More Forgotten Children's Entertainment

April 8, 2007 6:44 PM

Late 1980s or very early 1990s made for television science fiction mini-series. All I remember is that it involved some space ships that joined together to form something else, at least a couple of kids, possibly an abandoned/run-down space station or colony, and a mystery to be solved by flying all over the place. Like all such things I probably wouldn't enjoy it now, but would like to watch it again if possible.
posted by Captaintripps to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

Other than the mini-series part, that sounds like Voltron. The kids + space ships joining together + flying around is the basic formula for Voltron, though the rest of it doesn't sound quite right. Was it a cartoon, or live action?
posted by cerebus19 at 7:08 PM on April 8, 2007

Two that come to mind are Star Fleet [Puppets] or Battle of the Planets [Cartoon] - These may be a few years earlier than your time frame, but worth a shot.
posted by azlondon at 7:12 PM on April 8, 2007

Was the ship called "Surprise?" If so, I remember that show and share your opinion that it was awesome way back when, but probably not so much now.

I also think I may be remembering two seperate shows/miniseries as one. I seem to remember one where there were multiple ships, and kids, and the ships may have combined, power-rangers style. I'm pretty sure the one with the ship named Surprise was a shorter mini-series or movie, and only had one ship -- the kids were on a training mission and wound up having to fight, or something.

This probably isn't helpful, but thanks for triggering my adolescent sci-fi nostalgia. :)
posted by Alterscape at 7:18 PM on April 8, 2007

Response by poster: It was live action. I definitely didn't forget Voltron!
posted by Captaintripps at 7:22 PM on April 8, 2007

Was it live action and involved youngsters trained in adult jobs since their long journey would take half a lifetime? I seem to remember a space station and a mystery in that barely-remembered network scifi nostalgia-generator...
posted by abulafa at 7:31 PM on April 8, 2007

I think it was a Disney special on ABC. Something about the Earth being ruined and we had to send a generation ship to another planet?
posted by geekhorde at 7:35 PM on April 8, 2007

Best answer: If it's the Disney special, you're thinking of Earth Star Voyager. I've got a copy.

A Ron Howard lookalike computer genius kid and his older brother are the main members of a crew headed to another planet to find a replacement for Earth, which is covered with acid rain. When they get into deep space, however, they find that an evil commanding officer wants to use the ship as part of a deadly weapon.

Along the way, space school crushes come to light, someone is flushed out an airlock to his doom, a Mad Max-esque planet is visited and a charming space renegade is rescued. Must-see viewing.
posted by Kirklander at 8:35 PM on April 8, 2007

Here are a few that sound similar in one way or another:

Plymouth
Escape from Jupiter
White Dwarf
Earth 2
Jupiter Moon
Robotech
Scavengers
Space Rangers
Star Cops
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:53 PM on April 8, 2007

Kirklander is right. It is Earth Star Voyager. It was originally shown as a pilot of a new series, but then the series was dropped. It aired again a few years later as a stand-alone special. It's FANTASTIC. I'm still pissed because when I taped the second airing I messed up the timer on my VCR and missed the fight scene between the main dude and Vince, the evil ruler of the carnival planet. The computer's name was prisilla, and there is a cyborg involved. One of the kids is supposed to be hot, and his name was huxley.
posted by LizardOfDoom at 11:25 PM on April 8, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks Kirklander. The description sounds just right, but it was the name that leaped out of the depths of my brain. Thanks!
posted by Captaintripps at 4:16 AM on April 9, 2007