That Question

There is one question that comes up way too often in discussions about Mystery Science Theater. “Who’s better, Joel or Mike?” It’s true the show was basically Joel’s idea in the first place. It’s probably also true that Mike is a better performer. Nevertheless, some insist that without Joel (who left years ago), the show isn’t worth watching. I find these people extremely grating. Here’s a response I posted to USENET some time ago to a typical complaint:

 [email protected]  writes: : Have you noticed they stopped doing the : invention exchange?  What does this mean?  Is it because mike, head writer : for all those years, is incapable of coming up with invention ideas on a : regular basis?  What's wrong with him?   Joel is a prop comic. Mike is not. The invention exchange was a showcase  	for Joel's props.  Why doesn't Mike smash watermelons? Gallagher did. What's wrong with him?  Why doesn't Mike raise Lazurus? Jesus did. What's wrong with him?  Why doesn't Mike ring out three shots from a grassy knoll? Someone did  	(maybe). What's wrong with him?  Why doesn't Mike create the X-Men? Lee & Kirby did. What's wrong with him?  Why doesn't Mike annex Poland? Hitler did. What's wrong with him?  etc.

And that’s what I have to say about that.

---

Back to Jamie’s MST page.