the early Woody Allen (circa “What’s Up Tiger Lily?”). I think that they could have given the bots a run for their money.

Well, Groucho Marx would be the obvious choice. I’d also love to have any or all of the members of Firesign Theatre in the seats.

Who would you pick?

164 Replies to “Weekend Discussion Thread: Dream Guest Riffer”

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  1. Living people:

    Paula Poundstone and Craig Ferguson

    Dead people:

    Fred Allen and Jack Paar

       0 likes

  2. Mr. B(ob) says:

    Typo at #100, I meant Forrest J. Ackerman.

       0 likes

  3. JeremyR says:

    I really would have liked to have seen Frank in the theater.

    I know he does CT, but they also feature Mary Jo, who I just can’t stand in a fingernails on chalkboard kind of way.

    But as to any guest riffer, most funny people I like are dead. Living: Rowan Atkinson (as Blackadder, not Mr. Bean) Dead: Bea Arthur, Queen of Sarcasm.

       0 likes

  4. Mr. B(ob) says:

    Frank was in the theater with Forrester for part of one episode, Last Of The Wild Horses. It’s the “Mirror, Mirror” Star Trek parody host segment machinations that make it happen. Hilarious stuff.

       0 likes

  5. Trilaan says:

    Yeah, Bruce Campbell already riffs very well on his own films, I think he can be just as good riffing on a film by someone else.

       3 likes

  6. Smirkboy says:

    The cast of Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law

    Gary Cole as Harvey Birdman
    Stephen Colbert as Phil Ken Sebben & Reducto
    Peter MacNicol as X the Eliminator

    Give them THE FIRM or THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE and let them tear the movie up.

       1 likes

  7. Dano! says:

    Richard Ayoade, Simon Pegg, Chris O’Dowd, Will Arnett, David Cross, Craig Ferguson, Jessica Hynes, Nick Frost, Kevin Nealon, Charlie Day

       2 likes

  8. Dano! says:

    Marlon Wayans or Shawn Wayans

       0 likes

  9. Dano! says:

    one more! one more!

    Aisha Tyler

       0 likes

  10. dargwag says:

    I am only picking those in the comedic field.
    Of the living I would go with:
    Craig Ferguson
    John Cleese
    Terry Gilliam
    Mel Brooks
    Robin Williams
    Johnathan Winters
    Ellen DeGeneres
    Sarah Silverman
    Joan Rivers
    Phyllis Diller

    Of those who have passed on:
    Benny Hill
    Spike Milligan
    Ernie Kovacs
    Grouho Marx
    Milton Berle
    Richard Pryor
    George Carlin
    Totie Fields
    Moms Mabley
    Gracie Allen
    John Grant (writer for Abbott & Costello(

       1 likes

  11. dale says:

    Dan Castlaneta and Harry shearer. Both great adlibbers.

       0 likes

  12. RGA Dave says:

    Robin Williams.

       1 likes

  13. RGA Dave says:

    A couple of people have mentioned Paula Poundstone, which would also be good. Did you know she once had a TV show? Back in the early 90’s, I think on ABC. There were two episodes aired, and not re-broadcast; I know because I watched them both, as usual a show I liked from the start got CANCELLED almost immediately. She had Al Green on as musical guest on the first show. Anyone else remember this?

       1 likes

  14. JimmyBruce says:

    Not sure if there were enough theater chairs but for one segment I’d like the entire cast inside. Josh, Joel, Mike, Bill, Frank, Kevin, Trace, Mary Jo, and even Jim Mallon.

       1 likes

  15. zap_rowsdower says:

    bill murray

       2 likes

  16. DICKWEED 1 says:

    A little surprised nobody mentioned Don Rickles!!

       3 likes

  17. ck says:

    Taking off on a few comments/ideas above:

    How about a “Hollywood Squares” type show.
    As a long-running series you could have people
    like Joe Estevez, who seemed surprisingly sharp,
    as guests.

    As a one off show it could be difficult getting down to
    nine stars (although you could do something like putting
    Bobo and Brain Guy in the same square).

       1 likes

  18. Cheech and Chong since they were riffing on old sci fi movies before MST3K

       1 likes

  19. Judo Ranger says:

    Tor Johnson. (Maybe imagining it is better than actually experiencing it.)

       1 likes

  20. trickymutha says:

    John Lennon and Ed Wood.

       0 likes

  21. VeryDisturbing says:

    Eddie Izzard, Patton Oswald, and Johnathan Winters, without question.

       0 likes

  22. lancecorbain says:

    I mentioned Vince earlier because he had a great sense of humor about his own career, and it would be great to hear him quip about his own films. Unfortunately, he died before dvd commentary and MST became all the rage. Miles O’ Keefe joining in on Cave Dwellers would’ve been sweet, too. And hell, yes, Beverly Garland throwing in on her movies from the series would’ve been SWEET! As far as modern people, a dream of mine is the Rifftrax crew doing the remake of The Italian Job with Eddie Izzard as guest riffer. Nuff said!

       1 likes

  23. Bob (NotThatBob) says:

    Lady Gaga and Dr. Joyce Brothers.

       0 likes

  24. EricJ says:

    @116 – A little surprised nobody mentioned Don Rickles!

    Well, there’s a reason for that: Rickles did a DVD commentary on his 50’s Twilight Zone episode, but the minute two alien characters entered the episode, Rickles suddenly commented “Okay, that’s it, over, I’m not talking about any Martians”, and ended the episode commentary right there.
    (I suspect he would not have done well riffing Kimar and Dropo.)

       2 likes

  25. Stoneman says:

    I think Johnny Carson could have done a great job, and they could have come up with some funny/goofy host sements too.

    Some very funny women with great senses of humor and delivery: Lily Tomlin, Betty White and Bette Midler.

    One of the reasons Van Halen became such a huge and legendary band was their sense of humor, and if you are old enough to have read any interviews in magazines with them or heard them on a radio interview, Diamond Dave and the Van Halen brothers were fast and funny with the jokes, including a lot of pop culture commentary (for example, the reason why rock critics all liked Elvis Costello was because they all looked like E.C.). If the three of them hit the MST3K theater in their heyday, it would be great. Also, I know a lot of people don’t like his politics or hunting, but when sticking to observations about music and other pop culture, Ted Nugent can be hilarious (whoever mentioned Frank Zappa was right on also!).

    Finally, the brilliant writer John Barth.

       3 likes

  26. fish eye no miko says:

    #61: Actually, This Guy; Doug Walker, his brother Rob (aka “That Other Guy”), and Brian Heinz did the riffs for Batman Forever on RiffTrax. So Doug actually has been a guest riffer already. :-)

    I agree about That Guy (or, more accurately, The Nostalgia Critic) and Spoony riffing together, though. I’d throw Linkara (Lewis Lovhaug) in there, as well. Their review/riffing of Alone in the Dark was awesome.

       1 likes

  27. Really old teenager from OuterSpace says:

    James Roday who plays Shawn Spencer on “Psych” would be exceptional !!!!!

       1 likes

  28. Dr. Batch says:

    Richard Basehart.

       3 likes

  29. Andrew says:

    Tom Lehrer.

       1 likes

  30. shawndog says:

    Yeah, Groucho Marx has to be my first choice – The You Bet Your Life DVDs show Groucho was the master of the ad-lib (not relying on writers as another posted commented). Jonathan Winters and Robin Williams would rank pretty high.

       3 likes

  31. The Right Oily Drifter says:

    Gallagher.
    But seriously: Conan O’Brien, Phil Hartman, Steven Wright, Seth Green, Daniel Tosh, H. Jon Benjamin, Norm McDonald, Steve Carrell, Ted Knight.

       2 likes

  32. Stump Chunkman says:

    Will Ferrell and Steve Carell

       0 likes

  33. Th1rt3eN says:

    ok a few folks I think would be good riffers:

    Elvira
    David cross
    Bob Odenkirk
    Ryan Styles
    Conan O’Brien
    Dennis Miller
    Sarah Silverman
    John Stewert
    trey parker
    matt stone
    the guys from blamesociety on youtube

    maybe they just look good on paper but who knows

       2 likes

  34. C. says:

    133: Chad Vader appeared on the RT of Episode II.

       0 likes

  35. Warren says:

    Living: Craig Kilborn, Dave Foley (any kid in the hall really), all three Spinal Tap actors in character, Bruce Campbell, Frank Welker (voice of, well, LOTS of cartoon voices).
    Dead: Johnny Carson, Mel Blanc.

       1 likes

  36. Fart Bargo says:

    Roseanne Barr and Martin Mull

       0 likes

  37. Borge says:

    I’d have to say Obscurus Lupa from TGWTG

       0 likes

  38. Smirkboy says:

    #118 IT CAME FROM HOLLYWOOD! That’s the movie I keep thinking of.
    If only Comedy Central could dig up some of these cult movies.

    Ever notice that Channels dedicated to one genre don’t seem to understand that particular genre?

    I know it would be a train wreck but how about some of these Reality Show (I hate to use it but). . .Stars like the dad from American Chopper or Alex from Ice Road Truckers do commentary on a Burt Reynolds movie? (Any one)

       1 likes

  39. Pulatso says:

    The cast of The State (who went on to do Viva Variety, Reno 911, and Stella) would have made a good, if large, riffing crew. The redubbing crew LA Connection (Mad Movies, Blobber Mouth) would probably also made good riffers.

       0 likes

  40. Majorjoe23 says:

    Stuart Galbraith IV

       0 likes

  41. losingmydignity says:

    Wow, scrolling through here not a single mention of Gene Wilder or Marty Feldman! Wouldn’t they be great. And what about Gilda Radner?

    And Peter Sellers, of course!

       3 likes

  42. @113 –

    I also remember Paula Poundstone’s ABC show, which I also enjoyed. It was original, and had hilarious comedy bits. It was on Saturdays at 9, and apparently got terrible ratings. I remember noticing Joel’s name on it as a producer.

       1 likes

  43. Ralph C. says:

    Here’s more: Richard Lewis and Sylvia Plath, with special guest riffer Lenny Bruce.

       0 likes

  44. Ralph C. says:

    Also: Hegel, Winston Churchill and Phyllis Diller.

       1 likes

  45. Ralph C. says:

    In addition: Robert Benchley and Dorothy Parker.

       0 likes

  46. Ralph C. says:

    And…. Charlie Kaufman and Dino Stamatopoulos.

       0 likes

  47. fish eye no miko says:

    #137: I’m totally imagining Lupa riffing on Boxing Helena, and going postal when she gets to the end…

       0 likes

  48. Matt Sandwich says:

    I really missed the boat on this one. (Comment 148, sheesh.) But I’m absolutely going with Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding.

    Actually, Brother Theodore would probably be a good candidate, too. Well, would have been.

    And no, I’m not a hundred years old. I’m just really partial to grouchy purveyors of withering sarcasm.

       0 likes

  49. Gary Bowden says:

    Surprised no one has said Don Rickles.Or have they?

       1 likes

  50. April de Wetpants says:

    I’ve seen it already, but I also have to say John Waters, he has a wicked sense of humor.

    Also Colin Mochrie, an awesome comedian from Whose Line who doesn’t get enough credit.

       1 likes

Comments are closed.