UFO surprise hit
The Gerry Anderson produced live-action series has become a surprise
hit for owners Carlton International.
The series, which ran from 1970-1973, was Gerry Anderson's first
attempt at a producing a live-action series.
Set in the far-future, well alright, 1980, UFO followed the fortunes
of SHADO. That's the Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation,
which did what it said on the tin - helped protect the Earth from a
race of aliens who harvested humans for their body parts. Commander
Straker, played by Ed Bishop, was the man in charge.
UFO tackled such serious issues as drug abuse, which left TV networks
in a quandary - where to schedule the series? As a result it didn't
achieve the success of other Anderson fare, such as Thunderbirds.
It's probably best remembered now for its use of big purple wigs to
suggest a future setting.
Now it seems nostalgia has made UFO something of a cult hit. In the
past three years Carlton has made six million pounds from the show,
with a staggering seventy countries having brought the show. A DVD
box set recently released has sold 40,000 copies.
Purple wigs have, however, not made a comeback.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/cult/2003/07/01/5480.shtmlKP
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