Logo

Cool News

MR. MIKE!! SPIDER-MAN!! MST3KXIV!! PAPER CHASE!! BLEAK!! SKINS!! HercVault!!

Published at:  Jan 14, 2009 10:00:05 PM CST

SPOILER ALERT !!



I am – Hercules!!



Comedy genius Michael O'Donoghue (1940-1994) was a writer-editor for The National Lampoon Magazine, a writer-performer for the National Lampoon Radio Hour and a performer and head writer for “Saturday Night Live” for its first three seasons. The first SNL sketch ever was written by O’Donoghue and performed by O’Donoghue and John Belushi. The first SNL episode’s opening credits reveal that O’Donoghue was a founding member of the Not Ready For Prime Time Players.

A dodgy representation of O'Donoghue’s copious talent, “Mr. Mike's Mondo Video,” remains a strange and compelling artifact fans of the funnyman are obliged to seek out.

O'Donoghue made a deal with NBC and Lorne Michaels to write, produce and direct “Mondo,” a pre-recorded affair designed to air in SNL’s timeslot when SNL would take a week off. “Mondo” is littered with naked female nipples, laser-emitting brassieres and shots up the skirt of someone purported to be supermodel Cheryl Tiegs. Its finale featured spear-carrying primitives worshiping discarded lava lamps.

It’s difficult to know what state of mind O'Donoghue was in for him to believe that NBC could air something as dark and weird and nudity-riddled as “Mondo Video.” NBC never broadcast it. Instead it was sold to a very young New Line Cinema, which gave it a very limited theatrical release in 1979.

“Mondo” features two segments built around Dan Aykroyd, and very brief cameos by Carrie Fisher (her sole big-screen appearance in the three years between “Star Wars” and “The Empire Strikes Back”), Wendie Malick (almost the first thing she ever did on screen), Teri Garr, Margot Kidder, Deborah Harry, Sarah Holcomb, Susan Forristal, Jane Curtain, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner, Paul Schaffer and Bill Murray.

“Mondo’s” first five minutes:



All four of the “Mondo” screenwriters writers made their big-screen debuts on the project and all four went on to arguably bigger things. O’Donoghue would write Dolly Parton’s hit 1982 country single “Single Women,” return to write and produce SNL in the early 1980s, and co-write the big-screen Bill Murray vehicle “Scrooged.”

“Mondo” writer Dirk Wittenborn (who played the cat-swimming instructor) went on to write 2005’s “Fierce People” and 2008’s “The Lucky Ones” for the big screen.

“Mondo” writer Mitch Glazer, at the time of “Mondo” a Rolling Stone contributor, went on to write or co-write the movies “Scrooged,” “Three of Hearts,” “Great Expectations” and “The Recruit.”

“Mondo” writer Emily Prager went on to a career as a journalist (contributing to the New York Times, the Village Voice, the Daily Telegraph and The Guardian) and author. Her novels include “Visit From The Footbinder,” “Eve’s Tattoo” and “Roger Fishbite.”

Like O’Donoghue himself, all of the “Mondo” musical guests – Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious, Boogie-rock singer-songwriter Root Boy Slim and otherworldly David Bowie associate Klaus Nomi (one of the first men claimed by the AIDS virus) – died young.

EXTRAS:

I strongly urge all viewers, familiar with O’Donoghue’s legacy or not, to first watch the four indisputably hilarious “Mr. Mike” sketches included on the disc. They offer what I regard as indispensable context.

* “Mr. Mike’s Least-Loved Bedtime Tales: The Enchanted Thermos,” an SNL sketch from Oct. 30, 1976 (1:51). The Littlest Eskimo encounters an unhelpful genie.

* “Mr. Mike’s Least-Loved Bedtime Tales: The Little Train That Died,” an SNL sketch from Nov. 27, 1976 (2:22). A teen Jodie Foster climbs into Mr. Mike’s lap for a tale of locomotive misadventure.

* “Mr. Mike’s Least-Loved Bedtime Tales: Willy The Worm,” an SNL sketch from Jan. 22, 1977 (2:26). It’s Gilda Radner’s turn in Mr. Mike’s lap for the story of a hospitalized invertebrate. O.J. Simpson (!) is spotted in the balcony applauding this one.

* Bill Murray’s Eulogy For Michael O’Donaghue, incorporating Mr. Mike’s Least-Loved Bedtime Tale “The Soiled Kimono” (6:05). Murray explains that O’Donaghue went straight to hell, but only to visit.

* Commentary by co-writer Mitch Glazer (1:09:46). Learn that “Mondo” was actually a pilot for a series intended to fill SNL’s time slot once a month. Learn that Malick is one of the bewigged lingerie girls leaping over a campfire. Learn that Prager was the girl who threw away her crutches. Learn that Glazer met O'Donoghue while writing a cover story on John Belushi for Crawdaddy. Learn that the masked zombie girls under the title theme are associate producer Tricia Brock (in recent years a busy director of episodic TV ranging from “Veronica Mars” to “The United States of Tara”) and Emily Prager. Learn that a ticket-taker at a cinema playing “Mondo” was beaten by an angry mob demanding their money back. Learn that ASPCA members monitoring the cat-swimming shoot were armed with pistols. Learn that O'Donoghue loved cats, and several of the swimming cats were O'Donoghue’s pets. Learn the Jack Lord sequence was shot in an abandoned hotel. Learn that the hula singer was Rhonda Coullet, who starring in National Lampoon’s “Lemmings” stage show with John Belushi, Chevy Chase and Christopher Guest. Learn that Jon Stewart’s future manager played the Italian official watching the LaserBra footage. Learn that O'Donoghue hired an all-girl band called The Clits to play at the “Mondo” premiere. Learn that Glazer’s uncle Sidney produced Mel Brooks’ “Twelve Chairs” and “The Producers” and Woody Allen’s “Take The Money and Run,” and yelled “Do you think this is funny?” repeatedly during the premiere screening of “Mondo.” Learn that O'Donoghue dated Margot Kidder. Learn that supermodel Patty Oja was writer Witterborn’s girlfriend at the time. Learn that future marrieds Malick and Glazer met on “Mondo.” Learn that O'Donoghue and Carrie Fisher were really close friends, then endured a feud that lasted until he died. Learn that Brian McConnachie, an O'Donoghue favorite, wrote the dying-mall sketches for SNL. Learn that Belushi was one of the few SNL players not in “Mondo” due to a prior movie commitment. Learn that Glazer and O'Donoghue were joking around by phone just a few hours before a brain aneurism unexpectedly claimed O'Donoghue’s life. Learn that Glazer harbored no filmmaking ambitions before O'Donoghue convinced him to co-write “Mondo.” Learn that the Christmas Past cabdriver character played by David Johansen in “Scrooged” was written for Sam Kinison. Learn that Klaus Nomi would show up at O’Donoghue’s parties in his plastic butterfly outfit. Learn that O’Donoghue’s enormous paint-by-number collection now resides at the Smithsonian.





Herc’s Popular Pricing Pantry




Before Christmas a season of “Veronica Mars” sold for $44.99. At the moment each is $19.99!! (67% Off!!)




Every episode of “The Tick” may be had for less than $10.50 if you’re willing to exploit the Sony 2-For-1 Sale. “Square Pegs,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Rescue Me,” “Kidnapped” and “Spider-Man” are all part of the sale too, so give it a look already!


Three weeks ago a season of “24” went for $39.99 or more. Right now two of the six seasons are $19.99!!


“Wonderfalls,” from the guy who created “Dead Like Me” and “Pushing Daisies,” is down to $19.99!!


You can now pick up a season of “Weeds” in HD for $17.95!! (40% Off!!)


Until Jan. 14 you can pick up every extra-crammed “Seinfeld” set at $19.49/season!!
If you want or need all nine seasons of “Seinfeld,” you can currently pick up the complete series set for $175.99, which works out to less than $19.56/season!!



A season of “The Venture Bros.” was $24.99. Now it’s $12.99!! (57% Off!!)


The first five volumes of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection were each $44.99. Now they’re $25.99!! (60% Off!!)





TV-on-DVD Calendar





Last Week
Battlestar Galactica 4.1-4.10
Dexter 1.x (Blu-ray)
Doctor Who: Four To Doomsday
Doctor Who: War Machines
Duckman 3.x/4.x
Duckman: 4-Season Pack
Eon Kid 1.x Vol. 2
The FBI Files 1.x
Frisky Dingo 2.x
Ghost Hunters: Best Of (Blu-ray)
Laredo 2.x Vol. 2
Mannix 2.x
Secret Diary of a Call Girl 1.x
Transformers 2.x
Tripping The Rift 3.x
The Tudors 2.x
The Waltons 8.x



This Week


Alvin and The Chipmonks: The Chipettes


Alvin And The Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Valentine


Benny Hill: Best Of


Ben 10: Alien Force 1.x Vol. 2


Captains and the Kings


Dallas 10.x


The Henry James Collection


House of Payne Vol. 3


Little Britain USA 1.x
The Lost Gods


Lovejoy 4.x


Make 'Em Laugh: The Complete Miniseries


Man Vs. Wild 2.x


Matlock 2.x


Mr. Mike's Mondo Video
Nature Tech


Reba 5.x


Saxondale 1.x/2.x


Skins Vol. 1


Stargate: The Ark of Truth (Blu-ray)


SuperSwank 1.x


10 Items Or Less 1.x/2.x


Tess of D'Urbervilles: The Complete Miniseries (2008)


'Til Death 2.x


Walker: Texas Ranger 6.x
When Weather Changed History
When Weather Changed History (Blu-ray)



Next Week
The American Future: A History
Back At The Barnyard: Cowman
Children of the Stones: The Complete Miniseries
Criss Angel Mindfreak 4.x
Emergency 5.x
George Wallace: The Complete Miniseries
Jonathan Creek 3.x
The Last Detective: The Complete Series
Little House on the Prairie: Country School
Little House on the Prairie: Prairie Friends
MGM: When The Lion Roars
MI-5 Vol. 6
MonsterQuest 2.x
Moonlight: The Complete Series
My Three Sons 1.x Vol. 2
Paranormal State 2.x
Powerpuff Girls: The Complete Series
The Rockford Files 6.x
This American Life 2.x
Waking The Dead 3.x



January 27
All-New SuperFriends 1.x Vol. 2
America's Dumbest Criminals
The Beiderbecke Affair
Blossom 1.x/2.x
Cheers 11.x
The Girls Next Door 4.x
The Girls Next Door 1.x-4.x
Invaders 2.x
The Love Boat 2.x Vol. 1
MANTIS: The Complete Series
Meerkat Manor 4.x
Pink Panther Classic Cartoon Collection
Scooby-Doo Where Are You? 1.x Vol. 1
SpongeBob SquarePants: Spongicus
Teddy Ruxpin: Come Dream With Me - Complete Series
Voltron: Vol. 7
You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown



February 3
Afro Samurai II: Resurrection
Afro Samurai II: Resurrection (SE)
Afro Samurai II: Resurrection (Blu-ray)
Becker 2.x
Bewitched 7.x


Columbo 1990
Dave's World 2.x
Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht 3.x


Mystery Science Theater 3000 Vol. 14 <--- NEW!!
Night Court 2.x
The Partridge Family 4.x
Tom and Jerry Tales Vol. 6



February 10
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Mystery of the Easter Chipmunk
Curious George: Monkey Collection, Vol. 1
Curious George: Robot Monkey and More Great Gadgets
Faerie Tale Theatre: Brothers Grimm
Faerie Tale Theatre: Funny Tales
The Fat Albert Easter Special
Friday The 13th 2.x
A Haunting: Demon Angels
A Haunting: House of Fear
Kennedy: The Complete Miniseries
Life With Derek: Let The Games Begin!
Living With The Mek AddThis Social Bookmark Button
    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 3:57:12 AM CST

    FIRST

    by electricjones

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 4:00:44 AM CST

    I MUST ACQUIRE MST3KXIV

    by electricjones

    I DO QUITE ENJOY THE WORK OF THOMAS SERVO.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 4:37:17 AM CST

    I wish Amazon would stop with the Blu-Ray pimping.

    by tonagan

    I'm perfectly happy with regular DVD, thank you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 4:40:58 AM CST

    Blu Ray

    by superjim

    Isn't it about time BD came down in price? The prices over here in the UK are ridiculous. BD has made me interested in buying movies and TV shows again rather than borrowing them from friends etc. I can't afford many at these prices.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 5:37:31 AM CST

    "Mr. Mike's Mondo Video"

    by drunken rage

    Funniest movie/video ever. Period. Saw it twice at the theatre, still have a very worn-out VHS copy. "Someone, I think it was Lou Gehrig, once said, 'It takes a big dog to weigh a ton.'"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 6:40:33 AM CST

    If you are happy with regular DVD....

    by fart_master_flex

    Then you are happy with mediocrity.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 6:45:40 AM CST

    Wow- Mr. Mike lived to the ripe old age of 54

    by laserhead

    Why is comedic genius the hardest genius to bear?I know why but I won't tell you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 7:59:21 AM CST

    Does anyone else think....

    by nasty in the pasty

    ...that Reba McIntyre is pretty damn hot for her age?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 8:31:47 AM CST

    Blu-ray pimping?

    by mithrandir16

    Does attempting to sell any product amount to pimping? Fart_Master_Flex is right--contentment with regular DVD is acceptance of mediocrity.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 9:19:07 AM CST

    DVD doesn't cut it anymore

    by planetoftherapes

    Damn you BluRay for rendering my entire DVD collection inadequate. It's like 2001 all over again.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 9:25:40 AM CST

    What, no listing for DOCTOR WHO: THE POWER OF KROLL?

    by spyguy

    Granted, it's not a great episode, but it did get the "Special Edition" treatment like the others.

    Kroll! Kroll! Kroll!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 9:47:33 AM CST

    "DVD doesn't cut it anymore"

    by rickey henderson

    True, but Blu-Ray players upscale and the results are pretty snazzy. Rickey certainly won't be replacing his DVD collection any time soon...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 9:59:05 AM CST

    That Blue Ray promotion's not that great...

    by halloween68

    At least one of the three of each set I wouldn't want. Meaning you're paying about 17 to 18 bucks a piece if you're just after the two. If you're going to do that look into the other promotion they're running for Blue Ray. Buy 2 get 1 free. At least there you have to a choice of getting 3 dvds you really want.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 9:59:29 AM CST

    I mean who wants KNIGHTS TALE?

    by halloween68

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 10:10:58 AM CST

    No mention of My name is BRUCE??!!!

    by rectalscan

    SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on you! Busy shilling other stuff and you forget the BIG ONE?! It's being released on Feb 10 for those on this site who give a DAMN. I already ordered mine.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 10:12:17 AM CST

    The Waltons Final Season

    by samuellappdance

    I am SO buying it. I didn't start beating off to the Waltons' chicks til those later years when they was all growned up.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 11:36:26 AM CST

    Hey, SamuelLappDance,

    by mrfan

    Remember when the oldest daughter appeared in PLAYBOY? That definitely was a must buy for me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 11:40:07 AM CST

    When will they start selling Spectacular Spiderman in complete s

    by toshiro-solo

    That's what I want to know. I want to give that show a chance, but I'm not buying 3 or 4 "volumes" to get a season's worth of material; that's just retarded.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 12:13:09 PM CST

    This is the haunting theme from Mondo Video...

    by the alienist

    In Australia, lingerie models do their own kind of dance...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 12:18:08 PM CST

    Sorry

    by the alienist

    I'm sure I got those quotes wrong as I saw the film once many many years ago during it first run. But it was formative and I also remember the woman who DARES to predict Jean Dixon's future. And Lasarbra 2000. It was at a tiny mall cinema in Sandusky OH. Me and my friend Joe (who went on to join Second City and become a teacher there) were the only people in the theatre. We treated it as a private screening. Wow...Mondo Video....I think I remember a Mouse Queen...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 12:53:31 PM CST

    Hope & Faith...... need to.... suck.... ok, I'm spent.

    by baron karza

    Love that box

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 1:32:08 PM CST

    Wait - Room 222?

    by tonagan

    Fantastic. Chuck Norris was on an episode of that, you know. He taught a kid martial arts.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 3:22:16 PM CST

    Richard Jordan , a fine actor

    by skimn

    died at 55 from a brain tumor. You may remember him mostly as Michael York's runner friend in Logan's Run. I remember him from a very creepy turn as the villian against Kurt Russell in The Mean Season.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 3:50:37 PM CST

    COUNT DUCKULA SEASON 2!!!!!!!!

    by soylentmean

    Donde esta, bitches?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 3:54:26 PM CST

    At first I thought the cover art was UGLY

    by skimn

    but now I get it. The Venture Bros box is a duplicate of the art style and color of an old Atari 2600 game cartridge.So now, what do I win..?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 8:00:08 PM CST

    Paper Chase!!!

    by kneprock

    I have been waiting years for this one to come out. I almost went to law school because of that show

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 13, 2009 9:37:52 PM CST

    The WALTON ............... Girls

    by red dawn don

    The oldest Mary Ellen was a dog. Never cared to see her in PLAYBOY. The middle Walton girl Erin was the hottie of the show. The youngest Elizabeth grew into looking good. My wife went to a teaching seminar in Virgina and E was there. She became a teacher in real life. Small world aye?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 14, 2009 7:56:18 AM CST

    Mr. Mike also though Al Frankin....

    by 2for2true

    was a complete douchhat. True fact.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 14, 2009 10:46:59 AM CST

    Mr. Mike is overrated...

    by thecomedian

    I used to be crazy into old school SNL but Mr. Mike was just another misanthropic creep who thought he was funnier and smarter than he really was. At least with Andy Kaufman there was a purity to his art. Most of Mr. Mike's work is just proof that cocaine can make anything seem funny. I'll take Franken & Davis' primetime special over Mondo Video anyday.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 14, 2009 1:20:37 PM CST

    Found this out the other day...

    by nofate

    did you know that since Amazon does not charge a sales tax, you are supposed to report those purchases to the IRS?

    Thanx Herc!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 14, 2009 5:24:19 PM CST

    Parker Lewis loses again...

    by mrgonev5

    I'm still holding out hope for Parker Lewis on DVD or Blu-Ray...

    Reply to Talkback

User Login

Forgot password? Retrieve it here

or register as new user

Quick Talkback Form

Please login to post talkback