For some inexplicable reason, Tremors: The Series is remembered very fondly by a cadre of fans who discovered it when it first aired on television. Premiering on this day back in 2003, the show focused on the residents of Perfection Valley, Nevada, and their ongoing quest to hold their ground against those pesky 'graboids' who'll show up at a moment's notice with their insatiable appetites. The short-living ongoing series gave franchise regular Michael Gross a prominent spot in all of the action; and -- while the show was pleasant enough -- it seemed destined for the ash heap of forgotten TV shows pretty quickly. Still, we celebrate a lot of those 'round these parts, and thus we're forever thankful someone somewhere believed that quirky little universe deserved a chance for longevity on the Boob Tube.
In her very last appearance on the silver screen, the late Flora Robson chilled audiences portraying one of the Stygian witches standing in Perseus' way aboard Clash Of The Titans (1981). Though she's no longer with us, Robson was born on this day in 1902. [Source: IMDB.com]
Casual fans of the Science Fiction classic Planet Of The Apes tend to forget that Charlton Heston's 'George Taylor' wasn't the only astronaut who found himself in the dystopian nightmare: actor Jeff Burton played astronaut 'Dodge,' one who suffered a much crueler fate than the film's star. Though he's no longer with us, Burton was born on this day in 1924. [Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor John Bluthal maintains a resume rich in genre entertainment. He's been a part of The Mouse On The Moon (1963), Fireball XL5, Casino Royale (1967), The Flying Sorcerer (1973), Superman III (1983), Labyrinth (1986), and The Fifth Element (1997). Bluthal was born on this day in 1929. [Source: IMDB.com]
There's nothing like being caught on the business end of a six shooter to knock some sense in a feller, and that's the fate Ron Soble met aboard Star Trek's classic episode, "Spectre of the Gun." He also made appearances aboard The Six Million Dollar Man, Shazam!, Planet Of The Apes, Salvage 1, Knight Rider, and Pterodactyl Woman From Beverly Hills (1997). Though he's no longer with us, Soble was born on this day in 1932.
Though IMDB.com reports that Jamie Smith-Jackson hasn't done anything in quite some time, that's no reason to forget about her work aboard Planet Of The Apes, Bug (1975), The Invisible Man, The Bionic Woman, and Man From Atlantis. Smith-Jackson was born on this day in 1948. [Source: IMDB.com]
To my delight, the lovely and super-talented Dianne Wiest has a few Science Fiction and Fantasy credits to her name. She's enjoyed exposure aboard The Lost Boys (1987), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Practical Magic (1998), The 10th Kingdom, Category 6: Day Of Destruction (2004), and Robots (2004). Wiest was born on this day in 1948.
A small role aboard John Carpenter's They Live (1988) quite possible whet Jason Robards III's appetite for Science Fiction as he appeared in Zenith (2010) for Surla Films. Robards III was born on this day in 1949. [Source: IMDB.com]
God bless the work of SciFi Special Effects wizard Doug Drexler! He's helped bring to life so many exceptional properties, including Star Trek, Star Trek: New Voyages, Bionic Woman, Battlestar Galactica, and Syfy's Defiance. Drexler was born on this day in 1953.
Strong, gutsy, and ginger, country crooner Reba McEntire shot up the screen as the wife and shooting partner to Michael Gross's gun enthusiast in Tremors (1990). McEntire was born on this day in 1955.
If you're only going to have a single screen credit to your name, then why not make it part of Star Trek? The young Melvin Caesar Belli appeared alongside his father in the third season adventure, "And The Children Shall Lead." Belli was born on this day in 1957.
Looking for advice to get Star Trek: The Next Generation's Counselor Troi drunk? Then ask for Paul Eiding! Not sure he got her drunk, per se, but he obviously got her to drink (in "Liasons"). He's also a master of voice acting, and I encourage you to check out his IMDB.com citation for her massive resume. Eiding was born on this day in 1957.
Stephen Ure has definitely left a footprint in the realm of Fantasy having played characters aboard such properties as Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess, The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The Kind (2003), The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005), Perfect Creature (2007), Legend Of The Seeker, and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012). Ure was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sorry, folks, but when it comes to the BBC's Red Dwarf? You're on your own. I tried to watch it one time, and it just didn't strike any chords with me. Kudos to Chris Barrie for being a part of the franchise, though, as I'm always happy to praise the contributions of so, so many. Barrie was born on this day in 1960.
According to IMDB.com, Dell Yount doesn't act professionally all that much these days. Still, he managed to squeeze in roles aboard Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Project: ALF, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The X-Files, and Star Trek: Enterprise. Yount was born on this day in 1960.
In 2012, Orla Brady was nominated for the Saturn Award for 'Best Guest Starring Role on Television' for her impressive turn as Elizabeth Bishop of Fox TV's spectacular Fringe. She's also visited the worlds of Doctor Who and The Deep. Brady was born on this day in 1961.
Roger Nygard is a veteran Hollywood editor / writer / producer who helped Denise Crosby throughout the process of bringing both Trekkies and Trekkies 2 to bold cinematic life. Nygard was born on this day in 1962.
Even though I'm quite probably one of the world's biggest Superman fans, I honestly didn't watch that much of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman. What I did seemed a bit sugary-sweet for my tastes, but I'll likely make my way over to the show as it's on my Bucket List. If I have lovely ladies like Lori Fetrick -- as Vixen -- waiting for me, I'll most likely enjoy the ride. Fetrick was born on this day in 1963. [Source: IMDB.com]
Bernie Pock was an actor/stuntman who ably served time aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation, Beauty and The Beast, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989), and Star Trek: Generations (1994). Though he's no longer with us, Pock was born on this day in 1963. [Source: IMDB.com]
Darcy Laurie is another one of those talented players who somehow manages to pop up all over the place. He's served time aboard Highlander: The Final Dimension (1994), The X-Files, Millennium, Viper, Special Unit 2, Dark Angel, The Twilight Zone, Jeremiah, The Chronicles Of Riddick (2004), Stargate: SG-1, The Dead Zone, Kyle XY, Battlestar Galactica, V, SGU Stargate Universe, Fringe, Supernatural, Continuum, Arrow, The Man In The High Castle, The 100, and Once Upon A Time. And there's still more to come! Laurie was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
When Fox TV's VR.5 made its entry into the realm of televised Science Fiction, the show brought along Tracey Needham as a recurring guest star. Needham was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
CBS's Apocalypse/Drama Jericho never really caught on with a large enough audience to sustain it for long, but that's no fault of players like Siena Goines who did the show proud. Goines was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Yes, I realize the collected works of director Brett Ratner is probably more well recognized for controversy than anything else, but I think he does just fine on his own. He's helmed such projects as X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and Hercules (2014) among several others. Ratner was born on this day in 1969.
Funnyman Vince Vaughn has only flirted with Science Fiction with a role aboard Jennifer Lopez's The Cell (2000). Vaughn was born on this day in 1970.
Granted, Santa Claus isn't really a SciFi creation, but when he makes an appearance as part of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who then he'll get a shout out from us! Funnyman Nick Frost played the memorable man in red, and he did so quite well. Frost was born on this day in 1972.
Richard Kelly is the writer/director behind such screen journeys as Donnie Darko (2001), Southland Tales (2006), S. Darko (2009), and The Box (2009). Kelly was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
I just love Annie Wersching. FYI: that's her above -- on the right -- in an episode of Star Trek: Enterprise. (2nd FYI: IMDB.com reports that was her first acting gig!) She was a terrific addition to Fox TV's 24, and I was so, so, so bummed when she met her ultimate fate on that program. I'm also totally digging her work right now on Amazon TV's Bosch. As for SciFi, she also had an appearance on the short-lived Journeyman, Touch, Revolution, Extant,, NBC's Timeless, and Star Trek: Picard. But I'd watch her in anything. Though she's no longer with us, Wersching was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sadly, I haven't seen all that much of the BBC's Doctor Who spin-off, Torchwood, but what I have seen I have enjoyed. Gareth David-Lloyd was a series regular for the program. He's also booked appearances on Doctor Who as well as Syfy's Warehouse 13. David-Lloyd was born on this day in 1981.
The plucky Natalie Lander brought to life the equally plucky Stargirl aboard recent animated incarnations of DC Comics' Justice League. Lander was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though her resume boasts more mainstream projects, Lacey Turner did enjoy a guest spot aboard the BBC's popular Being Human. Turner was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
In reality, she's known as model/actress Jenna Berman. In the realm of fantasy where angels fear to tread -- namely Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn -- she's better known as Spartan Kelly-087. Berman was born on this day in 1990.
Laura Harrier spun a web all of her own for her part in Marvel Entertainment's Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Harrier was born on this day in 1990. [Source: IMDB.com]
Looking as dreamy as she does, I can't fathom why a lady like Blair Williams would even consider to Escape From Pleasure Planet (2016), an Adult-themed SciFi romp. I would think she'd fit right in! Williams was born on this day in 1994. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1952, the great and noble people of Japan enjoyed their first theatrical release of the Science Fiction classic, The Day The Earth Stood Still. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."
"An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."
On this day in 1962, the SciFi/Horror hybrid The Manster delivered the thrills only a SciFi/Horror hybrid can. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An American reporter in Japan is sent to interview an eccentric Japanese scientist working on bizarre experiments in his mountain laboratory. When the doctor realizes that the hapless correspondent is the perfect subject for his next experiment, he drugs the unfortunate man and injects him with a serum that gradually transforms him into a hideous, two-headed monster."
"An American reporter in Japan is sent to interview an eccentric Japanese scientist working on bizarre experiments in his mountain laboratory. When the doctor realizes that the hapless correspondent is the perfect subject for his next experiment, he drugs the unfortunate man and injects him with a serum that gradually transforms him into a hideous, two-headed monster."
A star is born! On this day in 1968 (in Mexico), the silver screen lit up with what might have been a curious theft of intellectual property with the theatrical release of The Batwoman! René Cardona directed with a script from Alfredo Salazar (that does properly credit the stories of Bob Kane and Bill Finger for inspiration), and the flick cast the lovely Maura Monti in the role of the masked hero. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Batwoman is called to investigate a whacked-out scientist who is capturing wrestlers and using their spinal fluid to create a Gill Man."
"Batwoman is called to investigate a whacked-out scientist who is capturing wrestlers and using their spinal fluid to create a Gill Man."
Chalk this one up as another one I've never heard about: 1995's Steel Frontier (it premiered on this day back then) gave hunky Joe Lara the chance to police the Apocalypse in a style befitting Mad Max. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Mad Max meets the Man With No Name in this futuristic story of a gunfighter (Joe Lara), who goes after a band of marauders who are terrorizing everyone and killing indiscriminately. As with the spaghetti westerns, the lone gunman enters into a town where the people have lost the will to fight back and proceeds to kill off the bad guys single-handedly. But once he is out-numbered totally and wounded, some do find the capability to fight back. Chief of those who try to aid him is a widow (Stacie Foster) with a young son. Brion James plays the general in charge of the marauders."
"Mad Max meets the Man With No Name in this futuristic story of a gunfighter (Joe Lara), who goes after a band of marauders who are terrorizing everyone and killing indiscriminately. As with the spaghetti westerns, the lone gunman enters into a town where the people have lost the will to fight back and proceeds to kill off the bad guys single-handedly. But once he is out-numbered totally and wounded, some do find the capability to fight back. Chief of those who try to aid him is a widow (Stacie Foster) with a young son. Brion James plays the general in charge of the marauders."
A star is born! On this day in 2009, the SciFi/Telefilm Polar Storm cast a chill over audiences. The flick starred Jack Coleman and Holly Elissa, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A comet passes near the Earth and disturbs Earth's magnetic field."
"A comet passes near the Earth and disturbs Earth's magnetic field."
A star is born! For what it's worth, I know whom I'm betting on in this match-up: on this day in 2014, Airplane Vs. Volcano erupted onto video. The feature starred Dean Cain and Robin Givens, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a commercial airliner is trapped within a ring of erupting volcanoes, the passengers and crew must find a way to survive - without landing, but, when the relentless onslaught of lava and ash causes fear and distrust amongst those onboard, it isn't just the volcanoes that are life-threatening. Everyone must learn to work together if they are to survive their epic flight of fire."
"When a commercial airliner is trapped within a ring of erupting volcanoes, the passengers and crew must find a way to survive - without landing, but, when the relentless onslaught of lava and ash causes fear and distrust amongst those onboard, it isn't just the volcanoes that are life-threatening. Everyone must learn to work together if they are to survive their epic flight of fire."
On this day in 2017, Mindgamers played tricks with audiences during its U.S. theatrical release. The feature starred Oliver Stark and Sam Neill, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Students at a quantum academy attempt to create a collective consciousness, only to discover that they themselves are part of a greater experiment."
"Students at a quantum academy attempt to create a collective consciousness, only to discover that they themselves are part of a greater experiment."
On this day in 1952, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "Flight Overdue." This served as the twenty-sixth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An internationally acclaimed aviatrix is recruited ostensibly for a flight over the Pacific over her husband's misgivings. Years after she disappears, her angry husband is informed of the true nature of her mission and her ultimate fate."
"An internationally acclaimed aviatrix is recruited ostensibly for a flight over the Pacific over her husband's misgivings. Years after she disappears, her angry husband is informed of the true nature of her mission and her ultimate fate."
On this day in 1964, Doctor Who aired "Mighty Kublai Khan" as part of its first season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor, Ian and Barbara are forced to surrender to Tegana and Marco, leaving both of them the opportunity to gain possession of the TARDIS."
"The Doctor, Ian and Barbara are forced to surrender to Tegana and Marco, leaving both of them the opportunity to gain possession of the TARDIS."
On this day in 1967, The Invaders aired "The Betrayed." This served as the twelfth hour to the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"David Vincent steals a computer tape in order to expose alien activity on Houston oil fields."
"David Vincent steals a computer tape in order to expose alien activity on Houston oil fields."
On this day in 1970, Doctor Who aired "The Ambassadors Of Death, Part 2." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's seventh season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"UNIT retrieve the returned Recovery 7 but then Carrington hijacks it while the Doctor and Liz try to decode the signal he sent."
"UNIT retrieve the returned Recovery 7 but then Carrington hijacks it while the Doctor and Liz try to decode the signal he sent."
On this day in 1987, Starman aired "Fathers and Sons." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Forrester and Scott meet with one of the real Forrester's friends who gives him a job. At the same time a young man is following them. When Scott confronts him he reveals that Forrester's his father."
"When Forrester and Scott meet with one of the real Forrester's friends who gives him a job. At the same time a young man is following them. When Scott confronts him he reveals that Forrester's his father."
On this day in 1990, Quantum Leap aired "Leaping In Without A Net." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sam must overcome his fear of heights when he leaps into a trapeze artist whose sister dies doing a stunt without a net."
"Sam must overcome his fear of heights when he leaps into a trapeze artist whose sister dies doing a stunt without a net."
On this day in 1992, young Wesley Crusher stepped up and did the right thing in a special episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation called "The First Duty." It served as the nineteenth episode to the popular program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TrekCore.com:
"As the Enterprise arrives back at Earth, news reaches Picard and Crusher that an accident has happened involving Wesley which has injured four pilots and killed one. An inquiry is launched, and Wesley is forced to lie under oath."
"As the Enterprise arrives back at Earth, news reaches Picard and Crusher that an accident has happened involving Wesley which has injured four pilots and killed one. An inquiry is launched, and Wesley is forced to lie under oath."
On this day in 1994, Robocop: The Series aired "Trouble In Delta City." This served as the fourth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A new miracle drug gets rushed to the market by OCP, but more thorough testing reveals that it has powerful mind-altering properties. This causes many people in Delta City to have violent and psychotic outbursts, including none other than officer Madigan. RoboCop investigates to discover what the truth is behind the dangerous drug and to get it off the streets, as well as clear Madigan of any wrongdoing."
"A new miracle drug gets rushed to the market by OCP, but more thorough testing reveals that it has powerful mind-altering properties. This causes many people in Delta City to have violent and psychotic outbursts, including none other than officer Madigan. RoboCop investigates to discover what the truth is behind the dangerous drug and to get it off the streets, as well as clear Madigan of any wrongdoing."
On this day in 1995 (in Belgium), Babylon 5 aired "Midnight On The Firing Line." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Narn attack a Centauri colony, while Raiders attack transport ships. Talia Winters arrives at the station."
"The Narn attack a Centauri colony, while Raiders attack transport ships. Talia Winters arrives at the station."
On this day in 2000, Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles aired an episode of its first and only season titled "Trackers." According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"The S.I.C.O.N. Fleet is hunting for the Bug Queen, after she escaped in a Transport Bug from Klendathuin heading for Earth. Can they find and destroy the Transport Bug before it reaches Earth?"
"The S.I.C.O.N. Fleet is hunting for the Bug Queen, after she escaped in a Transport Bug from Klendathuin heading for Earth. Can they find and destroy the Transport Bug before it reaches Earth?"
On this day in 2001, it all came down to this as Starhunter aired the season finale to its first year in existence. The hour was titled "Resurrection," and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at Wikipedia.org:
"The Tulip is pursued and crippled by The Raiders, but Senaca calls his fighters off and prepares his misson to destroy what is left of Earth with the bioweapon seeds. Luc makes contact with Navarre in hopes of warning the Orchard of Seneca's plans. She then goes to Mars to form a resistance force but time is running out. Meanwhile, Eccleston returns from the "other side" and helps both Travis and Dante unlock their untapped powers. Father and son use a shuttle to intercept Seneca's forces in hopes of psychically willing the seeds away from them, but the shuttle is hit by a missile and begins to burn up in the atmosphere. Meanwhile the Tulip comes under attack by a barrage of missiles and Eccleston uses the last of his power to make the ship vanish to another dimension and taking Percy with it. At the last second before impact, Dante finds himself 10 years back in time on Titan, with his wife Penny and young son Travis. An air-raid siren sounds as the Raiders begin their attack on the Titan colony and Dante appears to relive the event all over again."
"The Tulip is pursued and crippled by The Raiders, but Senaca calls his fighters off and prepares his misson to destroy what is left of Earth with the bioweapon seeds. Luc makes contact with Navarre in hopes of warning the Orchard of Seneca's plans. She then goes to Mars to form a resistance force but time is running out. Meanwhile, Eccleston returns from the "other side" and helps both Travis and Dante unlock their untapped powers. Father and son use a shuttle to intercept Seneca's forces in hopes of psychically willing the seeds away from them, but the shuttle is hit by a missile and begins to burn up in the atmosphere. Meanwhile the Tulip comes under attack by a barrage of missiles and Eccleston uses the last of his power to make the ship vanish to another dimension and taking Percy with it. At the last second before impact, Dante finds himself 10 years back in time on Titan, with his wife Penny and young son Travis. An air-raid siren sounds as the Raiders begin their attack on the Titan colony and Dante appears to relive the event all over again."
It all began right here: on this day in 2003, Tremors: The Series aired two of the episodes of its only season in existence. The first was called "Feeding Frenzy," and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Burt and the others struggle to find out what is wrong with El Blanco, who is behaving unusually aggressive. Meanwhile, a guy named Tyler Reed moves into town, taking over Desert Jack's Graboid Adventures."
The second episode of this premiere event was titled "Ghost Dance." According to IMDB.com, here's that summary:
"After three people are sucked dry by a strange ghost-like creature in Perfection's abandoned silver mine, Rosalita thinks something paranormal is on the loose. When two government agents arrive in town, Burt realizes it is something else."
"Burt and the others struggle to find out what is wrong with El Blanco, who is behaving unusually aggressive. Meanwhile, a guy named Tyler Reed moves into town, taking over Desert Jack's Graboid Adventures."
The second episode of this premiere event was titled "Ghost Dance." According to IMDB.com, here's that summary:
"After three people are sucked dry by a strange ghost-like creature in Perfection's abandoned silver mine, Rosalita thinks something paranormal is on the loose. When two government agents arrive in town, Burt realizes it is something else."
On this day in 2016, The Department Of Time aired "Tiempo de valientes (Part I)." This served as the seventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While hiding in Manila in 1898, Julián promises a dying soldier that he will carry a jewel of his mother to his Filipina lover in Baler. Meanwhile, the 2016 Ministry must make an audit of its recent activities."
"While hiding in Manila in 1898, Julián promises a dying soldier that he will carry a jewel of his mother to his Filipina lover in Baler. Meanwhile, the 2016 Ministry must make an audit of its recent activities."
On this day in 2006, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Warpath was released to the marketplace. The adventure was written by David Mack, and here's the (edited) plot summary as provided by Amazon.com:
"They were created to be killing machines. Highly intelligent, resourceful, and deceptively complex, the Jem'Hadar are a species engineered for war and programmed at the genetic level for one purpose: to fight until death as soldiers of the sprawling stellar empire known as the Dominion. No Jem'Hadar has ever lived thirty years, and not even their masters, the shape-shifting Founders, know what such a creature is capable of becoming were it to be freed of its servitude. One Founder, however, has dared to wonder ..."
"They were created to be killing machines. Highly intelligent, resourceful, and deceptively complex, the Jem'Hadar are a species engineered for war and programmed at the genetic level for one purpose: to fight until death as soldiers of the sprawling stellar empire known as the Dominion. No Jem'Hadar has ever lived thirty years, and not even their masters, the shape-shifting Founders, know what such a creature is capable of becoming were it to be freed of its servitude. One Founder, however, has dared to wonder ..."
On this day in 2007, a little something called Command And Conquer III: Tiberium Wars launched into being for the SciFi gaming community. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the premise:
"You are in command of the armies of either GDI or NOD with the fate of Earth in the balance."
"You are in command of the armies of either GDI or NOD with the fate of Earth in the balance."
