Movie: (1974 TV series; 1987 compilation movie) A trio of young people take refuge in cryogenic capsules during an earthquake, and awaken in a world populated by intelligent apes.

First shown: 4/2/89
Opening: The Mads try to reach Joel, but Crow and Servo give them the runaround
Host segment 1: The bots look for Joel and find his empty uniform in a pod bay. They guess he’s floating in space
Host segment 2: Crow and Servo ponder mutiny as Joel pounds on the door to get back in
Host segment 3: Cambot uses a tape of Joel to fool Crow, but Servo isn’t fooled
End: Joel floats outside the Satellite of Love, as Crow and Servo discuss their new Joel-less life together
5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star (104 votes, average: 4.16 out of 5)

• This is the only MST3K episode that does not feature a human character aboard the Satellite of Love. Joel had to go out of town, so the episode was shot without him; therefore, Servo and Crow watch the movie alone. (Note that Crow sits in Joel’s seat.)
• For me, this one gets dragged down by the film, which is just a big giant carbuncle of a movie. Though it’s much funnier, of course, I’m not a big fan of the season 3 version either.
• References. http://www.annotatedmst.com/episodes/ktmaapes/index.htm
• This is one of the first episodes that has a continuing plot line running through the host segments.
• As with the previous Sandy Frank movies, we get to see a bit more of the movie that was cut in the season 3 version.
• Springtime has definitely come to the Twin Cities. It’s a lovely 57 degrees as the show begins later dropping to 56 and to 54 by the end of the show.
• Callbacks: Servo recalls the episodes when Crow was frozen and served as the SOL’s Christmas tree. Crow is not amused. Also: “That flame is leftover from City On Fire.”
• Both Crow and Servo sneeze in the theater.
• This movie reminds of us of a goof they would make about a decade later. In the introduction to “Deep Ape,” Bobo lists his noble lineage, including Godo. Except, as we know from watching this episode, Godo wasn’t an ape. They could have said “Pepe,” (which is who I think they were thinking of) but I guess that sounds less ape-ey.
• The imdb says the main ape’s name is Gaba, but it is variously pronounced by the actors Gaybor or Gaybar. Either way…not good.
• The guy we see behind the doors in segment 3 is longtime Twin Cities weatherman Barry ZeVan, who is still with us and apparently still “zany.”
• That ending segment is the first time we’ve gotten a look outside the ship, other than in the opening.
• CreditWatch: Vince Rodriguez is back as director. Todd Ziegler is back on Audio.
• Fave riff: “More gorilla warfare.” Honorable mention: “A guy with a flea collar concession could clean up around here.”