Despite the TV show UFO not having really been that crucial on my own radar, I know it was for a lot of kids in 1970. I do however recognise that it was a milestone in live-action space style and fashion. But was it as important as Star Trek for establishing a spacey look? Can the two be compared? Is there a better comparison in the UK?
I don't think UFO established any kind of look in the wider cultural sense, it was just never seen by as many people as Star Trek to have that sort of impact. Personally, I adore UFO, it is my favouite Anderson series by far, (despite its fashions!). If you are looking for a British show that was as iconic as Star Trek, you've only got Doctor Who and that didn't have one kind of look, being lots of very different stories.
ReplyDeleteWell UFO certainly established its own very distinctive spacey look, at least in the UK. (Some of which was originally used in the film Doppelgänger, or Journey to the Far Side of the Sun as it is also known.)
ReplyDeleteAs important as Star Trek? Depends what you mean. Some will have liked UFO more than Star Trek, and so it would perhaps be more important to them. But if you mean in terms of the average non-space-interested person, then no it wasn't.
But I'm not sure why they should be compared. The only common ground is that both are television Sci Fi. Apart from that, they are really quite different in almost all their important aspects.
One is set in a far future where space travel is well established in a galaxy shared by numerous intelligent species. Space Travel and the existence of "aliens" is a matter of everyday life.
In the other, humans in a very-near-future are alone in a (poorly funded) battle against the only other known alien species ... all of which is kept secret from the vast majority of people.
I love both shows, but don't compare them. They are different things altogether.
UFO, not so much. But I think the look of 1999 certainly needs to be considered as nearly as iconic as Trek TOS. The Eagles, the Gernreich uniforms, the shiny white plastic, the giant planetside sets, the look of the planets themselves from orbit... these things really stick in my head as we approach 40 years later.
ReplyDeleteAs has been said UFO and Trek are totally different shows. You could compare 1999 with Trek but what would be the point.1999 is just a variation of Trek, with survival as it's central theme.
ReplyDeleteI must admit, I'm with Kevin D on this. UFO is big favourite of mine. The show's premise, the look, the cast and of course the special effects really work for me.
I suppose what I meant Toad was that both Trek and UFO were complete 'worlds': fashion, vehicles and gizmo's, rather than the plot, timeframe and location.
ReplyDeleteI can't comment on 1999 Robert I'm afraid as I was never a fan really. Think I was too old.
I know what you mean about Dr. Who Kevin. The fashion I remember the most was Tom Baker's scarf, hat and coat! Fabulous!