Nearly ten years ago, we asked Joel 20 questions. Joel says he’s ready for another 20. Now, I can think of four or five I’ve wanted to ask him. Brian says he has a few. But 20 really good ones? We’re gonna need your help for that. So let’s hear ’em. Later next week, we’ll pick the best, combine them with what we come up with, and send ’em off to Joel. So have it!
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Weekend Discussion Thread: Questions for JoelI really wasn’t sure what this weekend’s thread would be, until last night, when I got an e-mail from Joel.
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Paper or plastic?
Mr. Hodgson:
Your original MST is like the original Star Trek being that with a small tv budget they had low budget effects. If you had a huge mega budget back then, how different would your show have been? Or would you still want to have it the same way? And with technology even more advanced today, what new effects, if any, would you like to use if MST3K was still on the air?
During your tenure it seemed like MST3k shied away from overtly “adult” humor; there was an occasional wink-and-a-nod, but it never went any further.
Every time I see something along these lines… I have to stop and wonder. Did I IMAGINE all the sexual jokes from the Joel era? I mean, there’s plenty. And many out of Joel’s mouth.
“That’s what you get for being a sideshow passaround.”
Here’s my entry to the pool:
“Given that you try out different riffs at the live shows, have you ever considered releasing an episode of CT with multiple riffs for certain parts? Think of this in terms of separate sound tracks (selectable by the viewer) for the one video, to save space and facilitate speedy disk compression and copying.”
Too technical? Try this:
“If you could be one of the characters you have riffed, which one would you pick and why?”
Randy
One of the strongest visual elements of MST3K was the production design. I’d love to see an “Art of MST3K” book with behind-the-scenes photos, set blueprints, bot schematics, Jef Maynard’s workshop, Beez’s costumes, details on the SOL interiors and exteriors, comparison of the original bots vs. your and Trace’s redesigns for Comedy Channel … basically everything you’d see in one of those “Art of” books they do for movies, Lucasfilm, SFX studios etc. The look and aesthetic of MST3K is now part of TV sci-fi history and should be documented and preserved. Any chance of that, even as an e-book or PDF? (I know the big prop auction could be a problem, but I bet the owners of that stuff would be delighted to cooperate.)
Which is more fun for you, doing the live shows, or doing the recorded episodes?
I’ve seen backstage footage of everyone watching the movie,and there was a large black couch.Was said couch comfortable.And we often saw everyone clad in jackets backstage.Was Best Brains chilly?
Serious question-How exactly did the idea come to you for mst3k.A dream,message in your alphabits,what?
How about….
Can he please pick a few of his favorite “inventions” and make a sort of “HALL OF FAME” with them that can tour along with CT?
Or how about his ipod playlist?
Joel: Most people become famous/successful for something other than what they originally dreamed of (i.e. George Lucas wanted to be a race car driver, etc) – what was your dream as a youngster?
Who is your favorite cartoon chicken?
(Mine is Foghorn Leghorn).
1. In the years you were on the show, what were the differences in the experience for you between the various seasons with the cast changes, writer additions, set tweaks, and the general evolution of the concept?
2. If you had to do it over again, would you have stayed with the show and tried to find a way to overcome the artistic disagreements, or was leaving always inevitable?
3. When will the Joel Hodgson official website (with the complete invention list, drawings and sketches, exhaustive comedic history, weekly video podcast, etc.) be available?
Rifftrax has brought in “guest riffers”, like ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic and James Lilek. Have you thought about bringing in guest performers on ‘Cinematic Titanic’, and if so, how would you integrate them with the regular cast?
Can you have CT do my next birthday party?
Who would win in a 100 yard dash…you or Mike?
Was were your impressions of the MST Amazing Colossal Episode Guide and would you like to see the former MST cast produce an updated 25th anniversary edition?
From the IMDB’s entry on Frank Zappa:
Had planned to work on a movie with the Mystery Science Theater 3000 crew before his death.he IMDB
Any truth to this?
From the IMDB’s entry on Frank Zappa:
Had planned to work on a movie with the Mystery Science Theater 3000 crew before his death.
Any truth to this?
Sorry, this is just an edit/correction of above post.
What was it like working with Edie Adams and going through Ernie Kovacs musical library?
Who came up with the idea for the commercial break segues during your years on Comedy Central? One was a model of Deep 13. Another, my favorite, was the hamburger joint and drive in movie theater set. Were they built from actual models or were they like the robots hodgepodge creations?
I’d like to second questions 54, 66, and 85(please say there is still a chance for more Gameras) and put a 3rd vote in for question 5.
ps please riff more giant monster movies
1. Any scene in a movie you riffed that had to be cut due to time or content restraints that REALLY pained you and the writers?
2. “Untamed Youth,” the Greg Brady sketch: stoned, drunk, hungover, what?
Joel may not want to go into this, but I’ve always wondered how Best Brains, the company, worked. Were all the writers part-owners? If so, what happened when they left? Or was it always just Jim and Joel? And is there nothing Joel can do about Jim controlling the copyright?
Or maybe the best question is: If you could revive MST3K, doing that instead of CT, would you?
No question, just sincere, profound thanks for making the world a little bit better and a heck of a lot funnier. :cool:
Joel, say you had a completely free afternoon with which to do whatever you like. How would you spend those few hours of leisure?
Is there any chance of bringing back the stingers for Cinematic Titanic?
Will Cinematic Titanic possibly release some live performances on DVD?
I’d love to see your stand up performances from the 80s. Can you release a DVD collection of all your performances from Letterman, SNL, HBO and anything else you might have in your archives?
If there isn’t a chance that the rights for the KTMA episodes can ever be resolved and you and Jim aren’t too terribly keen on releasing them commercially anyway, then can you find it in your heart to leak dvd quality mpeg2 versions to the internet for hard core, completist knuckle knobs like me? I quite enjoy what I’ve seen from that season!!!
So apparently Darkstar might be coming out in the near future possibly maybe. Could you tell us a little bit about what it was like working on that?
A few years ago, NBC used to run old eps of Saturday Night Live on their “up All Nite” programming. I saw the Flip wilson episode and while introducing you, he mentioned an incident where you accidentally left a prop that resembled a bomb at the hotel. This eventually got you banned from said hotel.
My question: Did this really happen? And, if so, are you still banned from said hotel?
I’ve always had a question that’s been on my brain, especially after seeing CT in Chicago and talking to people in-line. I mean, I know I’m a young fan (let’s put it this way, I was born a day before The Amazing Colossal Man aired), and young kids seemed to be an important part of the fan base, what with all the letter readings and such.
The show’s off the air now, but people are still getting into it (such as me as a teenager, where I actually am consciously aware of things rather than a toddler going ‘the robots are creepy but the shadows say funny things!’ when the family sat down to watch it). Are you surprised to see younger people in the fan base, even after all these years? Or is it more like ‘hey, that’s cool, the legacy lives on!’
Joel?
How big is God?
What’s Vietnam?
What’s your dream?
Where do you want to be in 3 years?
What do Hercules and the weird lady do all day?
Did the giant Pirate scare you at ComicCon 2008? And if so – I’m sorry.
What was so bad about the stand up scene that made you quit and come back home in the mid 80’s?
Oh, on the subject of props and art books: You mentioned in the History of MST3K that you made and sold a large number of prop robots to make the money to get MST3K started. Did you ever take photographs of any of them, and if so would you share them with us?
I’ve always wanted to know what Joel thinks of my RPM project, “Project: Riff”. I know it’s kind of a selfish question, but the opportunity to get feedback from Joel himself kind of offsets any guilt I have.
This is not my field of expertise, I’m a nurse, not a lawyer (but if you ever need any nursing advice, let me know). But do you ever feel like suing the ever-lovin- beejeezus out of someone who markets one of your gizomonic inventions? I’m thinking specifically of the “treadmobile” that was announced recently – the same thing that Frank demonstrated a long time ago- a treadmill to use to walk outside. I’m sure there are other examples as well. Or are you just a live and let live kinda guy? For that matter, are there any of your other “kooky” inventions, that to you are starting to look more and more reasonable, and may be worth a trip to the patent office? Thank you so much for 20 years of laughter, and helping to keep me relatively sane – no small feat.
I would like to know just how much input (if any) Joel and the rest of the MST3K cast has with Shout Factory as to what episodes get released on DVD?
Also, will we get any “new” extras involving the original cast i.e. – “The Giant Gila Monster” is was that a one-shot deal?
:mrgreen: Have you ever thought of writing a book on your experiences in Hollywood,being a stand-up comic or prop comic;created one of the best shows on tv and on your work with Cinematic Titanic?????
This is technically a Frank Zappa question, and as such might be more appropriate to ask Kevin, and someone please intercept and tell me if this has been officially answered already.
*ahem*
Somewhere in Ward e, it’s noted that in all of MST3K’s Frank Zappa references, none were ever made directly to “The Radio is Broken”, which is ironic, since that particular song pokes fun at the types of sci-fi movies that make good riffing fodder. Or WAS there a running gag that referenced it all along?
In the part where the Mothers list all the male actors that the alien amazon women “need to reproduce with”, I couldn’t help but notice that Richard Baseheart seems emphasized. Was that the reason that it was decided Gypsy should have a crush on him?
Joel,
With fans who enjoy analyzing every detail of their favorite show, it’s common that assumptions are made about what really went on behind the scenes. My question is: do you ever find inaccuracies in forum discussions and want to set the record straight about certain topics? What do you wish the fans knew about your time at MST3K, the reason you left, your other projects, and the formation of Cinematic Titanic?
Thank you.
I guess I still don’t quite get the rift that developed between Joel and Jim, so I would ask:
Given that Jim had directed the majority of the episodes through season four, and had the experience of directing a real movie, why were you so opposed to him directing the MST movie?
Why do you think so many people still love the show after all these years ????
And will you come do a CT show in Kingsport, TN… Yeah right. a bunch of others asked so I figured why not !!!!!!
Do James Franco, Seth Rogan, etc. send Christmas cards?
Does the current state of quality of the shows on broadcast television make you wince?
What current TV shows make you laugh?
How does Jimmy Fallon keep finding work?
My questions for Joel:
Does Frank’s hair smell like professional hair care styling products? Fruity with a mix of a floral motif. But, a manly floral…
Any plans to bring CT to areas in the South? Nashville, Atlanta, Memphis…
Are there any plans to add an opening to CT not just a silouette of you guys preparing for the movie?
I’ll ask the same question I asked Joe Bob Briggs:
Who would win a bitch-slap fight between Leonardo DiCaprio and Orlando Bloom?
Can I borrow 5 bucks?
What is your thoughts on your cameo in Soultaker? And what would you have done diffrenly?
@ # 66:
:shock: Pennsylvania?! I live in Pittsburgh. That question must be asked, please?! One would think that would boost the chances of a CT performance in PA. :smile:
I’ve noticed a lot of these questions can be answered by going to cinematictitanic.com and reading the “articles” forum.
He explains the “rift”, you can find out that yes, he’s married with kids, what state he lives in and what he thinks of everything now.
Let’s not waste our precious questions on stuff that’s already been answered!!
:arrow: Do you ever agonize over the exact phrasing of a riff and continue to tweak the cadence until you reach something you feel is near perfection?
If you had remained with MST3K through the Sci Fi years and Trace still quit at the end of season seven, would you have approved of Bill Corbett playing the role of Crow? Or would you have invented a new robot character? What’s your opinion of Bill’s performance as Crow?