Mike Nelson (character)

Mike Nelson
Mystery Science Theater 3000 character
Mike Nelson and the bots.(Sci-Fi Channel era) From left to right, Crow T. Robot (Bill Corbett), Mike Nelson (Michael J. Nelson), and Tom Servo (Kevin Murphy)
First appearance	512 - Mitchell
Last appearance	1013 - Diabolik
Created by	Michael J. Nelson
Portrayed by	Michael J. Nelson
Information
Full name	Michael J. Nelson
Species	Human
Gender	Male
Occupation	Temp for Deep 13 Resident of Deep 13(Mirror Universe) Former Cheese Factory Worker Rock Star(Alternate Universe)

Mike Nelson (full name Michael John Nelson) is a fictional character in the comedy science fiction television series Mystery Science Theater 3000. Portrayed by actor/head writer Michael J. Nelson, Mike is a likable, sometimes dim temp worker from Wisconsin who comes to work for the mad scientists ("Mads") Dr. Clayton Forrester and TV's Frank in Deep 13 while they prepare for an evil-scientist audit in episode 512, Mitchell.

When Joel Robinson escapes from the Satellite of Love at the end of this episode, the "Mads" knock Mike unconscious and shoot him up to the satellite to replace Joel as their experimental guinea pig. The hapless Mike finds himself forced to watch bad movies with robot companions Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot while interjecting humorous quips and cultural riffs based on the action and dialog of the films. Nelson's first full appearance was episode 513, The Brain That Wouldn't Die. He typically wore either a dark green jumpsuit, a teal jumpsuit or a blue jumpsuit.

Series creator Joel Hodgson reportedly chose Nelson personally as his replacement, on the grounds that Nelson was a natural leader, a gifted comic and that he simply looked good standing next to the show's puppets. Prior to his tenure as host, Nelson played various parody "guest star" characters such as Torgo from Manos: The Hands of Fate, Morrissey, body builder and Hercules star Steve Reeves, and continued to play the occasional side character even after he became host. He also occasionally appeared as "Jack Perkins," and continued the persona as host of the Mystery Science Theater Hour.