MST3K - The Crawling Eye

MST3K - The Crawling Eye is a classic episode of the cult television series "Mystery Science Theater 3000," also known as MST3K. The episode, which was first aired in 1989, features the film "The Crawling Eye" as the centerpiece of mockery and hilarity. Joel Hodgson, the show's original creator, leads the charge for this particular episode, lending his unique brand of humor and wit alongside his co-hosts.

This brand of movie features the iconic MST3K setup we've all come to enjoy. MST3K is set in the not-too-distant future where Joel Hodgson plays Joel Robinson, a janitor who works for Gizmonic Institute. Joel is shot into space by his sinister bosses and forced to watch the worst movies ever made as part of a diabolical experiment. To keep from going crazy from the terrible films, Joel creates several robot companions: Tom Servo, Crow T. Robot, and Gypsy.

Joining Joel in this episode are Trace Beaulieu as the voice of Crow T. Robot and the evil Dr. Clayton Forrester, Jim Mallon as Gypsy, and J. Elvis Weinstein as Tom Servo and the insane Dr. Laurence Erhardt. Together, they endure terrible films in the depths of outer space while providing hilarious commentary for the viewers.

In this episode, MST3K - The Crawling Eye, the subject is a 1958 British science fiction film, originally called "The Trollenberg Terror" in the UK and then renamed for the American audience. In the film, mountaineers in a remote mountain range encounter a series of mysterious and grisly accidents, which leads to the discovery of monstrous, tentacled creatures from another world.

Despite the inherent campiness and special effects that have not aged well, the film provides fertile ground for Joel and his robot friends' sharp wit. The subtler moments of absurdity in the film that could have been overlooked are cleverly pointed out with their humorous and engaging commentary. They mock the cheesy dialogues, critique the awkward romantic subplot, and make light of the often less-than-convincing special effects with the comedic timing we've all come to expect from the MST3K crew.

One of the running jokes throughout the MST3K series is the interaction between Joel and the 'bots and their evil overlords, Dr. Forrester and Dr. Erhardt, who savor in the torment they subject their unwilling viewer to. There's plenty of that humor evident in The Crawling Eye episode as well.

The MST3K series has always been known for injecting its unique brand of humor into the otherwise awful cinematic experiences it features. In this sense, The Crawling Eye stands as a prime example of the show's knack for turning even the most outlandish or poorly made films into valuable sources of entertainment.

The brilliance of MST3K: The Crawling Eye - and indeed, the entire series - lies in its ability to make the unwatchable, watchable. It encapsulates a love for cinema, even at its absolute worst, and celebrates it by showcasing its comedy, creativity, and camaraderie.

Whether you're a long-time fan of MST3K or entirely new to the series, MST3K – The Crawling Eye promises to deliver plenty of laughs, cheeky commentary, and an appreciation for the more questionable corners of the cinematic universe. And, of course, it's a chance to get to know Joel and his trusty Robot companions, the sarcastic yet endearing characters that have been immortalized in the annals of pop culture.

As a final note, the cheese-heavy creature feature at the centre of this episode is a delightful reminder of simpler times in the film industry when extraterrestrial threats were more laughable than terrifying. The Crawling Eye might be a little short on scares, but when filtered through the MST3K brand of comedic critique, that's all part of the fun. It's the perfect backdrop for an evening of laughs and lighthearted entertainment. After all, it's just a movie.