Cyborgs: A Bionic Podcast

Podcasters: Please download, listen to, and consider this 60 second promo for Cyborgs: A Bionic Podcast. Each week, John S. Drew and Paul K. Bisson discuss an episode of The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman with one guest host. In addition, we feature interviews with the stars, the writers, the producers, the directors, and the stunt people who contributed to these iconic shows. For more information or if you have any questions, please write [email protected].

Podcasters: Please download, listen to, and consider this 30 second promo for Cyborgs: A Bionic Podcast. Each week, John S. Drew and Paul K. Bisson discuss an episode of The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman with one guest host. In addition, we feature interview with the stars, the writers, the producers, the directors, and the stunt people who contributed to these iconic shows. For more information or if you have any questions, please write [email protected].

Our Critical Assignment series continues with another bionic Q&A panel hosted by John. This time around, we present Lee Majors' appearance at DragonCon 2013. The panel took place on Saturday, August 30 and it was John's first time meeting Lee and he relates what the experience was like. Plus, Paul fills us in on the making of the the career retrospective that was shown to the audience prior to Lee's taking the stage.

Comment on the episode here or write [email protected] or call 888-866-9010 or better still use the "Send Voicemail" tab on the left of the page to leave a message via your computer. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.

Taking a break for the summer allowed John to go out on special missions for the podcast. These "Critical Assignments" took him to far-off exotic locales where he met up with other agents of the OSI. In this episode, John travels to Atlanta, Georgia for DragonCon 2013. There, he met actress Lindsay Wagner and hosted a Q&A panel on Friday, August 29. He captured the audio of the panel and we're sharing it with you on the podcast. John relates what it was like meeting Lindsay and Paul talks with Betsy Dodd, The Bionic Blonde, about the creation of a special introductory career video seen before Lindsay took the stage.

Comment on the episode here or write [email protected] or call 888-866-9010 or better still use the "Send Voicemail" tab on the left of the page to leave a message via your computer. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.

Links

Lindsay Wagner's website

Order The High Road to Health: A Vegetarian Cookbook from Amazon

IMDB listing

Facebook page

Twitter

Hal Erickson of All Movie Guide says Rick Lenz "has steadfastly avoided pigeonholing as a 'type,' playing gunslingers, victims, villains, patient husbands, insensitive fools, intellectuals and even a wimpy murder-mystery fanatic in the (Hallmark) remake of Hitchcock's Shadow Of A Doubt."

One of the workingest actors of the late-20th century, Lenz has starred in movies with Peter Sellers, Walter Matthau, Lauren Bacall and Elizabeth Taylor. He was Goldie Hawn's boyfriend in Cactus Flower, Melvin's lawyer in Melvin And Howard and the obsequious journalist in John Wayne's The Shootist.

On television, he has guest-starred in recurring roles on The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Murder, She Wrote, The Practice, Dynasty and more. He was superspy Benjamin Baxter on Fox's The New Adventures Of Beans Baxter, Eddie Albert's law partner on a few episodes of Green Acres, and starred with Richard Boone as Police Chief Oliver Stamp on Hec Ramsey in the NBC Mystery Movie rotation.

On various stages, including Broadway, Lenz has starred opposite Jill Clayburgh, Marcia Mason, Tyne Daly, Blythe Danner, Alan Alda and Paul Sorvino. He jumped on the other side of theatrical production and became a successful playwright with his Off-Broadway production Swung in 1979. He followed with Clean As A Whistle (also Off-Broadway) and The Epic Of Buster Friend, which began at the American Shakespeare Theatre, moved to the Lucille Lortell Theatre and was subsequently produced by PBS. Furthermore, his play So Long, Mr. Broadway was published by Dramatists Play Service and West Coast Plays, and he won Los Angeles Dramalogue Awards for playwriting for both Familiar Places and Last Class. In 2002, Sharon Gless and the late John Ritter performed Lenz' Felony Audition at the Playwright's Kitchen Ensemble.

All of the actor/playwright's experiences are recounted in his new gut-wrenchingly honest memoir North of Hollywood (Feb. 15, 2012, Chromodroid Press). The book is a start to his budding career as an author, planning also the debut of his first novel in 2013 called Redeeming Norma Jean.

Originally from Michigan and having acted across the country, Lenz lives in North Hollywood with his wife. They are parents to three children, and have recently become proud grandparents.

Links

Rick Lenz's website

Rick Lenz's artwork website

Order North of Hollywood from Amazon

IMDB listing

Facebook page

Twitter

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Steve Austin is accused of the murder of an OSI lab technician. In addition, some of his bionic technical specs have gone missing. Has Steve gone rogue or is this an elaborate plan of an evil genius? It's really neither as we'll find out in this week's discussion. This episode is the final episode of the second season of The Six Million Dollar Man. It is also the premiere episode for Jennifer Darling as Oscar's secretary, Callahan. Paul and John are joined by author, musician, and podcaster, Keith R.A. DeCandido to discuss this episode, a sequel to "Eyewitness to Murder".

Comment on the episode here or write [email protected] or call 888-866-9010 or better still use the "Send Voicemail" tab on the left of the page to leave a message via your computer. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.

Rating:

Bionic Wiki entry

The Six Million Dollar Blog entry

(coming soon)

Keith R.A. DeCandido has been, at various times, an author, editor, critic, book packager, musician, television personality, and probably some other things, too, but he can't remember due to the lack of sleep.

On the fiction-writing side, he has more than thirty novels to his credit, along with short stories, eBooks, comic books, novellas, and nonfiction. Most of his work has been in various media tie-in universes, ranging from TV shows (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, CSI: NY, Doctor Who, Farscape, Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda, Star Trek, Supernatural, Xena, Young Hercules) to comic books (the Hulk, Spider-Man, the Silver Surfer, X-Men) to games (Classic BattleTech, Command and Conquer, Magic: the Gathering, StarCraft, World of Warcraft). He also wrote the novelizations of Joss Whedon's Serenityand all three Resident Evil films. Most of his non-tie-in work is in the milieu of his 2004 novel Dragon Precinct, a high-fantasy police procedural.

As an editor, Keith has put together twenty anthologies (some behind-the-scenes, some credited), was the editorial director of the Marvel Comics novels published in the 1990s by Boulevard Books, supervised the monthly Star Trek eBook line from 2001-2008, and edited dozens of books.

Keith is also a professional percussionist—currently a member of the parody band, Boogie Knights, and having also played with the Don't Quit Your Day Job Players, Steve Rosenhaus, the late David Honigsberg, and the Randy Bandits—and a brown belt in Kenshikai karate. Find out less at his web site at www.DeCandido.net or read his inane ramblings at kradical.livejournal.com.

When the wife of the UN Consul to the Dominion of Balinderry is kidnapped by rebel forces, it's up to Steve to save her. The rebels have threatened to kill her if a group of political prisoners are not released but the government of Balinderry will not negotiate with terrorists. Paul and John are joined by Alex Green, webmaster of The Six Million Dollar Blog to discuss this episode.

Our rating: 3 out of 5 Bionic Limbs.

Learn more about this episode at the Bionic Fandom Wiki.

More about our Guest-Pal, Alex Green:

Alex Green was born in San Diego where he has lived his whole life, rarely venturing outside the safe confines of Southern California. Growing up, his parents tried to persuade him that the funny man running in slow motion on the television wasn't worth watching, but he knew better. He knew much, much better.

A lifelong fan of Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman, Alex hadn't been an adult for very long (some would say he still isn't) when he started making several trips a month up to Los Angeles to attend toy and collectibles shows in order to amass a huge collection of Bionic memorabilia. A vast collection that he no longer possesses due to an accident involving a pencil, a rabid weasel and a rapidly descending elevator (actually, the advent of eBay in the late 90s took the thrill out of the hunt for him, so he gave it up).

Currently working out of his modest two-bedroom apartment (or twelve-bedroom mansion as he refers to it when describing his digs to people who've never visited him at home), Alex is a freelance web designer and the webmaster of The Six Million Dollar Blog. The newest Bionic site on the web except for all the others that have come after. He hopes one day to meet his hero Lee Majors in person and his biggest regret in life is that he no longer fits into his Six Million Dollar Man jammies.

Jaime is sent on her first mission to recover another stolen money plate. Steve accompanies her, not knowing the designs of Joseph Wrona. Will the two survive this mission? And what's with Jaime's shaking hand and bouts of pain? All will be revealed as James Sherrard of Bionic Woman Files and Betsy Dodd of The Bionic Blonde join John and Paul to discuss this episode. Check out part one of this discussion here.

Comment on the episode here or write [email protected] or call 888-866-9010 or better still use the "Send Voicemail" tab on the left of the page to leave a message via your computer. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.

Rating:

Bionic Wiki entry

Bionic Blonde entry

The Six Million Dollar Blog entry

(coming soon)

James Sherrard is a first generation fan of The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman. A collector of all things Bionic as a child, his interest in the shows was reignited when the first Bionic reunion movie was produced in 1987.The following year he met stars Lindsay Wagner and Richard Anderson for the first time through Lindsay Wagner’s Official Fan Club. In 1998, James reworked the Bionic Woman episode guide booklet that he had produced for the club into The Bionic Woman Files website…the longest running Bionic Woman site on the web! Over the years, James has contributed his Bionic knowledge to various books, articles, websites, and television productions. He has also amassed an amazing collection of Bionic memorabilia, from common toys to one-of-a-kind production items. Most recently, James has contributed to the 2010 DVD releases of The Bionic Woman Season One and The Six Million Dollar Man: The Complete Collection. James resides in New York where he is employed by a non-profit organization.

From Betsy Dodd's page:

Growing up in a one-TV household, I had 3 brothers who surrounded me in age—who often teased me for being a “sissy”—and who usually controlled the voting majority for which channel to watch. Back in the 70s, our whirling TV dial was pretty much destroyed because we fought over it so often. One night while the substitute pliers were pointed to their choice of The Six Million Dollar Man(again), suddenly there was OMG ...cue angelic chorus... Jaime Sommers, the world’s first Bionic Woman. Yes!!! Score one for us sissies! I was totally hooked. And the love story between Jaime and Steve was the best. Ever. But then they killed her the following week.

Why did I idolize Jaime Sommers so much? Just as the final season was being released on DVD in the fall of 2011, I stumbled onto some internet bionic fan forums and started posting these offbeat episode reviews. I’m not sure, but when some members encouraged me to go start my own blog, I think it may have been the equivalent of being politely shunned by the Bionic Amish community— puritans of the franchise. (Really, I’m kidding. They’re all fun people and super nice. And they even let me use electricity to sign onto the internet.) Once about ten years ago, I belonged to an online fan “cult” that was framed in a similar style of farcical humor about The X-Files, so to me, this is all a completely normal approach to a television drama.

These days, I am a freelance copywriter, graphic designer and video editor living in Tennessee. No, I am not a blonde, but I am threatening to become one soon if these little gray hairs don’t stop surfacing. I must confess I also did not actually keep a diary in the 70s, but wish now that I had, so I could remember the real reason why I missed so many episodes of my favorite 70s show. For now, I’m blaming my brothers. For everything.

Steve returns to his hometown of Ojai, California in order to settle down. He purchases a ranch that he loved as a kid and is reunited with his parents who help him with setting up house. He learns that his high school love, Jaime Sommers, fifth ranked tennis pro, is visiting Ojai as well. The two rekindle their friendship and romance. Things are looking good until Jaime is horribly maimed in a skydiving accident. Steve convinces Oscar to rebuild her using the same cybernetic technology that saved his life. It all looks great for the world's first bionic woman, except that the shadow of Joseph Wrona, the Onassis of Crime, looms over them and their pending nuptuals. Joining John and Paul to discuss this episode are James Sherrard of Bionic Woman Files and Betsy Dodd of The Bionic Blonde. Special thanks to Robin Spanell for the audio recording of the promo used at the start of this episode. Check out Robin's music at Shatner's Hairpiece.

Comment on the episode here or write [email protected] or call 888-866-9010 or better still use the "Send Voicemail" tab on the left of the page to leave a message via your computer. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.

Rating:

Bionic Wiki entry

Bionic Blonde entry

The Six Million Dollar Blog entry

(coming soon)

James Sherrard is a first generation fan of The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman. A collector of all things Bionic as a child, his interest in the shows was reignited when the first Bionic reunion movie was produced in 1987.The following year he met stars Lindsay Wagner and Richard Anderson for the first time through Lindsay Wagner’s Official Fan Club. In 1998, James reworked the Bionic Woman episode guide booklet that he had produced for the club into The Bionic Woman Files website…the longest running Bionic Woman site on the web! Over the years, James has contributed his Bionic knowledge to various books, articles, websites, and television productions. He has also amassed an amazing collection of Bionic memorabilia, from common toys to one-of-a-kind production items. Most recently, James has contributed to the 2010 DVD releases of The Bionic Woman Season One and The Six Million Dollar Man: The Complete Collection. James resides in New York where he is employed by a non-profit organization.

From Betsy Dodd's page:

Growing up in a one-TV household, I had 3 brothers who surrounded me in age—who often teased me for being a “sissy”—and who usually controlled the voting majority for which channel to watch. Back in the 70s, our whirling TV dial was pretty much destroyed because we fought over it so often. One night while the substitute pliers were pointed to their choice of The Six Million Dollar Man(again), suddenly there was OMG ...cue angelic chorus... Jaime Sommers, the world’s first Bionic Woman. Yes!!! Score one for us sissies! I was totally hooked. And the love story between Jaime and Steve was the best. Ever. But then they killed her the following week.

Why did I idolize Jaime Sommers so much? Just as the final season was being released on DVD in the fall of 2011, I stumbled onto some internet bionic fan forums and started posting these offbeat episode reviews. I’m not sure, but when some members encouraged me to go start my own blog, I think it may have been the equivalent of being politely shunned by the Bionic Amish community— puritans of the franchise. (Really, I’m kidding. They’re all fun people and super nice. And they even let me use electricity to sign onto the internet.) Once about ten years ago, I belonged to an online fan “cult” that was framed in a similar style of farcical humor about The X-Files, so to me, this is all a completely normal approach to a television drama.

These days, I am a freelance copywriter, graphic designer and video editor living in Tennessee. No, I am not a blonde, but I am threatening to become one soon if these little gray hairs don’t stop surfacing. I must confess I also did not actually keep a diary in the 70s, but wish now that I had, so I could remember the real reason why I missed so many episodes of my favorite 70s show. For now, I’m blaming my brothers. For everything.

OSI secrets are disappearing and one of Steve's friends is accused of the theft. While he can't prove his friend's innocence, he knows there has to be another explanation. And he has one - E.S.P. spying. Steve decides to enlist the aid of a teenage girl with extra sensory perception to track down "The E.S.P. Spy." Joining John and Paul to discuss this episode is Billy Flynn of Geek Radio Daily. Special thanks for the audio recording of a twelve year old Robin Spannell as he played announcer for this episode of the podcast. Check out Robin's music at Shatner's Hairpiece.

Comment on the episode here or write [email protected] or call 888-866-9010 or better still use the "Send Voicemail" tab on the left of the page to leave a message via your computer. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.

Rating:

Bionic Wiki entry

The Six Million Dollar Blog entry(coming soon)

Bill Vernon, AKA “the Wonderful Billy Flynn,” brings the funny each week on Geek Radio Daily! His daytime alter ego is mild-mannered (well, that part is a stretch) on-air talent at WRAR Radio Station in Virginia. He actually gets paid to sit on his butt and run his mouth! His “edumacation” is from UNC-Wilmington and the Columbia School of Broadcasting. When he is not gracing the podcasting airways with his comedic stylings, you can find Billy Flynn on Xbox Live (flynn71), rockin’ out on Guitar Hero or Rock Band, watching movies, reading comics, working out, or posting on the forums at geekradiodaily.com (ding!)