Day: April 5, 1974

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Season 1 Six Million Dollar Man

The Last Of The Fourth Of Julys

The Six Million Dollar ManLong a surveillance target of the OSI, a man named Quail – who has the resources to hide out on his own well-equipped island complete with sensor systems, a 30-foot-tall electric fence, and a water filtration system – is now a top priority: a U.S. government agent relayed information that Quail is planning something massive, and lethal, in July. Infiltrating Quail’s base is beyond most agents, and even Austin has to undergo a rigorous training program that tests even the limits of his bionically enhanced endurance. Unfortunately, once inside Quail’s base, the nuclear power source in Austin’s bionic limbs gives him away to the base’s sensors. Austin is subjected to a series of interrogations, and one of his interrogators reveals that she is a deep-cover agent working on behalf of Interpol to topple Quail’s operation. With time running out before Quail hatches a plan to kill all the delegates at a critical world peace summit, does Austin go it alone, or does he believe her story?

written by Richard Landau
directed by Reza Badiyi
music by Oliver Nelson

The Six Million Dollar ManCast: Lee Majors (Steve Austin), Richard Anderson (Oscar Goldman), Steve Forrest (Quail), Kevin Tighe (Root), Tom Reese (Joe Alabam), Arlene Martel (Violette), Barry Cahill (Submarine Captain), Hank Stohl (Balsam), Ben Wright (Ives), H. Alan Deglin (Hurst), Tom Hayden (Sonar)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Amazing Spider-Man Season 1

The Deadly Dust Part 1

Amazing Spider-Man (1970s series)Peter’s nuclear physics instructor stirs up controversy by acquiring weapons-grade plutonium oxide to use in a small experimental reactor on campus. This attracts the attention of numerous parties, from some would-be anti-nuclear activitist classmates of Peter’s, to domestic terrorists who want to hold the entire population of the Big Apple to a ransom. The plutonium is quickly stolen, and worse yet, the police blame Spider-Man for stealing the plutonium. Complicating things further is a national magazine reporter who wants to follow Peter around since he’s the only person who seems to be close to Spider-Man. Just when the world needs Spider-Man the most, there are too many eyes on Peter Parker for him to become his alter-ego.

written by Robert Janes
directed by Ron Satlof
music by Stu Phillips

Amazing Spider-ManCast: Nicholas Hammond (Peter Parker / Spider-Man), Robert F. Simon (J. Jonah Jameson), Chip Fields (Rita Conway), Michael Pataki (Captain Barbera), Joanna Cameron (Gail Hoffman), Robert Alda (Mr. White), Randy Powell (Craig), Sid Clute (Inspector DeCarlo), Steven Anderson (Ted), Anne Bloom (Carla), Herb Braha (LeBeau), Leigh Kavanaugh (Linda), Ron Hajek (Salesman), David Somerville (Singer), Gail Jensen (Singer), Walt Davis (Helicopter Repairman), Barbara Sanders (Waitress), Jerry Martin (Doorman)

Amazing Spider-ManNotes: Apparently the demands of being Spider-Man have led Peter to move out of Aunt May’s house; he has his own apartment in New York City. Guest star Joanna Cameron was previously best known for the role of Isis in Filmation’s live-action series The Secrets of Isis (a character she also played in several crossover appearances on Filmation’s other live-action superhero series, Shazam!). Robert F. Simon takes over the role of Daily Bugle editor J. Jonah Jameson as of this episode, while Chip Fields makes her first appearance as Jameson’s secretary, Rita.

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Radio Series

Episode 5 (Fit The Fifth)

Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy: Primary PhaseThe computer bank behind which Zaphod, Ford, Trillian and Arthur are hiding on Magrathea blows up, but instead of killing them, the explosion propels them millions of years forward in time. They awaken in Milliway’s, the Restaurant at the Edge of the Universe, which was constructed on the ruins of Magrathea eons later. It also turns out that Marvin is there too, though he took the long way, remaining on Magrathea for millennia until Milliway’s was built. Not keen on staying at Milliway’s long enough to be found by the police – to whom, presumably, a few millennia make no difference – Zaphod decides to steal a particularly sleek black ship that has been parked in the restaurant’s docks.

Order this CDwritten by Douglas Adams and John Lloyd
directed by Alick Hale-Munro
music by Paddy Kingsland

Cast: Peter Jones (The Voice of the Book), Antony Sharpe (Garkbit / Zarquon), Roy Hudd (Compere’), Simon Jones (Arthur Dent), Geoffrey McGivern (Ford Prefect), Mark Wing-Davey (Zaphod Beeblebrox), Susan Sheridan (Trillian), Stephen Moore (Marvin)

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National Public Radio Radio & Audio Dramas Star Wars

Black Knight, White Princess, And Pawns

Star WarsThe Tantive IV makes a sudden stop in Imperial space, and two droids – astromech droid R2-D2 and interpreter C-3PO – are assigned to perform an important task for Princess Leia: R2-D2 is to act as if performing extravehicular repairs on the ship’s hull, though he’s actually receiving a secret rebel transmission containing detailed plans of the Empire’s top-secret Death Star project. Leia’s next stop is to present those plans – and a plea to come out of retirement – to General Obi-Wan Kenobi, a veteran of the Clone Wars living in seclusion on the planet Tatooine. But before the Tantive IV can make its escape, an Imperial Star Destroyer gives chase, bringing the ship to a halt. A platoon of stormtroopers, with Darth Vader behind them, boards the Tantive IV, killing most of the crew in the process. Desperate to keep the Death Star plans from being found in the ship’s computer, Leia hides them in R2-D2’s memory and instructs him to abandon ship in an escape pod. C-3PO, trying to dissuade the little droid from following those orders, winds up in the escape pod with him – and then finds himself on the surface of Tatooine. But aboard the Tantive IV, Princess Leia cannot escape capture – and interrogation by Vader.

Order this CDwritten by Brian Daley
based on the screenplay Star Wars by George Lucas
directed by John Madden
music by John Williams

See the first episode for cast information.

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Season 06 Star Trek The Next Generation

Lessons

Star Trek: The Next GenerationStardate 46693.1: When he goes to the Enterprise’s stellar cartography department to ask why their latest experiment is diverting power from nearly every system on the ship, Picard meets Lt. Commander Daren, a new member of the crew who intrigues him with her honesty and unpredictability. They begin to form a relationship, and Picard worries that the rest of the crew might misinterpret that relationship, interfering with his command. But depending on the outcome of hazardous away team duty on Bersallis III, Picard and Daren may not have long to explore what this new development in their lives means.

Order the DVDswritten by Ronald Wilkerson and Jean Louise Matthias
directed by Robert Wiemer
music by Dennis McCarthy
music from The Inner Light by Jay Chattaway

Cast: Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard), Jonathan Frakes (Commander Riker), LeVar Burton (Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge), Michael Dorn (Lt. Worf), Gates McFadden (Dr. Crusher), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Troi), Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data), Wendy Hughes (Lt. Commander Daren), Majel Barrett (Computer Voice)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Season 1 Sliders

The Last Days

SlidersThe sliders arrive on a world on the brink of chaos and anarchy as the human race prepares to be wiped out by an approaching asteroid in 72 hours. While this might only cause mild consternation to the visitors, Quinn has arranged for them to stay in this dimension for a little over three days, making them just as susceptible to this Earth’s fate as everyone else. Quinn and Wade try to visit the home of this dimension’s Quinn to see if he has developed sliding equipment that can allow them to escape earlier, while Arturo sets out on an unlikely mission to develop an asteroid-deflecting atom bomb – a technology never used in this world – with obnoxious Benish, a student of his from home. Rembrandt, in the meantime, decides to party like there’s no tomorrow – only to find that anarchy is breaking loose as the end draws near, and he’s right in the middle of it.

Order the DVDswritten by Dan Lane
directed by Michael Keusch
music by Mark Mothersbaugh

Guest Cast: Jennifer Hetrick (Caroline), Jason Gaffney (Benish), George Touliatos (Dr. Antonovich), Gary Narin (Mace Moon), Malcolm Stewart (Alan Fontaine), Carlton Watson (Reverend), Robin Palmer (Nurse Pamela), Patrick Stevenson (Jimmy), Hidalgo Rubin (Driver), Jacqueline Dandeneau (Meter Maid), Norma Wick (News Anchor), Brian Arnold (Science Correspondent), Mike Dobson (Policeman)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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From The Earth To The Moon

Can We Do This?

From The Earth To The MoonOn April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human being to travel in space, sparking one of the most momentous events in human history. Though just over half a month passes before an American astronaut named Alan B. Shepard is launched into a very brief spaceflight of his own, President John Kennedy announces a new goal for the American space program – to land a man on the moon before the end of the decade. This objective will require knowledge, technology and materials that don’t even exist yet, and hundreds or thousands of people will be required to create them…and this pledge has been made on the heels of a single fifteen-minute spaceflight, while the Soviets continue to leap ahead of their American counterparts at every turn. The Mercury flights continue, along with the successful two-man Gemini launches, braving new risks and developing new techniques (despite the Gemini 8 mission, which almost kills Dave Scott and Neil Armstrong). But before an American will walk on the moon, NASA will face its darkest hour and its first launch pad fatalities.

Order the DVDswritten by Steven Katz
directed by Tom Hanks
music by Michael Kamen

Cast: David Andrews (Frank Borman), George Bartenieff (Hugh Dryden), Robert Curtis Brown (Gavin O’Rourke), Robert John Burke (Bill Anders), Andrew Chaikin (“Meet The Press” host), Kelly Collins (Hotel clerk), David Cooper (Businessman), Bryan Cranston (Edwin Aldrin), Brett Cullen (Dave Scott), Tim Daly (Jim Lovell), James Detmar (Engineer two), Cullen Douglas (Booster), Cary Elwes (Michael Collins), Al Franken (Jerome Weisner), Jack Gilpin (Ted Sorenson), Tony Goldwyn (Neil Armstrong), Steve Hofvendahl (Thomas Stafford), Mary Thompson Hunt (Teacher), Chris Isaak (Ed White), Daniel Hugh Kelly (Gene Cernan), Fredric Lane (Walt Cunningham), Dan Lauria (James Webb), Jim Leavy (C.C. Williams), Ted Levine (Alan Shepard), Lamont Lofton (Engineer one), John Carroll Lynch (Bob Gilruth), Ben Marley (Roger Chaffee), Deborah May (Miss Hedges), John Mese (Donn Eisele), Kieran Mulroney (Rusty Schweickart), Greg Neff (Chamber President), Tom Nowicki (David Bell), Terry Odem (Screaming woman), Conor O’Farrell (James McDivitt), Jim Piddock (John Hodge), Mike Pniewski (Surgeon), John Posey (John Young), David Preuss (Procedures), Robert Quinn (EECOM), Steven Raulerson (Recovery), Mark Rolston (Gus Grissom), Stephen Root (Chris Kraft), Linwood Sasser (Press rep.), Peter Scolari (Pete Conrad), Nick Searcy (Deke Slayton), Lane Smith (Emmett Seaborn), Hank Stone (Hotel manager), Bruce Taylor (Staff member), Tom Verica (Dick Gordon), John Wickersham (FIDO), Ralph Wilcox (V.I.P.), Rich Williams (Shreveportian), Steve Zahn (Elliot See)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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From The Earth To The Moon

Apollo One

From The Earth To The MoonOn January 27, 1967, the fledgling Apollo program suffers its first setback, a disaster which almost ends the American space program. During a seemingly innocuous ground test of the Apollo capsule’s ability to function independently, a fire begins in the vehicle and burns out of control in the highly-pressurized, all-oxygen atmosphere. Astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee die when the life support systems of their sealed pressure suits are infiltrated by toxic smoke. In the already highly-politicized atmosphere of the space race, the finger-pointing begins immediately. An internal NASA review board begins an intense investigation of the charred Apollo capsule, as well as North American Aviation, the manufacturer contracted to build it. To make matters worse, Senator Walter Mondale sees the hotly-debated and very public accident as an opportunity to further his goal of ending the space program in favor of more Earthbound concerns. Before NASA can continue its quest for the moon, it will have to win back not only public opinion, but the confidence of the government.

Order the DVDswritten by Graham Yost
directed by David Frankel
music by Mark Mancina

Cast: Mason Adams (Clinton Anderson), Jo Anderson (Pat White), David Andrews (Frank Borman), Peter Anthony (Engineer), Donna Badger (Secretary #2), Janis Benson (Senator Margaret C. Smith), Dan Bright (Mondale’s aide), Tommy Canary (Simpkinson), Bill Cordell (Pyro technician), Ronny Cox (Lee Atwood), Ann From The Earth To The MoonCusack (Jan Armstrong), Keith Dickerson (Pyro technician), J. Don Ferguson (Senator Stephen Young), Dann Florek (Robert Seamans), Ru Flynn (Storms’ secretary), Don Fowler (Harrison Storms, Jr.), Rhoda Griffin (Martha Chaffee), J. Michael Hunter (Skip Chauvin), Chris Isaak (Ed White), Tom Kouchalakos (Technician), Mitchell Laurence (Bud Mahurin), Dan Lauria (James Webb), David Lenthall (Sam Heddingfield), Ben Marley (Roger Chaffee), Dakin Matthews (Dr. Floyd Thompson), George Newbern (Stu Roosa), Holmes Osborne (George Low), Kevin Pollak (Joe Shea), Robby Preddy (Phyllis Storms), Kevin Rainsberger (Dr. Berry), James Rebhorn (Harrison Storms), Ruth Reid (Betty Grissom), Stephen Root (Chris Kraft), Nick Searcy (Deke Slayton), Frank Silva (Levine), John Slattery (Walter Mondale), Joe Spano (George Mueller), Kritsin Stone (Astronaut wife), Arthur Tanier (Dr. Robert Van Dolah), Kathy Tyrell (Shea’s secretary)

From The Earth To The Moon
LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Deep Space Nine Season 07 Star Trek

Penumbra

Star Trek: Deep Space NineStardate 52576.2: Worf is reported missing in action after the ship he was commanding was destroyed by Dominion forces. The Defiant is forced to break off the search; however, Ezri sets out alone in a runabout, determined to find him. Meanwhile, Sisko, who has bought the land for his dream house on Bajor, proposes to Kasidy Yates, but then learns that the Prophets do not approve; and Dukat is secretly altered to appear as a Bajoran.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by Rene Echavarria
directed by Steven Posey
music by Dennis McCarthy

Guest Cast: Penny Johnson (Kasidy Yates), Jeffrey Combs (Weyoun), Marc Alaimo (Gul Dukat), Casey Biggs (Damar), Deborah Lacey (Sarah), Salome Jens (Female Changeling), Michelle Horn (Saghi), Majel Barrett (Federation Computer Voice), Judi Durand (Cardassian Computer Voice)

LogBook entry by Tracy Hemenover

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Farscape Season 3

I-Yensch, You-Yensch

  • By Dave
  • April 5, 2002

FarscapeHaving decided to try and board Scorpius’ command carrier to sabotage his wormhole experiments, D’Argo and Rygel arrange a meeting with Scorpius and Braca at a diner on an out of the way planet to negotiate terms. Scorpius demonstrates the means by which the two sides can enforce their agreement – neural bracelets that ensure that whatever one wearer feels, the other experiences as well, up to and including death. He demonstrates the bracelets on Braca and D’Argo – which is unfortunate, because two robbers bust into the diner and, in the process of shooting up the place, hit Braca in the leg. With Braca and D’Argo both out of commission, Rygel and Scorpius must find a way out of their predicament. Talyn, meanwhile, is acting more and more out of control, inadvertently firing on a hospital ship. Crais realizes the only thing that can be done is to disable Talyn’s higher functions and remove his weaponry – but first he must convince both Moya and Talyn of the virtues of his plan.

Order the DVDswritten by Matt Ford
directed by Peter Andrikidis
music by Guy Gross

Guest Cast: Tammy MacIntosh (Jool), David Franklin (Lt. Braca), Ben Mendelsohn (Sko), Anthony Hayes (Wa), Inge Hornstra (Essk), Salvatore Coco (Voodi), Thomas Holesgrove (Naj Gil)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Clone Wars Star Wars Tartakovsky Series, Vol. 1

Chapter 17

  • By Dave
  • April 5, 2004

Star Wars: Clone WarsAnakin follows Asajj Ventress to Yavin 4, where he is quickly joined by a number of clone troopers sent by Obi-Wan – whom Asajj is nearly as quick in eliminatng.

Order the DVDsstory by Bryan Andrew, Darrick Bachman, Paul Rudish and Genndy Tartakovsky
directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
original music by John Williams
new music by James L. Venable and Paul Dinletir

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Lost Season 2

Dave

  • By Dave
  • April 5, 2006

LostFlashback: Hurley’s therapist in the institution encourages him to face the events that brought him here: a deck Hurley was standing on collapsed, killing two people. Hurley entered a catatonic state where his only activity was eating. Dr. Brooks says he doesn’t think this is necessarily because Hurley likes to eat, but because Hurley wanted to punish himself. Hurley resists the doctor’s advice, often at the urging of his friend and fellow patient Dave. Dave tells Hurley that he’s fine the way he is, that he should think about escaping, and that he shouldn’t turn down a meal. More to the point, as Dr. Brooks shows Hurley – Dave doesn’t exist. On the other hand, Hurley may not be the only future castaway to spend time in that institution.

The Island: Hurley shows Libby his hidden stash of food. She encourages him to do something to free himself of the food, so he destroys all of it. Immediately afterward, he finds out about the airdropped food. As he looks at the crowd poring over the food, he sees a familiar face – Dave. He decides to ask Sawyer for some medication to help prevent his visions, but when Sawyer tries to pull a prank on him, Hurley tackles him. Jin, after taking a moment to enjoy the scene, pulls Hurley away, and Hurley decides to go back to the caves, where he can’t hurt anyone. He runs into the vision of Dave again, who tells him that really, Hurley never left the institution. He went back into his catatonic state and dreamed everything that happened to him since his release. The only way out, the vision says, is to make it clear that Hurley doesn’t buy the dream anymore. And the best way to do that is to leap off a cliff.

Inside the hatch, Sayid and the others try to get some information from their captive, but to little avail. He does share one piece of information with Locke: during the lockdown, he never pushed the button. The countdown expired . . . and absolutely nothing happened.

Order the DVDswritten by Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz
directed by Jack Bender
music by Michael Giacchino

Guest Cast: Michael Emerson (Henry Gale), Evan Handler (Dave), Bruce Davison (Dr. Brooks), Ron Bottitta (Leonard), Grisel Toledo (Nurse)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Doctor Who New Series Season 04

Partners In Crime

Doctor WhoOn Earth in 2008, the Doctor investigates a company called Adipose Industries, the makers of a diet pill that magically makes the fat “walk away,” suspecting that there’s something sinister to their miracle cure for obesity. Little does he know that his friend, former runaway bride Donna Noble, is also at Adipose, having just taken a job in health & safety. Also realizing that Adipose’s claims are too good to be true, Donna begins her own investigation. Donna’s family has criticized her for not sticking to any one job for any length of time since the mysterious circumstances around her not getting married, but what she can’t explain to them is that she regrets not taking the Doctor up on his offer of travel in the TARDIS – and hopes she’ll see him again someday. As she and the Doctor independently snoop around Adipose, they both learn of the more sinister agenda behind the miracle diet pill – and each other’s presence. Just as quickly, they’re both on the run, with Donna leaving no doubt that she expects to be off with the Doctor once the current crisis is over. There’s just one problem: she’s assuming that they’ll both survive the wrath of the mysterious Mrs. Foster once the secret of Adipose is out.

Order the DVDDownload this episodewritten by Russell T. Davies
directed by James Strong
music by Murray Gold

Cast: David Tennant (The Doctor), Catherine Tate (Donna Noble), Billie Piper (Rose Tyler), Sarah Lancashire (Miss Foster), Bernard Cribbins (Wilfred Mott), Jacqueline King (Sylvia Noble), Verona Joseph (Penny Carter), Jessica Gunning (Stacey Harris), Martin Ball (Roger Davey), Rachid Sabitri (Craig Staniland), Chandra Ruegg (Clare Pope), Sue Kelvin (Suzette Chambers), Jonathan Stratt (Taxi Driver)

Notes: The episode carries a dedication to Howard Attfield, the late actor who played the role of Donna’s father in The Runaway Bride. He originally shot some scenes for Partners In Crime, but upon his death, the bulk of his dialogue was rewritten for Donna’s grandfather, played by Bernard Cribbins. According to the show’s producers, Donna’s grandfather is indeed the spirited but perhaps slightly unhinged newsstand man encountered by the Doctor (and also played by Cribbins) in Voyage Of The Damned. The Doctor’s observation about how things can come and go through a catflap are nearly identical to a similar comment his seventh incarnation made in 1989’s Survival – a story whose working title was Catflap.

LogBook entry & review by Earl Green

Categories
Pac-Man

Pac-Man

Pac-ManDeep in a secret underground facility in the Nevada desert, a small team of American scientists has created an amazing artificial life form. Capable of neutralizing any toxic spill, and potentially capable of eliminating almost any man-made hazard, the polymorphic autonomous compound manipulator – Pac-Man for short – could be the future savior of humanity. But first, Pac-Man and his creators must impress a military VIP with the power to shut down the project. Does Pac-Man stand a ghost of a chance?

Watch this shortscreenplay by James Farr
directed by James Farr
music by Joshua Peterson

Cast: Cheryl Kimiko (Reporter), Jason Yang (Dr. Iwitani), Gloria Patton (Sue), Eric Barber (Colonel Midway), James Farr (R. Kade)

Notes: There are numerous in-jokes from the world of Pac-Man hidden in the short; if you give up on spotting them all, check “additional notes” at the end of this review.

LogBook entry and review by Earl Green