Space Precinct

I first started watching the show in '98, when it was aired on our local Sci-fi themed television station. I must say, it wasn't that bad, and was easy to get caught up in.

The show was done by Gerry Anderson (Thunderbirds, Stingray, etc), but not only did it use the same types of models, it also combined live action, and instead of CG aliens, masks and makeup were used. The concept was different than most shows out there; the idea of a Space Police department, where aliens and humans work together. The "space car" designs were done well. The special effects weren't that great, but they weren't cheesy either. (like Captain Power or Power Rangers)

The idea may seem like something a younger person would find interesting, but with the violence, mild-cursing and adult situations, it was apparent that this was an adult oriented show, almost like NYPD Blue meets Star Trek. The characters were well developed, and the plots kept you wanting to watch, each episode or 2-part saga having its own twists and turns.

All in all, a great show to get attached to. I taped all the episodes, so its a really good show to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon instead of Golf or auto-racing.

Jeff Brunner, who ran multi million dollars of investment capital for Howard Gilman (Gilman Paper Company) was talked into producing this series. Jim Goldman, a Wall Street investment banker told Brunner that this was the next Teenage Ninja Deal. Brunner was to invest Gilman's money and Gilman was non too happy about any of this happening. Brunner funded this show with $27,000,000 He, Gilman was a lover of Ballet and funded much in that world. Grove TV ran by Richard Grove completed the deal buy getting the show cleared in 97% of the Country. Amazingly it was cleared at 1 thru 3AM when the target audience as fast asleep. Even better was a ploy that was sheer comedy. Brunner paid WPIX Channel 11 to play the show on Saturday night at 11:30PM. Need I remind anyone that this was up against Saturday Night Live and Brunner paid $50,000 for the time. Brunner had never watched anything other than PBS on TV and was completely clueless. Brunner was fired and all the people who worked for him were also. I have files of paperwork sitting 3 feet from me as a remembrance. The worst part of all was Gilman Paper of St. Mary GA is no longer as a direct result. Thousand of people lost their job.

I caught this show by accident one Saturday night while overshooting SNL (it had no advertising I ever saw). It was funny. From the silliness of the bug-eyed alien gangster running for political office to the balls-to-the-wall action of the time travel episode, I just enjoyed watching.

The special effects hadn't changed much since "UFO" and "Space: 1999" (same producer for all 3 series), and some of the actors couldn't handle light comedy or romantic tension, but Ted Shackelford, Nancy Paul and a few others made this an enjoyable show, doing for police in the future what "Baywatch" did for lifeguards in the present.

There were several American actors in this British production because the United States was the country of first publication.

Gerry Anderson has created a terrific cop show in space!!!! The first few episodes establish the characters and setting, then the show takes off with great stories and super effects!!!!! The dvds from England are spectacular with outstanding sound and picture quality. Fans of Gerry Anderson, and other science fiction shows will love this one.

Looking back at some old recorded episodes it is a really cheesy series but i wouldn't miss it for anything i used to rush to get my homework done to see this,i would put off going out with my friends to see this, i was and always will be hooked on space precinct it isnt that it has good fx or that it isnt predictable, its just that its just so addictive you just have to watch it, trust me WATCH THIS SERIES