(This is part of the interview conducted by Jim Newberger, on January 21st 1997. The full interview is in issue #2 of The Grunt Gazette). It's been about eight months since Space: Above and Beyond was cancelled. SPACE is really missed by it's fans. In fact, it's a huge hit in the U.K. and Germany. In the span of twenty-four episodes, Space: Above and Beyond established itself as the leader in it's genre for the 1995-1996 season.
There are many theories as to why the show was cancelled. According to Mr. Morgan, it was simply a matter of economics. The show cost too much to produce. I was able to interview Mr. Morgan this month to gain some of his insights and feelings towards the show. We were also able to touch on some of the elements that influenced the show.
GRUNT GAZETTE: In the pilot episode we see Hawkes play a music disc in his Hammerhead fighter. The song is "Blitzkrieg Bop" by the Ramones, a 1970's and 80's punk band. Who is the real Ramones fan?
GLEN MORGAN: "I am. I must have seen them at least fifteen times in concert with my brother growing up. I love The Ramones. In fact, Richard Whitley is the guy who wrote the episodes Pearly and Dear Earth. He wrote the script for the Ramones movie Rock and Roll High School."
GG: In the episode Ray Butts, you used a lot of Johnny Cash music. The ending scene where the pancakes are being ejected into space to the tune of "I Walk the Line" is an instant classic. Who's the Johnny Cash fan?
GM: "Actually, I'm the Johnny Cash fan. He's great. We almost had him for that episode. He was supposed to play a visiting general. It would have been really great. However, he needed two weeks to prepare for the role and we couldn't fit him into the schedule. It was too tight."
GG: Who's the (Chicago) Cubs fan?
GM: "Joel (de la Fuente) is. He's from the Chicago Area, and he's a really big fan of the Cubs and the Bears."
GG: Where did Space: Above and Beyond come from?
GM: "Peter Roth had the original idea for Space: Above and Beyond. You see, Star Trek was supposed to be coming out with a new series called Starfleet Academy or something like that. He (Roth) wanted to beat them to the punch and produce a space science fiction show. He ordered a Top Guns in space type of show. It was his baby all along. He really pushed for it."
GG: Who is T.C. McQueen? Is he a combination of real people or a mix of characters and real people from other films and literature?
GM: "McQueen is McQueen. We wanted a strong leader type character based on the classic World War Two movies. A seasoned, and experienced war veteran, like you saw in 12 0'clock High. You could say we were looking for a Steve McQueen type of character. But really the character developed on it's own. James Morrison built McQueen by himself. Jim is a great actor."
GG: What is one episode that you wished you could have made?
GM: "I really would have liked to have done an episode about McQueen coming home. The re-hab process, the emotions of being away from the war, and meeting with his ex-wife would have made a good show."
GG: Is Wang dead?
GM: "Technically, well yes, he's dead. He's 99.9% dead."
GG: Would McQueen have returned to the Saratoga?
GM: "Eventually, yes. But he would've been out for awhile. He would have to go through a lot of re-hab. but yes, he would have come back."
GG: Will Space: Above and Beyond ever be back as a series?
GM: (pause) "I don't think so."
GG: In the season finale, Tell Our Moms We Done Our Best, the members of the 58th are talking about how they feel, and how they wouldn't have met each other if it weren't for the war. It seems that some of them are getting very emotional. It's almost as if they are really talking about the friendships they made because of the series. What's happening in this scene?
GM: "We weren't one hundred percent sure if the show was going to be cancelled, it came down to the wire. But, everyone really knew it was going to end. The writing was on the wall. The lines in that scene were for real. The cast came up with them on their own. It was a real emotional time."
I would like to thank Mr Morgan for this interview. He really went out of his way for it. More TV and movie producers and writers should learn from his example. He made himself available to his fans. A rare thing in this age.
Accompanying text by Jim Newberger unless otherwise noted). copyright 1997 The Grunt Gazette.
