Created by Buck Henry (who along with Mel Brooks sent up the spy genre in Get Smart), this short-lived, eight-episode 1978 series spoofs Star Trek. Richard Benjamin is Adam Quark, an “ordinary human” who commands a United Galaxy Sanitation Patrol ship. His mission: “To boldly seek out grime and grit, to collect the uncollectible space baggie, and to always leave the area cleaner than when I found it.” His eccentric crew includes Ficus (Richard Kelton), a Spock-like Vegeton; Gene/Jean (Tim Thomerson), a male/female “transmute”; the gorgeous, hot pantsed navigators Betty I and Betty II (Patricia and Cyb Barnstable, who gained commercial fame as the Doublemint Twins), one of whom is a clone; and Andy (Bobby Porter), the cowardly robot. The hapless Quark yearns for greater adventures, but receives no vote of confidence from bureaucrat Otto Palindrome (a pre-Mork & Mindy Conrad Janis), who administers Space Station Perma One at the behest of the behemoth The Head (Alan Caillou). Proceed with warp speed past the pilot, since the series really takes off with the second episode, “May the Source Be With You,” featuring the voice of Hans Conried as the galaxy's supposed greatest weapon (but, after 200 years of inaction, a little rusty). Carrying a bit of cult cachet with sci-fi buffs, this is an optional purchase for larger collections. (D. Liebenson)
Quark: The Complete Series
Sony, 222 min., not rated, DVD: $19.95 Volume 24, Issue 1
Quark: The Complete Series
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