NOTE: This is not an April Fool’s joke.
Big news on the geek horizon today, as Rifftrax, the movie-riffing team composed of former Mystery Science Theater 3000 cast members/writers Michael J. Nelson, Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy, hit its latest Kickstarter goal to riff a former classic MST3k episode, Time Chasers. Bigger news than that single show, however, is the bonus that comes along with the Rifftrax event—a full MST3k cast reunion, which is happening on June 28, livecast to theaters around the country. The Kickstarter cruised pretty easily past its $225,000 goal, currently sitting at $288,000 with a full week left to pad its total. It’s not quite the record-breaking $6.3 million that the new MST3k reboot brought in at the end of 2015, but it’s no small chunk of change, either.
A full MST3k cast reunion has long been an ephemeral, hard-to-broach topic and goal. It’s the kind of cult show where fans have endlessly speculated in the years since its cancellation about hurt feelings, invisible feuds and etc, etc, etc. As original hosts Joel Hodgson and Mike Nelson each formed their own post-MST3k riffing projects, a certain combativeness was always implied, even if it didn’t exist. But now, finally, the whole group will be brought back together for what will surely be an emotional reunion. Those members will include:
Joel Hodgson (Joel Robinson)
Michael J. Nelson (Mike Nelson)
Kevin Murphy (Tom Servo),
Bill Corbett (Crow T. Robot),
Frank Conniff (TV’s Frank),
Trace Beaulieu (Dr. Clayton Forrester, Crow T. Robot),
Mary Jo Pehl (Pearl Forrester)
Bridget Nelson (Nuveena, Mr. B Natural)
Jonah Ray (Jonah Heston, new character on the MST3k reboot)
Quite the all-star lineup. According to the Rifftrax Kickstarter, the live-streamed show will primarily focus on riffing short films, in the style that MST3k loved to eviscerate, ‘ala “Hired!” or “A Date With Your Family.”
The MST3k Reunion Show will be a night to remember: A cavalcade of goofy educational short films like the ones often riffed on the show, and that we continue to riff over at RiffTrax. Our old colleagues from MST3k will each join us on stage to joke around and riff a short or two. We may not have the puppets or costumes, but we will have a blast.
There’ll be a ton of funny stuff which we’re still figuring out, but we know for sure you’ll get a night of amazing and hilarious shorts riffed of course by our own – Mike, Kevin and Bill. Bridget and Mary Jo, who have been a big hit on RiffTrax, will team up; Frank and Trace will dazzle you with their awesome comedic talents, and Jonah Ray and Joel Hodgson round out the cast as they riff a short together. Then, prepare yourselves for the grand finale: a SUPER RIFF-A-PALOOZA with all the guests at once!
The whole thing will be filmed live in front of a big crowd at the State Theater in downtown Minneapolis, and simulcast to 700+ theaters all across the U.S. (and, if possible, Canada!). Then MST3k fans all across North America will meet up in theaters to enjoy the show! We’ll also sponsor a cosplay contest, with winners to be announced live during the show that very night!
Tickets will go on sale April 15 through Fathom, in the same style as any of the previous Rifftrax Live events. And check out our November interview with Joel Hodgson for more information on the upcoming MST3k reboot series that we’re intensely anticipating.
