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Space 1999 - Same Cast
by nicksc
Sep 15th, 1999
02:54:28 AM
As the entire main cast are still alive and well it would be cool to have an entire series (or at least a pilot) with the original cast. It would speak volumes about how long they have been out there. Many would have given birth to a new generation with the older cast playing a back seat for "guest appearances".
Gerry Anderson
by Darkly
Sep 15th, 1999
09:11:09 AM
Gerry Anderson is dead dude.
UFO
by RichMan
Sep 15th, 1999
09:59:05 AM
The UFO series would be a good property to attempt to restart. 1) UFOs and aliens are in 2) action/espionage/drama a really good range is possible 3) outfits
UFO and Space 1999 are Crap
by Elrod
Sep 15th, 1999
10:06:10 AM
The stories were ridiculous and the scietific inaccuracies were mindboggling. These shows are better of dead and completely forgotten. Total waste of one's greymatter.
Space 1999
by SamuraiX47
Sep 15th, 1999
10:08:45 AM
I loved this show when it came out, but it was often on late at night. I had to beg my parents to stay up. I would record it on audio tape... put the tape recorder up near the TV speaker. Then listen to them over again and remember the scenes as i saw them. Today i'm getting all the episodes from Columbia home video library... and watching them again is great but i also see how SLOW paced some of the first season episode were.
"The Day After Infinity" on VHS
by big_rob
Sep 15th, 1999
10:26:09 AM
The Fanderson ("The Official Gerry Anderson Appreciation Society") fan club is selling copies of "The Day After Tomorrow", though you'll have to join the fan club (at 25.00 UK pounds) before you can order it. The tape in NTSC format costs 22.85 UK pounds. Your total is about US$77 -- a bit steep, in my opinion, for a tape of a TV movie, but that's your call. Fanderson's Web site is at http://www.kikgraphics.demon.c o.uk/fanderson.html
OOPS - That's "The Day After Tomorrow"
by big_rob
Sep 15th, 1999
10:29:18 AM
Yeah, I'm an idiot. The full title of the movie is "The Day After Tomorrow: Into Infinity", and I jumbled it up. My secret is out: I AM STUPID.
The Day After Tomorrow
by SamuraiX47
Sep 15th, 1999
10:35:34 AM
I saw this on the ABC After School Special. It had Nick Tate, and Brian Blessed in it. The girl who played Nick's daughter was later in one of the early episodes of "I, Claudius" in the scene were Claudius catches a wolf cub dropped by a hawk. The boy looked like an younger version of "tony vedeschi". I wish I had a copy of this on video too. I did record it on audio tape that still exists, but the quality isn't perfect. The music is awesome... i believe it was derek wadsworth who wrote it. The ship travels to Alpha Centauri using photon drive engines traveling near the speed of light. After they arrive they decide to keep going. Then encounter an asteroid shower that jams the accelerator on. They pass out from the g forces, wake up not knowing where they are or how far they had gone. but they wind up near a giant red star. As they try to fix the engines the star goes supernova. they escape and find a beacon that can help them get back home, but a black hole catches them. According to theory a rotating black hole might be a doorway to somewhere else, but if it's non-rotating they will be crushed out of existence.(start tensive music)...
UFO vs Space 1999
by SamuraiX47
Sep 15th, 1999
10:41:15 AM
Ufo is by far the better show. More tension, better acting, more action... but it was only one season... UFO did come before Space 1999...UFO was in 74 or 75... Space was 1976-77. My favorite episode was the one where the aliens capture one of the astronauts and make him wear one of their spacesuits with the green liquid... when the docs take the helmet off on the moon base he's spitting up gushers of green liquid all over everything and everybody.
TDAT
by SamuraiX47
Sep 15th, 1999
10:43:58 AM
It was only an hour long show... i wonder if ABC owns it in the US or does ITC own it? It was shown as part of the ABC Afterschool Special, circa 1976-77
Grinch - ufo is before s1999
by SamuraiX47
Sep 15th, 1999
10:58:19 AM
UFO was made before Space 1999... maybe in your neck of the woods they aired it after. (my source: Starlog Issue 5; episode guide for UFO and space 1999
Space:1999 Trailer, Video, Other Stuff
by atd1999
Sep 15th, 1999
11:12:05 AM
Yes, the trailer was shown at the recent Breakaway Convention held in L.A. I was unable to attend but members of the Space:1999 mailing list who did attend have reported back that it was a very well done piece. It is scheduled to be shown at other Space:1999 cons and I would guess general sci-fi cons too. I can order Fanderson merchandise for you. PLease contact me at atd1999@mailcity.com for more info. Gerry Anderson is alive and well, living in England. Anthony
Monday was the day...
by Blabbermouse
Sep 15th, 1999
11:12:12 AM
Good timing to run this item, since I still can
heh heh heh never mind
by Blabbermouse
Sep 15th, 1999
11:28:50 AM
Sorry Glen, - didn't notice your earlier item 'reporting' on the 9/13/99 moon explosion until after I posted my previous item. I shoulda realized AICN wouldn't have forgotten...
Re: Monday was the day...((from COAXIAL))
by coaxial
Sep 15th, 1999
11:29:24 AM
GLEN here...ATTN: BLABBERMOUSE: look again. The date which you're talking about was mentioned very prominently on Monday's COAXIAL update.**Glen**
Let's Set the Facts Straight....
by atd1999
Sep 15th, 1999
11:34:48 AM
First, UFO was the pre-cursor to Space:1999 without a shred of doubt. The second season of UFO (which took place in 1980) was to take place in 1999. The series was to be named "UFO:1999" to reflect the new year. Most stories were take place on the Moon. The second season was scrapped when they couldn't sell it to the major American networks (where the $$$ are). Sooo... They re-worked it and it became Space:1999. The new series would use a new title - it could make mention that it started in 1999 - the year is such a small part of the series that it is irrelevant. The science may have been inaccurate, but show me a completely scientifically accurate piece of sci-fi, please. The first season was very dramatic and cinematic in scope. Most people remember the second season (with Maya) and dismiss the series. Sit down and watch all 24 episodes from Year 1. If you don't like one (just one, any one) then I'll go away! :-) Anthony atd1999@mailcity.com
Um, one question...
by Jimmer72
Sep 15th, 1999
01:24:35 PM
...don't they have to resurrect Barbara Bain's corpse to get the whole cast together? Wait, she's not dead, you say? Could have fooled me!
then don't watch it!!!
by DarthKoshi
Sep 15th, 1999
01:32:04 PM
I am so sick of people on the Talkbacks launching into vitriolic tirades every time a report surfaces that a series they don't like might be coming back as a new show or movie. I mean, jezus, if you don't like it, fine, don't watch it! No one's holding a gun to your head! 1999 had some weak moments, just like any series, but its first season did a remarkable job of capturing the grandeur and awe of humanity lost amidst the cosmos and a grand scale. This was "Voyager," but done ten times better than that show does the same thing. If the show were to be remade now, perhaps they could also explore some of the human elements, such as how the Commander kept control of this group of people, all of whom had to be scared to death and claustrophobic in their little moonbase as it hurtled through the void. Space:1999 was a great show, and I would welcome any revival, regardless of the irrelevant factor of the year "1999." For those that don't care for the show, fine, wonderful, no problem. Watch something else.
Amen to DarthKoshi
by atd1999
Sep 15th, 1999
01:40:39 PM
Darth your post was very well put. I never understood people reading about something they detest and then spending time to post about it...you said it much better than I. Thanks! Anthony
UFO and Anderson
by tgdbar
Sep 15th, 1999
01:40:56 PM
You know, I just remembered something else fun. Anybody else remember Straker's (SP) car from the UFO series? Didn't it turn up first in the Journey to the Far Side of the Sun/Doppleganger movie? I still have fond memories of that movie, too. Especially the ending. The best comment that I heard about the demise of UFO was from one of the early issues of Starlog. "The operation was a success, but the patient died" Thanks to the above poster for the information about what should have been Season two of UFO. I had always wondered about that. These shows make not look so great to the jaded eyes of today, but in the mid 70's, they were great shining beacons that SF might be able to return after all. The only other show that I remember from that particular era had even less distribution. One produced in Canada called "The Starlost".
THE HORROR, THE HORROR!
by Blabbermouse
Sep 15th, 1999
01:49:59 PM
No, don't say the name of THAT show, never, EVER mention "The St*rl*st"! Yarggh, megacheese alert, slowly I turn, 'solar star,' does not compute, please make it go away mommy...
UFO
by iontyre
Sep 15th, 1999
05:37:56 PM
UFO was so much better then Space 1999! I don't know if you all remember, but there was an attempt to resurrect the series just a couple of years ago, I think by an Australian producer. Bishop (Straker) was eager to be a part of it, but financing never materialized, sadly. Maybe some day. I still remember my sisters saying to me "Are you watching that show with the purple hair women again!"
I welcome anything to do with reviving either Space: 1999 or UFO
by gary2012
Sep 15th, 1999
08:52:52 PM
And it would be even cooler if they stuck to the inacurate dates. Who cares if it is 1999 and there was no moon base or accident? I didn't liked the show because it took place in 1999. It was just a good show. In fact if they did bring back UFO (my favorite of the two) I would like them to play around with it taking place in the nonexistant futuristic 1980's. I would love to see more futuristic projections from the seventies frame of mind. Imagine a guest appearance by someone like Kraftwerk or DEVO as a popular pop band in the UFO universe. They would fit perfectly into the UFO world, and it would be a great nod at the audience like "yeah we know that the eighties were nothing like this show". I love sci-fi predictions that are so obviously inacurate that they just end up creating a new universe altogether, so I see no need in changing either of these shows to a more distant era. Just continue them as if those events did happen in the 80's or 1999. And whatever they do keep Mike Meyers AWAY!!!! Austin Powers totally failed at capturing that sixties spy feeling. It just took a few inacurate cliches to make people think that it was good and then faked the rest. Poooeeee on it!
To adt1999
by IanMc
Sep 16th, 1999
02:47:21 AM
Yeah 1st season Sapce 1999 is good - but tell me you're not gonna justify 'Brian the Brain' or whatever it was called!
Starlost
by SamuraiX47
Sep 16th, 1999
06:01:34 AM
uh sorry to have to mention this but i know of a website for that show... but the url is on the home computer.
To Username: Oh PLEASE!
by atd1999
Sep 16th, 1999
07:10:50 AM
Username - there are quite a few more than 12 people who care about the show. Go to http://space1999.net and see all the Web sites devoted to Space:1999 - not as many as Trek, of course, but quite a few nevertheless. IanMc - Like I said, Year 1 is the better of the two seasons. The second year was made more "action-oriented" Saturday morning fare and as such is remembered by non-fans - and thus the show has a bad impression. Again, for the naysayers - sit down, watch all 24 episodes of Year 1 (or I could suggest 10 good ones) and THEN if you don't like it, I'll drop the debate. Anthony
XON - Take the Challenge!
by atd1999
Sep 16th, 1999
07:23:59 AM
It's getting silly to repeat myself here - again, if you don't like it, then why post here? Opposing opinions are good, but to dismiss something that you haven't seen in 25 years (God knows you wouldn't buy an episode) is plain stupid. Watch some episodes - sorry if they're not as fast paced as TOS, TNG (talk about slow) or DSN...oh yea, the first Year of Space:1999 completely missed an encounter with Tribbles that was so well done on TOS. Why is that to enjoy your show (whatever it may be) you have to put down "my" show??? What you seem to forget is that the show is NOT Trek or anything else that you have seen - these were "real" people (and now our contemporaries) that were thrust into space (for which they were not prepared) to have to live and survive in a hostile environment - unlike Trek where the Universe and all its immensity had been conquered. From what I have read recently about BSG (I watched it as a kid and haven't seen it since) is that it got better just before it was canned...oops, sorry I guess it just wasn't that great. Anthony
I KNOW IT ALL
by etn4
Sep 16th, 1999
11:49:26 AM
Ok, maybe not but I think we still need some new scifi shows but in the last 25 or so years almost every subject has been explored AND hollywood has degenrated into a money driven, 90210 casting hell. And yes, shows like B5 can still draw a crowd but not the kind of numbers that they want these days so the only answer is to bring back old shows and cash in on nostalgia. I write scifi myself and find it very hard to come up with interesting and enjoyable to the modern day viewer without ripping off 3-4 movies:(
only 22 episodes of Space 1999
by SamuraiX47
Sep 16th, 1999
12:32:06 PM
I have the Tech Manual for Space: 1999 which includes the episode guide. there are only 22 episodes total for the show. Not 24 for season 1... I recommend reading E.C. Tubbs novelivation of Breakaway and his other S:1999 books. Very hard to find, unless you have some really good used bookstores or book dealers for Science Fiction.
UFO and nostagia
by Elrod
Sep 16th, 1999
01:32:57 PM
Believe it or not Ritch, Space 1999 and UFO were 2 of my favorite shows when I was a kid. If I had based my judgement of the quality of these two series on childhood nostagia I would of said these were two excellent series. Unfortnatly for my childhood memories I saw these 2 series in their entirety about 2 years ago and can I can say that I thought most of the storylines were uninteresting and improbable. There were many other weakness to these series that I do not have the will or time to go into. I think as long as Jerry Anderson is involved in the creation or devlopment of Space 1999, that it will never be more than I childish attempt at SF. Nothing that he has ever done can convince that he can make a good science fiction show that adults can enjoy. Watch UFO again and see if you do not change your mind.
"username" spreads joy
by DarthKoshi
Sep 16th, 1999
02:53:58 PM
Thanks for all the attention, "Username." I'm glad you're so interested in Space:1999 that you want to devote all this time to the Talkback on it. To address your points: I've seen plenty of posts on Talkbacks that lambasted shows in the most bitter terms imaginable. How then does my use of "vitriolic" equal a "bit of overkill?" I'd say it was understated, if anything. And I don't quite see why you seem to have taken my post as a personal attack on you. You say the show has "about twelve" fans. Wow, how fortunate we twelve are to be getting so much of your attention here, debating the merits of a show you dislike so much. From what I can tell of your complaints, for some reason you don't like the idea that a movie could be made of this property, with accompanying licensing. Gee, I'm sure YOU didn't go see Phantom Menace this summer, eh? Or maybe you're thinking of the Lost in Space movie. Y'know what? I'm sure someone out there liked it, and I'm not going to begrudge them the right to go see and enjoy it, and quite happily take their coupon for the video release, too. Unlike you, Username, I don't waste my life trying to tear down things that other people enjoy. You might want to look into the concept.
Space: 1999 Trailer
by WGF
Sep 16th, 1999
03:17:39 PM
Hello, I have some information about the Space: 1999 trailer that was shown at the recention convention in LA. This trailer was written by Johnny Byrne who also wrote several episodes of both seasons of Space: 1999. The trailer was designed to bring closure to this series -- not to resurrect Space: 1999. Here is the plot: Moonbase Alpha is in trouble. After many years in space, life support is failing. The moon has reached a planet called Alpha Terra and the Alphans are evacuating, even though they do not know what awaits them on this strange new world. Zenia Merton, the actress who played Sandra Benes narrates the trailer via a voice over through five (or so) minutes of stock footage and some newly shot footage on partially restored sets. This trailer was not written to resurrect the series (although there was some talk between Johnny and Nick Tate -- Alan Carter -- at the convention about how this might be accomplished). More information about the convention (and this trailer) will shortly be appearing at the official Space: 1999 web site known as the Cybrary. www.cybrary1999.com
trashing space 1999 because it's scientifically inaccurate... du
by stitch
Sep 16th, 1999
04:38:12 PM
...scientifically accurate? NOOOOOOO!!!! Did that prevent it from its success? NOOOOO!!!; Is Star Trek scientically accurate? No way! For starers, everyone in the known and unknown Universe speaks freaking english!!! Right!!! You can't even get service in english at your average 7-11!!; Was Armeggeddon scientically accurate, or Independence Day or whatever blockbuster thrown at us from Hollywood? NOOOO!!! Armeggeddon was pure cheese compared to Space:1999 and that didn't prevent it from being a smash hit; Was 2001 scientifically accurate? Maybe, but the Kubrick masterpiece is so metaphysical, that it being scientifically accurate is besides the point. People who criticize Space:1999 because it doesn't make any scientific sense to them are nitpickers who have to find one point to trash the cool series because, in essence, there's nothing else to trash it with. The first year of Space 1999 was excellent. Some of the best Sci-Fi ever made. Unfortunately, it was dumbed down for its second season because people didn't 'get' the first season. There are a few episodes from the second season that are good, and Maya is a cool character but season 2 is mostly an embarrassement, destroyed by the same producer that destroyed the last and embarrassing third season of Star Trek. So, for those who trash S1999 because Einstein wouldn't have approved, get real and if you can't find any other valide point to trash it, then shut-up! BTW, Brian the Brain was season two. Also, UFO is cool too. I like it. It was made before S1999 and lasted only one season. It's still playing here in Montreal but I prefer S1999. At least the women don't have purple hair and silver outfits!!!
How about some NEW STORIES?!
by ToastyKen
Sep 16th, 1999
05:49:11 PM
I'm getting sick of all these remakes. Let's go make some ORIGINAL movies, people! Or at least adapt a book or something.
Xon has no perspective
by Marauder
Sep 17th, 1999
07:34:43 AM
greetings clearly xon, you must be an american and have no appreciation for thoughtful science fiction of the kind the brits produced. TV SF by americans has always been technological, brash, harsh, action oriented. The brits on the other hand showed a much more thoughtful and humanistic approach to SF. Strange that you abuse UFO and Space 1999, they were made specifically to appeal to american audiences, hence the use of american actors and accents so that you would understand their speech. (As an aside notice that in B5, all aliens do not speak with american accents. only EA humans speak with american accents, except the EA president who was "russian" anyway. B5 is the first American SF series to have the kind of depth found in UK SF. Why do you think B5 is so much more popular in the UK than in america) anyway i digress. You seem to have missed the point completely with UFO and S:1999. placed in context they were way ahead of their time. look what the americans were producing at the time in regards to TV SF. they were not. the networks did not understand the nature of SF. Hell, Star Trek was FORCED to be more ACTION oriented after the network did not get it. i agree with the others that say season 2 sucked. Remember the producers brought in an AMERICAN to try and improve the appeal to US audiences. (BTW, I'm australian and we have the uniqe situation of experiencing cultures and styles from both sides of the atlantic. when we have "world news" on TV, it is news from the whole planet, not continental USA) In my opinion they stand up very well for their time. S:1999 dealt with people and their reactions to their situation. yes it was slow. It was a DRAMA, as was UFO. Both have been treated as nothing more than children's entertainment. but they were much more than that. My personal favourite is UFO, not because of the stories, silver catsuits or aliens but rather the overall style and feel of the show. it something american SF has never had.
Success = Popularity?
by Elrod
Sep 17th, 1999
07:54:43 AM
Stitch if you use popularity of a motion picture, TV series or of a CD as the sole criteria to determine if it is good that would make you one of the biggest fans of the Backstreet Boys and Brittany Spears fan on the planet. Something being successful ie: popular as defined by Stitch does not make it necessarily good. The scientific goofs if they are to glaring or improbable in a motion picture, TV series or even novels are unforgivable because they prevent the suspension disbelief, thus of even wanting to follow the rest of the story. After all it is called SCIENCE-fiction so a little attention to science by the creators or writers would seem to be required. As for Star Trek being scientifically inaccurate I disagree there is actually a book, the name escapes me, that explain the Physics of Star Trek . Since you
1999 was ahead of it's time.
by atomicpossum
Sep 17th, 1999
08:46:10 AM
I never cared for Space:1999 when it came out in the '70s. Quite frankly, it wasn't STAR TREK, so it was dumb. Lately, however, I came back and took a new look at the show, and became a fan. Although it still isn't STAR TREK (and considering the deplorable state of post-1980 STAR TREK, that's a good thing), it is, completely, Space:1999, a show with incredible grandeur, stunning vision, and, yes, human drama. It presented human beings at the whim of forces beyond their control, trying to survive in an environment they cannot hope to master. It dabbles in mysticism, asking questions about God, purpose, existance, and human dignity. It is at times desperate, hopeless, hopeful, and sad, and occasionally uplifting and pointed. It was far ahead of its time, both in the nature of its vision and in the quality of its production. Even season 2, with whatever faults brought about for whatever reason, has episodes that, while not great, were good TV sci-fi (there were some stinkers as well, but show me the show without them). As for boring, how is one to answer? Is 2001 more boring or slow than INDEPENDANCE DAY? Of course, but this doesn't make ID better than 2001 (or even good). Is the original KING KONG more dated than JURASSIC PARK? Of course, but KK tells by far the better story. So, for those of you relying on 20-year-old memories or convention wisdom (Thank you so much, Isaac Asimov) to color your opinion of 1999, find the series--seek it out and give it a real, unbiased look. You might be pleasantly surprised.
To Elrod: Star Trek, accurate physics?
by Proph JE
Sep 17th, 1999
10:05:27 AM
YEA RIGHT! The phrase BULLSHIT comes to mind. Have you read that book? I will admit I haven't, but I suggest you go to the following link - - - - http://www.stardestroyer.net/E mpire.html - -- To get an accurate depiction of star trek physics. To go to the exact page, go here - - - http://www.stardestroyer.net/M yths/Myths_ST.html - - - - -- - - - That isn't to say I do want sci-fi to violate physics, but part of the problem is that 1. We don't know enough to be able to do the necassarily things for the showsw, IE faster than light travel, and what not. I would specualate the the most accurate sci-fi shows were B5 and Crusade, the to best shows in my honest opinion. The other part of the problem is in predicting the future. Whose to say we don't or can't discover hyperspace? Hell, James Bond has violate physic, as has X files (I could be wrong about X files, but I doubt it). Another thing, about TNG, they claim DATAs brain was modeled on Isasic Asimov's positronic robots in his stories. Now, would you like to know how much input Asimov had on Data? NONT. Taken from the Asimov Faq, "Asimov himself had no input into the character [data]." As for S:1999, I will admit I have only seen one, and I really honestly thought that one sucked. (I think it was called the Black sun or something) However, there has been enough said aboutS:1999 that I do want to see more of it. And who says American's can't enjoy drama series. As I stated before, B5 and Crusade kicked major ass!
Elrod can't read...
by stitch
Sep 17th, 1999
10:43:40 AM
Elrod, can you read or something? Didn't you see that I used 2001: a space odyssey as an example. Called it a masterpiece. As far as I know, 2001 wasn't the blockbuster, a la Armaggeddon or Star Wars. I didn't called them masterpieces. HELLO??!! Your point about me judging the merits of a film on its success is completly inaccurate. I guess you're one of them nitpickers who see only what they want to see. Next time, read with your eyes and mind wide open. Then again, what can I expect from a guy who needs a book to make up his own mind about how Star Trek is scientifically accurate. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!
48 Episodes - 2 Years
by atd1999
Sep 17th, 1999
11:31:39 AM
Samurai - your Tech book is missing some pages. There are 48 episodes - two seasons of Space:1999 - if you want I can list all of them for you or you can check out the Cybrary at http://www.cybrary1999.com and go over the lists of episodes yourself. Enough of that. XON - which 9 episodes? And what exactly did you want to happen that didn't happen fast enough for you? I watched one episode of DSN (the pilot) and haven't seen anything else. Star Trek is so over-stretched as a franchise it is silly. I enjoy "Voyager" for the crew - the stories are mostly lame. The thing is you either "get" the series or you don't - and most of you haven't - so you won't. Later, Anthony
Space History
by Halflinger
Sep 17th, 1999
05:52:15 PM
So when do the aliens from 'V' Land???
Popular? Successful? Who cares?
by Radd
Sep 17th, 1999
06:56:30 PM
I liked Space:1999. I first found the show when it aired on Sci-Fi, back when Sci-fi was a brand new channel. Sure, it wasn't chock full of action, multi-billion dollar 3D effects, it had some cheesy parts, had some cool parts. Now the idea of how the moon got blasted away isn't top notch science at it's best, but heck. It was fun. Same with Battlestar Galactica. No Galactica, it had some REALLY cheesy stuff in it, but it had some really good stuff too. But still, if any series out there where to be turned into a movie or redone or something...well I would say ROBOTECH, but someone is redoing it...unfortunately. So remember people, be careful what you ask for, it may turn out like that redone Voltron series. >_
excuses, excuses...
by stitch
Sep 18th, 1999
07:32:20 AM
I guess Xon doesn't 'get' it. Xon writes: "There is a reason why Star Trek survives to this very day. It tells compelling, allegorical stories of human angst and struggle that you, the viewer can identify with." Yeah, like how greedy Paramount, in it's eternal need for cashflow, has milked the Star Trek hoopla to a point where it's not funny anymore. The 'new generation' films tank; DS9 and Voyager are so lifeless, they make S1999 look like Mardi Gras. R.I.P.
Space: 1999, UFO, etc.
by pulpculture
Sep 19th, 1999
06:55:24 AM
I have both my "Sci-Fi Channel Encyclopedia of TV Science Fiction" and John Kenneth Muir's excellent book, "Exploring Space: 1999" in front of me, and I can confirm (1) "UFO" came before "Space: 1999," and (2) "Space: 1999" 48 episodes, 24 per each season. Now, I happen to think "Space: 1999" is a grossly underappreciated show. Forget the bad science and loopy premise, what makes "Space: 1999" stand out is the way it truly creates a sense of awe and wonder. In "Star Trek," humanity could stand up to anything. In "Space: 1999," each week humanity confronted some unimaginable power. Space was a terrifying place, and survival wwas always in question. "Space: 1999" was sci-fi TV seen through a Lovecraftian lense. That said, a sequel to "Space: 1999" is absurd. The only way to bring back that show is as a *remake*. Call the new show "Space: 2099" or "Space: 2199," start from scratch, and come up with a more fantastic way of fantastic the moon into deep space (like maybe a wormhole experiment gone awry).
Amazing ignorance for AICN readers
by JohnDrake
Sep 20th, 1999
12:15:23 AM
I'm flat-out amazed by some of the truly ignorant statements that have been made in this thread. Usually, AICN readers are a brighter lot -- maybe the success of the site is killing it. For example, someone said: >>>"Paramount wouldn't milk something if it didn't have an audience!!! The Next Generation movies never "tanked", they we all hits! Even "Insurrection" with a gross of around $75 million...some flop."> "I just think it's silly and funny when fen salivate over the possibility of resurrecting a *stupid* show that about twelve people in the world care about.">"If anyone can say why this crap is better than "Battlestar Galactica" I will never post here again. BSG is no masterpiece but at least it had cool effects, great premise, well-defined characters and some interesting stories.">"There is a reason why Star Trek survives to this very day. It tells compelling, allegorical stories of human angst and struggle that you, the viewer can identify with."
SPACE 1999 and why is GLenn deleating my "Battlestar Galactica"
by mckracken
Sep 20th, 1999
09:49:02 AM
first I'm assuming Glenn had deleated my previous posts because I couldnt stick to the topic of Space 1999 and wandered off track and started heaping praise on the beloved epic BATTLESTAR GALACTICA! (oh sorry I did it again!) Where are my posts Glenn? Did you flush them? There WERE two and one Mentioned DAVID PROWSE turning up as a GUEST on Space 1999..(this I guess was a STAR WARS related post...but still cool seeing that Peter Cushing had also guest stared on Space 1999!!! THE TWO BIGGEST EVIL BASTARDS FROM STAR WARS GUEST STARED ON SPACE 1999!!!) The first season [of Space 1999] rocked, but the second sucked....and wow shock...there havent been any attempts to revive it...until now it seems...... anyway I had to rant....plus I'll just assume that my post will pop to the top of the list since thats what happened i the jakob the Liar postings and the X-FILE's postings....I'm not first....I know I'm not, but who cares... --Mck
Yea, OK, XON - You're so....
by atd1999
Sep 20th, 1999
11:00:28 AM
wrong! Human angst in Star Trek? Wait, are we talking about Spock's Brain - I know many people who fear that a mysterious woman will come and take their brain. Or perhaps "Trouble with Tribbles" presents some angst - will those critters take over the universe? Will Kirk sit on one accidentally? Such angst. Let's compare that to a group of helpless people being drawn into a Black Hole - no phasars, photon torpedoes, transporters OR "Q" to save their ass! Only some ingenuity which in the end wasn't the reason that they were saved - nope, it was a "cosmic force, God if you will" (said by Prof Bergman) - hmmmm - oh, is a bit of religion in your sci-fi too much? Perhaps Roddenbury's anti-religion stance is better? How can you compare a group of contemporary people thrust into space against space cowboys (ie, better known as Star Trek - the Franchise) and not say that there is more "angst" in Space:1999 (Year 1 anyway) than all of Star Trek??? Imagine, if you can, being on a ship lost at sea - with no way to navigate - only your wits and those of your crew mates can help you survive - is that not "angst" on a daily basis? Now take that ship and put it into deep space - you're going to tell me that has less "angst" than Star Trek? Yikes. We've got our angst mixed up.
Username: Quick Question
by atd1999
Sep 20th, 1999
11:54:01 AM
Hi - can you tell me when you saw the episodes? I'm just curious if it was recently or several years ago? I sometimes find that if you watched the series as a kid you didn't like it (Year 1) as much as if you re-watch as an adult. I'm not here to change your mind - just to ask that you give the series an open-minded viewing. Again, the series is not about action (Year 1) - not about Kirk kicking ass and getting laid, it's a drama about a group of people stuggling to survive that happens to be set in space - no more, no less. BTW, I'm just curious what you all thought about the film "2001:A Space Odyssey"? Was that boring?
It's not the Year, stupid.
by atd1999
Sep 20th, 1999
12:00:51 PM
I'm not sure why people are so obsessed that the show can't be remade because it is now 1999 - first, the year of the show is irrelevant - what was relevant was that these people were contemporary humans (not cowboys). They could have been in 3132 or 2087. "1999" was irrelevant to the series' success or failure - remember, originally the producers were working toward a second season of the series "UFO" which was to take place 19 years into that show's future - thus the year '1999' came about. Second, are not classic sci-fi stories such as "Brave New World" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth" re-made/re-worked periodically? Yes, they are - and as such so can Space:1999 - it's the concept that lives not any one element - for example, the moon being blown out of Earth orbit is not a high necessitity - but being helplessly lost in space (sans engines!) is important. OK, I'll just sit back and read now. It's been a fun ride. Later.
Space:1999 Trailer Script on Internet
by atd1999
Sep 21st, 1999
09:23:38 AM
Hi - just thought I should mention that the 7 minute script that is known as "Message from Moonbase Alpha" is available on the Cybrary at http://www.cybrary1999.com Click on "What's New" then follow the link to the scipt. Great reading! Anthony
If we Americans can spot crap...
by Radd
Sep 22nd, 1999
06:52:50 PM
...then why is Starship Troopers (one of the worts movies ever made IMHO) the hottest selling DvD out there? There was NO character development, in fact it is one of the few movies where the characters got even MORE two-dimensional as the movie whent on, there was NO suspension of disbelief (In half the movie, you see 4 guys unloading clips into one bug, reloading and empyting another clip before the alien finally swoops foreward and chops them in half) but in another scene 'G.I. Joe' jumps out of a shuttle and drops an entire line of bugs in one sweep. The dialogue was so incredibly stupid it hurt my brain trying to think on that level, the effects where high-budget cheese at it's worst and there was no one to root for. The bugs where mindless villains and the humans where just as mindless and maybe even more evil. Yet we americans ate it up and begged for more. I just realized this rant has nothing to do with Space:1999..but ..well..umm...yeah.
Now hold on Radd
by Proph JE
Sep 23rd, 1999
05:42:12 AM
Some American's can spot crap. I very much half to agree with you. The movie Starship Trooper absolutely sucked. I haven't watch the cartoon due to how horribley done the movie was (that and the fact I have been so busy with school)
Radd on
by stitch
Sep 23rd, 1999
07:07:11 AM
I couldn't agree with you more, Radd. Look up the word 'stupid' in the dictionary and you'll find the popular and brain-numbingly bad 'Starship Troopers' there. There's so much crap being made (sci-fi or not sci-fi) that's accepted by either the critics and/or the general public that saying something sucks from the outset (like many have called Space:1999 when it first came out) that, in the end, it ain't a bad thing.
1999 proved hollywood has no creativity.
by L7
Feb 25th, 2002
06:07:36 AM
Stardate 2002. It has been 4 years since sept 13th 1999 the date Earth's moon was blown out of orbit,And Hollywood has not made a space 1999 moive. I was born in 1970. In 1975 at the age of 5 Space 1999 aired on channel 11 in NewYork and at the age of 5 I learned what the SCI-FI experince is. At the age of 32, 27 years latter,space 1999 is the reason why I will DIE a SCI-FI FAN. It is sad that with in 27 years only one other sci-fi show has captured the sprit of SCI-FI. Babylon 5 is to the late 90's what space 1999 was to the mid 70's. I can watch STAR TREK but space 1999 I can feel. MOON BASE Alpha and the Egale made me belive that when I turned 30 I would be living /flying in the future. (lifes a bitch) MISSION TO MARS, RED PLANET Hollywood wasted space 1999's budget on these films. Stardate 2002 Hollywood has until 2010 to get it right.
Sadly, Lucas still has no creativity in 2002.
by Wolfpack
Sep 6th, 2006
09:40:15 PM
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