What are "must see" episodes for someone who is new to MST3K?

MST3K Central
41

Yeah, you have to work your way up to Red Zone Cuba.

I think it’s a little easier to pick the episodes to hold back until someone’s ‘got it’, rather than the ones to use as the introduction. You wouldn’t start with RZC or Castle of Fu Manchu or one of the KTMAs, and until they’ve got a handle on the characters, the departure and guest reappearance episodes (Mitchell, Samson vs the Vampire Women and Soultaker) lose a lot of their impact and meaning.

I would say go with an accessible movie that lets them concentrate on the riffing, so something like Santa Claus Conquers the Martians or Space Mutiny or even Bride of the Monster—which would lead you right in to Manos if they want to see the other half of Hired!.

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42

I’ve actually used Attack of the Killer Shrews several times to lure in and ensnare friends and family in MST3K. Works every time.

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43

Pod People was fantastic. My wife watched it with me, and we cracked up the whole time.

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44

You chose ……… WISELY

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45

I can’t remember specifics off the top of my head, but it’s worth watching anything that then gets riffed in a future episode.

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46

The first two episodes I remember watching are Eegah and The Brain That Wouldn’t Die

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47

I definitely wouldn’t choose the Giant Spider Invasion because of how very very dark the host segments are.

48

Since this thread is back, I need to throw Prince of Space into the conversation. The wormhole host segments are absolute classics, and I get so much joy out of Krankor’s silliness.

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