“I don’t get you”

It’s hard to believe there was once a time when the sketches between Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (I just can’t bring myself to spell it “theater” today) viewing segments bored me. I think that’s why it actually took me years and years to get into it properly. I’d watch ten minutes or so of an episode, then begin to drift off. But, thanks to just listening to the show nightly in bed, I’ve wholeheartedly warmed to the various petty dramas that unfold between Joel and his robot companions.

Not only are their musical numbers great, but their up and down relationships are simply delightful. It’s also cute how Joel starts using terms of endearment, such as “honey” and “sweetie”, as he talks to Gypsy, Tom Servo, and Croooow. It adds a camp element to the goings on that certainly wasn’t there at the start. I’m guessing these modifications came about as a result of the daily grind of shooting and wanting to add a bit more colour to life onboard the Satellite of Love.

Or “color”, as you silly Americans would put it.

I’m starting to relate to Crow even more, and not just because of his space-weary cynicism. It’s lines like: “Is it that I often panic while making sandwiches?!” that make me feel a warm glow inside. Saying that, Tom Servo’s declaration: “I’m the wind, baby!”, is something I shall definitely be saying to as many humans or robots as is humanly or robotically possible.

Kudos to Joel Hodgson for buying back the rights and remastering the episodes to release on YouTube, as I genuinely don’t believe there is another way of watching the series in the UK. It’s also sweet how he appears to bear no grudge towards the team after his leaving, since each new remastered release bounces back and forth between his and the Mike Nelson-hosted episodes. He comes across as a very humble individual.

Push the button, Frank.

Do stay in touch, darlings.

Toodles!