TV Obscura - The Phoenix, The Powers of Matthew Star, The Highwayman
Nov 4, 2024
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Dive into the quirky world of 1980s TV with a look at obscure gems like 'The Phoenix', featuring an extraterrestrial hero, and 'The Powers of Matthew Star', known for its unique premise. The discussion brings nostalgia to life, reflecting on character dynamics and production quality. Don't miss the action-adventure series 'The Highwayman', with its high-tech truck and crime-fighting escapades. The hosts draw parallels to classics while exploring how these forgotten shows influenced modern storytelling and still resonate with audiences today.
The Phoenix uniquely combines extraterrestrial elements with themes of healing and enlightenment, showcasing a character navigating contemporary society.
The Powers of Matthew Starr illustrates a young prince's journey through teenage challenges while hiding from assassins, influencing future sci-fi narratives.
The Highwayman's struggle with genre identity highlights the challenges of tone consistency in storytelling, marking it as a missed opportunity.
Deep dives
Exploring The Phoenix
The Phoenix is centered around a character named Benu, an extraterrestrial being who is discovered in a sarcophagus and resurrected by scientists in Peru. He embodies the qualities of a spiritual guide in a contemporary setting, preaching ideals of universal connection and self-awareness. The show highlights his adventures as he navigates through society, befriending a woman named Noelle and embarking on an unexpected journey filled with themes of healing and enlightenment. Unfortunately, the show only aired five episodes, leaving audiences wanting more of Benu's intriguing narratives and the charming dynamics he shares with supporting characters.
The Powers of Matthew Starr
The Powers of Matthew Starr follows a young prince from the planet Quadris, who possesses telekinetic powers and is in hiding on Earth with his mentor, played by Louis Gossett Jr. This series incorporates elements of adventure, sci-fi, and teenage struggles, portraying Matthew’s quest to navigate high school while being chased by assassins from his home planet. The show originally leaned towards a youth-oriented narrative but underwent retooling to incorporate more adult themes, thus shifting its direction dramatically halfway through its run. Despite its brief lifespan, the series influenced future shows in the genre, highlighting the evolving landscape of teenage sci-fi narratives.
The Highwayman: A Mad Max Tribute
The Highwayman showcases a protagonist who fights crime using a high-tech truck, moving through a near-future landscape filled with lawlessness and corruption. Sam Jones plays the titular character, embodying a rugged, heroic figure who confronts various threats alongside his quirky sidekick, Jacko. While initial conceptions portrayed a closer association with Mad Max-inspired themes, the show struggled with identity as it shifted from an action-adventure format to incorporating comedy elements. This transition mixed the tone, rendering it less impactful compared to its influences and highlighting a missed opportunity for the show to fully embrace its potential.
The Nostalgic Essence of TV Obscura
The podcast delves into the nostalgic charm of lesser-known television shows, retrieving elements of history that many audiences may overlook today. By focusing on series such as The Phoenix, The Powers of Matthew Starr, and The Highwayman, it illustrates the creative risks taken in the past that have shaped modern storytelling. The discussions provoke reflections on thematic relevance, character development, and the influences these shows wielded on subsequent television forms. The whimsical exploration underscores the relevance of nostalgia and its ability to foster connections, while encouraging listeners to revisit these forgotten gems with fresh perspectives.
The Impact of 1982 on TV Series
The year 1982 emerges as a pivotal moment for genre television, manifesting through the uniquely imaginative narratives of the shows discussed. Each series not only catered to emerging sci-fi and adventure trends but also predicted shifting cultural dynamics with their stories about alien powers and dystopian adventures. By reprising themes from ancient mythology and societal reflections, these shows shaped a legacy that still resonates in contemporary media. The discussion highlights the need to re-evaluate past narratives, considering how they laid the groundwork for the adventurous spirit found in today’s series and films.
The Phoenix (1981-82) - YouTube The Powers of Matthew Star (1982-83) -YouTube The Highwayman (1987-88) -YouTube
This month on Podcasting After Dark presents TV Obscura, Zak, Corey, and Diallo plant themselves firmly in the 1980s and discuss three short-lived and little-known television shows. The loose theme is “Mad Max-lite vs Aliens.” Yes, they should have reviewed the Starman series instead of The Highwayman to really solidify the alien theme… but that didn’t happen lol! Either way, we hope you all enjoy the episode!
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