Joel Hodgson, creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000

Joel Hodgson joins Marty to talk about his career, the humble beginnings of Mystery Science Theater 3000, and saying goodbye to his robot friends.

Listen 49:01
Joel Hodgson and the MST3k robots (Shout Factory)

Joel Hodgson and the MST3k robots (Shout Factory)

Guest: Joel Hodgson

More than 30 years ago, JOEL HODGSON created Mystery Science Theater 3000 with just a few friends, some thrift store materials, and the support of a Minneapolis TV station. The show would go on to become a worldwide phenomenon. The show, in which Joel and his ‘robot friends’ would lampoon b-movies in their entirety, has become one of the most highly regarded and influential TV series’ in history. The show went off the air for a long time, until a Kickstarter campaign raised millions of dollars and earned the show a Netflix deal featuring some new members of the ensemble. Now, Hodgson is back in MST3k mode, and is on tour with Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live: The Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour. He joins Marty this hour to talk about his early days as a prop comic, the beginnings of MST3k, why he left the show, and what it’s been like being a part of the revival of this beloved show.

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