Final Up to date on December 27, 2024
The 70s had been a time when tv would appear to attempt something not less than as soon as. Science Fiction was one of many major genres the place this was very true. Because of the success of sequence like Star Trek, and Misplaced in House there was a deluge of, off beat and really good style TV (as we explored on final week’s Land of the Misplaced episode). Usually it was with some kind of toy tie-in or angle to get youngsters to observe and/or purchase one thing. And simply wait till Star Wars occurred.
However, the early 70s would discover a new sort of hero to seize the hearts and minds of youngsters throughout the nation and he’d carry with him a few of the coolest toys round. As a result of, he was actually made up of metallic and plastic himself.
The Six Million Greenback Man would leap into tv historical past with a premise that was good, leading edge, and excellent TV fodder. It will additionally make a heartthrob and icon out of a man named Lee Majors. Who would ultimately play the daddy to our lord and savior Ash Williams…however that’s one other present.
On this episode of Gone However Not Forgotten, we have now the expertise and functionality to make the primary episode all about The Six Million Greenback Man. This can be that episode!
The Six Million Greenback Man truly began as a novel named Cyborg and no this has no connection to Jean Claude Van Dams’s 1989 cinematic masterpiece. Cyborg was written by Martin Caidin and was adopted pretty carefully by the eventual TV sequence. Within the e book Steve Austin is an astronaut who’s horribly maimed after an aircraft crash from which he in some way survives. After the accident Dr. Rudy Wells, a grasp of high-tech bionics who works with the Workplace of Strategic Operations, together with Oscar Goldman, one of many excessive ups on the OSO, put Steve again collectively once more.
The e book veers from what would occur within the TV sequence considerably, with Austin having some “interesting” augmentations like a radio in his rib, a detachable eyeball with a digital camera in it and a finger that may shoot poison darts.
Whereas sure, there’s a lot to poke enjoyable at right here, the e book doesn’t draw back from the extra critical elements of Steve Austin’s resurrection because it had been. When he realizes how injured he’s, he tries to kill himself. He hates, mainly being made into an indentured servant as a way to payback the prices for his new physique and talents. However Steve would wind up accepting his new enhancements and changing into a extra keen and completely satisfied to take part spy and agent for the OSO.
The Cyborg e book sequence would truly proceed on, whereas the Six Million Greenback Man TV sequence was airing. However, it might not truly observe the storyline of the present. The world of the novels was far totally different with a complete of three books following the unique.
The Six Million Greenback Man was a made for TV film of the week which might be used as a leaping off pilot that aired on ABC on March 7th 1973. Within the pilot episode, as within the novel, Steve Austin is injured throughout an accident that almost kills him. He loses his proper arm and each legs and is blinded in his left eye.
Austin is put again collectively by Rudy Wells for the OSO. On this first movie there are some particular variations from what would later be related to the sequence. There have been truly three made for TV films that preceded the present and the primary had some notable solid variations and characters. The largest could be the dearth of Oscar Goldman performed by Richard Anderson. Within the TV film, the character who’s in command of the OSO is Oliver Spencer was performed by the at all times superior Darren McGavin.
Additionally on this model Rudy Wells could be performed by TV character staple Martin Balsam. The character of Rudy would change over the course of the movies and sequence thrice. First with Balsam, then Alan Oppenheimer and Martin E Brooks. The enduring sound results wouldn’t be part of this primary entry into the sequence both.
The TV film was a rankings smash and was adopted by two extra TV movies that very same 12 months. The twond movie, airing in October, would give us Oscar and Alan Oppenheimer as Rudy 2.0. This is able to additionally see the introduction of the OSI.
In November the threerd made for TV film would air. As mentioned, these authentic movies could be edited to 2 parters and added to the sequence run with some further content material. The titles for the made for TV movies could be:
The Six Million Greenback Man
The Moon And the Desert
Wine, Girls and Battle
The Strong Gold Kidnapping
The official first episode of The Six Million Greenback Man would air on January 18th 1974. The sequence would observe Austin as he would go on missions for the OSI and could be stuffed with spy work and rescues together with some attention-grabbing surprises alongside the way in which.
Of notice, the twond movie was written by TV legend Glen A Larson.
The Six Million Greenback Man season 1 would rapidly introduce the acquainted sound results and particular results that followers are accustomed to. You understand those. Sluggish movement quick operating, the eyeball factor, the bionics factor, and the all-important intro the place Oscar tells us that “We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better, stronger, faster.”
It’s attention-grabbing to notice, the primary voice you hear throughout that opening narration is definitely producer Harve Bennett saying “Steve Austin, astronaut. A man barely alive.” Bennett labored within the TV business for YEARS and could be accountable or concerned with a few of the classics of TV world with the likes of Mod Squad and a variety of made for TV films underneath his belt. He’d go on to carry to the massive display among the best sci-fi films of all time. Actually the perfect Star Trek movie ever made The Wrath of Khan in 1982.
Together with Bennett’s future connection to Star Trek, The Six Million Greenback Man would have connections all through the style and likewise get some main accolades. The primary TV film could be nominated for a Hugo Award. Among the writers all through the sequence would come with D.C. Fontana, Peter Allan Fields, Mark Frost, and Kenneth Johnson.
Kenneth Johnson could be one of many exhibits producers and is the person behind just a few exhibits we’ve showcased right here on Gone However Not Forgotten. However as a author and producer on The Six Million Greenback Man, Johnson would contribute one of many largest items of the sequence historical past. When he launched Jaime Sommers in season two’s 2 parter The Bionic Lady.
Jaime would turn into a love curiosity for Steve. Lee Majors would truly sing the love theme for the duo referred to as Candy Jaime in a number of episodes similar to he’d sing the theme for The Fall Man just a few years later. Who would share an analogous tragic destiny which might result in her changing into mentioned Bionic Lady. When a sky diving accident almost kills the tennis participant, Janie goes via the identical process as Austin. Jaime would turn into a returning character on the present after supposedly dying partially 2 of the storyline which might additionally embrace Steve proposing to Jaime.
I don’t wish to go too far into the world of The Bionic Woman as effectively…she acquired her personal sequence and deserves her personal episode…so hold an EYE out for that.
Evidently, Jaime Sommers would turn into a significant participant within the franchise and different bionic characters, each good and dangerous, would turn into a part of the lore. One of many extra attention-grabbing of those could be Barney, the 7 Million Greenback Man. Barney is performed by actor Monte Markham, who mockingly was who the producers initially needed to play Steve Austin earlier than Lee Majors received the function.
Another standouts from the sequence episodes are after all…the fembots. The creepy robotic wiring revealed faces of these items are simply…effectively…creepy. The fembots had been a part of a recurring group of robots who would struggle each Steve and Jaime over the course of the sequence.
One of the vital well-known, insane, and neat episodes from the present although are “The Secret of Bigfoot” written by but once more Kenneth Johnson. This episode has Steve taking up Bigfoot. Attention-grabbing truth he was performed this primary time by the legendary Andre The Large. The design and look of Bigfoot in that is fairly superior and greater than a bit of scary for a child. The story entails Bigfoot, Aliens, and earthquakes. It’s a fan favourite and there’s a lot of explanation why… However, you solely actually need to recollect Andre The Large is Bigfoot and that ought to be sufficient. The episode was so common {that a} hilarious homage of it was on The Enterprise Brothers.
Bigfoot would return once more the next season in The Return of Bigfoot. This is able to truly be a crossover occasion with The Bionic Lady that season. Butt as an alternative of Andre The Large, Ted Cassidy would take over the function of Bigfoot AKA Sasquatch.
Lee Majors actual life spouse and fellow TV icon the late Farrah Fawcett would seem in a variety of episodes of the present as totally different characters. Whereas Steve and Jaime had been the bionic energy couple that didn’t cease Steve or Jaime for that matter discovering different love pursuits. However we at all times knew they’d find yourself collectively ultimately.
Lee Majors was, earlier than being solid as Steve Austin, actually identified for westerns. He had a significant function within the sequence The Massive Valley and had performed turns in Gunsmoke and different TV sequence and movies. But it surely was actually The Six Million Greenback Man that made him into the popular culture icon and TV legend he’s at present. Majors continues to be appearing and even acquired nominated for a Saturn award for his co-starring function as Bruce Campbell’s daddy in Ash Vs Evil Lifeless, I imply who else might have performed it? Proper?
Lindsay Wagner would play Jaime Sommer. Wagner, like Majors, had performed some movie work, most notably in The Paper Chase, and several other TV visitor roles earlier than bringing Jaime to life.
Richard Anderson who portrayed Oscar Goldman had a ton of movies underneath his belt earlier than changing into a part of the OSI, at one level showing on an episode of The Massive Valley with Majors. However, it might be as Oscar Goldman that he’d be greatest identified for, enjoying the boss of the bionic crew who himself had a coronary heart of gold.
The present would have an inventory of visitor stars a mile lengthy of acquainted faces and big expertise. Apart from the aforementioned Farrah Fawcett and dueling Bigfoots there could be John Saxon, William Shatner, George Foreman, Sonny Bono, Erik Estrada, and Greg Evigan simply to call just a few. Glory within the 70s children, it was a magic time.
The Six Million Greenback Man would final for a complete of 5 seasons. In that run it might turn into a large hit and would launch a few of the best toys ever.
Maskatron was a kind of meshing of all of the robotic nemesis within the present and got here with faces you can change together with Oscar and Steve. I feel this different face is meant to be John Saxons however I’m unsure. You may pop his head off. The Steve Austin doll is simply freaking neat and had an eye fixed you can look via like a telescope and a detachable arm plate. There are totally different variations of him with totally different bionic talents. Bigfoot acquired his personal toy as effectively which might pop open his chest to indicate all of his electronics inside. Oscar acquired his personal toy which got here with…quite oddly…an exploding briefcase.
There have been playsets and even additional bionic elements for Steve which you can purchase and pop off his legs and placed on. There have been automobiles too in addition to a Play Doh set. Principally The Six Million Greenback Man knew the best way to make some financial institution when it got here to the children. Books, information, comics, you identify it you can most likely discover Steve Austin on it.
The sequence would finish in 1978 however it truly kind of didn’t. Flash ahead to 1987 and NBC introduced again collectively Steve and Jamie for The Return of the Six Million Greenback Man and the Bionic Lady. It was fairly the household affair with Lee Majors the II, Majors son, enjoying an OSI Agent, however funnily sufficient not Steve Austin’s son within the TV Film. That function went to Tom Schanley who, in a unbroken wave of dangerous luck for the Austin’s, will get almost killed in a crash and has bionics added to his physique similar to his father. The movie had a reasonably respectable price range of almost 5 million {dollars}. It was truly a attainable pilot for a brand new sequence specializing in Steve’s newly bionic son Michael. Martin Landau performed the lead villain who was a part of a brand new group referred to as Fortress.
Whereas the sequence by no means materialized the TV movie was a large enough hit to get one other one made. Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Greenback Man and The Bionic Lady was launched in 1989 and would see manufacturing moved to Canada. However, additionally becoming a member of the bionic household is a gal by the identify of Sandra Bullock. Yep, that’s proper Sandra Bullock. As soon as once more, this was one other try at a brand new sequence, this time with a newly bionic lady within the guise of Bullock’s character Kate. However, because the earlier movie, there wasn’t sufficient curiosity in producing a full sequence. But in addition just like the final movie there was sufficient to do yet one more TV film.
Bionic Ever After aired in 1994 and follows the twin proposal of marriage from Showdown with Steve and Jaime planning on getting married. However, after all there’s at all times some kind of hostage scenario to place a wrench into the works. Additionally Jaime’s bionics are failing, and he or she wants an improve. This is able to be the final of the bionic movies. Wagner mandated that she and Majors get married on this one or she wouldn’t do it. Additionally a pleasant little bit of trivia, this aired on CBS which implies The Six Million Greenback Man has appeared on all three of what was once the most important networks of the day. Simply as yet one more apart, I truthfully thought this one was filmed in Canada too, however it seems it was South Carolina. I carry this up as a result of the additionally superior Geordie Johnson performs one of many major dangerous guys right here. So sure, Dracula and Klaus from Dracula the Sequence had been two of the final villains to tackle Steve Austin.
Bionic Ever After was a pleasant ending for 2 of TV’s distinctive and best heroes who deserved their completely satisfied ending. The Six Million Greenback Man has by no means been remade or retooled. To not say nobody hasn’t tried. Mark Whalberg has been able to tackle the Six BILLION Greenback Man for some time now, Kevin Smith’s failed screenplay was tailored to an awesome comedian sequence, however there was no traction on the property for years. So the characteristic movie model of Steve Austin has but to take flight and crash as would wish to occur.
Truthfully, I’m kind of glad. Lee Majors was nice on this function and such a sequence, one with aliens, robots, and spy tech actually can’t be replicated at present with out somebody doing it to only mock it or wink on the digital camera. The Six Million Greenback Man relied on an excellent and enjoyable story that simply occurred to have a neat gimmick. It was entertaining but in addition effectively written with characters that you just cared about. It was a pure development from exhibits like Star Trek and Batman. Know-how that could possibly be, and now truly is, proven serving to folks. It was nice for youthful and older viewers which is why it was in a position to be as huge a success because it was and nonetheless be a favourite for followers at present.
The sequence was launched on DVD and is now accessible to stream on Peacock and it appears to be like nice. For those who’ve by no means checked out The Six Million Greenback Man, I extremely suggest it. Lee Majors created a likable and implausible character in Steve Austin. Sure, he was a rugged sort however he additionally had a coronary heart and cared concerning the folks he beloved. He was humorous and charming and made a implausible toy. It’s a type of roles that may be exhausting to duplicate or recast. I simply can’t see it. So sure, generally you’ll be able to’t make it higher or stronger. Typically it’s excellent simply the way in which it’s.
