The MST3K Crew Reunites For Live Webcast

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The MST3K Crew Reunites For Live Webcast

Posted by timothy on Sunday January 25, 2009 @03:12PM from the no-one-has-detonated-a-nuclear-bomb-tonight dept.

csn writes "On Wednesday, January 28th at 6:00 PM PST and 9:00 PM EST, the stars of the cult television hit 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' will reunite to do what they do best — heckle bad movies. Join Mike Nelson, Kevin 'Tom Servo' Murphy and Bill 'Crow T. Robot' Corbett as they make fun of the 1950 short film, 'Overcoming Fear,' live over the internet.

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Wonderful! by solder_fox · 2009-01-25 15:38 · Score: 4, Insightful

They always pick movies that are enhanced by their commentary, and yet which contain their own wonderful comic moments. The deadpan acting of a man who talks about what happened "while I was... green," for example.

--
--- Thousands are enslaved every day.
1. Re:Wonderful! by Thrull · 2009-01-25 18:50 · Score: 1
  
  "The dog's meat, have you seen it?"
  
  -The Deadly Bees
2. Re:Wonderful! by Timberwolf0122 · 2009-01-26 01:50 · Score: 1
  
  I love riff trax and the live even is going to rule.
  Big McLarge Huge
  Slag Bulkhead
  Slab Buttcrunch
  Bob Johnson... oh wait..
  
  --
  In the not too distant future, next Sunday A.D.
Rifftrax Live by MrEricSir · 2009-01-25 15:39 · Score: 3, Interesting

Anyone know if they're planning anymore live shows? I saw them in North Beach once, was a real blast.
(Oh and Mike is really, really tall in real life.)

--
There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
Not really a "reunion" by rizzo5 · 2009-01-25 15:42 · Score: 5, Informative

This is just a production by Rifftrax, which has been doing this for a while now. The other half of the crew are doing a similar thing called Cinema Titanic I believe. From the headline, I thought both groups had reconciled and were doing something together.
1. Re:Not really a "reunion" by Joe+Tie. · 2009-01-25 15:58 · Score: 1
  
  Yep, it's a cool thing. But nowhere near what I read it as, which was both Joel and Mike doing a movie together.
  
  --
  Everything will be taken away from you.
2. Re:Not really a "reunion" by Hawthorne01 · 2009-01-25 16:02 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Yeah, I am still pretty neutral on the Joel v. Mike debate because to me, the heart of the series was always Trace.
  
  --
  "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
3. Re:Not really a "reunion" by LostCluster · 2009-01-25 16:11 · Score: 1
  
  Just wondering... who wound up with the Mystery Science Theater 3000 brand name and right to produce new episodes. Since the cast and crew seem willing, it'd make for an excellent podcast.
4. Re:Not really a "reunion" by aredubya74 · 2009-01-25 16:13 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Jim Mallon of Best Brains (the producer of the show from day 1) owns the trademark. Some schism between the camps of Rifftrax (Mike/Kevin/Bill) and Cinematic Titanic (Joel/Trace et al.) has yet to be explained, but it likely precludes any further collective work between the bunch of funny folks.
  
  --
  RW
5. Re:Not really a "reunion" by WhatAmIDoingHere · 2009-01-25 16:33 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  THe heart of the series was always the head writer. (AKA Mike)
  
  --
  Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.
6. Re:Not really a "reunion" by BoberFett · 2009-01-25 17:52 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe so, but Joel's delivery was 10x what Mike did on screen.
7. Re:Not really a "reunion" by nomadic · 2009-01-25 18:08 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Nah, Mike had the best delivery. Most fans seemed to prefer Joel because that's what they were used to, but I thought Mike was much funnier.
8. Re:Not really a "reunion" by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-26 00:49 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  I gathered that the schism was only (this is one-sided of course) that Jim was an ass to everyone. Joel and Mike never had issues with each other, they just drifted apart naturally the way friends do. Some people went to L.A., Mike to San Diego, the rest stayed in Minnesota. Frank traveled all over the place for awhile.
  
  Even after MST, Mike and Kevin's endeavor "The Film Crew" was delayed because Jim sent out signals that he might sue them for some sort of infringement, since he "invented" making-fun-of-movies and all....
  
  The only person still working with Jim, a couple years ago anyway, was writer Paul Chaplin. They were making amazingly awful flash animation "episodes" of the robots playing around. It was hideous.
  
  The only credit I give Jim is for not suing the fans for pirating tapes, which is not to say that he wouldn't if he could.
9. Re:Not really a "reunion" by elrous0 · 2009-01-26 02:09 · Score: 1
  
  It's sad that after all these years, these two groups still seem to harbor grudges. It's even more tragic because they all worked together for years before Joel left. You would think a bunch of middle-aged guys would have left this silly shit behind a long time ago.
  
  --
  SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
10. Re:Not really a "reunion" by elrous0 · 2009-01-26 02:14 · Score: 1
  
  It's a shame he's wasting such a cash cow on some old petty grudges. Even if MST3K couldn't get back on a network (and, considering the sheer number of networks now doing original programming, it seems like SOMEONE would pick it up), it would still clean up on DVD and the internet. Looking at Mallon's resume, it doesn't look like he's done anything in years.
  
  --
  SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
11. Re:Not really a "reunion" by Hatta · 2009-01-26 03:11 · Score: 1
  
  So that just means we have 2 groups of talented funny people working on this kind of material instead of just one. That doesn't seem so bad to me.
  
  --
  Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
12. Re:Not really a "reunion" by illegalcortex · 2009-01-26 03:32 · Score: 1
  
  Ditto. Having started out with the Mike episodes, I never found the Joel episodes nearly as funny. This doesn't mean Mike was better, as I might just prefer Joel because that's what I was used to.
13. Re:Not really a "reunion" by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-26 03:52 · Score: 0
  
  Joel gets the props for creating the show, but Mike's wise-ass delivery was always funnier.
  Then again I also prefer Bill's Crow. More sarcastic, bitter and to-the-point.
14. Re:Not really a "reunion" by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-26 04:36 · Score: 0
  
  THANK you. Finally someone who agrees with me! I think they just like Joel because he was there in the beginning, and people naturally resist change. Mike was a much better comedian, and his timing was, and still is, fairly impeccable.
15. Re:Not really a "reunion" by Gizzmonic · 2009-01-26 05:57 · Score: 1
  
  The AC pretty much has it covered, but I also think that Mike Nelson and Kevin Murphy (directed many episodes and the most recognizable Servo voice) had Rifftrax in full swing before the Cinematic Titanic thing was underway. I'm guessing Mike and Kevin declined the offer to work with CT as they already had a cash cow.
  They're both very good, but Cinematic Titanic is more "classic" MST3k style and Rifftrax is newer and edgier. The downside is that Rifftrax is more of a pain to setup for movies that they don't have the rights to (most of them). also, they inexplicably do good movies like the original Star Wars, I don't understand the point of that.
  
  --
  (-1, Raw and Uncut is the only way to read)
16. Re:Not really a "reunion" by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-26 06:58 · Score: 0
  
  Just because jokes are made on something doesn't mean those jokes are insults.
17. Re:Not really a "reunion" by Gizzmonic · 2009-01-26 07:14 · Score: 1
  
  True, but they're distracting. I guess if you've already seen the movie ten thousand times (like Star Wars) you wouldn't care, but I'd rather not hear them.
  
  --
  (-1, Raw and Uncut is the only way to read)
18. Re:Not really a "reunion" by derfy · 2009-01-26 12:16 · Score: 1
  
  Mike was the perfect straight man to the bots.
  And he sometimes got a word in edgewise, as well.
For sale... by kckman · 2009-01-25 15:52 · Score: 1

went straight to cash. That was a mild disappointment.
_Some_ of "the stars" by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-25 15:53 · Score: 5, Informative

I love the Rifftrax guys, but to call them "the stars" does a disservice to the many other major MST3K cast members (most of whom are now in the competing project Cinematic Titanic, including MST's founder Joel Hodgson. I'm just sayin'.
1. Re:_Some_ of "the stars" by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-25 17:19 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  Mike Nelson was one of the writers for most of mst3k's existence. Given he was involved longer than Joel I'd say he is one of "the stars", just not the one you personally experienced first.
2. Re:_Some_ of "the stars" by Count+Fenring · 2009-01-25 17:46 · Score: 2
  
  Operative phrase being "one of the stars." "The stars" seems to connote all of them, or at the very least, one entire group of actors.
  Also, it's a misleading article title, because both the Rifftrax group and the Cinematic Titanic group HAVE BEEN DOING THIS. Unless it's some sort of collaboration between them, this isn't really news.
3. Re:_Some_ of "the stars" by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-25 18:49 · Score: 0
  
  Just repeat to yourself, it's just a show. You should really just relax.
Joel Hodgson, or it didn't happen by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-25 15:59 · Score: 0

No Joel = nah, nevermind.
1. Re:Joel Hodgson, or it didn't happen by Aranykai · 2009-01-25 17:10 · Score: 1
  
  Sorry, cant talk now... Mike is tripping.
  
  --
  If sharing a song makes you a pirate, what do I have to share to be a ninja?
2. Re:Joel Hodgson, or it didn't happen by derfy · 2009-01-26 12:19 · Score: 1
  
  I promise I will never send another bad movie with Joe Don Baker in which a dark haired sheriff in a small role gets shot and slides down a wall twice! OK? Happy?!
  You win!
  Oh look, Mike's tripping...
It's just a show, I should really just relax by MisterMikeyG · 2009-01-25 16:14 · Score: 5, Funny

The date is misrepresented. It should read 'in the not too distant future - next Wednesday, A.D.'
Just a reminder by djupedal · 2009-01-25 16:38 · Score: 3, Informative

http://66.226.220.1579290stream.nsv/
Don't forget to check out the Shoutcast TV MST3000 online media feeds available via WinAmp, VLC etc.
1. Re:Just a reminder by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-25 18:32 · Score: 0
  
  how is a broken link informative? do the mods even try?!
2. Re:Just a reminder by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-26 02:23 · Score: 0
  
  If you know where to insert a colon (:) you will get there.
3. Re:Just a reminder by beckerist · 2009-01-26 07:41 · Score: 1
  
  http://66.226.220.157:9290/stream.nsv
  
  Next time GP, how about YOU try? (That took me a whole....3 seconds to find. Thank you TP!)
4. Re:Just a reminder by eno2001 · 2009-01-26 09:40 · Score: 1
  
  Crow T. Robot Sez: I'll tell you where you can insert a colon...
  
  --
  -"...bad old ideas look confusingly fresh when they are packaged as technology" - Jaron Lanier (Digital Maoism on Edge.o
what are the chances... by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-25 16:59 · Score: 0

That this program will itself be spoofed for the amusement of a more sophisticated audience 69 years from now?
I do prefer Joel, but... by Valdrax · 2009-01-25 21:30 · Score: 1

As long as there's no Pearl, it's still all right. And no Bobo. You could no longer even see the shark the show had jumped over over the horizon by that point.

--
If it's for-profit but free, you're not the customer -- you're the product (e.g., the Slashdot Beta's "audience").
1. Re:I do prefer Joel, but... by Cowmonaut · 2009-01-26 01:21 · Score: 1
  
  To each his own I suppose. I prefered the episodes with Pearl, Brain Guy, Bobo, and Mike. The weird mad scientist guy annoyed the crap out of me. The filler (eg when they weren't just making fun of the movies) was more entertaining for me with Mike/Pearl than Joel and stuff. Just, never laughed really at anything that happened then when it was joel and the scientist.
  I liked more of the movies too, and the jokes they made about them.
  But as I said, to each their own.
Slashvertisement by argStyopa · 2009-01-25 23:39 · Score: 1

C'mon, this is nothing more than an ad for Rifftrax online broadcast.
1) it's nothing special. Rifftrax has been going for a while.
2) It's not "the original stars", which would be the bulk of the original cast - it's about half of them.
Weak.

--
-Styopa
1. Re:Slashvertisement by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-26 00:11 · Score: 0
  
  Agreed and seconded...Tell me that Joel is is alive and well and where I can see him. I lost interest in the series after the break-up.
  RiffTrax? wtf
  "On January 28th, Mike, Kevin and Bill will be riffing the classic short âoeOvercoming Fearâ broadcast LIVE (and for FREE!) from RiffTrax HQ in San Diego and viewable right here, totally FREE of charge, and powered by our friends at Ustream.TV. Stick around after the Short for a bit of Q&A with the guys. You feed 'em the Q's via the chat feature (which will appear on this page the day of the show), and they answer them LIVE online!"
  Why do I feel compelled to call some 1-800-buy-shit number now?
2. Re:Slashvertisement by elrous0 · 2009-01-26 02:17 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Joel and the older cast are doing something similar over at Cinematic Titanic.
  
  --
  SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
I'm pleased they're all still riffing by jollyreaper · 2009-01-26 03:12 · Score: 1

www.rifftrax.com is the home of Mike, Kevin (Tom Servo), and the false Crow. I'd neglected to try them out for years because I didn't have the original movies on DVD, wasn't about to pay for them, and synchronizing the tracks seemed like too much bother. But there's good news! Not only are they available on the torrent sites pre-syched and convenient for use, there's also a tip jar on their site so you can help keep the doors open.
I think that the ultimate MST3K reunion would involve everyone, including Joel, coming back and setting up the bluescreen so they can get the theater seats on the bottom of the screen once more.

--
Kwisatz Haderach
Sell the spice to CHOAM
This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
1. Re:I'm pleased they're all still riffing by Dripdry · 2009-01-26 03:42 · Score: 1
  
  They also have a rpgoram which syncs up the DVDs and tracks automatically. Otherwise, I wouldn't be buying Rifftrax.
  
  --
  -
2. Re:I'm pleased they're all still riffing by Tetsujin · 2009-01-26 06:00 · Score: 1
  
  www.rifftrax.com is the home of Mike, Kevin (Tom Servo), and the false Crow.
  Josh is the true Mighty Voice of Tom Servo! :D
  Slashdot says the body of my message is missing - so I've provided a second one. Here it is:
  Josh is the true Mighty Voice of Tom Servo! :D
  
  --
  Bow-ties are cool.
3. Re:I'm pleased they're all still riffing by jollyreaper · 2009-01-26 07:16 · Score: 1
  
  Here in my car -- I make analogies
  It is handy because -- you can relate to them
  In cars...
  And here I thought my sig was a reach. :)
  
  --
  Kwisatz Haderach
  Sell the spice to CHOAM
  This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
4. Re:I'm pleased they're all still riffing by Tetsujin · 2009-01-26 08:31 · Score: 1
  
  Here in my car -- I make analogies
  It is handy because -- you can relate to them
  In cars...
  And here I thought my sig was a reach. :)
  Have you ever watched the video for "Cars"? Gary Numan's all rocking out on the Tambourine like he means it. Great stuff. It was truly a different era. :D
  Took me a minute (plus some Google searching) to get yours... Not well versed on Dune, I'm afraid...
  
  --
  Bow-ties are cool.
Re:Illin with the panicillin by Anonymous Coward · 2009-01-26 03:40 · Score: 0

Please stop with these low quality trolls, they are nowhere near slashdot level. Please troll with something more funny/disgusting/racist.
Yawn... by Ignatius+D'Lusional · 2009-01-26 04:31 · Score: 0, Troll

Let me know when Joel is back. To me, MST3K just isn't right without Joel at the helm. This isn't a reunion unless he's involved. Heck, I've been waiting for an MST3K reunion ever since this "Mike" guy first showed up.
1. Re:Yawn... by Gizzmonic · 2009-01-26 07:20 · Score: 1
  
  Check Cinematic Titanic for Joel's similar venture.
  By the way, Mike "showed up" in the first season as head writer and transformed MST3k from 3 guys riffing the movie on the fly to the hilarious show you enjoy today.
  
  --
  (-1, Raw and Uncut is the only way to read)
Missing the point by Outsdr · 2009-01-26 05:39 · Score: 2, Insightful

The news isn't that they're doing these riffs, the news is that the are now doing them live via streaming at the site, and then a short live question and answer afterwards. They did one already, and it went well. They released the studio version of the riff, but I haven't seen it to see how different it was from the live version.
Props for/by Joel by Tetsujin · 2009-01-26 05:46 · Score: 1

Joel gets the props for creating the show, but Mike's wise-ass delivery was always funnier.
Wait wait... I thought Joel got the show for creating the props? Have I had it backwards this whole time?

--
Bow-ties are cool.
Anything that Keeps MST3K in the News by Apple+Acolyte · 2009-01-26 05:56 · Score: 1

. . . is fine with me, even if the headline was substantially inaccurate. Be sure to check out the full MST3K 135GB torrent!

--
Part of the hardcore faithful who believed in Apple long before it was cool again to do so
...Candy-gram... by Tetsujin · 2009-01-26 06:06 · Score: 1

They also have a rpgoram which syncs up the DVDs and tracks automatically.
Ah, yes... Some nerd shows up at your door wearing a cape, says "Mellon!" as he comes in, and then gives you your damn message in some weird script written out on graph paper, and makes you roll 1D20 to see if you can "decode" it - RPG-o-grams were kind of fun but really not an effective or reliable way of getting a message to somebody...

--
Bow-ties are cool.
Cinematic Titanic hits the road in Feb/Mar!! by ZipK · 2009-01-26 07:11 · Score: 4, Informative

Anyone know if they're planning anymore live shows?
Joel, Trace, Frank, Mary Jo and J. Elvis hit the road in February and March: http://cinematictitanic.com/wpmu/121/
Swamped with Requests by SpaceToast · 2009-01-28 17:34 · Score: 1

Looks like they've been Slashdotted. Couldn't connect at 5:50 PST, and can't do it now, four hours later.
I certainly hope this server-crushing interest translates into sales. I laughed my cheeks off to the Phantom Menace RT. Who else sells something that makes your existing movie collection better, you know?