Year: 1978

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Season 2 Star Blazers

Open Main Guns! Target: Yamato!

Star BlazersThe Argo evades the Andromeda by diving through the asteroid belt. Though the Argo is the more maneuverable vessel, the Andromeda circumvents the asteroid belt and meets the Star Force on the other side. For a moment, it seems as though one Earth ship will be forced to fire upon another, until the Andromeda’s Captain Gideon stands down, allowing the Argo to pass.

Order the DVDswritten by Keisuke Fujikawa & Eiichi Yamamoto
directed by Leiji Matsumoto
music by Hiroshi Miyagawa

Season 2 Voice Cast: Kenneth Meseroll (Derek Wildstar), Tom Tweedy (Mark Venture), Amy Howard (Nova), Eddie Allen (Leader Desslok), Chris Latta (Sgt. Knox), Lydia Leeds (Trelaina), Chris Latta (General Dire), Chris Latta (Captain Gideon), other actors unknown

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Battlestar Galactica (Classic Series) Season 1

The Magnificent Warriors

Battlestar Galactica (original)The Colonial fleet is wracked by a food shortage, threatening to cut their journey to Earth very short. Adama proposes a trip to the farming planet Serenity, where he hopes to exchange equipment for food. But there are a couple of problems on the way. To get the equipment he’ll need for barter, Adama must renew a long-dead relationship with the loquacious Siress Belloby. And once on the surface of serenity, not only do the Commander and his entourage find themselves in the middle of a war between the human farmers and the warlike Boray, but Belloby and her equipment go missing.

Order the DVDsDownload this episodewritten by Glen A. Larson
directed by Chris I. Nyby II
music by Stu Phillips

Guest Cast: Barry Nelson (Bogan), Brett Somers (Siress Belloby), Dennis Fimple (Duggy), Eric Server (Dipper), Olan Soule (Carmichael), Rance Howard (Farnes), Ben Frommer (Nogow)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Star Wars TV Specials

The Star Wars Holiday Special

Star WarsOn the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk, Chewbacca’s family awaits his return for the yearly celebration of Life Day. But when he doesn’t arrive on time, they assume the worst and begin secretly contacting members of the Rebel Alliance, including Luke and Leia. Chewie’s wife Malla, his father Itchy, and his son Lumpy begin to fear the worst when the Empire blockades Kashyyyk and stormtroopers begin to search residences. Han and Chewie must battle their way through the blockade, not only to reach Chewie’s family in time for Life Day, but to save them from Imperial troops that could uncover their secret connection to the Rebels.

Cartoon: Han and Chewie return from a mission to recover a magical talisman, but they make no contact with base – and overshoot the rendezvous point at high speed, crash-landing the Falcon on a watery world. Luke and the droids give chase in a Y-wing, also crashing on the planet. Their ship falls victim to a hungry sea creature, but they are rescued by an humanoid, covered from head to toe in armor, who identifies himself as Boba Fett. He leads them to the Falcon, where Han has fallen victim to a “sleeping virus” – and Luke soon succumbs as well. Boba Fett offers to steal the antidote from a nearby Imperial base, but Chewie is suspicious and insists on accompanying the Rebels’ new benefactor. While Boba Fett and Chewie are breaking into the Empire’s stronghold, Threepio and Artoo eavesdrop on a message from Darth Vader – a message intended for Vader’s hired gun, the bounty hunter known as Boba Fett.

written by Rod Warren, Bruce Vilanch, Pat Proft, Leonard Ripps and Mitzie Welch
directed by Steve Binder
music by Ian Fraser
songs by Mitzie Welch and Ken Welch

Cast: Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vader), Beatrice Arthur (Aknina), Art Carney (Sundan), Harvey Korman (Video chef/Morphian host/Krelman), Diahann Carroll (Hologram singer), Jefferson Starship (Hologram band), Mickey Morton (Malla), Paul Gale (Itchy), Patty Maloney (Lumpy), Jack Rader (Imperial officer), Stephaine Stromer (Imperial officer), Michael Potter (Imperial officer), The Wazzan Troupe (Hologram performers), Yuichi Sugiyama (?), The Mum Brothers (?), Claude Woolman (?), Lev Mailer (?), John McLaughlin (?)

Appearing in footage from Star Wars: David Prowse (Darth Vader), Alec Guiness (Obi-Wan Kenobi)

LogBook entry & review by Earl Green

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Jason Of Star Command Season 1

The Haunted Planet

Jason Of Star CommandJason’s Starfire vehicle is in trouble: its atomic power source is seconds away from going critical. He’s forced to land on a nearby planet and abandon the Starfire before it explodes, unaware that someone on that planet is the cause of the problem. A hooded man named Bork emerges, informing Jason and friends that they are now prisoners of Queen Vanessa. And she seems to be in no hurry to let them go.

Order this series on DVDwritten by Ted Pedersen & Martha Humphreys
directed by Arthur H. Nadel
music by Yvette Blais & Jeff Michael and Horta-Mahana

Jason Of Star CommandCast: Craig Littler (Jason), Sid Haig (Dragos), Susan O’Hanlon (Capt. Nicole Davidoff), Charlie Dell (Prof. E.J. Parsafoot), James Doohan (Commander Canarvin), Julie Newmar (Queen Vanessa), Angelo Rossitto (Bork)

Notes: Julie Newmar had appeared in the 1960s Batman series as Catwoman, as well as guest starring in the original Star Trek.

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Season 2 Star Blazers

Heavy Fighting: The Space Cavalry!

Star BlazersA distress signal is received from Brumis, the eleventh planet of the Earth’s solar system which is home to a Marine-manned defense base – which is now under attack by Comet Empire forces. Wildstar orders a full-scale attack on the Empire’s ships, doing critical damage to their numbers and letting only a single ship get away. The Argo is able to rescue Sgt. Knox and his Marines, taking them aboard. Sandor is able to analyze samples of the Comet Empire’s technology, proving to the EDF once and for all that a new threat to Earth’s safety indeed exists. The Star Force’s renegade status is lifted, and Sgt. Knox vows vengeance upon the enemy who forced he and his men to do the unthinkable – retreat.

Order the DVDswritten by Keisuke Fujikawa & Eiichi Yamamoto
directed by Leiji Matsumoto
music by Hiroshi Miyagawa

Season 2 Voice Cast: Kenneth Meseroll (Derek Wildstar), Tom Tweedy (Mark Venture), Amy Howard (Nova), Eddie Allen (Leader Desslok), Chris Latta (Sgt. Knox), Lydia Leeds (Trelaina), Chris Latta (General Dire), Chris Latta (Captain Gideon), other actors unknown

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Battlestar Galactica (Classic Series) Season 1

The Young Lords

Battlestar Galactica (original)Starbuck crash-lands on a distant planet during a patrol, and is found by a group of children. But rather than nursing him back to health, the youngsters plan to propose a hostage exchange with the Cylons – a Colonial warrior for their abducted father. Starbuck would rather try to rescue the father of the children from the Cylons so they can all escape, but he’ll have a hard time persuading the children to help him.

Order the DVDsDownload this episodewritten by Donald P. Bellisario, Frank Lupo and Paul Playdon
directed by Donald P. Bellisario
music by Stu Phillips

Guest Cast: Audrey Landers (Miri), Charles Bloom (Kyle), Bruce Glover (Megan), Brigitte Muller (Ariadne), Jonathan B. Woodward (Robus), Adam Mann (Nilz), Jonathan Harris (Spectre)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Jason Of Star Command Season 1

Escape From Kesh

Jason Of Star CommandUpon learning that Queen Vanessa of Kesh has captured him on behalf of Dragos, Jason resorts to extreme measures to escape, including the use of a miniaturization device that’s almost more trouble than it’s worth. Once he masters its use, he breaks Nicole and Professor Parsifoot out as well, and to their amazement, an intact Starfire awaits them outside…all part of Queen Vanessa’s latest trap.

Order this series on DVDwritten by Chuck Menville
directed by Arthur H. Nadel
music by Yvette Blais & Jeff Michael and Horta-Mahana

Jason Of Star CommandCast: Craig Littler (Jason), Sid Haig (Dragos), Susan O’Hanlon (Capt. Nicole Davidoff), Charlie Dell (Prof. E.J. Parsafoot), James Doohan (Commander Canarvin), Julie Newmar (Queen Vanessa), Angelo Rossitto (Bork)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Season 2 Star Blazers

Counterattack: The Unseen Space Sub!

Star BlazersThe EDF Marines from Brumis have difficulty adjusting to the somewhat more disciplined environment of the Argo. For starters, Sgt. Knox can’t keep his eyes off of Nova, or his hands off of the Argo’s fighters or instrumentation. The situation goes unchecked until a brawl breaks out between the Argo’s repair crews and Knox’s Marines. Wildstar even joins the fray until Dr. Sane protests, reminding the younger man that he is now the Argo’s captain and needs to start demonstrating restraint for the sake of his crew (and their unruly guests). And when the latest message from Telezart is received, Mark Venture’s reaction is very surprising indeed.

Order the DVDswritten by Keisuke Fujikawa & Eiichi Yamamoto
directed by Leiji Matsumoto
music by Hiroshi Miyagawa

Season 2 Voice Cast: Kenneth Meseroll (Derek Wildstar), Tom Tweedy (Mark Venture), Amy Howard (Nova), Eddie Allen (Leader Desslok), Chris Latta (Sgt. Knox), Lydia Leeds (Trelaina), Chris Latta (General Dire), Chris Latta (Captain Gideon), other actors unknown

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Amazing Spider-Man Season 2

The Con Caper

Amazing Spider-Man (1970s series)Politician James Colbert is released from jail after serving time for violating campaign finance laws, and is greeted by his old friend (and campaign cohort) Rita Conway, who is now J. Jonah Jameson’s assistant at the Daily Bugle. She has managed to talk Jameson into meeting with Colbert, who has emerged from his sentence with a fresh zeal for prison reform, though Jameson is reluctant to give any preferential column space to Colbert’s new agenda. Almost immediately, however, a riot breaks out at the prison, and the convicts gain the upper hand over the guards. Colbert insists on negotiating with the two prisoners behind the riots, Kates and McTieg. He manages to bring the hostage situation to a bloodless end, but only after Spider-Man has already made his first appearance to capture one of the more violent prisoners trying to escape. Peter, assigned to cover the ongoing story, narrowly avoids an exploding bomb planted on the door of his apartment moments after Colbert calls to invite him to cover a concert given by Rita at the prison. Peter proceeds to the prison in the guide of Spider-Man, just in time to see Kates and McTieg escape under the cover of an explosion during the concert. Peter thinks that the escapes convicts and Colbert are plotting something that requires the three of them to be outside the prison walls – and whatever it is, Spider-Man will likely be the one who has to stop it.

teleplay by Gregory S. Dinallo
story by Brian McKay
directed by Tom Blank
music by Dana Kaproff

Amazing Spider-ManCast: Nicholas Hammond (Peter Parker / Spider-Man), Robert F. Simon (J. Jonah Jameson), Chip Fields (Rita Conway), Ellen Bry (Julie Masters), William Smithers (James Colbert), Ramon Bieri (Kates), Andrew Robinson (McTieg), W.T. Zacha (Big Time), Paul Wexler (Prison Guard), Pat Corley (IFMM Receptionist), Fred Downs (Warden Ford)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Classic Season 16 Doctor Who

The Androids Of Tara

Doctor WhoThe Doctor and Romana arrive on the planet Tara, searching for the fourth segment of the Key to Time, but this time around the Doctor feels he’s entitled to some vacation time. Romana goes on to find the fourth segment herself while the Doctor does some fishing, but this places them both in danger. Romana encounters the conniving Count Grendel of Gracht, a duplicitous duke who aspires to Tara’s throne, and he promptly takes her prisoner, apparently believing her to be an android. The Doctor, in the meantime, is found by a small band of men loyal to Prince Reynart, the rightful heir to the throne, who is in hiding due to Grendel’s machinations. Reynart has one defense – a perfect android replica of himself – which isn’t working. The Doctor accompanies Reynart’s men and his newly repaired android to the prince’s coronation while the prince himself waits in seclusion. But it gets much more complicated than that when each side tries to outfox the other with android replicas – and Count Grendel may hold the winning piece, for he intends to replace Princess Strella, unwilling to be forced into a marriage to Prince Reynart, with her identical twin: Romana.

Order the DVDDownload this episodewritten by David Fisher
directed by Michael Hayes
music by Dudley Simpson

Guest Cast: Peter Jeffrey (Count Grendel), Neville Jason (Prince Reynart), Simon Lack (Zadek), Paul Lavers (Farrah), Lois Baxter (Madame Lamia), Declan Mulholland (Till), Martin Matthews (Kurster), Cyril Shaps (Archimandrite), Mary Tamm (Strella)

Broadcast from November 25 through December 16, 1978

LogBook entry & review by Earl Green

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Battlestar Galactica (Classic Series) Season 1

The Living Legend – Part 1

Battlestar Galactica (original)Though Galactica was widely believed to have been the only Battlestar to have escaped the carnage that scattered the Twelve Colonies, another of the mighty ships managed to flee, and Galactica’s Viper pilots discover it while on patrol – the Battlestar Pegasus, under the control of the legendary warrior Commander Cain.

teleplay by Glen A. Larson
Order the DVDsstory by Ken Pettus and Glen A. Larson
directed by Vince Edwards
music by Stu Phillips

Download this episodeGuest Cast: Lloyd Bridges (Commander Cain), Jack Stauffer (Lt. Bojay), Rod Haase (Tolan), Junero Jennings (Helmsman), Ted Hamaguchi (Helmsman)

Notes: With some major alterations, this story was retold in the new Battlestar Galactica series.

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Jason Of Star Command Season 1

Return Of The Creature

Jason Of Star CommandDelivered to Dragos by Queen Vanessa, Jason again makes escape and survival his first order of business. Unfortunately, Dragos has already extracted information on Star Command’s weaknesses from Peepo’s memory banks and has launched an attack, lowering Star Command’s shielding as a galactic typhoon approaches its position.

Order this series on DVDwritten by Len Janson
directed by Arthur H. Nadel
music by Yvette Blais & Jeff Michael and Horta-Mahana

Jason Of Star CommandCast: Craig Littler (Jason), Sid Haig (Dragos), Susan O’Hanlon (Capt. Nicole Davidoff), Charlie Dell (Prof. E.J. Parsafoot), James Doohan (Commander Canarvin)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Season 2 Star Blazers

Space Storm: Escape Impossible!

Star BlazersAware that Trelaina’s signal has given the Argo’s crew a heading for Telezart, Prince Zordar uses the opportunity to lay a trap in the ship’s path – a gravitational vortex from which the Argo cannot escape. But the Comet Empire’s leader underestimates one thing. If Trelaina can transmit a heading to the Argo, she can also help the crew devise solutions to their predicament.

Order the DVDswritten by Keisuke Fujikawa & Eiichi Yamamoto
directed by Leiji Matsumoto
music by Hiroshi Miyagawa

Season 2 Voice Cast: Kenneth Meseroll (Derek Wildstar), Tom Tweedy (Mark Venture), Amy Howard (Nova), Eddie Allen (Leader Desslok), Chris Latta (Sgt. Knox), Lydia Leeds (Trelaina), Chris Latta (General Dire), Chris Latta (Captain Gideon), other actors unknown

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Battlestar Galactica (Classic Series) Season 1

The Living Legend – Part 2

Battlestar Galactica (original)Commanders Adama and Cain have been butting heads since the moment the Pegasus reemerged. Cain favors a more aggressive stance toward the Cylons, feeling that Adama has become too accustomed to running. Cain leads a mission with both crews, scoring a victory against the Cylons but also accumulating a larger number of casualties than usual. When Adama tries to relieve Cain of his duties, the commander of the Pegasus goes renegade, risking the safety of both ships for one more victory.

Order the DVDsDownload this episodeteleplay by Glen A. Larson
story by Ken Pettus and Glen A. Larson
directed by Vince Edwards
music by Stu Phillips

Guest Cast: Lloyd Bridges (Commander Cain), Jack Stauffer (Lt. Bojay), Rod Haase (Tolan), Junero Jennings (Helmsman), Ted Hamaguchi (Helmsman)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Jason Of Star Command Season 1

Peepo On Trial

Jason Of Star CommandRocketing home to Star Command in the escape pod from his captured Starfire, Jason brings Peepo, Nicole and Professor Parsifoot yet. Jason and friends immediately set about solving the crisis at hand, of accelerating Star Command safely through the galactic typhoon, but no one is watching as Peepo – reprogrammed to continue obeying commands from Dragos – begins sabotaging Star Command.

Order this series on DVDwritten by Chuck Menville
directed by Arthur H. Nadel
music by Yvette Blais & Jeff Michael and Horta-Mahana

Jason Of Star CommandCast: Craig Littler (Jason), Sid Haig (Dragos), Susan O’Hanlon (Capt. Nicole Davidoff), Charlie Dell (Prof. E.J. Parsafoot), James Doohan (Commander Canarvin)

Notes: Commander Canarvin refers to Star Command and Space Academy interchangeably. After several tense minutes of preparing to break into the control room and then breaking into the control room, Commander Canarvin punches a button, calls the engine room, and orders the engines turned back on. (Couldn’t he have done that from any other communications terminal in Star Command?) The quality of the “galactic typhoon” effects are far above average for American television science fiction of this era.

LogBook entry by Earl Green