Editing Mystery Science Theater 3000 (section)

==Production history==
===Concept===
Hodgson is credited for devising the show's concept. Prior to the show, Hodgson was an up-and-coming comedian from Minneapolis having moved to Los Angeles and made appearances on ''[[Late Night with David Letterman]]'' and ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/guest-performance---joel-hodgson/n9144| title = Watch Saturday Night Live Highlight: Guest Performance - Joel Hodgson| website = NBC| access-date = November 5, 2020| archive-date = November 12, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041916/https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/guest-performance---joel-hodgson/n9144| url-status = live}}</ref> He had been invited by [[Brandon Tartikoff]] to be on an [[NBC]] sitcom co-starring [[Michael J. Fox]], but Hodgson felt the material was not funny and declined (the proposed sitcom went unrealized).<ref name="wapost dflicks">{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1993/10/17/d-flicks-two-bots-new-host/37c7fe85-53de-4d93-8d52-c4f2b9895691/ | title = 'D' FLICKS, TWO 'BOTS, NEW HOST | first = Harriet | last = Winslow | date = October 17, 1993 | access-date = May 20, 2016 | newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] | archive-date = June 24, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160624133129/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1993/10/17/d-flicks-two-bots-new-host/37c7fe85-53de-4d93-8d52-c4f2b9895691/ | url-status = live }}</ref> He further became dissatisfied with the Hollywood attitudes when they tried to double their offer, acquiring what he called a "healthy disrespect" for the industry.<ref name="wired history"/><ref name="nytimes 2008">{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/arts/television/09dave.html | title = The Show That Turned the Mockery Into the Message | first = Dave | last = Itzkoff | date = November 9, 2008 | access-date = December 2, 2015 | work = [[The New York Times]] | archive-date = April 7, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170407225443/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/arts/television/09dave.html | url-status = live }}</ref> He moved back to [[Minneapolis-Saint Paul|Minneapolis-St. Paul]], taking a job in a T-shirt printing factory that allowed him to conceive of new comedy ideas while he was bored. One such idea was the basis of ''MST3K'', a show to comment humorously on movies and that would also allow him to showcase his own [[prop comedy]]-style humor.<ref name="wired history"/> Hodgson referred to these jokes as "riffs", based both on the idea of [[Ostinato#Riff|musical riffs]] as well as the idea of comedy riffs, a term he attributes to ''[[The Simpsons]]''{{'}}s writer [[Dana Gould]].<ref name="thr 2018">{{cite web | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/mystery-science-theater-3000-30th-anniversary-joel-hodgson-interview-1150408/ | title = 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' at 30: How Riffing on Bad Movies Anticipated Social Media | first = Mike | last = Bloom | date = October 9, 2018 | access-date = March 5, 2022 | work = [[The Hollywood Reporter]] | archive-date = March 5, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220305192403/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/mystery-science-theater-3000-30th-anniversary-joel-hodgson-interview-1150408/ | url-status = live }}</ref> In terms of movie selection, Hodgson had recalled that his college roommate had a copy of ''[[The Golden Turkey Awards]]'', and he had previously wondered why no one had made any program about these "adorable, weird movies" listed within it.<ref name="avclub turkey day">{{cite web | url = https://www.avclub.com/mst3k-turkey-day-and-30-years-of-taking-over-the-worl-1830417970 | title = MST3K, Turkey Day, and 30 years of taking over the world before pie is served | first = Erik | last = Adams | date = November 15, 2018 | access-date = November 15, 2018 | work = [[The A.V. Club]] | archive-date = July 27, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210727213814/https://www.avclub.com/mst3k-turkey-day-and-30-years-of-taking-over-the-worl-1830417970 | url-status = live }}</ref>

[[File:Liner notes ive seen that movie too.jpg|thumb|right|The illustration for the song "I've Seen That Movie Too" in the liner notes of [[Elton John]]'s ''[[Goodbye Yellow Brick Road]]'', from which Hodgson took inspiration for ''MST3K''{{'}}s theme and approach]]
Hodgson said that part of the idea for ''MST3K'' came from the illustration for the song "I've Seen That Movie Too" (drawn by Mike Ross) in the [[liner notes]] from [[Elton John]]'s ''[[Goodbye Yellow Brick Road]]'' album, showing silhouettes of a couple sitting in a theater watching ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind]]''.<ref name="wired history"/> Hodgson also likened the show's setting to the idea of a [[pirate radio]] station broadcasting from space.<ref name="vv 25th"/> Hodgson credits ''[[Silent Running]]'', a 1972 science-fiction film directed by [[Douglas Trumbull]], as being perhaps the biggest direct influence on the show's concept. The film is set in the future and centers on a human, Freeman Lowell ([[Bruce Dern]]), who is the last crew member of a spaceship containing Earth's last surviving forests. His remaining companions consist only of three robot drones. ''MST3K'' and the Joel Robinson character occasionally reflected Lowell's [[hippie]]-like nature.<ref name="wired history"/><ref name="art of the title">{{cite web | url = http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/mystery-science-theater-3000/ | title = Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1998) | website = [[Art of the Title]] | first1 = Jonathan | last1 = Dube | first2 = Will | last2 = Perkins | date = December 19, 2011 | access-date = December 2, 2015 | archive-date = December 8, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208173324/http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/mystery-science-theater-3000/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Hodgson wanted the feel of the show to appear homemade, and cited the example of a crude mountain prop used during the ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' sketch "Night on Freak Mountain" that received a humorous reaction from the studio audience as the type of aesthetic he wanted for the show.<ref name="art of the title"/> Hodgson had made dozens of such robots from random parts before as art that he sold to friends and others, and knew he could incorporate that into the show.<ref name="ign migizi"/>

Both old movies and music inspired several of the show's character names as developed by Hodgson. The show's name came from the promotional phrase "Mystery Scientist" used by magician [[Harlan Tarbell]] and a play on the name of [[Sun Ra]]'s band, the Myth Science Arkestra.<ref name="art of the title"/> The "3000" was added to spoof the common practice of adding "2000" to show and product names in light of then-upcoming 21st century, and Hodgson thought it would set his show apart to make it "3000".<ref name="art of the title"/> Dr. Forrester was named after [[Doctor Clayton Forrester (War of the Worlds)|the main character]] of ''[[The War of the Worlds (1953 film)|The War of the Worlds]]''. The ''Satellite of Love'' was named after the [[Satellite of Love|song of the same name]] by [[Lou Reed]].<ref name="vv 25th">{{cite news | url = http://www.villagevoice.com/music/talking-mystery-science-theater-3000s-25th-anniversary-with-creator-joel-hodgson-6652238 | title = Talking Mystery Science Theater 3000's 25th Anniversary with Creator Joel Hodgson | first = Chaz | last = Kangas | date = November 27, 2013 | access-date = December 2, 2015 | website = [[Village Voice]] | archive-date = December 8, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208074526/http://www.villagevoice.com/music/talking-mystery-science-theater-3000s-25th-anniversary-with-creator-joel-hodgson-6652238 | url-status = live }}</ref> Crow T. Robot was inspired by the song "Crow" from [[Jim Carroll]]'s ''[[Catholic Boy]]'',<ref name="vv 25th"/> while Rocket Number 9's name was inspired by the original name of [[Sun Ra]]'s album ''[[Interstellar Low Ways]]''.<ref name="vv 25th"/>

The theater shots, the primary component of an episode, are taped in "Shadowrama". The "seats" were a black-painted foam core board sitting behind the seat (towards the camera) for the host, and stages for the Crow and Tom puppets. The human host wore black clothing while the robot puppets were painted black; the screen they watched was a white [[Compositing|luma key]] screen so as to create the appearance of silhouettes. The actors would follow the movie and the script through television monitors located in front of them, as to create the overall theater illusion.<ref>{{cite book|author=Trace Beaulieu|display-authors=etal|title=The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide|date=1996|publisher=Bantam Books|location=New York|isbn=9780553377835|page=145|edition=1st}}</ref>

The "door sequence" was created to transition from host segments to the theater segments, which Hodgson took inspiration from the ''[[Mickey Mouse Club]]'', noting that the commonality to the title credits of ''[[Get Smart]]'' was coincidental.<ref name="art of the title"/> In devising this sequence, this also led to Beaulieu creating the dogbone-like shape of the ''Satellite of Love'' with additional inspiration taken from the bone-to-ship transition in the film ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]''.<ref name="art of the title"/> Hodgson had wanted to use a "motivated camera" for taping, a concept related to [[soft light|motivated lighting]]; in this mode, all the shots would appear to have been taken from an actual camera that was part of the scene to make the scene appear more realistic. This led to the creation of Cambot as a robot that the host would speak to during host segments or recording them while in the theater, and Rocket Number Nine to show footage outside of the Satellite of Love.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mst3k/bringbackmst3k/posts/1569676 | title = The Return of... Cambot! | first = Joel | last = Hodgson | date = May 7, 2016 | access-date = May 7, 2016 | website = [[Kickstarter]] | archive-date = June 4, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160604171917/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mst3k/bringbackmst3k/posts/1569676 | url-status = live }}</ref>

The show's theme song, the "Love Theme from Mystery Science Theater 3000", was written by Hodgson and Weinstein, which helped to cement some of the broader narrative elements of the show, such as the Mads and Joel being part of an experiment.<ref name="vv 25th"/> The song was composed by Charlie Erickson with help from Hodgson in the style of [[Devo]], [[The Replacements (band)|The Replacements]], and [[The Rivieras]] (particularly their cover of the song "[[California Sun]]") and sung by Hodgson.<ref name="vv 25th"/><ref name="art of the title"/> Initial shows used foam letters to make the show's title, but they later created the spinning-moon logo out of a 2-foot (0.6m) diameter fiberglass ball, covered with foam insulation and the lettering cut from additional foam pieces. Hodgson felt they needed a logo with the rotating effect as opposed to a flat 2D image, and though they had envisioned a more detailed prop, with the letters being the tops of buildings on this moon, they had no time or budget for a project of that complexity and went with what they had.<ref name="avclub 2008"/> Musical numbers would also be used as part of the host segments, which Hodgson said came out naturally from the riffing process; they would find themselves at times singing along with the movie instead of just riffing at it, and took that to extend songs into the host segments.<ref name="vv 25th"/>

===KTMA era (1988–1989)===
[[File:Cinematic-Titanic-2011-09-24-Cast.jpg|thumb|right|''MST3K'' cast and crew Pehl (left), Beaulieu, Hodgson, Weinstein, and Conniff, as part of the post-show project, ''[[Cinematic Titanic]]'' in 2011]]
Hodgson approached [[Jim Mallon]], at the time the production manager of KTMA, a low-budget local Minneapolis-area [[Independent station|independent television station]], with his idea of a show based on riffing on movies, using robots that were created out of common objects.<ref name="wired history"/> Mallon agreed to help produce a pilot episode, and Hodgson hired local area comedians [[J. Elvis Weinstein]] (initially going by Josh Weinstein but later changed to J. Elvis as to distinguish himself from [[Josh Weinstein]], a well-known writer for ''[[The Simpsons]]'')<ref name="time madness"/> and [[Trace Beaulieu]] to develop the pilot show.<ref name="wired history"/> By September 1988, Hodgson, Mallon, Weinstein, and Beaulieu shot a 30-minute pilot episode, using segments from the 1968 science-fiction film ''[[The Green Slime]]''.<ref name="wired history"/> The robots and the set were built by Hodgson in an all-nighter.<ref name="ign migizi"/> Joel watched the movie by himself, and was aided during the host segments by his robots, Crow (Beaulieu), Beeper, and Gypsy (Weinstein). Hodgson used the narrative that his character named "Joel Hodgson" (not yet using his character name of Robinson) had built the ''Satellite of Love'' and launched himself into space.<ref name="sn-faqbasics">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/community/news/rocks/f20071109/indexp3.html|title=A Guy Named AJ : Launching Cinematic Titanic|website=StarWars.com|access-date=2007-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202163038/http://starwars.com/community/news/rocks/f20071109/indexp3.html<!--Bot retrieved archive-->|archive-date=2007-12-02}}</ref> Camera work was by [[Kevin Murphy (actor)|Kevin Murphy]], who was employed by KTMA. Murphy also created the first doorway sequence and theater seat design. These initial episodes were recorded at the long since-defunct [[Paragon Cable]] studios and customer service center in [[Hopkins, Minnesota]]. On review, Hodgson found that of the robots, Beeper's design was not working well, and tried a quick modification by replacing its head with a toy gumball machine top, creating the basis of Tom Servo.<ref name="ign migizi"/>

Mallon met with KTMA station manager Donald O'Conner the next month and managed to get signed up for thirteen episodes. Show production was generally done on a 24-hour cycle, starting with Mallon offering a few films from KTMA's library for the writers to select from.<ref name="wired history"/> Riffing in these episodes was [[ad-lib]]bed during taping using notes made during preliminary viewings of the selected film. Episodes from this era are noted for their low number of riffs - in some instances 15 minutes of the movie could be shown before the cast made any comments.<ref name="time madness"/> The show had some slight alterations from the pilot — the set was lit differently, the robots (now Crow, Servo and Gypsy) joined Joel in the theater, and a new doorway countdown sequence between the host and theater segments was shot. The puppeteers worked personalities into their robots: Crow (Beaulieu) was considered a robotic [[Groucho Marx]], Tom Servo (Weinstein) as a "smarmy AM radio DJ", and Gypsy (Mallon) modeled after Mallon's mother who had a "heart of gold" but would become disoriented when confronted with a difficult task.<ref name="wired history"/> The development of the show's theme song would lead to establishing elements for the show's ongoing premise, with Hodgson now portraying himself as the character Joel Robinson.<ref name="art of the title"/>

''Mystery Science Theater 3000'' premiered on KTMA at 6:00&nbsp;p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1988, with its first episode, ''Invaders from the Deep'', followed by a second episode, ''Revenge of the Mysterons from Mars'' at 8:00&nbsp;p.m. The choice of running the premiere on Thanksgiving was by happenstance, as the station felt the show was ready to go at that point, according to Hodgson.<ref name="avclub turkey day"/> Initially, the show's response was unknown, until Mallon set up a phone line for viewers to call in.<ref name="wired history"/> Response was so great that the initial run of 13 episodes was extended to 21, with the show running to May 1989. Hodgson and Mallon negotiated to secure the rights for the show for themselves, creating [[Best Brains]], Inc., agreeing to split ownership of the idea equally.<ref name="wired history"/> During this time a fan club was set up and the show held its first live show at Scott Hansen's Comedy Gallery in Minneapolis, to a crowd of over 600.

Despite the show's success, the station's overall declining fortunes forced it to file for bankruptcy reorganization in July 1989.<ref name="paste 25eps"/> At the same time, [[HBO]] was looking to build a stable of shows for their upcoming [[The Comedy Channel (American TV channel)|Comedy Channel]] cable network. HBO approached Best Brains and requested a sample of their material.<ref name="wired history"/> Hodgson and Mallon provided a seven-minute demo reel, which led to the network greenlighting ''MST3K'' as one of the first two shows picked up by the new network. According to Art Bell, one of the creators of the Comedy Channel, ''MST3K''{{'}}s arrival helped the network to fill space that they had originally planned to use short clips of films and television shows that they could not license in time for launch.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://wtop.com/entertainment/2020/12/creator-of-comedy-central-pens-new-memoir-as-great-stocking-stuffer/ | title = Comedy Central creator pens memoir about launching 24/7 cable network | first = Jason | last = Fraley | date = December 9, 2020 | accessdate = April 30, 2023 | work = [[WTOP-FM|WTOP]] | archive-date = April 30, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230430160807/https://wtop.com/entertainment/2020/12/creator-of-comedy-central-pens-new-memoir-as-great-stocking-stuffer/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

===Comedy Channel (1989-1991) and Comedy Central (1991-1996) eras===
[[File:The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962) by Joseph Green.webm|thumb|thumbtime=16|''[[The Brain That Wouldn't Die]]'', a 1962 film mocked in season five]]

The Comedy Channel offered Best Brains $35,000 per episode but allowed Best Brains to retain the show's rights.<ref name="nytimes 2008"/> Best Brains was also able to keep production local to Minnesota instead of the network's desire to film in New York City or Los Angeles, as it would have cost four times more per episode, according to Hodgson.<ref name="wapost finetv"/> Best Brains established an office and warehouse space in [[Eden Prairie, Minnesota|Eden Prairie]] for filming.<ref name="wired history"/><ref name="OC weekly"/> With an expanded but still limited budget, they were able to hire more writers, including Mike Nelson, Mary Jo Pehl, and Frank Conniff, and build more expansive sets and robot puppets.<ref name="wired history"/> They retained the characters of Dr. Forrester (Beaulieu) and Dr. Erhardt (Weinstein) from the KTMA era and crafted the larger narrative of each episode being an "experiment" they test on Joel.<ref name="time madness"/> The show began its national run shortly after The Comedy Channel went on the air in November 1989.

''MST3K'' was considered The Comedy Channel's signature program, generating positive press about the show despite the limited availability of the cable channel nationwide.<ref name="wired history"/> After the second season, The Comedy Channel and rival comedy cable network [[Ha! (TV channel)|HA!]] merged to become CTV: The Comedy Network (later changed to [[Comedy Central]]). During this period, ''MST3K'' became the newly merged cable channel's signature series, expanding from 13 to 24 episodes a year. To take advantage of the show's status, Comedy Central ran "Turkey Day", a 30-hour marathon of ''MST3K'' episodes during Thanksgiving 1991. The name of the event was not only inspired by the traditional turkey meal served on Thanksgiving, but also by use of "Turkey" from ''The Golden Turkey Awards'' to represent bad movies.<ref name="avclub turkey day"/> This tradition would be continued through the rest of the Comedy Central era. Though the show did not draw large audience numbers compared to other programming on Comedy Central, such as reruns of ''Saturday Night Live'', the dedicated fans and attention kept the show on the network.<ref name="nytimes 2008"/>

''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie]]'' was produced during the later half of the Comedy Central era and had a very limited theatrical release in 1996 through [[Universal Pictures]] and [[Gramercy Pictures]]. It featured Mike and the bots subjected to the film ''[[This Island Earth]]'' by Dr. Forrester. Though well received by critics and fans, the film was a financial disappointment due to its limited distribution.<ref name="wapost ct"/>

====Writing and taping====
The cable network was able to provide a wider library of films for Best Brains to riff from.<ref name="wired history"/> To ensure that they would be able to produce a funny episode, at least one member of the staff would watch the suggested films completely, generally assuring that the movie would be prime for jokes throughout. Conniff stated that he often would have to watch around twenty films in their entirety before selecting one to use for the show.<ref name="io9 sidehackers"/> In one specific case, the second-season episode with the 1969 film ''[[The Sidehackers]]'', they had only skimmed the first part of the movie before making the decision to use it, and only later discovered that it contained a scene where a female character is brutally [[rape]]d and [[murder]]ed. They decided to stay committed to the film, but cut out the offending scene and had to explain the sudden absence of the affected character to the audience.<ref name="io9 sidehackers">{{cite web | url = https://gizmodo.com/how-did-mst3k-pick-those-terrible-terrible-movies-5956924 | title = How did MST3K pick those terrible, terrible movies? | first = Lauren | last = Davis | date = November 4, 2012 | access-date = November 27, 2021 | website = [[Gizmodo]] | archive-date = November 27, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211127045253/https://gizmodo.com/how-did-mst3k-pick-those-terrible-terrible-movies-5956924 | url-status = live }}</ref> After this, they carefully scrutinized entire films for other such offensive content, and once one was selected and assured the rights, committed to completing the episode with that film.<ref name="wired history"/> Obtaining the rights was handled by the cable networks. Some licensing required buying film rights in packages, with the selected bad movies included in a catalog of otherwise good films, making the negotiations odd since the network was only interested in the bad film. Other times, the rights to the film were poorly documented, and the network would follow the chain of custody to locate the copyright owner so as to secure broadcast rights.<ref name="wired history"/>

In contrast to the ad-libbing of riffs from KTMA, the riffs were scripted ahead of time by the writers.<ref name="wired history"/><ref name="time madness"/> An average episode (approximately 90 minutes running time) would contain more than 600 such riffs,<ref name="time madness">{{cite magazine | url = https://entertainment.time.com/2010/08/28/mystery-science-theater-2010-riffer-madness/ | title = Mystery Science Theater 2010: Riffer Madness! | first = Richard | last = Corlis | date = August 28, 2010 | access-date = December 2, 2015 | magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] | archive-date = December 8, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208103218/http://entertainment.time.com/2010/08/28/mystery-science-theater-2010-riffer-madness/ | url-status = live }}</ref> and some with upwards of 800 riffs.<ref name="usatoday 25th"/> Riffs were developed with the entire writing staff watching the film together several times through, giving off-the-cuff quips and jokes as the film went along, or identifying where additional material would be helpful for the comedy. The best jokes were polished into the script for the show.<ref name="wired history"/> Riffs were developed to keep in line with the characterization of Joel, Mike, and the 'bots.<ref name="wired history"/> Further, the writers tried to maintain respect for the films and avoided making negative riffs about them, taking into consideration that Joel, Mike, and the 'bots were companions to the audience while watching the movie, and they did not want to come off sounding like jerks even if the negative riff would be funny.<ref name="wired history"/><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2012/08/16/158922001/you-cant-just-be-the-voice-of-generic-sarcasm-the-art-of-movie-riffing | title = 'You Can't Just Be The Voice Of Generic Sarcasm': The Art Of Movie Riffing | first = Will | last = Sloan | date = August 16, 2012 | access-date = December 2, 2015 | publisher = [[NPR]] | archive-date = December 8, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208164247/http://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2012/08/16/158922001/you-cant-just-be-the-voice-of-generic-sarcasm-the-art-of-movie-riffing | url-status = live }}</ref> Hodgson stated that their goal in writing riffs is not to ridicule films as some have often mistaken, but to rather instead consider what they are doing as "a variety show built on the back of a movie".<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.laweekly.com/film/joel-hodgson-mst3k-isnt-about-ridicule-its-a-variety-show-built-on-the-back-of-a-movie-6363219 | title = Joel Hodgson: MST3K Isn't About Ridicule-It's a "Variety Show Built on the Back of a Movie" | website = [[LA Weekly]] | date = December 10, 2015 | access-date = December 14, 2015 | first = Simon | last = Abrams | archive-date = December 14, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151214161525/http://www.laweekly.com/film/joel-hodgson-mst3k-isnt-about-ridicule-its-a-variety-show-built-on-the-back-of-a-movie-6363219 | url-status = live }}</ref>

[[File:MST3kBots.jpg|thumb|right|The 'bots of ''MST3k'' as they appeared through the majority of its run: Gypsy (left), Crow T. Robot, and Tom Servo. The 'bots were created by Hodgson and fashioned out of common household objects.]] 
Production of an average episode of ''MST3K'' during the Comedy Central period took about five to nine days once the movie was selected and its rights secured.<ref name="usatoday 25th">{{cite web | url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/11/24/joel-hodgson-sunday-conversation/3675845/ | title = Sunday Geekersation: 25 years of Joel Hodgson's 'MST3K' | website = [[USA Today]] | date = November 23, 2013 | access-date = December 3, 2015 | first = Brian | last = Truitt | archive-date = September 24, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924003506/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/11/24/joel-hodgson-sunday-conversation/3675845/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="guide app1">{{cite book|author=Trace Beaulieu|display-authors=etal|title=The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide|date=1996|publisher=Bantam Books|location=New York|isbn=9780553377835|pages=153–159|edition=1st}}</ref> The first few days were generally used for watching the movie and scripting out the riffs and live action segments. The subsequent days were then generally used to start construction of any props or sets that would be needed for the live action segments while the writers honed the script. A full dress rehearsal would then be held, making sure the segments and props worked and fine tuning the script. The host segments would then be taped on one day, and the theater segments on the next. A final day was used to review the completed work and correct any major flaws they caught before considering the episode complete.<ref name="guide app1"/> Live scenes used only [[practical special effects]], and there was minimal post-editing once taping was completed.<ref name="rollingstone ks"/>

====Cast changes====
Weinstein left the show after the first Comedy Channel season, reportedly in disagreement with Hodgson about moving toward using scripted rather than ad-libbed jokes.<ref name="paste 25eps"/> Murphy replaced him as the voice of Tom Servo, portraying the 'bot as a cultured individual, while Dr. Erhardt was replaced with TV's Frank (Conniff).<ref name="wired history"/>

Hodgson decided to leave the series halfway through Season Five due to his dislike of being on camera and his disagreements with producer Mallon over creative control of the program.<ref name="mst3kinfo">{{cite web|last=Henry|first=Brian|url=http://mst3k.com/mstfaq/wbrains.html|title=MST3K FAQ – West Brains: Aliens in L.A|publisher=MST3K Info Club|access-date=2007-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070414091957/http://www.mst3k.com/mstfaq/wbrains.html<!--Bot retrieved archive-->|archive-date=2007-04-14}}</ref><ref name="onion">{{cite news|last=Phipps |first=Keith |title=Joel Hodgson |newspaper=The A.V. Club |date=1999-04-21 |url= https://www.avclub.com/joel-hodgson-1798207993/amp|access-date=2021-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010033221/http://www.avclub.com/content/node/23008 |archive-date=October 10, 2007 }}</ref> Hodgson also stated that Mallon's insistence on producing a feature film version of the show led to his departure, giving up his rights on the ''MST3K'' property to Mallon.<ref name="wapost ct">{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/29/AR2008122902492.html | title = Web TV Review: Classic 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Cast Returns for 'Cinematic Titanic' | first = Tom | last = Shales | date = December 29, 2008 | access-date = December 1, 2015 | newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] | archive-date = December 11, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151211000246/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/29/AR2008122902492.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Hodgson later told an interviewer: "If I had the presence of mind to try and work it out, I would rather have stayed. 'Cause I didn't want to go, it just seemed like I needed to."<ref name="avclub 2008">{{cite web | url = https://www.avclub.com/the-mystery-science-theater-3000-reunion-interview-joe-1798215131 | title = The Mystery Science Theater 3000 reunion interview: Joel Hodgson, Trace Beaulieu, and Jim Mallon | first = Keith | last = Philps | date = November 3, 2008 | access-date = November 26, 2021 | website = [[The A.V. Club]] | archive-date = November 26, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211126150321/https://www.avclub.com/the-mystery-science-theater-3000-reunion-interview-joe-1798215131 | url-status = live }}</ref> Though they held casting calls for a replacement for Hodgson on camera, the crew found that none of the potential actors really fit the role; instead, having reviewed a test run that Nelson had done with the 'bots, the crew agreed that having Nelson (who had already appeared in several guest roles on the show) replace Hodgson would be the least jarring approach.<ref name="wired history"/>  The replacement of Joel by Mike would lead to an oft-jokingly "Joel vs. Mike [[Flaming (Internet)|flame war]]" among fans, similar to the "Kirk vs. Picard" discussions in the ''[[Star Trek]]'' fandom.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/after-a-couple-of-years-no-one-will-even-remember-16-1798242088 |title="After a couple of years no one will even remember": 16 pop-culture windows into the world of 1993 |date=November 4, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2021 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |author=''The A.V. Club'' Staff |archive-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126150323/https://www.avclub.com/after-a-couple-of-years-no-one-will-even-remember-16-1798242088 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Conniff left the show after Season Six, looking to get into writing TV [[sitcom]]s in Hollywood.<ref name="wired history"/><ref name="OC weekly">{{cite web | url = http://www.ocweekly.com/film/mst3ks-legacy-will-live-on-6394752 | title = MST3K's Legacy Will Live On | first = Wyn | last = Hilty | date = August 5, 1999 | access-date = December 3, 2015 | website = [[OC Weekly]] | archive-date = December 8, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208141232/http://www.ocweekly.com/film/mst3ks-legacy-will-live-on-6394752 | url-status = live }}</ref> TV's Frank was soon replaced on the show by Dr. Forrester's mother, [[Pearl Forrester|Pearl]] (Pehl).

====Cancellation====
By 1996, Comedy Central had started creating an identity for its network under the new leadership of [[Doug Herzog]], which would lead to successful shows like ''[[The Daily Show]]'', ''[[Win Ben Stein's Money]]'', ''[[South Park]]'' and ''[[Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist]].'' This left ''MST3K'' as an oddity on the network taking up limited program space. Herzog, though stating that ''MST3K'' "helped put the network on the map" and that its fans were "passionate", believed it was necessary to change things around due to the show's declining and lackluster ratings.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.ew.com/article/1995/12/15/rip-mystery-science-theater-3000 | title = R.I.P. 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' | magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | date = December 15, 1995 | access-date = January 15, 2016 | first = Benjamin | last = Svetkey | archive-date = November 19, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151119051805/http://www.ew.com/article/1995/12/15/rip-mystery-science-theater-3000 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/viacom-president-mtvs-amy-schumers-854812 | title = Viacom's Doug Herzog on MTV's Future, Keeping Amy Schumer on Comedy Central | website = [[The Hollywood Reporter]] | first = Michael | last = O'Connell | date = January 13, 2016 | access-date = January 15, 2015 | archive-date = January 16, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160116043300/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/viacom-president-mtvs-amy-schumers-854812 | url-status = live }}</ref>  The network cancelled ''MST3K'' after a six-episode seventh season.<ref name="wired history"/>

===Sci-Fi Channel era (1997–1999)===
[[File:Rifftrax crew sdcc 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Nelson, Corbett, and Murphy, the primary actors in the Sci-Fi channel era, as part of their [[RiffTrax]] panel in 2009]]
The show staff continued to operate for as long as they still had finances to work with.<ref name="nytimes scifi"/> ''MST3K''{{'}}s fan base staged a write-in campaign to keep the show alive.<ref name="paste 25eps">{{cite web | url = https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/the-25-episode-history-of-mystery-science-theater/ | title = The 25-Episode History of Mystery Science Theater 3000 | first = Jim | last = Vorel | date = August 10, 2015 | access-date = November 26, 2021 | website = [[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] | archive-date = November 26, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211126150319/https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/the-25-episode-history-of-mystery-science-theater/ | url-status = live }}</ref> This effort led the Sci-Fi Channel, a subsidiary of [[USA Networks]], to pick up the series. Rod Perth, then-president of programming for USA Networks, helped to bring the show to the Sci-Fi Channel, stating himself to be a huge fan of the show and believing that "the sci-fi genre took itself too seriously and that this show was a great way of lightening up our own presentation".<ref name="nytimes scifi">{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/02/tv/the-thing-that-mocked-the-movies.html | title = The Thing That Mocked The Movies | first = Neal | last = Karlen | date = February 2, 1997 | access-date = May 20, 2016 | website = [[The New York Times]] | archive-date = June 16, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160616234355/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/02/tv/the-thing-that-mocked-the-movies.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

Writing and production of the show remained relatively unchanged from the Comedy Central period. Before Season Eight commenced filming, Beaulieu opted to leave the show, feeling that anything creative that would be produced by Best Brains would belong to Mallon, and wanted to have more creative ownership himself.<ref name="wired history"/> To replace Dr. Forrester, two new sidekicks to Pearl were introduced: [[Professor Bobo]] (Murphy) and the [[Observer (Mystery Science Theater 3000)|Observer]], a.k.a. "Brain Guy" (Corbett). In addition, Corbett took over Crow's voice and puppetry and Best Brains staffer Patrick Brantseg took over Gypsy in the middle of Season Eight.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/patrick-brantseg/3000248017/| title = Patrick Brantseg| website = TVGuide.com| access-date = November 26, 2021| archive-date = November 26, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211126150319/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/patrick-brantseg/3000248017/| url-status = live}}</ref> With this replacement, the series' entire original cast had been turned over.

''MST3K'' ran for three more seasons on the Sci-Fi Channel. During the Sci-Fi era, Best Brains found themselves more limited by the network: the pool of available films was smaller and they were required to use science fiction films (as per the network's name and programming focus),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/26/arts/tv-notes-more-goofiness-for-misties.html|title=TV Notes – More Goofiness for Misties|author=Lawrie Muffin|date=June 26, 1996|access-date=May 20, 2016|website=[[The New York Times]]|archive-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617032819/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/26/arts/tv-notes-more-goofiness-for-misties.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the USA Network executives managing the show wanted to see a story arc and had more demands on how the show should be produced.<ref name="wired history"/> Conflict between Best Brains and the network executives would eventually lead to the show's second cancellation.<ref name="wired history"/> Peter Keepnews, writing for ''[[The New York Times]]'', noted that the frequent cast changes, as well as the poorer selection of films that he felt were more boring than bizarre in their execution, had caused the show to lose its original appeal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/25/arts/television-radio-think-what-they-d-do-with-titanic.html|title=TELEVISION/RADIO; Think What They'd Do With 'Titanic'|author=Peter Keepnews|date=July 25, 1999|access-date=May 20, 2016|website=[[The New York Times]]|archive-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617020233/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/25/arts/television-radio-think-what-they-d-do-with-titanic.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Another campaign to save the show was mounted, including several ''MST3K'' fans taking contributions for a full-page ad in the [[trade publication]] ''[[Daily Variety]]'' magazine,<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.mst3kinfo.com/satnews/MSTVarAd.pdf | title = Fan-Contributed Daily Variety Ad | date = 1999 | work = Satellite News  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20000831112722/http://www.mst3kinfo.com/satnews/MSTVarAd.pdf | archive-date = August 31, 2000 }}</ref> but unlike the first effort, this campaign was unsuccessful.<ref name="nytimes finalfrontier">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/arts/television/06newm.html|title='MST3K': The Final Frontier|author=Andrew Adam Newman|date=May 6, 2007|access-date=November 26, 2021|work=[[The New York Times]]|archive-date=November 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126154826/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/arts/television/06newm.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The season 10 finale, ''[[Danger: Diabolik]]'', premiered on August 8, 1999, during which, in the show's narrative, Pearl Forrester accidentally sent the ''Satellite of Love'' out of orbit, with Mike and the 'bots escaping and taking up residence in an apartment near Milwaukee, where they continue to riff movies.<ref name="nytimes finalfrontier"/> A "lost" episode produced earlier in the season but delayed due to rights issues, ''[[Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders]]'', was the final season 10 episode of ''MST3K'' (and the last of the original run), broadcast on September 12, 1999.<ref name="paste 25eps"/> Reruns continued to air on the Sci Fi Channel for several years, ending with ''[[The Screaming Skull]]'' on January 31, 2004. The shows later moved to off-network syndication.

===Netflix era revival (2017–2018)===
====Kickstarter funding====
Starting in 2010, Hodgson had been trying to bring back ''MST3K'', spurred on by fan appreciation of the cast and crew 25 years since the show's premiere and the success of his ''[[Cinematic Titanic]]'' project.<ref name="verge sdcc">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/7/24/12266652/mystery-science-theater-3000-joel-hodgson-interview-comic-con-2016|title=Mystery Science Theater 3000's Joel Hodgson on the undying appeal of mocking bad movies|author=Bryan Bishop|date=July 24, 2016|access-date=July 24, 2016|website=[[The Verge]]|archive-date=July 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724223644/http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/24/12266652/mystery-science-theater-3000-joel-hodgson-interview-comic-con-2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Hodgson also considered the timing to be ideal, with non-traditional outlets like [[Netflix]] picking up original series, and the success of [[crowdfunding]] for entertainment projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2015/11/13/9727784/mystery-science-theater-kickstarter-joel-hodgson|title=Exclusive: Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator Joel Hodgson explains why it's time for a comeback|first=Todd|last=VanDerWuff|date=November 13, 2015|access-date=November 13, 2015|website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|archive-date=November 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114173524/http://www.vox.com/2015/11/13/9727784/mystery-science-theater-kickstarter-joel-hodgson|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Hodgson needed to reacquire the rights to the series, at that point still held by Mallon and Best Brains. By 2013, Hodgson was working closely with [[Shout! Factory]], the distribution company handling the home media releases of ''MST3K'', and completed negotiations with Mallon to buy the rights for ''MST3K'' for a seven-figure sum by August 2015,<ref name="wsj shout">{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-company-behind-the-mystery-science-theater-3000-revival-1492029705|title=The Company Behind the 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Revival|first=John|last=Jurgeson|date=April 12, 2017|access-date=January 24, 2018|website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|archive-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125134811/https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-company-behind-the-mystery-science-theater-3000-revival-1492029705|url-status=live}}</ref> enabling a [[Kickstarter]] campaign to fund the revival to move forward.<ref name="rollingstone ks">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/mst3k-returns-joel-hodgson-on-resurrecting-the-cult-tv-show-20151222|title='MST3K' Returns: Joel Hodgson on Resurrecting the Cult TV Show|first=Jennifer|last=Wood|date=December 22, 2015|access-date=December 23, 2015|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=December 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223231243/http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/mst3k-returns-joel-hodgson-on-resurrecting-the-cult-tv-show-20151222|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/mystery-science-theater-3000-shout-factory-new-season-1201637585/|title='Mystery Science Theater 3000' Acquired by Shout! Factory, Kickstarter Launched for New Season|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=November 10, 2015|access-date=November 13, 2015|author=Elizabeth Wagmeister|archive-date=November 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113002225/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/mystery-science-theater-3000-shout-factory-new-season-1201637585/|url-status=live}}</ref> Hodgson felt the Kickstarter approach was necessary so that the show's style and approach would be determined by fans rather than through a network if he had sought traditional broadcast funding, as well as to demonstrate the demand for the show through a successful campaign.<ref name="blastr remake">{{cite web|url=http://www.blastr.com/2016-1-29/back-satellite-love-joel-hodgson-talks-behind-scenes-journey-back-mystery-science-theater|title=Back to the Satellite of Love: Joel Hodgson talks the behind the scenes journey back to Mystery Science Theater 3000|author=Aaron Sagers|date=January 29, 2016|access-date=February 23, 2016|website=[[Blastr]]|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214202627/http://www.blastr.com/2016-1-29/back-satellite-love-joel-hodgson-talks-behind-scenes-journey-back-mystery-science-theater}}</ref><ref name="paste nov2015"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/12/entertainment/mystery-science-theater-kickstarter-feat/|title='Mystery Science Theater 3000' revival sets new Kickstarter record|work=[[CNN]]|date=December 12, 2015|access-date=December 14, 2015|author=Emanuella Grinberg|archive-date=December 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216053616/http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/12/entertainment/mystery-science-theater-kickstarter-feat|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Kickstarter was launched in November 2015, seeking $2 million for the production of three episodes, with stretch goals with additional funding for 12 total episodes.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Anderson|first1=Kyle|title=Mystery Science Theater 3000 is returning|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/11/10/mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=10 November 2015|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820223713/https://ew.com/article/2015/11/10/mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Kickstarter effort was led by Ivan Askwith, a consultant who also had worked on the ''[[Veronica Mars (film)|Veronica Mars]]'' and ''[[Reading Rainbow]]'' Kickstarter campaigns.<ref name="wsj shout"/>  Hodgson estimated each episode would take $250,000 to make, in addition to five-figure movie licensing rights, in contrast to $100,000 per episode needed for the original series.<ref name="blastr remake"/> The campaign reached its base funding within a week of its launch.<ref name="polygon ks 1wk"/> On the final day of the campaign, Hodgson and Shout! ran a streaming telethon which included appearances from the newly selected cast and crew, and various celebrities that supported the revival to help exceed the target funding levels for twelve episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/12/9/9878980/mystery-science-theater-3000-revival-final-countdown-telethon|title=Mystery Science Theater 3000 revival ending campaign with star-studded telethon|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=December 9, 2015|access-date=December 14, 2015|author=Allegra Frank|archive-date=December 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212012518/http://www.polygon.com/2015/12/9/9878980/mystery-science-theater-3000-revival-final-countdown-telethon|url-status=live}}</ref> The campaign ended on December 11, 2015, with total funding of $5,764,229 from 48,270 backers, with an additional $600,000 in backer add-ons, which allowed Hodgson to plan two more additional episodes, including a Christmas episode, to bring the total season to fourteen episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/12/12/mst3k-breaks-veronica-mars-record-for-crowdfunding-filmvideo|title=MST3K Breaks Veronica Mars' Record for Crowdfunding Film/Video|author=Alex Osborn|date=December 12, 2015|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108135023/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/12/12/mst3k-breaks-veronica-mars-record-for-crowdfunding-filmvideo|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/mst3k-breaks-kickstarter-records-secures-14-new-episod-1798287322|title=MST3K breaks Kickstarter records, secures 14 new episodes|author=William Hughes|date=December 12, 2015|access-date=December 12, 2015|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628192111/https://www.avclub.com/mst3k-breaks-kickstarter-records-secures-14-new-episod-1798287322|url-status=live}}</ref> The Kickstarter became the largest one for Film & Video, surpassing the $5.70 million raised for the ''[[Veronica Mars (film)|Veronica Mars]]'' film,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/12/mst3k-becomes-the-biggest-crowd-funded-video-proje.html | title = MST3k Becomes the Biggest Crowd-Funded Video Project in Internet History | first = Jim | last = Vorel | date = December 11, 2015 | access-date = December 11, 2015 | url-status = dead | website = [[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] | archive-date = December 13, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151213164629/http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/12/mst3k-becomes-the-biggest-crowd-funded-video-proje.html }}</ref> but was ultimately surpassed in March 2019 for an animated series based on the web series ''[[Critical Role]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/critical-role-kickstarter-record-legend-of-vox-machina-1203156292/ | title = Critical Role's 'Vox Machina' D&D Animation Project Breaks Kickstarter Record | first = Todd | last = Spangler | date = March 7, 2019 | access-date = March 7, 2019 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | archive-date = November 8, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211108141710/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/critical-role-kickstarter-record-legend-of-vox-machina-1203156292/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

====Casting====
{{Multiple image
|perrow = 1/2
|image1 = RAY_headshot1.jpg
|image2 = Felicia_Day_2012.jpg
|image3 = Patton_Oswalt_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg
|position = right
|total_width = 300
|footer = The revival features Ray (top) aboard the Satellite of Love, Day (bottom left) as Kinga Forrester, and Oswalt as Max, aka TV's Son of TV's Frank
}}
Hodgson believed that the revival would need a whole new cast, pointing out that the cast had completely turned over in the original series.<ref name="wired history">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2014/04/mst3k-oral-history/|title=Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Definitive Oral History of a TV Masterpiece|author=Brian Referty|date=April 22, 2014|access-date=December 2, 2015|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|archive-date=November 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151130040157/http://www.wired.com/2014/04/mst3k-oral-history|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot-may-come-online-in-not-too-distant-future-1201161437/|title='Mystery Science Theater 3000' Reboot May Come Online in Not-Too-Distant Future|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=April 22, 2014|access-date=December 2, 2015|author=Maane Khatchatourian|archive-date=November 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117035117/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot-may-come-online-in-not-too-distant-future-1201161437/|url-status=live}}</ref> Comedian [[Jonah Ray]] plays [[Jonah Heston]], the new host aboard the Satellite of Love, watching and riffing on the films. Hodgson had met Ray while recording an episode of ''[[The Nerdist]] Podcast'', and felt he would be a good fit.<ref name="polygon ks 1wk">{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/11/17/9749524/mystery-science-theater-3000-revival-introduces-a-new-host|title=Mystery Science Theater 3000 revival introduces a new host|author=Allegra Frank|date=November 17, 2015|access-date=November 17, 2015|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118152108/http://www.polygon.com/2015/11/17/9749524/mystery-science-theater-3000-revival-introduces-a-new-host|url-status=live}}</ref> The voices of Crow and Tom Servo are provided by comedians [[Hampton Yount]] and [[Baron Vaughn]], respectively, both of whom Ray recommended to Hodgson. Hodgson felt it was important for Ray to have his say on who would play these parts, since it would help Ray be comfortable in the role.<ref name="verge sdcc"/><ref name="wrap day"/> [[Felicia Day]] plays Kinga Forrester, Clayton Forrester's daughter and one of the new Mads in charge of the experiments, now operating out of a moon base known as "Moon 13".<ref name="variety bts">{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/mystery-science-theater-3000-season-11-netflix-satellite-of-love-1202012740/ |title= 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Season 11: Behind the Scenes of the 'Satellite of Love' |author= Joe Otterson |date= March 30, 2017 |access-date= April 1, 2017 |website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date= March 31, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170331182348/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/mystery-science-theater-3000-season-11-netflix-satellite-of-love-1202012740/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Day had been one of the last to be cast, as Hodgson had scripted out the concept for Forrester's daughter while casting Ray and the others. Hodgson had met Day at the 2015 [[Salt Lake Comic Con]], where she stated her love of ''MST3K'' to him. Hodgson had seen Day's performance in shows like ''[[The Guild (web series)|The Guild]]'' and ''[[Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog]]'', and felt she matched his idea for the character he had envisioned.<ref name="verge sdcc"/><ref name="wrap day">{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/felicia-day-joins-cast-of-mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot/|title=Felicia Day Joins Cast of 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Reboot|author=Joe Otterson|date=November 23, 2015|access-date=November 26, 2021|website=The Wrap|archive-date=November 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126154826/https://www.thewrap.com/felicia-day-joins-cast-of-mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Patton Oswalt]] plays Kinga's henchman, Max, or as his character prefers to be known, "TV's Son of TV's Frank"; Hodgson had already planned to invite Oswalt, a longtime friend and self-professed MST3K fan, as a special guest writer for an episode of the revived series, but decided during the Kickstarter that he would also be a good fit on-camera.<ref name="blastr remake"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/patton-oswalt-is-tv-s-son-of-tv-s-frank-on-the-new-myst-1798286833|title=Patton Oswalt is TV's Son of TV's Frank on the new Mystery Science Theater 3000|author=Katie Rife|date=November 30, 2015|access-date=November 30, 2015|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|archive-date=August 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804100041/https://www.avclub.com/patton-oswalt-is-tv-s-son-of-tv-s-frank-on-the-new-myst-1798286833|url-status=live}}</ref> Rebecca Hanson, an alum of [[The Second City]], took the role of Gypsy as well as Synthia, a clone of Pearl Forrester who assists Kinga. [[Har Mar Superstar]] leads the "Skeleton Crew", a [[house band]] in Kinga's lair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/comedy/mst3k/mst3k-review-reptilicus-is-a-promising-but-uneven/|title=MST3K Review: Reptilicus is a Promising but Uneven Reboot of a Beloved Show|author=Jim Vorel|date=April 14, 2017|access-date=April 14, 2017|website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029001257/https://www.pastemagazine.com/comedy/mst3k/mst3k-review-reptilicus-is-a-promising-but-uneven/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Pehl, Corbett, and Murphy cameo on the revival, reprising their roles as Pearl, Brain Guy, and Professor Bobo, respectively.<ref name="hwr sdcc"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/mystery-science-theater-3000-announces-netflix-debut-n-1798249802|title=Mystery Science Theater 3000 announces Netflix debut, new writers, returning cast|author=Katie Rife|date=July 23, 2016|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|access-date=November 26, 2021|archive-date=November 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126154827/https://www.avclub.com/mystery-science-theater-3000-announces-netflix-debut-n-1798249802|url-status=live}}</ref> Hodgson opened up to the show any of the other cast members to make cameo appearances or aid in the creative process. However, Nelson and Beaulieu stated that they would not be involved with the MST3K revival;<ref name="somethings">{{cite news| url = https://www.flavorwire.com/547225/somethings-not-right-about-the-new-crowdfunded-mystery-science-theater-3000| title = Something's Not Right About the New, Crowdfunded 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' – Flavorwire<!-- Bot generated title -->| newspaper = Flavorwire| access-date = November 26, 2021| archive-date = November 26, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211126154827/https://www.flavorwire.com/547225/somethings-not-right-about-the-new-crowdfunded-mystery-science-theater-3000| url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="latimeskick">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-mystery-science-theater-3000-kickstarter-mst3k-20151110-story.html|title='Mystery Science Theater 3000' launches Kickstarter campaign to reboot the series|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 10, 2015|access-date=November 13, 2015|author=Tracy Brown|archive-date=November 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112211911/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-mystery-science-theater-3000-kickstarter-mst3k-20151110-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Nelson said, "The brand does not belong to me, and I make and have made (almost) zero dollars off it since it stopped production in 1999."<ref name="latimeskick" /><ref name="facebook">{{cite web| url = https://www.facebook.com/mikeatrifftrax/posts/1167399969942922 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/264032726946322/1167399969942922 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited| title = Just a quick follow-up...(posted by Michael J. Nelson) on Facebook| website = [[Facebook]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Conniff noted on his Twitter that Shout! Factory would be "cutting [the former cast members] in, financially at least" on the profits from the series.<ref name="conniff-shout">{{cite web| url = https://twitter.com/FrankConniff/status/681392847380189184| title = Frank Conniff on Twitter: ".@ShoutFactory is cutting us in, financially at least. They are a cool company."<!-- Bot generated title -->| access-date = January 7, 2016| archive-date = March 5, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305155310/https://twitter.com/FrankConniff/status/681392847380189184| url-status = live}}</ref> In addition, other cameos on the new episodes include [[Neil Patrick Harris]], [[Jerry Seinfeld]], and [[Mark Hamill]] as P. T. Mindslap.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/12/jack-black-mark-hamill-and-more-could-appear-in-ms.html|title=Jack Black, Jerry Seinfeld, Mark Hamill and More Could Appear in MST3K Revival|author=Eric Van Allen|date=December 10, 2015|website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327184232/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/12/jack-black-mark-hamill-and-more-could-appear-in-ms.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Weinstein initially stated that he had no interest in returning to the show, but eventually reprised his role as Dr. Laurence Erhardt in the second season of the Netflix revival.

====Writing and recording====
Hodgson aimed to follow in the pattern of what made for fan-favorite episodes from the original series, borrowing equally from the Joel and Mike eras; he noted there were about 30 episodes that he and fans universally agreed were the show's best, and expected to use these as templates as the basis of the new show.<ref name="rollingstone ks"/> The new episodes include the Invention Exchange that had been part of the Joel era (and some of the Mike era) of the show. Additionally, while not required by the streaming format of Netflix, the new episodes include bumpers that would have wrapped around commercial breaks if shown on network television; Hodgson considered these breaks necessary as a "palate cleanser" as well as to support the narrative for Kinga attempting to commercialize on the ''MST3K'' brand.<ref name="io9 hodgson">{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/creator-joel-hodgson-on-the-return-of-mystery-science-t-1793682355|title=Creator Joel Hodgson on the Return of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and the Hidden Beauty of Bad Movies|author=Rob Brecken|date=March 30, 2017|access-date=November 27, 2021|website=[[Gizmodo]]|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127045252/https://gizmodo.com/creator-joel-hodgson-on-the-return-of-mystery-science-t-1793682355|url-status=live}}</ref>

Behind the scenes, the lead writer was [[Elliott Kalan]], former head writer for ''[[The Daily Show|The Daily Show with Jon Stewart]]'' and host of ''[[The Flop House]]'', a podcast about bad movies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot-adds-former-daily-show-head-writer-elliott-kalan/|title='Mystery Science Theater 3000' Reboot Adds Former 'Daily Show' Head Writer|author=Joe Otterson|date=May 20, 2016|website=[[The Wrap]]|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403142054/https://www.thewrap.com/mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot-adds-former-daily-show-head-writer-elliott-kalan/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dan Harmon]] and [[Joel McHale]] also wrote for the show, along with the on-screen cast members.<ref name="hwr sdcc"/><ref name="avclub writers"/> Hodgson also brought in guest writers for certain episodes that included [[Justin Roiland]], [[Rob Schrab]], [[Nell Scovell]], [[Ernie Cline]], [[Pat Rothfuss]], [[Dana Gould]], and Tammy Golden. Additionally, [[Paul & Storm]] and [[Robert Lopez]] composed original songs for the new episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/12/09/dan-harmon-to-script-mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot|title=Dan Harmon to Script Mystery Science Theater 3000 Reboot|author=Steve Watts|date=December 9, 2015|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=January 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131053606/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/12/09/dan-harmon-to-script-mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot|url-status=live}}</ref>

The revival retains the live, handcrafted look from the original, a decision that Hodgson had to set down against others involved in production.<ref name="verge sdcc"/> Set and prop designers included [[Wayne White (artist)|Wayne White]], [[Aaron Somers]], [[Pendleton Ward|Pen Ward]], [[Rebecca Sugar]] and her younger brother Steven, Justin Jacobs, and [[Guy Davis (comics)|Guy Davis]], while live and practical special effects were planned by [[Adam Savage]].<ref name="rollingstone ks"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.us/tv/mst3k/234946/mst3k-reboot-news-14-episodes-funded-full-details-here|title=MST3K Reboot News: 14 Episodes Funded, Full Details Here|author=Mike Cecchini|website=[[Den of Geek]]|date=December 12, 2015|access-date=December 12, 2015|archive-date=December 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215015033/http://www.denofgeek.us/tv/mst3k/234946/mst3k-reboot-news-14-episodes-funded-full-details-here|url-status=dead}}</ref> Justin was tasked with creating full sized versions of new robots M. Waverly and Growler. Other returning staff included: Charlie Erickson, who composed the original show's theme song and composed the new show's theme and other musical arrangements; Beth "Beez" McKeever, who worked on the original show's props and designed costumes and props for the new show; Crist Ballas created hair and makeup design; and [[Paul Chaplin]], one of the show's original writers to help write the new shows, along with contributions from Pehl and Corbett.<ref name="avclub writers">{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/dan-harmon-and-justin-roiland-are-both-writing-for-the-1798287148|title=Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland are both writing for the new MST3K|author=William Hughes|date=December 9, 2015|access-date=November 26, 2021|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|archive-date=November 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126154828/https://www.avclub.com/dan-harmon-and-justin-roiland-are-both-writing-for-the-1798287148|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/03/building-on-sacred-ground-with-the-new-cast-of-mst3k.html|title=Building on Sacred Ground with the New Cast of 'MST3K'|author=Philip Stamato|date=March 16, 2017|access-date=November 26, 2021|website=Vulture|archive-date=November 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126154826/https://www.vulture.com/2017/03/building-on-sacred-ground-with-the-new-cast-of-mst3k.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hodgson himself remained primarily off-camera as the executive producer for the remake, though does appear briefly as Ardy, one of Kinga's henchmen who send Jonah the episode's movie.<ref name="blastr remake"/> Hodgson was assisted by Kalan, Richard Foos, Bob Emmer, Garson Foos, [[Jonathan Stern]], and Harold Buchholz. The revival was produced by the companies Satellite of Love, LLC, Alternaversal Productions, and [[Abominable Pictures]].<ref name="hwr sdcc"/>

Production for the new season began on January 4, 2016, with movie selection and script writing.<ref name="yahoo feb2016">{{cite web | url = https://www.yahoo.com/tv/mst3k-joel-hodgson-kickstarter-update-221213950.html | title = 'MST3K' Update: Joel Hodgson Shares New Details About the Reboot | first = Ethan | last = Alter | date = February 10, 2016 | access-date = February 20, 2016 | website = [[Yahoo!]] TV | archive-date = February 12, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160212123625/https://www.yahoo.com/tv/mst3k-joel-hodgson-kickstarter-update-221213950.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The film selection was narrowed down to about twenty movies as of February 2016, with the rights obtained for about half of them, while Shout! Factory was working to secure worldwide distribution rights for the others.<ref name="yahoo feb2016"/> Hodgson noted that the films were more recent than those used on the original series, with "maybe one" from the 1950s/1960s, but did not want to reveal what these films were until the episodes were broadcast as to have the biggest comedic effect on the audience.<ref name="blastr remake"/>

Recording and most of the production was completed over September and October 2016 in Los Angeles on a very condensed schedule.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://comicbook.com/2016/09/26/mystery-science-theater-3000-begins-production-today/ | title = Mystery Science Theater 3000 Begins "Main" Production Today | first = Russ | last = Burlingame | date = September 26, 2016 | access-date = September 28, 2016 | website = Comicbook.com | archive-date = October 6, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161006112258/http://comicbook.com/2016/09/26/mystery-science-theater-3000-begins-production-today | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="arstech announce">{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/the-multiverse/2017/02/mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot-hits-netflix-on-april-14/ | title = Mystery Science Theater 3000 reboot hits Netflix on April 14 | first = Andrew | last = Cunningham | date = February 22, 2017 | access-date = April 24, 2017 | website = [[Ars Technica]] | archive-date = April 26, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170426060051/https://arstechnica.com/the-multiverse/2017/02/mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot-hits-netflix-on-april-14/ | url-status = live }}</ref> In the revival, Ray, Yount, and Vaughn recorded the riffs for all fourteen episodes in a sound studio over a period of a week, allowing them to better synchronize the riffs with the film. This also helped to simplify the process of recording the theater segments, since they then only needed to act out their parts. The 'bots were controlled by multiple puppeteers both in the theater and in skits; Yount and Vaughn used [[Radio-controlled model|radio-controlled]] equipment to move the 'bots' mouths, while members from [[The Jim Henson Company]] helped with manipulating the bodies, allowing them to achieve effects they could not do in the series' original run such as having Crow appear to walk on his own. All skits for the episodes were completed within a single day, which did not allow them for doing multiple takes unless necessary.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://nerdist.com/mystery-science-theater-3000-jonah-ray-baron-vaughn-hampton-yount-mst3k/ | title = HOW MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000'S NEW SEASON WAS MADE | first = Kyle | last = Anderson | date = March 30, 2017 | access-date = April 24, 2017 | website = [[The Nerdist]] | archive-date = April 25, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170425115331/http://nerdist.com/mystery-science-theater-3000-jonah-ray-baron-vaughn-hampton-yount-mst3k/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Campaign backers at higher tiers were able to see the first episode at limited "Red Carpet Kickstarter Screening" events shown in a few theaters during February and March 2017.<ref name="arstech announce"/> The fourteen episodes were released on Netflix on April 14, 2017, though Kickstarter backers had the opportunity to see the episodes in the days preceding this.<ref name="paste nov2015">{{cite web | url = https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/11/joel-hodgson-on-the-mst3k-revival-criticism-and-br.html | title = Joel Hodgson on the MST3k Revival, Criticism and #BringBackMST3k | first = Jim | last = Vorel | date = November 16, 2015 | access-date = December 10, 2015 | website = [[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] | archive-date = December 1, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151201074738/http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/11/joel-hodgson-on-the-mst3k-revival-criticism-and-br.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="hwr sdcc">{{cite web | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/comic-con-mystery-science-theater-913930 | title = Comic-Con: 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Revival Set at Netflix With Felicia Day, Patton Oswalt | first = Lesley | last = Goldberg | date = July 23, 2016 | access-date = July 23, 2016 | website = [[The Hollywood Reporter]] | archive-date = July 25, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160725142055/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/comic-con-mystery-science-theater-913930 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://nerdist.com/mystery-science-theater-3000-season-11-release-date/ | title = MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 SEASON 11 GETS RELEASE DATE | first = Kyle | last = Anderson | date = February 21, 2017 | access-date = February 21, 2017 | website = [[The Nerdist]] | archive-date = August 2, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170802124440/http://nerdist.com/mystery-science-theater-3000-season-11-release-date/ | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/07/23/netflix-lands-crowd-funded-reboot-of-mystery-science-theater-3000/|title=Netflix Lands Crowdfunded 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Reboot|first=John|last=Jurjensen|date=July 23, 2016|access-date=July 23, 2016|website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|archive-date=July 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725193620/http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/07/23/netflix-lands-crowd-funded-reboot-of-mystery-science-theater-3000/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the 2017 "Turkey Day" Marathon, Hodgson announced that Netflix had greenlit a twelfth season of ''MST3K''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/11/mystery-science-theater-3000-the-return-renewed-season-2-netflix-1202213955/|title='Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return' Renewed For Season 2 On Netflix|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=November 23, 2017|access-date=November 23, 2017|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-date=November 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124191822/http://deadline.com/2017/11/mystery-science-theater-3000-the-return-renewed-season-2-netflix-1202213955/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shooting of the twelfth season started on June 4, 2018, and would have six episodes, written to encourage bingewatching and make the series more amenable to non-fans.<ref name="Update 67">{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mst3k/bringbackmst3k/posts/2202923?ref=backer_project_update|title=Annnnnd... we're back! A Long Overdue Update on Season 12. PLUS: Final S11 Rewards + New S12 Rewards!|author=Joel Hodgson|website=Kickstarter|date=June 1, 2018|access-date=June 1, 2018|archive-date=September 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906111534/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mst3k/bringbackmst3k/posts/2202923?ref=backer_project_update|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://nerdist.com/mst3k-gauntlet-joel-hodgson-jonah-ray-hampton-yount/ | title = HOW MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000'S NEW SEASON PLAYS ON BINGE-WATCHING | first = Kyle | last = Anderson | date = November 12, 2018 | access-date = November 12, 2018 | work = [[Nerdist]] | archive-date = November 13, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181113000742/https://nerdist.com/mst3k-gauntlet-joel-hodgson-jonah-ray-hampton-yount/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Further, they created a stronger narrative in the host segments, so that casual viewers would recognize the series having a definitive start, middle, and end.<ref name="nytimes 30th">{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/20/arts/television/mystery-science-theater-3000-netflix-mst3k.html | title = 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' at 30: Still Talking Back to the Screen | first = Simon | last = Abrams | date = November 20, 2018 | access-date = November 20, 2018 | work = [[The New York Times]] | archive-date = November 20, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181120205043/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/20/arts/television/mystery-science-theater-3000-netflix-mst3k.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Other changes included [[Rob Schrab]] coming on as co-director,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.newsweek.com/mst3k-mystery-science-theater-3000-return-season-2-movies-12-netflix-jonah-1215803 | title = 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Season 12: How Jonah And Joel Built On 'The Return' Behind The Scenes | first = Andrew | last = Whalen | date = November 14, 2018 | access-date = November 20, 2018 | work = [[Newsweek]] | archive-date = November 19, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181119223527/https://www.newsweek.com/mst3k-mystery-science-theater-3000-return-season-2-movies-12-netflix-jonah-1215803 | url-status = live }}</ref> and actress Deanna Rooney, Ray's wife, playing Dr. Donna St. Phibes, a "B-movie monster conservationist" who works with the Mads.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.seattleweekly.com/arts/the-timeless-formula-of-mystery-science-theater-3000-goes-live/ | title = The Timeless Formula of 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Goes Live | first = Seth | last = Summerfeld | date = November 6, 2018 | access-date = November 20, 2018 | work = [[Seattle Weekly]] | archive-date = November 21, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181121021853/https://www.seattleweekly.com/arts/the-timeless-formula-of-mystery-science-theater-3000-goes-live/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Former cast member Weinstein returned to reprise his role as Dr. Erhardt. Hodgson had been trying to also bring back both Beaulieu and Conniff for this season, but could not work out the logistics in time.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.tvinsider.com/733158/mystery-science-theater-3000-joel-hodgson-anniversary-thanksgiving-2018/ | title = 'Mystery Science Theater 3000': Joel Hodgson Reflects on 30 Years of the Weirdly Wonderful Series | first = Diane | last = Snyder | date = November 20, 2018 | access-date = November 23, 2018 | work = [[TV Insider]] | archive-date = November 23, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181123024324/https://www.tvinsider.com/733158/mystery-science-theater-3000-joel-hodgson-anniversary-thanksgiving-2018/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

The 12th season was broadcast on Netflix on Thanksgiving aka "Turkey Day", November 22, 2018, which coincided with the show's 30th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/exclusive-mystery-science-theater-3000-s-new-season-ge-1829297286|title=Exclusive: Mystery Science Theater 3000's new season gets a fitting premiere date on Netflix|first=Erik|last=Adams|date=September 25, 2018|access-date=September 25, 2018|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|archive-date=September 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925160035/https://news.avclub.com/exclusive-mystery-science-theater-3000-s-new-season-ge-1829297286|url-status=live}}</ref> To avoid conflicting with the new season's release, the annual Turkey Day Marathon was pushed forward to November 18, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/mystery-science-theater-3000s-turkey-day-marathon-is-ar-1830286526|title=Mystery Science Theater 3000's Turkey Day marathon is arriving early this year|first=Randall|last=Colburn|date=November 7, 2018|access-date=November 12, 2018|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|archive-date=November 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113025723/https://news.avclub.com/mystery-science-theater-3000s-turkey-day-marathon-is-ar-1830286526|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2019, Hodgson confirmed to Kickstarter backers that the show would not return for a third season on Netflix, but that he would be looking into alternative outlets to carry the show. The two seasons made for Netflix will remain on the service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/11/netflix-cancels-mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot-1202795988/|title=Netflix Cancels 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Reboot After Two Seasons|website=Deadline|first=Anita|last=Bennett|date=November 26, 2019|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221083212/https://deadline.com/2019/11/netflix-cancels-mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot-1202795988/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ray stated in an April 2020 interview that "Joel's got some ideas in the pipeline, and it's pretty exciting, what he's working on", and expected further news later in the year.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.avclub.com/jonah-ray-on-his-favorite-horror-monsters-and-the-fate-1842760558 | title = Jonah Ray on his favorite horror monsters and the fate of MST3K | first = Alex | last = McLevy | date = April 11, 2020 | access-date = February 24, 2022 | work = [[The A.V. Club]] | archive-date = February 24, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220224183219/https://www.avclub.com/jonah-ray-on-his-favorite-horror-monsters-and-the-fate-1842760558 | url-status = live }}</ref> Hodgson had praised Netflix for helping to bring new fans to ''MST3K'' and said that his production company Alternaversal Productions was still looking for ways to bring the show back through other means, though he did criticize Netflix for forcing an embargo that kept him from providing updates to his fans on the progress on the show until they were ready to announce details.<ref name="ign migizi">{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/mystery-science-theater-3000s-creator-joel-hodgson-discusses-another-comeback-upcoming-mst3k-projects | title = Mystery Science Theater 3000 Creator Joel Hodgson Discusses Another MST3K Comeback - Comic-Con 2020 | first = Samuel | last = Claiborn | date = July 23, 2020 | access-date = July 23, 2020 | work = [[IGN]] | archive-date = July 24, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200724050755/https://www.ign.com/articles/mystery-science-theater-3000s-creator-joel-hodgson-discusses-another-comeback-upcoming-mst3k-projects | url-status = live }}</ref>

===Gizmoplex era (2022) {{anchor|Gizmoplex}}===
On April 7, 2021, Hodgson launched a second Kickstarter campaign to continue production of more ''MST3K'' episodes. Given the difficulties with Netflix, Hodgson envisioned a sustainable production approach based on the support of fans and backers who wanted more episodes but without having to worry about the financial support of a broadcast or cable network. In this project, Hodgson set out to produce more episodes and the creation of "The Gizmoplex", an online platform designed to showcase these new episodes as well as reruns of past episodes and live events, presented as another experiment by the Mads.<ref name="avclub 2021ks"/> Hodgson said that while the Netflix support was helpful for the prior two seasons, the streamer had required the production team to produce all their episodes at once, which did not work well and resulted in creative burn-out. By using the Gizmoplex approach, the production team would be able to produce new content at their own pace.<ref name="io9 2021ks">{{cite web | url = https://gizmodo.com/mystery-science-theater-3000s-joel-hodgson-on-season-13-1846768146 | title = Mystery Science Theater 3000's Joel Hodgson on Season 13, the Gizmoplex, and Leaving the Show in Good Hands | first = Rob | last = Bricken | date = April 27, 2021 | accessdate = November 27, 2021 | work = [[Gizmodo]] | archive-date = November 27, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211127045251/https://gizmodo.com/mystery-science-theater-3000s-joel-hodgson-on-season-13-1846768146 | url-status = live }}</ref> Further, by establishing the continuation of the show in the Gizmoplex format, ''MST3K'' could continue even without Hodgson's involvement, so long as the demand from fans of the show remained.<ref name="io9 2021ks"/>

During the Kickstarter, Hodgson confirmed that due to the name being seen by some as an [[ethnic slur]] against [[Romani people|Romani]] and other [[Nomad|itinerant peoples]], Gypsy was renamed to GPC around 2019.<ref name="Joel_Namechange_MainSeries">{{citation | title=Update #2 Joel Takes Some Questions, Part I | date=9 April 2021 | work=kickstarter | author=Hodgson, Joel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|user=JoelGHodgson|number=1175785593181224960|title=The new Gypsy (GPC) was inspired here in New Haven last year by a fan who made a Gypsy hand puppet. #MST3KLive pic.twitter.com/KEaF8FLxEB|first=Joel|last=Hodgson|date=September 22, 2019}}</ref>

The Kickstarter surpassed its minimum funding goal of {{USD|2 million|long=no}} within 25 hours of launch,<ref name="io9 2021ks"/> and ended with over {{USD|6.5 million|long=no}} raised, assuring that thirteen regular episodes would be produced, including the series' first [[Anaglyph 3D|3D episode]] as well as special Halloween and Christmas episodes.<ref name="avclub ks2 success"/> Most of the Netflix series cast{{snd}}including Ray, Vaughn, Yount, Hanson, Day, and Oswalt{{snd}}return to their roles. A new hosting cast features Emily Marsh, who had participated in the live tours during the Netflix years, portraying Emily Connor as the test subject, along with other live show performers Conor McGiffin, Kelsey Ann Brady, and Yvonne Freese voicing Tom, Crow, and GPC 2, respectively; Freese would also play Mega Synthia.<ref name="variety ks2 success"/> The last name Connor was in reference to [[Sarah Connor (Terminator)|Sarah Connor]] from the ''[[Terminator (franchise)|Terminator]]'' franchise.<ref name="paste emily">{{cite web | url = https://www.pastemagazine.com/comedy/mst3k/mst3k-emily-marsh-connor-interview-name-episodes-tom-crow-voices/ | title = Meet Emily Marsh, MST3K's Newest Human Stranded in Space | first = Jim | last = Vorel | date = May 10, 2022 | accessdate = May 10, 2022 | work = [[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] | archive-date = May 10, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220510170633/https://www.pastemagazine.com/comedy/mst3k/mst3k-emily-marsh-connor-interview-name-episodes-tom-crow-voices/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Hodgson reprised his Joel Robinson character for three episodes.<ref name="avclub 2021ks">{{cite web | url = https://www.avclub.com/exclusive-joel-hodgson-says-it-s-time-to-makemoremst3-1846634073 | title = Exclusive: Joel Hodgson says it's time to #MakeMoreMST3K | first = Erik | last = Adams | date = April 7, 2021 | accessdate = November 27, 2021 | work = [[The A.V. Club]] | archive-date = November 27, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211127045252/https://www.avclub.com/exclusive-joel-hodgson-says-it-s-time-to-makemoremst3-1846634073 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="avclub ks2 success">{{cite web | last = Hughes | first = William | url = https://www.avclub.com/joel-and-the-bots-have-successfully-funded-a-full-new-s-1846852472 | title = Joel and the Bots have successfully funded a full new season of MST3K | website = [[The A.V. Club]] | date = May 8, 2021 | accessdate = November 27, 2021 | archive-date = November 27, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211127045252/https://www.avclub.com/joel-and-the-bots-have-successfully-funded-a-full-new-s-1846852472 | url-status = live }}</ref> Pehl and Weinstein reprised their roles as Pearl Forrester and Dr. Laurence Erhardt, respectively, within this block of episodes.<ref name="variety ks2 success">{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/mystery-science-theater-3000-kickstarter-season-13-1234969824/ | title = 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Raises Over $6.5 Million for Season 13, Online Theater | first = Joe | last = Otterson | date = May 10, 2021 | accessdate = May 10, 2021 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | archive-date = May 15, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210515233841/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/mystery-science-theater-3000-kickstarter-season-13-1234969824/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Further, Nelson, Murphy, and Corbett of [[RiffTrax]] will offer some of their material to be included among the Gizmoplex' archives.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://gizmodo.com/its-official-mystery-science-theater-3000-lives-again-1846860410 | title = It's Official: Mystery Science Theater 3000 Lives Again | first = Rob | last = Bricken | date = May 10, 2021 | accessdate = May 10, 2021 | work = [[Gizmodo]] | archive-date = May 30, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210530225514/https://gizmodo.com/its-official-mystery-science-theater-3000-lives-again-1846860410 | url-status = live }}</ref>

During the annual 2021 Turkey Day Marathon, the thirteen movies to be riffed as part of the 13th season were announced. These include: ''Santo in The Treasure of Dracula'', ''[[Robot Wars (film)|Robot Wars]]'', ''[[Beyond Atlantis (film)|Beyond Atlantis]]'', ''[[Munchie]]'', ''[[Doctor Mordrid]]'', ''[[Demon Squad]]'', ''[[Gamera vs. Jiger]]'', ''The Batwoman'', ''[[The Million Eyes of Sumuru]]'', ''[[H. G. Wells' The Shape of Things to Come]]'', ''[[The Mask (1961 film)|The Mask]]'', ''[[The Bubble (1966 film)|The Bubble]]'', and ''[[The Christmas Dragon]]''.<ref name="den of geek s13"/> The first three were presented to backers as pre-release versions starting on March 4, 2022, as a means of testing the Gizmoplex.<ref name="den of geek s13">{{cite web | url = https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/mystery-science-theater-3000-mst3k-season-13-movies-details-release-date/ | title = MST3K Season 13: All The Movies, Details, and Release Date | first = Gavin | last = Jasper | date = November 28, 2021 | accessdate = November 28, 2021 | work = [[Den of Geek]] | archive-date = November 29, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211129132813/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/mystery-science-theater-3000-mst3k-season-13-movies-details-release-date/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The public launch of the platform and the thirteenth season was released on May 6, 2022. The second and third episodes premiered in succeeding days, and with remaining episodes and shorts premiering every two weeks afterwards.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vejvoda |first1=Jim |title=Mystery Science Theater 3000: Season 13 Exclusive Trailer and Release Date Announcement |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/mystery-science-theater-3000-mst3k-season-13-trailer-date-movies-cast-how-to-watch |website=IGN |access-date=March 23, 2022 |date=March 23, 2022 |archive-date=March 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323161652/https://www.ign.com/articles/mystery-science-theater-3000-mst3k-season-13-trailer-date-movies-cast-how-to-watch |url-status=live }}</ref> A year after the season was first shown on the Gizmoplex service, episodes were made available through the ''MST3K'' channel on [[PlutoTV]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.avclub.com/mystery-science-theater-3000-escapes-the-gizmoplex-for-1850205459 | title = Mystery Science Theater 3000's latest season escapes the Gizmoplex for Pluto TV | first = Matt | last = Schimkowitz | date = March 8, 2023 | accessdate = March 8, 2023 | work = [[The A.V. Club]] | archive-date = March 9, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230309005315/https://www.avclub.com/mystery-science-theater-3000-escapes-the-gizmoplex-for-1850205459 | url-status = live }}</ref>

Crowdfunding for the fourteenth season began in October 2023, with a minimum target of $4.8 million to bring six full movies and six shorts, while reaching $7.4 million would give twelve of each.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/mystery-science-theater-3000-creator-launches-latest-crowdfunding-campaign-to-make-season-14 | title = Mystery Science Theater 3000 Creator Launches Latest Crowdfunding Campaign to Make Season 14 | first = Christina | last = Alexander | date = October 24, 2023 | accessdate = October 24, 2023 | work = [[IGN]] | archive-date = October 24, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231024212233/https://www.ign.com/articles/mystery-science-theater-3000-creator-launches-latest-crowdfunding-campaign-to-make-season-14 | url-status = live }}</ref> This goal was later adjusted to $4 million for six full movies and shorts in an attempt to complete the base goal due to slowdowns in donations. The crowdfunding failed to reach its lowered goal, with only 68% raised.<ref>{{cite web | last = Reyna | first = Leo | url = https://www.cbr.com/mst3k-creator-encouraging-update/ | title = MST3K Creator Shares Encouraging Update After Season 14 Fundraiser Fails | date = November 30, 2023 | website = [[Comic Book Resources]] | access-date = December 12, 2023 | archive-date = February 25, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240225135538/https://www.cbr.com/mst3k-creator-encouraging-update/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

And as a result, Season 14 could not be made and the series was once again put into hiatus.