Watch Mystery Science Theater 3000

Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) is a comedic television show that premiered in 1988 and aired until 1999. The show originally aired on KTMA in Minneapolis, Minnesota, before being picked up by Comedy Central and eventually moving to Syfy (previously known as Sci-Fi Channel).

MST3K follows the story of a man named Joel Robinson (played by Joel Hodgson), who is trapped aboard a spaceship called the Satellite of Love. He is forced to watch B movies by his captors, two mad scientists named Dr. Clayton Forrester (played by Trace Beaulieu) and Dr. Laurence Erhardt (played by Josh Weinstein). To cope with the terrible movies, Joel and his robot companions, Tom Servo (voiced by Kevin Murphy) and Crow T. Robot (voiced by Trace Beaulieu), provide running commentary and jokes throughout the film.

The concept of the show is simple, yet effective. As Joel and the robots watch the terrible movies, they make amusing and clever comments, often poking fun at the film's plot, acting, dialogue, and special effects. They also perform skits and musical numbers during breaks in the film, adding to the humor and keeping things fresh.

Throughout the show's run, the cast of characters evolved, with Joel being replaced by Mike Nelson (played by Michael J. Nelson) in the fifth season. The team of robots surrounding Mike also shifted, with new additions like Pearl Forrester (played by Mary Jo Pehl) joining the cast in later seasons.

Aside from the humor and witty commentary, MST3K also had a devoted following due to the types of movies they featured. The films were often low-budget, poorly made, and obscure, making for a unique viewing experience. Some of the movies featured on the show include The Brain That Wouldn't Die, Manos: The Hands of Fate, and Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

MST3K was not without its controversies. In 1995, Comedy Central canceled the show due to low ratings, but after a massive letter-writing campaign from fans, it was brought back for a sixth season. Additionally, some of the films featured on the show were not public domain, leading to legal issues and the removal of certain episodes from DVD releases.

Despite these obstacles, MST3K became a cult classic and has continued to resonate with audiences over the years. The show's unique brand of humor and love of all things cheesy and ridiculous has inspired countless other comedy shows, movies, and podcasts.

In conclusion, Mystery Science Theater 3000 is a beloved comedic television show that is still celebrated by fans today. Its clever commentary, live-action skits, and quirky characters made for a one-of-a-kind viewing experience that has stood the test of time.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 is a series that ran for 13 seasons (226 episodes) between November 19, 1989 and on Syfy