On this day in 1978, the fondly remembered Blake's 7 enjoyed its premiere on the BBC. I've read some folks who've compared the program to its predecessors Doctor Who and Star Trek, and I suppose there's something to such comparisons. Still, this smaller saga involving convicts in space deserves a second look from SciFi fans hungry for one more franchise worth rediscovering. No word (yet) that I can find on any pending reboots or continuations, but you never truly know.
There are some writers whose names have long grown synonymous with their chosen genre. For example, one cannot think of fantasy' without thinking of the works of C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien. One cannot think of legal thrillers' without thinking about Scott Turow or John Grisham. And certainly one cannot think of 'Science Fiction' without thinking on the many tomes from Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, and the man pictured above: Isaac Asimov.
As an author, Asimov is largely remembered as a master of the 'hard SciFi ideas,' and it's no surprise that he also sought to create interesting human characters to match up to the ideas of his works. His The End of Eternity remains one of the more interesting time travel works on record. His Foundation series of novels is often cited as an inspiration for many other writers who picked up the pen and started creating strange new worlds all of their own. Plus, he very well may be the only human who's had an asteroid, a Martian crater, an elementary school, and a literary award named after him.
Though he's no longer with us, Asimov was born on this day in 1920.
As an author, Asimov is largely remembered as a master of the 'hard SciFi ideas,' and it's no surprise that he also sought to create interesting human characters to match up to the ideas of his works. His The End of Eternity remains one of the more interesting time travel works on record. His Foundation series of novels is often cited as an inspiration for many other writers who picked up the pen and started creating strange new worlds all of their own. Plus, he very well may be the only human who's had an asteroid, a Martian crater, an elementary school, and a literary award named after him.
Though he's no longer with us, Asimov was born on this day in 1920.
Boasting a great career of supporting roles in several franchises, Jason Evers even found time for an appearance aboard NBC's famed Star Trek (pictured above from the third season outing "Wink of An Eye"). He also served time aboard The Green Hornet, The Invaders, The Illustrated Man (1969) , Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), The Fantastic Journey, and The Bionic Woman. Though he's no longer with us, Evers was born on this day in 1922.
Shown above from his appearance aboard the popular Knight Rider, John Considine sports over 100 screen credits to his name. So far as genre work goes, he's also shown up in The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, My Favorite Martian, Doctor Death: Seeker of Souls (1973), Timestalkers (1987), and Out of this World. Considine was born on this day in 1935. [Source: IMDB.com]
Peter MacLean dabbled in a handful of SciFi properties during his time in the business. Fans may recall his work from Wonder Woman, The Amazing Spider-Man, Battlestar Galactica, Salvage 1, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and Knight Rider. Though he's no longer with us, MacLean was born on this day in 1936.
Though his work was uncredited, the talented Eiji Kusuhara enjoys the distinction of serving as the first Asian seen in the wider Star Wars universe. The actor also made appearances in Doctor Who, Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987), and Robotboy (animated). Though he's no longer with us, Kusuhara was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
If you've traveled with the Timelord, then we're going to find you: such is the case for lovely Deborah Watling! She played companion Victoria Waterfield back during the BBC's Doctor Who run in the 1967-1968 era. Though she's no longer with us, Watling was born on this day in 1948. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Nadia Cassini shared the silver screen with Caroline Munro aboard Starcrash (1978), a bit of a Star Wars rip-off hailing from Italy. Cassini was born on this day in 1949. [Source: IMDB.com]
You say you fired a phaser aboard the Starship Enterprise-D? Then, by gosh, you deserve a mention! Stuntman and actor John Escobar enjoyed a bit of gunplay aboard an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Escobar was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable John Bedford Lloyd tends to stick more toward mainstream projects, but he has put in some time aboard C.H.U.D. (1984), The Abyss (1989), SeaQuest 2032, Aliens in the Family, and Life On Mars (ABC). Lloyd was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
Joanna Pacula starred opposite Jamie Lee Curtis in 1999's lukewarm SciFi-chiller Virus. The actress also clocked screen time in such projects as E.A.R.T.H. Force, Warlock: The Armageddon, and Timemaster. Pacula was born on this day in 1957.
To be fair, the lovely Gabrielle Carteris hasn't done much Science Fiction, but guest roles aboard NBC's short-lived The Event will always draw my interest. Carteris was born on this day in 1961.
Alas, the resume for Candy Davis appears as if producers and showrunners only cast her as 'eye candy,' if you'll pardon the pun. Thankfully, she had a single foray into the realm of Science Fiction with a tiny role in Transmutations (aka Underworld) for Limehouse Productions in 1985. Davis was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
Aboard the short-lived Level 9, actress Kate Hodge played Annie Price, a former FBI agent recruited to head up a secret government agency dedicated to fighting cyber crime. The lovely actress has also played supporting roles in The Hidden II (1993), Xena: Warrior Princess, and Fringe. Hodge was born on this day in 1966.
After being "discovered" in a Waikiki grocery store, Tia Carrere (pictured above from James Cameron's True Lies) has gone on to a whole host of entertainment projects. Genre fans probably remember her best from her work in Airwolf, Relic Hunter, Quantum Leap, Tales from the Crypt, Kull the Conqueror, Hercules, and Warehouse 13. Carrere was born on this day in 1967.
Though he's vastly more well known for his work in David Lynch's Twin Peaks program, actor James Marshall (above left) tinkered with Science Fiction with an appearance in 2004's TV movie Alien Lockdown. Marshall was born on this day in 1967.
Evan Parke had a small but important role in the Timothy Burton reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise (2001), playing an ally for lead actor Mark Wahlberg in the SciFi flick. Parke was born on this day in 1968.
The lovely Renée Elise Goldsberry enjoyed a guest spot aboard Star Trek: Enterprise late in the first season's run. Incidentally, IMDB.com also reports that she did some voicework for the Star Trek: Away Team video game back in 2001. Goldsberry was born on this day in 1971.
Television keeps trying to make a star out of Taye Diggs, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. He certainly appears to have a workman-like ethic in his approach to his craft, and I've heard he's a bit of a favorite with the ladies. As far as SciFi goes, he's only made a few appearances in the genre: Equilibrium and the time-travel-TV-yarn Day Break comes to mind. Diggs was born on this day in 1971.
Comic book artist Dennis Calero has had the good fortune of working on such print franchises as Fallen Angel, X-Factor, Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes, and Sliders. Calero was born on this day in 1975.
Dax Shepard played 'The Astronaut' in the 2005 space fantasy, Zathura: A Space Adventure. He also played 'Frito' in 2006's SciFi-themed Idiocracy. Shepard was born on this day in 1975.
International sensation Paz Vega created a stir with her work aboard the SciFi property The OA back in 2016. Vega was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though I suspect that Anna Cummer is probably best known amongst a certain fanbase as the voice behind Strawberry Shortcake, she has travelled to the various kingdoms of Science Fiction with roles aboard such entities as Stargate: Atlantis, Eureka, Reaper, and Smallville. Cummer was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
I've said many times before that I really need to 'bone up' on my SciFi reading, and the works of Tobias Buckell are exactly the kind of stuff I'm talking about. With awards nominations and a host of futuristic tales to his credit, Buckell looks to break boundaries both on Earth and beyond. Buckell was born on this day in 1979.
Catherine Bailey (above left) played Miss Wyckham aboard an episode of the Doctor Who spin-off, The Sarah Jane Adventures, back in 2010. Bailey was born on this day in 1980.
David Gyasi explored the final frontier as part of the cast of Christopher Nolan's Interstellar (2014). The talented actor has also appeared in Torchwood, Cloud Atlas (2012), Doctor Who, and Containment. Gyasi was born on this day in 1980.
The more you know me, the more you understand I don't often "stand up" for actors ... but I've always tried to give Kate Bosworth the benefit of the doubt. I didn't much care for her portrayal of Lois Lane in the underwhelming Superman Returns, but that's largely not her fault. Rather, I prefer to cite the half-baked script. She did the best she could with the material she was given. Bosworth was born on this day in 1983.
Kristen Hager has enjoyed as impressive run as part of the Americanized version of the BBC's Being Human, and she's currently hard-at-work on the Syfy Channel's The Expanse. She also appeared in 2007's underwhelming Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (pictured above). Hager was born on this day in 1984.
In the guise of 'Mr. Mxyzptlk,' the talented Peter Gadiot brought a spark of transdimensional charm to the world of Supergirl on The CW. Gadiot was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
Proving she has as much bark as her bite, the lovely Shelley Hennig played 'Malia Tate' aboard the Fantasy-themed Teen Wolf. Hennig was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
In 2016, actor Ben Hardy joined the X-Men cinematic universe in the role of Angel aboard X-Men: Apocalypse. Hardy was born on this day in 1991.
On this day in 1953 (in West Germany), Unknown Island enjoyed a theatrical release. The feature starred Virginia Grey and Richard Denning, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An adventure seeker and his fiancée visit an uncharted island, only to find that it is inhabited by deadly dinosaurs and other creatures ready to attack."
"An adventure seeker and his fiancée visit an uncharted island, only to find that it is inhabited by deadly dinosaurs and other creatures ready to attack."
On this day in 1985, the SciFi telefilm -- The Galactic Garden -- found its way onto the airwaves. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A pair of space travellers arrive on Earth to study the planet's lifeforms, landing in an English garden. However, on Earth they are about three quarters of an inch tall and therefore find themselves encountering its natural and giant indigenous life, such as worms, spiders, goldfish and a tortoise. A drama documentary on natural history with a science fiction twist."
"A pair of space travellers arrive on Earth to study the planet's lifeforms, landing in an English garden. However, on Earth they are about three quarters of an inch tall and therefore find themselves encountering its natural and giant indigenous life, such as worms, spiders, goldfish and a tortoise. A drama documentary on natural history with a science fiction twist."
On this day in 1996 (in Russia), the glorious Robocop 2 enjoyed its premiere on television. The feature had the great Peter Weller returning to the signature role, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"Cyborg law enforcer RoboCop returns to protect the citizens of old Detroit but faces a deadly challenge when a rogue OCP member secretly creates a new, evil RoboCop 2."
"Cyborg law enforcer RoboCop returns to protect the citizens of old Detroit but faces a deadly challenge when a rogue OCP member secretly creates a new, evil RoboCop 2."
On this day in 2009, Children Of The X-Files enjoyed its U.S. theatrical release. Written and directed by Michael D. O'Connell, the SciFi film starred Wendy Braun and Jay Ehler, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Peter has it all, a fabulous home, a beautiful wife, and a successful career, until he discovers his wife, Kendra, is having an affair with an Alien. He must race against UFOs and Men In Black to find Kendra before she causes an apocalypse."
"Peter has it all, a fabulous home, a beautiful wife, and a successful career, until he discovers his wife, Kendra, is having an affair with an Alien. He must race against UFOs and Men In Black to find Kendra before she causes an apocalypse."
On this day in 2009 (in Latvia and Lithuania), the Russian-language SciFi film Dark Planet enjoyed its release. Directed by Fedor Bondarchuk, the flick starred Vasiliy Stepanov and Yulia Snigir, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"On the threshold of 22nd century, furrowing the space, protagonist from the Free Search Group makes emergency landing on an unknown planet where he must stay. People who are living on this planet have remained at the stone level of the 20th century, with its social problems, miserable ecology and shaky world..."
"On the threshold of 22nd century, furrowing the space, protagonist from the Free Search Group makes emergency landing on an unknown planet where he must stay. People who are living on this planet have remained at the stone level of the 20th century, with its social problems, miserable ecology and shaky world..."
On this day in 2018, the silver screen Fantasy titled Babes With Blades was born. The feature starred Cecily Fay and Joelle Simpson, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"On the dark streets of Draiga, a mining colony occupied by the Visray Empire, lives Azura, the last of a fearsome warrior race known as the Sarnians. After witnessing her once beautiful home world turn into a lifeless husk, Azura must fight to the death in the gladiatorial ring to stay alive. Meanwhile, a group of human freedom fighters form a resistance, seeking to try and protect their families from the oppressive and cruel rule of the Visray Section Commander Sorrentine. Unbeknownst to Azura, the fate of all humans on Draiga is about to rest in her hands. Can she survive long enough to save her colony?"
"On the dark streets of Draiga, a mining colony occupied by the Visray Empire, lives Azura, the last of a fearsome warrior race known as the Sarnians. After witnessing her once beautiful home world turn into a lifeless husk, Azura must fight to the death in the gladiatorial ring to stay alive. Meanwhile, a group of human freedom fighters form a resistance, seeking to try and protect their families from the oppressive and cruel rule of the Visray Section Commander Sorrentine. Unbeknownst to Azura, the fate of all humans on Draiga is about to rest in her hands. Can she survive long enough to save her colony?"
On this day in 1953, Adventures of Superman aired "Mystery In Wax." This served as the sixteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Madam Dawn and her husband own a wax museum in Metropolis. She claims to have visions that prominent people will die within six months. Indeed, the people appear to commit suicide. Madam Dawn's latest vision: Perry White will die."
"Madam Dawn and her husband own a wax museum in Metropolis. She claims to have visions that prominent people will die within six months. Indeed, the people appear to commit suicide. Madam Dawn's latest vision: Perry White will die."
On this day in 1953, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "The Mask Of Medusa." This served as the twentieth episode of the program's second (and final) season, and -- unfortunately -- I've yet to locate a plot summary for this episode on the World Wide Web. OK, peeps, help me out and lemmeknow what you find!
On this day in 1954, Johnny Jupiter aired "The Flower Story." Officially, this served as the eighteenth episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While conducting an unfortunate experiment, Ernest blows up the plants that his boss planned to enter in the local flower show."
"While conducting an unfortunate experiment, Ernest blows up the plants that his boss planned to enter in the local flower show."
On this day in 1954, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "The Planet Of Doom." According to the reliable IMDB.com, here's that adventure's plot summary:
"The Polaris and her crew are ordered to rescue two pretty young pilots who have crashed on Jupiter."
"The Polaris and her crew are ordered to rescue two pretty young pilots who have crashed on Jupiter."
On this day in 1966 (in the Netherlands), The Jetsons aired "Jetson's Nite Out." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Mr. Spacely has tickets to the football game, and he invites George to come along. So, they fool their wives into thinking they were working late, and duck out to the game. It all goes according to plan, until they return home to their infuriated better halves."
"Mr. Spacely has tickets to the football game, and he invites George to come along. So, they fool their wives into thinking they were working late, and duck out to the game. It all goes according to plan, until they return home to their infuriated better halves."
On this day in 1966, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea aired "Killers of the Deep." This served as the fifteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"By air Nelson and Crane pursue a mysterious submarine stealing nuclear missiles. Their craft is shot down and Crane is captured. Nelson, recovered by a Navy destroyer, is bent on destroying the sub, not realizing Crane is on board."
"By air Nelson and Crane pursue a mysterious submarine stealing nuclear missiles. Their craft is shot down and Crane is captured. Nelson, recovered by a Navy destroyer, is bent on destroying the sub, not realizing Crane is on board."
It all began right here: on this day in 1978 (in the United Kingdom), Blake's 7 launched on its merry way into the television universe. The first installment was titled "The Way Back," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Former rebel leader Roj Blake learns from outlawed protesters led by Bran Foster that he once led a resistance group against the evil intergalactic government The Federation, but he was brainwashed and his memories were erased when he was captured by The Federation. When Blake witnesses the protesters being slaughtered by Federation Guards, Blake is framed for a series of crimes he didn't do and is sentenced to exile on the prison planet Cygnus Alpha."
"Former rebel leader Roj Blake learns from outlawed protesters led by Bran Foster that he once led a resistance group against the evil intergalactic government The Federation, but he was brainwashed and his memories were erased when he was captured by The Federation. When Blake witnesses the protesters being slaughtered by Federation Guards, Blake is framed for a series of crimes he didn't do and is sentenced to exile on the prison planet Cygnus Alpha."
On January 2, 1978, Logan's Run rang in the new year with an episode titled "Futurepast." Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"Logan and Jessica are kidnapped by a woman named Ariana who uses a dream analyzer of them. Logan dreams he is back in the domed city and he is being interrogated by the Sandmen about how he found Sanctuary and Jessica dreams she is being forced to take part on Carousel by a sinister man who forces her to wear a mask. Unaware Francis and a Sandman have arrived to apprehend Logan and Jesscia and Arianna isn't what she seems."
And for those truly interested in knowing more, here's a link to the preview over at YouTube.com: http://youtu.be/4aVV4k_CDTA
"Logan and Jessica are kidnapped by a woman named Ariana who uses a dream analyzer of them. Logan dreams he is back in the domed city and he is being interrogated by the Sandmen about how he found Sanctuary and Jessica dreams she is being forced to take part on Carousel by a sinister man who forces her to wear a mask. Unaware Francis and a Sandman have arrived to apprehend Logan and Jesscia and Arianna isn't what she seems."
And for those truly interested in knowing more, here's a link to the preview over at YouTube.com: http://youtu.be/4aVV4k_CDTA
On this day in 1989, War of the Worlds aired "Epiphany." This served as the tenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Wanting to set off a "tribal war" within the human race, the aliens attempt to detonate a nuclear bomb at a U.S.-Soviet disarmament summit."
"Wanting to set off a "tribal war" within the human race, the aliens attempt to detonate a nuclear bomb at a U.S.-Soviet disarmament summit."
On this day in 1994, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman aired "All Shook Up." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"An asteroid is headed for earth and it becomes Superman's mission to stop the impending disaster. He flies into space and intercepts the asteroid at high speed to destroy it. This attempt is only partially successful, and worse Superman seems to be missing and Clark is found with amnesia."
"An asteroid is headed for earth and it becomes Superman's mission to stop the impending disaster. He flies into space and intercepts the asteroid at high speed to destroy it. This attempt is only partially successful, and worse Superman seems to be missing and Clark is found with amnesia."
On this day in 1994, TV's SeaQuest aired "Better Than Martians." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When the first manned mission to Mars, led by a personal friend of Bridger's, crashes into the ocean near a southeast Asian confederation after returning to Earth, the seaQuest races to rescue the survivors while the confederation rushes to retrieve the astronauts first."
"When the first manned mission to Mars, led by a personal friend of Bridger's, crashes into the ocean near a southeast Asian confederation after returning to Earth, the seaQuest races to rescue the survivors while the confederation rushes to retrieve the astronauts first."
On this day in 1994, Star Trek: Deep Space nine aired the episode "Rivals" as part of its second season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Quark meets his match when a new rival opens a casino opposite Quark's Bar on the Promenade; meanwhile the station is suffering issues of high improbability."
"Quark meets his match when a new rival opens a casino opposite Quark's Bar on the Promenade; meanwhile the station is suffering issues of high improbability."
On this day in 1995, Captain Sisko and the crew of the Defiant on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine traveled past in time in the stellar episode "Past Tense, Part 1." Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Sisko, Bashir and Dax are accidentally sent to San Francisco in the 21st century due to a transporter malfunction, and must figure out how to get back to return without changing the time line."
"Sisko, Bashir and Dax are accidentally sent to San Francisco in the 21st century due to a transporter malfunction, and must figure out how to get back to return without changing the time line."
It all began right here: on this day in 1996, The Demon Headmaster aired the first episode of its first season. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"Lloyd and Harvey Hunter are getting a foster sister called Dinah Glass. She is a very clever girl but she keeps it very quiet. But when she goes to school the next day she finds that the school is not normal."
"Lloyd and Harvey Hunter are getting a foster sister called Dinah Glass. She is a very clever girl but she keeps it very quiet. But when she goes to school the next day she finds that the school is not normal."
On this day in 2006, the 11th episode of Surface's only television season aired. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Laura and Rich escape from the hospital with the creature footage before Lee and his men get to them."
"Laura and Rich escape from the hospital with the creature footage before Lee and his men get to them."
On this day in 2009, Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired "Dooku Captured." This served as the eleventh episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"During their own attempt to kidnap Count Dooku, Anakin and Obi-Wan discover that the Sith Lord has already been captured by pirates."
"During their own attempt to kidnap Count Dooku, Anakin and Obi-Wan discover that the Sith Lord has already been captured by pirates."
On this day in 2011, Primeval aired the second episode of its fourth season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what all of the fuss was about:
"When Connor looks up old friends Duncan, he doesn't expect to find him obsessed with creature sightings. Warning him of the elusive dock creature, the pair track it down to the docks, only to find evidence of a fresh kill. With Abby and Matt arriving to help, they find the creature after a tense chase through a container yard. Will Connor's quick-thinking and bravery earn him back his place on the team?"
"When Connor looks up old friends Duncan, he doesn't expect to find him obsessed with creature sightings. Warning him of the elusive dock creature, the pair track it down to the docks, only to find evidence of a fresh kill. With Abby and Matt arriving to help, they find the creature after a tense chase through a container yard. Will Connor's quick-thinking and bravery earn him back his place on the team?"
