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GEEK: MST3K Returns To Our Screens (Though It Never Left Our Hearts)
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?
(Written by: _DictionaryGirl_)
(via Jason’s shared items in Google Reader)