RiffTrax / Joel Era Comparisons

[Insert Coin(s) to Continue]

I was thinking the other day, the roles that the three riffers play in modern-day RiffTrax is very similar to the general roles that Joel, Kevin, and Trace played in the Joel era of MST3K. Surprisingly, though, the roles they play were not their own (or their respective characters').

Bill is the new Joel - The nice guy. The more soft-spoken guy. The one that everyone just wants to give a big hug to. He's generally the most reserved (although he sometimes loses his cool) and he often acts as the voice of reason among the crew.

Kevin is the new Crow - This is surprising, but it makes sense. Kevin is sort of the Butt Monkey of RiffTrax, if you will, as Crow played that part on MST3K. Kevin and Crow often get the puns and the jokes that score him either groans or slaps from the other riffers. Kevin and Crow are fearless in what they say and often speak without fully thinking through the consequences. People love them, though.

Mike is the new Tom Servo - Tom Servo, beside his singing talent, was known as the bot who could do the best straight delivery of truly funny material without letting a lot of personality get in the way. Joel and Crow both had very strong character roles to play. Servo did, as well, but the character he was playing was, more or less, an exaggeration of the "every man" with some highly-masculine charisma thrown in. Either way, Servo got the widest variety of jokes because he didn't have a specific role to play (as opposed to Joel's voice of reason and conscience and Crow's ... well ... lack of). In this way, Mike and Servo serve as anchors to the team. They're the ones who deliver the lines without a lot of messing around. They're very funny, and they know what they're doing.

Think of it this way -- a Crow (Joel-era, in character) solo riff would get annoying after a while, as would a Joel (in-character) solo riff, because both are so heavily characterized, but a Servo solo riff would hold on much longer than the other two not because Kevin is funnier than Trace or Joel, but because he has that certain delivery. The jokes shine through the character he's playing and pronounce themselves straight to the audience.

These are my thoughts at least. Take them for what they're worth.

[Action Batch]

Kevin is sort of the Butt Monkey of RiffTrax, if you will...

No. I won't.

[GregMcduck]

I like your style, ICTC.

[Bob]

Very interesting and well read thought.

[RoninFox]

It's alternately easy and difficult to think of Bill in the "nice guy" role.  Its easy when you look at how he comes across out of character, as he absolutely seems like a legit nice guy, but it's hard when he's just so damn good at the "lose it" moment.  The point when a movie just threatens to break him and he lashes out.  The point of view riff from Episode III for example.