Posts Tagged ‘Space 1999’


Does your Geek download their favorite British shows? Watch the nightly BBC news broadcast? Have an obsession with BBC America? Do they want to recreate BBC America’s Spy-fi Friday Programming? Have British Science Fiction Television marathons? When then you’re in luck, because today’s gift guide is For the Anglophile/TV Geek!

Created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, and starring then-husband and wife Barbara Bain and Martin Landau (aka “Drusilla’s parents”), Space 1999 began with a ridiculous premise. On September 13, 1999 the 311 inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha were sent hurtling into space when a nuclear explosion happened on the dark side of the moon thus knocking it out of orbit. (I told you – ridiculous.) But the series featured a multi-cultural cast of interesting characters and was a great twist on the Wagon Train in Space trope. It was bad science, but it was great scifi.

All 48 episodes from the series’ two seasons are collected in the Space 1999 30th Anniversary Megaset.

Space 1999 Megaset

Who knew the world needed another reimagining of Sherlock Holmes? Apparently, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss whose brilliant Sherlock captured both British and American audiences this past year. Set in modern-day London, the series stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes, Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson and Rupert Graves as DI Lestrade. It’s smart, dark, and delightful.

Sherlock

We first discovered Steve Coogan on BBC America, which was running episodes of I’m Alan Partridge – a comedy series about a failed television presenter (“Partridge” had previously appeared on Knowing Me, Knowing You) who is now stuck in a small-time radio host job, going through a divorce, estranged from his son, and living in a Travel Tavern. From stealing pylons to his late night “Alan’s Deep Bath” segment to singing Kate Bush to offending the Irish – Partridge is a proto-David Brent.

The Steve Coogan Collection collects all the episodes of I’m Alan Partridge, Knowing Me, Knowing You (as well as the Christmas Special, Knowing Me, Knowing Yule), Saxondale, Dr. Terrible’s House of Horrible, Coogan’s Run, Paul and Pauline Calf’s Video Diaries, Paul and Pauline Calf’s Ham and Cheese Sandwich, and The Tony Ferrino Phenomenon plus special bonus features. As Alan Partridge would say – “AH – HAAAA!” (Or, “Jurassic Park.”)

(*On a side note – this is totally brilliant.)

The Complete Monty Python’s Flying Circus 16 Ton Megaset. Really, what more needs to be said?

The Python fan might also enjoy this documentary series, produced by Terry Jones’ kid – Monty Python: Almost The Truth – The Lawyer’s Cut.

Ab Fab, again, what needs to be said? Get your Geek a bottle of Stoli and Absolutely Fabulous: Absolutely Everything.

Prime Suspect: The Complete Collection is the perfect gift for your Anglophile, your TV Geek, and your Feminist Geek. Created by Lynda La Plante, Prime Suspect is a riveting police procedural staring the glorious Helen Mirren as Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison.

If your Geek is a Roger Moore fan, try to get your hands on a collection of episodes of The Saint. They’ll love Moore in the pre-Bond role of Simon Templar – gentleman, detective, adventurer.

Your Doctor Who Geek probably already owns everything ever – especially if they’re a fan of David Tennant. But if not, Doctor Who: The Complete Specials collects “The Next Doctor,” “Planet of the Dead,” “The Waters of Mars,” “The End of Time Parts 1 and 2” and several special features.

Being Human Series One and Two are perfect for the Geek that loves British supernatural comedy-drama series. Being Human is about three twenty-something roommates trying to live normal lives, but one is a werewolf, one is a vampire, and one is a ghost.

Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes are both great shows. I don’t want to say too much – but you can’t go wrong with either of these.

The Prisoner is a classic British spy-fi/sci-fi/fantasy drama created by and starring Patrick McGoohan as a secret agent trapped in an unusual village after he resigns from his job. It’s one of the most influential television series in pop culture history.

Whether your Geek loves John Steed & Dr. David Keel, Steed & Dr. Cathy Gale, Steed & Mrs. Emma Peel, Steed & Tara King, or even Steed & The New Avengers – it’s worth helping them collect The Complete Classic Avengers Series – the greatest, most fun, sexiest, and longest-running secret agent television series of the 1960s.

Finally, for the Anglophile who can’t get enough of British History, Simon Schama’s A History of Britain is an absolute must.

I was pretty stoked to meet the people at Digital Kitchen yesterday, as they produced the opening credits for True Blood, as well as the series’ Season Two Buzz Campaign.

Talking with a producer on the project reminded me of a meme from a while ago about favorite opening credits.

So in no particular order, and only from shows I’ve watched, here are my top ten favorite title sequences.

True Blood
“I wanna do bad things . . .”

HBO: True Blood Main Title from DIGITALKITCHEN on Vimeo.

The Twilight Zone
“You unlock this door with the key of imagination . . .”

The Tudors
Ribaldry! Heaving Bosoms. Beautiful Naked people having drrrty sex! A wine glass spilled. The shadow of a beheading. Religious Symbolism. Coquettry! How you appeal to my baser instincts!

The Avengers
Mrs. Emma Peel. John Steed. Champagne. ‘Nuff said.

Twin Peaks
Quintessentially Northwest

The Venture Brothers
“Go Team Venture!”

LOST
Twilight Zone-esque and brilliant in its simplicity.

The Muppet Show
Sets the stage for a high-energy variety show. With Puppets!

Rome
“Thirteen!!!”

Mad Men
Saul Bass Homage

Mad Men Title Sequence from Caleb Woods on Vimeo.

Honorable Mentions go to shows with an opening narration (which I seem to really enjoy):
The Incredible Hulk
Charlie’s Angels
Battlestar Galactica (original – Love that Patrick Macnee narrative.)
Alias
Star Trek: The Next Generation (the change from “no man” to “no one” was phenomenal)

And though it’s not spoken narration, the opening sequence to Space 1999 also deserves note.

What are your favorites?