All aboard the 'Oh no...' train.
The first sign of trouble aboard Supertrain comes not even a minute into its pilot. Sidestepping the usual fare of '70s TV bombs , we instead open to a conversation about the railroad industry. In a baroque, smoky room, several old men debate the state of trains — not exactly what the average NBC viewer tuned in to see. The "pitiful" state of passenger-based rail travel in the U.S.
COLLIDER VIDEO OF THE DAY SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT Laying Down the Tracks for 'Supertrain' If you had to pick an iconic television show of the '70s, it'd likely be The Love Boat. Airing on ABC from 1977 to 1986, the show was a laid-back look at the lives of passengers and crew members aboard the Pacific Princess. Set on the decks of a sun-drenched cruise ship, The Love Boat and its formula proved popular among '70s fans.
This time, though, there'd be no boat or love stories: Supertrain wanted to focus on suspense as well as relationships, ostensibly operating on a "mystery of the week" schedule mixed with the social dilemmas. Maybe the change of locale, with its lack of natural light and confined spaces, was partially to do with this shift. But the increasing emphasis on the actual, physical train was causing its own problems.
A Total Train Wreck The failure of Supertrain's special 2-hour debut, in February 1979, was a warning. The brand-new show, heavily advertised, was overshadowed by Charlie's Angels -- not a good sign for either ABC or the BBC, who'd reportedly bought the show prematurely for $25,000 per episode. The network went into damage control mode, reworking the show's premise, tone, and personnel.
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