Crowdfunding is, for the most part, a good idea. In the worst cases, it can enable unsavory types to con poor suckers out of their money by hyping up a bad idea, but more often than not, it allows independent operators to get a little bit of exposure and capital they would have otherwise been unable to drum up. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo smile most kindly upon cult-beloved properties without the desire or clout to work within the larger studio system. Small, devoted fanbases are the ones who make or break crowdfunded successes, willing to pay directly for something they love.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that the fundraising push in support of a planned new season of Mystery Science Theater 3000 quickly broke the all-time record for most money garnered through a crowdfunding campaign through Kickstarter, a bar previously set by the $5.7 million raised for the Veronica Mars movie. (Cult classics, what’d we tell you?) The revival of the comedy program goofing on the worst of the worst B-movies amassed $5.9 million over the course of a month. In response to the surprising swell of support from his fans, MST3K creator Joel Hodgson has announced not only the original 12-episode run that had been promised initially, but also an additional two bonus episodes including a holiday special. The now-confirmed program is guaranteed to be a smash with comedy nerds, having already roped in nerd idols Patton Oswalt and Felicia Day for the cast and Community creator Dan Harmon for the writing staff. It’s funny that Harmon in specific should have joined up with this gang; the man knows quite a bit about struggling to parley an intense, vocal, but small following into larger success.
