Frank Conniff
Encyclopedia
Frank Conniff is a writer and actor who is perhaps best known for his portrayal of TV's Frank
on Mystery Science Theater 3000
(MST3K).
. During his years with MST3K, Conniff was also part of the writing team, and the individual responsible for screening and selecting many of the films shown.
. He made a few on-air appearances on the show, most notably as "Rootie Kazootie", a baby-turned-adult due to Sabrina's wishing spell. He later showed up as a writer and later as head writer on the ill-fated Nickelodeon
TV series Invader Zim
, even making a few cameo appearances before departing from that show as well, marking the second TV show that he has been associated with that was cancelled due to conflicts with station management over content and creative direction, and the second show that has achieved cult status following its cancellation. In the summer of 2005 Conniff provided the voice for legendary cowboy Buffalo Bill Cody in two episodes of The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd
. He has made many appearances on 'Dr. Floyd'.
Currently, Conniff hosts Cartoon Dump
, a monthly comedy/music revue that ends by showcasing some of the worst cartoons of all time, at The Steve Allen Theater
in Los Angeles. Recently, fellow Mystery Science Theater alum Joel Hodgson
joined the cast, creating his own puppet, "Dumpster Diver Dan".
In March 2008, Conniff starred in the web series The Writers Room on Crackle
.
He has since starred in the upcoming computer game DARKSTAR - The Interactive Movie as both Navigator Alan Burk and the voice of the quirky robot SIMON (Semi Intelligent Motorized Observation Network).
As of 2011, he is one of the contributing writers and performers on the Jimmy Dore show.
announced he was starting a new show with the same "riffing on bad movies" premise as MST3K called Cinematic Titanic
, together with former MST3K cast and crew members Conniff, Trace Beaulieu
, J. Elvis Weinstein
, and Mary Jo Pehl
. Conniff continues to tour with Cinematic Titanic.
TV's Frank
TV's Frank, played by Frank Conniff, is a fictional character, mad scientist Dr. Clayton Forrester's lab assistant in the television comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000. He appears at the beginning of Season 2, with the departure of Forrester's earlier co-scientist Dr. Laurence Erhardt, and...
on Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
(MST3K).
Early work
Although a native of New York City, where he had accumulated some experience in stand-up comedy, Conniff found himself in Minneapolis in the mid-80's undergoing rehabilitation for substance abuse, according to a 2007 interview. He stayed in the city following treatment, working simultaneously at a fast-food restaurant and in local comedy clubs. Eventually he won out-of-town engagements across the upper Midwest. It was during this period that he struck up friendships with future MST3K stalwarts Michael J. Nelson, Trace Beaulieu, Bridget Jones and others, as well as Lizz Winstead, later co-creator of "The Daily Show" on the Comedy Central network. Conniff was appearing in a North Dakota venue when he was informed by MST3K head writer Nelson of his selection as the replacement for one of the show's originals, Josh Weinstein.Mystery Science Theater 3000
From the second through sixth seasons of Mystery Science Theater 3000's time on Comedy Central, Conniff played one of the "mads" (short for "mad scientists") next to Trace BeaulieuTrace Beaulieu
Trace Beaulieu is an American puppeteer, writer, and actor. He is best known for his roles on Mystery Science Theater 3000 .-Mystery Science Theater 3000:...
. During his years with MST3K, Conniff was also part of the writing team, and the individual responsible for screening and selecting many of the films shown.
Work after MST3K
After leaving MST3K behind, Conniff went on to become executive story editor for the popular ABC series Sabrina, the Teenage WitchSabrina, the Teenage Witch (TV series)
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch is an American sitcom based on the Archie comic book series of the same name.The show stars Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina Spellman, a teenager with magical powers, who lives with her aunts Hilda and Zelda , and their magical talking cat Salem...
. He made a few on-air appearances on the show, most notably as "Rootie Kazootie", a baby-turned-adult due to Sabrina's wishing spell. He later showed up as a writer and later as head writer on the ill-fated Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
TV series Invader Zim
Invader Zim
Invader Zim is an American animated television series created by Jhonen Vasquez. It was produced by and subsequently aired on Nickelodeon. The series revolves around an extraterrestrial named Zim from the planet Irk, and his ongoing mission to conquer and destroy Earth...
, even making a few cameo appearances before departing from that show as well, marking the second TV show that he has been associated with that was cancelled due to conflicts with station management over content and creative direction, and the second show that has achieved cult status following its cancellation. In the summer of 2005 Conniff provided the voice for legendary cowboy Buffalo Bill Cody in two episodes of The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd
The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd
The Radio Adventures Of Dr. Floyd is a short audio and video series distributed via podcasting. Created by Grant Baciocco and Doug Price, it is a family friendly show in the style of old-time radio. The show also draws much inspiration from The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show. The show first began in April...
. He has made many appearances on 'Dr. Floyd'.
Currently, Conniff hosts Cartoon Dump
Cartoon Dump
Cartoon Dump is an online comedy series/video podcast created by Frank Conniff and animation historian Jerry Beck...
, a monthly comedy/music revue that ends by showcasing some of the worst cartoons of all time, at The Steve Allen Theater
The Steve Allen Theater
The Steve Allen Theater at the Center for Inquiry Los Angeles is a multidisciplinary resident fringe theater and theater of the absurd in Hollywood developed and helmed by Founding Artistic Director, Amit Itelman....
in Los Angeles. Recently, fellow Mystery Science Theater alum Joel Hodgson
Joel Hodgson
Joel Gordon Hodgson is an American writer, comedian and television actor. He is best known for creating Mystery Science Theater 3000 and starring in it as the character Joel Robinson. In 2007 MST3K was listed as "one of the top 100 television shows of all time" by Time.com...
joined the cast, creating his own puppet, "Dumpster Diver Dan".
In March 2008, Conniff starred in the web series The Writers Room on Crackle
Crackle
Crackle is a digital network and studio, featuring commercially supported streaming video content in Flash Video format. It is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, and its content consists primarily of Sony's library of films and television shows...
.
He has since starred in the upcoming computer game DARKSTAR - The Interactive Movie as both Navigator Alan Burk and the voice of the quirky robot SIMON (Semi Intelligent Motorized Observation Network).
As of 2011, he is one of the contributing writers and performers on the Jimmy Dore show.
Cinematic Titanic
On October 30, 2007, Joel HodgsonJoel Hodgson
Joel Gordon Hodgson is an American writer, comedian and television actor. He is best known for creating Mystery Science Theater 3000 and starring in it as the character Joel Robinson. In 2007 MST3K was listed as "one of the top 100 television shows of all time" by Time.com...
announced he was starting a new show with the same "riffing on bad movies" premise as MST3K called Cinematic Titanic
Cinematic Titanic
Cinematic Titanic is a project by Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator and original host, Joel Hodgson.The project involves "riffing" B-movies, in a manner similar to that of MST3K....
, together with former MST3K cast and crew members Conniff, Trace Beaulieu
Trace Beaulieu
Trace Beaulieu is an American puppeteer, writer, and actor. He is best known for his roles on Mystery Science Theater 3000 .-Mystery Science Theater 3000:...
, J. Elvis Weinstein
J. Elvis Weinstein
Josh "J. Elvis" Weinstein is an American writer and performer, best known for his roles as Dr. Laurence Erhardt and the original puppeteer and voice for Tom Servo on Mystery Science Theater 3000.-Mystery Science Theater 3000:...
, and Mary Jo Pehl
Mary Jo Pehl
Mary Joseph Pehl born February 27, 1960 in Circle Pines, Minnesota, is an American writer, actress and comedienne. She is best known for her various roles on the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000.-Mystery Science Theater 3000:...
. Conniff continues to tour with Cinematic Titanic.