Catacombs Reference LibraryTop Budgeted Space: 1999 Blasts Off With Season Two
Catacombs Reference LibraryBy John Goudas (4 Sept 1976)
NEW YORK - "Space: 1999" was introduced last year with a great deal of fanfare, and what made it stand out from other new shows was the fact that it was a top budgeted, first run sci-fi series aimed at the syndication market. Of course, it was offered to the networks first as a possible follow-up to "Star Trek," but when they didn't take the bait, Independent Television Corporation (ITC), producers of the show, went the syndication route. The show was successful, and in many areas, TV stations scheduled it in prime time, bumping a weak network entry in the process. But "Space: 1999" didn't turn into a blockbuster, and after some overhauling, "Space: 1999" is ready to blast off with season two.
Fred Freiberger, former producer of "Star Trek," has been hired to supervise the scripts and there have been casting deletions and additions. Catherine Schell, whom movie fans may recall from Peter Sellers' "The Return of the Pink Panther," joins star Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, while last season's co-star, Barry Morse, departs. Among the supporting cast, Nick Tate who plays first flight Lt. Alan Carter, remains aboard.
Nick is a particular favorite with the fans of the show, especially the young females as his thousands of fan letters per week will attest. Nick made his first visit to the U.S. recently when he was invited to address the "Star Trek" science fiction convention at the University of Maryland College Park Campus. Just before he departed for the convention, Nick chattered about "Space: 1999" and the changes which have been initiated to make the show more exciting.
"Love has come to Moonbase Alpha.'' the Australian-born Tate said with just the trace of twinkle in his eye. "Barbara and Martin will allow their emotions to come to the fore and Catherine Schell and Tony Anholt also share a love interest."
When it was suggested Nick seemed to be the only regular member of the cost without a mate, he shrugged it off, saying he was happy just to be part of the second season.
After the first full year of "Space: 1999," Nick headed for his native Australia to appear in a film, "The Devil's Playground," in which he plays a priest. When he returned to England, it wasn't definite "Space: 1999" was going to be picked up for a second year and Nick almost took another job, playing cat burglar in a series in addition to taking a crack at portraying Stanley Kowalski in a stage production of "A Streetcar Named Desire'' somewhere outside of London.
Luckily, Nick was about to sign to do the play and the cat burglar series when word arrived that season two was set for "Space: 1999"