Action Network blog

The return of the Tripods?

• Amber Rose
• 23 May 06, 04:43 PM

Back in the days when Action Network was known as iCan, Jim Baker joined the website and started a campaign to bring back a cult BBC series about three-legged machines invading earth.

The programme Jim wanted to see return to our screens was The Tripods. Two years on, his campaign goes from strength-to-strength. Jim has managed to rally plenty of support and interest, with 254 people backing his campaign.

The Tripods, based on John Christopher’s trilogy of books, centres on a young man who battles against machines that have enslaved humans on Earth. The BBC made two series shown in 1984 and 1985. A third was cancelled - leaving the protagonist, Will, in the middle of invading the city of the Tripods.

Those who have rallied round the campaign have brought it - the campaign, not the series - back from hibernation every now and then, thanks to their steady contributions of comments to the updates.

One of the latest comments from Edward Brown describes the campaign as “impressive” - while Victoria Woolen “shudders” at the thought of a US version of the Tripods, but adds: “What a pity nobody in the UK has had the imagination to do it. The BBC series can't be improved upon despite its flaws, it was a piece of genius.”

Jim Baker's campaign seems to be part of a wave of viewers using the internet to save their favourite TV shows.
When fans of HBO’s Deadwood found out that there were plans to cancel the drama, viewers set up a Save Deadwood website and within a day had attracted enough donations to run an advertisement in a leading entertainment magazine.

Action Network seems to be attracting a reasonable sample of this kind of activity. So whether you’re for or against the return of the Tripods, or have a view on bringing back the House Party – don’t forget to add a comment or vote.