Mystery Science Theater 3000 Episode
On October 23, 1993, the edited-for-television release of Mitchell was featured as an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. The film was trimmed by several minutes to match MST3K's format, with the result that John Saxon's character, killed by Mitchell in a deleted scene, simply vanishes from the action, with the reason of his disappearance remaining all but a complete mystery. Joel and the Bots even remark on this lapse: "Wasn't John Saxon in this movie?" Particularly mocked were Mitchell's alcoholism, slovenliness, and uncouth behavior. During the end credits, Servo and Crow mock the theme song by improvising lyrics about food and Mitchell's weight, briefly referencing Shaft.
According to Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide on page 97, the cast had heard a rumor that actor Joe Don Baker was very angry at the MST3K treatment of Mitchell, and threatened physical violence on any of the cast or crew should he ever meet them in person. This did not stop them from later featuring (and happily mocking) another of Joe Don's films, Final Justice, and hurling even more vicious insults at Baker. Kevin Murphy, who played MST3K's robot commentator Tom Servo as well as serving as one of the show's writers, later said Baker likely meant it in a joking manner.
The episode is also notable as being MST3K creator-star Joel Hodgson's last episode (save for a cameo in Episode 1001: Soultaker) and the first to feature Mike Nelson as host, replacing Joel on the Satellite of Love.
Read more about this topic: Mitchell (film)
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