Is he kind of like Mystery Science Theater 3000?
I love Mystery Science Theater, too.
The difference is that Mystery Science Theater has really bad (stupid) horror movies and sci-fi movies, and the human and the two robots make fun of the movie all the way through the movie. It’s hilarious–I have several DVDs of the show.
Svengoolie shows really GOOD horror and sci-fi movies, and he doesn’t make fun of them. Quite the opposite–he gives all kinds of interesting information about the movies, actors, writers, directors, and other trivia. He really helps you to experience the movie the way it was experienced back when it first came out. He has reverence for the old movies.
He makes his jokes in-between scenes, not during the movie. And he doesn’t just make jokes. He sings satirical songs about the movie, or does skits, or has products (I love the “Ghoster Strudel” a few weeks ago–my husband and I were rolling on the floor over that skit!). And he has sidekicks on the show, most notably a rubber chicken named “Kerwyn.” They play off each other, kind of like Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon.
The jokes on the show keep up with current times and events; e.g., the Ghoster Strudel skit satirized a very popular ad campaign for “Toaster Strudel” featuring a very German-looking little boy named “Hans Strudel.” Svengoolie looked hilarious in his lederhosen.
Often he has serious guests on his show: actors, writers, make-up artists, etc.
He also keeps us updated about his activities at various fan conventions around the country. Svengoolie is a popular guest at these events.
I’m not quite sure when the Berwyn joke got started, but it’s been there as long as we remember Svengoolie (back in the 1970s.). I think it has something to do with the fact that Berwyn is a very old Chicago suburb where all the houses look alike and a lot of working-class people live. Not a very glamorous place to grow up, and easy to make fun of (kind of like Peoria, Illinois). The name is “funny-sounding,” too, especially when Chicago-born and bred Midwesterners pronounce it.
The show is done in a tasteful way–no nasty words, overt sexual jokes, etc. Like I said, it’s appropriate for most children (really sensitive children who are afraid of monsters, ghosts, etc. would not like Svengoolie or anything else to do with horror movies). The target age is older children and young teenagers, but lots of us “grown up kids” love the show, too. The character of Svengoolie is charming and funny, and he makes you feel like you’re his very closest friend, like you’re right on the set with him, having a relaxing fun evening. We just love this show and always have.
That always made me laugh, and still does. And, I like Berwyn, and always did. It’s a nice place!