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Many changes are slated for Space: 1999 series

Many changes are slated for Space: 1999 series

by Richard K Shull, Indianapolis News (and syndicated to other newspapers) 14 August 1976
Alternative titles: 'Space' Season Plans Are Told (Waycross Journal-Herald, August 21, 1976) 'Space 1999' Viewers get New Alien Resident (Lakeland Ledger, January 29, 1977)

When "Space: 1999" blasted into view on the TV screen nearly a year ago. it was billed as the answer to a Trekkies prayer, a genuine imitation reincarnation of "Star Trek."

But what the science fiction fans got was dazzling special effects wrapped in stoney-faced calamity theater - Martin Landau and Barry Morse registering perpetual alarm while Barbara Bain stared blankly.

The show was devoid of the wry humour, the interplay among characters which helped make "Star Trek" into the cult favourite it is.

Now, the British-made "Space: 1999" is headed for its second season in syndication with 24 new episodes.

It seems a good time to ask executive producer Gerry Anderson what he's going to do about his flawed show which was a disappointment to science-fiction tans this past season.

By trans-Atlantic telephone from London, Anderson explained: "Unlike some other producers, I don't feel locked in by the original concept, so there have been a number of changes.

"We went into this in depth to find out what the complaints were about the show. We assembled every press clipping from the U.S. newspapers and read them all.

"Here's what we're doing for the second season:

"We'll introduce a new resident alien character - Maya, played by Catherine Schell. She'll be permanent to the show and she'll come from a planet where they are masters of the art of molecular rearrangement. She can take any form.

"I've brought over Fred Freiberger who produced the third year of 'Star Trek.'

"There'll be a new interpretation of the roles of Martin Landau and Barbara Bain;

"There's a new, larger budget, so there'll be new costumes, new music and the stories will Introduce humor and pathos.

"Over here, we have an expertise for the spectacle and for special effects. 'Star Trek' was a beautifully produced show. Now, with these changes, we hope to have the best of both worlds.

"We know a lot of Trekkies were heartbroken last season, and we've responded.

"The major complaint was the lack of a resident alien - someone comparable to Mr. Spock in 'Star Trek,' We've added that alien.

"If this doesn't go. It may be the end of science-fiction on TV for a long time," Anderson said.

There's another major change in the new "Space: 1999" which Anderson didn't volunteer. Barry Morse has been dropped from the cast and a much younger man, Kenny Anholt [sic], added.

"We realized we had too many heavyweight artists aboard, so Barry will no longer be around," Anderson said. "We couldn't have it all ways."

Anderson said another change in the new season will be a reduction in the number of hostile alien societies the space travellers meet. This past season was one unbroken string of calamities with alien things forever trying to take over or destroy Moon Base Alpha.

In the new season, there may even be friendly places out there In space. And that brings us to a big, searing question about this past season:

Just how many Eagle shuttle craft are on the Moon, considering they were wasted at the rate of one or two per episode all season long?

Anderson took his time answering that one. "Well, up until now, there were about 20 Eagles on the Moon," he began. Then he restarted.

"When you look at the Moon Base Alpha, you see it's a very big base, so there are many Eagles ..."

Like, how many?

Another pause, then Anderson said. "The base is so vast there are facilities to manufacture as many new ones as needed."

With such facile explanations from the executive producer, it's obvious Moon Base Alpha will survive.

Incidentally, although the series is being shifted around to better please the American audience -specifically the Trekkies - the series is manufactured for sale globally.

Stations in more than 90 countries already have signed up for fall season, and more than 100 are expected to have it by the time the season starts late next month.

In this country, more than 100 stations will carry it.