A Return to Buck Rogers: Twiki's Rebellion

In Richard A Lupoff's novelization Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, after the reception in the Palace of Mirrors, Twiki and Dr. Theopolis follow Buck. When they see him sneak aboard Princess Ardala's shuttle, they follow, and hide in a cupboard. Unfortunately, the cupboard is refrigerated. At one point, Twiki emerges shivering. Dr. Theopolis reminds him that they need to stay out of sight, and orders him back inside. 

Instead, Twiki grabs a bottle of Vinol, opens it, and takes a swig. The computer brain Dr. Theopolis relents at this point, musing that the Vinol will help prevent Twiki's circuits from freezing. So he can drink the rest of the synthetic wine, provided he returns to his refrigerated hiding place immediately.

What can you say? Due to Dr. Theopolis' loyalty to Buck, Twiki was banished to the wasteland along with Buck. Then he was chased, and nearly taken apart by scavengers. Is it any wonder he starts to rebel in small ways, like getting down on the dance floor, or taking to the bottle? Poor Twiki! When adults like Buck behave, it's always the drones that suffer!

Dragon Dave

P.S. Keep safe on the space ways. Remember to never drink Vinol and Fly.

A Return to Buck Rogers: The Evolution of Twiki

All the while Buck and Ardala had been dancing, Twiki had watched and listened, his mechanical relays and circuits clicking over in time to the music. Now he tried a few steps of his own in imitation of Captain Rogers.

"Twiki, stop that! People are watching!" Theopolis scolded. 

--Buck Rogers in the 25th Century by Richard A Lupoff (Addison E Steele)

Disco surged in popularity in the late 1970s, due in no small part to the movie "Saturday Night Fever," which came out in 1977. The film was so popular (even more popular with adults than "Star Wars," which also came out that summer), that it's easy to imagine Lupoff thinking of John Travolta when he wrote that scene. While Disco proved a fad, today's dancing are just as freeform and expressive of one's feelings as John Travolta's star-making performance. Unlike more formal styles, there are no barriers to entry. One doesn't need to practice intricate movements. With little or no experience, one can just get down and boogie. Even Buck's robot companion, the drone Twiki, decided to follow Buck's lead, and give it a go.

While we all know and love the waist-high wisecracking robot from the film and TV series, in the novelization he is quite different. The first time Buck sees him, he can barely keep from laughing. Twiki totters around the room with his head at an angle. The drone reminds Buck from the chimpanzees he saw in the Chicago Zoo during his childhood. Nor does Twiki talk. Instead, he squeaks, squeals, and makes electronic noises reminiscent of the droid R2-D2 in "Star Wars." The interplay between Twiki and his talking A.I. companion Dr. Theopolis makes an interesting comparison with R2-D2 and C-3PO in "Star Wars."

This makes me wonder if Glen Larson originally planned to use a chimpanzee-in-a-suit for Twiki, as he had previously for Daggit in "Battlestar Galactica." If so, I'm glad Larson's concept of Twiki evolved into the fun-loving guy we all know and love. For all his complaining, George Lucas, the creator of "Star Wars" was right: "Battlestar Galactica" copied too many aspects of "Star Wars." Larson's final version of Twiki helped make "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" a far more unique creation.

Dragon Dave

Some Missed Opportunities to Die Hard: Part 3

This weekend, "A Good Day to Die Hard," starring Bruce Willis as John McClane, arrives in cinemas.  I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to the fifth installment in the venerable Die Hard franchise.  When I go see it, maybe I'll tell you what I thought of it.  (Then again, maybe I won't.  I'm funny like that).  In the meantime, here's one last discarded story concept that the movie producers shared with me.  

“Die Hard in the 25^th Century” 

John McClane, cryogenically frozen before he died, awakens five hundred years from now.  The Earth has been ravaged by nuclear war, and humanity lives in domed cities, controlled by intelligent computers such as Dr. Theopolis.  John is attracted to the beautiful Wilma Deering, but before he can ask her out on a date, the glamorous Princess Ardala arrives with her Draconian invasion fleet.  Ardala demands that John marry her, or she will destroy the Earth in twelve hours.  John gathers Wilma, Dr. Theopolis, and Dr. Elias Huer for a quick huddle, and they discuss how he might sneak explosives aboard Ardala’s flagship without her bodyguard Tigerman sniffing them out.  While they're working on a plan, the TARDIS materializes, and the Doctor steps out.  “John, you’re creating a Fictional Paradox,” he declares.  

John groans.  "Oh great, not you again."  

The Doctor smiles wide, and clasps his hands.  "I have a way of popping up in the most unexpected places, don't I?"

John flees the city with his friend, the robot drone Twiki.  Armed with a laser pistol and a few explosives, can they evade the Doctor, the Earth police, and turn aside the Draconian fleet, without angering fans of “Doctor Who,” or Glen Larson’s beloved TV series, “Buck Rogers in the 25^th Century?”

And will John ever get that date with Wilma Deering?

In addition to acquiring all the various rights, the producers also had difficulty in persuading Bruce Willis to don Buck Rogers' famous white jumpsuit.  But the producers had even more trouble with Twiki.  In addition to his famous catch-phrase, "Bedeep, bedeep, bedeep," the waist-high robot drone insisted that he be allowed to say, "Yippie-kay-yay, John McClane!" 

Suffice it to say, Bruce Willis was not amused.

Dragon Dave