On Tuesday evening (6/28/16) I was lucky enough to see the LIVE Rifftrax/MST3K Reunion show. The show reunited the classic Mystery Science Theater 3000 cast with the Rifftrax team. It promised to be a non-stop night of laughs. For me, the show did not disappoint!
The live event took place at the State Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was simulcast to movie theaters across the country.
As a long-time fan of Rifftrax, and an even longer-time fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000, very little could keep me from seeing the show. The show featured not only the Rifftrax crew – Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy and Mike Nelson – but also members of the original MST3K cast, including the man responsible for bringing movie riffing to the world – Joel Hodgson.
What is Mystery Science Theater 3000?
Well, for a full explanation, I suggest you check out my post "We've Got Movie Sign!" In it you will find out what exactly the show is and information about its forthcoming return.
However, in case you have a short attention span (like me) here is an extremely brief explanation. Way back in 1988, out of the wicked cold north of the US, came a TV series called Mystery Science Theater 3000. (MST3K for short) The show was created by comedian Joel Hodgson and mainly consisted of Hodgson and his robot friends poking fun at the expense of some of the most mind numbingly bad movies of all time. The hilarity lasted for only 11 years. During its run, cast members changed. Hodgson, the show's original host, left the show, allowing Mike Nelson to step in as host. Other cast members moved on in time as well. When Trace Beaulieu (voice of Crow T. Robot) moved on from the show, Bill Corbett came along to fill the void. After MST3K's cancelation in 1999, Nelson, Corbett and Kevin Murphy (voiced Tom Servo) started an on-line version of movie riffing called Rifftrax. As it grew in popularity, the three masters of mockery began to perform at live venues, riffing on bad movies on stage in front of a live audience.
Recently, after a successful Kickstarter campaign, it was revealed that Joel Hodgson would be reviving the little show that started it all. To help celebrate the Rifftrax 10th Anniversary, a live show featuring BOTH the Rifftrax team AND the original cast of MST3K was assembled.
The event brought to the stage original cast members Trace Beaulieu, Frank Conniff, Mary-Jo Pehl, Bridget Nelson and the man himself Joel Hodgson along with new MST3K host, Jonah Ray. They, along with the Rifftrax team - Nelson, Corbett and Murphy - spent over two hours riffing on classic short-feature films. The 'shorts' being riffed included some new ones as well as some old favorites.
Spoiler Alert. If you intend to see the broadcast of the show in July, please be warned. Some spoilers follow. However these are mild spoilers, at best.
Let the Riffing Begin!
"Talking Car"
The show opened with the Rifftrax crew hitting the stage to poke fun at a 60s traffic safety short film called "Talking Car." It made for a strong opening for the live show. The little film about a boy being berated by talking cars on the dangers of crossing the street was easy pickings for the fellas. The trio opened the show strong and never looked back.
"A Word to the Wives"
The second short to be carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey was "A Word to the Wives." The short was riffed by MST3K original cast members (and occasional Rifftrax riffers) Mary-Jo Pehl and Bridget Nelson. The short which featured Darren McGavin (the dad from "A Christmas Story") was almost as funny as the jokes tossed at it! Pehl and Nelson made short work of this one.
"More Dates Than Kay"
The short film on dating "More Dates Than Kay" brought to the riffing stage Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff. Beaulieu and Conniff brought their own snarky commentary to this 50s gem. Conniff nearly upstaged Beaulieu, making many tongue-in-cheek references, but both riffers managed to play off each other, creating comedy gold in the process.
As a side note...
I would like to mention one nice moment. We were treated to seeing Trace Beaulieu and Bill Corbett (who both voiced 'Crow' on MST3K) on stage side-by-side. It was a nice, albeit brief, moment for MST3K fans.
"Americans at Work (Barbers)"
The next short to be roasted was "Americans at Work (Barbers)". It was given the business by the man himself, Joel Hodgson. Joel was joined on stage by new MST3K cast member Jonah Ray. It was a real treat to hear Hodgson bring his own style of movie riffing back to the fans again. Not to be outdone, Ray held his own with the master himself. The pairing of Hodgson, the original MST3K host, with Jonah Ray, the new series host, was genius.
"Shake Hands With Danger"
"Shake Hands With Danger", a classic Rifftrax short, brought Mike Nelson, Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy back to the stage. Although the film on the dangers at a construction site is not new to the trio, the humor never felt stale. They peppered this hilariously gruesome short with witty one-liners that made the audience roar with laughter.
Sandwiched in between the live riffing was a Rifftrax 10th Anniversary retrospective highlighting some of the best riffing moments over the past 10 years. Then...
more riffing!
"Stamp Day for Superman."
Helping to bring the amazing night of laughs to a momentous close, all the riffers past and present, old and new, took the stage to riff on the final two short films. For a fan, seeing the classic MST3K cast on stage together alongside new cast members and the Rifftrax team was a bit like seeing the Beatles reunite and perform with the Rolling Stones. If comedy were music, the result was a symphony of laughter.
The entire group - Mike and Bridget Nelson, Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy, Mary-Jo Pehl, Frank Conniff, Trace Beaulieu, Jonah Ray and Joel Hodgson all had a hand at tossing zingers "Stamp Day for Superman."
"At Your Fingertips: Grasses"
The evening concluded with an encore. The whole group stayed on stage for one last short. "At Your Fingertips: Grass." Any Rifftrax fan is familiar with the "At Your Fingertips" series of short films. The comedy jam session brought the evening to a side-splitting laugh-filled close.
This once-in-lifetime Rifftrax/MST3K Live Reunion Show could have been a let-down. I can say without equivocation that it was anything but. I laughed from beginning to end. If you are a fan of either Rifftrax or MST3K, or if you just love to have a good time, I suggest you circle July 12th on your calendar so you can enjoy the rebroadcast of this one-time live event at a theater near you!
And may I add a Thank You of my own to Rifftrax and MST3K for making the fun-filled night possible!