MST3K Returns!

[lhb412]

HA! Season 12 coming to Netflix!

They did a cute little fakeout at the end of the marathon where there was no announcement, what appeared to be the last host segment ended, a few commercials aired - then back to Joel for the surprise annoucement!

[O.Supreme]

I didn't get to watch the marathon, but I did see a news blurb. Nice!. Well since Netflix is funding it, and not crowdfunded, I wonder if it will come sooner, or will we still have to wait another 2 years....I hope the "not too distant future" really is what it claims to be.

[lhb412]

I'm hoping for a 30th anniversary special!

[Benjamin Haines]

That's awesome. I've been watching episodes of the revival this year and it's terrific. It's not exactly like the older seasons just by virtue of being two decades removed and having a different cast but the heart of the show is totally there. This is the perfect kind of series to get 14 new episodes and make them last throughout the year instead of watching them all within a couple weeks. I imagine a lot of viewers have opted for that instead of the binge-watching method and I'm glad that hasn't discouraged Netflix from renewing the show for another season.

The selection of movies for this first revival season was marvelous. I wonder what they'll secure for the next one. I know Godzilla and Gamera films are probably out of the question but I would love to see them riff on some more giant monster flicks, maybe The X From Outer Space or even something like Konga.

[lhb412]

^Yeah, MST3K isn't something you binge: you watch and episode here and there. I imagine Netflix, who hold algorithms as sacred, were a bit confused by the difference in MST3K's audience when compared for all their other shows, which probably get okay views throughout a year but make up the majority of their traffic the month a new season drops.

Another thing that probably postponed the renewal: Shout Factory is actually positioning to make itself something of a studio, creating content instead of just distributing it. I imagine that made the talks between them and Netflix more complex.

[O.Supreme]

I wonder if S!F will release season 11 on DVD? Since Vol XXXIX just came out (presumably the last until other rights can be obtained), and re-releases of the Rhino sets will be completed probably within the next 2 years. I know they've said they've pretty much exhausted all their resources at this time, but in 2 years who knows, they may be able to secure rights to a few more of those films.

I think a progression-trough-time set would be kind of cool. a 5 episode set Joel's 1st and last, Mikes 1st and last, and Jonah's 1st would be kind of neat.

Oh also I don't know if anybody knew about this, but there is a 12 film set that was released back in August by S!F of Cineamtic Titanic. Now while I don't think its quite as good as MST3K, or Rifftrax, its still a pretty good deal, especially for the price. It's on my wish list.

https://www.amazon.com/Cinematic-Titani ... collection

[jellydonut25]

Wouldn’t Netflix release the new season?

[O.Supreme]

I understand how my above statement could have been confused. I edited it. I meant to ask if the previously *new * season (The first one with Jonah aka season 11...) would eventually be released on dvd at some point?

[lhb412]

^People who pledged a certain amount on Kickstarter have actually just received the Season 11 Blu-Ray set from Shout Factory. Nice packaging, special features and everything! I think it's almost certain to receive wide release later - perhaps around the time the next season premiers?

[O.Supreme]

^Did they release it on Blu Ray and DVD...just saw a couple DVD sets on ebay, they are pricey, understandably so. I'll wait for the general release. Nice they got it all in one set though.

**Wow looks like there was also a single release Reptilicus VHS.... NOSTALGIA WINS

[lhb412]

Yeah, in the style of the original Rhino video VHS tapes!

[lhb412]

Shout Factory's store lists the Season 11 DVD/Blu-Ray release for April:

https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/my ... ct_id=6685

[lhb412]

Season 12 has started filming. It's only six episodes and it may feature some sort of continuing storyline or some such to connect the episodes and better fit within Netflix's binging model, according to the always coy Joel.

I'm fine with seasons half the length of Season 11. I enjoyed the new season, but think the frenzy of shooting 14 episodes back-to-back in a very short amount of time shows in its more awkward moments. More time for the performers to relax and settle into that somewhat casual MST groove is a good thing in my book.

[O.Supreme]

I wish we got more episodes, but Netflix is doing this more and more often. I've seen this mostly with 30 minute shows. Instead of releasing 13 all at once they'll give you 7, then the other 6 a couple months later, they'll call it "2 seasons",but we know its really one.

If it means getting 6 episodes a year, as opposed to getting 14 episodes, then waiting 2 years, I guess Im OK with that.

[Benjamin Haines]

The previous 14 episodes were funded by the Kickstarter campaign. I guess six episodes per year is the most that Netflix is willing to finance.

I'm just glad that the show is still going. It's still so surreal that MST3K returned in the first place!

[lhb412]

Season 12 drops on (what else?) Turkey Day!

https://news.avclub.com/exclusive-myste ... rb_6jtXgpj

[Gentleman]

The first season was disappointing to me. I'll watch the new eps, but I wasn't one of those clamoring for more. I'll end up feeling either vindicated or pleasantly surprised. Any idea what movies they're doing?

[jellydonut25]

I thought the Reptilicus episode was bad. Really disappointing since MST3K is usually gold with kaiju stuff.

It seemed to find its footing almost immediately after that though, and I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the season.

[lhb412]

Riffing is a particular skill. It took them three seasons to really get into the grove for classic MST3K, so I'm forgiving for them not being experts right away. Still, I think Cry Wilderness, Avalanche, and Wizards of the Lost Kingdom are excellent episodes of MST3K.

[O.Supreme]

I love the new season, but I agree the Reptilicus episode wasn't that funny. Possibly the weakest of that new season. Which, as you said jelly, WAS disappointing because I love giant monsters on MST3K, and gave me pause on what we might be getting.

But yeah Cry Wilderness made it all better, I don't know if Reptilicus was truly their first movie, and they suffered from lack of cohesion, or writing jitters , or what... but after that slight misfire, they seemed to be going on all cylinders. Yonggary, The Land that Time Forgot, At the Earth's Core (some of my childhood favorites), they riffed very well, and have probably watched 3 or 4 times each.

I was hoping season 12 would drop sooner or later, definitely gives me something to look forward to. But with only a few episodes, I'm sure I will have burned through them all by the end of the long weekend.

[Psycho Soldier]

It took me a minute to remember American Thanksgiving is a month after Canadian Thanksgiving. Just imagine: if you celebrated holidays properly down there, we could have the new season two weeks from now!

Jokes aside, I'm looking forward to it. After The Beast of Hollow Mountain, I think Season 11 solidified into a more traditional MST3K feel. I enjoyed the rapid-fire riffs of the earlier episodes to a degree (especially during the fistfight in Beast), but I think the show benefits from restraint overall.

[O.Supreme]

I know they keep the list of episodes pretty close to the chest until release day, but if one of the six episodes could be ANY of three the Showa Gamera films they didn't riff previously, that would be wonderful. Empire of the Ants, Gargoyles (1972), X From Outer Space, People that Time Forgot, Warlords of Atlantis would all be great choices as well.

[Benjamin Haines]

The Hollywood Reporter, 10/09/2018:

Creator Joel Hodgson talks about the rise of “riff” culture and how it led to the creation of social television.

[Henry88]

and the movies for S12droped or at least that is the word

[Gentleman]