I will confess: when I was in middle school I watched the wretched Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.

However, I had forgotten the soft porn overtones of the pilot’s intro. Can you say “bad 70s SF” (or, indeed, jusgt “bad 70s”)? Yes, I am certain you can. And man, what’s with Erin Gray’s hand-tossing “come hither” look?

The show really was amazing–and I do remember the movie, which played up a sort of dystopia disco future in which everyone pranced around in tight-fitting outfits often made of tinfoil yet was somehow mirthless until Gil Gerard and his helmet hair arrived to save the day. It also seems as if in the original premise of the show that the governing council was a bunch of smiley-faced robots made out of lite brites. And to this day I have no idea why Twiki made that noise.

And don’t get me started on the second season with the Spock is a bird character on the starship commanded by Admiral Asimov.

Yes, this was the entertainment of my youth.

The following is simply hy-larious.

Don’t miss the Chris’s Invincible Super-Blog commentary on the first film.

And yes: a sequel! If anything, you have to see the Commissioner Gordon scene at the beginning:

Some date for returning SCI FI Channel:

Doctor Who July 6 at 9 p.m., Eureka on July 10

Good deal. That’s a bit earlier for Who than I expected and later for Eureka than I would’ve thought.

Also, the new Flash Gordon show premieres on August 10th.

Via SyFy Portal: Saving The Earth From Impending Doom … Again

“Babylon 5: The Lost Tales” takes place in 2271 New York, 10 years after John Sheridan is appointed president of the Interstellar Alliance. The set of mini-stories follows Sheridan as he prepares for a Babylon 5 reunion that could prevent Earth’s impending doom. Unfortunately, he is also forced to compromise his own principles in doing so. At the same time, Lochley confronts an unexpected interloper on the way station — a being whose presence makes Babylon 5 the crossroads between heaven and hell.

“Babylon 5: The Lost Tales,” will be available for sale on July 31.

Good deal–I am looking forward to it.

Via the BBC: ‘Kryptonite’ discovered in mine

Researchers from mining group Rio Tinto discovered the unusual mineral and enlisted the help of Dr Stanley when they could not match it with anything known previously to science.

Once the London expert had unravelled the mineral’s chemical make-up, he was shocked to discover this formula was already referenced in literature - albeit fictional literature.

“Towards the end of my research I searched the web using the mineral’s chemical formula - sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide - and was amazed to discover that same scientific name, written on a case of rock containing kryptonite stolen by Lex Luther from a museum in the film Superman Returns.

Funny.

I have yet to purchase the new Tolkein book, however if you are looking for a review, Scott Nokes has a long list of ‘em: Children of Hurin (and a lot of Drout)

Technorati Tags: JRR Tolkein, Tolkein, Hurin, Children of Hurin

Via SyFy Portal: ‘Doctor Who’ Dances At Amazingly High Ratings

The third season of “Doctor Who” featuring David Tennant and Freema Agyeman is surprising analysts across the island as it continues to bring in more than 8 million viewers each week, giving it an audience share of around 40 percent, Variety reports. While 8 million might be considered a good average audience in the United States, in Queen Elizabeth II country, that makes it one of the highest rated television programs, and probably makes BBC wish they could insert some commercials.

There was a tremendous amount of excitement when the series returned in 2024 with Christopher Eccleston as The Doctor and Billie Piper as his companion, Rose Tyler. And fans quickly fell in love with both characters and their portrayers. But that lineup would only last one season. And in fact, by the time the third season began on BBC One a few weeks ago, both actors were long gone. But the viewers weren’t. Only “Coronation Street” and “EastEnders” — two very popular soap operas — get better ratings in the United Kingdom, Variety reported.

Good deal.

Dave’s Long Box has an amusing and persuasive essay on the problems posed by the Batmobile

Technically, the Batmobile is not street legal. No license plates, no vehicle tabs, unsanctioned rocket afterburners, no proof of insurance, high-performance fuel… the list goes on. I can’t see Batman waiting in line to get an emissions test for his car or even getting a driver’s license. The guy breaks the law every time he slips behind the steering wheel.

[…]

If you’re a creature of the night, would you drive around in a really distinctive car with loud pipes or would you keep it on the down-low? You’re supposed to be a Living Shadow, dude. You are the night, etc.

I hate to say this, but what would make the most sense for Batman is to have a series of black Ford mini-vans stashed in monthly parking lots all around Gotham. He could change in the back or stitch up his wounds without drawing any attention to himself.

That does makes eminent sense, to be sure.

I guess the problem is that a black Ford mini van just isn’t badass.

Via Reuters: Marvel spins Spider-Man into Broadway musical.

But the basic story isn’t the wildest part–the fact that Bono and The Edge are involved is:

Julie Taymor, who won Tonys for direction and costume design for the Broadway production of “The Lion King,” will direct, with U2’s Bono and The Edge creating new music and lyrics for the project.

Technorati Tags: Bono, U2, The Edge, Spider-Man

The semi-professional new Star Trek internet film Of Gods and Men was supposed to be release this week, however production delays have postponed it.

The first three minutes, however, have been released:

Online Videos by Veoh.com