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Post by Blurryeye on Jul 6, 2007 15:13:15 GMT -5
Season 6: Episodes 601 to 612#601 Girls Town Q: Silver rejects the bread man/detectives advances and the riff is "I'm invoking Landers Law" anyone have an idea what it mean? A: These were comon sense rules coined by advice columnsist Ann Landers (ash2) Q: Who is Laura Petrie? Mentioned during the gang fight sequence towards the beginning of Girls Town (two brunettes fight on the docks is quipped as "The battle of the Laura Petris") and I think she's also mentioned in The Brute Man. A: Laura Petrie (played by Mary Tyler Moore) was the wife in the Dick van Dyke Show. Also, any time J/M&tB say something like "Oh, Rob!" in a worried tone during the theater segments, it's a reference to this character. (Sheik Yerbouti)#604 The Dead Talk BackQ: Krasker: Well you must understand... Servo: I'm a magic man.A: The band Heart's "Magic Man" song ("Try to understand, try to understand, try, try, try, try... He's a magic man"). People thought the song was about Charles Manson and the girls that would flock to him, but the Wilson sisters deny that vehemently. (MightyJack)Q: Crow has the soon-to-be victim say, "Hand out my shovies, please" when she's knocking on her soon-to-be killer's door. A: See #317 Viking Women and the Sea Serpent (Cubby)Q: At the beginning of the seance scene, Krasker looks for a lighter, and Crow says, "And... my wife... came down the stairs... her face... was... split!" A: From Bill Cosby's stand-up, shown in the film "Bill Cosby - Himself". He was talking about his wife Camille coming down the stairs and being really pissed off at him because he was feeding the kids chocolate cake for breakfast. (Merlin & EmperorCupcake)#608 Code Name: Diamond HeadQ: What the sam scratch is "Hello dere!" from? It's said the most by Crow in "Code Name: Diamond Head" when Zulu is on-screen, and in "Last Of The Wild Horses" by Dr. F and Frank in the theater. A: That was the catchphrase of 60's comedian Marty Allen. Hello dere! That was it. Pretty clever huh? (phantomengineer) Q: After Roy Thinnes talks to Zulu in the all-can store, Mike calls out, "Hey! You forgot to pay for the Sheba!"A: Sheba canned cat food. (Wild Rebel)#610 Violent YearsQ: the Tom Servo segment in The Violent Years when he was dressed up with long curly hair and kept trying to sing through his crying. What is that a reference to? A: Tom's doing Barbara Streisand from the movie "A Star Is Born". (Answer by MightyJack)Q: At the end of the short, "Young Man's Fancy," as the guys are leaving the theater, the music swells and Mike comes in with "Susan slept here!" I assume this is a song lyric, but am very unsure as to which song. A: It's a film with Debbie Reynolds. She plays a teenager who hangs with an older man. It was a very popular flick in the mid 50's.(MightyJack)#612 StarfightersQ: Mike says " Just lie back and think of England's air space" A: The quote is attributed to Lady Alice Hillingdon (1857-1940) who married the 2nd Baron Hillingdon in 1886. "I am very happy now that Charles calls at my bedchamber less frequently than of old. As it is I endure but two calls a week and when I hear his steps outside my door I lie back, close my eyes, and think of England." (ash2 + mrsphyllistorgo)Q: I've got one. When "The Starfighters" appears on the screen at the beginning, what does Crow mean by "The Sean Penn story!"? A: Sean Penn was known as fighting with or beating up various photographers, etc. in the 80's. Get it? STAR (Sean Penn - sort of) FIGHTER? Q: And why exactly is it called a Poopie Suit? Does it have pooping facilities within it or what? A: Actually, the truth is that it's environmentally sealed. Sometimes, the pilots have to fly LONG distances without stopping (like 15-16 hours or more). So, since the suit is sealed, they just go in it. Sounds sick, but there is no other way. (Answer by Ator)
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Post by Blurryeye on Jul 6, 2007 15:13:49 GMT -5
Season 6: Episodes 613 to 624#613 Sinister UrgeQ: Crow goes "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" in a weird voice at the end of the short "Keeping Neat and Clean." What is this in reference to and why is it pertinent to the end of the short? A: I'm not 100% sure, but the "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" line kinda sounds like a Lawrence Welk voice. He frequently said that after nearly every performance on his show. I guess the corny 50's music at the end of the short sounded very Welk-esque. (The Gesture Professor).Q: There's a brief moment of the evil peeping Bob Dylan guy shambling across a farm of sorts and Mike says "It's Joe Keyes! Joe Keyes here!" A: Apparently, they had other references to Joe Keyes in their riffs. p. 171 of the ACEG "He's off the ramp!" <This comment pays homage to Joe Keyes, Minneapolis cum Los Angeles comedian/actor. In his act, the comment refers to Jesus showing off by performing water sports with no boat.> MJN So, Joe Keyes was a comedian from Minneapolis. (Blurryeye) #614 San Francisco InternationalQ: What is Crow referring to when he yells out " UNCLE TONOOSE!" A: Crow was doing his Danny Thomas impression. Uncle Tonoose was a character in "Make Room For Daddy" TV series. He was played by Hans Conried who will be easily recognizable to fans of old time TV. (MightyJack)Q: We see shots of the passengers faces as Pernell tries to land the 'faulty' plane. One of the faces prompts Mike to say " I'm sorry about the stamps' Whahuh? A: This is in reference to the famous "printed upside-down stamp" called The Inverted Jenny. It was supposed to have been destroyed, but it wasn't so they are very rare. www.glassinesurfer.com/f/gsinvertedjenny.shtml (Mander)#617 The Sword and the DragonQ: During the scene of Ilya Murumitz riding Chestnut Gray through an ancient forest--just before he meets the Wind Demon--Mike quips, "Where are the R.O.U.S's?" A: R.O.U.S.'s are Rodents of Unusual Size, from "The Princess Bride". Now go watch The Princess Bride. (Mr. Atari)#618 High School Big ShotQ: Betty's telling Marvin "Some day you'll be someone really important" and Mike adds... "You'll be Ue Tant" A: U Thant was secretary general of the UN back in the 60's. (silentseason)Q: There's a close up on Betty and Crow says in kind of an English, upper crust voice... " Go home, go home" A: That is from the Tracy Ullman (sp?) show, which was on in the late 80's. T.U. would end the show by telling an anecdote to her live studio audience. She'd be wearing a bathrobe. Lastly, she'd jokingly tell the audience "Go home!" because the show was over. (Squirmette)Q: When Marv and his cronies are sneaking around in the warehouse, the strange Tom & Jerry-like music continues to play, and at one point, Servo mocks it in a weird nasal voice by singing "Marrrrrrrriann! Not a librarrrrrrrrian!"A: Marian (who was a librarian) is the main female character in "The Music Man" (played by a very pretty Shirley Jones). There's a song about her in the musical. It's called "Marian the Librarian" and it goes, "Marian, the librarian..." and so on. (Mr. Atari)#619 Red Zone CubaQ: Frank is pulling out all the gifts for Dr. F from the basket. Frank says, "and some hard boiled eggs" and then Dr. F moans depressingly. A: The hard boiled eggs thing is from a Laurel and Hardy routine. Oliver Hardy is in the hospital with a broke leg and Stan Laurel visits him. Laurels gift is a bag of hard boiled eggs and some nuts. (hypochrismutreefuzz) #620 Danger! Death Ray Q: Is "Watermelon Man" a real song? A: Yes. Herbie Hancock wrote it. It is a standard jazz/blues tune covered by many artists. (Mr. Atari)#621 Beast Of Yucca Flats Q: As the ugly helicopter sniper's about to get on board, there's a brief shot of the 12-year-old sheriff and Servo says "Sheriff Tin Tin!". A: "The Adventures of Tin Tin" was a comic book and later a cartoon. Tin tin looked like a little kid, and solved mysteries with his dog. (Witzner & colemanfrancisfan)
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Post by Blurryeye on Jul 6, 2007 15:14:06 GMT -5
Season 7:Movie: This Island EarthQ: Cal's plane is flying towards the camera... Mike: Look out President Clinton!A: Someone once flew a small plane into the White House or onto the grounds at least. (MightyJack)#701 Night of the Blood BeastQ: What does the line " Scott McCloud, Space Angel" refer too. A: Way back before color TV There were a series of really cheap animation shows that featured little more than cut outs and almost static animation with simple plot lines. The most notable feature of the "animation" was a real character's mouth rotoscoped on the animated figure head when speaking. + "Space Angel" was the second production to come out of Cambria Studios following the success of "Clutch Cargo." The show focussed on the adventures of Scott McCloud (voiced by Ned Lefebver), captain of the spaceship Starduster. (Answer by Doctor Z) #702 The Brute ManQ: When one of the many newspapers spins onto the screen proclaiming Prof. Cushman's death, Mike says, "Professor Cushman was layed to rest in a tiny battery-powered car." A: Cushman is an electric vehicle manufacturer. (Change B. Goode)#703 DeathstalkerQ: When 'stalker is tied up to be tortured by that hot wife to find out where the stones are, Crow says " Real Sex 58!". What does he mean by that? A: HBO has a series called "Real Sex" . They are numbered, like "Real Sex 23" etc. It usually shows kinky, weird sex. #704 The Incredible Melting ManQ: In one episode Servo is always like "where do the children playeeayeeayeeayee?"A: It is from Cat Stevens' song, "Where Do The Children Play" from the great album, "Tea for the Tillerman." + The song was also featured in the movie "Harold and Maude" (fathermushroom + Blurryeye)#705 Escape 2000Q: What is " The Mercury 7"? A: The Mercury 7 were the first NASA astronauts. Mercury was the name of the first project which lead the way to the Gemini and Apollo projects (MightyJack) #706 LaserblastQ: What's the reference of having Roddy McDowell say, "It's big, but it's not as big as mine"? A: See #522 Teenage Crimewave aboveQ: When Keenan Wynn repeats "Hush, Hush!" Servo replies with " Sweet Charlotte!". A: "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte," a 1964 Horror film by Robert Aldrich staring Bette Davis. It is also was a popular song during the early sixties by Patti Page (DoctorZ)Q: This one struck me the other night: in Laserblast, the Hank II deputy is jostled in his car and Mike says, " I almost threw up my horse knuckle breakfast!". A: I was in Minnesota last week, and at a breakfast gathering I ate what I would call sticky buns. They were basically dinner rolls covered in a sweet, syrupy, cinnamon glaze. My host told me that in Minnesota, people called them "Monkey Knuckles". I imagine "horse knuckles" might also be a local euphemism. (Mr. Atari)
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Post by Blurryeye on Jul 6, 2007 15:14:31 GMT -5
Season 8: Episodes 801 to 811
#801 Revenge of the Creature Q: Servo makes a big deal of his upcoming joke, when all the dynamite is being set out over the lagoon. Then he sings, to the tune of "Adelvaise" from the Sound of Music, something that sounds like "A-OL-WIVES, A-OL-WIVES..." What's this about? A: The song tune is "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music. But he's actually saying "ailewives" instead of edelweiss. Ailewives are a kind of fish, and edelweiss are a kind of flower that floats on top of the water. (EmperorCupcake)
Q: During the scene at the nightclub, they have the band leader say, "This one goes out to our pal at Spandau. We love you, Rudolph!" A: Rudolph Hess was the most famous prisoner at Spandau Prison, sentenced after the Nuremburg Trials. (CBG).
Q: When the gill man is knocked out and laying in the sling while being transported into the tank at the Marineland place, the announcer is going on about how they're going to try to revive him after he's in the tank. Servo says, "Lay on it to try to revive it." Is this a specific technique for revival that they're referencing? A: It could be a very obscure reference to the weirdest resurrection in recorded history. From 2 Kings 4:32-35: "When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the LORD. Then he got on the bed and lay upon the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out upon him, the boy's body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out upon him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes." (Mr. Atari)
#802 The Leech Woman Q: When Mala meets June at the doctor's office, they riff "Have you tried Phillips?" A: Phillips Milk of Magnesia, a chalky laxative from the '60s in a blue bottle. (CBG)
Q: The scene where Neil and his fiance are waiting at the airport for June to come back from Africa, they talk about what could have delayed her, I believe it's Mike who says something along the lines of, "Maybe it was the '3-2 flu'". A: 3-2 flu is a term for a hangover from 3.2 Beer. That is, beer that only contains 3.2% alcohol, made for sale in establishments that can't sell the higher alcohol brews. (Mr. Atari)
#805 The Thing That Couldn't Die Q: Mike says, "it's not nice to fool mother nature" ? A: It's from a commercial for Chiffon Margarine in the late '70's. (Torgo, Mr. Atari)
Q: What is the song that Tom Servo sings everytime someone says Jessica's name in The Thing That Couldn't Die? A: Strangely enough, it's the tune to the song "Jessica" by the Allman Brothers Band.(MightyJack, Sheik Yerbouti)
#806 The Undead Q: During the beheading scene, there's a brief shot of a chubby big-headed goofy-looking guy in the crowd and Mike says "Hey buddyyyyy!" in a gruff voice. A: I believe the "Hey Buddy" riffs are in reference to Tom Arnold. (TarlCabot)
#807 Terror from the Year 5000 Q: The Terror(from the Year 5000) pulls out her mask to rip the face off of the nurse, Crow says "Ah I see. She's Martin Landau!" and what is the song that Crow is humming afterwards? A: Landau was in Mission Impossible TV show. They would pretend to make rubber masks of people, act like they were putting it on switch to actual person. He's humming theme of show. (lstcaz).
#808 She Creature Q: During Lombardi's act: "We should have hired Williams and Ree" A: Williams and Ree are local Minnesota comedians who frequent the casinos. They are know as "The Indian and the white guy". (mauto)
Q: What's the gag behind, "Hello, wall"? A: "Hello Walls", a pop/country hit in 1961 for Faron Young (and written by Willie Nelson). (mstgator)
#809 I Was a Teenage Werewolf Q: They refer several times to Richard Jewell. Who is he? A: From The Annotated MST: On July 26, 1996, a security guard at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, noticed a suspicious backpack near a sound tower during a concert. The guard, a man named Richard Jewell, alerted police and helped try to evacuate the area. When the bomb inside the backpack went off, one person died and more than a hundred others were injured. Days later, the FBI leaked information that it considered Jewell a suspect. Jewell was hounded by law enforcement and reporters for nearly three months before he was cleared of suspicion; he later sued and settled with a number of media organizations. In May 2003, white supremacist Eric Rudolph was arrested and charged with the bombing.
#810 The Giant Spider Invasion Q: In the Giant Spider invasion there's a Quote the Mike say "30 lashes with a wet noodle" where did that came form? A: Either advice columnist Dear Abby or Ann Landers (or both) used to say that in their columns to admonish people for minor infractions. (Phantom Engineer)
#811 parts: the clonus horror Q: It's just after the blond guy wins the push-up race at the beginning and a guide hands him an unseen prize. Crow says: "Winner of the International Jeffery Games." A: 'Jeffery' was the title of a movie about gay relationships. One of Patrick Stewart's early vehicles, post-TNG. (Change B. Goode)
Q: Why does Mike suddenly say, "Saturn: a different kind of car company"? A: Saturn premiered a commercial with two guys who, we're supposed to imagine, live together. They get in the car, drive off. Its supposed to be that they're gay or something. And the announcer says "Saturn, a different kind of car company." (TarlCabot)
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Post by Blurryeye on Jul 6, 2007 15:14:52 GMT -5
Season 8: Episodes 812 to 822#812 The Incredibly Strange Creatures...Q: During the bizaare "white people pretending to be Africans, in whiteface" dance number, Servo says something like "Buried with a donkey! He's my favorite honky!"A: Lines from Steve Martin's song "King Tut" (Treadwell) #813 Jack Frost Q: After Ivan throws the trees out of the witch's cabin, the camera shows us the trees running away into the forest in almost orderly line. Mike then starts to hum a tune. A: He is humming "The Benny Hill Show" theme (Yackaty Sax). The music usually plays during a goofy chase scene or any skit with slapstick humor. (Vlad89 & phantomengineer)Q: When Ivan comes to Jack Frost's "Pagan-Christian Funhouse" to pick up Nastinka, Jack meets him outside. As they walk back Tom says "Let me take you around back and show you the new Lawn-boy." A: Lawn-boy mowers are made by the company founded by Ole Evinrude in 1904 in Wisconsin. Evinrude Motors (referenced in #911 Devil Fish) grew into the Outboard Marine Corporation, and later Lawn-boy. Evinrude was Scandinavian - thus the connection to Jack Frost. (Change B. Goode).Q: When Nastinka(?) is out in the yard they show the dog going back into his dog house using reverse film. One of the bots or Mike says something about going back into Harpo's chest. A: From the Marx Brother's film Duck Soup. A live, barking dog emerges from a tattoo on Harpo's chest. (mstgator + Hugh Beaumont)#814 Riding With DeathQ: It's amateur night and Buffalo Bill is about to sing. Mike says, "This goes out to all my friends in the "Posse comitatus"A: "Posse Comitatus" is a latin term meaning "able men of the country." Essentially, it's the tradition allowing local sheriffs to deputize ordinary citizens as a temporary police force called a posse. + Mike's referring to a fringe neo-nazi survivalist militia group that uses that name. They're big into "The Turner Diaries" and referring to the government as "ZOG" (Reuisu + Cubby) Q: When Buffalo Bill is regaining conscience after being drugged, Denby and Cupcake are talking about their plot, not realizing that Bill can hear them. At one point, they show a groggy Buffalo and there's a riff, "She's my girl, Bill." A: My Girl Bill, the title to a Jim Stafford (Buffalo Bill) novelty song of the seventies (Change B. Goode)Q: After the "no brakes" scene ends, Servo says as if he were the professor in the truck, "Don't come back here Sam I'm doing naked burpees" ? A: The burpee is an exercise that sort of combines a push-up, squat, and jumping jack into one. (Mr. Atari)#815 Agent from H.A.R.M.Q: During the trial scenes in the "Agent for H.A.R.M." episode, Bobo makes his little speech about "panties": "You know, folks, we're gonna hear the word "panties" used a lot in this trial so let's get them giggles out now. Panties, panties, panties, panties, panties, panties. Panties, panties, panties..." A: Just today while watching "Anatomy of a Murder" I realized that this was almost an exact recreation of a speech given by the judge during the courtroom scene of that movie: "The undergarment previously referred to was in fact, Mrs. Manion's panties." (spectators all laugh) "I wanted you to get your snickering over and done with. This pair of panties will be mentioned again during the course of this trial, and there will be no laughing, giggling, snicker, or even so much as a smirk in my courtroom..." etc. (I believe that "panties" was one of many words to make its silver-screen debut in this movie) (Hugo)#816 Prince of SpaceQ: What does " I'm Hardrock, I'm Coco and I'm Joe" mean? A: Ahh for the answers to Hardrock, Coco and Joe, read "Riff Explained" on my website Prince of Space Someone from Chicago would know it in an instant. (It comes from a kids Christmas show for those who don't want to click on the link)Q: After Krankor laughs a good hearty laugh, Tom quips "How are ya!" in a raspy voice. A: That's Eugene Levy doing comdean Bobby Bittman on SCTV. That was his catchphrase (Merlin)Q: What's with all the references to Santa in the Japanese movies (esp. Prince of Space and Neptune Men)? "Holy Santa, pray for us!" (Servo, 816) A: There's an urban legend that a Japanese department store once created a Christmas display featuring a smiling Santa Claus nailed to a cross. For more info about this, go here: www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/cross.asp + www.boingboing.net/2005/07/19/hilarious_passion_of.html pretty much explains it all... (Ford Prefect + Coolgamer)Q: Opening sequence. Japanese family sitting around a dinner table. Mike as a pitchman says: " So two Italian guys dodge portabello mushrooms tossed by a monkey..." A: I always thought that was a joking amalgamate of Nintendo games (Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong.) emphasizing how bizarre the premises of those games were. (Sheik Yerbouti)#817 Horror of Party BeachQ: What does Mike mean by " Do the Bruce Springsteen!" A: Might be referring to Springsteen's goofy dancing in the "Dancing in the Dark" video.Q: Mike makes a couple references to "Long Street" ("How can I get on Long Street with a girlfriend like you?"). What is "Long Street?" A: It was "Longstreet" a guy's name not a street and the guy was James Franciscus. From Marooned. It's a ref to the fact that the guy in the movie looks like James Franciscus. (interoceter) #818 Devil DollQ: When the Great Vorelli is making that chick drink the blood of the virgin. Crow says something like "Spodee Odee" A: There was a song in the 50's called "Drinkin' Wine Spo-dee O-dee", done by Jerry Lee Lewis, and later by the Blues Brothers. (DoggieGoWalkies)Q: "Hey Vorelli, you and I should do Greater Tuna together." A: "Greater Tuna" is a play. It has its own website, www.greatertuna.com . Apparently it's part of a trilogy. To quote their website, "Greater Tuna is the hilarious comedy about Texas' third smallest town, where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. The eclectic band of citizens that make up this town are portrayed by only two performers, making this satire on life in rural America even more delightful as they depict all of the inhabitants of Tuna -- men, women, children and animals." (Cubby)Q: During the ham scene, Mike as Hugo says, "All I want is what is coming to me. All I want is my fair share."A: From "A Charlie Brown Christmas". Sally Brown says this after Charlie walks away in disgust over her elaborate Santa Wish List. (Blurryeye).#819 Invasion of the Neptune MenQ: In Neptune Men (& Final Sacrifice) a low voice says : "Don't worry. We won't hurt you." Is that from something? A: It's a lyric from a Prince song "1999". It can be heard in the beggining of it before the "I was dreaming when I wrote this..." lyric. (Vlad89) #820 Space Mutiny Q: Here's one: In a lot of episodes they reference something called Zoobas. What is it? A: Zoobas were these hideous zebra-striped pants with a slightly-slanted ass that were briefly the rage in the late 80's/early 90's.Q: Mike or one of the bots goes "I must say" in a weird lisp. I've heard it before on other episodes? A: It's Martin Short doing his character Ed Grimley from SNL. He used to always say "I must say.".... This is correct but the character originated on SCTV. (otrfan & phantomengineer)Q: What's the 'OY!' mean in space mutiny? A: That's in reference to the 'Sting' captain's resemblance to an Australian soccer star who was the spokesperson for Energizer batteries. It was all part of that Aussie/Dundee/Yahoo Serious period, that quickly faded. OY!! #821 Time Chasers Q: Eddy/Mike says something like "that guys such a jerk he has a bag of zebra mussels, throwing them over the side there" A: It's zebra mussels, that are little snail/ clam like things that cling onto boats, which I suspect damages the boat. + Zebra mussels not only hurt the bottoms of boats they also kill a lot of the life in the lakes as well as make the beaches look terrible. They reproduce worse than rabbits and can really tear up your feet if you don't wear any shoes. They actually came here from different ships from overseas by attaching themselves to boats and people probably just scraped them off into the water.. (yousonuva + ashkenaz) #822 Overdrawn At The Memory Bank Q: When the medico is unplugging Fingal's brain wire thing it makes a cat like sound and Crow riffs "get that cat out of here". A: This references Steve Martin's The Man With Two Brains. In it he plays a surgeon and for some reason there was always a cat meow in the operating room, where he'd have to say "get that cat out of here." (yousonuva)Q: When Fingal wakes up from the dopple he says something like "The last think I remember is being attacked by an elephant," to which they respond, "I should have wrapped him up in Cellaphant!" A: This is a reference to "The Wizard of Oz". The Cowardly Lion is asked what he would do if he ran in to an elephant. He replies that he would wrap him up in cellaphant. (Wizard)Q: Servo sings "Fashion!" whenever there's beeping in the background. A: That's a David Bowie song from the early '80's. It's called... ahem... "Fashion." (EmperorCupcake)Q: When Fingal is knocked out and the computer is giving instruction on bringing him back to consciousness. One of them riffs, "Lay on him." A: See #801 Revenge of the Creature explanation.Q: When Apollonia James is "typing", there are little beeps, afterwitch Mike says "Notions." there is also a joke connecting beeping and "Notions" in Amazing Transparent Man, but I can't remember it exactly. A: I believe it refers to old department stores' elevators. The elevator would ding, the operator would open the door and announce what was available on the floor. "Notions." (interoceter)
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Post by Blurryeye on Jul 6, 2007 15:15:39 GMT -5
Season 9:#901 The Projected ManQ: When the projecter is moving why does Mike riff "I assume Dean Jones will be in this movie eventually?" and why did Tom riff " Duran Duran pops in now right?" A: Dean Jones was in many Disney movies in the 60s and 70s that involved scientists and bizzare things happening to ordinary people. (He was in "Herbie the Love Bug" "Blackbeard's Ghost" and "The Shaggy Dog." My take on this is that Mike is comparing it to silly Disney scientists inventing things that would, say, move lab rats across the room. + I always thought the reference to Duran Duran was from Barbarella. Duran Duran was the name of the bad guy, played by Milo O'Shea. (Chris the Dog + EmperorCupcake)#902 Phantom PlanetQ: From Phantom Planet and Escape 2000 (at least): " Motion in the ocean, his airhole's broke! Lots of bubbles, lots of trouble!" A: From the B-52's song "Rock Lobster" (EmperorCupcake)#903 Puma ManQ: Donald says "Well Jane?" and Servo adds... "Are you getting serious". What does it mean? A: I guess you don't remember the song "Jane Is Getting Serious" by Jon Astley? (phantomengineer)#904 WerewolfQ: In one or two movies with an American Indian slant to it (Moon Beast, and Werewolf, at least), when the soundtrack music has Native American-ish drum beats, Servo will sing a wordless song ( Hey, yeaaa, YEAAAAA.....). A: That song is Return To Innocence By Enigma, which was a semi popular psudeo new agey kinda band person thing. They (he) often featured stuff like Native American or monk chants. Heres an Amazon link to the "Pure Moods" album which features this song, you can lisen to a sample. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000000WCD/103-6955303-9058262?v=glance&n=5174 (BCZF)Q: When the hero charactor is on the bed and we can see his wound I believe it is Tom that says. Never have sex with FloJo. What does that mean? A: FloJo. Florence Griffith Joyner - FloJo - 1959-1998 Olympic winner and known for her long, painted nails and dramatic running clothes. (Change B. Goode)Q: During the "car chase" scene around the gas station, Servo sings along to the score about "a brontosarous has a message for us". Any idea what that came from? A: The lyrics are from "Walking in your Footsteps" by The Police which sounds vaguely like the background music. (hugo)#906 The Space ChildrenQ: When they're driving on the beach, Mike begins singing: "Driving on the beach, with the kids in the car.." and Servo replies "Good Robert Smith." A: Mike was doing a parody of The Cure's "Killing an Arab".. The original line is "Standing on a beach with a gun in my hand".. Robert Smith is the lead singer of The Cure. (Veepa)Q: What are "selkies"? In eps with ocean vistas, I've heard riffs about "selkie children" or a "selkie tanker run aground" A: Selkies are creatures from folklore (Irish, I think), a bit like mermaids - they wear seal skins and live in the sea, but occasionally come on land and take those skins off, revealing a human-like being. Of course, there's the stories where some young lad comes across a selkie bathing in her human form, steals her seal skin and thus forces her into marrying him. Then she finds the skin again years later, turns back into a seal and returns to the ocean. Watch the movie "The Secret of Roan Innish" for more info. (voodoodolly)Q: The kids are watching the blob beam down to earth and Tom says in a hillbilly voice , "Now, you can call me Ray!..."which irks Mike & Crow. A: Comedian Bill Saluga had a bit that he did on TV variety shows and commercials in the 1970s. A zoot-suited character named Raymond J. Johnson Jr. would appear. If you called him "Johnson," he launched into a tirade: "Ahh, ya doesn't has to call me Johnson! You can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay, or you can call me Johnny or you can call me Sonny, or you can call me RayJay, or you can call me RJ... but ya doesn't hafta call me Johnson!" (Gristle McThornbody)#907 HobgoblinsQ: In Hobgoblins when Nick pulls up to the house and honks his horn, and Servo sings "FRESH FISH!"? A: That's from a 1932 Laurel andHardy short called 'Towed in a Hole'. Laurel and Hardy are selling fish door-to-door (What, it's not any wierder than selling Chevrolets door-to-door!), and Stan Laurel blows on a horn while Oliver Hardy yells out "FRESH FISH!".(DefenseMechanism)#908 Touch of SatanQ: Jody is sitting at the pond eating his sandwich, then he looks over to where Melissa has walked up. The camera zooms in on Melissa, at which point Mike says, "I won't go back, Jim!" in a weird voice. What's that from? A: The original Star Trek. Spock get's infested with some spores that make him happy and fall in live with Jill Ireland. He tells Kirk "I won't go back, Jim!"Q: Melissa is rambling on about how she got posessed, and says something about Gorgo and Mormol, and Servo goes, "and Jooooe!" A: See #816 Prince of Space" - Hardrock Coco and Joe - for answer Q: Melissa is showing Jody to his room, and Crow says "Oh, there's tons of varnished bread, just push it out of the way." What's the deal with that? A: It's a reference to the down-home country craft of making things from varnished bread dough (Christmas ornaments, centerpieces, etc) (BeatnikChick)#910 Final Sacrifice Q: When Satoris is walking up the hill with that stick and somebody says -"Valdareee Valdarahahahaha!" in that raspy voice? A: From the camping song "Valdaree" (or "Happy Wanderer") See #408 - Hercules Unchained above. (DW & MJ)Q: "If the women don't find you handsome, at least you can be handy"
A: From the Canadian comedy show "Red Green". This was Red Green's signature closing line. It actually goes, "If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." (VanHagar & Blurryeye).Q: What about a thug in the movie jumps and Servo says something that sounds like " Balansheen?" A: Balanchine. A reference to George Balanchine, Russian-American choreographer, ballet master of the New York Ballet. (Blurryeye)#912 The Screaming Skull Q: Right at the beginning of the movie, there's a frog that jumps offscreen and Servo goes, "Rack-a-cack-cack-cack-ko-ax-ko-ax". What does that mean? I know he's mimicking a frog croaking, but what does that mean? A: The answer is here... Screaming Skull. look to the left bar under "Riff Explained". It also includes a link to the original play in all its glory.#911 Devil FishQ: When the beery guy exclaims, "I knooow!!!" - Tom Servo says... "What was this guy dubbed by J Peterman?" - Anyone know who this refers to? A: J. Peterman was a recurring character on Seinfeld, and the voice of the character sounded like the "I know!" guy. He is based on a real person (jixbyphillips)Q: What's the deal with all of Mike's "Evinrude" jokes? A: Evinrude is a company that makes boat engines. Evinrude's main competitor in the boat engine business is a company called Johnson. That little piece of esoteric knowledge should make those riffs work now. (Mr. Atari)
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Post by Blurryeye on Jul 6, 2007 15:15:59 GMT -5
Season 10:#1001 SoultakerQ: After Zack gets pushed out of the elevator by Joe Estevez(It was near the part where he's disguised as the Urkel lookalike) Crow says "So Estevez can become a member of Debarge at any time" A: Debarge was a really cheesy 80's "soul" group. known for their big, overdone hair and they sometimes wore long coats like Estevez in the movie.#1002 Girl in Gold BootsQ: "So he became a busker in the London tubes" - Mike A: Buskers are people who hang out in London tube train stations playing guitar, juggling, riding a unicycle, etc. so people will give them money. They're everywhere over there. (EmperorCupcake)Q: During one of the many never-ending go-go dance scenes, Crow says "Brought to you by the Gregory method!". A: The Gregory Method is used to approximate the value of pi, and was hit upon by a Scotsman by the name of James Gregory in the 17th century. This riff hits on the fact that both pi and the dance sequence are apparently endless (MoonZeroTwo) Q: When Buzz is pouring beer on the bikes Crow says "The bikers are still inside flipping through Tacoom(sp?)". I have tried a few different spellings of what I think I hear him calling this magazine, but haven't found anything. A: Probably "Tikkun", a bimonthly Jewish critique of politics, culture, and society. Seems like a magazine that dirtbag bikers would be unlikely to spend any time reading, thus the humor of the riff. (Blurryeye)Q: In that same scene Tom says "when he sits there he's going to get croisened". A: It's spelled 'krausened'. I had to search for a while to find out it's a old way of carbonating beer. + It's a reference to ads for Old Style beer (popular in Chicago/Milwaukee). They boasted that their beer was "fully croisened", much like Coors Light brags about "cold-filtered". (Blackmarket + Mr. Atari)Q: When Blatz is chasing Buzz. On close up of Blatz someone says "don't explain my SARSEP to me." A: SARSEP is a retirement plan, kinda like a 401-k, but not. www.irs.gov/retirement/article/0,,id=117337,00.html (Treadwell)#1003 Merlin's Shop of Mystical WondersQ: When the wife's bed falls down into the basement through the ceiling, Mike says "It's the Wallace method of going down to dinner." What's that about? A: Wallace as in Wallace and Gromit. In THE WRONG TROUSERS and A CLOSE SHAVE, we see that Wallace has a cool way of going to breakfast. He presses a button that is wired to the kitchen below, where Gromit starts breakfast and pulls a switch that causes Wallace's bed to rotate, causing him to fall through the ceiling and into his chair at the kitchen table. (Detective Mitchell) #1005 Blood Waters of Dr. ZQ: Servo makes a joke about a guy named Catfish Hunter. They rode him for it because the joke didn't work 'cause Catfish Hunter had changed his name to Catfish Chapstick.A: The Catfish Hunter riff is based on Jim "Catfish" Hunter, the great MLB pitcher. The Catfish Chapstick riff that comes later is based on Susie Chaffee, former women's downhill skiing champ who parlayed her short-term fame into long-term fame by (jokingly?) changing her name to Susie Chapstick and bragging about it in commercials for the lip balm folks. I think the Catfish Hunter/Chapstick is an example of the bots riffing a previous riff. No wonder it gets confusing. (Mr. Atari)#1006 Boggy Creek II Q: Servo says "Now entering the Forbidden Zone". Does anyone know where this came from? A: It's actually "We will march, into the Forbidden Zone." and it's from one the Planet of the Apes movies. (yousonuva & phantomengineer)Q: The two tramps are stuck in the jeep and they here a howl. One of them asks what it was, and the other one says "It was probably a wolf." Then the other one replies with, "A wolf..?" And then Crow adds, " .. do you think it will survive?"A: "Will The Wolf Survive?" is an early hit by the band Los Lobos. (Cubby)#1007 Track of the Moon BeastQ: When the odd-looking doctor-who-looks-like-a-rabbi is on the plane to New Mexico, the stewardess approaches him and Servo says "Can I get you a food cart to crap on?"...which gets Mike laughing pretty hard. A: The president of an investment banking firm, Gerard Finneran, did just that when a steward tried to prevent him from helping himself to some liquor in 1995. (lstcaz, jose). #1008 Final Justice Q: When the monk comes up from below deck Mike says... "Oh, he was down there jigging with the losers in steerage." A: "Steerage" is the part of the ship below deck and near the rudder, where cheap accomodations were available. It's a reference to Titanic when the rich chick went down with the pretty boy to dance a jig with the poor folks. (sampo)Q: During the striptease club scenes, Crow comments that the butt-shaking stripper is " The Miles Davis of strippers". A: It's because she's got her back to the audience most of the time. Davis often played concerts with his back to the audience.(BeatnikChick)Q: "Nice try Joe Don, I'm off to make Xerox commercials" - Palermo in Monk outfit A: Voted by ESPN viewers as the #4 best Super Bowl commercial of all time: Xerox: "Monks" (1977) Brother Dominic finishes duplicating an old manuscript, only to learn that the head monk needs 500 more sets. Dominic heads through a secret doorway to a modern-day copy shop where the Xerox 9200 (which can copy at an amazing rate of two pages per second!) does the job for him. He returns to the monastery and delivers the sets in no time. "It's a miracle," the father says. Brother Dominic smirks skyward. (BeatnikChick)
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Post by Blurryeye on Jul 6, 2007 15:16:31 GMT -5
Unsolved Mysteries: Questions without answers...
Q: From Monster a Go-Go and many Season 6 episodes, Tom, Crow, and Mike are humming this little song that goes... "Hum-diddy-he-he--who-a-who-a." What is this from? A few people have suggested it is from an old cartoon, perhaps "The Lorax"
Q: At the beginning of Catalina Caper in the museum, Jim Begg is looking at a painting and Crow says, "I'm bemused by this plucky painting" Also in Manos, Hellcats, and First Spaceship to Venus. Sometimes says "...bemused and charmed by..."
Q: In Manos, when the women are discussing if they should kill the girl. WIFE: "The man yes. The child no." SERVO: "Cheese maybe." What is servo reffering to when he says "cheese maybe."? I think it's a reference to a food commercial, but I'm not sure.
Q: In one of the Commando Cody shorts, a moon guy says, "It's time to report to the moon," to which Servo replies, "I think we've all reported to the moon at one point or another." What does he mean? Suggestions so far: A reference to using an outhouse, which often has a moon carved on the door. A reference to vomiting into the toilet after drinking a lot.
Q: What about "Punch it Hal, I wanna die with you!". They say it sometimes when there are two guys driving a car.
Q: In the Undersea Kingdom short Joel's line of "Uhhh, taxi! I say, taxi!" (said in an odd cartoony voice, as Crash is trying to get the attention of Unga Kahn's army) is one of my all-time favorite riffs and cracks me up every single time. But, I MUST know...is it a reference to something or just Joel being his goofy self?
Q: "I'm speaking to you from the fallopian tube!" Is it a specific reference or just something totally bonkers? Maybe a reference to the Woody Allen movie "Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex..."? There's a sketch where the sperm all have personalities and stuff. Q: In Gamera vs. Zigra, when they sing "I'm all alone with my dark star" There is a Grateful Dead song called "Dark Star". Possibly a reference to that. Need confirmation.
Q: In Hellcats, as Ross Hagen (Noooo!) and Linda get on the motorcycle for the first time and the camera zooms in on her clinging to him, Servo says "I'm Shelly! *giggles* Rub my belly!" Any significance to that?
Q: So what's the deal with "I'm weird and that results in creativity!"? I believe Joel said this in his stand-up act, but it may be referring to something older. - Blurryeye
Q: In the earlier episodes, Crow has a tendency to spot an animal on screen and yell out "kitty!" Cracks me up every time. Is that from something, or just a general reference to toddlers calling all animals "kitty"? Q: Where does "That's gotta hurt, no matter what your background is" come from? It's in more than one episode and it's always Joel who says it.
Q: In 101 - The Crawling Eye, whenever the Pilgrim sisters are introduced, Crow says, "They'll drink anything!" Were the pilgrims known for being drunks? Was there a pair of famously alcoholic sisters by the name of Pilgrim? In 306 - Time of the Apes Johnny says, "And this is my sister Caroline!" to which Joel adds, "She'll drink anything!" So maybe the key is sisters. Maybe it references the introduction of a female sibling in something. Possibly a reversal of the Mikey Life cereal ads, where it goes, "Give it to my brother Mikey. He'll eat anything!"
Q: "Godzilla Vs. Megalon".... "Did Somebody say 'monster'?" the voice this is said in leads me to think that this a reference to commercials..... I have a vague memory of that being a catch phrase in a cartoon show. + Sounds like something Shaggy or Scooby would say while in the back of the Mystery Mobile. (WildRebel, OscarCulpotter)
Q: It Lives By Night (aka Bat People): While Sergeant Ward is staking out the motel, Mike riffs "Attention bedwetters. Get up and go now." Is this in reference to something?
Q: Rocketship X-M: I love the invention, the BGC-one-nine. Anyone know what BGC stands for? Maybe a reference to the David Bowie lyrics "TVC one five" (Change B. Goode)
Q: In The Phantom Creeps chapter 1, Tom imitates someone at the sight of the character Mallory (Bela's character's former assistant). He says several lines, the first of which is, "Now, what goes on in here?" Anyone know who he's imitating?
Q: Another semi-recurring riff from Revenge of the Creature: When they see the tracks of the gill man in the sand, Servo riffs, "A moose! Let's follow him!" A similar riff has occurred before where they see tracks on the ground. And I think there was an unsolved riff that went, "He's riding a moose, and he has a weapon!" What is the deal with the moose track thing?
Q: When John Agar gets out of the water in one scene, with only his short shorts on, one of them says, "Oh, Daddy Long Legs" in a wistful tone. Huh?
Q: In early Season 8 eps, "Please, I said no pictures, please!" in a Brooklyn/Jersey/New York gansterish accent, when someone is snapping photos of something.
Q: In Village of the Giants, a young woman is dancing, and as her eyes look into the camera, Mike makes a riff like: "Hi, I'm the adult child of an alcoholic and I've got great, great eyes.' I assume it was eyes, could have been thighs, or something else. any idea what this is from?
Q: Crow often says, "You do it, I'm bitter!" Is that an inside joke or a reference?
Q: In Deadly Mantis when the old guy is in front of the claw, looked like he was in a boat. In the scene where he was telling what he thought it came from, one of them says in old mans voice "Maria died you know". What is this from?
Q: In Super Dragon, the bad guy asks Marisa Mell, "Have you ever taken a bath in electricity?" to which Crow (I believe) replies, "No, but I once saw a bear eating a donut." This is too random not to be a reference; any ideas? + Also in Giant Gila Monster: "No, but I once saw a bear drinkin' a soda."
Q: In King Dinosuar Tom says to Joel "You said bowling ball before..." What the heck was that suppose to mean??? A: I know in one episode theres a skull shown from the back the round cranium and the eye sockets make it look like bowling ball. One of them mention it, later Joel says "You said bowling ball earlier." + It's also in Time of the Apes (lstcaz + FredC)
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Post by callipygias on Jul 6, 2007 16:03:00 GMT -5
Greatly appreciated, Blurryeye.
Regarding the unsolved mystery from Revenge of the Creature, I don't believe "Edna, where are you?" in the crackly old-person voice was meant as dialogue for the dolphin, but for the old lady looking for her seat (and her friend, I guess) in the bleachers in the background. Which'd make this another (and the 1st, I think...) example of the Eyod thing. (There is a bleacher scene with an "Eyod" in Riding with Death, too, now that I think of it.)
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Post by Blurryeye on Jul 6, 2007 17:20:47 GMT -5
Oh, good catch. I never noticed the lady in the background. That's probably it. The viewer must have a sharp eye to catch the inspiration for some of their riffs.
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Post by Treadwell on Jul 6, 2007 23:53:26 GMT -5
Thanks for all the attributions, but this one isn't mine. I've never even seen Commando. Charlie's sister is named Sally, not Lucy. Thanks for the new compliation!
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Post by CBG on Jul 7, 2007 12:42:04 GMT -5
Unsolved Mysteries:Questions without answers... Q: Rocketship X-M: I love the invention, the BGC-one-nine. Anyone know what BGC stands for? I thought I remembered reading that it was the call letters of a local radio station. But I can't find any evidence of that. Doesn't this reference Bowie lyrics? TVC 15? Ohh Up every evening 'bout half eight or nine I give my complete attention to a very good friend of mine He's quadraphonic, he's a, he's got more channels So hologramic, oh my T V C one five I brought my baby home, she, she sat around forlon She saw my T V C one five, and then baby's gone, she She crawled right in, oh my She crawled right in my So hologramic, oh my T V C one five Oh, so demonic, oh my T V C one five Maybe if I pray every, each night I sit there pleading "Send back my dream test baby, she's my main feature" My T V C one five, he, he just stares back unblinking So hologramic, oh my T V C one five One of these nights I may just Jump down that rainbow way, be with my baby, then We'll spend some time together So hologramic, oh my T V C one five My baby's in there someplace, love's rating in the sky So hologramic, oh my T V C one five Transition Transmission Transition Transmission Oh my T V C one five, oh oh, T V C one five Oh my T V C one five, oh oh, T V C one five Oh my T V C one five, oh oh, T V C one five Oh my T V C one five, oh oh, T V C one five
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Post by MSTie500 on Jul 7, 2007 12:56:29 GMT -5
I think that's in the wrong place. That riff is never said in 805. If I'm not mistaken, I believe that belongs in Leech Woman.
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Post by CBG on Jul 7, 2007 13:16:31 GMT -5
You are not mistaken.
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Post by hugo on Jul 7, 2007 19:36:17 GMT -5
Why is the "bowling ball" riff still considered unsolved? There's a shot of a rock/skull that looks like a bowling ball (onscreen for only a split second) and Joel says "my bowling ball!" Since the shot is so brief, the robots assume it was a complete non-sequiter, and Crow later asks what it was all about. Not really much mystery there, is it?
With regard to the "attention bedwetters" line, this is probably a reference to a common bedwetting remedy which involves waking the person up in the middle of the night so they can "go."
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