Mystery Science Theatre 3000 Is Crowdfunding Another Comeback - and Also Apps

destinyland writes: Mystery Science Theater 3000 will be coming back — with a new home online. Though Netflix didn't pick them up for another season after 2019, "We still want to keep making new episodes," series creator Joel Hodgson explains in an online video on Kickstarter. (Also available through the URL MakeMoreMST3K.com.)

And with 12 days left to go, 18,969 online fans have already pledged $3,348,705, funding six new episodes...

But in addition the first $2 million funded the creation of the Gizmoplex, "our very own virtual online theatre," while the first stretch goal was also funded — the creation of MST3K apps for Android, iOS, and streaming services like AppleTV and Roku. "I'm tired of other people deciding if our show lives or dies," explains Crow T. Robot in the Kickstarter video. "I wanna do that." New host Jonah Heston adds, "If we want MST3K to keep going long-term, maybe networks aren't the most reliable option. Maybe it should be up to the fans to decide how long we keep going..."

Their next stretch goal of $4.4 million would fund three more episodes, but will also allow them to invite backers to the Gizmoplex for live monthly events, "for at least a year." And if they reach their goal of $5.5 million, they'll fund three more episodes — so an entire 12-episode season — as well as 12 short-subject films.

The ultimate hope is to host frequent live screenings, premieres, and community events in the Gizmoplex — while fans can even host their own MST3K watch parties whenever they want. And their Kickstarter page even suggests they might someday extend the Gizmoplex into virtual reality (accessible on computer and headsets).
I still remember how back in 2008 Joel Hodgson answered questions from Slashdot readers. "I've been a fan so long, I can't even remember when," posted CmdrTaco.

I suspect they'll have more critics now

[damn_registrars]

Anyone who criticizes anything in the public sphere now has a hard time not being labeled as having a political bias in their work. It doesn't matter if you are mocking SciFi from 60 years ago, someone will claim you picked movie ABC to mock Trump or XYZ to mock Biden. I wish them well, and wish they didn't have to go up against what they are now going up against.

Re:

[DThorne]

The fact they aren't broadcasting on a network will help with that. I think the sort of person that would fund a kickstarter of a Gremlins 2 riff isn't going to scream it's pro-Trump because Clamp was basically a decent, if misguided character, or would take to the streets to riot it's anti GOP because Clamp is a money grubbing capitalist. You might as well say no more comedy because the US is being torn apart. You guys need it more than ever.

Re:

[damn_registrars]

You might as well say no more comedy because the US is being torn apart.

I didn't mean for my negativity to imply that, though I can see how one might reach that conclusion. I just know that the lenses that people view the world through now are very different than they were back in the 90s.

You guys need it more than ever.

I couldn't agree with you more. Many people seem to have lost their sense of humor entirely and it's a travesty.

Re:

[Gavagai80]

Classic MST3K mocked Trump numerous times in the 90s. The two recent seasons on Netflix weren't accused of anything political though.

It is an advantage to not having a network to tell you to avoid some subject or association, though.

Re:

[fermion]

From watching the most recent episodes, I think any criticism will be about selling out and general monetization. Also, the obsession with not letting things rest is the downfall of most franchise. Just look at Star Wars.

When mst3k started it was an innovative and entertaining way to cheaply fill airtime. Back then no one could do what they did, partly because of the cost of licensing. The power of standard TV movie costs helped them just like MTV access to music videos made beaus and butthead possible.

Re:

[Creepy]

I haven't seen the Netflix run and quite frankly, Joel was one of the worst stand ups I've ever seen live - pretty sure he had like 10lbs of edibles and smoked 5 bowls - because it was about that coherent. He was way better on Letterman that same year. When he created MST3k, it was a match made in heaven - a TV channel with the rights to a lot of old B-movies and a need for some original revenue from them. KTMA-23 in Minneapolis had just that. I remember watching the first two episodes so sick with Strep I

the 1990's called

[FudRucker]

they want their saturday morning matinees back, mystery science theater 3000 had a good run, let it rest in peace like all the other old TV shows, right next to I Love Lucy and Gilligan's Island

Re:

[JaredOfEuropa]

Some were better than others but on the whole I rather liked the last 2 runs they put out. It's not the same as the old MST3K, but it has enough of that vibe to satisfy me, and enough of a fresh take to keep me interested. I for one would be happy with a 3rd season.

Re:

[FudRucker]

yeah, it was a good show, back in the 1990's my brother and i used to roll a doobie or two and sit back on saturday mornings and get stoned and laugh & laugh watching Mystery Science Theater 3000, but those days are long gone, (i sure miss em too) its a different world today

People like that show?

[backslashdot]

I always found the show annoying. I rather watch the movie they have on. I do like that they are funding a VR movie gallery though, would be cool if they opened it up for none-MST3K.

Re:

[jwhyche]

I never understood the appeal of this show to anyone. They showed a lame ass movie then they talked over most of the show. It just wasn't funny.

Re:

[burningcpu]

I think shows like Best of The Worst by Red Letter Media on Youtube have filled the role, anyway. MST3k may have been a pioneer in the field but others are now at the forefront.

Re:

[JaredOfEuropa]

It's a weird one... personally I loved the show, and Rifftrax, but a lot of people I thought might like it said they hated it, while many people whom I expected to hate it turned out to be big fans (including my wife, so yay for me).

Kickstarting

[Frank Burly]

I really like MST3K and am glad they are doing another season. But I will point out that 50 years ago, if you provided financing for something, you either 1) had an equity interest or 2) were a fabulously well-to do patron of the arts.

Now, the rich are richer than ever, capital is more fungible than ever with small amounts being easily aggregated, yet somehow middle-class people are sending money directly to affluent entertainers in exchange for limited-time access to the service they helped fund and a cameo video-- presumably thanking them for donating money so Joel and the gang can develop another passive revenue stream.

Nothing but love for the players, but I do hate the game.

Re:

[Gavagai80]

With a kickstarter like this, you're simply pre-paying for various products you're buying. That's your equity. You back the project to get your DVD box set, your digital downloads, your poster, your snow globe, or whatever.

Huh? Why is this coming back

[DarkRookie2]

I don't see the appeal. It is a bunch of people talking over bad movies. It is the combo of two terrible things. (Talking in a movie theater and bad movies)
I saw the episodes made with the last Kickstarter, and wasn't impressed. Tried watching older episodes and felt the same way.

$500,000 per episode? WTF?

[Musical_Joe]

$3,348,705, funding six new episodes

I've never seen it, but isn't this show just a couple of people talking over clips of old movies? How in the hell can that cost $500,000 per episode? Pretty sure people are doing that on YouTube with a setup cost under $100...