Reader Christopher
Kewley asks:
"Have you
seen the 70's childrens British television show Timeslip? (If not, I think you probably would like
it, as you like a lot of 60's/70's TV Science Fiction.)"
Chris, I have read
about -- but had not watched -- Timeslip.
For those who may not be familiar with the
series, Timeslip aired in Britain on ITV in 1970 and 1971.
Created by James and Ruth Boswell, the
program involved two children, Simon and Cheryl, who discovered a phenomenon -- an anomaly -- that
permits them to travel through time, to alternate futures and pasts. The series consisted of four multi-part
serials.
Given the positive critical reception -- the
series achieved “top 50” status on both SFX and Dreamwatch lists of best
all-time sci-fi series -- Timeslip
sounds like a provocative program that one indeed right up my
alley, as you say, since I love and cherish 1970s British sci-fi TV (UFO
[1970] Space: 1999 [1975-1977], Survivors [1975], Blake's
7 [1978 - 1981], and Sapphire and Steel [1978 – 1981] to
name a few).
Because you asked about it, I’ll watch the
series soon, and either blog the whole thing, or write up a flashback on the topic.
Thanks for the question, Christopher, and
I hope you’ll stick around to read what I think of the show. I'm looking forward to watching it, and the DVDs are already on the way...
John, I agree. British science-fiction television series are truly a wonder. My boyhood favorites that I first encountered in the '70s were Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds, UFO and Space:1999.
ReplyDeleteSGB
SGB,
DeleteFor me, those British shows of the 1970s never cease to impress. I'm looking forward to digging into Timeslip!
Thanks for the comment, my friend.
best,
John
Hello John,
ReplyDeleteYou are in for a treat, I think. I finally saw an episode of "Timeslip" a few weeks ago and the prevailing thought I had while watching was, "this was for kids?!"
Good stuff. The Brits have long been better at making SF television for children; or young people. Funny, coming from a country that was known for its "seen and not heard" attitude towards children right up until the 1960s. "Get your school uniform on and shut your gob!"
In the States, there is, I think, more an attitude of juvenile SF shows being just smoke and mirrors to sell breakfast cereal. More sugar for the brain, rather than real thought-provoking concepts. A dangerous generalization, perhaps, but seemingly true. Trust the Brits to make more with less money.
By the way, I have to say that your affability is much appreciated. You and your site are user friendly.
Hi Barry,
DeleteThank you, first of all, for the kind words about me and my blog. They are very much appreciated.
I live here, so to speak, so I try to be a good, polite and welcoming host to visitors. I don't get ugly unless someone comes in and (purposely) shits on the furniture !:)
Honestly, I think I've had to step in maybe twice in the last seven years. The readers here are wonderful, and that tally includes you, sir.
Like I said in response to your earlier post regarding Star Wars, it's pretty clear that you have an open and keen mind, and that's a terrific thing, especially in such a polarized culture.
Regarding Timeslip, I'm tremendously excited about it. The DVDs arrive tomorrow! I can't wait. I agree with you about British shows vs. American shows. That's a generalization, perhaps, that also happens to be true if you look at the evidence.
"Make more with less money." - Indeed, that seems a mantra of shows like Dr. Who, Blake's 7, and one of my all time favorites, Sapphire & Steel. I find these programs endlessly intriguing, so I'm ready to get my mind opened by Timeslip!
Thanks for the comment, and I hope you'll stick around to contribute your thoughts on Timeslip. I'd love to read your thoughts on the series in detail...
best,
John