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Joel Announces Season 11 Debut Date

In an email to backers last night, Joel answered the question everybody has been asking:

The new season of Mystery Science Theater 3000 will premiere on Netflix on April 14, 2017.

And there was much rejoicing.

Here’s a cast photo Netflix posted:

148 Replies to “Joel Announces Season 11 Debut Date”

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  1. Torgo"s Pizza-NJ says:

    It’s not a “relaunch” because only one of the seven cast members is from the original show. It’s a “reboot” in the same way JJ Abrams “Star Trek” was a reboot, as there are different actors playing the classic characters in a different way and there are different characters created specifically for this new version of the show. BTW, Sampo did give a timely announcement of last week’s video conference, so he’s hardly ignored the new show. This seems to be rooted in the charred remains of “Joel v. Mike”.. I liked that Joel & Jonah joked that the new series would unite both camps together Against Jonah. :laugh:

    TarlCabot: Except, that’s not what I’m referring to.

    I’m referring to Sampo’s almost begrudging acceptance to talk about the show.
    His dismissive tone when he ever gets around to talking about it. The fact that he labels it as a “reboot”, when the preferred nomenclature is “relaunch”.
    His refusal to cover updates and news regarding the relaunch even when it is kosher to share such things. Etc.

    RiffTrax releases a new streaming video and that gets immediate front-page news! But the MST3K Kickstarter has a livestream on the last day of the campaign, or they cross a major funding threshold, or new casting is announced, or lost episodes K01 and K02 are found and released and outside news articles pick up on it, and suddenly“it’s not my job to update for every single thing”.

    I was trying to be oblique before, but I guess I have to spell out what I mean exactly.

       7 likes

  2. Droppo says:

    EricJ: Having finally been driven out of my skull, up the wall, and out screaming over the hills by “Shocking season-arc finales!” (yeah, whatever, a “good” character turns bad and blows up the building, and one of the regular characters dies in the rubble, is that the shock?), I finally decided to blog my own highly detailed opinions on Netflix/Hulu Binge Culture last summer, let alone what it’s done to the TV industry:
    http://movieactivist.blogspot.com/2016/08/august-5-2016-tv-activist-pt.html

    I know why we want to, but why does our culture think we HAVE to?The fact that, like Droppo, we think we “deserve” to, probably speaks more about our Millennial tantrums about Mommy & Daddy’s Tuesday-night-on-ABC generation.
    Which thrill of novelty is only going to have a year or two left, when subscription streaming polarizes its audience into the TV-Binge kiddies who want “new series”, and the old folk who remember when Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime had actual movies available on them, before the studios started starving them out hoping we’d all buy Digital.

    Ugh.

       24 likes

  3. TarlCabot says:

    So what was MST3K during the SciFi era? A reboot? Because by that time, it was a new show coming back from being cancelled, and all of the original cast was gone, if we’re going by that metric.

       3 likes

  4. Kali says:

    Who’s the guy in the glasses next to Joel?

    And can we find a way to watch WITHOUT going back to Netflix? Got rid of my membership about when they began to concentrate on streaming video (since they charged extra to include both services) and before streaming became profitable (thank you, House of Cards!)?

       2 likes

  5. bobhoncho says:

    I’ve been watching all of the other episodes, in order. Two episodes a week. Next for me is 1004. Looks like I’ll be done with ’em in time before the new season debuts! YAYYYY!!!

       7 likes

  6. wonderfly says:

    Droppo:
    Why would anyone begrudge the whole season being available?Watch any way you want to and let others do the same.

    I think it’s less “let others watch how they want to watch” and more “I can’t find time to watch 12 episodes of a show in a row, so you shouldn’t be allowed to do so either!”.

    The whole “everyone has the freedom to watch however and whenever they want” is fine, except I don’t have the freedom to watch a whole season in the span of 1 week. I can’t stay up all night long watching a show, I have to get up at 6 am for my job…plus, even on a day off, I still have trouble staying up past midnight.

    …I think it’s possible I’m just getting old and cranky…

       1 likes

  7. Lisa H. says:

    Am I the only person who thought there were going to be new, differently designed bot characters? I just kinda got that impression from some of the backer updates. Or did I not understand something?

       3 likes

  8. John Seavey says:

    Reboot vs. Relaunch: While I’m not going to get upset at anyone using “reboot” (repeat to yourself, “It’s just a show, I should really just relax…”) this would generally be considered a relaunch. A ‘reboot’ is usually a production that doesn’t acknowledge, in-universe, the existence of the previous versions (for example, ‘Robocop’ did not mention another cop named Alex Murphy who also got transformed into a cyborg by OCP through a series of bizarre coincidences). While a ‘relaunch’ is generally treated as a continuation of the previous show. Since Kinga is the daughter of Dr. F, we’d be talking relaunch here.

    Binge-watch vs. Week-by-week: “IT’S. JUST. A. SHOW…” Seriously. I do not plan to ration out every single episode on a week-by-week basis, mainly because that’s never how I watched MST3K to begin with–I didn’t have cable, so I taped Turkey Day marathons at my sister’s house and watched the same episodes over and over again for a year–but I don’t begrudge anyone’s decision to enjoy the show like that. Watch according to your own schedule, enjoy the new episodes we’ve been waiting almost eighteen years for, be respectful of people who may not have had the chance to see it yet, and you are doing it right whether you watch them one per week or all of them in a massive 28-hour marathon while washing down chocolate-covered coffee beans down with JOLT cola in order to keep awake so that you don’t get replaced by a pod person.

       8 likes

  9. Thad says:

    Torgo"s Pizza-NJ:
    It’s a “reboot” in the same way JJ Abrams “Star Trek” was a reboot, as there are different actors playing the classic characters in a different way and there are different characters created specifically for this new version of the show.

    Abrams’s Star Trek cancelled out the previous continuity. That’s what “reboot” implies. Season 11 isn’t cancelling out the first 10 seasons. They all still happened. Nobody traveled back in time and killed Joel’s father.

    (I mean, probably. I haven’t seen any of the new episodes yet, so maybe I’m in for a big surprise in the season premier.)

    This isn’t Abrams’s Star Trek. It’s Star Trek: TNG. (Or maybe we’re up to DS9 or Voyager by now? As @TarlCabot notes, the show already replaced most of the principal cast back in season 8…)

       4 likes

  10. Thad says:

    Lisa H.:
    Am I the only person who thought there were going to be new, differently designed bot characters? I just kinda got that impression from some of the backer updates. Or did I not understand something?

    I think we’ll still see new bots, we just haven’t seen them yet.

    I don’t think the new bots will be main characters like Tom or Crow, though. I’m thinking they’ll be recurring-but-not-main characters like the Nanites. Or even Gypsy.

       4 likes

  11. Ro-man, aka one of several possible Steves says:

    No, it’s a reboot and a relaunch! ;)

    Oh, and:

    we

    should

    really

    just

    relax

       10 likes

  12. EricJ says:

    John Seavey:
    Binge-watch vs. Week-by-week: “IT’S. JUST. A. SHOW…” Seriously. I do not plan to ration out every single episode on a week-by-week basis, mainly because that’s never how I watched MST3K to begin with–I didn’t have cable, so I taped Turkey Day marathons at my sister’s house and watched the same episodes over and over again for a year–but I don’t begrudge anyone’s decision to enjoy the show like that. Watch according to your own schedule, enjoy the new episodes we’ve been waiting almost eighteen years for, be respectful of people who may not have had the chance to see it yet, and you are doing it right whether you watch them one per week or all of them in a massive 28-hour marathon while washing down chocolate-covered coffee beans down with JOLT cola in order to keep awake so that you don’t get replaced by a pod person.

    Fine. If you think it’s Like, Trendy.
    But only the saddest alcoholic ever says that his job “put” the drink into his hand, let alone down his throat. The shows are THERE, what you do with them is your own pleasure or problem. And if you think you’re genuinely obligated by societal forces beyond your control to push yourself past your limits for your pleasure, it’s a problem.

    “But once a week is stupid, it’s like when we had regular TV!” Again, the demographics of the Binge Generation that can only see All or Nothing. I’m older, and I prefer Some, because you get the best of both.
    Consuming three episodes at a sitting is nice, consuming one a week is nice if you’re busy, and if you just want your viewing to be secure, how about just watching them MST3K Hour style in pieces over two or three nights? (Which I do with catching up with some of the S8 and 9 eps on Hulu.)
    That’s the Freedom you’re enjoying, in our bold new Digital Age of flying cars and videophones: Unlike Boring Old Regular TV that you used to have to set your Tivo for, they’re not going to run away and make you miss something if you change the channel, and you can come back and watch them later.

    (Oh, and in movies a “Relaunch” is when they do a sequel again after so many years, and a “Reboot” is when new guys throw out everything but the title and make up crap, in the hopes that they’ll get their own sequel rights.
    Since the original Brains are behind this, this would be a Relaunch. Just my own two for the debate.)

       0 likes

  13. Gare.Chicago says:

    Ok, ok, enough of this reboot/relaunch blather. Nobody here has yet to speculate on the *important* point:

    How exactly are they going to explain the premise happening all over again?? New satellite, of course, but the big question for me – Crow and Servo were last seen living in Mike’s efficiency apartment, watching terrible movies… what happened to Mike? How/why would the new Mads grab the bots and relaunch (or is it reboot) them into space with Jonah? I mean.. they’re trying to drive him crazy… why provide comic relief? Same with Gypsy and Cambot.

    And what about Scarecrow’s brain??

    Gare

       4 likes

  14. Anonymous Automat Author says:

    I have to say, I am bewildered by the complaints about full season availability and perplexed by any scored “elitism points” earned by watching something once a week!

    No offense, but you sound sort of old and tired. I have to wonder if you’re getting all your vitamins and minerals. Maybe it’s time for that checkup.

    Also, I am of the opinion that Sampo’s deft touch is precisely what Season 11 needed! Since 11 does not, for all practical purposes, even exist to its fans yet… there’s really only so much news to report to the mainstream.

    The biggest news was effectively covered: MST3K is coming back, baby!

    Then the precise date was just announced here. All else is grist for the mill and has been covered elsewhere ad nauseum, and I have to say, there’s quite a lot of speculation on the internet that really isn’t relevant to what we are trying to do.

    Start your own website if the ticker here isn’t punching out enough tape chads for you. And I mean that seriously, not in a dillweed-way. We can’t have too many MST3K fan sites.

    I am reminded of when a few posters complained about TOO MUCH BONUS material being on the DVDs…. TOO MUCH BACKGROUND INFORMATION about the riffed movie’s origins… the “making of” etc.

    Holy Buddha in a blue Dixie Cup from a special mail-ordered cup dispenser mounted in a Woolco-wallpapered kitchen!

    That blew my mind. I can’t get enough of Daniel Griffith’s work!

    Maybe some of what’s going on here is intentional trolling instead of the crotchety miserableness it appears to be on the surface. If so, I have to say, that’s kind of funny. But if it isn’t trolling …

    There’s just too much new MST3K to watch all at once! And I can’t keep up with everyone! I have a life! Too many people are going to beat me to the comments! I have a job! Losers!

    Come on. It’s time to stop it. If you’re this brittle and non-flexible now, what lies in wait for you when you retire?! Grass fertilizer arguments and smirking over the obituaries?! You do not want to go down that road. Besides, your liver can’t take it.

    I’m afraid there are a few Debbie Downers who deserve a swift kick in the bean bag. Better watch out at the next convention, you just might get that cream pie makeover that you so richly deserve for taking yourselves so danged seriously. Never forget: It’s ALL ABOUT HAVING FUN.

    I love Gypsy hanging down like a python. Absolutely beautiful. So logical.

    So – dare I say it – “Gigeresque.”

    I’m not trying to start a flame pit. I promise.

    It’s amazing that a NEW SEASON will be at your fingertips!

    You have been given the KEYS TO THE KINGDOM.

    Sit back and enjoy history in the making. A history in which YOU played an integral part by showing so much love and support in the Kickstarter campaign.

    Everything is going to be fine.

    I promise….

    So believe me when I say …

    Some of these complaints are – Frankly – Pattonly ridiculous!

    I coined that phrase on the internet first. Here. Just for you. That is breaking news… not to be found anywhere else…. at least at the time of my googling.

    Heh.

    -AAA

       19 likes

  15. Thad says:

    EricJ:
    “But once a week is stupid, it’s like when we had regular TV!”Again, the demographics of the Binge Generation that can only see All or Nothing.I’m older, and I prefer Some, because you get the best of both.
    Consuming three episodes at a sitting is nice, consuming one a week is nice if you’re busy, and if you just want your viewing to be secure, how about just watching them MST3K Hour style in pieces over two or three nights?(Which I do with catching up with some of the S8 and 9 eps on Hulu.)
    That’s the Freedom you’re enjoying, in our bold new Digital Age of flying cars and videophones:Unlike Boring Old Regular TV that you used to have to set your Tivo for, they’re not going to run away and make you miss something if you change the channel, and you can come back and watch them later.

    Well, yes.

    So what exactly are you complaining about?

    Nobody’s stopping you from watching the episodes at whatever pace you want. Why does it bother you that other people can watch them at a different pace than you do?

    It’s like you’re not even yelling at kids to get off your lawn, you’re yelling at them to get off their own lawn.

    Gare.Chicago:
    How exactly are they going to explain the premise happening all over again?? New satellite, of course, but the big question for me – Crow and Servo were last seen living in Mike’s efficiency apartment, watching terrible movies… what happened to Mike? How/why would the new Mads grab the bots and relaunch (or is it reboot) them into space with Jonah? I mean.. they’re trying to drive him crazy… why provide comic relief? Same with Gypsy and Cambot.

    IIRC they need Gypsy to run the satellite and, of course, Cambot to record the experiments.

    As for how Tom and Crow got back up there, well, I’ve got a hunch that they’ll explain that in a few lines of dialogue and then move on (much like the beginning of season 8 explaining why they’re all back after having evolved into beings of pure energy in the preceding episode). You’ve gotta square the circle of answering that bit of continuity for the fans but not dwelling on it for too long.

    But hey, just a guess. We’ll find out in a couple of months.

       13 likes

  16. Dirty Old Sod says:

    Technically I binge watched the original CC run anyway. I started watching in late 94 and CC aired the show daily + an extra episode at night on Fridays AND new episodes on Saturday. I was in Hog Riffing Heaven.

       7 likes

  17. Mike "ex-genius" Kelley says:

    While I contributed to the Kickstarter and was initially very excited I have to say I am feeling a bit of trepidation now.

    We don’t talk politics here (on this website) for a good reason — no place for them in our favorite cowtown show. Oh, from time to time a joke that involves a politician was made, but nothing gets stale faster, or alienates more folks, than trying to do topical humor.

    With the country in the midst of the most divisiveness I’ve ever seen (and I’m ancient) I would sure hate for this new show (reboot/relaunch/restored/retarded/rehashed whatever) to make a lot of political jokes. Although I see certain folks on the set in that image above who specialize in just that.

    I’m hoping Joel kept a tight rein on his baby. And, yes, I really SHOULD relax (as we’ll all know, one way or another, how good this show will be in just a few short months).

       12 likes

  18. Tanner says:

    Thad: Abrams’s Star Trek cancelled out the previous continuity.That’s what “reboot” implies.Season 11 isn’t cancelling out the first 10 seasons.They all still happened.Nobody traveled back in time and killed Joel’s father.

    (I mean, probably.I haven’t seen any of the new episodes yet, so maybe I’m in for a big surprise in the season premier.)

    This isn’t Abrams’s Star Trek.It’s Star Trek: TNG.(Or maybe we’re up to DS9 or Voyager by now?As @TarlCabot notes, the show already replaced most of the principal cast back in season 8…)

    Plus Pearl, Brain Guy, and Bobo are appearing

       4 likes

  19. I don’t give a damn about how it’s watched. I’m just thrilled to see the SOL ride again! Thanks Joel!

       18 likes

  20. Thad says:

    Mike “ex-genius” Kelley:
    We don’t talk politics here (on this website) for a good reason — no place for them in our favorite cowtown show.Oh, from time to time a joke that involves a politician was made, but nothing gets stale faster, or alienates more folks, than trying to do topical humor.

    With the country in the midst of the most divisiveness I’ve ever seen (and I’m ancient) I would sure hate for this new show (reboot/relaunch/restored/retarded/rehashed whatever) to make a lot of political jokes.Although I see certain folks on the set in that image above who specialize in just that.

    The most overtly political writer on the team, Elliott Kalan, stated pretty clearly that he has no interest in doing political comedy on MST3K (and, indeed, is relieved at the prospect of doing comedy that’s not political).

    I don’t see any reason to assume that, just because a guy’s told political jokes, those are the only jokes he knows how to tell. George Carlin’s role on Shining Time Station was pretty different from his standup act.

       14 likes

  21. EricJ says:

    Thad: Well, yes.
    So what exactly are you complaining about?
    Nobody’s stopping you from watching the episodes at whatever pace you want.Why does it bother you that other people can watch them at a different pace than you do?
    It’s like you’re not even yelling at kids to get off your lawn, you’re yelling at them to get off their own lawn.

    To preserve the metaphor, guess I’m yelling at them to stop doing those Cinnamon Challenges, Cold-Water Challenges, and Smash My Own Face Into a Brick Wall Repeatedly Challenges on YouTube, because nobody else outside their own age thinks it’s cool.
    Now, me, the more I see the movies disappearing off of Netflix, not replaced by anything particularly good, the more I concentrate on rationing the good stuff like a survival shelter, over the next few years that Netflix goes off the rails compared to what it was back in the old disk-by-mail days.

    (And if it makes you feel any better, I have been known in the past to binge two or three Netflix half-hours of “Beat Bugs” at a sitting, and got through the entire 2-season series in a matter of weeks. But that’s different, since that show’s crack-addictive to begin with, and I doubt anyone COULD watch just one episode of it. I couldn’t help myself. :-D )

       0 likes

  22. CHF01 says:

    I’m curious what the plans are for future seasons? I’m hopeful this season is a huge success, and additional seasons are being planned. 8-)

       6 likes

  23. Thad says:

    EricJ:
    Now, me, the more I see the movies disappearing off of Netflix, not replaced by anything particularly good, the more I concentrate on rationing the good stuff like a survival shelter, over the next few years that Netflix goes off the rails compared to what it was back in the old disk-by-mail days.

    It seems to me that the most rational response to movies rapidly disappearing from Netflix is not to intentionally take longer to watch the ones that are still left, but how you choose to consume entertainment is no skin off my nose.

       6 likes

  24. Sampo says:

    Okay three issues:

    1. Reboot, relaunch, tomato, tomahto, to my mind. I frankly don’t see a distinction, and some of the definitions being tossed around here seem like hair-splitting. It was being called a reboot a lot when all this first started and that’s when I created the blog tag. To me, reboot just means like, what you do to a computer–you start it back up. As I’ve noted before, people come at the show from different directions. Some folks come at it from the sci-fi angle and they seem to be the ones grumping about this. I can see that. I came at the show from a comedy direction and all these distinctions are a blur to me. (Plus I’m horribly, terribly old.) I don’t have a problem with “relaunch” however. Maybe we can take a little poll.

    2. Coverage or lack thereof. As was noted, I took Joel STRICTLY at his word and did not cover anything that originated in Joel’s backer updates. If you really wanted to know that stuff, well, easy enough to chip in. BELIEVE ME, it was incredibly difficult NOT posting stuff. I am still waiting for clearance to talk about the release of episodes K01 and K02…uh-oh.

    3. Going forward. I have no plans to LEAP into full fledged episode guide postings just yet. There may be some casual WDTs, but I think I will wait a while before diving in fully, and give everybody a chance to at least get started on them. I am INCREDIBLY busy at work during the day and exhausted at night and it may take a little while for ME to get to them all. So take them at your own pace. I won’t be rushing you.

       40 likes

  25. And thanks to Sampo and Ehrhardt for keeping this site up for these mst-less years. Thanks guys!

       34 likes

  26. Thad says:

    Sampo:
    2. Coverage or lack thereof. As was noted, I took Joel STRICTLY at his word and did not cover anything that originated in Joel’s backer updates. If you really wanted to know that stuff, well, easy enough to chip in. BELIEVE ME, it was incredibly difficult NOT posting stuff. I am still waiting for clearance to talk about the release of episodes K01 and K02…uh-oh.

    The postings about the KTMA episodes aren’t backers-only, they’re public:
    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mst3k/bringbackmst3k/posts/1748165
    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mst3k/bringbackmst3k/posts/1756234

       6 likes

  27. GodzFire says:

    I agree I’m not really a fan of it being called a ‘Reboot’. If that was the case, this would be Season 1 (again), but it’s not, it’s Season 11.

    I think the best term even moreso than ‘Relaunch’ is ‘REVIVAL’.

       8 likes

  28. Opoth says:

    Mike “ex-genius” Kelley:
    While I contributed to the Kickstarter and was initially very excited I have to say I am feeling a bit of trepidation now.

    We don’t talk politics here (on this website) for a good reason — no place for them in our favorite cowtown show.Oh, from time to time a joke that involves a politician was made, but nothing gets stale faster, or alienates more folks, than trying to do topical humor.

    With the country in the midst of the most divisiveness I’ve ever seen (and I’m ancient) I would sure hate for this new show (reboot/relaunch/restored/retarded/rehashed whatever) to make a lot of political jokes.Although I see certain folks on the set in that image above who specialize in just that.

    I’m hoping Joel kept a tight rein on his baby.And, yes, I really SHOULD relax (as we’ll all know, one way or another, how good this show will be in just a few short months).

    Hopefully no one will get offended by what I’m about to say and scream “oh no, politics!” because it’s about as apolitical as something can be about politics, if that makes sense.

    MST3K is a show that has always been referential to the times that it was being created in. Going back to early seasons now and catching those dated references is like watching a time capsule observe another time capsule. I think if the current writers pretended politics weren’t relevant to the times we are living in, the relaunch wouldn’t be acting true to the spirit of the show.

    I’m sure there will be some political references, and as I said, that won’t be a new thing for the show. I’m sure the references won’t be a Jon Stewart or Rush Limbaugh (or whatever cult of personality one chooses to align themselves with) style withering partisan attack. People will get bent out of shape regardless, and that is something new and that’s on the viewers. I’m sure the writers will try to take a lighthearted approach and try to be even handed in terms of their jokes and references, and despite their best efforts, unfortunately they probably won’t be perceived that way by the people who care about them.

    The same technology that is dropping almost 24 hours of new MST3K into our laps in one day is also responsible for creating these echo chambers online in our society where “things I like” make me the hero and “things that you like that I don’t agree with” make you the villain. It’s unfortunate but that’s root of the divisiveness, there’s so much information out there that we can just filter out what we don’t like or agree with, and when we’re finally forced to face it, we don’t know how to deal with it anymore and make mountains out of molehills.

    Ultimately, I think if your personal belief system, whatever side of the aisle one falls upon can’t take a couple playful jabs from a cowtown puppet show, it might not be worth holding onto so tightly. Beyond all that, I’m just glad that this season was not written and produced during the past month. Maybe some cooler heads will prevail by the time the theoretical season 12 goes into production.

       7 likes

  29. John Seavey says:

    EricJ: Fine.If you think it’s Like, Trendy.
    But only the saddest alcoholic ever says that his job “put” the drink into his hand, let alone down his throat.The shows are THERE, what you do with them is your own pleasure or problem.And if you think you’re genuinely obligated by societal forces beyond your control to push yourself past your limits for your pleasure, it’s a problem.

    “But once a week is stupid, it’s like when we had regular TV!”Again, the demographics of the Binge Generation that can only see All or Nothing.I’m older, and I prefer Some, because you get the best of both.
    Consuming three episodes at a sitting is nice, consuming one a week is nice if you’re busy, and if you just want your viewing to be secure, how about just watching them MST3K Hour style in pieces over two or three nights?(Which I do with catching up with some of the S8 and 9 eps on Hulu.)
    That’s the Freedom you’re enjoying, in our bold new Digital Age of flying cars and videophones:Unlike Boring Old Regular TV that you used to have to set your Tivo for, they’re not going to run away and make you miss something if you change the channel, and you can come back and watch them later.

    It must be deeply exhausting caring that much about how complete strangers watch television. But I presume you’re right, and occasionally staying up late to watch TV that you really enjoy is the equivalent of debilitating alcoholism. I guess I’ll just have to write Netflix and tell them that their business model is killing America’s youth, and that they need to force people to watch things slower for their own good. Glad we cleared this up.

       18 likes

  30. fireballil says:

    I, for one, really do appreciate Sampo’s keeping this site running. While it may seem like he’s being obtuse, I take him at his word on the lack of news regarding the show’s return. (Let’s call it that– a RETURN!) As for the political stuff, I don’t foresee any leaning towards one way or another. There were as many jokes for each side and especially now, making fun of politicians seems to be the big thing. I don’t think the whole season will be released at once, especially since there is a holiday episode, remember? Everyone seems to forget that it was added during the telethon as episode 14, I think. Someone correct me if I am wrong on that. I agree with Sampo that there needs to be a while before adding the new season to the episode guide. Me, for example, I need to get Netflix before I can watch any of the new shows. But, Opoth, there is one thing I disagree with you with. It isn’t all this new technology that causes the ‘echo chambers,’ rather it is the way they are used. It’s all in how you use things that make them ‘good’ or ‘evil.’ It’s great that Joel got to go to a place like Netflix to get his creation back on the airwaves. Let’s all wait for the episodes to drop before we get all hot and bothered over how or when we found out about them.

       10 likes

  31. Gobi says:

    It’s a candy mint!

    It’s a breath mint!

    It’s two, two, two mints in one!

       4 likes

  32. Opoth says:

    fireballil:
    But, Opoth, there is one thing I disagree with you with. It isn’t all this new technology that causes the ‘echo chambers,’ rather it is the way they are used. It’s all in how you use things that make them ‘good’ or ‘evil.’ It’s great that Joel got to go to a place like Netflix to get his creation back on the airwaves. Let’s all wait for the episodes to drop before we get all hot and bothered over how or when we found out about them.

    I don’t disagree with that, there have always been echo chambers, but now we have hermetically sealed echo chambers thanks to information overflow. It’s not the internet’s “fault”, or necessarily a partisan failing on one side or another, it’s just a side effect of how expansive the internet is. It’s really easy for someone to fall down a rabbit hole of some kind without even realizing it.

    The internet is what you make of it, just like life. I try to use it productively for discussing or learning more about my personal interests instead of getting caught up in someone else’s agenda that I am unlikely to personally benefit from.

    Something great I can say about the internet is, 10 years ago I never dreamed that I would be able to navigate through a digital personal backup of my ~150 DVD quality episodes of MST3K on every screen that I own, Netflix style. I never thought I’d have that many episodes in original quality or such a convenient platform to enjoy them on. So I’ll put the talk of echo chambers aside and turn it around and say thank you Shout Factory and Plex!

       2 likes

  33. Ray Dunakin says:

    Thad:I don’t think the new bots will be main characters like Tom or Crow, though.I’m thinking they’ll be recurring-but-not-main characters like the Nanites.Or even Gypsy.

    Which reminds me, I miss the Nanites! (Not that I expect them to bring back the Nanites. I just miss them.)

       6 likes

  34. Sampo says:

    Turns out it’s ridiculously easy to edit the tag — thanks Erhardt!

    “Reboot” is now “relaunch.”

       8 likes

  35. Lisa H. says:

    Re-lief!

    (not very serious there – just, can we indeed all just relax?)

    Re: bots, yeah, the thought did occur to me that they might be holding back possible new bots to reveal in the actual show, rather than in promo material.

       2 likes

  36. Ro-man, aka one of several possible Steves says:

    Sampo:
    Turns out it’s ridiculously easy to edit the tag — thanks Erhardt!

    “Reboot” is now “relaunch.”

    Now you’ve made half of us really happy… and pissed off the other half. :-D

    Thanks, Sampo… I think you do an awesome job and I’m really appreciative!

       7 likes

  37. Majorjoe23 says:

    EricJ: To preserve the metaphor, guess I’m yelling at them to stop doing those Cinnamon Challenges, Cold-Water Challenges, and Smash My Own Face Into a Brick Wall Repeatedly Challenges on YouTube, because nobody else outside their own age thinks it’s cool.

    Incorrect. The ice bucket challenge helped lead to breakthroughs in ALS. I had a co-worker who died of Lou Gehrig disease. A lot of us care.

    https://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/07/28/health/the-ice-bucket-challenge-helped-scientists-discover-a-new-gene-tied-to-als.html

    But I know that conflicts with your stick-in-the-mud persona, so please carry on with how Pop Rocks were better in your day or whatever.

       18 likes

  38. littleaimishboy says:

    Gare.Chicago:
    Ok, ok, enough of this reboot/relaunch blather. Nobody here has yet to speculate on the *important* point:

    How exactly are they going to explain the premise happening all over again?? New satellite, of course, but the big question for me – Crow and Servo were last seen living in Mike’s efficiency apartment, watching terrible movies… what happened to Mike? How/why would the new Mads grab the bots and relaunch (or is it reboot) them into space with Jonah?

    Gare

    The new Mads discovered Dr Forrester’s notes in an old locked book they found in a dusty vault in the be-cobwebbed crypt that was the only part of Castle Forrester to survive after the villagers burned it down. Intrigued almost against their will, they thought “Hmmmmm … what if ….?”

    And so it began again.

    Oh, and Mike got together with Ginger again & went back to his old job in the cheese factory, and the bots were discovered frozen in a block of ice or something.

       3 likes

  39. Sampo says:

    Torgo"s Pizza-NJ:
    This seems to be rooted in the charred remains of “Joel v. Mike”

    The more I read the comments of “TarlCabot” the more I think you’re right. Or “Trace Vs. Jim.”

    We are not a public utility. If you disapprove of the content of this site, you are cordially invited not to visit.

       18 likes

  40. MikeK says:

    Thad: Abrams’s Star Trek cancelled out the previous continuity.That’s what “reboot” implies.Season 11 isn’t cancelling out the first 10 seasons.They all still happened.Nobody traveled back in time and killed Joel’s father.

    (I mean, probably.I haven’t seen any of the new episodes yet, so maybe I’m in for a big surprise in the season premier.)

    This isn’t Abrams’s Star Trek.It’s Star Trek: TNG.(Or maybe we’re up to DS9 or Voyager by now?As @TarlCabot notes, the show already replaced most of the principal cast back in season 8…)

    Agreed. I know we’re supposed to “just relax”, but there is continuity here. You have the daughter of Dr. Forrester and the son of TV’s Frank. We’re getting appearances from Brain Guy, Bobo and Pearl, and I hope one of them does a “hey, your voices sound different” reaction of Crow, Tom and Gypsy.

       3 likes

  41. crowschmo says:

    :heart: :yes: :-))

       1 likes

  42. Bat Mastersion says:

    I have to confess that I really was not all that excited about the relaunch/revival of the series. But, I am glad to see it progressing and I hope that old and new fans enjoy the show as much as I enjoyed the series on ScyFy and Comedy Central, and I hope ithe show brings joy and laughter to all of its fans. Also, I want to thank Sampo for keeping this site up and running, you sir are a treasure, or a tray-sure as Aunt Flavia would say:

       7 likes

  43. Kenneth Morgan says:

    May I ask a largely irrelevant question, which may have already been addressed elsewhere? Is it just me, or does Jonah’s jumpsuit design more resemble Joel’s KTMA jumpsuit than the ones he and Mike wore on the cable show?

    And I’m planning on watching the show on a one-ep-per-week basis, simply because that’s what I’m comfortable with.

    A live Rifftrax show, followed the next day by the relaunch. Good times…

       3 likes

  44. Kenneth Morgan says:

    Oh, and I concur with the thanks offered to Sampo & Ehrhardt for maintaining the site. You guys do a fine job (and I’m not just saying that because Sampo is from the region of my Dad’s hometown of Taylor, PA).

       5 likes

  45. Dave says:

    EricJ: Fine.If you think it’s Like, Trendy.
    But only the saddest alcoholic ever says that his job “put” the drink into his hand, let alone down his throat.The shows are THERE, what you do with them is your own pleasure or problem.And if you think you’re genuinely obligated by societal forces beyond your control to push yourself past your limits for your pleasure, it’s a problem.

    “But once a week is stupid, it’s like when we had regular TV!”Again, the demographics of the Binge Generation that can only see All or Nothing.I’m older, and I prefer Some, because you get the best of both.
    Consuming three episodes at a sitting is nice, consuming one a week is nice if you’re busy, and if you just want your viewing to be secure, how about just watching them MST3K Hour style in pieces over two or three nights?(Which I do with catching up with some of the S8 and 9 eps on Hulu.)
    That’s the Freedom you’re enjoying, in our bold new Digital Age of flying cars and videophones:Unlike Boring Old Regular TV that you used to have to set your Tivo for, they’re not going to run away and make you miss something if you change the channel, and you can come back and watch them later.

    (Oh, and in movies a “Relaunch” is when they do a sequel again after so many years, and a “Reboot” is when new guys throw out everything but the title and make up crap, in the hopes that they’ll get their own sequel rights.
    Since the original Brains are behind this, this would be a Relaunch.Just my own two for the debate.)

    You really are unbelievably obnoxious and self important. Binge watchers are not your bitches.

       16 likes

  46. Dave says:

    Anonymous Automat Author:
    I have to say, I am bewildered by the complaints about full season availability and perplexed by any scored “elitism points” earned by watching something once a week!

    No offense, but you sound sort of old and tired. I have to wonder if you’re getting all your vitamins and minerals.Maybe it’s time for that checkup.

    Also, I am of the opinion that Sampo’s deft touch is precisely what Season 11 needed! Since 11 does not, for all practical purposes, even exist to its fans yet… there’s really only so much news to report to the mainstream.

    The biggest news was effectively covered: MST3K is coming back, baby!

    Then the precise date was just announced here.All else is grist for the mill and has been covered elsewhere ad nauseum, and I have to say, there’s quite a lot of speculation on the internet that really isn’t relevant to what we are trying to do.

    Start your own website if the ticker here isn’t punching out enough tape chads for you.And I mean that seriously, not in a dillweed-way. We can’t have too many MST3K fan sites.

    I am reminded of when a few posters complained about TOO MUCH BONUS material being on the DVDs….TOO MUCH BACKGROUND INFORMATION about the riffed movie’s origins… the “making of” etc.

    Holy Buddha in a blue Dixie Cup from a special mail-ordered cup dispenser mounted in a Woolco-wallpapered kitchen!

    That blew my mind.I can’t get enough of Daniel Griffith’s work!

    Maybe some of what’s going on here is intentional trolling instead of the crotchety miserableness it appears to be on the surface.If so, I have to say, that’s kind of funny.But if it isn’t trolling …

    There’s just too much new MST3K to watch all at once! And I can’t keep up with everyone! I have a life!Too many people are going to beat me to the comments!I have a job!Losers!

    Come on.It’s time to stop it.If you’re this brittle and non-flexible now, what lies in wait for you when you retire?! Grass fertilizer arguments and smirking over the obituaries?!You do not want to go down that road.Besides, your liver can’t take it.

    I’m afraid there are a few Debbie Downers who deserve a swift kick in the bean bag.Better watch out at the next convention, you just might get that cream pie makeover that you so richly deserve for taking yourselves so danged seriously.Never forget:It’s ALL ABOUT HAVING FUN.

    I love Gypsy hanging down like a python.Absolutely beautiful.So logical.

    So – dare I say it – “Gigeresque.”

    I’m not trying to start a flame pit.I promise.

    It’s amazing that a NEW SEASON will be at your fingertips!

    You have been given the KEYS TO THE KINGDOM.

    Sit back and enjoy history in the making.A history in which YOU played an integral part by showing so much love and support in the Kickstarter campaign.

    Everything is going to be fine.

    I promise….

    So believe me when I say …

    Some of these complaints are – Frankly – Pattonly ridiculous!

    I coined that phrase on the internet first.Here.Just for you.That is breaking news… not to be found anywhere else…. at least at the time of my googling.

    Heh.

    -AAA

    BRAVO!!!

    You wrote what I was to lazy to write. I can’t get the image out of my head of the Brains reading this pathetic thread and either laughing derisively or shaking their heads sadly.

    And SAMPO if I may, It’s YOUR BLOG!! Post about the new line of curling brooms coming out this fall if you like!

       4 likes

  47. Dave says:

    Mike “ex-genius” Kelley:
    While I contributed to the Kickstarter and was initially very excited I have to say I am feeling a bit of trepidation now.

    We don’t talk politics here (on this website) for a good reason — no place for them in our favorite cowtown show.Oh, from time to time a joke that involves a politician was made, but nothing gets stale faster, or alienates more folks, than trying to do topical humor.

    With the country in the midst of the most divisiveness I’ve ever seen (and I’m ancient) I would sure hate for this new show (reboot/relaunch/restored/retarded/rehashed whatever) to make a lot of political jokes.Although I see certain folks on the set in that image above who specialize in just that.

    I’m hoping Joel kept a tight rein on his baby.And, yes, I really SHOULD relax (as we’ll all know, one way or another, how good this show will be in just a few short months).

    Joel did make a point of calming just such fears (which I share) So fingers crossed.
    Looking at CT and Rifftrax I’m inclined to believe they won’t go in that direction.
    I have to have some escape from that stuff somewhere, It’s like you can’t even turn on the news without hearing about politics! :-D

       3 likes

  48. SAMPO – where are we on the episode guide discussion threads? Season 6, right?

    I always assumed you were waiting until after we blow pass Season 10, then you’d be starting up “comments and observations” for Season 11 (and of course after the episodes are officially released).

       2 likes

  49. Jay K. says:

    How to best consume the new season of MST3K?

    As my babysitter once said, “There’s no wrong way to eat a Reese’s.”

       4 likes

  50. Johnny Drama says:

    I’ve been binge-watching since 1983 when I got my first VCR

       6 likes

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