Rowsdower saves us and saves all the world!
November 10, 2015 12:34 PM Subscribe
An anthem for a hero for our age. An anthem... for Rowsdower.
Also from the same guy, songs for The Pumaman and Mitchell, and Idiot Control Now.
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world! (oh baby)
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world!
He drives around in a beat-up pickup truck,
A lonely drifter, very much out of luck.
Doesn't really stick around, very much here,
But he does wonder if on the sun there's beer.
Well one day in his cab he found a teenage boy,
Really dorky looking, and he said his name was Troy.
Escaping from a cult, seven years ago killed his dad,
Kinda looked like Larry Csonka slightly just a tad.
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world! (oh baby)
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world!
Well Troy had to find Ziox on the map,
But Sartoris wanted to rule and find where it's at.
Sending hooded men who looked very S&M like,
But Troy outran their cars with his 10-speed bike.
They made it to a cabin, met a guy named Piper,
Talked like Yosemite Sam, and really hates that rabbit.
They found Sartoris and Troy shot him in the butt,
He burst into flames, Troy and Rowsdower saved the day!
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world! (oh baby)
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world!
"What's your name laddy?"
"Troy McGregor!"
"I'm Rowsdower... Zapp Rowsdower!"
(some random commenter) "Well my name is Bill Stinkwater!"
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world! (oh yeah! ohbaby)
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world! (you think there's beer on the sun?)
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world! (he shot a guy in the butt)
Rowsdower saves us, (what the hell?) and saves all (shot right in the butt) the world!
Also from the same guy, songs for The Pumaman and Mitchell, and Idiot Control Now.
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world! (oh baby)
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world!
He drives around in a beat-up pickup truck,
A lonely drifter, very much out of luck.
Doesn't really stick around, very much here,
But he does wonder if on the sun there's beer.
Well one day in his cab he found a teenage boy,
Really dorky looking, and he said his name was Troy.
Escaping from a cult, seven years ago killed his dad,
Kinda looked like Larry Csonka slightly just a tad.
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world! (oh baby)
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world!
Well Troy had to find Ziox on the map,
But Sartoris wanted to rule and find where it's at.
Sending hooded men who looked very S&M like,
But Troy outran their cars with his 10-speed bike.
They made it to a cabin, met a guy named Piper,
Talked like Yosemite Sam, and really hates that rabbit.
They found Sartoris and Troy shot him in the butt,
He burst into flames, Troy and Rowsdower saved the day!
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world! (oh baby)
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world!
"What's your name laddy?"
"Troy McGregor!"
"I'm Rowsdower... Zapp Rowsdower!"
(some random commenter) "Well my name is Bill Stinkwater!"
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world! (oh yeah! ohbaby)
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world! (you think there's beer on the sun?)
Rowsdower saves us, and saves all the world! (he shot a guy in the butt)
Rowsdower saves us, (what the hell?) and saves all (shot right in the butt) the world!
This seems like the right place to drop this: Bring Back MST3K
posted by hobgadling at 12:39 PM on November 10, 2015 [16 favorites]
posted by hobgadling at 12:39 PM on November 10, 2015 [16 favorites]
Finally, a song beautiful enough to walk down the aisle to.
(with Larry Csonka)
posted by robocop is bleeding at 12:49 PM on November 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
(with Larry Csonka)
posted by robocop is bleeding at 12:49 PM on November 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
wait the kid who played Troy was in HANNA? Wow.
posted by The Whelk at 12:50 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 12:50 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
It stinks.
posted by vrakatar at 12:51 PM on November 10, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by vrakatar at 12:51 PM on November 10, 2015 [12 favorites]
👌
posted by hobgadling at 12:53 PM on November 10, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by hobgadling at 12:53 PM on November 10, 2015 [12 favorites]
What? Nothing for Blast Hardcheese? (not OUR Blast Hardcheese, the one in "Space Mutiny") Great satire fodder.
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:03 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:03 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I can still recite that entire TUSK montage in Werewolf (wharwilf)
posted by The Whelk at 1:06 PM on November 10, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 1:06 PM on November 10, 2015 [7 favorites]
Thar wolf!
posted by Rock Steady at 1:14 PM on November 10, 2015
posted by Rock Steady at 1:14 PM on November 10, 2015
Interesting about the kickstarter. I thought Jim Mallon was holding onto the MST3K IP for dear life.
Rifftrax has also started selling MST3K episodes directly from their site as well.
posted by dr_dank at 1:15 PM on November 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Rifftrax has also started selling MST3K episodes directly from their site as well.
posted by dr_dank at 1:15 PM on November 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Man, I really miss MST3K. I watch an episode or two each month and it keeps me sane.
posted by glaucon at 1:16 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by glaucon at 1:16 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
In MST3K Club, we watch between four and five a month, and it's made us all CRAZY.
posted by JHarris at 1:18 PM on November 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by JHarris at 1:18 PM on November 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Troy from Final Sacrifice, then and now
posted by The Whelk at 1:19 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 1:19 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I was excited about the new MST3K announcement until I saw that it's a new host, new bots (performers) and new mads. I'm wary of just premise and sets...
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 1:27 PM on November 10, 2015
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 1:27 PM on November 10, 2015
He learned, almost too late, that man is a feeling creature...
posted by SansPoint at 1:29 PM on November 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by SansPoint at 1:29 PM on November 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Josh Way is still doing Fun With Shorts and I think he's got the tone and voice of the old MSt3k episodes.
posted by The Whelk at 1:29 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 1:29 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I was excited about the new MST3K announcement until I saw that it's a new host, new bots (performers) and new mads. I'm wary of just premise and sets...
Well the old guys are getting up there in years and have their own lives (which was what sunk Cinematic Titanic, I think).
Back in the original show's run, I remember being really wary when the host changed, and then everything changed in the Sci-Fi Channel era. And truthfully I think the switch to time and space shenanigans (a result of Sci-Fi Channel meddling) weakened the core premise a bit, and was ultimately a bad idea for the show itself. But without it we wouldn't have gotten Professor Bobo and Brain Guy, which is one of the most mismatched and hilarious double acts of all time I think.
posted by JHarris at 1:37 PM on November 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
Well the old guys are getting up there in years and have their own lives (which was what sunk Cinematic Titanic, I think).
Back in the original show's run, I remember being really wary when the host changed, and then everything changed in the Sci-Fi Channel era. And truthfully I think the switch to time and space shenanigans (a result of Sci-Fi Channel meddling) weakened the core premise a bit, and was ultimately a bad idea for the show itself. But without it we wouldn't have gotten Professor Bobo and Brain Guy, which is one of the most mismatched and hilarious double acts of all time I think.
posted by JHarris at 1:37 PM on November 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
I'm...cautiously optimistic about the reboot.
posted by Chrysostom at 1:50 PM on November 10, 2015
posted by Chrysostom at 1:50 PM on November 10, 2015
I got all excited when I heard about the MST3k Kickstarter, but then I read the fine print, and saw that it's pretty much a reboot, and what I really want is to get the band back together and do a continuation.
Big difference in my nostalgia addled brain.
I wish them the best, but I'll just go back to my darkened room and watch the old episodes and yell at clouds during commercial breaks.
(so sorry if this derails)
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 1:53 PM on November 10, 2015
Big difference in my nostalgia addled brain.
I wish them the best, but I'll just go back to my darkened room and watch the old episodes and yell at clouds during commercial breaks.
(so sorry if this derails)
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 1:53 PM on November 10, 2015
I was in college when the Joel -> Mike switch hit, and a public relations team went on a circuit of universities that we dubbed the Please Don't Hurt Us Tour. Special showings of Mitchell, posters, paraphrenalia, and an endless array of assurances that No, No, No We're Not Going To Screw It All Up.
And they didn't. I was perfectly fine with the Mike years. And, in fact, I still am and they're even broadcasting it live to real theaters at intervals.
If Joel can reinvent the magic, good for him. I have my doubts, but I'm glad he's trying yet again.
posted by delfin at 1:53 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
And they didn't. I was perfectly fine with the Mike years. And, in fact, I still am and they're even broadcasting it live to real theaters at intervals.
If Joel can reinvent the magic, good for him. I have my doubts, but I'm glad he's trying yet again.
posted by delfin at 1:53 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
JHarris: “And truthfully I think the switch to time and space shenanigans weakened the core premise a bit, and was ultimately a bad idea for the show itself.”“A worm what? A what hole?”
posted by ob1quixote at 2:01 PM on November 10, 2015
I spent some energy earlier this fall trying to get my three-year old to name his new stuffed toy cat "Zap RowsMeower." Alas, he decided to go with the name Super Wonder Kitty instead. I've signed him up for the Gizmonic Institute re-education experiement.
posted by Staggering Jack at 2:22 PM on November 10, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by Staggering Jack at 2:22 PM on November 10, 2015 [7 favorites]
Now/ they're going/ to boff in the air
posted by angrycat at 2:22 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 2:22 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Ugh, even his name says "is that a beer?"
posted by Think_Long at 2:24 PM on November 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by Think_Long at 2:24 PM on November 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
This seems like the right place to drop this: Bring Back MST3K
I already saw this and pledged hours ago. WHY DON'T THEY LOOK?
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:39 PM on November 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
I already saw this and pledged hours ago. WHY DON'T THEY LOOK?
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:39 PM on November 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
I was excited about the new MST3K announcement until I saw that it's a new host, new bots (performers) and new mads.
When they had to replace the "Gamera" disc they lost the rights to, they filmed a new segment for the replacement DVD as the old characters and... yeah, let's not do that again.
I'm not sure they can pull this off, but it would be nice if the new cast were also all from the midwest. That culture really seemed to shape the show's humor and carrying that thread into the new show would be nice.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 2:50 PM on November 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
When they had to replace the "Gamera" disc they lost the rights to, they filmed a new segment for the replacement DVD as the old characters and... yeah, let's not do that again.
I'm not sure they can pull this off, but it would be nice if the new cast were also all from the midwest. That culture really seemed to shape the show's humor and carrying that thread into the new show would be nice.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 2:50 PM on November 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
So, Rowsdower, is that a... stupid name?
posted by dephlogisticated at 2:51 PM on November 10, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by dephlogisticated at 2:51 PM on November 10, 2015 [11 favorites]
Puma Man already had a perfectly good soundtrack...
pu-ma man! he flys like a mo-ron!
posted by lkc at 3:11 PM on November 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
pu-ma man! he flys like a mo-ron!
posted by lkc at 3:11 PM on November 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
What? Nothing for Blast Hardcheese? (not OUR Blast Hardcheese, the one in "Space Mutiny" yt ) Great satire fodder.
This will be of interest to you, oneswellfoop.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 3:15 PM on November 10, 2015
This will be of interest to you, oneswellfoop.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 3:15 PM on November 10, 2015
Pumas aren't especially known for their flying ability
posted by angrycat at 3:29 PM on November 10, 2015
posted by angrycat at 3:29 PM on November 10, 2015
Somebody needs to combine footage of Trump along with the Pod People music. "Trumpy, you can do magic!"
Trace and Frank are in Colorado mocking a movie soonish., hopefully not while trapped in a mirror universe like Last of the Wild Horses.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 3:58 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Trace and Frank are in Colorado mocking a movie soonish., hopefully not while trapped in a mirror universe like Last of the Wild Horses.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 3:58 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
JET JAGUAR? JET JAGUAR!
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 4:03 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 4:03 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Keep sharing the tapes and bring back MST3k (also linked above.)
I also am in love with this song and I still really want a Zap Rowsdower shirt and a Castleton shirt.
Also, from The Final Sacrifice, we routinely shout "FEWWD" when there is food around. It's my hubby's favorite MST.
posted by Crystalinne at 4:34 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I also am in love with this song and I still really want a Zap Rowsdower shirt and a Castleton shirt.
Also, from The Final Sacrifice, we routinely shout "FEWWD" when there is food around. It's my hubby's favorite MST.
posted by Crystalinne at 4:34 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I was excited about the new MST3K announcement until I saw that it's a new host, new bots (performers) and new mads.
See, that makes me more excited. I watched some Cinematic Titanic. It was... not great.
The human riffer in the video is Jonah Ray of the Nerdist podcast, an MST3K superfan, and someone I've long suspected would be involved in this if Joel succeeded in bringing back the show. If he's the host, he'd be a good choice.
And now I have to reread the page because I missed a bunch the first time around...
posted by frogstar42 at 7:25 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
See, that makes me more excited. I watched some Cinematic Titanic. It was... not great.
The human riffer in the video is Jonah Ray of the Nerdist podcast, an MST3K superfan, and someone I've long suspected would be involved in this if Joel succeeded in bringing back the show. If he's the host, he'd be a good choice.
And now I have to reread the page because I missed a bunch the first time around...
posted by frogstar42 at 7:25 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
I am genuinely unsure about letting my 12-year-old see this...because if I do I will be hearing it FOREVER. This is the kid that labeled his 7th grade folder in google drive "7 Years Later" and who regularly replies "FEWWD!" when asked what he wants to eat.
also he wanted the Puma Man song for his cell phone ringtone
posted by Janta at 8:40 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
also he wanted the Puma Man song for his cell phone ringtone
posted by Janta at 8:40 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I thought CT started out a little rough, but got pretty good after a few episodes.
Never really got behind RT.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:52 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Never really got behind RT.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:52 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
In MST3K Club, we watch between four and five a month, and it's made us all CRAZY.
It's true. I used to be an upstanding citizen with a wife, three kids, a dog and a cat. Now I live on a spaceship and dress like this.
posted by valkane at 3:04 AM on November 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
It's true. I used to be an upstanding citizen with a wife, three kids, a dog and a cat. Now I live on a spaceship and dress like this.
posted by valkane at 3:04 AM on November 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
The official word so far from the Twitter accounts of the old MST alums is that Josh, Bill, Mike, and Trace are "not involved." Unless I missed it, the others haven't posted anything.
Whether "not involved" precludes special guest appearances or not, we can only speculate.
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 3:13 AM on November 11, 2015
Whether "not involved" precludes special guest appearances or not, we can only speculate.
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 3:13 AM on November 11, 2015
Well, reading between the lines, either Joel bought the rights, or partnered with Shout Factory to buy the rights, right? I'm hoping it's Joel who owns them, because that would be karmically correct (In My Mind).
posted by valkane at 4:15 AM on November 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by valkane at 4:15 AM on November 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
AlonzoMosleyFBI: That was a Godzilla disc. That has been your Correction of a Thing You Got Wrong on the Internet (TM).
posted by BiggerJ at 4:20 AM on November 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by BiggerJ at 4:20 AM on November 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
Concerning the rights thing, Jim Mallon did a close-out sale on his MST3K online store. I think he's finally decided to let go of old grudges, robbing us of the ability to experience a cold-dead-hands scenario and an excuse to dance on his grave while singing really mean lyrics to the tune of the Sandy Frank song.
posted by BiggerJ at 4:23 AM on November 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by BiggerJ at 4:23 AM on November 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
The human riffer in the video is Jonah Ray of the Nerdist podcast, an MST3K superfan, and someone I've long suspected would be involved in this if Joel succeeded in bringing back the show.
Just as long as fucking Matt Mira isn't involved. What's the deal with that guy's career: does he always show up on time and have a pen or something?
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 4:28 AM on November 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Just as long as fucking Matt Mira isn't involved. What's the deal with that guy's career: does he always show up on time and have a pen or something?
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 4:28 AM on November 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Joel Hodgson is bringing back Mystery Science Theater 3000 - AVClub
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is returning - EW
posted by valkane at 4:58 AM on November 11, 2015
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is returning - EW
posted by valkane at 4:58 AM on November 11, 2015
Speaking of Mitchell, I believe that is now available up on RiffTrax.
NO YOU BUZZ OFF
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 11:08 AM on November 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
NO YOU BUZZ OFF
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 11:08 AM on November 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Well, reading between the lines, either Joel bought the rights, or partnered with Shout Factory to buy the rights, right?
Looks like Shout Factory bought the rights from Mallon's Best Brains for an 'undisclosed sum.' I'm so curious about the sale price now - was Mallon a jerk about it until the bitter end?
posted by dialetheia at 12:27 PM on November 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
Looks like Shout Factory bought the rights from Mallon's Best Brains for an 'undisclosed sum.' I'm so curious about the sale price now - was Mallon a jerk about it until the bitter end?
posted by dialetheia at 12:27 PM on November 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
Obviously there's a lot we'll never know about the internal dynamics of BBI. But I know Jim lost a child and subsequently became a therapist. Maybe he just felt ready to say goodbye to MST3K.
posted by Chrysostom at 12:38 PM on November 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 12:38 PM on November 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
I didn't know he lost a child, how saddening, but I did know he had gotten into some other line of work. I thought it had to do with executive coaching, but I'm not sure where I heard that and I could easily be wrong.
I think the story of Jim Mallon over the years will ultimately be a tragic one. He doesn't generally make appearances; I'm only aware of him appearing one one podcast and that MST reunion event that happened some time back.
He was often the director of the show in the early years, and I think (am by no means certain) a lot of the early seasons' charming weirdness, especially concerning computer and technical detail, came from him.
While it is true that the other performing cast should be getting more from the show's success than they are, I think he's also demonized unfairly. I think part of fan perception comes from that weird attempt to make Flash cartoons with the bot characters some years back, with none of the original cast except himself and Paul Chaplin. Huh, Paul Chaplin. He really should be seen around more, why don't we hear more about Paul?
Hey, why hasn't anyone written a book about the history and inner workings of the show? All the principals are still alive, now is the time to do it!
posted by JHarris at 1:26 PM on November 11, 2015 [5 favorites]
I think the story of Jim Mallon over the years will ultimately be a tragic one. He doesn't generally make appearances; I'm only aware of him appearing one one podcast and that MST reunion event that happened some time back.
He was often the director of the show in the early years, and I think (am by no means certain) a lot of the early seasons' charming weirdness, especially concerning computer and technical detail, came from him.
While it is true that the other performing cast should be getting more from the show's success than they are, I think he's also demonized unfairly. I think part of fan perception comes from that weird attempt to make Flash cartoons with the bot characters some years back, with none of the original cast except himself and Paul Chaplin. Huh, Paul Chaplin. He really should be seen around more, why don't we hear more about Paul?
Hey, why hasn't anyone written a book about the history and inner workings of the show? All the principals are still alive, now is the time to do it!
posted by JHarris at 1:26 PM on November 11, 2015 [5 favorites]
JHarris: "Hey, why hasn't anyone written a book about the history and inner workings of the show? All the principals are still alive, now is the time to do it!"
I mean, just link me to your Kickstarter, dude.
posted by Rock Steady at 1:36 PM on November 11, 2015 [8 favorites]
I mean, just link me to your Kickstarter, dude.
posted by Rock Steady at 1:36 PM on November 11, 2015 [8 favorites]
I think part of fan perception comes from that weird attempt to make Flash cartoons with the bot characters some years back, with none of the original cast except himself and Paul Chaplin. Huh, Paul Chaplin. He really should be seen around more, why don't we hear more about Paul?
I can't help but imagine him holed up in the old BBI offices, the only employee left, surrounded by the detritus of a successful show of years gone by gathering dust and is suddenly moved Norma Desmond-style to say "hey, let's put on a shooooow!".
posted by dr_dank at 4:30 AM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
I can't help but imagine him holed up in the old BBI offices, the only employee left, surrounded by the detritus of a successful show of years gone by gathering dust and is suddenly moved Norma Desmond-style to say "hey, let's put on a shooooow!".
posted by dr_dank at 4:30 AM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
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