I was originally going to write some boring article about scientists inventing a cure for smoking and alcoholism or whatever, but then I went on Slashdot and found out that the men of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 are back in the saddle and, as my blood beat in my ears and a dizzy red miasma enveloped me, I knew I had found my story. Then I just pretty much fainted away in my desk chair.

I presently came to, so that I could explain that it's not like the entire DVD-commentary-spawning crew of the S.O.L. have been up to nothing since the show's demise in 1999: Mike Nelson, the ship's second lonely prisoner, spearheaded RiffTrax, a project full of audio-only commentary tracks that you can synch up to your favorite cringe-worthy bombs and blockbusters. It's a very clever and entertaining endeavor, to be sure, but all-in-all a little on the labor-intensive side, and stupid ironic comedy isn't the sort of thing for which one ought to have to gear up. With even the most rabid technophiles starting to long for more of the lackadaisical joy that only a spontaneous tipsy late-night round of MST3K could afford, a return to full-blown audio-visual splendor was imperative.

And return, they have. They're going as Film Crew these days, but it's Mike, Crow, and Servo as sure as anything. So far the trio have talked loudly and sardonically over four weird and obscure old movies, set for impending release on indie label Shout Factory. If the review on RetroCrush is any indication, the first release (already available, it would seem) sounds chock full of promise.

In the first of many new DVDs to be released, they take on a 1969 abomination called Hollywood After Dark which features a still not very young Rue McClanahan (yes, THAT Rue McClanahan) as a down on her luck actress who becomes a stripper. Needless to say, it's one of the scariest movies you'll ever see. Rue resembles some sort of haggard sea creature throughout this movie. There's plenty of funny jokes throughout, and they definitely prove themselves worthy of carrying on the MST3K tradition.

Oh, did I say "promise"? I meant "horrors." Of course, it just wouldn't be the MST3K (or RiffTrax, or Film Crew, or whatever) we know and love if it wasn't cheerfully scraping the bottom of the unintentional-comedy horror barrel. It's what we come for, and it's what we demand. I expect nothing less. I can't wait to see the Golden Girl abomination, and I look forward to the next three with equal excitement. Godspeed, space cowboys. Keep bringing us the awesome.

In the past nine years, _DictionaryGirl_ has failed to attend exactly one Comic-Con weekend. The Sunday afternoon in question was, instead, spent eating popsicles and watching MST3K: THE MOVIE with her best geekface friend. A fair enough trade, don't you think?

quietlythere

USA

June 2004

JUL 26, 2007 04:15 AM

As cool as this may be it is still not the orignal crew That said I'll give this new version a shot.

SomethingStupid

North Hollywood, CA

March 2004

JUL 26, 2007 04:16 AM

Got the first release on my hard disk. It's pretty good. I couldn't even watch MST3K towards the end - the different voice coming out of Crow just didn't work for me, and maybe it was me, but I thought the writing had gotten stale. This is better, and since there are no bots, I don't have to sit around lamenting the lack of Trace.

Though, I have to admit, I still prefer Joel. His sleepy, half-interested delivery always cracked me up for some reason.

KMFCM

Peekskill, NY

September 2002

JUL 26, 2007 04:22 AM

I've only been awake an hour and a half, and my day has been MADE!!!!

quietlythere

USA

June 2004

JUL 26, 2007 04:23 AM

My favorate Xmas song to date remains "A Patrick Swayze Christmas" , by Crow T. Robot LOL

Metaverse

USA

March 2005

JUL 26, 2007 04:25 AM

Sweet!! I used to love watching mst3k on Saturday nights after work back in the day.