Mystery Science Theater 3000: The RiffTrax Experiments
RiffTrax is teaming up with Shout! Studios to bring four new Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes to life, with a Kickstarter campaign already live to support production updates and fan engagement. The four new installments will carry the working title Mystery Science Theater 3000: The RiffTrax Experiments, and will see the return of longtime MST3K alumni in key creative roles.
The project is led by RiffTrax veterans Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett. Nelson will reprise his on-screen Mike Nelson persona, Murphy will reprise Tom Servo and also bring back Professor Bobo, and Corbett will again portray Crow T. Robot along with Brain Guy. Mary Jo Pehl is slated to return as Pearl Forrester, continuing the revival-era cast.
Nelson expressed excitement about revisiting the Satellite of Love: “Returning to MST3K after all this time feels incredibly energizing, and I have to admit I missed standing beside those quirky puppets.” The Kickstarter, now open through March 16, aims to raise $20,000 to mark RiffTrax’s 20th anniversary, though the shows will be produced regardless of the campaign total.
The four films to be riffed will be announced gradually during the campaign. Filming will occur in Minneapolis, where the original show was shot, with new episodes slated to premiere later this year on RiffTrax’s platform. True to MST3K tradition, the productions will lean on affordable, practical sets and props reminiscent of the classic series.
Matt Arsulich, associate vice president of product management at Shout! Studios (a Radial Entertainment company), commented on the collaboration: “This partnership brings Mike, Kevin, and Bill back to the Satellite of Love for a new MST3K era, and reinforces our commitment to delivering compelling storytelling to dedicated fandoms.”
Nelson, Corbett, and Murphy have operated under the RiffTrax banner since 2006, riffing everything from shorts to blockbuster hits and cult curios. They also frequently stage live riffing events, giving fans a chance to hear their commentary performed in front of an audience.
This announcement follows news that original series creator Joel Hodgson recently sold his stake in MST3K to Radial Entertainment’s parent company, Shout! Studios. Hodgson had previously spearheaded the 2015 revival, which funded a new season via Kickstarter and led to additional seasons on Netflix and The Gizmoplex, including onscreen appearances by Corbett, Murphy, and Pehl.
Originally launching in 1988 on a Minneapolis UHF station, MST3K grew from its early host-and-pidgin-puppet schtick into a nationwide cult hit, moving through Comedy Central and finally the Sci-Fi Channel (now Syfy) before its initial run ended in 1999 after 197 episodes. The feature film Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie arrived in 1996, riffing on This Island Earth.