Reaching Our First Goal! Why We Have To Keep Going! Plus: a sneak peek at the Official Poster!
over 10 years ago
– Wed, Nov 18, 2015 at 10:55:12 PM
Dear MST3K Revival Leaguers,
This update has been a lot harder to write than I imagined it would be.
It's also turning out to be a lot longer than I imagined it would be, so if you don't wanna read the whole thing, here are the most important bits:
- We're 40% of the way to making twelve new episodes of MST3K!
- You beat the 24-Hour Challenge in just 12 HOURS: 3 classic episodes unlocked!
- But, if we don't reach $5.5M, this could still be the last MST3K ever!
- We've got 23 DAYS LEFT to help #BringBackMST3K for good!
- PLUS: your first look at the OFFICIAL Campaign Poster!
There's your Executive Summary.
Now, if you wanna read the full update experience, buckle up and let's get started.
First, if you didn't already hear, here's the really big headline:
At 8:42pm on Monday night – less than a week after we launched our Kickstarter to #BringBackMST3K – we passed our first goal.
That means two important things:
1. Thanks to you, there will be at least three new episodes of MST3K.
2. You beat the 24 HOUR CHALLENGE and unlocked the first BONUS REWARD!
If you're just joining us, that means that any backer who pledges $35 or more will also get a "THANK YOU" collection of 3 classic episodes to download and keep – a retail value, as the man on the TV says, of $30! (And don't worry, I'll pick some good ones for you.)
So actually, I guess that part of the update wasn't so difficult to write.
This next part is harder.
We've reached such an important moment, and what you've done is so incredible that it feels like I should have something big and inspirational to tell you, like a Gettysburg Address of MST3K. But, you know, I don't really think I'm an Abraham Lincoln/Tony Robbins/Eckhart Tolle kind of guy.
The last 36 hours have been pretty overwhelming. I've felt:
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Grateful that we have so many friends who care enough to fight for MST3K,
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Bewildered (but happy!) to realize how much MST3K has meant to so many of you,
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Relieved that we'll get to make at least three new episodes of MST3K next year,
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Excited that we're adding a new chapter to the long, strange story of MST3K,
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Hungry… but you know, I should probably just eat something and that will go away,
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Anxious that we might run out of steam before we get a full 12-episode season, and
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Worried that if that happens, these might be the last new MST3Ks ever.
With all of those emotions jumbling around, it's been hard to get a clear head and write the update it feels like you deserve. It's also sort of an awkward new challenge for me: trying to have fun with you and be heartfelt.
When we started MST3K, I never thought the job would mean that I'd have to be emotionally available. I just wanted to make a show!
But this is a special occasion, so I'll get a little "gooey" and serious.
Just don't expect it to happen often, okay?
On Monday night, you made Mystery Science History.
In fact, if you're reading this, you were probably one of the 18,328 friends who helped us reach that first goal. If you were: Thank You! Hello! Thank You!
I'm so glad you showed up in time to share this moment with us. I'm also really pleased that you'll be with us for all of the fun things that happen next.
The story of MST3K has been going for almost thirty years, but now – thanks to you – we're finally getting to throw out the ending that we’ve been stuck with for fifteen years, and start writing the next big chapter.
I've been reading all of your comments and tweets, and it's really fun to see you celebrating this moment together. The whole thing is really just amazing and humbling.
But wait! Before you crack open the Hamdingers and/or bust out the celebratory ramchips, I need to tell you: I'm even more nervous now than I was when we first launched our Kickstarter. In all of the excitement, maybe it feels like we've won -- but the truth is that the future of MST3K depends on what happens next.
So this next part is really, really important:
If we slow down now, this could still be the end of MST3K.
So far, we know that we'll be able to make three new episodes… but the most important goal of this Kickstarter was never to make a final three episodes, or six, or even twelve.
From the beginning, the goal has been to raise the $5.5 million we'll need to bring MST3K back for a full season and to send a message that tells those conference tables full of executives that you want MST3K back for good – and that you're willing to fight for it!
If we want Mystery Science Theater 3000 to keep going in the not-too-distant future, we need the world to know that this Kickstarter isn't about giving MST3K a few new episodes and a new ending: it's about giving MST3K a few hundred new episodes and a new beginning.
To do that, we need to make sure those executives understand that three, or six, or even twelve episodes isn't enough, and that if they invest in creating more seasons of MST3K, the fans will be there to support it.
If we can't fund these twelve episodes, how can we convince a network that they should fund another twelve seasons?
But maybe you're thinking, "Joel, we raised $2 million in a week! Isn't that enough proof to convince them?"
And if you are, here's where I tell you something I haven't shared yet.
This summer we met with a lot of high-powered agents to discuss all of the ways we could #BringBackMST3K, and I told all of them the same thing:
"I don't want to do this unless we can do it right. We can't just sell MST3K to someone who doesn't get it... But I know our fans are still out there, and I know they'll understand. And if they do, they'll help us bring MST3K back the right way."
And guess what? Almost every single one of those agents said the same thing:
"Crowdfunding will never work. Fans just don't have that kind of power."
(You know, even the nice ones warned that we would be able to reach $2MM and make a few episodes, but guaranteed that there weren't nearly enough of you to raise $5.5MM, or to bring MST3K back for good.)
I think they were underestimating you. They think I'm delusional. I guess we're about to find out who's right!
Our Kickstarter page makes it look like we're above our goal, but here's the cold, hard truth:
We're only 40% of the way to our real goal: $5.5M and 12 full episodes.
After our first week, I'm more sure than ever that we can get there… but I'm also afraid that it could be harder than you think. I've been warned that this is where crowdfunding starts to get really tough, because a lot of people will think we've "succeeded," and that we don't need them anymore.
New people who haven't heard about the project might discover it, see that we've raised more than our minimum goal, and think we're done… and if that happens, we are done!
Now, the good news:
We've still got 23 days left to show the networks that we deserve their help to #BringBackMST3K for good!
If we keep going, I know we'll make it – but we can't keep going without your help. That's why it's more important than ever to KEEP CIRCULATING THE URL, and to help explain why we're still going.
I know I'm asking a lot, but I believe that if any fans have the power to bring a show back from the dead, it's Mystery Science Theater fans. You've done something wonderful in our first 8 days. I hope you'll stick with us for these last 23.
Oh, one more thing. Before I go, I also want to keep the promise I've been making for the last couple updates and share something pretty neat that we've been working on here at #BringBackMST3K Headquarters.
SNEAK PEEK: The Official #BringBackMST3K Poster!
If you own any of the great MST3K boxed sets that Shout Factory puts out, you've probably noticed the really wonderful mini-posters that are included for each episode.
If you haven't, here are just a few examples:
All of these wild and wonderful posters – and there are almost 100 of them so far! – are the creations of a terrific artist named Steve Vance. He's been so important to MST3K's growth and proliferation over the last seven years, with his style, composition and unique brand of hilarity.
Just like the Grateful Dead had Kelley/Mouse studios, I'm proud that we have Steve Vance. He's a wonderful, imaginative guy, and not just a hired gun. He loves our show too, and I'm happy to report that he's agreed to help us – along with some other killer artists, who I'll tell you about later this month – by doing visual development and concept art for the new show!
Anyway, when I started trying to figure out some cool rewards for our Kickstarter, Steve was one of the first people I thought about. His work is so great, even at small sizes, that we're planning to use some of the best posters on the COLLECTIBLE POSTCARDS reward. But I also really wanted to see what Steve could come up with for our full-size OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN POSTER.
It's not finished just yet, but I think it's a perfect start:
Steve is still hard at work finishing this, so I think we'll have a full-color version to show you in another week or two – but if your pledge level doesn't include Steve's poster, you might wanna upgrade to grab one while you can. We'll only ever offer this as part of the Kickstarter campaign, so this will be your only chance to grab one.
Plus, it just looks super cool.
That's enough updating for now, but I'll have some big news to share tomorrow morning about this year's MST3K TURKEY DAY MARATHON. We've got some fun things planned for you and your family on Thanksgiving, so be sure to leave some room on your plate for us – and remember that you can still send fan mail to [email protected] for us to share on screen and online during the marathon!
I'm also working on another update answering a bunch of questions we're getting about all of the REWARD PACKAGES, so look for that soon too.
Until then, thanks again for everything you're doing, and...
KEEP CIRCULATING THE URL!
Cheers and Thanks,
Joel
Tom Servo, viral video vigilante, reporting for service. Good work unlocking that BONUS REWARD. If you keep going like this, I bet Joel will add some more free stuff before the month is over. (He better: Papa needs a new pair of shoes.)
While you're waiting, help me make sure I don't ever have to get a real job.
Post one of these to Twitter & Facebook right now:
- We've met our first goal, but need to keep going if we want to #BringBackMST3K for good! @JoelGHodgson explains why: http://bit.ly/mst3k-update6
- Some people think fans don't have the power to #BringBackMST3K. 23 days left to hit our final goal & prove them wrong. http://bit.ly/mst3k-update6
Before The Full Update...
over 10 years ago
– Tue, Nov 17, 2015 at 09:24:39 AM
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
The Next Host of MST3K. Plus: a 24-Hour CHALLENGE!
over 10 years ago
– Mon, Nov 16, 2015 at 10:15:05 PM
Good morning, MST3K Revival Leaguers.
How was your weekend?
I hope it was less hectic than mine. I'm doing my best to keep up with all of this, but my life is usually a bit more, I don’t know… serene? But we gotta "make hay while the sun shines,” so we'll plow on. (See what I did there?)
We've got 25 days left in our Kickstarter, and I've still got so many surprises planned. In fact, I think I might send another update later this afternoon, giving you that sneak peek at the new artwork I promised.
So maybe this is, like... your breakfast update?
- IMPORTANT: Just 24 HOURS LEFT to reach $2M during our first week!
- BONUS OFFER: Free episode downloads if we get there in time!
- REMINDER: on Kickstarter, you always PLEDGE NOW but PAY LATER!
- PLUS, BIG NEWS: Joel reveals his choice for MST3K's next host!
Can we reach the first $2MM before 11am tomorrow?
Our Kickstarter launched last Tuesday at 10:30am PST. That means that with just 24 hours left in our first week, we're 91% of the way to our first goal.
That's pretty amazing, huh?
But if we want to shoot a full 12 episodes – and prove that the world is ready for more MST3K – we need to send a message… and that message will be even louder if we can raise the first $2MM in under a week.
That's why, if you're on the fence, today is the day to jump down onto the "Yes, I Want More MST3K" side. We're depending on the support of fans like you.
Yeah, I know. I sound like PBS. But hey, maybe this will help:
1. If we reach $2M in the next 24 hours, we'll add in a free bonus reward – downloads of three classic episodes – for all pledges at $35 and up!
That's right, friends! If we can raise the first $2,000,000 by tomorrow at 10:30 AM ET, we'll UPGRADE THE REWARDS for all pledges at $35 and above to include a downloadable "Thank You" collection of three classic episodes. I'll hand-pick them, just for you!
Just think: that's an extra $30 VALUE for FREE: 270 classic minutes of MST3K… and that's if you only watch each episode once!
If you're at a lower level, TODAY is a great time to INCREASE YOUR PLEDGE TO $35 or higher.
Plus, when you do, you'll be helping us reach our first goal and unlock the bonus downloads! Everyone wins, huh?
2. On Kickstarter, you actually PLEDGE NOW but PAY LATER!
One thing a lot of people don't realize about Kickstarter is that you're not paying when you make your pledge… you're just pledging to pay later! So if you've been waiting until you can save a little more, but are already planning to pledge later in the month, please consider pledging today.
No matter when you pledge, your credit card won't be charged until the Kickstarter ends on December 11th… so there's no need to wait!
If you think you'll be able to swing it, and want to make (or increase) your pledge now, that would be great. (Just be careful. I have a feeling this is how this is how America's debt crisis began.)
Now, let's get to the worst-kept secret elephant in the room.
Don't worry, Joike. You get used to it after a while.
Like I said in the video, the same disclaimer still applies here: until we reach $2MM and know we'll be able to #BringBackMST3K, I can't make any formal offers to actors or writers – not the old team, and not the new team. But if everything works out, here's my plan:
I'm hoping Jonah Ray will suit up as "Jonah Heston," the next host of Mystery Science Theater 3000.
If you listen to the Nerdist podcast, maybe you already know about Jonah. He's one of the co-hosts, along with Chris Hardwick and Matt Mira.
I probably met Jonah about three years ago, when I did the podcast and we talked about MST3K. It was a fun gig, and two things were really clear: I liked all three of those guys very much, and they all seemed to really love MST3K. They knew all about it, which always makes interviews easier. We had a great time and I left with a really good impression of Jonah.
Later that night, I went out with my buddy Rob Schrab to see our friend Dan Harmon record his wonderful podcast, Harmontown, in the backroom at Meltdown Comics. Jonah came along, and I found out that I liked the guy in real life too. He was a good hang.
In a move that may have been the most instinctual thing I've ever done, I asked Jonah to come help me write jokes for an awards show gig. He did, we started working on jokes together, and it just clicked: He was just incredibly funny and easy to write with – there was flow, really – and who can ask for anything more? I guess I also just felt like his heart was in the right place, and I could see how much he loved and understood MST3K. I think that's when I started thinking about inviting him to be the next host on MST3K, if we ever got to come back.
About a year after that, I asked him what he thought about it. He said "yes" right away, without a second of hesitancy, and we've been talking about it ever since.
Since this is the internet, I guess some people will hear this news and rush to declare – for better and for worse – "what this means for the future of MST3K." (In fact, since a lot of people guessed that it was Jonah's voice in our first video, that's already happening!)
I can't really tell you what kind of host Jonah is going to be, but I hope you'll give him a chance to show you. And even if you're familiar with Jonah's career, remember: that doesn't mean he'll bring the same exact approach to MST3K. I think a lot of you may be surprised. Plus, like the previous members of our cast, I think Jonah has great instincts and a lot of range. He's funny, he's wicked smart, and like I said, his heart's in the right place. He loves MST3K, he seems to understand what makes it so special, and most important, I know he takes the role seriously.
At the end of the day, he's just another regular guy in a yellow jumpsuit – not so different from you and me. I'm excited to see what he can bring to the next hundred episodes of Mystery Science Theater, until it's time to hand the jumpsuit over to someone else.
Okay, now that that's done, I'm going to go work on the next update for you, where I'll give you a first look at what we're planning for the OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN POSTER and the COLLECTIBLE POSTCARD rewards.
And remember... if we reach $2MM by 10:30am ET tomorrow, all pledges at $35 and up will get a FREE BONUS REWARD: three classic episode downloads, yours to keep. If you've been waiting to increase your pledge, today's the day!
I'll be back this afternoon, but until then…
Keep Circulating The URL!
Cheers and Thanks,
Joel
Tom Servo, internet guru. While you're finishing your second pumpkin latte, help make sure we reach $2MM by tomorrow morning and unlock those BONUS EPISODE DOWNLOADS.
Just copy one of these messages to Twitter & Facebook:
- InterSTELLAR news! @JoelGHodgson has revealed that he'd like @JonahRay to be next host of @MST3K. #BringBackMST3K http://bit.ly/mst3k-update4
- If we reach $2M to #BringBackMST3K by 10:30am ET tomorrow, all backers @$35+ get 3 FREE BONUS EPISODES. Pledge now! http://bit.ly/mst3k-update4
- Want to help #BringBackMST3K but waiting to get paid? No need! Pledge NOW and you won't be charged until Dec 11th. http://bit.ly/mst3k-update4
Backer Mailbag #1. Plus, 5 Easy Ways You Can Help #BringBackMST3K!
over 10 years ago
– Sat, Nov 14, 2015 at 12:31:39 PM
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
5 BURNING Questions About #BringBackMST3K
over 10 years ago
– Thu, Nov 12, 2015 at 11:29:36 PM
People of Kickstarter:
It’s been 48 hours in Kickstarter Land for #BringBackMST3K, and we're almost 75% of the way to our first goal of $2MM and 3 episodes! If you've already joined in: thank you for giving us such a fantastic start.
Today’s update is important, because I know there are a lot of unanswered questions about this Kickstarter, and about the future of MST3K.
Questions like:
- Why do you need so much money to make MST3K? Isn't it cheap?
- Are you doing this alone? Where are the other MST3K writers and actors?
- Why is there a new cast? I want the old cast back.
- We've got Cinematic Titanic and Rifftrax. Who needs more MST3K?
- Is there a Santa Claus? If so, is he contributing to help bring back MST3K?
These are all good questions, so let's start with the tough one: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
Anyway, I know that these questions are still making some fans skeptical. I've seen all of the comments and questions here on Kickstarter. And Reddit. And Facebook. And Twitter. And... man, there's a whole lot of internet.
But hey, I get it. That's why I want to answer your questions the best I can.
If you're undecided about helping us #BringBackMST3K, I hope you'll take a few minutes to read this.
Question #1: Why do you need so much money?
Believe me, man. I hear you. If it really cost $2 million just to make three episodes, we'd be spending almost $700K per show! And you're right: by itself, an episode of MST3K doesn't cost nearly that much.
But the explanation is actually pretty simple:
A. We don't get to keep all of the money we raise on Kickstarter.
- Out of the first $2,000,000, we have to pay about 8% – that's $160,000 – in CAMPAIGN FEES to Kickstarter and the credit card processor.
- Then we have to cover all of the REWARD AND SHIPPING COSTS to design, produce, print, sort and ship all of the rewards we're offering in exchange for your pledge. (Those t-shirts aren't free, you know!) That costs about 27%, so that's another $540,000.
- We're not charging you twice for shipping, I promise. Even though Kickstarter asks you to add more for shipping after you pledge, they count that money toward the total we've raised, but we still have to spend that money on, you know... shipping!
- So, out of the first $2,000,000 we raise, we have to spend $700,000 just on the costs of this Kickstarter campaign!
B. Then, we have a lot of startup costs just to get the show into production.
To shoot new episodes, there's a lot we'll need to do up front: creating concept art and designs, building sets, making models, creating costumes, adding new features to upgrade the robots, and all sorts of other things. All of that work costs money, which is why that first $2,000,000 includes $550,000 for STARTUP COSTS. The good part is that every penny of that ends up on screen, where you can see it.
C. But... the more episodes we make, the less each episode costs!
We have to spend $550,000 up front, no matter how many episodes we make. If we only make 3 episodes, these costs increase the budget for each episode by $183K… but if we make a full 12, they only increase it by $46K each!
Anyway, once you take out the CAMPAIGN, REWARD and STARTUP COSTS, there's a lot less than $2M left.
In fact, that leaves just $750,000 for THREE FEATURE-LENGTH EPISODES OF MST3K, which – I hope – sounds a lot more reasonable than $2,000,000!
At the end of the day, our goal is to make each feature-length episode of MST3K for around $250,000.
To put that in perspective, that means we're spending less to create 90 minutes of MST3K than even the lower-end reality shows spend to make 22 minutes! (Really makes ya think, don't it?)
And remember: that $250K isn't just to hire our writers, cast and crew, or rent equipment and space. It also includes the cost of LICENSING MOVIE RIGHTS, and that can get pretty expensive. Which brings me to the last point:
D. If we want the best cheesy movies, we have to pay for them.
Right now, none of the movies I'd like to include in the next season are in the public domain. That means we have to pay the owner of each movie a substantial amount to include it on MST3K. That would be expensive no matter what... and that's before the owners realize what we're planning to do with them!
Now, I know that was a lot of detail. If you're as worn out from reading about this as I am from writing about it, here's a wicked cool graphic that sums the whole thing up:
I know not everyone will want this much explanation, but I'm asking you to trust me with your money, so I think it's important to be crystal clear about how we're using it.
Finally, if you're thinking that $250K per episode still sounds like a lot, remember: even in the ‘90s, an episode of MST3K cost us between $100K-200K, and with inflation, everything costs more now.
Plus, when MST3K started, we were able to get better rates. As the show got more popular, licensing cheesy movies suddenly began to cost us a lot more. Hmm...
Anyway, I hope $250,000 per episode feels more reasonable than "$2M for three, " which is how it might have sounded at first.
Question #2: What about everyone else? Are the other MST3K writers and actors coming back?
This is the hardest question to answer, because there are several moving pieces involved.
Right now, I don't know who will agree to come back and work on the next season of MST3K… but if the Kickstarter is successful, everyone will be invited to take part.
Until yesterday, I wasn't even sure this whole Kickstarter idea would work. I've reached out and spoken with some of the old cast and writers, but until I knew how much money we'd have to work with – and when we'd start writing and shooting – there was just no way to make the specific offers that I hope will bring many of them back.
Plus – as many of you know – so far, the old cast haven't been compensated as well as they (or I) might have liked. I wish I could go back and fix that, but if I'm going to ask them to participate in the next season, I want to be certain we can pay them what they deserve this time. As soon as we pass our initial goal of $2,000,000, I'm hoping to start making the invitations official, and I hope some of them will be able to join us before we start working in January.
But there's another thing I should say here:
As much as I love the old seasons, we're not just trying to make an "MST3K reunion episode." Even if we do get our entire old cast and staff to come help out, I think it's important – essential– that we bring in new talent to keep the show fresh, and to help it evolve.
To do that, it's important that we bring in the next Host, the next Mad, and the next robot voices. And if everything goes well, there'll be a dozen more after them. (I'll come back to this in the next question.)
At the same time, I'd love to work with the entire old team again. Mystery Science Theater 3000 became the show you know and love because our writers and actors were – and are – some of the smartest, funniest people I've ever worked with. If they have time to come back for the next season, I'll be so excited to work with them again.
But even if everyone comes back, we'll never be able to reproduce the magic of how those old episodes feel to you. No one ever could. People usually think that the “best year in music” was they year they turned eighteen. In the same way, the “best year of MST3K" – for you – will probably always be the year you turned 13, or 16, or 18, and your parents finally sprung for the good cable package. To misquote Rick James, nostalgia is a helluva drug. We can't compete with your memories, and it would be kind of silly to try.
But we can try to make something that today's kids (and adults!) can discover, that will give them the same feeling you once had. And hopefully give you long-time fans something new to enjoy, too. That's the goal, anyway.
3. Why is there a new cast? I want the old cast back. It's not MST3K without them.
I've gotten a lot of messages asking – or complaining – about the decision to bring in a new cast. This came up a few times on Tuesday during my Reddit AMA, but I don't know if I explained it as well as I'd like, so I want to take another minute to talk about this.
The funny thing is, this isn't the first time we've gotten these complaints.
When we first imagined Mystery Science Theater 3000 back in 1988, my hope was to launch a show that, in success, could be as enduring as Saturday Night Live. We had a simple format that could evolve over time, with each new generation of actors and writers finding their own take on the basic concept.
If MST3K hadn't gotten canceled fifteen years ago, it’s possible we could have had 4 or 5 hosts by now, and it would be just like Doctor Who: even if you had "your Doctor," you'd still be able to appreciate the different flavors that each new Host or Mad or robot added to the show. It's part of what makes a show like Doctor Who or SNL last. I’m a Tom Baker fan myself, and no one is funnier than Dan Aykroyd. (To me.)
The problem is that MST3K got canceled after just two hosts, and instead of becoming a proud tradition, some audiences started to see it as a competition between "Team Joel" and "Team Mike." I think that if MST3K had lasted long enough to have a third host, this wouldn't have happened. It makes me sad that it did.
When I first left MST3K and Mike took over as host, some of you said you were done watching – not because he was bad, but because he was different. Then, once the shock wore off, a lot of you realized he brought something new and great to the job. Many of you even liked his episodes better! And when Kevin took over as Tom Servo, there was hate mail, but for many of you he became the definitive Servo! I could go on.
So yeah, we've been through this before, and I get it. Different can be scary, especially if you really loved the old seasons. But just think: if you had never given Mike or Kevin or Bill or Frank or Mary Jo a chance in their roles, you'd have almost 100 fewer episodes of MST3K to enjoy today. I'm not asking you to like the next cast better than the last one, but I hope you'll give them a chance, and see what they can do.
Then, when their time is up, I hope you'll give the next cast a chance too.
Anyway, I think we've found great new people to act as our next Host, Mad, Crow and Servo, and I'll introduce you to all of them before the end of our Kickstarter. And if the old cast are up for it, we'll look for ways to bring their old characters back for cameos. (Anything's possible! Even Servo and Crow could have "software glitches" from time to time and temporarily boot with their older personalities.) But the reason I hope a lot of the old team will come back is to help guide the next generation as they learn the ropes.
Here's the thing: I don't want us to make a whole different MST3K. We love the old seasons for a reason, and so did you. But I also don't want us to make the same exact MST3K again either.
As I've said before, it's like Heisenberg's uncertainty principle as applied to MST3K: if it doesn't change, it's not the same show. So to stay the same, we need to keep changing. Make sense?
4. Cinematic Titanic and Rifftrax are great. Who needs new MST3K?
To me, this has been the weirdest question to try and answer, because some people are acting like we're asking you to choose between Cinematic Titanic, Rifftrax and MST3K, or to convince you that MST3K is the "one true riffing show." And guys, this might be why we can't have nice things.
With Rifftrax, Mike, Bill and Kevin have brought riffing to a whole new set of movies, by finding a way to riff the kinds of flicks we were never able to include in – or afford for – MST3K. And they're great at it!
Cinematic Titanic was all about a live riffing experience that performers could share with fans in the house. It was an incredible thing to be part of, and even with so many great MST3K veterans involved, it still had a completely different flavor.
I will always support good riffing, and the world will always need more riffing – especially under the imminent Trump/Carson Administration. Plus, it's exciting to watch so many MST3K vets out there doing their thing, and making people laugh, in whatever form they enjoy most. We're better off with more riffing shows out in the wild – and even if our old team comes back, they'll still be free to continue their other projects.
But I know there's still a place for Mystery Science Theater 3000 right there next to them, because the world will be more fun – and more bearable – with Crow, Servo, the Mads, and more cheesy B-movies.
No one is asking you to pick between Rifftrax and MST3K, and no one ever will. There's room for both of them.
5. Is there really a Santa Claus?
Droppo, you are the laziest man on Mars.
Anyway, that was a lot to read, but I think it was important to tell you all of that. If you made it this far, I hope I've eased your mind.
If you have more questions, I want to make sure I'm answering them, so please be sure to post in the comments. And if this all makes sense to you, I hope you'll help share these explanations with others, when you see them asking these questions.
I'll have something fun to share with you tomorrow.
Cheers and Thanks,
Joel
