Premiering in 1979, Supertrain was one of the most expensive TV shows of its time. Billed as Love Boat on a nuclear-powered bullet train, the show bombed and helped to nearly bankrupt a network.
Oh man, how did I never know about this show!? I was a huge fan of Love Boat and Fantasy Island and watched EVERYTHING. Young me really let old me down. That intro was 🔥💃🕺🪩
Head up, Mr. Retroist. I caught these for ya. You put a lot of time and effort (and words) into this and other pieces. I wish I had more time to go down every rabbit hole.
"After starting at a local TV stating in Chicago, Silverman"
Typo alert #1, TV STATION, not stating.
"So it was not surprising when NBC invited him to take the reigns."
Typo alert #2, it's REINS, not reigns.
"It was, Klein would be shown the door at NBC in 1979."
Typo alert (and verification you wrote this on a phone app) #3, "It was Klein WHO would be shown the door at NBC in 1979."
I think one reason the show failed was lack of media support from the start. That Today show clip was like a stink thrown on moldy blue cheese. I've never seen a segment that had people complaining or speaking so negatively about something that was just getting started with the intent of being entertainment. Politics and other topics I could understand a skewed negative outlook. But, a TV show compared to the Love Boat? With all the talk about the money spent on the show, it's no wonder some giving it a try didn't ask if themselves if it was worth the price. That's like playground gossip from my school days. People gave Supertrain cooties before it had a chance.
The theme song for the show, at least from the sample clips, is gawd awful. That also could have spoiled the show. The opening lacks the charm of others like Love Boat and Space 1999 had. It's weak tea in comparison.
Thanks, that was helpful! I might have written some this in an app, but I also know that rereading and spellchecking has always been a huge problem for me. I just don't see things even after repeated readings. I have gotten a little better over time, but still find things all the time.
wow, a show so bad that I don’t recall ever seeing it on reruns in the ‘80s, and they’d rerun anything back then
There had to be enough seasons to get to syndication.
Oh man, how did I never know about this show!? I was a huge fan of Love Boat and Fantasy Island and watched EVERYTHING. Young me really let old me down. That intro was 🔥💃🕺🪩
The copies posted to YouTube are mediocre quality but watchable on a small screen.
The Substack algorithm sent this archive post to me today. Wonderful, well written essay!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Somebody was high when this got greenlit.
I remember watching this show once and never again…classic 70s TV crap!
Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Head up, Mr. Retroist. I caught these for ya. You put a lot of time and effort (and words) into this and other pieces. I wish I had more time to go down every rabbit hole.
"After starting at a local TV stating in Chicago, Silverman"
Typo alert #1, TV STATION, not stating.
"So it was not surprising when NBC invited him to take the reigns."
Typo alert #2, it's REINS, not reigns.
"It was, Klein would be shown the door at NBC in 1979."
Typo alert (and verification you wrote this on a phone app) #3, "It was Klein WHO would be shown the door at NBC in 1979."
I think one reason the show failed was lack of media support from the start. That Today show clip was like a stink thrown on moldy blue cheese. I've never seen a segment that had people complaining or speaking so negatively about something that was just getting started with the intent of being entertainment. Politics and other topics I could understand a skewed negative outlook. But, a TV show compared to the Love Boat? With all the talk about the money spent on the show, it's no wonder some giving it a try didn't ask if themselves if it was worth the price. That's like playground gossip from my school days. People gave Supertrain cooties before it had a chance.
The theme song for the show, at least from the sample clips, is gawd awful. That also could have spoiled the show. The opening lacks the charm of others like Love Boat and Space 1999 had. It's weak tea in comparison.
Thanks, that was helpful! I might have written some this in an app, but I also know that rereading and spellchecking has always been a huge problem for me. I just don't see things even after repeated readings. I have gotten a little better over time, but still find things all the time.
So, you’re good at talking a blue streak but not reviewing and editing. :P
Got it. You need an editor. Annnd, maybe some eye drops or computer glasses or more sleep, like I need.
That was back when ten million dollars was a lot of money.
Not a bad story. You need to tighten up your grammar. A couple glaring errors