Ever since there were movies, there have been people making fun of movies. But nobody made it quite as much of an art as Mystery Science Theater 3000, a T.V. show based on the concept that old movies are hilarious in their proper context. Founded by comedian Joel Hodgson and a few friends, the show existed for an entire season on a tiny network before it was picked up by The Comedy Channel (now Comedy Central). As Kevin Murphy, the longest-lasting cast member, put it: “they were looking for something to fill their airtime, and that was our main advantage - if nothing else, we were long.”

And they were. Even paring the movies down as much as possible, they still ended up with an hour and twenty minutes of filler for the Comedy Channel. Before long, this “filler” became a phenomenon.

Featuring a wide range of movies, from The Touch of Satan to The Killer Shrews, Mystery Science Theater 3000 (or MST3K) quickly became a cult hit, running for ten seasons before its untimely cancellation.

Trivia Tidbit

What was Joel Hodgson’s last episode as host, before he was replaced by Mike Nelson?

a. Catalina Caper
b. Diabolik
c. The Brain That Wouldn’t Die
d. Mitchell

(Highlight below for answer.)

d. Mitchell.

If you’re one of the show’s many rabid fans, first, join me in this expression of solidarity: I THOUGHT YOU WERE DALE! Then, play some Mystery Science Theater 3000 trivia. Push the button, Frank.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Categories: Movie stories //