Binge-Worthy Cult TV Shows 2

[@godzillafan4033]

The Night Stalker is great I own it. Darren Magavin did all the heavy lifting on the show. He really sold it. Also David Chase wrote some of the episodes mostly involving the mob. Which I find very funny considering that he went on to produce the Sopranos. Also wrote and produced for The Rockford Files. Another favorite of mine.

[@supersithlord]

I absolutely LOVE Kolchak! I still watch the episodes regularly.

[@jlovebirch]

Loved The Middle Man and was so mad when they cancelled it. For another great show loaded with cultural references and parody, see The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Love Bruce Campbell.

[@monacaravetta]

Kolchak was another one my mom and I enjoyed together when I was a kid.

[@johnhoward9689]

Loving this new channel. Been a Paleo listener for years now, back in GGTMC days. Night Stalker was - and still remains - a favorite series. Watched em on late night tv with pops, digging McGavin's snarky take on the unreal. Currently revisiting Blake's 7, which never aired here in Canada. Keep up the good work, Terry!

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thanks so much, John. The channel is immensely satisfying to me. Should've started it long ago. I have plans that I could never have done with the podcast. 2021 is gonna be a fun year.

[@timeliebe]

Terry, you didn't mention his greatest part -- that of Ralphie Parker's Old Man in A CHRISTMAS STORY!

[@terrytalksmovies]

@@timeliebe his greatest part was as Sinatra's pusher in The Man With The Golden Arm.

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

I once started thinking that Kolchak could not be remade as it was ... a newspaper would not put up with his kind of weird tales and the monsters all imigrated to Chicago each week ...as much as I loooooved thw show , that was a stretch . My thoughts was to have Kolchak travel to try to unravel why so many monsters are appearing and have his Blog be The Night Stalker . Perhaps having him tailed by nefarious shady characters ? My first thought for the role was Simon Hedberg . What do you think ? I haven't ever written a screen play but this idea won't leave me alone so I might just

[@alankohn6709]

The Middleman is criminally underappreciated series Have you checked out the Amanda Tapping series call Sanctuary

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yeah, I think we have some seasons on DVD.

[@alankohn6709]

@@terrytalksmovies Really interesting series started off as a web series picked up a word of mouth following, then went on to be a SciFi channel series. Saved money by using a lot of CGI sets (That improved a lot as the series went on). Covered a lot of gerner Magic, Fantasy, Scifi, Steampunk they even had a Superhero episode. Great world building, good acting and not bad for the most part writing. Now almost forgotten like 'John Doe' or 'Seven Days' (which had one of the best use of time travel as a plot device.). I love these obscure series old and new be it Gemini Man 1976, Street Hawk 1985 or modern stuff like Jake 2.0 or the invisible man (2000) it's great to find someone who loves these series as much as me.

[@vincentrathbone26]

Wow, you have a supportive wife, my wife keeps threatening to hire a skip and throw out my vintage comics, records, movie posters, model kits etc, etc. you're one lucky dude !

[@terrytalksmovies]

Trade in or trade up. 🙂😏👍

[@rstyeast73]

Kolchak: The Night Stalker was one of my favorites. I was barely a year old when it originally aired on ABC in 1974-75. I watched it when it started airing on the Sci-Fi Channel as part of the Sci-Fi Series Collection. I later found the entire series on DVD and I wish I never traded it in. I have been trying to find it ever since. It was also one of Chris Carter's influences when he created The X-Files.

[@IndiephantomSofaSinema]

Just today I have been meaning to go back to Wild Palms. I did watch it during its original run. Some really cool directors involved in it.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Keith Gordon and Kathryn Bigelow in particular. Hope you enjoy it.

[@caronstout354]

It's a thinly disguised take-off of Scientology...

[@terrytalksmovies]

@@caronstout354 Amongst other things. Great soundtrack, too.

[@bratman82]

Fun fact regarding Richard Matheson. He wrote the short story Duel which Stephen Spielberg brought to the screen in 1971

[@skepticalfaith5201]

I caught the movie Duel on TV by happenstance long before I heard of Spielberg.

[@laustcawz2089]

Matheson also wrote stories for "The Twilight Zone" & wrote or co-wrote stories/screenplays for books & their corresponding films, such as "The Incredible Shrinking Man", "The Legend Of Hell House", "Somewhere In Time", "Trilogy Of Terror" &, of course, "Duel".

[@stevenscott2136]

The interesting thing is how many of his stories produce that "I've seen this adapted elsewhere" realization. He apparently shaped a lot more of our "fiction culture" than you'd think from how relatively-unknown his name is, compared to the Serlings, Asimovs, Kings, etc.

[@RSEFX]

SAPPHIRE AND STEEL had a great mystique, and quite evocative,. More is implied, suggested than explicit, which I saw as a strength. Matheson one of the all all all time greats! Aside from classics like I AM LEGEND and the SHRINKING MAN he was very much at the heart of The Twilight Zone, as well as a number of the Poe films, MASTER OF THE WORLD, and things like Trilogy of Terror. He really was the guy who re-invented horror and much of SF on the silver (and home) screens.

[@NathanieldeBell]

Being enthusiastic for classic British television, I watched through Sapphire & Steel for the first time a few years ago. It wasn't until Assignment 3 that the series finally clicked with me; while its pacing and budget my perturb some viewers, it really is quite daring with the concepts it explores and manages to be effective with its imagery.

[@hanniffydinn6019]

Imagine watching it as a kid! Blew my mind! 🤯🤯🤯

[@marcrhodes-taylor5347]

peter j hammond wrote a couple of episodes of torchwood the bbc tv series. one was about fairies with dangerous powers, the other one was a bit odd but interesting and seemed to involve strange beings entering our world from another dimension.

[@hanniffydinn6019]

@@marcrhodes-taylor5347 sadly we don’t seem to have this quality writing anymore! The new dr who is a trash fire! 🤯🤯🤯🤡🤡🤡🌍🌍🌍

[@marcrhodes-taylor5347]

@@hanniffydinn6019 torchwood has been really good i wish that they could bring that back, or that they could bring back firefly i guess that's slightly more likely

[@poleaxed6447]

It was originally written as a children's show but deemed to scary which resulted in it being placed in a later time slot. This allowed them to do some of the darker storylines later in the series. My personal favourite was the story set at the Train Station with ghosts of the dead gathering and an entity feeding off their suffering. It's a shame they didn't make more but this was due to the station losing it's licence and the company that took it over not being interested in the series.

[@TimothyCollins]

Oh yes - very much yes to "The Middleman". That was a show that ended way too soon. Loved it.

[@grannyweatherwax8005]

So happy to finally find others who loved the Middleman!

[@NathanieldeBell]

Thank you for making me aware of Wild Palms, from your description it sounds intriguing and I will definitely see if I can track down the series.

[@terrytalksmovies]

You can try eBay.

[@timbaker8498]

another good series from the early 70's that didn't last long was THE SIXTH SENSE as well as NIGHT GALLERY.

[@ScottyKirk1]

Righto! They edited the 6th Sense episodes down to 30min and added them to Night Gallery when it was syndicated.

[@markpatrick2735]

sapphire and steel- went back and watched it not long ago. i love the sense of mystery, of not knowing about their characters.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I don't want the full banquet but at least give me a tasting plate of their world and backstory.

[@rassisca3931]

S&S initially was pitched as a children's series & the first story reflects that. The following storiies shifted a lot darker in its still early evening time slot (Most people remember the second with the soldier & the railway station & the fourth with the burning of people alive in photographs). The fifth wasn't written by the creator & is a bit of an oddball. The final story won't bring you any further answers, a teaser spoiler here of "I think they answer to a higher authority." & everyone who saw it remembers the ending in the same way as they do Blakes 7. Both the third & final stories bring you the brilliant David Collings as Silver.

[@mariannalogsdon1286]

Night Stalker still the best. Great review 🐸❤️Love from Pennsylvania

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thanks!

[@stuff4brianka]

I loved Space: 1999. In fact, I remember one year, at the beginning of Spring when we were able to go outside without a coat, I would liken it to the episode where the Moon got its own atmosphere for a short time.

[@monacaravetta]

Sapphire and Steel- love it! Also love me some Joanna Lumley...she's always Patsy to me. Cheers, thanks a lot!

[@michaelsmyth6296]

Kolchak! What a great show. Ran through the movies and series many times. Great cast, a fine layer of 🧀 and a pork pie hat. DM had serious back issues and was in constant pain during the entirety. Think about that while watching.

[@hanniffydinn6019]

Sapphire & Steel blew my mind as a kid! 🤯🤯🤯🤯😎😎😎😎👍👍👍👍

[@coolitnow0013]

Hell Yeah and still does till this day.

[@atomiccritter6492]

I like the way it takes standard horror cliches and plays with them and OMG people with faces removed - still creepy af

[@boomerdoug4242]

Another great video. Great to see Kolchak The Night Stalker get some love. Yes many episodes were formulaic and not remotely scary now (it was when I was a kid) However Darren McGavin was so good in it such a great character and not a cliche...almost reluctant hero. It was very well written and very funny.Not to mention killer opening credits......that theme blending from almost jolly to outright spooky.

[@terrytalksmovies]

They did a lot with very little in Kolchak.

[@henrymach]

Funny thing about MANTIS is that there's a 70's TV movie with the exact same basic plot called 'Exo Man', which I believe was meant to be a show pilot but ended up not being picked

[@terrytalksmovies]

The MANTIS pilot added some social issues that make it superior to Exo-Man. It had potential that the series weakened.

[@MiddleAgedGeekGrrrl]

Night Stalker is such an awesome show. I should try rewatching Middle Man, as I never really got into it the first time, not sure why as it looks like something I would enjoy. I’m not sure I forgive you yet for leaving me out of your ‘thanks’.... 🤬😜😷

[@terrytalksmovies]

You forgive me. Definitely should watch Middleman once we get the DVD set I ordered. Thanks for all your support.

[@lashlarue59]

I recently re-watched The Night Strangler, the 2nd Kolchak made for TV movie and it was great, very much on par with Stalker.

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Big Fan of McGavin and The Night Stalker . Hope it gets some attention soon

[@fredjaneson1670]

He gives us a wide variety in this video doesn't he? I'm really liking this channel.

[@awickedtribe]

I would add 'Space: Above and Beyond' .... only one season thanks to bizarre scheduling... 4 pm on a Sunday. I never hear about 'Night Man'...?

[@terrytalksmovies]

I saw a few episodes of Space Above and Beyond back in the day but Night Man didn't appear in Australia.

[@awickedtribe]

@@terrytalksmovies You should check it out... It was interesting

[@BlackDoveNYC]

‘Space: Above and Beyond’ was a great show strong writing, kind of ahead of its time. It was a serialized drama before such shows were viable. You can probably get it on Amazon or eBay.

[@allenlovell1604]

NoWhere Man ran briefly on UPN, the classic Dark Shadows, and there are just so many I can think of ! Yes, I'm a baby boomer, and in my mid -60's now, but growing there were some really awesome shows!

[@terrytalksmovies]

There still are but you have to sort through the chaff to find them. 😀

[@dlee827]

The Corridor People, from 1966. A British series that went to 4 episodes. It could be best described as "what if Joe Orton wrote a detective/spy/adventure series?" because it does have some Ortonesque touches. The baddie is played by Elizabeth Shepherd, who was the original choice for Emma Peel in The Avengers. It is available on DVD (I have a copy).

[@terrytalksmovies]

I have The Corridor People on DVD. Great series. Yeah it does have a Joe Orton vibe.

[@JerryListener]

Wild Palms was SUCH a good recommendation- I loved it! The only James Belushi situation that I actually like!

[@terrytalksmovies]

It has become a hidden gem. In some ways it was one of the first times cyberpunk was honestly done on screen.

[@JerryListener]

I personally don't know anyone who has seen it, so it's binge night at my place soon! I wouldn't have found this gem without you Terry, so thank you!

[@saiyansomething73]

The best thing about Nightstalker isn't the monsters or the action, but the quality of writing that goes into the dialogue. Even the short scenes with minor characters stands out. This dialogue allowed the show to attract some of the best character actors in T.V. and occasionally from film. If you grew up during that era or are a fan of 70s and 80s T.V. you'll recognize familiar faces from countless other programs and movies. In turn, the quality acting punched these little scenes and made them that much more enjoyable, giving Darren McGavin more to work with in portraying his part.

[@terrytalksmovies]

McGavin was a really underrated actor.

[@randyjohnson7821]

Your knowledge and presentation are top notch.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thank you.

[@futuramayeah]

i bought the dvd of the Middleman sometime in the 2000s? at a dvd store and got it just because , and it was good, like the first live action Tick tv show, which had Bat Manuel instead of Die Fliedermaus from the cartoon

[@fryoung1]

Night Stalker was a favourite series, as a teen we always compared notes on what happened on the show, the next day. I've caught it a few times on youtube. Darren McGavin was excellent in the role. Been trying to find Space Patrol Orion. Wild Palms was a must see series when it came out, among people I knew... very trippy for the time.

[@christianemden7637]

Try Raumpatrouille on youtube there is a subtitled version. The show actually aired one week after the premiere of the original star treck, so not so much a reaction to it.

[@fryoung1]

@@christianemden7637 can't find any versions with english subtitles. :(

[@grannyweatherwax8005]

I don't know why I never heard of the tv show Wild Palms. While you were talking about it, I kept thinking I knew its name from some other medium, like a book, but just couldn't place it. Turns out it was first a comic that ran in a magazine I had a subscription to back in the day. I wish I had some old copies. Memory unlocked!

[@terrytalksmovies]

I have the blu-ray of Wild Palms. It's use of classic pop music is inspired, too.

[@lorensims4846]

I remember "Wild Palms" quite fondly. Yes, it was quite challenging for prime time television, but that was part of what made it interesting. I was very much into the early days of cyberpunk at the time, but I was also preparing for a drive across the country to move to California. I didn't realize it wasn't a 'regular' series, I just thought I wasn't keeping up with it as much as I wanted to. I've always been waiting for other shows to follow its lead, but only "VR-5" came anywhere even close. I've been mad for Carl Kolchak ever since "The Nigh Stalker" TV movie first aired. I think part of the reason it worked so well is that it was produced by Dan Curtis, the guy who brought us "Dark Shadows" (the cult soap opera of the late '60s and early '70s). I now have The Middleman on order. Thanks for the recommendation. Can't find Space Patrol Orion but I'll keep looking.

[@lorensims4846]

Ha! All seven episodes of Space Patrol Orion are right here on KZbin! Search on the original German name Raumpatrouille Orion to avoid mixup with the series from the '50s (that I accidentally bought) Space Patrol with Commander Buzz Corey. Not at all what I wanted. These videos also include English subtitles. Only seven episodes of this show were ever produced, but they were rerun regularly for a while.

[@laustcawz2089]

Curtis also directed the TV movie "Trilogy Of Terror" (featuring stories by Matheson) & the theatrical feature "Burnt Offerings", both starring Karen Black. "VR5" was terrific.

[@ed8063]

Hi Terry, I've just subscribed and am really enjoying your videos. You're doing a great job. Only problem is that my list of things to watch is really getting out of hand :)

[@terrytalksmovies]

Welcome to my world, Ed. The struggle is real. 😀

[@Koshka42]

Have you seen the series they made of Limitless? It was amazing, just got better and better as it went, it was absolutely hilarious. One episode was a love story to Ferris Bueller's Day off. Priceless. Only one season, but at least it was a full season of 22 episodes. And oh, the Wild Palms soundtrack... so good.

[@caronstout354]

It was the smartest TV show for its time...worth the effort to get the series DVD.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Haven't seen the series. My problem is that if I binge too many series, I have less time for movies.

[@AnthonyAPerez]

Great to see your channel succeeding, dude!

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thanks mate. It's surprising. BTW, your video will be sent in about six hours.

[@AnthonyAPerez]

@@terrytalksmovies Thanks man! I appreciate it!

[@mathewguglielmi8451]

Thanks for the recommendations. Just borrowed Sapphire and Steel series from my local library. I think it aired on Channel 7 in Melbourne in the 1980's. I have been curious about the series as i was too young to watch it when it first aired. I have the same dvd of Wild Palms and i have vague recollections of Channel 9 airing it over summer around 1994. I think Bruce Wagner cowrote the screenplay to Maps to the Stars with David Cronenberg. You have reminded me to re-watch the series and to watch The Nightstalker dvd set that i have at home. David Chase, one of the key writers for the Nightstalker, later created The Sopranos. I also found some episodes of the German tv series inspired by Star Trek on you tube.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Wagner did co-write Maps to the Stars. We're really looking forward to the blu-rays of Night Stalker and Night Strangler. There are groovy extras. Raumpatrouille is weird but fascinating stuff and that bombastic Peter Thomas soundtrack really makes it pop.

[@kaljaxa5365]

Loved Kolchak The Night Stalker. Would liked to have seen more episodes of that.

[@jonshepherd2550]

Sapphire and steel scared me more than anything before or since

[@terrytalksmovies]

Even Covid? #joke

[@jonshepherd2550]

@@terrytalksmovies ha good one

[@andreaslermen2008]

Greetings from Germany. Raumpatroille Orion is absolut hilarious if you see it from todays point of view. I watched multiple times through them. Considering there was only a small budget, the effects are ok, the design is very futuristic. And the main title for the series is very iconic. On the downside, I don't think there is any English version.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I got a copy with pirated subtitles, so I can enjoy the wonderful 1960s cheesiness of it.

[@PeterMore]

I loved Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Definitely going to rewatch it now.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Do it!

[@PeterMore]

@@terrytalksmovies After I'm done with Danger 5!

[@terrytalksmovies]

@@PeterMore That seems entirely reasonable.

[@mr_black2157]

It's too strange there isn't any reviews on Wild Palms anywhere. I thought it would have a fan base like Twin Peaks. I honestly, love both shows.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Wild Palms needs more oxygen. William Gibson does a cameo in it, FFS!

[@adamlytle2615]

Definitely need to go back and watch the Middle Man - I really enjoyed it when it came out but I think for one reason or another never finished it. I think there are maybe 3 episodes I haven't seen? Not often you can revisit an old favourite and also get a few you've never seen.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Totally agree!

[@darrensmith6999]

I remember Sapphire and Steel , not Seen Space patrol Orion but i remember an Australian Sci fi series shown here in Britain called The Phoenix 5 it was a sort of Star Trek nock off can you remember it ?

[@terrytalksmovies]

Phoenix Five was weird fun. I think there are some episodes of it on KZbin. Might be worth a look.

[@brianartillery]

I like the sound of 'The Middleman' ; it sounds like a fun mash-up of two fairly recent shows I loved: 'Fringe' (first two seasons), and 'Warehouse 13' (all of it). 'Sapphire and Steel' Story 2 (The haunted railway station) is superb. The whistling ghost is still one of the creepiest things on television.

[@terrytalksmovies]

The Middleman is also great meta fun.

[@rstyeast73]

That's true. Warehouse 13 is in the same vein as The Middle Men. It had a lot of pop culture references in it.

[@ActionPanda-g5n]

Count Zero, Mona Lisa Overdrive and Neuromancer. You know what I am talking about, Terry.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yeah, I met William Gibson. Nice guy. 😀

[@dlee827]

Definitely not on a DVD box, because many episodes are missing believed wiped, but there was an ITV series from the very early 70s which I saw as a boy, called The Adventures of Don Quick. This starred Ian Hendry and Ronald Lacey as, basically, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza in space. They'd show up on a planet, Hendry's character would try to "improve" the lives of the inhabitants and this would go catastrophically wrong for all concerned. I've seen one episode on KZbin but most of it has gone, I gather.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Cool. Too much good stuff has been lost.

[@Concreteowl]

Sapphire and Steel is pretty much perfect. The first assignment isn't the best one but it has oodles of atmosphere. Sapphire and Steel are field agents so they are "children" of pure elementals.

[@terrytalksmovies]

A bit more back story would've helped. 😀

[@Concreteowl]

@@terrytalksmovies that might have spoiled the enigma of them.

[@ActionPanda-g5n]

The Middleman is my pick. I guess we did not get a TV release in Aust. Thanks Terry.

[@terrytalksmovies]

My pleasure. I had to get a US DVD of the series.

[@craterranch]

Good choices. I just discovered Orion recently and look forward to finding more English-subbed episodes. Anyway, if you like cult shows, two from the US I like but admittedly haven't seen in years are "Push, Nevada" and "G vs. E," aka Good vs. Evil. Push had a Twin Peaks vibe to it, and G vs. E was a sort of buddy cop show with a fantasy twist that I remember being fun at the time. Not sure what the DVD availability is but there are some rather sketchy-quality VHS rips to be found online. Think I'll queue them up and revisit them. PS, I'm enjoying your videos.

[@ThePiratemachine]

Sapphire & Steel sounds based on the same premise as an episode of The Outer Limits starring - yes, David McCallum and also had Vera Miles, Barbara Rush, Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Scott Marlowe - the idea was all the clocks and Time. Another good cult series is Hong Kong ( Rod Taylor and luscious guest stars like Rhonda Fleming )

[@terrytalksmovies]

I loved Hong Kong.

[@ThePiratemachine]

@@terrytalksmovies Me too. Rod Taylor was good - made for the part like Roger Moore was made for The Saint. Even though others could possibly do Glen Evans Rod did it so well it was made for him and he made it is. And beautiful music.

[@stevenscott2136]

That Outer Limits episode was "The Forms of Things Unknown".

[@malcolmhowe6602]

Loved kolchak - ran out of monsters just maybe could have been a bit darker but for US TV culture.. Chris Carter wanted McGavin to play Kolchak in his episodes Of X Files but he wasn’t happy with that so changed the name.. but no doubt who he was!

[@skepticalfaith5201]

As a science fiction enthusiast and fan of cyberpunk, I caught Wild Palms, but was very disappointed. I had it on vcr, but they all got thrown out. It might be interesting to re-watch it.

[@terrytalksmovies]

It's a good rewatch.

[@atomiccritter6492]

Series I have binged watched recently - Tales Of The Unexpected...I will stick my neck out and say this the most consistently enjoyable anthology series ever and its 70s just--- The Booth At The End, The Wilds and The I Land, Wonderfalls, Kryptid, Undone but they are all far more modern

[@terrytalksmovies]

TOTU is a great series. Fine actors!

[@fredjaneson1670]

I very much enjoy your channel sir usually for movie reviews I watch overlord or the critical drinker and especially red letter media but you are professional and you have a wicked Sly sense of humor which I very much appreciate you are erudite well spoken and knowledgeable I'm happy to have subscribed to your channel thank you very much my best to you and your wife and all whom you love! :-)

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thank you. My pleasure.

[@NoahSpurrier]

“Danger Man” is woefully overlooked. It was so well written. They say “The Prisoner” isn’t the sequel to this series, but pretend it is and it’s much more fun. I actually liked it more than “The Prisoner”. “Friday the 13th: The Series” was good. “Lexx” is a category all its own. “The Tripods” was good, but as so often happens with the BBC they didn’t finish it, so we’re left with no ending. It had a similar look and feel as Dr. Who.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I love Danger Man. The scripts were really crisp in most episodes.

[@planet4change]

I remember the “MANTIS” . it was very entertaining at the time. I always wondered how a “MANTIS “and “Meteor Man” team up would have been received on TV. It would have been highly reminiscent of the Batman and robin team up with the green hornet and KATO. The original KATO b4 Bruce Lee was Keye Luke who also portrayed the blind master monk in the TV series Kung Fu.

[@senbe64]

Hiya Terry - another great show as always. As obscure cult tv shows are an obsession of mine, I'd like to add a few more details. The Middleman has a great last filmed episode - faced with cancellation they decided to spend the budget of two episodes on one. It pays off, with some nice call backs to previous characters (as it's set predominately in a parallel world.) M.A.N.T.I.S. had Coleman Luck take over show running half way through (when it got predominately more comicbooky.) Coleman Luck is a one of the few out and proud Christian writer / producers in Hollywood - he wrote and produced The Burning Zone (the tv show where the Ebola virus equivalent is literally Satan.) I was worried when you showed your DVD set of Sapphire and Steel - and said the only other version available was the split season sets. I have the 5 disc UK set, so I assume the break of the episodes per disk is different (or you have special features.) There's a great article on Sapphire and Steel in Scarred for Life (a great book about dark 70s popular culture in the UK) that gives more detail about it's "after life" Night Stalker - Darren McGavin was not only the FBI agent that opened the X-Files, he was also Frank Black's father in Millennium. As X-Files is shown to be both a fictional show in Millennium but also has a cross-over with it, McGavin probably exists in some kind of quantum state. I reckon it's worth looking at Millennium again (at least the first two seasons - pretend the third never happened and the show ended the way it should have, with the end of the world.) And if your Australian viewers aren't aware - our national treasure SBS On Demand is running the full first season of Kolchak: The Night Stalker until next year: www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/kolchak-the-night-stalker

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thanks for the extra info.

[@grannyweatherwax8005]

Does Sapphire and Steele ever improve/change from the first storyline? I tried to watch but it was absolutely not for me. There's a psychedelic influence that I've never been drawn to.

[@terrytalksmovies]

The series' bible seems all over the place. Their worldbuilding was too obscure.

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

I was nuts for Kolchak : The Night Stalker . Alas I have seen them all so many times I can't get into it any more . I had the idea that a reboot with Simon Hedburg ( Howard of Big Bang Theory ) as Kolchak working as a blogger but I doubt it could happen .

[@terrytalksmovies]

There was a reboot in the early 2000s which was shit.

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

@@terrytalksmovies Oh believe me I know ...I was so excited but ultimately disappointed

[@somthingbrutal]

the 70's/80's BBC version of day of the triffids and the absolutely outstanding edge of darkness (not the movie remake)

[@stevenscott2136]

That was a good adaptation, except for the stem-cutter guns -- as an engineer and marksman, those annoyed me. But they're of little import to the story.

[@michaelsmyth6296]

That's Robert Loggia. Great show.

[@m.e.3862]

Just saw some episodes of raumpatrouille Orion on KZbin. Unfortunately not subtitled or dubbed in English. Love these types of 60s sci-fi where everything looks mod and cool. Ikarie xb1 is the same and I prefer the production design more than Star Trek. The new version of nightstalker was ok. The best thing about it was the theme song composed by Philip Glass

[@m.e.3862]

Someone put up a colorized and subtitled version of the 1st episode. It's actually pretty good! Good sense of menace from the aliens and they're portrayed as a real threat with both advanced tech and intelligence.

[@BlazeInjun]

Ha Ha. I recorded Wild Palms on VHS tape back in the day and still have it.

[@t.gadway6729]

The name "Jolly Fats Weehawken" is originally from "Cracking Up" by Jerry Lewis in 1983. It was an airline which employed galley slaves to power their planes. Otherwise not a notable movie.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

VR5 was perfect.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Haven't seen it since it first came out.

[@Red_Lanterns_Rage]

Space Patrol Orion sounds cool, and Wild Palms could be a good trip, cast seems solid too lolz

[@terrytalksmovies]

WP's cast is brilliant, even in the smaller roles.

[@paulboger7377]

Wot? No Blakes 7? When this lockdown ends, I'm coming down to Victoria to have a "chat".

[@terrytalksmovies]

You do you, babe. 😀

[@marcrhodes-taylor5347]

sapphire and steel was really good, and really strange, i have never really seen anything else quite like it. robin of sherwood was a great show, still one of my all time favourites. nigel kneale's beasts is a really good horror show, discovered this not very long ago. has some fantastic episodes like baby and during barty's party. tales from the darkside, which appears every saturday on the horror channel even now, is surprisingly entertaining some of these episodes are quite good such as the cutty black sow and halloween candy. and while i remember it, catweazle another richard carpenter show from the 70s was really good. andromeda is really fun and has some great fx behind it. and not forgetting joss whedon's firefly.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Beasts is superb. Watched it last year.

[@marcrhodes-taylor5347]

@@terrytalksmovies nigel kneale's short stories are really good, he wrote a number of those which were published in the fontana book of great horror stories back in the 70s. thinking about it now i will also mention the bbc's series ghost stories for christmas featuring some excellent adaptations of m.r. james, and another series from the 70s which i remember from the bbc, supernatural, about the gentleman's club the hellfire club where members joined by telling scary stories. as for night stalker, i loved the first two episodes but i am not sure that any more of it was ever shown in britain. doomwatch sounds great, but apart from the movie i can't find it anywhere. is it still available? the buddy boy episode of beasts is another episode which i really like. and then there was the hammer house of horror tv series which has some great episodes. the silent scream for example, for that fantastic ending.

[@terrytalksmovies]

@@marcrhodes-taylor5347 www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/shoptheglobe-doomwatch-region-b-blu-ray-61-89731413-au/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhP2BBhDdARIsAJEzXlH5Ry1SzsWaSbfYCO8A0mxSIKiAmn5r2ZNbR8wG7Ko7hDpxNAtHfOoaAnM5EALw_wcB

[@marcrhodes-taylor5347]

@@terrytalksmovies thanks terry i may check that out. the horror channel sometimes screens the doomwatch movie and it is not bad, although not as scary as it might have been. they use some of the standard tropes of horror movies without really trying to scare. there are some nice undertones regarding environmental pollution and political corruption as the navy are the culprits here

[@disappearhere21]

Where is part 1? I can't seem to find it.

[@terrytalksmovies]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH-taat7l8p8q5o Part One was SF series.

[@virginia7191]

Love Night Stalker! Have seen every episode many times!

[@albundy7718]

I dont think Orion was an answer to Star Trek, it was produced about the same Time. Also because of Dubbing and other Factors Star Trek premiered on german TV in 1972 about 7 years later.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Hood to know. Thank you.

[@wildfood1]

Kolchak was my favorite.

[@philippapworth8020]

Kolchak was Mike Hammer, if you don't believe me go and watch both series side by side. Substitute the beautiful damsel in distress with the monster of the week and its more or less the same show. Both series even has the frenetically paced Darren McGavin narration that keeps both shows rolling. After saying this I still find both series very enjoyable and I love anything Darren McGavin is in. I believe that it was an argument between Rice and McGavin that caused the show's unfortunate demise. Which was a great tragedy. At least Chris Carter later on gave us The X Files as sort of compensation.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I watched the Darren McGavin Mike Hammer series 20 years ago. The approach is similar but Richard Matheson's writing is the secret sauce in Kolchak.

[@textests]

Hey there great reviews. Middleman and Sapphire & Steel are old faves, but the rest are new to me. If you are looking for more good obscure shows may I recommend “Children of the dog star “ A 1984 New Zealand 6 parter. We think it still holds up. Interested to see what you think. I think it is on KZbin

[@terrytalksmovies]

I'll check it out. Thanks.

[@johnniewoodard648]

Does it have to be sci-fi? If not I would suggest "Are You Being Served" a British comedy.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Are You Being Served is a little too much catchphrase comedy for me.

[@retroactivejealousy-worldl1805]

Looking forward to watching this one

[@terrytalksmovies]

Cool.

[@grooveyerbouti]

I love sapphire and steel it gets better I feel adventure one I find weakest.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

COUPLE FACTOIDS: I loved the original MANTIS TV film, but the network did not want it "too black" especially after Fox knew it was getting football to attract white viewers to the network. The Middleman, according to Morales, was the American equivalent of modern Dr. WHO. I made a two part Kolchak video comic on my channel wherein I post factoids about the drama behind the show. There are two video comics I made about Kolchak meeting Barnabas Collins. Finally, Wild Palms was in, I think, Details magazine in the 90s.

[@timeliebe]

Tammy and I watched WILD PALMS when it was on -- it came on a year or so after TWIN PEAKS was also on ABC-TV in America, during that period in the early Nineties when it looked like our No. 3 television network really wanted to be the home of auteurist work on television. It was...interesting, and while we liked it, we were in the minority (reviews run from "It's TWIN PEAKS, only better!" to "It's the worst thing I've seen on my television!"). I wonder how it would play now....

[@terrytalksmovies]

I enjoyed it.

[@IanBourneMusic]

I loved The Middleman. Fabulous stuff.

[@terrytalksmovies]

So good!

[@seymourskinner2533]

Just ordered middle man. Hope you’re right😉🙂

[@terrytalksmovies]

Hope you enjoy it.

[@dupre7416]

Nice move calling out your wife. 👍 My partner has a KZbin channel too, so I know what you're talking about. I never knew "Wild Palms" was sci-fi. It looked like regular LA noire crime stuff from the commercials I saw back when it originally aired. I might have to track down somewhere that streams it.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Enjoy it holds up well

[@lashlarue59]

Terry, there were two episodes of the X-files where Darren McGavin plays a Kolchak-ish character in providing Mulder some backstory about his father, it was pretty good. Also David Chase who produced and wrote The Rockford Files and The Sopranos also wrote the Night Stalker. My father and I sitting down and watching the original Night Stalker/Strangler movies when I was a kid probably started my intense mistrust of those in authority :) Like you said the authorities of the Night Stalker were not really conspiratorial so much as lazy and secretive. Also did you see The Lone Gunmen, the X-files spinoff? I thought they were great when they were on the X-files but The Lone Gunmen show started off slow but it was getting better when it was suddenly canceled.

[@terrytalksmovies]

The Lone Gunmen is a hidden gem, too but the X-Files was all sizzle and no steak for me.

[@lashlarue59]

@@terrytalksmovies I loved the x-files thru about season 5; after that it just nosedived. I can't believe that it lasted 9 seasons considering how bad it got in the last 4.

[@kelvinh8327]

Ever hear of a UK series called Star Cops? Intelligent, well acted and on You Tube.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Idris Elba's first acting gig.

[@securityrobot]

He was in Space Precinct, and was so wooden he even had his voice re-dubbed.

[@terrytalksmovies]

@@securityrobot Everyone has the start somewhere and nobody starts out good.

[@kjamison5951]

David Calder starred, I remember that.

[@dlee827]

Yes, Star Cops was aired in 1987. Space Precinct came much later.

[@Globovoyeur]

Hmmm... Cult TV shows: Maybe Red Dwarf, Lexx, and Andromeda would fall into that category.

[@EchoUnready]

Good Evening to you from Germany. I like your choices very much . About Orion you made a mistake. In one Episode the Orion Crew sacrifices Orion 7 to even rescue General Lydia van Dyke. After that they continue the Episodes with the Orion 8. You did not mention the startsequence of Orion from the Underwaterbase 104. And I was surprised that you mentioned the Jerry Cotton Movies, because they are to much german Movies. By the way, here in germany Orion is now available on Netflix. Best regards to you. Before I forgot I am Echo Unready.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thank you for clarifying Raumpatroille. It's a great series.

[@EchoUnready]

@@terrytalksmovies Thank you very much for your answer and also thank you very much for the heart. I like to help if i know somethung about movies and tv-series. Good night for now. Best regards from Echo Unready

[@bobblum5973]

Just an off the wall question/comment: were you aware of the movie "The Wizard Of Speed And Time" and Mike Jittlov, the multi-talented man behind it? There are way too many details to decide what to mention first, but you can actually watch it on KZbin, and I also recommend the review of it done by Bad Panda / The Obscure Film School. I have the movie on DVD, as well as a soundtrack from the composer (autographed!). It's a very hard to categorize film, please look into it, and I hope it suits your tastes. Take care!

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yeah, I saw Jittlov's movie back in VHS days. That stop-motion stuff of his was next level.

[@bobblum5973]

@@terrytalksmovies I totally agree. When Disney launched "The Disney Channel" on cable years back, they had him do the special introductory segment, shown when it first came on the air. Here's that review of WOSAT (short-form nickname for the movie): *The Obscure Film School - "The Wizard of Speed and Time" & Special Effects* kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaOwZH5mfd-Vqdk *Justice League Unlimited - Flash Vs Brainiac-Luthor* (from Justice League Unlimited Season 1 Episode 25 ) _"Blink and you'll miss it"_ reference to WOSAT's "Wizard Run" segment: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXiYdWyFpMuojK8 Full scene: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXiYdWyFpMuojK8 *Mike Jittlov: The Wizard of Speed and Time (1983-1988) - The "Wizard Run":* kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZqvpJWuaalrm6s The "Wizard Run", part referenced in JLU: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZqvpJWuaalrm6s?t=179 (Full Movie) *Mike Jittlov - The Wizard of Speed and Time (1988) Highest quality on the internet!* kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGbEkGNmjruJobM *_ENJOY!_*

[@jamespaulsen3014]

Hi, how about The Wild Wild West" (TV series of course), and the first season of Wonder Woman (can't go wrong with recognizable comedians playing Ze Germans).

[@terrytalksmovies]

I have both of those box sets, so yep definitely.

[@robertfromtexas2480]

My dad loved the night stalker. And you're right about the reboot. It was total crap

[@johnortiz1964]

There were 12 episodes of the middleman least here in the US they're awesome check them out

[@AQUAKARROT]

What about Ultraviolet?

[@terrytalksmovies]

A bit ordinary...

[@raymondsmart6204]

I loved Mantis

[@terrytalksmovies]

So earnest and so 80s but cool.

[@prodigiousatea7767]

very cool and new backdrop? Not bad

[@terrytalksmovies]

Backdrops are fun to do. The cubes give me lots of flexibility in lighting and display.

[@prodigiousatea7767]

@@terrytalksmovies awesome Terry

[@DiscoKreole]

Where's a link to part 1 please?

[@terrytalksmovies]

In the playlists.

[@ScipioAfricanusI]

Have.you.reviewed.Starlost?..I.felt.this.to.be.a.very.intersting.show.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Not yet.

[@martinhsl68hw]

A great shame about the collapse of Network dvd

[@terrytalksmovies]

Indeed. They had the good stuff.

[@georges8348]

Great show.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thanks

[@brianartillery]

The 1985 BBC TV series 'Edge Of Darkness' is still worth a few hours of your time. Forget the Hollywood movie - the original is the best. Dark, intelligent, and very scary indeed. 1981's 'The Nightmare Man' is another bingeworthy series. Something unseen is killing sheep on a small Scottish island: it then starts killing people. Around the same time, a unique submersible is found on a beach... The show was notable for the red tinted P. O. V. shots of whatever it was killing people. An excellent, sometimes gory, but fun show.