The Starlost – Possibly the worst science fiction programme ever made

Once upon a time a bunch of science fiction authors in the 1970s thought, “since we write such kick ass novels, we should be able to write a kick ass science fiction tv show”. Thus began one of the biggest disasters in sci-fi history known as The Starlost.

The Starlost is one of those shows that is so horrible that it becomes very watcheable in a strange way. Conceived by Harlan Ellison, the programme takes place on a Space Ark hurtling away from a dead Earth and unknowingly towards the heart of a sun. The only thing that can save the surviving remnant of humanity is three Amish people, yes three Amish people.

The main characters of the Starlost come from a bio-pod called Cypress Corners, and are unaware that they are on a spaceship. This naivety comes to an end when Devon, a resident of Cypress Corners is exiled for questioning their way of life. Before Devon leaves he takes Rachel, the woman he loves with him. Rachel is betrothed in an arranged marriage to a man named Garth, who ends up pursuing them outside of their pod and into the ARK. Rachel, Devon and Garth end up being the three primary characters of Starlost.

Prior to the first broadcast, The Starlost was already in trouble with Harlan Ellison disowning the programme, many problems with the visual effects (although the model and intro sequence are pretty good for 1972). Douglas Trumbull, of 2001 fame was brought in to do the special effects and plenty of chromakey technology was used in its infancy. This later became the green screen technology we all take for granted nowadays (blue screening/green screening has been in use in the film industry since the 1930s but this version of Chromakey was the first use of the cheaper videotape based technology).

Starlost is also unique for the fact that well… nothing happens. An exiting episode might consist of a bit of movement or maybe some walking down corridors but other than that, nothing. It is also known for featuring Canadian TV actors that would later show up in better known programmes like Battlestar Galactica and The Littlest Hobo. An example of this is John Colicos who was the original Baltar in the 1970s Battlestar Galactica.

Over the coming weeks, we will take a look at select stories from the Starlost and try not to laugh too hard at them.