SHADO

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thelynx

New Member

Greetings -

As a new member to your group, please allow me to introduce myself. My name
is Bob and I live in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA) called
Bellevue. I am, now,40-something having first seen UFO in my preteen years.
I distinctly remember watching the programme. I remember the details like
the theme, the SHADO cars, Straker's hair, Moonbase and those sexy silver
minis, the aliens with the green liquid, SID, the mobiles, Skydiver, and
that shiny Straker-Harlington sign. However, the story plots eluded me.
Indeed, over the decades, the primary thingabout the show that has always
stayed in my mind was the opening theme; in my opinion, a musical
masterpiece.

Like many of you, I have not seen UFO since it aired here in the early
1970's. Thanks to the advent of DVD and Netflix (www.netflix.com), I have
rewatched the episodes on Disks 1-4 with Disk 5 on its way this weekend. To
be honest, I don't remember a complete storyline from any of them. I'm
certain my focus on the gizmos was because, in my youth, I was more enamored
with the technologies than the plots. I do definitely remember the silver
minis, though.

Regardless of the technical deficiencies, today, I adore the mod look, the
music, and the serious dramatic tone of the series. There is nothing that
can compare with the style of UFO and, in my humble opinion, it is one of
history's greatly underrated television programs. In fact, for its time, the
show was amazingly daring with shower scenes, bikinis, overt flirting,
Beetles music, fishnet tops and tiny bottoms.

Having lurked for a couple of weeks, I must admit that I am both deeply
impressed and amazed by the stauch loyalty displayed here. UFO was a
short-run series canceled well-before its time and virtually unknown to the
mainstream public. To find a such a group of like-minded individuals is one
of life's rare gems.

I thank the stars for A&E. The visual and audio quality of the DVDs is
spectacular to say the least.

Now, one question I would definitely like to tackle is that of the location
of the alien world. It has been asserted that the nearest star to earth is
Alpha Proxima at 4.3 light years, and that it would take years to reach the
world.

In the episodes I have watched, nothing more than billions of miles has been
mentioned and UFOs come along like flies. In the closing credits, a desolate
planet is shown at the end. It is my opinion that the alien world is within
our solar system on a heretofore unknown planet beyond Saturn. Don't ask
how, you've got to believe in the suspension of disbelief. Give me a silver
mini and that theme, and I'll believe anything!

I'd like to thank you all for your enthusiasm and keeping SHADO alive and
well in the 21st Century. I will truly enjoy reading your thoughts and the
lively discourse about one of the greatest shows on television, UFO.

Cheers,

Bob LeBras

---
Administrator: RailScan @ TheLynx [www.thelynx.com]
Lionel Collectors Moderator [groups.yahoo.com/group/lionelcollectors]
Trolley Fare Moderator [groups.yahoo.com/group/trolleyfare]
RingMaster: PRR WebRing, B&O Railroad WebRing, Railroad WebRing, TCA
WebRing, Model Trains WebRing, Lionel Trains WebRing
Member: TCA, Friends of Amtrak, PA Trolley Museum
E-Mail: [hidden email]
eBay: TheLynx

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"Imagine a dying planet in some distant corner of the universe. Its natural resources exhausted. Its inhabitants sterile. Doomed to extinction. A situation we may one day find ourselves in, gentlemen. So they discover earth. Abundant, fertile. Able to satisfy their needs. They look upon us not with animosity, but callousness. As we look upon our animals that we depend on for food. Yes, it appears they are driven by circumstance across a billion miles of space, driven on by the greatest force in the universe - survival."

stevec

Re: New Member

Bob;
Welcome to the group. I remember watching UFO when it was on first run.
My first Gerry anderson show that I liked was Fireball XL-5. [Coming to DVD
in Feb- I can hardly wait]
I guess the story lines in UFO were more human directed then the straight
sci-fi such as Star Trek, or Lost in Space.
The difference between those and UFO was the human interaction and I would
say general humaniness of the characters. Name another sci-fi show of the
time, were there was smoking and drinking. IE: Straker's office even had a
liquior dispensor. <sp>.
UFO really broke trhe mold in alot of areas, but I think that was a
testiment to Gerry Anderson and his creative staff.
I also unfortunetly, lurk in the background.
Anyways, welcome to the group.
There are alot of UFO sites out there. Enjoy.
Steve Christensen

>From: "The Lynx" <[hidden email]>
>Reply-To: [hidden email]
>To: [hidden email]
>Subject: [SHADO] New Member
>Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2003 02:50:54 +0000
>
>Greetings -
>
>As a new member to your group, please allow me to introduce myself. My name
>is Bob and I live in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA) called
>Bellevue. I am, now,40-something having first seen UFO in my preteen years.
>I distinctly remember watching the programme. I remember the details like
>the theme, the SHADO cars, Straker's hair, Moonbase and those sexy silver
>minis, the aliens with the green liquid, SID, the mobiles, Skydiver, and
>that shiny Straker-Harlington sign. However, the story plots eluded me.
>Indeed, over the decades, the primary thingabout the show that has always
>stayed in my mind was the opening theme; in my opinion, a musical
>masterpiece.
>
>Like many of you, I have not seen UFO since it aired here in the early
>1970's. Thanks to the advent of DVD and Netflix (www.netflix.com), I have
>rewatched the episodes on Disks 1-4 with Disk 5 on its way this weekend. To
>be honest, I don't remember a complete storyline from any of them. I'm
>certain my focus on the gizmos was because, in my youth, I was more
>enamored
>with the technologies than the plots. I do definitely remember the silver
>minis, though.
>
>Regardless of the technical deficiencies, today, I adore the mod look, the
>music, and the serious dramatic tone of the series. There is nothing that
>can compare with the style of UFO and, in my humble opinion, it is one of
>history's greatly underrated television programs. In fact, for its time,
>the
>show was amazingly daring with shower scenes, bikinis, overt flirting,
>Beetles music, fishnet tops and tiny bottoms.
>
>Having lurked for a couple of weeks, I must admit that I am both deeply
>impressed and amazed by the stauch loyalty displayed here. UFO was a
>short-run series canceled well-before its time and virtually unknown to the
>mainstream public. To find a such a group of like-minded individuals is one
>of life's rare gems.
>
>I thank the stars for A&E. The visual and audio quality of the DVDs is
>spectacular to say the least.
>
>Now, one question I would definitely like to tackle is that of the location
>of the alien world. It has been asserted that the nearest star to earth is
>Alpha Proxima at 4.3 light years, and that it would take years to reach the
>world.
>
>In the episodes I have watched, nothing more than billions of miles has
>been
>mentioned and UFOs come along like flies. In the closing credits, a
>desolate
>planet is shown at the end. It is my opinion that the alien world is within
>our solar system on a heretofore unknown planet beyond Saturn. Don't ask
>how, you've got to believe in the suspension of disbelief. Give me a silver
>mini and that theme, and I'll believe anything!
>
>I'd like to thank you all for your enthusiasm and keeping SHADO alive and
>well in the 21st Century. I will truly enjoy reading your thoughts and the
>lively discourse about one of the greatest shows on television, UFO.
>
>Cheers,
>
>Bob LeBras
>
>---
>Administrator: RailScan @ TheLynx [www.thelynx.com]
>Lionel Collectors Moderator [groups.yahoo.com/group/lionelcollectors]
>Trolley Fare Moderator [groups.yahoo.com/group/trolleyfare]
>RingMaster: PRR WebRing, B&O Railroad WebRing, Railroad WebRing, TCA
>WebRing, Model Trains WebRing, Lionel Trains WebRing
>Member: TCA, Friends of Amtrak, PA Trolley Museum
>E-Mail: [hidden email]
>eBay: TheLynx
>
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
>http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
>
>
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

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Yuchtar-2

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by thelynx

The Lynx wrote:

> Greetings -
>
> As a new member to your group, please allow me to introduce myself. My name
> is Bob and I live in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA) called

Hi, Bob!! <waving>

> Bellevue. I am, now,40-something having first seen UFO in my preteen years.
> I distinctly remember watching the programme. I remember the details like
> the theme, the SHADO cars, Straker's hair, Moonbase and those sexy silver
> minis, the aliens with the green liquid, SID, the mobiles, Skydiver, and
> that shiny Straker-Harlington sign. However, the story plots eluded me.
> Indeed, over the decades, the primary thingabout the show that has always
> stayed in my mind was the opening theme; in my opinion, a musical
> masterpiece.

:-)

> Like many of you, I have not seen UFO since it aired here in the early
> 1970's. Thanks to the advent of DVD and Netflix (www.netflix.com), I have
> rewatched the episodes on Disks 1-4 with Disk 5 on its way this weekend. To
> be honest, I don't remember a complete storyline from any of them. I'm
> certain my focus on the gizmos was because, in my youth, I was more enamored
> with the technologies than the plots. I do definitely remember the silver
> minis, though.

LOL!

Oh, wait - is that minis as in mini skirts or mini vans?
<scratching head in consternation>

> Regardless of the technical deficiencies, today, I adore the mod look, the
> music, and the serious dramatic tone of the series. There is nothing that
> can compare with the style of UFO and, in my humble opinion, it is one of
> history's greatly underrated television programs. In fact, for its time, the
> show was amazingly daring with shower scenes, bikinis, overt flirting,
> Beetles music, fishnet tops and tiny bottoms.

And Foster's adoration of Straker.
<hiding in the corner>

> Having lurked for a couple of weeks, I must admit that I am both deeply
> impressed and amazed by the stauch loyalty displayed here. UFO was a
> short-run series canceled well-before its time and virtually unknown to the
> mainstream public. To find a such a group of like-minded individuals is one
> of life's rare gems.

We're superior beings. <striking impressive pose>

> I thank the stars for A&E. The visual and audio quality of the DVDs is
> spectacular to say the least.

Hope to order my set 2 soon. {{:-)

> Now, one question I would definitely like to tackle is that of the location
> of the alien world. It has been asserted that the nearest star to earth is
> Alpha Proxima at 4.3 light years, and that it would take years to reach the
> world.
>
> In the episodes I have watched, nothing more than billions of miles has been
> mentioned and UFOs come along like flies. In the closing credits, a desolate
> planet is shown at the end. It is my opinion that the alien world is within
> our solar system on a heretofore unknown planet beyond Saturn. Don't ask
> how, you've got to believe in the suspension of disbelief. Give me a silver
> mini and that theme, and I'll believe anything!

LOL!

> I'd like to thank you all for your enthusiasm and keeping SHADO alive and
> well in the 21st Century. I will truly enjoy reading your thoughts and the
> lively discourse about one of the greatest shows on television, UFO.

Welcome, Bob!!

-- Yuchtar, the friendly Klingon (regardless what Amelia says)
{{:^)

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Veres, Mary

RE: New Member

In reply to this post by thelynx

Welcome Bob! I think you voiced the many of the same feelings I had in
finding out there were others out there who had strong memories of UFO. For
30 years I thought I was the only one on the planet who remembered this great
TV series, and I certainly didn't talk to anyone about it for fear they'd
think me a total nut-case. Here on the yahoogroup we can talk all we want
and everyone is just as crazy about UFO as me!

It's always nice to collect new members to the list, new opinions, new
memories!

Mary

-----Original Message-----
From: The Lynx [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 19:51
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [SHADO] New Member

Greetings -

As a new member to your group, please allow me to introduce myself. My name
is Bob and I live in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA) called
Bellevue.

SumitonJD

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by thelynx

Welcome Bob!

Mind the reflections from the silver mini's<g>.

James K.
(Minder to Gabrielle Drake)

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

J Ramage

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by thelynx

Hi Bob and welcome!

Just a thuoght about your 'planet in our solar system' theory - if you watch
the Dr Who episode 'THE TENTH PLANET', then they show the Cybermen coming
orinigally from Mondas, a planet on the same orbit as Earth but always
masked from us by the sun. And the Cybermen had to replace their dying
bodies with mechanical transplants. Maybe they're cousins?

Just a weird idea.

Jessica

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screwedmorethenonce

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by Veres, Mary

Hello Mary,
Why is it perfectly okay to discuss the latest Sinefield or Friends
show, but it is not all right to show the same level of interest in a
show that is as old as we are? Would you be afraid to discuss
Masterpeice Theather in this way?

--- In [hidden email], "Veres, Mary" <mary.veres@t...> wrote:
Welcome Bob! I think you voiced the many of the same feelings I had
in finding out there were others out there who had strong memories of
UFO. For 30 years I thought I was the only one on the planet who
remembered this great TV series, and I certainly didn't talk to
anyone about it for fear they'd think me a total nut-case. Here on
the yahoogroup we can talk all we want and everyone is just as crazy
about UFO as me!
>
>It's always nice to collect new members to the list, new opinions,
new memories!

>
> Mary
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Lynx [mailto:thelynxpa@h...]
> Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 19:51
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [SHADO] New Member
>
> Greetings -
>
> As a new member to your group, please allow me to introduce myself.

My name
> is Bob and I live in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA)
called
> Bellevue.

screwedmorethenonce

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by J Ramage

Wouldn't the probe have told us it was still in our solar system once it got to the planet? You could tell by the postioning of any stars included in the pictures, or most easily, by the length of time it took for the radio waves to go back and forth. If I remember correctly, Pluto is about a ten minute or so delay at the speed of light (Both radio waves and visible light travel at the same speed.)
Jessica Ramage <[hidden email]> wrote:
Hi Bob and welcome!

Just a thuoght about your 'planet in our solar system' theory - if you watch
the Dr Who episode 'THE TENTH PLANET', then they show the Cybermen coming
orinigally from Mondas, a planet on the same orbit as Earth but always
masked from us by the sun. And the Cybermen had to replace their dying
bodies with mechanical transplants. Maybe they're cousins?

Just a weird idea.

Jessica

>From: "The Lynx"
>Reply-To: [hidden email]
>To: [hidden email]
>Subject: [SHADO] New Member
>Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2003 02:50:54 +00

Now, one question I would definitely like to tackle is that of the location
of the alien world. It has been asserted that the nearest star to earth is
Alpha Proxima at 4.3 light years, and that it would take years to reach the
world.
In the episodes I have watched, nothing more than billions of miles has been mentioned and UFOs come along like flies. In the closing credits, a
desolate planet is shown at the end. It is my opinion that the alien world is within our solar system on a heretofore unknown planet beyond Saturn. Don't ask how, you've got to believe in the suspension of disbelief. Give me a silver mini and that theme, and I'll believe anything!
>
>I'd like to thank you all for your enthusiasm and keeping SHADO alive and
>well in the 21st Century. I will truly enjoy reading your thoughts and the
>lively discourse about one of the greatest shows on television, UFO.
>
>Cheers,
>
>Bob

---------------------------------
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Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

thelynx

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by J Ramage

Not a bad theory, Jessica, considering Jerry Anderson made the
film "Doppelganger" (aka "Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun") where
astronauts traveled to a planet masked by the sun which was an exact
replica but in reverse of Earth. I've been looking for that one on
DVD. Haven't seen it in decades.

Bob

--- In [hidden email], "Jessica Ramage" <moonbase804@h...>
wrote:
> Just a thuoght about your 'planet in our solar system' theory - if
you watch
> the Dr Who episode 'THE TENTH PLANET', then they show the Cybermen
coming
> orinigally from Mondas, a planet on the same orbit as Earth but
always
> masked from us by the sun.

thelynx

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by stevec

Hi Steve -

I also remember watching Fireball but I was a very, very young tyke.
It must have made an impression on me cuz I had an XL-5 lunchbox in
first grade. Sure wish I had that one now. I'll be rewatching the
series for the first time in nearly 40 years as it becomes available
from Netflix.

Just got UFO disk 5 today and can't wait to view it. I am suffering
through Space 1999 disk 2 first, though. Half the fun is
anticipation, eh?

I love the booze dispenser and think it would be novel for home use.
One question that has been bothering me about it though is, whenever
anyone has a drink, they set their empty glass down on top of the
unit. Who washes the dishes?

Another question is who is the biggest boozer? Foster or Freeman?

Why does Straker smoke those cheezy plastic tipped cigars? I could
offer him a real good smoke for a change.

But you're very right. The difference between UFO and Star Trek and
its ilk is the literal down-to-earthness about it. I can't think of
any other show that could seemlessly combine high tech with a 1968-9
Oldsmobile Toronado and get away with it in England.

Bob

--- In [hidden email], "Steve Christensen"
<christensensteve@h...> wrote:
> Bob;
> Welcome to the group. I remember watching UFO when it was on first
run.
> My first Gerry anderson show that I liked was Fireball XL-5. <snip>

thelynx

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by Veres, Mary

Amen, Mary. Amen.

Everytime I would mention the show, nobody ever knew what I was
talking about. However, I'm certain that is not the sole reason they
think I am a nutcase.

Bob

P.S. There sure are a lot more girls here than in the toy train
groups. Most refreshing.

--- In [hidden email], "Veres, Mary" <mary.veres@t...> wrote:
> Welcome Bob! I think you voiced the many of the same feelings I
had in
> finding out there were others out there who had strong memories of
UFO. For
> 30 years I thought I was the only one on the planet who remembered
this great
> TV series, and I certainly didn't talk to anyone about it for fear
they'd
> think me a total nut-case.

jamesgibbon

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by thelynx

"TheLynx <[hidden email]>" wrote:

> I love the booze dispenser and think it would be novel for home use.
> One question that has been bothering me about it though is, whenever
> anyone has a drink, they set their empty glass down on top of the
> unit. Who washes the dishes?
>

I suppose that a cleaner comes and takes away the glasses, just
like they do in any firm's premises in the evening or after a
meeting (whether it's empty beer bottles, plates, glasses or
whatever)

Which raises another interesting question - most defence
contractor firms have ordinary cleaners, even though in some
cases they are vetted first - classified documents are kept
locked away or shredded and incinerated, and there shouldn't be
a problem. But in SHADO's case the very fact that the
underground headquarters exists is a carefully guarded secret -
so who DOES come and take the empties away, hoover behind the
filing cabinets, clean desk tops etc etc?

sigourneysslave

Re: New Member

> But in SHADO's case the very fact that the
> underground headquarters exists is a carefully guarded secret -
> so who DOES come and take the empties away, hoover behind the
> filing cabinets, clean desk tops etc etc?

Straker expects Ford to put his pinnie on for a couple of hours
every night :-)

Dave.

Veres, Mary

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by thelynx

Good question! Probably all in my mind...being obsessed with UFO as I was,
it just didn't seem like a good idea to share. Maybe reaching the ripe old
age of 40 has given me the ability to throw all caution to the wind! <LOL>

-----Original Message-----
From: screwedmorethenonce <[hidden email]>
[mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 12:37 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [SHADO] Re: New Member

Hello Mary,
Why is it perfectly okay to discuss the latest Sinefield or Friends
show, but it is not all right to show the same level of interest in a
show that is as old as we are? Would you be afraid to discuss
Masterpeice Theather in this way?

--- In [hidden email], "Veres, Mary" <mary.veres@t...> wrote: Welcome
Bob! I think you voiced the many of the same feelings I had
in finding out there were others out there who had strong memories of
UFO. For 30 years I thought I was the only one on the planet who
remembered this great TV series, and I certainly didn't talk to
anyone about it for fear they'd think me a total nut-case. Here on
the yahoogroup we can talk all we want and everyone is just as crazy
about UFO as me!
>
>It's always nice to collect new members to the list, new opinions,
new memories!

My name
> is Bob and I live in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA)
called
> Bellevue.

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

bel3762001

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by thelynx

Belated welcome to the group! It's funny, the anime series COWBOY BEBOP is
set in the 2070's, features a faster-than-light travel technology, has
colonization on most of the planets of the solar system, but the characters
still make use of regular handguns and drive relatively non futuristic cars
and yet, like UFO, it works (for the most part).

Brian

>But you're very right. The difference between UFO and Star Trek and
>its ilk is the literal down-to-earthness about it. I can't think of
>any other show that could seemlessly combine high tech with a 1968-9
>Oldsmobile Toronado and get away with it in England.
>
>Bob

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SumitonJD

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by thelynx

SumitonJD

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by thelynx

as I started to say before my quirky computer mailed the message before I
even wrote it: Perhaps they modified the Utronic equipment that they fited
to Moonbase to give them instant or near instant transmission of data to the
probe to send back its data. Just a thought anyway.

James K.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

SumitonJD

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by thelynx

The reason we have more ladies present in the group Bob is because the toy
trains don't have Straker, Foster, and Freeman.

James K.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

SumitonJD

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by thelynx

To answer the question who does all the cleaning and other routine and boring
work at SHADO. Have you ever noticed that the ranks in the organization go
to Captain and then to Colonel. Well the reason you don't ever hear of
anyone with the rank of Major is because the Majors are the ones who get
assigned do all that stuff. You don't see them again till they get promoated
to Colonel.

James K.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

jamesgibbon

Re: New Member

In reply to this post by thelynx

"Brian Lindstrand" wrote:
> Belated welcome to the group! It's funny, the anime series COWBOY
> BEBOP is set in the 2070's, features a faster-than-light travel
> technology, has colonization on most of the planets of the solar
> system, but the characters still make use of regular handguns and
> drive relatively non futuristic cars and yet, like UFO, it works
> (for the most part).
>

Thunderbirds is set even further into the future than that, but
some of the characters can occasionally be seen driving '60s
style open top cars.

I like the idea that regular handguns are used in 2070 - when
you think that basic handgun design hasn't changed much for a
century or more, it makes sense. I think they used
ordinary-looking shotguns in Aliens as well. It adds a bit of
'realism' somehow.

I watched a documentary about B52 bombers last night which
claimed that they are likely to be in service until 2045 or so,
more than 90 years after they were first built. Which is a bit
sad, really, if it turns out to be true, when you think of how
aircraft design developed over a few years in the last century.

James