1. Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K)

The ultimate in genre parody, this irreverent look at some of the worst movies ever made is easily a geek’s best example of what to do with those lemons life hands out so readily. Despite its somewhat labored premise -- the evil Dr Forrester (series writer Trace Beaulieu) sends hapless janitor Joel (series creator Joel Hodgson) into orbit, where he is forced to watch the detritus of world cinema, in order to test thought-control and torture techniques -- it is endlessly entertaining, full of wit, sarcasm and sly, knowing humor. Joel -- and, later, Mike (series Head Writer Michael J. Nelson) -- watch the movies alongside two robots Joel created, whom he clearly programmed with his own pointed sarcasm and wide knowledge of pop culture; they comment (or “riff”) on the many, many failings of these efforts, with often hilarious results. Favorite MST3K outings include Manos, the Hands of Fate, Eegah, Ring of Terror, The Brain that Wouldn’t Die, and the much under-rated Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie. 

2. Galaxy Quest (1999) 

“You’re not gonna die on the planet, Guy,” Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen) tells a quivering former Galaxy Quest guest star, when the show’s actors find themselves living a real-life space adventure. “I’m not? Then what’s my last name?” Guy (Sam Rockwell) demands. Nesmith confesses ignorance. “Nobody knows,” Guy says futilely. “You know why? Because my character isn’t important enough for a last name. Because I’m gonna die five minutes in.” Perfect! Galaxy Quest is a loving, light-hearted, laugh-out-loud look at Star Trek (and its ilk), the nature of fame, and the nature of fandom.

3. Discworld by Terry Pratchett

Spanning three decades and 38 novels (including five Young Adult outings... plus, a picture book!), Terry Pratchett’s Discworld is unparalleled in the field of genre parody. The Disc sits on the back of four giant elephants that stand on the back of a giant turtle. On that disc are a panoply of diverse, interesting characters, all of whom exist in a perpetual state of confusion, brought about by living in a world where magic and mysticism stand side-by-side with pragmatism and prurience. Spawning an industry of illustrated companions, maps, quiz books, diaries and science texts -- even a collection of recipes! – there can be no doubt that Discworld is the most successful parody franchise of all time (sorry, National Lampoon!). There are stage adaptations, TV adaptations (both animated and live action), graphic novel and comic book adaptations, as well as BBC radio adaptations. Holding up a mirror to such subjects as religion, freedom, democracy, belief, notoriety and racism -- and, in the recent Unseen Academicals, football – the Discworld novels rarely disappoint. The best include: Guards! Guards!, Soul Music, Pyramids, Reaper Man, Small Gods and The Truth. Best characters: Carrot, Nanny Ogg, Lord Vetinari, Moist von Lipwig, Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler, The Librarian, The Luggage, and -- of course -- Death.

Check out our review of the latest novel of the Discworld, Unseen Academicals!

4. Jose Chung’s From Outer Space (1996)

Brought to us by writer/actor Darin Morgan -- a man almost entirely responsible for the self-deprecatory comedy episode so prevalent today -- “Jose Chung’s From Outer Space” (03.20) is the account of the eponymous author’s research into the phenomenon of alien abduction. Through interviews and flashbacks, we see The X-Files team of Mulder and Scully as they appear to the townsfolk and conspiracy theorists they encounter throughout their investigations. It pokes gentle fun at everything -- alien encounters, the Roswell cult, Role Playing Games, TV decency standards, Scully’s hair, Mulder’s…Mulder-ness (“I think he was a mandroid”), and just when you’re laughing your ass off, it ends on a surprisingly wistful note. Other Darin Morgan acts of brilliance include Season 2’s “Small Potatoes” (“But I am an FBI agent”), Season 3’s “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” (“I’m supposed to believe that’s a real name?”) and “War of the Coprophages” (“Who died now?”), and Jose Chung’s further appearance in The X-Files’ sister show, Millennium, sees the controversial author take on the Church of Scientology with predictably hilarious results -- but it is “Jose Chung's From Outerspace" that really set the benchmark for all such self-aware, tongue-in-cheek, a-sly-wink-to-the-audience fun.

5. “The Saga Begins” by Weird Al Yankovic (1999)

“A long, long time ago...” begin the familiar strains of “American Pie,” by Don McLean “... in a galaxy far away, Naboo was under an attack,” continues the parody by Weird Al. “So I thought me and Qui Gon Jinn, could talk the Federation into maybe cutting them a little slack. But their response, it didn’t thrill us; they locked the doors and tried to kill us. We escaped from that gas, then met Jar Jar and Boss Nass...” A simply brilliant retelling of Episode 1: The Phantom Menace in song, from the perspective of Obi Won Kenobi.

(Honorable Weird Al Mentions: “Yoda” and “Pretty Fly for a Jedi.”)