Joel Hodgson, creator of "Mystery Science Theater 3000," successfully funds Kickstarter Campaign to #MakeMoreMST3K and #BuildTheGizmoplex

Wonderful news that new episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 will be arriving soon...Robert Kinsler

Joel Hodgson, Creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000, Successfully Funds Kickstarter Campaign To #MakeMoreMST3K and #BuildTheGizmoplex    Campaign Raises Over $6.5 Million in 30 Days to Produce New Season & Launch Virtual Theater for Live Community Events

The Peabody Award™-winning comedy television series Mystery Science Theater 3000, one of the most beloved TV shows of all time, will be returning for 13th season thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign helmed by series creator and former host Joel Hodgson, and supported by legions of devoted fans. The campaign, which concluded at 8 pm PT on Friday, May 7, raised over $6.5 million in 30 days. This will allow Hodgson to produce 13 episodes of the show, including the series’ first 3-D episode, 12 new short film riffs, and build “the Gizmoplex,” a new virtual theater and online community hub that will be the exclusive home of the next season for its initial run. Embracing a direct-to-fan distribution model allows Hodgson to honor one of the most common requests he hears from fans: releasing each new episode one at a time as they are ready for release, rather than holding them until the entire season is complete. Once it has been launched, Hodgson and his team plan to use the Gizmoplex to host live episode premieres, real-time watch parties and special live events year-round. Fans who were unable to participate in the Kickstarter will still have a chance to get involved with MST3K’s next season, starting with a “late pledge” period that will allow them to pledge for campaign-exclusive rewards and experiences.  In fact, in an echo of the 2015 Kickstarter campaign, fan demand for more MST3K exceeded even Hodgson’s estimation. The campaign’s original goal was to raise $5.5 million, the number needed to cover campaign expenses, launch the Gizmoplex, and produce a full season of 12 brand-new, feature-length episodes and 12 new short film riffs. But in the campaign’s final 12 hours, as fans raced past the original target, Hodgson announced two “stretch goals,” and fans responded, passing the final goal of $6,364,230 million (the total raised during the record-breaking 2015 Kickstarter campaign) during the final hour of the campaign, and raising a grand total of $6,519,019. The additional funds will allow Hodgson to add a 13th episode, a holiday special that will feature Hodgson, Jonah Ray and Emily Marsh as co-hosts.  "When we decided that Kickstarter was our best chance at making more MST3K without a network, we hoped that some of our backers would join up again... but we never dreamed that the response would be even bigger the second time around. We're so humbled and grateful and deliriously happy to be making more MST3K for the people who love it most, and can't wait to get started on 'lucky' Season 13," Hodgson said, adding, "Now we just have to make sure The Mads come through on building the Gizmoplex. I guess we'll wire all the funds to them this afternoon and hope for the best?" “It’s all coming together as planned. Once again, we’ve played the MST3K fanbase like a violin,” said Kinga Forrester, heir to the Forrester Family media empire, from her executive suite in her climate controlled bunker on Moon 13. Her Vice President of distribution, TV’s Son of TV’s Frank, added, “You said it, boss. Now to invest it all in Dogecoin so we can double our money by summer!” “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Joel and Alternaversal on a new season of MST3K and the Gizmoplex,” said Bob Emmer and Garson Foos, co-CEOs of Shout! Factory. “Like Joel, we believe in the enduring appeal of the show, and we’re so grateful to the fans for their support.”  With a fresh batch of cheesy movies to riff, Hodgson will be involved in all facets of production of the new episodes. While MST3K’s next season will feature the return of Felicia Day as Mad “Kinga Forrester” and Patton Oswalt as the evil henchman “Max” a.k.a “TV’s Son of TV’s Frank,” The Mads will have even bigger plans for global domination, and they involve forcing multiple test subjects to riff movies, each from a different location! Jonah Ray will return as host “Jonah Heston” alongside Baron Vaughn as “Tom Servo,” Hampton Yount as “Crow T. Robot” and Rebecca Hanson as “GPC 1” aboard The Satellite of Love. MST3K LIVE’s Emily Marsh joins the series’ cast as host “Emily Connor” alongside MST3K LIVE’s Conor McGiffin as “Tom Servo,” Nate Begle as “Crow T. Robot,” and Yvonne Freese as “GPC 2” and “Mega Synthia.” Original series cast members Mary Jo Pehl and J. Elvis Weinstein will be appearing in the new season, and Hodgson is also confirmed to host two episodes next season, reprising his original role as test subject “Joel Robinson,” the character he played in the first five seasons of the series, during its run on Comedy Central.  Throughout the production process, Hodgson and team will keep MST3K’s backers informed and involved with regular updates on Kickstarter and MakeMoreMST3K.com. For additional info visit MST3K.org, or follow MST3K on Facebook (facebook.com/MST3K), Twitter (@MST3K) and Instagram (@MST3K).

Sights and Sounds: Annual "Mystery Science Theater 3000" Turkey Day Marathon returns this Thanksgiving from Shout! Factory TV

What would Thanksgiving be without a little comedy to go with all that Turkey and Pumpkin Pie?

Shout! Factory TV to Host 2019 Mystery

Science Theater 3000 Turkey Day Marathon

Annual Holiday Streaming Marathon Invites Fans to Spend Thanksgiving with their Robot Friends 

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without turkey—cinematic turkey, that is! This Thanksgiving, crack open some canned wassail and join your fellow MSTies for the beloved annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Turkey Day Marathon! Hosted by everyone’s favorite robot friends, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot, this year’s marathon features six classic episodes of MST3K hand-picked by series creator Joel Hodgson.

Starting at 12 pm ET / 9 am PT on Thursday, November 28, the holiday marathon will showcase six classic MST3K episodes, as well as new episode intros featuring Tom Servo and Crow. Visit MST3KTurkeyDay.com for info on how to watch the Turkey Day marathon and participate in Turkey Day festivities during the holiday week by using the hashtag #MST3KTurkeyDay.  

For those who can’t get enough helpings of cheesy cinema, Shout! Factory TV will whet your appetite with the launch of the dedicated Mystery Science Theater 3000 Twitch channel! Leading up to the start of the Turkey Day marathon, this new channel will launch with a full week of classic MST3K episodes livestreamed in chronological order, starting at 1 pm ET / 10 am PT on Wednesday, November 20^th. Following the Turkey Day marathon, the channel will remain a dedicated home for classic MST3K episodes and related programming. Visit www.twitch.tv/mst3k for more info. 

For updates on all things Mystery Science Theater 3000, follow @MST3K, @JoelGHodgson, @ShoutFactoryTV and @ShoutFactory on Twitter, “Like” https://www.facebook.com/MST3K on Facebook, and follow @MST3K on Instagram. 

To keep up to date on all MST3K news, visit MST3K.com  

Cinematic Sounds Abound: Soundtracks, essential MST3K

Whether you enjoy listening to soundtracks for a favorite film or watching a cult TV show that combined a love for all things pop culture, there are a score of recommended new titles available now.

DVD Title: Mystery Science Theater 3000: Vol. XXXIX (Shout! Factory)

You might like if you enjoy: MST3K, Cinematic Titanic

Tell me more: Likely the final collection of new episodes from the original run of Mystery Science Theater 3000 that ended after 10 seasons in 1999, Mystery Science Theater 3000: Vol. XXXIX delivers intelligent wit and laughs at every turn. The box set includes the final three available episodes previously unreleased by Shout! Factory ("Girls Town," "The Amazing Transparent Man" and "Diabolik"); throughout the series, musical references and songs were among the key elements of the television series. For example, on a single episode here, references or sung bits linked to Pink Floyd, Gregg Allman, David Cassidy, the Troggs' "Wild Thing," the Beach Boys' "Surfin' Safari" and The Beatles help enhance the B-movie viewing. One of the extras, "Showdown in Eden Prairie: The Final Experiment" takes an in-depth look at the production of the final episode ("Diabolik") of the series' original run, including interviews with the cast and key production members. Another must-see extra is titled "The Last Dance" and it includes raw behind-the-scenes video footage taken on the set during the production of "Diabolik." Of course, the cult show has returned with creator Joel Hodgson and a new cast; new episodes began airing on Netflix in 2017 and another season of episodes are being produced now. Information: shoutfactory.com.

Artist: Composer John Williams

Title: The Post: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Sony Classical)

Tell me more: Although composer John Williams is best known for his signature music for franchise winning "Star Wars," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Jaws," "Jurassic Park" and "Harry Potter" films, his music seldom fails to impress no matter the genre. Just listen to the 85-year-old master's work on The Post: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, which includes the beautifully tense "The Presses Roll," disquieting "Nixon's Order," jazzy piano-anchored "The Oak Room, 1971" and alluring "Mother and Daughter" to appreciate the nuanced and stylish handiwork of Williams. The 12-page booklet that accompanies the soundtrack includes a short overview on Williams' approach and strength in scoring for "The Post," as well as a number of photos from the film and a listing of the many talented members of the orchestra who performed under the baton of Williams. Information: SonyClassical.com.

Artist: Carter Burwell

Title: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Varèse Sarabande Records)

Tell me more: A strong blend of instrumental music composed by Carter Burwell and artful mix of songs delivered by the celebrated likes of Monsters Of Folk, folk singer Joan Baez and Motown's The Four Tops make for an eclectic listen across the Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. The winner of the Best Motion Picture - Drama at the 75th Golden Globe Awards, "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" is enhanced by Burwell's wonderfully evocative music. The Americana-styled "Mildred Goes To War," lovely keyboard-adorned "The Deer" and the foreboding "A Cough of Blood, A Dark Drive" are among Burwell's affecting compositions heard here. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Artist: Miklos Rozsa (composer); City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus

Title: Ben-Hur: World Premiere Digital Recording of the Complete Film Score (Tadlow Music)

Tell me more: The 1959 film "Ben-Hur" stands as one of Hollywood's greatest-ever films but the Academy Award winner's complete 157-minute score has only recently been released via a world premiere digital recording performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus, and conducted by Nic Raine. The ambitious score was originally composed by Miklós Rózsa and ultimately proved to be the longest original score composed and recorded for any film of the 20th century. The new "World Premiere Digital Recording of the Complete Film Score" is an important and crucial release. Information: tadlowmusic.com.

Artists: Composer Thomas Pierson; singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson

Title: Deluxe Edition: Music from the Motion Picture Popeye (Varèse Sarabande Records)

Tell me more: This writer somehow missed the essential, expanded edition reissue of the soundtrack for the 1980 film Popeye  when it was released in September 2017. The good news is that no matter when listeners discover this fantastic soundtrack, they will not be disappointed. The first disc of this 2-CD title features original music and songs from the film, while the second disc includes demo versions written by noted singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson. Two of those songs ("Everybody's Got To Eat" and "I'd Rather Be Me") presented on that second disc were never released prior to this special edition. Fans of the film's stars (Robin Williams, Shelley Duvall, Ray Walston) will enjoy the famed actors featured in the musical selections. formation: VareseSarabande.com.

Artists: Iggy Pop, the Isley Brothers, New Order, more
Title: Gold - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Varèse Sarabande Records)
Tell me more: With the Golden Globe-nominated original title song from groundbreaking Iggy Pop leading off the disc, the Gold soundtrack mines similar territory for a sonic journey that enhances the Matthew McConaughey-starring 2017 film; the lineup of cuts also works perfectly as a stand-alone collection of great songs. The rousing little-heard rocker "Ron Klaus Wrecked His House" (from Big Dipper), a cover of David Byrne's "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)" performed by Kishi Bashi and inviting gems from New Order ("Temptation"), Joy Division ("Atmosphere") and Television ("1880 Or So") are among memorable songs on the set. Of special note is the Isley Brothers' take on the 1970 classic Eric Burdon / War collaboration "Spill the Wine." VareseSarabande.com. 

Robert Kinsler

“Mystery Science Theater 3000: Vol. XXXIX” available on DVD November 21, 2017 from Shout! Factory

Big news for all of us MST3K fans; Shout! Factory has just announced that the upcoming release of 'Mystery Science Theater 3000: Vol. XXXIX will almost certainly (okay, probably definitely, maybe unquestionably) be the final collection of never-before-released episodes from the initial run of the groundbreaking series. Read on...

Mystery Science Theater 3000:Vol. XXXIX

Four DVD Box Set Features Previously Unreleased Episodes

                                      Girls Town, The Amazing Transparent Man, and Diabolik,  

              and a disc of unreleased host segments, Satellite Dishes

            Available on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 from Shout! Factory

And in the end, the laughs you take are equal to the jokes they make. On November 21, 2017, Shout! Factory will release the almost certainly, probably definitely, maybe unquestionably final collection of never-before-released classic episodes of our favorite cowtown puppet show, Mystery Science Theater 3000.

The slings and arrows of outrageous licenses have resulted in only three episodes, so Vol. XXXIX also includes Satellite Dishes, a disc featuring the host segments of all the remaining unreleased episodes. The collection also includes a bevy of bonus features, including Chuck Love and the Anatomy of a Theme, Beyond Transparency, a new featurette about The Amazing Transparent Man, Showdown In Eden Prairie: Their Final Experiment, The Last Dance, a documentary special that  chronicles the final days shooting the last episode of the original run ofMST3K, Diabolik, Behind the Scream: Daniel Griffith on Ballyhoo, mini posters from artist Steve Vance, and theatrical trailers. But final has a way of not being final, and one need only turn to Netflix to appreciate that. So take one plausibly last ride of the classic series with our heroes on the Satellite of Love, and keep circulating the tapes!

Fans can pre-order their copies now by visiting ShoutFactory.com. The first 1,500 fans who order directly from Shout! Factory will also receive the exclusive bonus disc The Complete Poopie, a collection of MST3K bloopers and outtakes.

MGM’s 1959 film Girls Town is not a feminist follow up to MGM’s 1938 Boys Town, though to be fair, both are set in towns.  B-movie siren Mamie Van Doren stars as a juvenile delinquent trying to survive in the eponymous nun-run reform school after she is wrongly accused of murder. It’s a feast of drag races, catfights, sexy dresses and Mel Tormé, who turns in a Blue Velvet Fog performance as the blackmailing troublemaker. The oddly child-of-star studded cast includes the offspring of Charlie Chaplin, Robert Mitchum and Harold Lloyd. Paul Anka makes his feature debut, and this may be one of his regrets that does bear mentioning. Fortunately for us, those very juvenile delinquents aboard the SoL upgrade a B movie into A+ television and reform us all. 

In The Amazing Transparent Man, an ex-military sociopath plans to raise an army of invisible soldiers, but first he needs to perfect his captive scientist’s invisibilizing device by stealing necessary nuclear materials from a government vault. He engineers the prison break of a notorious thief, leveraging his wanted status to force him to do the heist. This amazing transparent tax shelter provides no dearth of fodder for Mike, Tom and Crow, who see right through the film to the riffs that ultimately make it a joy to behold.  

The celebrated Italian filmmaker Mario Bava must have needed his bathroom redone. In the 1968 spy spoof Diabolik, he takes John Philip Law into his own hands and delivers an exploitation schlock-fest replete with super-criminals, underground lairs, and gadgets that would have Q scratching his head. It’s supposed to be a comedy, but it only turns into one after Mike and the bots riff it good. This film was, of course, the last one Mike and the bots were forced to endure. We thank them for their service!

Satellite Dishes

The best laid plans of mice and licensees often go astray. Despite best efforts to include the remaining unreleased episodes, the hard truth is that they may never see the legitimate light of day. So here is the next best thing: all their host segments. What these delectable dishes from the Satellite of Love lack in riffs, they make up for in irreverent, silly and delightfully nerdy sketch comedy. It's the best we can do, so we are doing it!

Includes:
Ep #201 Rocketship X-M

Ep #213 Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster
Ep #309 The Amazing Colossal Man

Ep #311 It Conquered the World

Ep #416 Fire Maidens from Outer Space

Ep #418 The Eye Creatures

Ep #807 Terror from the Year 5000

Ep #809 I Was A Teenage Werewolf

Ep #905 The Deadly Bees

Ep #906 The Space Children

Ep #913 Quest of the Delta Knights

MST3K: Volume XXXIX Bonus Features

·         Chuck Love and the Anatomy of a Theme

·         Beyond Transparency--new featurette about The Amazing Transparent Man

·         Showdown In Eden Prairie: Their Final Experiment

·         The Last Dance-- a documentary special that  chronicles the final days shooting the last episode of the original run of MST3K, Diabolik.

·         Behind the Scream: Daniel Griffith on Ballyhoo

·         Theatrical Trailers

·         Four Exclusive Mini-Posters by artist Steve Vance

About Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s entertainment offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast entertainment distribution network which delivers culturally relevant programming, movie and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America and across multiple platforms. Shout! Factory owns and operates Shout! Factory Productions, Scream Factory, Shout! Factory Kids, Shout! Factory Films, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Timeless Media Group and Shout! Factory TV. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.

DVD gift guide: Peter Gabriel, MST3K, Santana IV, Iggy Pop, Gregory Porter

With the holidays fast approaching, there is simply no time like the present to begin thinking about great DVD titles to give as gifts – or to put on your own wish list for the season!

Artist: Peter Gabriel
Title: Still Growing Up + Live & Unwrapped (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Tell me more: The two-disc DVD release "Still Growing Up + Live & Unwrapped" features groundbreaking rock artist Peter Gabriel  in the early '00s performing some of his most treasured material. Still Growing Up boasts a wonderful full-length concert in Belgium that showcases incredibly powerful versions of "Red Rain," "Secret World," "San Jacinto" and "Digging in the Dirt." Bonus material on that title includes early studio footage of Gabriel and his band performing "Darkness," "No Way Out" and "Growing Up" ahead of the then-forthcoming 2002 "Growing Up Live" tour, as well as Gabriel appearing live on the BBC show "Later...with Jools Holland" playing "Downside Up" and "Father, Son." Information: eagle-rock.com.

Title: Mystery Science Theater 3000: Vol. XXXVII (Shout! Factory)
Tell me more: One of the most unique and groundbreaking shows in the history of television, Mystery Science Theater 3000 is celebrated via the latest DVD box set ("Mystery Science Theater 3000: Vol. XXXVII") featuring four previously-unreleased episodes. For 11 wonderful years MST3K somehow blended science fiction, comedy, pop culture and music together with aplomb in an unadulterated celebration of terrible moviemaking. Take "Escape 2000," an early '80s low-budget Italian film that allowed ample chances for the crew of the Satellite of Love to reference everything from Ziggy Stardust, the Talking Heads and "Purple Rain" to the Kinks, Eddie Money and Ringo Starr. Across the four movies, many of the crew's riffs are even sung. The latest MST3K set also features the '60s hot rod/rock 'n' roll film "The Horror of Party Beach," as well as "The Human Duplicators" and "Invasion of the Neptune Men." Information: shoutfactory.com.

Artist: Santana IV
Title: Live at the House of Blues, Las Vegas (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Tell me more: A few weeks before the classic late '60s/early '70s lineup of Santana released their much-anticipated reunion album Santana IV album in April 2016, the group performed a special concert at the House of Blues in Las Vegas. The lineup of guitarist Carlos Santana, guitarist Neal Schon, keyboardist-lead vocalist Gregg Rolie, drummer Michael Shrieve, congas player Michael Carabello and several other players shine across the new concert film Live at the House of Blues, Las Vegas. Those who love that troupe's blend of heavy grooves and percussion get that from the get go with Shrieve, Carabello and percussionist Karl Perazzo offering up dynamic rhythmic interplay on "Soul Sacrifice" and follow-up "Jingo" with Santana layering the proceedings with his Latin-flavored lead guitar work. An extended version of the rock staple "Evil Ways" features all sides of the sweet-sounding ensemble with Rolie delivering his distinctive vocals and strong work on the keyboards while Santana and Schon (of Journey fame) trade blistering lead guitar work. Among the strongest tracks are the breezy "Anywhere You Want to Go," tandem-guitar propelled "Choo Choo" and dynamic freewheeling "No One to Depend On." The DVD includes a revealing interview with the band. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Iggy Pop
Title: Post Pop Depression: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Tell me more: Filmed on the heels of the release of his acclaimed Post Pop Depression collaboration with Queens Of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme recorded mostly at Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, the newly released concert film and companion audio recording Post Pop Depression: Live at the Royal Albert Hall delivers on Iggy Pop's powerful blend of hard rock, punk and alt rock via a 22-song performance in front of an adoring crowd. In addition to potent new material (particularly the guitar-heavy "Gardenia"), Pop and his excellent band (including Homme) play bona fide classics including a remarkably tender take on "China Girl" and propulsive "Lust for Life" (the latter two which he co-wrote with the late David Bowie).  "Post Pop Depression" is available on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD and via digital formats. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Gregory Porter
Title: Live in Berlin (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Tell me more: An amazing vocalist and top-tier songwriter, Grammy winner Gregory Porter's jazz-meets-soul style is displayed across the wonderful Live in Berlin (released Nov. 25, 2016). Backed by a sterling four-man band, the concert features the memorable blue-tinged jazz ballad "Hey Laura," uptempo medley "On My Way to Harlem / What's Going On" and rousing R&B tribute to his son "Don't Lose Your Steam." A singer able to sing with technical skill and emotional depth free of cliche, Porter is able to bring his life experiences, world issues and family ties brilliantly into song. The film features all of the songs featured on the accompanying audio CDs, with Porter providing narrative asides on the stories behind most of the tracks. Live in Berlin is available on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD and via digital formats. Information: eagle-rock.com and GregoryPorter.com.

Robert Kinsler

Christmas has come early for fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (including yours truly!)...

Joel Hodgson, Creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000, Successfully Funds Kickstarter Campaign

To Bring Back MST3K

Campaign Raises $6.42 Million to Produce Full Season in 32 Days 

The award-winning comedy television series Mystery Science Theater 3000, one of the most beloved TV shows of all time, will be returning for a new season after a 15-year hiatus, thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign helmed by series creator and former host Joel Hodgson, and supported by legions of devoted fans.

The campaign, which concluded at 10 pm PT on Friday, December 11, raised over $6,420,000 in 32 days—$5,764,229 on Kickstarter alone, and more than $660,000 of additional contributions on MST3K.com. In the final hours of the campaign, MST3K’s supporters raced past previous record-holder Veronica Mars ($5,702,153) to set a new record as the highest-funded Film, TV & Video crowdfunding campaign ever.

In total, over 50,000 fans contributed to support MST3K across, with hundreds more making additional contributions after the official end of the campaign.

“When we launched with Kickstarter, it wasn’t clear what was going to happen,” Hodgson admits. “But I did know that we’ve always been a show that relied on our fans. If we were going to come back, we needed to start by making our case to the fans. We wanted to know if this was what they wanted. And over the past month, they’ve sent a really clear message: they want MST3K back just as much as I do.”

In fact, fan demand for MST3K exceeded even Hodgson’s estimation. The campaign’s original goal was to raise $5.5 million, the number needed to cover campaign expenses and produce a full season of 12 brand-new, feature-length episodes. But in the campaign’s final 48 hours, as fans raced past the original target, Hodgson announced two “stretch goals,” and fans responded, passing the final goal of $6.3 million during the final 60 seconds of the campaign.

The additional funds will allow Hodgson produce two more episodes, including a holiday special, and will bring MST3K’s next season to a total of 14 episodes.

Hodgson adds, “It’s just so crazy to see what our fans did when we gave them the chance. And it’s impossible to find the words to explain how humbling this is. I’m so grateful that the fans were still there for MST3K, and am really excited to get back to work. Which, by the way, starts January 4th at 10 am.”

While Hodgson will oversee the new season as creative director, supervising and participating in all facets of production, MST3K’s new episodes will feature comedian Jonah Ray as the next host (“Jonah Heston”), actress and comedian Felicia Day as the next Mad (“Kinga Forrester”), actor and comedian Patton Oswalt as the next evil henchman (“TV’s Son of TV’s Frank”), comedians Baron Vaughn and Hampton Yount as the newest voices of “Tom Servo” and “Crow T. Robot,” respectively, and of course, more cheesy movies to riff. Hodgson is partnered with Shout! Factory, who has been releasing classic episodes of MST3K on home entertainment platforms since 2008 and who recently purchased the intellectual property of MST3K from Best Brains, to bring the show back to life for a new generation.

Throughout the process, Hodgson and team will keep MST3K’s backers informed and involved with regular updates on Kickstarter and MST3K.com. For more information and news, fans should follow @MST3K on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram and Tumblr.