Not "just a show".

There are a few factors that have brought about my interest in film: the Star Wars trilogy re-release that dominated my childhood, chancing upon a series of short silents on TCM that had me instantly hooked, the discovery of Louise Brooks and her sharp-witted Hollywood anecdotes. One thing I've never really discussed is my love of Mystery Science Theater 3000, the show where a man and his bots, marooned in space, are forced to watch cheesy B-movies and ultimately riff on them to help ease their pain (and ours). The show doesn't have much plot otherwise, save for the Sci-Fi Channel years in which time travel plotlines were forced upon the Brains. There's all kinds of information available for the uninitiated should you be interested in checking out MST3K yourself; as for a starting point, I'd recommend any episode from seasons 2-7 except for Manos: The Hands of Fate (you're better off working your way up to that one).

My collection of bots with a Gamera vs. Guiron mini-poster, signed by Joel Hodgson when he brought his one-man show, Riffing Myself, to the Dryden Theater this past May.

Sadly, I didn't get into the show until recently, though I do recall vague details from the original Comedy Central run (the bots, Joel and Mike, the Shadowrama in the theater, the "spaghetti ball" logo). There were so many things competing for my attention that I settled into all of the other weirdness '90s TV had to offer, and poor MST3K was left in the dust. Back in 2009, having just recently relocated to Cincinnati, I was browsing various websites, when I stumbled upon a clip from the show (though I honestly don't remember which episode). I was intrigued enough to start watching episodes whenever I could, realizing what a perfect gem I had neglected all those years ago. During a trip to Chicago that winter, I stepped into Reckless Records in the hopes of picking up some cheap CDs. They also had a section of used DVDs, and I noticed a few MST3K box sets in the mix. Volume 3 accompanied me on the chilly bus ride home, and I've never looked back.

 I had the pleasure of meeting Joel after the show in May. Every bit as nice and funny as you'd expect.

So why MST3K? Despite the theme song's claims, it's more than just a show to me. It's gotten me through difficult times, lifting my spirits enough to fight through any challenge, and I will always be grateful. It's also shaped the way I look at any film, good or bad. Sometimes even the biggest clunkers demonstrate a passion for the craft, and beloved classics could stand to be knocked down a peg. Riffing opens the door to critical thinking, an absolutely vital skill as nothing should be taken directly at face value. Less seriously, it's a chance to laugh and lighten ourselves up. The best riffing comes from a place of love (though most current Hollywood dreck shouldn't get off lightly), whether of the film itself, the characters in it, or the love of the medium. And when it's been elevated to an art form by the Best Brains, now behind RiffTrax and (the soon-to-be-ending, sadly) Cinematic Titanic, you can't help but fall in love yourself.

P.S. If you're looking for something to do this weekend, the Dryden Theater will be screening an episode of MST3K: Bride of the Monster. An excellent show at a valuable institution.