Synopsis of TV Show

In the 1970’s, Star Trek boldly went into syndication, where a dedicated fan base of “Trekkies” (or “Trekkers,” depending on whom you ask) turned it into a full-blown phenomenon. This surprise success inspired other television producers to develop new science-fiction shows to win over this audience. One of the most notable attempts was Space: 1999, an expensive British program that supplied viewers with a weekly helping of science-fiction television at its most high-tech. Although it wasn’t the smash success its creators had hoped for, it has continued to live on through the years as a cult favorite.

Space: 1999 was the brainchild of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, the British producers who created the “Supermarionation” puppeteering process with shows like Thunderbirds and Fireball XL-5 in the 1960’s. Unlike those kiddie-sci-fi favorites, Space: 1999 was a live-action program, a sort of follow-up to the Anderson’s early 70’s alien invasion drama UFO. Space: 1999 told the story of Moonbase Alpha, a lunar space station that was blown into outer space when radioactive wastes stored on the dark side of the moon triggered an explosion. The blast was so great that it knocked the moon out of its orbit, sending it hurtling through outer space with Moonbase Alpha attached.

Not only was Moonbase Alpha unable to return to earth, the explosion had triggered space warps that kept the moon moving through the galaxy. As a result, the crew was forced to deal with the fact their once-stable base had been transformed into an exploratory ship. The crew included the recently appointed Commander John Koenig, who had been sent there to investigate radiation-triggered deaths. There was also Dr. Helena Russell, the ship’s medical officer, and Professor Victor Bergman, the man who founded the Moonbase. In the second season, two new characters were added: wisecracking First Officer Tony Verdeschi and Maya, an alien who could transform into any other creature by “rearranging molecules.”

Each week, this crew dealt with exciting new situations as they explored new planets and met other cultures. In true sci-fi tradition, these aliens were often hostile specimens, including a giant octopus, a large blob of “living foam,” and a cyborg named Gwent. In a very 1970’s twist, they also had to deal with sexy robots from a “paradise world” named Piri. To face this onslaught, the crew used a dazzling array of high-tech hardware that included “Commlock Locator Beams” and “Queller Drive” engines. These futuristic marvels were brought to life with state-of-the-art special effects that lifted the cost of each episode into the stratosphere, making Space: 1999 the most expensive television series of its time.

Space: 1999 ended in 1978 after 48 episodes. Like many sci-fi shows of the time, the hour-long TV adventures were often re-edited into two-hour television films. These reconstituted films often included extra scenes and had titles like Alien Attack or Journey Into The Black Sun. No attempts have been made to revive Space: 1999 to date, but the show remains popular through syndication and videotape and DVD reissues. There are also several international fan sites dedicated to the show, proving that the interstellar journeys of Space: 1999 can still fire the imaginations of sci-fi fanatics all over the world.

Release History of Prime Time Show

10/75 - 5/1/78 syndicated

TV Sub Categories

drama
sci-fi/fantasy
action/adventure

Television Network

syndication

Television Studio

Group 3, ITC

TV Cast

Commander John Koenig Martin Landau
Dr. Helena Russell Barbara Bain
Professor Victor Bergman (1975) Barry Morse
Maya (1976-77) Catherine Schell
Captain Alan Carter Nick Tate
Sandra Benes Zienia Merton
Tony Verdeschi (1976-77) Tony Anholt
Paul Morrow (1975) Prentis Hancock
David Kano (1975) Clifton Jones
Dr. Bob Mathias (1975-76) Anton Phillips
Operative Kate Sarah Bullen
Bill Fraser (1976) John Hug
Moonbase Alpha Computer (1975-76) Barbara Kelly
Dr Ben Vincent (1976) Jeffery Kissoon
Yasko (1976) Yasuko Nagazami
Tanya Alexandria (1975) Suzanne Roquette

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