The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide

It's got everything...even mention of Joel Hodgson!

• The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide
• by Trace Beaulieu, Paul Chaplin, Jim Mallon, Kevin Murphy, Michael J. Nelson, Mary Jo Pehl
• Bantam Books
• $16.95/$23.95 Canada
• Trade paperback, May 1996

he Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide is here, eagerly awaited and long overdue. It chronicles the first six seasons of the television show Mystery Science Theater 3000, plus it also has a listing of the very first episodes produced at KTMA. KTMA was the station that took the initial gamble on the concept of a guy and robots trapped on a spaceship, throwing barbs like darts at the awful movies they are forced to watch each week.

Each movie is catalogued in three parts: a synopsis of the film; a description of the host segments and inventions; and thoughts on the whole thing from one of the cast members. Frank Coniff, who portrayed TV's Frank for four seasons, adds reflections of his own in periodic sidebars called, eponymously enough, "TV Frank's Pix."

The book is sprinkled throughout with publicity and incidental photographs, as well as halftoned stills bleeding over the edges of the pages. There is also a frequently-asked questions list, a commentary introducing each season, favorite movie lines of the MST3K crew, and a special tribute section to Beverly Garland.

Anyone familiar with MST3K knows how much material there is on the show and how impossible it is to deliver in one book. Nevertheless, largely because it is written entirely by the folks who make the show, the Amazing Colossal Episode Guide successfully captures MST3K's spirit. The essentials, like host segments and inventions, are here, as well as thoughtful inclusions like "The Most Disgusting Things We've Ever Seen." Among the infamous listed: Joe Don Baker in bed with Linda Evans and from the Gamera movies, "Those little boys in their little pants. Don't the Japanese know how creepy that is?"

There's more than enough to keep any MSTie happy, but the book does lack a couple of things that would have put the polish on the apple. Some of the photos in the guide could use captions, as there are a few behind-the-scenes faces that are not easily identifiable. Jim Mallon (the voice of Gypsy) contributed only an introduction, and his voice is missed in the synopses. Also missing is some sort of commentary or other attributable contribution from Joel Hodgson, the frontman and driving force behind MST3K for so many years.

Although the book can hardly be faulted for content and style, there is room for improvement in the design. The layout often makes reading slightly difficult, and the halftoned pictures are so washed out that it's hard to differentiate the crawling eye from Jack Perkins. Additionally, there are curious happenings, like a photograph of Gamera accompanying the synopsis of show 212, Godzilla Vs. Megalon. Overall, though, it's a good cup of joe.

It's amazing how photogenic the 'bots are, even when they don't have arms or heads. Because they have brought me laughter, I solemnly absolve the MST3K crew all their crimes against my beloved Gamera. -- Tamara I.

Previous Cool Stuff | Request a review | Next Cool Stuff