In the 1980s, action figures and toys were tied to kids’ entertainment, with Thundercats, GI Joe, and He-Man dominating toy boxes and televisions. However, Captain Power, a sci-fi show with groundbreaking toy technology, failed to resonate with audiences as expected. Kevin Lieber delves into this monumental disconnect in TV history in Popular Science’s latest video.
Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future aired for a single season from 1987 to 1988. The show followed Captain Jonathan Power and his team of specialized soldiers battling the robot army of Lord Dread while wearing power suits. The show featured interactive elements where kids could “shoot” targets using a toy jet called the XT-7, made by Mattel. Despite its innovative technology and compelling storyline, Captain Power faced backlash from parents who argued that it blurred the lines between children’s programming, warfare, and commercialism.
The writers of Captain Power crafted complex stories aimed at adults rather than children, which made it difficult to sell toys based on the show. Additionally, its unique blend of live-action footage and CG-modeled characters created challenges for both production and marketing efforts. Despite its failure to connect with audiences initially, Captain Power left a lasting impact on the TV industry as it was the first show to feature CG-modeled characters as part of its main cast. This innovation paved the way for future shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation and inspired generations of sci-fi filmmakers.
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