When cult classic Mystery Science Theater 3000 left the air in 1999, it had won a Peabody and an army of fans. Since then, host and head writer Mike Nelson has forged a successful career writing several hilarious books, and has worked in many other media.
Today he talks to us about stand up comedy, writing, and especially Rifftrax, downloadable commentaries made by him and fellow riffers that can be shown simultaneously with a DVD of the film being razzed.
The commentaries are easy to use and may be purchased from Rifftrax.com for a few bucks apiece.
JD: Hi Mike, I’d like to start with a little about your background. Did you always want to make fun of bad movies?
MN: No, I kind of fell into that with being in stand up. I always thought I’d be in music or be a writer of some sort. I was in a band when I was a kid but I wasn’t that into it.
JD: So you studied music pretty seriously. I’ve read a couple of your books and you mention wanting to be a music teacher at one point.
MN: Yeah, I went to school for music and quickly realized I just wasn’t going to be good enough to make it. So I had to look around for something else. I got into theater and ended up doing stand up comedy.
JD: So stand up was easier to get into than music or acting?
MN: Well, it was easier to get stage time. [At that time.] Stand up was really booming. Clubs and bars were hiring so there were a lot of places to do it. You could actually get paid much earlier being a comedian than a musician or actor.
JD: Oh, that makes a big difference.
MN: Yes, pay is very motivating.
