Mystery Science Theater 3000 Mystery Science Theater 3000 ( often abbreviated as " MST3K " ) is a television show which ran from 1988 until 1999 . The show first aired locally on Minneapolis television station KTMA before going national in 1989 , when it was picked up by the Comedy Channel ( succeeded by Comedy Central in 1991 ) . After seven seasons , the show moved to Sci Fi for another three seasons . Hosted by creator Joel Hodgson ( and later by Mike Nelson from 1993 to 1999 and by Jonah Ray in the Netflix revival ) , the science - fiction flavored series featured the sarcastic host and his two robot sidekicks , Tom Servo and Crow T . Robot , making fun of " cheesy movies " - - mainly B - movie science fiction and horror films , with the occasional barbarian epic , cop drama , or biker flick . The show is known for its diverse pop - culture references , riffing on everything from philosophers and politicians to cartoons and old commercials . The rapid - fire quips included frequent references to the Muppets and " Sesame Street " . The series has spawned several unofficial spin - offs hosted by talent connected to its production . In April 2017 , the series returned with a fourteen episode revival released on Netflix . Spin - offs . RiffTrax . Following the conclusion of the " Mystery Science Theater 3000 " show in 1999 , the various performers and writers from the show have taken on new projects that involve the basic idea of " riffing " over movies . The projects have taken different forms over the years . Given the people involved , it ' s not surprising that these projects continue the " MST3K " tradition of Muppet references . In 2006 , Nelson teamed up with Legend Films in a new enterprise called " RiffTrax " , a website which offers downloadable audio commentaries in the " MST3K " style . The viewer listens to the commentary track in sync with a DVD . Nelson has recorded RiffTrax with many of his " MST " colleagues , including Kevin Murphy ( Tom Servo ) , Bill Corbett ( Crow ) , Mary Jo Pehl ( Pearl Forrester ) , and his wife Bridget Nelson ( writer ) , as well as occasional celebrity guests such as Neil Patrick Harris and " Weird Al " Yankovic . Due to its nature , RiffTrax is able to provide humorous commentary without the permission of the filmmakers , expanding the field of available material to current films and significant blockbusters . RiffTrax also keeps up the " MST " tradition of riffing on bizarre public - domain short films . Cinematic Titanic . In late 2007 , Joel Hodgson teamed up with " MST3K " alums Trace Beaulieu , Josh Wenstein , Frank Coniff and Mary Jo Pehl to create a new line of " riffed " films under the banner " Cinematic Titanic " . The episodes are available either on DVD or through digital download . The premise is that Hodgson and co . have been brought in to archive films for posterity . Much like on " MST3K " , the cast is visible in silhouette while watching the film , but this time they are on platforms in the lower left and right - hand corners . While there is usually an opening explanatory segment and the cast will pause the film for small sketches , there are no " host segments " per se . Legend Films DVDs . In 2003 , colorization company Legend Films began re - releasing classic public domain films in restored black & white and new colorized versions . Starting in 2004 , many of these releases featured Michael J . Nelson providing a humorous , " MST3K " - like commentary track . The Film Crew . In 2005 , Mike Nelson , Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett began work on an " MST3K " - like project called " The Film Crew " ; a line of direct - to - DVD releases for distribution through Rhino Home Video . Various legal wrangling put the project into limbo after four episodes had been produced . Following the creation of Rifftrax , the " Film Crew " DVDs finally saw release through Shout ! Factory in 2007 . In this series , Mike , Kevin and Bill work for a friendly but lunatic boss , Bob Honcho ( originally " Bob Rhino " ) , who wants to provide a commentary track for every movie ever made . The trio work as Honcho ' s " film crew " , quipping over the movie . The series is , essentially , a direct - to - DVD " Mystery Science Theater " , but without silhouettes . Connections . In addition , many cast and crew members for films showcased on " Mystery Science Theater 3000 " also worked in Muppet / Henson productions : External links . _ _ NOWYSIWYG _ _