Ask Slashdot: an Interview with Joel Hodgson

[Thom_Serveaux]

Had to do some digging...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Hodgson

"Hodgson reportedly chose MST3K head writer Michael J. Nelson to be his replacement as host because he felt that Nelson was a natural leader, a gifted comedian (as well as a musician, handling most of the show's musical numbers), and, additionally, he thought Nelson looked good standing next to the show's puppets." 

So it seems that Mike was hand-picked by Joel at the time to 'carry the torch' as it were.  Needless to say this seems to belie any rumors of bad blood.  Also, while Joel isn't saying anything good about RiffTrax, I see it as he may also trying hard to not say anything that could be misconstrued as slamming them either...

[Rodney]

Seems there is no bad blood on Mike's part either.   From the Rifftrax blog --

http://blog.rifftrax.com/2008/01/25/bonesaw-is-ready-2/#comment-2719

Reply from Mike Nelson on January 27, 2008:

Well, there's no ill will from me, either - I wish CT the best. In fact, I invited Joel to collaborate with RiffTrax but didn't hear back, so I guess they wanted to go their own way, which is totally understandable.

Now, is there ill will between me and Barry Gibb? Oh, yes, my friend. You'll feel a chill in the room every time his name is mentioned.

Someday I'll tell the story. Someday...

[Courtney]

I've never thought Joel comes off too great in interviews, filmed or printed.  He strikes me as someone who's pretty shy, which can be common with comedians.  Whereas Mike, Kevin, and Bill are jovial open fellows, Joel tends to keep his cards close to his chest.   As with a lot of shy people, I think he can come off as a dick sometimes, when that probably isn't the case.  Maybe he's bitter that Mike is successful with something he basically created, maybe he isn't, but he probably just knew the way Slashdot wanted him to answer that question and wouldn't give them any kind of satisfaction.  Nothing mean-spirited nerds love more than a fight.   

[Rodney]

Nothing mean-spirited nerds love more than a fight.   

As a mean spirited nerd myself, I have to agree!  Busted.

[BEERxTaco]

CineTit is grossly expensive

That's a very subjective observation. I don't think it's even marginally expensive. In fact, I think it's downright reasonable.

[SaucyRossy]

CineTit is grossly expensive

That's a very subjective observation. I don't think it's even marginally expensive. In fact, I think it's downright reasonable.

I totally agree with you Beer Taco, it is not expensive unless you are a student or unemployed...I mean when you consider this is a self fiananced operation by the Titans it is very reasonable.

[Isaac S.]

Seems there is no bad blood on Mike's part either.   From the Rifftrax blog --

http://blog.rifftrax.com/2008/01/25/bonesaw-is-ready-2/#comment-2719

Reply from Mike Nelson on January 27, 2008:

Well, there's no ill will from me, either - I wish CT the best. In fact, I invited Joel to collaborate with RiffTrax but didn't hear back, so I guess they wanted to go their own way, which is totally understandable.

Now, is there ill will between me and Barry Gibb? Oh, yes, my friend. You'll feel a chill in the room every time his name is mentioned.

Someday I'll tell the story. Someday...

Nice catch.  Sometimes I don't read all the comments.  Just in case anyone's got the wrong impression, I just want to make clear that I don't think there's any bad blood on either side.  I just appreciate businesses that compete with class, and those posts from Bill and Mike make it abundantly clear that RiffTrax is one of those.  As for CT, I'm not as big a fan of their business practices.  But, hey, I'm a Universal annual passholder even though some of their ads get to me, and I'm more of a Disney park guy.  Doesn't mean I won't support CT, but I do wish they handled their public perception better.  It could hurt them with other people.  They look like jerks, even though I'm relatively certain they're not.  And the RIffTrax crew looks saintly by comparison -- though  I'm actually pretty sure they really are just that nice.

Plus, I still want Joel to get in on a RiffTrax.    What a great cross-promotion that would be!  Seems short-sighted not to go for it.  Even so, it's fine if he chose not to do it, and clearly Mike harbors no ill will toward him for that, but the fact that he didn't reply at all does show a lack of class on Joel's part.  Still, I always like to assume the best.  Joel's doing a fine job of making himself look like an ass, but until it's proven otherwise, I will continue to assume he just doesn't get that the way he's handling things makes him look that way, and that he means nothing by it.  I know some folks who are nice people at heart, but often come across really poorly anyway.  I'm guessing he's one of those.

[Dim of the Yard]

I've never thought Joel comes off too great in interviews, filmed or printed.  He strikes me as someone who's pretty shy, which can be common with comedians.  Whereas Mike, Kevin, and Bill are jovial open fellows, Joel tends to keep his cards close to his chest.   As with a lot of shy people, I think he can come off as a dick sometimes, when that probably isn't the case.

I know I've done a couple of double-takes when I've read interviews with Joel (as the subject, not with Joel reading along with me, obviously).  I've had moments where I got worked up over something Joel said in an interview, then went back and realized that I would have said something very similar, if not the same thing.

Or maybe that just means that I'm a dick, as well?

[Dim of the Yard]

I thought so.  Just needed a bit of clarification.  Thanks, Imrahil!

Edit: Just got this in my mailbox, form the CineTit mailing list:

A note on the SlashDot interview:  It has come to our attention that a certain unanswered question (posted as unanswered by the editor) has caused rampant online speculation of a "Riff't" within the MST3k alumni community.  This is not the case.  In fact, I just saw Joel yesterday and the last thing he said was "Hey, if you see Rifftrax, say 'hi'".
- J. Elvis Weinstein

Discuss.

[uri]

here is an interview that Joel just did...

http://interviews.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/01/25/1457218

So since Frank, Trace and Joel have never done a rifftrack and people like Weird Al and Neil Patrick Harris have.  I have only one question...what is the deal???  According to that interview Joel left because he and Jim Mallon hated each other.  I wonder if Mike and the people who remained sided with Jim.  It is clear from that interview that Joel really did not want to leave the show.  So what do you think the deal is?

[Isaac S.]

I thought so.  Just needed a bit of clarification.  Thanks, Imrahil!

Edit: Just got this in my mailbox, from the CineTit mailing list:

A note on the SlashDot interview:  It has come to our attention that a certain unanswered question (posted as unanswered by the editor) has caused rampant online speculation of a "Riff't" within the MST3k alumni community.  This is not the case.  In fact, I just saw Joel yesterday and the last thing he said was "Hey, if you see Rifftrax, say 'hi'".
- J. Elvis Weinstein

Discuss.

And RiffTrax was a link to our beloved riffers' site.   See, this was the way they should have handled things all along.  I'm glad to see the issue addressed and the questions answered.  All it took was one little paragraph.  And now the CT folks are almost caught up in classiness to the RiffTrax guys.  And all is well with the world.

Now if we can just get Joel to join Mike for a RiffTrax and cross-promote CT...