Mystery Sciene Theater 3000 "Cinematic Titanic" Entertainment Art Lakeshore Theater Chicago, Ill. December 20, 2008

The fairly simple plot of the show revolutionized television and would forever change the way people viewed movies. Each week Joel (and later his replacement Mike) and his robot friends Tom Servo and Crow would be “forced” by two mad scientists to watch Z-grade films aboard the Satellite of Love. In order to keep their sanity the trio would make fun of the film relentlessly while it played. After a 10 year run on both Comedy Central and the Sci-Fi network, the show ended its run in 1999, much to the dismay of devoted fans.

This weekend as Joel and company returned to lampooning painful filmmaking with the project “Cinematic Titanic”. The robots are gone but the spirit is back in force in the new show. Those lucky enough to catch the quickly sold out shows at the Lakeshore Theater this weekend got to be a part of a once in a lifetime experience. Unlike MST3K there is no real plot to “Cinematic Titanic”, though Joel does hint at one in interviews. What Joel should realized by now is that, like so many of the movies he spent years watching, this project needs no plot. The sheer enjoyment of watching old friends gather for a reunion doing what they do best is pleasure enough.

“Cinematic Titanic” ran for three nights at the Lakeshore Theater off of Belmont and Broadway. The venue was the perfect spot for such an event, small and intimate with just enough breathing room that people could let loose. The mood was relaxed and light as the alcohol flowed and the show began. “This is actually the one year anniversary of ‘Cinematic Titanic’ so you all are sort of here for our holiday party,” said Hodgson as he distributed drinks among the cast.

Being in the audience allowed fans the chance to break through the metaphorical fourth wall of the television screen. As the jokes skewered the film members of the audience would voice their opinion as to how good a piece of dialogue was. If the cast disagreed with what you said, they told you. There was undoubtedly a surreal quality to the night, as these icons of underground pop culture got back to their roots.

The weather outside may have been frightful but the fans were so delightful. After the show the cast stuck around for a meet and greet autograph session. While new merchandise was on sale many fans clutched their copies of the MST3K DVD’s tightly, desperate to have their memorabilia signed by the cast. A look of nostalgia was in the eyes of all involved. Many simply wanted to shake the hands of Hodgson and thank him for making their youth fun and worthwhile. It had been a long, strange trip but the cast of the show truly were riding on the Satellite of Love.

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