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Post by nickh on Apr 22, 2014 8:18:33 GMT -5
(I hope I'm putting this in the right place. I apologize if it's not) Today in an article about the history of MST3k on wired.com ( www.wired.com/2014/04/mst3k-oral-history/) there was mention that Joel was looking to reboot MST3K. "But this year Mystery Science Theater may finally get a long-rumored, heavily anticipated reboot. This spring Hodgson is hoping to start a new online incarnation of the show, one that will feature a fresh (and as-yet-unannounced) host and cameos from many MST3K alumni." And then it quotes Joel: "Hodgson: I’ve talked to a bunch of fans about their lives and what MST3K means to them. I’m overwhelmed by how people took to that show. It really affected them. I thought, if enough people still love it, maybe we can bring it back. Even avid viewers sometimes don’t realize that every major role in the show had been swapped out over time. So in my mind, the show is built to be refreshed with new people and new ideas. It’s like Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle as it applies to MST3K: If it doesn’t change, it’s not the same show. And fortunately for us, as long as there are movies, there are always going to be cheesy movies." Has anybody heard anything about this? Is this real?
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Post by Who Let Servo Drive on Apr 22, 2014 9:20:57 GMT -5
I have not, except from reading the above. I have to admit that I was a reluctant convert to Mike, so I suspect I'd skip this, although if Murphy and Beaulieu were doing the bot voices I'd watch at least the first few episodes on an exploratory basis.
Even then, the host would have to be a lowkey upper midwestern guy, not some manic comic. The host was usually the straightman for the robot's antics, and really needs to stay that way.
Finally let's admit that the tone of the show would not be the same without Mike's writing. He's super funny in a unique way, and MST wasn't half as funny in the beginning, before he was head writer. But he's heavily involved in rifftrax and I suspect he would not be involved.
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Post by kidflash on Apr 22, 2014 10:56:02 GMT -5
If Joel does bring it back, I'd guess that we're talking a whole new crop of writers with occasional appearances by the CT crew. Maybe Bill and Kevin.
Besides, isn't Joel based in Philadelphia now? I noticed that tidbit in one of the many 25th anniversary pieces in November.
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Post by BoB3K on Apr 22, 2014 11:13:23 GMT -5
Just saw this--very interesting.
Firstly, the big question is--does this involve Jim Mallon. From all I know it has to because he at least co-owns with Joel if not outright owns most of the MST3K IP. Joel may still co-own it, I don't know. I do remember that Gizmonics Institute no longer appeared in the show after Joel left because he owned that.
Second--while you might see people like Beaulieu, Conniff, Pehl, and others from CT guest appearing, or maybe even taking smaller roles; odds are it will be a much longer shot to see Mike, Kevin or Bill as RiffTrax is doing just fine--they seemed to have hit a new stride recently with their VOD's and live shows.
Finally, if they do this, I'd be perfectly fine with all new cast and writers, but if this is going to be MST3K then it damn well better have robots and host segments and silhouettes. We've already had multiple riffing 'reboots' with and without original MST3K alumni, and I like all of them to varying degrees. But, none of them have been a true successor to MST3K the show to me because none of them have giving me the that magic feel that MST3K does.
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Post by Mod City on Apr 22, 2014 11:32:29 GMT -5
Cool article. That is interesting, and it's the first time I remember hearing about a flat-out reboot of the show - not necessarily a continuation with established characters, but a re-telling of the story, perhaps. It's a clever idea because it would kill off the problem of having to choose between Joel and Mike or Kevin and Josh. Cameo appearances from well-known characters every now and then would provide a fix from the old days, and frankly, without having to commit to it full-time I think even the Rifftrax guys could find a little time to put their face in.
And I agree – the general structure of host segments and silhouettes in the theater should remain to tie it all together.
Also not sure where Mallon would figure into all this. Maybe relations have thawed over the last few years. It's been a long time, after all.
Will have to keep an eye on this.
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Post by Triple_sSs on Apr 22, 2014 12:54:59 GMT -5
I'm... I'm feeling dizzy.
Please Joel let this happen oh my gosh!
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Post by posturepal on Apr 22, 2014 13:10:02 GMT -5
I had a much stronger connection to Joel's hokier MST3K probably because of my age at the time, so I'm excited. (By the way, I'm sorry for creating a thread elsewhere before checking Deep 13. Just too pumped about the news I guess.)
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Post by Triple_sSs on Apr 22, 2014 13:41:33 GMT -5
There was a thread already made about this not too long ago.
But whatever HOLY CRAP!!!!!
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Post by Afgncaap5 on Apr 22, 2014 13:41:46 GMT -5
Ahh... thanks for posting this. I'd kind of been avoiding all the links to the Oral History article that I saw on Twitter and Facebook today. I should've known there's always something more to learn.
I've always thought it was fun that every major figure in the show got changed, the most subtle possibly being Gypsy. I hope Joel manages to get it up and running. It seems to be working for Reading Rainbow, so why not MST3K? I'll try not to get my hopes up, but my hopes are stubborn creatures, and not easily managed.
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Post by Ratso on Apr 22, 2014 13:59:35 GMT -5
I'd be more excited if Joel and Trace were coming back into the theater.
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Post by Shark on Apr 22, 2014 15:37:17 GMT -5
I'm conflicted. I'd like for it to happen, but it is hard, if not impossible, to go home again.
I don't care for Rifftrax. Cinematic Titanic was okay and could have gotten great, but they lost me when they did away with the premise and started doing live releases.
What really worked for me was the recent TurkeyDay marathon. The "host segments" were earnest, light and fun and I loved the quiet, simple ending with the robots. The streaming delivery was perfect and I'd love to be able to watch the new incarnation that way, as well as purchase physical DVDs if they were to partner with Shout.
If they do try this I hope there is a premise and storyline. There needs to be Shadowrama. Hopefully they could bring back Gizmonic. Make a fun set. Hell, make a cheesy intro with HO gauge models again. Bots are a must. Traditional voices would be perfect. Honestly, I wouldn't mind having newer writers mixed in with some old faves for a fresh perspective (without going for straight pop culture references). Having a set schedule or season format of episodes would be nice, so that it isn't just one release here, one there.
I'm conflicted.
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Post by Who Let Servo Drive on Apr 22, 2014 15:56:55 GMT -5
I completely agree about the home-made feel of the set. That had an incredible charm that a slick and expensive set utterly lacks. I loved watching a show that I knew was made in Eden Prairie rather than in the Hollywood TV megafactory.
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Post by Who Let Servo Drive on Apr 22, 2014 16:01:03 GMT -5
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Post by mrmeadows on Apr 22, 2014 16:36:01 GMT -5
When I first read this news, I was like “Cool!”, but thinking more about it I fear that a new cast with different writers might just feel like a pale knockoff of the real thing. To be honest, even Cinematic Titanic and Rifftrax don’t excite me the same way MST3K used to when it would premiere every week on CC and Sci-Fi. They’re funny on occasion, but ultimately they feel like they’re trying too hard to recapture the magic of the TV show and coming up just short. And those ARE some of the original cast/writers, just split up into two different ventures.
I almost think MST3K was a perfect coming together–-"stars aligning", if you will–-of the right people in the right place at the right time. Not sure duplicating lighting in a bottle like that is going to be possible. Of course, if this reboot happens I’ll be first in line to watch the first episode...but something tells me it just won’t be the same. Probably because it literally won’t be the same.
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Post by Ratso on Apr 22, 2014 18:08:35 GMT -5
AW YEAH! Totally merged this sucka!
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