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The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide
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!
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!
173 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
December 27, 2010
So, this book has a story with it.
I have been a fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000 ever since middle school, when the show jumped ship from Comedy Central to the Sci-Fi Channel. I had seen the book in stores, but I didn't think to ask my folks for it at the time, especially because I wasn't familiar with the episodes it covered. The show got re-canceled, my fandom died down considerably, and the Amazing Colossal Episode Guide didn't cross my mind for a long time thereafter.
Fast forward 10 years, when my interest in MST3K was renewed in a *big* way. I discovered episodes that I hadn't seen before and had an excellent time with them. I sought to get my hands on the Episode Guide, but it was long out of print. Then one day, I was at a used book sale to find books for my classroom library. What should be sitting there among the *children's* books but the Amazing Colossal Episode Guide! I paid my $2 for it and took it home, preparing to sit down and have a lot of fun reading it. Upon opening the cover, I discovered that it wasn't just *any* copy of the book...it had been *autographed* by Mike Nelson, Trace Beaulieu, Kevin Murphy, and Jim Mallon!! (Sure, the autograph is made out to someone who is not me, but I don't care...and no, it's not for sale.) What a find...
And the book itself? Hilarious and insightful. The same sort of humor that those of us who are familiar with the show are accustomed to is right here, accompanying many facts about the show and the process that went into making it. So if you are a fan of MST3K and want to learn more about it(s first six seasons), seek this one out!
I have been a fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000 ever since middle school, when the show jumped ship from Comedy Central to the Sci-Fi Channel. I had seen the book in stores, but I didn't think to ask my folks for it at the time, especially because I wasn't familiar with the episodes it covered. The show got re-canceled, my fandom died down considerably, and the Amazing Colossal Episode Guide didn't cross my mind for a long time thereafter.
Fast forward 10 years, when my interest in MST3K was renewed in a *big* way. I discovered episodes that I hadn't seen before and had an excellent time with them. I sought to get my hands on the Episode Guide, but it was long out of print. Then one day, I was at a used book sale to find books for my classroom library. What should be sitting there among the *children's* books but the Amazing Colossal Episode Guide! I paid my $2 for it and took it home, preparing to sit down and have a lot of fun reading it. Upon opening the cover, I discovered that it wasn't just *any* copy of the book...it had been *autographed* by Mike Nelson, Trace Beaulieu, Kevin Murphy, and Jim Mallon!! (Sure, the autograph is made out to someone who is not me, but I don't care...and no, it's not for sale.) What a find...
And the book itself? Hilarious and insightful. The same sort of humor that those of us who are familiar with the show are accustomed to is right here, accompanying many facts about the show and the process that went into making it. So if you are a fan of MST3K and want to learn more about it(s first six seasons), seek this one out!
August 14, 2015
Very comprehensive guide to the beloved cult TV show. Each episode is broken down into segments. You'll get a plot summary of the film, summary of what happens in the Satellite of Love segments, and if applicable what was revealed in the invention exchange and the stinger- that quick clip of the film's oddest moment that came to reward viewers who stayed after the show's credits. Sometimes the film's monster would be humorously broken down like a scientific study, or TV's Frank puts in his two cents in a sidebar. Even the mythical first season is included- the season few fans have seen. It is forbidden from rerunning because the film rights were never secured beforehand. Lots of great photos abound.[return][return]Great trivia is revealed, like how not fully previewing "Sidehackers" led to an unexpected rape scene (and the strict rule that all films must be previewed in their entirety before selection), and which crew member had a crush on Mr. B Natural. You'll learn what made Joel so sleepy-eyed, and which film brings a sentimental tear to the eye of TV's Frank.[return][return]Other rewards are: a look into the making of the MST3K full-length film; a glossary of obscure references made by Joel, Mike, and the bots; a hilarious list of the crew's favorite lines; a list of the grossest scenes in the films (Mitchell and baby oil...blegh!); a helpful guide to "Your Area and You," and nice little tributes to the more respected actors of bad B-movie filmdom: Miles O'Keefe and Beverly Garland.[return] [return]Though a bit outdated since it ends partway in the beginning of the Sci-Fi Channel years, the writers made up for it by writing about the later shows online - just Google "MST3K" and you'll find it. The book remains a nostalgic form of entertainment for dedicated fans of the show.
September 7, 2018
The MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 AMAZING COLOSSAL EPISODE GUIDE (1996) is not out of date, but it is incomplete. Of the show's ten-season run in the 1990s, it systematically treats the first six, just barely mentions the seventh, but was compiled and published too soon to include the final three. This oversize paperback includes episode numbers, some B&W photographs, and capsule plot descriptions (including "host segments" and short subjects). Humorous "Reflections" from various crew members, both on- and off-camera, add levity and insight. Unfortunately, this book lacks a table of contents or an index, forcing the curious "Mistie" in search of new episodes to consult online guides. Still, it's the best -- virtually the only -- resource we have in hard copy. It is a tribute to the continuing popularity of the show, still broadcast today, that new or like-new copies of this twenty-one-year-old book sell for almost twice the 1996 pub. price of $16.95.
January 23, 2014
This is a book only for the MST3K fan.....it would make absolutely no sense to someone who hasn't seen the classic cult television series. It contains articles by all the cast members, lots of pictures, and a summary of each episode with comments. I laughed like a loon, just as I did when I watched the program. Being a fan of the cult and "so bad they are good" films, this is right up my alley. It also makes one wonder how some of these films were ever made, let alone released on an unsuspecting public. The Japanese films where all the kids wear tiny shorts, have government top security and are named Kenny are particularly hysterical. This is a must-have for the MST3K fan......very, very clever.
September 14, 2014
If you're a MSTie, it's very important you find a copy of this book and own it. The humor in it mostly hits, rarely misses, and you get more insight into the minds of the writers, particularly illuminating with Mary Jo and Paul. I particularly liked Frank's essays on the movies and am forever stealing the phrase he used to describe the young man in "High School Big Shot": "ruinously smart." If you own all the episodes on DVD, as I do, you'll want to have this, too.
July 9, 2014
Is it weird that I've read the episode guide to MST3K cover to cover? I've read the descriptions of every movie, and everything in between. In my defense, MST3K is one of the funniest shows that's ever been on the air, and the guide is written like a series of humorous essays. This is a must for MSTies.
December 6, 2011
This is a great companion to the show but it was published near the beginning of the 7th season (there were 10 total) so it is missing the last 4 seasons (which is when I was watching the most). It would be great if they put out a second volume with information on the last 4 seasons and the movie. My only other complaint is that there is no appendix, so to find a movie you have to know the episode number.
July 1, 2008
It is just what it says it is...and more. An episode guide through season six, plus background info on the inception of the show. When the show went to the Sci-Fi channel, they did online episode guides. Satellite News (www.mst3kinfo.com)has guides to fill in the holes. It's fun light reading, and a nice resource for obsessive fans like myself.
July 5, 2010
If you need a review of this book, you shouldn't be reading it. It's awesomely funny, written by every cast member (including Mary Jo Pehl and Paul Chaplin), and ABSOLUTELY necessary for every MST3K fan. I bought my cherished, autographed copy years ago and will never, ever regret it.
January 15, 2015
I refer to this book frequently if I want to watch an episode of MST3K but can't decide which one to watch. The write-ups of each episode and the cast members' reminiscences on the making of said episodes are well worth the price of the book.
December 5, 2007
Oh, for fun! I loved this show, and the book brings it all back. I wish they would update it to include all the episodes, but what you get is golden.
January 13, 2009
I've reread this book so many times the binding is falling apart. Absolutely hilarious stuff.
February 24, 2011
Great book. Hilarious writing from the show's writers, including Mike Nelson, Joel Hodges, Trace Beaulieu, and Mary Jo Pehl. A good descriptive of seasons 1-8 of the show.
March 9, 2012
It's MST3k. It's automatically amazing.
May 7, 2020
Easily among my top 5 favorite shows of all time, MST3K delivers more laughs per episode than anything before or since to me. This episode guide which goes through season 6 and mentions a smattering of season 7 contains quips, episode numbers, background info, and a ton of humor.
The first episode I ever saw was "Pod People" #303 from early in season 3 and it remains my favorite. I caught it at a friend's house because I didn't have cable at the time. The cheap ET rip-off featuring Trumpy the alien looking like Alf's lost cousin is hilariously bad.
Highly recommended.
The first episode I ever saw was "Pod People" #303 from early in season 3 and it remains my favorite. I caught it at a friend's house because I didn't have cable at the time. The cheap ET rip-off featuring Trumpy the alien looking like Alf's lost cousin is hilariously bad.
Highly recommended.
September 12, 2011
I suppose no book could possibly be as much fun to read as MST3K is to watch. This is an attempt, and it does have its strong points. Written during the gap between MST's run on Comedy Central and their later run on the Sci Fi Channel, this gave the Best Brains something to do while they worried about the future. It is not, however, amazing, and it is far from colossal.
There are some interesting production notes from the making of the show and the movie, but these are undermined by attempts to be funny (that often fail) by making up tall tales which call into question the veracity of any of the stories related. Between the internet and the many available film guides out there, better production info on the movies riffed can easily be obtained, and I'm not even sure why they bothered to include their snarky plot summaries.
Still, the book did get some laughs out of me, and it can be a good companion to tapes or DVDs of the show. There are better episode guides to lesser shows out there, but MST is still MST.
There are some interesting production notes from the making of the show and the movie, but these are undermined by attempts to be funny (that often fail) by making up tall tales which call into question the veracity of any of the stories related. Between the internet and the many available film guides out there, better production info on the movies riffed can easily be obtained, and I'm not even sure why they bothered to include their snarky plot summaries.
Still, the book did get some laughs out of me, and it can be a good companion to tapes or DVDs of the show. There are better episode guides to lesser shows out there, but MST is still MST.
December 26, 2017
I wish this was updated past season seven, but it's great. I read it in one sitting and it's as side-splittingly funny as you'd expect from the SoL.
One of my favorite parts, Paul Chaplin on The Phantom Creeps:
"The Phantom Creeps is unwatchable and unfollowable. My heart breaks when I think of my dad and his little short-pantsed pals sitting in some darkened movie house, beaten down by the Depression raging without, struggling to wring pleasure from these dreary images on the screen. The poor kid, working thirteen hours a day at the coal plant like he did, then stumbling on down to the Bijou and with his trembling fingers handing over what few tiny pennies he could afford--those precious coins that weren't needed for little sister's medicine--and then, weeping, crushed, his pathetic soul denied the single escape it craves as he's forced to sit through yet another wretched chapter of The Phantom Creeps.
"Then again, maybe he liked it. You know my dad."
One of my favorite parts, Paul Chaplin on The Phantom Creeps:
"The Phantom Creeps is unwatchable and unfollowable. My heart breaks when I think of my dad and his little short-pantsed pals sitting in some darkened movie house, beaten down by the Depression raging without, struggling to wring pleasure from these dreary images on the screen. The poor kid, working thirteen hours a day at the coal plant like he did, then stumbling on down to the Bijou and with his trembling fingers handing over what few tiny pennies he could afford--those precious coins that weren't needed for little sister's medicine--and then, weeping, crushed, his pathetic soul denied the single escape it craves as he's forced to sit through yet another wretched chapter of The Phantom Creeps.
"Then again, maybe he liked it. You know my dad."
April 13, 2011
Not as clever or funny as some of the movies they find so appallingly stupid, but useful if you missed the early years of MST3K (as I did). No input from the creator of the show, Joel Hodgson, but the main players from the latter half of the show's life cycle each contribute something. Typically, an episode gets about a page of brief commentary -- a synopsis of the film, a description of the "host segments" (featuring the MST3K players and their robot friends), and thoughts on the film and/or the episode itself. Mike Nelson and Kevin Murphy are the most abrasive, least charming writers (and, wouldn't you know, the ones who went on to publish their own books-about-movies after the show was cancelled in 1999). In all, a nice book to have, and the definitive guide to Episode numbers.
November 25, 2012
Although they guaranteed (in one of the many many introductions) that this insider's approach was gonna be zillions of times better than the usual hired-journalist package, I suspect that it would've been a lot more interesting if they had opted to go that route with it. As it was, it comes off pretty shallow and sketchy and yes, too insiderish, with a lot of "Wow, this movie really REALLY sucked" sorts of comments and a veritable ocean of smarm to drown in. Also there weren't nearly enough comments/fascinating facts (not to mention pix) of the films themselves, just endless photos of the show's sets. And I noticed that this Paul Chaplin guy seemed delegated to write the bulk of it. Some deal, huh? First having to make the rest of the gang coffee for all those years, and then this project gets dumped in your lap.
July 4, 2015
Recently dug out and reread for the first time since purchasing back in 1996, and I enjoyed every moment the second time around. While the book has some issues (some odd font choices and switching back and forth of text sizing; photographs published too small to enjoy or used as a faint gray background that is covered in text), the content is still golden. Nothing like the insider stories about why certain movies were chosen and how the skits and commentaries were created. Sadly, the book was written and published with several seasons left to go, so perhaps a revised version might appear one day. If you are a MST3K viewer, find a copy and savor it - the book is long out of print, but used copies sell for around $10 on Amazon (less than the original cover price).
November 4, 2007
I'm pretty certain this book was released in conjunction with the 1996 ConventioCon ExpoFest-A-Rama 2: Electric Bugaloo, which I did not attend. And alas, its premature publication date means it's missing approximately 53 latter-day episodes, including my favorite, Space Mutiny. Still, the descriptions of the invention exchanges and Bot plots here are often more hilarious than actually watching them, and there's lots of goofy lists and insider jokes. Given what appears to be some factionalism within the Grand Army of the Bot Republic these days, rereading this is your chance to relive those gauzy memories of Tommy Kirk and Torgo.
August 29, 2008
Clearly, this book is strictly for MSTies past and present, but it's pretty funny anyway. It's actually written by EVERYBODY on the show (well, the writers, anyway), so that's extra bang for your buying buck.
Beyond the regular episode guide, there are cute features on 'monsters,' tributes to MST favourite actors, and a running history of what went on in the show as well as behind the scenes.
I rated it considerably lower than it deserves mainly because there's no index, so you can't just jump to a favourite episode. And because it stops at season SIX out of 10 or 11 the show ran! Would it kill these guys to do an update?!
Beyond the regular episode guide, there are cute features on 'monsters,' tributes to MST favourite actors, and a running history of what went on in the show as well as behind the scenes.
I rated it considerably lower than it deserves mainly because there's no index, so you can't just jump to a favourite episode. And because it stops at season SIX out of 10 or 11 the show ran! Would it kill these guys to do an update?!
December 24, 2016
This book has been greatly recommended by those who have had the chance to read it, and justifiably so. Yes; it is a time capsule from a show many of us greatly enjoy, which makes it interesting. But, it is also really, really funny.
You can see the personalities of the authors shine through. I've read almost every book by these authors, Frank's most recently, and you really get to see that all those involved are great writers who happened to be working on a tv show.
Now that MST3K is coming back, this would be a perfect time to put this back in print, collect and revise the entries from other seasons, and pay all involved a lot more than they apparently made the first time around.
You can see the personalities of the authors shine through. I've read almost every book by these authors, Frank's most recently, and you really get to see that all those involved are great writers who happened to be working on a tv show.
Now that MST3K is coming back, this would be a perfect time to put this back in print, collect and revise the entries from other seasons, and pay all involved a lot more than they apparently made the first time around.
April 17, 2009
A pretty nifty book for fans of the show. Of course it's got the episode guide thing going for it, but it's also got informative lists about things like the most revolting things seen in the movies and the most obscure references made on the show. My only complaint is that it doesn't cover the whole series, but episode guide entries for the episodes that came out after the book was published are up at mst3kinfo.com.
March 10, 2015
A fantastic detailing of this magnificent show! The book also carries all of the great humor of the show and includes all of the key personalities and key moments from each episode. Please forgive me too for mentioning that my copy is also signed by Kevin Murphy - who even called me cool since my 12 year old daughter could quote jokes from the series! Yup. A VERY proud moment in parenting for me! :)
July 12, 2019
Loved this show, loved this book. I haven't got on board with the reboot, but this book brought back a lot of good memories.
June 30, 2013
It is a silly show and the jokes are hit-and-miss. But this book is great. The way each writer contributes to the project is always funny and fresh. Even with those who are marginally familiar with the show, the writing style in which they attack their cinematic victims without mercy is truly an art form in itself.
July 25, 2007
As funny as you would think it had to be, plus an easy way to answer all of your questions. For instance, which one had the old guy saying no smooching?
Includes the 50 most Disgusting Things We Have Seen in these movies.
Includes the 50 most Disgusting Things We Have Seen in these movies.
March 3, 2008
Okay, so it's just a guide to a TV show. But it's an EXCELLENT guide. It's got great behind-the-scenes stories, and it's got great jokes from the cast. I actually just sat and read this thing. Who does that with a TV guide?
May 2, 2008
Good guide to Mystery Science Theater:3000. The creators of the show go into a fair amount of detail about behind-the-scenes stuff. The only drawback is that its a bit dated as it was written before the show ended. Would love to see an update, but I guess that's what the Internet is for.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews