The Powers of Matthew Star

... it is much bigger and grander in my memory than it actually is. I guess its power, at least in my case, is in its nostagia, so YMMV.

Peter Barton stars as Matthew Star, a normal-looking high-school age teen who is secretly a fugitive prince from a distant planet. Lou Gossett Jr co-stars as Walt, also an alien, who has acted as Matthew's guardian on Earth, where the boy has lived most of his life. Being part of the alien royal family, Matthew has various super powers, such as telekinesis and limited telepathy. Matthew just wants to live the life of a normal Earth teen, spending time with his high school sweetheart Pam (series regular Amy Steel), while Walt goes undercover as a science teacher at the school Matthew attends. Matthew and Walt have to deal with assorted troubles from the mundane (drag-racing teens, trouble on the football team) to the extraordinary (alien bounty hunters, inquisitive scientists).

At the half-season mark, the series underwent a soft reboot, with the high school setting eventually dropped, and Amy Steel being dropped from the cast. Matthew and Walt are now working for the government, in the person of skeptical contact James Karen. They are assigned missions searching for valuable technology, stopping terrorists, or fighting other sundry crimes. Matthew also exhibits a bunch of new powers, such as being able to project an astral body version of himself that can walk through walls; shoot laser blasts from his hands; and even transforming items with a wave of his hand.

The series has a reputation as one of the worst science fiction shows in television history. I was prepared for worse than it is, but it's still not good. The stories range from silly to stupid, and there's a lot of early-80's network cheese on display (plenty of laughing freeze-frames to close out episodes). Barton and Steel (who had both starred in different Friday the 13th movies) are blandly pretty, while accomplished pro Gossett is definitely slumming (he was appearing in this when he won his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for An Officer and a Gentleman). The producers included Harve Bennett who had worked on Star Trek (Leonard Nimoy directs an episode, and Walter Koenig wrote one), and Bruce Lansbury, brother of Angela Lansbury. Bruce's daughter/Angela's niece Felicia Lansbury appears in one of the last episodes.

This is one of those shows that never make it pass their first season but is far better than the rubbish now. With great guest directors/writers like Star Trek veterans Leonard Nimoy and Walter Koenig this underrated gem from the early 1980's is a treat for fans looking to take a break from the Trek universe or just fans of great sci-fi TV. It also has a enjoyable cast, which for me is becoming harder to find in TV or film these days. Even the lovely Julie Newmar makes a small guest appearance in a episode. Granted it may not be the best sci-fi show ever, but The Powers Of Matthew Starr is a fun and entertaining show that you could watch with the family. It truly deserves to be on DVD.

I remember seeing this show when I was about 10 or 11. From what I remember, Gossett Jr. and Barton were from another planet. Barton had a special power to change other people's way of thinking, or actions or something like that. He would close his eyes and some "magic" would happen. Gossett Jr. was his "guide" like. He was there to lead him and teach him the ways of the "earth bound people". Gossett Jr. did not have any powers from what I remember. Also. form what I remember, is that it came on every Friday night. I still think they should put this on DVD anyway, but don't think that will happen. I could not wait to see it, and was disappointed to hear that it was canceled just as quickly as it started.

It's been 16 years since the planet Quadris was conquered. Prince Matthew Star (Peter Barton) was only a baby when he escaped to Earth with his guardian Walt Shepherd (Louis Gossett Jr.). The plan is for Matthew to develop his special powers and return to free his people. On Earth, Walt is outwardly a normal teenager. Pamela Elliot (Amy Steel) is his girlfriend. Walt gets a job as a teacher. They are pursued by intergalactic assassins. General Tucker uncovers their secret and offers to maintain it for friendly cooperation.

I am almost certain that I watched parts of the show since I seem to recognize the space battle intro. It's also possible that I simply remember a long forgotten trailer. I am glad that I don't remember the show. It's pretty bad. The writing is clunky. There are questionable logic leaps in the setup. Even with the boring expositions, the premise still has plenty of holes. The lead is charismatically challenged. Thank God for LGJ. Then there are the episodes themselves. They are generally not good and the show is cancelled after one season.

The first twelve episodes have Matthew going to school with girlfriend Pam. The general premise is good but I don't like the side trips. It should be a high school drama with a dash of superpower. Instead of staying at the school, the show seems intent on going off every which way away from the school. It doesn't develop the romantic relationship or the other main student characters. Monica could have been a good Scooby gang member. It's obvious that he should slowly develop his powers but he's powerful right from the start. The tension comes when he is forced to use his powers in public. While it's nothing good, this still has potential. With time at the school, some semblance of interpersonal drama could develop. For some unknown reasons, the show does a jump in time and story after the new year.

Major Wymore takes over from General Tucker sending Matt and Walt on various missions. Pam is long gone. In addition, Matt has new powers and a signal ring. Even the intro is changed leaving out their home world and escape. I'm guessing that the show wasn't doing well and that's why the sudden retooling. It doesn't help in any way and only made things worst. The show worked best with the kids and the school. Episode 12, Fugitives, is probably the best of the bunch and it's crazy to have the makeover right after. It becomes a different show and dies. The first half is a six but the second half is much lower.

My husband and I were dating when this show came on. He worked a late shift, so I would go over to his place and hang out with his father. Bud (my FIL) and I would watch Matthew Starr and Miami Vice together. I can still hear Bud say, "OK, let's see how Matthew dumps Pam THIS week!" We recorded the shows so that my husband could see them, too, but original airings (and a mutual love of music) were something special between Bud and me, and helped us develop a lovely friendship.

We were both crushed when first they changed Matthew to an agent ("Work for us or everyone will know your secret!" Duh duh DAAAAAA!) and then cancellation (mercy killing?).

My father-in-law passed away in 1999. I wrote a poem for him, and, on the bottom, simply wrote, "Goodnight, Matthew Starr." My husband, of course, got it.