If you missed Journeyman in its short run, then you sure missed something special. The modern take on a man who finds himself mysteriously drifting through the events of the past and present was nothing short of inspired. It premiered on this day back in 2007, and fans have been clamoring for a DVD release or a follow-up feature ever since.
ABC TV's program FlashForward was exactly the kind of 'big premise' idea the networks were all seeking at a time when the sci-fi/mystery program Lost was fading into history: on a normal day, everyone alive on Earth blacked out for over two minutes ... so the program hoped to investigate why? What did it all mean? Unfortunately, FlashForward never quite lived up to the hype and promise of its first episode, "No More Good Days," that premiered on this day back in 2009. FlashForward mostly limped through its only season, answering each question with three more questions, and viewers were quickly disenfranchised.
As I remind folks every time the subject comes up, I'm not a big fan of Marvel. Oh, the label has a few superhero characters I care about, but overall they're just to hip, young, and sassy for my tastes. Still, I can respect any show that manages to get beyond a single season on network television as genre shows typically come and go way too fast, and Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. appears to have solid staying power. Give it up for the regular Joes in the world of Marvel who'll suit up to defend our life, liberty, and whatever else. They're always looking out for us.
Science Fiction of a certain era owes a debt of gratitude to Bert I. Gordon, a veritable genius responsible for writing and directing twenty-five of his own SciFi features. Now, they may not be "the best films" in the history of our genre, but even things like King Dinosaur (1955), War Of The Colossal Beast (1958), and Empire Of The Ants (1977) deserve a passing glance from time to time. Gordon was born on this day in 1922. [Source: IMDB.com]
The late Stanley Lebor enjoyed a small role aboard Flash Gordon (1980) playing a scheming Mongol physician who conspired with Princess Aura to keep Flash alive. He also sported work in Doomwatch, The Tomorrow People, and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987). Though he's no longer with us, Lebor was born on this day in 1934. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the realm of The Matrix Reloaded, Randall Duk Kim played The Keymaker, a role he also revisited in the online Enter the Matrix video game. Duk also appeared in an episode of Fox TV's Fringe. Duk was born on this day in 1943.
Tony Swartz was one of the background players -- a Colonial fighter pilot -- who helped make the original Battlestar Galactica into the space epic that it was. Though he's no longer with us, Swartz was born on this day in 1943.
Though his is probably not a household name, Sven-Ole Thorsen has managed to squeeze himself into supporting roles in a solid batch of genre flicks. He's been aboard Conan The Barbarian (1982), Conan The Destroyer (1984), Red Sonja (1985), Predator (1987), The Running Man (1987), Captain Power And The Soldiers Of The Future, Abraxas - Guardian Of The Universe (1990), The Flash, Terminator 2 (1991), Nemesis (1992), Cyborg 2 (1993), Kull The Conqueror (1997), End Of Days (1999), and Timecop: The Berlin Decision (2003). Thorsen was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
Aboard Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Harriet Walter played a medical professional who gave a bit of extra attention to mankind's favorite Wookie. Walter was born on this day in 1950. [Source: IMDB.com]
Director and fan-friendly Brad Bird has more than a few genre notches on his belt to be proud of. He's helmed such properties as The Iron Giant (1999), The Incredibles (2004), Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011), and Tomorrowland (2015). Bird was born on this day in 1957.
As Capt. Dylan Hunt, actor Kevin Sorbo took the reins of a Gene Roddenberry program Andromeda and brought the space opera roaring to life on television. Also in the world of genre entertainment, the man brought Hercules to life as part of the occasionally cheesy Hercules: The Legendary Journeys in syndication, helping to fuel a spin-off that became Xena: Warrior Princess. Sorbo was born on this day in 1958.
Die-hard Star Trek enthusiasts -- of which I proudly consider myself -- have debated for years what or (more appropriately) who contributed to Trek's demise greatest throughout the decades since its inception ... and here's the bloke I give the most credit to: John Logan. He penned an absolutely turgid script that became Star Trek: Nemesis, and -- to make matters worse -- he actually spent time running around the shooting stages trying to "correct" everyone on matters considered Trek canon; however, if his script is any indication, it's pretty clear that the screenwriter knew absolutely nothing about the property itself. Logan was born on this day in 1961 ... and, yes, so far as I'm concerned, he's responsible for Trek's death.
Though I totally dug the premise, I only tuned in for a few episodes of NBC's short-lived Dark Skies. As a conspiracy nut myself, I was fascinated with the idea of revisited world history through the eyes of alien manipulation, but the program's writing was just far too 'elementary' for my refined tastes. Still, I appreciated the work of its stars, of which the lovely Megan Ward played a delicious Kimberly Sayers (above left). Ward was born on this day in 1969.
Though her resume boasts far more work in conventional comedies and dramas, heavenly ginger Erin Chambers did set fandom ablaze with a short-lived recurring guest star status aboard Syfy's Stargate: Atlantis. Chambers was born on this day in 1979.
Justin Bruening dabbled in the world of super high-speed artificial intelligence when he played Mike Traceur, the driver behind the wheel of 2008's Knight Rider reboot. Bruening was born on this day in 1979.
The voluptuous Tanit Phoenix brought her talent and considerable assets to bear in the retooled Death Race franchise, appearing aboard both Death Race 2 and Death Race: Inferno as Katrina Banks. Phoenix was born on this day in 1980.
Lara Jean Chorostecki is a fantastic actress who most recently wowed audiences of NBC's Hannibal, but her genre creds don't stop there. She had a small but crucial role in Antiviral (2012), a terrific and underrated SciFi gem I had the good fortune to see on home video when it was released. She's also appeared aboard Camelot, Lost Girl, and Haven. Chorostecki was born on this day in 1984.
A luminous Jessica Lucas left footprints in a handful of television properties -- including UPN's cult favorite Seven Days -- when she vaulted onto the silver screen as one of the unfortunate few 'urbanites' racing to survive a monstrous encounter with Cloverfield. She continues to impress today. Lucas was born on this day in 1985.
In the Supergirl television universe, the sassy Brit Morgan sparks with villainous girl power in the role of 'Livewire.' She also enjoyed a big role aboard HBO's True Blood during its run. Morgan was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Spencer Treat Clark enjoyed a recurring role aboard ABC TV's venture into the Marvel Universe, Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Clark was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Heartthrob Grey Damon stole young girls' hearts as part of the cast of the CW's short-lived SciFi romance, Star-Crossed. (I never saw it, but some reviews were complimentary.) Damon was born on this day in 1987.
On this day in 1975 (in France), Louis Malle's Black Moon enjoyed its theatrical debut. The SciFi feature starred Cathryn Harrison and Alexandra Stewart, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"To escape a gender war, a girl flees to a remote farmhouse and becomes part of an extensive family's unusual, perhaps even supernatural, lifestyle."
"To escape a gender war, a girl flees to a remote farmhouse and becomes part of an extensive family's unusual, perhaps even supernatural, lifestyle."
On this day in 1996, Lifeform delivered some SciFi chills via a potential alien invader. The feature starred Cotter Smith and Robert Wisdom, and here's the plot summary that's listed on IMDB.com:
"When the Viking space capsule suddenly returns to Earth from its long ago trip to Mars, it brings with it an intelligent visitor that is part "Alien" and part "ET". Encased in armor, it extends a humanlike form from its shell to examine its surroundings and shows an interest in humans including a soft caress of a female scientist prior to the Army killing it. This only enrages its sibling."
"When the Viking space capsule suddenly returns to Earth from its long ago trip to Mars, it brings with it an intelligent visitor that is part "Alien" and part "ET". Encased in armor, it extends a humanlike form from its shell to examine its surroundings and shows an interest in humans including a soft caress of a female scientist prior to the Army killing it. This only enrages its sibling."
On this day back in the year 2001, an obscure something titled It Came From Outer Space II premiered theatrically (in Russia). I've never heard of it, but I'm only guessing it pilfered its 'alien invasion' idea on the original It Came From Outer Space. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Aliens crashland near a small desert town, strewing odd bluish-glowing rocks throughout the area. Townfolk notice something is amiss when temperatures begin to soar, water disappears, power goes down and people seem not to be themselves."
"Aliens crashland near a small desert town, strewing odd bluish-glowing rocks throughout the area. Townfolk notice something is amiss when temperatures begin to soar, water disappears, power goes down and people seem not to be themselves."
On this day in 2005, Earth found itself in the crosshairs yet again with the airing of the SciFi/Telefilm Path Of Destruction. The flick starred Danica McKellar and Chris Pratt, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The movie opens with a faulty nanotechnology experiment that results in a massive, deadly explosion. The company's CEO manages to sidestep blame by framing a meddling young reporter (Katherine), who now holds the only surviving evidence needed to expose the truth. All the while, the dangerous nanoparticles - having escaped from the explosion into the stratosphere - threaten to destroy nearby cities with wildly destructive weather patterns. Among the chaos of the storms, and on the run from the authorities, Katherine must - with the help of a young scientist - get the evidence to the government to enlist their help before it's too late...and the deadly disaster turns worldwide."
"The movie opens with a faulty nanotechnology experiment that results in a massive, deadly explosion. The company's CEO manages to sidestep blame by framing a meddling young reporter (Katherine), who now holds the only surviving evidence needed to expose the truth. All the while, the dangerous nanoparticles - having escaped from the explosion into the stratosphere - threaten to destroy nearby cities with wildly destructive weather patterns. Among the chaos of the storms, and on the run from the authorities, Katherine must - with the help of a young scientist - get the evidence to the government to enlist their help before it's too late...and the deadly disaster turns worldwide."
On this day in 2010, the Horror/SciFi flick Nightbeasts sunk its teeth into audiences. The feature starred Zach Galligan and Audra Wise, and here's the plot summary that's listed on IMDB.com:
"A father and son on a weekend hunting trip encounter supernatural horror in the woods."
"A father and son on a weekend hunting trip encounter supernatural horror in the woods."
On this day in 2011, Area 51 Confidential took the 'Found Footage Phenomenon' inside America's secret UFO laboratory. The film starred Devanny Pinn and Angie Johnson, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"People from various walks of life find themselves held captive in a desolate area surrounding a secret government installation rumored to contain extraterrestrial life."
"People from various walks of life find themselves held captive in a desolate area surrounding a secret government installation rumored to contain extraterrestrial life."
On this day in 2011, Time Machine: Rise Of The Morlocks took a SciFi page out of the H.G. Wells original. The feature starred David Hewlett and Christina Cole, and here's the plot summary as provided compliments of IMDB.com:
"An experimental time machine opens a window into the future and mutated monsters (the Morlocks) use it to come back to the present and go on a murderous rampage."
"An experimental time machine opens a window into the future and mutated monsters (the Morlocks) use it to come back to the present and go on a murderous rampage."
On this day in 2013, the Adult-themed SciFi/Comedy Intergalactic Swingers crashed down to Earth. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Dara and Alana are gorgeous extraterrestrial women who help destroy a giant asteroid heading towards Earth. While on Earth, they have close encounters of the physical kind with many people."
"Dara and Alana are gorgeous extraterrestrial women who help destroy a giant asteroid heading towards Earth. While on Earth, they have close encounters of the physical kind with many people."
On this day in 2013, Rulers Of Darkness turned up the heat in small-town life. The SciFi/Thriller starred Rachel Cairns and Mark Slacke, and here's the premise that's been provided via IMDB.com:
"A 20 year old, runs away from his conservative father to the remote town where his mother died two years ago. He meets an alluring young woman. They search for answers about his mother's death and discover a terrifying entity in the woods."
"A 20 year old, runs away from his conservative father to the remote town where his mother died two years ago. He meets an alluring young woman. They search for answers about his mother's death and discover a terrifying entity in the woods."
On this day in 1955, Adventures Of Superman aired "The Bully Of Dry Gulch." This served as the tenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Visiting the quaint Old West community of Dry Gulch, Jimmy quickly runs afoul of town bully Gunnar Flinch, who has an eye for Lois. Not necessarily a job for Superman, who nonetheless provides a still timely lesson on bullying."
"Visiting the quaint Old West community of Dry Gulch, Jimmy quickly runs afoul of town bully Gunnar Flinch, who has an eye for Lois. Not necessarily a job for Superman, who nonetheless provides a still timely lesson on bullying."
On this day in 1955, the eleventh episode of Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe aired as part of its single season on television. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"In his efforts to add the Earth to his long list of slave planets, the Ruler tries to get Commando Cody and his crew out of the way. His plans include the capture of Cody's rocketship. The method, a trumped up story told by a Mercurian."
"In his efforts to add the Earth to his long list of slave planets, the Ruler tries to get Commando Cody and his crew out of the way. His plans include the capture of Cody's rocketship. The method, a trumped up story told by a Mercurian."
On this day in 1966, Doctor Who aired "The Smugglers: Part 3." This served as the third episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Polly and Ben are placed in the custody of Blake, who reveals he also has his suspicions about the Squire, while the Doctor and Kewper are forced to team up to escape from Pike's ship."
"Polly and Ben are placed in the custody of Blake, who reveals he also has his suspicions about the Squire, while the Doctor and Kewper are forced to team up to escape from Pike's ship."
On this day in 1977, Doctor Who aired "Horror Of Fang Rock: Part 4." This served as the fourth episode of the program's fifteenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With little to fear, and its mother ship about to land and turn Earth into an alien attack base, the electrically charged Rutan scout drops its human guise and attacks openly."
"With little to fear, and its mother ship about to land and turn Earth into an alien attack base, the electrically charged Rutan scout drops its human guise and attacks openly."
After its big premiere, the original Battlestar Galactica then settled into its regular episodic format on this day back in 1978 with the premiere of "The Lost Planet of the Gods, Part 1." The action saw most of the male Viper pilots sidelined by a space virus, leaving Starbuck and Apollo with the curiously thankless job of training any and all females capable of strapping in to the cockpit to defend the Fleet. BOOYAH!
On this day in 1979, Battle of the Planets aired "Decoys of Doom." This served as the fifty-third episode of the program's United States' run, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Humanoid decoys of the G-Force team are created to be used as bait in a trap for Spectra. The "real" Mark swaps places with his decoy and is captured by Spectra. Mark must signal the team and lead G-Force to the Spectra base."
"Humanoid decoys of the G-Force team are created to be used as bait in a trap for Spectra. The "real" Mark swaps places with his decoy and is captured by Spectra. Mark must signal the team and lead G-Force to the Spectra base."
On this day in 1982, The Powers of Matthew Star aired the second episode of its only season. Here's the hour's summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"When a cop is killed while the police were in the middle of an operation. One of the other cops recognizes Walt as the killer. Walt is arrested and at his arraignment they produce a video tape that shows that "Walt" killed the cop, Walt is held without bail. Walt tells Matthew that the man is Walt's counterpart on Earth. When Matthew fails to convince the police they have the wrong man, he goes out and tries to find Walt's counterpart, which won't be easy cause the man's associates will do whatever they have to, to protect him."
"When a cop is killed while the police were in the middle of an operation. One of the other cops recognizes Walt as the killer. Walt is arrested and at his arraignment they produce a video tape that shows that "Walt" killed the cop, Walt is held without bail. Walt tells Matthew that the man is Walt's counterpart on Earth. When Matthew fails to convince the police they have the wrong man, he goes out and tries to find Walt's counterpart, which won't be easy cause the man's associates will do whatever they have to, to protect him."
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Space Moby." This (technically) served as the program's eighteenth episode (they aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Some Space Miners in an Asteroid field encounter Space Whales. Business leaders want the whales eliminated, others want them protected. The Rangers are sent in to find a solution."
"Some Space Miners in an Asteroid field encounter Space Whales. Business leaders want the whales eliminated, others want them protected. The Rangers are sent in to find a solution."
On this day back in 1993, The X-Files was getting one of its most memorable villains (especially for its first season) when the episode "Squeeze" introduced audiences to Eugene Victor Tooms (played by Doug Hutchison).
What? Don't tell me you've never seen Space: Above and Beyond? Clearly, S:AAB (as it's known among its fans) was one of the highwater marks of sci-fi TV for the 1990's. It premiered on this day in 1995 with a plot that bore a lot of similarities to another sci-fi book & film (that I won't name in order to divert controversy): settlers on a distant planet were attacked by an unseen alien race, and the forces of Earth respond, in kind, with a military campaign. It introduced audiences to a squadron of young cadets -- soldiers and fighter pilots known as the 'Wild Cards' -- and all of them would be affected in ways they never imagined before it all came crashing to its epic end in only a single season.
On this day in 1996, The Burning Zone aired "Arms of Fire." This served as the fourth episode to the program's first and only season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Edward and Kimberly have to make a vaccine to solve a virus."
"Edward and Kimberly have to make a vaccine to solve a virus."
On this day in 2002, Smallville soared back onto the small screen, premiering its second season with an hour titled "Vortex." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Clark Kent saves Lana Lang from the tornado, but his father Jonathan is missing, trapped with the despicable reporter Roger Nixon (Tom O'Brien) in an old tomb beneath a destroyed church filled with meteor rocks. Lex Luthor saves his father, who is submitted to the hospital for surgery, and then joins forces with Clark to look for Jonathan. Chloe Sullivan decides to be only friends with Clark after his disappearance from the dance to rescue Lana. Also, Lana becomes suspicious of the abilities of Clark."
"Clark Kent saves Lana Lang from the tornado, but his father Jonathan is missing, trapped with the despicable reporter Roger Nixon (Tom O'Brien) in an old tomb beneath a destroyed church filled with meteor rocks. Lex Luthor saves his father, who is submitted to the hospital for surgery, and then joins forces with Clark to look for Jonathan. Chloe Sullivan decides to be only friends with Clark after his disappearance from the dance to rescue Lana. Also, Lana becomes suspicious of the abilities of Clark."
On this day in 2004, Andromeda aired "The Weight: Part 1." This served as the first episode of the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Dylan exits the route of ages and ends up on Seefra. The beings on Seefra have limited technology and no escape from the system. Dylan finds Rhade, who's not too thrilled to see his former Captain."
"Dylan exits the route of ages and ends up on Seefra. The beings on Seefra have limited technology and no escape from the system. Dylan finds Rhade, who's not too thrilled to see his former Captain."
On this day in 2005, Justice League Unlimited aired "Chaos At The Earth's Core." This served as the third episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Green Lantern, Stargirl, S.T.R.I.P.E. and Supergirl are drawn to the subterranean world of Skartaris to assist the Warlord, Travis Morgan."
"Green Lantern, Stargirl, S.T.R.I.P.E. and Supergirl are drawn to the subterranean world of Skartaris to assist the Warlord, Travis Morgan."
Also on this day in 2005, Justice League Unlimited aired "To Another Shore." This served as the fourth episode in the program's third season, and here's the premise that's listed on IMDB.com:
"Wonder Woman finds herself fighting a team from the Legion of Doom determined to steal the frozen body of the Viking Prince."
"Wonder Woman finds herself fighting a team from the Legion of Doom determined to steal the frozen body of the Viking Prince."
It all began right here: on this day in 2007, NBC premiered Journeyman, yet another twist in the time travel possibilities. The first episode was titled "A Love Of A Lifetime," and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A San Francisco reporter travels back in time, eventually figuring out why. But his present-day life becomes a mess due to his absences."
"A San Francisco reporter travels back in time, eventually figuring out why. But his present-day life becomes a mess due to his absences."
On this day in 2010, Smallville launched into its tenth (and final) season with the airing of "Lazarus." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Oliver is tortured incessantly by Rick Flag until Chloe, who used the Justice League's helmet to find him, exchanges herself for him. Awakening in a secret LuthorCorp lab among partial Lex clones, Tess meets young Alexander before the bloodthirsty, dying senior knocks her down and uses Lois, who enabled Clark's healing by removing the fatal blue kryptonite, to set a sadistic trap. Despite his success, Clark lets his confidence be undermined by Jor-El in the ice fortress, but reconsiders after a pep-talk from Jonathan."
"Oliver is tortured incessantly by Rick Flag until Chloe, who used the Justice League's helmet to find him, exchanges herself for him. Awakening in a secret LuthorCorp lab among partial Lex clones, Tess meets young Alexander before the bloodthirsty, dying senior knocks her down and uses Lois, who enabled Clark's healing by removing the fatal blue kryptonite, to set a sadistic trap. Despite his success, Clark lets his confidence be undermined by Jor-El in the ice fortress, but reconsiders after a pep-talk from Jonathan."
On this day in 2012, Alphas aired "The Devil Will Drag You Down." This served as the ninth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Hicks turns defector and beginning working for Parish, Rosen and the team can only wonder: has Hicks truly turned, or is he playing a deeper game involving Dani?"
"When Hicks turns defector and beginning working for Parish, Rosen and the team can only wonder: has Hicks truly turned, or is he playing a deeper game involving Dani?"
It all began right here: on this day in 2013, Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. opened its door for business on the ABC Network. According to IMDB.com, here's the premise behind its pilot episode:
"S.H.I.E.L.D. puts together a special team, led by Agent Phil Coulson, to track down a mysterious man with special abilities and the young computer hacker that's encouraging him to reveal himself to the world."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. puts together a special team, led by Agent Phil Coulson, to track down a mysterious man with special abilities and the young computer hacker that's encouraging him to reveal himself to the world."
On this day in 2002, Earth & Beyond was released to the general marketplace. According to our friends at Wikipedia.org, here's what all of the excitement was about:
"Earth & Beyond was a science fiction massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Westwood Studios and published by Electronic Arts (EA). The game was released in September 2002 in the United States. EA shut down Earth & Beyond on September 22, 2004. It was the last game developed by Westwood Studios."
"Earth & Beyond was a science fiction massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Westwood Studios and published by Electronic Arts (EA). The game was released in September 2002 in the United States. EA shut down Earth & Beyond on September 22, 2004. It was the last game developed by Westwood Studios."
