Mike Harney: Boston and Other 'Bot Bashes

Boston and Other 'Bot Bashes
Last update: 11-Nov-1995 (New page)

Before the first Boston 'Bot Bash, I managed to glom onto this large poster.
On permanent loan to The Frank Coleman Collection.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 and its characters are the property of Best Brains, Inc.

The Boston 'Bot Bash happens about once a year. Folks from all over the country come to visit, see some sights, and have a big party. The 'Bot Bashes are up to three- and four-day events now, and each year is better than the last. On the day of the 'Bot Bash itself (usually Saturday), we watch a bad film as a warm-up, some KTMA-TV highlights, and an early episode of MST3K. In between, we drink, eat (I made Caesar salad, chicken tetrazzini, and chocolate mousse for thirty at BBBIII), chat, and participate in the Riff-a-Thon®.

During the Riff-a-Thon, contestants are challenged to come up with the best riffs for five-minute segments of really putrid films our badfilmeister nonpareil Frank Coleman comes up with. Prizes are given both for the Riff-a-Thon and at random. BBBIII's grand prize was an original one-sheet for Hercules Against the Moon Men. Second prize was an original one-sheet for Mitchell, and third was an original half-sheet for Mitchell. (See also the page that shows MST3K target one-sheets and lobby cards.)

The first Boston 'Bot Bash in August 1993, which eighty people attended, was merely a ploy by the evil triumvirate of hosts - myself, Clinton Alvord, and Frank Coleman - to have ourselves a big birthday party, since our birthdays fall within a few days of each other. It also coincided with the 100th episode of MST3K (Secret Agent Super Dragon, which we watched that night), plus Clinton had placed an ad in Variety that week with contributions from others, congratulating Best Brains on 100 episodes. How could we not have a party?

BBB spawned many other 'Bot Bashes (two almost simultaneous with BBB), with CompuServe ShowBiz forum members and Internet newsgroup participants being the predominant attendees. So far, there have been about fifteen 'Bot Bashes in cities like Chicago, Washington, San Francisco, New Orleans, and Newark. In 1995, six 'Bot Bashes were held. Several more are planned for 1996.

Below are images of my original artwork for the posters given as souvenirs of the Boston 'Bot Bashes.

Click on any of these images to see the large version. I'll be posting photos and other items from the parties soon.

The background on this page (if your browser shows it) is the name tag I designed for BBBII, modeled after the film can label seen between segments on MST3K.

Boston 'Bot Bash: 8/7/93
"Oh, bite me. It was fun!"
Features Crow, Gypsy, and Tom discussing the 100th episode of MST3K. Gypsy is confused.

Variety ad congratulating Best Brains on 100 episodes, 8/9/93
Placed by co-host Clinton Alvord, with contributions from several attendees

Boston 'Bot Bash II: 4/2/94
"Serving only the finest in cheese since 1993"
Features Crow and Tom taking a brief break from their sword fight in the load pan bay to discuss the partygoers.

Boston 'Bot Bash III: 6/24/95
"BBBIII: It's more bisymmetrical!"
Features Crow and Tom in a sailboat on the Charles River, discussing the whopper Tom has just reeled in. The John Hancock Tower is in the background.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 and its characters are the property of Best Brains, Inc.