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Michael J. Nelson
Writer

Michael J. Nelson

11 Oct 1964Born
62Age
46Credits
St. Charles, IllinoisBirthplace

Biography

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...

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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!"

Nelson speaks all over the country, is a frequent guest on radio and television, and along with fellow former MST3K writers/performers Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy operate a podcast called RiffTrax, which, in a similar vein to MST3K, targets more mainstream films.

Known for

Filmography

  1. TBAThe Year of Laughing DangerouslyFilm: Joel Williams
  2. TBAThe Film Crew: Hollywood After DarkFilm: Writer
  3. 2026Mystery Science Theater 3000: The RiffTrax ExperimentsSeries: Mike Nelson, Writer, Creator (4 episodes)
  4. 2026Mystery Science Theater 3000: The RiffTrax Experiments — Sting of DeathFilm: Mike Nelson, Writer
  5. 2026Hunks of JunkFilm: Writer
  6. 2026GrimTrax ReturnsFilm: Writer
  7. 2025RiffTrax Live: TimecopFilm: Writer, Director
  8. 2024RiffTrax Live: Point BreakFilm: Writer
  9. 2024GrimTraxFilm: Director, Writer
  10. 2023RiffTrax Live: RADFilm: Writer
  11. 2022RiffTrax Live: The Return of Swamp ThingFilm: Writer
  12. 2022RiffTrax Live: Amityville - The Evil EscapesFilm
  13. 2021RiffTrax Live: HobgoblinsFilm: Writer
  14. 2019RiffTrax Live: Star RaidersFilm: Writer
  15. 2017RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five DoctorsFilm: Director
  16. 2017RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach PartyFilm: Writer
  17. 2016Rifftrax Live: Carnival of SoulsFilm
  18. 2016RiffTrax Live: MST3K ReunionFilm: Writer, Director
  19. 2015RiffTrax Live: Santa and the Ice Cream BunnyFilm
  20. 2015RiffTrax Live: Miami ConnectionFilm
  21. 2014RiffTrax Live: Santa ClausFilm: Writer
  22. 2014Total Riff OffSeries (6 episodes)
  23. 2013Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the MartiansFilm: Writer
  24. 2013Rifftrax Live: Starship TroopersFilm: Writer
  25. 2012Santa's Village of MadnessFilm: Writer, Director
  26. 2012RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of FateFilm: Writer
  27. 2011Rifftrax Live: Jack the Giant KillerFilm
  28. 2010RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted HillFilm: Writer
  29. 2010Rifftrax Live: Reefer MadnessFilm: Writer
  30. 2007Max the HeroFilm: Stew (voice)
  31. 2007The Film Crew: The Giant of MarathonFilm: Writer
  32. 2007The Film Crew: Wild Women of WongoFilm: Writer
  33. 2007The Film Crew: Killers from SpaceFilm: Writer
  34. 2005The Three Stooges in ColorFilm
  35. 2001The Adventures of Edward the LessSeries: The Noble One (voice) (13 episodes)
  36. 2000Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 3Film: Mike Nelson, Writer
  37. 1999Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 2Film: Mike Nelson
  38. 19982nd Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster ReviewFilm: Mike Nelson, Director, Writer
  39. 1998Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 1Film: Mike Nelson
  40. 19971st Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster ReviewFilm: Mike Nelson, Writer
  41. 1996Mystery Science Theater 3000: The MovieFilm: Mike Nelson, Writer
  42. 1995Poopie!Film
  43. 1995Poopie Parade of ValuesFilm: Mike Nelson
  44. 1995MST3K Little Gold Statue Preview SpecialFilm: Mike Nelson
  45. 1989Mystery Science Theater 3000Series: Valeria, Mike Nelson, Torgo, Morrissey, Tony Travis (voice), Officer Mike, Holo-Clown, Imperialistic Alien, Isaac Asimov Literary Doomsday Device (voice), Kenny, Megaweapon (voice), Baywatch characters (voice), Virtual comedy heckler (voice), Frank Sinatra (voice), Writer, Director (19 episodes)
  46. 1964Three Stooges: Greatest RoutinesFilm: Michael J. Nelson

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.