MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000...THE GREATEST SHOW EVER?

This page represents some of my all-time favorite episodes of the classic series affectionately known to us fans simply as MST3K. There really aren't any "bad" episodes per se, but I think after season 1 we did see a drastic improvement in the chemistry of the main characters and there were also more obscure and adult oriented jokes instead of just guys making noise in a theater. I guess MST3K would have it's roots in classic Creature Feature shows. Typically they'd play something like The Mummy's Ghost or Tarantula and the host would typically make some quips about the film or they'd point out some humorous scenes to look for. Regardless of being a continuation of the old Creature Features, I'd still call MST3K one of the most original shows ever created! What outsiders of the series probably don't know is that there is an occasional argument regarding who is a better host, Joel or Mike. I do think that as the series progressed they would really start to hit their stride, but overall I'd simply say it was the combo of Mike Nelson as the head writer and Joel Hodgson as the main creator that made this series so perfect throughout it's entire 11 season run. Even when Joel hosted, Mike was always in the background as some minor character and when Joel decided to move on it was a natural transition even if at first I absolutely hated the change. Everyone involved with this series added something special to it as they are all ridiculously intelligent, creative and most importantly funny people. The only negative thing I can say about the show is it sometimes causes really entertaining movies to get lower ratings due to the film's inclusion in the series. However, if not for MST3K, I'd probably never have realized how great Space Mutiny or Beginning Of The End really was. This series did start in the late 80s and it is technically still going strong to this day. Not only on services like Netflix, but also in the equally funny Rifftrax which includes most of the primary players from Mystery Science Theater. There are also dozens, if not hundreds of far less funny knockoffs. Thanks to these guys and gals, people will be riffing on new movies and old movies for as long as cinema exists.

Honorable Mentions That Almost Made The List:

Manos The Hands Of Fate (1966)

The Beast Of Yucca Flats (1961)

Warrior Of The Lost World (1983)

The Final Sacrifice (1990)

Werewolf (1996)

5. The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living 

    And Became Mixed Up Zombies (1964)

"That folk singer sounds like he's skinning a cat"

A nice simple title, easy to remember. Ray Dennis Steckler had some weird ideas about horror movies. We have seen dancing, singing and monsters combined before, but not to this absurd degree. I don't necessarily have a problem with singing and dancing, but here all the dancers and the singers are awful especially the folk music guy (Don Snyder). I mean who the Hell would come to an amusement park to see terrible dancing? At the film's end the “zombies” actually look pretty cool, too bad the film didn’t revolve around them. The jokes fly hard and fast in this one, but considering the subject matter I think we could all do a good job riffing this one.

4. Mitchell (1975)

"I hope that Dynasty show calls back soon"

Joel's final episode has him going out with a bang! Overall the cast in Mitchell is good, but the production value is piss poor. Joe Don just doesn’t fit as a male lead although he does try his best. Rumor has it than Joe Don Baker actually got angry over this episode and threatened to beat the Hell out of the MST3K gang. Many other directors and actors considered being lampooned on this series to be an honor. The jokes are all over the place and I'd recommend this one as a perfect first episode to watch for anyone who wants to know what MST3K is all about.

3. Future War (1997)

"Get your stinking paws off me you damn, dirty human"

Ladies and gentlemen, Fred Burroughs. It only took 2 years for Future War to go from video release to the MST3K big screen. Let's look at a few decent aspects of the film. The action scenes are decent, but they are also poorly edited. The acting by female lead Travis Brooks Stewart is actually pretty good and I'm surprised she didn't go on to bigger and better things because the male lead actually went onto a Matrix sequel. The dinosaurs don’t look too bad, but the fact that you simply find them near water is stupid. Are we to believe this runoff tunnel is the only source of water in Los Angeles? Let's face it, the overall story is unoriginal and uninspired, the film doesn't appear to be taking place in any kind of future and I agree with Mike and the bots, what the Hell is with all the boxes?

2. Hobgoblins (1988)

"Hey, Hobgoblins four hours in"

My guess is this Gremlins ripoff would appear on everyone’s best of MST3K list, goofy cinema at it’s best! Yes, the creatures are hand puppets, but this is supposed to be more of a comedy than horror or sci-fi flick. One question does persist with the viewers and the Satellite Of Love crew though. Why is that vault that stores these dangerous creatures never even locked? Do you realize that if the vault was simply kept locked by the security guard who claims he's looking after them, the film would be 5 minutes long? Everyone turns in a poor performance and the male lead endlessly whines while the rest of the cast will just annoy the Hell out of you, but yet we do get Duane Whitaker, the pawn shop owner from Pulp Fiction, in a small role. Rick Sloane better known for Vice Academy and other films you’d find on Cinemax in the 90s actually sent in this film himself. Ever since the first time I watched this episode I have been trying to purchase an original Hobgoblin from the film to no avail...

1. Space Mutiny (1988)

"The greatest bar scene since Casablanca"

I have watched this episode over 150 times and have to say it's still funny every time, even the lines I have memorized which is most. One of the most popular jokes in MST3K history are the few dozen names given to our muscle bound lead. Blast Hardcheese, Gristle McThornbody, etc. I own a regular copy of the film as well and it's not bad at all. The stolen Battlestar Galactica effects look great, Reb Brown is good in everything he does as are most of the other main actors. In fact I would call John Phillip Law one of the best movie villains of all-time! Granted we can see that Space Mutiny is clearly filmed in a bright, sun lit warehouse, but director David Winters brings in loads of light to every scene so the ship does look somewhat streamlined. It just so happens that a lot of the action and the actual mutiny take place within the rusty hull of this old ship. Despite a dead woman coming back to life to continue to work her computer station and a few other editing mistakes I really like this movie. I also like the endless jokes from the gang about the movie...I mean this episode is from the same guys who riffed on The Empire Strikes Back. Humor can be found from the worst film to the best...this is all fantasy folks and fantasy should always be fun!!!