ftp.ee.pdx.edu/2014.02.ftp.ee.pdx.edu.tar/ftp.ee.pdx.edu/pub/mst3k/faqs/MST3k-MostFAQs.Jul.10

Text File | 1994-07-20 | 19KB | 405 lines

                        _Mystery Science Theater 3000_
                       Most Frequently Asked Questions

This brief FAQ was created primarily for newbies who, for one reason or
another, cannot wait to read the regular FAQ.  It should contain the most asked
questions only.  The regular FAQ, along with the episode guide, is posted every
other Sunday (A.D.) on rec.arts.tv.mst3k, alt.tv.mst3k, and alt.fan.mst3k.  If
you would like a copy of the FAQ or episode guide, please e-mail me
([e-mail]) with "FAQ request" in the Subject: line.  Also
remember to read the basic news FAQ found on news.answers.
This version is edited and modified by Matthew Duhan ([e-mail])
from a version edited by Lisa Jenkins ([e-mail]) from
an originally compiled list from the _Satellite of Love Newsletter_ edited by
Rich Kulawiec ([e-mail]). As you can see, a lot of people went
into making this possible.

Last updated: July 10, 1994


Q: What's the show all about?
A: _Mystery Science Theater 3000_, also known as MST3K or MST 3000, is a
program carried by Comedy Central on various cable companies.  It was
originally shown in Minneapolis, Minnesota on an independent station, KTMA
TV23 (see "The Obscure"), and then was picked up by HBO's Comedy Channel which
later merged with Viacom's HA! and became CTV which was later renamed Comedy
Central (whew!).  The show's basic premise is to view really bad movies and
heckle them.

Mike Nelson, a hired temp, was blasted into space by his evil bosses in Deep
13. They then force him to watch bad films and then monitor his reactions.
Mike, in order to keep his sunny disposition and his sanity, heckles the movies
with the help of three robots constructed from parts of the satellite.

On Earth, the mad scientists steal Mike's inventions and select the cinematic
horrors, disguising them as experiments to inflict on Mike and the robots.
They in turn respond by unmercifully riffing the movies from beginning to end.
We see the show from behind their seats in the theater, seeing their
silhouettes in the bottom of the screen and hearing their comments.  The
heckling draws mostly from pop culture, but also from every other imaginable
source, including science, philosophy and history, and many times consist of
current issues in the news and media.  Three times during the film (roughly
every half hour), Mike and the 'bots are given a break, at which point they do
host segments.  During the "host segments" they do parodies and annoy the mad
scientists.

Q: When is the show on?
A: (All times Eastern/Pacific)
   Monday through Friday night 12:00 Midnight
   Saturday evening 7:00 PM
   Sunday morning 10:00 AM ( usually a repeat of Saturday evening)
   Monday through Friday 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM (Mystery Science Theater Hour)

Q: Who is this Joel that people talk about and appears on the midnight shows?
A: Joel Robinson was the original character blasted into space by the mad
scientists.  He worked at Gizmonic Institute as a janitor.  In 512 "Mitchell,"
he managed to escape from the ship.  Joel is the one who originally built the
robots to keep him company.
Joel Hodgson, who plays Joel Robinson, is the original creator of Mystery
Science Theater 3000, and one of the founders of Best Brains.

Q: This "new guy" Mike Nelson looks familiar.  Where have I seen him before?
A: Mike Nelson is already known for his special characterizations of Jack
Perkins, Michael Feinstein, Gamera, Mothra, Morressey, Torgo, and hexfield
viewscreen guests among many others.  Mike began hosting in 513 "The Brain That
Wouldn't Die."

Q: How did Joel manage to get off the ship?
A: Mike Nelson's character was introduced at the beginning of 512 "Mitchell" as
a temp in Deep 13.  Through the course of the skits, Gypsy heard the Mads
talking about getting rid of him, and thought they meant Joel.  She then
managed to get Joel off the ship with Mike's help (by using Frank's keys).
Joel was put in an escape pod named the "Deus Ex Machina" (located in a box
marked "Hamdingers") and launched towards Earth.  The Mads, needing a
replacement, hit Mike on the head and send him up.

Q: Why did Joel "step down" from his on-screen role (Phase 4)?
A: Joel Hodgson decided to take it easy for a while and not host the show
anymore.  He has other plans in the making, including other television shows
and movies.  As of episode 512 "Mitchell", Joel was replaced by Mike Nelson,
head writer for MST3K.

Q: So what is Joel Hodgson doing now?
A: Joel is now working in LA.  He is no longer working at Best Brains, nor are
there any plans for him to in the future.  He has done writing for the Paula
Poundstone Show and Greg Kinnear Show, among other things.

Q: What is this Mystery Science Theater Hour?
A: Best Brains and Comedy Central decided to divide the normal two-hour shows
into two-part one-hour shows.  There were several reasons for this decision.
First, it allows the show to be viewed at an earlier time block, due to its
shorter length.  Also, it will more easily allow the show to go into
syndication, if the Brains ever wish to do so.

Q: So what's the difference?  Should I watch and tape both versions?
A: The Mystery Science Theater Hour has introductory host segments given by
Jack Perkins, first seen in 310 "Fugitive Alien" (played by Mike Nelson).  In
order to fit these introductions, about 5 minutes have been cut from each
episode.  As with the reruns, Best Brains has only done MSTH versions of
Phase 2 up.  General consensus seems to be to tape the new introductions
but not the movie in edited form.

Q: Will the Comedy Channel 1989/90 season be shown on Comedy Central again?
A: No.  Although Comedy Central has shown clips on _Short Attention Span
Theater_ of the first Comedy Channel season, Best Brains feels that at that
time, they did not have their "chops down".  In addition, BBI does not have the
rights to the movies any longer.

Q: Do the Brains at Best Brains, Inc. have an e-mail address?
A: Yes.  It is [e-mail].  In addition, Julie Walker, the official
spokesperson for Best Brains on the 'Net and Info Club Poobah, has her own
address.  It is [e-mail].

Q: Where are anonymous FTP sites for MST3K related things?
A: There are several sites:

Site: ftp.cs.odu.edu (128.82.4.1)
Directory: /pub/mst3k (sounds, images, Fanfic, FAQs, LPBN back issues, MST3K
                       Wallpaper, just about everything)

Site: gynko.circ.upenn.edu
Directory: /pub/rsk/mst3k (SOLN back issues)

Site: isis.dccs.upenn.edu (130.91.16.6)
Directory: /pub/mst3k (pictures)

Site: spider.navsses.navy.mil (157.187.16.101)
Directory: /pub/pictures (pictures)
Directory: /pub/sounds/mst3k (sounds)

Site: cais.com
Directory: /usr/jdfalk/mst3kadv (MST Adventures)

Site: vincent.iastate.edu
Directory: /mst3k

Site : mmg.im.med.umich.edu
Directory: /usr/anon/mst3k/sounds (sounds)

Site: ftp.ee.pdx.edu
Directory: /pub/mst3k (sounds, pictures)

Site: ftp.u.washington.edu
Directory: /pub/user-supported/starfish (QuickTime movies of MST3K.  Large!)

Site:ftp.digex.net
Directory: /pub/access/tomservo (QT movies and other things)

Site: sumex-aim.stanford.edu
Directory: /info-mac/gui/ad (Torgo AfterDark screen saver)

Site: husc4.harvard.edu
Directory: /pub/hrsfa/SIGs/MST3K (FAQ, Episode Guide, KTMA pics)

Please remember to limit your down-loads to less than 1 Meg per day and
to use off peak hours.  This will help to ensure that sites like these
will continue to provide access to these files.

Q: Are there any World Wide Web (WWW) sites for MST3K?
A: Yes.  There are several currently known.
   http://www.cs.odu.edu/~bianco/mst3k/MST3K.html
   http://topquark.cecer.army.mil/~roland/mst3k/mst3k.html
   http://www.ee.pdx.edu/cat/chaos/html/mst3k.html
   http://www.scs.unr.edu/homepage/rory/mst3k/mst3k.html
   http://tamsun.tamu.edu/~dml601a/mst3k/mst3k.html
   http://jaquenetta.wx.ll.mit.edu/MST3K/
   http://www.public.iastate.edu/~hunter/mst3k.html
   http://www.engin.umich.edu/~jgotts/mst3k.html
   http://www.engin.umich.edu/~mneylon/mst3k.html
   http://www.wpi.edu:8080/~patrickd/tomservo.html/

Q: Are there USENET newsgroups?
A: Yes.  The current active newsgroup on USENET is rec.arts.tv.mst3k.  There
are two other newsgroups, alt.tv.mst3k, and alt.fan.mst3k but they are not
available at all sites.  Most articles posted in rec.arts.tv.mst3k should be
crossposted to alt.tv.mst3k and sometimes crossposted to alt.fan.mst3k.

Q: Should I post at rec.arts.tv.mst3k, alt.tv.mst3k, or alt.fan.mst3k?
A: For a wider reading audience, you should post at rec.arts.tv.mst3k, and
crosspost to alt.tv.mst3k.  Some people posting at alt.fan.mst3k will receive
an error message from USENET stating the newsgroup is redundant or bogus.

Q: Hey, I just got a really neat MST3K picture/sound.  Should I post it?
A: No, you should not.  This wastes time and bandwidth, and money for those
people who pay for their access.  Instead, put it in one of the FTP sites and
post a pointer to it.

Q: Are there any Internet BBS sites with MST3K rooms?
A: Yes, there are several currently known about.

   Sunset BBS               paladine.hacks.arizona.edu          login: bbs
   Itchy & Scratchy Show    [phone]                      login: guest.
   Deep 13                  [phone]                      login: ?
   Phoenix Starfighter BBS  [phone]                      login: ?
   Rad Systemz BBS          [phone] or 838-4039          login: ?
   Satellite of Love        [phone]                      login: ?
   Renfield's BBS           [phone] or [e-mail]  login: ?

Q: Why are there two FAQs for MST3K?
A: The original FAQ, compiled by Richard Kulawiec ([e-mail]),
was created for and by the _Satellite of Love Newsletter_ mailing list members.
Until January 1993, it was only mailed to SOLN members.  This FAQ was created
by demand from alt.tv.mst3k USENET newsgroup members, since the other one is
not always posted, and has not been updated since March, 1993.

Q: Are the two FAQs the same or different?
A: Although many of the basics are relatively the same, each FAQ contains
different specific information.  For instance, the other FAQ has no mention of
Mike Nelson.

Q: Is an episode guide available?
A: There are several episode guides, most of which are posted periodically to
the alt.tv.mst3k newsgroup (see "Electronic Forums").  An ASCII episode guide
which can be used with a mail merge program (such as on Word Perfect) was
created by Brian Siano ([e-mail]).  It also includes information such
as host segment scripts and notes on the movies.  Also posted are Malcom
Austin's episode guide which began the SOLN (see "Electronic Forums") episode
guide and the SOLN episode guide which includes most of the information found
in all of the episode guides.  One of the most complete guides is the one
posted with the FAQ by Matthew Duhan ([e-mail]).

Q: Is there a brief episode guide available, which just lists name and episode
number?
A: Yes.  The Brief Episode Guide is available from Matthew Duhan
([e-mail])

Q: I really like the short films they do, but I forget which episode they're
from.  Is there a  guide just to the shorts?
A: Yes.  A Shorts Guide is available from Matthew Duhan
([e-mail]).  It contains all the shorts shown by episode and
alphabetically.

Q: Is there a guide that lists all the various repeated jokes within a
particular episode?
A: Yes.  A List of Lists Guide is currently in the works.  It contains such
lists as the names for "Touch" Connors and things thrown at the blackboard
during commercial breaks (Phase 4).  For a copy, e-mail Matthew Duhan
([e-mail]).  For submissions, e-mail Matthew Duhan
([e-mail]) with "LOL" in the Subject: line.

Q: I've seen some people MiSTing USENET articles.  Is there a guide to the
proper format for doing this?
A: Yes, it is available from Matt Duhan ([e-mail]) or Michael
Neylon ([e-mail]).  In addition, there is a mailing "dibbs"
list.  To subscribe, e-mail [e-mail].

Q: What is the "Stack O' Love"?
A: This is a Hypercard stack created by Lynn Siprelle (Sorry PC users).  It
contains this FAQ, the Rock Climbing FAQ, an episode guide, a cookbook, a song
guide, and a bunch of neat sounds and stuff.  It is available via the FTP sites
or at America Online (see "Electronic Forums").

Q: How do you join the MST3K fan club?
A: To join the fan club is free.  Just write them at the following address:

MST3K Information Club
P.O. Box 5325
Hopkins, Minnesota 55343

Q: Where can I get a list of MST3K episodes which will be airing every month
on Comedy Central?
A: You could call Comedy Central's Schedule line.
  [phone]
   x1300 for MST3K
   x1301 for MST Hour
This is a regular toll number (i.e. neither 800 nor 900) so you'll be charged,
but not charged excessively

In addition, it is posted to rec.arts.tv.mst3k and alt.tv.mst3k every Saturday
by Mike Pearce ([e-mail]).  Also, [e-mail] (Scott
Fabbri) keeps them in his .plan if you finger him.

Q: What's the address of Comedy Central, so I can complain about yet another
screw up involving MST3K?
A:
Comedy Central
1775 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
[phone]

In addition, their e-mail address is:  [e-mail]

The president of CC is Bob Kreek.  His extension is 8552.
His fax number is [phone]

Q: If I happen to be in the Minneapolis area, can I tour the Best Brains
studio?
A: Yes, but only on limited times due to tight schedules.  Call well in advance
and make an appointment.
Update: You have to call the Thursday before the next week's Friday to
schedule a tour for that Friday.  Therefore, to have a tour on Friday the 9th
you have to call Thursday the 1st.

Best Brains, Inc.
7615 Golden Triangle Drive, #J
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344

Office: [phone]
   FAX: [phone]

Q: Which way do the 'bots face when in the theater?  It looks like they
actually face away from the screen if you look at Crow.
A: The 'bots, in addition to Mike and Joel, face toward the screen, with their
backs to Cambot and thus the audience.  In the opening sequence, the shot is
reversed (Joel's "Gizmonics" logo is backwards) because the shot was set up
with Crow on the left of Joel but looked better reversed, so that they matched
their order during the show.  In the theater, Crow's head creates an optical
illusion due to trying to view a three-dimensional object two-dimensionally.
However, it has been seen both from the CC special "This is MST3K" and from the
tour that the 'bots do in fact face toward a white screen, with their backs to
the camera.  (Actually, there is also a teleprompter on the floor in front of
them, not to mention this is where Trace and Kevin lie).

Q: Who is this Richard Basehart that Gypsy is so fond of?
A: He is a long-time movie and TV character actor, best known as the star of
the 1960's TV series _Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea_.

Q. Why is Tom Servo's head look a cylinder in several episodes of the Comedy
Channel's 1990/91 season (Phase 2)?
A. Servo was given a "haircut" in episode 205 "Rocket Attack USA."

Q: How can Servo zoom up and down the theater seats with no problem but needs
to be carried in the theater by Mike or Joel?
A: In episode 110 "Robot Holocaust" Servo reminds Joel to carry him over the
heating grid.  Mike is also informed of this fact in 513 "The Brain That
Wouldn't Die."  Apparently Servo's hoverskirt has difficulty providing enough
force to carry him over on his own, although he has done it on occasion.

The show-production reason for this is that when they enter the theater,
Mike can walk in, and Trace can slide Crow over from the right, but Kevin
must be already sitting down under where Tom Servo sits.  Mike has to carry
Tom Servo in and hand him to Kevin Murphy, and carry him out at the end.

Q: How does Tom Servo know when it is time to leave the theater?
A: Because he was built with those "special parts" that tell the time.

Q: Why does Gizmonics Institute and the "G" logo no longer appear?
A: The Mads do not work for Gizmonics Institute, they are renegades who used to
work there, before blasting Joel into space.
The real-life reason is that Joel Hodgson owns the rights to these things.
Now that he no longer appears on the show, they have been removed.

Q: I remember a debate about computers in one episode.  Which computer does
BBI prefer?
A: In 304 "Gammera vs. Barugon" there was a debate over whether Macs or IBMs
were better.  The debate was not resolved, but was ended when Joel asked if
anyone had seen the mouse for his Amiga.  In real life, BBI likes all three
types of computers.  When they started they could only afford one computer and
had some debate about going Mac or IBM.  Now they have 8 IBM's, 5 Macs, and
one Amiga.  The writers tend to prefer Mac, though.

Q: What are the lyrics to the opening song?
A: There are three different versions of the opening song.  Here are the
current lyrics.

"Love Theme from Mystery Science Theatre [sic] (3000)"

Music: Charles Erickson and Joel Hodgson
Lyrics: The Brains

In the not-too-distant future
Way down in Deep 13,
Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank
Were hatching an Evil Scheme.
They hired a temp by the name of Mike,
Just a regular joe they didn't like.
Their experiment needed a good test case,
So they conked him on the noggin
And they shot him into space. (Get me down!)

We'll send him cheesy movies,
The worst we can find (la-la-la).
He'll have to sit and watch them all,
And we'll monitor his mind (la-la-la).
Now keep in mind Mike can't control
Where the movies begin or end (la-la-la)
He'll try to keep his sanity
With the help of his robot friends.

Robot Roll Call:
Cambot!  (Show yourself!)
Gypsy!  (I'm not ready!)
Tom Servo!  (Hello there!)
Croooow!  (That's one "o"!)

If you're wondering how he eats and breathes
and other science facts (la la la),
Then repeat to yourself, "It's just a show,
I should really just relax
For Mystery Science Theater 3000!"

Q: If I have a correction or additional information to add, who do I send
it to?
A: E-mail it to Matthew Duhan ([e-mail]) with "FAQ" in the
Subject: line.

Special thanks to many MiSTies from coast to coast.

_Mystery Science Theater 3000_, its characters and situations are copyright
1993 Best Brains, Inc.  This publication is not meant to infringe on any
copyrights held by Best Brains, Comedy Central or its employees.  The
information herein is subject to being wrong.  This FAQ is free to distribute
as long as this notice remains intact.