Life Survival Kits

If you sent a letter to the MST3K Information Club shortly after they began airing on The Comedy Channel in November 1989 you would have received a membership notice in the mail that offered you the chance to buy something called the MST3K Life Survival Action Kit for a mere $5.00.  These kits were continually updated and sold from 1990 until 1999.  Here's what was in the different versions.

Note: The complete Newsletters and Merchandise Catalogues can be seen by clicking HERE.

1. Original mailing Late 1989/ Spring 1990 - I believe this is the first time the Kits were offered. (This mailing is dated April 90.)
        a. Notice next to the cut-out membership card is a request for MSTies to help get the show picked up for a second season.
          b. Also, by the time the Satellite News came out in April 1990 the merchandise catalog in it mentioned that it is the second time ever the Life Survival Kit was available.

        lsk-member1.jpg (75069 bytes)    lsk-member1a.jpg (127132 bytes)

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2. The Original Life Survival Action Kit, 1990

LSK A1-Envelope.jpg (50682 bytes) This is the original envelope that a May 1990 kit was mailed in.  The stenciled MST3K looks like the same fluorescent orange paint used for the Demon Dogs seen in episode 102.
LSK A1-MSHVS.jpg (31189 bytes) LSK A1-MSHVS-open.jpg (66967 bytes)

LSK A1-WRAF.jpg (127846 bytes)

 lsk-2-1.jpg (360650 bytes) LSK A1-Tech.jpg (223304 bytes) lsk-2-1-merch.jpg (275088 bytes)
The MST3K Movie Sign Home Viewing Simulator (cover) MSHVS (open) Whacky Rolling Action Figure (WRAF) Year's subscription to the MST3K Newsletter Technical Update MST3K Price Rebel Icon Merchandise Temple Catalogue

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3. Second mailing August 1990
        The request for help message is gone and useful instructions for proper care of your membership card have been added.

        lsk-member2.jpg (78486 bytes)    lsk-member2a.jpg (129779 bytes)

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4. Early 1991 Version (through 213)
        This kit featured the first episode list (through 213) with the theme song lyrics on the back.

LSK A1-MSHVS.jpg (31189 bytes) LSK A1-MSHVS-open.jpg (66967 bytes) LSK A2-Episode List.jpg (53942 bytes) LSK A2-Lyrics.jpg (63954 bytes) LSK A2-WRAF.jpg (120489 bytes)
The MST3K Movie Sign Home Viewing Simulator (cover) MSHVS (open) Episode List/ Lyrics
(front)		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(back)		 Whacky Rolling Action Figure (WRAF)
LSK A2 Sat News 3-1.jpg (94390 bytes) LSK A2-Tech Journal 1-1.jpg (72658 bytes) LSK A2-Tech Journal 1-3a.jpg (108883 bytes) LSK A2-Tech Journal 1-3b.jpg (89468 bytes) LSK A2 merch2-2-merch.jpg (77188 bytes) LSK A2-Membership Cert.jpg (104400 bytes)
Year's subscription to the MST3K Newsletter Technical Update
(Note: this is same as 1990 kit, but printed on red paper)		 Technical Update
(front)		 Technical Update
(back)		 MST3K Price Rebel Icon Merchandise Temple Catalogue Fan Club Membership Certificate

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5. Fall 1991 mailing
        The only change is at the top of the second page there is a little more information about your info club number.

        lsk-a3-memb-a.jpg (52246 bytes)    lsk-a3-memb-b.jpg (101060 bytes)

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6. Fall 1991 Version (through 324)
        The MSHVS was modified starting with this kit.  Also, episodes 322 and 324 are listed as Death of a Ninja 1 and II instead of Master  Ninja 1 and 2.

lsk-a3-env2.jpg (65076 bytes)
(front) 		lsk-a3-env1.jpg (83842 bytes)
(back) 		By late 1991 two different types of envelopes were used.  Some kits came in an envelope labeled for photographic enlargements.  Others came in what became the standard plain white envelope. lsk-a3-env3.jpg (36284 bytes)
lsk-a3-mshvs-a.jpg (34084 bytes) lsk-a3-mshvs.jpg (107398 bytes) lsk-a3-eps.jpg (90636 bytes) lsk-a3-lyrics.jpg (73757 bytes) lsk-a3-wraf.jpg (165219 bytes)
The MST3K Movie Sign Home Viewing Simulator (cover) MSHVS (open) Episode List/ Lyrics
(front)
Note: 322/324 listed as
Death of a Ninja 1 & II		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(back)		 Whacky Rolling Action Figure (WRAF)
3-2-ax.jpg (317076 bytes) 3-2-insert-1x.jpg (322797 bytes) 3-2-insert-2x.jpg (353931 bytes) 3-1-mech-ax.jpg (410736 bytes) lsk-a3-membcert.jpg (127142 bytes)
Year's subscription to the MST3K Newsletter Technical Update Some of...The Nine Billion Names of Tom Servo MST3K Price Rebel Icon Merchandise Temple Catalogue Fan Club Membership Certificate

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7. Spring 1992 version (through 324)
        The episode list still has not corrected the titles of 322 or 324.

lsk-a3-mshvs-a.jpg (34084 bytes) lsk-a3-mshvs.jpg (107398 bytes) lsk-a4-eps-x.jpg (77373 bytes) lsk-a4-lyrics-spr92.jpg (64732 bytes) lsk-a4-wraf.jpg (142053 bytes)
The MST3K Movie Sign Home Viewing Simulator (cover) MSHVS (open) Episode List/ Lyrics
(front)
Note: 322/324 still listed as
Death of a Ninja 1 & II		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(back)		 Whacky Rolling Action Figure (WRAF)
3-2-ax.jpg (317076 bytes) 3-2-insert-1x.jpg (322797 bytes) 3-2-insert-2x.jpg (353931 bytes) 3-1-mech-ax.jpg (410736 bytes) playmst-ax.jpg (326765 bytes) lsk-a4-membcert.jpg (116163 bytes)
Year's subscription to the MST3K Newsletter Technical Update

 

 Some of...The Nine Billion Names of Tom Servo MST3K Price Rebel Icon Merchandise Temple Catalogue Play MSTie For Me VHS offer Fan Club Membership Certificate

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8. Late 1992 (through episode 420)
        A year's membership to the Satellite News was no longer included starting with this kit.  (The Satellite News was mailed to everyone that joined the fan club anyway.)  Also, the first Color Cast Photos appeared in this kit.  Note that episode 416 is listed as the entirely forgettable western Charro starring Elvis Presley.  Also, the order from 414 on is different then the eventual sequence.

lsk-a3-mshvs-a.jpg (34084 bytes) lsk-a3-mshvs.jpg (107398 bytes) lsk-b1a-eps.jpg (55407 bytes) lsk-b1a-lyrics.jpg (68446 bytes) lsk-a4-wraf.jpg (142053 bytes)
The MST3K Movie Sign Home Viewing Simulator (cover) MSHVS (open) Episode List/ Lyrics
(front)
Note: 416 listed as Charro		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(back)		 Whacky Rolling Action Figure (WRAF)
lsk-b1-memb-a.jpg (90994 bytes) lsk-b1-memb-b.jpg (90918 bytes) 3-2-insert-2x.jpg (353931 bytes) 4-1-merch-ax.jpg (406192 bytes) lunchbox-ax.jpg (309307 bytes) lsk-a4-membcert.jpg (116163 bytes)
Technical Update
(front)		 Technical Update
(back)		 Some of...The Nine Billion Names of Tom Servo MST3K Price Rebel Icon Merchandise Temple Catalogue Lunchbox Offer Fan Club Membership Certificate
lsk-b1-photo-sol.jpg (81392 bytes) lsk-b1-photo-mads.jpg (87406 bytes)
Color Cast Photo Color Cast Photo

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9. Early 1993 (through 424)
        This kit is exactly the same as the Late 1992 kit above with the exception of an updated episode list.  Notice that 423 and 424 are reversed from their eventual order.

lsk-b1b-eps.jpg (54687 bytes) lsk-b1b-lyrics.jpg (62452 bytes)
Episode List/ Lyrics
(front)		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(back)

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10. Mid-1993 (through 510/512)
        I have two different Episode Lists for this kit.  One is through episode 510 and says the season will start in June 1993.  The other is through 512 and says the season begins in July 1993.  There is also a new design for the WRAF.  Finally, I'm not exactly sure when, but a second version of the Joel and bots cast photo was issued with different comments on it. 

lsk-a3-mshvs-a.jpg (34084 bytes) lsk-a3-mshvs.jpg (107398 bytes) lsk-b2-eps510.jpg (58781 bytes) lsk-b2-eps512.jpg (54944 bytes) lsk-b2-lyrics510.jpg (64680 bytes) lsk-b2-wraf.jpg (114512 bytes)
The MST3K Movie Sign Home Viewing Simulator (cover) MSHVS
(open)		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(front)
Note: List as of June 1993 (510)		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(front)
Note: List as of July 1993 (512)		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(back)		 Whacky Rolling Action Figure (WRAF)
lsk-b1-memb-a.jpg (90994 bytes) lsk-b1-memb-b.jpg (90918 bytes) 3-2-insert-2x.jpg (353931 bytes) 5-1 var.jpg (370090 bytes) lsk-a4-membcert.jpg (116163 bytes)
Technical Update
(front)		 Technical Update
(back)		 Some of...The Nine Billion Names of Tom Servo MST3K Price Rebel Icon Merchandise Temple Catalogue Fan Club Membership Certificate
lsk-b1-photo-sol.jpg (81392 bytes) lsk-b2-photo-sol2.jpg (84954 bytes) lsk-b1-photo-mads.jpg (87406 bytes)
Color Cast Photo
(Version 1)		 Color Cast Photo
(Version 2)		 Color Cast Photo

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11. Late 1993 (through 524)
        No more Tech Talk or Membership Certificates, but a new photo of Mike and the Mads.

lsk-a3-mshvs-a.jpg (34084 bytes) lsk-a3-mshvs.jpg (107398 bytes) lsk-c-eps.jpg (81047 bytes) lsk-c-lyrics.jpg (66338 bytes) lsk-b2-wraf.jpg (114512 bytes)
The MST3K Movie Sign Home Viewing Simulator (cover) MSHVS 
(open)		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(front)		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(back)		 Whacky Rolling Action Figure (WRAF)
5-2-merch-ax.jpg (311740 bytes) lsk-c-photo.jpg (94145 bytes)
Great New Stuff?
Catalogue		 New Cast Photo

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11A. Early 1994 (through 616 plus 623)
        I've included this episode list even though I'm not sure it was from a Best Brains issued Life Survival Kit.  It's intriguing because of Beyond the Bermuda Triangle being listed for the upcoming 623.

        lsk-616.jpg (71098 bytes)

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12. Late 1994/ Early 1995 (through 624)
        A slightly revised MSHVS.  Also, one version of the episode list shows Master Ninja III instead of Sampson vs. The Vampire Women.  Some kits started showing up with a membership card printed on a stiffer paper than in the past.

lsk-d-mshvs-a.jpg (32363 bytes) lsk-d-mshvs.jpg (100172 bytes) lsk-d-eps.jpg (73032 bytes) lsk-d-eps2.jpg (73188 bytes) lsk-d-lyrics.jpg (69434 bytes) lsk-b2-wraf.jpg (114512 bytes)
The MST3K Movie Sign Home Viewing Simulator 
(cover)		 MSHVS
(back)		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(front)
Note: 624 listed as Master Ninja III		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(front)
Note: 624 corrected		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(back)		 Whacky Rolling Action Figure (WRAF)
6-1-merch-ax.jpg (353021 bytes) lsk-c-photo.jpg (94145 bytes) lsk-d-membercard.jpg (39049 bytes)
Great Stuff You Can Buy New Cast Photo Membership Card

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13. Late 1995 (through 704)
        The MSHVS returned to the previous version.  A new page of Frequently Asked Questions was added that would be continuously modified until the Life Survival Kits were discontinued.  Even though Frank was now gone they continued to use the same cast photo during season 7.

lsk-a3-mshvs-a.jpg (34084 bytes) lsk-a3-mshvs.jpg (107398 bytes) lsk-e1-eps704.jpg (75299 bytes) lsk-e1-lyrics.jpg (67115 bytes) lsk-b2-wraf.jpg (114512 bytes)
The MST3K Movie Sign Home Viewing Simulator (cover) MSHVS 
(open)		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(front)		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(back)		 Whacky Rolling Action Figure (WRAF)
lsk-e1-faq1.jpg (70675 bytes) lsk-e1-faq2.jpg (70428 bytes) 7-2-merch-ax.jpg (334663 bytes) lsk-c-photo.jpg (94145 bytes)
Frequently Asked Questions - front
(through Nov 95)		 Frequently Asked Questions - back
(through Nov 95)		 Great Stuff You Can Buy New Cast Photo

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14. 1996 (through 706)
        Starting with this Kit everything was placed in a Planet Logo Portfolio.  Most of these kits included a postcard of Pearl and Dr Forrester.

lsk-e2-portfolio.jpg (62076 bytes) lsk-a3-mshvs-a.jpg (34084 bytes) lsk-a3-mshvs.jpg (107398 bytes) lsk-e2-eps706.jpg (71170 bytes) lsk-e1-lyrics.jpg (67115 bytes) lsk-b2-wraf.jpg (114512 bytes)
Planet Portfolio The MST3K Movie Sign Home Viewing Simulator (cover) MSHVS 
(open)		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(front)		 Episode List/ Lyrics
(back)		 Whacky Rolling Action Figure (WRAF)
lsk-e2-faq1.jpg (77404 bytes) lsk-e2-faq2.jpg (78548 bytes) 8-1-merch-ax.jpg (351320 bytes) lsk-c-photo.jpg (94145 bytes) lsk-e2-photo-pearl.jpg (76970 bytes) lsk-d-membercard.jpg (39049 bytes)
Frequently Asked Questions - front
(through Apr 96)		 Frequently Asked Questions - back
(through Apr96)		 Great Stuff You Can Buy New Cast Photo Postcard - 
Pearl/ Dr F		 Membership Card

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Sci-Fi Channel Years

15. Early 1997 (through 815)
        Throughout the Sci-Fi Years the Life Survival Kit stayed pretty much the same except for regular updates to the episode list and Frequently Asked Questions.  The Lyrics were printed on a separate sheet and the WRAF is printed on different paper.  Also, the membership card was now regularly included with a line added to it stating that your membership number is printed on the mailing label.

lsk-e2-portfolio.jpg (62076 bytes) lsk-f-mshvs-a.jpg (36538 bytes) lsk-f-mshvs-open.jpg (113816 bytes) lsk-f-eps815a.jpg (71711 bytes) lsk-f-eps815b.jpg (40901 bytes) lsk-f-lyrics.jpg (67840 bytes) lsk-f-wraf.jpg (113052 bytes)
Planet Portfolio The MST3K Movie Sign Home Viewing Simulator (cover) MSHVS 
(open)		 Episode List
(front)		 Episode List
(back)		 Lyrics Whacky Rolling Action Figure (WRAF)
lsk-f-faq815a.jpg (75057 bytes) lsk-f-faq815b.jpg (58395 bytes) lsk-f-castphoto.jpg (128734 bytes) lsk-f-membercard3.1-var.jpg (40775 bytes)
Frequently Asked Questions - 
front
(through early 97)		 Frequently Asked Questions - 
back
(through early 97)		 Newest Cast Photo Membership Card
(modified)

16. Late 1997 (through 822)
        Updated Episode List and Frequently Asked Questions

lsk-f-eps822b.jpg (43877 bytes) lsk-f-faq822a.jpg (77129 bytes) lsk-f-faq822b.jpg (66541 bytes)
Episode List
(back)		 Frequently Asked Questions -
front
(through Oct 97)		 Frequently Asked Questions -
back
(through Oct 97)

17. Mid 1998 (through 911)

lsk-f-eps911b.jpg (51052 bytes) lsk-f-faq911a.jpg (79124 bytes) lsk-f-faq911b.jpg (70589 bytes)
Episode List
(back)		 Frequently Asked Questions -
front
(through Jun 98)		 Frequently Asked Questions -
back
(through Jun 98)

18. Late 1998 (through 1004)

lsk-f-eps1004b.jpg (46966 bytes) lsk-f-faq1004a.jpg (76425 bytes) lsk-f-faq1004b.jpg (69116 bytes)
Episode List
(back)		 Frequently Asked Questions -
front
(through Nov 98)		 Frequently Asked Questions -
back
(through Nov 98)

19. Early 1999 (through 1013)
        The Lyrics were updated in this kit.  Best Brains began adding bumper stickers and postcards to each kits as extras (and to help clear the shelves).

lsk-f-eps1013b.jpg (47513 bytes) lsk-f-faq1013-1a.jpg (76598 bytes) lsk-f-faq1013-1b.jpg (78252 bytes) lsk-f-lyrics1013.jpg (67668 bytes)
Episode List
(back)		 Frequently Asked Questions -
front
(through May 99)		 Frequently Asked Questions -
back
(through May 99)		 Lyrics

20. Last Life Survival Kit - Offered in the Holiday 1999 Merchandise Catalogue
        I received this kit in June 2000.  Barb Tebben told me that no further updates would be made to the Frequently Asked Questions.  She also loaded it with extra bumper stickers, postcards and one special publicity photo.

lsk-f-faq1013-2a.jpg (76862 bytes) lsk-f-faq1013-2b.jpg (77886 bytes) lsk-f-photo-bridget.jpg (26677 bytes)
Frequently Asked Questions -
front
(through Feb 00)		 Frequently Asked Questions -
back
(through Feb 00)		 Extra Insert in my last Life Survival Kit courtesy of Barbbb.