#Mystery Science Theater 3000

[mst3kgifs]

Special effects by Billy.

[frank-bennedetto]

I don't have a name for it but to me all these are all in the same genre of something

Like its a vague but distinct flavor of sureal, pseudo-childish, low-fi/indie/low budget, high effort pulp nerd goodness (feel free to add)

[gameraboy2]

Mystery Science Theater 3000, "Godzilla vs. Megalon"

[hibernobritonicdrunk]

[seizethedeansofproduction]

they're like the Beatles for people obsessed with one specific aspect of pop culture

[macmanx]

The Real Crow

[sweaterkittensahoy]

One of the greatest lessons I've ever learned from MST3k is that people will always find a way to make art.

Is it always art I want to see? No. is it art I personally consider good? No. Is it something I would even personally call art? Nope.

But here's what MST3k made clear: There are so many fucking movies that exist because they MATTER to someone. Sometimes only ONE someone, but they cared so fucking much, a piece of art exists.

Is Monster A Go-Go good? Not from any way you could measure it. But is it art made by someone who loved what they were doing? YES. To the point that the script got re-written when after years of trying to finish it, a star went bald, and the writers went, "Okay, well now you're your own brother."

Eraserhead, a b-movie classic, was created on a similar timeframe.

But David Lynch is a fucking master of weird and confusing, and the team behind A Go-Go were not.

But at the end of the day, there's still a movie, goddamnit.

And there are so many "bad" movies that exist because they were made by people who simply loved their art. Ed Wood couldn't cut anything he ever filmed because he loved all that film. Bert I. Gordon had no budget but made his special effects interesting and fun. Russ Meyer loved titties, and he fucking delivered on titties.

Are any of these works a masterclass in film making? No. But a masterclass in love and devotion? Yes.

And, truly, MST3k falls under the same umbrella. A cheap, weird little show that has maintained and grown while keeping its overall sensibility. A love letter to bad movies by ribbing them to a level they deserve. By loving them so much they can't stop ribbing them.

MST3k taught me more about loving art than so many of the things that were meant to teach me about loving art.

[brightlotusmoon]

My friend just shared some amazing lore on Mystery Science Theater 3000.

"Mike Nelson joined the cast in the very early days of the internet becoming mainstream in common households. Fans of the show would argue on MST3K message boards about who was better - Mike or Joel.

Mike would go on the message boards anonymously and make long posts about how Joel was better than Mike.

Just to keep fans fighting.

He understood the internet before the internet understood itself."

[randomthunk]

Every January I reach the point where I've been watching a constant stream of MST3K episodes since Thanksgiving, so I just have to draw something. Dr. Forrester is fun since he has such a strong look, including a ponytail in the early seasons because mullets.

[greentrickster]

Real talk, TV openings kind of peaked with MST3K, just because it's the only show set in space that dared to look its viewers in the eye and say, "If you're wondering how he eats and breathes, and other science facts? Repeat to yourself 'it's just a show, I should really just relax!'" Absolute god-tier nonsense that both perfectly encapsulates the tone of the show and also preemptively lets you know what kind of goofiness you're in for, 10/10, no notes!

[cowabummers]

The sad outcome of many sarcasm overdoses

[mst3kgifs]

Well, it was a pretty good cult, but hockey season's startin' an' all...

[frank-bennedetto]

Homestar Runner, Mystery Science Theater and Space Ghost Coast to Coast is superwholock for people who listen to They Might Be Giants

[gameraboy2]

Mystery Science Theater 3000, "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians"

[atomic-chronoscaph]

Merry Christmas… If That's Okay - Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1993)

[dontsnortpixiestix]

Some Crows