In 1978, Jack Webb, creator of Dragnet and Adam-12, brought Project U.F.O. to television. The show, which dryly dramatized unidentified flying object sightings culled from the declassified files of the United States Air Force's Project Blue Book investigations (in fact, the show was reportedly called Project Blue Book in syndication, in some markets) ran for two seasons on NBC.
It was not "science fiction" - at least, it wasn't supposed to be. But, as a space-obsessed 14 year-old, it was still must-see TV, if only for the plethora of cool spaceship models that appeared in every episode. I'm not certain, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that they were created by Brick Price's outfit. Whoever created them, they were awesome. (At least, I remember them that way.)
Awesome. All these years, I've never forgotten that theme song and I have no idea why! I didn't even realize it was that late in the 70s, I thought it was pre-Star Wars, but I guess not. Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteThey usually did re-enactments of the reported UFO incidents and the episode I remember (if it was indeed this show) featured an alien whose helmet visor lifted up to show a video projection of a human mouth, which was kind of comically over-sized. The alien "spoke" by scanning earth's radio airwaves and broadcasting little snippets of audio, strung together to form complete sentences. I thought it was a cool sci-fi touch and probably not specific to whatever persons' story was being adapted.
ReplyDeleteThe main thing I remember about this show is that, even to this day, when I talk about UFO (Ed Bishop etc), people often think I am talking about this show instead.
ReplyDeleteI do recall watching the show regularly, as a space/sci-fi obsessed kid. IIRC, every episode had one sighting that wasn't either a hoax or easily explained away.
I love this blog- so much cool stuff. Who knew 70s sci fi would hold so much nostalgic goodness? @ vinylsaurus- I remember the episode with the alien that had the "video mouth" helmet! As a kid it struck me as a little creepy and made the creature seem truly alien.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about Brick Price's company producing the models for the show. I recall a Starlog issue back then doing a story about the special effects work on the series. Good to see a post about this show,and happy belated one year anniversary Chris!
ReplyDeleteI remember watching this as a kid. I liked sci-fi stuff and also detective stories, and this show was a mix of both. Good memories!
ReplyDeleteI remember so well watching this as a child and watching it as something that was totally REAL. Feeling like this was on maybe Sunday nights where I grew up in Spokane, WA. Came on sometime after Wonderful World of Disney. I remember after watching an episode, walking outside and taking a little stroll looking up at the sky, really believing I might see a UFO.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall this show began airing around the same time Close Encounters was playing in theaters and probably benefited from the enormous popularity of that film. I remember watching the premiere episode when I was seven and being pretty freaked out by the little robot that tried communicating with the old woman using laser beams between its hands. That thing scared me so bad I couldn't go to sleep that night! I haven't seen the show since it ended its original run and would love to get the DVD set, if not for the hefty price tag.
ReplyDeleteI just remember that this came on Sunday nights and I missed it due to church. Oh why did they always show the cool stuff on Sundays? LOL
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to remember what this show was called for a while now. I'd ask friends,"What was that show with 2 government agents driving around investigating UFO sightings"
ReplyDelete"X files?"
"No."
No matter how I tried to describe the show I always got the same answer.
Finally, confirmation that it wasn't just in my mind.
The Ixion and the Wheel sequence in the beginning always stuck with me.
Well it's no wonder I've never been able to find it! I've been looking for the wrong thing. I was in Alaska at the time this aired, and we were one of those "Project Blue Book" markets.
ReplyDeleteLoved this show when it was one, and would love to see it again.
Duke
I was truly freaked out by this show when it aired and probably only saw three or four of the episodes. But it made a big impression on me. I lived out in the country and felt isolated and it seemed like all the sightings on this show were in isolated country locations. Those aliens always seem very shy and only like to visit isolated farms and desert locales! Anyway the good news is that I have been watching the entire two season run on this youtube channel : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkv0oC2gTCPfxShXrgSfehlzGiFydiFVW
ReplyDeleteI discovered it a couple of weeks ago and have been watching one or two episodes a day since. Both seasons are good and solidly produced. The second season features a different actor playing the officer in charge of investigating....none other than veteran character actor Edward Winter best known as Col. Flagg on MASH.