I have seen a few episodes of the SciFi/Comedy Hyperdrive, a production from the United Kingdom that premiered on this day in 2006. Meh. It was clever more than it was funny -- in my humble opinion -- though I may go back and try to get through all of it. I guess I just expected a bit more from the cast of talented players, though humor can be hit-or-miss with me. In any event, here's the series' premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"In 2151, the mission of Her Majesty's Ship Camden Lock is to convince alien governments to relocate their businesses to Britain. The motley crew is a bunch of good-for-nothings led by the equally useless but well-meaning Commander Henderson."
"In 2151, the mission of Her Majesty's Ship Camden Lock is to convince alien governments to relocate their businesses to Britain. The motley crew is a bunch of good-for-nothings led by the equally useless but well-meaning Commander Henderson."
Today marks the birthday of Ensign Ro Laren, better known in reality as Michelle Forbes, born on this day in 1965. Forbes had only a handful of appearances in her run aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation, but she quickly became a fan favorite. Methinks viewers probably appreciated Ro's no-nonsense attitude about so much of her life and career. Since Star Trek, she's gone on an impressive run of guest appearances with many terrific programs -- including Syfy's Battlestar Galactica reboot -- but wouldn't it be great to see her with those nose ridges just one more time? [Source: IMDB.com]
They say you never forget your first; then again, if your first Doctor Who was Mr. William Hartnell, why would you want to? The man put WHO on the map (or on the tube, anyway), and, even today, Whovians around the world still marvel at the work he did on the seminal time travel program. Though he's no longer with us, Hartnell was born on this day in 1908. [Source: IMDB.com]
Despite boasting one of the most incredibly talented ensembles of all times, Dune (1984) still managed to be little more than a cult surprise for audiences who 'got' it. The venerable José Ferrer played 'Padishan Emperor Shaddam IV' in the David Lynch motion picture, and -- though he's no longer with us -- Ferrer was born on this day in 1912. [Source: IMDB.com]
Douglas Wilmer leaves behind a resume rich in genre potential, including work aboard The Invisible Man, Jason and the Argonauts (1963), The Avengers, UFO, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973), and Space:1999. Though he's no longer with us, Wilmer was born on this day in 1920. [Source: IMDB.com]
In Walt Disney's Unidentified Flying Oddball (1979), the venerable Ron Moody played 'Merlin the Magician' in the SciFi/Fantasy tale of an astronaut who finds himself flung into the era of King Arthur. Though he's no longer with us, Moody was born on this day in 1924. [Source: IMDB.com]
Steve Holland brought Flash Gordon to life for all of 31 episodes of the classic 1950's TV serial. Though he's no longer with us, Holland was born on this day in 1925. [Source: IMDB.com]
You can't talk about cinematic Fantasies without mentioning the terrific Sinbad films, and Kerwin Mathews brought the swashbuckling hero to life aboard The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958). Though he's no longer with us, Mathews was born on this day in 1926. [Source: IMDB.com]
Perhaps best remembered for his performance in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, the late Roy Kinnear also visited the world of Blake's 7. Though he's no longer with us, Kinnear was born on this day in 1934. [Source: IMDB.com]
Joan Freeman joined classic age funnyman Don Knotts' aboard the SciFi/Comedy The Reluctant Astronaut (1967) for Universal Pictures. Freeman was born on this day in 1942. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Yvette Mimieux first came onto the radar screens of SciFi fans when she appeared as Weena in The Time Machine (1960), but her loveliness really took full bloom in Walt Disney's The Black Hole as Dr. Kate McCrae. Though she's no longer with us, Mimieux was born on this day in 1942. [Source: IMDB.com]
Not only is Stephen Hawking Considered one of the most brilliant minds of his generation (if not all time), he's also guest-starred aboard the award-winning Star Trek: The Next Generation. Though he's no longer with us, Hawking was born on this day in 1942. [Source: IMDB.com]
I kid you not: I grew up not all that far from veteran Fantasy author Terry Brooks' home town of Sterling, Illinois, and one of my high school teachers even claimed at the time to know the man. His adventures in the greater world of Shannara have made for some compelling television viewing as well. Brooks' was born on this day in 1954. [Source: IMDB.com]
In 1976, acclaimed singer/songwriter David Bowie ventured into Science Fiction, headlining a cult effort known as The Man Who Fell to Earth. Though he's no longer with us, Bowie was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
Action film director John McTiernan's second major project put him side-by-side with no less than Arnold Schwarzenegger, and -- lo and behold -- Predator (1987) was born as a film franchise. McTiernan was born on this day in 1951. [Source: IMDB.com]
Award-winning actor Damián Alcázar entered the realm of Fantasy with a prominent role aboard The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008). Alcázar was born on this day in 1953. [Source: IMDB.com]
The talented Harriet Sansom Harris recently turned in a guest spot aboard The WB's Supergirl. SciFi fans remember her work from a spot aboard Fox TV's The X-Files. Harris was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
Thomas G. Waites played a role when John Carpenter updated The Thing (1982) from the early 1950's original. Waites was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
If IMDB.com is any indication, then Renée Coleman doesn't do much work these days; but she played 'Alia' aboard the 'Evil Leaper' arc of NBC's fondly remembered Quantum Leap. Coleman was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
Maria Pitillo joined Matthew Broderick in the Roland Emmerich failed theatrical reboot of Godzilla (1998). Pitillo was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Ami Dolenz doesn't work as much today as she used to, but we still have performances to get excited about from such works as Starman, Superboy, Ticks (1994), Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings (1994), and Dark Realm. Dolenz was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of singer/actress Jenny Lewis' earliest professional gigs included a guest spot aboard CBS's incarnation of The Twilight Zone. Lewis was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
With appearances aboard Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Attack of the Gryphon (2007), and The CW's long-running Supernatural, Amber Benson certainly has made a footprint in genre entertainment. Benson was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
The dreamy Sarah Polley tinkered with genetics and learned a dangerous lesson aboard Splice (2009) with Adrien Brody. Polley was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ashraf Barhom has lit up the silver screen with an appearance in the Fantasy/Adventure Clash Of The Titans (2010). Barhom was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Rachel Nichols first caught my eye with a small but passionate role in 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and that's the same summer that she appeared as an Orion Starfleet cadet who briefly romanced a brash, young James T. Kirk in Star Trek (2009). After that, she kept busy as the lead aboard SyFy's time-travel actioner Continuum. Nichols was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sam Riley joined Angelina Jolie aboard the Walt Disney cinematic Fantasy Maleficent (2014). He's also appeared aboard Byzantium (2012) and Pride And Prejudice And Zombies (2016). Riley was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
In her youth, Lauren Hewett traveled Halfway Across The Galaxy And Turn Left for Australian television as well as dipping under the sea for Ocean Girl. Hewett was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Not long after meeting her husband on the set of the CW's Supernatural, Genevieve Padalecki dealt with the nasty business of time stoppage on ABC's FlashForward. Padalecki was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though her resume sports many more conventional projects, Katherine Randolph enjoyed a lead role in the SciFi/Adventure Centurion A.D. (2015) for Blue Mariah Pictures. Randolph was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Christopher Russell's resume does not scream 'SciFi veteran.' He's had small roles in such universes as Bionic Woman, Supernatural, iZombie, Lost Girl, and Syfy's Van Helsing which certainly deserve mention. Russell was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Freddie Stroma (above right) joined Brittany Allen aboard 2014's lukewarm SciFi/Horror hybrid, Extraterrestrial. The actor had previously logged time aboard the Apocalypse-themed After The Dark (2013). Stroma was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Despite all of the controversy it stirred up, Ender's Game was an affable enough adaptation of the acclaimed Science Fiction novel by Orson Scott Card; the talented Khylin Rhambo played 'Dink Meeker' in the production, and Rhambo was born on this day in 1996. [Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! Well, it certainly isn't every day that one gets to celebrate a SciFi/Western hybrid, now is it? On this day in 1958, Teenage Monster growled its way into cinema history. The feature starred Anne Gwynne and Stuart Wade, and here's the plot summary that's been provided by IMDB.com:
"In 1880 a young boy is exposed to the effects of a meteor and becomes an ugly killer monster, as his mother hides him in her new house and tries to stop his killing."
"In 1880 a young boy is exposed to the effects of a meteor and becomes an ugly killer monster, as his mother hides him in her new house and tries to stop his killing."
Crossworlds is one of those films that used to, every now and then, make the rounds on the cable channels, but I haven't seen it in any line-up for quite some time. It stars Blade Runner's Rutger Hauer, and -- to be honest -- I'm actually surprised that I haven't seen it. I say that not because it's Science Fiction but because it also stars the lovely Andrea Roth. She's dreamy. It first screened theatrically on this day in 1997 (in the United Kingdom), and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"A young man discovers that his father was from another dimension and that he is the key to the operation of a crystal that can be the deciding factor in a war crossing the dimensions."
"A young man discovers that his father was from another dimension and that he is the key to the operation of a crystal that can be the deciding factor in a war crossing the dimensions."
On this day in 2010, Ethan Hawke headlined a horror/SciFi hybrid called Daybreakers. The plot saw the vampire population beginning to face its own extinction because of a limited blood supply while the bloodsuckers were coming to grips with whether or not they could become human again. If you haven't seen it, be warned: it has an unusually bloody climax!
A star is born! Curses to secret government projects everywhere! On this day in 2016 (in Japan), Project 12: The Bunker warned audiences again of some dastardly government tinkering! The feature starred James Cosmo and Natasha Alam, and here's the plot summary that's been provided by IMDB.com:
"The Russians scrap a dangerous scientific project designed to change the course of history. A manhunt ensues after they unsuccessfully attempt to exterminate all the scientists involved in the top secret project."
"The Russians scrap a dangerous scientific project designed to change the course of history. A manhunt ensues after they unsuccessfully attempt to exterminate all the scientists involved in the top secret project."
On this day in 1955, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet launched "Suit Up For Death." This served as the fourth adventure in the program's fourth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Tom clashes with the Space Patrol quartermaster over the safety of the cadets' spacesuits."
"Tom clashes with the Space Patrol quartermaster over the safety of the cadets' spacesuits."
On this day in 1960, Rod Serling treated viewers to yet another sojourn within The Twilight Zone. "Third from the Sun" was the fourteenth episode of the first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Two families of Government employees plan to steal a spaceship and travel to another planet just prior to a nuclear war. They must also deal with a stooge who wants to stop them."
"Two families of Government employees plan to steal a spaceship and travel to another planet just prior to a nuclear war. They must also deal with a stooge who wants to stop them."
On this day in 1966, Doctor Who aired "Golden Death." This served as the eighteenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor, Steven and Sara travel to Ancient Egypt, pursued by both the Daleks and the Meddling Monk."
"The Doctor, Steven and Sara travel to Ancient Egypt, pursued by both the Daleks and the Meddling Monk."
On this day in 1967, It's About Time aired "To Catch A Thief." This served as the eighteenth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Hector and Mac resolve to catch the real thief after being accused of stealing various items from the cave dwellers."
"Hector and Mac resolve to catch the real thief after being accused of stealing various items from the cave dwellers."
On this day in 1969, The Champions aired "The Gilded Cage." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After his file is stolen from the Nemesis headquarters Richard is abducted from his flat in Geneva, rolled up in a carpet and bundled into a van, though fortunately Craig turns up at the flat and notes the registration number of the van. When Richard wakes up he is in London, in a beautiful apartment but with iron bars over the windows. For company there is a young woman called Samantha.Richard meets his abductor who tells him that, unless he can crack a code for him in twelve hours, Samantha will be killed. Mercifully for Richard, Craig has side-stepped the red herrings designed to put him off the trail, and is on his way to rescue his colleague."
"After his file is stolen from the Nemesis headquarters Richard is abducted from his flat in Geneva, rolled up in a carpet and bundled into a van, though fortunately Craig turns up at the flat and notes the registration number of the van. When Richard wakes up he is in London, in a beautiful apartment but with iron bars over the windows. For company there is a young woman called Samantha.Richard meets his abductor who tells him that, unless he can crack a code for him in twelve hours, Samantha will be killed. Mercifully for Richard, Craig has side-stepped the red herrings designed to put him off the trail, and is on his way to rescue his colleague."
On this day in 1972, Doctor Who aired the second episode of its ninth season, an adventure titled "Day of the Daleks: Episode Two." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Jo uses the guerrillas' time machine to travel to the 22nd century where the Controller tricks her into telling the Daleks where she's come from."
"Jo uses the guerrillas' time machine to travel to the 22nd century where the Controller tricks her into telling the Daleks where she's come from."
No, that's not a scene of Chicago Cubs' fans lamenting another lackluster season. Instead, that's a screen cap from the 18th episode of Space: 1999's first season, an hour called "The Infernal Machine." (But I can certainly understand the confusion!) According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary of that 1976 adventure:
"The Alphans encounter Delmer Plebus Powells Gwent, a huge spacecraft that defies aerodynamics and is an extension of Gwent's genius and ego."
"The Alphans encounter Delmer Plebus Powells Gwent, a huge spacecraft that defies aerodynamics and is an extension of Gwent's genius and ego."
On this day in 1977, Doctor Who aired "The Face Of Evil: Part 2." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's fourteenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Despite protestations against being the Evil One, mounting evidence points to the Doctor's prior involvement with Leela's people, and an error in judgment he once made in their distant past that puts them all in immediate jeopardy."
"Despite protestations against being the Evil One, mounting evidence points to the Doctor's prior involvement with Leela's people, and an error in judgment he once made in their distant past that puts them all in immediate jeopardy."
On this day in 1977, Wonder Woman aired "Last Of The $2 Bills." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Top Nazi agent Wotan has two surgically altered doubles replace the man in charge of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving and his girlfriend, a waitress. The plan is to steal the $2 engraving plates and use them to collapse the American economy."
"Top Nazi agent Wotan has two surgically altered doubles replace the man in charge of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving and his girlfriend, a waitress. The plan is to steal the $2 engraving plates and use them to collapse the American economy."
On this day in 1979, Battle Of The Planets aired "Microfilm Mystery." This served as the fifteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Spectra wants to steal Metamorphosis 1, a mecha that can transform into any shape."
"Spectra wants to steal Metamorphosis 1, a mecha that can transform into any shape."
On this day in 1992, Quantum Leap aired "The Play's The Thing." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sam finds himself as a young man involved with an older woman who has singing aspirations and needs a confidence boost from Sam."
"Sam finds himself as a young man involved with an older woman who has singing aspirations and needs a confidence boost from Sam."
On this day in 1994, Star Trek: The Next Generation boldly went further into its seventh and final season with an episode titled "The Pegasus." Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Riker finds out his former commander from the starship "Pegasus" has orders that entail more than what is revealed to Picard, who thinks the Enterprise is en route to recover the lost ship. And Riker is ordered to secrecy."
"Riker finds out his former commander from the starship "Pegasus" has orders that entail more than what is revealed to Picard, who thinks the Enterprise is en route to recover the lost ship. And Riker is ordered to secrecy."
On this day in 1995, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman aired "Chi Of Steel." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After Perry's men's club is robbed and all his savings taken, Lois and Clark begin to investigate and find that the same martial arts expert who robbed the club is responsible for several other robberies. The thief uses special power totem bracelets which allow them to use Superman's strength against him."
"After Perry's men's club is robbed and all his savings taken, Lois and Clark begin to investigate and find that the same martial arts expert who robbed the club is responsible for several other robberies. The thief uses special power totem bracelets which allow them to use Superman's strength against him."
The eleventh episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's fourth season (which aired in TV syndication on this day in 1996) was called "Paradise Lost." Here's the summation from IMDB.com:
"When Starfleet institutes martial law to combat the Changeling Menace, Sisko begins to question if the Dominion is the real threat."
"When Starfleet institutes martial law to combat the Changeling Menace, Sisko begins to question if the Dominion is the real threat."
On this day in 1997, Star Trek: Voyager aired the thirteenth episode of its third season. "Fair Trade" focused in more closely on the role Neelix was playing aboard our beloved starship. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Voyager heads into a section of space that Neelix has no knowledge of so he tries to obtain a map of it from a less than reputable friend."
"Voyager heads into a section of space that Neelix has no knowledge of so he tries to obtain a map of it from a less than reputable friend."
On this day in 1998, "Waltz" aired as part of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's sixth season. According to IMDB.com:
"After being attacked by Cardassian forces, Sisko gets stranded with a very psychotic Gul Dukat, who was being transported to his trial. Meanwhile the crew of the Defiant races to rescue survivors."
"After being attacked by Cardassian forces, Sisko gets stranded with a very psychotic Gul Dukat, who was being transported to his trial. Meanwhile the crew of the Defiant races to rescue survivors."
On this day in 2001, The Invisible Man aired "Ghost Of A Chance." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A government agent sends Darien on a mission to keep a country's newly appointed Defense Minister from putting into play a weapon system that could be used against the U.S. They want Darien to pretend to be a ghost and talk him out of it; it appears the man is superstitious. But another group who wants the weapon system activated sends their own agent who can meld with water who claims to be a water spirit."
"A government agent sends Darien on a mission to keep a country's newly appointed Defense Minister from putting into play a weapon system that could be used against the U.S. They want Darien to pretend to be a ghost and talk him out of it; it appears the man is superstitious. But another group who wants the weapon system activated sends their own agent who can meld with water who claims to be a water spirit."
On this day in 2003, Star Trek: Enterprise aired "Dawn." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Trip's shuttlepod is shot down by a hostile race and is force to land on a deserted moon. There he must team up with the alien who shot him down in order to find a way back to Enterprise."
"Trip's shuttlepod is shot down by a hostile race and is force to land on a deserted moon. There he must team up with the alien who shot him down in order to find a way back to Enterprise."
It all began right here: on this day in 2006, the BBC's Hyperdrive enjoyed its premiere on television. According to IMDB.com, the first episode was titled "A Gift from the Glish," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Enter the Glish, a race of permanently-moist aliens who lick each other in greeting. Despite its buzzing cafè culture and farmers' market, the Glish are hesitant about Peterborough and must do a lot of hand- and face-licking before they sign. When the deal falls through, Space Force demand that Commander Henderson and crew find another investor by the end of the week."
"Enter the Glish, a race of permanently-moist aliens who lick each other in greeting. Despite its buzzing cafè culture and farmers' market, the Glish are hesitant about Peterborough and must do a lot of hand- and face-licking before they sign. When the deal falls through, Space Force demand that Commander Henderson and crew find another investor by the end of the week."
On this day in 2011 (in Germany), Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired "Clone Cadets." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Unless they want to flunk out, the clones of Domino Squad must learn to work together during their training on Kamino."
"Unless they want to flunk out, the clones of Domino Squad must learn to work together during their training on Kamino."
On this day in 2014, Star Trek Continues -- the very high-quality web-based production that seeks out and explores new adventures of Kirk and company in the vein of the original series -- released its second episode, "Lolani." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A survivor from a distressed Tellarite vessel pulls Captain Kirk and his crew into a moral quandary over her sovereignty."
"A survivor from a distressed Tellarite vessel pulls Captain Kirk and his crew into a moral quandary over her sovereignty."
On this day in 2001, the Doctor Who audio adventure Slipback was released to the marketplace. This program originally aired in mid-1985 on BBC Radio 4, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at Wikipedia.org:
"The Sixth Doctor and Peri arrive on a mysterious space liner, where intergalactic policemen are investigating art thefts, a computer is suffering from a split personality and the Captain's disease threatens every living thing on the ship…"
"The Sixth Doctor and Peri arrive on a mysterious space liner, where intergalactic policemen are investigating art thefts, a computer is suffering from a split personality and the Captain's disease threatens every living thing on the ship…"
