Ben Bova is one of my favourite science fiction writer. The first novel I read of his was Mars. I loved the way he mixed the fantasy space exploration with technical side of human colonization. His Grand Tour series includes Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mars, Mercury, etc. What I liked about Mars was, when they get there, it was about survival and seeking life - even the tiniest signs of water. More like the reality of today's Mars missions than the action of Princess Of Mars.
I also love cheesy sci-fi TV, which brings us to The Starlost. Created by the great science fiction writer Harlan Ellison, the special effects wizard from 2001: A Space Odyssey Douglas Trumball, and science consultant Ben Bova, The Starlost was a hour long TV series shot in 1973. It showed in syndication, but was produced by Canada's number two network CTV, so you know it's going to be super quality already! The story goes that they created this great show idea, and once it was sold there was no budget, so they had minimal sets, bad scripts and no time for retakes (Camera appeared rolling into the shot? Don't worry about it). They'd shoot it fast and show it once on TV and everyone moves on.
Now, The Starlost is available on a 16 show, 4 disc remastered DVD. And yes, while the sets are one step above cardboard (such as upside down plastic garbage cans to created a space console), the acting is almost non-existent, and the models of the planets are lame, it has a certain charm that's endearing. Cheese Factor 5 - - - Engage!
Harlan Ellison removed his name from the credits (they used instead Cordwainer Bird), and Ben Bova was so ticked at being involved he wrote a rare comedic novel The Starcrossed.
The names have been changed to protect the innocent, but basically, in the future TV is 3-D. They come up with a new 3-D TV show based on an outer space Romeo and Juliet ~ recycling an idea that they couldn't sell. To save money Titanic Productions decides to film in Canada, as it's even easier than Mexico. The producer's latest girlfriend is hired as the starlet and a Canadian hockey star is signed to play Romeo, never mind he has a thick French accent and can barely read. The scripts are written by high school students in a contest. Before they start filming, the studio sees it will be a flop and bets all the production money on a football game. The crew is left to put together some kind of show, which gets released to scathing reviews.
Pretty funny scenarios and crazy characters. If you know the history that came before The Starcrossed novel it's even funnier. I'll stick to Ben Bova's planets series, but this was a light, so-bad-it's-good diversion.
1980 / Paperback / 224 pages
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