rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc/alt.tv.mst3k Frequently Asked Questions
From: mduhan@husc7.harvard.edu (fRiNgE)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc,alt.tv.mst3k,alt.fan.mst3k,alt.fan.tom-servo,alt.bonehead.tom-servo,alt.tv.comedy-central,rec.arts.tv,rec.answers,alt.answers,news.answers
Subject: rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc/alt.tv.mst3k Frequently Asked Questions
Followup-To: poster
Date: 14 Aug 1995 06:23:30 GMT
Organization: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Message-ID: <40mq52$gmr@decaxp.harvard.edu>
Keywords: MST3K FAQ Tom Servo Crow Mike Joel Gypsy Dr. Forrester Frank
Archive-name: tv/mst3k/newsgroup-faq
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 1995/8/12
Please note, this will be my last official posting from Harvard. Since I
graduated I lose my account on Friday. My new e-mail address is:
fRiNgE@world.std.com
The WWW pages have been moved as well to
http://world.std.com/~fRiNgE/index.html
Thank you.
Matt
rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc/alt.tv.mst3k
Frequently Asked Questions
This version is edited and modified by Matthew Duhan (mduhan@husc.harvard.edu)
If you have suggestions or additions, please e-mail me with "ratm FAQ" in the
Subject: line.
Last updated: August 12, 1995
Q: What's this all about?
A: Currently, there are two major newsgroups for discussion of the TV show
"Mystery Science Theater 3000", rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc and alt.tv.mst3k. There
are a number of people who post to these groups, and have been on for quite
some time. Thus, this FAQ was created to answer questions that new people may
have but that does not fit into any of the MST3K FAQs, i.e. are about the group
or related topics rather than the show itself.
Q: So what are all the USENET newsgroups?
A: Currently, there are several active USENET newsgroups devoted to MST3K.
The primary ones are rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc for miscellaneous information, and
rec.arts.tv.mst3k.announce for official announcements. Soon there may also be
rec.arts.tv.mst3k.mstings, for fan MSTings to be posted. Before the
hierarchical split, there was one rec group, rec.arts.tv.mst3k. However, this
newsgroup ceased to exist on July 26, 1995, as per USENET procedure
regarding a split. There are two other newsgroups, alt.tv.mst3k, and
alt.fan.mst3k but they are not available at all sites. Most articles posted in
rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc should be crossposted to alt.tv.mst3k and sometimes
crossposted to alt.fan.mst3k. In addition, there are the newsgroups
alt.fan.tom-servo and alt.bonehead.tom-servo, which were not originally created
as MST3K groups, but have since been taken over. Sounds confusing? Don't
worry, it'll all make sense later.
Q: Should I post at rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc, alt.tv.mst3k, or alt.fan.mst3k?
A: For a wider reading audience, you should post at rec.arts.tv.mst3k, and
crosspost to alt.tv.mst3k. Some people posting at alt.fan.mst3k will receive
an error message from USENET stating the newsgroup is redundant or bogus.
Q: Should I post something to rec.arts.tv.mst3k.announce?
A: *ONLY* if it is an official announcement, and you are the relevant party.
(i.e. an announcement about *YOUR* WWW page/BBS/FTP site/etc.). The FAQ will
be posted there, as well as official announcements from juliewa and Mike
Pearce's schedule. Rec.arts.tv.mst3k.announce is a moderated newsgroup, and
Mike Pearce, the moderator, has said he will do nasty net.god things to you if
you try to post non-relevant drivel.
Q: So where's the Charter for r.a.t.m.m.?
A: Right here:
CHARTER
Description: Discussion of TV's Mystery Science Theater 3000.
The newsgroup rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc will be used as a forum for discussion of:
(1) the television show, Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K), and memorabilia,
trivia, and persons related to it; (2) MST3K fanfics, until such time as they
get their own newsgroup; and (3) any other shows produced by Best Brains, Inc.,
until such time as the shows get their own newsgroups.
Q: Does r.a.t.m.m. have a theme song?
A: It does now, thanks to Ron Drake!
"WE'RE R.A.T.M"
===============
[To the tune of "My Country, 'Tis Of Thee" south of the Canadian border.
Otherwise, it's "God Save The Queen."]
Please keep posts OTP
Don't flame incessantly
"Plan Nine..." won't MST
Before we hear from you
Please read the FAQ
Josh Weinstein of "The Simpsons" crew
Ain't the one from here!
tORgO's A RUnniNG jOKe
Tom Servo's head has smoked
At least five times
Gypsy is not oppressed
Cambot is not undressed
And saying Mike or Joel is best
Doesn't mean a thing
We're nice as newsgroups go
We just enjoy the show
We're weird that way
Don't overanalyze
Sit back and feast your eyes
True wackos don't apologize
We're R-AAAAAA-Teeeeeee-EmmmmmmmmmmMMMMM!!!
Q: Are there any headers I should be aware of?
A: Yes. While the show MST3K draws references from all areas, not everyone
wants to read obscure information. Thus, the header WOTP, for either "Warning!
Off Topic Post" or "Way Off Topic Post", depending on personal preference,
indicates that the post has nothing at all to do with MST3K, but does involve
some reference MiSTies may be interested in. Also, the header MiSTied
indicates a post which someone has put the MST3K treatment to (see the MiSTing
FAQ for more details).
Q: What happened to Frank/Joel?
A: This is an easy way to make lots of enemies very quickly and get your
mailbox flooded. This is answered in the FAQ and MFAQ, which are posted every
week to the newsgroups. Do not ask it.
Q: Who's better, Joel or Mike?, or any question that compares the two.
A: See answer above. Do not ask this, as people all have their own opinions
and do not care.
Q: Sheesh! Why not? It's just a harmless question to make conversation,
right?
A: Not entirely. You see, everyone is going to have their own opinion of
whether Mike, Joel, both, Fletcher, neither, etc was the best human host of
MST3k. Nothing you say is likely to change anyone else's mind, especially if
people follow up with posts insisting why one host is better than another. It
is all personal opinion, and usually devolves on the newsgroups to shouting
matches. Therefore, the regulars have all agreed to disagree (or agree) and
just not bring it up, because it just wastes bandwidth.
Q: Comedy Central screwed up/changed the schedule/did something annoying to
MST3K again, and I don't like it. Should I post about this?
A: Probably not. If you have real information about a change that others need
to be informed about, then yes. Otherwise, please don't. It is just as
frustrating to see a newsgroup filled with "CC SUCKS!" articles as it is to
watch CC make the error in the first place. If you are really upset, e-mail
them or bring it up on the newsgroup alt.tv.comedy-central, not (r.)a.t.m.(m).
Q: What is PC? What does it have to do with MST3K? Is MST3K sexist?
A: PC stands for Political Correctness. Absolutely nothing. We don't know,
but most of us do not care. The show creates humor through, among other
things, stereotypes. Now these stereotypes can either be considered funny or
sexist, depending on your views. However, posting about this will likely not
change anyone's opinions. It will, however, sic the nonsequiter police on you,
so beware.
Q: Is a character or person on the show
gay/straight/bi/married/divorced/single?
A: Who cares?
Q: Are there excessive flames/OTPs on (r.)a.t.m.(m)?
A: From time to time, many posts will be off topic. This is due to a variety
of factors, including an absence of new episodes to talk about and the eclectic
nature of the show itself. Please try to refrain from contributing to flames
and OTPs. If you MUST follow up, be sure to change the Subject header to
reflect that a thread has become OTP.
Q: Sheesh! So is there anything I *can* post?
A: Yes, lots. Just please do not ask the same stupid questions that get asked
over and over. As you hang out with us more and more, you'll see that we are
all one big happy family. We just don't appreciate the same stupid questions
being asked.
As a helpful tip, here's BioKen's list o' things not to do on the MST3K
newsgroups:
10) Don't get serious about politics. We try to keep this a fun, flame-free
place, and politics (whether it be Democrat/Republican, racist/not-racist, or
sexist/non-sexist issues) tend to get ugly fast.
9) Don't ask if Crow is facing the wrong way in the theater. He isn't - it's
just an optical illusion.
8) Don't piss off juliewa (the Best Brains Info Club poobah) - she'll send her
ninjas after you...
7) Don't be dissin' da Brains. Some of them are on line, and they know where
you live...
6) Don't ask questions that can be found in the FAQ (see also #9 and esp. #1).
It gets posted bi-weekly in all the major MST3K groups, including
rec.arts.tv.mst3k.announce, and is present on the Web.
5) Don't start a coke/pop/soda/soft drinks, wabbit season/duck season, or
Mike/Joel thread. If you do, we'll have to kill you.
4) Did I mention, don't start a Mike/Joel thread? This one deserves special
attention. Joel is gone, he's not coming back, and Mike is all we've got. I
think he's doing a fine job, and stating that Joel is better will not do
anything other than get lots (but not all) the regulars upset.
3) Don't go around insulting the "regulars". You'll figure out who we are,
and we tend to stick together. Mostly.
2) No matches for Mikey.
And finally [drumroll],
1) Don't ask what happened to Joel (or Frank, starting in Season 7). He left
the show amicably to go on to other things (most recently, the TV Wheel, which
may or may not show up on HBO). He is not coming back, and no longer has
anything to do with MST3K (although he may watch it now and again). The shows
that explain the Joel/Mike switch are [512] "Mitchell!" and [513] "The Brain
(Head) That Wouldn't Die". Frank also left to pursue other interests
(including writing a book), and his leaving is explained in show [624] Samson
vs. the Vampire Women . There is a Frank Coniff fan club out there.
Q: Why can't I ask what I want? Don't I have freedom of speech?
A: Look at it this way. Imagine you're at a party. You're talking with a
group of your friends about something that interests all of you. Someone comes
up to you and interrupts to ask what time it is. You point out the large clock
on the wall above your head. They wander off. A few minutes later, someone
else interrupts to ask the time. This continues repeatedly every couple of
minutes. This is what asking a frequently asked question (FAQ) is like to the
rest of us in the group. Look at the clock yourself, ok?
Q: I heard Frank left. Is this true?
A: Sadly, yes. Frank Conniff, who plays TV's Frank on the show, left Best
Brains in January. His last episode was 624: Samson vs. the Vampire Women. As
of now Best Brains has not yet found a replacement.
Q: How did Frank leave?
A: Frank recieved a fortune cookie fortune which told him to prepare for the
coming of someone who would take him to a better place. Torgo the White then
appeared to take Frank to Second Banana Heaven, where all the sidekicks go.
Q: Is there any way to keep in touch with Frank and find out how he's doing?
A: Yes. You can join the Frank Conniff Info Club. E-mail FCIC@aol.com for
more details. Membership is $12 for a year and goes to cover the costs of
newsletters. FCIC is NOT affiliated in any way with Best Brains or the MST3K
Info Club.
Q: Is there ever going to be a theater release of MST3K?
A: Yes! Best Brains finally managed to sign a deal with Gramercy Pictures.
Filming has been completed, with a new and more elaborate set. The host
segments will be a bit longer, but basically it will be like a regular episode.
TV's Frank will not be in the movie. Gramercy will be in charge of
distribution. The film runs approximately 88 minutes and will hopefully be
ready to be released in March, 1996. The title is "Mystery Science Theater
3000: The Movie".
Q: So what's the film going to be?
A: "This Island Earth," which was done at the 1994 Conventio-Con-Expo-Fest-A-
Rama. Rest assured, however, that it will be a good MSTing. Many of the
jokes are the same, but others have been changed for various reasons, including
royalties issues and out-of-date jokes.
Q: Is juliewa going to be in the movie?
A: Sadly, no. But you can show your support of all she's done by singing the
juliewa song in your local theater when the MST3K movie is released.
Q: So what are the lyrics?
A: [to the tune of "Gamera is Really Neat"]
juliewa is really neat!
juliewa does super feats!
We all love you juliewa!
Q: What's the deal with the new season?
A: Season 7 (Phase 5) is the next season of episodes due out. As of yet, Best
Brains has neither finalized a contract with Comedy Central, nor filmed new
episodes. This is due to several reasons, the biggest being the problem of not
enough time, as BB was filming the MST3K Movie during the summer in addition to
other projects. When season 7 is finalized, there will be only 6 episodes, due
to both the movie and the fact that BB wants to get more recent films, which
cost more to get ahold of the rights. Frank will not be in them, and there is
no replacement planned for season 7.
Q: Can I e-mail juliewa and ask her about the movie deal or season 7?
A: No! Juliewa has said rather emphatically that she cannot answer any
questions at this time about those topics.
Q: Can we expect MST3K to go into syndication anytime soon?
A: Why yes! Right now, BB is trying to get MST3K syndicated to be picked up by
local TV stations for the fall. So write your local station and tell them you
want MST3K! BB is going through a syndicator, and is offering both the regular
two-hour format and the Mystery Science Theater Hour format. Most stations
will probably pick up the MSTH format, due to it being shorter. However, no
additional footage will be cut. In either case what you see on CC is what you
will see in syndication.
The following stations have bought MST3K:
Chicago WPWR - UPN
San Francisco KRON - NBC
Dallas WFAA - ABC
Detroit WKBD - UPN
Houston KHTV - IND
Seattle KCPQ - FOX
Cleveland WAKC - ABC
Minneapolis KARE - NBC
Tampa WTMV - IND
Pittsburgh WTWB - WB
Denver KTVD - UPN
Sacramento KXTV - ABC
Orlando WCPX - CBS
Portland OR KEBN - WB
San Diego KTTY - IND
Charlotte WJZY - FOX
Milwaukee WISN - ABC
Salt Lake City KOOG - IND
Norfolk WPEN - WB
New Orleans WDSU - NBC
Memphis WPTY - FOX
Oklahoma City KOCO - ABC
Harrisburg WHP - CBS
Wilkes Barre WBRE - NBC
Albuquerque KASY - IND
Richmond/Petersburg WWBT - NBC
Fresno KAIL - UPN
Little Rock KATV - ABC
Mobile/Pensacola WPMI - FOX
Austin KBVO - FOX
Roanoke WSLS - NBC
Green Bay WBAY - ABC
Las Vegas KVBC - NBC
Des Moines/Ames WHO - NBC
Omaha KETV - ABC
Portland/Auburn WCSH - NBC
Tucson KOLD - CBS
Huntsville/Decatur WYLE - WB
Johnstown/Altoona WTWB - WB
Burlington/Plattsburgh WWBI - IND
Tri-Cities TN/VA WEMT
Baton Rouge WBRZ
Waco KXXV - ABC
Lincoln/Hstings KGHI - NBC
Savannah WTGS - FOX
Ft. Wayne WKJG - TV
Lansing WLAJ - ABC
Reno KREN - IND
Yakima/Tri Cities KEBB - TV
Chico/Redding KHSL - CBS
Colorado Springs KRDO
Monroe/El Dorado KNOE - CBS
El Paso KJLF
Sioux Falls KTTW
Eugene KLSR - FOX
La Crosse WKBT - CBS
Topeka KTKA
Medford KTVL
Binghamton WBIG
Lubbock KGLR -IND
Bangor WABI - TV
Anchorage KTUU
Panama City WMBB
Palm Springs KMIR
Elmira WYDC
Billings KULR
Meridian WGBC
Bowling Green WGRB - FOX
Grand Junction KJCT
Butte K26DE
Fairbanks KO7UU - FOX
New York area WTZA -IND
Laughlin KLBC
Bethel KYUK
Nashville WXZK
Chambersburg WJAL
Q: What's the deal with this convention I hear about?
A: On September 16 and 17, 1994, Best Brains, the company that makes MST3K,
held a ConventioCon Expo-Fest-a-Rama in Minnesota.
Q: I missed it. Will there be another one?
A: There are plans to hold another Convention in Labor Day, 1996
Q: Where can I get the FAQs?
A: Every periodical posting except the MFAQ is posted monthly on Sunday (A.D.).
The MFAQ is posted every Sunday. In addition, they are archived at
rtfm.mit.edu and can be requested from Matt Duhan (mduhan@husc.harvard.edu)
Q: Who's this juliewa and why's she so knowledgeable?
A: Julie Walker (juliewa@aol.com) is the MST3K Info Club Poobah hired by BB to
deal with questions we have.
Q: Can I join the info club through her?
A: Yes. Simply e-mail her your name, snail-address, and that you'd like to
join the info club. She'll have her ninjas add you to the list.
Q: Why does she only type in lower case?
A: It's a holdover from her days at MicroSoft.
Q: Why do some people call juliewa Steve?
A: Erm, well, because sometimes on the show, TV's Frank calls Dr. Forrester
Steve. However, it is not recommended that you do this, else she might send
her ninjas after you.
Q: Who is fRiNgE?
A: Yours truly. Matt aka fRiNgE aka Matthew Duhan (mduhan@husc.harvard.edu) is
the Keeper of the FAQs for these newsgroups.
Q: Who is tskwm?
A: tskwm (tskwm@aol.com) is a new poster to (r)a.t.m.(m). The initials stand
for Tom Servo Kevin Wagner Murphy. Yes, it is Kevin Murphy who plays Tom
Servo.
Q: Who is Mike Pearce
A: Schedule God. He posts the current MST3K schedule every Sunday.
Q: Who (or what) is Mikey Inglis?
A: Dreamy
Q: Who is Erin Cash?
A: The best darn Jan-in-a-pan you've ever seen. And because of it, she's also
the proud owner of Frank's "I'm a virgin" T-shirt from "Pod People".
Q: Who is EvilJen?
A: Jennifer Lynn Hill. She often bursts into flames. Oh, and she comes with
Buffalo Wings.
Q: Who are jess and Blair Dillman?
A: Damn annoying velveeta'ers.
Q: Who are Harlan, Kate Wrightson, Spatch, Rick Hodge, M Sampo, Ed Dravecky
III, Larry MacGregor, Chad Gould, BioKen, Diane Hodgson, Joe Merlino,
Steve(~juliewa), Petrea Mitchell, Claye Hodge, Todd Gilbert, Jasoooon!, jess,
TSD, Phil Mueller, ikaros, Michael K. Neylon, Clarinda Carrington, jenny
anderson, Ryan Smith, Jamie Plummer, Mike Czaplinski, Roger M. Wilcox, Mike
Barklage [apologies if I left off anyone. Feel free to e-mail me]?
A: These are some of the people that post often and are part of the core of our
family. Beware, as they enjoy having fun and not all they say is true.
Q: What's an ookie-ookie?
A: Ask Kate.
Q: What's this obsession with llamas?
A: They just are, like the wind, baby.
Q: Why doesn't MST3K do "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"?
A: Well, it wouldn't really be the same, now would it? RHPS has a script which
people follow and say at the appropriate time. If MST3K were to do RHPS, it
would either have to follow this script, which would be a letdown to MST3K
fans, or it would come up with new MSTings, which would be a letdown to RHPS
fans. Plus, many of the scripted lines anticipate a line in the movie, whereas
MST3K tries to avoid that. In short, the two are sufficiently different that
it does not make sense.
Q: I've seen some people MiSTing USENET articles. Is there a guide to the
proper format for doing this?
A: Yes, it is available from Matt Duhan (mduhan@husc.harvard.edu) or Michael
Neylon (mneylon@engin.umich.edu). In addition, there is a mailing "dibs"
list. To subscribe, e-mail mneylon@engin.umich.edu with a subject line
containing 'DIBS-SUB'.
Q: Does juliewa, tskwm, or any of the Brains read the fanfics and MSTings
posted here or sent to them?
A: No. For legal reasons, they can't. Please do not send them any.
Q: Why not?
A: OK, it works like this. Suppose you write something in a fanfic and
something similar appears in an MST3K episode. Now, if the Brains can prove
that they do not read any of these fanfics, then they don't have to worry about
being sued by you for having a similar idea. Even if you are sure you wouldn't
sue them, the Brains have to be certain that something like this won't happen,
and the best way to do this is a no read policy. Situations like this have
arisen in the past, like the issue over the film _Coming to America_.
Q: This isn't directly related to MST3K, but did you know that there's a Mentos
FAQ around?
A: Yes, we know. Every once in a while the FAQ for those hard little candies
and their annoying commercials gets posted to (r.)a.t.m.(m). Please do not
post it.
Q: I'm thinking of getting an MST3K related vanity plate. Any suggestions?
A: Yes. Thanks to Joe McMahon.
4 letters 5 letters 6 letters 7 letters 8 letters
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
ATOR CABOT 3M 3TI8 HIKEEBA CHEEZ LVR
ONE O CROW T BITE ME 000E T2M FORKLIFT
PTBF GYPSY CAMBOT B NATURL GIZMONIC
NMCB HIRED DA WIND CRPY GRL MITCHELL
SOL 1 JOEL R DEEP 13 CRWLNG I HAI KEEBA
PUMA MANOS ED WOOD CRWTRBT TOM SERVO
MST3K GAMERA DP HRTNG TVS FRANK
M THOF MOTHRA DR 4STR YDNTDYLK
RELAX MST FAN GYMKATA REX DART
SAMPO MSTIE 1 KLR SHRW WLD REBL
SERVO OUTLAW MGK VOYC WLDREBEL
TORGO RCK CLM MOVI SGN TOR JNSN
EEGAH ROCKT 9 MST 3000 MGAWEPON
ZIGRA ROL CAL MYLUNGS
JOIKE TRMNTD PSH T BTN
TRUMPY ROK CLBG
MTJACK SAT O LUV
THE WIND
CROOOOW
KILL CC
BARUGON
RAMCHIP
JETJAGR
Q: Who do I have to thank for this?
A: All the MiSTies who post on (r)a.t.m.(m)!
_Mystery Science Theater 3000_, its characters and situations are copyright
1995 Best Brains, Inc. This publication is not meant to infringe on any
copyrights held by Best Brains, Comedy Central or its employees. The
information herein is subject to being wrong. This FAQ is free to distribute
not-for-profit as long as this notice remains intact. If you would like to
reprint any part of this publication, please drop me a line, so I can add it to
the FAQ. No part of this publication may be reprinted, in whole or part, for
profit or in hard printed form without express written permission of the
maintainer (Matthew Duhan (mduhan@husc.harvard.edu)).
Send corrections/additions to the FAQ Maintainer:
Last Update August 12 1997 @ 03:41 AM faq-admin@faqs.org