The Six Million Dollar Man
The Bionic Woman
While these are two separate shows, BW is a spin-off
of SMDM, and they share the same basic premise and much of the same cast
.
What?
- An hour-long action drama. Steve Austin (or Jaime Sommers),
a cyborg built by a secret government program, undertakes missions for
the OSI.
- Three made-for-TV movies: The Return of the Six Million
Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman, Bionic Showdown, and Bionic
Ever After?. New bionic operatives, along with Steve Austin and
Jaime Sommers, undertake missions for the OSI.
When?
- SMDM aired from 1974 to 1978.
- BW aired from 1976 to 1978.
- Return aired in 1987.
- Showdown aired in 1989.
- Bionic Ever After? aired in 1994.
Who?
- Both series and the movies were based on the novel Cyborg
by Martin Caidin and produced by MCA/Universal Studios.
- Notable actors include: Lee Majors, Lindsey Wagner, Richard
Anderson (both series and all movies); Sandra Bullock (movie #2).
Famous for:
- Slow-motion bionics.
- That "chi-i-i-i-ing" bionic noise.
- Fembots. No, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
did not invent that.
Neither series is being shown regularly, although they do pop up
on the SciFi Channel every now and then. The movies have been shown
on SciFi, Lifetime, and other networks. It is highly unlikely that
you'll find any of the very few episodes released on video in an actual
video store; your best bet is probably eBay.
Bionic Links
Sadly, the best bionic site out there - the Bionic Page, featuring a
hugely comprehensive FAQ and photo gallery - is no more. (Curse you,
SciFi.com!). You're on your own for this one.
Random Trivia
- A SMDM theatrical movie has been in "development hell"
for several years now. At one point, a script that held true to Caidin's
novel (by Kevin Smith of Jay and Silent Bob fame) was rejected by
Universal execs. The latest rumors say it's being developed as a comedy
featuring an average schmuck who accidently became the Six Billion Dollar
Man, and Steve Austin as the revenge-driven six-million-dollar-villain.
- Jaime was supposed to be in a two-part SMDM episode, die
at the end, and never reappear. However, the character was so popular
that she was revived in her very own show.
- Return was a pilot for a never-developed show starring
Steve's son, Michael, as the titlar Six Million Dollar Man.
I don't remember when I started watching either show, or why, but
I do remember they were on the SciFi Channel in the afternoons. Being
the total romantic sap that I am, it was the doomed Steve/Jaime romance
that hooked me - but I stayed for the oh-so-cheesy special effects. In
their defense, the slow-motion stuff was actually pretty smart; it was
cheaper than lots of splashy effects, and you still knew the cyborgs were
doing something special.
I started out as a huge fan of the Bionic Woman (I even dressed as
her one Halloween), but now I think Steve is just as cool.
The movies are a joke, and completely distort the continuity as established
in the two series. I liked 'em anyway. Nothing like a happy
shipper ending!
I have to say that the best bionic material came from the novel.
Caidin was an amazing person, and he was an amazing writer as well.
If you've never liked or been especially impressed with the shows,
I suggest that you go read Cyborg. The potential cinematic
value of that book is so staggering, it's almost painful to see what Hollywood
made it into instead. Television could not be a worse medium for it;
Cyborg needs a big movie screen and an even bigger budget.
And as for the proposed theatrical movie: I hope to God that if they
do it, they do it right. Not as a comedy, not as a mindless action
flick, but as a serious movie with serious action. I hope that they
give Caidin's story the treatment it deserves. And I hope that Jaime
is in it.