• Re: [critical drinker] Legendary Lost Media - Batgirl, Dr Who, Event Ho

    From Ubiquitous@3:633/10 to All on Fri Sep 25 17:30:07 2026
    Subject: Re: [critical drinker] Legendary Lost Media - Batgirl, Dr Who, Event Horizon

    In article <005gq0a$gl9f$2@dont-email.me>, ldo@nz.invalid wrote:
    On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:10:45 -0400, Ubiquitous wrote:

    Welcome to the first episode of a new series where I'll be delving
    deep into the shadowy lore of lost media, from cancelled movies,
    aborted TV pilots that never got picked up, episodes lost to the
    mists of time and director's cuts we never got to see.

    Here?s one I just heard of for the first time: "Supertrain".
    Aparently the most expensive TV series flop ever.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv2O--IOPJc

    I only vaguely remember that one. I want to say it was an attempt
    to ripoff The Love Boat, but I'm not sure the times match up.

    --
    Democrats and the liberal media hate President Trump more than they
    love this country.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Cujo DeSockpuppet@3:633/10 to All on Sat Sep 26 14:31:39 2026
    Subject: Re: [critical drinker] Legendary Lost Media - Batgirl, Dr Who, Event Horizon

    Daniel70 <daniel47@nomail.afraid.org> wrote in news:1198h9t$gsno$1@dont- email.me:

    On 26/09/2026 7:30 am, Ubiquitous wrote:
    In article <005gq0a$gl9f$2@dont-email.me>, ldo@nz.invalid wrote:
    On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:10:45 -0400, Ubiquitous wrote:

    Welcome to the first episode of a new series where I'll be delving
    deep into the shadowy lore of lost media, from cancelled movies,
    aborted TV pilots that never got picked up, episodes lost to the
    mists of time and director's cuts we never got to see.

    Here?s one I just heard of for the first time: "Supertrain".
    Aparently the most expensive TV series flop ever.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv2O--IOPJc

    I only vaguely remember that one. I want to say it was an attempt
    to ripoff The Love Boat, but I'm not sure the times match up.

    Supertrain .... 1979
    The Love Boat .... 1977 -- 1987

    So you could be right.

    I recall watching this for about 5 minutes as a part of a group watch. Everyone revolted. Even "MANIMAL!" was an improvement.

    Donald Westlake had something to do with it and that's probably the
    lowlight of his career.

    "Renowned crime novelist Donald E. Westlake co-created and co-wrote the infamous 1979 NBC television flop Supertrain, which is widely considered
    a major misstep and outlier in an otherwise stellar literary career.

    The Supertrain Debacle

    The Concept: Designed as a land-bound version of The Love Boat, the show followed passenger drama aboard an extravagant, nuclear-powered, coast- to-coast bullet train complete with a swimming pool and a disco.

    Westlake's Involvement: Westlake co-wrote the story for the two-hour
    pilot and shared "created by" credit with Earl W. Wallace.

    The "Mistake" or Outlier: Fans and critics often view his brief detour
    into network television cheese as completely uncharacteristic of a master crime writer best known for his Parker novels (as Richard Stark) and
    comedic capers (Dortmunder).

    The Aftermath: The show cost an astronomical $10 million in sets and
    models before it even fully aired, lasted only nine episodes, and earned
    a spot on TV Guide?s list of the worst TV shows of all time.

    Westlake himself later acknowledged it as a high-paying "hired gun" gig
    on a doomed project rather than a true artistic endeavor." - Google
    Search, nothing fancy.

    Yep, a lowlight.



    --
    "I've known for over a year that this guy is the assassin of the Usenet
    poetry community. When I first arrived, I thought he was keeping the
    lights on in a dead group by reposting from archives. I soon realized
    that he was just endlessly reposting his own stuff, that he had killed
    the group by flooding it, and that most of the people he called
    "trolls" were actually the members of the group.
    I've joined the crowd. I'm done trying to work with him and speak reason
    to him. It's exhausting and pointless." - Little Willie Douchebag gets
    another asskicking from The One True Melissa

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Bruce@3:633/10 to All on Sat Sep 26 10:45:22 2026
    Subject: Re: [critical drinker] Legendary Lost Media - Batgirl, Dr Who, Event Horizon

    The NotKnow Binky Doctor wrote:

    The Love Boat, a big suck like Happy Days.


    We know you're more into Gilligan's Island, Binky!

    https://myimgs.org/image/bTqA5oTd


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From anim8rfsk@3:633/10 to All on Sat Sep 26 11:14:33 2026
    Subject: Re: [critical drinker] Legendary Lost Media - Batgirl, Dr Who, Event Horizon

    Ubiquitous <weberm@polaris.net> wrote:
    In article <005gq0a$gl9f$2@dont-email.me>, ldo@nz.invalid wrote:
    On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:10:45 -0400, Ubiquitous wrote:

    Welcome to the first episode of a new series where I'll be delving
    deep into the shadowy lore of lost media, from cancelled movies,
    aborted TV pilots that never got picked up, episodes lost to the
    mists of time and director's cuts we never got to see.

    Here?s one I just heard of for the first time: "Supertrain".
    Aparently the most expensive TV series flop ever.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv2O--IOPJc

    I only vaguely remember that one. I want to say it was an attempt
    to ripoff The Love Boat, but I'm not sure the times match up.


    They do, and it was.
    I know a lot about supertrain. A friend of mine builds models of it and
    I?ve helped him.

    --
    The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Your Name@3:633/10 to All on Sun Sep 27 11:39:43 2026
    Subject: Re: [critical drinker] Legendary Lost Media - Batgirl, Dr Who, Event Horizon

    On 2026-09-26 13:28:25 +0000, Daniel70 said:

    On 26/09/2026 7:30 am, Ubiquitous wrote:
    In article <005gq0a$gl9f$2@dont-email.me>, ldo@nz.invalid wrote:
    On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:10:45 -0400, Ubiquitous wrote:

    Welcome to the first episode of a new series where I'll be delving deep >>>> into the shadowy lore of lost media, from cancelled movies, aborted TV >>>> pilots that never got picked up, episodes lost to the mists of time and >>>> director's cuts we never got to see.

    Here's one I just heard of for the first time: "Supertrain". Aparently
    the most expensive TV series flop ever.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv2O--IOPJc

    I only vaguely remember that one. I want to say it was an attempt to
    ripoff The Love Boat, but I'm not sure the times match up.

    Supertrain .... 1979
    The Love Boat .... 1977 -- 1987

    So you could be right.

    That is what at least one website says:

    "An attempt at emulating ABC's success with The Love Boat,
    Supertrain was essentially the same show with the Pacific
    Princess swapped out for the titular "Supertrain", a
    super-broad gauge, nuclear-powered bullet train that
    could cross the United States from coast to coast in
    36 hours."
    <https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/Supertrain>

    The original "The Love Boat" TV-movie itself was reportedly based on an autobiography by Jeraldine Saunders.




    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Dimensional Traveler@3:633/10 to All on Sat Sep 26 16:46:13 2026
    Subject: Re: [critical drinker] Legendary Lost Media - Batgirl, Dr Who, Event Horizon

    On 9/26/2026 11:14 AM, anim8rfsk wrote:
    Ubiquitous <weberm@polaris.net> wrote:
    In article <005gq0a$gl9f$2@dont-email.me>, ldo@nz.invalid wrote:
    On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:10:45 -0400, Ubiquitous wrote:

    Welcome to the first episode of a new series where I'll be delving
    deep into the shadowy lore of lost media, from cancelled movies,
    aborted TV pilots that never got picked up, episodes lost to the
    mists of time and director's cuts we never got to see.

    Here?s one I just heard of for the first time: "Supertrain".
    Aparently the most expensive TV series flop ever.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv2O--IOPJc

    I only vaguely remember that one. I want to say it was an attempt
    to ripoff The Love Boat, but I'm not sure the times match up.


    They do, and it was.
    I know a lot about supertrain. A friend of mine builds models of it and
    I?ve helped him.

    My sympathies.

    --
    I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
    dirty old man.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From anim8rfsk@3:633/10 to All on Sat Sep 26 19:39:52 2026
    Subject: Re: [critical drinker] Legendary Lost Media - Batgirl, Dr Who, Event Horizon

    Dimensional Traveler <dtravel@sonic.net> wrote:
    On 9/26/2026 11:14 AM, anim8rfsk wrote:
    Ubiquitous <weberm@polaris.net> wrote:
    In article <005gq0a$gl9f$2@dont-email.me>, ldo@nz.invalid wrote:
    On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:10:45 -0400, Ubiquitous wrote:

    Welcome to the first episode of a new series where I'll be delving
    deep into the shadowy lore of lost media, from cancelled movies,
    aborted TV pilots that never got picked up, episodes lost to the
    mists of time and director's cuts we never got to see.

    Here?s one I just heard of for the first time: "Supertrain".
    Aparently the most expensive TV series flop ever.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv2O--IOPJc

    I only vaguely remember that one. I want to say it was an attempt
    to ripoff The Love Boat, but I'm not sure the times match up.


    They do, and it was.
    I know a lot about supertrain. A friend of mine builds models of it and
    I?ve helped him.

    My sympathies.


    lol

    --
    The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From anim8rfsk@3:633/10 to All on Sat Sep 26 23:34:40 2026
    Subject: Re: [critical drinker] Legendary Lost Media - Batgirl, Dr Who, Event Horizon

    The Doctor <doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca> wrote:
    In article <1743118767.812138099.220262.anim8rfsk-cox.net@news.easynews.com>, anim8rfsk <anim8rfsk@cox.net> wrote:
    Ubiquitous <weberm@polaris.net> wrote:
    In article <005gq0a$gl9f$2@dont-email.me>, ldo@nz.invalid wrote:
    On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:10:45 -0400, Ubiquitous wrote:

    Welcome to the first episode of a new series where I'll be delving
    deep into the shadowy lore of lost media, from cancelled movies,
    aborted TV pilots that never got picked up, episodes lost to the
    mists of time and director's cuts we never got to see.

    Here??s one I just heard of for the first time: "Supertrain".
    Aparently the most expensive TV series flop ever.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv2O--IOPJc

    I only vaguely remember that one. I want to say it was an attempt
    to ripoff The Love Boat, but I'm not sure the times match up.


    They do, and it was.
    I know a lot about supertrain. A friend of mine builds models of it and
    Iƒ??ve helped him.


    How good did it turn out?

    Not good. The love boat premise tends to rely on misunderstandings that are resolved once the people get together and talk about it. But you can?t
    avoid seeing everybody on the train unless you don?t move or lock yourself
    in the bathroom.

    Now, if you wanna see a really horrendous show try TIME EXPRESS.

    --
    The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.





    --
    The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From anim8rfsk@3:633/10 to All on Sat Sep 26 23:34:41 2026
    Subject: Re: [critical drinker] Legendary Lost Media - Batgirl, Dr Who, Event Horizon

    Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> wrote:
    On 2026-09-26 13:28:25 +0000, Daniel70 said:

    On 26/09/2026 7:30 am, Ubiquitous wrote:
    In article <005gq0a$gl9f$2@dont-email.me>, ldo@nz.invalid wrote:
    On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:10:45 -0400, Ubiquitous wrote:

    Welcome to the first episode of a new series where I'll be delving deep >>>>> into the shadowy lore of lost media, from cancelled movies, aborted TV >>>>> pilots that never got picked up, episodes lost to the mists of time and >>>>> director's cuts we never got to see.

    Here's one I just heard of for the first time: "Supertrain". Aparently >>>> the most expensive TV series flop ever.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv2O--IOPJc

    I only vaguely remember that one. I want to say it was an attempt to
    ripoff The Love Boat, but I'm not sure the times match up.

    Supertrain .... 1979
    The Love Boat .... 1977 -- 1987

    So you could be right.

    That is what at least one website says:

    "An attempt at emulating ABC's success with The Love Boat,
    Supertrain was essentially the same show with the Pacific
    Princess swapped out for the titular "Supertrain", a
    super-broad gauge, nuclear-powered bullet train that
    could cross the United States from coast to coast in
    36 hours."
    <https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/Supertrain>

    The original "The Love Boat" TV-movie itself was reportedly based on an autobiography by Jeraldine Saunders.

    ?Reportedly based?? It was in the credits as such.



    --
    The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Your Name@3:633/10 to All on Sun Sep 27 20:03:31 2026
    Subject: Re: [critical drinker] Legendary Lost Media - Batgirl, Dr Who, Event Horizon

    On 2026-09-27 06:34:41 +0000, anim8rfsk said:
    Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> wrote:
    On 2026-09-26 13:28:25 +0000, Daniel70 said:
    On 26/09/2026 7:30 am, Ubiquitous wrote:
    In article <005gq0a$gl9f$2@dont-email.me>, ldo@nz.invalid wrote:
    On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:10:45 -0400, Ubiquitous wrote:

    Welcome to the first episode of a new series where I'll be delving deep >>>>>> into the shadowy lore of lost media, from cancelled movies, aborted TV >>>>>> pilots that never got picked up, episodes lost to the mists of time and >>>>>> director's cuts we never got to see.

    Here's one I just heard of for the first time: "Supertrain". Aparently >>>>> the most expensive TV series flop ever.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv2O--IOPJc

    I only vaguely remember that one. I want to say it was an attempt to
    ripoff The Love Boat, but I'm not sure the times match up.

    Supertrain .... 1979
    The Love Boat .... 1977 -- 1987

    So you could be right.

    That is what at least one website says:

    "An attempt at emulating ABC's success with The Love Boat,
    Supertrain was essentially the same show with the Pacific
    Princess swapped out for the titular "Supertrain", a
    super-broad gauge, nuclear-powered bullet train that
    could cross the United States from coast to coast in
    36 hours."
    <https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/Supertrain>

    The original "The Love Boat" TV-movie itself was reportedly based on an
    autobiography by Jeraldine Saunders.

    ?Reportedly based?? It was in the credits as such.

    Nobody reads the credits. :-p




    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From anim8rfsk@3:633/10 to All on Sun Sep 27 00:41:14 2026
    Subject: Re: [critical drinker] Legendary Lost Media - Batgirl, Dr Who, Event Horizon

    Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> wrote:
    On 2026-09-27 06:34:41 +0000, anim8rfsk said:
    Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> wrote:
    On 2026-09-26 13:28:25 +0000, Daniel70 said:
    On 26/09/2026 7:30 am, Ubiquitous wrote:
    In article <005gq0a$gl9f$2@dont-email.me>, ldo@nz.invalid wrote:
    On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:10:45 -0400, Ubiquitous wrote:

    Welcome to the first episode of a new series where I'll be delving deep
    into the shadowy lore of lost media, from cancelled movies, aborted TV >>>>>>> pilots that never got picked up, episodes lost to the mists of time and
    director's cuts we never got to see.

    Here's one I just heard of for the first time: "Supertrain". Aparently >>>>>> the most expensive TV series flop ever.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv2O--IOPJc

    I only vaguely remember that one. I want to say it was an attempt to >>>>> ripoff The Love Boat, but I'm not sure the times match up.

    Supertrain .... 1979
    The Love Boat .... 1977 -- 1987

    So you could be right.

    That is what at least one website says:

    "An attempt at emulating ABC's success with The Love Boat,
    Supertrain was essentially the same show with the Pacific
    Princess swapped out for the titular "Supertrain", a
    super-broad gauge, nuclear-powered bullet train that
    could cross the United States from coast to coast in
    36 hours."
    <https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/Supertrain>

    The original "The Love Boat" TV-movie itself was reportedly based on an
    autobiography by Jeraldine Saunders.

    ?Reportedly based?? It was in the credits as such.

    Nobody reads the credits. :-p

    Apparently, I did because I remember it. In fact, I think it was a weird
    Credit like ?suggested by??



    --
    The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)