R is for Robot

robot (noun) : a programmable machine designed to automatically carry out complex tasks. Such a machine is controlled by a computer. Robotic characters have become a staple of science fiction, however robots are now increasingly part of our modern lives.

The word was coined by Czech writer Karel Čapek—and suggested by his brother Josef Čapek—in the 1920 science-fiction play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots). It derives from the Czech word robota, which translates to "forced labour" or "drudgery".

Calling someone by this name implies they act like a robot; that they are someone who does things in a very effective way but never shows their emotions. 

M is for Moya

Moya is a sentient bio-mechanical spacecraft, a member of the Leviathan race. Ships of her kind have no offensive capabilities, but do possess an impressive defensive manoeuvre called a Starburst, which allows her to pass through a tear in space-time. She is maintained by DRDs (Diagnostic Repair Drones), small, beetle-like robots that Leviathans build as they grow.

Farscape is an Australian/American SF series, conceived by Rockne S. O'Bannon and produced by Jim Henson Productions and Hallmark Entertainment. Four TV seasons were produced (1999–2003). A movie spin-off is currently in development.

L is for Lost In Space

Created by "Master of Disaster" Irwin Allen, this show ran for three seasons between 1965 and 1968. Starting out as a serious SF drama about the Robinson family whose voyage into space was sabotaged and ended in disaster, the tone of the show lightened throughout the run until it reached a point that many found absurd.

The show ended up with bizarre storylines more focused on the saboteur Dr. Zachary Smith (Jonathan Harris), the Robinsons' ten-year-old son Will (Bill Mumy) and their Robot (Bob May, voice provided by Dick Tufeld) than any of the others. Totally ridiculous. I loved it.

J is for The Jetsons

Hanna-Barbera's space age counterpart to the 'modern stone-age family' was set in 2062 and depicted domestic family life in a world of robots and labour-saving devices of every conceivable type. Although we've moved forward nearly fifty years since then, and we have gadgets galore at home, there's still one which is on my wish list that hasn't arrived yet.

I'm still waiting for my jetpack!

An Alternative Nativity

Happy Christmas, one and all. :)

F is for Fireball XL5

Fireball XL5 was a SF-themed children's television show produced in 1962 by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, using Supermarionation. Thirty-nine black and white half-hour episodes were made on 35mm film - it is doubtless the fact that this was the last Anderson series made in black & white that the show is rarely repeated. Its successor, Stingray, is still repeated regularly. Oh well - we may see Steve Zodiac, Venus and Robert the Robot again one day...