Movie: (1988) The leaders of a space colony must fight back when their security chief plans to take over the ship.
First shown: 11/7/97
Opening: Crow and Tom think Mike’s encyclopedias are outdated
Intro: Mike has new encyclopedias; Pearl, Bobo and Observer are in prison
Host segment 1: Mike’s tea time is interrupted by the bots trashing some escape pods
Host segment 2: Crow’s a Bellerian…or is he?; Bobo’s escape plan fails
Host segment 3: Servo installs railings
End: Tom is buff, Crow less so. Meanwhile Pearl, Bobo and Observer escape, and a fire begins!
Stinger: Our hero bravely screams like a girl and bails out
(401 votes, average: 4.87 out of 5)
Loading...
• First of all, has everybody signed Sherri’s birthday card?
• For several episodes now, the show had been going very strong, but many fans point to this show as probably the zenith of season eight, where everything worked and they were firing on all cylinders. It’s good, okay, at least in terms of the riffing. Still, a geeky scandal plagues this episode and many of the segments are only so-so. I’m not sure the next two eps aren’t just as good.
• References.
• The many many names of Dave Ryder just got funnier and funnier—and one, “Big McHugelarge,” later became a bumper sticker BBI sold. Scarcely a week goes by that someone doesn’t tweet that video.
• Paul’s take on this episode is here.
• This episode was included in Rhino’s (and now Shout’s) “The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection, Vol. 4.”
• The big scandal about this episode was the “Battlestar Galactica” footage nobody at BBI recognized. I remember at the time that several online fans simply COULD NOT CONCEIVE of the POSSIBILITY that they would not recognize this footage. It seemed simply out of the realm of possibility to them. I said at the time that this lapse pointed up the painful lack of nerds on the Sci-Fi Channel-era writing staff. If Frank or Trace were still on the staff, I don’t think this would have been missed.
• The encyclopedia segment sort of predicts Wikipedia, which would launch a few years later.
• That’s Patrick and intern Dan Breyer as the Roman guards, and that’s Best Brains Controller Tim Johnson, hopelessly typecast as Mike Down, CPA.
• Classical music buffs: What is the piece Mike is listening to in segment 1?
• Movie observation: Reb Brown’s character is supposed to be a military officer, isn’t he? Then why the heck is he walking around in a wife-beater?
• Trivia: The Mitchell family infests this movie. In addition to Cameron Mitchell, his son Chip Mitchell portrayed mustachioed crew member Blake and his daughter Camile Mitchell provided the voice (but not the body) for Jennera.
• The rest of us may not enjoy Cisse Cameron’s portrayal as Lea (and btw I cannot BELIEVE they gave the female lead in a space action movie that name). But Reb Brown apparently liked what he saw. The two are now married and the set of this movie is where they first met.
• Callback from the old days: The line “Guard! Guard! Sick man!” is a bit from “Red Zone Cuba.”
• Of course, another classic moment in this movie is when the character we saw killed in the previous scene is quietly back at her station on the bridge.
• Mike does a very good impression of SCTV’s Ed Grimley at a couple of points.
• Segment 2 is another of those “Crow is not right in the head” segments. I think they work because Bill really commits to the concept.
• Crow is still wearing his Bellerian costume in the theater.
• Mike, channeling protective father figure Joel, covers the bots eyes during some suggestive moments.
• Segment 3 gives Mike a chance to do some nice physical comedy. He nails it.
• Servo thinks the movie is Canadian. Nope, South African.
• Another closing credits conversation.
• The final segment is not the first time the bots have bulked up. They also tried it in episode 410- HERCULES AGAINST THE MOON MEN.
• Cast and crew roundup: special effects guy Jerry Kitz also worked on “Soultaker.” Makeup person Debi Nichol worked on “Outlaw of Gor,” as did production designer/art director Geoff Hill. In front of the camera, John Phillip Law was also in “Danger: Diabolik” and Cameron Mitchell was in “Stranded in Space.”
• CreditsWatch: Produced & directed by Jim. This was intern Todd Severson’s first episode.
• Fave riff: “JUST STOP AND AIM, YOU IDIOTS!” Honorable mention: “She’s presenting like mandrill!”
) to help our users cope with "trolls" and other commenters whom they find annoying. Go to our
Did you sign Susan’s birthday card?
Love this movie, gotta be one of my favorite of all the sci-fi years episodes. For me this is the beginning of a perfect ending to season 8.
The BSG thing did bother me a bit when I first viewed it, but now I just add a few of my own riffs and enjoy the show.
Everything in the movie seems tailor made for the riffing and so it just lets Mike and bots go nuts and never stop. Just when you think you’ve seen the best the movie can offer, you’re just shellshocked by something even more stupid.
And the culmination is the car chase finale! When I first saw this I was laughing non-stop and missed most of the riffs. Just a great episode from start to finish.
The host segments end up feeling weak in comparison, but really they are above average too. I especially enjoy Brain Guy’s interaction with Pearl and Tom’s railing adventure.
When it comes down to it this is easily a five star episode for me. I can pretty much watch it any time and laugh my ass off. Great stuff.
So who really cares that there was no riffing on the BG footage? They had enough to work with in this hapless movie without also tearing into a riff-able TV series. The birck and mortar sewage pipe filled basement of the Southern Sun was much more noteworthy.
Another fun fact: Reb Brown had a part in one of the episodes of the 70’s miniseries “Centennial,” in which he played none other than mountain man Jim Bridger. He never once lost his purse. Ahhhh!
“Ho, ho, HO!”
“You’re much more attractive with your mouth shut!”
This movie (and the next two episodes) just has that “Perfect for a rainy Saturday afternoon.” feel to it.
The production quality and the dialog reminds me a lot of the movie “Undefeatable.”
I was pleased that the cast gave the “Battlestar Galactica” footage a free pass. SM is a rich vein of bad from which to mine gloriously funny riffs without relying on the crutch of Starbucks puns.
Randy
I enjoy this one. There are rolling on the floor laughing moments and just ha-ha moments. A good movie for them, although I agree that they missed a prime BSG opportunity. Host segments are good.
The boiler room has a receptionist?
This masterpiece episode contains several of my favorite riffs from the entire series, including that one. Bravo, Brains.
So in the future there’s absolutely no shame?
Another episode which once again highlights that Season Eight ranks among the very best in the show’s history.
This lame-ass space movie, with its obvious ripping-off of classic Battlestar Galatica footage was prime for riffing (even if the Brains didn’t go after that), and Mike and the ‘Bots were in fine form on this one. The host segments, particularly those where Pearl, Bobo and Brain Guy attempt to escape from a Roman prison were very good.
Others have mentioned in this thread the parts of this episode which made it so funny, but for me the highlight is Mike and the ‘Bots dreaming up funny macho names for the over-muscled, under-talented leading man, “Buck Plankchest” being my personal favorite.
As Sampo points out, many fans consider this the zenith of Season Eight. While the Giant Spider Invasion gets that honor in my opinion this one is right up there. A great episode which I never get tired of watching. Interestingly, I missed the original airing and re-runs of this one, and didn’t get to see it until it came out in the Rhino Box set (4). My family got it for me for Christmas and Space Mutiny was the first one we watched, so it’s a wonderful Christmas memory and a timely time to review it!
#18
About Phil McLargebut (or whatever) ejecting safely,
I’m sure he first told the professor to “MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!” Perhaps he thought the professor could quickly make an ejection seat out of coconuts.
I don’t think there should have been Battlestar Galactica riffs throughout the movie, but it should have at least been acknowledged once.
Despite that, I give this episode 5 stars. It’s one of those episodes that reinforces my opinion that the newer movies made for better riffing fodder.
Host Segments:
I prefer the SOL segment, but the Roman Times segments are better this time. I think it’s because they actually move to the story along. Bridget Jones is still good as Flavia, she’s probably the most versatile of the Brains when it comes to acting.
My favorite SOL host segment is Mike’s tea time/’Bots in a space dog-fight. Mike is good in this scene, being as dainty as a late 19th century gentlewoman. Then in come Tom and Crow, buzzing the SOL in the shuttles and shooting at each other. This segment has one of my favorite things, trashed robots. I always find it funny when the robots are wrecked, especially Crow. Gypsy also gets to have some fun, and has she works, Gypsy deserves it.
The Movie:
To call this movie cheap is an understatement. I’d probably have a little more respect for the movie if it at least had original visual effects. But no, it’s just footage from Battlestar Galactica.
At times I sympathize with Kalgan, because who would want to be stuck on that ship? For that matter, I think movie’s backstory doesn’t make sense at all. So, the Southern Sun is on a journey to a distant planet. One might assume that there is not much else in space. This would then have the journey make sense. That is, however, not the case at all. No, apparently the Southern Sun is traveling through a pretty active area of space. There are alien monk ladies from another planet, space pirates, and that doctor the Chunk McBeefy was transporting came from somewhere else as well. Whatever that distant planet is, it must be one hell of a place.
The movie has some great riffing. My favorites are the Kalagan bubble bath references and the lady who comes back to life. When we first see her on the bridge, Tom or Crow does a subtle “hissing” sound, as if the woman were a lizard or snake. This happens several times after that. Next comes the night club scene, where we see that woman in some unflattering tights.
Leah to Brick: “I know that woman over there.”
Mike: “She’s got an awesome package. I never noticed it before.”
Crow: “She’s got an armadillo down her trousers.”
One more thing, in light of this movie being made in ’80s South Africa, I find the “SS” on the uniforms to be a little disturbing.
Gravatar 14
ck says:
December 24th, 2009 at 10:01 am
“Speaking of Battlestar Galactica, now why is it even after I realized Santa Claus was Cameron Mitchell I still think of him as Lorne Greene?”
Because Cameron Mitchell is the budget Lorne Greene. Much like Martin Balsam is the budget Ernest Borgnine. Daniel Bernhardt is the budget Jean Claude VanDamme. Etc.
Wow, I didn’t even notice this episode guide because of that tired old Christmas Greeting tacked to the top. I wish they’d at least do something new with that.
Anyway, one of the all-time great eps….
Definitely one of my all time favorites. I love the “Hey guys, I got my dad’s Enforcer for the weekend” line–sounds like something me or my friends would have said in high school. I like to use the “You’re much more attractive with your mouth shut” line in real life, but people don’t think it’s very funny when not used in the right context…
— “EAT DEATH SERVO!”
— “EAT MUNCHY-CRUNCHY CHOLOCATEY COCO DEATH CROW!”
(crashing the hyperwarp escape shuttles)
“I LOVE YOU CROOOOOW”
“I’M SORT-OF FOND OF YOU SERVOOOOO”
5-stars! & Merry Holidaymas! (*if that’s okay)
I love how Mike just snickers when Ryder says “auxiliary backup system” – Reb Brown totally garbles the word ‘auxiliary’
then … “Coach’ll totally ream me if I don’t file my report”
&
“It’s DOCTOR listen I understand how you feel”
#60:
Not to mention the fact that like Lorne Greene, Cameron Mitchell was previously known for starring in a TV western–in this case, High Chaparral.
I think I mentioned this in the “good performances” thread a while back, but they really should have made MacPhearson the main villain in this movie. The actor isn’t exactly acting well, but his ridiculously over-the-top hamminess at least makes him fun to watch, which is more than you can say for pretty much anyone else in this movie.
Not long ago, I was looking up Cisse Cameron’s page on the IMDb, and some user tried to “defend” her by pointing out that she wasn’t really as old as M&TB thought in this movie. Talk about your backhanded compliments: “Wow, you sure do look a whole lot older than you really are.”
The fact that this movie came from South Africa in the 80s is another crime that can be laid at the feet of the apartheid-loving white-controlled government of the time. It’s not surprising Servo didn’t guess this movie came from Africa–there isn’t a single black person in the entire film (with the POSSIBLE exception of one of the frozen bodies in the mad scientist guy’s meat locker–it’s hard to tell through that plastic.)
Another thing that stands out to me is the filmmakers’ sad attempt to seem enlightened about gender roles by making the leading lady a doctor. Trouble is, the entire rest of the script doesn’t back up this claim. They never say what field her degree is in, and it’s impossible to guess, because she never demonstrates in-depth knowledge of anything whatsoever at any point. Also, if whatever interstellar university she graduated from saw her beyond-shameful display in the ship’s disco, they’d no doubt strongly consider revoking her degree.
All in all, the riffing here is top-drawer. This episode may just be my favorite of all. It’s even appropriate for the time of year, what with Commander Santa and all.
Hands down one of the funniest episodes. The movie is also so bad it’s enjoyable. Also I love the ending credits song by Steve McClintock: “Edge of a Dream”. Underrated 1980’s music.
Cameron Mitchell a discount Lorne Greene? Hardly. Mitchell was in epic films before Greene had even started in show-business. Granted, he spent the last 20 years of his career in b-movies and as the bad-guy-of-the-week on crummy cop shows, but that’s what alcoholism does to you.
Probably one of the top three episodes in the entire series. Hell, it might even be my favorite episode, if I were to really try to choose a favorite.
So I’m assuming that the new escape shuttles introduced (and destroyed) in this episode were acquired by Crow in the 500 year gap between season 7 and season 8. After all, these weren’t even hidden in a box of hamdingers.
I agree that this is one episode that you can never get tired of watching. The riffs, even if you’ve heard them a thousand times, are always funny. I’ve actually used the lines dealing with Kalgan pushing his skull out of his head in real life several times.
Oh, this one is easily in my top five. So many riffs–not just riffs, but whole riffing sequences–that are pure comedy gold, from the nightclub scene (“Less subtle than an Annie Sprinkle performance piece!”) to the golf cart chase (“I can’t go any faster, I’d have to drop the waxing compound!”) to Captain Santa Claus and his visit with the Bellerians (“Wanna see me shake like a bowl full of jelly?”) Wonderful, wonderful gags all throughout the movie (“Stupid Buddhist monk! The Vietnam War ended hundreds of years ago!”) culminating in a riff that has become the short-hand among my friends and I for any plot twist that’s overly telegraphed… “And his eyes open.”
Add to that the hilarious 80s fight during the credits (“This isn’t us…” “Yes it is, you hair-feathering freak!”), some great host gags (“I like lettuce” is another one of our catchphrases) and you have an absolute primo episode.
Toyland Chairman (#66), it would have continued to be the 70’s if it wasn’t for you and your precious love of underrated 80’s music!
Poor guy was just coming down to scoop out the catbox.
I had seen bits and pieces of the show on Comedy Central when I was much younger, but this was the first full episode I saw (in the days where the show was only in Saturday morning reruns). Thanks to the DVD, I’ve seen it at least 25 times. It’s still just as funny as I’m watching it right now. The perfect combination of a ridiculous movie and excellent riffing. It’s in my top 3 and might even be my favorite episode.
Two little non-movie things really stand out for me: First, in the scene where Pearl’s trying to get Observer to bring Mike down (“Mike, everyone says you’re ugly and dumb and no one likes you”), she quite obviously hits Mike Down in the stomach with the point of the sword when she throws it, and if you notice Tim’s trying hard not to laugh.
Second, Mike’s commentary for this episode on the DVD is gold. “I remember we were very amused by the fact that the beefy guy screamed like a woman several times, which was rather…odd.”
“Who took my purse!!”
My favorite Sci-Fi episode, tied with ODATMB.
This is one of my fave eps of all time, a solid 5-star. However, since most everyone stole my thunder, I wanted to talk about one of the most egregious plot holes in any MSTed movie(yes, even more than the dead then live girl). When Kalgan kidnapped Lea(the Gramma-daughter), it was supposedly to get the defensive countermeasures from her father. Then in the midst of his dental torture, he yells at Lea for them. After this, McPherson(the one with the cane) comes in, then he and Kalgan leave. This sets up the whole ‘Lea seduces the dumb guy’ bit. Then when Brick Hardrock(or whatever his name is) and Gramma-daughter get back to the bridge, she tells them that she saw McPherson there. The Sting guy(Capt. Santa Claus’ second in command) says that McPherson new the countermeasures. So, why even kidnap Lea if Kalgan had someone on his side who knew them? This is just one reason why this movie was perfect for riffing on and why the Brains did so well on it.
This is the best riffed episode in the history of the show IMHO. The hosts segments however pale in comparison. Still a top 5 episode for me.
So many great, great riffs, but this one always gets me giggling like a little school girl
McPherson: It seems that we are not all in agreement.
Mike: I disagree.
For those of you who love Dr. Lea like I do, Cisse Cameron appeared topless in the classic “Porky’s II: The Next Day”, directed by auteur Bob Clark (“A Christmas Story”, “Black Christmas”). Thank you, internet…
Really. I must watch Porky’s II. :smile:
I think I read this movie was a South African production and was supposed to be about Apartheid. So, I guess it’s either this or that District 9 movie I haven’t seen yet as the greatest sci-fi apartheid film based in South Africa. Can’t imagine which one will be better.
I remember this one as a great episode. Yes, I too, remember how they never mentioned Battlestar. They really should do something with that series, a revival or a reimaging or something… :!: :shock:
How can you not love the final action scene being in go-karts. Hell, I’m laughing about it right now. “AHH!”
I hope all of us have a ‘Patrick Swayze Christmas’ this year.
Out!
I love, love, love this episode. One of my favorites from the series, and the beginning of what I consider to be the perfect three episodes of Season Eight.
I found a VHS copy of the non-MST’d version in a pawn shop for a buck. There were a few questions in this thread about if the edits made the movie harder to follow. I can say, with the utmost sincerity, that they didn’t.
The only thing that really kind of opened my eyes, is they do actually give a reason for Kalgon’s mutiny. I had always wondered why, if they were sick of the ship, they didn’t just leave. They have shuttles, and a docking bay. But, in the unedited movie, they explain that Kalgon is taking over the ship, so he can force them into pirate territory and sell all of the people on the ship into slavery. That’s how he intends to make his riches.
There’s also a bit more about Santa’s inactivity, and desire for peace.
And, they explain that MacPhearson has a grudge against Ryder, because it was a member of the Viper squad that gave him his bum leg, so there’s history between the two characters.
Other than that, however, the only thing you miss is about thirty shots of something exploding, which pushes people forward, through the air.
“She’s a sexy senior citizen!” (Tom)
“Shari Lewis has got it goin’ on!” (Mike)
And District 9 is THE great South African sci-fi film of 2009. Do not hesitate to see it. Now I can hear the accents of some actors in Space Mutiny: the Sting guy (Oy!) and frizzy-haired reincarnated girl (who I both initially mistook as Australian).
And re: Battlestar Galactica: More puzzling to me than the Brains refusal to comment on them is how was David Winters able to license the SFX scenes in the first place? Was there some kind of TV/cable broadcast deal made with the owners of BG? The opening titles suggest this was a straight-to-video release.
This is one episode that I like to use when introducing people to MST3K. Although newbies may not be able to make heads or tails of the whole “Pearl and company in ancient Rome” thing, the movie isn’t too old, and it has a good share of funny moments even without the riffing (it’s all worth it to hear the muscle-bound hero scream like a girl).
There is one hilarious scene in the original video that I wish they hadn’t cut down. In the MST3K version, they cut away when Ryder lights the gas expulsion sump. The original continues with the crippled guy catching on fire, climbing out of the sump and RUNNING around. If they had left it in, it would’ve been a great opportunity for a Dr. Strangelove reference or just an “I’m cured! I can walk!”
“Finnias Jones says:
December 25th, 2009 at 1:12 am
For those of you who love Dr. Lea like I do, Cisse Cameron appeared topless in the classic “Porky’s II: The Next Day”, directed by auteur Bob Clark (”A Christmas Story”, “Black Christmas”). Thank you, internet…
Gravatar 77
mikek says:
December 25th, 2009 at 1:26 am
Really. I must watch Porky’s II. :smile:”
I bought ‘Porky’s II’ based on this little tidbit I found somewhere on the net and must say that, despite Cisse Cameron looking a bit old in SM, she looks great in ‘Porky’s II’ and her “girls” are magnificent in full view.
All-time great episode, and I’m happy they didn’t recognize the ‘Battlestar’ footage. This ep would have been nowhere near the classic it is had the old guard gotten hold of it first, in my estimation. I think half of the film would have been lame ‘Battlestar’ references. Some things just work out for the better thanks to timing.
I don’t think there would have been too many references to Battlestar Galactica. We probably would have heard the following:
“They canceled Battlestar Galactica I’m going to kill my . . . oh! Hey, it’s back.” (This is a variation on the often heard Battlestar Galactica riff.)
“Hee hee, they couldn’t do even design their own spaceship so they stole one from a canceled TV series.”
And that’s about all I can think of. Had the Brains recognized the Galactica footage, I think they would have made a conscious effort to keep the riffs to a minimum. However, they should have at least acknowledged it once.
Another thing, it’s not often that I feel bad for the people that make these movies, but I do with Space Mutiny. Every time I watch it I feel embarrassed for cast and crew. How could anyone make this movie with a straight face is?
For more on Cissy C. there’e The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington” (1977). She seems to hold up well.
Fave riff:
(with regards to the continuity supervisor letting a dead character re-appear on screen)
“So she can legally be arrested now, right?”
I realize who Lea also looks like, Doris Roberts. :lol:
This is a mediocre episode for me, and for a long time I was confused by the adoration given to it by folks on the ‘net. I think I’ve figured out what’s going on, though, and it also explains the Galactica thing.
I don’t think the Brains were deliberately refusing to make BSG jokes. I think there’s an age divide here. If you’re of a certain age (approximately mine, Mike’s, Kevin’s, Bill’s, Paul’s, etc.) BSG wasn’t a big deal. It was perceived as a kids’ show when it was on – its audience was mostly kids, which was the biggest reason it got cancelled. So I would never have recognized the SFX in a million years, and that might also be why the Brains didn’t.
Also, since the people getting the most worked up about this being a great episode are also the ones mystified by the Galactica omission, I’m going to guess that these are younger folks who were kids when BSG was on. That also would lead to them latching on to this episode, because it’s extremely eighties-ish.
I think these are also people who weren’t fans of the show in its early years, because they don’t seem to be aware of the several previous episodes where they rattled off beefy-guy names. (There was an entire host segment about them in one of the eps.)
And I also agree that pop culture references were mostly the domain of Trace, Frank and Joel. They fell off sharply during the Sci-Fi years.
Been busy with holiday stuff. Some fave riffs from one of my favorite episodes:
“Okay let’s move!” I mean MOVEMOVEMOVE!”
“Spider Skank! Spider Skank!”
“I see a sunken chest!”
“All you can eat me tonight!”
“Tell my wife I love her…”
“…and our brave hero roasts the disabled man!”
I like the riffs concerning Flight Lieutenant Lamont. Crow and Servo are always doing “hissing” sounds when the camera is on her, as if she were a lizard or snake. Then there is the night club scene, in which she wears some very unflattering tights.
Leah to Chunk Head: “I know that woman over there.”
Mike: “She’s got an awesome package. I never noticed it before.”
#89 The real reason was BSG was the most expensive show on the air at the time, even though it was winning it’s timeslot. Mork and Mindy was cheaper, and that’s what they replaced it with. ABC later regretted it’s decision, and wanted to revive the show, and we got Galactica 1980 instead.
I think the Brains may have simply been playing headgames with fan’s expectations they would make obvious BSG jokes. In “Code Name Diamondhead” they recognize actor Eric Braden, who starred in “Colossus:The Forbin Project”, and the daytime soap “Young and the Restless”, but can’t remember where they’ve seen him before. There were a few Forbin project references in prior seasons.
And lest we forget, they made a BSG reference in “San Francisco International.”
I do think perhaps they miss the obvious jokes on purpose.
For instance, in the MST3K movie, there was a really really dumb bit in the original movie about the cat being named Neutron because it was so positive. (I know, neutrons aren’t positive). I realize that movie was cut to heck, but cutting that scene with the obvious mistake had to be deliberate.
The hilarity of episodes like this helps keep me from going insane. I would’ve liked just one or two BSG jokes, maybe towards the end. I’m being VERY generous but there might be an explanation for the countermeasures discrepancy (MacPhearson knows them but they torture Lea anyway). The Enforcers didn’t want Jansen to suspect that MacPhearson is a traitor-without the torture, they could proceed and it wouldn’t take long for Santa to figure out that there’s a traitor and his identity would be obvious. Or maybe it was clumsy screenwriting. Thanks to IMDb I learned that enforcer Blake is played by Chip Mitchell, Cameron’s son. Not surprising. Lastly, Kitaro needs to stop falling asleep on his keyboard. ahhh-ahh
IN defense of Cisse Cameron’s ones, I give you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-WC2CNw9SM
Skip to about 6:30 in the clip.
Merry Christmas.
Yeah, Cisse is well preserved there. But the real question is who is stupider- the kid in the graveyard or the stupid guard in Space Mutiny.
“I think these are also people who weren’t fans of the show in its early years, because they don’t seem to be aware of the several previous episodes where they rattled off beefy-guy names. (There was an entire host segment about them in one of the eps.)”
I like showing friends “Hercules Against the Moon Men” and “12 to the Moon” with Space Mutiny to trace the development of that meme. It reached its peak in Space Mutiny, which easily had the best names and the best deliveries for them out of the episodes mentioned (although I like how Crow doesn’t quite get it yet in Moon Men).
For the record, I never knew about BSG until maybe middle school at earliest . . . I grew up with Transformers, GI Joe, Dino-Riders, Bravestar – stuff like that. I like Space Mutiny as an episode because it’s light and hilarious, not because it’s from the precious 80’s. ;)
comment #91: “…the riffs concerning Flight Lieutenant Lamont. Crow and Servo are always doing “hissing” sounds when the camera is on her, as if she were a lizard or snake.”
I think this is a callback to the Nosferatu riffs they did on the vampiric lady reporter in 705-Escape 2000. Maybe also “Nurse-feratu” from the General Hospital shorts.
I concur: this is a very Nineteen 80’s – centric episode, both as an original (?) film and reference-wise.
But regarding the Post-Joel BBI Crew being less “pop-culture” literate in their writing? I dunno… Joel, Trace and Frank were brilliant, but they used a lot of old-school, Marx Bros./3 Stooges-era specifics that a lot of us youngsters didn’t get. And still don’t (Joe Besser?)… Wisecracks about Stevie Nicks and Rick Springfield were jokes that resonated for me.