Best Brains was largely a boys club before she arrived and her addition provided a much-needed female perspective on the world. She also proved to be an able performer, first in small bits and then stepping up to a major role in the Sci-Fi years. It’s Mary Jo Pehl, of course, the only former cast member who has worked on a RiffTrax riff and Cinematic Titanic.

Here are my top ten favorite Mary Jo moments, in episode order:

• 513- THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE–Of course, it’s impossible to forget her breakout performance as Jan in the Pan.
• 703- DEATHSTALKER AND THE WARRIORS FROM HELL–All I need to say is: “Clayton? Clayton! Clayton! Clayton?”
• 704- THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN–MJ parodies every snooty studio set she met during the making of MST3K the Movie to hilarious effect.
• 812- THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME MIXED-UP ZOMBIES/903- THE PUMA MAN — Mary Jo channels every oddball hair stylist she’s ever had to deal with as she does the voice of Shelli the Nanite.
• 804- THE DEADLY MANTIS–MJ really settles into her new role in this episode, where Pearl craftily escapes from the doomed Earth and discovers that Bobo has come along for the ride.
• 807- TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5000–Mary Jo dominates the scene as the Observers make Pearl and Bobo fight, a la Star Trek.
• 822- OVERDRAWN AT THE MEMORY BANK–Mary Jo and Bill show delightful chemistry in “Pearl! Pearl! Pearl! Pearl! Pearl!”
• 905- THE DEADLY BEES–Mary Jo shines in the “Please Stay” operetta.
• 913- QUEST OF THE DELTA KNIGHTS–No list would be complete without Mary Jo’s segment in the theater! She handles it beautifully.
• 1011- HORRORS OF SPIDER ISLAND–Mary Jo again shows her physical comedy skills as Pearl auditions for Mike’s dance troupe.

What are yours?