On this day in 1996, the brilliantly-conceived but poorly-executed (in my humble opinion) Dark Skies premiered as part of NBC's evening line-up. The show tried to revisit major events in history from the point of view involving possible extraterrestrial influence, an idea so already richly introduced in Fox TV's brilliant The X-Files. Still, kudos for the attempt, but let's hope a reboot gives it a more compelling version.
On this day in 2005, Invasion premiered to those interested TV audiences. Here's the skinny from IMDB.com on the first episode: "A hurricane is quickly approaching a small town in Florida leaving the residents little time to prepare. When the hurricane finally hits, many of the residents' lives are in peril. Rose, one of the town's smallest residents notices some mysterious lights in the heart of the hurricane. Meanwhile, after the storm, Dave discovers some mysterious skeletal remains." As so often happens in the nature of the hour-long drama, Invasion didn't last more than a single season.
On this day in 2015, Fox Television dug deep into the realm of Science Fiction with a TV adaptation of ideas inspired by the work of Philip K. Dick: Minority Report tackled thematically the same territory explored in the similarly-named Steven Spielberg movie from 2002 but forced its characters and circumstances into the weekly procedural. Apparently, audiences weren't all that interested, and this Report lasted only ten scant episodes.
While you may not recognize the face, I guarantee you'll recognize his name: H.G. Wells. The literary genius himself, Mr. Wells is responsible for a whole slew of sci-fi classics, many of which continue to inspire us today in our own pursuits of strange, new worlds. (I've read The Time Machine, and -- to be honest -- I found it a bit tiresome.) He was born on this day back in 1866.
The late Larry Hagman enjoyed a funny cameo-style appearance in 1978's Superman: The Movie for Warner Bros. Though he's no longer with us, Hagman was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
Oh, gosh, I can remember from my youth seeing the face of Henry Gibson all over television. Throughout his time in the business, he appeared in such projects as Wonder Woman, The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981), The Twilight Zone, Galaxy High School (animated), Innerspace (1987), Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Total Recall 2070, and Stargate: SG-1. Though he's no longer with us, Gibson was born on this day in 1935.
English-born actress Tracy Reed enjoyed screen appearances aboard such genre projects as Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964), Casino Royale (1967), Out Of The Unknown, and UFO. Though she's no longer with us, Reed was born on this day in 1941. [Source: IMDB.com]
Anyone who grew up watching the original Battlestar Galactica should certainly recognize the face of Flight Officer Omega, or as he's more appropriately known in reality as actor David Greenan. Greenan was born on this day in 1943.
Writer and director Nick Castle also celebrates his birthday today. Born in 1947, Nick (along with director John Carpenter) penned the scripts for the two Snake Plissken films (Escape from New York and Escape from L.A.), but his real claim to fame is directing 1984's The Last Starfighter.
How can you not give a shout-out to Bill Murray on his birthday? Come on, man. He's the original Ghostbuster. He headlined the time travel yarn Groundhog Day. And he's easily one of the funniest people alive on the planet. Give it up! Murray was born on this day in 1950.
Actor David James Elliott did what he could to keep our sun from exploding in the SciFi-telefilm, Exploding Sun (2013). Elliott was born on this day in 1960.
I will always remember Angus Macfadyen (pictured above from 2002's Equilibrium) for his work aboard ABC TV's short-lived Fantasy program, Miracles; in any just version of the universe, Miracles would've become a suitable replacement for Fox TV's The X-Files, which kinda/sorta jumped the shark way too much in its golden years. Alas, it wasn't meant to be. Macfadyen was born on this day in 1963.
I kid you not: IMDB.com reports that the lovely Cheryl Hines got her professional acting start aboard an episode of TV's incarnation of Swamp Thing. Hines was born on this day in 1965. [Source: IMDB.com]
David Wenham is probably most associated with his work as Faramir aboard Peter Jackson's epic The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but he's also made waves aboard Return To Jupiter (TV), Dark City (1998), Van Helsing (2004), 300 (2006), and Netflix's Iron Fist series. Wenham was born on this day in 1965.
Rob Benedict has certainly jumped around the entertainment spectrum, but SciFi and Fantasy fans probably know him best from CBS's short-lived Threshold and The CW's long-running Supernatural. Benedict was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Luke Wilson gave a terrific performance in one of The X-Files' better adventures: 1998's "Bad Blood" pitted Scully versus Mulder in a search for the truth involved a town of traveling vampires. Wilson was born on this day in 1971.
Shelley Conn enjoyed a trip through time aboard Fox TV's short-lived Terra Nova. She also enjoyed work aboard Lifetime's SciFi series The Lottery. Conn was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
Paulo Costanzo was there (until he wasn't) aboard Syfy's impressive Science Fiction series The Expanse. Costanzo was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
That luscious li'l minx is actress Autumn Reeser. She doesn't have what I'd call 'tons' of SciFi credentials to her name, but she has made appearances on Star Trek: Voyager (under heavy make-up) as well as playing a character of sorts in 2008's SciFi-gaming release, Command & Conquer 3: Red Alert (from which the above photo is representative). And she is luscious, no? Reeser was born on this day in 1980.
HubbaHubba Alert! The delicious Adult film actress Phoenix Marie dipped her wings (ahem) in Fantasy with a top role -- costume and all -- aboard Xena XXX: An Exquisite Films Parody (2012). God bless her wonderful li'l heart! Marie was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Maggie Grace found herself as one of the castaways on ABC's super-popular Lost. Since then, she's gone on to more big screen fare, such as appearing alongside Liam Neeson in Taken as well as playing the President's daughter in the Guy Pearce SciFi actioner Lockout (2012). Grace was born on this day in 1983.
In his youth, actor Joseph Mazzello played 'Tim,' the young man who brought our collective fascination with all things dinosaur to life in Steven Spielberg's epic Jurassic Park (1993). Mazzello was born on this day in 1983.
Sadly, I know next to nothing about Pluton B.R.B. Nero, a Spanish-language Science Fiction television series starring the lovely Carolina Bang; and that's only because it appears that the program has never had a DVD release with English subtitles. I have seen her work in non-SciFi properties, and she's definitely a talent worth watching. Bang was born on this day in 1985.
Sorry, folks, but after being super-disappointed with how quickly NBC's Heroes went off the rails, I really wasn't all that interested in giving Heroes Reborn a view. Still, kudos to young star Ryan Guzman for participating in the project. Guzman was born on this day in 1987.
In the role of Claudia Donovan, young Allison Scagliotti was just one of the 'locals' trapped within the mystery at the heart of Syfy's Warehouse 13. Scagliotti was born on this day in 1990.
We here at SciFiHistory.Net have nothing but respect for girls with attitude, and Christian Serratos imbues her 'Rosita Espinosa' with must the perfect amount of abilities and cynicism on AMC's impressive The Walking Dead. Serratos was born on this day in 1990. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1983 (in France), the SciFi/Animated feature Chronopolis enjoyed its release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Weary immortals inhabit a metropolis in the sky and amuse themselves with constructions as they kill time and await whatever comes next."
"Weary immortals inhabit a metropolis in the sky and amuse themselves with constructions as they kill time and await whatever comes next."
On this day in 1983 (in Italy), the Fantasy-themed Hearts And Armour enjoyed its theatrical release. The film starred Zeudi Araya Cristaldi and Barbara De Rossi, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"Bradamante, a woman wearing an invincible suit of armor, is travelling the countryside at the time of the Crusades. After ending up in the middle of a web of romantic and cultural tangles, she finds herself in love with a Moor prince, while one of the Christian knights has fallen in love with a Moor princess. Others, however, are against the cross-cultural romance, and Bradamante's love is soon forced into a duel to the death. Will she ever be with her true love?"
"Bradamante, a woman wearing an invincible suit of armor, is travelling the countryside at the time of the Crusades. After ending up in the middle of a web of romantic and cultural tangles, she finds herself in love with a Moor prince, while one of the Christian knights has fallen in love with a Moor princess. Others, however, are against the cross-cultural romance, and Bradamante's love is soon forced into a duel to the death. Will she ever be with her true love?"
On this day in 1985 (in the Philippines), Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome enjoyed its theatrical release. The SciFi/Thriller starred Mel Gibson as Max himself, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"After being exiled from the most advanced town in post apocalyptic Australia, a drifter travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town's queen."
"After being exiled from the most advanced town in post apocalyptic Australia, a drifter travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town's queen."
On this day in 1990 (in Finland), Robocop 2 enjoyed its theatrical release. The feature starred Peter Weller as the man-turned-man-and-machine, and here's the plot summary as provided by 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 1994 (in Japan), Dinosaur Island enjoyed its premiere on home video. The Fantasy/Comedy feature starred Griffin Drew and Michelle Bauer, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"An army captain is flying three misfit deserters home for a court martial when the plane has engine trouble and they must land on an uncharted island. There they find a primitive society of cave women who routinely sacrifice virgins to appease The Great One, the top dog dinosaur on the the island. Mistaken for gods, the men must destroy The Great One or face death, but meanwhile they fall in love."
"An army captain is flying three misfit deserters home for a court martial when the plane has engine trouble and they must land on an uncharted island. There they find a primitive society of cave women who routinely sacrifice virgins to appease The Great One, the top dog dinosaur on the the island. Mistaken for gods, the men must destroy The Great One or face death, but meanwhile they fall in love."
On this day in 2008, the SciFi/Horror film Vipers slithered its way onto television. The feature starred Tara Reid and Corbin Bernsen, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"A set of vipers has been taken by the scientists, when the vipers escape into the woods, they do more than just bite."
"A set of vipers has been taken by the scientists, when the vipers escape into the woods, they do more than just bite."
On this day in 2012, the character of Judge Dredd returned to the big screen in a big way with Dredd. The feature starred Karl Urban and Lena Headey, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO."
"In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO."
On this day in 2015 (in Russia), Ratpocalypse enjoyed its theatrical premiere. The SciFi feature starred Casper Van Dien and Linda Bella, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"American Senator delivers a speech to the Russian Parliament warning that corruption would turn them into rats. His prediction becomes reality."
"American Senator delivers a speech to the Russian Parliament warning that corruption would turn them into rats. His prediction becomes reality."
On this day in 1966, Lost In Space aired "Wild Adventure." This served as the second episode of the second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Smith finds the course back to earth, but a space female lures Smith out of the ship and saving him again leaves the crew of the Jupiter 2 lost in space."
"Smith finds the course back to earth, but a space female lures Smith out of the ship and saving him again leaves the crew of the Jupiter 2 lost in space."
On this day in 1968, Doctor Who aired "The Mind Robber: Part 2." This served as the seventh episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed on IMDB.com:
"With the TARDIS destroyed, the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe find themselves in a strange forest patrolled by mysterious soldiers."
"With the TARDIS destroyed, the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe find themselves in a strange forest patrolled by mysterious soldiers."
On this day in 1969, Land of the Giants aired "The Mechanical Man." This served as the first episode of the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A huge robot that is even bigger than many of the giants that the castaways have encountered accidentally destroys a store and in the process kills a policeman. Steve, Mark and Fitzhugh, who were scavenging for food and supplies witness this and in the process Mark and Fitzhugh are captured. They are then brought to the laboratory of its creator Professor Gorn who offers to help them return to Earth if they can help him fix the flaw in his creation. They eventually do and the robot works perfectly. Unfortunately, Gorn double crosses them and decides to turn them over to the SID."
"A huge robot that is even bigger than many of the giants that the castaways have encountered accidentally destroys a store and in the process kills a policeman. Steve, Mark and Fitzhugh, who were scavenging for food and supplies witness this and in the process Mark and Fitzhugh are captured. They are then brought to the laboratory of its creator Professor Gorn who offers to help them return to Earth if they can help him fix the flaw in his creation. They eventually do and the robot works perfectly. Unfortunately, Gorn double crosses them and decides to turn them over to the SID."
On this day in 1974, Land of the Lost aired "Dopey." This served as the third episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A troublesome baby brontosaurus follows Will and Holly home."
"A troublesome baby brontosaurus follows Will and Holly home."
On this day in 1974, Partridge Family 2200 A.D. aired "The Incredible Shrinking Keith." This served as the third episode in its only season, and here's the summary from the Partridge Family 2200 A.D. online website:
"Danny's unfinished invention throws a spray of sparks on Keith, shrinking him to pint size. Keith is furious, but his visiting fans from Minitravia are overjoyed to find Keith their own size. Danny vows to throw away the mechanism, but Keith manages to get a second spray, this time landing him ten feet tall!"
"Danny's unfinished invention throws a spray of sparks on Keith, shrinking him to pint size. Keith is furious, but his visiting fans from Minitravia are overjoyed to find Keith their own size. Danny vows to throw away the mechanism, but Keith manages to get a second spray, this time landing him ten feet tall!"
On this day in 1978, Project U.F.O. aired "Sighting 4015: The Underwater Incident." This served as the first episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Capt. Ryan and S Sgt. Fitz investigate a report of a UFO that came down from the night sky and submerged itself off the coast of California before ramming into a boat, injuring the two men on board."
"Capt. Ryan and S Sgt. Fitz investigate a report of a UFO that came down from the night sky and submerged itself off the coast of California before ramming into a boat, injuring the two men on board."
On this day in 1985, The Tripods aired "Will Is Arrested." This served as the third episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Will and Beanpole miss their ship after being chased by the Black Guard. With the help of new friends they hope to continue on their way to The Games."
"Will and Beanpole miss their ship after being chased by the Black Guard. With the help of new friends they hope to continue on their way to The Games."
On this day in 1987, Doctor Who aired "Time and the Rani: Part 3." This served as the third episode of the program's twenty-fourth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The solstice nears, making it time for the Rani to bring her plans into fruition. The Doctor's sympathies for Beyus, ruler of the Lykertyans, are rather qualified. Beyus' heart is for his people yet something prompts him to collaborate fully in helping the Rani reach all her objectives. The answer, he's told, lies within the Center of Leisure."
"The solstice nears, making it time for the Rani to bring her plans into fruition. The Doctor's sympathies for Beyus, ruler of the Lykertyans, are rather qualified. Beyus' heart is for his people yet something prompts him to collaborate fully in helping the Rani reach all her objectives. The answer, he's told, lies within the Center of Leisure."
It was on this day back in 1991 that Star Trek: The Next Generation returned from its summer break, launching into its fifth season with the episode, "Redemption, Part 2." The story brought about what I thought was a much-too-neatly-tied-up end to the Klingon Civil War that had divided the Empire -- personally, I would rather have seen the events spread out over several more episodes, if not an entire season -- but I guess that wasn't meant to be.
It all began right here: on this day in 1996, the animated Flash Gordon enjoyed its premiere. The first episode was titled "Marooned On Mongol," and here's the plot summary as listed on IMDB.com:
"Earth teenagers Flash Gordon and Dale Arden, and their reluctant friend Dr. Zarkov, journey to the fantastic planet Mongo where they fight to defeat the evil planetary dictator, Ming the Merciless."
"Earth teenagers Flash Gordon and Dale Arden, and their reluctant friend Dr. Zarkov, journey to the fantastic planet Mongo where they fight to defeat the evil planetary dictator, Ming the Merciless."
On this day in 1996, Ocean Girl aired "Extraterrestrial Abilities." This served as the eighth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Neri awakes on the island to find Kal missing, he's gone to ORCA. Jason and Brett introduce Kal to Diane and Winston. Shortly after, Neri arrives and tells Diane about UBRI's plans to use explosives on the ocean floor in their construction."
"Neri awakes on the island to find Kal missing, he's gone to ORCA. Jason and Brett introduce Kal to Diane and Winston. Shortly after, Neri arrives and tells Diane about UBRI's plans to use explosives on the ocean floor in their construction."
On this day in 2002, Andromeda aired "If The Wheel Is Fixed." This served as the first episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Dylan attempts to rescue Tyr and Beka by taking the Maru back towards the tunnel, but is forced to abandon it due to a large field of debris being sucked into the tunnel. When he returns, Beka and Tyr appear on Andromeda for no apparent reason. Now that her crew has been reunited, the Andromeda attempts to break free from the gravitational pull of the tunnel. During the attempt, Beka tries to slip too early, causing the Andromeda to be pulled into the tunnel. Dylan quickly takes control of the helm and pulls the ship out, but Tyr and Beka both seem to be acting strangely."
"Dylan attempts to rescue Tyr and Beka by taking the Maru back towards the tunnel, but is forced to abandon it due to a large field of debris being sucked into the tunnel. When he returns, Beka and Tyr appear on Andromeda for no apparent reason. Now that her crew has been reunited, the Andromeda attempts to break free from the gravitational pull of the tunnel. During the attempt, Beka tries to slip too early, causing the Andromeda to be pulled into the tunnel. Dylan quickly takes control of the helm and pulls the ship out, but Tyr and Beka both seem to be acting strangely."
On this day in 2014, Lifetime's The Lottery aired "Mr. Torino." This served as the ninth episode to the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"The President discovers that Gabrielle has made a deal with Perry and confronts her."
"The President discovers that Gabrielle has made a deal with Perry and confronts her."
It all began right here: on this day in 2015, Minority Report premiered on television. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the pilot episode:
"Detective Vega gets help from Dash, a precog who can see murders before they happen. After seeing the death of a politician's wife, the two work together while trying to protect Dash's secret."
"Detective Vega gets help from Dash, a precog who can see murders before they happen. After seeing the death of a politician's wife, the two work together while trying to protect Dash's secret."
On this day in 2017, The Orville aired "About A Girl." This served as the third episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Bortus and Klyden debate whether their newborn child should have a controversial surgery."
"Bortus and Klyden debate whether their newborn child should have a controversial surgery."
It all came down to this: on this day in 2017, Zoo bowed out of televised existence with the airing of "The Barrier." This served as the thirteenth episode of the third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The team races to stop the hybrids from breaching the barrier wall by shutting down the last beacon that draws them in."
"The team races to stop the hybrids from breaching the barrier wall by shutting down the last beacon that draws them in."
