Podcast # 327 - Cheesy Sci-Fi

[Rico]

The new podcast is up covering Cheesy Sci-Fi shows.  This one was a lot of fun to do and brought back some great memories too.  Hope all of you get a kick out of it.

http://www.treksinscifi.com/podcasts/TreksinSciFi_327_Cheesy_SF.mp3

[turtlesrock]

that robot is a little cheesy. but it's still cute!

[moyer777]

That's no ordinary robot.. that's TWIKI!  "debbiedebbiedebbiedebbie.. ha buck!"

[Rico]

Yep!  And thanks for the cool new song to play for this week's show Rick!

[moyer777]

you are welcome Rico!  Did you like it?  so cheesy! 

Here are the lyrics, you can download it over at http://www.startrekparodies.com

Cheesy Sci-Fi
written and performed by Rick Moyer
copyright 2011 Moyer Multi Media LLC

Don't you think I like it when I see the fishing line?
Don't you think I know it when the actor blows his line?
Don't you think I dig it when costumes don't fit right?
Don't you think it's cool on sci fi Friday night?

Lasers that are drawn in to make it look real hip
Sparks and smoke they fill the place and shake the fake spaceship
Overacting gone awry and spandex in the mix
And plastic props and boulders  so we can get our kicks

I want cheesy sci fi
You want cheesy sci fi
We want cheesy sci fi
Not your fly by night guy

Chorus:

Somethin' on the TV
Rubber Mask that's cheesy
Robots make it easy
Come on entertain me
cheesy sci fi

Karate chopping captains that use both of their hands
And monsters in a rug suit roaming all through the land
Vehicles that look like they rolled out of Mad Max
And green blood dripping everywhere From Alien attacks

And don't forget the sound effects that entertain our ears
From Spaceships to the atmosphere  decapitation fears
All of this it  makes for sci fi that we love
So bring on the Aliens from the hovering ships above

Chorus X 2

[Poodyglitz]

Rico,

Thanks for another great show (and for including my audio clip). Nice to revisit some of those "guilty pleasures". I must admit to watching Buck Rogers to see Erin Gray in those spandex costumes.

Yes, I definitely remember M.A.N.T.I.S. You should see the first pilot. It featured a mostly African-American cast (including a young Gina Torres). He had two African protegees who helped him from the undersea lab. It still had a bit of cheese about it, but that had to do with the directorial style. It held the promise of a show that wanted to tackle social issues in a sci-fi context. I suspect that the network got overly involved and told them to try again, which screwed things up. When I saw the first TV promos for the show, I held out lots of hope, only to have it dashed as the episodes progressed. M.A.N.T.I.S. was essentially a Black Batman with a physical handicap. I appreciate the attempt to create an African-American superhero that at least wasn't intentionally goofy. Hopefully, the next one will be allowed to be better.

The Greatest American Hero was initially a curiosity to me. Surprisingly, it actually grew on me. I can actually say that I own the first season DVD. There was a definite relationship between the characters. The producers definitely knew the "power of the triumvirate". For me, the sense of discovery was compelling. It was an interesting twist that the audience learned of the new powers along with Ralph.

I'm with you on early Doctor Who, with the exception of the Tom Baker series. He was just such a strong character actor that it was fun to follow. I kind of felt that he was winking at the audience during this era — that he knew it was campy, but what the heck.

As far as contemporary shows are concerned, boring or poor storytelling will probably be tomorrow's cheesy:

No Ordinary Family
Knight Rider (w/Val Kilmer)
The Cape
The Bionic Woman

Other, older cheese includes:

Cleopatra 2025
Future Cop
Space Precinct
The Starlost
Red Dwarf
Sliders (I may get pushback on this one)

Here are some that may spark some friendly debate:

Time Trax
Andromeda
Space: 1999
UFO
The Champions
SeaQuest
Stargate SG-1

[billybob476]

I don't the Red Dwarf qualifies as cheese becuase it's meant as a comedic satire. To me, cheese is trying to be serious and fails. Seaquest started off very well and eventually "jumped the shark".

[Poodyglitz]

I don't the Red Dwarf qualifies as cheese becuase it's meant as a comedic satire. To me, cheese is trying to be serious and fails. Seaquest started off very well and eventually "jumped the shark".

Point taken on Red Dwarf. For me, the fact that it was trying to be funny and wasn't, factored in.

[turtlesrock]

i think cheese is both trying to be serious and failing and special effects that just didn't work.

[Rico]

It's a fine line to cross when you enter the "cheese zone."  Trying to be serious and failing to me isn't really it.  For me it's more about the humor (which is sometimes intentional - sometimes unintentional).  Two shows that come to mind are the old "Lost in Space" and "Knight Rider."  Both started off pretty serious, but plots and others things got more silly as time went on.  Anyway, it's a bit "eye of the beholder" too.

Darmok - I like several of your choices on your list for possible future "cheesy SF" shows.  Time will tell on that.

[jedijeff]

That was a fun podcast Rico, lots of memories of some fun cheesy shows. I must admit, I enjoy some of those shows for their charm, and also the unintentional cheesy ones as sort of a reflection of the culture and times back when they came out. I would have to think, that a show like Heroes, depending on how it ages, might be viewed as Cheesy in 20 years.

[Dangelus]

Yes great show and that was just the tip of the iceberg. I think this could become a regular slot Rico! :)

[Meds]

Brilliant show again, Loved the shows covered and i do see what you mean by early Doctor who but i think thats only really for the 3rd and some 4th Dr episodes. No way is the 1sy and 2nd Dr stories.
Great show and great comments and songs as usual.

Brilliant :D (sorry Rico, i mean Bloody Fantastic )

[Rico]

That was a fun podcast Rico, lots of memories of some fun cheesy shows. I must admit, I enjoy some of those shows for their charm, and also the unintentional cheesy ones as sort of a reflection of the culture and times back when they came out. I would have to think, that a show like Heroes, depending on how it ages, might be viewed as Cheesy in 20 years.

I agree Jeff.  I think I said on the podcast, but I really enjoy all the shows I talked about.  Being cheesy doesn't mean it's not fun to watch.

[Meds]

I sat my daughter down to watch the 60's batman and she loved it and you know what it's still a huge bag of fun. Also quick trivia fact. Alan Napier who played Alfred comes from my City :D