REVIEW: 25 Mystery Science Theater 3000 Films that Changed my Life in no way Whatsoever by Frank Conniff

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25 Mystery Science Theater 3000 Films that Changed my Life in no way Whatsoever by Frank Conniff
Publishing information: Paperback; 104 pages
Publisher: Pothouse 90 Press; 15 August 2016
ISBN: 978-0692751978
Standalone
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Amazon

Synopsis: "In 1990, Frank Conniff joined the staff of Mystery Science Theater 3000. First he was hired as a writer, then he was called upon to play TV’s Frank, the bumbling yet lovable Mad Scientist henchman in Deep 13. And then he was given the sacred duty of finding the films that would be riffed on the show. Thus, because of his actions, the world now knows of Manos: The Hands of Fate, Monster A-Go-Go, The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, Teenagers From Outer Space, and many other cheesy movies that the world would just as soon not know about. In these essays, TV’s Frank focuses on twenty-five of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 films he found and riffed with his fellow MST3K writers and cast mates. It tells the story of how a comedian who was lucky enough to work on beloved Peabody Award winning TV show was transformed into a comedian who was lucky enough to work on a beloved Peabody Award winning TV show. It’s a story that will stay with you for the rest of your life, if you happen to die just as you finish reading the book."

I make it no secret that I am a huge fan of MST3k owning every episode digitally (and at one point nearly every VHS copy of the series. I am also a huge fan of the recently created podcast Movie Sign with the Mads featuring Frank Conniff and Trace Beaullieu as they discuss recently released movies, classic cinema, and everything in-between. When Frank mentioned that he was releasing this book on the podcast I immediately jumped on the internet to find out just when I could order it.

Frank takes 25 random episodes that were featured on the show and talks about them. If you are hoping to glean a little insight into how the movie was chosen you will be sorely disappointed. Instead you will find a humorous story that goes off the rails and gives you at least one obscure reference, which he kindly provides a little background on the reference, and that is it. Another disappointment is that nearly every entry has a political slant to it. I don't mind Frank's political take on things, I actually enjoy it, but it gets a little old after awhile.

Conniff is a talented writer and he does provide more than enough chuckles that will have those around you look at you uncomfortably but it lacks what I was really hoping it would provide, a reasoning for why the movie was chosen to be featured on the series.

I would love to see Frank write something along the lines of Michael J. Nelson's outlandish Death Rat as he certainly has the comedic chops for something similar but this book wasn't quite what I was hoping for. It definitely has its place along with all my other MST3K alumni books but if you were hoping for some backstage insight you might be better off with the MST3K Colossal Episode Guide.

Overall 6/10


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