Mike Nelson (MST3K)

In the comedic television series Mystery Science Theater 3000, Mike Nelson (portrayed by actor/head writer Michael J. Nelson) is a doofy, slightly dim Minnesotan temp worker who comes to work for Dr. Clayton Forrester and TV's Frank in Deep 13 while they prepare for an evil-scientist audit in Mitchell (MST3K episode #512). When Joel Robinson escapes from the Satellite of Love at the end of this episode, the "Mads" knock Mike unconscious and shoot him up to the satellite to replace Joel as their experimental guinea pig. The hapless Mike finds himself forced to watch bad movies with robot companions Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot while interjecting humorous quips and cultural riffs based on the action and dialog of the films.

Related Topics:
Comedic - Television series - Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Michael J. Nelson - Minnesota - Dr. Clayton Forrester - TV's Frank - Deep 13 - Mitchell - ''MST3K'' episode #512 - Joel Robinson - Satellite of Love - Tom Servo - Crow T. Robot

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Early in his tenure as the show's host, Nelson terminated the invention exchanges and letter readings that were a staple of the show's first five years, ending a popular tradition but giving the writers much more freedom in creating the opening and closing sketches.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nelson's first episode as an S.O.L. inhabitant was The Brain That Wouldn't Die, episode #513.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

According to The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Guide, Mike is "as intelligent as the average man", and often displays a comic unawareness of his limitations and foibles. In Invasion U.S.A. (episode #602), he builds a robot whose only function appears to be to "destroy? destroy? destroy?". During the eighth season, he manages to contribute accidentally to the destruction of planets in three separate incidents. In Devil Fish (episode #911), he believes his identity has been stolen by a secret government agency after merely misplacing his wallet.

Related Topics:
Invasion U.S.A. - Devil Fish

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~