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Tag: Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner

Star Trek Animated Series Rediscovered

Following the cancellation of the original “Star Trek” in 1969, the only authorized “Trek” for ten years – prior to the release of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” – was “Star Trek: The Animated Series” (1973-74).

The show, produced by Saturday morning powerhouse Filmation, succeeded in bringing “Star Trek” to a younger audience without talking down, employing a winning formula of intelligent concepts, imaginative scripts from respected writers, and “Star Trek” original cast members returning to voice their signature roles. Sure, the animation itself was kind of creaky (it was, after all, the ‘70s), but a number of the episodes aimed quite high, especially for a “kids’ show.”

Roy and I are very pleased to welcome back our friends and colleagues, Mike and Marybeth of SciFi Distilled, for a conversation about the series and some of our favorite episodes. M&M have been working their way through a number of the “Trek” series on Wednesday nights, so if you’re a fan, definitely check out their archived shows at the “SciFi Distilled” Facebook page.

For tonight, the discussion is destined to be animated. Your comments lend another dimension to our 2D palaver, on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. The five-year mission becomes a reality, when we livestream on Facebook, this Sunday evening at 7:00 EST!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

December 5, 2021
Hobbit & Trek Talk on Roy’s Sci-Fi Corner

Whoa! As a fan of over four decades, I learned a lot from last night’s absorbing discussion about “The Hobbit,” both the book and the 1977 television special (with a few digressions), on Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Thanks, Paul Miller, old chum, for joining us and for sharing your passion for all things Tolkien, and thank you, Roy, for making it all happen – with further appreciation to all the viewers who participated in the comments section! Maybe one of the best times I’ve had on the show. All kinds of good stuff now for me to look up.

Next Sunday, we’ll be back inside Roy’s wheelhouse with “Star Trek: The Animated Series” (1973-74). The show, produced by Saturday morning powerhouse Filmation Associates, succeeded in bringing “Star Trek” to a younger audience, without “talking down,” employing a winning formula of intelligent premises, good writing, and original cast members returning to voice their signature roles. Sure, the animation itself was a little creaky (it was, after all, the ‘70s), but some of the episodes hit quite high, especially for a “kids’ show.”

We are very pleased that our colleagues and fellow fans, Mike and Marybeth from SciFi Distilled, will be joining us for the discussion, in which we’ll share some of our favorite episodes. M&M have been working their way through many of the later “Star Trek” series on Wednesday nights, so if you’re a Trekker, definitely check out the archived shows on the “SciFi Distilled” Facebook page.

There’s little doubt I’ll be the cadet on the bridge for this one! If, like me, you’ll want to brush-up on the series prior to our conversation, please DO NOT attempt to watch it on YouTube. Yes, someone posted all the episodes, but they are sped-up, possibly truncated, and reformatted to fill a quarter of the screen against a psychedelic starfield. The entire cast speaks as if it’s on helium. Seriously, if you intend to watch, you’re better off doing so here:

The five-year mission continues, on the next ”Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner.” Boldly leave your troubles with your tribbles in the comments section, as we livestream on Facebook, THIS SUNDAY EVENING AT 7:00 EST!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

November 29, 2021
Rankin Bass Hobbit Thanksgiving Special Review

The day after Thanksgiving, I think we all know what it is to be as portly and contented as Bilbo Baggins. Yet, inevitably, as we emerge from our tryptophan-induced stupors, there are still the cracked plates and lingering dwarfs to be reckoned with.

Therefore, you’ll excuse us, I hope, as we defer until SUNDAY the pleasure of our discussing the Rankin-Bass adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” (1977). You know, the one featuring the vocal talents of Orson Bean, John Huston, Hans Conried, Otto Preminger, Cyril Ritchard, and Brother Theodore as Gollum. This fondly-remembered television special was first broadcast on Thanksgiving weekend, 44 years ago.

Joining Roy and me on this greatest adventure will be my good friend and Tolkien connoisseur, Paul Miller. When it comes to Middle Earth, don’t even try to guess what he’s got in his “pocketses.”

We’ll be blowing smoke rings and combing out the hair on our feet, for the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Leave your riddles in the comments section, as we livestream on Facebook, THIS SUNDAY EVENING AT 7:00 EST!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

November 26, 2021
Isis Secrets & Hobbit Memories

Last night, Roy and I were initiated into “The Secrets of Isis” (1975-77). Thank you so much to our special guests, Lisa Everetts, of the podcast POP ninja, and Brian Cutler Actors Studio, who played Rick Mason on the show, for joining us in paying tribute to actress Joanna Cameron. Their insights and anecdotes provided valuable glimpses behind the scenes and into Cameron’s personality.

If you are an “Isis” fan, DEFINITELY check out Everett’s podcast, recorded with cohost Patrick Bennett. The entire month of March was devoted to “The Shazam!/Isis Hour,” with extensive conversations with the casts of both shows. Follow the link below, and scroll down for appearances by Michael Gray (Billy Batson) and John Davey (the second Captain Marvel) on March 3, Joanna Cameron on March 10, Joanna Pang and Brian Cutler on March 17, Jackson Bostwick (the first Captain Marvel) on March 24, and Jill Vance Keenan (Cameron’s stunt double) on March 31. A very impressive reunion!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1265612

Next time, Roy and I will welcome my good friend and Tolkien connoisseur, Paul Miller, who will join us for some reminiscences about the Rankin-Bass adaptation of “The Hobbit” (1977). You know, the one featuring the vocal talents of Orson Bean, John Huston, Hans Conried, Otto Preminger, Cyril Ritchard, and Brother Theodore as Gollum! This eagerly-awaited NBC television special was first broadcast on Thanksgiving weekend.

We’ll be chipping the glasses and cracking the plates (that’s what Bilbo Baggins hates), on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Troll us in the comments section, as we livestream on Facebook, NEXT SUNDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 28, AT 7:00 EST. (Note that we will be off on Black Friday!)

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

November 20, 2021
Joanna Cameron Isis Tribute This Friday!

Warning! If you watch a sizeable number of episodes of ‘70s Saturday morning staple “Isis” (1975-77), you will wake up at 4:00 in the morning with the theme music in your head. So far, I’ve watched up through Episode 18, and I fear it will follow me into the afterlife.

But I’ll do anything for “Roy’s Tie Dye Sci Fi Corner.”

This week, we’ll celebrate actress Joanna Cameron, most closely identified with the dual role of high school science teacher Andrea Thomas and her alter ego, the beneficent Egyptian goddess somehow recognized immediately by seemingly everyone in 20th century California. Cameron died last month at the age of 73. She starred in 22 episodes of “Isis” – later syndicated as “The Secrets of Isis” – and made several crossover appearances, opposite John Davey’s Captain Marvel, in “Shazam!”

Joining us for this special salute will be Lisa Everetts, of the podcast POP ninja, who was a personal friend of Cameron, and Brian Cutler Actors Studio, who played fellow teacher Rick Mason on the show.

We’ll excavate the secrets of Isis, in memory of Joanna Cameron, on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Don your amulets and tunics in the comments section. We’ll summon our powers in rhyming couplets, when we livestream on Facebook, THIS FRIDAY EVENING AT A SPECIAL TIME – 8:00 EST!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

Past episodes of “Pop Ninja,” a program of nostalgic reflections on popular culture of 1970s and ’80s, are archived here:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1265612

November 18, 2021

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