IRiffs Takes MST3k Open Source

An anonymous reader writes "Michael J. Nelson started up Rifftrax as a 2nd act to his stint as host of Mystery Science Theater 3000, and now they're making their website open to anyone and everyone who thinks they're funny with iRiffs — allowing people to upload their own comedy commentary tracks and charge whatever they want. They've already got a few would-be groups online, including one who takes the open source a step further — soliciting jokes from listeners and combining submissions into a final product."

Open Source?

[HeavyD14]

So how exactly is this "open source"?

Deep Hurting...

[RevVoice]

There might be one or two shining gems, but I really feel that this is going to end in pain.. DEEEEP HURTING...

Re:speaking of funny

[eln]

The cool thing about the Open Source movement is that just about anyone who's willing to can step up and become the "public face" of the movement.

The really unfortunate thing about the Open Source movement is that just about anyone who's willing to can step up and become the "public face" of the movement.

Re:Cinematic Titanic is the Real Deal

[analog_line]

I would submit that they are both a "real evolution" of MST3K, since they're both the "children" of writers on that show. Me and my brothers are extremely different from each other, and just because someone doesn't like me doesn't mean they'll hate my brother too.

I personally prefer Rifftrax to Cinematic Titanic, but I also wasn't one of the people that thought the show turned to crap when Joel left. If you're one of those people, yeah, I'm sure Cinematic Titanic will be more up your alley, since, well, they've got Joel.

Re:Fine, but

[Tetsujin]

Rifftrax != MST3K. If it were, you'd have Cambot, Tom Servo and Crow.

What concerns me more:
when you set up something like iRiffs, a community for would-be comedians (particularly people who are just interested in it 'cause they all saw the same funny TV show) you run into a few problems...

First, lots of people think they're funny, but aren't.
Second, a fair number of the ones who aren't funny will use gags sufficiently cheap (memes, particularly) to boost their popularity...
And the end result is you wind up with a few gems, maybe, sloshing around in a sea of crap... And you can't rely on popularity rankings to tell the good from the bad.

I think it's kind of funny that you equate MST3K with "Cambot, Tom Servo and Crow"... I mean, you never even see Cambot. But you left out Gypsy...

Re:Fine, but

[mweather]

And the end result is you wind up with a few gems, maybe, sloshing around in a sea of crap... And you can't rely on popularity rankings to tell the good from the bad.

So it's just like TV?

Re:Open Source?

[tlhIngan]

Because it uses a closed source program to play the proprietary .riff files along with the patent-encumbered MPEG2 files on the copyrighted DVD. Duh!

While you're right, you can get the audio available in a "freer" (still patented) mp3 format.

The only thing the .riff files and player have over the mp3 is the synchronization information built-in. I.e., you open the .tiff file in the player, stick in the DVD, and it automagically syncs the audio and video. Prior to this, you had to start your MP3 player, mute your DVD player, press play on one, and listen to the cueing marks to sync.

Anyhow. .riff is just an MP3 file with the special encoding marks in them, as well.

Re:Cinematic Titanic is the Real Deal

[Anonymous Coward]

I would say Cinematic Titanic is a continuation of MST3K. It takes original cast members and riffs on old movies they've licensed. Slightly different premise, but generally same show.

Rifftrax is more of an evolution of the original idea. They make use of some differing technology that allows them to bypass some licensing issues and let's them riff MODERN movies. I think that's the major difference.

Same principles though. There's no reason why both versions can't be appreciated.

Re:MST3K will not be appreciated by future geeks

[BoberFett]

The truly great moments are when they rip on one movie using a joke referring to another, completely unrelated horrible movie. When Hercules jumps over a railing in Hercules vs the Moon Men and Servo yells "Gymkata!" that's just sheer brilliance.

But unless you've been subjected to the horror that is Gymkata (which MST3K oddly enough never covered) you'll never get that joke. I know I didn't get it the first time. After seeing Gymkata myself, it's just that much funnier.

Gymkata!