Entertainment
This Forgotten 12-Part Sci-Fi Show Was ABC’s Wildest ‘Tron’ Knockoff
Tron is a film that’s a study in contrasts. Upon its release, it received mixed reviews but went on to become a cult classic, not to mention part of a watershed moment in science fiction history. It revolutionized visual effects, yet most of Disney’s animation department didn’t want to work on it. It’s even spawned two sequels, Tron: Legacy and Tron: Ares, with each film receiving a wildly different reception upon release. Yet Tron‘s strangest claim to fame is inspiring the short-lived sci-fi television series Automan, especially since that series cribbed its entire visual language and plot ideas from the movie.
Automan follows Walter Nebicher (Desi Arnaz Jr.), a brilliant but socially awkward police officer who works in the computer programming department. Desperate for action, Nebicher creates artificial intelligence in the form of “Automan”, a holographic being (Chuck Wagner) that can fight crime with Nebicher’s help. The two work together to solve crimes, while also passing Automan off as a FBI agent that befriended Nebicher. Even by the standards of 80s-era television, Automan was utterly ridiculous — and it didn’t help that it felt like the poor man’s version of Tron.
‘Automan’ Owes Its Concept & Visual Language to ‘Tron’
Automan‘s debt to Tron is evident in its premise, which features a human being and a computer program joining forces, to the vehicles that Automan uses. Both the “Autocar” and the “Autochopper” feature the same glowing blue hues as the original Tron, and Automan even wears a blue suit similar to the programs in Tron‘s Grid. To its credit, Automan did try to introduce some original ideas. One of those ideas involved Automan merging with Nebicher to form a singular being that possessed the former’s abilities and the latter’s intelligence. Chuck Wagner would later talk about what drew him to Automan in a documentary chronicling the series’ creation:
“I loved the script. I loved the honesty and simplicity of the script…I approached it really honestly and it was a gift, but my focus, my imagination, and my whole life had geared me toward superheroes. So this was like a magical signpost, and the fact that I got cast was a real blessing.”
Automan also boasted a superstar creator in Glen A. Larson, who brought some of the ’80s biggest television shows to life. In addition to creating the original Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Larson was also the man behind Knight Rider. Much like Automan, Knight Rider features a cool car and a cutting-edge sci-fi concept, as the car is powered by a living computer. What separates the two shows is that Knight Rider had the charismatic presence of David Hasselhoff; despite the best efforts of Chuck Wagner and Desi Arnaz Jr., Automan lacked the same flair as Larson’s other productions.
Screenwriter Jesse Wigutow, who serves as EP for ‘Daredevil: Born Again,’ also drops exciting details for Seasons 2 and 3 of the Disney+ series.
‘Automan’ Lasted for a Single Season
During its short-lived run, Automan ran into a combination of problems. Not only were its special effects extremely costly, but it was also crushed in the ratings by other shows. Its biggest competition was the spy series Scarecrow and Mrs. King, which, ironically, featured Bruce Boxleitner — Tron himself — in a starring role. Another factor that contributed to Automan being relegated to the annals of sci-fi history is the fact that, for years, the only place you could get the complete series on DVD was in the UK. That would eventually change in 2015, when Shout! Factory released the entire series on DVD.
Despite its short run, Automan showed a fair amount of promise. The idea of a digital being taking human form would be explored in other television series, most notably with the iconic anime Ghost in the Shell. Automan was also proof that Tron had plenty of appeal, whether it was the cutting-edge visuals or the potential in its story. Time will tell if someone manages to unlock that potential, but considering Tron: Ares exists, this is far from the worst thing someone’s done with the Tron franchise.
- Release Date
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1983 – 1984-00-00
- Directors
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Kim Manners, Winrich Kolbe, Allan Burns, Allen Baron, Bruce Seth Green
- Writers
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Sam Egan, Larry Brody, Bruce Kalish, David Garber
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