Cartoon What Ifs: Fred Calvert's "The Six Million Dollar Man" (1975)

The Six Million Dollar Man is an American live-action science fiction television series produced by Universal Television, starred Lee Majors and aired on ABC from 1974 to 1978. It also spawned a spin-off The Bionic Woman, which aired from 1976 to 1978.

In 1975, after his success with Emergency +4, Fred Calvert Productions wanted to do another half-hour animated take on a then-current live-action Universal property. He however chose The Six Million Dollar Man. Thus Steve Austin was supported by a futuristic dog and two bionic-looking kids, thus making it more suitable for children. To distinguish it from the primetime series, it was referred to as The Six Million Dollar Man: The Animated Series.

ABC however agreed to air this half-hour animated spin-off in the noon slot on Saturday mornings, right after The Oddball Couple in 1975. It lasted 16 episodes long, and its theme was produced by Sound Track Music Company, who also wrote the theme for Emergency +4. ABC however removed the show from its schedule in 1976.

Fully ITTL, IOTL, Speed Buggy placed in the noon slot on Saturday mornings in 1975 and the animated spin-off of The Six Million Dollar Man didn't happen.
 
Last edited:
Confused. What’s the premise and the POD?

I remember “Speed Buggy” and the original 6MDM but not the animated one. From what I remember an animated version would be VERY short lived. Look at the animated Star Trek.
 
Top