To the crew of the Titanic:
Hearty congratulations on your launch. Well done.
We apologize in advance for putting this in your way:
But wishing you a Merry Christmas and an incrediburgible New Year!
Love,
Rifftrax
(/trash talk)
Trash talk.
December 23rd, 2007 by Bill Corbett · 118 Comments
Tags: RiffTrax
118 responses so far ↓
1 Bill Corbett on Dec 23, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Stay tuned!
Here’s more Christmas Magoo in the meantime:
[Reply to this]
Reply from Andrew on December 24, 2007:
FYI: The songs for Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol were provided by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill. They were also responsible for writing the musical Funny Girl.
Reply from Janet on December 26, 2007:
Did this win an Emmy?
2 Robyn on Dec 23, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Oh snap!
[Reply to this]
3 “Sticks” on Dec 23, 2007 at 7:53 pm
That’s a very ‘hippo in a diaper’ thing to do, Bill. Do you really want to lower yourself to that level?
[Reply to this]
Reply from Bill Corbett on December 23, 2007:
Lower myself? I used to wear Kabuki makeup and carry a brain in a dish around. On the TV!!!
There’s no hope for dignity after that.
Reply from Kei on December 23, 2007:
Idunno’, Bill. I think you’ve got more hope than, say, these people:
Well, maybe if you hopped around in a lavender sports-bra and spandex shorts. Which I’m assuming you’ve done.
So, then, yeah, no hope.
Reply from Kei on December 23, 2007:
(Might help if I actually put the URL in the post.)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MhUFCgHJ6r4
4 Queen Bee on Dec 23, 2007 at 8:03 pm
(builds a steel cage)
I still think three of you can take five of them. COME ON!
[Reply to this]
Reply from Onil on December 23, 2007:
Yes, but in the end, it’s the fans who will win.
The fans and the farmers.
5 Bill Corbett: “The Line Must Be Drawn HERE!” « deep ape on Dec 23, 2007 at 8:23 pm
[…] things are just too good to leave until the weekly round-up. Bill Corbett has thrown down the gauntlet. And you know what that means, right? Blogging gold. Gold. Yes, we bloggers pray for this sort of […]
6 Hugh on Dec 23, 2007 at 8:25 pm
You know, I was skeptical at first, but you might be on to something here, Bill…
FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!!
I won’t be satisfied until I get my Corbett vs. Beaulieu deathmatch. And Joel vs. Mike, and Kevin vs. Josh… Wow, it’s like this was made to be a pay-per-view cage match. I’m not sure where Mary Jo and Frank fit into this, but I’m sure we can find places for them. Think Bridget can handle them both?
[Reply to this]
7 Onil on Dec 23, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I was going to commend you on having a set of big brass balls but then I realized I was about to congratulate another dude about his set.
That was a close one.
I will, however, gladly nod in approval at your general direction.
[Reply to this]
Reply from wurwolf on December 24, 2007:
Oh come on, like you haven’t gladly nodded in approval at another dude’s set.
8 Kei on Dec 23, 2007 at 8:45 pm
With all this talk of cage matches, I can’t help but picture the eight of you guys on two separate couches, watching a large TV… inside a large steel pen. Y’know, dripping in perspiration, panting, just riffing your asses off.
I don’t see a lot of hand-to-hand combat. Maybe some popcorn-throwing and light name-calling.
I’m not sure how it’d end. I’m thinkin’ jello shots and lot of passing out.
I’d still pay to see it.
[Reply to this]
Reply from fanboy on December 23, 2007:
Rock and Roll Sir!
Of the whole riffing crowd, you’re my favorite Bill. Too cool for school!
Rave On!
9 WouldntYouLikeToKnow on Dec 23, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Screw you Bill. Your voice for Crow was annoying and you’re not funny and can’t act. Cinematic Titanic FTW!!
[Reply to this]
Reply from Hugh on December 23, 2007:
May I be the first to say “LOL”? Perhaps, even “ROFL”?
Reply from Robyn on December 23, 2007:
Joel, honey, you’re drunk. Step away from the computer!
Reply from Mr. Slick on December 23, 2007:
Geez pal take your meds before its too late
Reply from Bill Corbett on December 23, 2007:
“Screw you Bill. Your voice for Crow was annoying”
Granted. But how do you think I feel? I live with it all the time.
Reply from Drew "lunchpail" on December 24, 2007:
LoL, WouldntYouLikeToKnow then throws his tippy cup
at you Bill, and says this is his part of the monkey bars!
Reply from R.A. Roth on December 24, 2007:
Yes, I agree with everything you said. Spot on commentary. Incisive and blunt. Bill was indeed an atrocity on MST3K. I also hear Mike’s drinking problem was out of control, and Kevin’s porn addiction often hampered production since you need TWO hands to manipulate a puppet.
The show really went to the dogs after that good looking guy with glasses left. Oh, well. It’s all sewer water under the water reclamation district.
Sincerely,
T.B. (Mrs.)
10 Courtney on Dec 23, 2007 at 9:04 pm
When it comes down to it, you’re all equally ridiculously funny and talented geniuses and there’s no denying that. Which is why there’s only one way to settle it: dance-off.
[Reply to this]
Reply from Bill Corbett on December 23, 2007:
“Which is why there’s only one way to settle it: dance-off.”
Aww, you guessed where this was going.
Well, alls I can say is they better be prepared to Charleston:
Reply from Drew "lunchpail" on December 24, 2007:
A Riverdance off! Mike can break out the old tights and headband from 813 “Jack Frost”
Reply from john on December 24, 2007:
It’s a whole bunch of carltons from the prince of bel air
11 AmandaGal on Dec 23, 2007 at 9:07 pm
That was cold, Bill.
[/ridiculous puns]
[Reply to this]
12 Eddie Colton on Dec 23, 2007 at 9:18 pm
I laughed.
Just fer knowin’s sake, have you actually met Joel or Josh?
[Reply to this]
13 Tork_110 on Dec 23, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Cinematic Titanic, You Got Served!
[Reply to this]
Reply from wurwolf on December 24, 2007:
Oh yeah! You should totally POIN at them, T-Dog!!!
\\incandescent froggies
14 Mr. Slick on Dec 23, 2007 at 9:29 pm
All I know is I love the work you ALL ( well not Josh so much) put in on MST3K and I hope Titanic can live up to their work there like you guys have here.
[Reply to this]
15 el gaucho on Dec 23, 2007 at 9:55 pm
bring it on: fun it to pun it?
[Reply to this]
16 Bryan on Dec 23, 2007 at 10:07 pm
I’m waiting for one side to start riffing the other side’s riffs. Now, that’s entertainment.
[Reply to this]
Reply from robotrollcall on December 24, 2007:
beautiful! then one side could riff the riffs of the second riffers and so on and so on….
Reply from Mike Kelley on December 28, 2007:
Now *that’s* funny — riffing the riffs.
I’m just so happy we have all the crew doing this stuff that I’m sure at some point they all swore they’d never do again (anyone remember Sean saying “Never Say Never Again”?). But dueling riffs — wow, that would be really amazing.
So let’s see it, guys — both take on the same movie somehow and then comment on the others comments ad infinitim until all our heads explode!
17 Hugh on Dec 23, 2007 at 11:34 pm
When you’re a fan of all the people involved, there’s really no way to lose. Someone pass the popcorn, please.
[Reply to this]
18 The Mighty Drew on Dec 24, 2007 at 12:10 am
Bill, nothing against you and your Rifftrax crew, but I think Cinematic Titanic is going to own your asses. ;-D Of course, I’m looking forward to you guys proving me wrong.
But of course, there’s room for everyone to play. Lord knows I’m giving both of you my money.
[Reply to this]
19 Tim on Dec 24, 2007 at 3:10 am
As long as this new version of Titanic keeps up the tradition and ends with Leonardo DiCaprio hanging onto a large floating door before slipping into death’s icy grip, it’ll be ok with me.
[Reply to this]
20 Crow T Autobot on Dec 24, 2007 at 7:10 am
I’m hoping for a way that the players from both of these projects can cross over from time to time. Mary Jo was on the Glitter Rifftrax, so I’m hoping that we hear these guys together in different projects.
That, and I want to hear Bill/Trace, Mike/Joel and Kevin/Josh together at the same time. I’m a total fanboy like that.
Happy Life Day everyone!
[Reply to this]
21 CireDark on Dec 24, 2007 at 7:38 am
The Mighty Drew said: “…there’s room for everyone to play. Lord knows I’m giving both of you my money.”
and Crow T Autobot said: “I’m hoping for a way that the players from both of these projects can cross over from time to time.”
I say: This is the ideal scenario. I’m digging the Good Hearted High School Football rivalry vibe that’s getting tossed around, but there’s no need to actually compete with each other.
There are plenty of bad movies and the fans have plenty of money. It’s a win/win for all involved.
[Reply to this]
22 Robert Denby on Dec 24, 2007 at 8:57 am
There is but one way for this to end, Bill: Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women!
Or a drinking contest. Either one would work.
[Reply to this]
Reply from R.A. Roth on December 24, 2007:
Now there’s a movie worth riffing: Conan the Barbarian, but better yet, Conan the Destroyer. Grace Jones, Wilt Chamberlain, and absolutely no plot. What less could you ask for?
Randy
23 Jason on Dec 24, 2007 at 10:26 am
They named themselves Cinematic Titantic…and you put up an ice berg to get in their way! Oh man! If this is the kind of sly, hard-hitting humor that’s found in Rifftrax then I guess I’ve been missing out!
[Reply to this]
Reply from Bill Corbett on December 24, 2007:
Gosh. Quite bitter.
Reply from Isaac S. on December 24, 2007:
I swear, some sad MSTies want a little good-natured ribbing to turn into some sort of nasty war. It’s just not going to happen. Something tells me neither of these crews has it in them.
24 Fartbox Pro on Dec 24, 2007 at 10:33 am
This makes me wonder why they can’t cram all you jerks in a room and just start MST back up! I BLAME MALLON.
[Reply to this]
Reply from Hugh on December 24, 2007:
Can’t we all just unite in our dislike of Jim Mallon?
25 Nario on Dec 24, 2007 at 11:41 am
Gah I can’t choose my side! So I’m a nutural!
[Reply to this]
Reply from robotrollcall on December 24, 2007:
no need!!! we can enjoy them all! can’t we? or must there be strife. either way…
Reply from Vissy on December 24, 2007:
What makes a man turn neutral? Lust for gold? Power? Or were you just born with a heart full of neutrality?
Reply from Nario on December 24, 2007:
I am just going with both!
Reply from Bill P. on December 27, 2007:
Neutral like Switzerland? Or nutral like nuts?
Reply from Nario on December 28, 2007:
Switzerland!
26 ambitiously stupid on Dec 24, 2007 at 11:50 am
Very incrediburgible trash talk Bill! Best use of the word incrediburgible I’ve seen. Joel’s use was certainly not in the proper context.
[Reply to this]
27 R.A. Roth on Dec 24, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Actually I think they should have gone with Hollywood Hindenburg or Auteur Slaughter.
But that’s just me, Gemini with smart ass rising, hold the mayo.
Randy
[Reply to this]
28 Rufs T on Dec 24, 2007 at 2:26 pm
I like pie!
[Reply to this]
Reply from Bill Corbett on December 24, 2007:
As do I.
Let pie unite us all as we face 2008.
Reply from robotrollcall on December 24, 2007:
and i love YOU bill corbett!!! swak!
Reply from robotrollcall on December 24, 2007:
ok, i’m thinking that the whole “i LOVE you bill corbett” thing may have been coming on a little strong. so, if i could, i’d like to retract that (for now) and simply say that, i LIKE you Bill Corbett, i really, really like you.
Reply from Bill P. on December 31, 2007:
I thought Jackie Coogan could unite us all, like he towered above all the actors in The Space Children.
Then again…I like pie!
29 john on Dec 24, 2007 at 3:08 pm
as a great man once said, “can’t we all just get along”
[Reply to this]
30 john on Dec 24, 2007 at 3:10 pm
JFK said that, right?
[Reply to this]
31 Fartbox Pro on Dec 24, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Bill are you available to follow me around day to day mocking everything I do? What would something like that cost? Like a for-rent one man misery squad? My birthday’s coming up.
[Reply to this]
32 Thom_Serveaux on Dec 24, 2007 at 3:55 pm
With all due respect to Drew, Courtney, and John, I say, instead of a dance-off, there should be a swing-choir competition…
[Reply to this]
Reply from Bill P. on December 27, 2007:
Yes! Swing Choir! And Trace could be the judge! Oh, wait…
33 Hotbox F. Mellonhead on Dec 24, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Well, I say they all get into a room and beat Jim Mallon with much malice and forethought.
[Reply to this]
34 Michael Monahan on Dec 24, 2007 at 5:56 pm
And when may we expect all parties to get together for the Monsters of Riff Summer Tour?
[Reply to this]
35 +1+4|\|1|< 4 3\/4 on Dec 24, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Sorry, but you guys at rifftrax? anyone can make fun at bad movies. Hell, I do it with my friends all the time. We have a good time - and I guess that pretty much sums up what you do when you make a “rifftrax.” What I haven’t done is let myself believe I’d be offering any kind of service to anybody by giving people the opportunity to literally pay to listen to the sound of my own voice. Your collective ego must be unbearable.
As much as I love the jokes, they weren’t the real meat behind mst3k, at least not for me. What the show (and by that I mean the original show) did was radically alter my perception of the moviewatching experience. It changed observers into participants, and it forced them to their toes.
Rifftrax, in my mind, does the reverse. I bet most of the people who pay to listen to Bill crack jokes could easily come up with some of their own, and could be as funny, if not more so. But now they don’t have to, because there’s the quick fix. I can pay someone else to be funny for me.
It all stems from the simple-minded misunderstanding that the “point” (or the “product”) is in making fun at bad movies. I say there’s more to it than that. At least the Cinematic Titanic has a set.
[Reply to this]
Reply from The Mighty Drew on December 24, 2007:
Four sets, actually. Mary Jo brings the feminine angle.
Reply from Bill Corbett on December 24, 2007:
Mom, stop harrassing me.
Reply from James of LinHood on December 24, 2007:
Well, the difference between you riffing bad movies and the Rifftrax crew riffing bad movies is quite simple. The Rifftrax crew is actually funny when they do it.
Hell, if you’re so funny why don’t you record your riffs, open a website, and sell them? Let’s see who does better….
And as far as paying someone else to be funny for you goes, isn’t that what we do whenever we shell out money to go see a comedy? So, do you never watch comedies? Your reasoning baffles me.
It’s funny how you call people with different view points on Rifftrax/MST3K simple-minded and at the same time accuse the Rifftrax crew of being egotistical. It seems to me that anyone who refers to anyone else as simple-minded has quite the ego. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Reply from Nanner on December 24, 2007:
“What I haven’t done is let myself believe I’d be offering any kind of service to anybody by giving people the opportunity to literally pay to listen to the sound of my own voice.”
Good, because I’m looking over your resume, Jason, and I just don’t see your career going in the direction of commercial movie riffing. Perhaps we could find you something in warehouse.
Reply from torgosPizza on December 25, 2007:
Well, you can put your money where your mouth is! Write a RiffTrax for Batman and Robin! More details available at riffrafftheater.com.
Now, make with the funny, joke-monkey!
Reply from Bryan on December 26, 2007:
Hey, don’t ruin it for those of us who aren’t funny. I like to listen to rifftrax with headphones and pretend I’m making up the funny lines in my head.
36 Josh on Dec 24, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you:
http://www.mst3kinfo.com/?p=240#comments
A bunch of people taking shit way too seriously. Enjoy.
[Reply to this]
Reply from Courtney on December 24, 2007:
Ah jeez. Bill, if you feel even the slightest bit compelled to explain yourself for this completely innocuous and obviously good-natured ribbing post, the terrorists have won.
Is anyone else picturing the Jets vs. the Sharks here? And I do mean West Side Story, not the latest Bring It On movie.
Reply from Bill P. on December 24, 2007:
Not the Jets and Sharks, more like the Cards and the Cubs.
Reply from Tim on December 25, 2007:
Or, even more accurately, the Cards and some people who used to play for the Cards.
37 Natureboy on Dec 25, 2007 at 7:26 am
It is really funny how one little photo from Bill can really bring out the trolls.
Here is a little troll starter kit for those of you who want to get in on the action too:
Joel is better than Mike because……
Mike is better than Joel because…..
Trace is better than Bill because…..
Bill is better than Trace because……
An earthworm is more entertaining than Frank because (well, actually, this one is true.)
Now repeat these over and over on any MST3K or related message board until you get the desired response. See how easy that was….?
[Reply to this]
Reply from smallerdemon on January 26, 2008:
*heh* Thank you. You hit the nail on the head succinctly.
38 KD on Dec 25, 2007 at 10:10 am
Far be it from me to tell you guys what’s funny.
A lot of real people lost their lives on that ship.
Oh, well - some folks believe any topic is fair game in comedy.
What’s next- Holocaust jokes?
[Reply to this]
Reply from BathTub on December 25, 2007:
Indeed, some people even name their own show after it!
Reply from Aaron on December 25, 2007:
I bet people hate having to talk to you at parties
Reply from BEERxTaco on December 26, 2007:
I agree with Aaron. The Titanic is a metaphor. If you don’t believe me, here is proof:
http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Largest-Metaphor.jpg
Reply from Steve-O on December 27, 2007:
I agree. 95 years is simply [i]too soon![/i]
If they start making light of the St. Francis Dam disaster, I will take my business elsewhere.
Reply from KD on December 28, 2007:
Hey! I’m fine at parties! The topic of multiple drownings doesn’t come up all that often, so I’m good.
Reply from Mike Kelley on December 28, 2007:
“What’s next- Holocaust jokes?”
I agree — next thing you know someone will be making some sort of movie about making a funny musical about Hitler. Who knows, they could even make a real Broadway musical about that, and then someone could come along and make *another* movie about that and… geeze, it will never end.
Personally I much prefer to joke about grandma getting killed by reindeer, at least this time of year.
Reply from KD on December 28, 2007:
Must have been the “Director’s Cut” of the Producers that had the jokes about the concentration camps, ovens and all…Yeah, sure, that’s why I missed it!
Reply from Mike Kelley on December 29, 2007:
Actually, MAD Magazine did indeed do a concentration camp spoof (was a spoof of “Hogan’s Heroes”). Since a high proportion of them are indeed Jewish I guess they are just darn insensitive Hebrew types.
In point of fact, Jews are among the most tolerant of folk when it comes to jokes about death (”Ah, somebody died. Well, that’s life!”)
Reply from Bill P. on January 2, 2008:
Did you know that most of the people who worked on Hogan’s Heroes were Jewish? LeBeau, Klink, Schultz, Burkhalter, Hochstetter? (Not them, but the actors who played them. Got to clarify that.) I guess Jews can make fun of people persecuting them, but no one else can?
39 Droppo on Dec 25, 2007 at 10:53 am
Bill, to quote Sir Sean Connery: “You’re the man now, dawg!” I, for one, greatly enjoyed the joke. And I apologize that you’ve had to deal with some Comic Book Guy-esque responses.
Such is the price of being involved with one of the most brilliant shows of all time….
[Reply to this]
Reply from Natureboy on December 25, 2007:
It is kind of fun to read some of these responses to the photo. It is always funny to see a bunch of 40 year old, fat, balding guys typing away in their grandmother’s basements whining about who is funny and who is not. It was just a joke people, nothing to wet your Huggies about.
40 countv on Dec 25, 2007 at 3:31 pm
I despise all of you guys equally and hope both your competing endeavours either sink digitally like Red’s Store in Roadhouse or go up in an 80’s style flaming explosion like the Titanic.
But mostly death to your projects. DEATH!
[Reply to this]
Reply from Natureboy on December 25, 2007:
Wow, that was funny….and mature…..you must be so proud to think of that all by yourself after you finished you first successful trip to your Fisher Price “My First Potty”
Reply from countv on December 26, 2007:
You… you are not as smart as you think you are Mr. Ric Flair. Why not read my hilarious blog reply message again. Then again, then once more for safety. Too many “Wooo!”’s making you light headed?
Sink like Red’s Store. Explode like the Titanic.
But my point remains. Mostly DEATH!
41 Natureboy (Ken) on Dec 26, 2007 at 10:57 am
I re-read your post and it is just as droll and boring as the first time, but what can I expect from a young boy who can’t resist sticking his little wee-wee in a light socket before posting. Now, be a good little boy and go back to sniffing mommies panties and stop posting, adults are talking here.
[Reply to this]
Reply from countv on December 27, 2007:
Not to get drawn into a silly web arguement, outwith my righteous “Mostly DEATH!” stance, but “droll” means “dryly humourous”. Making your reponse kind of obtuse.
And while I’m here, you really should avoid using comments about how old or young people are as a way to comeback at people. Adults aren’t smitten by acid tongue of poopie jokes nor the rapier wit of patronising condescension, and poopie jokes.
Ah, it reminds me of AOL chat servers in the mid to late 90’s. Thems were the days.
Just so I know, why exactly are you upset about this good natured ribbing Mr Corbett began? The only serious commenting I’ve read here so far has been from you. You’d think mst3k fans would recognise this. No?
Love you, by the way.
42 Shakasulu on Dec 26, 2007 at 7:21 pm
People, people.
This a supposed to be a peaceful time of year. A time where we put aside our differences and remember what’s really important.
Hating Jim Mallon.
Face it, both sides would want it that way.
Honestly, I’ve ordered the first CT disk, half ordered almost all of the Rifftrax that have been released and have all the Film Crew releases. We’ve got a lot to be thankful for.
[Reply to this]
43 Adamkun on Dec 27, 2007 at 12:45 am
The only way to solve this is with a Riff Off! Or barring that, a limbo content.
[Reply to this]
44 Agent from HARM on Dec 27, 2007 at 11:51 am
Bill! I am outraged! Global Warming is a situation NOT to be taken lightly!
What has science done for us?!
[Reply to this]
Reply from Bill P. on January 2, 2008:
Vice President Gore? Is that you?
45 VapoRub on Dec 27, 2007 at 12:11 pm
As much as I love the old MST3K days, this TITANIC project simply costs too much. A burned DVD in a sleeve for $15? Come on. I would consider paying $10-$12 for a pressed DVD in a substantial case with extras. I buy every PIXAR movie for about that much. I won’t be buying this project at this price.
I predict piracy will damage sales to the point at which Joel and company will throw in the towel early. There won’t even be 12 episodes of CINEMATIC TITANIC completed. A lower price would have been so much more realistic. If they sold 10,000 copies at $8, each writer/performer might clear a couple thousand an episode.
That’s not great show-biz money, but aside from Joel it’s probably more than the other people involved have been making lately.
At least with RIFFTRAX, the price is better, even though the lack of convenience kills the product.
[Reply to this]
Reply from Mike Kelley on December 28, 2007:
The burned DVD is a bit common — kind of like me trying to sell my own movies — but I don’t disagree with the price point.
I bought all the Film Crew (4) stuff even though I thought they were also overpriced (and I could rent them on Netflix and watch certainly as much as I needed to). I did it to support the guys because I want to see this stuff continue — free TV or cable would be better, but if it takes $20 a month for me to get a two hour funny it’s a blessing.
(Now, I *don’t* do Rifftrax because I think they are completely missing the boat on the movies they riff — I want my riffs on old, crummy movies, not new, crummy movies).
Reply from Cornjob on December 29, 2007:
Man Vaporub you are a cheapskate. First off, who cares if the DVD is burned or pressed? It doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to figure out why it is more economically feasible for them to distribute it this way. Secondly DVD cases cost like $1 each. Buy a damn case and then make your own cover for it if it’s that important to you (or just download one of the fan made covers that will inevitable spring up online and use that). Thirdly they plan on eventually selling them as downloads as well, which will most likely be less expensive.
It’s pretty pathetic if the lack of a plastic case, and an extra seven dollars prevents you from supporting something as potentially awesome as Cinematic Titanic. If it lives up to it’s potential, and is even half as funny as the great teaser they put up then $15 will be the best bargain in the world. Your prediction will only be correct if their are enough cheapskates out there who care more about having an extra seven dollars in their pocket than in seeing something like Cinematic Titanic happen.
Also you could use your reasoning to ask why Rifftrax don’t cost a lot less. I mean there is no licensing cost for the films, the tracks are only audio recordings, and therefore the production costs are probably a tiny fraction of what CT’s full on greenscreen/soundstage production most likely costs, and the only cost in bringing you the downloadable Rifftrax files is in maintaining the website and servers. For what a single Rifftrax costs the profit margin is most likely far above that of CT.
46 Kenny8 on Dec 27, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Have to agree with Vaporub.
If Rifftrax can produce more VOD titles like Missile To The Moon in that price range, and not to mention more Film Crew DVD’s, then CT will be pushing the Titanic uphill.
Perhaps Rifftrax should take a sabbatical and go and write jokes for Funniest Home Videos for a while, then return triumphant and ready to regain the riffing crown online after that venture fails to satisfy
[Reply to this]
47 Trajhver on Dec 28, 2007 at 1:02 am
i applaud your clever advertising tactics.. rousing up some competition between rifftrax and C.T. will bring more publicity and sales to each, of course, i’m sure you already know that..
[Reply to this]
48 Neb on Dec 28, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Wow. A lot of crabby comments in here! A lot of telling industry professionals how to do their jobs. Nothing wrong with having opinions or offering suggestions, but there are better ways to give constructive criticism.
Of course, if being constructive isn’t the point, then troll away, by all means. Also: why the bile for Jim Mallon? That’s bizarre.
I like good comedy. I like to laugh. Most modern films are not worth my time without somebody to “riff” on them. I riff right along. It’s not required that we check our brains at the door and sit quietly, letting the pros do all the commentary…but they are lots funnier than me. Plus, they’ve actually written and edited their comments, while mine are off the cuff.
I love it all.
[Reply to this]
49 Rifftrax sucks on Dec 29, 2007 at 9:03 am
Rifftrax is an MST3k wannabe at the very best and a complete turd at it’s average. Unfunny, uncompelling, and nearly unwatchable.
[Reply to this]
Reply from Bill Corbett on December 29, 2007:
You are 100% correct, of course. And it’s certainly not as witty or original as naming oneself “Rifftrax sucks.” That’s trail-blazing stuff, friend.
Reply from Drewsolo "lunchpail" on December 30, 2007:
Anything that is not MST3k would really not be MST3k. so you could call anything wannabe.
The real MISTIEs are praising the Gods that be
that there are great projects from all the important people that made MST3k. And for the people that think 15$ is too much, you are cheapskates, you are paying for all the production values, etc.
50 MST3Koexistence « deep ape on Dec 29, 2007 at 11:18 am
[…] oh. Looks like news of the trash talking is starting to get […]
51 Cornjob on Dec 30, 2007 at 12:14 am
When can we see some new Film Crew? I don’t want to watch abortions like Armageddon, Road House, or Transformers in any form, and I like a lot of the other movies that you’ve done, so I haven’t gotten into Rifftrax as much. But I loved Film Crew. Bought all four of them. When can we see more like that?
Also Bill, I’m sorry but Cinematic Titanic is the wet dream of anyone like me who has been a MST3K fan since nearly the beginning (started watching it with the first episode of the second season) so I think your iceberg will look quite dainty to a lot of us. As much as I love you guys and what you do I am going absolutely mad with anticipation waiting for my already ordered CT DVD to arrive in the mail. But with you lot, and them lot all doing your thangs it’s better now for us MTSies than it has been in years, so as that guy in that Guitar Hero song that played at the end of The Sopranos says “don’t stop believing”.
[Reply to this]
Reply from smallerdemon on January 26, 2008:
I am curious if CT lived up to your expectations. I was sadly disappointed with it myself but I will certainly give it a few more chances. Only half of the CT crew were actually ever riffers on MST3K after all (Josh, Trace and Joel), and Josh for only one season. I expect their timing to get better. Kevin, Bill and Mike, though, were settled into riffing quite well with the entire run of SciFi Channel seasons and were closer to the actual actions of what movie riffing is all about between MST3K and FC/RT.
Although I maintain the the best actually MST3K seasons were 6 and 7, I am happier with the post Comedy Central era than the pre Comedy Central era (when they were on Comedy Channel during season 1). That’s entirely unfair, of course, since the post-CCentral era had everyone (except Bill, of course) in the groove of MST3K and they had a cache of available scifi flicks from the SciFi Channel’s library.
I admit I miss MST3K proper quite a bit, but The Film Crew sated my thirst for riffing and skits a LOT.
52 Bill Corbett on Dec 30, 2007 at 11:18 am
Hi Cornjob,
I tried to address what’s up with the Film Crew during my recent Q & A here, since people were asking. Short story: it’s in limbo. Here’s a link to my exegesis. Hope it’s coherent:
http://blog.rifftrax.com/2007/12/20/talk-to-me-people/#comment-936
” But with you lot, and them lot all doing your thangs it’s better now for us MTSies than it has been in years”
Glad to hear it. Hopefully there will plenty of fun to go around, for all tastes.
Gracias.
[Reply to this]
Reply from Cornjob on December 30, 2007:
Thanks for the info. on the state of Film Crew, even if I really wished you could have said “More on the way in 2008!”. I had no idea it was a project such a long time coming, and with such a complicated past. I never noticed the “Honcho” edits before. I always liked that name myself.
Heres to hoping for more Film Crew, or similar projects in the future. And I think I might have to pick up a few more Rifftrax. Maybe I wouldn’t mind having films I actually respect being riffed on as much as I think I would.
53 VapoRub on Jan 18, 2008 at 8:36 am
DVD menu for your downloaded copy of OOZING SKULL (now at Mininova):
http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/8851/cinematictitanicdvdmenuxy2.jpg
[Reply to this]
54 smallerdemon on Jan 26, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Well, I just finished up watching The Oozing Skull, and…
It made me sad. Their timing simply isn’t there yet. It felt a little too stilted for it’s own good, and the visual gags fell pretty flat for me.
After having watched all of the available Film Crew episodes (when do we get more?!) and having seen the RiffTrax crew live twice, I simply must give the high points to FC/RT for better timing and better writing. Admittedly, CT is in its initial outing so it may get better, but The Oozing Skull is sadly a big “meh” for now. I didn’t laugh out loud a single time, and when the film was over I just felt sad.
I thought about what might be the big difference, and the main thing I came up with is that Kevin and Mike both have musical backgrounds, which may mean that they have a better feel for timing in general. I am not aware of Bill’s background (sorry Bill) so he may simply be good at improv timing. FC/RT simply has the timing down better at the moment for my own sense of humor. FC/RT references to pop culture are also a little more to my taste as well. CT had MANY references that I just didn’t get.
I will certainly be giving CT a few more tries, but for now I’m sure FC/RT will be getting more play in my house than CT. (Of course, MST3K overall gets the most play. After Plan 9 I was inspired to finally transfer my VHS of The Violent Years over to DVD for my viewing pleasure. “Men flock to crime scene!”)
[Reply to this]
Leave a Comment