Review #975: Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (1988-1999)

Title: Mystery Science Theatre 3000
Year(s): 1988-1999
Creator: Joel Hodgson
Country: US
Language: English

Created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains Inc. Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (lovingly known as MST3K) has a timultous airing history. It first aired on KTMA in Minneapolis Minnesota, then later aired on The Comedy Channel/Comedy central for a number of seasons, and was later picked up by The Sci-Fi Channel until cancellation in 1999. During its original run MST3K did not gain high viewership, but became a cult favourite by word of mouth and syndication.

In the not-too-distant future, a man and his robots are trapped aboard the Satellite of Love, where mad scientists force them to sit through the worst movies ever made.

Before the age of the internet, and when television channels were not in the hundreds like they are today, there was often very little to watch during the most boring times of the day. Thus you would flip to a channel that was playing B-movies and comment like a wise-ass because there was nothing else to do (aside from reading a book, going outside etc.) MST3K picked up on this phenomenon and did it better than any amateur drooling on his couch could do.  

Forget The Big Bang Theory or (insert show that vaguely comments on geek culture)  MST3K is truly a champion of nerd culture. The setting, characters, premise and overall dialogue all shout NEEEEERD! yet it doesn't sell out by sticking to low-brow humour. The movies they chose--The Brain That Wouldn't Die, Time of the Apes, and Danger Death Ray!- are just about the worst films ever made, but with their unique commentary each picture is made into a fun ride. 

Enough time has gone by since the series ended that we can see how MST3K inspired our culture. The riffing style from MST3K is considered part of the influence for DVD commentaries and successful YouTube reviewers (Nostalgia Critic). Partly due to social media, "riffing" on bad film has gone from a basement hobby to a successful social platform. I love MST3K, it is a "must see" television show.