Automan

The 1980s were full of optimistic TV action series of a kind we just don't see any more. Not that I'm against the high-quality screen writing of such shows as "24", "Buffy" or "Angel"; it's just that I miss the old popcorn dramas which were nothing if not fun and provided ample light relief from stressful schooldays. Recent releases of "The A Team", "Knight Rider" et al on DVD have brought that old pleasure back, but I'm still eagerly anticipating "Airwolf", "Street Hawk" and "Automan". The latter two lasted only one season, but they were certainly enjoyable to me and my school friends. In those days when an American TV show was cancelled it was of too little consequence to become known in the UK, so we never knew why these fun shows disappeared. "Automan" appealed to me because it seemed to be a reverse of "Tron". The hero was rather straight-laced (even compared to Christopher Reeve's Superman!), but the show had plenty of visual treats and action to satisfy kids like me. It's the humour that I would like to re-evaluate as an adult. I'm almost certain I'd enjoy seeing this again!

Another case of a show I really enjoyed as a kid being taken off the air rather quickly. Whatever a kid enjoyed to watch back in the 70's and 80's always seemed to get the quick hook back then. This one is brought to us by the same guy who did "Buck Rogers" and the lesser known "Manimal". It also came on about the same time as the latter. The show was about a computer guy who somehow creates this strange computer dude or brings him into this world, can not remember so well now as I have not seen the show in a very long time. What I remember the most about this one though is the cool car which I debated with a kid at school was faster than the car on "Knight Rider". Which how there was any debate for anybody who has seen both shows is beyond me this car went so fast and could do 90 degree turns for crying out loud. I also remember "Automan" losing his power whenever more machines and such were used. The effects were very Tron-like and not bad for a television show made back in the 80's. Why shows such as these got such a quick hook is beyond me, well not really my guess is they just cost to much to produce as opposed to the quirky comedies that usually went on way to long (Happy Days anyone).

OK, at the mid-70s you have to recognize how the American TV shows became more and more interested in the idea of being "super" more than ever. After the phase of the cowboy shows, the espionage ones, then the mysteries' solvers, we came to the point of a man, or a woman, who's part human and part machine, or that person who got superpowers anyway. It's very well known matter in the old comics, but from the 1970s in TV, the revelation, or the revolution, began.

Remember titles like: (The Six Million Dollar Man - 1974), (The Invisible Man - 1975), (The Bionic Woman - 1976), (Gemini Man - 1976) and (Wonder Woman - 1976). At the same time, another kind became in fashion: the Buddy-shows like (Switch - 1975), (Starsky and Hutch - 1975), (CHiPs - 1977), (The Hardy Boys-Nancy Drew Mysteries - 1977). So, why not to gather the 2 successful elements, "The Superhuman" and "The 2 Buddies Team", in one sci-fi / action show.

They already married them in (Future Cop - 1977); a short-lived TV show about a veteran patrol officer who gets an android for a partner. After more prosperous ones, like (The Greatest American Hero - 1981) and (The Powers of Matthew Star - 1982), there was the big hit (Knight Rider - 1982) where an ex-policeman is in the company of a talking supercar to achieve justice. And right in the next year, (Automan) has been born.

It was such a smart and funny idea. Read its tagline: "A computer generated superhero and his human creator fight crime in their city".. this is music to my ear! Imagine a talking computer, in the form of a brawny good man, with a comic human partner, in action all the time; this has endless ironies.

If you watched it as a kid, you'd never forget it. The whole azure image of (Chuck Wagner) as (Automan) is something that sticks in your memory forever. And sure its formula speaks cleverly to the child in you, unlike the most of nowadays' shows I suppose. As an adult, I just hated points like the unneeded striptease of the title character at one episode, which was obviously inserted to have more viewers, however in cheap and embarrassing way!

Ohhh, the 1980s is gone, so most of the childish innocent fun too. You'd think that the makers of these shows were great children themselves. I believe watching CSI today makes you cherish these oldies much, and discover the secret of them being real classics for reasons other than the nostalgic feel.

Unfortunately, (Automan) lasted for only 13 episodes; I won't say that 13 is the most ill-fated number for many canceled shows, but let's say that many good things come in 13 such as: (A Man Called Hawk - 1989), (The Lone Gunmen - 2001), (Pepper Dennis - 2006) and (Automan). My best regards to the nice azure robot, its makers, and their time.

This show is completely corny. Of course, this is a bi-product of its decade and genre, but it still seems cornier than its counterparts. And most of the acting isn't too great, with the exception of Chuck Wagner, whom I thought did a good job as Walter's complete opposite. The girl was pretty much filler. Almost like they thought they needed to have a cute woman in the cop shop to draw in...young boys? Show they were EEO? I don't know, but she seemed a total waste of film.

But darn it if I don't love this show. Cheese makes for a good, silly 45 minutes of entertainment. And even bad sci fi is often good. And Desi Arnaz Jr. made for a good geek. The writers I think went a bit far with that whole stereotype of computer geniuses being totally awkward screw ups in any other arena but IT, but I suppose it did help display the contrast between Walter and Automan, who was what Walter wished he was.

But don't watch this right after Dragnet or Adam-12, as you may think the LAPD suddenly went insane.

I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit this but I loved Automan. Like a lot of things from the 80s I think we are amazed with what things appealed to us back then. An episode of Friends summed it up when college aged Ross and Chandler turn up to thanksgiving dressed as if they were from Miami Vice. Yes this series typified 80s style in many ways and because of that has not stood the test of time. I can't see them repeating it in the UK because 14-15 year-olds will think it is stupid.

Anyway the show is about an LA cop(Arnaz jr) who has an expertise in computers. With his computer equipment he creates Automan(Wagner) and the flashing 'cursor' who makes the cars, boats, guitars or whatever Automan needs at the time. The two of them go after the big bad criminals and get them. Only two people know about Automan, his creator and another cop, an attractive female who never quite becomes anyone's love interest. There are lots of good driving scenes, likable characters and fairly good Sci-fi effects but most of all it has charisma. Unfortunately it is also a silly idea that never quite explains itself and is so corny the phrase corny could be replaced by the word Automan.

If you see it for the first time now you will probably be shocked at how bad it was. If you remember it from the first time round you will probably have that old familiar feeling which you might describe as comfortable.