When it comes to Joe Bob Briggs, there is only one word that comes to mind: Americana.
Time for a nostalgic rambling rant!
I’ve been following Joe Bob Brigg’s work since 1989. Now, that does not mean I was following every scrap of paper, video along with the once-a-week broadcast. Truth is, I’ve only watched 7 years of Joe Bob. From 1996-2000 on MonsterVision, and the rest on Shudder starting in 2018.
The first time I came across Joe Bob Briggs was at a friend’s house whose parents had satellite TV. I only got to see two episodes, one of those being in 1989 and the other in 1991. But don’t ask me the movie titles, because I have no idea! The first time I saw Joe Bob was at the beginning of the film and the next time was at the end of the film. So why didn’t we watch the first one? Well, his dad had the Playboy Channel. But what struck me about Joe Bob was the way he described the movies in a humorous tone with information. I was hooked, and I started trying to find more about the man, who in some ways was a myth. This was due to the lack of information on him. You have to remember; this was during the time before the internet! All jokes aside, there was nothing on Joe Bob. The most information I got was from people who had The Movie Channel. My family could not afford that channel, so he became somewhat of an afterthought. I was always on the lookout for his writings, but even that was difficult to find, especially when you live in a small town. However, not all was lost.
I’m a huge MonsterVision fan, probably like many of you reading this. I was there when MonsterVision first aired on June 29, 1991, in Blue Springs, MO, and I watched it disappear by September 2000 when I was stationed at Fort Campbell, KY. But between its birth and death came a person who I had been waiting to see, and that day came on Friday, June 28, 1996! Joe Bob Briggs made his debut that day and started the night off with The Hand (1981). I had a blast that night! I tried never to miss a MonsterVision episode after that.
Now Joe Bob is back for a third season, and I have yet missed an episode since his return in 2018. Here’s to another season of The Last Drive-In, which is about to begin this coming Friday at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT only on Shudder. Time to sit down, relax, pass gas, crack open a cold one, and enjoy the show.
Thank you, Joe Bob, Darcy, Ernie, the Crew, and Shudder!