Karen: I was right on the cusp of transitioning out of watching Saturday morning fare when Ark II came on. Its science fiction premise grabbed me: a group of young people trying to rebuild a post-apocalyptic world -and of course, the talking chimp was a big draw. Everything's better with apes, after all. It was the usual preachy fare we got in the 70s, but it looked pretty cool, and leader Jonah sometimes flew around with a jet pack!
That opening struck a very familiar chord, but I could not remember the show itself at all. I sat here for a bit and picked away at my memory and what finally bubbled to the surface was that this would have been the season where I was finally, irrevocably finished w/ Saturday morning cartoons (I would have been 15), after really letting them drop to the wayside for the previous couple of years at any rate. Put childish things away, and all that. But I think I did catch that opening at one point, 'cause there was a distinct memory of "That's it, I'm done. It can't get worse than this." type of response to it. The moment in the intro where we get to the chimp as Adam was almost certainly the switch-off point. (Sorry Karen-!)
Trivial observation: In the above clip, did anyone else notice the Star Trek "technology" sound effects inside the mobile lab? Excellent recycling!
Yeaaah, a lot like HB, it hit at a point for me where I definitely moved past such shows..
Jean Marie Hon in tight spandex pants was certainly a delicious treat to wake up to Saturday mornings (ymmm, seventies cheesecake..)
The mini-rover was kinda cool, as was the rest of the live-action hardware. Nice they further recycled some sets into Space Academy and later Jason of Star Command..
The stories seemed like a retred of some POTA series episodes, at least where smarter humans from the past help out the simpler villagers.
It made the most out of your typical Bronze guilt-trips.. 1) Vintage high-end computers are always evil, 2) Polution and wars laid waste to a once-thriving civilization, 3) Absolute power corrupts absolutely (the Jim Backus episode..).
It pretty much sums up the 15 episodes made. With Space:1999 still running hot and the regular-scheduled Trek reruns (both in syndication), Ark II held limited interest for me.
I don't remember the episodes, but I do remember this series...I get a kinda childhood ZING seeing these clips, so I must have seen it at some point! If only we could have more jetpacks. The world would be better with more jetpacks! Thanks for the clips Karen.
I was about 8 years old when this came out, and I do remember watching it, but like HB, albeit for different reasons, the only thing I remember distinctly is the title credits. And Jonah flying around with a jetpack, probably because I thought that would be really cool. In fact, I'm with Garett: I still think that would be cool.
This must have aired directly opposite some show I loved, b/c it does not strike a chord with me and 1976 would have been the beginning of prime Saturday Morning TV for me and my older brother was still just young enough to watch with me. . .
definitely remember this - it's the one and only box set that I have from a Filmation show. We only had Star Trek off and on where I lived, so this hit the SF sweet spot for me at the time.
and who didn't think the jet pack was cool. Hell, we were all convinced that by the time we were adults, that's how everyone would be going to work every day!
That opening struck a very familiar chord, but I could not remember the show itself at all. I sat here for a bit and picked away at my memory and what finally bubbled to the surface was that this would have been the season where I was finally, irrevocably finished w/ Saturday morning cartoons (I would have been 15), after really letting them drop to the wayside for the previous couple of years at any rate. Put childish things away, and all that. But I think I did catch that opening at one point, 'cause there was a distinct memory of "That's it, I'm done. It can't get worse than this." type of response to it. The moment in the intro where we get to the chimp as Adam was almost certainly the switch-off point. (Sorry Karen-!)
ReplyDeleteTrivial observation: In the above clip, did anyone else notice the Star Trek "technology" sound effects inside the mobile lab? Excellent recycling!
HB
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYeaaah, a lot like HB, it hit at a point for me where I definitely moved past such shows..
ReplyDeleteJean Marie Hon in tight spandex pants was certainly a delicious treat to wake up to Saturday mornings (ymmm, seventies cheesecake..)
The mini-rover was kinda cool, as was the rest of the live-action hardware. Nice they further recycled some sets into Space Academy and later Jason of Star Command..
The stories seemed like a retred of some POTA series episodes, at least where smarter humans from the past help out the simpler villagers.
It made the most out of your typical Bronze guilt-trips.. 1) Vintage high-end computers are always evil, 2) Polution and wars laid waste to a once-thriving civilization, 3) Absolute power corrupts absolutely (the Jim Backus episode..).
It pretty much sums up the 15 episodes made. With Space:1999 still running hot and the regular-scheduled Trek reruns (both in syndication), Ark II held limited interest for me.
Sorry, mispelled 'pollution'.., not enough coffee yet this morning.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember the episodes, but I do remember this series...I get a kinda childhood ZING seeing these clips, so I must have seen it at some point! If only we could have more jetpacks. The world would be better with more jetpacks! Thanks for the clips Karen.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI was about 8 years old when this came out, and I do remember watching it, but like HB, albeit for different reasons, the only thing I remember distinctly is the title credits. And Jonah flying around with a jetpack, probably because I thought that would be really cool. In fact, I'm with Garett: I still think that would be cool.
ReplyDeleteThis must have aired directly opposite some show I loved, b/c it does not strike a chord with me and 1976 would have been the beginning of prime Saturday Morning TV for me and my older brother was still just young enough to watch with me. . .
ReplyDeletedefinitely remember this - it's the one and only box set that I have from a Filmation show. We only had Star Trek off and on where I lived, so this hit the SF sweet spot for me at the time.
ReplyDeleteand who didn't think the jet pack was cool. Hell, we were all convinced that by the time we were adults, that's how everyone would be going to work every day!