BREAKING BAD!! SOUTH PARK!! MST3KXVII!! SQUIDBILLIES!! MACGYVER!! NUDE!! HercVault!!

I am – Hercules!!

The second season of “Breaking Bad” was my pick for 2009’s fourth best hourlong. Loved Fatboy Mohawk and the bicycle kid, loved the hottest landlord on the planet, loved Walter’s parking-lot staredown with the rival meth kings, loved the fate of Danny Trejo’s Tortuga, loved loved loved crooked lawyer “Better Call” Saul Goodman.

The new set comes in both DVD and Blu-ray.

Oh, and season one belatedly hits Blu-ray today as well.

My favorite sitcom last year was “South Park.” Series mastermind Trey Parker is not afraid to make enemies. Its thirteenth season unleashed a foul-mouthed truth-telling Mickey Mouse, brought Cartman into conflict with the superhero Mysterion, nearly crucified Kyle, put Carlos Mencia on the spot, nuked Finland for not playing along, saw Cartman indulge piracy, educated baby Ike on chipotle underwear blood, kept Butters’ pimp-hand strong, birthed the Wrestling Takedown Federation, caused Japan to redirect its anger toward cattle and fowl, redefined the f-word, saw James Cameron steal Cartman’s movie idea, and made Kyle drink urine. No mini-commentaries this time around, but we do get seven deleted scenes in which we learn: * which of the main characters was NOT Mysterion. * Kanye West’s ultimate fate. * just how desperate Randy Marsh was to win that pinewood derby. * how the pinewood derby alien became supreme ruler of Earth. * how Kyle got Cartman to go to Somalia. * how far Kyle was willing to go to convince Michael Jackson of his own death. * GlennBeckCartman is more than just talk.

The new set comes in both DVD and Blu-ray.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 XVII collects four more mocked movies: 1.1 “The Crawling Eye” (1958). A pair of scientists look into mysterious mountaineer decapitations. Joel stars in the little-seen very first Comedy Channel episode! Joel unveils the electric bagpipes, Gypsy uncoils and the bots learn why humans don’t like to lose their heads. 4.15 “The Beatniks” (1960). A young man’s recording career is imperiled by his ne’er-do-well associates. Joel demonstrates his rock-paper-scissors acumen and Tony Travis phones a bot slumber party. 9.10 “The Final Sacrifice” (1990). A young man investigates the Canadian cult behind his father’s murder. The bots loot during a power outage, Servo pays tribute to Canada, and Mike catches Grizzled Old Prospector Syndrome. 10.5 “Blood Waters of Dr. Z” (1975). A vengeful scientist transforms himself into a fish-man, then kidnaps young women he can transform into fish-girls. Crow takes up chewing tobacco, Brain Guy and Bobo demonstrate naked acting theory, and Crow’s evil voiceover menaces Mike. Bonus features include: * “The Main Event: Crow Vs. Crow” (35:03). Trace Beauleau and Bill Corbett, the two voices of Crow T. Robot, appear on stage together to discuss their experiences with the character. Learn the Crow puppet was top heavy and prone to fall apart. Learn each puppeteer only brought a puppet home once. Hear the audience groan as Beauleau disassembles Crow. Learn Beauleau quit the show to learn what it’s like to live alone in a crappy apartment without a job. Learn some thought was given to retiring Crow with Beauleau’s departure. Learn show staffers and a lot of local Minneapolis actors auditioned for the role before it went to writer Corbett. Frank Coniff, from the audience, reveals the Lily Tomlin drama “Moment By Moment” and the Elvis western “Charro” were two movies they wanted to use but couldn’t obtain the rights. Learn Hodgson originally wanted Crow to emulate the “Lost In Space” robot with replies like “Yes, Joel Hodgson.” The two puppets don't actually fight. * New interview with “Final Sacrifice” star Bruce J. Mitchell (9:29). Learn the film’s technicians all had roles in the movie. Learn Mitchell had a shoot mishap that required him getting his hand stitched up. Learn the end credits attributed the wrong role to Mitchell. Learn Mitchell never did see the “Final Sacrifice” MST3K because the show was not available in Canada. Learn Mitchell hasn’t spoken to the film’s writer-director since the shoot and does not know what he thought of the episode. * New intro by Joel Hodgson (6:28). The series’ creator (and first host) explains that a “best-of” compilation of the show’s first season on local broadcast TV station KTMA convinced him the show should be scripted for its move to cable rather than rely purely on improvisation. We’re reminded that the cast built the set for the first Comedy Channel show and that it really wasn’t ready when they taped “The Crawling Eye.” Hodgson remarks that the riffing in the first fully-scripted episode moved slowly during its first hour, but approached what we now think of as MST3K pacing during the movie’s third act. Learn Hodgson thinks the early sketches had too much exposition and should have moved faster. * Mystery Science Theater Hour wraps (5:10). Mike Nelson, in Jack Perkins make-up, separately introduces both hours of “The Beatniks.”
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