20111028

AUTOMAN

Mid-December 1983

In music, 'Say Say Say' by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson was the most popular song. On the big screen, Terms Of Endearment was the most popular film. At the bookstores, Motherhood: The Second Oldest Profession by Erma Bombeck was the most read book.

In sport, Martina Navratilova was chosen sportswoman of the year. That year Martina won 3 of the big 4 Grand Slam events. In all she won 16 tournaments in 1983 and 86 matches. "Martina," Pam Shriver acknowledged at the time, "is head and shoulders above the rest of us physically because of her training, and that gives her a mental superiority as well."

And on Thursday nights, Automan made its television debut.

Desi Arnaz Jr. who played Walter Nebicher recounted, "I was the last one cast, and they still hadn't found what they wanted for Walter."

"This is a story of a man," Desi described, "who's created his alter ego. Automan is everything Walter ever dreamed of being as a policeman."

In one scene Automan told Walter, "Mine is a world of space and energy, not substance."

"Walter lives in his own world," Desi explained, "and when he goes out in the real world he's a little different."

Automan, Desi believed, "is more real life, taking it into real situations."

Of the series, Desi enthused, "This is like a 'new frontier' in filmmaking."

Up against 'Magnum, P.I.', Automan lasted a dozen episodes.

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