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Post by XerxesTheCat on Mar 8, 2007 11:04:27 GMT -5
As you may or may not know, WUCW, CW: Twin Cities, is the current incarnation of what was once KTMA, the original station that aired MST3K. And the first three episodes are not in anyone's mist. I thought I'd take a shot at this, and contact them. Here's what I wrote to them:
Hello. Are you firmiliar with the comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000? Back in November 1988, the series premiered on this station, back then, when it was called KTMA TV23. Many "MSTies" have long been trying to obtain copies of the first 3 episodes Invaders From the Deep,Revenge of the Mesterons From Mars, and Star Force. We are asking you guys, if it's possible you still have copies of these lost MST3K episodes, perhaps in storage. Please take the time out to look for these episodes. Many MST3K fans would gladly appreciate this. Thank You.
Brandon Hopefully they'll respond.
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Post by Skyroniter on Mar 8, 2007 11:37:21 GMT -5
Great idea! Let us know if you get any response.
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Post by vanhagar3000 on Mar 8, 2007 14:16:53 GMT -5
I'm guessing someone has done it before and had no response turn up. As far as we've always been told BBI holds the master tapes not KTMA 23. Why not e-mail Barbbb since we know that Mallon has copies. I doubt they're going to have it because the station has changed ownership at least three times since them (KTMA owners when MST3K was around, when it was a god channel, and now. Though there could be more). That means three times the storage area has been cleared out. If they WERE there, they're long gone by now.
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Post by Skyroniter on Mar 8, 2007 14:34:30 GMT -5
Some of my Season Seven masters came from a guy that worked at the video production company Comedy Central used during that season. A couple years ago he found the broadcast masters in a storage room. So you never know...
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Post by jjb3k on Mar 8, 2007 15:25:28 GMT -5
Some of my Season Seven masters came from a guy that worked at the video production company Comedy Central used during that season. A couple years ago he found the broadcast masters in a storage room. So you never know... Well, see, now I need to get off my duff and order more episodes from you - if some of your Season 7 episodes are from the broadcast masters, that'd make them near-Rhino quality, wouldn't it? Of course, I'd have to buy Season 6 first, but I just got my tax refund, so money shouldn't be much of an issue... Anyway, I have my doubts as to whether or not WUCW still has K01-K03 lying around. Really, the best person to go to would be Jim Mallon, and as we all know, he doesn't have the legal ability to release them (two Gerry and Sylvia Anderson Marionation movies and a Sandy Frank film - how much do you think that'd cost?).
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Post by mrtorso on Mar 8, 2007 16:36:07 GMT -5
I think blatantly asking them to infringe on copyrighted material, won't get a response. What we should do is try to find the name of a person that works or has access to the archives & then do some subtle bribery.
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Post by Hoss Ragen on Mar 8, 2007 18:51:28 GMT -5
It's worth a shot, but personally, I think the first three are lost forever. Mallon will never release the unaired pilot, either. There's a one in a who-knows-what-number chance anyone would have the foresight to tape these eps before the "word on the street" spread by the time the Gameras came around. You also have to consider that all of these conditions have to be met: A person who remembers and can find the tapes amongst 20 years of garage and attic-stored items and to be aware of their mythical status on the Internet and to still have enough interest in MST3K to even care. Maybe that person taped them, but unknowingly gave them away to a thrift store, only to have the Goodwill/Salvation Army people send them off to a Minnesota landfill. Check out your local thrift's VHS section and you'll see what I mean. Heck, there's a chance the very first episode taping MSTie is not alive today (I know that's morbid, but I'm just stating the possibility). I'm pretty sure everyone remotely associated with KTMA has been tracked down via phone book, local personals, amateur investigation, etc. and asked the same question at least once. Go for it, but don't be discouraged if the person on the other end cuts you off rudely and expresses his or her annoyance with the subject. I know people who do this same thing for a living, except with releasing "lost" music. Already tapped leads have a tendency to get quite suspicious and uncooperative, even if the investigator has the purest intentions.
That said, the grey market, grassroots archiving of 99% of the entire decade run of the show, which originated on an obscure, Midwest UHF station, has to be one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of American television show fandom.
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Post by CBG on Mar 8, 2007 18:54:50 GMT -5
"Thems that don't ask, don't gets."
I applaud you Xerxes.
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Post by beljah on Mar 8, 2007 23:58:52 GMT -5
Some of my Season Seven masters came from a guy that worked at the video production company Comedy Central used during that season. A couple years ago he found the broadcast masters in a storage room. So you never know... What format are they in? Regular VHS?
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Post by CBG on Mar 9, 2007 2:07:46 GMT -5
Some of my Season Seven masters came from a guy that worked at the video production company Comedy Central used during that season. A couple years ago he found the broadcast masters in a storage room. So you never know... What format are they in? Regular VHS? My guess is 3/4".
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Post by Poe33 on Mar 9, 2007 7:45:10 GMT -5
I hope you spell checked your letter -
; )
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Post by Skyroniter on Mar 9, 2007 7:56:51 GMT -5
What format are they in? Regular VHS? My guess is 3/4". They were the D-2 masters. He transferred them straight to DVD for me from the masters themselves.
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Post by JoshWay on Mar 9, 2007 11:53:09 GMT -5
They were the D-2 masters. He transferred them straight to DVD for me from the masters themselves. I can vouch that they look awesome!
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Post by Poe33 on Mar 9, 2007 11:57:13 GMT -5
You think if begged enough- Mallon would release a special Green Slime DVD?
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Post by Melting Manos on Mar 9, 2007 12:46:04 GMT -5
They were the D-2 masters. He transferred them straight to DVD for me from the masters themselves. I can vouch that they look awesome! I'll second that. My season 7 Sky copies are damn near Rhino quality!
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