'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Revival to Premiere on Netflix

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Shout! Factory

The “Mystery Science Theater 3000” revival is heading to Netflix, TheWrap has learned.

The news came just ahead of the show’s San Diego Comic-Con panel on Saturday. Netflix confirmed the news by tweeting an image of the show’s iconic silhouette featuring a man and two robots watching a movie. It does not yet have an official premiere date.

In addition, original series cast members Mary Jo Pehl (Pearl Forrester), Kevin Murphy (Tom Servo/Professor Bobo) and Bill Corbett (Crow/Observer) will make cameos on the show, with Pehl and Corbett also joining the show’s writing staff.

Also Read: 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Reboot Smashes Crowdfunding Record

Joel McHale, who was previously announced as a guest star, will also join the show’s writing staff alongside “Community” creator Dan Harmon.

Joel Hodgson, the creator of the original “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” began a Kickstarter campaign to relaunch the show last year.

It raised more than $6.3 million, surpassing the record set by the “Veronica Mars” movie, which raised $5,702,153. The “MST3K” campaign raised $5,764,229 off of Kickstarter and $600,000 from online merchandise sales, with more than 47,000 people contributing.

Patton Oswalt joined the project to write and play TV’s Son of TV’s Frank, the offspring of the character TV’s Frank from the original show, as played by Frank Conniff. Felicia Day will play the daughter of Dr. Forrester, who was played by Trace Beaulieu. Other new cast members include Hampton Yount, Baron Vaughn and new host Jonah Ray.

Also Read: Jerry Seinfeld, Mark Hamill, Joel McHale to Appear on 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Reboot

“Mystery Science Theater 3000,” which launched on a Minneapolis UHF station in 1988, featured Hodgson and, later, Mike Nelson and two robot sidekicks as they riffed on cheesy B-movies by providing their own hilarious commentary.

The show then moved to Comedy Central and finished its run on the Sci-Fi Channel (now Syfy) in 1999 after 197 episodes. Hodgson recently acquired the rights to the show in a joint venture with Shout! Factory.

23 of the Best Cult TV Shows of All Time: 'Mystery Science Theater' to 'Twin Peaks' (Photos)

Even if a show doesn't drive huge ratings, it can live on long after its initial run thanks to a devoted fan following. Here we look back on some shows that have remained popular even decades after they first aired.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000"
Aired: 1988-1999

This quirky comedy series followed a man and his two robot sidekicks as they riffed on an endless supply of terrible B-movies. Series creator Joel Hodgson recently held a successful Kickstarter campaign to create a new 14-episode season, now airing on Netflix.

Also Read: ‘Mystery Science Theater 3000’ Reboot Smashes Crowdfunding Record
Syfy
"Veronica Mars"
Aired: 2004-2007

Kristen Bell played a street-smart young crime solver who assisted her father at his private detective agency. The series was revived for a one-off movie in 2014 after a Kickstarter campaign.
The CW
"Pushing Daisies"
Aired: 2007-2009

Bryan Fuller created this colorful comedy series starring Lee Pace as a pie maker with the ability to bring people back from the dead.
ABC
"Trailer Park Boys"
Aired: 2001-2007, 2014-present

Three friends who loved to curse, drink, and smoke dope tried to get by as petty criminals in a Nova Scotia trailer park. Netflix revived the show in 2014 and has aired three new seasons to date, with more to come.

Also Read: ‘Trailer Park Boys’ ‘Bubbles’ Actor Michael Smith Off the Hook in Domestic Battery Case
Netflix
"Parks & Recreation"
Aired: 2009-2015

Amy Poehler led this smart mockumentary show about the bizarre inhabitants of the local government of Pawnee, Indiana.

Also Read: Amy Poehler, Hillary Clinton Discuss What Kind of President Leslie Knope Would Be
NBC
"30 Rock"
Aired: 2006-2013

Tina Fey and company won 16 Emmys for this comedy about the staff and stars of an "SNL"-style variety show on NBC.

Also Read: ‘Kimmy Schmidt’ EP Defends Native American Jokes: ‘Intention Is Not to Offend’
NBC
"Twin Peaks"
Aired: 1990-1991

David Lynch's unorthodox murder mystery series only lasted for two seasons, but fans have been rabid about a new season ever since. Showtime answered their prayers and debuted a revival in May.

Also Read: ‘Twin Peaks’ Gets Closest Thing to Premiere Date Yet at Showtime
CBS
"Star Trek: The Original Series"
Aired: 1966-1969

Perhaps the cult show to end all cult shows, this iconic sci-fi series only aired for three seasons but spawned five TV spinoffs and 13 feature films to date.

Also Read: Does ‘Star Trek’ First Teaser Contain Easter Eggs?
CBS
"Doctor Who"
Aired: 1963-1989, 2006-present

Numerous actors have played the titular Doctor in this long-running British series, which has been exported worldwide to incredible success.

Also Read: ‘Doctor Who’ Star Peter Capaldi Drops Spoiler About Clara’s Return
BBC
"Arrested Development"
Aired: 2003-2006

Ron Howard executive produced and narrated this critically beloved but low-rated comedy series. Netflix brought it back for a fourth season, with plans for a fifth and possibly a film.

Also Read: ‘Arrested Development’ Almost Went to Showtime, Network Chief David Nevins Reveals
Netflix
"Community"
Aired: 2009-2015

Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong were among the stars of this Dan Harmon series about students at a fictional community college who did everything but learn.
NBC
"Freaks and Geeks"
Aired: 1999-2000

Judd Apatow assembled much of the crew that would go on to star in many of his future films -- including Seth Rogen, James Franco and Jason Segel -- in this high school comedy about two disparate groups of friends.
NBC
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
On the Air: 1997-2003

The world got its first real taste of Joss Whedon in this supernatural drama about a teenage vampire hunter (Sarah Michelle Gellar) who also dealt with high school life and young romance.

Also Read: Joss Whedon Reveals Clues About His New, Non-Marvel Script (Exclusive)
The CW
"Futurama"
On the Air: 1999-2003, 2009-2013

"Simpsons" creator Matt Groening led this futuristic sci-fi comedy. It folded after just four seasons, but was revived on Comedy Central for three more almost 10 years later.
Fox
"Battlestar Galactica"
On the Air: 2004-2009

Edward James Olmos played the commander of an old but tough starship filled with the last remaining human beings searching for a new home. They are pursued across the galaxy by the evil robotic Cylons.
Syfy
"Firefly"
Aired: 2002-2003

Joss Whedon pops up again as the creator of this sci-fi series about a ragtag group of outlaws aboard a rundown ship on the edge of the galaxy. The cast reunited for the 2005 movie "Serenity."
Fox
"Mr. Show"
Aired: 1995-1998

Bob Odenkirk and David Cross starred in this HBO sketch series. The duo and many of their former co-stars recently reunited for the Netflix show "W/ Bob & David."

Also Read: David Cross ‘Can Pretty Much Guarantee’ More ‘W/Bob and David’
HBO
"Kids in the Hall"
Aired: 1988-1994

This Canadian sketch series was known for its strange characters and cross-dressing main cast. The troupe starred in their own film, "Brain Candy," in 1996.
CBC
"Monty Python's Flying Circus"
Aired: 1969-1974

This British sketch series found big success on PBS in the United States, and the cast went on to star in four films together.
BBC
"Xena: Warrior Princess"
Aired: 1995-2001

Lucy Lawless made being a badass look easy as a female warrior looking to right the wrongs of her past. The series was a spinoff of "Hercules" starring Kevin Sorbo.

Also Read: ‘Xena’ Reboot With ‘Lost’ Writer in the Works at NBC
NBC
"Stargate SG-1"
Aired: 1997-2007

Based on the 1994 movie "Stargate," this series ended up running for over 200 episodes and inspired three TV spinoffs.
Syfy
"H.R. Pufnstuf"
Aired: 1969

Though it only lasted one season, this children's show became infamous for what many believed to be drug references hidden throughout each episode.
NBC
"Quantum Leap"
Aired: 1989-1993

Scott Bakula starred in this series about a scientist who finds himself randomly leaping through time, striving to put right what once went wrong.
NBC

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TheWrap looks back on some short-lived shows that have built huge followings

Even if a show doesn't drive huge ratings, it can live on long after its initial run thanks to a devoted fan following. Here we look back on some shows that have remained popular even decades after they first aired.

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23 of the Best Cult TV Shows of All Time: 'Mystery Science Theater' to 'Twin Peaks' (Photos)

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