Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Mystery Science Theater 3000’s Joel Hodgson on the undying appeal of mocking bad movies
theverge.com ^ | July 24, 2016 | Bryan Bishop

Posted on 08/05/2016 8:45:15 AM PDT by Morgana

When Joel Hodgson announced a Kickstarter campaign to bring back Mystery Science Theater 3000, the 1990s cult cable show he’d created and starred in, the internet basically melted down. The show’s combination of bad B-movies and relentless riffing had earned it an active underground fan base, and in the 17 years since its demise MST3K had continued to live on thanks to word of mouth and online chatter. It was the perfect target for a Veronica Mars-esque resurrection, sure — but even that underplayed how big the revival would become.

Fans helped the campaign blast past its original $2 million goal, eventually raising nearly $5.8 million, turning it into the biggest crowdfunded video project on Kickstarter. Hodgson and team pledged to make 14 new episodes, and then came the cast announcements: people like Felicia Day and Patton Oswalt, longtime MST3K fans themselves, would be starring in the new iteration, with writers like Community creator Dan Harmon joining the writers room.

On the day before Hodgson and his cast were set to take the stage at Comic-Con — and announce that the [new show would be released on Netflix][1] — we sat down at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego. Unassuming in a baseball cap and shorts, Hodgson was earnest and thoughtful, discussing Mystery Science Theater 3000’s enduring popularity, how he decided to cast updated versions of beloved characters, and why new movies should be spared the merciless riffing treatment of robot sidekicks Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot.

The Kickstarter campaign was a huge success, and you’ve continued to raise money from add-on sales and merchandise. Were you surprised at the response?

(Excerpt) Read more at theverge.com ...


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: crow; joelhodgson; mst3k; tomservo
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-38 last
To: Jack Hydrazine

They already did Samurai Cop with Rifftrax.


21 posted on 08/05/2016 9:27:54 AM PDT by perfect_rovian_storm
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Morgana
They captured lightning in a bottle once. Now, more than twenty years later, I don't think that they could achieve that again.

Regards,

22 posted on 08/05/2016 9:33:46 AM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Morgana
My suggestion for a most horribly bad movie (well, it's actually a 10-episode TV series) that is ripe for mocking would be Shinobi Girl.

It actually gets 4.9 out of 10 points on IMDb, probably because there are a few cute women who have roles in it, most particularly the role of Raven played by Mia Van De Water http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2786689/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm#actress. But the acting, direction, dialog, plot, and pretty much everything else about it is abominably bad (to be charitable).

See the series at http://www.crunchyroll.com/shinobi-girl and see the IMDb page at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2529122/

23 posted on 08/05/2016 9:41:52 AM PDT by Zeppo ("Happy Pony is on - and I'm NOT missing Happy Pony")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

I was pretty excited until i just read the name Patton Oswalt...
ugh


24 posted on 08/05/2016 9:44:02 AM PDT by mowowie (Press 2 for Deportation)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

Most of the episodes of MST3K are on Youtube, if you just can’t wait for the new episodes.


25 posted on 08/05/2016 9:51:43 AM PDT by circlecity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TalonDJ

What’s wrong with mocking a spoof?


26 posted on 08/05/2016 10:15:21 AM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (Pubbies = national collectivists; Dems = international collectivists; We need a second party!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Morgana
I loved the debate following "Mr. B Natural" on whether Mr. B is a man or a woman.

Crow: Yes! Mr. B Natural had breasts! A decidedly unnatural thing for a man to have, wouldn't you agree, Mr. Servo? When one takes into account the short jacket, the shiny leotard, the wide hips, unless one is wildly confused, as my colleague seems to be, one concludes naturally that Mr. B Natural is indeed a wonderfully, spritely--albeit annoying--woman!

27 posted on 08/05/2016 10:17:34 AM PDT by KarlInOhio (An orange jumpsuit is the new black pantsuit.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: D_Idaho

30 years ago, before my wife and I were married, I’d be at her parents house watching MST3K, falling of the couch laughing. Finally, she joined me to watch and went into convulsions. We’ve been fans ever since.


28 posted on 08/05/2016 10:21:10 AM PDT by cyclotic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: stylecouncilor

ping


29 posted on 08/05/2016 10:35:23 AM PDT by windcliff
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

I remember several Joe Don Baker movies were showcased on MST3K


30 posted on 08/05/2016 10:50:26 AM PDT by Sybeck1 (Remember the Court)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido
I've had to go back to my voice coach.

It's been a few years.

United Servo Academy Chorus.

31 posted on 08/05/2016 10:51:17 AM PDT by TomServo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: D_Idaho

Hobgoblins.


32 posted on 08/05/2016 11:34:43 AM PDT by LibertarianLiz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Sybeck1
I remember several Joe Don Baker movies were showcased on MST3K

I remember Joe Don Baker being quite upset at being roasted on MST3K.

33 posted on 08/05/2016 11:36:39 AM PDT by LibertarianLiz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Yo-Yo

I would think they would be mocking all kinds of new movies especially this years crop.


34 posted on 08/05/2016 11:46:50 AM PDT by minnesota_bound
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Morgana
w00t!!!
35 posted on 08/05/2016 2:59:03 PM PDT by Chode (You Owe Them Nothing - Not Respect, Not Loyalty, Not Obedience, NOTHING!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

Trumpy.. come back!
36 posted on 08/05/2016 3:21:34 PM PDT by Trillian
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: minnesota_bound

“I would think they would be mocking all kinds of new movies especially this years crop.”

Many films, new and old, desperately need to be made fun of, as MST3K did it (ones directed by Michael Moore and Oliver Stone come to mind).

But Hodgson & Co cannot work their magic unless they obtain certain sub-aspects of the rights to the films. Some filmmakers (or estate executors, or rights-holders) cannot bear the thought of their precious creations - their intellectual offspring - being treated so roughly. They will not agree, no matter what incentives get offered. And even though it could drive sales of DVDs of their obscure, boring, pretentious nonsense to heights never before fantasized.

Don’t hold your breath in the hope the new _Ghostbusters_, updated to cater to feminist sensibilities, will be Mistied.

(favorite episodes: _Alien From LA_, _Manos/Hands of Fate_, _Attack of The The Eye Creatures_. Best musical interlude: “Danger to Myself and Others.” Cannot recall which film it supported though.)


37 posted on 08/05/2016 7:10:23 PM PDT by schurmann
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: GraceG

Do a search for Rifftrax. Nelson continued on to a similar venture with a wider availability of movies.


38 posted on 08/06/2016 4:44:53 PM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007 (Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-38 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson