In our ongoing efforts to Stick It To The Man, we threw off the shackles of local cable giants and went with Alameda Power & Telecom for all of our cable service needs. One of the pleasant side effects has been getting public access channel 31, which produces the TV show "Monster Island Theatre."

To call it "the Bay Area's homage to 'Mystery Science Theatre 3000'" is to sell both TV shows short. We tuned in for 'Monster Island's' broadcast of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians and were instantly charmed by host Vicki Vampyr (aka Kathy Moehring) who crooned seasonally appropriate jazz standards with a trio, all while dressed like Elvira's shyer, convent-educated sister. And as she sang "Walkin' In a Winter Wonderland," caustic commentary was provided by an elf. We weren't sure what he was more bitter about -- the winter wonderland walkers conspiring by the fire, or an eyeliner job Harriet Miers would have been proud to call her own -- but who cares? It's a heavily made-up elf heckling Christmas tunes sung by a vampire! Plus a crappy movie! Holiday entertainment doesn't get any better than this.

"Monster Island Theatre" is on every Thursday at 9 p.m. If you can find a way to record this while watching "My Name Is Earl" (or vice-versa), do it!

Photo of Vicki Vampyr from Alameda Power & Telecom

By SFist Lisa, contributing