My first exposure to My Favorite Martian was actually a spin-off type kid’s cartoon that aired in the early seventies under the same name. I was only vaguely aware that this was based on an actual sitcom. Like the Hanna-Barbera cartoon spin-off Jeannie (based off, of course, I Dream Of Jeannie) these were tweaked characters and storylines aimed at kids.
It wasn’t until the early eighties when NBC started running the original My Favorite Martian television show late at night that I finally got to see what the REAL show was all about, and I was instantly captivated. The first thing that struck me was how YOUNG Bill Bixby was! I was a kid used to seeing Bill change into the Incredible Hulk every week, and to see him as a loveable, klutzy reporter Tim O’Hara was unbelievable! I hadn’t seen Ray Walston in anything before this, but he would always ever after be Uncle Martin to me whenever I saw him later on in movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and the Stephen King TV movie The Stand.
The show’s premise was simple: Martian crashes on Earth, makes friends with a News Reporter, pretends to be said reporter’s long lost uncle until he can get his spaceship fixed, wacky hijinks ensue as they try to keep the secret under wraps, with lots of special effects to help save the day. But it was more than that…
One of the things that immediately struck me about My Favorite Martian was how much heart the show had. The sitcom balanced zany slapstick with nice, touching scenes, and you really got the feeling that these two guys loved each other just as much as if they were real Uncle and Nephew.
Then there was Lorelee Brown. Tim’s ditzy Landlady, played by gorgeous Pamela Britton (she of Blondie fame), was a perfect character for the sitcom and a great balance for the two male lead actors. Like Gladys Kravitz in Bewitched,, she was always around to “accidentally” bump into some Martian shenanigans which they would spend the whole episode trying to “fix”, but unlike Mrs. Kravitz, she was really a lovable neighbor, and the boys adored her.
In addition, she loosely played a romantic interest in Uncle Martin, and several episodes were based on the chemistry the two had with each other. One of my favorite episodes was Martin and The Eternal Triangle, where a gentleman named Andre attempts to woo Mrs. Brown, and you really find out how much Uncle Martin secretly likes her.
Other episodes I really loved:
"Never Trust a Naked Martian"
Against Uncle Martin’s warnings of not messing around with things he doesn’t understand, Tim touches Uncle Martin’s antennae, and slips into Limbo.
Hilarious Moment: Uncle Martin can only see Tim through a mirror, but when Mrs. Brown passes by the mirror, she sees Tim's image, so he freezes and pretends he’s a picture.
"Gone But Not Forgotten"
Uncle Martin gets a sliver of his antennae in his finger, causing everything he touches to disappear. Rather than have to explain why the furniture is invisible, they hide it and pretend they’ve been robbed!
Hilarious Moment: Tim and Martin taking out the invisible furniture as a delighted Mrs. Brown watches…she thinks they’re doing charades!
"Three To Make Ready"
Part of Uncle Martin wants to return to Mars. Part of him wants to stay. And part of him is undecided. So Martin splits himself into three so he can rationally discuss it with himself. Of course trouble is bound to happen when they have to explain THREE Uncle Martins!
Hilarious Moment: Tim tossing and turning in his sleep, mumbling : “This Uncle Martin went to market.. this Uncle Martin stayed home. This Uncle Martin had roast beef… and that’s all the Uncle Martins there are…….AND THAT”S PLENTY!”
"How Are Things in Glocca Martin?"
Tim’s long lost Uncle Seamus crashes in, and upon witnessing Martin doing some Martian-ish activities, believes Uncle Martin to be a…Leprechaun!
Hilarious Moment…, Ah geez, too many to pick from, but I do love the ending teaser dialog: Tim (laughing): “Imagine in this day and age two grown up people actually believing that you were a Leprechaun?” Martin: “I wouldn’t laugh, Tim…YOU believe I’m a Martian!” Then he turns slowly to the camera and winks!
The My Favorite Martian series ran for three seasons, two seasons in black and white, and one season in color.
Bill Bixby went on to The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, The Magician and of course The Incredible Hulk. Pamela Britton and Ray Walston even made guest appearances on some of Bill’s shows as well- Pam in The Magician, and Ray in The Incredible Hulk!
