# Liquid Television Question: help me find these shorts! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 24, 2003, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779 "2003-12-24T03:52:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/1 "2003-12-24T03:52:13Z")
I recall long ago watching two shorts on Liquid Television (the too-short-lived MTV show) that made my hair stand on end–in addition to, of course, Aeon Flux and some early Beavis & Butthead. The trouble is, I don’t know their titles or creators, and so I can’t go look up more work by the same people. Now that I have disposable income, I’d like to get some of these treasures before they’re out of print and unavailable. 1. A man participates in a NASCAR-like league of extremely high-speed hovercraft racers. He happens to have latent telekinetic powers, and is able to cause mechanical failures in his opponents’ hovercrafts. The wreckage is spectacular, and his tinkering is untraceable–until a reporter enters his room for an interview and finds the driver having a nightmare, and all the furniture in his room levitating. Not sure what happens in the end, but the art and imagery were awesome. Anime, approx. 10 minutes, silent (?) 2. A snake chases an egg through a psychedelic Rube Goldberg-like maze of wires, tunnels, and windmills. Claymation or computer animated, under 5 min., accompanied by music. What are these shorts called, who made them, and what else by these artists is available? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/2 "2003-12-24T04:05:41Z")
The anime short was called “The Running Man” and was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/3 "2003-12-24T04:13:28Z")
The other one may be “Meggamorphosis” and was directed by Sean Schur. It features Tim Curry as the Snake and Annie Potts as the Egg. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/4 "2003-12-24T04:25:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky \* > \*\*The anime short was called “The Running Man” and was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. \*\* According to [this interview](http://www.intothematrix.com/rl_cmp/rl_interview_kawajiri.html): > [@](#): > > Aside from THE ANIMATRIX, the only short form production I’ve done is a film called Running Man, which is one of three parts in a movie called Meikyû Monogatari. In the United States it’s called Manie Manie, I think. It’s an amazing movie; Andy and Larry really like it and said they thought WORLD RECORD had a lot in common with Running Man. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/5 "2003-12-24T04:28:35Z")
[Here’s one place that sells it.](http://www.discountanimedvd.com/dvd_detail.asp?dvdno=5318) Hell, I might even buy a copy. I really enjoyed that short. My copy (of the Liquid TV ep) is over 12 years old! ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/6 "2003-12-24T14:08:19Z")
I wonder if #1 is the same short I’m convinced inspired **Cake’s**" The Distance." Does he die during a race or is the nightmare the end of it? Man, liquid Television deserves full series DVD release… ---
**Author:** ![KingLupid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/839c29/32.png) [@KingLupid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KingLupid)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/7 "2003-12-24T15:00:30Z")
I was just discussing this the other day. Lets start a petition for full DVD release, and send it to MTV. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/8 "2003-12-24T17:08:40Z")
I -believe- the end is him riding the race endlessly with his vehicle on fire or somesuch. Whether it is real or the nightmare is left up to the viewer. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/9 "2003-12-24T22:09:01Z")
Okay, I just re-watched it and it seems the main character, Zack Hugh, just gives up and self-destructs. It looks like, after he wins the race, it appears he’s chasing ghosts (perhaps of other drivers he’s destroyed) and finally catches them at the cost of his own life. After that race, the whole “circus” is shutdown. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/10 "2003-12-24T22:48:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky \* > \*\*Okay, I just re-watched it and it seems the main character, Zack Hugh, just gives up and self-destructs. It looks like, after he wins the race, it appears he’s chasing ghosts (perhaps of other drivers he’s destroyed) and finally catches them at the cost of his own life. After that race, the whole “circus” is shutdown. \*\* Ah, so it is the short I was thinking of. Look up the words to “the distance” and tell me they ever saw it 😃 ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/11 "2003-12-24T23:42:35Z")
Okay, how about this one… A short that I saw only once - a retelling of the old “Vanishing Hitchhiker” urban legend, but filmed in grainy black-and-white using Barbie Dolls…very creepy. I wasn’t able to find a description of it the last time I searched for Liquid Television tapes, but if someone could at least tell me that\* they saw it too\* I would be eternally grateful. I haven’t yet ruled out the possibility that the entire thing was an elaborate NyQuil hallucination. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2003, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/12 "2003-12-25T00:21:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by neofishboy \* > \*\*Okay, how about this one… > > A short that I saw only once - a retelling of the old “Vanishing Hitchhiker” urban legend, but filmed in grainy black-and-white using Barbie Dolls…very creepy. I wasn’t able to find a description of it the last time I searched for Liquid Television tapes, but if someone could at least tell me that\* they saw it too\* I would be eternally grateful. I haven’t yet ruled out the possibility that the entire thing was an elaborate NyQuil hallucination. \*\* “The Hitchhiker” - Created by Robert Jason. Directed by Robert Jason & Chris Major. Voice over: Susan Becker. ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2003, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/13 "2003-12-25T00:50:20Z")
_Damn_ you’re spooky. Much thanks!🙂 Now can you help me find: the remote for my stereo receiver, my nylon capo, and my second-generation copy of _The Milagro Beanfield War_ ? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/14 "2003-12-25T01:09:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by neofishboy \* > \*\*_Damn_ you’re spooky. Much thanks!🙂 > > Now can you help me find: the remote for my stereo receiver, my nylon capo, and my second-generation copy of _The Milagro Beanfield War_ ? \*\* Under the couch, in the hall closet, and at your brother’s house, respectively. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2003, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/15 "2003-12-25T01:10:13Z")
:eek: ---
**Author:** ![saramamalana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2003, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/16 "2003-12-25T03:02:34Z")
I always loved Stick Figure Theater. And it was a long time before I realized that the backgrounds were different pieces of paper, like a waitress’ or yellow legal pad. I loved the show, and I’m trying to remember what other shorts were on it. I know I liked Crazy Daisy Ed, and I know I hated Dog Boy. Did Joe’s Apartment originate on LiquidTV? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/17 "2003-12-25T03:48:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by saramamlana \* > \*\*I always loved Stick Figure Theater. And it was a long time before I realized that the backgrounds were different pieces of paper, like a waitress’ or yellow legal pad. > > I loved the show, and I’m trying to remember what other shorts were on it. I know I liked Crazy Daisy Ed, and I know I hated Dog Boy. > > Did Joe’s Apartment originate on LiquidTV? \*\* Stick Figure Theater was pretty cool. I’m sure there’s some software that could be used to create it today. Dog Boy was really creepy. Joe’s Apartment used to be a filler between videos (remember those?). ---
**Author:** ![mambocrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@mambocrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mambocrow)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2003, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/18 "2003-12-25T03:51:12Z")
Winter Steele appeared on Liquid T.V. Claymation - emotionally dysfunctional biker girl searches across America to find her one true love “Blue” (dysfunctional biker guy with drug/alcohol problem). Halarious. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/19 "2003-12-25T04:32:57Z")
Dog Boy was stupid, but amusing at the same time. I liked the plastic molded wigs. There was a website at one point called Stick Figure Death Theather, using Flash. I don’t know where it would be, but one could google it, I suppose. I always liked Winter Steele and Aeon Flux the best, even if the latter was confusing at times. I always thought it was cool when she would trap the bug in her eyelashes. The first time I saw B&B on the show, I hated it-“Frog Baseball?” But then the show itself came on, and I became a huge fan. Hehehehehe…yeahaha…I said “came on…” ehehehehehe… ---
**Author:** ![autobulb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@autobulb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/autobulb)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2003, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779/20 "2003-12-25T05:51:24Z")
Was Liquid Television a show in itself or a time slot for bizarre animations? I remember Cartoon Sushi and I would do anything to get a copy of the skits played on it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-television-question-help-me-find-these-shorts/220779.md?page=2)