Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

IRiffs Takes MST3k Open Source

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the because-your-friends-are-clearly-funnier-then-the-professionals dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Michael J. Nelson started up Rifftrax as a 2nd act to his stint as host of Mystery Science Theater 3000, and now they're making their website open to anyone and everyone who thinks they're funny with iRiffs — allowing people to upload their own comedy commentary tracks and charge whatever they want. They've already got a few would-be groups online, including one who takes the open source a step further — soliciting jokes from listeners and combining submissions into a final product."

6 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. Open Source? by HeavyD14 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So how exactly is this "open source"?

  2. Deep Hurting... by RevVoice · · Score: 4, Insightful

    There might be one or two shining gems, but I really feel that this is going to end in pain.. DEEEEP HURTING...

    --
    In His Likeness - A sarcastic webcomic about God & the Devil.
  3. Re:speaking of funny by eln · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The cool thing about the Open Source movement is that just about anyone who's willing to can step up and become the "public face" of the movement.

    The really unfortunate thing about the Open Source movement is that just about anyone who's willing to can step up and become the "public face" of the movement.

  4. Re:Fine, but by Tetsujin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Rifftrax != MST3K. If it were, you'd have Cambot, Tom Servo and Crow.

    What concerns me more:
    when you set up something like iRiffs, a community for would-be comedians (particularly people who are just interested in it 'cause they all saw the same funny TV show) you run into a few problems...

    First, lots of people think they're funny, but aren't.
    Second, a fair number of the ones who aren't funny will use gags sufficiently cheap (memes, particularly) to boost their popularity...
    And the end result is you wind up with a few gems, maybe, sloshing around in a sea of crap... And you can't rely on popularity rankings to tell the good from the bad.

    I think it's kind of funny that you equate MST3K with "Cambot, Tom Servo and Crow"... I mean, you never even see Cambot. But you left out Gypsy...

    --
    Bow-ties are cool.
  5. Re:Fine, but by mweather · · Score: 4, Insightful

    And the end result is you wind up with a few gems, maybe, sloshing around in a sea of crap... And you can't rely on popularity rankings to tell the good from the bad.

    So it's just like TV?

  6. Re:Cinematic Titanic is the Real Deal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I would say Cinematic Titanic is a continuation of MST3K. It takes original cast members and riffs on old movies they've licensed. Slightly different premise, but generally same show.

    Rifftrax is more of an evolution of the original idea. They make use of some differing technology that allows them to bypass some licensing issues and let's them riff MODERN movies. I think that's the major difference.

    Same principles though. There's no reason why both versions can't be appreciated.