Search (1972–1973)

I learned of this show even before it aired on NBC back in 1972 (prepublicity), and decided I liked it even before seeing it. One thing that I thought was really cool was how Probe Control communicated to the agents via an implanted audio pickup through radio telescope communications. Of course, Burgess Meredith was essentially the show stealer every time; not many other actors could give an engaging performance sitting at a computer panel. He had this funny way of adjusting his micro headset and almost punching his console when flustered. I managed to record many episodes onto a handy cassette machine. A couple of years ago a local TV station rebroadcast the pilot episode, co-starring John Gielgud (sp?), and I caught the whole thing on VHS. When they decided to cancel the series, I was actually put out enough to send in a letter of protest. (Well, it was a perfect show for a 12-year-old boy). After all, it had cool effects, mostly involving things that could be seen in other parts of the spectrum, picked up by the agents' ring-bound scanners.