Automan (1983–1984)

A computer generated superhero and his human creator fight crime in their city.

Creator:

Glen A. Larson

Stars:

Desi Arnaz Jr., Chuck Wagner, Heather McNair

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Desi Arnaz Jr.	...	Walter Nebicher (13 episodes, 1983-1984)
Chuck Wagner	...	Automan (13 episodes, 1983-1984)
Heather McNair	...	Roxanne Caldwell (13 episodes, 1983-1984)
Gerald S. O'Loughlin	...	Capt. E. G. Boyd (13 episodes, 1983-1984)
Robert Lansing	...	Lt. Jack Curtis (13 episodes, 1983-1984)

Storyline

Walter Nebicher is the police department's resident computer expert, although his immediate superior gives no respect as to his contribution to the force. To fix that, he creates a special program that creates Automan, an artificially intelligent computer construct that looks real, sounds reals and, given enough power, can have an actual physical presence outside the computer that feels real. Together, Walter and Automan along with Cursor, a small floating droid that can create any object Automan needs, battle the criminal elements of the city.

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Plot Keywords:

superhero | character name in title

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 December 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Automan - Der Superdetektiv

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Glen A. Larson Productions, Kushner-Locke Company, The, 20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min 50 min (12 episodes) 70 min (pilot episode)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A video game based on this series produced by Bug-Byte Software was released for the Commodore 64 platform in 1985.

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Crazy Credits

And "Cursor" as Himself

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Connections

Follows Automan: Automan (1983)

User Reviews

Wish I could see it again

The 1980s were full of optimistic TV action series of a kind we just don't see any more. Not that I'm against the high-quality screen writing of such shows as "24", "Buffy" or "Angel"; it's just that I miss the old popcorn dramas which were nothing if not fun and provided ample light relief from stressful schooldays. Recent releases of "The A Team", "Knight Rider" et al on DVD have brought that old pleasure back, but I'm still eagerly anticipating "Airwolf", "Street Hawk" and "Automan". The latter two lasted only one season, but they were certainly enjoyable to me and my school friends. In those days when an American TV show was cancelled it was of too little consequence to become known in the UK, so we never knew why these fun shows disappeared. "Automan" appealed to me because it seemed to be a reverse of "Tron". The hero was rather straight-laced (even compared to Christopher Reeve's Superman!), but the show had plenty of visual treats and action to satisfy kids like me. It's the humour that I would like to re-evaluate as an adult. I'm almost certain I'd enjoy seeing this again!