# Joel Hodgson wants to bring back Mystery Science Theater 3000 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 10, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219 "2015-11-10T19:47:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/141 "2017-04-19T13:00:14Z")
So, does anyone know what the changing numbers hidden in the new MST3K opening mean, yet? Just as Jonah is about to disembark from his craft, a three-digit number appears on the monitor to his right, and it’s different every time. The numbers are, in order, 016, 014, 016, 012, 014, 012, 012, 005, 008, 004, 007, 005, 014, 023. All within an alphabetical conversion range, but a straight up substitution is PNPLNLLEHDGNW, which obviously is meaningless, so… Posted this to Reddit last night, and apparently Joel has confirmed that it’s an easter egg, but the meaning remains unrevealed. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/142 "2017-04-19T14:30:12Z")
I think the real question on everyone’s minds is: When will **CandidGamera** revive his MST3K megathread? Or am I the only person who remembers that? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/143 "2017-04-19T16:34:11Z")
No, I used that megathread for years to find quality MST3K episodes back when most of them were on Youtube. I’ve watched 2 so far. I like it but I’m not in love with it, unsurprisingly as Mike was by far my preferred host and the reboot is much more in Joel’s style, but new MST3K is better than no MST3K. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/144 "2017-04-19T19:12:27Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > I’ve watched 2 so far. I like it but I’m not in love with it, unsurprisingly as Mike was by far my preferred host and the reboot is much more in Joel’s style, but new MST3K is better than no MST3K. Interesting. I’m much more of a Joel guy and I’m enjoying all of the new episodes immensely. I’m also a Nerdist devotee for lo these past few years as well, and anyone familiar with that podcast is already familiar with Jonah’s work, so this whole thing is win-win-win for me. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/145 "2017-04-19T19:41:05Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > My biggest complaint is the door sequence. I like the idea of seeing a little more of the guts of the SOL, but the doors are too similar. I miss the drawbridge ☹ My biggest complaint is that I have trouble telling Jonah and Tom Servo’s voices apart. Wish they’d thought of that in pre-production. But yeah, the door sequence was changed on a fundamental level. It was a silly, ridiculous thing, sort of like Maxwell Smart’s entering headquarters at the beginning of every “Get Smart.” Now, the tunnel is full of useful parts of the ship. It is cool and makes sense, which the original doors never did. As time goes on, it doesn’t bother me, but I wonder why they changed it from a silly waste of time, space, and effort, to a useful, compact, worthwhile part of the ship. Eight episodes in, and I’m loving the show so far. I might like it better than the Sci-Fi incarnation. . .Patton and (surprisingly, to me) Felicia are nailing it, Jonah should be just fine as time goes on and he has a chance to show his own personality. . .if only Tom and Jonah sounded more different. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/146 "2017-04-19T19:50:53Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Did Jonah really film the opening 14 times? I have yet to line them up side by side to see if there are any differences. Anyone? I didn’t have the patience to watch them all carefully, and I didn’t think to play them side-by-side to see if there were differences, but I looked in a half-assed kind of way and didn’t see any differences. I wish they had made SOME changes each time if they’re going to go with that 're-enactment" claim, like The Simpson’s and the couch gags. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/147 "2017-04-19T21:45:13Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > I didn’t have the patience to watch them all carefully, and I didn’t think to play them side-by-side to see if there were differences, but I looked in a half-assed kind of way and didn’t see any differences. I wish they had made SOME changes each time if they’re going to go with that 're-enactment" claim, like The Simpson’s and the couch gags. You should just repeat to yourself “It’s just a show, I should really just relax.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/148 "2017-04-20T05:55:39Z")
I’m up to Starcrash right now and (I actually am more embarassed for John Barry than Chris Plummer)… I’m just going to come out and say it…the average new season ep is BETTER than the average ep of any season before it. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/149 "2017-04-20T13:18:48Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I think the real question on everyone’s minds is: When will **CandidGamera** revive his MST3K megathread? > > Or am I the only person who remembers that? .. you remembered it more readily than I did! Oh, man, I might have to do that now.. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/150 "2017-04-20T13:20:39Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > I didn’t have the patience to watch them all carefully, and I didn’t think to play them side-by-side to see if there were differences, but I looked in a half-assed kind of way and didn’t see any differences. I wish they had made SOME changes each time if they’re going to go with that 're-enactment" claim, like The Simpson’s and the couch gags. The only difference I can be sure of is the changing ‘code’ number I alluded to upthread. There’s some kind of Easter Egg in the numbers that appear to Jonah’s right just after his ship is taken into the base, and before he gets out to walk amongst the Skeleton Crew. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/151 "2017-04-21T14:18:53Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > I’m up to Starcrash right now and (I actually am more embarassed for John Barry than Chris Plummer)… I finished _Starcrash_ yesterday and, hoo boy, that is a bad, bad movie. _Reptilicus_ is a stronger film! The blatant rip offs and cliches, plus people with completely random ridiculous powers, the “I got nicked in the arm but it’s my destiny to die” scene, the major assault that was just 4 guys in torpedo tubes, the incomprehensible meandering plot, Stella’s outfits, the robot’s accent… and that’s not even getting into the acting. Holy crap, that was a true stinker. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/152 "2017-04-21T14:35:53Z")
I’ve seen through Avalanche and Cry Wilderness is the “classic” episode for me so far. Funniest movie and comments. I’d rank the episodes like this in terms of funnyness: 1. Cry Wilderness - All-time classic MST3K 2. Avalanche - hilarious 3. Time Travellers - The movie was too dull to make much fun. 4. Reptillicus - OK ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/153 "2017-04-21T14:39:33Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > I finished _Starcrash_ yesterday and, hoo boy, that is a bad, bad movie. _Reptilicus_ is a stronger film! The blatant rip offs and cliches, plus people with completely random ridiculous powers, the “I got nicked in the arm but it’s my destiny to die” scene, the major assault that was just 4 guys in torpedo tubes, the incomprehensible meandering plot, Stella’s outfits, the robot’s accent… and that’s not even getting into the acting. Holy crap, that was a true stinker. Wait until you get to _Wizards Of the Lost Kingdom II_-_Starcrash_ looks like a National Society of Film Critics Award winner next to it. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/154 "2017-04-21T15:12:19Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Wait until you get to _Wizards Of the Lost Kingdom II_-_Starcrash_ looks like a National Society of Film Critics Award winner next to it. :eek::eek::eek: ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/155 "2017-04-21T16:45:24Z")
I’m half way through Avalanche, and I’m really liking this new MST3k a lot. I’m glad they kept all the obscure pop references in all their jokes. And having the Neil Patrick Harris cameo during the Rock Hudson movie is as meta as anything the original show ever did. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/156 "2017-04-22T01:19:44Z")
I was distracted in Starcrash by a certain radiant lead actress…and yes I know she appears again. I was also distracted by the quality of The Land that Time Forgot…despite the edit making the film incomprehensible ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/157 "2017-04-22T01:21:38Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I’m half way through Avalanche, and I’m really liking this new MST3k a lot. I’m glad they kept all the obscure pop references in all their jokes. And having the Neil Patrick Harris cameo during the Rock Hudson movie is as meta as anything the original show ever did. Did not really enjoy his cameo, though. Wasted opportunity, bad song, and not funny. Unfortunate. ---
**Author:** ![sweepkick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@sweepkick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweepkick)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/158 "2017-04-22T14:48:20Z")
I’ve watched the first two episodes and I am enjoying it immensely. I agree with others that the 'bots voices don’t have the distinction that the original 'bots had, but I’m hoping that changes over time as we become more accustomed to them. Am I the only one that obsessively makes mental notes of riffs that reference pop culture and technologies that did not exist during the original series (e.g. iPhones, twitter, etc)? My heart goes out to the people who saw the original Cry Wilderness without the MST3K treatment. Sweet Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/159 "2017-04-22T15:45:51Z")
> [@sweepkick](#): > > I’ve watched the first two episodes and I am enjoying it immensely. I agree with others that the 'bots voices don’t have the distinction that the original 'bots had, but I’m hoping that changes over time as we become more accustomed to them. . I’ve gradually adjusted by episode 5. I do miss the old Tom Servo voice the most, but everything else is fine. Beast of Hollow Mountain was a lot of fun. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219/160 "2017-04-22T18:26:04Z")
I’ve seen up to The Land that Time Forgot, and Beast of Hollow Mountain is my favorite so far. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joel-hodgson-wants-to-bring-back-mystery-science-theater-3000/737219.md?page=9)