He was working as a waiter at T.G.I. Friday's and doing occasional
stand-up comedy when he was offered a job on Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988) doing typing in the writing room. The writers told him to feel
free to make some comments on the movies they were watching, and he so
impressed them with his wit and comedic timing that they made him a
staff writer (and later the head writer).
Joel Hodgson chose him to be his replacement as the host of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988) because he was impressed with his leadership
skills, his music skills and the fact that he looked great standing
next to the show's puppets.
Regularly writing, recording and releasing downloadable commentaries for current movies to be played in sync with them, called "Rifftrax," along with other MST3K guests. (January 2008)
Recently moved from Minnesota to San Diego, California. (August 2006)
Living in Minneapolis area, writing essays about bad
movies, etc. for magazines and online magazines. Has two books of
collected essays published. (June 2002)