Line #120 Recap/MysteryScienceTheater3000S09E03ThePumaman


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_243_97.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Oh, ''Thep Umaman''.]]
3
4	Film watched: ''Film/ThePumaman''
5
6	->''"You know, I have almost no respect for pumas now. I now know that if I ever run into a puma, I can just push it the hell over."''
7	-->-- '''[[Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000 Crow T. Robot]]'''
8
9	The episode is available in the Gizmoplex [[https://www.gizmoplex.com/mst3k/season:9/videos/mst3k-174-thepumaman here]].
10
11	!!The Segments:
12	[[AC:Prologue]]
13	* Servo becomes an arrogant biker with lifts added to his hoverskirt. Mike concludes that he has [[CompensatingForSomething short man's disease]] and is struggling to cope with it. Luckily, it's treatable with baby aspirin.
14
15	[[AC:Segment 1]]
16	* After Servo overcomes his disability, an extra-posh Pearl is throwing a fancy ball in Castle Forrester to celebrate her new homecoming, inviting everyone in the area to attend. Nobody's shown up, though. Mike and the 'Bots try mingling at Pearl's forceful urging, but Servo's the only one who gets into it, even continuing to wear his ball gown and wig in the theater. Meanwhile, as Bobo stuffs himself with hors d'oeuvres, Brain Guy's hosting a viewing party of ''Series/{{Sliders}}'', and all the guests at Pearl's ball, such as Ortega, his cousin Staci, and her boyfriend Brian, crowd into the adjacent room with him.
17
18	[[AC:Segment 2]]
19	* Inspired by Tony's hairstyle, Mike tries to get the dry look from the Nanites' salon, but he asks for someone other than Shelli [[Recap/MysteryScienceTheater3000S08E12TheIncrediblyStrangeCreatures after the last time she styled his hair]]. He's naturally stuck with Shelli again, who takes offense to his comments and gives him the ultimate dry look by turning his scalp into a literal desert.
20
21	[[AC:Segment 3]]
22	* Crow and Servo dress up like Vadinho to tell Mike that he has been chosen by the gods to become Coatimundi Man, the mighty champion of justice! They go so far as to give him non-indicative superpowers, a childish theme tune, a ridiculous costume to dress up in, and Gypsy rigging a fake spaceship to descend upon him. Unfortunately, Mike gets distracted from his destiny when he goes to get leftover sesame noodles from the fridge, which he shares with Gypsy.
23
24	[[AC:Segment 4]]
25	* Mike finds that the 'Bots have their own ancient Aztec mask, through which they've made a replica of folk singer Roger Whittaker's head, trying to use the mask to brainwash Whittaker so they can use him for personal gain like Dr. Korbas. Mike can't come up with any good ideas of what the singer could be used for, angering the 'Bots to the point of threatening to sic him on Mike, and then the viewers.
26
27	[[AC:Segment 5]]
28	* After the utter awfulness of the movie, Crow leaves the theater early and resigns his post to wander the Satellite of Love. Half a second later, he's rehired at a lower salary with no benefits. In Castle Forrester, Pearl's ball is a complete bust, since everyone who showed up was only interested in Brain Guy's ''Sliders'' party. Much to her relief, the mind-controlled Roger Whittaker soon arrives and charms her with a tune, but then tries to sneak off to Brain Guy's party, lured by the strains of {{Music/Asia}} he can hear from the other room. The incensed Pearl retaliates by hitting him with his guitar, [[WesternAnimation/QuickDrawMcGraw El Kabong-style.]]
29
30	----
31	!! The Mystery Science Theater 3000 presentation of ''Film/ThePumaman'' provides examples of:
32	* AccidentalMisnaming:
33	-->'''Servo''': Oh, Thep-Umaman.
34	* ActorRoleConfusion: Mike and the bots insist on referring to Creator/DonaldPleasence's character as "Donald Pleasence."
35	* AnalProbe: Vadinho's final fate, according to Mike.
36	* ArtisticLicensePaleontology:
37	->'''Jane:''' So, [[TheDinosaursHadItComing dinosaurs went extinct when they no longer knew how to love one another]], is that correct?\
38	'''Servo:''' In a wrong kind of way, sure.
39	* AssPull: The bots, when convincing Mike of his role as Coatimundi Man, clearly haven't thought out his power suite: [[invoked]]
40	-->'''Crow:''' Yeah...you can shoot....uh....magnetic...uh, laser....beams...from....from your nose! Yeah! Yeah!
41	* BigYes: Servo when Vadinho punches out Tony.
42	* BitingTheHandHumor: Towards the then-owner of the Sci-Fi Channel.
43	-->'''Donald Pleasance:''' The men who control the whole destiny of the world is here.\
44	'''Crow:''' Barry Diller? Here?
45	* {{Blackmail}}: The 'bots envision this being done to Tony by a fly.
46	* CallBack: When Mike is calling the Nanites for a hair appointment, he gets Shelly.
47	-->'''Mike''': No offence, but last time, you made my hair, [[Recap/MysteryScienceTheater3000S08E12TheIncrediblyStrangeCreatures like 70 miles high]].
48	* TheChosenOne: Mike is Coatimundi Man, chosen by the gods to fulfill his destiny with whatever random power and goofy theme music that Crow and Servo can come up with. Mike gives up almost immediately to go get the cold sesame noodles in the fridge.
49	* ChromaKey:
50	-->'''Mike:''' He has the power to [[DrivingADesk rear-project]] major cities!
51	* ContinuityNod:
52	** [[Recap/MysteryScienceTheater3000S08E12TheIncrediblyStrangeCreatures Ortega]] is one of the guests who comes over to watch ''Sliders'' with Brain Guy.
53	** Mike's Coatimundi Man hat is the same giant foam hat from the Cowboy Mike's Ric-O-Chet Bar-B-Q Sauce! sketch in ''Film/TheStarfighters''. Crow even [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] it when he wears it back into the theater:
54	--->'''Crow:''' '''Bold''', Mike.
55	** Once again Bobo is singing songs by Music/{{Asia}}.
56	* CoolAndUnusualPunishment:
57	-->'''Mike:''' You will drop your pants to your ankles and walk through town saying 'I am a ninny!'
58	* CreatorProvincialism: Several of the brands mentioned during their singing of the Pumaman theme (Snyder Drug, Red Owl) are regional chains local to Minnesota, where the show was produced.
59	* DullSurprise:
60	-->'''Crow:''' At all times, he has the look of a man who's been hit with a fish.
61	* DumbBlonde: Jane already came off as this in the movie proper, but the riffers make her out to be a blithering idiot easily distracted by shiny objects.
62	-->'''Crow:''' ''[as Jane uses a magnifying glass]'' There's something wrong with this mirror.\
63	'''Servo:''' ''[as Jane stares off]'' I'm confused. Now, I'm happy!
64	* EvilLaugh: Crow and Servo, because they control Roger Whittaker.
65	* FailureHero: Discussed. [[invoked]]
66	-->'''Crow:''' I'll go mess up, and you save me!
67	* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: Kobras dies in a flaming helicopter wreck.
68	-->'''Crow:''' ''(singing)'' Burn an old man! Singe all his flesh off!
69	* FreudianExcuseIsNoExcuse: Joked about when Pumaman manhandles Kobras and Mike riffs Kobras attempting to weasel out of being beaten up by claiming that he had a rough childhood.
70	* FreudianExcuse: Joked by Crow.
71	-->'''Crow (as Dr. Kobras):''' No. Please. I had a terrible childhood.
72	* FridgeLogic: [[invoked]] It occurs to Mike that pumas are not noted for their powers of flight.
73	* GagHaircut: Mike is given "the dry look" by hairdresser nanite Shelly, which turns his head into [[VisualPun a literal desert with a tiny cactus on top]]. Crow suggests running a river over his head to turn it back to normal.
74	* GenderBender: Played for laughs when Vadinho shows Tony the childhood picture to prove that he is the Pumaman.
75	-->'''Vadinho:''' You were only a boy at the time.\
76	'''Crow:''' Then you were a girl, and then you were a boy again.
77	* HoYay: InUniverse between Tony and Vadinho.
78	-->'''Crow (as Tony):''' Please get off, I'm feeling funny down there.
79	* LanternJawOfJustice: Vadinho's doesn't go unnoticed by the crew.
80	* MaliciousMisnaming: When informing Mike and the bots they're not invited to her party, Pearl refers to Tom Servo as "Tim Servo".
81	* MindControlDevice: Tom and Crow attempt to mimic the film's method of {{Brainwashing}} to make the perfect assassin by building a bust of... folk singer '''''Roger Whittaker!'''''
82	* MundaneUtility:
83	** Servo "marvels" over Tony using his amazing Pumaman powers to step out of a firetruck going 3 mph.
84	** Crow and Servo take control of Roger Whittaker, saying he could be used for such tasks as typing.
85	* TheNapoleon: Tom's "short man's disease" causes him to become more belligerent and dress up like an outlaw biker.
86	* NeverSayThatAgain: Mike tells Servo this after the latter makes a joke related to ''Film/TheMask''.
87	* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Roger Whittaker played by Kevin Murphy, although it's not a literal example of the trope, since poor Roger might have been harmed a little when Pearl beaned him with his own guitar.
88	* NoJustNoReaction: This exchange:
89	-->'''Tony:''' But why does Kobras want the mask?\
90	'''Servo:''' So he can be [[Film/TheMask ssssmokin'!]]\
91	'''Mike (firmly):''' Never...''ever''...do that again.
92	* NoodleIncident: When Tony first uses the belt to transform, Mike says his mother had a pair of earrings that did similarly.
93	* OnePersonBirthdayParty: Pearl's "return to Castle Forrester" moving party is a complete non-starter, with only Bobo in attendance (and he leaves once the canapés run out). Observer's casual get-together to watch ''Series/{{Sliders}}'' in his room, meanwhile, attracts over 70 people in an hour and turns into a raucous drunken sing-along.
94	* ParanoiaFuel: InUniverse, as the 'bots warn Mike and the audience.
95	-->'''Crow:''' Roger Whittaker could be on you at any moment.\
96	'''Servo:''' There he is! I'm kidding... this time.
97	* PimpedOutDress: Both Pearl and Servo sport Edwardian hoop dresses.
98	* PornStache: One of the mooks sports a generous one, leading to this riff:
99	-->'''Servo:''' Help! My mustache makes me fall sideways!
100	* PowerPerversionPotential: Tony and Jane decide to "boff in the air", making Mike moan, "They ''immediately'' defile the gifts the Gods gave them."
101	* PretentiousPronunciation:
102	** Every time Kobras says "Pumaman" [[UsefulNotes/BritishEnglish the British way]] ("Pyooma-man", as opposed to "Pooma-man"), Mike and the bots 'correct' him (Mike: "Oh, is that right, ''Dyonald''?"); then when he says "human being", Servo says "That's 'hooman being'... oh, no, wait..."
103	** One riff plays on this as well:
104	--->'''Vadinho:''' I say put it on.\
105	'''Mike:''' And you say "pyoot it oon."
106	** This was going on from the opening riff (with a dash of AccentUponTheWrongSyllable thrown in) where the mashed-together title ''The Pumaman'' was read "Thep-yoo-MAY-min."
107	* RummageSaleReject: Mike's Coatimundi Man costume quickly turns into this. Justified in that it was all a ploy by the bots to make him look silly.
108	* RunningGag:
109	** The heroic declaration of "Pumaman!" whenever Tony's being decidedly un-heroic. Also, the spoofing of Pleasence using the British pronunciation of "Puma". Much fun was also had at the expense of "Vadinho's" name sounding like a type of onion[[note]]Vidalia, if you didn't know[[/note]].
110	** Culminating in the final scene at the Stonehenge-like monolith structure with Mike (as Tony) saying to Vadinho, "Hey, Vidalia would you mind just worshiping for us? I think we'll just get going...."
111	--->'''Vadinho:''' Kneel.\
112	'''Crow:''' I told you, my name's Tony!
113	** They even do a preview of the pronunciation gag before it's even established:
114	--->'''Vadinho:''' I say put it on.\
115	'''Mike:''' [[YouSayTomato And you say "pyoot it oon".]]
116	** As usual, Mike and the 'bots make constant references to Pleasence's baldness.
117	--->'''Kobras:''' Comb the area.\
118	'''Crow:''' Donald's only use for the word "comb", right there.
119	** "'''[[LarynxDissonance I am a wood sprite! Tee Hee]]!'''"
120	** Crow saying "[[{{Disco}} Do the hustle!]]" any time Pumaman's very disco-esque action music would play.
121	** "Look! It's a (insert unflattering comparison)! No wait, it's just Donald Pleasence."
122	** The riffers mocking Tony being slow to sense danger in clearly dangerous situations.
123	** Tony already whines a fair amount in the movie, but Mike and the 'bots take it even further.
124	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: By the end of the movie, Crow's had enough and he's planning on quitting. He doesn't, but still...
125	* SeparatedByACommonLanguage: When Tony and Vadinho walk by a river.
126	-->'''Servo:''' Look, you call it corn, I call it maize. We'll never get along.
127	* ShoutOut:
128	** Pearl's moving beauty mark is a reference to Prince John's mole in ''Film/RobinHoodMenInTights''... which in turn was a ShoutOut to Eye-Gor's moving hump in ''Film/YoungFrankenstein''.
129	--->'''Bobo:''' [[ExtremeOmnivore Oooh, Junior Mint!]]
130	** Brain Guy can't attend Pearl's ball because he's having people over to watch ''Series/{{Sliders}}''.
131	** Why does Donald Pleasance want the mask? "So he can be ''[[Film/TheMask ssssmokin'!]]''"
132	** At one point the bots sing the theme tune to ''Series/TheGreatestAmericanHero'' with altered lyrics.
133	--->'''Crow:''' Believe it or not, this movie's still on/It should have ended two hours ago-oh-ohhh!
134	** As Vadinho watches some extremely indecisive Mooks from behind a brick wall built to have a lot of holes in it: "You won't get my [[Creator/EdgarAllanPoe Amontillado]]!"
135	** Crow calling Martin Creator/GilbertGottfried from ''Up All Night''. (Gottfried had taken over for Rhonda Shear.)
136	** Mike's Coatimundi Man outfit includes a ''Series/{{Rhoda}}'' vest and a ''[[Series/DoctorWho Doctor]] [[Creator/TomBaker Who]]'' scarf.
137	** Mike quips "Take ''that'', members of Music/{{Boston}}!" when Vadinho gives two goons with an uncanny resemblance to Brad Delp and Sib Hashian the PutTheirHeadsTogether treatment and tosses both of them away.
138	** Servo introduces the movie as "A very special [[Series/TouchedByAnAngel Touched by a Pumaman]]."
139	** After the sequence of Tony getting lost in nothingness, Crow accuses him of not knowing how to use [[Franchise/StarTrek the holodeck]].
140	* SidekickExMachina: "So the hero is this guy; I think it's time we faced that fact."
141	* SpecialEffectsFailure: Pointed out and riffed, of course. [[invoked]]
142	** "Pumaman can tear through pure contact paper."
143	** "Help, I'm falling at a 60° angle, [[ArtisticLicensePhysics breaking all the laws of physics]]!" [[invoked]]
144	** [[DrivingADesk "He has the power to rear-project major cities!"]]
145	* TakeThatScrappy: InUniverse, after Vadinho punches out Tony.
146	-->'''Servo:''' Yes! The Aztec speaks for all of us!
147	* TenMinuteRetirement: In the final segment, Crow gets fed up with the movie and decides to "quit". He walks away... then doesn't even get fully off-screen before running back and asking if Mike is hiring.
148	* WeakWilled: The crew's opinion of Jane.
149	-->'''Servo:''' I think controlling her will might involve Sloe Gin and a Trans-Am.
150	* WithLyrics: Mike and the 'bots add their own lyrics to the jingle-istic "Pumaman Theme" ("Soundtrack by my little brother's Casio"):
151	-->'''Crow:''' ''(singing)'' Pumaman, he flies like a moron...\
152	'''Servo:''' ''(singing)'' The fat-free yo-gurt that's not short on fla-vor!\
153	'''Mike:''' ''(singing)'' Dick's... Red Owl... selection and service...\
154	'''Servo:''' ''(singing)'' Sny-der Drug.. .we're busting up prices!\
155	'''Crow:''' ''(singing)'' When... you want... the fla-vor of ba-con in a dip!\
156	'''Crow:''' ''(singing)'' Burn an old man, [[FamilyUnfriendlyDeath singe all his flesh off!]]\
157	'''Crow:''' ''(singing)'' Now... they're going... to boff in the air...!
158	** Crow declares "This is music to praise the gods with..." Ask and Servo shall provide:
159	--->'''Servo:''' ''(singing)'' Glory to our Space Gods in the Highest! Gloria, in Excelsis Space Gods!
160	** And then there's the 'love theme' version of the song at the end, which Servo quickly notices sounds a little like Music/LionelRichie and [[Music/TheSupremes Diana Ross]]'s duet "Endless Love":
161	--->'''Servo:''' ''(singing)'' Thepyewmaymiiin... there's only you in my life...
162	* YankTheDogsChain: With her ball a complete failure, Pearl asks for someone up there to give her a break "just this once." Enter Roger Whittaker (controlled by Servo)... Then after just a few minutes, Whittaker decides to join the action (the ''Sliders'' party with Observer, Bobo, and friends) in the back room. Pearl creams him with his guitar.
163	-->'''Roger Whittaker:''' But Pearl, they're singing Music/{{Asia}} songs in there!
164
165	----
166	->''[[TheStinger (Vadinho throws Tony out of a window, who lands safely on some grass)]]''

Context Recap / MysteryScienceTheater3000S09E03ThePumaman