Tag: thunderbirds

Thunderbirds on the Very British Futures podcast: A Dive into Iconic Episodes

Thunderbird model kit box on a shelf

Thunderbirds is a (the?) classic British science-fiction television series, created by Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson. First broadcast in 1965, the show follows the adventures of International Rescue, a secret organization dedicated to saving lives using advanced technology. Led by the Tracy family, the team operates a fleet of futuristic rescue vehicles called the Thunderbirds, each designed for different types of emergencies.

The series was probably the peak example of the “Supermarionation” style which Gerry Anderson pioneered, which uses highly detailed puppets, lip synced with the a recording of the voice artist via an electrical wire, combined with elaborate miniature sets and special effects. Main characters include Jeff Tracy and his sons—Scott, Virgil, Alan, Gordon, and John —along with their ally Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward and engineering genius Brains.

Renowned for its exciting rescues, imaginative technology, and memorable theme music by Barry Gray, Thunderbirds became one of the most iconic science-fiction shows of the 1960s and remains a beloved family adventure series today.

Thunderbirds proved to be the ideal subject for a crossover episode with the Official Talking Pictures TV podcast, a series longer term readers will remember has featured prominently in my creative life. It was the series which got me into podcasting as a writer and presenter, back when it was originally founded by Adam Roche. I still contribute reviews regularly. This time it was hosts Mel Byron, Scott Phipps and Daniel Reifferscheid joining my show. Thunderbirds had recently been repeated on Talking Pictures TV. It was great to have a proper conversation with this talented trio after years of emails. Thanks to their rapport and experience, the recording was a breeze.

Together we focused on three different episodes: the pilot and classic disaster movie plot Trapped in the Sky, the creature feature Attack of the Alligators, and crime caper Alias Mr Hackenbacker. As you’ll hear we were all struck by how glossy, colourful and cinematic this sixty year old show still looks.

You can listen to Very British Futures on your favourite podcast app, such as Apple Podcasts. You can also hear me regularly on the Official Talking Pictures TV podcast. Thanks as ever for your support.

Stingray – Very British Futures

Just in time for Christmas, I’ve released a brand new episode of the Very British Futures podcast, with a seasonal flavour. There aren’t many British TV science fiction programmes that actually feature Christmas, apart from 21st century Doctor Who, but one welcome exception is the works of Gerry Anderson. Most of his puppet shows feature the Christmas holiday and for this special we took a look at Stingray and “A Christmas to Remember”.

Stingray is an odd fish. Although clearly a children’s show, it nevertheless features a largely adult cast of characters who have foibles, who socialise with alcoholic drinks and cigars, and have mature concerns beyond simply defeating the bad guy of the week. Most famously there is the romantic triangle between Troy Tempest, underwater-breathing glamourpuss Marina, and attractive Atlanta Shore, who works at Marineville most of the time. The stories were straightforward, but there was space for humour, and even a touch of satire. Meanwhile the excellent craftsmanship of the AIP team, created one of the glossiest junior shows on television, with memorable images like Stingray erupting from its undersea silo, or Marineville descending underground.

I was keen to get a younger viewer’s opinion for this episode, so invited John and his thirteen year old daughter Amber to be my guests for this mini-episode. It’s a slightly unusual episode as a result, but I hope listener’s enjoy the seasonal flavour and if it’s a success I’ll do another one next year.

YouTube version of the podcast

You can listen to Very British Futures on your favourite podcast app or at the official website