Gene-ology: A Mission Log Look into Gene Roddenberry’s Works - podcast cover

Gene-ology: A Mission Log Look into Gene Roddenberry’s Works

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Gene-ology from Roddenberry Entertainment explores the earliest TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry. We dig deep into the Roddenberry archives, including scripts that were never produced, to discuss the themes of Gene's writing in the years prior to his best known creation, Star Trek. Buckle in and get ready for Gene-ology.
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Episodes

Gene-ology 20 - Jet Flight

Let's fly! West Point takes to the sky as an episode Gene wrote for the '50s military series puts Army cadets in the jump seat of Air Force jet fighters, whether they're ready to pull some G's or not. And one nervous cadet's training flight could be his last. Guest starring Steve Spindler as Chuck Cawlstatt and Canaan Hess as Kenny.

Feb 19, 202458 minEp. 20

Gene-ology 19 - A Double Reverse

Love is in the air as Gene-ology tackles an unusually romantic Roddenberry-written episode of the '50s series West Point. Did Norman and Earl love this episode as much as the episode's leads loved each other by the end? Guest starring Ryanne McKay as Doreen and Robin Nystrom as Stan

Feb 12, 202456 minEp. 19

Gene-ology 18 - Man Of Action

Gene-ology's coverage of Gene Roddenberry's early TV writing continues with another tale from the '50s series West Point. But "Man Of Action" lives up to the "based on fact" part of the show's opening credits much more than most. Guest starring Victor Vanegas as Cadet Matson, and Shawn McDaniel as Major King.

Feb 05, 20241 hr 2 minEp. 18

Gene-ology 17 - Thicker Than Water

Gene-ology's coverage of Gene Roddenberry's early TV writing continues with the '50s series West Point. "Thicker Than Water" has familiar faces and familiar story elements, along with fresh questions about who the intended audience was. Guest starring Ross Gallo as Cadet Joel Hamilton, Michael Roman as Ed, and Jared Ballard as James.

Jan 29, 202459 minEp. 17

Gene-ology 16 - The Operator and the Martinet

Gene-ology enlists for a tour of duty at the 1950s series West Point, Gene Roddenberry's first gig as a TV staff writer. Only one episode could bring you oddly formal ice cream presentation, live chicken delivery, and a very young Robert Vaughn and Chuck Connors. That episode is "The Operator and the Martinet". Guest starring Jack Harris as Maj. Nielson.

Jan 22, 20241 hr 2 minEp. 16

Gene-ology Mailbag #1

Gene-ology takes a pause to catch its breath before moving on to covering the next phase of Gene Roddenberry's early TV writing career, and reads some letters we've received from our listeners.

Jan 15, 202450 min

Gene-ology 15 - Discredit Police

Gene-ology completes Gene Roddenberry's short stint on the 1950s TV series I Led 3 Lives with the second script he wrote for the show, "Discredit Police". Guest starring Vic Sage as Herb Philbrick and Cody Banning as Potter.

Jan 08, 202459 minEp. 15

Gene-ology 14 - Radioactive

Gene-ology ventures into another series from early in Gene Roddenberry's TV writing career, I Led 3 Lives - a show for which Gene himself had very little love. Get ready for a "rad" history lesson as Norm and Earl get "Radioactive". Guest starring Vic Sage as Herb Philbrick and Robert Parson as Agent Jerry Dressler. Gene-ology returns on January 8th, 2024!

Dec 18, 20231 hr 7 minEp. 14

Gene-ology 13 - Oil Lease

In the latest Gene-ology, an "Oil Lease" is in jeopardy as Earl and Norman examine Gene Roddenberry's final script for the 1950s cop show Highway Patrol. Guest starring Mark Pracht as Detective Dan Mathews, Matt Hensley as Fletcher, and David Takechi as the Colonel.

Dec 11, 20231 hr 6 minEp. 13

Gene-ology 12 - Prospector

In the latest Gene-ology, the Highway Patrol protects a wayward "Prospector" as Norm and Earl sift through another of Gene Roddenberry's 1950s TV scripts. Guest starring Paul Harvath as Asa McQueen, and Michelle Harvath as Maggie Hammond.

Dec 04, 202356 minEp. 12

Gene-ology 11 - Mental Patient

The Highway Patrol joins the hunt for a "Mental Patient", and Norm and Earl might just have witnessed the birth of Edith Keeler, in the latest Gene-ology. Guest starring Mark Pracht as Detective Dan Mathews and Larry Nemecek as Mylo Hobson.

Nov 27, 20231 hr 5 minEp. 11

Gene-ology 10 - Human Bomb

The Highway Patrol faces a race against time as another 1950s Gene Roddenberry script sees Mathews trying to prevent a suicidal "Human Bomb" from taking others with him. Guest starring Mark Pracht as Detective Dan Mathews and Adam Drosin as Sellers.

Nov 16, 20231 hr 1 minEp. 10

Gene-ology 9 - Reformed Criminal

It's 1955, and Gene, still writing as Robert Wesley, returns to the police drama with "Reformed Criminal", an early episode of the '50s TV mainstay Highway Patrol. Guest starring Mark Pracht as Detective Dan Mathews and Scott Martin as Mr. Morse.

Nov 09, 202352 minEp. 9

Gene-ology 8 - The Secret Weapon of 117

So what was Gene Roddenberry's first produced piece of television science fiction? This week, Earl and Norm field-strip The Secret Weapon of 117 and find, logically enough, some very familiar concepts. Guest starring James Kerwin as Alfred Mark and Charlynn Schmeidt as Kamala Mark.

Nov 02, 202357 minEp. 8

Gene-ology 7 - The Transporter

Gene-ology's survey of the early television writing of Gene Roddenberry arrives at the earliest instance of Gene writing in the genre for which he would become most famous. Step into "The Transporter" - a story that was never produced.

Oct 26, 202353 minEp. 7

Gene-ology 6 - Police Brutality

It's Gene's last script for the 1950s series Mr. District Attorney... has he devised the DA's most cunning foil yet? And what about the alarming accusations of "Police Brutality"? Guest starring Sean Darr as Officer Richards, Glenn Rigberg as Captain Delaney, and John Kirkorian as District Attorney Paul Garrett.

Oct 19, 20231 hr 3 minEp. 6

Gene-ology 5 - Patrol Boat

Crime knows no bounds, taking to land and sea, with Mr. District Attorney in hot pursuit. This week, Gene-ology checks the "Patrol Boat" episode to see if it's seaworthy. Guest starring Shawn McDaniel as Henry Higgins and Ria Papageorgiou as Paula Higgins.

Oct 12, 202350 minEp. 5

Gene-ology 4 - Court Escape

Mr. District Attorney is trying to solve a clever caper on his home turf, as Gene-ology digs into the inner workings of Gene's fourth script for that show. Guest starring Doug Robertson as Trey, Bill Smith as Wick, and David Takechi as Dedrick.

Oct 05, 202358 minEp. 4

Gene-ology 3 -Police Academy

Gene-ology returns to the fifties - and Mr. District Attorney - yet again, and enrolls in "Police Academy", Gene's third script for the show. Guest starring John Krikorian as Paul Garrett and Dan Davidson as Capt. MacPherson.

Sep 28, 20231 hr 4 minEp. 3

Gene-ology 2 - Wife Killer

Is this episode about a wife killer...or about a wife who is a killer? Gene-ology cross-examines the "Wife Killer" episode of Mr. District Attorney from 1954. Guest starring John Krikorian as Paul Garrett and Mike Richards as Clingham. Sponsored by - ExpressVPN . Get three months free with one year subscription.

Sep 21, 202358 minEp. 2

Gene-ology 1 - Defense Plant Gambling

Gene-ology kicks off its deep dive into the early TV work of Gene Roddenberry with his first sold TV script, the "Defense Plant Gambling" episode of Mr. District Attorney from 1954. Guest starring Mark Stablein as Macauley and Jonathan Woodward as Zaratt.

Sep 14, 20231 hr 4 minEp. 1

Gene-ology 0 - Gene-ology 101

The Mission Log family tree has a new branch, exploring the TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry starting with his earliest script sale. Rod Roddenberry drops in to discuss the coming deep dive into the archives, including scripts that were never produced. Buckle in and get ready for Gene-ology.

Sep 07, 202336 min
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