Mystery Science Theater 3000 Returns with Original Host Mike Nelson

Nelson and his robot pals Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot will riff on cheesy movies once again in new episodes of the cult classic series.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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After a 27-year absence, Mike Nelson is returning as the host of Mystery Science Theater 3000, the beloved cult comedy series that features a man and two robots trapped in space forced to watch bad movies. Nelson, who took over as host in the show's fifth season, is reuniting with his co-stars Kevin Murphy (Tom Servo) and Bill Corbett (Crow T. Robot) to produce new episodes titled "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The RiffTrax Experiments" that will be released on their RiffTrax platform.

Why it matters

Mystery Science Theater 3000 developed a devoted fanbase over its original seven-season run on Comedy Central and the Sci-Fi Channel in the 1990s. The show's revival in 2017 on Netflix was met with mixed reactions from longtime fans, who were hesitant about the entirely new cast. This new iteration brings back the original host and supporting cast, which should delight Misties and introduce the show to a new generation of viewers.

The details

Nelson, who has spent the past 20 years working on the audio-only riffing enterprise RiffTrax, will be joined by his former MST3K co-stars Murphy and Corbett for the new episodes. The first season will feature four movies, including the 1978 Roger Corman/David Carradine film "Deathsport." Original MST3K cast members Frank Conniff and Trace Beaulieu, who have their own riffing company The Mads, will also make guest appearances. A crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe has already raised nearly $2 million to support the new productions.

  • In 1988, Mystery Science Theater 3000 originated on a Minneapolis UHF channel.
  • The show ran for seven seasons on Comedy Central and three on the Sci-Fi channel before going off the air in 1999.
  • The series was revived on Netflix in 2017 with a new cast, but only lasted for three seasons.
  • Earlier this month, it was announced that MST3K creator Joel Hodgson had sold the show to Radical Entertainment, who are reviving it with the original host Mike Nelson.
  • Production on the new "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The RiffTrax Experiments" episodes is set to begin soon, following the successful crowdfunding campaign.

The players

Mike Nelson

The original host of Mystery Science Theater 3000, who took over the role in the show's fifth season after creator Joel Hodgson departed. Nelson has spent the past 20 years working on the audio-only riffing enterprise RiffTrax.

Kevin Murphy

The performer who voiced the character of Tom Servo on Mystery Science Theater 3000 from seasons 2-10.

Bill Corbett

The performer who voiced the character of Crow T. Robot on Mystery Science Theater 3000 from seasons 8-10.

Joel Hodgson

The creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000, who was the original host of the show before departing in season 5.

Frank Conniff

A former cast member of Mystery Science Theater 3000, who will make a guest appearance in the new episodes alongside his riffing company The Mads.

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What they’re saying

“When we did the shoot, the puppets came out of these cases. It was this weird thing of like, 'I've been to the moon and now here's the moon rock that you picked up.' It was a surreal feeling, but it was also very joyful to see people scrambling around again.”

— Mike Nelson (Rolling Stone)

“Probably a little. I think all three of us felt a little bit like you're saying, 'We've got our lane, and it's been a while.' And then I think we gradually started to remember, 'Man, we had so much fun doing this. Wouldn't it be fun to be a grown person holding a puppet, Kevin?'”

— Mike Nelson (Rolling Stone)

What’s next

The new season of "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The RiffTrax Experiments" is expected to begin production soon, following the successful crowdfunding campaign. The first four episodes are planned for release, with the possibility of more if the initial run is well-received.

The takeaway

The return of Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett to the Satellite of Love for new episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 is a thrilling development for longtime fans of the cult comedy series. After nearly three decades away, the original host and supporting cast are reuniting to once again riff on cheesy movies, bringing the show's signature blend of humor and nostalgia to a new generation of viewers.