Mystery Science Theater 3000 is, without a doubt, a huge cult hit among the geek and film buff communities, and Kelly Rowles of the The Convention Fans Blog (sponsored by Alltern8.com) recently had a chance to interview its original star and creator: Joel Hodgson. Even though MST3K has long since been off the air, Joel hasn't stopped riffing on movies. In fact, he's teamed up with some of the original MST3K gang to form Cinematic Titanic, which is a feature-length movie riffing show done live on stage (and available on DVD).

Kelly Rowles: I had a chance to see the Cinematic Titanic crew at Dragon*con a few years back. About how many conventions do you think you've attended over the years, and do you have a favorite one?

Joel Hodgson: To me I think I would say Dragon*con is my favorite really.

KR: I won't argue with you on that one. It happens to be my favorite too.

JH: Well you know we've only been to [San Diego] Comic-Con, and Dragon*con, and I think there was one other in the mid west, one in Los Angeles. But yeah, I like Dragon*con. It seemed kind of pure, compared to Comic-Con. Comic-Con is really about LA soaking people with their wares. And I think that somehow, because Atlanta has some geographical distance from LA, that it's a bit different. So that's my take on it.

KR: This is something I always have to ask convention guests: what's the most interesting thing you've ever been asked to autograph?

JH: Well, I haven't done too many, so I don't really have a large knowledge base of that.

KR: I'm surprised no one's asked you sign anything weird!