Michael J. Nelson is the former host and writer of the Emmy-nominated, Peabody Award-winning Mystery Science Theater 3000. Since that time, he has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows, penned a regular column for TV Guide, and authored best-selling books for both HarperCollins and Abrams.
His first book, Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese, thrilled critics, including Richard Schickel of Time Magazine, who said of Mike, "He's more fun than a barrel of Val Kilmers... Smarter than a roomful of Patrick Swayzes... and almost as hilarious as Keanu Reeves." Mike's laugh-out-loud follow-up, Mind Over Matters, prompted Kirkus Reviews to enthuse, "From someplace called Minnesota comes a Nelson funnier than Ozzie, Ricky, Lord or Half," and even dared to compare him to another legendary writer, saying of his Serious Speech to Business People, "[It] could easily precede [Robert] Benchley's immortal Treasurer's Report."
And Kirkus Reviews loved his novel, Death Rat!, saying, "Fast-paced, outrageous and funny, first-novelist Nelson's mockery of media mendacity is as biting as La Dolce Vita or Network--only funnier!"
Mike speaks all over the country, is a frequent guest on radio and television, and along with Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy sells out theaters with his RiffTrax Live events.
Huge fan
Mr. Mike you're really great! I Love watching Mystery Science Theater 3000!
food mixer
Your biggest oscillating fan.
I would just like to say that I am such a huge fan. I believe I have over 80 dvds, plus I just bought five more. I watch/listen to MST3K at work all day, and I fall asleep listening to them as well. If there was any way in the world I could get something autographed, hell, I don't care if it's a used dryer sheet, I would die a happy woman. Of course, dying would suck, but I would clutch that dryer sheet in my hand and make all the survivors jealous. If they steal it, then I would be fucked. Not only would I not have an autograph, I would start to stink.
I love you!!! But not in a creepy way.
-jessica.
It has to be said.
Mike, I'm sure you've heard this a lot, but I'm sure you won't mind hearing it again.
You, Kevin, and Bill are all fine examples of human beings, and you all make this world a better place. I have only one request: never retire.
yo d00d
Hey Mike, I just watched The Prophecy with the great Christopher Walken. It has everything you need for a great riff: strange red headed men seducing children, Christopher Walken with a black elvis wig, and hermaphrodite angels.
Night of the Bloody Ape
You guys need to riff this movie. It's completely terrible.
Features female wrestlers, a man who gets a heart transplanted from an ape who then turns into a... bloody ape. It is a video nasty but insanely hilarious by itself. Not enough old bad movies.
Billy Corgan.
Twice, i have heard references to billy corgan in rifftrax, both in halloween and i am legend. Mike, are you calling the man as ugly as a zombie? Weak dude. That mans my hero. Just saying....
Bill and Ted seems like the
Bill and Ted seems like the best choice to me - they've already done a kids cartoon, so we know it works in a different format!
eve isk
sorry Fort Worth...
Please do more live shows! It was the best time we had for a theater experience. I hope the it well enough to encourage more performances! Take Care!
Plan 9 event= exceedingly worthwhile
I'magonnalevytowwwn...? Hey Mike and Co., been a fan for over a decade and I hope there are more of these live thingies to come. Thanks, Normalfoot
A donation and a big THANK YOU!!!
Hi, Mike!
I saw the Plan 9 Live event here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana tonight. I haven't laughed that hard since... well, since MST3K was still on the air. It made me realize even MORE just how much I've missed y'all. I was pleased to see that I was not alone in that sentiment. The theater was FULL of people of all ages--from 12 to mid-50's. Everybody had a great time and were all glad to learn of RiffTrax. You definitely picked up some new customers tonight!
I just donated $20. I'll be donating more soon, and on a regular basis. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LAUGHS and keep up the good fight!
Cheers!
Brent
NEED TO RIFF BEYOND THE DOOR III
I don't know if you've seen it but it is so crazy bad you need to. Basically Lucifer's betrothed rides a demon train with college "friends" through Yugoslavia, death and insanity ensue.
uhhh
When are you guys going to do this for Rainman??? I've seen MST3K episodes where you've quoted it a few times and I'm just waiting to see you guys do that movie.
MIKE!
LOVE RIFFTRAX AND MST3K YOU KICK ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bob?
My buddy Eli drew a giant pipe in your mouth on the cover of "Mind Over Matters". He said you looked a bit too much like J. R. "Bob" Dobbs.
Oooh! Oooh! Riff these!
Labyrinth (1986)
The Toxic Avenger (1984)
Eagle Eye (2008)
Flash Gordon (1980)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)
The Hunt for Red October
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Juno
You guys are the best!
Your loyal fan, Mitchell
please riff these!!
HEY THERE RIFFERS, LOVE YOUR WORK. PLEASE RIFF LOTR RETURN OF THE KING, (I'D KIND OF LIKE TO COMLETE THE CIRCLE),THE VILLAGE,THE MASK OF ZORRO(W/ANTONIO BANDERAS) AND THE LEGEND OF ZORRO.OH AND ANOTHER GREAT LOL MOVIE ''TROY''. HERE ARE SOME MORE MOVIES I'D LOVE TO SEE WITH RIFFS: PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN DEAN MANS CHEST AND WORLDS END.
Mankind's work is officially done.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/squeez-bacon.html
I hear you may like bacon.. maybe just a little...
http://www.peterandrewryan.com/baking/2009/02/bacon-chocolate-chip-cooki...
!!! good luck and god speed sir...
New ones to do
I have a few suggestions for riffs (sorry if this is not the right place for this). Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Blade, Pearl Harbor, Jerry Maguire, The Breakfast Club, V for Vendetta,
And the last two I think would be best; one The Covenant. Me and my friends got shushed several time during this movie it was that bad. And second a movie called Nick Furry, Agent of shield; starring a quite actor by the name of David Hasslehoff.
please riff...
...the fly!
Dark City
You need to do Dark City! It's GOLD!!!
-He walks like House
-He has Thom York face
-The aliens are hilarious
-There are dead hookers everywhere
-Dark city is the whitest place! Only white people in dark city. really awkward!
This is a movie you must riff
Flash Gordon 1980 film:) It's so cool bad it's riffable.. Here's the URL for youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnTHypbLlkE&feature=related.. You would make my year if you guys would do this film...
Thank You!
I just watched the god awful movie The Happening with your Riff. Thank you, it totally made up for going to see the actual movie and the 2 hours of my life I wanted back afterwards.
Please Riff Max Payne, that was awful too!
Cheers!
AJ
Thr3e
Just saw this on cable tonight...the worst movie I have seen in many a day. Canadian...really bad dialogue...
Please look into it....
It deserves a Riff...badly...
Kill it with Riff...please....
That last hit of weed tasted like bananas.
Hey, Mike! I plan to do some iriffs in the future, including some pretty scary stuff- West Side Story, which was so meant to be riffed that it has a main character named Riff!- and the worst movie (Worse than Village of the Giants! Worse than HOBGOBLINS!!) ever made- how I shudder to even type the name!- Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo. Tell me you don't feel like you've gone completely nuts during that fifteen minute dance scene (That happens in the first twenty minutes of the movie!).
The horror...........the horror......
Anyway, hit me up at my name, Kevin Hanel, on Facebook- I've got a lot of great ideas!
More suggestions to riff by someone else
Not sure if this is he right place to drop this, buuuuuuutt.....You want some cheesy movies? How about some video game movies! If its one thing Hollywood doesn't know how to do, its how to make a good video game movie. Some titles to look into:
Super Mario Brothers ; House of the Dead 1 and 2 ; Double Dragon ; Street Fighter ; Blood Rayne ; Mortal Kombat 1 and 2 ; and ; Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.
A major complaint is the frequent complete deviation from the original plot and any facts set forth from the games. But as stand alone entertainment, they are entertaining. Cheesy, corney, sometimes silly, but still entertaining. But that could just be the fanboy in me.
Suggestions on what to riff
First I'd love for You to Riff the Ghostbusters movies.
Also, Robocop, Wanted (Really Sucked), Masters of the Universe, Bill and Ted, Johnny Mnominic, The Rambo Movies, waterworld, terminator 1&2, from justin to kelly, an Oakland Raiders Football game, Superman Returns, Josie anmd the pussycats, the broken Lizard Movies.
I love your site, quite addicted
Sean
Know For Sure
Hey love the new short! In case you didn't recognize him Jerry the panicky guy was played by the famous actor Tim Holt in an uncredited role. He was 22 years old. Keep those funny riffs coming!!! Love you guys! Hugz, Lauren