In the Peanut Gallery with Mystery Science Theater 3000

April 1, 2011

Joel or Mike? The argument continues over the best host of the long-running cult classic TV series Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988-99). The host, stranded on the Satellite of Love, was forced to watch with his wisecracking robot friends the worst B movies ever made. Cheesy movies gained instant popularity, and oldies but goodies found new life. Here, Texas Tech University librarians Weiner (editor, Graphic Novels and Comics in Libraries and Archives) and Barba present a collection of essays that cover subjects ranging from gender bias (Gypsy as the only female robot) to why people enjoy bad movies to riffing and other aspects of the show. VERDICT The editors hoped to merge academic and fan reading, but these uninspired and redundant essays are too serious for fans and not scholarly enough for academia. Devotees should turn to fan sites, Trace Beaulieu's The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide, or other books that celebrate the show's brilliant comedy and creativity. This collection is not an essential purchase.--Rosalind Dayen, South Regional Lib., Broward Cty., FL

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