MST3K meets National Geographic?!

[Redfern]

As incredulous as the title may read, this bizarre "crossover" will take place upon the National Geographic Channel, 8 PM Eastern, 2014/04/01.

I know what your thinking, "Wait! 2014/04/01? That's April first! Sorry, Bill, we're not buying this ruse!"

I was doubtful as well when I read the short article at the "Satellite News" website, but someone provided a link to the Nat Geo website which has several preview video clips, such as this one...

http://channel.nationalgeographic.c...ff/videos/total-riff-off-aggro-mantis-shrimp/

As you can see and hear, Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy and Michael J. Nelson of RiffTrax, the on-line successor to "Mystery Science Theater 3000", will be providing irreverent commentary during a special titled "Total Riff Off". From the clips I gather there will be at least four different animals discussed and in time honored fashion, the three comedians will provide tongue-in-cheek observations about the intriguing facts of these creatures.

Obviously, this has been done with the cooperation of National Geographic, so I'm sure the trio's material was "reviewed" to avoid any, uh, misunderstandings and/or bruised egos. Never the less, the various clips do seem to "call back" the flavor of the short subjects "zinged" in the original series.

I may save this recording.

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Trekker4747]

I hope they talk about those filthy, repulsive, ant-eaters!

 

[Trekker4747]

Bumping this up.

It's been a source of some discussion over on the Rifftrax boards and should probe to be a fun night and also an exciting leap for Rifftrax, this being the first time the guys have riffed something on cable TV since MST3K went off the air.

National Geographic on April 1st for three hours starting at 8pm Eastern.

A sample segment: Probably best to not watch it while at work or while eating. Or while drinking something lest you spit out or have it come out your knows during your laughter.

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR_Jq2leTDQ[/yt]

Yeah, koalas are gross animals.

 

[Redfern]

A number sites misreported this announcement to mean "Mystery Science Theater 3000" was returning to the air, complete with the Satellite of Love, Cambot, Gypsy, Tom Servo and Crow. Thankfully, the guys at RiffTrax set the record straight and clarified that Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy and Michael J. Nelson will be providing comedic commentary for three separate one hour presentations that will air the night of April 1st.

Yeah, it would be sweet if MST3K were to return, but I fear too much time has passed and the original creative team has migrated into two separate groups with somewhat different approaches. Besides, I think Jim Mallon owns the rights to the 'Bots (though I know Joel Hodgeson designed them). That makes the creative split, three ways.

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Awesome Possum]

A number sites misreported this announcement to mean "Mystery Science Theater 3000" was returning to the air, complete with the Satellite of Love, Cambot, Gypsy, Tom Servo and Crow. Thankfully, the guys at RiffTrax set the record straight and clarified that Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy and Michael J. Nelson will be providing comedic commentary for three separate one hour presentations that will air the night of April 1st.

Yeah, it would be sweet if MST3K were to return, but I fear too much time has passed and the original creative team has migrated into two separate groups with somewhat different approaches. Besides, I think Jim Mallon owns the rights to the 'Bots (though I know Joel Hodgeson designed them). That makes the creative split, three ways.

Sincerely,

Bill

Joel and Jim seem to be working together to some degree now. Joel appeared with the Bots during last year's online Turkey Day and he has expressed interest in bringing the show back in some form. He said that finding a home for it would probably be the biggest issue.

I would hope that Netflix rise to the occasion and bring it back to us given that they already show the old episodes and the Netflix produced Arrested Development's season 4 had Joel and the Bots in a cameo.

 

[Redfern]

Just a lil' reminder...

Tonight, April 1, 2014, the Nation Geographic Channel (not to be confused with NatGeo Wild) will air three 1 hour specials with humorous commentary supplied by the cast of RiffTrax, Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy and Micheal J. Nelson. The broadcasts will start at 8:00 PM (Eastern) and will run until 11 PM. The episodes will broadcast again immediately afterwards.

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I thought it was OK but not super...until the Demon Bat episode won me over. Definitely the highlight in my mind as we follow our hapless hirsute hero in his puffed up quest for killer bats. Lots of classic riffing about Indiana Jones and skewering his attempts to embiggen his adventures in exotic lands ("you mean Spanish?").

 

[Trekker4747]

I really enjoyed it but, yeah, the "Bat-Man" episode was certainly the best as it was pretty much filled with the kind of material the guys can really sink their teeth in, especially when they're given such an idiot "main character" to sink their teeth into.

The collage episode that ran first certainly had funny moments, the third episode was okay. I would have expected them to be harsher to the Jake Busey looking kid with the tooth necklace.

The Riffs are available for purchase/download on Rifftrax's Website. (Around $15 for all three episodes, buying them together gives you a $2 or $3 gift certificate towards any future purchase) I also believe the episodes will run again later this month.

 

[Redfern]

April 8th at 4 PM Eastern according to a poster at the Satellite News website.

Sincerely,

Bill