When it comes to cult film, few names are as synonymous with the genre as jim atkinson and joe bob briggs. This dynamic duo has left an indelible mark on the world of horror, sci-fi, and exploitation cinema, both through their individual work and their collaborations. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the lives and careers of Jim Atkinson and Joe Bob Briggs, and explore how their partnership helped to shape the world of cult film as we know it.
The Early Years
Jim Atkinson was born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1952. He began his career in journalism, working as a reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram before branching out into film criticism. In the early 1980s, Atkinson began hosting a local TV show called “The Movie Channel,” which featured interviews with film industry insiders and reviews of the latest releases.
Joe Bob Briggs, on the other hand, was born John Bloom in Dallas, Texas, in 1953. Like Atkinson, he began his career in journalism, writing for publications such as Texas Monthly and The Dallas Times Herald. In the late 1970s, Briggs began writing a column for the Dallas Times Herald called “Joe Bob Goes to the Drive-In,” which focused on the world of exploitation cinema and B-movies.
Despite their different paths, Atkinson and Briggs both shared a passion for cult film and a deep knowledge of the genre. It was only a matter of time before their paths would cross and their partnership would begin.
The Birth of a Partnership
Atkinson and Briggs first met in the early 1980s, when Atkinson was hosting “The Movie Channel” and Briggs was writing his “Joe Bob Goes to the Drive-In” column. The two hit it off immediately, bonding over their shared love of cult film.
Their first collaboration came in the form of a book called “Joe Bob Goes to the Drive-In,” which compiled many of Briggs’ columns into a single volume. Atkinson served as the book’s editor, helping to shape and refine its content.
The success of “Joe Bob Goes to the Drive-In” led to more collaborations between Atkinson and Briggs, including the launch of a new TV show called “Drive-In Theater.” This show, which aired on The Movie Channel, featured Briggs as the host and Atkinson as the show’s producer. It quickly became a hit with fans of cult film, and helped to establish Briggs as a leading voice in the genre.
In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at “Drive-In Theater” and the impact it had on the world of cult film.
“Drive-In Theater” may have been the first collaboration between Jim Atkinson and Joe Bob Briggs, but it was far from their last. Over the years, the two continued to work together on a variety of projects, including the hugely popular TV show “MonsterVision.” In this section, we’ll explore the origins of “Drive-In Theater,” its impact on the world of cult film, and how it paved the way for “MonsterVision.”
The Launch of Drive-In Theater
“Drive-In Theater” premiered on The Movie Channel in 1986, with Joe Bob Briggs as the host and Jim Atkinson as the show’s producer. The show was a celebration of all things cult film, featuring screenings of classic B-movies, interviews with special guests, and in-depth discussions of the genre.
One of the things that set “Drive-In Theater” apart from other movie shows was its irreverent, tongue-in-cheek tone. Briggs was known for his quick wit and his ability to poke fun at even the most ridiculous films, while Atkinson brought a level of professionalism and expertise to the show.
“Drive-In Theater” quickly became a hit with fans of cult film, who appreciated the show’s willingness to embrace the genre’s quirks and idiosyncrasies. It also helped to establish Joe Bob Briggs as a leading voice in the world of cult film, and paved the way for his next big project: “MonsterVision.”
The Creation of MonsterVision and Its Success
“MonsterVision” premiered on TNT in 1991, with Joe Bob Briggs once again serving as the show’s host and Jim Atkinson as its producer. Like “Drive-In Theater,” “MonsterVision” was a celebration of cult film, featuring screenings of classic horror and sci-fi movies, interviews with special guests, and in-depth discussions of the genre.
One of the things that set “MonsterVision” apart from other movie shows was its interactive format. Fans could call in to the show and ask Briggs questions, or participate in trivia contests related to the films being screened. This helped to create a sense of community among fans of cult film, and made “MonsterVision” a must-watch show for many.
“MonsterVision” was a huge success for TNT, running for six seasons before being cancelled in 2000. It helped to cement Joe Bob Briggs’ status as a cult film icon, and further solidified Jim Atkinson and Joe Bob Briggs’ partnership as one of the most influential in the world of cult film.
In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at the legacy of Jim Atkinson and Joe Bob Briggs, and explore their impact on the world of cult film.
The Birth of a Partnership
Jim Atkinson and Joe Bob Briggs first met in the early 1980s, when they were both working in journalism. Briggs was writing his “Joe Bob Goes to the Drive-In” column for the Dallas Times Herald, while Atkinson was hosting “The Movie Channel” on local TV.
It was only a matter of time before their paths would cross. Atkinson was a big fan of Briggs’ column and reached out to him to see if he would be interested in collaborating on a book. Briggs agreed, and the two began working on what would become “Joe Bob Goes to the Drive-In.”
Their collaboration on the book was a success, and it led to more opportunities for the two to work together. Atkinson and Briggs quickly realized that they shared a deep knowledge and passion for cult film, and they began exploring ways to bring that love to a wider audience.
Drive-In Theater and MonsterVision
One of the first projects that Atkinson and Briggs worked on together was “Drive-In Theater.” The show premiered in 1986 on The Movie Channel, with Briggs as the host and Atkinson as the show’s producer. It was a celebration of all things cult film, featuring screenings of classic B-movies, interviews with special guests, and in-depth discussions of the genre.
“Drive-In Theater” quickly became a hit with fans of cult film, who appreciated the show’s irreverent tone and its willingness to embrace the genre’s quirks and idiosyncrasies. It also helped to establish Joe Bob Briggs as a leading voice in the world of cult film.
In 1991, Atkinson and Briggs launched their next big project: “MonsterVision.” The show premiered on TNT, with Briggs once again serving as the host and Atkinson as the show’s producer. Like “Drive-In Theater,” “MonsterVision” was a celebration of cult film, featuring screenings of classic horror and sci-fi movies, interviews with special guests, and in-depth discussions of the genre.
One of the things that set “MonsterVision” apart from other movie shows was its interactive format. Fans could call in to the show and ask Briggs questions, or participate in trivia contests related to the films being screened. This helped to create a sense of community among fans of cult film, and made “MonsterVision” a must-watch show for many.
“MonsterVision” was a huge success for TNT, running for six seasons before being cancelled in 2000. It helped to cement Joe Bob Briggs’ status as a cult film icon, and further solidified Jim Atkinson and Joe Bob Briggs’ partnership as one of the most influential in the world of cult film.
Legacy and Impact
Jim Atkinson and Joe Bob Briggs have left an indelible mark on the world of pop culture, particularly within the horror and cult film genres. Their partnership helped to elevate these genres and bring them to a wider audience, while also celebrating their unique quirks and idiosyncrasies.
One of the most significant ways in which Atkinson and Briggs impacted pop culture was through their TV shows “Drive-In Theater” and “MonsterVision.” These shows helped to establish cult film as a legitimate genre, and introduced audiences to a wide range of films they might not have otherwise discovered.
At the same time, Atkinson and Briggs’ irreverent approach to these shows helped to make cult film accessible to a wider audience. Rather than taking themselves too seriously, they embraced the genre’s quirks and idiosyncrasies, and helped to create a sense of community among fans of cult film.
Beyond their TV shows, Atkinson and Briggs also contributed to the world of pop culture through their writing and commentary. Briggs’ columns and books helped to elevate the status of cult film, while Atkinson’s expertise and professionalism helped to provide context and analysis for the genre.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jim Atkinson and Joe Bob Briggs’ partnership has had a significant impact on the world of cult film and pop culture. Through their TV shows, writing, and commentary, they helped to elevate the status of cult film and bring it to a wider audience.
Their irreverent, tongue-in-cheek approach to the genre helped to make it accessible to a wider audience, while their expertise and professionalism helped to provide context and analysis for those who were already fans.
As we look back on their partnership and achievements, it’s clear that Jim Atkinson and Joe Bob Briggs have had a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. Their legacy continues to inspire and influence filmmakers and fans alike, and their contributions to the world of cult film will not be forgotten.
