From: bscott@nyx.cs.du.edu (Ben Scott)
Subject: Starcon report
Summary: "Joel!  Jim!  Kevin!  Traaaaaace..." 
Organization: Nyx, Public Access Unix at U. of Denver Math/CS dept.
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 92 04:10:47 GMT

Joel and the gang did two 1-hour-plus appearances at Starcon in Denver this
weekend.  They were, naturally, very entertaining.  They stood onstage in
earthtone suits in front of a crowd of thousands, and just played their
little hearts out.  No, wait.  They didn't play anything.  They chatted a
bit about the show, gave us a look at some VERY early MST3k footage (shots
from the pilot and even the making of the pilot - Joel with long hair...),
and then answered questions and generally horsed around.  Both days were
more or less similar - not repetitive, just equally good.  

They were passing out dollar bills to people who asked questions, or were
standing in the question line, or whoever was within range of Trace's rubber
band, or just anyone in particular.  Most of those who got a dollar bill got
it autographed, I imagine.  Anyway, a few members of the audience got a bit
greedy the second day and it wasn't as funny.  (actually, Tony, co-drinker
of the Killer Shrew with net personality Wes Johnson, got into the question
line and asked for another dollar on the first day, and they came and took
his first one away, but that was funny)  Anyhow, at one point, a little girl
asked a question they liked so much, that they not only gave her a dollar,
but Kevin gave her a bumper sticker, and then Trace offered her the table
which held the ice water while Joel began maneuvering the TV monitor towards
her.  Another time, a small boy moved near the stage to take a picture, and
(while someone else was answering a question) Trace jumps down and runs up
to the boy and mugs for the camera.  They really kept the audience laughing.
(there was even an 'incident' between Joel and Kevin which almost resulted
in a fistfight before Trace and Jim intervened... you haven't lived until
you've heard Joel shout "YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME??"!)

I was lucky enough to get front row center seats both days (no mean feat the
first day - I sat through Brent Spiner, Laura Banks and an hour of nothing
at all to work my way forward in the huge room).  On Saturday, I got a bit
of a surprise.  Remember that I was in my Gizmonics jumpsuit - the only
other person at the con who was in MST3k costume was Donna, a friend of Lisa
Jenkins, come all the way from Minneapolis in a green lab coat.  Anyway, the
lights go out for a clip, and suddenly someone appears in front of me, grabs
my wrist, and begins pulling me towards the stage.  It turns out to be Joel,
who has me take his place onstage while he takes my seat.  When the lights
come on, there I am standing between Trace and Kevin, while Joel is getting
out of my seat and wondering how I got onstage.  It was all over so quickly
it was rather a blur for me and nobody I know got a picture, but it was neat
nonetheless.

Jim Mallon did much of the talking, at least on Saturday.  But they were all
clearly a well-oiled team, who are as witty onstage as you'd expect.  They
were very natural, comfortable with the audience and each other, and still
professional.  In fact, until this weekend I wouldn't have thought it
possible for anyone to act so nice without coming across as being
patronizing, but they manage it somehow.  

I got my Play MST for Me tape autographed, BTW... they all sign as their
characters (i.e. "Crow"), except for Joel, who signs "Joel".  No, wait...

.                            <<<<Infinite K>>>>

--
|Ben Scott, professional goof-off and consultant at The Raster Image, Denver|
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