K17: Time of the Apes
Movie: An almost direct rip-off of Planet of the Apes, this Japanese movie gets going when a lady and two children are transported to a future where Apes rule.
Opening: The Mads can't reach Joel... all their transmissions are intercepted by Servo and Crow. So where's Joel?
Host segment 1: Crow, Gypsy and Servo search for Joel, but find only his uniform. Does that mean he's floating naked out in space? Sadly, yes. Servo: "Quick! Get the telescope!"
Host segment 2: Realizing that Joel is locked out of the ship, Crow and Servo debate whether they should let him back in. They discuss several new privilages they'd like to receive as a reward for doing so, but movie sign intervenes before they actually bother to open the pod bay doors.
Host segment 3: Cambot fools Crow into thinking that Joel is back on the ship, but it's just a joke. Things then get pretty surreal, as Servo demonstrates various ways that fantasy can be made to look real.
End: Joel floats naked outside the Satellite of Love, as Crow and Servo discuss their new Joel-less life together.
Special Notes: This is the only MST3K episode that does not feature a human character aboard the Satellite of Love. Joel had to go out of town, so the episode was shot without him; therefore, Servo and Crow watch the movie alone. (Note that Crow sits in Joel's seat.)
Joel is listed as both "star" and co-writer in the end credits, despite the fact that he did not appear in or do any writing for this particular episode.