The Six Million Dollar Man

The Six Million Dollar Man was an American television series about a cyborg working for a U.S. secret service called OSI. The show was based on the book Cyborg from Martin Caidin, and aired on the ABC network from 1973 to 1978.

Overview

The background story of the show is the crash of astronaut Steve Austin in an M2-F2 "lifting body", shown in the opening credits of the show (with NASA footage of Bruce Peterson's 1967 real-life accident http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/gallery/photo/M2-F2/HTML/E-16731.html). The opening credits actually used footage of two different lifting bodies; the HL-10, shown dropping away from its carry plane, and the M2-F2 shown in the unstable flight/crash sequence. (The aircraft was actually referred to as being an "HL-10" in the series, and the real HL-10 was used in a later episode.) Austin is severely injured in the crash and is "rebuilt" in a title-giving operation that costs six million dollars. His right arm, both legs and the left eye are replaced by bionic (cybernetic) implants that enhance his strength, speed and vision far above human norm. He uses his enhanced abilities to work for the OSI (Office of Scientific Intelligence) as a secret agent (and as a guinea pig for bionics).

Related Topics:
Astronaut - Steve Austin - M2-F2 - Lifting body - NASA - Bruce Peterson - 1967 - HL-10 - M2-F2 - Cybernetic - Office of Scientific Intelligence - Guinea pig - Bionics

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The show was very popular during its run and introduced many pop culture elements of the 1970s, such as the shows opening catch phrase and the slow motion action sequences and the accompanying "electronic" sound effects. The title role was played by Lee Majors and made him a pop culture icon.

Related Topics:
Pop culture - 1970s - Lee Majors

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For many years, attempts have been made to bring the story of Steve Austin to the movie screen. In the mid-1990s, noted director Kevin Smith wrote a screenplay, and there were reports later that comedian Chris Rock was being considered for the role. Most recently, plans were made to film the story as a full-out comedy starring Jim Carrey, much to the dismay of longtime fans of the show; as of March 2005 reports differ as to whether this film will actually be made.

Related Topics:
Kevin Smith - Chris Rock - Jim Carrey

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Opening narration

The opening narration for each episode has become part of American pop culture. After a couple of early versions of the narration were tried out, the most famous version was introduced when The Six Million Dollar Man became a weekly series:

Related Topics:
American - Pop culture

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Narrator: "Steve Austin, astronaut. A man barely alive." Oscar Goldman: "Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic man. Steve Austin will be that man. Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster."

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The Cantonese-dubbed version (aired on TVB) has the following opening narration: (English translation)

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"Astronaut - Steve Austin, critically injured after the accident. After doctors' diagnoses, in their opinion that they can modify him... into a man whose left eye, right hand, both legs that are unlike anyone else's. This modification finally succeeded. Steve Austin is now strong, agile, wise and brave combined."

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