RiffTrax drops the new theme for its MST3K revival

RiffTrax has released the new opening sequence and theme song for its upcoming revival miniseries, Mystery Science Theater 3000: The RiffTrax Experiments. The updated intro brings back the late-1990s Sci-Fi Channel cast, putting Mike Nelson back in the green jumpsuit alongside Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot.

Did I ever mention that MST3k is my all time favourite show? It is! Seeing the classic crew back in the familiar hallway is a surreal moment, especially since Nelson and his co-stars haven't officially stepped into the puppet trenches since the television series ended in August 1999. The new MST3K theme and intro video shows evil Pearl Forrester kidnapping Mike from his steady job to subject him to cheesy movies all over again.

Back on the Satellite of Love

The project was funded by a $2.7 million Kickstarter campaign earlier this year. RiffTrax and Shout! Studios are producing four full-length episodes. The intro confirms the return of Mary Jo Pehl as Pearl Forrester, Kevin Murphy as Professor Bobo, and Bill Corbett as Brain Guy. The theme song itself is a faithful recreation of the classic tune, complete with the mandatory robot roll call and the familiar cardboard aesthetic.

This miniseries bridges a long-standing gap in the franchise. Series creator Joel Hodgson successfully revived MST3K in 2017 with a brand new cast for Netflix, and later launched the independent Gizmoplex streaming platform. Meanwhile, the classic 1990s ensemble spent the last two decades building RiffTrax. They've mocked everything from obscure B-movies to major Hollywood blockbusters using downloadable audio tracks and live broadcasts. The RiffTrax Experiments marks the first time this specific crew has operated under the official MST3K banner in 27 years.

The theatrical premiere

The first episode debuts in theaters before the digital release. Fathom Entertainment is hosting screenings on September 9 and September 13. The premiere features Sting of Death, a 1966 monster movie about a jellyfish creature with a garbage bag for a head and scuba fins for feet. You'll want to check the Sting of Death showtimes to find a participating theater near you.

The remaining three episodes will be rolling out digitally this fall. A four-episode pre-order bundle is available on the RiffTrax website. The release schedule has a few quirks. Experiment 03 will stream exclusively on the RiffTrax Best Friends subscription service for one week before becoming available for individual purchase on November 6.

The final episode of the run, Space Raiders, brings back Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff as Dr. Clayton Forrester and TV's Frank. It's a massive reunion for the original writers and performers. If you're waiting for the new episodes to drop, the crew maintains a free RiffTrax movies playlist on YouTube to hold you over.