Astronaut series | Out of this world

We’re observing the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing this week. So what better time than now to recall five series that featured astronauts?

“I Dream of Jeannie” (1965-70): Larry Hagman co-starred as Capt. (later Major) Tony Nelson, who found a beautiful genie (Barbara Eden) in a bottle on a deserted island where he crash-landed his spacecraft. He became her master, and eventually (on Dec. 1, 1969), her husband. Bill Daily played his NASA colleague, Capt. (later Major) Roger Healey.

“It’s About Time” (1966-67): Astronauts Hec (Jack Mullaney) and Mac (Frank Aletter) smashed through the time barrier in their spacecraft and landed in the Stone Age, where they befriended cave dwellers Shad (Imogene Coca) and Gronk (Joe E. Ross). Halfway through the series, they fixed their craft and returned to 1966, with Shad and Gronk along for the ride.

“Space” (1985): In this five-part, 13-hour adaptation of James Michener’s bestseller, Harry Hamlin and Beau Bridges played two prominent NASA astronauts of the 1960s. In the climactic episode, they piloted a successful voyage to the dark side of the moon.

“Moonlighting” (1987): Mark Harmon played ex-astronaut Sam Crawford, who, in season 3, was the love interest of Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shepherd).

“Defying Gravity” (2009): You may not be familiar with this one, since it hasn’t aired yet. But you will be soon: The drama (from a producer of “Grey’s Anatomy”) debuts Aug. 2 on ABC and is set in the near future. It concerns eight astronauts from five countries on a mysterious six-year mission.

Source: McClatchy Newspapers