Joel Hodgson, Creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000, Announces Kickstarter to #BringBackMST3K For a New Generation
For more than 25 years, the award-winning comedy television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 has been known as one of the best cult TV shows in history. The story of a human host and his robot sidekicks, trapped aboard a satellite and forced to watch cheesy movies by his captor, MST3K has maintained its reputation thanks largely to its fervently devoted fan base, known as MSTies. This morning, Joel Hodgson, creator and former host of the beloved show, announced that he is turning to the fans to bring back Mystery Science Theater 3000 for a new generation.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a show more dependent on its fans than Mystery Science Theater 3000,” Hodgson says. “Twenty-five years ago, we asked our fans to ‘Keep Circulating The Tapes’ and sharing MST3K with their friends and family to help the show find its audience. Now, I’m hoping the fans will join me again to “Keep Circulating the URL” of our Kickstarter, so that we can bring MST3K back to life for a new generation.”
Through Kickstarter, Hodgson hopes to raise at least $2 million – enough to make three brand new, feature length episodes – with an ultimate goal of raising the $5.5. million needed to make a full season of twelve episodes. While Hodgson will be involved in writing and all facets of production of the new series, the new episodes will feature a new host, new Mads and of course, new cheesy movies to riff.
To contribute to the campaign and for updates, visit www.bringbackmst3k.com, and follow MST3K on Facebook (facebook.com/MST3K), Twitter (@MST3K) and Instagram (@MST3K).
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The Reboot Moves Forward. Step One: Crowdfunding.Here’s the press release:
332 Replies to “The Reboot Moves Forward. Step One: Crowdfunding.”Commenting at Satellite News
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It’s a thank you for breaking $1 million.
That’s it?? That’s the Big News?
What a great motivation to get the fence-sitters to pitch in! Post a “members-only” update and make them feel left out! (I’m just kidding; I fully intend to send in my pledge once I finish reviewing the reward levels and my bank account!)
I’m a bit surprised also by the negative or skeptical posts. As others have said, this must be a dream come true for Joel, and it’s more than I could have ever hoped to see just a few short years ago. I agree with Joel that there’s still a place for MST3K; it’s a much different flavor of humor than Rifftrax (click my name to see the post I wrote here about the issues I’m starting to have with Rifftrax). I only hope that they don’t lose their original focus on avoiding topical humor: “classic” MST3K was able to mine many different eras and sources for jokes, whereas Rifftrax seems focused more on Millenial hipster jokes. I wouldn’t mind seeing “Frankenstein Island” re-riffed without all the boring references to “Twitter’s DadBoner,” for instance (that was one of my complaints about it in the other post).
Maybe I’m just imagining things, but I thought the “Big News!” was a reference to the reporter from “The ‘Legend Of Dinosaurs'”: “Really Super Big News!!!”
I’m in like Flynn. $250,000
I will be doing it in parts over a period of time under several assumed identities.
$1,000,000 is kinda big.
Wow! Really??!?! $250,000?!?!? Sorry underfunded soup kitchens and cancer research, maybe next time! But maybe you support humanitarian things like that too, so I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. But dang that’s a LOT of money!!!!
Have you read the Kickstarter page? It’s full of “Millenial hipster jokes”. I mean, it even says, “And if we came back, imagine all the riffs we could make about things like Uber or Cards Against Humanity!”
Not really in the grand scheme of things. When you want to raise $5.5 million, you probably should have had $1 million yesterday. At this rate, they’ll be lucky to reach the 6 episode goal.
It just occurred to me that you were joking. Me too! Ha ha ha? Literal mode turned off.
He also mentions that he is going to be drafting a bigger update “later in the afternoon” to give additional information, he just wanted to thank the Day One folk specifically for helping to raise so much money in such a short period of time.
I’m glad for Joel.
Not going to contribute, and I actually doubt I’ll even check it out when available (oh, curiosity may overcome my better sense). There is no greater truth than “nostalgia ain’t what it used to be” and the modern sensibilities this will have to appeal to will make sure it will be something I won’t care a bit for.
(But I’m glad for those it will provide joy — in the world we live in a project like this, having no greater purpose than to try and entertain folks, is a noble thing indeed).
MST3K is my favorite show ever. I started watching it regularly beginning season two on Comedy Central and never looked back. Well, actually I look back quite a bit… I currently have “The Giant Gila Monster” episode playing as I write this. I remember when Joel left and wondered how the show would do. Once Mike took the lead and the show went humorously along I knew it could never die. The show would make other casting and network changes but every episode had at least a few laughs. Two hours a week for 10 years of comedy– who couldn’t love that.
I remember the Film Crew and enjoyed those shows. I remember the humble beginnings of Rifftrax and enjoyed having that around. Though I wasn’t a steady customer I am happy for their success. I was there and have all the Cinematic Titanic episodes, and I went to NYC to see a live CT show. I am glad CT happened and wanted more but I’m happy with what I got.
Now…MST3K is being revived. Will it be the same? Probably not. None of the other post-MST3K projects were the same as the original, either. But this new launch is standing in the clothes it once wore.
I understand those who are cautious, tread with trepidation, disdain with dogged determination. They have every right to feel and think as they do. I judge them not. What of this guy– being me– think and feel about this, you ask? (Y-you did ask, right…what? What was that?!? Did you say something??).
Well…however this turns out, I want to be in on the ground floor. If nothing else, if Joel needs the fans’ help, I will be there. Soon I will be putting in my two cents (what’s the reward for two cents, by the way?). I need to be a part of this, sink or swim, successful or not. I can be a part of the history of my favorite show, Mystery Science Theater 3000. I will be a part of its history.
Joel, if you read any part of this, please know I will be part of the Crow-funding soon. I just have to wait because I want to contribute as much as I can. I might never meet you or thank you in person for my favorite show. Maybe my contribution will show my love for the little puppet show that could…and could, again.
As of the time of this post, Joel’s already got over a $1 million! Good going, fellow MSTies!!
“For everyone thinking about contributing, let us all ask ourselves this: How many times have we watched an episode of MST3K that we taped for free? If everyone contributed just one dollar for each time you watched a show, how much would that be? Don’t we ALL already owe Joel a king’s ransom for all the free entertainment we’ve gotten over the years from the funniest show in tv history?
answer: hell yes, we do!”
Considering that I have purchased every DVD set on launch day,plus some of the retail vhs copies and CT episodes,I don’t owe joel a red cent.
Well, I hope the irony of calling someone “anti-discussion” and then closing your post with “I’m done” isn’t lost on you.
I think there’s rather a lot to talk about with regards to the reboot and the Kickstarter without straight-up making crap up about former cast members’ motivations for not returning, but if that’s what you wanna fixate on then obviously I can’t stop you.
I’m seeing posts about what movies people would like to see, who they think the new cast might be, what kinds of targets the Kickstarter could reach, what we can expect come Turkey Day — there are plenty of exciting things to discuss. Let Mike, Trace, Josh, et al speak for themselves — or choose not to. I don’t see how that’s being anti-discussion at all, it’s just anti-gossip and anti-rumor. As for overly reverent, well, no, I think it’s just the right amount of respect not to speculate about other people’s motives when they don’t want to share them, no matter who they are, and as for pandering, I have no idea who you think I’m even pandering to.
I’ll continue to participate in conversations I find exciting. And this probably won’t be the last time I suggest people shouldn’t put words in other people’s mouths, either.
Thanks Tom.
I also don’t get the skepticism. I’m surprised this show hasn’t been back sooner, and this really seems like a best case scenario.
This actually reminds me A LOT of early reactions to ST:TNG. And see how that turned out? One of the best sci-fi shows of all time.
Sure it might not be great…but it’s worth a gamble.
Would not be half surprised to find out that the Kickstarter is partially intended to tease out matching funds from other investors waiting in the wings. I think it’s a given that at least three episodes would have been made regardless of the Kickstarter, solely on Shout Factory’s dime as they’re now staring at the bottom of the nearly empty MST3K dvd barrel and are going to need something to keep the releases going. But the new series is going to have to have real time to develop its own internal momentum and build a loyal audience. Knowing that a lot of long time fans are going to call it quits after episode one, Joel will need a financial warchest to keep the series afloat through the “formative period” (ie, keep Shout Factory from getting cold feet) and that’s why the surprisingly steep financial goals.
I can pretty much guarantee two things; the reboot will be alienating to anyone who preferred the homemade, family effort quality of the original series, although painful effort will be made to give the series a homemade look. It will also be tremendously appealing to those millennials who self-identify as nerdists as it will be made both by and for them.
So Sampo, this will require a change in the rankings of “longest wait time in-between seasons”, won’t it?
[cheap shot about thin-skinned millennials crying online because something upset them omitted for clarity]
Kevin did try to sound like Josh when he first took over but changed by 6 episodes in.
If Bill was trying to sound like Trace’s Crow I certainly couldn’t tell. To me Bill’s Crow always sounded like a New York wise ass it’s just that his puppet wrangling wasn’t great. Trace was absolutely amazing working with the puppet.
@Droppo
I do understand imitating Trace’s Crow as that is my favorite part of MST3K but I just figured with the new cast you might as well have whoever is doing that voice do his own thing. However I guess for a kickstarter making it feel like old mst3k to bring fans in probably was too much of a pull. I have to honest for a minute there I did think Trace was doing Crow’s voice. Anyway, time will tell.
There’s been some talk about the voices on the video, and maybe it’s just me, but, it kind of sounds like the same person is doing all three voices? Anyone else think the same thing?
Not to sound cynical, but when I paid for Comedy Central back in the 90s and taped the shows I wasn’t exactly watching or taping the shows for free. Cable was and is a paid service and some of that cost ultimately paid the people who made MST3k. The same goes for episodes that I watched on Netflix, again a paid service. Purchase a DVD and some of the money ultimately goes to the stakeholders. It sucks that some of the people involved during the creation of the show never got in on any residuals, but they ultimately had a choice of either working under the conditions of employment that were offered at the time, which I am sure had no guarantee of ownership or residuals, or not working on the show at all. Most actors in the film industry are paid for the role, and that is that. If the film becomes a major hit and goes on to become successful beyond the original life span of the film, they get nothing additional. Of course the major stars are able to get a piece of the action if they have a good agent, but most don’t wield that kind of clout, so I doubt any but the most major figures get steady income from residual sales of a product. When you work a job, you typically get paid for that job and when the job is done, the payment stops. If you create something that will be sold again and again, you need to be part of the ownership of the production company or somehow have language in your agreement of employment to get those residuals. If you don’t, it goes back to the choice you had when the original job was offered. Eddie Van Halen and Steve Lukather get zero from Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” even though it remains one of the most played songs on radio. Without either of those talents on the recording, it would not have been the seminal song it is now. They were paid (At least Lukather was – not positive about Van Halen, but he probably was too) at the time of the recording to do the job and since they were not given writing credit, no royalties come their way – at least now, until the laws are changed. I know that some of the people that got “screwed” in the deal helped to write the show, but again, people were paid to write, and that if that was your job, then that is it, and no residuals are due. If we want to send any of the former members money for our enjoyment over the last several decades of watching old shows, I am sure that we can send them cash and that they will accept whatever comes their way. Not really sure where I went with this, but you probably get the idea…
I love MST3k and I sincerely hope that the Kickstarter campaign reaches the stretch goal, only so that we can all see what the result is. At $1.3M already in less than 48 hours, I am thinking that at least the $2M goal will be met within a few days. If you think the idea is a good one, contribute, but I don’t think that we should do this because of some obligation to Joel or anyone else.
I can understand the trepidation of some of the fans about this return of MST. Personally, I’m torn. I did contribute to the cause and yet I have a feeling that this will disappoint. I picked up any books that the cast have written. I’ve picked up the Film Crew and Rifftrax and Cinematic Titanic. Hell, I even picked up Star Wait just because there was a bit more riffing from MST alums. I’ve grabbed every Rhino VHS tape, Best Brains VHS tapes, Mike solo commentaries on DVDs, Rhino DVDs, Shout DVDs, Rifftrax downloads, DVDs and some blu-rays. I contributed to Rifftrax Kickstarters, the Manos Restoration site, and even ICWXP funding requests, because frankly their take on riffing is the real deal. I’ve gone to Cinematic Titanic shows, gotten autographs, met the casts, shared some email with Kevin Murphy a decade ago, and showed pictures of my MST puppet loving kids to Mary Jo. I even seek out unMSTed versions of movies done on the show to see what they were like before commercial and playing time edits. I preorder every single new MST set because I remember when Vol 10 was yanked off the shelves almost immediately. I remember when the Rhino Amazing Colossal Man VHS tape was taken away. I’d be damned if I ever missed getting another officially released DVD. I sought out vendors for DVD copies of shows I only had on 6 hour VHS homemade tapes. I look for original one sheets or lobby cards from MSTed movies on eBay with posters for Operation Kid Brother, Mitchell, and The Magic Voyage of Sinbad as prized possessions. I would seek out autographs from actors that were in movies that were done on MST such as Beverly Garland, John Saxon, Rex Reason, and Peggy Webber.
I’m sure that there are many of you out there that are cut from the same cloth as I when it comes to this little puppet show that could. I’ve followed the show since the second season on Comedy Central and have never stopped loving it. I would love for this to succeed. But a niggling voice in my head says that this is not a great idea. I’m nostalgic as the next guy, after all I madly hunt down episodes of a show that hasn’t had a new episode since 1999. But I’m catching a vibe like I’d get from a band that is getting together for a reunion tour but only one founding member is backing this. Is it really the Beach Boys if it is only Mike Love with some hired guns? Not really.
My biggest concern is this: I know that the show in name will be back, but will the show in spirit be back? Without those voices that molded the show that Joel created into what we love today, I don’t think so. Joel had the idea, there’s no taking away that from him. It was a brilliant idea, loved by so many fans. But Trace, Josh, Kevin, Mike, Frank, Mary Jo, Paul, Jef Maynard, Jeff Stonehouse, Brad Keely, Beez, Patrick Brantseg, Bridget, Bill, and yes Jim too among others all helped to give this idea a form and a shape and made it endure. To not have at least some of these voices on board prior to selling this reboot is not encouraging to me. And perhaps if all of those voices were approached and told Joel to beat it because they’ve all moved on with their personal and professional lives, then that would be a different story obviously.
And who knows what the weeks might bring and if this thing gets funded. I don’t know why I contributed beyond my thinking that I’m trying to bring back something that my 1991 eyes loved and adored. I just hope my 2015 eyes will enjoy it.
I find the prospect of the reboot being completely whizzed down collective legs almost as enticing as the prospect of it turning out well which is why I’m pitching in. If it’s even remotely watchable, it’s money well spent. If it turns out to be as fantastically wrongheaded and alienating as, say, Jim Mallon’s animated series, we’ll all have a good laugh, pop in our VHS tapes, and stop worrying about reviving the series once and for all. Hell, maybe Rifftrax will even riff it! TAKE MY MONEY, GODAMMIT!!!
For those of you wondering how the money is being used, he gives a pretty good explanation in the update. Basically, 8% goes to Kickstarter and credit card fees, 27% goes to shippable rewards, 22% of the first $2 million goes to startup (sets, bots, etc.), and the rest goes to the individual episodes. Joel estimates the per episode cost at $250,000. That’s why each additional $1.1 million can go further- no more startup costs.
Joel explains it better on the webpage, so check that out and don’t forget to donate. Think about it, won’t you?
“You look at it, I’m bitter”
I hope this new season of MST3K shines a bright light of happiness, joy and glee straight into all of your hearts and souls. That once the new season begins, even the most cynical and doubtful fall to their knees and weep in glory that the show is back, and it’s amazing.
Aw poopie, it should say 27% for startup costs. Sorry folks.
I’m really not trying to be a jerk here, but this is pretty disingenuous of you. I didn’t just pull those words out of thin air. It’s all right there in your reply at #149: you said people who were cautious about this reboot were “unintelligent.” You also said that fans being cautious were “ungrateful” and “jaded” and not as “capaciously forward-thinking” as MST3K fans should be.
You’re welcome to your opinion, but at the same time, you’ve been on the internet long enough to know that if you start scolding fans for being “unintelligent” and “ungrateful” and not “forward-thinking” because they don’t feel exactly the same way that you do about something, people are going to object.
Oh man, the new season hasn’t been seen yet, haven’t even been made yet, new actors announced yet, NOT EVEN GUARANTEED YET…and already the kindling of a flame war.
I noticed new reward tiers were added, included a writer’s reward (all gone) that makes you a contributing writer. And an Executive Producer reward. Man, to have that kind of money. Oh well, about $4.2 million to go (yes, I want the full season, and won’t consider it a complete success unless the project earns right in between the Veronica Mars and the Reading Rainbow projects)
I agree with a lot of what you said, and logically you’re exactly right, but emotionally it feels wrong that all these people who were involved in this product we have enjoyed for so long don’t get anything when I buy the sets or watch on Netflix or whatever.
Maybe it’s just perception but everything that went down recently all seems connected. So to me, personally, this idea of the Rifftrax deal being an ersatz residuals for three members and no one else, plus the appearance of original cast not being included in the reboot, upsets me. It just does. I know that all’s fair in business and war, but I love these guys, several of whom have been unbelievably nice to me both when I met them and on Twitter, so I feel protective.
As I tried to say before, I hope that all my concerns are unfounded and this is just those awkward, early stage growing pains that new projects encounter, and any bad vibes I’m feeling now are more imagined than real.
You know – I’ve started to feel this same thing – the more I read, the more I am realizing that for whatever reason – Joel is really passionate about bringing the show back to an audience…maybe beyond what the rest of the original crew want. Whether it is successful or not still is a big question mark – but some have mentioned that Joel doesn’t seem to “get it”. However, when I read the kickstarter:
“I think it’s because MST3K is more than just movie riffing. It’s a stranger and denser recipe than just saying smart aleck things to a forgotten movie, but I think this is the secret ingredient: we believed that it’s easiest to survive the cheesy movie that we’re living in with friends who keep us from taking it all too seriously.”
That quote right there tells me that he DOES get what the heart of the show was…and why I’ve been telling everyone I can to support it.
Ah, here are my people. Why oh why did I wait so long to check in here.
I donated at the level that would get me to the NYC premier. I’m all in.
But I have concerns, and they are exactly the concerns voiced above.
I posted this on the Kickstarter page, and I’ll re-port here:
While I can handle Crow with a new voice (“I’m different!”), no disrespect meant for Josh, but I just can’t imagine Tom Servo without Kevin’s melodious baritone.
Production in LA is making me very very nervous. A big part of the charm of the original series was its foundation in solid midwestern values and never telling anyone’s wife they loved her.
I don’t want to pull my (substantial) initial pledge, but I’m worried that without the support and contributions of Mike Nelson, who was the show’s head writer for 9 years (the most solid and consistent in the show’s history), this will not be the MST3K we know and love.
Joel, I know you ignored these questions on the AMA, but I’m seeing the sentiment more and more, and I have a strong feeling this is not an issue that is going away. We all love you and want to support you, but stripping the original show of everything but the puppets themselves makes this seem like a formula for tarnishing an impeccable legacy.
In the end, my donation was what I thought I owed Joel for the many many years of enjoyment I’ve had watching and re-watching every single episode. Even if this new iteration fails, it will be work it as a token of my appreciation for everything the show has meant to me.
I think you should cast the show. Eugiene Mirman would be an excellent Crow. I think his standup is aligned with the tone of the show as well, sometimes biting and sarcastic but never MEAN.
On the other hand, Jonah Ray – whom I dislike – is definitely a fan of the show. Hopefully he respects it enough to keep the tone right.
As far as Mike and everyone else who isn’t involved … that sucks. BUT – and stay with me here – riffing on movies ain’t rocket surgery. There are hundreds of super talented comedy writers who grew up with MST3K that can make you laugh with a one liner. The key is going to be getting the tone right, and that’s up to Joel.
@Thad #215
“Well, I hope the irony of calling someone “anti-discussion” and then closing your post with “I’m done” isn’t lost on you.”
Here we go with the old “I hope the ‘irony’ of such and such isn’t lost on you due to such and such” schtick. There’s no irony to be lost here because obviously I’m more than open to discussion with many people. As should have been evident from my last reply, I just don’t find YOUR rigid personal preferences, topic policing and personal checklist for what YOU find “respectful” when talking about news from the Brains themselves as being conducive to any kind of *enjoyable* discussion in a free forum which is why I’m not continuing it with YOU further. So yes, I’m done in that sense and am not replying to YOU further because I don’t find discussing news on the reboot with YOU as being worthwhile due to your inane insistence that others discuss news and quotes from the Brains the way that YOU want them to. Why not leave the modding to Sampo?
Dr. Teeeeeeed NELSON #233
“I don’t want to pull my (substantial) initial pledge, but I’m worried that without the support and contributions of Mike Nelson, who was the show’s head writer for 9 years (the most solid and consistent in the show’s history), this will not be the MST3K we know and love.”
There were quite a few other people writing on MST3K who also made a lot of really funny riffs besides Mike, you know. As he said himself, Mike is NOT going to be coming back to the reboot (and neither will Bill and Kevin hasn’t said anything yet but he likely won’t be either). Just as MST3K is Joel’s baby, Rifftrax is basically Mike’s. You should at least be hoping the other fine folks who also wrote on the show for many years such as Trace, Frank and Mary Jo can eventually be convinced to sign on to at least help with the writing. Because Trace, Frank and Mary Jo are really good writers too and really care about both the show and fans. I do agree though with the sentiment that the show could lose some of its Midwest branded charm and polite but earnest independence by being in Hollywood. If they don’t get any of the old gang back I hope they are very careful and hire some writers who “get it” like the “right people.”
Have you all seen the ‘Missle to the Moon’ RiffTrax riff with Fred Willard? It is fantastic! Willard is a seasoned, professional comedian and his tone is very similar to old-school MST3K, and the ep is one of my favorite post-MST3K riffs out there. RiffTrax went on to put out a new version with MK&B, and I never bothered getting it.
I get that people are upset that other cast members aren’t immediately jumping on the bandwagon, but I don’t think we should be at surprised at this.
Other than Joel and Jim – the other CM never got shares in the original show. Some have come across as a tad bitter about it, but I don’t really understand this. Outside of Trace and possibly Kevin, they were all hired as part of a job. They were never promised “if this is huge, you’ll be rolling in dough forever.” You can pick a zillion other properties that the same thing happens – did Mark Hamill make billions off of Star Wars? I don’t think he did. Unless you reach a level of popularity where the cast can have leverage on the show – then this is how it works. (And the show proved time and again that no cast member was above losing.)
So – there’s that.
But even absent that – who would’ve though any of the Rifftrax group would be interested in going back. Mike and the others have formed a florishing business that THEY OWN. To go back as a gun for hire to MST3K just doesn’t really make any sense for those guys – no matter how hard they wish it.
I still think there’s a decent chance that the guys that were involved in CT will be involved to some respect. Now, maybe Joel miscalculated fan response, and should have convinced Trace and Frank and the like that they should sign off in some way. But, I still wonder if once the money is there if we will see these guys become involved, with at least the writing.
One of Joel’s AMA responses indicated that the writers will be all over the country – that tells me that it seems likely that they will bring some of these folks back in that capacity.
Again, I won’t begrudge anyone not wanting to fund with their hard earned money…but I still don’t get how so many people really seem to be SO down on this. I keep thinking to Star Trek, but now I turn to Doctor Who (which I admit I am not a particularly big fan of) for an example of something that was dead, but was revived. And, not by the people that originated it, but a wholy different group of people that loved and understood the show. They not only brought it back but made it better and more popular (in the US) than it EVER was the first time. The same again with Star Trek. Star Wars returned once and kind of sucked, but aren’t most of glad they’re trying again? Or how about Battlestar Galactica as yet ANOTHER example of this – again done by a different group of people completely.
It seems to me people that say “It can’t work without Mike/Trace/Frank/insert name here” are just being negative to be negative, reflexively fearful instead of being overjoyed at the prospect.
So – to all of you – why be stuck on “It might suck.” How about think about “It might be great!”
Isn’t that worth the gamble? MST3K done by people that LOVE MST3K might just produce a good episodes of MST3K! Even if you don’t have a lot of faith – isn’t that worth $25? Hell – make it $10! I think so. (Actually apparently I believe in it, and only think it’s worth $100.)
One last thing – if it turns out good – wouldn’t you rather say “Yeah, I was a part of that.” than “Well, I didn’t believe in it, boy was I wrong.” ?
(I realize as I write this I sound like some kind of shill – really I have no interest in this other than wanting to take a chance on seeing the show return.)
RE: no residuals for other MST3K alumns–
This has been talked about for years and has blown up lately. But, a lot of people seem to forget that you gain a lot more from a successful project than just money. How many of you bought Kevin Murphy’s book he wrote, or Mike’s multiple books he wrote? Bill wrote a comic book that I’m sure many of you own. Would you have bought these if they hadn’t been on your favorite show? Well maybe, except that you probably WOULDN’T HAVE EVER HEARD OF THEM if they hadn’t have been on MST3K. People have mentioned the big name stars that get cuts of the profits–how do you think those people became stars?
Mike (and Kevin and Bill) now have their successful RiffTrax venture (and good for them), but everyone knows (including them–they reference MST3K on the RiffTRax front page for riff’s sake) that RiffTrax ONLY exists because of MST3K. Pretty much all of the MST3K alumns are getting rewarded (and paid) NOW for the great work they did back on MST3K.
Oh – and all the fear about the show going “Hollywood” or “Corporate”. Does anyone think Joel put all these years of effort to get the rights to the show back only to have it become some Corporate Hollywood shell project.
They’re producing these episodes for $250K a piece. The average network sitcom cost somewhere on the order of $1-$2 million per 22 minute episodes, and pilots usually near $3 million. Hour dramas are in the $2 – $3 million per episode range. Some TV pilots have cost in the $5 – $10 million range. And of that money they have to pay for movie rights. You really think they’re going to be all slick looking?
Also, it was always Joel who was the most anti-Hollywood. It’s been a long time, so I don’t know how many people remember other than reading it in Bios, but Joel had already become successful before MST3K and was out guesting on the Late Shows and SNL. I remember seeing Agent J on his SNL skit in high school. Anyway, he was even getting offers for sitcoms and stuff like that, like a Tim Allen or Rosanne Barr, but he didn’t want to do that and gave it up and came back to Minneapolis to do more stand up, and eventually find Jim Mallon and KTMA.
Now granted, things could have changed in 25 years, but if you look at Joels track record right up to today, it doesn’t really look like his philosophy has changed any, or in other words, he hasn’t ‘sold out’ to Hollywood Corporate The Man ComHugeCo.
Ummm, yeah. So the funding site has increased $400K over a 24-hour span (Nov 11 AM to Nov 12 AM). Here comes more MST3K!!
That means I have to dust off the ole’ site!!! I couldn’t me happier about it!
I think there’s little doubt they reach $2 million. The only question remains is how much CAN they reach. I am thinking they get to the $3.3 million, but not $4.4 million. (Remember, Joel is holding back announcements in hopes of boosting things as it goes along.)
I believe someone in this thread had an insightful post regarding matching funds. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Shout! or other investor(s) matches the crowdfunding campaign at the end, just before it closes.
Now that the initial shock has worn off and I’ve watched the Kickstarter video roughly 40 times (yes, I’m a MSTie with OCD), here are my overall thoughts:
1. I truly am so excited. Joel is bringing back MST3K. There’s no one else I would want at the helm and I truly believe it’s going to be great.
2. I really like Crow’s new voice. I feel he’s captured Crow’s character already and that’s highly encouraging.
3. Servo doesn’t sound like Servo. I’m hoping the voice actors adjusts into the role. Tom Servo is a baritone. He just is. The same way he’s got a gumball machine head. That’s who Tom Servo is.
4. The human (assuming it’s Jonah Ray) sounds promising. I felt particularly reassured when he expresses disappointment that the robots are gone and talks about missing “those guys.” That’s hopefully a small confirmation that the sweetness and sense of family that Joel always embodied on the show will be intact. That’s really important to me.
5. I am bummed and perplexed by the exclusion of the other MST3K alumni. It just seems like a needless obstacle. Cameos would be more than sufficient. The tension around it is a downer. Mike having to explicitly state he was never asked to participate. Trace saying he won’t be involved at all. That’s the only piece that feels mishandled and easily avoidable. I’m still hopeful that something is worked out. Who wouldn’t want to contribute more if Frank appeared in a Kickstarter video and pushed the button? Or if somehow Mike and Joel appeared side by side asking folks to donate?
6. I really hope we can get this project to reach the stretch goal. I want a full 11th season (and more) of MST3K!
Captain Cab #235 –
Absolutely! The other writers definitely made the show what it was. But the most constant member of the writing staff as far as I can tell was Mike, right? (That’s a serious question – I don’t know off the top of my head how long Paul, Mary Jo, Bridget, et al were involved, I know, I’m a bad MSTie). I know for sure that he did absolutely NONE of it alone. But he did have the title of “Head Writer” for 9 damn seasons and to assume that the show wasn’t in some way dependent on that fact seems a bit silly. If everyone BUT Mike signed on, I’d be ecstatic too! But the fact is, the ONLY person involved from the original show is going to be Joel, who was only directly involved in half of the shows output, and for some of them, was helming a rather unsteady ship (lets all be honest about KTMA and season 1). Now, that’s not to say I don’t ADORE those early episodes, because they are part of the story, and I love watching the show develop and frankly, I loved Josh. But Frank is my man, forever and always.
This is not a “Joel vs Mike” argument in the slightest, because, quite frankly, my MST3k dream team is = Joel as host, Trace as Crow, Kevin as Servo, and Frank as sidekick. This is about what made MST3K what is was and how much or how little of that needs to exist for it to still be what we love. I’m hopeful and I’m excited, but like many, its hard to not be disappointed.
I’m a bit late to the show, but from having scanned the 200-ish comments above me, I’d like to add my take on a few things (non-apologies if I didn’t read every word of every post).
Legacy Casting – We’re still in the planning phase, which Joel seems to have well under control. At this point, there’s nothing for anyone else to do BUT to say, “I’m not involved”. While I certainly can’t speak to confirm/deny of any bad blood, I’m not about to infer it from such simple text. Hope, however, remains.
Movie Selection – Like most of you, I’ve seen the entire MST3K canon at least twice. From that, I have determined that MST3K movie selection adhered largely to one rule. It’s a rule that’s very important to me. It’s a rule that CT paid some attention to, but that RT has mostly not. It’s neither right nor wrong, but inherently MST3K. That rule is simply this: Charm ALWAYS trumps gimmicky shock value. Find another “Cave Dwellers”. Find another “Pod People”. Find another “Time Chasers”. Neither CT nor RT did/have. Have you heard of “Yor: Hunter from the Future”?
Shorts – Have them.
Show Format – The show setting will have a huge effect on this, but one thing I really miss from MST3K is the host segment. Having a new mad is a good sign that these might be returning. But, why did they disappear? Simply, the format of both CT and RT didn’t lend itself to host segments. Yes, the Film Crew segments left something to be desired, but it’s such a small sample size that I’m willing to forgive. I always thought they served VERY well as end caps for the movie and I’d love to see them return.
Misc – Fan-funding should be in the homestretch just in time for Joel to host the T-day Marathon. Sneaky!
OKay, this is a very sloppy calculation, but I read that for reward-based campaigns of 10 weeks, it takes 2.9 weeks to get your first 25%. So, for a 4 week campaign, you can expect 25% after 8 days. THIS campaign has hit 25% of $5.5M (let’s admit it, that’s the REAL goal) after 3 days. I don’t see any reason NOT to hit $5.5M
Totally agree – that is the REAL goal. A 12-episode season would make it feel like more than a one-off, it really would feel like an 11th season….and hopefully, a springboard for several more.
I’m not sure that a blanket statement like that works in this case. For some the real goal is 12 episodes, for most it’s likely “getting the show back on the air”. It may become harder to push people to contribute once it gets past the $2 million mark.
I also am in agreement with those that say if they miss the funding by a bit, shout or whoever ends up airing the shows will likely “chip in” the difference to get to 12 episodes.
What’s too bad is that they can’t do something like sell “shares” in MST3K – no unlike an IPO. Whereas if it stays on the air you get a % of the profits. I would probably be willing to put up more money in that case than I do to get a T-shirt and some downloads.
Why not 13 episodes? That’s classic MST3k Season-ing!
I’ll drop some extra cashish into the fund if Joel hires these guys as writers:
http://imgur.com/wdrT7qy
The world needs more hair product riffs from Buzz.