ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

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Excellent thinking, Agent Krel!

I wish we could make the glass real glitzy looking, but that would call to much attention to them, so we'd have to settle for "pretty cool" instead of "super cool".

However, your suggestion to include a visible display on the inside of the leness is terrific! In Search, Probe Control would verbally relay info they got from that giant screen at the front of the room (and from their individual work stations), but your suggestion would make some of that unnecessary.

I can easily imagine a scene with Lockwood meeting people and watching information about them appear on the glasses/display that would tell the agent important data about the person.

The series actually did that sort of thing really well just by having Burgess and the control room folks helping the agents. But the glasses would be a step up from that.

This just occurred to me. How about a thin, comfortable garment under the agent's shirt that provided detail bio readings . . . and it could even administer a shock to his heart if necessary? A defibrillator, in other words.

If could also keep him warm in a cold environment and cool when he was in a hot area.

And since this is the new, more futuristic version of Search, this thin garment would stiffen instantly when hit by anything — from a club to a bullet!

Cool, eh?
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Pow]

Saw an interview with Hugh O'Brien where he discussed a little about making Search. He said he did enjoy doing the show and that it should have run for more seasons.

He did state that one of the challenges of doing the show was that the audience saw all this marvelous covert technology that he and the other agents possessed, and how the Search control center was able to assist the agents in many ways.

The problem was that you began to think that the 'bad guys' didn't stand a chance all that tech which almost made the audience feel sorry for the villains.

[Bud Brewster]

[Pow]

I Spy, Spy Shows.

Search premiered in 1972 and lasted only a single season on NBC. Difficult to believe, but there was a notable lack of science fiction or spy shows on the tube back then. While comparing Search to shows today is unfair, the concept still has a contemporary ring to it. Yes, the computers appear bulky and the graphics seem crude, but the technology is basically sound. Comparable to classics like Star Trek, The Man From UNCLE or The Wild, Wild West, this series is both anachronistic and futuristic at the same time.

The series centered on three revolving Search agents: Hugh Lockwood (Hugh O'Brian), an ex-astronaut, Nick Bianco (Tony Franciosa), and C. R. Grover (Doug McClure). They worked for the Probe Division of World Securities, specializing in the spying of and search and recovery of "that which is missing."

They all answered to Mr. Cameron (Burgess Meredith), the director of Probe Control. Each agent was electronically linked to Headquarters via a sound and telemetry transmitting mini-camera or scanner disguised as jewelry which then could be magnetically attached to a medallion, ring, or tie tac. The scanner continuously monitors the agent's progress, transmitting audio, video and physical telemetry back to Probe Control.

Images were stabilized and rotated to permit real-time observation by a team of Probe Control specialists who can analyze data, consult databases worldwide, and immediately provide information covertly to the field agent via a subcutaneous ear piece ("earjack") implanted in the agent's mastoid process. The agent can respond to Probe Control audibly (via a microphone on the scanner) or by tapping out a code with dental implants, even when the scanner is not operating.

The Probe Control support staff consisted of: Gloria Harding (Angel Tompkins), Senior medical technician monitoring an agent's pulse, respiration, and temperature.

Kuroda, who was the telemetry and electronic specialist.

Amy Murdock, medical doctor.

Ginny Keach, data specialist.

Albert Griffin, linquist and code-breaker, former chief translator at the United Nations.

When the series began, it was easily some 20 or 30 years ahead of its time. This was 1972 when home computers, DVDs, and cell phones were dreams of the future.

Stephanie Burnside ( played by Mary Frann, who played Bob Newhart's wife on Newhart), was the first female Probe agent.

Cheryl Ladd (Charlie's Angels), listed as Cheryl Stoppelmoor in an early role, plays Probe technician Amy Love.

In the episode "The Gold Machine," Probe technician Gloria Harding (Angel Tompkins) makes it out into the field. Curiously, she isn't given a scanner or earjack. This episode was used for the Viewmaster.

Deanna Lund (Valerie Scott on Land of the Giants) plays Probe tech Linda Harte, who is sent out into the field sans a scanner or earjack.

"The 24 Carat Hit" which was episode number 14, January 24, 1973, saw the debut of the now "brightly lit" Probe Control room.