Alternative 3

I've just listened to an internet broadcast of "Alternative 3," which in paperback, as well as the internet-down-loadable version, was authored by Leslie Watkins. {N.b.: the original British television series had no affiliation with Ms. Watkins, currently banished, retired, or removed to New Zealand, however the book was an alleged extension and elaboration of material presented in the "Science Report" broadcast.} That the book was banned or suppressed and yet made it's way onto the internet, thence to be translated to a variety of languages, might give credence to the program, or the book which derived from it. Yet there was no astronaut Bob Grodin, either as an Apollo moon walker, or with any affiliation with NASA.

The author herself, in a letter to the online bookseller which bought up all copies remaining, said: "The book is based on fact, but uses that fact as a launchpad for a HIGH DIVE INTO FICTION.", etc. ..Further: "So, summing up, the book is FICTION BASED ON FACT. But I now feel that I inadvertently got VERY CLOSE TO A SECRET TRUTH."

So much for the credibility of either the book or the series which preceded it. I might have given a moment's thought to a conspiracy designed to cultivate greater study of the sciences in the U.K., but have thought better of it.

I watched this aged ten and was compelled by the subject matter , scientists disappearing across the world , an apollo mission astronaut loosing his temper while being asked questions as to what he saw on a moon mission , and most disturbing of all secret NASA footage from Mars showing something alive burrowing just under the surface of the red planet . An absolutely shocking investigation . It wasn`t untill a few days later that I found out it was an April fool . I didn`t feel stupid about getting fooled , after all I was only a child , but I did feel very angry that there was no proof of life on Mars . Just think though , there must still be literally thousands of people walking around today who still believe this was a real investigative report

I distinctly remember the impact of Alternative 3 at the time of its broadcast, as the effect it had on our parents and adults was the talk of the playground. Watching it now I can see why. Closely mimicking the news documentary format of the time, which albeit primitive in our internet age, was trustworthy to everyone in the 70s , the programme played as a realistic expose of themes that most people then found frightening. A coming global catastrophe, secret elites, murderous conspiracies, media cover-ups, a dash of cold hard space paranoia, and that pre-instant playback feel of "what exactly did I just see on my TV", must have been a heady mix. No wonder people were annoyed when it was revealed as an April Fool fiction.

I well remember the alleged 'Science Report' of June 1977 about disappearing scientists and secret bases on the Moon.

At a UFO conference in a London hotel August 1979 (I met and had a chat with J.Allen Hynek) someone told me that the people who made that episode - Alternative 3 had a lot of trouble now finding work. Almost 'Black Listed' ?

Then a friend who's father was a senior engineer for the Royal Navy was asked by my friend about 'Alternative 3' - I was reading the Granada paperback at the time(sadly poorly written).

My friend's father hit the ceiling ! And shouted,"It's not that number anyway!"

Back in the early 1980's when 'La Thatcher' was in charge there was a girl in my local pub who bore a marked resemblance to 'Lady T'. I used to pull her leg about it as she pulled the pints. Chatting to her one day it transpired that she worked in a Financial Library in her day-time job. She was complaining about the snooty attitude of the highly qualified degree people who worked there. Anyway we somehow got chatting about 'Alternative 3' (too much beer on my part).

She said,"Alternative 3 sent a shudder right around the Financial Community. Whilst it was not completely true it closely paralleled the real thing. I shouldn't be telling you this because I have signed secrecy papers."

Interesting ?

This faux documentary was made by Anglia (the regional TV station home to Sale of the Century and the rotating little knight on a plinth) and was initially scheduled to be broadcast on April Fool's day 1977 but was ultimately put back 'til June. Regardless its broadcast resulted in Anglia being inundated with calls from concerned viewers demanding further information on the outrageous claims being made. It takes the form of a fake news report detailing the mysterious disappearance of a number of people, the investigation then leads to climate change and the moon landings. More detail would reveal too many spoilers. It is a fascinating watch, which was pretty well executed. Conspiracy buffs and sci-fi fans should get a kick out of this one.