Posted by Shado-cabinet on
URL: https://www.shado-forum.com/Contender-for-the-worst-UFO-episode-Confetti-Check-A-OK-tp4023823p4023827.html

Hi SHADO

I know that Gerry Anderson wanted to steer the show towards an adult audience but its roots is definitely based in Kids TV. Just look at the emphasis on futuristic vehicles & uniforms, its practically like a commercial for prospective toy company to make merchandise on it. And from looking at the extras on the DVD boxset there was a lot of dinky toys, jigsaw puzzles, and models, and even a hardback annual publication based on the show (All of these would have been signed-off by Gerry Anderson and the Toy companies prior to the TV series being produced) so it was a definitely a kids show (albeit with some adult themes - perhaps too much when you look at episodes like 'Confetti', 'Square Triangle', 'Question of Priorities', and 'The Long Sleep').  

And lets not forget there was also a weekly comic strip (the excellent Countdown whose issues I am currently reading) which was published during the initial broadcast run of UFO which also contained the likes of 'Dastardly & Mutley',  'Thunderbirds' and 'Doctor Who',  so it was a definitely a kids show at it heart. Anderson should have modeled the UFO show a bit more on the 'family viewing formula' of the likes of Star Trek & Dr Who. If he did this, and produced UFO with less filler 'kitchen-sink drama' episodes like 'Confetti' then the show would have had a much longer shelf-life (which it is deserved to as I think it is a better show than Dr Who or Star Trek IMHO)