‘Space Academy’ TV title,1977
“Welcome to man’s most magnificent achievement in the conquest of space…”
Filmation’s Space Academy originally aired on CBS beginning in September of 1977. 15, 30-minute episodes were produced.
This short-lived sci fi series starred Jonathan Harris (Lost in Space) as Commander Isaac Gampu, the 300-year-old head of the academy in question. Grampu taught a collection of students from across the universe, portrayed by actors; Pamelyn Ferdin, Ric Carrott, Ty Henderson, Maggie Cooper, Brian Tochi and Eric Greene. Many strange beings were encountered (robot war machines, alien children made of energy, etc.) and valuable lessons were learned.
Jason of Star Command was a spin-off of Space Academy (and you can learn more about that here).
Look as good at 300-years-old you will not.
Soak up the show’s intro below and have a happy Funshine Friday!
Previously on Funshine Friday: ‘Tarzan, Lord Of The Jungle’ (Animated, 1976)
I love this show! I have the whole series on VHS, and 4 Space Academy Action figures (Chris Gentry, Tee-Gar, Commander Gampu, and Loki). It’s a rip they never made any of the girls! I was blessed enough to meet Pam Ferdin at Wondercon. She was super nice, and signed a Space Academy photo for me. She also signed a Curiosity Shop pic, (another Saturday morning show she was in circa 1970-71). Have you ever featured that show?
I love Pam Ferdin. She has that great, distinctive voice. Every time I see her I think about her playing Lucy in animated Charlie Brown specials. She was also on ‘The Paul Lynde Show’ and guested on various 70s series like ‘The Brady Bunch.’
Haven’t featured ‘Curiosity Shop’ yet, but that’s a good idea. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it. Must have missed it when I was 4 or 5 and I don’t remember reruns. Sounds very cool reading the cast and description on IMDb.
Actually, she doesn’t have that voice anymore. I was kinda saddened by that, but I guess it just changed as she got older. But she looks great though.
Interesting. But I guess that makes sense. Most of us don’t sound like we did as kids anymore.
And it’s funny you mentioned her playing Lucy on the Charlie Brown specials. When I met her at Wondercon, she and the guy who did Charlie Brown’s voice (I think his name is Peter Robbins), had booths right next to each other, billed at the “Voices of Lucy and Charlie Brown”.