Dr. Smith

[AB]

Didn't Dr. Smith seem more sinister in the first few episodes? Then later on
they changed him into a more cowardly character, wonder why?

[Lee G]

I enjoy Lost In Space, but I think it was a huge blunder on the part of Irwin Allen to allow the character of Dr. Smith to continue on in the show. The original plan was to have Dr. Smith killed off in one of the early episodes, and the show was intended to be about the Robinson family and their adventures in space. I believe it was Jonathan Harris himself who likened Irwin Allen to the idea of keeping Dr. Smith in the series. Sadly, the trend during the last half of the 60's was to allow many TV shows to become camp, and come off like a live-action cartoon. This approach nearly ruined these shows, including Lost In Space. Lost In Space is still a decent show, but it would have been better if they had kept it a straightforward sci-fi adventure instead of playing it for laughs. Dr. Zachary Smith does have his moments, but a little of him goes a long way. He is one of the most annoying, overbearing characters in the history of television.

The black and white/first season of Lost In Space is a little more sci-fi and less camp. But when Batman premiered in 1966, they put it up in the same time slot with Lost In Space. Irwin Allen feared Lost In Space might lose viewers to Batman, so he went with a similar camp approach with the episodes. I think it did more harm to the show than good, but that's what happened. The second season filming in color may also have had an influence in taking the series in a different direction.

[comedyfreak]

They changed the character of Dr. Smith to compete with Batman. Jonathan was doing what he could to save his character from being killed off. They did get back to basics starting in the beginning of 3rd season, not counting the awful Great Vegetable Rebellion episode.

[Yooch]

Originally Posted by Lee G

I enjoy Lost In Space, but I think it was a huge blunder on the part of Irwin Allen to allow the character of Dr. Smith to continue on in the show. The original plan was to have Dr. Smith killed off in one of the early episodes, and the show was intended to be about the Robinson family and their adventures in space. I believe it was Jonathan Harris himself who likened Irwin Allen to the idea of keeping Dr. Smith in the series. Sadly, the trend during the last half of the 60's was to allow many TV shows to become camp, and come off like a live-action cartoon. This approach nearly ruined these shows, including Lost In Space. Lost In Space is still a decent show, but it would have been better if they had kept it a straightforward sci-fi adventure instead of playing it for laughs. Dr. Zachary Smith does have his moments, but a little of him goes a long way. He is one of the most annoying, overbearing characters in the history of television.

The black and white/first season of Lost In Space is a little more sci-fi and less camp. But when Batman premiered in 1966, they put it up in the same time slot with Lost In Space. Irwin Allen feared Lost In Space might lose viewers to Batman, so he went with a similar camp approach with the episodes. I think it did more harm to the show than good, but that's what happened. The second season filming in color may also have had an influence in taking the series in a different direction.

You express it well--I'd also like to add, according to my observations, that characters change/develop over time, or are made different to contrast with others in a show. That the Robinsons tolerated a person like Dr. Smith, highlighted their magnanimity and humanity, sort of like a 'We're in this unkown environment together and must survive together even if we don't particularly like you', mentality. In other words, Dr. Smith's annoying personality and ways only served to heighten the nobility of the Robinsons. I could be 'reading' too much into it; it could simply have been an arbitrarily different direction the writers took; it's total speculation on my part. Either way, it was a pretty good show. I used to watch it mainly for Penny (Angela Cartwright, in my Avatar), I admit. I am also a big fan of the late Guy Williams (since his Zorro TV series days). He portrayed the manly, strong, quiet type of guy I wanted to be like when I grew up.

[comedyfreak]

Originally Posted by Yooch

You express it well--I'd also like to add, according to my observations, that characters change/develop over time, or are made different to contrast with others in a show. That the Robinsons tolerated a person like Dr. Smith, highlighted their magnanimity and humanity, sort of like a 'We're in this unkown environment together and must survive together even if we don't particularly like you', mentality. In other words, Dr. Smith's annoying personality and ways only served to heighten the nobility of the Robinsons. I could be 'reading' too much into it; it could simply have been an arbitrarily different direction the writers took; it's total speculation on my part. Either way, it was a pretty good show. I used to watch it mainly for Penny (Angela Cartwright, in my Avatar), I admit. I am also a big fan of the late Guy Williams (since his Zorro TV series days). He portrayed the manly, strong, quiet type of guy I wanted to be like when I grew up.

Don did offer to drop off the good Doctor any time he wanted, LOL. I have the whole series on DVD and I enjoy the b&W and 3rd season the best, although the first three episodes of the second season were pretty good.

[Yooch]

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

Don did offer to drop off the good Doctor any time he wanted, LOL. I have the whole series on DVD and I enjoy the b&W and 3rd season the best, although the first three episodes of the second season were pretty good.

Ironically the only TV DVD set we have is the Complete first season of All in the Family that my son receved as a Christmas gift a few years ago. Last summer when we watched the first two seasons of Friends, we had borrowed it from a friend. I'm not a big DVD collector. But the Lost in Space collection you have sounds very good. Once we get settled, and move, I would like to get some DVD sets, such as LIS.

[comedyfreak]

Once you see the first season you'll get hooked, lol.

[caladon]

Actually, it was Jonathan Harris who decided to change the character of Dr. Smith. I remember watching an interview where he described the process. After reading the first few scripts, he concluded that if he continued to play the character as written; being evil, he wasn't going to last long on the show. So he began to (as subtle as possible) throw in a little humor here and there to make the character less destestable. After doing this, Irwin Allen approached him one day and told him he knew what he was doing. At this point Harris thought he was in trouble. But he was very surprised when Allen told him "do more."

[Yooch]

Originally Posted by caladon

Actually, it was Jonathan Harris who decided to change the character of Dr. Smith. I remember watching an interview where he described the process. After reading the first few scripts, he concluded that if he continued to play the character as written; being evil, he wasn't going to last long on the show. So he began to (as subtle as possible) throw in a little humor here and there to make the character less destestable. After doing this, Irwin Allen approached him one day and told him he knew what he was doing. At this point Harris thought he was in trouble. But he was very surprised when Allen told him "do more."

Thanks for the info. Harris's story is interesting.

(Also, anyone looking at my new Avatar, can obviously see that it is not Penny from LIS (Angela Cartwright: I had the Angela Cartwright/Billy Mumy Avatar on there for several months. I'm big fans of theirs. My new Avatar, btw, is an older Dick Dale, 'King of the Surf Guitar'--for those that aren't familiar with him. Had those great Southern California twangy guitar instrumentals with the exotic beats. Kind of like the Ventures, but more powerful.)