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Notes -
MST3K is coming back for 4 episodes on the Rifftrax platform and theaters. Granted, Rifftrax has been running for something like 20 years, so the concept never really gone, but this time the puppets are back.
In light of that, what are your favorites of the originals? Mine in no order, and as I list these, I see I'm definitely a fan of the Mike era:
The Final Sacrifice (Rowsdower!)
Time Chasers
Riding with Death
Space Mutiny
Laserblast
Werewolf for sure. "The future conditional pluperfect subjunctive" is an all time riff.
What I've always said regarding the Joel vs Mike thing, is that the two main pillars of the MST3K appeal are the humor and the cozy "hangin'-with-buds" vibes, and each guy excelled more in one. Mike was funnier, Joel was cozier; Mike had a mean streak, Joel bemusingly poked fun. Who's better depends on what mood you're in.
Also, some people say Joel's skits were better, but...hot take, I always hated the skits, they're almost all skippable. I find the biggest barrier to entry when trying to introduce people to the show is getting them to sit through 5 minutes of Kevin Murphy in a monkey suit before the actual comedy starts.
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