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JUDSON SCOTT

In 1986, Judson Scott could be seen guest starring on 'The Colbys'. He played a Russian KGB spy and choreographer Sasha Malenkov who tried to prevent ballet dancers Nikolai (Kolya) and Anna Rostov from defecting the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In the episodes "A Bid for Freedom" and "The Sanctuary", viewers saw Kolya asked the officer with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service if he could seek political asylum in the United States of America. 

In one scene: 

Jason Colby: Let her go (referring to Anna who was on board the plane heading back to Russia). Where's your heart? 

Sasha Malenkov: I listen to my head Mr Colby, not my heart - just as you do. I am a servant to one ideology - you to another. We do what we have to do, what we believe is right. 

Back in 1981 and 1982, Judson could be seen in the TV series 'The Phoenix'. He played a Christ-like alien from another planet named Bennu who came to Earth some 1500 years ago. 'The Phoenix' opened with Bennu being awakened by scientists after he had gone into hibernation for 15 centuries inside a Mayan tomb in the Andes Mountains, Peru. Judson told 'United Press International' after the program went on air, "My God, it was unbelievable. The first thing I noticed was they wanted to make physical contact with me. I've never seen people react this way."  Independent producer Mark Carliner added, "I even got calls from 3 bishops."

The word "phoenix" in the title referred to the mythical bird that supposedly died in flames but somehow was born again (or resurrected) from its own ashes. The "phoenix" in the series was an amulet Bennu wore to give him power using energy from the Sun. Powers such as the ability to read people's minds, heal bodies and touch souls. 

Mark Carliner insisted, "Bennu is a metaphysical millionaire. He might save your life, but at the same time he puts a thought in your mind that unlocks you . . . This is a humanist show – one of the most divisive shows in years at ABC." It was understood the term "metaphysical" caused the divisiveness. "I had to learn to stop using the term. Every time I said it, ABC execs would just slide under the table. They were attracted by it ('The Phoenix') and frightened by it at the same time." 

At the start of the show, the narrator told viewers, "Long ago in a remote corner of the world, ancient astronauts landed from a distant planet with a gift for mankind – the Phoenix. For a thousand years he has waited, suspended in time. Now he awakened to complete his mission. He searches for his partner, Mira, for only she knows his ultimate assignment on Earth. Dependent on the Sun for his strength and survival, endowed with a superior intelligence, he has fully developed the power of the human mind. Relentlessly pursued by those who wish to control him he must stay free." 

The people pursuing Bennu were agents from a CIA-like organization who wished to possess Bennu's amulet because of its power and the officials of the Peruvian government who were trying to claim him as a national treasure. The pilot movie shown in April 1981 did well, attracting 30% share of the audience leading the network to order for another 4 episodes of 'The Phoenix'. It was reported "network pressures forced the script (for the movie pilot) to be written in 2 weeks." 

The 4 episodes shown in March and April 1982 were put opposite 'Dallas'. Bennu was no match for J.R. Ewing, with 'The Phoenix' attracting a rating of 15% and 24% share of the audience for one episode. 'United Press International' recognized, "Judson Scott is superb in the role, the storyline is fresh and original and the premise, a metaphysical dealing with good and evil, is unique in prime time programming." 

Mark Carliner came up with 'The Phoenix' in 1976 when he had an idea of "bringing to life television's first metaphysical superhero." The superheroes in 1976 on prime time television were 'Wonder Woman', 'The Six Million Dollar Man' and 'The Bionic Woman'. In 1980, Mark attended a dinner party and met an ABC executive who said he was interested in a superhero series. "Eight weeks ago, there was only one person on Earth who believed in this show ('The Phoenix'). I believe in a Karmic destiny," Mark enthused after the program went on air. 'The Phoenix' was created by Anthony and Nancy Lawrence.

Back in 1892, one woman told the press, "The mind is capable of being read. Not all men can read the human mind, for mind-reading is a special gift." One man who could read the human mind was Joseph Dunninger, the Chairman, since 1923, of the Universal Council for Psychic Research. In 1943, Joseph told Richard Bellamy of 'The Milwaukee Journal' that "the presidential mind has been a more or less open book to him since the time of Theodore Roosevelt, his first White House subject. 

"Roosevelt was so intrigued by the mind reading performance that he invited Dunninger back again for several visits. Since that time he has repeatedly been a guest at the White House. Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt once attended a Dunninger 'session', and the First Lady admitted that this uncanny man could conceivably be a discomforting person to have around too often. Also exposed to Dunninger’s mind reading powers have been the Duke of Windsor, Pope Pius XII and the Countess Haugwitz-Reventlow. The Pope, then a cardinal, briefly confused him (Dunninger) by thinking in Latin. Dunninger says he could clearly visualize the words, but they just didn't seem to make sense. The others, however, thought in English and caused him little trouble."

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