Kolchak: The Night Stalker was a series that lasted only one season, the 1974-75 season. Just 20 episodes. Troy and David look at the series, its pilot episode and others, and briefly talk about the two made for TV movies that preceded the TV series: The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler. The TV series, and the two TV movies, influenced a generation of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror fans, including Chris Carter, who brought us The X-Files.

Here is the cast (and the description we used in the episode):

Darren McGavin as Carl Kolchak, 20 episodes.
The intrepid investigative reporter. McGavin had a long career in film and television working steadily from the 1940s onward. Other than Kolchak he is remembered for his roles in The Natural, A Christmas Story, Millennium and The X-Files.

Simon Oakland as Tony Vincenzo, 20 episodes.
Kolchak’s crotchety ulcer-ridden editor. Oakland appeared on both The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. He was also in Hitchcock’s Psycho, and West Side Story.

Jack Grinnage as Ron Updyke, 18 episodes.
Another journalist at INS (Carl sometimes calls him “Uptight” instead of Updyke. Updyke looks A LOT like Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, doesn’t he? Although this was his biggest recurring role, Grinnage also appeared in Rebel Without A Cause, the Elvis film Kid Creole, as well as on The Twilight Zone.

Ruth McDevitt as Emily Cowles, 12 episodes.
Although Ruth McDevitt was born in 1895 (!!!) her first on-screen role did not come until 1949. Among her long list of film and TV roles, McDevitt appeared in The Birds, The Shakiest Gun in the West, Mame, and on Room 222, Kojack, McCloud and Gunsmoke, before going on to Kolchak: The Night Stalker. She passed away in 1975 at the age of 80.

The TV Series had a stellar list of Guest Stars, including:
Carolyn Jones, Scatman Crothers, Phil Silvers, Stella Stevens, Jim Backus, Jamie Farr, Antonio Fargus, Tom Skerrit, Kathy Lee Crosby and Tom Bosley.

Troy and David present their, “How it all ends”, by coming up with an ending to the show, as if the show, like MASH, knew it was ending, and had time to be able to end it properly, wrap everything (or most things) up.

The Planet of the Apes TV Series premiered in 1974. After the success of the Planet of the Apes movies, a TV series was given the go-ahead. The series lasted one year, and just 14 episodes.

Roddy McDowell was signed on, but playing a different character, Galen. Here is the cast:

Roddy McDowall … Galen = 14 episodes, 1974
Ron Harper … Alan Virdon = 14 episodes, 1974
James Naughton … Pete Burke = 14 episodes, 1974
Mark Lenard … Urko = 11 episodes, 1974
Booth Colman … Zaius = 6 episodes, 1974
Ron Stein … Gorilla Guard / … = 4 episodes, 1974

One of the concerns with the series, and most POTA fans were not happy with, was the appearance of a dog at the beginning of the first episode. From the Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) there was an interstellar disease that eliminated dogs and cats, and that was when humanity started to have apes as pets.

Troy and David look at the pilot episode, and discuss some of the differences in it and the movies, and what are considered its best episodes.

Tory and David recall their favourite genre-related gifts of their childhoods and play some clips of old TV ads because this is TOF’s ALL TV season, AKA, TWO OLD FARTS MEET THE GLASS TEAT.

Stay tuned to the Secret Santa gift exchange, later in the show.

They review some shows they covered this season, and highlight those shows holiday episodes.

The Addams Family.
The Munsters.
Lost in Space.
The Six Million Dollar Man.
Wonder Woman.
Kolchak: the Night Stalker

There were two Wonder Woman Xmas episodes
(TOF will be covering this series in the new year)
(TOF will also be covering Kolchak in the new year)

Genre toys of their youth. Troy and David talk about their holiday memories. What their typical Christmas morning was, including the stalkings.

Troy and David also look at
The Kenner Six Million Dollar Man.
Major Matt Mason.
Superman & Aquaman & Tarzan & Shazaam.
Spiderman and many others.
Action Jackson (and his parachute).
7″ Spock figure.
Robin’s little green shoes.
Batman’s cowl.

The Batmobile.
The Seaview

Troy mentions that if you are a successful show, you were guaranteed to have three things:

1] a lunchbox
2] a viewmaster reel
3] a board game.

David mentions that for this Christmas season there is a “Star Wars Against Humanity” – which is the Cards Against Humanity game, but with a Star Wars.

At the end of the episode, Troy and David reveal the gift that tghey got for each other.

There were two SF series in the late 1970s that both had theatrical releases: Battlestar Galactica, and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Both were produced by Glen A. Larson. Troy and David look at the theatrical films, and compare and contrast these, and how they fit in with the televised series.

CAST OF BATTLESTAR GALACTICA:

• Richard Hatch as Captain Apollo (Waltons, Love Boat, Kung Fu…)
• Dirk Benedict as Lieutenant Starbuck (A Team)
• Lorne Greene as Commander Adama (CAN) Bonanza, New Wilderness
• John Colicos as Baltar (CAN) (Star Trek, Night Gallery, The Changeling)
• Jane Seymour as Serina (Somewhere in Time, Dr Quinn Med. Woman)
• Rick Springfield as Zak Adama (Jesse’s Girl song, General Hospital)
• Ray Milland as Sire Uri (born 1907! 100s of classic films)
• Maren Jensen as Lieutenant Athena
• Noah Hathaway as Boxey
• Herbert Jefferson Jr. as Lieutenant Boomer
• Tony Swartz as Flight Sergeant Jolly
• Laurette Spang as Cassiopeia (Emergency, Isis, SMDM, Happy Days)
• Terry Carter as Colonel Tigh
• Patrick Macnee as The Imperious Leader / The Narrator
• Anne Lockhart as Lieutenant Sheba (daughter of June Lockhart)

CAST OF BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY:

Gil Gerrard as Buck Rogers
Erin Grey as Wilma Deering
Tim O’Connor as Dr. Elias Huer
Felix Silla as the body of Twiki
Mel Blanc as the voice of Twiki
Pamela Hensley as Princess Ardala
Henry Silva as Kane
Joseph Wiseman as King Draco
Duke Butler as Tigerman
Caroline Smith as Delta Section

Troy and David talk a bit about the merchandising.

They also do their recurring segment, “How it all ends”
where Troy and David come up with their versions of how series end, especially the shows that were not given a chance to end on their own terms.

Two Old Farts Talk Sci Fi continue to look at The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman. This is the second of a 2-part episode. And stick to the end, where we have a special bionic treat, where Robert J. Sawyer gives his recommendations on his favourite episodes.

We begin with a recap of PT. 1.

SOME OF THE EPISODES WE LOOK AT

The Return of the Bionic Woman (2-part episode)
Welcome Home Jaimie (2-part episode)
The Secret of Bigfoot (2-part episode)
The Return of Bigfoot (2-part episode)
Bigfoot 5 (1 episode)
Fembots in Las Vegas
Kill Oscar (3-part episode)
One of Our Running Backs is Missing
Sharks
A Bionic Christmas Carol
Deadly Countdown
Bionic Beauty
Doomsday is Tomorrow
Black Magic
Motorcycle Boogie
On the Run

Troy and David talk about all the merchandising of the shows.

They also do their recurring segment, “How it all ends”
where Troy and David come up with their versions of how series end, especially the shows that were not given a chance to end on their own terms.

Troy and David invited SCI-FI Legend Robert J. Sawyer to close out the episode by mentioning his favourite Six Million Dollar Man episodes and TV movies.

Two Old Farts Talk Sci Fi continues its exploration of SFFH TV shows from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. This episode is the first of a 2-part look at The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman.

Many who loved The Six Million Dollar Man enjoyed its iconic look, and also the slow motion. and especially the opening segment.

Martin Caiden wrote Cyborg. TSMDM & BW were based on the novel. Caiden

TSMDM had a few television movies that were very successful. The series went on from 1974 – 1978.

Harve Bennet came in, and became the producer for the show. He made a number of changes to the show. ABC went to the top of the ratings. One of the earlier TV movies had a very James Bond flavour, and this was not what Martin Caiden wanted. Harve Bennet came in and restored the show to what it should have been.

EPISODES WE LOOK AT IN DETAIL IN PT. 1:

Title: The Six Million Dollar Man “The Moon and the Desert”
TV MOVIE from 1973 of The Six Million Dollar Man
original air date: Mar 07, 1973
IMDB Rating = 6.5

Title: Day of the Robot
season 1 episode 4 of The Six Million Dollar Man
original air date: Feb 8, 1974
IMDB Rating = 7.7

Title: Rescue of Athena One
season 1 episode 8 of The Six Million Dollar Man
original air date: Mar 15, 1974
IMDB Rating = 6.8

Episode synopsis for The Moon and the Desert
(from Wikipedia)

Steve Austin is an astronaut who has made three Moon landings. In a test flight accident caused by a malfunctioning center stick, his right arm is severed, his left eye is blinded, and both legs must be surgically amputated. Steve Austin’s personal physician, Dr. Rudy Wells, has theorized about the creation of a cyborg through the installation of bionic parts. He is persuaded by an OSI agent to reconstruct his patient/friend with the understanding that Steve Austin will subsequently work for the OSI. Dr. Wells apprises Steve of the plan, but is met with much resistance as Steve Austin mentally struggles to cope with his injuries, the installation of artificial components, and the future obligations that will be involuntarily thrust upon him. Following surgery and lengthy rehabilitation, Steve Austin reluctantly accepts an assignment to rescue a hostage in Saudi Arabia.

Episode synopsis for The Day of the Robot
(from Wikipedia)

In an attempt to steal a top secret anti-missile device, Steve’s associate and friend Major Sloan is kidnapped and replaced with a robot. Steve must discover the impostor, and keep the device from being stolen and sold to the highest bidder.

Noteworthy Moments: First occurrence of the “fft-tt-tt” sound effect, later used for Steve Austin’s bionic legs and arm, used here for some (but not all) of the Fred Sloan robot’s powered arm swings.

Episode synopsis for The Rescue of Athena One
(from Wikipedia)

Steve is launched into space to rescue two astronauts stranded in a crippled space capsule. However, when his bionics begin to malfunction due to space radiation, the return trip to Earth becomes endangered.

Note: The first of four appearances that Lee Majors’ then-wife, Farrah Fawcett Majors, made on the show. She appeared in each season except the final one, playing a different character each time.

= = =

The cast (by order of appearances) of The Six Million Dollar Man:

Lee Majors as Col. Steve Austin… [99 episodes]
Richard Anderson as Oscar Goldman [99 episodes]
Martin E. Brooks as Dr. Rudy Wells [45 episodes]
Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers… [9 episodes]
Alan Oppenheimer as Dr. Rudy Wells… [9 episodes]
Quinn K. Redeker as Frank… [6 episodes]
Than Wyenn as Ambassador Mahmound… [5 episodes]
John de Lancie as Diver… [5 episodes]

The cast (by order of appearances) of The Bionic Woman:

Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers… [58 episodes]
Richard Anderson as Oscar Goldman [58 episodes]
Martin E. Brooks as Dr. Rudy Wells [46 episodes]
Ford Rainey as Jim Elgin [9 episodes]
Sam Chew Jr. as Mark Russell [8 episodes]
Jennifer Darling as Peggy Callahan [7 episodes]
Martha Scott as Helen Elgin [6 episodes]
Lee Majors as Col. Steve Austin [6 episodes]

Two Old Farts Talk Sci Fi celebrates Halloween by looking at two horror comedies from the 1960s, The Addams Family and The Munsters. In fact, they look specifically at episodes that are the “Halloween episodes” of the two series:

Halloween with the Addams Family
season 1 episode 7 of The Addams Family
original air date: October 30, 1964.
IMDB Rating = 7.8

Munster’s Masquerade
season 1 episode 1 of The Munsters.
original air date: May 6, 1965
IMDB Rating = 7.5

As mentioned in the episode, here are the descriptions from wikipedia for the two episodes.

Episode synopsis for Halloween with the Addams Family
from Wikipedia:

Marilyn’s boyfriend, Tom Daily, invites the Munster clan to a masquerade. Eddie remains at home with Mrs. Morton as his sitter. Marilyn goes as Priscilla, Lily is Little Bo Peep, Grandpa is Napoleon and Herman is King Arthur in a suit of shining armor. At the party Mr. Daly is dressed and made up as Frankenstein’s monster. Herman tells him that he reminds him of someone and adds that it’s unfortunate that he isn’t wearing a costume at his own masquerade party, angering Mr. Daly. When it is time for the best costume award Herman is asked to take off his helmet. One man says that Herman should win for wearing one mask over another. Lily is insulted and Marilyn as well is angry with Tom’s family. Tom takes Marilyn home, where he finally sees Herman and Lily without their costumes. Tom runs away, but Marilyn is relieved.

Episode synopsis for Munster’s Masquerade from Wikipedia:

Mistaking two robbers named Claude (Don Rickles) and Marty (Skip Homeier) for trick-or-treaters, the family takes them in for a Halloween celebration. The robbers agree because they are hiding out from the police and their car has run out of gas in front of the Addams’ house. They put up with the creepy household’s holiday festivities as best they can, because they spot Gomez’ desk full of loose cash. Unbeknownst to all, Thing is on to them and ready to take matters “in hand”. When they finally manage to escape the house, it’s only into the waiting arms of the police.

The cast of The Munsters:

Fred Gwyne as Herman Munster
Al Lewis as Grandpa Munster
Yvonne De Carlo as Lily Munster (Herman’s wife)
Butch Patrick As Eddie Munster (the son)
Marilyn (the adopted daughter) played by three actresses:
Beverly Owen as Marilyn #1
Pat Priest as Marilyn #2 (took over midway thru season 1).
Debbie Watson as Marilyn #3 in the film Munster, Go Home.


The cast of The Addams Family:

John Astin as Gomez Addams
Carolyn Jones as Morticia Frump Addams.
Ted Cassidy as Lurch the Butler.
Felix Sila as Cousin ITT.
Lisa Loring as Wednesday Addams
Ken Weatherwax as Pugsley (Pubert!)
Jackie Coogan as Uncle Fester
Blossom Rock as Grandmama.

We continue our all-TV season, and recognize Harlan Ellison, who wrote a series of essays on TV, referring to TV as a ‘glass teat’.

Two Old Farts Talk Sci Fi looks at Richard Matheson, and since this season is the TV season, we look at the stories he wrote that became part of the ABC Movie of the Week.

We do a deep dive on the history of TV movies, the ABC Movie of the Week, and specifically the movies that Richard Matheson wrote, which were: “Duel” and “The Trilogy of Terror” and also “The Night Stalker (1972 film)”.

The movies, the theatrical ones, back in the day, that played on TV, cost a lot for the TV stations to play, the rights owner, representative or distributor charged a premium on recent films, for them to appear on TV, and in some cases the networks would bid against each other for the rights to have a movie played on their station, so most films that appeared on TV were older films. There were, occasionally, made for TV movies, but by the late 1960s, TV studios decided to produce, on a regular basis, original TV movies, more as a cost-saving measure. They controlled production costs, and did not have to bid against other networks. Often these movies were shot in 14 days or fewer.

DUEL

Troy and David first look at DUEL. a 1971 movie, written by Richard Matheson, and directed by Steven Spielberg. They look at the sound, Dennis Weaver’s acting, the diner, the reptiles. The decision by Spielberg not to have a big explosion at the end. The great first line (and following lines) in the story that appeared in Playboy:

At 11:32 am Mann passed the truck.

Here are the first two camera shots of the shooting script from DUEL:

THE NIGHT STALKER

The second ABC Movie of the Week that Troy and David look at is The Night Stalker. This is the first of two TV movies that preceded the TV Series, the other is The Night Strangler.

The Night Stalker influenced a generation, included Chris Carter, who created The X-Files.

There was something about the shouting matches between Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin) and Tony Vincenzo (Simon Oakland). The heartbreaking ending, where Gail Foster (Carol Lynley) and Kolchak are separated.

David, in a senior moment, says “Jason” instead of Janos Skorzeny.
(ya-noss score-zen-knee).

Troy mentions the unusual choice of free-form jazz music that is used in the fight scenes.

THE TRILOGY OF TERROR

The third ABC Movie of the Week that Troy and David look at is The Trilogy of Terror. This is a movie that has three separate horror stories, the third of which is the one that we all know and love. Richard Matheson wrote all three stories, but other writers wrote the screenplays for the first two stories, and Matheson insisted on writing the screenplay for the third segment.

Karen Black played the lead role(s) in all three segments.

Two Old Farts Talk Sci Fi has reached a milestone. 75 episodes.

Troy Harkin and David Clink hosted a live show, that was recorded on Wednesday, September 18th.

David runs a trivia game on TV Superheroes / Supervillains.

We hope you enjoy!

Two Old Farts Talk Sci Fi takes a look at the great television theme songs that are SFFH (science fiction, fantasy, and horror).

We have a special guest. Lee McCormack joins us. He was our guest for our 3-part “Galactic Rock” episodes from a few seasons ago.

Troy and David and Lee each came up with their own top ten list of theme songs.

We hope you enjoy!