The cast of MST3K answers your questions

ur long-awaited interview with the cast of Mystery Science Theater 3000 has finally arrived. Below are answers from Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, Trace Beaulieu, Jim Mallon and Julie Walker. They are responding to questions submitted by our readers in our last issue:

1) How difficult was it adapting MST3K to the big screen? What were some of the problems? -- Craig E. Engler, Staff

Answer by Jim Mallon:
First of all, Craig, just what in the world do you do for the magazine and why aren't you doing it now?

However, good question. We thought long and hard about just how to adapt MST3K to the silver screen. Fortunately we had the advantage of two live show experiences, which gave us a lot of confidence that the show could live outside the TV format. We worked for a while on a draft which was based solely on the mythology of the show, but we quickly realized that direction was getting us far away from what we do best. We then saw that whatever live action we shot, it had to support our main strength -- commenting real-time on a feature film.

Kevin Murphy Fact:
I used to think penguins were cute. Then I started to get lots of stuff with penguins on it from people. Now I lie and tell them that penguins are nothing but fat, smelly fowl, nothing but food for killer whales.

2) Do any of the cast aspire to acting or other show biz careers outside the walls of Best Brains and MST3K? -- Gail Glaser, gglaser@artic.edu

Answer by Mike Nelson:
Writer/Actor Mary Jo Pehl seems to have the richest life outside of Best Brains. She is always acting in or writing plays, making the local arts scene. The rest of us, sadly, don't have a lot going on. Oh, Mike writes a column for Home Theater Technology magazine! Let's see...that's about it.

Trace Beaulieu Fact:
My family is pictured in some old editions of the World Book Encyclopedia (mid 70's editions). I'd tell you which volume, but that would make it too easy.

3) With all of the recent publicity and then the movie, the planned spin-offs of a book and CD-ROM...is the MST3K juggernaut out of control? Has the show been overexposed? -- Tamara I. Hladik, Staff

Answer by Kevin Murphy:
Dear Tamara: regarding your question about juggernauts:

I don't think the show is at risk of being over-exposed. Let's face it, Comedy Central reaches a puny audience, so it's not surprising to find that most of America knows little of the show beyond what they hear from their friends who are fans, and the shadow at the bottom of the screen. So yes, the movie is a step to bring MST3K to a larger audience, but it certainly is not out of control. As always, it will find its audience and not push any further. Thank you for your interest in our exposure.

Mike Nelson Fact:
My mother went to high school with record-breaking Bengal's helmer Kenny Anderson. I got to meet him and Pete Johnson when I was in high school.

A behind-the-scenes-shot of the MST3K cast featuring
Jim Mallon as the voice of Gypsy, Trace Beaulieu as the voice
of Crow T. Robot and Kevin Murphy as the voice of Tom Servo.

4) If you get picked up by another network, will you be doing brand new shows? -- Doug Smith, dwsmith@mail.wisenet.net

Answer by Trace Beaulieu:
If another network picks up MST3K, then yes, in theory we would be manufacturing new episodes.

Kevin Murphy Fact:
My dog has an underbite, and he can curl his lip like Elvis.

5) I notice that the season seven riffs seem a little fresher than those of season six. Did you all get a little burnt out after doing so many shows? -- Tony Ard, tony_ard@gsaix2.cc.gasou.edu

Answer by Mike Nelson:
YOU noticed?!! Oh, reeeeeaaaallllyyy!! Well, I guess we have a new writer for our show. You're all fired -- Tony Ard is taking over. Out! Out! Clean out your desks.

But I kid people who ask us questions. Actually, we had a nice long break during which we made a little movie, and then came back and wrote season seven, so, in all honesty, maybe we were a bit fresher.

Trace Beaulieu Fact:
I don't wear the color red.

6) Has there been a conscious effort to make Crow and Tom more "grown up" since the departure of Joel? -- Gail Glsser, gglaser@artic.edu

Answer by Trace Beaulieu:
The addition of another character to the cast is inevitably going to change how the characters are going to behave. We wanted the characters to relate to Mike in a different way than they did with Joel. Joel was sort of the parent figure (in the story of the show he built the little guys). Mike is more of a fun uncle. They all seem to be on a bit more equal footing with Mike.

Mike Nelson Fact:
I was going to play Sister Mary Ignatius in the Christopher Durang play in college, but I dropped out instead and worked for a lawn service rolling lawns.

7) What was the best (or worst) movie you have critiqued and why? -- Eric Scott, erics@ssnet.com

Answer by Kevin Murphy:
Dear Eric: Regarding your inquiry into our personal pain:

For my money, the films of Coleman Francis constitiute the most exquisite pain I have ever felt in watching a movie outside of Jade. Red Zone Cuba is the story of a serial murderer and rapist who joines 10 other murderers and rapists crossing Lake Mead in Nevada in order to defeat Castro, who I believe is Tony Cardoza in a crepe hair wig.

He looks like Curly Howard possessed by the devil. Hate spews from his eyes like the flames of Hell. His rippled neck fat makes me retch. The line, "flag on the moon, how'd it get there" makes me scream aloud. Sure, Coleman has a style, an auteur's touch, but it includes editing with a hammer, the sensitivity of a snuff film director and the visual style of Ray Charles. Thank you for your interest in making me cry.

Kevin Murphy Fact:
I actually enjoy the music of Enya, and I'm ready to take a world of sh*t for it.

8) My girlfriend and I argue constantly over which way Crow is facing during the movies. I say that of course he's facing the screen. She says he looks like he is facing us. Can you resolve this debate? -- Rick Wyatt, rwyatt@cri.com

Answer by Trace Beaulieu:
Well Rick YOU are right of course. Why would Crow go into the theater and then look away from the screen? Oh, sure, one might argue that the movies he's forced to watch are terrible and could anyone stand to look at even a moment? Yet the fact that the little guy is quipping away right along with Tom and Mike would tend to confirm that he is indeed facing the screen. Unless of course you still believe that he is facing you, which is also correct. (See page 159 of The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide.)

Trace Beaulieu Fact:
I am a friend to woodland animals.

9) Are there any MST3K T-shirts on the market? And what are some of your other merchandising plans? -- David Hunter, bandd@primenet.com

Answer by Jim Mallon:
Before I answer that question I have one for you David: Just what in the heck is a "bandd"?

Yes, David, there are T-shirts on the market. Loads of 'em. Since you are already on the information superhighway, jet on over to artitude@bpsi.net and you'll find the brand spanking new t's just created for the release of our movie. You can also send for our MST3K catalog at PO Box 5325, Hopkins, MN 55343. In-so-far-as your other question, we plan to take over the world.

Mike Nelson Fact:
I suffer from excruciating headaches that dozens of neurologists have tried unsuccessfully to treat. I think I might be possessed.

10) Is it true that tapes of the movies are coming out? -- Katrinka, stukendalca@mercur.usao.edu

Answer by Julie Walker, Info Club Poobah:
Yes there are. Rhino Records is releasing some of our shows on tape. They will be available in May in video stores, or you can call (800) 432-0020. The first three titles will be The Amazing Colossal Man, Cave Dwellers and Mitchell.

Kevin Murphy Fact:
I believe Bozo is real.