TV by the Decade :: December 10•16

Glen A. Larson Productions

With the Christmas holiday rapidly approaching, neither the broadcast or cable networks are interested in dropping new series at a time when TV viewers are busy decorating and shopping. ABC, however, did sneak two new scripted series onto the airwaves this week in 1983, both from Battlestar Galactica producer Glen A. Larson, both ending before their final produced episodes were broadcast. One has been mostly forgotten, while the other is a cheesy footnote to 1980s TV history along the lines of Manimal. 2013 is the only other decade with a new series debut, a reality series that had a very short run and is also mostly forgotten today. Check out the list and tell us if you remember any of these shows!

1953

No new series premiered this week in 1953.

1963

No new series premiered this week in 1963.

1973

No new series premiered this week in 1973.

1983

Glen A. Larson Productions

December 15 – Automan (ABC, One season, 13 episodes, 1 unaired)
December 15 – Masquerade (ABC, One season, 13 episodes, 1 unaired)

The visual style of the Automan character was meant to emulate the videogame characters in Disney’s Tron. The glowing effect for the Automan costume was the same technique used for the Kryptonian costumes in Superman the Movie, using a highly reflective material design by 3M that could reflect nearly 100% of the light shone at it. The costume also had reflective plates to provide a holographic appearance, and it was all enhanced in post-production with chromakey effects. The Autocar was based on a Lamborghini Countach LP400, and the Autochopper was based on the Bell Jetranger. The series faced tough competition Mondays at 8PM from Scarecrow and Mrs. King on CBS and TV’s Bloopers & Practical Jokes on NBC. Low ratings and the high cost of special effects led to the series being cancelled before the 13th episode was aired. All 13 episodes did air in the UK, and on the Sci-Fi Channel in the US.

Masquerade was a mash-up of Mission: Impossible and The Love Boat, a tongue-in-cheek espionage series that featured three series regulars — Rod Taylor, Kirstie Alley and Greg Evigan — and an ensemble of well-known guest stars in each episode. Oliver Reed guested in the 90-minute pilot episode. Series guest stars included Morgan Brittany, Eugene Roche, Susan George, Martin Milner, John Saxon, Joe Santos, Dick Gautier, Elaine Joyce, Christopher Knight, Jeff East, Ernest Borgnine, Alana Stewart, Peter Breck, Art Metrano, John McCook, Cybill Shepherd, Ronald Lacey, Claude Akins, Gregory Sierra, Richard Roundtree, Clyde Kusatsu, Clu Gulager, Lloyd Bochner, Don Most, Walter Gotell, Pauk Mantee, Garrett Morris, Eve Arden, Robert Morse, Mary Beth Evans, Anthony Franciosa, David Hemmings, Lynda Day George, James Shigeta, Tom Atkins, Steve Garvey, Rue McClanahan, Eve Plumb, Sybil Danning, Tab Hunter, ALan Thicke, Richard Hatch, Ruth Buzzi, Dick Van Patten, Bill Macy, and Tanya Tucker. This was Alley’s first series after her debut in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Crystal Gayle performed the theme song.