Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

Marc Martin
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On July 13, Clare Cross [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Never seen or heard of a UFO series bible, other than the story outline
> for 'The Computer Affair' which was distributed to various writers. If
> there was one, I will speculate that it would certainly have been a
> small document and I doubt that it would have contained any reference
> to guest characters.

There were a couple of old issues of FAB magazine (issue numbers in the mid/late 20s, I think) where they transcribed a series of internal memos during the pre-production of UFO (I believe Alan Perry still had them in a binder, or something like that).  This was what they said was the closest thing to a "series bible" for UFO.  Although I recall it mostly being technical stuff, and some of it was probably directly contradicted by the series itself, as everything to do with UFO always seemed to be a work in progress.

Marc
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

Marc Martin
Administrator
On July 13, Marc Martin [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:
> There were a couple of old issues of FAB magazine (issue numbers in the
> mid/late 20s, I think) where they transcribed a series of internal
> memos during the pre-production of UFO (I believe Alan Perry still had
> them in a binder, or something like that).

I wonder if anyone here has photocopies (or originals) of these original UFO pre-production memos?  It'd be interesting to see what these looked like.  Maybe Paolo?  Or Griff?  Or...?

Marc
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

Clare Cross
This post was updated on .
In reply to this post by Marc Martin
Thanks.  Yeah, I have seen some of these mentioned and quoted from here and there; this is where SHADO is referred to as UFOEDO and the Aliens as UFOMen.  I think it is fair to say that what we actually saw on screen contradicted much of this.  UFO was also originally set circa 1985 and Straker was 'Straeker'.  Yeah, I'll concede that these memos were probably the closest thing to a series bible that there was, but since so much of what they contained was changed in production, not sure how useful it all was to them!  

SHADO certainly seemed to be a law unto itself; answerable (if that's the right term) only to Henderson and the IAC.  I can't see Straker voluntarily involving anyone else in their business unless it was 100% unavoidable.  

I would go so far as to say that because (like Star Trek and Doctor Who) UFO was based around a ridiculous concept that could never/would never happen, then nothing in it is more or less ridiculous than anything else.  Could the B-142 space probe journey to the Alien planet and send back pictures in three months?  Of course not.  But then would a secret organisation have its name printed on the side of its vehicles and require all the women on Moonbase to wear silver mini-skirts and purple wigs?  Again, of course not!  For me, EVERY episode of UFO is joyfully ridiculous and yet I find something worth watching in every one of them.  Looking at UFO from the 'real world' perspective, none of it works.  But look at it through the lens of the fictional world of 1980 that they created and it all makes sense and works perfectly!  
TRT
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

TRT
I particularly like that the futuristic 1980 was now… what… 40 years ago? :D


On 13 Jul 2020, at 18:13, Clare Cross [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:

Thanks.  Yeah, I have seen some of these mentioned and quoted from here and there; this is where SHADO is referred to as UFOEDO and the Aliens as UFOMen.  I think it is fair to say that what we actually saw on screen contradicted much of this.  UFO was also originally set circa 1985 and Straker was 'Straeker'.  Yeah, I'll concede that these memos were probably the closest thing to a series bible that there was, but since so much of what they contained was changed in production, not sure how useful it all was to them!  

SHADO certainly seemed to be a law unto itself; answerable (if that's the right term) only to Henderson and the IAC.  I can't see Straker voluntarily involving anyone else in their business unless it was 100% unavoidable.  

I would go so far as to say that because (like Star Trek and Doctor Who) UFO was based around a ridiculous concept that could never/would never happen, then nothing in it is more or less ridiculous than anything else.  Could the B 142 space probe journey to the Alien planet and send back pictures in three months?  Of course not.  But then would a secret organisation have its name printed on the side of its vehicles and require all the women on Moonbase to wear silver mini-skirts and purple wigs?  Again, of course not!  For me, EVERY episode of UFO is joyfully ridiculous and yet I find something worth watching in every one of them.  Looking at UFO from the 'real world' perspective, none of it works.  But looks through it through the lens of the fictional world of 1980 that they created and it all makes sense and works perfectly!  


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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

Clare Cross
Although it was either cut before it was filmed, or ended up being edited out, the following exchange from scene 43 is revealing... and more than a little disturbing!  

FREEMAN
Listen, just remember what happened to the driver of that Rolls-Royce.

TWO SHOT

STRAKER
What do you mean?

STRAKER IS BEGINNING TO REALISE WHAT HE MEANS.

STRAKER
I thought he died of injuries received in the crash.

FREEMAN
Let's say he was helped. I thought you knew.

STRAKER
No I didn't. Who told you this?

FREEMAN
Henderson.
(a beat)
I don't like it any more than you do but you know our security boys, they make the CIA look like Sunday School teachers.


This presents SHADO in a far more sinister light and suggest that, prior to the development of the amnesia drug, the only way to make people forget what they had seen was to literally bump them off.  Of course it never appeared in the finished episode, so it could be argued that it is NOT canon... but it does make you think.  Would Straker have risked the lives of the detective and Mary's mother by reporting the fact that he was being followed?  Mind you... it's a pretty good way of getting rid of your Mother in Law!
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

Marc Martin
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On July 14, Clare Cross [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Although it was either cut before it was filmed, or ended up being edited out

And I believe the reason that there is no opening sequence on CONFETTI CHECK A-OK is that the episode ran long -- they filmed scenes that didn't make it into the final episode, and if they kept the opening sequence, they would have had to cut out another minute.

Marc
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

Clare Cross
...to be fair, MOST episodes of UFO probably contained scenes/sequences that they had to cut for timing reasons but would rather have left in.  I suspect that, had it been absolutely 100% necessary that the title sequence went on the front of Confetti Check, then another minute could and would have been cut.  Ten seconds here, twenty seconds there; I'm sure it could have been done.  

As it is; Confetti Check A-OK works much better without the usual opening titles and it may well have occurred to them, in the edit, that this was the case.  As a youngster I always assumed that it was left off because it would have seemed slightly inappropriate given the nature of the episode.  

As I've said already, personally I like the episode, but I can see why it might have been a turn off for someone watching UFO for the first time.  In my opinion, Space: 1999 did the flashback episode much better with Dragon's Domain.  But that's another story...
TRT
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

TRT
Dragon’s Domain should carry a content warning. Seriously. That episode haunts me to this day. Saw it as a child and it left a scar.


On 14 Jul 2020, at 16:08, Clare Cross [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:

...to be fair, MOST episodes of UFO probably contained scenes/sequences that they had to cut for timing reasons but would rather have left in.  I suspect that, had it been absolutely 100% necessary that the title sequence went on the front of Confetti Check, then another minute could and would have been cut.  Ten seconds here, twenty seconds there; I'm sure it could have been done.  

As it is; Confetti Check A-OK works much better without the usual opening titles and it may well have occurred to them, in the edit, that this was the case.  As a youngster I always assumed that it was left off because it would have seemed slightly inappropriate given the nature of the episode.  

As I've said already, personally I like the episode, but I can see why it might have been a turn off for someone watching UFO for the first time.  In my opinion, Space: 1999 did the flashback episode much better with Dragon's Domain.  But that's another story...


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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

Shado-cabinet
In reply to this post by Clare Cross
Hi Clare

I agree about the absurdities in UFO. Obviously the reason for these absurdities (like the SHADO name being pasted on the side of Mobile vehicles), and the eccentric uniforms etc is because the show is basically aimed at children (a sort of live-action version of Captain Scarlett) where they are basically advertising the hardware for the toy market. But like I said the problem with the UFO format is that the some of the content of the episodes ('Confetti' and the 'Square Triangle') being steered towards adults really hurts the series in that it made it hard for TV companies to schedule, and for some parents to let their children watch.

But despite I think UFO is a great series and deserved a longer shelf life than Star Trek, and more recognition than Dr Who
TRT
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

TRT
Sorry. Still have to disagree about the show being aimed at children. Very clear from the production notes and interviews that the principal creative force behind the series wasn’t intending it for a younger audience as Captain Scarlett and Thunderbirds etc were, and indeed was frustrated that his/their work was being pigeonholed as kiddie shows.
There’s no more evidence about it being aimed at children can be garnered from the show's content than the use of puppets suggests that Team America was a kid’s film! (Had a heck of a fight to keep my two away from that film until they had reached 15!)

On 14 Jul 2020, at 17:07, Shado-cabinet [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi Clare

I agree about the absurdities in UFO. Obviously the reason for these absurdities (like the SHADO name being pasted on the side of Mobile vehicles), and the eccentric uniforms etc is because the show is basically aimed at children (a sort of live-action version of Captain Scarlett) where they are basically advertising the hardware for the toy market. But like I said the problem with the UFO format is that the some of the content of the episodes ('Confetti' and the 'Square Triangle') being steered towards adults really hurts the series in that it made it hard for TV companies to schedule, and for some parents to let their children watch.

But despite I think UFO is a great series and deserved a longer shelf life than Star Trek, and more recognition than Dr Who


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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

Shado-cabinet
In reply to this post by TRT

Hi TRT

I know it is incredible that the show conveyed such a 'fantastic future' within the space of 10 years :)

However in the show's defense, it's main premise is a 'what if' scenario where all the countries in the UN getting together and financing a secret moonbase to defend earth from aliens. If in 1969 the major super powers of the US and USSR did put aside their differences and had worked together on the space race then it would have been possible to have such achievements as a permanent base on the moon, and space stations all within the 1980s etc. And of course all the technical breakthroughs in the space program would have filtered down to the masses in form of new technologies (eg: microwave ovens, solar power, insulation etc). So the premise of UFO is not too far from reality when viewed in these circumstances.
TRT
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

TRT
I find it slightly sad in some respects that visionaries of that era had such high hopes for the future and the pace of such reform. Gene Roddenberry and Gerry Anderson made very bold statements about feminism, colour, nationality, sexuality … and what makes me sad is where we seem to be today, slipping backwards on that path.


On 14 Jul 2020, at 17:19, Shado-cabinet [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:


Hi TRT

I know it is incredible that the show conveyed such a 'fantastic future' within the space of 10 years :)

However in the show's defense, it's main premise is a 'what if' scenario where all the countries in the UN getting together and financing a secret moonbase to defend earth from aliens. If in 1969 the major super powers of the US and USSR did put aside their differences and had worked together on the space race then it would have been possible to have such achievements as a permanent base on the moon, and space stations all within the 1980s etc. And of course all the technical breakthroughs in the space program would have filtered down to the masses in form of new technologies (eg: microwave ovens, solar power, insulation etc). So the premise of UFO is not too far from reality when viewed in these circumstances.


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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

Shado-cabinet
In reply to this post by TRT
Hi TRT

Well I think the fact that there is no swearing in UFO (unlike shows of that era such as 'Monty Python', 'In Sickness & in Health, & 'Steptoe & son', 'Q' which did have some adult language & swearing) would indicate that it is indeed a family-viewing show. The problem is that Anderson & the production team are trying to do a balancing act between a kids sci-fi show, and an 'Kitchen sink' drama, and it affected both the show's promotional aspects & reception unfortunately :(
TRT
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

TRT

You talk like a studio executive! ;)

Swearing… well, I would point out the excessive use of tobacco and alcohol in Thunderbirds and UFO, but at the time that didn’t really mark it out as not-for-children…
Hang on, I’m looking for a file somewhere… Found it! From 1976, in The Dalek Annual.



On 14 Jul 2020, at 17:26, Shado-cabinet [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi TRT

Well I think the fact that there is no swearing in UFO (unlike shows of that era such as 'Monty Python', 'In Sickness & in Health, & 'Steptoe & son', 'Q' which did have some adult language & swearing) would indicate that it is indeed a family-viewing show. The problem is that Anderson & the production team are trying to do a balancing act between a kids sci-fi show, and an 'Kitchen sink' drama, and it affected both the show's promotional aspects & reception unfortunately :(


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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

Shado-cabinet
Hi TRT

I think the answer is '5' :)

Its great to see that the producers of the 'Dalek annual' (What? An annual dedicated to the adventures of a
race of villains trying to conquer the earth?) are trying to educate young children as well as introducing them to the pleasures of chain-smoking. I do hope the 1971 UFO annual which I have purchased as a similar puzzle for its young readers as to 'how many whiskeys Alec Freeman drinks during a UFO attack' (or maybe 'can you count the number of people this alien can fit in the freezer of his UFO craft'  :)
TRT
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

TRT
It’s 6. He can make one more from the five he made from the 25.

“Paul Foster goes to an all night party. The booze runs out at midnight and all the offies are shut. As a SHADO logistics expert, Foster works out that for every five glasses he can drain the dregs from, he can fill another glass. The next day, he’s due for a physical at the SHADO health farm. Should he go into the sauna or not?"



On 16 Jul 2020, at 13:59, Shado-cabinet [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi TRT

I think the answer is '5' :)

Its great to see that the producers of the 'Dalek annual' (What? An annual dedicated to the adventures of a
race of villains trying to conquer the earth?) are trying to educate young children as well as introducing them to the pleasures of chain-smoking. I do hope the 1971 UFO annual which I have purchased as a similar puzzle for its young readers as to 'how many whiskeys Alec Freeman drinks during a UFO attack' (or maybe 'can you count the number of people this alien can fit in the freezer of his UFO craft'  :)


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TRT
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

TRT
I’ve just noticed… perhaps there  IS  a subtle anti-smoking message in that puzzle after all. His name is Kel Moran… Quelle Moron.

Maybe. Maybe not.

On 16 Jul 2020, at 14:06, TRT [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:

It’s 6. He can make one more from the five he made from the 25.

“Paul Foster goes to an all night party. The booze runs out at midnight and all the offies are shut. As a SHADO logistics expert, Foster works out that for every five glasses he can drain the dregs from, he can fill another glass. The next day, he’s due for a physical at the SHADO health farm. Should he go into the sauna or not?"



On 16 Jul 2020, at 13:59, Shado-cabinet [via SHADO] <<a href="x-msg://57/user/SendEmail.jtp?type=node&amp;node=4023884&amp;i=0" target="_top" rel="nofollow" link="external" class="">[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi TRT

I think the answer is '5' :)

Its great to see that the producers of the 'Dalek annual' (What? An annual dedicated to the adventures of a
race of villains trying to conquer the earth?) are trying to educate young children as well as introducing them to the pleasures of chain-smoking. I do hope the 1971 UFO annual which I have purchased as a similar puzzle for its young readers as to 'how many whiskeys Alec Freeman drinks during a UFO attack' (or maybe 'can you count the number of people this alien can fit in the freezer of his UFO craft'  :)


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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

Shado-cabinet
In reply to this post by TRT
Well he can't make an extra cigarette if he smokes those 5 'right down' to the butt-end as he is a bona-fide chain-smoking addict (trying to the most out of it). I suppose that's the point of these riddles you always have to exclude the 'what if' :)

The answer to the Paul Foster question is 'YES he should go to the Sauna, whilst carrying an alarm clock & bawling out 'Beautiful Dreamer' so that the whole SHADO health farm can hear him"

I love that ending to the ORDEAL episode :)
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

Shado-cabinet
In reply to this post by TRT
Hi TRT

Sorry I couldn't read that article you included as it appeared broken on the internet browser so I had to view it on my smartphone - and I couldn't zoom in so it was a bit of an eye-strainer (so I missed the 'Quelle Moron' in-joke as I thought the name read 'Kev' or 'Ken' :(
TRT
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Re: Contender for the worst UFO episode: 'Confetti Check-A OK'

TRT
Sorry, if the image didn’t come through for some people, then the puzzle from the Dalek annual reads:

SMOKESCREEN
Kel Moran is on duty in an ADF [Anti-Dalek Force] observation post. He has carefully rationed himself on cigarettes, allowing himself only one per day. He began with 25 cigarettes and has just smoked the last one expecting the relief ship to arrive. However a radio message tells him the ship has been delayed by six days. Kel has plenty of cigarette papers and works out that he can make one cigarette from the tobacco left in five butt ends. How many cigarettes can he make?


Totally shocking for a 1978 (not 76 as originally started) year annual aimed at children! I just checked the answer they gave, and it is “Six. From the butts of the twenty-five cigarettes he has already smoked he can make a further five, plus a sixth one from the remains of those five. He has enough to last him until the relief ship arrives."





On 16 Jul 2020, at 18:21, Shado-cabinet [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi TRT

Sorry I couldn't read that article you included as it appeared broken on the internet browser so I had to view it on my smartphone - and I couldn't zoom in so it was a bit of an eye-strainer (so I missed the 'Quelle Moron' in-joke as I thought the name read 'Kev' or 'Ken' :(


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