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[Skiptastic]

Rewatching Experiment 1108 again: They did the Mexican Bean Bag chair again. They had previously talked about the Mexican bean bag chair way back in Season 2 (I forget which episode off the top of my head) but "Gypsy ate it". I'm pretty sure that the Mexican Bean Bag chair is a bit from Joel's stand up days.

EDIT: And holy shit I love how they do Eddie Vedder impressions with Mickey Hargitay.

 

[boredJonathan]

Finally was able to watch more last night - got through Yongary which might be right up there with Cry Wilderness and Time Travelers as funniest of the new season. Hopefully can get through the rest of the season over the weekend!

Side note: I really do think these episodes are going to benefit from re-watching. I had originally started watching Hercules earlier in the week before having to bail on it midway through because I was falling asleep. When I finally had more time last night to watch more I started it over and was catching jokes left and right I had missed. Granted, this could have been because I was sleepy originally - but it can't only be that.

I also have been reminded of how despite as much as I love MST3k I do need to be in the 'mood' for it to really land. I can watch it whenever, but if I'm in the right mood episodes I originally found average can leap up a lot in quality.

 

[Watch Da Birdie]

Jesus Christ how much worse than the original can Wizards II get?

 

[Ferrio]

What the hell is Gypsy doing when she enters the theater? She keeps bringing something in and out.

 

[StopMakingSense]

Jesus Christ how much worse than the original can Wizards II get?

I kinda dig its complete lack of even trying to give a fuck about anything.

Though I do find myself distracted by annoying Tremors kid.

 

[Walker_Boh]

Jesus Christ how much worse than the original can Wizards II get?

It is so bad that it makes the original look like an oscar worthy film.

 

[Skiptastic]

What the hell is Gypsy doing when she enters the theater? She keeps bringing something in and out.

It's the "pay load". Joel has stated that they haven't figured out exactly what it is or why she does it lol.

 

[Einchy]

Why's Tom Servo so cute.

 

[rec0ded1]

Jesus Christ how much worse than the original can Wizards II get?

I still get a headache remembering that shit exists.

 

[ZekeThePlumber]

It's pretty funny that I had the highest hopes for Star Crashers and the Wizard movies going into this season, only for them to become the movies that I hated the most out of all of them. I blame Space Mutiny and Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders for setting my expectations too high.

 

[Escape Goat]

I didnt think id ever say this but I think I'd have to put this behind the public access episodes. And i find Josh's scientist voice extremely annoying. Jonas is great and the Mads are okay, but Tom, Crow and Gypsy are not working for me. Their delivery suffers because they try to cram multiple jokes into each pregnant pause in the dialogue.

And because GaF likes ranking stuff

Mike > Joel > Joel Kepisodes > Jonah

 

[Ryan_]

What are considered some of the best episodes of this season? I've seen 1-4 so far and I liked Avalanche and Cry Wilderness the most.

 

[StopMakingSense]

I imagine we'll be getting an announcement for a season 2 sooner than later. Elliot Kalan just announced on his podcast he's moving to LA.

 

[Nappuccino]

I imagine we'll be getting an announcement for a season 2 sooner than later. Elliot Kalan just announced on his podcast he's moving to LA.

Dang. I wonder if they'll keep the flop house going

 

[Opto]

It's the "pay load". Joel has stated that they haven't figured out exactly what it is or why she does it lol.

First time I saw it I thought she was bringing a cooler. The fact that its purpose is not known by the creators is... bizarre

 

[Einchy]

I refuse to believe enough people liked and bought Wizards of the Lost Kingdom for there to be a part 2.

 

[forgeforsaken]

First time I saw it I thought she was bringing a cooler. The fact that its purpose is not known by the creators is... bizarre

Well its purpose is to have Gypsy drop in and out occasionally, and beyond that they just haven't felt a need to explain it.

 

[StopMakingSense]

Dang. I wonder if they'll keep the flop house going

Oh yeah they were very insistent it would still go on with the three of them via Skype.

Also probably means more Hallie which is totally fine by me as well.

 

[Blader]

Really? Most of the time I see him either look up or say something about it.

I've only just hit avalanche though.

Seriously though was Cry Wilderness originally a nature doc or?

I'm still just five eps in myself, but I feel like more often than not, Jonah isn't reacting to what the other bots are doing. But I also think that was more true in the first few than in the last one or two I've seen, so maybe that'll become even less of an issue going forward.

 

[JBourne]

This Christmas movie is so nonsensical. I think it's the worst movie I've ever seen riffed. I've never hated one this much.

I will make my family watch this episode at Christmas this year.

 

[Suikoguy]

Jesus Christ how much worse than the original can Wizards II get?

Has my favorite riff I've caught so far:

Spoiler

Worst innuendo ever

 

[The Technomancer]

Starcrash is so shameless, holy shit

 

[kevin1025]

When Jonah

Spoiler

throws Tom Servo's head bowl

during Starcrash... perfection.

Also, Elle from Starcrash deserves his own movie.

 

[RetroMG]

First time I saw it I thought she was bringing a cooler. The fact that its purpose is not known by the creators is... bizarre

Eh, there's a bunch of stuff like that. Joel says he's up in the air about who Kinga's mother is - He has a couple of ideas, but he's not sticking to any one in particular. Like someone else said, the purpose really is just to get Gypsy into the theater for the odd riff here and there. (And probably to give us nerds something to debate about.)

 

[Nappuccino]

Eh, there's a bunch of stuff like that. Joel says he's up in the air about who Kinga's mother is - He has a couple of ideas, but he's not sticking to any one in particular. Like someone else said, the purpose really is just to get Gypsy into the theater for the odd riff here and there. (And probably to give us nerds something to debate about.)

I wish Gypsy was integrated a little more naturally. Her one liners always take me off guard and, at least where I'm at in the season, they don't seem wholly "hers" I wonder how she would be written if she could spend more time with the others, riffing.

 

[Einchy]

Was Gypsy in the show more in past seasons? I used to really like watching the show as a kid but I literally remember zero about it besides the premise, so I've no memory of her.

 

[Lactose_Intolerant]

Was Gypsy in the show more in past seasons? I used to really like watching the show as a kid but I literally remember zero about it besides the premise, so I've no memory of her.

She was in one of the Hercules movies for like a half hour.

She was barely in the show that I can remember though.

 

[The Orz]

I've been trying to hold off on posting before I really gave the new episodes a chance but hey, why let common sense get in the way of a little ranting?

For starters, I'm a pretty big fan of MST3K, specifically from the second season onward when they decided to create a real writing staff. I love Joel episodes, I love Mike episodes, I love Trace as Crow, I love Bill as Crow, and even though I'm a much bigger fan of Clayton and TV's Frank, Pearl, Bobo, and Brain Guy grew on me (Public Pearl turned me). My point is that I'm not afraid of change.

That being said, I'm struggling a bit with the eleventh season. The commentary and jokes hit and miss just as much as those in previous seasons, which is honestly really nice. I'd even go as far as to say I enjoy the riffing better in the new MST3K than Riff Trax or Cinematic Titantic despite the lack of alumni. But the pacing is a huge issue and sometimes--a lot of times--it seems like the actors are just reading off their lines as fast as they can to squeeze every possible ounce of joke into a scene. Which leads me to my next shoulder shrug: chemistry.

I'm not feeling it. The characters never feel like they're really talking to one another. This, in turn, kills a lot of jokes for me because it feels so damned scripted. The show has almost always been scripted, of course, but even when they first started doing this it felt more natural.

As far as the actual characters go...I'm going to give it more time. No one seems to have their own personality, really, or even noticeable character traits. But you know, it's early. The Mads are weak, however, this probably has to do with my own perception than an educated critical analysis. I see both Felicia and Patton as Felicia and Patton forcing bad acting, if that makes any sense. I think they both could work if they, well, really just relax(ed)?

Don't get me wrong; I like the new show. In fact, I love that the series has returned and that the theater experience is still very MST3K. Sometimes it's hilarious, other times it's the extreme opposite--but it's still MST3K. A little faster, sure, but as I said, it's early. And that's why I want another new season. Give the actors more opportunities to grow into their own characters. One new season isn't enough for everyone to find their groove.

Also, let's see some more shorts and black and white films. 16:9 be damned!

 

[Escape Goat]

She was in one of the Hercules movies for like a half hour.

She was barely in the show that I can remember though.

I don't think she was in the theater for that long. She just made a joke about steam cleaning horses and then got bored and left.

 

[The Orz]

I don't think she was in the theater for that long. She just made a joke about steam cleaning horses and then got bored and left.

Hey, not everyone can be "down with the street."

 

[Bubble Metropolis]

Why, specifically?
I've actually felt kind of happy that Gypsy is getting more screen time, though I wish it was with her previous voice.
Somehow, Gypsy losing her crazy drag queen voice has been the greatest loss of the new series to me, so far.
The whole previous run of the show I think Gypsy made it into the theater, like, maybe twice.
I remember she showed up to riff during - I think it was one of the Hercules movies - and it felt like a big deal, haha.

I'm happy with Gypsy getting more screen time. I absolutely loved the novelty of when other people would end up in the theater in the past, like when Gypsy appears in Hercules or the Mads appear in Wild Horses (?), but it just seems cheap here when she drops in randomly, doesn't interact with anyone, and then belts out a long joke that makes it seem like she's been watching the entire time. If you want a new voice, especially a female foice, to be in the theater to make jokes occasionally, I'm fine with that, but it's jarring in its current form.

I'm not feeling it. The characters never feel like they're really talking to one another. This, in turn, kills a lot of jokes for me because it feels so damned scripted. The show has almost always been scripted, of course, but even when they first started doing this it felt more natural.

This really stood out to me during the long sight-gag in Time Travelers where Tom is 'lifting' the spaceship and Jonah and Crow are clearly looking far off to the left of where Tom's silhouette is while they cheer him on.

 

[SoulUnison]

I'm happy with Gypsy getting more screen time. I absolutely loved the novelty of when other people would end up in the theater in the past, like when Gypsy appears in Hercules or the Mads appear in Wild Horses (?), but it just seems cheap here when she drops in randomly, doesn't interact with anyone, and then belts out a long joke that makes it seem like she's been watching the entire time. If you want a new voice, especially a female foice, to be in the theater to make jokes occasionally, I'm fine with that, but it's jarring in its current form.

Actually, I'm on Hercules now and the longer the season has gone on the more I agree with you.
The novelty's worn off and her quips are more often miss than hit.
If they're going to have her drop in they need to at least make sure she's got a gutbuster every time.

 

[Volimar]

Next season they should have a guest star playing themself and having the crew just run into them like those old Gilligans Island episodes.

 

[Einchy]

My aesthetic is Tom Servo dressed up as a cop.

 

[Bluth54]

I still haven't finished this season but it seems like Gypsy is actually doing something in the theater? She seems to be dropping off or picking up some containers. Is there some sort of payoff with what she's doing in the theater in the finale?

 

[Volimar]

I still haven't finished this season but it seems like Gypsy is actually doing something in the theater? She seems to be dropping off or picking up some containers. Is there some sort of payoff with what she's doing in the theater in the finale?

Nah it's just a vehicle for drive by one liners.

 

[Bluth54]

Nah it's just a vehicle for drive by one liners.

Well that's a little disappointing.

 

[opoth]

I imagine we'll be getting an announcement for a season 2 sooner than later. Elliot Kalan just announced on his podcast he's moving to LA.

Getting a weird vibe with Jonah/Eliot referring to the fact that Eliot "was" not "is" the head writer on Twitter.

 

[Wood Man]

OMG I realized I had this poster in my room when I was a kid. I don't think I ever saw the movie and forgot the name, but I thought it was a badass looking poster and had it in my room for years. Funny since that Griffin thing is in the movie for like 5 seconds, and Simon does not ride it. Childhood ruined.

 

[Shard]

This Friday morning, TCM is actually playing Reptilicus and The Beast of Hollow Mountain.

 

[Blader]

Getting a weird vibe with Jonah/Eliot referring to the fact that Eliot "was" not "is" the head writer on Twitter.

He still has MST3K head writer in his Twitter bio (next to former Daily Show head writer).

Also, the show has not been renewed yet, so technically everything about the production is in past tense for the moment.

 

[wesleyshark]

Jesus Christ how much worse than the original can Wizards II get?

I just finished the first one.

Horrible film but the riffs were fantastic.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

Also, Elle from Starcrash deserves his own movie.

Checking IMDB, Elle had a pretty prolific voice actor. Gizmoduck!

 

[wesleyshark]

Starcrash is so shameless, holy shit

Hahahah yes,yes it is

 

[mclem]

My word, Wizards is remarkable. And yet... I think there's some good - by which I at least mean 'knowingly hammy' - performances in it. And given that so many people say that Wizards 2 is worse... I'm intrigued.

 

[StopMakingSense]

Getting a weird vibe with Jonah/Eliot referring to the fact that Eliot "was" not "is" the head writer on Twitter.

Oddly, he might be too expensive for an ongoing gig. We'll see.

Either way, I super hope he's in Season 2, he's my favorite comedy writer/person in the world.

 

[Einchy]

I don't think I can watch this Christmas episode. The movie is so terrible and boring that the riffs aren't saving it.

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

Finished the season.

The robots being southern police officers in the talking monkey episode was the best host segment.

If they toned down the frequency of the riffs slightly, I think the balance would be perfect. The quality of the riffs is solid but they come at an extremely rapid pace.

Jonah is decent so far. He channels a lot of Joel which I think is a good thing. TV's Son and Kinga could be better, but I feel this will sort itself out in later seasons.

It feels weird having contemporary references and jokes from the 2000's included. Not a complaint, just something I noticed a few times. There was even a reference to the "End of the World" vintage flash animation.

 

[malingenie]

I understand many of the complaints here except for the frequency of riffs. The fiancee and I love it and it just adds to the rewatchability. Why would you want that to change? Just catch the ones you catch and watch it later! Lol, don't ruin it for us!

 

[Grug]

Finally watched Reptilicus yesterday.

Haven't read the thread but is it bothering anyone else that the riffs come too soon... i.e. It's obvious they know what's coming in advance.

Obviously they need to prepare for maximum lols but I really wish the timing on the riffs was delayed by a second to give the illusion that it is all happening live. It's really jarring at the moment.

That said... "how about Reporticus Shutupicus?" riff is still making me giggle a day on.