It Sure Wasn't 'Trek' Irwin Allen is no unknown creator when it comes to tongue and cheek sci-fi (Time Tunnel, Land Of The Giants, Lost In Space albeit his first series Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea was more somber.

We selected the wackiest (our opinion) episode of Lost In Space because certain characters were given alter egos.

Can you imagine Dr. Zachary Smith as an old hippie with a wig? Or the usually well behaved and sedate Penny Robinson as a miniskirted go-go girl? Could you imagine the robot shutting up for most of the hour episode and not being called a "bubble headed booby" or "ninny" by Smith? Only young Will Robinson keeps his cool and devises to outdo the "Parent Memory Alteration" performed by the teenage troops of this oddball planet. Oh yes, did we mentioned Penny and Will were put on gurneys for blood transfusions?

Of course, none of this makes sense. It's not suppose to, anymore than the robot in a beauty contest or singing "Tip Toe Through The Tulips" in other episodes, which can be selected on the screen by the syndicator.

Ironically, there were weeks Lost In Space on ABC beat the original Star Trek on NBC in the ratings, either because Dr. Smith was funnier than Dr. Mc Coy, or, more likely, "Lost..." kept a steady time slot while "...Trek" was bouncing all over the place. And both shows still have enthusiastic fan conventions.

CAST
Guy Williams: Captain Robinson ("Dad")
June Lockhart: Mrs.Maureen Robinson ("Mom" to kids here and Lassie on earth)
Guy WilliamsL Professor John Williams, ("Dad" to kids, "Captain Sinbad" to West German TV)
Mark Goddard: the Major Don, (and minoe bit parts in movies)
Angela Cartright (Penny, Kathy to Danny Thomas)
Marta Kristen (Judy, Miss Universe to oglers(
Jonathan Harris (Dr. Zachary Smith, character and character actor in Hollywood)
Bill Mumy (Will, who now hates the show that "typecast" hum and ended his career)
Bob May, Dick Turbid (The Robot operators, warning! warning! bad script)

Known as "Space Family Robinson" in the UK, there were 83 total episodes, the show premiered in 1965 donning black and white, color and miniskirts came during the second season when ratings began to falter. A TV reviewer said it was because the scripts got "more stupid." Wonder what he said about Star Trek's third season when Roddenberry accidentally found out about the cancellation in advance.

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