Everything in Joel Hodgson’s life led him to creating Mystery Science Theater 3000, or MST3K. From performing magic as a kid to doing stand up in college, Joel attributes his comedy chops to his Midwest upbringing. Joel explains that every opportunity in his career has been a stepping stone to MST3K, whether he was performing stand up on Late Night with David Letterman or designing toys for Tonka. However, he says it wasn’t until a conversation he had with Jerry Seinfeld that the seeds for MST3K were planted. Now, 13 seasons later, MST3K has been named one of Time Magazine’s “100 best television shows of all time” and has become a cult classic. In this episode of the Cripescast, he and Charlie dive into Joel’s career, bond over their shared experience of growing up in Wisconsin, and discuss the weirdest parts of their families’ lineage.  Check out MST3K on Netflix or on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFzph9x-n9FR52BI94Zfgww  Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast and for Charlie’s tour dates, merch, Patreon and more head to cripescast.com.  For continued support of the work by Doctors Without Borders in the Middle East, find more information and donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.