The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide [Paperback]

Trace Beaulieu (Author), Paul Chaplin (Author), Jim Mallon (Author), Kevin Murphy (Author), Michael J. Nelson (Author), Mary Jo Pehl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1996

What is the mystery of Mystery Science Theater 3000?

You may have asked yourself, "What the heck are these talking shadows doing in the corner of my TV screen, riffing away with plucky--and hilarious--abandon in the face of some really bad movies?" Or something similar.  The answer, my friend, is right in this here official, 100%-MST3K-sanctioned book.

Or maybe you know all about the adventures of Joel, Mike, and the 'bots in the not-too distant future.  Then you can skip those pages.  Really.  We won't tell.  You still need this book.  Because it's got more cool stuff from the writers and performers of MST3K.

More of what you'll find in the  Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide

*       More than 120 synopses of the more than 120 episodes of the Peabody Award-winning show

*       More fascinating, outrageous facts and tidbits about the making of each episode

*       More photos than your average issue of Tiger Beat

*       More of the most disgusting things ever seen on-screen by the MST3K writers

*       More than 49 (50, to be exact) of the most obscure wisecracks

*       More quizzes, worksheets, and a ten-step plan to help you gain control of your finances and your life (well, not really...)

*       More about your Area and what it can do for you

*       More Beverly Garland! Miles and Miles O'Keefe!

*       And much, much more!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

At last, the honest-Injun, 100%-MST3K-sanctioned guide to the 120 episodes of this extremely cool, Peabody Award-winning show. Contains multitudinous synopses, tidbits, photos, wisecracks, and descriptions of some of the most disgusting things ever seen on screen by the MST3K  writers. You know you want it, so get it while it's hot!

From the Inside Flap

What is the mystery of Mystery Science Theater 3000?

You may have asked yourself, "What the heck are these talking shadows doing in the corner of my TV screen, riffing away with plucky--and hilarious--abandon in the face of some really bad movies?" Or something similar. The answer, my friend, is right in this here official, 100%-MST3K-sanctioned book.

Or maybe you know all about the adventures of Joel, Mike, and the 'bots in the not-too distant future. Then you can skip those pages. Really. We won't tell. You still need this book. Because it's got more cool stuff from the writers and performers of MST3K.

More of what you'll find in the Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide

* More than 120 synopses of the more than 120 episodes of the Peabody Award-winning show

* More fascinating, outrageous facts and tidbits about the making of each episode

* More photos than your average issue of Tiger Beat

* More of the most disgusting things ever seen on-screen by the MST3K writers

* More than 49 (50, to be exact) of the most obscure wisecracks

* More quizzes, worksheets, and a ten-step plan to help you gain control of your finances and your life (well, not really...)

* More about your Area and what it can do for you

* More Beverly Garland! Miles and Miles O'Keefe!

* And much, much more!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Bantam Books; 1st edition (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553377833
• ISBN-13: 978-0553377835
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #374,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Huge!, January 14, 2003

By 

Patrick A. Hayden (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide (Paperback)

OK, so this really only covers 6 seasons of the show, was written in 1995/96 and has nothing on the SciFi channel run. Still, for any fan of MST3K it is an indespensible guide to the show's history, and a hilarious tour of the best(worst) films ever lampooned on the show.

As said above, the book covers the first 6 seasons of the show, with brief section about the infamous KTMA Public Access years and a short rundown on the truncated season 7 on Comedy Central. Each movie is first given a very funny synopsis and then an analysis is made by one of the writers. Usually it's completely bizzare, especially if the analysis is by Mike Nelson, the show's head writer. The synopsis' also include great lines like "I want to hurt this movie" and "please, PLEASE don't reveal the super secret ending of Manos:The Hands of Fate". Each episode also has a breakdown of the "host segments", the skits that serve as bumpers for the movie, and every so often TV's Frank(writer Frank Conniff) pops up with his thoughts on a particular movie experience. The book also chronicles the various monsters that have appeared in the films over the years, from Godzilla to Torgo.

The history of the show is also included, from the birth of the idea to the conventio-con, expo-fest-a-rama held in 1995. It's all done tounge in cheek, but serves as a good guide to how the show went from public access obscurity to cult hit with it's own motion picture. If you ever loved this show, or simply want to decide who lives and who dies, you must own this book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious summaries of hilarious shows., June 7, 2002

By 

hamilcar barca (nowheres in particular) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide (Paperback)

First off, I would like to say that MST3K was the most brilliant, hilarious and creative show ever produced. They were snubbed by TV Guide in their top 50 shows of all time article.
Now on to the book:
This book has summaries and memories of all the episodes form seasons 1 though 6, the hayday of the show. The summaries of the films themselves rival the actual show for laughter value. Whether the synopsis was written by Mike (who I think is one of the funniest writers on the planet), Trace, Mary Jo, Kevin or Paul, they will make you heave with gutteral belly laughs. The memories of each episode are also very funny, and beyond that, pretty informative.
The book also features a ton of other things, such as the story behind the creation of the series, answers to the top 50 questions asked, the making of the MST3K movie and much, much more.
The only complaint I have about this book is that it only goes up to season 6. Although I think the show never regained the edge and hilarity of the the Comdey Central era shows (specifically seasons 4-7), I would still love to have a companion volume that takes care of seasons 7-10 and the movie.

I highly recommend this book for all MSTies out there.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Those Lonely Hours In Between Episodes..., June 29, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide (Paperback)

When you're a MiSTie (an official fan of MST3K), you treat this book is like a bible. When you need to find out about obscure references made by the silouhettes, what the Best Brains in charge of the show thought of the episodes themselves, or just need to ask, "Why...?" all you need by your side is a copy of the MST Amazing Colossal Episode Guide.

A tasteful insight behind every episode from seasons 1-6, with information behind the KTMA years, the movie, and the near-absent season 7, all drummed up by the minds behind our favorite show.

This book stays true to everything MST3K, and doesn't jerk around with the fans. It makes you laugh while learning about the best show on TV at the same time. Picking up a copy of this book is like watching an episode of the show... you never know where it's going, and when it's done, you wish for more. It truly is the only thing for comfort during those endless hours in between episodes.

-MSTTorgo