MovieChat Forums > Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988) Discussion > In Bob We Trust: IS MST3K STILL RELEVANT...

In Bob We Trust: IS MST3K STILL RELEVANT?

posted 9 years ago by ebertfan92
5 replies | jump to latest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTY3wj4GixA

Aside from that really condescending way he tried to explain TV to millennials (seriously, I know he thinks his audience is a bunch of dumb teenagers but I think they're smart enough to know what a living room is), he has a point. MST3k was so instrumental in shaping the riffing culture that permeates the internet nowadays (without it we wouldn't have AVGN, Red Letter Media, Zero Punctuation or 90% of Channel Awesome) that releasing it now seems kind of passe. It's kind of like when they decided to make movies out of The Giver and Ender's Game in the midst of the YA novel craze. I don't doubt that it won't be anticipated since it's already has a built in audience, but I do worry about how it will do compared to its offspring, or even its past self.

RIP Roger Ebert
1942-2013

[–] fritzfassbender 9 years ago

I am very afraid that for that very reason the show will have no choice but to go into more risque humor, sort of like when Ren & Stimpy returned years back. Otherwise, I think it will be more like Fuller House: lots of hype, a little bit of amusement, quickly forgotten.

Plus, the problem I have with an MST3K remake is that there is an element of dismissal of the original performers, as if any persons with comic talent can make the concept work. As the Internet has gone out of its way to prove, 99.9% of people making fun of movies do not have the chops that the innovators of MST3K had (and in some cases, still do).

I don't think this remake will necessarily be a disaster, but I just don't see how it can succeed in the way that certain fans believe it will.

[–] Jangobadass 9 years ago

Probably not, but still fun :)

[–] stewie-3 9 years ago

I am very afraid that for that very reason the show will have no choice but to go into more risque humor, sort of like when Ren & Stimpy returned years back.

That's been my biggest fear about the new show, as well. Hopefully that won't be the case.

[–] farmerphil77 9 years ago

without it we wouldn't have AVGN, Red Letter Media

For a brief moment it sounded like we'd be better off if MST3K never happened.

[–] phlbrq58 8 years ago

My exposure to the youtubes listed is limited and I simply dismissed them as lame, juvenile and unfunny. Mst3k never occurred to me as responsible for them or that they're imitative. Mst3k riffing is like jazz, the timing is so important. Wit, wise cracks just get you into to the room. FYI, I found a non commercial stream channel,'24/7mst3k' includes Cinematic T. Its a special talent Best Brains have and I have hope for the reboot. I still find the shows comforting. I'm not part of the staggering $5mil. The Reunion rifftrax event was very satisfying. Mike Nelson's solo rifftrax on Roadhouse is a favorite and recommended. Keep circ...nah, ya' had to be there.