E A R T H S E A R C H
---------------------

1981 and 1982

First Show: 6 Jan, 1981 Last Show: 27 Jun, 1982
Number Shows: 20 (both series) Audition Show: none


Series Description:

EARTHSEARCH was a 10-part modern science fiction adventure produced by
the British Broadcasting Corporation. EARTHSEARCH was followed by a
sequel 10-part series, EARTHSEARCH II. All shows are 30 minutes and
all are in stereo. They were written by James Follett and directed by
Glyn Dearman and aired on BBC Radio 4. The first series aired Tuesday
evenings from 10:30 to 11:00 PM. A special 1-hour broadcast of
episodes 1 and 2 aired Sunday, the 18th, from 12 to 1:00 PM. The
second series was heard Sundays, from 12:00 to 12:30 PM with the
exception of episode 6, which aired from 10:15 to 10:45 AM. Mr.
Follette's novel Earthsearch (1981) and Deathship (1982) were based
on the radio series. His prequel, Mindwarp, was published in 1993.

When it's discovered that the sun is dying, a number of missions to
discover habitable planets are sent out. The spaceships for the
mission are intended for long duration voyages and the crew is
expected to live out their lives on board. On one such mission, an
accident occurs, killing all but four infants. The ship's computer
systems raise the children.

The first series deals with the children coming of age and their
attempt at returning to Earth. The journey involves a struggle with
the computer intelligence that raised them. At the end of the first
series, they have not found Earth and decide to settle on an Earth-
type world instead.

Series II continues the adventure. Again, there is a struggle with
the ship's computers. The search for Earth is again undertaken,
this time with a view to rejoining society on Earth.

A third series, EARTHSEARCH: MINDWARP was a prequel to EARTHSEARCH.
It aired in three parts on BBC 7 April 1st, 8th and 15th, 2006. It
is not known if this was the first airing of the series although it
was scheduled for release in May 2001. Each episode runs
approximately 45 minutes. It was produced by Big Finish Productions.

Both series are good science fiction, with well-developed plots.
They are well-acted and well-produced. Fans of both science fiction
and radio drama will find these series an enjoyable listen.


Chronological Log:

Date Day Num Title
------------ --- --- -----------------------------
........ EARTHSEARCH ........
10:30 to 10:00 PM
06 Jan, 1981 Tue 1 "Planet Fall"
13 Jan, 1981 Tue 2 "First Footprint City"
18 Jan, 1981 Sun 1&2 .... episodes 1 & 2 ...
... aired 12 to 1 PM ..
20 Jan, 1981 Tue 3 "Sands Of Cairos"
27 Jan, 1981 Tue 4 "The Solaric Empire"
03 Feb, 1981 Tue 5 "The Pools Of Time"
10 Feb, 1981 Tue 6 "Across The Abyss"
17 Feb, 1981 Tue 7 "New Blood"
24 Feb, 1981 Tue 8 "Marooned"
03 Mar, 1981 Tue 9 "Star Cluster"
10 Mar, 1981 Tue 10 "Earthfall"

...... EARTHSEARCH II .......
12:00 to 12:30 PM
25 Apr, 1982 Sun 1 "Return"
02 May, 1982 Sun 2 "Flood"
09 May, 1982 Sun 3 "Surrender"
16 May, 1982 Sun 4 "Solaria"
23 May, 1982 Sun 5 "Sun Death"
30 May, 1982 Sun 6 "Supermass"
(10:15 to 10:45 AM)
06 Jun, 1982 Sun 7 "Death Ship"
13 Jun, 1982 Sun 8 "Meglomania"
20 Jun, 1982 Sun 9 "Earth"
27 Jun, 1982 Sun 10 "Earth Voice"

... EARTHSEARCH: MINDWARP ...
broadcast times unknown
01 Apr, 2006 Sat 1 title not known
08 Apr, 2006 Sat 2 title not known
15 Apr, 2006 Sat 3 title not known


References:

* "The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide To All
Circulating Shows", by Jay Hickerson, 27436 Desert Rose Ct.,
Leesburg, FL 34748


Reader Feedback:

* Bill Boucher provided dates for the series.
* Ian Beard provided date verification and broadcast times.


Last Update: Jul 25, 2007


This log is informational only and does not imply that I have these
shows for trade or sale. The shows are still protected under
copyright law and should be obtained only from authorized dealers.

The log may be freely reproduced and published on a no-profit basis.
Please send error corrections or additional information to Frank M.
Passage, 109 Elmwood Road, Verona, NJ 07044 (email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).