MST3K Goes Beyond Atlantis...And Gender

 

For the first time, Mystery Science Theater 3000 has its first female host...and a female voice for one of the bots.
It's all because Kinga Forrester was told by her (most likely fake) financier from the future to get a second host.
This will be the biggest mistake she'll ever make.
Emily Marsh, as Emily Connor, is that good.

As far as the story goes, Emily installs the Simulator of Love, a virtual version of the Satellite of Love. Thing is, she's with Gizmonic, and it doesn't know she's on the moon. That might be an issue.

Kinga strands her there, and Emily's kind of upset. Still, she quickly settles into her new spot with her simulated versions of Tom Servo (Conor McGiffin) and Crow (Kelsey Ann Brady). She also shows she's very skilled with her invention exchange of Mecha Hands (an advanced version of the Manos Hands from the MST movie).

Now about Crow's new voice...
first, this is a different version of Crow. Of course, it would be different. Some fans in the forums didn't like it because it was screechy. Some didn't like the idea a woman should voice Crow. Some gave her a chance and liked it because of her style. 
Anyone remember how Tom Servo sounded when Kevin Murphy first arrived? He tried to sound like the previous guy, J. Elvis Weinstein. It took time, but he made the voice his own, tossing in some fine singing. Bill Corbett had his transition time when he took on Crow. Kelsey should have the same opportunity. She'll have less of an opportunity this season because of fewer episodes, but she'll get there. 
In fact, in the post-game show, she was quite charming. For more information, check out this thread from the MST3K forums.
Oh, and it seems Emily and Jonah will be plotting something against Kinga and Max. They don't know more people will be coming soon, but we're still not sure about this Kabahl guy.

Oh yeah, the lousy movie...

the show wrapped up its pre-season, or soft open, with Beyond Atlantis. It's a 1973 film where some pearl hustlers from the Philippines discover some big pearls provided by a beautiful blonde named Syrene. They find out she's part of a race of fish people with weird eyes. It's ruled by a guy played by George Nader (yes, the snarky guy from Human Duplicators), who tries to be regal while sitting on a clam. There's also a scientist who wonders if Syrene's tribe is from Atlantis. 
The movie features Patrick Wayne, son of John, who insisted it should be a PG movie. It also has John Ashley, who was in Attack of the the Eye Creatures, and a couple of Rifftrax "gems". He's best known to making movies in the Philippines and making an OK living at it.

There's not much action in the movie until Syrene is told she has to mate with someone to keep the tribe going. The bug-eyed fish people can't do it. She does have sex with one of the pearl divers, but he's interested in the scientist. This leads to an underwater fight that for some reason includes the theme from a British nightly news show. 

This leads to a strange ending that's better left unexplained...which describes a bunch of movies riffed on this show.

Speaking of riffs:

The first appearance of the fish people
The Island of Dr. Matt Groening

East Eddie falls into a crab pit
Sir, that is no way to start the Crab 100 Meter Dash

"When will you mate?" Nereus tells Syrene
After I execute the Queen's Gambit

Syrene has sex with a guy and two fish people lay out something over then
And that's how I net your mother

There's a funeral towards the end
To be fair, this movie makes me want to walk into the ocean, too.

There's also riffs on Venmo, Gary Busey, Russ Meyer, Kato Kaelin and Marty Feldman.

Besides, the host segment that wrapped up the episode made history. It's the first time MST conquered rap music.

Emily also renovated GPC so she can be in more segments. 
Oh, Kinga, what have you done?

Now that the pre-season is over, how will it prepare for the Grand Opening?
It'll present the first three shows in the first weekend in May, then new shows every two weeks. 
People will get a chance to sample an episode for ten bucks, then the option to rent or buy a week later. They can also get three-month subscriptions, too, but it should be interesting how the Gizmoplex channel tries to be accessible to everyone. Ten-dollar tickets may lead to more cash thanks to downloads once people see that the show's turned a corner after a three-year break.

Watch out, Rifftrax Friends!

By the way, the show will have "tributes" to Hobgoblins and Future War during May, then the next movie, Munchie on May 27th.