Hobby Sources

One of the Invention Exchanges on an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 featured a pig-themed bagpipes. It sounds just like the underbeat to Bulk and Skull’s theme music. As Skull indicates, they are easily impressed, which is a thankful rebellious slap-in-the-face to our self-destructively competitive dog-eat-dog society. The hurting jibes of classmates are heard in their preemptive laughter when Bulk and Skull’s presentation comes up. A flea circus is not something many students would necessarily list as a hobby, showing Bulk and Skull’s intrinsic uniqueness. Of course, even the system is against them with their teachers (slightly hypocritical) judgment of “weird″. Attention to detail: The fleas have already escaped long before Bulk and Skull give their presentation, and their teacher is scratching away as she announces their project! Sneaky bit of casual foreshadowing, there. Final thing: The Hobby Week episode is the first time (I′m almost sure) that we hear Bulk and Skull’s first names: Farkas and Eugene. Farkas “Bulk” Bulkmeier and Eugene “Skull” Skullovich. Those are some classy names for ya.

During the Zack’s Birthday Party scenario, when Bulk runs into that pole, it looks like he could be really hurt, and the biggest concern is for Kimberly’s balloons. Getting away from Bulk or Skull for just a moment, it seems like Trini is much more capable of putting up with the pair’s shanigans. Notice how she’s almost businesslike with them. Thuy Trang, I salute you. You’d think Bulk would be more resilient than Skull, but Skull takes a blow to the head from a metal pole and is still walkin’. I wonder how I can incorporate Finster into one of this clip videos. He and the duo have some similarities, in that he also is constantly abused despite his amiable nature. He doesn’t let Rita’s nagging discourage him from making the cute little monsters he treasures so much. Way to go, Finster. Normally I wouldn’t even mention it, but Rita refers to herself as “No more Miss Nice Guy”. No further comment.

Evil Billy and Kimberly episode includes a classic Fibber McGee and Molly closet bit concerning Bulk’s locker. You gotta hand it to the two of them, even their lockers exude their personal touch. Bulk’s is crammed, while Skull’s brings to mind a skeletal desolation to it (and seemingly has a skull–is it real?) So did Bulk forget he stuffed all that junk in his locker, or was this another brutish prank from his unfriendly peers? Judging from David Yost’s and Amy Jo Johnson’s new punk wardrobes, it’s too bad they didn’t remain punks after this episode. I find myself curious as to how they obtained these clothes, particularly Yost’s blue shades. I think they two had loads of fun playing punks, especially as they try to extort lunch money from that javelin guy from Troll 2. The remix of the Bulk and Skull theme as Kimberly hits on Skull is interesting. And when the two of them laugh, that is pure music. By the way, this is also the episode with the infamous vore Toad. Don’t ask. I don’t want to tell.

Is Skull really going to “tear” up the town dressed like Pee Wee Herman/Bob Saget from “America’s Funniest Home Videos”? Digression: Bob Saget was on Quantum Leap (along with a ton of others). Apparently one of Skull’s favorite foods is frog’s legs. I′ve never had them, but I guess Skull’s quite a gourmet? In the episode where Bulk skateboards into a cake, their disguises reminds me of Sigmund Freud and Mrs. Kruschev. Final Note: Ernie dances like a cartoon animal.