Mystery Science Theater 3000 (TV Series) The Screaming Skull (1998) User Reviews

Funny MST3K episode!

[ohmap-977-664810 · 9/10 · 30 July 2017]

This is a well done episode from Mike and the bots! Of course the bots helped Micky and Jenny with their lines, and helped a dull movie become MUCH better.

I suppose each person might have his own favorite part because the riffs are continuous and great. A friend of mine liked the part where Eric, Jenny, and the skull were outside in the yard. Eric kept telling Jenny the skull wasn't there, but he put the skull in the yard himself and it was clearly visible for all to see. He was trying to drive Jenny mad, but what it did was make the audience roar with laughter.

I laughed at the bots comments on Jenny's layer upon layer of getting undressed for bed to still be fully dressed at the end. I found the comment about how one of Jenny's nostrils was larger than the other a riot (the camera zoomed WAY in to her nose to show her fear), and the constant knocking at the front door by the skull (really Eric). I think Mike sang part the song "somebodies knocking at the door" and Crow chimed in "YEAH...so open the door let him in already!" There was a statue in the garden that looked exactly like Irene Ryan (Granny on the Beverly Hillbillies). Each time they showed the statue...the bots would yell out "JEDDDD!" It was a statue of Eric's dead wife Marianne.

And then there was Mickey...the BEST and funniest of all, but I won't tell you everything. Check it out...it is really a hoot.

Riffing is morbid and insensitive...

[dsgraham212002 · 2/10 · 15 March 2015]

Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love MST3K in general, but this episode goes way too far in its riffing on death, mental illness, and 'special people' (Mickey, the caretaker, here). Yes, I'm sounding like a P.C. advocate which I'm not, by the way, but there are some subjects that are painful or even traumatic to some. This episode should have come with an 'honest disclaimer' (not a humorous one, like "South Park" does) stating that 'some material may be considered offensive and insensitive to some viewers', or something to the effect. There can be a fine line between humor and tragedy, and it was crossed in this episode.

The mentally disturbed woman and handicapped man in the episode are targets of Mike and the 'bots 'humorous' comments, and it really comes across as abusive and mocking rather than funny, at times. Of course, some riffing is on target, as usual, such as those aimed at the suspect husband and the clergyman.

Alex Nicol, as Mickey, is nothing short of remarkable in the role of the mentally-challenged gardener/caretaker. It is a sensitive and realistic portrayal, yet he is riffed unmercifully, nonetheless. This is where the motivation to compose this review first emerged. Having mental illness run in my family and being personally-afflicted with bipolar disorder, a misunderstood and disabling mood disorder, made it necessary. Poking fun at such things just contributes to the ignorance that already persists. A 'shame on you, Best Brains', for picking this film as the subject of your 'humor'. For once, I'm not laughing (as much).