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Mike Nelson's Mind Over Matters
Why do some people retain cute baby-talk names for their relatives (like "Num-Num" and "Pee-Paw") well into middle age? How should a reasonable person respond when Olivia Newton-John sings, "Have you never been mellow?" Who's responsible for the sorry state of men's fashion, and is it the same guy who invented the jerkin? Is there any future i
...morePaperback, 288 pages
Published
March 1st 2002
by It Books
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Side-splittingly funny essays from one of Mystery Science Theater 300's main writers and actors. I think almost everyone can relate to the "Couch Mover, Retired" essay.
I'm a big fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000. My husband found this book written by the head-writer, Mike Nelson. It turned out to be a collection of short essays on various subjects. My favorite was the section of essays on family - my favorite being the essay on how we hold on to baby talk well into our adult lives:
"Perhaps you have been set back on your heels by something similar: you're talking to a mature, adult friend who has up to that point displayed no signs of dem...more
"Perhaps you have been set back on your heels by something similar: you're talking to a mature, adult friend who has up to that point displayed no signs of dem...more
Billy
marked it as to-read
For many years Mike Nelson had my dream job... he was head writer, and later host, of Mystery Science Theater 3000. The sheer brilliance he displayed during his work on MST3K made me excited to read this collection of humorous essays of a variety of subjects.
I've read the first 50 pages or so, and I'm just not connecting with the material. The attempts at humor feel forced, and are just too based on over the top absurd exaggeration, and not enough honest observations.
...more
I've read the first 50 pages or so, and I'm just not connecting with the material. The attempts at humor feel forced, and are just too based on over the top absurd exaggeration, and not enough honest observations.
...more
This is a great little "pick up and read for 15 minute" book. It is basically a collection of comedic observations by the author, and former Mystery Science Theater writer, Mike Nelson. Each story is about 2 pages long on average.
There are some pretty funny parts, and of course there are parts that fall flat, but overall I enjoyed it.
There are some pretty funny parts, and of course there are parts that fall flat, but overall I enjoyed it.
Obviously biased since I'm a massive fan of this gentleman's former show and sense of humor, but this was like curling up with a stack of antique Onion issues and reading classic Op-Ed after classic Op-Ed. Admirable in its avoidance of swears and abundance of silliness.
My family has a unique brand of humor, and Mike Nelson's (former host of MST3K) is almost eerily akin to it. I can't think of any book that has made me laugh harder (and few that have made me laugh as hard) as this one. However, I acknowledge that this particular rating is a very subjective one; I don't think everyone will necessarily relate (as I did) so much that they have the strange feeling of long-lost-brotherhood with Mike Nelson--my husband's reaction to the book would indicate this is th...more
I enjoy the humor of Mike Nelson. Not every chapter was my favorite, but there were plenty of subjects that he put his humorous spin on, that made me laugh out loud while reading. It was nice to have a good, light, humorous read between some of the more serious books I've been reading.
Obviously, I read this because I'm a fan of MST3K.
Did bust out laughing quite a few times, but, then there were times I'd find myself asking what the point in a particular essay was.
Did bust out laughing quite a few times, but, then there were times I'd find myself asking what the point in a particular essay was.
A hilarious mash-up of Mike's thoughts on everything from men's fashion to the sounds of autumn.
Need I say it again? Michael Nelson is a comedy god. Read this, it's not about movies.
Mike Nelson was a writer and later on camera member of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. Or MST3K. It was a program that ran on Comedy Central in the 1990s. Check Wikipedia if you want to know more about it. Anyway, this book is a series of short, funny stories and anecdotes. It is very self deprecating with non of the superior attitude or mean-ness (is that a word?) you might find in Seinfeld's observational humor. Mike's Midwest roots shine in this book and it's especially funny if you know someon...more
The essays are hit or miss, but overall, charming.
Brian Steed
added it
One of the best humor writers working today.
The former head writer/star of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" gives us this gift in the form of dozens of hilarious essays on trivial matters such as trips to Home Depot, not knowing how to answer a bellboy when he asks where you want your luggage, and different types of cheese. I re-read this recently and was laughing out loud at the piece of Radio Shack, and how he assumes the only reason anyone would ever go there is to purchase "lamp cord."
This is a collection of highly synical and delightfully truthful essays from the former head writer of "Mystery Science Theatre 3K." (If you like MST3K you will probably enjoy this) A particular gem is a very intriguing interview with a pair of his linen shorts. I wasn't able to finish his first novel Death Rat, but I've read this many times over. (I'd be willing to give Death Rat a second chance though).
Bought this for my brother since he is a big fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (the star is the author of this book). Then I found out he does not read books. So it became mine by default. Collection of jokey essays that would be on his "blog" if they had them back then. Goes well together with his Death Rat, another Minnesota-heavy wryball.
This is absolutely the funniest book I have ever read. I pick it up all the time when I need a laugh and just open it at random. Thank god Mike got on MySpace and blogs semi-frequently, because it's been ages since this book came out and I just want to read more!
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This collection of short essays to sit down and read when you have a bit of spare time. I get his humor most of the time, which doesn't stray too far from his MST3K days. If you own a leaf blower or an SUV, he'll make you feel like the jerk you are.
"Mystery Science Theatre 3000" fans will love this book, even if it's got nothing to do with MST3K. Mike Nelson rambles and rants, but it's amusing, entertaining, and a good read.
The chapters that are more daring and personalized are the funniest. The parts that read more like Dave Barry are not nearly as good.
His website is better, and more up-to-date. Not quite worth the price of admission, but decent if you can find a free copy somewhere.
Mike Nelson, from Mystery Science Theater 3000, is one of the funniest people alive and these essays are proof of that.
Hilarious essay's by my favorite Mystery Science Theater 3000 cast member. Nelson's humor is very dry and astute.
Some were hilarious ("Uncle Solomon"), and some less so.
Possibly one of the funniest books I've ever read.
Funny. Really, really funny. So funny.
the most unfunny and not clever book written
Fun read, short chapters, but funny!
Bridgette
marked it as to-read
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Michael J. Nelson is an actor, writer, director, and musician who served as head writer for ten seasons, and on-air host for five seasons, of the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000. He was also the composer of most of MST3K's original music, and is coauthor of The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide (1996).
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“At the 150-minute point of sitting in a standard theater chair, the human buttocks die; once dead, they cannot be revived. They cease to function, whatever that function may have been, and must be carried around like a sack, or two, of flour.”
—
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