$660,000 Loan To Kingston Paid Off Ahead Of Schedule

By RICH DREES; Times Leader Correspondent
 Thursday, December 28, 1995 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Science fiction has always been a risky venture for television network
programmers. For every successful program like "Star Trek" there are ten
failures. Even if the show is marginally successful with an audience, the
additional costs of the special effects required can still force its
cancellation, as was the fate that befell "Battlestar Galactica." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, recent advances in the art of special effects (including the use
of computers) and an awareness on the part of television producers that
science fiction should have the same basic elements as other shows -- strong
characters and logical storylines -- have helped to give birth to a
renaissance in science-fiction television programming. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nowhere is this more evident than on the Fox Network, which is currently
airing three science-fiction series and has scheduled some original TV movies
and other projects. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Among these special programs is the third "Alien Nation" movie,
"Millennium," airing Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. on WOLF-TV Channel 38. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fox's big three &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fox's science-fiction revolution has its origins in the spooky and popular
series "The X-Files" (Friday nights at 9). When it first premiered two years
ago, "The X-Files" attracted a small but extremely devout following with its
stylized and atmospheric stories of supernatural terrors, extra terrestrials
and government cover ups. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Each week two FBI agents -- skeptic Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and
believer Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) -- investigate mysterious murders and
disappearances. They come close, but never quite prove the existence of the
psychic powers or aliens Mulder knows exist. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Rather than continually resorting to special visual or makeup effects, the
show's producers rely on what the viewer doesn't see to create the rather
spooky mood. Actual views of the menace, like Mulder's grasp on evidence to
prove their existence, is often fleeting. The show is still going strong in
its third year, with the duo digging deeper into the secret government
conspiracy and facing such phenomena as lightning-tossing teenagers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With one hit on its hands, the powers that be at Fox decided to expand
their horizons a bit. While seeking a suitable lead-in for "The X-Files," the
network stumbled twice -- with the disappointing superhero action series
"MANTIS" and the rather murky cyberthriller "VR-5" -- before discovering
paydirt with "Strange Luck." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Strange Luck" (Fridays at 8 p.m.) takes the unspoken premise of every
action and detective show there is -- the protagonist always happening to be
in the right or wrong place at the right or wrong time -- and builds an entire
hour around it. Ever since photographer Chance Harper (played by the superb D.
B. Sweeney) was the lone survivor of a plane crash as a child, he has
experienced strong runs of luck -- both good and bad. It can be something
relatively minor, such as reliably winning $5 with scratch-off lottery cards
at a local diner, to stumbling across important information about a possible
lost sibling while chasing a car thief. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The true inventiveness of the show is the writers' ability to take
something trivial or even slightly humorous that could happen to anyone and
show how it begins a chain reaction that will affect Sweeney's character for
the following hour. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fox's third entry is the gritty "Space: Above and Beyond" (Sunday nights at
7). This show centers on a small squadron of marines stationed on the front
line of a future war with alien invaders. Created by two former producers of
"The X-Files," "Space" balances its share of well-developed characters with
eye-catching action sequences. The space battles sport a quality usually only
found in feature-length Hollywood films. Here they are achieved through the
much less expensive use of computer animation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Space" has a very strong lead-in, Fox's NFL football broadcasts, so the
true test as to whether this series can last or not against the CBS ratings
powerhouse "60 Minutes" will come in the new year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Special features &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Besides the three series, Fox has also commissioned and aired a number of
television movies and mini-series that are science-fiction related. Fall
brought the four-hour mini-series "The Invaders," which starred Scott Bakula
of "Quantum Leap" fame. The special was based on the 1960s TV series of the
same name. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The second in Fox's series of "Alien Nation" movies, "Body and Soul" aired
to better reviews in science fiction fandom. Gary Graham and Eric Pierpoint
reprise their roles as human and Newcomer police officers in "Millennium" on
Tuesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also on tap for the new year is the return of last summer's replacement
series "Sliders," which features four people who are trapped travelling (or
"sliding") between alternate versions of Earth. The TV movie "Generation X"
will capitalize on the popularity of Fox's animated "X-Men" cartoon series.
The live-action version will feature Matt Frewer ("Max Headroom" and the
upcoming film "Lawnmower Man II") as the evil villain Tresh, whose schemes
will be foiled by six teenagers with mutant super powers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fox also has in development plans for a television movie based on the
classic British science-fiction series "Doctor Who." Fox announced this
project some time ago, although actual production continues to be delayed as
the network and the British Broadcasting Company come to terms on the script. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However frustrating the delays of the "Doctor Who" project are to fans, Fox
says it is still committed to the movie as well as to its other genre fare.
The network's dedication to science fiction is a startling and welcome break
from past television programming tradition. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fox Is Flying High With Sci-fi Features 
Gary Graham As Det. Matthew Sikes And Eric Pierpoint As Det. George Francisco 
Return In `alien Nation: Millennium' Tuesday On Wolf-tv Channel 38. The Tv 
Movies Based On The Series Are Among Fox's Many Science-fiction Projects

Fox Is Flying High With Sci-fi Features Gary Graham As Det. Matthew Sikes And Eric Pierpoint As Det. George Francisco Return In `alien Nation: Millennium' Tuesday On Wolf-tv Channel 38. The Tv Movies Based On The Series Are Among Fox's Many Science-fiction Projects