Mystery Science Theater 3000

TV-14
1989
12 Seasons
8.5 (23,018)

Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American comic puppetry show that pokes fun at the worst bad movies that have ever been made. The premise of the program follows two mad scientists that trap a janitor and four of his robot assistants aboard a spaceship floating around space. The scientists' goal is to force those stuck on board the ship to watch terrible B movies in order to determine how to best take over the world. Each show begins with the same doorway sequence in which a dozen low-quality doors are shut until the janitor is completely locked in. The janitor, Joel, has no control over whether or not he watches a movie or even when he watches them. The scientists use harsh tactics, such as sucking the air out of the spaceship, to force Joel to watch the movies that they want played. Joel and his robot companions constantly make wisecracks during the movie, usually at every scene, to entertain them and keep them from losing their minds. Skits pertaining to the movies are performed throughout the show. The actors and directors are targeted in the jokes, mostly mocking their appearance, acting ability or how they are of similar quality to the bad film that they made. Mystery Science Theater 3000 largely attempted to recreate the cheap, cheesy and low-budget settings of the movies in its own production, with the set being made entirely from inexpensive and easily found household items. Many of the jokes and gags are continuations of past sketches that were drawn from movies featured in previous episodes, though it is not necessary for viewers to have seen the past film or episode in order to understand the joke. Following the showing of each film, the scientists become frustrated that their techniques have had little effect on Joel.