Our Heroes

• Joel Robinson: The name "Robinson" has had a long association with the stranded and marooned. It all began with the 1719 publication of The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. Based loosely on a true story, it told the tale of Robinson Crusoe, a man marooned on a desert island for 28 years. It was followed by two sequels. Over the years, too many film versions to list here have been made of the story. These include versions in 1916, 1925, 1933, 1959, 1969, 1977 and 1996. Many variations on the theme have also come to be, including Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) and The Swiss Family Robinson (versions in 1940 and 1960; also various television series). The name Robinson was even used for the family in Irwin Allen's "Lost in Space" (1965-8) and the feature film remake (1998).
• Crow T. Robot: Yes, the "T" stands for "The." And, according to Joel way back on KTMA episode #19 (1980's Hangar 18), Crow is short for Cybernetic Remotely-Operated Woman. Crow, finding out he was a woman, freaked before Joel revealed he was just kidding.

The Mads

• Dr. Clayton Forrester: Dr. F is named for one of the main characters in the classic 1953 Martian invasion film, The War of the Worlds, based loosely on the 1898 novel of the same name by H.G. Wells and one of MST3K creator Joel Hodgson's favourite movies. Oddly enough, Forrester was the hero of the film and a rather stable individual. He was portrayed by actor Gene Barry.
• Dr. Lawrence Erhardt: According to the official MST3K FAQ, Dr. Erhardt was named for one Werner Erhardt (or possibly Erhard). In the 1970s, Erhardt founded something called "est." This was basically a series of pricey self-empowerment seminars. The Church of Scientology claimed that est used many of their ideas without permission (of course, we all know how reliable a source the CoS is...). In the 80s, est evolved into "the Forum," which is apparently more or less the same thing as est.
• TV's Frank: Frank's name pokes fun at the tendency to refer to some of the bigger television stars as "TV's Fill-In-The-Blank," treating "TV's" like some kind of honourific. For example, when introduced, Bill Cosby, instead of being plain old "Bill Cosby," is often "TV's Bill Cosby."

The Satellite of Love and Rocket #9

• The satellite used to broadcast the annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon was referred to as the "Satellite of Love." The term is also the title of a Lou Reed song on his 1973 album Transformer. And "Rocket Number Nine" is the title of a song by experimental jazz musician Sun Ra from his 1972 album Space Is the Place [Impulse!].
• Also, you'll notice that the SOL almost looks like a giant bone hovering in space. This may be a reference to a scene in the science-fiction classic 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). After learning how to use animal bones as tools and weapons during prehistoric times, one caveman excitedly throws his bone/club into the air; in the biggest jump cut in motion picture history, the film moves into the year 2000, with a spaceship replacing the image of the bone. The SOL seems to bridge that gap by being a spaceship that looks like a bone.

MSTHour Host

As the host of the "Mystery Science Theater Hour," Mike Nelson gives an eerie impression of the enthusiastic Jack Perkins. Perkins is best known for his stint hosting A&E's "Biography" (1987- ) series from 1994 through 1999, as well as a number of other documentary series and specials. Jack seems to love everything and is always so pleased to be presenting whatever to us. Apparently, Perkins is aware of Mike's portrayal of him and approves. "Jack" also appeared in episode 310: Fugitive Alien and during the 1995 Turkey Day Marathon segments.

"Hi-keeba!"

This oft-used phrase (probably the most popular phrase to come out of the show) comes from the 1966 film Women of the Prehistoric Planet, seen in episode 104. Lt. Red Bradley (Paul Gilbert), one of the comic relief characters that were considered de rigeur in this kind of film, demonstrates the moves he learned once in a karate class. His wild flailing about concludes with a loud "Hi-keeba! HA!" as he flips himself over onto his back.

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