The Metamorphosis of Space: 1999

[@mogznwaz]

Season 1. No contest. The music, the sets, the stories - absolutely iconic.

[@simonacuthbert1]

Agree, one hundred percent.

[@DanielAppleton-lr9eq]

​@@simonacuthbert1 Yeah, but ----- would anyone EVER allow storage of nuclear waste on the Moon in such a fashion that it would explode & send it hurtling out of the solar system ?

[@javiercalderon3312]

Completely agree

[@pedrotome9119]

@@DanielAppleton-lr9eq Maybe that's why THIS IS science fiction... No?

[@scotttait2197]

Season two was utter 💩

[@rickb.4168]

This deserves a remake. The Eagle is still my favourite spaceship ever.

[@captaingaz66]

As long as the UK do it NOT the US.

[@Tony-d4t3j]

Someone previously suggested that crashing so many Eagles was the reason that they are so expensive on eBay.

[@TheParot161]

Absolutely iconic!

[@NickGillings-vf3ye]

Dinky Eagle Transporter 👊 My brother and I had one with the nuclear flasks and one with the accomodation compartment slung underneath 😎

[@kza-pm2pg]

I think a remake where the opening jumps back to the 60's where Kennedy is to be assasinated and show Dallas Police storm the shooter and stop the shooting. So Kennedy is not shot creating an alternate time line where one of Kennedys projects is an international moon base. So you wouldnt need to even change the name Space 1999.

[@thebiggerpicture5827]

Forget space 1999, the amount of production gone into this KZbin video is a work of art!

[@1locust1]

Great editing.

[@ergodoy7741]

Every cut and reaction from the space:1999 cast and especially the Star Trek scenes were hilarious

[@Lost-In-Blank]

Only thing is, almost all of those actors speaking highly of Season Two were doing so while trying to sell Season Two, and that was never pointed out. Those actors were not speaking retrospectively or freely, they were trying to sell the show, boost ratings, and get their jobs renewed. Apart from that, yes very good video, very tighly edited, and very well researched.

[@mistytharpe3991]

I really wish that Barry Morse had been part of the second season. He was one of my favorite characters.

[@paulhunter6742]

Barry Moore (Prof.Bergman) was in negotiations with producers. But, they didn't want pay him decent salary.

[@DrWhom]

he reappears in Farzar!

[@clauderobotham6261]

He was one of mine as well. I was only 15 years old, yet the wise older person among the crew was very appealing to me. And Mr. Morse was a fine actor.

[@silikon2]

There’s a video called “Victor Bergman Returns” where it’s revealed he didn’t die. His heart failed and Helena wasn’t able to fix it so he was put in status. The film does feature Morse returning! It’s a fan film cobbled together from a couple new minutes of Morse and clips from the show, but it makes me happy.

[@murdockscott]

This opens very old wounds. I loved this show as a kid and was very confused by the second season changes. Every time I have tried to rewatch the series, I get part way into the second season and just get unhappy and can’t finish. My love for the first season and the changes they made trying to make the show more popular are a perfect metaphor for how different from “the crowd” I have always felt. I felt at home with that first season crew of Moonbase Alpha, it was painful to watch a family of wise, truth seeking, wanderers replaced by strange doppelgängers wrestling with rubber monsters.

[@xr6lad]

No I loved the first season. Hated the second. Was too gimmicky.

[@davidbwilmoth5181]

I agree. The second season was light years away from the first series. It reminded me of the third season of Lost In Space.

[@spaceoddity2485]

Yes exactly

[@SkyWriter25]

Like most SciFi programs of the era it became little more than a "monster of the week" show as networks tried to milk it for cash.

[@sail2byzantium]

I have to wholeheartedly agree with this.

[@gakabler]

1976 and I was 12 years old. I was so excited to see season 2 of Space:1999. I watched the premier episode of season 2 with my brother. When the episode ended I turned to my brother and asked what happened to the show? He simply shook his head.

[@TheDane_BurnAllCopies]

I felt the same, season 2 look like a joke.

[@davidgaul572]

Season 1 was clearly superior. The production design alone still astounds me. The stories were clearly better and thought-provoking.

[@Mystery207]

I agree when you watch it in order it feels like the show just went to shit and I didn’t know why til now because it’s free on KZbin

[@trekkiedave7910]

@@Mystery207 Season 1 was terrific Season 2, not so much

[@heedmywarning2792]

And, the Command Center had a much bigger set. I miss those space windows.

[@davidgaul572]

@@heedmywarning2792 The command center was great--four levels including a balcony, rear doors that slid open to the adjacent set, Koenig's office. The cheap set they replaced it with in season 2 was dull, unexciting and unimaginative.

[@digipeeper]

The drama and script in Season is the best. But Season 2 was campy(courtesy of Fred Friedburger) but the uniform was a much better improvement with more colors and (insignia)patches where finally added!

[@GonzoDonzo]

I always wondered why they switched sets. The first seasons main control room was fantastic.

[@RagShop1]

In addition to what was said in the Doc, the shorter 2nd Series shooting schedule needed standing sets for all Alpha locales in Stage L at Pinewood Studios. Rebuilding non Main Mission areas for each show took extra time which they could no longer afford to do, as they'd been allowed to do on Series 1 which was planned to finish in 11 months but stretched to over 15 months. Freiberger was contractually bound to shoot Series 2 in 11 months so Main Mission had to go to make room for other Alpha areas in a standing set complex. Command Center was small but was a decent, user friendly set for the cast.

[@weedmanwestvancouverbc9266]

Finally, a succinct video that shows what actually happened to this great show. I got to talk with Martin Landau at length during a Con years ago. He was everything I had heard about him, intelligent engaging and most of all self-deprecating about his triumphs and tribulations with the various. My mom liked him as an actor for his very scary portrayal in the Hitchcock film North by Northwest. I admitted to him that I had never seen it and told me he was a peak Hitchcock film and I should definitely see it. I told him that I always saw his character as the good guy and that this would spoil that. My wife is been watching parts of Thunderbirds, Stingray and a few other Gerry and Sylvia Anderson with me and you can see how their work evolved and had a firm grasp on what it was by the time space 1999 came to be.

[@NickGillings-vf3ye]

I loved Martin Landau as an actor - I recently watched North By Northwest for the first time in years and his performance in that is suitably sinister . He was great as Rollin Hand in the original Mission : Impossible ( alongside the lovely Barbara Bain ) He was great in this and in the X-Files , among others .

[@weedmanwestvancouverbc9266]

@NickGillings-vf3ye I met Cris Carter when he was Scouting For locations just before X-Files got underway. He'd seen my photographs of industrial spaces at a gallery opening and wanted to know where they were, and I helped him on where to shoot stuff. Through his connections I met Robert C Cooper and did work on Stargate Stargate Atlantis. And I also worked on the local production of Battlestar Galactica

[@leokimvideo]

First season was a killer, the loss of direction in series 2 is very evident on screen. Get bad writers and kiss goodbye to your amazing TV show

[@shaunhall6834]

Absolutely! The show had so much potential and they blew it.

[@tma2001]

Anyone been watching the complete rerun on Freeview (Horror) ? I can't believe how bonkers the whole thing appears to my grown-up self! The universe seems to be full of RADA trained thesps speaking the Queen's English and no one bats an eyelid at the absurdity of it all. No weightlessness in space, nothing would be lit up in the depths of interstellar space and take 10s of millenia to encounter a new star system (bar the odd space warp which must happen eevry episode otherwise), every derelict alien spaceship has a universal docking port. Computers and calculators that print out onto punched cards, cheap black'n'white CRT monitors everywhere. Eagle spacecraft that are fully resuable with no heat shields or fly like aeroplanes. And some of the effects guys supposedly worked on 2001 - WTF were they thinking! Did they learn nothing from Kubrick ? The list of goofs goes on and on - neither credible science or fiction to be found. According to the wiki at least Landau found the scripts dumb. They literally jumped the rubber monster costume ... er shark with Maya though. Series 1 is like Citizen Kane in comparison but that would be damning with faint praise

[@Docthewrench]

Doctor Who fans have felt that in the last few years... With the entire canon being wipeed out . 57 some years dusted... We do feel your pain.

[@theresearcher253]

@@Docthewrench Yes, it wouldn't surprise me that Chris Chibnall based his whole career on this :)

[@tma2001]

​@Newsbender its no coincidence it was made just before Star Wars - I seem to recall the British crew on that were lulled by what had gone before, into thinking it would be just another naff childrens fantasy (of course from the 2nd half of RoTJ onwards they were proven right !).

[@adamkrenn6323]

Thank you for acknowledging Silvia Anderson's influence and importance to all of Anderson's shows. I find it bizarre how she is often ignored.

[@carlgarrett5142]

She was allegedly very cruel to Gerry during the divorce, so I wonder if Anderson fans and historians have made themselves part of "team Gerry" and tried to downplay or ignore her contributions, which were definitely significant.

[@luisrosado9772]

UFO, and Space 1999 1st season, were two of the best sci-fi adult oriented TV shows in the 70s

[@proto-geek248]

Adult-oriented?

[@luisrosado9772]

@@proto-geek248 yes, a more mature approach to sci fi

[@billyroberts6774]

TRUTH

[@Tony-d4t3j]

UFO was just a dumb shoot 'em up/jiggle show. No comparison.

[@luisrosado9772]

whatever makes you feel better@@Tony-d4t3j

[@steffanflint3779]

I much preferred the first series and as a 12 year old was most disappointed with series 2, especially with the loss of Dr Bergman,so much so I wrote in to the fan page at Lookin magazine to complain.I'm still waiting for the reply! Luckily this video answers many questions.

[@davidmorse6696]

I agree as a 10 year old was most disappointed with series 2, especially with the loss of Dr Bergman as I watched in syndication.

[@lezlezman1843]

Chances are they are still sifting through all the complaints to this day. Be patient...they might get to yours eventually!

[@madmike8v72]

I felt the same way, I always thought Bergman was the soul of season 1, even if I didn't understand what that was back then. Funny how they were trying to "Americanize" the show but use an English accented Maya as their "breakthrough" character! In any event the 1st season was the best and the 2nd not so much.

[@mariocarrillo5512]

L

[@countofdownable]

@@madmike8v72 And an English accented Italian.

[@gwwayner]

As a kid I thought the year 1999 was an eternity away and so far into the future as to be incomprehensible. Now it is the year 2021, I am 71 years old, and time now passes incredibly quickly. A scientist once remarked that as we perceive time to pass we live half our life by age 22. It is indeed true.

[@craiggillett5985]

Me too

[@srkh8966]

I had a Space 1999 lunchbox-my mom threw it out

[@gwwayner]

@@srkh8966 I remember all the number one comics I bought (including Spider Man) that were thrown away.

[@srkh8966]

@@gwwayner My husband swapped his number one XMen comic for some micronauts

[@stephenpochly7003]

For my money the first season of Space 1999 was the best. It had all the Anderson trademarks. Although my favourite Anderson live action show has got to be UFO.

[@davidjgomm]

Did you know that the proposed (and aborted) second season of UFO, with the action set mostly on an enhanced and expanded Moonbase, actually metamorphosed into the first series of Space 1999? Lew Grade has a lot to answer for. He never supported Anderson but was always looking for the next money-maker, which usually meant success in the US market. Even successful series were dumped to this end.

[@daveroche6522]

Purple wigs? Skydiver? Moonbase? SID? Hell yeah.....

[@heedmywarning2792]

in UFO... the aliens never sent any females to Earth.

[@johnbuchman4854]

Halting a second season of UFO to start Space 1999 was a very poor decision. Space 1999 was so lousy on so many levels

[@marcwolf60]

@@heedmywarning2792 Cause Earth Girls are Easy :)

[@Scifimaster92]

At times, this whole _Space: 1999_ Season 2 debacle reminds me of the the current _Star Trek_ reboot. Particularly Fred Freiberger's conflict of interest regarding the show's characters (similar to J.J. Abrams and Alex Kurtzman's regarding their respective franchise as a whole), the difficulty of reconciling the two seasons (similar to the outright impossibility of reconciling the classic _Star Trek_ canon with the reboot), and the part about the ITC executives' failure to understand the show's appeal and desire to twist it into something it was never meant to be.

[@stevecam724]

The last 3 Star Wars are a joke.

[@Scifimaster92]

@@stevecam724 Yes, the Disney _Star Wars_ films also suffer from many of these issues, with the added bonus that many of the changes they made were there solely to appease a toxic minority of fans, namely the rabid prequel haters, thus trying to appeal to a crowd that would hate the end results anyway. On another, sadder note, I realize she's not the only one with that name, but these days the name Sylvia makes me think specifically of that teenage girl in Indianapolis who died as a result of severe physical abuse by her babysitter.

[@antoniomaglione4101]

The first season was kind of magic and thought-inducing. The second was an incoherent show. I was a young boy when the series aired; along the years, I watched the first season many times, but I never bothered to watch the second season again.

[@silvereagle2061]

When Landu was plugging the second season, I bet he was biting his lip. He fought Freiberger over the changes and knew the series was heading in the wrong direction. We went from "character build up and great storylines to romance, monsters and oh, that Tony always plugging his Goddamn BEER.

[@iandeeley9033]

A very honest and sometimes humourous Video about the change in Space:1999 between the two series, Well Done Chris Dale!

[@maplebob23]

I think the loss of Barry Morse is what really ruined the show for me.

[@thecocktailian2091]

Truly he created the biggest whole. The 2nd season wasn't terrible, it wasn't great, but it had a few moments. If it had continued on in the vein of season 1, it would have been another Star Trek in terms of legacy and impact.

[@astrosci8864]

Absolutely agreed. Barry Morse lent an air of credulity to the show. Without him, the show was as good as Blake's 7 (the earliest ones).

[@mattosullivan9687]

Barry showed up later in Winds of War & War and Remembrance in the 80s as a couple of different Nazis. He kicked ass love the man

[@Pixelologist]

@@thecocktailian2091 I agree that losing Barry was one of the biggest reasons....but the show's second season - especially the addition of Maya - was pretty cringe-worthy in its own right.

[@mattosullivan9687]

@NikTheFix nice

[@elderberry-hamster]

I loved the series as a kid, but because of two standout episodes that blew my mind in the first season: Force of Life and Dragon's Domain.... there's no contest. Those two episodes scared the crap out of me and stuck out in my childhood throughout the 70s. Also the pilot was just ripping fun...you just knew what was coming with the inevitable explosion! Love that show!!

[@filovirus1]

Dragon's Domain... had nightmares off and on ever since. they should do a remake of S:1999 but not like the new Trek. make it more like ST:TNG and it would be amazing

[@historian8214]

Dragon's Domain was the most awesome episode to me. That furnace-alien was terrifying, and it was cool to see some backstory on some of the characters.

[@paulhunter6742]

Season One stories were exceptionally good. My favorite was about Commissioner Simmons, the bureaucrat got stuck on Moonbase after explosion launched it out of orbit. Simmons was primarily reason for their situation first place. And what happens to him after hijacked ride aboard Sleeper ship was definitely poetic justice .

[@mogznwaz]

Yes Dragons Domain scared the sh1t out of me too. It still does!!

[@Tony-d4t3j]

I have to admit, the fate of Simmons has a gruesome fascination.@@paulhunter6742

[@piketfi8139]

As a kid I was just amazed at the idea, the eagles, the sets, and who at that time could have foreseen the communicators... that we all take for granted nowadays. Yet another future vision from Gerry, god rest him.

[@rjkral]

Great overview and your dig-deep footage choices for bits of humor and prodding dialog interjections is AMAZING!!

[@BroccoliRocks]

I had to laugh how positive about the changes the younger Martin Landau was with how honest he was when interviewed as an old man.

[@Arturod-w4t]

I have also realized that, he was quite hypocritical when he was filming the second season and he said in interviews what a man who was earning a salary for participating where he participated should say.

[@silikon2]

It’s *extremely* rare for a star actor to badmouth a show they’re working on. They’re the face of the show and their own comments could hurt it. It’s just part of the job, it’s not like he was just doing it to fluff Freiberger - who he was honest with in reality.

[@speeta]

Taken as a whole, the entire series is such a wonderful mixed bag. There's so much to love. There's so much to cringe embarrassingly at. There's so much distinctive style and tone. And there's so much unfulfilled potential, which is why so many fans still yearn for a new series (novels and the recent audio adventures are welcome efforts, I suppose, I haven't read or heard them yet). One was in development for awhile, even offered a forum for fans to join in the discussion, and one hopes it would aim for the original vibe while avoiding most of the oversights.

[@parkay3560]

freddie frieburger did for S1999 what he did for star trek's last season- populated it with shite monsters and crap preposterous stories which totally destroyed the credibility of both

[@lezlezman1843]

Star Trek, Space:1999, Six Million Dollar Man...all died under his stewardship. Obviously science fiction was not his strong point.

[@honeysucklecat]

You’re wrong. I know all the cool people say the first season was best and Obedience is required if you want to be cool. But you’re all wrong.

[@Bruce-vq7ni]

@@honeysucklecat No - Season 2 was just an awful monster of the week kids show.

[@Nooziterp1]

'It turned into just another sci-fi action series.' Just about sums it up.

[@Mustang95ism]

Season 2 of Space 1999 was absolute shite! Grotesque shite. Just like Star Trek's Season 3. Embarrassing to watch. Both Anderson and Roddenberry should have been prosecuted for turning their shows over to that utter hack Freiberger. The guy was an incompetent fool. I often wish Star Trek TOS had ended at Season 2 and Space 1999 at Season 1. Instead, both ended as piles of excrement molded in the image of Freiberger's simple-minded, crap vision.

[@DVincentW]

Americans in the corporate world who *manage* music, movies, TV series, are still unconscious of nuance, and rely on formulas that have already been used. Thanks for this particular insight into Space 1999. I loved the 1 season.. I recall seeing the second plod along.. I had Dinky die cast Eagles, and played all day in the sci-fi world. I miss those days.

[@petermorris925]

That’s the best fan doc I’ve seen in my life. My 14 year old inner geek can finally end the torment of understanding how Saturday afternoons had gone so weird. How serious a fan would you have to be able to drop in all those scripted moments for laughs. Thank you for this, it was so good.

[@ricko610]

If you want to see the best fan based review look up Clever Dick films, yeah I'm not kidding for doctor who and and you'll see something that is BBC level production.

[@kumbah2006]

I agree, this was masterfully made ! :)

[@morantactical1105]

The Fred Freiberger “Kiss of Death” graced the final season of many a show.

[@Tony-d4t3j]

Known as the serial killer.

[@jpp7783]

I dare say that one of the biggest failings was the shrinking of the set. That big, expansive season 1 set was astounding. And it didn’t feel like a spaceship, with everyone facing forward as if they were driving, but rather dispersed about the room as would be the case in a real command centre.

[@quantumac]

In my opinion, season 2 gutted the flavor of Space 1999, what made it so appealing to me despite its technical flaws. The first season had a spooky feeling-around-in-the-dark-unknown vibe. Season 2 was bright and happy and we’re-the-new-kids-in-deep-space vibe.

[@kirkrende3935]

You hit the nail on the head. The "Americanizing" was bad, and I feel like Space 1999 season 2 and the new Doctor Whos also added a lot of unnecessary manic "action" as filler at the expense of good storytelling and character development.

[@xr6lad]

Torchwood also lost its way and became unwatchable when it went all 'usa' in the final episodes/season.

[@chronosschiron]

when you start seeing actors running a lot more yuo know its in trouble

[@AcapulKero]

I was a 9 years young when Space 1999 was on TV and I really loved it! Everything looked so real that time without the new visual effects like we see now. Just fascinating!

[@dngillikin]

As a nine and ten year old American child between late 75 and late 77, I actually did prefer the cold, aloof, sterile, mysterious and forboding first season to the cozy "humanized" action-adventure format of Year Two. My opinion even at the time was, even if I could not articulate it in the words I would use as a mature adult, it's science fiction. It's supposed to have elements that are weird and inexplicable and being thrust into the unknown is supposed to be vaguely unsettling. Year Two was barely a step up from Saturday morning live-action kidvid.

[@hopebgood]

100% totally agree mate. Season 2 was just bloody awful.

[@somethingelse4878]

As someone the same age as you but from Britain I have to agree. Just to add Looking back at the TV I watched as a kid I'm shocked at how slow it was in Britain but I could sit still and watch it lapping it up. Kids today would find even season 2 slow

[@stevenStampper]

I am exactly the same age but I was somehow too much of a Stark Trek snob fan to even give 1999 a chance. My favorite aunt loved it so I did actually try to watch it. I think the only thing I liked was the intro.

[@somethingelse4878]

@@stevenStampper For me it was anything space so as long as it was in space id watch lol Later even blakes 7

[@stuartbagley2586]

I was the reverse. I liked both seasons but really dug season 2 because of the increase in action. I was under 10 at the time and all the cerebral stuff could get boring. I bet if I went back and watched it as a mid fifties adult, I’d prefer season 1.

[@deborahchesser7375]

I used to watch this on public broadcasting, what an underrated show

[@spd579]

I actully got a kick out of both seasons! When it ended with out warning, I was a broken hearted 9/10 year old. I'm happy that its here on youtube.

[@proto-geek248]

Okay so you got a kick out of it & you were broken hearted?

[@Atheist7]

THE EARLY CANCELLATION CRUSHED ME AS WELL!!!!!!!!!

[@signupstuff]

Space 1999 jumped the shark with season 2 a full year before Fonzie. The season 1 intro is still iconic.

[@ralphjmoeller]

Great documentary! I‘ll say this much for season 2: It gave us Catherine Schell. But that‘s about it.

[@qdllc]

More like Catherine McGuffin...as they often used her to resolve most any plot issues.

[@odinswolf1969]

catherine schell was in series one guardian of piri

[@Nooziterp1]

@@odinswolf1969 I was trying to think of that episode. I remember she looked pretty damn hot in it!

[@charlesking1438]

@@Nooziterp1 she was a Bond girl, on her majesty’s secret service 1969

[@proto-geek248]

Her character was horrible

[@stephencrook8968]

There was no second series. It was a different show. The original remains as a precious relic…and I still think that opening sequence is the best ever.

[@TheParot161]

That opening sequence is absolutely the best ever!

[@Mark-ec3lp]

@@TheParot161 I play the tune on piano, it sounds great. That and Blake's 7, awesome times.

[@dennisthompson7921]

The local station that ran 1999 didn't show the second season, I didn't see them for many years. Boy was I let down when I finally did.

[@Olokunful]

I've never seen the cast interviews before. This felt like a bonus episode!

[@martyndelaney7467]

I was 13 when the show was first shown in the UK. I loved it - I loved it because quite a few of the episodes scared the shit out of me! The atmosphere, the music, the lighting were all creating a "feeling" to the show. And, I saw it in BLACK & WHITE! Colour TV's were very expensive at the time & our house didn't get one until 1978. I liked the characters - especially Koenig, Bergman & Morrow. They "seemed" to have depth because they were played with depth by the actors. As the show progressed, Victor Bergman became a favourite. His quirks, his earnestness - I loved the fact that he carried a wee shopping bag to gather samples in, etc. When Year Two started, I went "WHOAHH - What is THIS??" Bergman was gone, Morrow was gone, Kano was gone, the music was gone, most of the sets were gone & the atmosphere was gone. Year Two was a good action/adventure show, but it bore little resemblance to what had gone before. I hated the fact that that the dialogue in particular had been very americanised - it was obvious to me too, that the actors felt uncomfortable saying them. I have two examples : 1) Tony Anholt's line in "Seed Of Destruction" to Maya - "Will you take it easy? Or you'll have a fit & turn into some wild creature from far out space!" Not something anyone with a British accent would say. 2) Nick Tate's line in "The Lambda Factor" again to Maya -"Maya, you sure play rough, honey!" Now I know that Carter is Australian & given to casual speech & I know that "TLF" was written by Terrance Dicks - but these lines, among many others always jarred with me. Basically, they should've left well alone.

[@paulhunter6742]

The most asinine dialogue. of Season II, in my opinion, was in episode, Dorzak. When Maya shape-shifting into Saya, member of crew holding Dorzak prisoner for crimes against her people. Dorzak looks at her saying" You're afraid, Saya wouldn't be afraid. You are not Saya, You are Maya," I found entire episode Stupid. But, I was mesmerized by Dorzak's costume.

[@paulhunter6742]

It seemed like writers in Season two didn't even bother look at biographies or character personalities established in Season One. If you saw Space: 1999 first time Second Season felt entirely different show.

[@oliversmith9200]

What a great report! The use of stock clips in humor and other point making alone is laugh a minute par excellence.

[@laexh]

Season 1 indeed, the real and best one. I was a kid when I saw it, now I'm 53 years old and I enjoy replying season 1

[@stephenwilloughby8141]

As a child I liked the second season and actually fell asleep during the first season episodes. Watching them again as an adult it was reversed. The second season was silly but had its moments.

[@hgwells1899]

Brilliant the way the clips so aptly illustrate the narration, Morse's lift to work being a lol moment for me

[@DavidSmith-xs3or]

It's like the same thing that happened to " Lost in Space" when it transitioned from black and white to color. Even though the producers weren't the same as mentioned in this video, "Lost in Space lost its dramatic edge by not keeping Doctor Smith's evil and mysterious persona and making the show silly and campy with guys dressed up as giant vegetables.

[@loanaoftheshellpeople5627]

In their defense, They were able to get a third season.

[@anthonyfalzon2100]

Well hold on about LIS. It was not the writers who dreamed up Smith’s popularity, it was the fans who loved his interaction between the robot and himself. And with the robot the other side is Will Robinson. So the three of them took over the show. Because of the fan draw. Remember LIS was offered a fourth season by CBS but Irwin Allen turned it down for budget reasons.

[@Tony-d4t3j]

As you recall, almost all the later shows started with "last week, as you recall, we left Will, Dr. Smith and the robot..." The other cast members got very fed up with it and insisted on episodes with something to do. Judy's best episode is Space Beauty, which also features the gorgeous Dee Hartford and a currency called Squandros.

[@mitchellmelkin4078]

​@@anthonyfalzon2100, Can you cite any siurce material that definitively validates that explanation? I've seen and read quite a lot about the matter, including CBS documents which USC has archived, and have never found an incontrovertible answer, with several plausible possibilities being in play. It really seems quite startling, IMO, as we're not talking about a show from network TV's earliest days, but rather from the late 60's when a clear paper trail would seem much more likely to be expected, even if the major players may have departed the scene.

[@GalacticNonsense]

Space:1999 and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century had similar fates. Season 1 were fan favorites. Season 2 was taken over by a producer that changed the series basic plot setups, eliminated some actors in favor of others, and had a new character designed to be a new fan favorite (Maya for Space:1999 and Hawk for Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.) Both series had such radical changes with little to no explanation, most people couldn't watch the show from that point on, not able to both absorb, and accept the changes, and yet, both series had their segments of fans that actually preferred the second season over the first. I actually met Gil Gerard at a ComiCon style convention, and spoke with him about it. He said he's seen a few episodes of Space: 1999, but wasn't aware of this fact. I also told him the Buck Rogers second episode, "Mark of the Saurian," had the same basic plot as the Space: 1999 second season two-part episode, "The Bridges of Wonder." I don't think he was familiar with this. I will say, though, that Gil Gerard is a class act. His personality in real life, IS Buck Rogers. Kind, and fun.

[@rodferguson3515]

Yes I also met Both Gil Gerard And Co,- 🌟 Erin Gray (Wilma) at the Comic Con as well both me and my wife. They were so incredibly kind and nice they also took pictures with us and we Talked briefly about the series .. very kind and nice people!!!!

[@martinwright1358]

With Buck Rogers it was clear budgets had been slashed all over the place. It also wasn't helped when there are some episodes where it is very clear Gil Gerard was inebriated and his dialogue was put together at the end of the day using just him on the set.

[@davidmorse6696]

@@martinwright1358 Battlestar Galactica 1980 had a similar fate as did Lost in Space in color seasons.

[@ElectoneGuy]

@@martinwright1358 When is Gil inebriated? I've never noticed this.

[@martinwright1358]

@@ElectoneGuy Towards the end of the second season it ewas clear they were shopotinbg dscenes where they only needred one camera set up and they were obviously shooting him on his own with a seconfd AD feeding him lines. One of these he was clearly slurring - he was remembering his lines and got them completed but there was a lack of engagement. He actually spoke about how his drinking had started to get out of hand at this time due to the way the studio was efffectively shooting scenes for differnt epiosdes at the same time when the set ups could be used. Luckily he got that sorted out.

[@jasoncartwright586]

Really great documentary - appreciate all the work gone into it. I was around 8 years old and vividly remember watching the very first Season 1 Episode. The production values were so good - I remember being scared to death! Season 2 (I felt at the time) was OK, but as I have re-watched both seasons again and again over the years - clearly Season 1 stands out as representing a mixture of elements that is so much more compelling than its successor - it was darker, more mysterious, atmospheric, spooky and the scripts and narratives were much more interesting and ironic. The basic premise is also extremely sound and surely it could be picked up again and reworked into a whole new Space 2099 !! One hopes that this venture might once again be rekindled, as I understand in 2015 the Space 2099 project that was being worked on was eventually scrapped :(

[@theceruleandolphin2829]

Best doco on the show I've seen in years, really enlightening. Poor Morse, losing his wheels.

[@dogbadger]

Season 2 was more familar to me as I was very young at the time, and I guess remembered that more fondly - however watching S1 again as a grown up it was clearly more intellegent and better thought out - that said I still prefer the S2 theme - it was banging.

[@zarakenpacHidan1736]

Your sentiment mirrors my own EXACTLY; although not being familiar with season 1 robbed me of that conflicting space opera-disco opening theme that had my kids JAMMIN, when I watched episode 1 for the very 1st. time the other day!😆

[@Lost-In-Blank]

As I thought, the mistake was trying to create a new series, which Season Two essentially was, but also trying to keep the old audience and old expectations. They might have had success inventing their own new universe rather than culturally appropriating that of Season One.

[@desbyrne1256]

As my uncle John was involved with series one i love the series. He also wrote episodes of Dr Who, Tales of the unexected, All creatures great and small and Heartbeat.

[@janesmith5665]

John Who?

[@desbyrne1256]

@@janesmith5665 Johnny Byrne

[@christinewright110]

Oh that's impressive. The only thing I hated about Heartbeat was that every episode in the last series ended with the policeman and his wife. That really irritated me. However, I was sorry that it ended so unexpectedly.

[@christinewright110]

I loved "All Creatures Great and Small" .

[@paulhunter6742]

Seriously, your uncle worked production staff Space:1999? I will be you have really Cool original props from series.

[@Mangomesh]

I love retro sciencefiction from Blakes7, U.F.O and the first season of Space 1999. I always felt season 2 of Space 1999 was aimed at kids and it was strange that Barry Morse unexplained absence was never mentioned in season 2. Overall season 1 of Space 1999 was excellent, but I prefer U.F.O.

[@nanoffyourbesyness9577]

"We're going to try and put more humor in it " translates to; we're going to dumb it down !

[@DrWhom]

and "more action" but no money to properly film it, so you get awkward wrestling with a guy in a rubber suit.

[@ruialexandre6197]

Translation, "americanise"!

[@wolfgangkranek376]

"Lets make this show a joke!"

[@phmwu7368]

In summary: American market

[@heedmywarning2792]

always with that "do you guys want to try my new beer?" running gag.

[@jwg5774]

Funny to see Landau praising Freiberger here when in interviews done after Space:1999 was cancelled he lays all the blame for Season 2's failure squarely on Freiberger's shoulders saying Anderson made a mistake bringing in a producer with the reputation as a TV series killer.

[@FuriKitten]

Plus the first series theme music ad opening sequence format was (Still Is) fantastic

[@johnatyoutube]

I really appreciate this behind the scenes story. It explains why the show took that weird right turn and went from being a mind-bending metaphysical experience to a Saturday morning kids show. It was very sad. I loved how the first season gave nods to Kubrick and the quiet stark realty of 2001 and its transition into the metaphysical. While I enjoyed the second season and I enjoyed Maia and the addition of playfulness and love to the characters, it didn't make me think. The first season was the only show of its kind. Sadly, there's never been anything else like it since virtually every science fiction show created ever since follows either the path of Star Trek or horror with hopeless apocalyptic futures. The first season of Space 1999 was about human fortitude and transcendence.

[@djb6313]

I loved Space:1999 and wished they had more seasons. Hopefully a reboot will be made one day.

[@ericbrunel8933]

I'll just drop that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYemo6B_hNapmbc OK, it's "only" an audio drama. It had my doubts about it at first, but I went for it anyway, and it works really well!

[@williamroberts5716]

Hopefully a reboot would have an aerodynamic eagle variant sensible for atmospheric travel.

[@loanaoftheshellpeople5627]

Wouldn't a remake have to be called-Space 2099 ?

[@djb6313]

@@loanaoftheshellpeople5627 maybe they could just call it Moonbase Alpha and do away with the year?

[@RabbitShirak]

@@williamroberts5716 Please no.

[@simoncarlile4961]

Martin Landau has got to be THE most underrated actor ever. I had a Space 1999 annual as a kid.Remember those.

[@lezlezman1843]

Freiberger was once quoted as saying the show was finally cancelled not because of the quality of the episodes he produced, but rather that not enough people were watching the program. I have to really ponder that one!

[@nordicson2835]

I remember liking the show a lot , my favorite gifts were my dinky eagle and the model of moon base alpha, wish l had them now.

[@KaBoomStock]

I preferred season 1, but there are aspects of season 2 that I really loved.

[@madquest8]

1 was horror and drama is space. 2 was action adventure. I loved both of them , and they both had awesome episodes.

[@bhodili-3396]

I agree.

[@Songbirdstress]

I haven't ré watched two yet. But 2 is mainstream, 1 is hard core. Different strokes for different audiences. I enjoyed 2, but 1 is lifechanging. (For me)

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

So the lesson is: Don't trust your project to anyone whose name sounds like a cooking instruction.

[@nefariousgremlin7554]

You have automatically earned my respect for recognizing deep space nine as the best star trek show

[@ignorethismessage]

Season 1 was special. I still love the look of main mission in season 1. I would love to replicate it at home for a man-cave but don't have the space or cash. It seemed more open. I liked the stairs that people could climb to look upon the landscape of the moon. I loved how those doors could be opened so that the commander's office could be part of main mission or closed to be his private office. I also have to say that Bergman was my favorite character. I have watched season 1 over and over again but it is very rare I ever play season 2.

[@raven4k998]

imagine if there was a season 3?

[@pedrotome9119]

Quite right, Sir: here insde of myself, there is only Season 1. All the rest was/is a nightmare... Closed matter

[@raven4k998]

@@pedrotome9119 but you know season three had there been a season 3 would have been the nightmare to top all nightmares instead season two took that title by default

[@raven4k998]

@@pedrotome9119 season one is like the first Robocop movie the best and after that they just simply could never match that level of writing ever again it was just crap after that

[@paulhunter6742]

You have give credit to Season two set design and costume changes were very practical. I always thought Main Mission was way to cavernous, waste lot of energy could be used other things. And what point big bay windows when landscape just dull gray hills and craters?

[@KiltedGreen]

This is brilliant stuff Mr Chris Dale - insightful, historically interesting and a lovely touch of humour (those quotes/outtakes) running through it.

[@karmicselling4252]

The first season was enough to ensure the program's status as one of the greatest works of TV Sci Fi ever created. The focus should then have turned to a series of Space: 1999 movies that could have explored many different scenarios while retaining the basic essence of the original series that made it so great. It would have been a great way to retain the original core cast with ongoing opportunities to introduce new significant characters that could come and go. And adopting the movie format always made closing the story a possibility before the main actors passed on.

[@Lost-In-Blank]

If Season Two had never existed, it would be easier to revive the Season One theme. As it now is, I fear reviving the Season One Space 1999 is likely to outrage and grossly disappoint those who only ever saw Season Two. They'll think their (silly) cultural icon has been stolen from them if there is no Mya. Mya is too overpowered, and overpowered characters prevent intelligent plots and real suspense.

[@superg50zero32]

Count me in as someone who enjoyed series 1 more. Some of the episodes were thought-provoking sci-fi storytelling even adding some creepy horror elements, and the musical score was top-notch. Series 2 was kind of a letdown for me with the monster of the week and some of the lines between characters were just downright laughable and cringe worthy. I will say that adding the character of Maya Is what kept me watching every week, what can I say Catherine Schell Is a beautiful woman. It does have its moments I suppose but I have them both on bluray and guess which one I watch the most. lol

[@varanid9]

I do enjoy some of season 2 in a pulp fiction sort of way; first couple of eps are pretty good, I liked Bringers of Wonder and Brian the Brain. The one where they end up at the Battle of Hastings comes to mind. Then, we get truly cringe-worthy stuff like The Rules of Luton, All That Glistens, and that mind boggling one where the android starts dancing around Helena to make her horny, LOL, One Moment of Humanity I believe it was called. And, it certainly didn't end on a high note: "The Dorcons", indeed!

[@varanid9]

One thing nobody can take away from the first season is that it was truly unique. For every drawn out snooze-fest episode, it countered with a truly spectacular one. And I never felt like an effing idiot for watching it, which, for anyone with a brain, can't be said for most of television.

[@michaelleary9233]

Maya was what kept me watching, I loved her metamorph powers and the monsters she fought.

[@tma2001]

Been watching a complete run of both series on Horror (UK free to air) for the first time since their original airing and episode 8 The Dragon's Domain was up there with Alien - and this was supposed to be harmless primetime family viewing!

[@seanhiggins2740]

I think the flaw in changing the original concept was that in the beginning, although few could articulate it, that made one feel as if they were there as either a passenger, observer or part of the crew. That was the key strength of the show, and I think it is for that reason that most say they preferred season 1. Season 2 seemed like they were trying to convert it into a space soap opera, and the script and cast changes made it seem like they were running out of concepts to create scripts. They seemed to think that they needed to emotionalize and really deepen the characters, but their professional and spartan personalities were already admirable. These deviations uprooted the viewer from the show they grafted their minds to, and detached them from the illusion of actually being in the show. From the first episode, they had the formula down to successfully involve the viewer as part of the environment. They should never have disturbed that.

[@billhosko7723]

Bravo. WELL written.

[@The_McFortner]

Looking back, Series 1 "wooden" acting actually portrays the PTSD that the crew of Moonbase Alpha would be suffering from after being blown away from Earth.

[@Girthon1]

Exactly!

[@issiewizzie]

Yea ....

[@honeysucklecat]

No. First season has no life. Just stiff

[@tomwatson9032]

That is some brilliant retconning, but it doesn't excuse the wooden behavior and aimless scripts.

[@stuartwald2395]

@@jamesmac357 Not to mention that almost every episode, you have Eagles blasted out of space, buildings blown up and blown out, etc.

[@spockboy]

Martin Landau is a fine actor but I thought he was TERRIBLE as a Moon Base Commander. He was CONSTANTLY losing control of himself and becoming emotionally unhinged, instead of keeping his cool as any good leader should. Not sure if it was hammy acting or bad writing/directing. With respect, Freiburger ruined Star Trek, Space 1999, and 6 Million Dollar Man. All of these series' were much worse under his control. I will accept that some of his hard luck was based on timing. 19:56 Had no idea Star Trek TNG "borrowed" this line which was to become the Borg manifesto. Excellent video! Subscribed.

[@ivane5110]

As a kid, the second season was the easy winner, along with Jason of Star Command and reruns of the later seasons of Lost in Space. As and adult, the first season (same with Lost in Space's 1st season) is the clear winner. No critcal judgement being made though; I'm happy across the time continuum.

[@charlestaylor253]

Please GOD, don't bring up 'Jason Of Star Command'. My 54 y.o., early Gen X mind can't take THAT reminder...😩🤮

[@randybentley2633]

I agree about DS9, and this is coming from a pre-TNG Star Trek fan, to whom ToS was a rare vintage to be savored.

[@minicle426]

I find DS9 tediously overhyped myself.

[@GameHopping]

The first season was so stylish and unique. It also had subtle horror elements. The second season just doesn't work for me.

[@bluetornadicamusic2010]

Great piece! I laughed out loud often at the great cuts inserted at the right time! Informative and hilarious!

[@qdllc]

The first season had its flaws BUT you DO NOT fix British sci fi by Americanizing it. You destroy what made it unique in the first place by so doing.

[@NiTeHaWKnz]

You're not wrong. It was utterly destroyed in the second season. They can't even get it right when they buy the rights to make their own version of a show. They bought the rights to Fawlty Towers and found no one liked their Basil Fawlty. They also bought the rights to a New Zealand show, Outrageous Fortune. They changed it so much, it didn't last 2 episodes. It's called "Scoundrels". Funny thing is, Shameless would the closet to Outrageous Fortune in tone etc 😂😂 On and more recently, The Office. A UK short show from Ricky Gervais the Americans drew out for 12 years. Worse thing is, it's not even good 😂😂😂😂

[@colinu9209]

Any British creation that the Americans get hold of generally turns to sh1te ! They even had a go at destroying the Inbetweeners and the IT crowd as well 😂

[@garyzod8818]

Season 1 was amazing, but season 2 was f##king shit.

[@docknightphilco4550]

Dang..why is season 2 bad? and says who? just you on here? if anything it was as good as season 1!

[@qdllc]

@@docknightphilco4550 - (1) It was always a “thinking man’s” sci fi…they made it more action-based thinking it would attract more viewers but ruined what made it unique. (2) Not that Maya was bad per se, but her super smarts and shapeshifting ability became a deus ex machina for many episodes. (3) Too many radical character replacements who never existed before (e.g., Tony) or never got a satisfactory exit (e.g., Victor). (4) God awful scripts…even the cast fought with the writers over how nonsensical several of them were.

[@LiquidAudio]

Wonderful stuff. I absolutely adored this show as a kid and even now I still love it. But the first season was definitely the one. So dark, weird and sparse is a way and visually just stunning. Loved UFO of course too!

[@steverogers500]

Thank you Chris that's an brilliant mini documentary with great research and excellent use of clips from the series. The kind of documentary you'd love to find as a dvd/blu ray extra!

[@chdimas]

Μy favourite tv show when I was a kid... I am 54 now .....

[@petesmith4498]

Year One for me, which I have on DVD and Blu-ray. Hated the change of tone and the loss of Barry Morse and the Main Mission set.

[@Mangomesh]

I always wonder why Barry Morse wasn't in season 2. Just wondered if you recommend the Blu-ray? thinking of picking up season 1 of Space 1999, won't bother with season 2.

[@gsmitchell]

Such a brilliant storyline. I am sad everyday that someone does not remake this series.

[@proto-geek248]

There there

[@kpowers]

Honestly, if they remade this show it would be horrible.

[@dorkangel1076]

Dragons Domain from season 1 still scares the crap out of me.

[@BombshellCelluloid]

Thanks for this! I just wrote my own comment about this very episode as well but couldn't remember the title of it. Friggin' terrifying episode as a 10 year old and to this day still pops into my head every now and then.

[@braxxian]

Agreed. I watched it last month and even as a 53 year old I was still anxious. Great stuff.

[@Milnoc]

An example of when monsters are done right.

[@CJ-rf9jm]

It did the same to me at the age of 6.

[@thethirdchimpanzee]

That episode traumatized me as a child...

[@mikaelbohman6694]

I realise I didn't even see the second season, and I'm all the happier for it. Season 1 made a big impression on me as a kid.

[@nemz7505]

Second season when I was young but for years now, the first season reigns supreme :)

[@richardgregory3684]

Year One of the show was unique - on many occasions it had an almost surreal feel to it. You really did get the impression that Alpha was adrift in a very strange and often hostile universe. The stories made you think. Character stuff took second place. Production values were magnificent. It was very "British" and very far away from standard science fiction television. It had a huge gravitas about it, closest thing I can think of it was a TV equivalent to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Sure, the science was often dodgy but the concepts were big and ambitious. Year Two was nothing other than bog standard American sci-fi. It wasn;t the same show at all. All rubber monsters, forced "humour" and "romance" and laughably bad stories. A couple of decent ones but it was mostly garbage of the level of shows like Buck Rogers. I wish they hadn't made it at all, it completely desecrated the show. The cast, being professionals, did their best with rubbish material. On it's own it was "Okay" but following on from Year One it looked cheap and tacky. Main Mission was a huge and futuristic set, we exchanged that for the cramped Command Centre which in contrast dated very badly (being mostly dressed up oscilloscopes and the like). All that "romantic interest" between Dr Russel/Koenig and Maya/Verdeschi, the painfully awful "humour" like the beer jokes, hilariously dire rubber monsters used over and over again and dross stories. The first time I saw Year Two I was absolutely shocked at what they'd turned my much loved show into. Garbage.

[@billhosko7723]

b r a v o

[@DanielAppleton-lr9eq]

@@billhosko7723 I thought the same thing about "War of the Worlds - the Series ". A good 1st season followed by a 2nd season without explanation for the new alien species. & they killed off 2 popular characters.

[@SharpblueCreative]

Season two is awful compared to season 1. I do like some episodes but I missed the season 1 style.

[@alucard624]

The new intro theme and Catherine Schell were the best things about Season 2. Other than that, Season 2 was very hit and miss. As stiff and wooden as Season 1 could be at times it was better overall in quality.

[@stephenfourie8409]

Don't fix something not broken. The first season was an amazing sci-fi show which turned into a weird confusing spectacle. Freiberger killed it.

[@stormwulf117]

Gerry's undoing were the constant attempts to get his shows into the US broadcast market. There's money to be made in US rights I'm sure, but it was never really going to be a thing. He should have kept everything in the UK like the "Carry On" series did. And hiring Fred "Grim Reaper of Shows" Freidberger was putting an anvil around the neck of the series.

[@zaphoddog3878]

Totally agree. It wasn't like it wasn't doing fine in syndication. Me and all my friends watched it every week.

[@martinsmith4306]

It was Lew Grade who never stopped trying to get in US markets. Excellent shows were created with his backing but if they weren't successful in the US he would cancel them.

[@mopar_dude9227]

@@zaphoddog3878 yeah, why try to get into a market that is 6 times bigger, I mean it isn’t like they were doing this for money. Oh wait, they were doing it for money. Syndication doesn’t pay the production company crap compared to prime time.

[@summess5567]

What superbly witty and inventive clip-editing in this video! Bravo everyone!

[@williamgreenough8350]

loved this show when i was growing up

[@stevekillgore9272]

At 19:54 wow, her words echo through the corridors of sci-f ....

[@garymcaleer6112]

Barbara was always beautiful and calm. Glad she's still with us. Many fond memories.

[@petermiller1041]

Glad I caught this review. Just finished series 1 and was contemplating getting the next series. Series 1 had some great ideas in it. Proper 70’s sci-fi. Really out there. Might just rewatch it now, rather than ruin it

[@dave8181]

Season 1 was superior in every way to season 2. One big difference was the music - so evocative and heartfelt in series 1. Think of the music in Testament of Arkadia, or the music as you the moon's temporary atmosphere disappearing at the end of Last Sunset. Barry Gray! The music in Season 2 was so terrible and diminutive.

[@nickallen504]

The music in season 2 is worthy of porn movie background.

[@williambabyak1094]

@@nickallen504 Or EuroHilton Muzak

[@DragonKastle]

I was nine years o”d when I first saw this, as it came out. Fond memories. Thank you for this.

[@allwaizeright9705]

I treat them both as separate - There are some items I enjoyed in 1 and then there was some good stuff in 2. But for the most part - as Isaac Asimov has said "Good Stories - Bad Science". Season 2 just turned into Let's chase monsters around the station if we have nothing.

[@malebodjia5128]

Bonjour et merci de me refaire vivre mes souvenirs d'enfants avec cosmos 1999 ainsi que les sentinelles de l'air, capitaine Scarlet...etc...longue vie à votre chaîne...longue vie et prospérité...un fan...

[@spitfiremark1a768]

Oui oui. S2 et merd.

[@danielkinsman1964]

I loved Space 1999. They had some great episodes

[@chrisll3874]

Thank you so much! The answer was American Studios apeasment! I have been rewatching recently and I'd forgotten the stark differences between season 1 and 2. After only less than 2 eps into S2 I could barely even cintunue with that drek. It had me wondering why they would have taken all that was good about S1 and tossed it out. I could not fathom why they would replace the best opening score and montage of any show past or present and future and turm it comic book parody of it's self? That was just asthetic, but then continuity-wise add characters crew we have never met prior with zero explanation? Then while I frequently questioned the science used for the entire series, Season 2 made zero effort to even attempt to employ even a hint of science to explain the solar system of the week. But now I get it. The condescending American studios underestimating its audiences. Add lilting happy tunes and other nonsense. Sorry Gerry Anderson I always blamed you but now you've revealed the true villain. To bad you couldn't put him in a suspended animation chamber to like that azz in season 1 that wanted to return to earth so badly he threatened the existence of the entire moon base alpha. I am just going to watch season one again and forget S2. Sorry Maya. You were all that was good about S2.