Launch Date: October 16, 1997: How We Celebrated
(October 16, 1997) The Jupiter 2 launch date of October 16, 1997
was celebrated across the US and
the rest of the world with both private fan parties
and official sponsored events by New Line Cinema
and the Museum of Radio and Television in Los Angeles.
The SCI FI channel paid a special tribute to Lost in Space
on October 16 by broadcasting a marathon of favorite
episodes chosen by fans. Interviews with the original
cast and clips from the Lost in Space movie were also
shown.
In Australia celebrations centered in Sydney where
the Australian Fan Club held a special function to
mark the day. Pay TV operator, Foxtel also
ran a marathon of Lost in Space episodes on it's FX
channel. Planet Hollywood in Sydney and Melbourne each
held special screenings and contests to promote the
launch. The Lost in Space Robot even featured on the
covers of Australian TV Guides.
In the weeks leading up to October 16 fans on the
Lost in Space Listserv discussed at length the personal
significance of the launch date.
5-10 years ago only the most obsessed fans knew the actual
date of the original launch. Now that the date has passed
perhaps a turning point in Lost in Space fandom has been reached.
Not only is every fan aware of the significance of October 16
but publicity about the event and the associated marketing
of New Line Cinema's block-buster film remake of the show has
brought the focus squarely on Lost in Space.
With the launch over, fans world-wide
will continue to observe October 16 as an annual event.
LOS ANGELES Launch Celebrations
(October 16, 1997) The Museum of Radio and Television held
a closed door function to celebrate the launch of
the Jupiter 2. Invited guests included all the
surviving cast members as well as members of
the late Guy Williams family. Additionally, AOL
users were able to participate in the event via a
45 minute live IRC chat from the museum with cast members.
NEW YORK Launch Celebrations
(October 14, 1997) Jonathan Harris made a public appearance with the
Robot in New York City on October 14 as part
of a media tour promoting the Sci-Fi Channel
marathon and the Jupiter 2 launch. The event
was held at the Television City theme restaurant.
Jonathan signed photos and there were many Lost
in Space giveaways. A special treat for
collectors was a preview of the Trendmasters' Robot toy
specially shipped in off the assembly line in
Hong Kong. This was the first time the robot was officially
shown to the public.
Mark Goddard: Downunder Blast Off Tour
(October 10, 1997) In the week leading up to October 16, 1997
Mark Goddard completed a very successful
tour of Australia. Sponsored by the Australian
Lost in Space Club, the tour took in both
Sydney and Melbourne and included appearances
by Mark on numerous television and radio shows as well
as a Lost in Space convention and a collectibles
show.
The Lost in Space movie trailer was shown during
each television segment. Mark also brought with
him exclusive clips of scenes of himself performing
the role of a general alongside Professor
John Robinson (William Hurt) in the new movie.
While in Sydney, Mark accompanied by
his wife and six year old son, took time out
to visit a zoo and one of Sydney's fine beaches.
Mark became the 2nd on-screen original cast
member to officially visit Australia. Jonathan
Harris had previously visited in 1994.
Australian Lost in Space Videos
(October, 1996) A spokeman for 20th Century Fox Entertainment, Ken Taylor,
revealed that first season Australian Lost in Space videos would
no longer be sold over the counter in Australian stores. Current
sales of these tapes were very poor in comparison to the
the latest batch of tapes from the second season. It will still be
possible to order these early volumes directly from Fox.
The spokesman also said there were no immediate plans
for the release of the third season tapes. However, the projected
release is likely to be around the time of New Line Cinema's
Lost in Space movie due to be released in April 1998. A second batch
of first season tapes may also be released at that time.
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