| 06.18.2018 – There have been too many science fiction shows now in television and in the films. So much that expands also to streaming networks like Netflix with all-original content that you get lost track of everything with some of them have been well-written that there’s not so much time to get engrossed in them.
But back in the 1980s things were different when it comes to these types of shows. With Star Wars its about how popular that inspire others to make their own and experiment through stiff competition why movies like Tron back in the day never get the attention until a cult following brings it back. But not like Automan that inspired it this was unheard of well until you borrow it in a library. |
Automan is a televisions series which was originally aired in the US from 1983-1984 that was short lived abruptly cancelled and only shown twelve episodes. The thirteenth episode “Club Ten” was unaired until syndication on Sci-Fi and BBC One. The series would eventually get released on DVD in the UK by 2012 and later in Australia distributed by Madman containing the complete episodes including the same extras that was featured in its initial hone release.
The series was produced y Glen A. Larson production known for hit TV series like Knight Rider, Fall Guy and he Six Million Dollar Man. This series also shares two producers who worked on the original Tron. In the Philippines it was aired on PTV 4 (Philippine Television), but not in chronological order and it was mostly the one hour premiere episode gets replayed several times.
Tron Goes Automatic Man
Some of the classic shows have introductions and this is one of those series from the early 1980s that give intros for anyone to catch up what the series was all about. Chuck Wagner stars in the titular role but it’s Desi Arnaz Jr. who portrays computer geek Walter Nebicherand back in the day being into this technology was considered a ‘nerd thing’ that few people can relate to this character.
For its concept as a science fiction TV series Automan was ahead of its time when it comes to visual effect due to the complex abilities of the character. The series was expensive due to the visual effects considered being ‘analog’ back in the day. This series introduces Automan to the viewers as an innocent and naïve character trying to explore the ‘real world’ that only appears in the night time as he draws so much power to exist in the physical world. Behind the scenes the production had to goes through challenges how Chuck Wagner’s suit would reflect in day time hence the character’s limitation during the day.
Villain of the Week Series
Automan is like any other show in the series back in the 1980s it had recurring theme, but little room to have enough character developments or a story arc that most shows today have. The series have its stand alone episode that deals with criminals, mobsters, had to do with theft with less emphasis on the main characters. Literally the series is a prototype to future superhero-themed series on television.
It tackled themes that if Automan was aired today it would be outdated. There were good to can-not-unsee moments of the show. This would also be controversial today regarding how women were portrayed in ever episode. Roxanne Caldwell portrayed by Heather McNair is part of the Los Angeles Police Department pretty much an eye candy than a character that can also kick butt instead a damsel in distress when stuck in the predicament that she can easily get out if she knows how to fight.
Just Like Batman
Harking back to the early days of superhero genre Automan had many vehicles appeared in the short-lived series. From the regular Autocar to the musical instrument called Auto Guitar there’s nothing Automan can’t use at his disposal thanks to Cursor a polyhedron hologram companion who likes blonds, that creates these vehicles and tools as well as a musical instrument that the title character needs for certain situation.
But as the creation of Walter Nebicher he has personalities of John Wayne to a famous tennis player as that time. On Automan’s quip in the opening introduction he said a rate of one to the ten he’s an eleven being physically strong and knowledgeable to fight crime a ‘bloated ego’ version of its creator who still try to discover this physical world this series lacked the foresight that focused on the action and adventure for what was different in this era.
A Different Era Relevance
Even though the series has been cancelled and still being syndicated in other countries the show have a following for those caught this series being aired back in the day. For a short lived series it had its own nostalgia that for some might not known that it had merchandise ranging from action figures, diecast cars to costumes that stayed relevance to some of the popular properties of today.
Growing up Automan did not last long enough or was not aired consistently in the Philippines, but it left a memory from my childhood how cool the character was and I have no access to the show online until I got the opportunity to borrow it at the local library near my area and was practically taken a back how the series was campy and outdated in today’s TV series, but it still carries the 80s nostalgia reminding me how the shows where very different compared in today/s standards.
Home Viewing Nostalgia
The overall look of the series transports long time fans to the days how TV series where aired and how thy open up that era of just enjoy watching each episodes. Though most of this generation would say it’s a rip-off of Tron, but in fact it shared the same creators of the show tweaked for episodic television.
The technology has a suspension of belief that it was ahead of its time that as hologram can be generated out of thin air and become a superhero appears to be high fantasy. Automan was truly way ahead that compared to the original Tron how Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) was transported to the Software Minframe Computer in contradiction of this series how he makes it to the real world.
But the 2010 sequel Tron: Legacy would explain otherwise how the characters cross through reality. But Automan as an episodic series delved on the crime fighting side, which didn’t explore much of the character further.
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| Chuck Wagner as Automan what the suit looks like behind the camera. |
Overall it is still one of those experimental series that succeeded and failed at the same time due to the lack of concepts to further make it unique on its own as for anyone comparing it. But it was a great series for its time despite also the score being corny when it plays out the funny scenes. For anyone who grew up who have only seen glimpse of this show you might want to rent it to your nearest library or get the home release in DVD it’s certainly a nostalgia trip.
Special acknowledgement to Marion Libraries where this DVD was borrowed from and you can get more details of the movies and television series that you can also take home just LIKE Marion Libraries on Facebook and follow on Instagram or visit the website at: www.Marion.sa.gov.au/venues-and-facilities/libraries
You can also acquire Automan: The Complete Series DVD at the ABC Shop HERE!
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