"Mystery Science Theater 3000" Mitchell (1993)

User Rating:

9.2/10   

Director:

Kevin Murphy

Writers:

Joel Hodgson (creator)
Michael J. Nelson (head writer) ...

TV Series:

"Mystery Science Theater 3000" (1988)

Original Air Date:

23 October 1993 (Season 6, Episode 12)

Genre:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

Plot:

The trio sit through the dreary Joe Don Baker disasterpiece Mitchell, as Gypsy is trying to find away to save Joel from the Satellite of Love and being killed by the Mads. (Joel's final episode) |

Plot Keywords:

Madman | Robot | Mad Scientist | Breaking The Fourth Wall | Anti Hero

Cast

Joel Hodgson	...	Joel Robinson
Trace Beaulieu	...	Crow T. Robot / Dr. Clayton Forrester
Kevin Murphy	...	Tom Servo
Jim Mallon	...	Gypsy
Frank Conniff	...	TV's Frank
Michael J. Nelson	...	Mike Nelson
Mary Jo Pehl	...	Magic Voice

Filming Locations:

Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA

Trivia:

Joe Don Baker was purportedly furious about MST3K's treatment of his film in this episode, and even said in an interview that he would "kick [the writers'] asses" if he ever met them. As a result, the MST3K writers would later mock another Baker film called Final Justice (1985), in which they were deliberately cruel and relentless in making fun of Baker and his performance.

Quotes:

Tom Servo: [singing] Mobsters laughing, really smiling, a man selling heroin!

Movie Connections:

References Animal Crackers (1930)

Hamdingers,a George Pal quote and "So long,Joel!"

Besides being another strong outing for the intrepid and sharp gang from Best Brains Inc,this offering--a riff on a TV crime drama pilot starring beefy,STRICTLY supporting actor Joe Don Baker,that was(big surprise!)not picked up--would be the sayonara for co-creator and(some would argue)the true genius behind this show Joel Hodgson,who manages escape when Gypsy mistakenly thinks the Mads on Deep 13 are trying to kill him. OPening the door for Head writer(not to mention genuinely gifted comic performer)Mike Nelson,the show would make a slow and steady change as it would shift from Hodgson's playful,prop-and-gag-based comedy to Nelson's drier,more skit fueled humor. I'd call this a keeper of an episode,but for multiple reasons. Then again,my love for this show has me open to owning AS MANY shows as I can get my mitts on,so maybe I'm not the most objective. Still,a watershed show that was one of the more memorable,as well as(as usual)brilliant.