Saving MST3K

AMK writes "You'll probably all remember the late February announcement that the upcoming season of "Mystery Science Theatre 3000" will be its last. Some recent news: this Wired article talks about the mounting fan campaigns to save MST3K from cancellation. Time to use the /. effect for good instead of evil, so write some polite letters of support, and increase the ratings by recruiting more people to watch the show. " I wish MediaOne wasn't the crappiest cable company on the planet earth. I don't get SciFi, Comedy Central, or the Cartoon Network. I don't even get a preview channel. But I do get several religion channels, shopping channels, and news channels that I never watch. I gotta get a dish. Maybe I'll Ask Slashdot about that *grin*. God I loved MST3k.

Comments

Good things can't last forever.

[pberry]

Don't get me wrong. I loved MST3K as much as the next geek...but every TV show has a life span, and I think that MST3K might be at its ending point.

Now I wish the would concentrate on putting the whole shebang out on VHS/DVD. Now that would be cool

Pat

Not quite...

[Elrond, Duke of URL]

Actually, almost all of the original people still REMAIN. For onscreen people, only Kevin Murphy (the voice of Tom Servo) remains. But behind the scenes, almost everyone is the same. The head writer is still Mike Nelson and most of the writing staff has been there from the first few seasons.

So, while the cast has changed, the humor is still there and it's just as funny as it ever was.... though I'd still like them to bring back the Invention Exchange. That was definitely kool.

Let it out to pasture

[Mooset]

I loved MST3k as much as the next person, but c'mon, it's been around for 10 years or so now. The cancellation isn't just because of the SciFi channel, Best Brains said they felt it was about time to wrap it up too. I'm sure if there were enough complaints Best Brains might try to find another channel that would buy it, but it seems unlikely that anyone would want to since it has never proven to be very profitable in terms of ratings and advertising.

Rest in peace, SoL.

True theory, however --

[aderack]

The thing is, Sci-Fi simply decided not to renew the series. Best Brains have kind of resigned to this fate; they've been through the ordeal once before and don't particularly expect anything to change. However, they apparently do still have an interest in continuing the show; they just now don't have anywhere to put it. If their contract were renewed, they'd keep chugging along until they did get tired of it (and with the rate of cast turnover, the show could conceivably last forever).

Best Brains and Sci-Fi do, however, still have a good relationship; this isn't like the Comedy Central era. So there is some small sliver of hope even if no one else does pick up the show (and as long as people don't start sending pipe bombs -- not a good way to engender sympathy).

And as for the VHS/DVD deal, they've been working on it for the past few years. Go look.

Well.

[aderack]

It's more like they've resigned to their fate, since, as you said, the future looks very grim. If they had the opportunity, as stated on Sattelite News, they'd like to continue going. They're simply not keeping their hopes up; they've been through this all before. If it was difficult last time, the show ought to be hell to save this time around.

As stated all around, the best way to support the show is to get everyone possible to watch. Ratings are what the big chiefs with the leather chairs care about -- the quality of the show doesn't matter to them, nor does its loyal following. The new season starts on Saturday, April 11 at 11:00 AM (and April 12 at 11:00 PM).

If you want the show around, watch. Call all of your friends and tell them to watch, as well. Try to convert new followers.

Did I mention the season premeire has Joel and Frank in it?