MST3K changes hosts for the first time when Joel Robinson escapes and is replaced by Mike Nelson. Joel’s departure is marked by the iconic MITCHELL, and Mike enters the arena with THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE. Season 5 also includes Joel’s favorite episode, I ACCUSE MY PARENTS.
Episode 1
Hercules
Jul 17, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as Hercules and Jason search for the legendary Golden Fleece in "Hercules" (1958). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Joel and the bots get a visit from some Amazons via the Hexfield Viewscreen.
Episode 2
Warrior of the Lost World
Jul 24, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as a road warrior with a talking motorcycle take on a fascist dictator in a dystopian future in "Warrior of the Lost World" (1984). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Joel and the bots discuss their own post-Apocalyptic plans.
Episode 3
Swamp Diamonds
Jul 31, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as three women break out of jail and search for a hidden cache of stolen diamonds, emboldened by an undercover police officer, in "Swamp Diamonds" (1956). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Servo is inspired to ask one of his robot cohorts on a date. This episode also features the short "What to Do on a Date" (1951).
Episode 4
Secret Agent Super Dragon
Aug 7, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as a secret agent investigates a Venezuelan crime organization manufacturing a mind-altering chewing gum in "Secret Agent Super Dragon" (1966). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Joel and the bots do a read-through of Crow's wholesome screenplay, "The Spy Who Hugged Me."
Episode 5
The Magic Voyage of Sinbad
Aug 14, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as the Russian folk hero Sadko seeks the Bluebird of Happiness to bring back to his unhappy city in "The Magic Voyage of Sinbad" (1953). Meanwhile on the SOL, Servo leaves for his own Sinbad-like adventure.
Episode 6
Eegah
Aug 28, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as a young woman and her singer boyfriend rescue her father from a giant caveman living in a California desert in "Eegah" (1962). Meanwhile, on the SOL, the bots alter Joel's face to resemble Arch Hall, Jr.
Episode 7
I Accuse My Parents
Sep 4, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as a young man gets involved in a crime syndicate and ends up blaming his downfall on his inattentive parents in "I Accuse My Parents" (1944). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Gypsy helps to re-enact the nightclub scene in the movie. This episode features the short "The Truck Farmer" (1954).
Episode 8
Operation Double 007
Sep 11, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as a world-class plastic surgeon and lip-reader thwarts the plans of an evil crime syndicate in "Operation Double 007" (1967). Title was later changed to "Operation Kid Brother" due to copyright issues. Meanwhile, on the SOL, Joel hypnotizes Crow, but has less success with Servo.
Episode 9
The Girl in Lovers Lane
Sep 18, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as a rich runaway named Danny and a vagrant named Bix Dugan get into trouble in a small town in "The Girl in Lovers Lane" (1959). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Servo and Crow, inspired by the film, try to instigate a fight with Joel. This episode features the train song "What a Pleasant Journey."
Episode 10
The Painted Hills
Sep 26, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as Lassie avenges her master's murder in an 1870s gold-mining town in "The Painted Hills" (1951). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Crow is melted down into an ingot by Servo, but it turns out he's not actually made of gold. This episode features the short "Body Care and Grooming" (1947).
Episode 11
Gunslinger
Oct 9, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as the widow of a murdered sheriff steps up to fight outlaws in her rural town in "Gunslinger" (1956). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Servo sends Joel messages via the Gypsy Express.
Episode 12
Mitchell
Oct 23, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as a drunken oaf of a cop bumbles his way through a murder investigation in "Mitchell" (1975). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Gypsy schemes to help Joel escape.
Episode 13
The Brain that Wouldn't Die
Oct 30, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as a scientist keeps his girlfriend's severed head alive in a pan while he tries to find her a new body in "The Brain that Wouldn't Die" (1962). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Mike and the bots are visited by Jan in the Pan, the bodiless lady in the film.
Episode 14
Teen-Age Strangler
Nov 7, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as a troubled teen is accused of murder when a serial killer terrorizes a small town in "Teen-Age Strangler" (1964). Meanwhile, on the SOL, the bots fit Mike with a modified pair of glasses that make him act like the teenage star of the film. This episode features the short "Is This Love?" (1957) and the song, "I'm a Janitor."
Episode 15
The Wild World of Batwoman
Nov 13, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as a bat-costume-clad woman and her lady army battle an evil scientist bent on taking over the world in "The Wild World of Batwoman" (1966). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Mike, inspired by the short, insists the bots each write essays about cheating. This episode features the short "Discussion Problems in Group Living: Cheating" (1952).
Episode 16
Alien from L.A.
Nov 20, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as a squeaky-voiced Kathy Ireland attempts to rescue her imprisoned father from an underground Atlantis, in "Alien from L.A." (1988). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Mike and the bots play an emotion guessing game. This episode features the song "My Wild Irish Ireland."
Episode 17
Beginning of the End
Nov 25, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as the military struggles to stop a rampaging horde of giant grasshoppers in "Beginning of the End" (1957). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Servo performs a standup routine, but most of his jokes involve comparing grasshoppers to locusts.
Episode 18
The Atomic Brain
Dec 4, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as an aging socialite lures young women to her mansion in an attempt to transplant her brain into one of their bodies in "The Atomic Brain" (1964). Meanwhile, on the SOL, the bots are unsettled by Mike's chin puppet demonstration. This episode features the short "What About Juvenile Delinquency?" (1955).
Episode 19
Outlaw
Dec 11, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as a college professor named Cabot returns to the magical planet Gor to battle a wicked queen and an evil sorcerer in "Outlaw" (1989). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Mike and the bots do their best Jack Palance impressions as they read from the book "Palance on Palance."
Episode 20
Radar Secret Service
Dec 18, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as the astonishing power of radar is used to track down criminals selling atomic gear on the black market in "Radar Secret Service" (1950). Meanwhile, on the SOL, the bots throw Mike a 10-year high school reunion based on information gathered from Mike's yearbook.
Episode 21
Santa Claus
Dec 24, 1993
In the theater, the crew watches as Santa battles the demon Pitch for the soul of a little Mexican girl, Lupita, in "Santa Claus" (1959). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Mike is reunited with the Nelson family, but unfortunately not HIS Nelson family, via the Hexfield Viewfinder.
Episode 22
Teen-Age Crime Wave
Jan 15, 1994
In the theater, the crew witnesses a group of delinquent teens commit one crime, not a wave of them, in "Teen-Age Crime Wave" (1955). Meanwhile on the SOL, the crew tries to escape, and the SOL opens a deli with sandwiches named after movies.
Episode 23
Village of the Giants
Jan 22, 1994
In the theater, the crew watches as a group of obnoxious teens take over a town after ingesting a growth formula, in "Village of the Giants" (1965). Meanwhile, in Deep 13, Dr. Clayton Forrester is preparing to replace TV's Frank with Torgo.
Episode 24
12 to the Moon
Feb 5, 1994
In the theater, the crew watches astronauts go to the moon, sparking a battle between the lunar beings and Earth in "12 to the Moon" (1960). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Nuveena, the girl from the future, visits the SOL and tempts Mike and the bots into moving to the future with her. This episode features the short "Design for Dreaming" (1956).