The magic of MST3K stands as a testament to the enduring power of humor and creativity. MST3K, which stands for Mystery Science Theater 3000, is a cult television show that first aired in 1988 and enjoyed a successful run for 11 years. The show is known for its unique format, which involves three characters - Joel Robinson, Mike Nelson, and their robot companions - being trapped in space and forced to watch and mock B-movies. What sets MST3K apart is its ability to seamlessly blend absurdity with intelligence. The show's writers and performers possess an exceptional talent for crafting hilarious and witty commentary that consistently enhances the viewing experience. The combination of their comedic timing, unique delivery, and sharp wit creates a magic that is unrivaled.
Regardless, the campaign was a smashing success, breaking all sorts of Kickstarter records and introducing us to the next host of “MST3K”: comedian Jonah Ray of “The Meltdown” and the “Nerdist” podcast. Most backers seemed to embrace Jonah or were at the very least willing to give him a chance. I felt the same way and donated more than I’m willing to publicly admit in order to get my hands on some of the exclusive rewards and to help ensure the relaunch saw the light of day. And now, like thousands of other MSTies around the globe, I’m anxiously (but optimistically) waiting to see the results.
After the series came to a close in 1999, its cast and crew drifted around to other projects for a while before forming two separate movie-riffing troupes Rifftrax starring Nelson along with second Tom Servo performer Kevin Murphy and second Crow T. I love the show s unique brand of sarcastic humor, its giddy irreverence with regard to all things Hollywood, its small-town DIY production values, everyone in its cast, and of course those nifty-looking puppets.
The combination of their comedic timing, unique delivery, and sharp wit creates a magic that is unrivaled. Moreover, MST3K not only mocks the movies it presents, but it also celebrates the art of filmmaking itself. The show's creators clearly have a deep appreciation for the craft, and their commentary often pays homage to the hard work and dedication that goes into bringing a film to life.
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Image Copyright Best Brains / Comedy Central
I have something I’ve been wanting to admit for a long while. It’s high time to own up to the fact that I have a gaping hole in my geek cred, and it’s something of which I’m fairly ashamed– I didn’t get into “Mystery Science Theater 3000” until it’s a penultimate season.
I do also have a pretty good excuse, however: growing up in suburban Long Island, our basic cable package didn’t include Comedy Central. I had to wait until a visit to my grandparents in Florida to catch up on great, hilarious shows like “Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist” or “The Daily Show” in its infancy (with original host Craig Kilborn). And then suddenly, around my 18th birthday, Cablevision of Suffolk County adopted a broader selection of channels. By that point, “MST3K”, as fans call it, had already moved to the SciFi Channel, and when I stumbled upon it there late one spring night in 1998 it was an instant love affair for this lonely geek.
My current shrine to MST3KThe show’s premise, in a nutshell: a hapless Midwesterner is shot into space by a couple of mad scientists who force him to sit through some of the worst movies ever made while they monitor his reactions. Fortunately for the audience, his response is to build a couple of smart-aleck robots to watch (and relentlessly mock) the movies with him.
And ow, in this time of trepidation and growing political unrest, I’m extremely glad to know that a new season of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” is on its way. If anyone can funnel our current mounting distrust of authority and befuddlement at international affairs into wisecracking comedy gold, it’s the crew of the Satellite of Love.
Let’s take a look at where it all began, “In the not-too-distant future…”
WATCH “MST3K” OPENING THEME SONG:
During the summer after high school, I took my graduation money to the local Tower Records and purchased all the MST episodes that had been released on VHS by that point, along with a copy of the now-hard-to-find paperback “Amazing Colossal Episode Guide” to help me get acquainted with the mythology and behind-the-scenes history of the long-running series. It was worth the investment.
In college, I met some fellow fans of the show for the first time, and later I bought bootleg DVD copies of all the Joel episodes (Joel Hodgson, the show’s creator, served as host for the first hundred or so episodes before moving on and being replaced on-screen by head writer Mike Nelson, a move that was not without its controversy when it happened, but as a latecomer fan I appreciated both personalities).
My copy of the “Amazing Colossal Episode Guide”, signed by second host Mike Nelson
Long story short, “Mystery Science Theater 3000” is one of my favorite things ever, even though I missed out on most of it the first time around. I love the show’s unique brand of sarcastic humor, its giddy irreverence with regard to all things Hollywood, its small-town DIY production values, everyone in its cast, and of course those nifty-looking puppets.
“MST3K”, like “The Simpsons” before it, became a sort of comedic shorthand for a very specific view of the world. After a while, it was difficult to see someone deliver a karate chop in a cheesy movie and resist the urge to yell out “Hi-keeba!” or witness the end of a bad musical performance without giving someone the “OK” sign and remarking “It stinks!”
WATCH “IT STINKS!”:
The early aughts represented a bit of a slow period for self-branded MSTies. After the series came to a close in 1999, its cast and crew drifted around to other projects for a while before forming two separate movie-riffing troupes: Rifftrax (starring Nelson along with second Tom Servo performer Kevin Murphy and second Crow T. Robot Bill Corbett) and the somewhat lower-profile and shorter-lived Cinematic Titanic (made up of Hodgson, original Servo Josh Weinstein, original Crow Trace Beaulieu, “TV’s” Frank Conniff, and Pearl Forrester herself, Mary Jo Pehl).
After the demise of Cinematic Titanic, Joel began to cook up another idea in secret- a relaunch of the “Mystery Science Theater 3000” we know and love, but with an all-new third cast. When the Kickstarter project launched in November of 2015, it was met with trepidation by some fans who wanted Joel or Mike to step back into the host position once again, or at least to have confirmation that the old creative team would in some way be involved.
WATCH THE “MST3K” KICKSTARTER VIDEO:
Regardless, the campaign was a smashing success, breaking all sorts of Kickstarter records and introducing us to the next host of “MST3K”: comedian Jonah Ray of “The Meltdown” and the “Nerdist” podcast. Most backers seemed to embrace Jonah or were at the very least willing to give him a chance. I felt the same way and donated more than I’m willing to publicly admit in order to get my hands on some of the exclusive rewards and to help ensure the relaunch saw the light of day. And now, like thousands of other MSTies around the globe, I’m anxiously (but optimistically) waiting to see the results.
The eleventh season of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” is (thankfully) currently in post-production, and will debut on Netflix later this year. We’re gonna need it.
WATCH “MST3K” TRUMP REFERENCES:
Mike Celestino
After growing up on Long Island, Mike has spent his adult life in Southern California. He’s been fascinated by theme parks since a very early age, and has contributed to Inside the Magic since April of 2015. His other interests include Star Wars, LEGO, and The Muppets.
WATCH “MST3K” OPENING THEME SONG:
This balanced approach allows viewers to enjoy the movies on multiple levels, simultaneously laughing at their flaws while appreciating their inherent entertainment value. Additionally, the show has become a breeding ground for talented comedic actors and writers. Many of the individuals involved with MST3K have gone on to have successful careers in the entertainment industry, further solidifying the show's cultural impact. The collaborative efforts of these talented individuals have produced a unique brand of humor that continues to shape and inspire comedic works to this day. The magic of MST3K lies not only in its ability to entertain but also in its ability to create a sense of community among its dedicated fanbase. The show has fostered a vibrant and passionate community of fans who share in the joy of watching and discussing their favorite episodes. This sense of camaraderie has further fueled the show's longevity and helped it maintain its status as a beloved cultural phenomenon. In conclusion, the magic of MST3K lies in its ability to blend humor, intelligence, and a genuine love for film. Through its unique format, witty commentary, and talented performers, the show has captivated audiences for over three decades. The enduring impact of MST3K serves as a testament to the power of creativity, humor, and the ability to connect with others through shared experiences..
Reviews for "Exploring the Origins of MST3K: How a Minnesota TV Show Became a Phenomenon"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Magic of MST3K". As a long-time fan of MST3K, I was expecting something truly magical and funny. However, I found the jokes to be stale and uninspiring. The chemistry between the hosts was lacking, and overall it felt forced and awkward. It felt like they were trying too hard to recreate the magic of the original show, but failed to capture its essence. I would not recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the original MST3K.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "The Magic of MST3K" was a real letdown for me. The jokes fell flat, and the whole show felt like a forced attempt to cash in on the nostalgia of the original MST3K. I missed the charm and wit of the original hosts, and the new additions lacked the same charisma. The overall pacing of the show was also off, with jokes that dragged on for too long and forced laughter from the audience. It just didn't capture the magic that made the original show so special. Save your time and re-watch the classic MST3K episodes instead.
3. Alex - 2/5 - While I wanted to enjoy "The Magic of MST3K", I found it to be underwhelming. The jokes felt recycled and lacked the cleverness that made the original show so enjoyable. The hosts tried their best, but the chemistry between them just didn't click. Additionally, the movie choices were lackluster and didn't provide enough material for the hosts to work with. Overall, I was left wishing for more and feeling disappointed. As a fan of MST3K, I expected better and would recommend sticking to the original episodes for a true taste of the show's magic.
4. Emily - 1/5 - I was excited to see "The Magic of MST3K" as a big fan of the original show, but it left me feeling incredibly disappointed. The jokes felt forced and uninspired, and the new hosts failed to capture the charm of the original cast. The film choices were also questionable, as they didn't provide the same level of entertainment and laugh-out-loud moments as the original series. It felt like a cheap imitation that lacked the heart and soul of MST3K. I would not recommend wasting your time on this disappointing attempt to revive the magic of the show.