Big Heads Beaming Into Your TV on "This Island Earth" - Tonight!

Posted on April 15, 2023

Tonight on MeTV- it's a science fiction classic from the 1950s- in which the world's top scientists are summoned to a strange research compound – only to be whisked to a far-away planet with mutant aliens- and learn they are pawns in a galactic battle that could lead to the conquest of "This Island Earth"!

It all begins when Dr Cal Meacham, a nuclear physicist, is flying his small plane home when it is enveloped in a strange greenish glow- that takes the plane completely out of his control! Miraculously, the plane lands safely, but no logical reason can be found for the phenomenon. Returning to his lab, a second mystery is unveiled- his assistant Joe explains that. instead of a set of resistors he had ordered, they've received some sort of odd new solid-state type, unlike anything they've ever seen, with prove to have amazing unheard-of capacity!

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Puzzled, Meacham wants to order another batch from the same mysterious company- but, when he does so, instead of another shipment of these odd resistors, he receives an entire package of unfamiliar parts, along with instructions on how to build them into some sort of machine- whose function is unknown, and the guys can only speculate about what it does. Regardless, he and Joe decide to get to work building the contraption- discovering it is some sort of communication device called an “interocitor”. The machine suddenly picks up a transmission from an odd looking individual with an impossibly high forehead named Exeter (no, the forehead isn't named Exeter, the whole guy is...). The mysterious figure on the screen congratulates Meacham- saying that, by successfully building the device, he has “passed the test” – and proven himself worthy of becoming part of a special top secret project!

Following instructions, Cal boards an unusual - and unmanned!- aircraft by himself, and is brought to a remote research compound. He is met by fellow scientists- including Ruth, an expert on nuclear power, who claims she has never encountered him in the past- yet Cal knows he has met her before ( since he appears to have a pretty good memory for attractive women)! Once inside the compound’s main building, he finally meets Exeter and his similarly-high-domed cronies-and joins the full group of recruits- an international amalgam of scientists transported there just as he was. He bonds with Ruth, that female scientist and a fellow we recognize –(he's Russell Johnson-the Professor from “Gilligan’s Island”!)- another scientist who's also curious and suspicious about what this place is all about. The three of them scheme to uncover what Exeter and his big-headed boys are actually planning, besides supposedly having the scientists attempting to create new forms of power. They soon learn that they are constantly under surveillance, and actually are prisoners in the compound!

They agree that they must escape, but their attempt results in Meacham and Ruth being captured and transported -via a spacecraft unlike any that our modern science has yet to create- to the distant planet Metaluna ,which is quickly deteriorating -under siege by a powerful alien race. Along the way, they behold bizarre and dangerous mutants, used by Exeter's people as a slave labor force. As bombings by their enemy progress, and the battle seems lost, the leader of Exeter's group- the Monitor- reveals a new plan- to take over the earth as their new home, and reprogram the earth people's brains to remove their free will. They plan to start with the two visiting earthlings! Will Cal and Ruth become brainwashed pacified pawns, forced to pave the way to the earth's conquest?

This 1955 Technicolor film is considered a landmark science fiction film, with a fairly sophisticated story line and quality special effects for the time period. It is best remembered for the big headed “Metaluna Mutants”- which are pretty much the prototype for the space creatures of the 50s labeled “bug-eyed monsters”. The cast includes leading man Rex Reason, the sultry Faith Domergue, and Jeff Morrow as Exeter. We'll talk about the cast, and provide some background on the film, as well as trying out our own Interocitor along the way. Plus-we bring back some convention interviews, a tutorial on how to shoot UFO footage, a favorite vintage Sven commercial, and more. Don’t be surprised if you see our old set and coffin during this program!

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"This Island Earth" beams to your TV sets (no Interocitors required) tonight at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central, or, check for time and channel where you live in your local listings, or at www.metv.com . Don't forget that MeTV invites you to Tweet along during our broadcast on Twitter- just use the hashtag #svengoolie . We continue to be among the top trending topics being commented on nationally every week. Chicago area viewers can enjoy an encore visit to “The Old Dark House” at 11 am on CW26!

Speaking of which, the appearance by Nostalgiaferatoo in our show last week proved to be a big hit with our viewers! He will indeed be dropping by again!

This past week marked one year since the untimely passing of our friend Gilbert Gottfried. We miss him, and will continue to show his previous visits in the future.

If you care to vote in the Rondo Awards this year- remember the deadline is midnight Sunday night, April 23- as we have mentioned, I’m again in category 21 for favorite horror host. Please follow all the stated rules if you vote- so your vote will count!  Click here for instructions to vote!

And, please join us tonight for the big broadcast, featuring big heads and (hopefully) some big laughs!

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3518 Comments

 during show

1MikeM 11 months ago
...and dat was dis Island Earth...and dat's da name a dat tune!
Kyle 1MikeM 11 months ago
Nothing is over!

Nothing!
1MikeM Kyle 11 months ago
You just don't turn it off!
1MikeM 11 months ago
Nestor Paiva on tonight's episode of Perry Mason.
Kyle 11 months ago
Only 6 minutes left to start a conversation here, with hopes of distracting your competitors from being first on the new blog.

So, anyone seen any good movies lately?
Katink Kyle 11 months ago
Well, Kyle, I liked Old Dark House, now that you asked😊
Kyle Katink 11 months ago
I keep hoping that Sven will get Private Eyes with Don Knotts and Tim Conway.

It is a great Holmes/Watson spoof murder mystery with a monster twist.
Carl_N_Brown Kyle 11 months ago
I rewatched LADY IN WHITE and it was better than I remembered. I think Sven ought to check it out as a possible addition to the lineup.
FKrueger Kyle 11 months ago
I hear Star Wars is pretty good
Cartoondave 11 months ago
Jackie Coogan (Uncle Fester) on tonight's Perry Mason
Katink Cartoondave 11 months ago
Is he neat, sweet, or petite, Dave?
abc123 11 months ago
Okay - Links are all uploaded - and my verse finally rhymes - see you all in a few on the new blog!
Katink abc123 11 months ago
Soon, yes, very soon, abc!
VanGooliac abc123 11 months ago
Can’t wait to see what you grew from the seed I planted!
Carl_N_Brown 11 months ago
I certainly hope I get home in time tomorrow night to see Frank Baxter's intro to THE MOLE PEOPLE. He masterfully sets up the premise of hollow Earth theories and his verisimilitude contributes greatly to the audience's willing suspension of disbelief. Talk about a mood setter, that is the fascinating and erudite Frank Baxter.
Cartoondave 11 months ago
I was just the Svengoolie store and saw the new throw blankets not crazy about the styles but hey it's Svengoolie right?
Cartoondave 11 months ago
So whereabout are dale and Catbat now, think they'll be in Californy sometime tomorrow???
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Kyle Carl_N_Brown 11 months ago
Man, I really hope that they don't run him over!
Carl_N_Brown FKrueger 11 months ago
Driving through Virginia zip noticed they had more than one county road designated Rte 666.
Kyle Carl_N_Brown 11 months ago
There is a mile marker 666 on U.S. Highway 2 near me.

It is always gone.

I think they quit replacing it.

Locally, same with Whiskey RD.

There is a song about that one by Smoke Creek.

It is pretty much my younger days.
Carl_N_Brown Carl_N_Brown 11 months ago
In Gate City, Virginia Red Hill Road (Route 666) end at a cemetery.
CountCurt 11 months ago


The Night Of The Skulls is on the Wild Wild West tomorrow. James West shoots and kills Artemis Gordon. Can it be true? Tune in at 9:00 am Central/ 10:00 am West to find out.

Prolific actor Donald Woods appears in tomorrow's episode.
Cartoondave 11 months ago
I wonder if Metv is able to get The Banana Splits Show I remember watching it as a kid cartoons like Gulliver's Travels, Winnie Witch, The Hillbilly Bears etc. Oh and who can forget my all time favorite non cartoon show Danger Island uh oh chongo!
CountCurt Cartoondave 11 months ago
Wasn't the Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn on the Banana Splits? It was a cartoon that had live actors?
Katink CountCurt 11 months ago
I think so, CountCurt! I always liked that show, Dave!
Mikeyyy 11 months ago
Cartoon Dave: May 1st is when mash replaces a-team at 6:00 pm.
Kyle Mikeyyy 11 months ago
Poop.
Cartoondave Mikeyyy 11 months ago
Ok Mikeyyy I guess M+A+S+H is popular with fans, they asked Metv listened
Kyle 11 months ago
Been doing some shallow research for the movie foodening.

Very shallow.

One of the most important foods of ancient Egypt was barley.

They drank lots of beer, made with barley.

Also, they ate lots of garlic.

Doctor said no more beer a couple years ago.

Barley also makes Scotch.

So, Scotch and spaghetti with garlic bread are probably going to be the menu.
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Kyle Jack 11 months ago
And I certainly have no objection to any retively non-toxic mycological substances.
Kyle Jack 11 months ago
I am going with the theory that the scribblings on the wall were Egyptian, and the Sumerians were either lying or squatting.

Either way, beer (or something like it) seems to be one of the common foundations of civilization.

Kyle Jack 11 months ago
And honestly, I couldn't tell Sumerian from Italian.

Just commenting on something I saw, probably from your post.

Anyone that expects coherency from my random train of thoughts will be disappointed.
PatS Kyle 11 months ago
The obvious substances for a Mole People meal would be goat milk, goat meat and mushrooms. I kinda doubt they could grow barley by cave phosphorescence. (But logic won't get you far with any '50s movie.) Possibly river fish or cave crawdads?
Engineer_Poelzig 11 months ago
Time to decompress from the work week, and get ready for Sven-Saturday!
Kyle Engineer_Poelzig 11 months ago
I am about 2 drinks into decompression right now.
Kyle 11 months ago
Fought my way 20-some miles through the snow and the slush and the mud to be here for The A-Team!

Spring is here!
MrsG Kyle 11 months ago
You are truly a diehard Kyle ~ God Bless You !
Had to miss today but I do have a personal stash recorded and may save some more episodes since rumor has it that there may be some MeTV lineup changes affecting A-TEAM *_*
PS ~ Happy Spring 💐
Kyle MrsG 11 months ago
I heard the same rumors.

Luckily, I have several episodes stored in my head.

As for being a diehard, life without challenges would be no fun.
Jack 11 months ago
As one of the artists given the nod to create a design for the new series of Svengoolie T-shirt, Mitch O’Connell sketched a couple alternates before they chose the “Let’s All Go to the Movies.” This one looks familiar...
Cartoondave 11 months ago
Here's something to get your Sven weekend started I drew this a few weeks ago and kept forgetting to bring it home and post it here it's not as good as our recent spawn's drawing but I think it'll do?
Kyle Cartoondave 11 months ago
I think you have captured the spirit of the blog.

The nose, especially, has me laughing.
Cartoondave Kyle 11 months ago
Like I said not as good as mstormer's
Kyle Cartoondave 11 months ago
Good schmood.

It made me grin, and that is a rare thing these days.

Glad you posted it.
Cartoondave Kyle 11 months ago
Thanks Kyle
daDoctah 11 months ago
Mo-o-ole People is the place to be!
Ca-a-ave livin' is the life for me.
MrsG daDoctah 11 months ago
🎼 Keep Manhattan just give MOLE PEOPLE that countryside 🎶
*_*
Klaatu MrsG 11 months ago
Wouldn’t it be funny if we all showed up for Karaoke and sang our own lyrics to popular tunes? I’d be good after a couple Martinis 🤪🎶
MrsG Klaatu 11 months ago
That is a blast ~ Hubster and I did it once to “I Love This Bar” , personalizing the lyrics ~ we even did a little toot scoot boogie !
🎶🎤*_*🎤🎶
Jack daDoctah 11 months ago
Isn’t our Mr. Sun bad for Mole People?
JohnBlair daDoctah 11 months ago
New York is where I'd rather stay.
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
daDoctah Jack 11 months ago
Aww, that's just a load of Eye of Ishtar!
Mikeyyy 11 months ago
For Any fans of Sam Elliot he’s making his only appreance on gunsmoke. Also Fran Ryan is in this one.

Where’s my fav cowgal? MrsG
MrsG Mikeyyy 11 months ago
Aw Man ! Missed or would have set DVR ~ just parked for first PT appt , woe is Your cowgal !
Mikeyyy MrsG 11 months ago
Sorry about the late info. Usually I check ahead to see what’s coming.
MrsG Mikeyyy 11 months ago
Me too Mikeyyy but some days chaos rules ~ some A-TEAM later will make it ALL bettah 🧡 *_* 💙
Jack Mikeyyy 11 months ago
Was his mustache in it?
Mikeyyy Jack 11 months ago
Clean shaven!
Jack Mikeyyy 11 months ago
Drat!
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