# Mystery Science Theater 3000 - What's the deal with it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 27, 2004, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845 "2004-11-27T05:27:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/61 "2004-11-28T02:24:36Z")
> [@Skopo](#): > > **Mr. Blue Sky** , I’ve noticed that shift in the SciFi shows toward story arcs. In fact, it seems that shift began around the time Joel left. During the Joel years, the host segments were usually inspired, however tangentially, by the films they were watching in that episode–“Joey the Lemur,” for instance, was inspired by the presence of a lemur in _King Dinosaur_. During the Mike years, the host segments were pretty much replaced with a running storyline, which could be very funny (again, I refer one to the “Mirror, Mirror” storyline, during the “Last of the Wild Horses” episode), but usually had no relation to the actual movie/experiment. In the [Sci-Fi Archives](http://www.mst3kinfo.com/aceg/index.html) of the MST3k Info Club site, **Satellite News** , they continue the basic episode summary format that was established in the **Amazing Colossal Episode Guide** , just in case anyone here has that book and is curious about the cast and crew’s take on the later movies. On a few occasions, the crew remark on the fact that the Sci-Fi people were pressuring them to insert story arcs (as it was felt that a greater sense of continuity would improve viewership), and the difficulty the writers had trying to meet those expectations. Or, you could go immediately to [Episode 816](http://www.mst3kinfo.com/aceg/8/816/ep816.html), click on the stinger, and exult in the galaxy-spanning evil that is Krankor. (Oh, and the site also has [Season Seven](http://www.mst3kinfo.com/guide/index.html) from Comedy Central archived, too. Cool, huh?) ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/62 "2004-11-28T02:29:10Z")
> [@Skopo](#): > > It’s a bit scary, though, when real life begins to resemble an MST film. I hope your friend’s boyfriend can do a good Torgo impersonation. He should do Torgo delivering a pizza (as MST did for one of their host segments): “I’ll get … your…chaaange…” He could do the walk! It was terrifying! My friend suggested that he might not want to ever do that in her presence again, as she might have difficulty being intimate with someone she mentally associated with Torgo/ **Manos**. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/63 "2004-11-28T02:48:05Z")
After reading this thread earlier, I had to watch episode 310 “Fugitive Alien”. A classic. “He tried to kill me with a forklift. Ole!” “What a perfect apocalyptic jumpsuit she’s wearing.” ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/64 "2004-11-28T03:48:29Z")
I loved Pearl. “How come you’re so evil?” “I’m filled with hate. I don’t know if that helps.” ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lodoen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b3f665/32.png) [@Jeff\_Lodoen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lodoen)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/65 "2004-11-28T05:46:47Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > The first episode I ever saw was “Lust in the Dust”, not long after I’d seen it for the first time. Much better MSTied. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be one of the ones for sale. That may be because they didn’t do “Lust in the Dust”… was it another western? ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/66 "2004-11-28T06:25:05Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > _Final Justice_ (If you thought Joe Don Baker got owned in _Mitchell_, wait’ll you see this one!) Meat … balls … fried in la-aaaaard! ---
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/67 "2004-11-28T06:30:27Z")
Fun fact about _Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues_…one of the shots at the University of Arkansas shows where I used to sleep, Reid Hall. About _Eegah_…why **did** they have an oven in their living room? ---
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/68 "2004-11-28T15:07:19Z")
> [@KCSuze](#): > > About _Eegah_…why **did** they have an oven in their living room? Watch out for snakes! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/69 "2004-11-28T16:10:25Z")
> [@Jeff Lodoen](#): > > That may be because they didn’t do “Lust in the Dust”… was it another western? I noticed that problem myself, going through the MST3K site with the link provided earlier. I distinctly remember Joel holding a hat up over the screen when the chick was bathing in the water tank. But then, I also remember that show as being Mystery Science Theater 2000 at the time, which title has been a source of controversy. Bad Brain on my part, perhaps. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/70 "2004-11-28T16:18:58Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > I noticed that problem myself, going through the MST3K site with the link provided earlier. I distinctly remember Joel holding a hat up over the screen when the chick was bathing in the water tank. But then, I also remember that show as being Mystery Science Theater 2000 at the time, which title has been a source of controversy. Bad Brain on my part, perhaps. That was _City Limits_, a forgettable post apocalyptic tale. Joel had to open an umbrella to cover the nude woman in the water tank. They were unable o edit it out because that scene was part of the opening credits. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/71 "2004-11-28T16:20:24Z")
Also, the show was **never** officially broadcast as Mystery Science Theater 2000. That was a title Joel came up with but changed to 3000 before the show ever went on the air. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/72 "2004-11-28T18:22:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Everything they said sounded like it came from the mouth of that sardonic hipster guy in your photography class with the black-framed glasses and the tight-ass jeans. Well kudos to that guy, whoever he was. I only ever saw this show the once in the UK, a take on This Island Earth, and the commentary only added to the inherent cheesiness of the original film. In fact, while trying to remember what the film title was, I hopped onto [www.imdb.com](http://www.imdb.com) and found the following user comment; > [@](#): > > Probably the best thing that ever happened to this film is “MST3K: The Movie”, they really did a job on this. In fact, that’s the only way I’ll watch this, with Mike and the 'bots. With them it’s hilarious, but alone it’s just not very exciting. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/73 "2004-11-28T23:23:39Z")
Damn it … y’all went and had an MST thread without me! I don’t get how people just gave up watching the show after Joel left, or after Frank left, or after Trace left, or what have you. If one cast member’s absence made the show unenjoyable to watch, how did you sit through a two-hour episode beforehand? I admit I’m biased. however; I think most of the changes the show underwent post-Joel were for the better. I enjoy watching Mike’s incredible comic versatility as host; I enjoy the sharper, punchier aspect that Bill Corbett brought to the writing; and I think Kevin’s Professor Bobo was hilarious. And Mary Jo as Pearl … well, the upper midwest never produced a more loveable would-be despot. _“When loving lovers love …”_ ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/74 "2004-11-28T23:30:30Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > “Oh… you clever fox. So the editor’s working with you?” Gamera is really neat, Gamera is full of meat. We all love you Gamera. I take it yoy watch it on MST3. 😃 :dubious: :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/75 "2004-11-29T17:34:47Z")
I can’t believe I forgot another one of my favorites-_Merlin’s Shop of Mystical Wonders_! Remember the kid with the slinky eye-glasses singing, “Rock and roll martian?” ---
**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:** [November 29, 2004, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/76 "2004-11-29T17:41:34Z")
> [@ouryL](#): > > Gamera is really neat, > Gamera is full of meat. > We all love you Gamera. > > I take it yoy watch it on MST3. 😃 :dubious: :rolleyes: I’ve never seen the original Gamera movie, MSTed or not. I’ve seen the first sequel, and the first in a series of modern updates on the character, both un-MSTed. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/77 "2004-11-29T17:52:59Z")
In another thread, I wondered if it would be possible for the MST3K gang to do their magic on – oh, say Star Wars Attack of the Clones, a film they could never get the rights to use, and then release their commentary alone as a separate track? You would then play the original AoC DVD, and it would run behind Mike and the 'bots, giving you the entire MST3K experience. As they would not be using any copyrighted material, this would seem to be legally plausible. Or am I out to lunch? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/78 "2004-11-29T18:02:19Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > As they would not be using any copyrighted material, this would seem to be legally plausible. Or am I out to lunch? When the first season of _South Park_ came out, the commentary tracks were released on a series of CDs. You could only get them from Comedy Central. You’d cue up the CD at the right time and they would line up to the episode. So, yes, it is possible. The only problem would be the length of the movie exceeding the length of a CD. Perhaps it could be done in an MP3 format. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/79 "2004-11-29T18:07:39Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > In another thread, I wondered if it would be possible for the MST3K gang to do their magic on – oh, say Star Wars Attack of the Clones, a film they could never get the rights to use, and then release their commentary alone as a separate track? You would then play the original AoC DVD, and it would run behind Mike and the 'bots, giving you the entire MST3K experience. > > As they would not be using any copyrighted material, this would seem to be legally plausible. Or am I out to lunch? I don’t think there are any legal issues involved with that. There’s already quite a market for [home-made DVD commentaries](http://www.dvdtracks.com/) that apparently doesn’t cause trouble for anyone, so what you’re suggesting would fall into line with that. The main issue would be making it worth the Brains’ while financially, I think. We can dream … ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2004, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845/80 "2004-12-03T09:24:50Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > “look at my crotch! > look at my crotch! > look look look at my crotch! > looooooooooooooooooooooooooook at my crotch!” > > I love the cheerleading sequence! 😃 I taped that one off ABC in L.A. when they were showing episodes in one-hour segments at midnight or something. I showed it to some old college buddies, and they just fell over. Again, the Home Ec short is gold. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-science-theater-3000-whats-the-deal-with-it/276845.md?page=3)