Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Flash series)
Encyclopedia
Mystery Science Theater 3000, also referred to as "The 'Bots Are Back!" is an Internet
cartoon
created by Best Brains, Inc
. It is inspired by BBI's original Mystery Science Theater 3000
TV series, and is directed by former Executive Producer Jim Mallon
. The series features the robot
characters from the original series in a variety of brief sketches taking place at an undetermined point during the original show's fictional timeline. However, as of this time, no human character (Joel
or Mike) is present.
New episodes were scheduled to be posted every Monday. However, despite regular updates to other parts of the site, no new episodes of the cartoon have been posted since November 26, 2007. In June 2008, the website was redesigned and the cartoons removed for unspecified reasons; however the Flash likenesses of the characters were still present on some pages. On July 18, MST3k fansite Satellite News posted an interview with Jim Mallon, who explained that the cartoons cost more to produce than was initially estimated. He also stated that the existing cartoons will return to the site, and expressed hope that the series may continue at some point in the future. Animation studio Shad Petosky
responded that the costs were low and flat rates that never changed from the original estimates, he suspects that the revenue was the problem and the mouse pads, post-it notes, and t-shirts being sold to pay for the show did not sell as fans did not like the poorly designed and written animated characters.
, star and head writer of the original series, called the animated series "cute" but felt it was an "after-the-fact" idea.
Viewers of the flash series had said that the animation was poor and the voice actors did not fit with the characters. Later, the series was abandoned.
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
cartoon
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
created by Best Brains, Inc
Best Brains
Best Brains, Inc. is an entertainment company based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. It is best known for its creation and production of the comedy/sci-fi television program Mystery Science Theater 3000, aka MST3K . The company ceased producing the program in 1999 and closed its studio...
. It is inspired by BBI's original Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
TV series, and is directed by former Executive Producer Jim Mallon
Jim Mallon
Jim Mallon is an American television and film producer and writer, most notable for being executive producer of the Peabody Award-winning series Mystery Science Theater 3000 ...
. The series features the robot
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
characters from the original series in a variety of brief sketches taking place at an undetermined point during the original show's fictional timeline. However, as of this time, no human character (Joel
Joel Robinson
Joel Robinson is a fictional character featured in the American science fiction comedy television series Mystery Science Theater 3000...
or Mike) is present.
Cast
- Paul ChaplinPaul ChaplinPaul Chaplin is a U.S. writer and comedian, best known for his work on the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000, for which he wrote and played the recurring characters of an Observer, Ned the Nanite, Pitch the Demon, and Ortega, along with several other bit roles.- Biography :After...
as Crow T. RobotCrow T. RobotCrow T. Robot is a fictional character from the American science fiction comedy television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 . Crow is a robot, who, along with others, quips and riffs upon poor-quality B movies.- Overview :... - James Moore as Tom ServoTom ServoTom Servo is a fictional character from the American science fiction comedy television show Mystery Science Theater 3000 . Tom is one of two wise-cracking, robotic main characters of the show, built by Joel Robinson to act as a companion and help stave off space madness as Joel was forced to watch...
- Jim MallonJim MallonJim Mallon is an American television and film producer and writer, most notable for being executive producer of the Peabody Award-winning series Mystery Science Theater 3000 ...
as GypsyGypsy (MST3K)Gypsy is one of the robot characters on the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000. She is larger and less talkative than the other robots. Gypsy normally only appeared during the show's host segments and introduction, but briefly took a seat in the theater to watch the movie in episode #412...
History
The animated version of MST3k was first announced on the Satellite News website (formerly BBI's official website) on October 29, 2007. The new cartoon was described as a "weekly series of animated adventures," and would debut as part of an all-new MST3k website. This new site would also feature content from the original series as well as a new online store. The website went live on November 5, 2007 along with the first installment of the animated series.New episodes were scheduled to be posted every Monday. However, despite regular updates to other parts of the site, no new episodes of the cartoon have been posted since November 26, 2007. In June 2008, the website was redesigned and the cartoons removed for unspecified reasons; however the Flash likenesses of the characters were still present on some pages. On July 18, MST3k fansite Satellite News posted an interview with Jim Mallon, who explained that the cartoons cost more to produce than was initially estimated. He also stated that the existing cartoons will return to the site, and expressed hope that the series may continue at some point in the future. Animation studio Shad Petosky
Shad Petosky
Shad Petosky is an American comics author, designer, and television animator.-Biography:Petosky was born in Kalispell, Montana. He was a programmer before meeting Zander Cannon and helping Cannon to co-publish The Replacement God. With both Cannon and Kevin Cannon, Petosky formed the comic art...
responded that the costs were low and flat rates that never changed from the original estimates, he suspects that the revenue was the problem and the mouse pads, post-it notes, and t-shirts being sold to pay for the show did not sell as fans did not like the poorly designed and written animated characters.
Reactions
Initially, response to the new website on both of the major fan discussion boards was largely negative. Michael J. NelsonMichael J. Nelson
Michael John Nelson is a U.S. comedian and writer, most famous for his work on the cult television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 . Nelson was the head writer of the series for most of the show's 11-year run, and spent half of that time playing the on-air host, also named Mike Nelson...
, star and head writer of the original series, called the animated series "cute" but felt it was an "after-the-fact" idea.
Viewers of the flash series had said that the animation was poor and the voice actors did not fit with the characters. Later, the series was abandoned.
Episodes
- "Reel Livin'": Crow goes fishing and discusses the benefits of his "incredibly stable" kayak before being capsizedCapsizeCapsizing is an act of tipping over a boat or ship to disable it. The act of reversing a capsized vessel is called righting.If a capsized vessel has sufficient flotation to prevent sinking, it may recover on its own if the stability is such that it is not stable inverted...
by Servo on a jet ski. - "Feels Like": Gypsy and Servo discuss actual temperature versus the wind chill factorWind chillWind chill is the felt air temperature on exposed skin due to wind. The wind chill temperature is always lower than the air temperature, and the windchill is undefined at the higher temps...
. Servo then begins translating everything Gypsy says into "feels like..." statements, much to her annoyance. - "Thanksgiving Clown": Servo dresses up as a clownClownClowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also...
, thinking it to be a ThanksgivingThanksgivingThanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
tradition. Crow consults an old World Book encyclopedia to verify. - "Solitaire": Crow plays solitaireSolitaireSolitaire is any tabletop game which one can play by oneself or with other people. The solitaire card game Klondike is often known as simply Solitaire....
while Servo advises. Eventually Crow becomes fed up with Servo's pestering and leaves. Servo sees a fantastic move, but can't play as his arms don't work. Desperate, he tries to move the cards using telekinesis, but uncessfully in the process Servo broke himself.