MST3K Fans (Mystery SciFi Theater)

[Galaril]

I just saw this over on the Sports Gamer Blog. It is great to seethat this group is still at it. I remember sitting around in my dorm watching these back in the late 80s early 90s still very funny.


I guess I’ve been in an internet coma for the last year or so, but I came across a story about how the original guys from MST3K are going to start doing their thing again at a new site called Cinematic Titanic. What I didn’t know was how much has happened since the show ended. Joel went off to do his own thing during the main run of the show and is now going to run the Cinematic Titanic thing. Mike who took over for Joel now does a site called Riff Trax where they record DVD style commentary tracks for big name movies.

The primary ‘villian’ (Trace Beaulieu, who was also the first voice for the robot, Crow) for the show is going to be at CT along with his first (Josh Weinstein, who was also the first Tom Servo) and second ‘evil sidekick.’

Over at Riff Trax, they have the second version of Crow, the second Tom Servo, and a few of the other writers along with Mike…

Oh, and they have another site called Film Crew Online, where they parody old movies again as well.

Now, over at MST3K.com they are going to be doing a flash based series with the robots… with some of the other writers.

It’s just amazing to see how many of the people for that show… all ended up doing the same sorts of things 10 years later.

http://www.cinematictitanic.com/
http://www.filmcrewonline.com/
http://www.rifftrax.com/

[sabotai]

I watched a few of the Film Crew releases. Good to see some new MST3K, essentially (since the 3 people doing that are Mike, "Crow" and "Tom Servo")

[Butter]

I remember when Comedy Central would run MST3K every night at midnight. I loved those shows.

[rkmsuf]

let's bring back usa up all nite while we are at it

[Butter]

Only if TBS brings back Night Flight.

[sterlingice]

http://www.rifftrax.com/

I don't know if anyone has tried this out yet, but a friend of mine was talking about this. Basically, Mike and the voices of Tom and Crow put together mp3's (or some format) which you play alongside watching the DVD that basically an audio mst3k.

SI

[LloydLungs]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

http://www.rifftrax.com/

I don't know if anyone has tried this out yet, but a friend of mine was talking about this. Basically, Mike and the voices of Tom and Crow put together mp3's (or some format) which you play alongside watching the DVD that basically an audio mst3k.

SI

It actually works pretty smoothly. I love it. It makes my Netflix "past rentals" section extremely embarrassing, though. No, see, I wasn't renting "Crossroads" because I love Britney....

[Warhammer]

I always preferred Joel to Mike.

Still best parts were the technology exchanges.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

I always preferred Joel to Mike.

Still best parts were the technology exchanges.

You do mean the invention exchanges no??

[Warhammer]

Originally Posted by Axxon

You do mean the invention exchanges no??

Yes! Wiffle Wear! Fabio, Fabio, we are FABIO!

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

Yes! Wiffle Wear! Fabio, Fabio, we are FABIO!

My favorite was the Square Master during the Warrior of the Lost World episode.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Axxon

My favorite was the Square Master during the Warrior of the Lost World episode.

[sterlingice]

I was kindof partial to Mike over Joel since I thought Joel was a bit more of a bastard.

SI

[sabotai]

I pretty much like them equally. They were both different characters.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by sabotai

There yah go, still makes me laugh. Man I miss TV's Frank.

That episode also had my favorite scene from the series.

Do you have any fruit to declare??



I can remember my first time I ran into that in real life and how amazed I was by it. Since I don't think we'd get enough responses for an entire thread I propose a Mt Rushmore of MST3K episodes.

1. Girls Town "are they all on the same cycle in Girls Town"?
2. Time of the Apes "if you eat me you'll be hungry in an hour"
3. Mitchell "Mitchell!!"

4. Waay too many to mention but honorable mention for Manos, the hands of fate with the Frank Zappa looking guy. I honestly can't see Kodos name and not say, "Kodos, the hands of fate" even though the real reference is obvious.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by sabotai

I pretty much like them equally. They were both different characters.

Yep, Joel was the dad and Mike was the big brother. I liked them both equally well but Mike Nelson is the most talented member of the group. He was the head writer.

[Warhammer]

Originally Posted by Axxon

Yep, Joel was the dad and Mike was the big brother. I liked them both equally well but Mike Nelson is the most talented member of the group. He was the head writer.

Yeah Mike was more talented, but he was a bit of a bastage and he was the one who got rid of the invention exchanges which I loved.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

Yeah Mike was more talented, but he was a bit of a bastage and he was the one who got rid of the invention exchanges which I loved.

Joel was an inventor, Mike was a janitor. The invention exchange really didn't make sense for the Mike character and the inventions IRL were created by Joel so they couldn't keep them quality anyway.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Axxon

Mt Rushmore of MST3K episodes.

1. Girls Town "are they all on the same cycle in Girls Town"?
2. Time of the Apes "if you eat me you'll be hungry in an hour"
3. Mitchell "Mitchell!!"

4. Waay too many to mention but honorable mention for Manos, the hands of fate with the Frank Zappa looking guy. I honestly can't see Kodos name and not say, "Kodos, the hands of fate" even though the real reference is obvious.

I tend to like the episodes that have running jokes. Really hard to just pick 4.

Space Mutiny


Soultaker

(Part 2 of 10. The entire episode is on YouTube)

I Accuse My Parents

(Part 3 of 10)

Godzilla vs Megalon (Jet Jaguar! and Rex Dart, Eskimo Spy!)

[Axxon]

The last two are definitely worthy choices. I am not familiar with soultaker though. Got to check that one out.

[Axxon]

Hehe, just watching the Soultaker clip and combining the running themes with one of my favorite devices of picking celebrities the actors look like. Here it's the Tanya Harding joke.

This was absolutely my favorite running theme in Warrior of the Lost world where we actually had the paper chase guy no one knows and the fake Jimmy Carter "Have some malaise suckers!"

One of my favorite lines ever on the show and one that younger watchers have no clue about.

[sabotai]

Soultaker was the first episode of Season 10. Space Mutiny is also from the Sci-Fi Channel era, season 8. Another from season 8 that I love is Prince Of Space, an old japanese sci-fi movie.

I'm not sure if I have seen Warrior of the Lost World yet. I missed a lot of the older ones due to Comcast not carrying Comedy Central for awhile. There's a good chance I have it on DVD somewhere, though. I have most of them on DVD (thanks eBay!), but still havene't seen many of them. I'll have to look for it and watch it if I have it.

EDIT: Nope, I don't have season 5.

[Axxon]

We are opposite there. I rarely had sci fi channel offered where I lived so I haven't seen many of these episodes but until I got robbed I had seasons 1-6 in their entirety.

Yep, season one. Met up with a very, very kind collector. Not their best work but it was fun to see anyway. The first Tom Servo was weird.

I really like Warrior of the Lost World and it's close to the top for me.

How about shorts? Gotta go with either Junior Rodeo or Posture Pals though there are waay too many here too.

BTW, there is only one episode I simply can't watch. The movie is just too bad. Can you guess which one it might be?

It's not Santa Claus vs the Martian. That one was so bad it was great just like the other Santa movie which the name escapes me. The one with Lupita.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Axxon

It's not Santa Claus vs the Martian. That one was so bad it was great just like the other Santa movie which the name escapes me. The one with Lupita.

That one was just called "Santa Claus". Another similar one from the Sci-Fi era was called Jack Frost. I think it was a russian movie. It's just so terrible that it's hilarious.

How about shorts?

Why Study Indistrial Arts


Cheating

BTW, there is only one episode I simply can't watch. The movie is just too bad. Can you guess which one it might be?

Hmm. There's quite a bit to choose from. You already mentioned Manos....is it Pod People?

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by sabotai

That one was just called "Santa Claus". Another similar one from the Sci-Fi era was called Jack Frost. I think it was a russian movie. It's just so terrible that it's hilarious.



Why Study Indistrial Arts


Cheating




Hmm. There's quite a bit to choose from. You already mentioned Manos....is it Pod People?

No, I liked Trumpy.

Here's a huge hint. It was a Coleman Francis flick.

[Axxon]

Just testing this out. Here's posture pals.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Axxon

No, I liked Trumpy.

Here's a huge hint. It was a Coleman Francis flick.

Tommy: "Trumpy, do you know what play is?
Crow: "It is when I break you in half!"


I guess that would be either The Skydivers or Red Zone Cuba. I haven't seen the Red Zone Cuba episode yet. I thought The Skydivers episode was good, but I do remember thinking the movie was pretty painful to sit through.

[Axxon]

Yep, it was Red Zone Cuba. The movie was just so boring. Nothing really happens. Imagine the driving scenes from Manos but never ending and you'll get the idea.

[Axxon]

They have the entirety of girls of the Girls Town episode. Here's the title sequence which contains the joke I referenced above. I highly recommend this episode to anyone who hasn't seen it.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by sabotai

That one was just called "Santa Claus". Another similar one from the Sci-Fi era was called Jack Frost. I think it was a russian movie. It's just so terrible that it's hilarious.

Some of those movies towards the end (Jack Frost is one of those) are so bad that they're almost unwatchable, even with the bots. I can't remember what it was but there was some move that I actually fell asleep to because the movie was so bad. Even with great commentary, you have to have something mildly watchable to make the show go. For instance, one of my favorite episodes is The Screaming Skull- the commentary is one of their best but the movie is awful so it's hard to watch.

SI

[Bonegavel]

Greatest show ever and Joel is the man. Side Hacking was my favorite episode. Once Joel left, I lost interest though I do think Mike was watchable.

[LloydLungs]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

For instance, one of my favorite episodes is The Screaming Skull- the commentary is one of their best but the movie is awful so it's hard to watch.

The Screaming Skull was my fall-asleep episode. The guys are hilarious, but there's only so much comedic mileage you can get out of characters standing around doing nothing, which was the entire movie.

I think the MST'ed "Hamlet" had that effect on most people as well, though for me, a huge English major Shakespeare geek, it was one of my top 5 episodes of all time.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by LloydLungs

The Screaming Skull was my fall-asleep episode. The guys are hilarious, but there's only so much comedic mileage you can get out of characters standing around doing nothing, which was the entire movie.

I think the MST'ed "Hamlet" had that effect on most people as well, though for me, a huge English major Shakespeare geek, it was one of my top 5 episodes of all time.

This is one of the sci fi era episodes I've seen and I too though Hamlet was very well done.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Bonegavel

Greatest show ever and Joel is the man. Side Hacking was my favorite episode. Once Joel left, I lost interest though I do think Mike was watchable.

Ahh, Side Hackers. This is a great episode too.

I will. I will get him. I will GET him. I will get HIM.

[Bad-example]

Gamera is really neat
Gamera is full of meat
We believe in Gamera!

[Warhammer]

I watched Pod People for the first time last night and that was awesome!

Chief!

McCloud!

[Galaril]

I ran across this site and the guy sounds pretty good and like what he is doing. I am thinking of trying out his dds since the company rhino is committing highway robbery like most producers of tv season dvds nowadays. Anyways 25 dollars for aseason isn't bad. And for those of you who only like either Joel or Mike he has sets dedicate just to them. Out of the 198 episodes over 10 years that were made he sells 147 of the episodes. The 47 missing oones are the commercial ones sold at amazon.com. The fact that the MST 3000k guys haven't stopped this guy is a sign either they don't know or they have given their blessing which is what I am assuming. Anyways, if you are fans check it out:

http://www.valuemst3k.com/

[sterlingice]

Yeah, unfortunately, the DVD sets are highway robbery. They're basically $10 an episode.

Also, if you want to have more fun, look for Volume 10. It goes for $200 and more since it was pulled from production after a dispute of rights regarding Godzilla vs Megalon.

SI

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Yeah, unfortunately, the DVD sets are highway robbery. They're basically $10 an episode.

Also, if you want to have more fun, look for Volume 10. It goes for $200 and more since it was pulled from production after a dispute of rights regarding Godzilla vs Megalon.

SI

If you are looking for that this guy has it 212 - GODZILLA VS. MEGALON
for $5

[sterlingice]

I was seriously considering getting a set from this guy (when I was talking about highway robbery, I was referring to the Rhino sets). It's a series my wife and I both love and we haven't seen a lot of the earliest episodes. The only thing stopping me is that I'm a little concerned about the legal ramifications of buying a set.

SI

[Calis]

I'm not sure I can name a favorite, but one that ranks up there for me and I watched time and time again was the one (can't remember the name) with Kathy Ireland in it, and had sort of a Mad Max vibe to it. Great stuff.

What's the quality like on the Rifftrax stuff? I've never tried one.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

I was seriously considering getting a set from this guy (when I was talking about highway robbery, I was referring to the Rhino sets). It's a series my wife and I both love and we haven't seen a lot of the earliest episodes. The only thing stopping me is that I'm a little concerned about the legal ramifications of buying a set.

SI

The answer I've read from Jim Mallon that his official position is that it's fine to resell the dvd's as long as the official dvds that Rhino sells ( which he gets the profit from ) aren't resold and all these guys seem to honor that.

He's not trying to rip people off but he has to rebuy the rights to the movies that they sell and it's too prohibitive to do with a lot of the movies and the ones he can afford he has to price accordingly.

[sterlingice]

Ok, now there's the other side of the story. The other sites I've read seem to paint Mallon as a bad guy who is hoarding the DVD rights to MST3K and trying to milk them for all their worth (whatever meager pitiance that may be ). This makes a lot more sense.

SI

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Ok, now there's the other side of the story. The other sites I've read seem to paint Mallon as a bad guy who is hoarding the DVD rights to MST3K and trying to milk them for all their worth (whatever meager pitiance that may be ). This makes a lot more sense.

SI

I think its the Rhino guys who are screwing the MST3K fans since they determine the prcies. Also, I wouldn't worry to much about ramifications for buying them legally anyways.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Galaril

I think its the Rhino guys who are screwing the MST3K fans since they determine the prcies. Also, I wouldn't worry to much about ramifications for buying them legally anyways.

Like I said, Mr Mallon disagreed with that but he may not have as full a handle on what's happening with his product as we do of course.

[sterlingice]

Bump!

Total Riff Off | National Geographic Channel
'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Team to Host New TV Riffing Miniseries

SI

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Bump!

Total Riff Off | National Geographic Channel
'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Team to Host New TV Riffing Miniseries

SI

I was super excited until I saw this:

Originally Posted by 2nd article

"RiffTrax will air on National Geographic on April 1, 2014"

...which makes me skeptical about the validity of this.

Anyways my own MST3k Mt. Rushmore

1. Manos: The Hands of Fate
2. The Final Sacrifice "Rowsdower!"
3. Space Mutiny
4. Cave Dwellers

The first 3 were easy for me, but the last one could easily have been replaced with classics such Future War, Hobgoblins, Prince of Space, Jack Frost, Zombie Nightmare, Warrior of the Lost World etc

Also I really liked the live riffing of Reefer Madness which used to be available on hulu. They still the regular riffing though.

The live version also riffed shorts like this one:

[OldGiants]

It is good news, not a hoax.

From Mike Nelson:

'Mystery Science Theater 3000' guys return for April Fool's on NatGeo - latimes.com

Setting my recorder now.

[Julio Riddols]

Nice, very very nice. I go to sleep to old episodes of MST3k on youtube almost every night.

[sterlingice]

It popped up on my DVR yesterday so I assumed it was real

SI