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The Five: The 5 worst sci-fi series of all-time

by Bob Sassone, posted Oct 27th 2005 1:30PM

Electra Woman and Dyna GirlOK, so we love our Star Treks and our Twilight Zones and our Losts (I think it's ok to call it sci-fi), but what about the worst science fiction shows of all-time? Let the arguments begin...

My picks after the jump...

 

 

  1. Far Out Space Nuts: Gilligan in space, with the production values of your local cable station. And about as funny as leprosy. Even as a kid I said to myself, "wow, this stupid...I wonder if Bugs Bunny is on right now?" 
  2. Cleopatra 2525: I think this was something about an exotic dancer who's frozen and thawed in the future and helps two other females save the planet? It was one of those shows that seemed to just saturate in its own instant kitsch and "we're so bad we're good!" But the show was horribly acted, had mindnumbing plots, and the sets were laughable. 
  3. Battlestar Galactica (original): I was so excited about this show when I heard about it, but even as a 14 year old sci-fi geek, I couldn't get into it. The special effects just looked cheesy to me, the Ceylons were about as scary as the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, and the stories didn't hook me at all. Plus it had a kid and some goofy Muppet as a pet. 
  4. Mann and Machine: Sure, Yancy Butler in a bathing suit was great, but other than that. It was about a rebel cop (his name was Mann) who was teamed with a female partner who was a robot (she was the Machine). Her name was Eve, so I think they should have just named him Adam and called the show...oh, never mind.  
  5. Electra Woman and Dyna Girl: Yeah, I know, it was for kids, and there's some kitsch value, but...what a bad show. This starred Days Of Our Lives veteran Deidre Hall and was part of the Krofft Supershow, along with Dr. Shrinker, Wonderbug and The Lost Saucer.

Oh, The Lost Saucer! That was awful too. Jim Nabors and Ruth Buzzi on a spaceship. Yikes. 

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Jeff - Australia

CLEOPATRA 2525 shouldn't be on this list! There was a whole lot more going on than many people realise at first glance. You wouldn't bother with a Rubik's Cube if you could get it first go, would you?! It was completely tongue in cheek and was great escapist fun and a lot of the best bits weren't immediately obvious. It wasn't meant to be taken seriously at all. Besides, Jennifer Sky has the cutest dimples... even now. She's on Myspace!

You want a crappy series to pick on - GEMINI MAN! barf!

December 19 2006 at 5:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mike

BG No, BG1980 Yes! BG-Reimaged DEFINATELY YES!!
Lost In Space comes to mind and Space 1999 too.

April 17 2006 at 9:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tully

'A Man Called Slone'. Not truly sci-fi, but enough sci-fi elements to be included with some of these others I've seen. I loved it when I was younger, but man...baaaaaaad.

November 22 2005 at 9:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Clay

I have to agree w/ Manimal and add Automan & the Nick Hammond Spider-Man. BSG 1980 was bad but not the original. I have to negate the C2525 based on Sky's hotness alone. The kid shows are for kids. Cant bash those. Plus the hotness of Dyna-Girl!

November 22 2005 at 4:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3D Master

I disagree with Battlestar Galactica. It's one of the best shows ever. Now Space 1999, THAT is a horrible series. All the way to the top, baby.

November 09 2005 at 4:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brent

I disagree with the listing of Cleopatra 2525. I watched that series, and let me tell ya, it was pretty darned interesting and entertaining, especially as we learned more about the baileys and the revelation at the end. It kind of reminded me of the Matrix in the sense of having machines in control of the surface of the Earth and humans living underground. The finale episode was pretty sweet, it left you wanting more! It was canceled before its time IMO. I also disagree with the listing of the original BSG.

November 08 2005 at 1:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rod taylor

HOW IN THE WORLD COULD YOU PUT STAR TREK ON THIS LIST STAR TREK OPEN THE DOOR FOR SCI-FI. NEW IDEALS FOR SCI-FI SHOWS AND MOVIES LIKE STAR WARS...ALIENS..E.T AND TV SHOWS THAT WE ALL LOVE!!! AROUND THE WORLD. STAR TREK IS SCI-FI AND ONLY A TRUE SCI-FI FAN KNOWS THIS!!!!!!

November 01 2005 at 2:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Debra Wonde

Captain Satelite(KTVU, Channel 2)

October 30 2005 at 1:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rick

Let's all agree.Lost in Space was horrible.The best of that show was when the family went back in time and landed on Earth.Bad costumes,bad effects.The movie was was a failure,but what did I expect?

October 30 2005 at 7:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nicole

Many good picks here for "the worst," but I have to disagree with VR.5, Enterprise, and Forever Night. Each of these shows had some interesting ideas included, which might have led to a better show, if the writers/producers understood what they were doing. Much like the creators of "The Matrix," where the follow-up films demonstrated the W. brothers, unfortunately, did not understand what elements provided such a wallop in the first movie--these shows had some great ideas to riff off of, but the opportunity came and went. That being said, I would never have guessed that anyone could take the ideas from the original Battlestar Galactica series and create anything compelling, yet the writers of the current series have done exactly that! Sustained innovation in fairly well-constructed plots can lead to great television. Other votes for the worst: The Man from Atlantis (with Patrick Duffy--I think that was the title of the show); Wonder Woman (esp. after the first year); Logan's Run; Crusade (the ill-fated series from the creator of Babylon 5); and Swamp Thing.

October 30 2005 at 7:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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