Michael J. Nelson is a comedian and writer who lives in the Twin Cities area. For most of the 11-year run of Mystery Science Theater 3000, Nelson was the show's head writer, and after the end of the show he has had a prolific writing career, publishing three books (as of March 2004): Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese, Mike Nelson's Mind over Matters and Mike Nelson's Death Rat! , the last being his first novel. For half of MST3K's run he played the on-air host, Mike Nelson. Nelson is a talented comedic actor who can portray both male and female characters, and known for his goofy charm and classically Midwestern appearance (being tall, broad-shouldered and blond). He is married to fellow MST3K writer Bridget Jones, and the pair have two sons.