Uploaded May 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Here is our interview with Mystery Science Theater 3000 producer/director/actor/writer Jim Mallon. In this interview, Mr. Mallon talks about his experiences as student body president at the University of Madison, Producing/Directing the film Blood Hook, producing comedy for KTMA TV-23, Developing Mystery Science Theater 3000 and voicing the character of Gypsy. I want to thank Mr. Mallon for taking the time to talk about his experiences in the field of Television. This interview was recorded via Skype on May 7th 2018. This interview is the property of the JM Archive and The Spider's Lair Studios. Any work referencing this material must give written or oral credit to the interview and its source. This interview may not be excerpted without expressed written or oral permission from the Spiders Lair Studios.
0:00 Introduction
0:29 On his earliest memories of Television and Film
3:20 On his early interests in TV Comedies like Laugh-In and making TV parodies.
8:05 On going to the University of Madison, meeting Leon Varjian, becoming Student Body President and the pranks that they pulled (The Statue of Liberty on Lake Mendota, The World’s Largest Toga Party).
11:49 On Leon Varjian
12:43 On working at WHA-TV and the making the feature Film Blood Hook
15:06 On meeting Kevin Murphy.
15:47 On working at KTMA TV-23.
16:50 On the roles as a production Manager for KTMA, making commercials for the network and making a News parody called “15 Minutes” years before the Daily Show.
19:41 On meeting Joel Hodgson and the beginnings of Mystery Science Theater 3000
23:14 On the production of Mystery Science Theater 3000 for KTMA and getting the opportunity to sell the show to HBO’s Comedy Channel.
25:30 On KTMA TV-23’s history and negotiating keeping the copyright to Mystery Science Theater 3000 from KTMA.
27:27 On negotiating with Comedy Channel and agent Rick Leed helping keep the copyright Mystery Science Theater 3000.
29:24 On the risk of leaving KTMA to develop Mystery Science Theater 3000 for Comedy Channel.
30:24 On the concept of Mystery Science Theater 3000
30:55 On taking over the Role of Gypsy from Josh (J. Elvis) Weinstein and the development of the character.
32:04 On the typical production day on Mystery Science Theater 3000.
33:45 On Season 3 and on the show entering a happier production schedule.
34:23 His thoughts cast departures.
35:23 On Comedy Central losing interest in Mystery Science Theater 3000
36:54 On rumored attempts at making Mystery Science Theater 3000 political in order to stay on the network and moving the show to the Sci-Fi Channel.
38:16 On Rhino and Shout! Factory distributing Mystery Science Theater 3000 on Home Video.
39:19 On the ending of Mystery Science Theater 3000
40:25 On deciding to sell Mystery Science Theater 3000 to Shout! Factory
40:49 On involvement in Mystery Science Theater 3000 The Return.
40:59 On notable episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Robot Vs The Aztec Mummy, Rocketship XM, Pod People, Manos the Hands of Fate, Mitchell, Incredible Melting Man, Jack Frost, Deadly Bees, Soultaker and Diabolik.
45:57 On why he left the role of Gypsy and his thoughts on his replacement, Patrick Brantseg.
48:10 On what he believes is his most important contribution to Mystery Science Theater 3000.
48:54 Thoughts on Kevin Murphy, Joel Hodgeson, Josh (J. Elvis) Weinstein, Trace Beaulieu, Michael J Nelson, Frank Conniff, Bridget Jones Nelson, Paul Chaplin, Mary Jo Pehl, Bill Corbet, Jordan Fields and Jim Mallon
51:49 His advice for anyone wanting to get into TV production.
53:34 *BONUS* Thoughts on Love, American Style.
Here is our interview with Mystery Science Theater 3000 producer/director/actor/writer Jim Mallon. In this interview, Mr. Mallon talks about his experiences as student body president at the University of Madison, Producing/Directing the film Blood Hook, producing comedy for KTMA TV-23, Developing Mystery Science Theater 3000 and voicing the character of Gypsy. I want to thank Mr. Mallon for taking the time to talk about his experiences in the field of Television. This interview was recorded via Skype on May 7th 2018. This interview is the property of the JM Archive and The Spider's Lair Studios. Any work referencing this material must give written or oral credit to the interview and its source. This interview may not be excerpted without expressed written or oral permission from the Spiders Lair Studios.
0:00 Introduction
0:29 On his earliest memories of Television and Film
3:20 On his early interests in TV Comedies like Laugh-In and making TV parodies.
8:05 On going to the University of Madison, meeting Leon Varjian, becoming Student Body President and the pranks that they pulled (The Statue of Liberty on Lake Mendota, The World’s Largest Toga Party).
11:49 On Leon Varjian
12:43 On working at WHA-TV and the making the feature Film Blood Hook
15:06 On meeting Kevin Murphy.
15:47 On working at KTMA TV-23.
16:50 On the roles as a production Manager for KTMA, making commercials for the network and making a News parody called “15 Minutes” years before the Daily Show.
19:41 On meeting Joel Hodgson and the beginnings of Mystery Science Theater 3000
23:14 On the production of Mystery Science Theater 3000 for KTMA and getting the opportunity to sell the show to HBO’s Comedy Channel.
25:30 On KTMA TV-23’s history and negotiating keeping the copyright to Mystery Science Theater 3000 from KTMA.
27:27 On negotiating with Comedy Channel and agent Rick Leed helping keep the copyright Mystery Science Theater 3000.
29:24 On the risk of leaving KTMA to develop Mystery Science Theater 3000 for Comedy Channel.
30:24 On the concept of Mystery Science Theater 3000
30:55 On taking over the Role of Gypsy from Josh (J. Elvis) Weinstein and the development of the character.
32:04 On the typical production day on Mystery Science Theater 3000.
33:45 On Season 3 and on the show entering a happier production schedule.
34:23 His thoughts cast departures.
35:23 On Comedy Central losing interest in Mystery Science Theater 3000
36:54 On rumored attempts at making Mystery Science Theater 3000 political in order to stay on the network and moving the show to the Sci-Fi Channel.
38:16 On Rhino and Shout! Factory distributing Mystery Science Theater 3000 on Home Video.
39:19 On the ending of Mystery Science Theater 3000
40:25 On deciding to sell Mystery Science Theater 3000 to Shout! Factory
40:49 On involvement in Mystery Science Theater 3000 The Return.
40:59 On notable episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Robot Vs The Aztec Mummy, Rocketship XM, Pod People, Manos the Hands of Fate, Mitchell, Incredible Melting Man, Jack Frost, Deadly Bees, Soultaker and Diabolik.
45:57 On why he left the role of Gypsy and his thoughts on his replacement, Patrick Brantseg.
48:10 On what he believes is his most important contribution to Mystery Science Theater 3000.
48:54 Thoughts on Kevin Murphy, Joel Hodgeson, Josh (J. Elvis) Weinstein, Trace Beaulieu, Michael J Nelson, Frank Conniff, Bridget Jones Nelson, Paul Chaplin, Mary Jo Pehl, Bill Corbet, Jordan Fields and Jim Mallon
51:49 His advice for anyone wanting to get into TV production.
53:34 *BONUS* Thoughts on Love, American Style.
