myallmovies Senior Editor Brandon Schreur spoke to Thriller Science Theater 3000 host Jonah Ray. Ray mentioned the annual Turkey Day occasion (which is being held on November 28, 2024, on Shout! TV and The MST3K Channel), his experiences filming the present, and what the long run may maintain for Thriller Science Theater 3000.
The synopsis for the Turkey Day occasion reads, “Tune in to Shout! TV on 11/28 for the Thriller Science Theater 3000 Turkey Day Potluck of the Stars Marathon, hosted by Jonah Ray and that includes friends David Dastmalchian, Mike Flanagan, Bryan Fuller, Mark Hamill, Matthew Lillard, and Kumail Nanjiani, and the Forged and Crew of MST3K.”
Click on right here for extra data on the MST3K Turkey Day occasion.
Brandon Schreur: I simply needed to say, I do know you haven’t made any new seasons lately, however congratulations on the present. It’s considered one of my favorites, I put it on on a regular basis. I like it.
Jonah Ray: Thanks. Yeah, I did the identical factor rising up, it’s all the time cool that individuals do this to my episodes, now, which is type of loopy to do.
Positive. I’ll let you know, it was Christmas 2020 I had COVID the entire time so I couldn’t go to any events or occasions or something. I simply watched your episodes the entire day and it turned it from a horrible day into an awesome day.
Good, good. I actually want I may simply get everybody on the market and do a Clockwork Orange-style model of what you went by with my episodes, after which extra individuals could be into it.
There you go. I’d be for it. To start out, I’m type of interested in your relationship with Thriller Science Theater. Clearly, I do know you began round 2016/2017, however the present has been round for therefore, so lengthy. At what age did you begin watching it and get entangled?
After I began watching it, Comedy Central wasn’t accessible the place I grew up. I grew up in Hawaii and we simply began getting an increasing number of cable channels. I bear in mind MTV lastly confirmed up, then Comedy Central lastly confirmed up. I bear in mind, I liked Comedy Central as a result of they’d present previous episodes of SNL, all these things I’ve all the time needed to observe. Then I bear in mind tuning in as soon as and simply seeing a black-and-white film. I went, ‘Oh, they’re taking part in previous motion pictures like each different channel.’ Then I heard the voices, I noticed the silhouettes, and I used to be like, ‘What’s going on?’ I assumed it was channels on high of one another, perhaps.
Then it went straight right into a sketch. I bear in mind instantly recognizing Joel Hodgson as a man from previous episodes of SNL, Letterman reruns, and clips. I used to be like, ‘Oh, it’s that prop comedian!’ I instantly grew to become obsessive about it as a result of, at that very same time, I used to be entering into weirdo comedy and was additionally entering into watching previous sci-fi horror motion pictures. I used to be beginning to do puppet stuff for my cousins’ birthday events. All of it type of collided to grow to be considered one of my favourite issues.
Oh, certain. And I’m certain it will need to have been so nice to get the information that you will be on the present and be the brand new host. Thoughts-blowing, I’m certain.
Yeah, that’s one thing I don’t understand how a lot I’ve ever actually processed due to how insane it feels. It appears so exterior of any type of actuality that I might have ever anticipated in my life. I’ve had a really arduous life in comedy and I’ve gotten to do plenty of stuff that’s like issues that I preferred rising up. I received to do a stand-up present with Kumail Nanjiani on Comedy Central and it’s like, ‘Oh, that’s just like the exhibits that I used to observe.’ Or I received to do that different factor and it’s like, ‘That is like what I like.’ I’ve gotten to do plenty of issues which are just like the issues I preferred.
Then, when Joel requested me to host the brand new model, it was like, ‘It is a one-to-one factor.’ This isn’t like Thriller Science Theater, it’s Thriller Science Theater. It’s nonetheless fairly mind-blowing the place I type of go, ‘Did I get into Thriller Science Theater for the only purpose that I in some way knew I used to be going to be in Thriller Science Theater?’ Time is a flat circle, I don’t know.
You realize, all of it labored out ultimately.
Yeah, it’s actually mind-blowing and I don’t ever diminish it in my head for a second.
Positive, positively. What has the response seemed like because you’ve been part of the present? It’s been seven or eight years now, most likely. I’m assuming they such as you as a result of they introduced you again for extra seasons.
The individuals who make it like me, in fact. I knew, after I was introduced, there was going to be considerably difficult. Traditionally, a brand new host on MST has by no means actually gone over too easily. It went from Joel to Mike, in fact, and I used to be prepared for that as effectively. What’s wild is individuals appear to love it and appear to love me, however the wild factor is that it didn’t really feel prefer it moved the needle a lot in my on a regular basis life. Now, because it’s been on so lengthy, now I’ll be out at a restaurant or a bar, going to see a band or one thing like that, and folks will come as much as me and be like, ‘Oh, after I was in center college…’ As a result of now they’re adults and time has handed. They’ll be like, ‘My dad and mom used to indicate me your episodes on a regular basis, you have been my first host.’ It’s bizarre, the delay that occurs, since you understand — I’m not working into youngsters whereas the present is occurring, however now that they’re older, they’ll go, ‘I used to observe it on a regular basis.’ Which makes me really feel historic, nevertheless it additionally makes me really feel good.
Because it does. I’m certain it being on Netflix helps, although, as a result of it’s so simply accessible.
It’s simply there! Yeah, I really like that side. It’s all the time there for individuals to re-watch or discover. Individuals go, ‘I preferred it and now I’m exhibiting my youngsters.’ There’s that generational side to it.
Positive, completely. I do know we’ve the Turkey Day occasion that’s developing and coming again once more this yr. That’s all the time been actually widespread. You’re concerned with internet hosting this yr and I simply received a listing, I believe yesterday, of all of the people who find themselves going to be concerned. There are plenty of actually cool names: Matthew Lillard, Mike Flanagan. It’s actually thrilling. What are you enthusiastic about with this yr’s occasion?
It’s humorous as a result of I really feel like Thriller Science Theater has all the time been its personal little area of interest, its personal little tradition. I believe it’s going to be enjoyable for everybody to see these those who they’ve recognized for a very long time [who are] inside the tradition or they just like the present and so they wish to speak about their favourite episodes.
One other enjoyable side, I’ve a private reference to all the people who find themselves doing it. I assumed that was a pleasant little side of getting or not it’s a Turkey Day factor, which is about family and friends getting collectively to have fun. I like that I used to be in a position to present that these are simply individuals, despite the fact that they’ve carried out this stuff, they’re simply associates and so they’re followers of the present, we will all be nerdy and benefit from the present. I believe it’s going to be a very enjoyable factor for individuals to see.
I all the time used to like that. Anytime I learn an interview with an actor or a band, I might love once they would speak about different actors or different bands. I might be like, ‘I wish to see what they like and if we’ve related tastes.’ If Mike Flanagan, if his decide for an episode is what I decide, or Matthew Lillard or Kumail Nanjiani. I’m very excited.
No, completely. That’s one of many nice issues I’ve all the time liked concerning the present, too. On the floor, it appears area of interest and nerdy however the extra you speak to individuals, particularly on this enterprise, it looks as if everyone seems to be a fan and everybody has experiences watching it whereas rising up and so they like it. It’s cool to see how many individuals reply to it so strongly.
And typically I’m nonetheless stunned. I labored with Matthew Lillard a few occasions and it wasn’t till lately when he was like, ‘Oh, I’ve received to say, I actually preferred you on Thriller Science Theater.’ I used to be like, ‘You watched it?’ and he goes, ‘I really like that present!’ I’m going, ‘Why didn’t you deliver it up? I might have been much less nervous assembly you.’
Precisely. I do know there was a crowdfunding effort for one more season that didn’t fairly make it again in 2023. It’s been a yr so I’m questioning if there have been conversations about doing extra Thriller Science Theater?
You realize, there’s all the time one thing effervescent. There’s all the time conversations; there’s all the time one thing type of being labored out. The present has gone away and are available again so many occasions that it could be ever so arduous to say that something goes to be a comeback. MST3K is inevitable. And it all the time will likely be.
Positive. I’m crossing my fingers, ready for the subsequent one.
They’re nonetheless making unhealthy motion pictures, so you recognize.
That type of leads into what I used to be going to ask you subsequent. How a lot does being part of Thriller Science Theater have an effect on your mind when watching motion pictures? Is it arduous to simply put one on usually or are you all the time interested by commentary behind your thoughts?
Yeah. It’s prefer it’s grow to be compulsive conduct the place it simply comes out of me, typically. Fortunately, I’ve someplace to channel it. My good friend Doug Benson, he does a film interruption present as soon as a month at a theater in Los Angeles on the Dynasty Typewriter. So I can type of maintain it in, we will go watch a film there, and I’ll get all of it out of my system. However it’s all the time type of there.
I discover myself, now, seeing all of the gaps in motion pictures. I used to be rewatching The Princess Bride yesterday and I used to be like, ‘Oh, there’s a increase shadow on this scene.’ My eagle eye is now selecting aside my favourite motion pictures. Making a film is tough. I made a film that got here out this yr. There are very arduous issues it’s a must to do. The truth that it will get made is a miracle, the truth that it’s watchable is past something. It’s not like we’re tearing it aside, however it’s type of arduous to go, ‘Meh, he had his pencil within the different hand.’ Dumb stuff like that.
Oh, I’m certain. But it surely’s most likely nonetheless type of enjoyable, I’m certain.
Oh, for certain. You’d must ask the individuals round me.
That’s honest. I’m curious, I’m certain you most likely get requested what the worst film you needed to look ahead to the present is on a regular basis. I’m curious if there are any that you simply really, genuinely take pleasure in. I don’t know when you’ve gone again and rewatched any of them you needed to do for the present, however are there any that come to thoughts that it’s like, ‘You realize, that wasn’t too unhealthy.’ As a result of, I’ll be trustworthy, I don’t hate Killer Fish. I type of preferred that film.
Yeah, Killer Fish is enjoyable, it trots alongside actually properly, and it’s not just like the worst film by far. I believe, I used to be actually blown away by The Masks, which was our Halloween episode. We have been watching it, we’d be within the author’s room watching it and going, ‘That is GOOD. It is a good film.’ It’s actually well-acted, it’s extremely shot. The three-D sequences, in fact, are actually foolish, nevertheless it’s like a very well-done film about habit. I went and watched it afterward and I used to be like, ‘It is a high quality movie. It is a very high quality movie.’
There are nonetheless some motion pictures I’m so glad I’ll by no means must see once more. Like Mac and Me or Munchie, that was one other one which I completely despised.
I used to be simply rewatching the one Christmas one final evening and, hoo. That’s a foul one.
Oh, Christmas Dragon or The Christmas That Virtually Wasn’t?
The Christmas That Virtually Wasn’t.
That one is attention-grabbing, too, as a result of it’s all about land possession after which it turns right into a courtroom drama.
They randomly begin taking part in with toys for like 20 minutes.
Yeah! And I believe one of many extra attention-grabbing ideas of that one, too, is like Santa has by no means handled youngsters who’re really alive, he solely is aware of them once they’re asleep. He has to take care of that, however then it’s additionally concerning the beginning of the mall Santa. All from this weirdo Italian film about Santa dropping the deed to the North Pole. Like, dude, personal, don’t lease.
It’s a bizarre one. I’ve all the time questioned this, however what number of occasions do it’s a must to watch a film for the present? Like, what number of occasions did it’s a must to watch The Christmas That Virtually Wasn’t earlier than you have been in there recording?
That’s a typical query and it’s one thing I all the time thought, too. It’s type of arduous to say as a result of, day-after-day, you will have about 10-11 minutes of the film it’s a must to get by. So, sure elements of the film you watch plenty of occasions since you’re attempting to determine the place the jokes must be. Different occasions, there’s not a lot you are able to do so that you simply type of trot by like, ‘That’s the joke for that half, there’s an excessive amount of speaking to maneuver something in.’ It’s arduous to say as a result of, some elements, you may watch 100 occasions, different elements you may watch 20 occasions. Total, you’re probably not certain how a lot you watched your entire factor. It’s important to put these blinders on as a result of, when you get too eagle eye view of the job, you get too overwhelmed and go, ‘We’re by no means going to make it. We’re by no means going to make it by this film with what number of jokes we’ve to put in writing.’ We simply go, ‘What’s on this 5 minutes, what’s on this 5 minutes?’
Positive. And I’m certain that’s really arduous work. I do know some individuals can simply go, ‘Oh, you’re simply watching motion pictures the entire time,’ however to observe and rewatch one thing, particularly when it’s one thing unhealthy like this, I’m certain that may take it out of you.
It’s brain-melting. All of the writers will all the time have a ton of jokes or the proper second, however there are these different moments the place it’s a two-minute-long battle sequence or chase sequence. No person has that many jokes, in order that’s when the true work occurs and it’s like, ‘What are we going to speak about right here? We will’t simply have a bunch of jokes, we’ve to have or not it’s a dialog or will we begin singing a track?’ It’s identical to any type of comedy writing the place it’s like, ‘What’s the premise right here? How are we going to inform this second? What’s the scene? What’s the sketch?’
Positive, that is sensible. But it surely all seems ultimately, I really like all of it. The songs and all the pieces.
Yeah, due to the side of the factor — the film all the time retains on going, the practice retains on transferring alongside. If a joke is type of so-so or a dud, it’s identical to, ‘Properly, it doesn’t matter, the film continues to be going.’ It’s not going to cease and go, ‘That was unhealthy.’
And there’s all the time one other joke coming 30 seconds later.
Precisely, yeah.
There’s something else I’ve all the time questioned, going again to fan responses. Regardless of it being within the theme track, do you continue to get individuals asking you about the way you eat and breathe up there?
Sure. I bear in mind at a sure level the place somebody was mad at me as a result of they requested how I eat and breathe up there. I used to be like, ‘It’s best to actually simply loosen up.’ And so they have been like, ‘Okay man, I used to be simply attempting to ask a query concerning the present.’ I used to be like, ‘Oh no, I assumed we have been having a enjoyable rapport as two followers of the present.’
I prefer to suppose, although, that I’ve slightly hydroponics backyard the place I’ve like little tomatoes or stuff like that. Or, what I might have is, from Massive High Pee-wee, the place I’ve a plant that grows scorching canine. That’s most likely what I’ve. That’s how I eat. How I breathe, I don’t know. I believe perhaps Tom Servo’s dome is an air-oxygen multiplier.
There you go. You’ve got an entire rationalization.
It’s canon! Put it in, it’s canon!
Due to Jonah Ray for taking the time to debate Thriller Science Theater 3000.
