Watch RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is a 2013 live comedy event featuring veteran MST3K stars Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy, and Michael J. Nelson. In this event, the three comedic minds get together to riff off of the 1964 film Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, a low-budget science fiction film filled with campy action sequences and cheesy visual effects.

The event was broadcast live in select theaters across the United States and later released on DVD and digital download. The movie follows the story of the Martian world, which is dampened by sadness when Martian children show no interest in anything. The solution, according to the Martian leaders, is to kidnap Santa Claus from Earth to bring festive cheer and joy to the Martian children. In the beginning, Santa Claus is shown living in the North Pole and building toys with his team of elves. But, as the plot progresses and he is kidnapped by the Martians, he faces various challenges as he tries to bring joy to the children of Mars.

The live event features the three MST3K alums providing hilarious commentary throughout the movie. The trio pokes fun at the laughable plotline, production value, and acting in the original film, providing a fresh perspective on the movie that’s guaranteed to have audiences in stitches. Their commentary is filled with clever jokes, clever wordplay, pop culture references, and other hilarious banter, providing a running commentary on everything that’s happening on the screen. As viewers watch the original movie, the trio of comedians add to the experience to make it a truly unforgettable experience.

The jokes are frequently gut-busting, and the humor ranges from sarcastic quips to happy-go-lucky jokes that poke fun at the campy scenes. All of their jokes add to the movie-watching experience, and ensure that there is never a dull moment. The three are extremely quick-witted and their jokes come across as effortlessly funny, a testament to their comedic talents.

The trio has a natural chemistry and their jokes build on each other to make the experience even more enjoyable. The audience can hear some chuckles and guffaws coming through the microphones too. They build on each other’s jokes, providing a unified front against the cheesy plot, set design, and acting of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

The event itself has a very casual atmosphere, with the trio making jokes and comments about everything from the movie to the theater itself. They even interact with members of the audience in a way that few live comedy events can match. With Bill Corbett’s dry wit, Kevin Murphy's goofball personality, and Michael J. Nelson’s observational humor, the show is a must-watch for fans of the trio.

The live audience itself provides another layer of entertainment during the event. Hearing the audience laugh and react to the trio’s jokes and commentary adds to the film-watching experience, providing a sense of shared merriment that only a live event can provide. All of this creates an interactive watching experience that blurs the line between a performance and a film screening.

Overall, RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is a must-watch for fans of MST3K and live comedy. The combination of the absurdity of the original film and the witty jokes and commentary of the trio creates a memorable and entertaining night of laughs. The casual atmosphere and trio’s chemistry provide an enjoyable experience that will have audience members laughing long after the show has ended.

RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.