September 13, 1974 marked the day that Planet of the Apes, the CBS, television series, premiered. For fans across the nation, this was a historic moment, coming off the heels of CBS' ratings-bonanza airings of the five, theatrical chapters.
The television series extended the talking simians' pop-cultural impact, with even more merchandise hitting retail shelves, including a fruitful, Marvel Comics spree.
The series offered a great cast, as well: Roddy McDowall's Galen (the actor's favorite of his three chimps, and I heard him confirm this in person at a 1990s, NY, Fangoria convention); Mark Lenard (Sarek of Star Trek)'s General Urko (a variant of James Gregory's Ursus); Booth Colemam's Dr. (Councilor) Zaius; and as the intrepid, lost-in-time astronauts, Ron (Land of the Lost) Harper's Alan Virdon and James (Cat's Eye) Naughton's Peter Burke.
Alas, the series only lasted thirteen episodes before cancellation, but the fan base was strong enough to have pushed it onward (despite the misguided, Nielson ratings). McDowall claimed that the merchandise alone would have been enough to continue the series, and I place full stock in that claim. At least the series eventually became available in a DVD, box set and prior to such, as a repackaged set of five, additional films.
For the record, the Apes, television incarnation was more varied than some remember, with fugitives Galen, Virdon and Burke traveling into various camps and scenarios, which were chockful of socio-culture themes, which more than held their own with the best of Trek and Space: 1999. In fact, much like the theatrical movies (whether the original batch or those that have surfaced in later years), there's always something new to discover with every re-watch.
I love the Planet of the Apes, television show and hold it near and dear to my heart. Yes, it may have been cut short, but its endurance has stood the test of time.
Check out a few of its installments, and see how well they hold up, and if you should come away thinking otherwise, you're just not an Apes fan.
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