The Starcrossed by Ben Bova

Ben Bova is a favourite science fiction writer of mine. I enjoy the mixture of space exploration with technical side of human colonization. His Grand Tour series includes Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mars, Mercury, etc. What I liked about Mars was, when they get there, it was about survival and seeking life - even the tiniest signs of water.

I also love low-budget science fiction TV, which brings us to The Starlost. Created by science fiction writer Harlan Ellison, the special effects wizard from 2001: A Space Odyssey Douglas Trumbull, and science consultant Ben Bova, The Starlost was an hour-long TV series shot in 1973. It showed in syndication but was produced by Canada's number two network, CTV, so you know it's going to be super quality already! The legend is they created this great show idea, and once it was sold, there was no budget, so they had minimal sets, bad scripts, and no time for retakes (Camera appeared in the shot? Don't worry about it). They'd shoot it fast, show it once on TV, and everyone moves on.

Today, The Starlost is available on a 16-show, 4-disc remastered DVD. Yes, the sets are one step above cardboard (such as upside-down plastic garbage cans to create a space console), and the acting is almost non-existent, but it has an endearing charm.

Harlan Ellison removed his name from the credits (they used the pseudonym Cordwainer Bird), and Ben Bova was so angry at being involved he wrote a rare comedic novel The Starcrossed.

The future of TV is 3-D. Recycling an idea they couldn't sell, a new 3-D TV show based on an outer space Romeo and Juliet ius developed. To save money Titanic Productions decides to film in Canada, as it's even easier than Mexico. The producer's latest girlfriend is hired as the starlet and a Canadian hockey star is signed to play Romeo, never mind he has a thick French accent and can barely read. The scripts are written by high school students in a contest. Before they start filming, the studio sees it will be a flop and bets all the production money on a football game. The crew is left to put together some kind of show, which gets released to scathing reviews.

Pretty funny scenarios and crazy characters. If you know the history that came before The Starcrossed novel it's even funnier. This was a light, so-bad-it's-good diversion.

1980 / Paperback / 224 pages