American Public Television Continues Best of MST3K Series With New Episodes
12 new episodes will be available on public television beginning in early 2016BOSTON (September 28, 2015) – After successfully bringing Mystery Science Theater 3000 to public television earlier this year, American Public Television will distribute an expanded collection of 12 episodes beginning in January 2016.
MST3K premiered on Minnesota’s KTMA in 1988 and quickly attracted a cult following with its overthe- top, absurdist humor. Chronicling the misadventures of an unlucky janitor (played by show creator Joel Hodgson) imprisoned on a space station and forced to watch continual stream of B-movies with a group of snarky robots, the series gleefully skewered the worst that Hollywood has to offer for 197 episodes. Despite two cancellations and shuffling between KTMA, Comedy Central and the SciFi Channel, the show eventually enjoyed an 11-year, Peabody Award-winning run.
While MST3K initially floundered on cable, it maintains a loyal fan base and was named one of the “Top 25 Cult Shows of All Time” by TV Guide in 2004. With hosting duties split between Hodgson and longtime series’ writer Mike Nelson, APT’s updated package features twelve new-to-public-television offerings. From campy horror films such as Bloodlust (1961), The Mad Monster (1983), and Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders (1996) to low-budget sci fi flicks Teenagers From Outerspace (1959) and Extra Terrestrial Visitors (1983), the collection showcases some of fans’ favorite episodes.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 was acquired by American Public Television from Shout! Factory for syndication to public television stations nationwide. For further information, a full list of episodes, or to screen this program online, please contact Erin_Couse@APTonline.org or 617-338-4455 ext. 150.
About Shout! Factory:
Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform entertainment 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 DVD and Blu-Ray™ offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials in lavish packages crammed with extras. Shout’s audio division boasts GRAMMY®-nominated box sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast digital distribution network which delivers video and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America. Shout! Factory also owns and operates Timeless Media Group, Biograph Records, Majordomo Records, HighTone Records and Video Time Machine. 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 Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com
About APT:
American Public Television (APT) has been a leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations since 1961. For 10 years, APT has annually distributed one-third or more of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U. S. Among its 300 new program titles per year, APT programs include prominent documentaries, news and current affairs programs, dramas, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies. America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Rick Steves’ Europe, Front and Center, Doc Martin, Nightly Business Report, Midsomer Murders, Vera, NHK Newsline, Lidia’s Kitchen, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, and P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home join numerous documentaries and performance programs popular with public television viewers. APT licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. Now in its 10th year, Create® TV — featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming — is distributed by APT. APT also distributes WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel. To find out more about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org.
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