I'm linking the following NOT with the intent or hopes anyone will donate, but merely as evidence it's actually happening and not just some fan brewed rumor.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mst3k/bringbackmst3k

Actually there had been some "buzz" for some time of a crowd funded revival when Joel himself mentioned the notion in an interview for "Wired" Magazine. But that was well over a year ago and proposed projects can certainly "peter out" and quietly fade away. But the fact Joel and his "crew" have started a crowd funding campaign (with the minimum goal already exceeded at 150 percent and two week to go), well, it just might reach that upper goalwhich will guarantee a season of 12 episodes.

Yeah, if one just enjoys the "heckling" aspect, "RiffTrax" certainly provides the laughs, but fans like me, well, I adore the 'Bots and the "host segments" they provided when not sealed in the theater. While alumni of the original Best Brains troupe have been invited to return, Joel Hodgson is being realistic an knows they might prefer continuing their own projects. So, with that in mind, Joel is turning to new talent. The new host (read: satellite "captive") has been selected, Jonah Ray, co-host of "The Nerdist" podcast. Crow will be performed by stand up comedian Hmapton Yount (who sounds amazingly like Trace in the promotional videos) and Baron Vaughn will puppteer Tom Servo. Felicia Day is the newest in the Forrester lineage. In fact, she'll play Clayton's daughter! At the time of this posting, we don't yet know who will play her minion.

I know this may seen unsettling for a good number of old time MySTies, but Joel reminds us in the promos there was continual (if gradual) "rollover" of cast, characters and writers. He does try to make it sound that was part of an overall "plan" during the original series, which, well, isn't exactly true. But I won't begrudge him "tweaking" history just a bit if he help him sell the idea of a new creative team and ease the "worries" of us "old timers".

Anyway, to make this at least somewhat Poser related, I've included a render featuring Alt1701's freebies of Gypsy, Tom Servo and Crow available at ShareCG. The Satellite of Love's bridge is a little piece of sh...inola from lil' ol' me. The "test subject is my OC, K'th. I'm not sure the 'Bots know what to make of her. ;-)

Sincerely,

Bill

At the time of this post, it is down to the last 29 hours. A tad over 4.5 million dollars has so far been raised, thus guaranteeing a season of 9 episodes. If Hodgson and company can raise another million during the day day, they can budget 12 full length episodes.

Several notable people in the entertainment history, both those known in front of the camera and those behind are getting involved. Adam Savage of MythBusters will serve as an engineering consultant, helping the crew to design "practical effects" type props. Rebecca Sugar, creator of "Steven Universe" and Pendleton Ward, creator of "Adventure Time" will produce some animation. Mark Hamill, yes, THAT Mark Hamill, wants to do a cameo! Jack Black, Neil Patrick Harris and even Jerry Seinfeld have expressed interest in appearing on the show!

Financially, the show is a done deal, having reached the minimum 2 million the other week. It now just boils down to number of episodes they can produce. Will it be 9, or can they afford 12? If Joel's team reaches that magic number, that will hopefully convince a major production backer (a network or streaming service) to "foot" additional seasons.

Sincerely,

Bill

I've spent many an hour watching those guys rip those old sci fi B movies. It would be nice if they could bring it back, even if it's short lived. While I can't donate, I would certainly watch it if they could bring it back.

Though I knew OF the series earlier, I was not able to watch any episodes until it migrated to the SciFi Channel in 1997. Basically, my cable service did not carry Comedy Central, at least not until it had dropped MST3K. Around the same time I watched the VHS release of the movie (riffing "This Island Earth") and I eventually purchased "Mitchell" and "The Brain That Couldn't Die" because those were the episodes that bid farewell to Joel and introduced Mike. But it wasn't until the last couple of years that I finally saw the rest of the CC era broadcasts. I discovered a "portal" site that linked all the episodes hosted upon various streaming services. I started with CC-101 "The Crawling Eye", the first nationally cable-cast episode and worked my way to the series finale that riffed "Diabolik", depicting Mike's return to Earth. On average, I watched an episode each Saturday and Sunday. With a nearly 200 episode run, that took a little less than 2 years.

Basically, I arrived "late in the game", but I finally caught up within the last few years.

In fact, I love the concept enough to acquire these fellows!

Now, they're not originals actually used on the show, but exactingly detailed replicas by a merchant selling them on eBay. As they are exact recreations, they have the same puppet functions.

Sincerely,

Bill

Well, Joel Hodgson and his staff did it! Not only did they reach their hoped for upper goal of 5.5 million, they surpassed it by a quater million. The final KickStarter total was 5,764,229 dollars! But, when you count a supplimental fundraiser not directly linked to KickStarter but still associated with funding an MST3K revival raised an additional 600,000 dollars, the grand total tipped 6.3 million! That guarantees not just the hoped for 12 episodes, but 2 more, one of those described as a "Patrick Swayse Christmas Special" (inspired by a one-shot skit from the classic series that turned into something of a meme among fans.)

Because they are budgeted to produce 14 episodes, this revival "season" will be longer than seasons 1, 2 and 7 of the Comedy Central broadcasts and seasons 9 and 10 of the SciFi Channel years, or, half the years of the entire series.

Now, unless plans change, is is not Joel's intention that fans crowdfund additional seasons. This was primarily a demonstration. Hodgson can now say to a potentially interested network, "See? There are fans interested enough to 'invest' in a new series. If you 'invest' in additional seasons, you'll reap the benefits of viewer loyalty."

So, now that Joel's crew have the financial resources, now comes the hard part of actually producing the episodes. What movies will they "riff"? I have no idea. How will the sets look; what kind of "host segments" will they create? Again, I haven't the foggiest. But if hodegson does as he did during the fundraiser, he'll trickle out "tidbits" to keep fans intrigued. That was one of the most noted things about this kickStarter, the fact Joel kept fans in the loop, continually providing "backstage" information every few days. Some claim he's been one of the best host/organizers KickStarter has had. Let's hope that continues as the show develops.

It has been an interesting month!

Sincerely,

Bill