Michael J. Nelson

Michael J. Nelson is best known as the former host and writer of the renowned TV series Mystery Science Theater 3000, for which he earned accolades such as an Emmy nomination and a Peabody Award. Following his time on MST3K, Nelson expanded his career by appearing on various radio and television programs and writing a regular column for TV Guide. He has also authored multiple best-selling books published by HarperCollins and Abrams.

His debut book, Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese, received rave reviews, notably from Richard Schickel of Time Magazine, who remarked on Nelson’s comedic prowess, stating he was "more fun than a barrel of Val Kilmers" and "smarter than a roomful of Patrick Swayzes." His humorous second book, Mind Over Matters, was praised by Kirkus Reviews, who humorously likened his writing to legendary humorist Robert Benchley's style.

Nelson's first novel, Death Rat!, was described by Kirkus Reviews as "fast-paced, outrageous and funny," highlighting its sharp satire of media culture.

In addition to his writing, Nelson is a sought-after speaker across the nation and frequently appears on various media platforms. Together with fellow MST3K alumni Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy, he co-hosts the podcast RiffTrax, where they humorously riff on popular films in a style reminiscent of their earlier work on Mystery Science Theater 3000.