Post by vanhagar3000 on Nov 3, 2007 13:11:50 GMT -5
Okay, a few years ago I lined up an interview with Trace. And it took me a while to get the answers back, when I finally did, Don MacGreggor, the Review site editor, has seemingly gone missing. So here is the interview as conducted by our mods and admins.
Trace Beaulieu was a driving force behind Mystery Science Theater 3000 from it’s beginning at local KTMA 23. Not only did he play the role of chief antagonist Dr. Clayton Forrester, but the much beloved wise cracking Crow T. Robot. Forrester is well remembered for his stereotypical mad scientist character and his interplay with goofy lab assistant TV’s Frank. Crow is an iconic character, and Mr. Beaulieu made the robot with his vast array of impressions and great comedic timing. On top of this he was also a writer, director, and prop builder for the show. Trace left after season seven to pursue other interests. He currently works on America’s Funniest Videos. However, he did get some time to answer some questions from our staff. Enjoy!
-Frank Koenen
Interview Questions
MST3K Related Questions
Here you go. I’ve finally gotten around to answering these questions. I hope it was worth the wait, but I seriously think not. As you well know it has been a while since I left the show and my memory is a bit rusty.
Q1: Do you ever watch old episodes of the show, just for nostalgic sake? Do you buy the DVDs?
A1: Before I answer that question, first let me try and make you forget you asked it by thanking everyone at the MST3K REVIEW website, all of you who are reading this interview and every one of the fans who have been so supportive over the years and who continue to be friendly and so wonderful.
What was the question? Oh, sorry. I’ve never purchased any of the DVDs. “I have to buy them? But I’m Charles Foster Kane!” Oh, you know, I have purchased one or two over the years to give away as gifts. I have a copy of the MOVIE on VHS that I found in the remaindered bin at Suncoast. Once in a while I’ll catch a host segment on YOUTUBE. That’s a great way to view them: in little chunks you can walk away from. Ah, the memories
Q2: What do you think was the worst movie never seen on the show? What was the best movie?
A2: The Blair Witch Project. Complete and utter crap. What a horrible, horrible movie. I wasn’t scared - ever. Entertained? Never. Annoyed plenty. COME ON! I couldn’t wait for them all to die and stop their self-centered, self-indulgent, whiney whine-fest.
It made a bunch of money though, so whaddayagonnado?
The best movie? Well I didn’t have an answer for this but I just saw Superman Returns. Bo-ring! Of all the great storylines from the comic books over the years they made that? They should have made a film of Kim “Howard” Johnson and John Cleese’s SUPERMAN TRUE BRIT.
Q3: How were the films selected in the KTMA season, the first season and the beginning of the second season (before the “Sidehacker” incident)?
A3: At KTMA we used whatever film we could get our hands on from the station library. The first Comedy Central season I don’t remember but check out the interview with Mary Jo, she did a lot of screening. And talk to Frank, he screened many, many, movies. Or, just talk to Frank. He’s an interesting guy.
Q4: Were there any movies so bad that the show had to go back and choose another?
A4: Okay, I really don’t remember. Yes! I’ll say yes. Frank would know. Fraaaaaaaaaaaaank!
Q5: What was your favorite genre to write for and why.
A5: The Sci-Fi films have a special place in my heart. But I liked the shorts that we did the most. The old Prelinger shorts. Short, packed with jokes, good weight, nice heft, feels good in the hand. Yup, those were my favorites.
Q6: If you could have picked any movie ever made to feature on MST, which movie would you have picked and why?
A6: I think we did a pretty good job of showing some of the best bad films available to us. We gave new life to MANOS. Would anyone even know about that film if not for MST? Okay, sure the people who made it, but the larger world? And by larger world I mean the smaller world of MST fans.
Q7: Early in the show, switch from Crow’s high-pitched voice (a la KTMA & Season One) to his lower, more acerbic voice. Was this a gradual change or a conscious choice?
A7: The early voice wasn’t very comfortable. Rather stilted. Maybe that’s because I wore stilts back then. I had this thing about being too short. I always felt like everyone else towered over me. Oh, wait I was sitting on the floor. Sorry. You can probably go back and look at those episodes and see the change occur.
Sort of like pu-boty. Ewww!
Q8: Servo seems to be an easier puppet to manipulate than Crow. Did you ever harbour secret desires to switch with Kevin? (Puppet envy, so to speak)
A8: Puppet envy? I never had any secret desires about a puppet. No, that would be weird. Although, I really liked Shari Lewis’s Lamb Chop. And the puppet at the beginning of the HERE’S LUCY show sort of turned me on but other than that, no.
Q9: Joel once said he had a fondness for the movies on the show, while Mike has seemed to have nothing but contempt for them. Do you have any fondness for the movies on the show, or certain types of movie, like ‘50s Sci-Fi, Japanese Monster, Troubled Teen? Or do you simply hate all bad movies?
A9: I dislike bad movies sure. But there was a kind of charm about those old sci-fi films. The ones made before America had a space program. They had innocence and hope for the future. The movies I really hate are the big “Hollywood” films that get rammed down your throat. I like smaller films. I just saw SLITHER. Great movie and, a lot of fun in the tradition of some of my favorite old monster movies like; INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS or CREATURE OF THE BLACK LAGOON. I also recently saw a terrific zombie film UNDEAD. In that movie there is a character that is very Torgoesque. A low budget film but with lots of heart (hearts?) humor, and humanity, er, humanoids… I’m ranting. And foaming at the mouth – cool.
Q10: When you were on the show there seemed to be non-stop homage to “2001: a Space Odyssey”, as well as a lot of “Dr. Stranglelove” riffs. But after you left the show, references to these movies were few and usually somewhat harsh. Were you the only one in the writing room, besides Jim Mallon, who liked referencing Kubrik films?
A10: I think a lot of us liked those films. I can’t speak to the riffing after I left. I can only speak for me on this. No, I can’t speak for me. In fact I’m not speaking to me. That’ll teach me.
Q11: I noticed that all “Holy Grail” jokes in the series were delivered by your Crow. Were you the biggest Monty Python fan on the show?
A11: Again I think many of us liked those guys. I happened to be supersaturated with those shows and movies. We all had our favorite areas to pluck from.
Q12: Also, were you the biggest Star Trek fan on the show?
A12: No, I was the tallest.
Q13: What was your favorite movie featured on the show?
A13: A Date With the Family. (Was that the title?) I also liked that disturbing circus short. What was the name…?
Q14: Was there an episode that you the most proud of your work on? And if so, which one?
A15: The last one I did. It had my Dad in it. And it was the last one I did.
Q15: One of the best things about the show riffing the movie “Marooned” (aka Space Travelers) is that it gave you a chance to do your killer Gregory Peck impression. Are there other celebrities that you do a great impression of that didn’t ever make it on the show? And do you have a favorite impression?
A15: Well thank you for saying that. I can do a few other impressions, but there really isn’t any reason to do them. Sometimes I’ll walk around the house as Charo, but that’s more in the costuming. In the KTMA days we did a movie with David Jansen in it, and a guy in Minneapolis liked my impression. To that man I say, “Thank you.”
Q16: Do you have a favorite season (year) working on the show?
A16: I really enjoyed those early seasons on Comedy Channel. We were figuring out the show. Everything was possible. We were all young and enthused.
Q17: do you keep in touch with other BBI co workers?
A17: No. Except for Josh who I see every once in a while. Oh, and I spoke with Joel on the phone the other day. Saw Mary Jo in Minneapolis last summer. Exchanged e-mail with Beez not too long ago. I met Mike out for a drink and a cigar, let’s see maybe almost, but not quite a year ago. I try and go fishing with Jeff Stonehouse whenever I’m in town, or on the water. There really aren’t that many fish in town. Ran into Paul and he was really nice about it. Even offered to pound out the dent in the hood of my car. Aside from that I’m really just an old smelly hermit who never leaves the house.
Q18: What are your thoughts on Bill Corbett’s portrayal of Crow?
A18: You know the only sketch I saw from the shows of the sci-fi era, was about a mile high pie or something like that. It looked pretty funny, but I haven’t studied it so I really can’t comment. Or have I?
Q19: Why were you not involved in the Season Ten reunion episode with Joel & Frank on the Sci-Fi network?
A19: I wasn’t asked.
Q20: Crow has a funny, high pitched laugh in the theater (sometimes you’d laugh at one of Mike, Joel’s or Tom’s riff), is this your real laugh, or a laugh that you gave to the character?
A20: I’m afraid that it is my real laugh. I’m a hard laugh but when provoked, I sound like a little schoolgirl. We sat on a cold concrete floor when we did the movie segments; that might have had some effect on my voice.
Q21: I remember an interview where you said that “MST3K: The Movie” was fun to make, but then, in the “Earth vs. Soup” segments in the “Incredible Melting Man” episode, you and the rest of BBI stated otherwise. Was “MST3K: The Movie” actually fun to make?
A21: Yes, the movie was fun to make. We had a great crew. There was also much Hollywood non-sense that we had to purge.
Q22: What were some of the main reasons for getting rid of reading viewer mail at the end of each episode?
A22: I don’t remember. Maybe we got tired of it. I always liked reading the mail.
Q23: How was it working with Mary Jo Pehl in Season 7 as opposed to with Frank Conniff in Seasons 2 through 6? And Josh “Elvis” Weinstein before that?
A23: Mary Jo and I had worked together in sketch shows in Minneapolis way before MST, and I always had fun with her. She’s a great performer to work with. It was a different dynamic, of course with each of those three performers because each character was different. Frank and I always seemed to be dealing with some goofy costuming or big prop or something. Working with Josh in the KTMA days was less about a couple of performers working together and more about a couple of guys trying to get through the sketch so everyone could finish up and go to lunch.
Q24: Would you agree that “This Island Earth” was the best movie (in terms of quality) to ever be riffed by MST? If not, what did you think was the best movie featured on the show?
A24: Best movie as far as production values would be MAROONED. That movie had major stars and was released to theaters. All due respect to “This Island Earth” but it was a “B” film. It had that stupid bug monster, come on. So I’d argue MAROONED to be the “best”. That’s just me talking.
Q25: In season Two of the show, they had a “creative pit boss” every episode. What exactly was the “creative pit boss”?
A25: I think it was a fun title for the person who had slightly elevated responsibilities that week. Which might have included cleaning the kitchen.
Q26: Do you hate Coleman Francis movies as much as Mike does?
A26: I’m guessing, no.
Q27: Any regrets for leaving when you did?
A27: No.
Q28: You obviously were raised on the funny. Who (both living and deceased) are the biggest comedy influences on you?
A28: Here they are, possibly in the order I was exposed to them; My family, Jackie Gleason, W.C. Fields, Laurel and Hardy, The Marx Bothers, MAD magazine, The Firesign Theater, National Lampoon Radio Hour, Monty Python, the early SNL, Mel Brooks’ movies, Peter Sellers, Albert Brooks, Ernie Kovaks, Steve Martin, etc.
Q29: Could you tell us about the “Dark Star” game you and some of the former MST cast members have been working on?
A29: You can learn all about it directly from the source. Go to www.darkstar.gs
Some people have gotten the idea that it is a hoax.
IT IS NOT A HOAX!
It is however fiction which is slightly different.
Q30: Compared to previous decades, what do you think of the current state of movies? Of TV? And music?
A30: The technology gets better making it all easier to enjoy, and discard. I love that you can go to a web site like YOUTUBE or IFILM and find just about anything you might want to see. That’s pretty cool.
Q31: Do you plan to become an author, as Mike and Kevin have (hilariously) done?
A31: Not at this time. Oh, wait I just had an idea... Nope lost it, sorry. How come you didn’t mention Mary Jo’s book? Why leave her out? Her book “I Lived With My Parents & Other Tales of Terror” is pretty darned funny!
Q32: Mike Nelson has been recording some very funny commentary tracks for DVD, such as the one he did for “Reefer Madness”. Have you ever considered doing commentary tracks as well?
A32: I hadn’t really. Josh, Joel and I did a mini commentary on a thing a while back. It was weird being old men and jumping back 20 years to riff on something. Rather uncomfortable. I think I’d prefer to be a maker, rather than a mocker. I’m done with riffing on bad movies. Unless, of course, it pays well.
Q33: What’s your favorite “bad” movie?
A33: Godfather 3. I think it should be made into a Broadway musical.
Q34: On AFV, is the writing process for the show similar to the writing for MST?
A34: Similar. Tapes are sent in and viewed by the screening department. Then the clips are put on a VHS and given to us to review and choose the ones we will use. Each clip is described on an index card and as we build a show we arrange these cards in the order they will appear in the show, more or less. Then a tape is compiled from the clips selected and we’ll watch it and pitch jokes. The intros and other host-related dialogue is written later. That’s sort of how it works.
Q35: What are you working on right now? Plans for the future?
A35: Well in addition to the grueling pace at AFV, I’ve been sculpting and making art. I’ve felt the urge to perform again, so, maybe, something. We’ll see.
Final Laugh Question
Q36: Gamera vs. Godzilla. Who’d win?
A36: Come on! Gamera is a flying turtle.
Trace Beaulieu was a driving force behind Mystery Science Theater 3000 from it’s beginning at local KTMA 23. Not only did he play the role of chief antagonist Dr. Clayton Forrester, but the much beloved wise cracking Crow T. Robot. Forrester is well remembered for his stereotypical mad scientist character and his interplay with goofy lab assistant TV’s Frank. Crow is an iconic character, and Mr. Beaulieu made the robot with his vast array of impressions and great comedic timing. On top of this he was also a writer, director, and prop builder for the show. Trace left after season seven to pursue other interests. He currently works on America’s Funniest Videos. However, he did get some time to answer some questions from our staff. Enjoy!
-Frank Koenen
Interview Questions
MST3K Related Questions
Here you go. I’ve finally gotten around to answering these questions. I hope it was worth the wait, but I seriously think not. As you well know it has been a while since I left the show and my memory is a bit rusty.
Q1: Do you ever watch old episodes of the show, just for nostalgic sake? Do you buy the DVDs?
A1: Before I answer that question, first let me try and make you forget you asked it by thanking everyone at the MST3K REVIEW website, all of you who are reading this interview and every one of the fans who have been so supportive over the years and who continue to be friendly and so wonderful.
What was the question? Oh, sorry. I’ve never purchased any of the DVDs. “I have to buy them? But I’m Charles Foster Kane!” Oh, you know, I have purchased one or two over the years to give away as gifts. I have a copy of the MOVIE on VHS that I found in the remaindered bin at Suncoast. Once in a while I’ll catch a host segment on YOUTUBE. That’s a great way to view them: in little chunks you can walk away from. Ah, the memories
Q2: What do you think was the worst movie never seen on the show? What was the best movie?
A2: The Blair Witch Project. Complete and utter crap. What a horrible, horrible movie. I wasn’t scared - ever. Entertained? Never. Annoyed plenty. COME ON! I couldn’t wait for them all to die and stop their self-centered, self-indulgent, whiney whine-fest.
It made a bunch of money though, so whaddayagonnado?
The best movie? Well I didn’t have an answer for this but I just saw Superman Returns. Bo-ring! Of all the great storylines from the comic books over the years they made that? They should have made a film of Kim “Howard” Johnson and John Cleese’s SUPERMAN TRUE BRIT.
Q3: How were the films selected in the KTMA season, the first season and the beginning of the second season (before the “Sidehacker” incident)?
A3: At KTMA we used whatever film we could get our hands on from the station library. The first Comedy Central season I don’t remember but check out the interview with Mary Jo, she did a lot of screening. And talk to Frank, he screened many, many, movies. Or, just talk to Frank. He’s an interesting guy.
Q4: Were there any movies so bad that the show had to go back and choose another?
A4: Okay, I really don’t remember. Yes! I’ll say yes. Frank would know. Fraaaaaaaaaaaaank!
Q5: What was your favorite genre to write for and why.
A5: The Sci-Fi films have a special place in my heart. But I liked the shorts that we did the most. The old Prelinger shorts. Short, packed with jokes, good weight, nice heft, feels good in the hand. Yup, those were my favorites.
Q6: If you could have picked any movie ever made to feature on MST, which movie would you have picked and why?
A6: I think we did a pretty good job of showing some of the best bad films available to us. We gave new life to MANOS. Would anyone even know about that film if not for MST? Okay, sure the people who made it, but the larger world? And by larger world I mean the smaller world of MST fans.
Q7: Early in the show, switch from Crow’s high-pitched voice (a la KTMA & Season One) to his lower, more acerbic voice. Was this a gradual change or a conscious choice?
A7: The early voice wasn’t very comfortable. Rather stilted. Maybe that’s because I wore stilts back then. I had this thing about being too short. I always felt like everyone else towered over me. Oh, wait I was sitting on the floor. Sorry. You can probably go back and look at those episodes and see the change occur.
Sort of like pu-boty. Ewww!
Q8: Servo seems to be an easier puppet to manipulate than Crow. Did you ever harbour secret desires to switch with Kevin? (Puppet envy, so to speak)
A8: Puppet envy? I never had any secret desires about a puppet. No, that would be weird. Although, I really liked Shari Lewis’s Lamb Chop. And the puppet at the beginning of the HERE’S LUCY show sort of turned me on but other than that, no.
Q9: Joel once said he had a fondness for the movies on the show, while Mike has seemed to have nothing but contempt for them. Do you have any fondness for the movies on the show, or certain types of movie, like ‘50s Sci-Fi, Japanese Monster, Troubled Teen? Or do you simply hate all bad movies?
A9: I dislike bad movies sure. But there was a kind of charm about those old sci-fi films. The ones made before America had a space program. They had innocence and hope for the future. The movies I really hate are the big “Hollywood” films that get rammed down your throat. I like smaller films. I just saw SLITHER. Great movie and, a lot of fun in the tradition of some of my favorite old monster movies like; INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS or CREATURE OF THE BLACK LAGOON. I also recently saw a terrific zombie film UNDEAD. In that movie there is a character that is very Torgoesque. A low budget film but with lots of heart (hearts?) humor, and humanity, er, humanoids… I’m ranting. And foaming at the mouth – cool.
Q10: When you were on the show there seemed to be non-stop homage to “2001: a Space Odyssey”, as well as a lot of “Dr. Stranglelove” riffs. But after you left the show, references to these movies were few and usually somewhat harsh. Were you the only one in the writing room, besides Jim Mallon, who liked referencing Kubrik films?
A10: I think a lot of us liked those films. I can’t speak to the riffing after I left. I can only speak for me on this. No, I can’t speak for me. In fact I’m not speaking to me. That’ll teach me.
Q11: I noticed that all “Holy Grail” jokes in the series were delivered by your Crow. Were you the biggest Monty Python fan on the show?
A11: Again I think many of us liked those guys. I happened to be supersaturated with those shows and movies. We all had our favorite areas to pluck from.
Q12: Also, were you the biggest Star Trek fan on the show?
A12: No, I was the tallest.
Q13: What was your favorite movie featured on the show?
A13: A Date With the Family. (Was that the title?) I also liked that disturbing circus short. What was the name…?
Q14: Was there an episode that you the most proud of your work on? And if so, which one?
A15: The last one I did. It had my Dad in it. And it was the last one I did.
Q15: One of the best things about the show riffing the movie “Marooned” (aka Space Travelers) is that it gave you a chance to do your killer Gregory Peck impression. Are there other celebrities that you do a great impression of that didn’t ever make it on the show? And do you have a favorite impression?
A15: Well thank you for saying that. I can do a few other impressions, but there really isn’t any reason to do them. Sometimes I’ll walk around the house as Charo, but that’s more in the costuming. In the KTMA days we did a movie with David Jansen in it, and a guy in Minneapolis liked my impression. To that man I say, “Thank you.”
Q16: Do you have a favorite season (year) working on the show?
A16: I really enjoyed those early seasons on Comedy Channel. We were figuring out the show. Everything was possible. We were all young and enthused.
Q17: do you keep in touch with other BBI co workers?
A17: No. Except for Josh who I see every once in a while. Oh, and I spoke with Joel on the phone the other day. Saw Mary Jo in Minneapolis last summer. Exchanged e-mail with Beez not too long ago. I met Mike out for a drink and a cigar, let’s see maybe almost, but not quite a year ago. I try and go fishing with Jeff Stonehouse whenever I’m in town, or on the water. There really aren’t that many fish in town. Ran into Paul and he was really nice about it. Even offered to pound out the dent in the hood of my car. Aside from that I’m really just an old smelly hermit who never leaves the house.
Q18: What are your thoughts on Bill Corbett’s portrayal of Crow?
A18: You know the only sketch I saw from the shows of the sci-fi era, was about a mile high pie or something like that. It looked pretty funny, but I haven’t studied it so I really can’t comment. Or have I?
Q19: Why were you not involved in the Season Ten reunion episode with Joel & Frank on the Sci-Fi network?
A19: I wasn’t asked.
Q20: Crow has a funny, high pitched laugh in the theater (sometimes you’d laugh at one of Mike, Joel’s or Tom’s riff), is this your real laugh, or a laugh that you gave to the character?
A20: I’m afraid that it is my real laugh. I’m a hard laugh but when provoked, I sound like a little schoolgirl. We sat on a cold concrete floor when we did the movie segments; that might have had some effect on my voice.
Q21: I remember an interview where you said that “MST3K: The Movie” was fun to make, but then, in the “Earth vs. Soup” segments in the “Incredible Melting Man” episode, you and the rest of BBI stated otherwise. Was “MST3K: The Movie” actually fun to make?
A21: Yes, the movie was fun to make. We had a great crew. There was also much Hollywood non-sense that we had to purge.
Q22: What were some of the main reasons for getting rid of reading viewer mail at the end of each episode?
A22: I don’t remember. Maybe we got tired of it. I always liked reading the mail.
Q23: How was it working with Mary Jo Pehl in Season 7 as opposed to with Frank Conniff in Seasons 2 through 6? And Josh “Elvis” Weinstein before that?
A23: Mary Jo and I had worked together in sketch shows in Minneapolis way before MST, and I always had fun with her. She’s a great performer to work with. It was a different dynamic, of course with each of those three performers because each character was different. Frank and I always seemed to be dealing with some goofy costuming or big prop or something. Working with Josh in the KTMA days was less about a couple of performers working together and more about a couple of guys trying to get through the sketch so everyone could finish up and go to lunch.
Q24: Would you agree that “This Island Earth” was the best movie (in terms of quality) to ever be riffed by MST? If not, what did you think was the best movie featured on the show?
A24: Best movie as far as production values would be MAROONED. That movie had major stars and was released to theaters. All due respect to “This Island Earth” but it was a “B” film. It had that stupid bug monster, come on. So I’d argue MAROONED to be the “best”. That’s just me talking.
Q25: In season Two of the show, they had a “creative pit boss” every episode. What exactly was the “creative pit boss”?
A25: I think it was a fun title for the person who had slightly elevated responsibilities that week. Which might have included cleaning the kitchen.
Q26: Do you hate Coleman Francis movies as much as Mike does?
A26: I’m guessing, no.
Q27: Any regrets for leaving when you did?
A27: No.
Q28: You obviously were raised on the funny. Who (both living and deceased) are the biggest comedy influences on you?
A28: Here they are, possibly in the order I was exposed to them; My family, Jackie Gleason, W.C. Fields, Laurel and Hardy, The Marx Bothers, MAD magazine, The Firesign Theater, National Lampoon Radio Hour, Monty Python, the early SNL, Mel Brooks’ movies, Peter Sellers, Albert Brooks, Ernie Kovaks, Steve Martin, etc.
Q29: Could you tell us about the “Dark Star” game you and some of the former MST cast members have been working on?
A29: You can learn all about it directly from the source. Go to www.darkstar.gs
Some people have gotten the idea that it is a hoax.
IT IS NOT A HOAX!
It is however fiction which is slightly different.
Q30: Compared to previous decades, what do you think of the current state of movies? Of TV? And music?
A30: The technology gets better making it all easier to enjoy, and discard. I love that you can go to a web site like YOUTUBE or IFILM and find just about anything you might want to see. That’s pretty cool.
Q31: Do you plan to become an author, as Mike and Kevin have (hilariously) done?
A31: Not at this time. Oh, wait I just had an idea... Nope lost it, sorry. How come you didn’t mention Mary Jo’s book? Why leave her out? Her book “I Lived With My Parents & Other Tales of Terror” is pretty darned funny!
Q32: Mike Nelson has been recording some very funny commentary tracks for DVD, such as the one he did for “Reefer Madness”. Have you ever considered doing commentary tracks as well?
A32: I hadn’t really. Josh, Joel and I did a mini commentary on a thing a while back. It was weird being old men and jumping back 20 years to riff on something. Rather uncomfortable. I think I’d prefer to be a maker, rather than a mocker. I’m done with riffing on bad movies. Unless, of course, it pays well.
Q33: What’s your favorite “bad” movie?
A33: Godfather 3. I think it should be made into a Broadway musical.
Q34: On AFV, is the writing process for the show similar to the writing for MST?
A34: Similar. Tapes are sent in and viewed by the screening department. Then the clips are put on a VHS and given to us to review and choose the ones we will use. Each clip is described on an index card and as we build a show we arrange these cards in the order they will appear in the show, more or less. Then a tape is compiled from the clips selected and we’ll watch it and pitch jokes. The intros and other host-related dialogue is written later. That’s sort of how it works.
Q35: What are you working on right now? Plans for the future?
A35: Well in addition to the grueling pace at AFV, I’ve been sculpting and making art. I’ve felt the urge to perform again, so, maybe, something. We’ll see.
Final Laugh Question
Q36: Gamera vs. Godzilla. Who’d win?
A36: Come on! Gamera is a flying turtle.
