The television program, Probe was created by Isaac Asimov, William Link, and Michael I. Wagner. Wagner wrote three episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and created the animated series, Capitol Critters, with Steven Bochco. He passed in 1992. William Link is a writer for the investigation show, Columbo (1971-2003), and Murder, She Wrote (1985-1996). The series lasted for eight episodes in 1988.
Probe is in part a procedural show with Austin James (played by Parker Stevenson) as a genius inventor and owner of a technology company called Serendip. His assistant is Mickey Castle (Ashley Crow) who provides everyday wisdom and fun as counterpart to Austin James. The show is intelligent and cleverly written with multiple cases involving the scientific or paranormal. I had the opportunity to speak with Parker Stevenson at the Hollywood Show on February 2nd of this year. This interview was conducted via e-mail.
In interviews, there is mention of your love of photography with your company, ParkerStevensonShadowworks.com, in my photography I see it as a capturing a moment, trying to be patient setting up a shot, and get the best lighting. What do you see as the challenges in photography?
Yes, preparation for a shoot is crucial as from that an artistic concept and the visual qualities I am after evolve, which enhances confidence going into the session and allows a comfortable connection with the subject especially for portraits. All that preparation creates the confidence to then shoot instinctively; to be open and responsive to the spontaneous surprises from the interactions between subject and photographer, to discoveries involving light, space, and composition. All of this in the quest for an emotionally arresting image. That is ultimately all that I am after.
The Hardy Boys was inspirational to me as a kid reading the books and seeing the show to have young detectives which is a staple now with cable shows. (Parker Stevenson played Frank Hardy, brother and fellow detective to Joe Hardy, played by Shaun Cassidy). What do you think is the lasting appeal of the Hardy Boys program?
For me, the lasting appeal of the Hardy Boys tv series lies in the youthful innocence and playfulness of the mysteries solved in each episode. The stories all empowered kids with abilities that the adult characters in the series lacked. That quality of innocence is missing in most entertainment today, I think is why that series still appeals to so many.
The movie Lifeguard (1976) and the television series Baywatch brought some dramatic moments, but also depicted some of the life at the beach. (Stevenson played Chris in the Lifeguard film that also starred Sam Elliot. He was Craig Pomeroy in 1989 to 1990 of Baywatch and later returned in 1998-1999 episodes). Was it a challenge with directing several episodes of Baywatch and also four other shows?
I grew up by the beach and spent a lot of time on the water which is where I am most comfortable and inspired. That is certainly at least part of the reason I was cast in Lifeguard and then Baywatch, and why directing those episodes came naturally. As to directing other shows, the joy was supporting the efforts of actors in keeping their work fresh and engaging, and in finding beautiful images to support the emotional moments to tell the story.
You are currently on the Netflix show Greenhouse Academy based on the series Ha-Hamama. You play Louis Osmond who runs a school for exceptional people. Do you think Austin James would fit perfectly in that school?
There is some of the Austin James character of Probe in the character Louis Osmond that I play on the Netflix series Greenhouse Academy. I guess because there are parts of me in both those characters, at least qualities that I would like to think I might have a little of. Although Austin was more self-centered and single minded, both characters have the ability to think and function ‘outside the box’, while Louis is above all else devoted to nurturing and bringing out the best in his students.
We mentioned Isaac Asimov creating the show, you mentioned the characters and the episode plots, did he discuss the character of Austin James with you? Where you a reader of his work? How did you get involved with Probe?
I did know Asimov’s work and the originality of his writing but I never got to meet him. I was cast in the series Probe after the show had been created and sold to ABC. I loved being part of that series and the mouthpiece for all those beautiful ideas and words, but I was deeply disappointed I never got to know Asimov or get more seasons playing that character.
The role of Austin James is intriguing, he is always looking around, analyzing his environment, also that his mind is constantly working through multiple problems, is this an acting challenge to be have every gesture to be controlled? I will add that Austin’s genius was not intimidating. I wasn’t lost trying to catch up with the mysteries, but enjoyed following Austin and Michelle.
I am grateful you connected with the Austin character and were never lost or intimated by all the lengthy dialogue and high level of activity. That was the joy for me to portray a character that kinetic and eccentric yet to still connect with his innocence, enthusiasm, and sweetness.
There is a give and take between Austin and Michelle Castle, but Michelle hurts him to the core by saying he doesn’t love anything. Austin reveals he helped build a prosthetic leg, he loves humanity, so his perception is macro in relationships, not one to one. Is it interesting to have Michelle as a counter, she seems to be the only person who can match Austin, and the pairing generates laughs.
The casting of Probe served us well. Sometimes the people that interest us the most are the ones who are the most different from us. I think that’s why those characters engaged us and were fun to watch interacting. Ashley was a great choice and I think we complimented each other well.
What was the atmosphere of the set? Fun? Was it challenging handling the technical matters like computers and effects? The science all seems sound so there must have been great scientific advisors for the show.
The atmosphere on the Probe set was like a fun house with all the amazing props and equipment filling the warehouse set. Making sense of all that dialogue was a challenge but we did have good scientific advisors on the series, we had Isaac Asimov !
We mentioned Sherlock Holmes and the shows and films that are currently popular, Probe, was my first exposure to such a character. Also, that X-Files was five years after Probe, which only had seven brilliant episodes. How do you think the show would do in today’s television schedule? Do you have a favorite episode?
Both Probe (March to April 1988) and Max Hedroom (March 1987 to May 1988) which were on at the same time were way ahead of their time. I think the show would have been embraced more fully if it had debuted a few years later than it did. My favorite episode of Probe was ‘MAPE’ (the fourth episode) the one that we spent working with Sunshine the orangutan. I definitely think she taught us more that we taught her.
The show with the pilot tackles religion, superstition, science, artificial intelligence, and humanity. The series is ambitious and of course ahead of its time, but applicable to today’s audiences who are interested in science. What would you like to say to fans and hope for the show to come to streaming, Blu Ray, or other form?
Probe was a series that presented ideas, new ideas, Isaac Asimov ideas. We need that now more than ever, to address great challenges with creative new solutions, all our survival depends on that.
Probe was produced by MCA Television and distributed by NBC/Universal Television Distribution. There are no current airings of the show and it is not on Blu Ray or other home video forms. I hope the series will find its way on the one of the countless cable or streaming platforms. You may be able to catch episodes on Youtube. Thanks to Parker Stevenson for his time to answer questions and his incredible career.
#ParkerStevenson, #HardyBoys, #Probe, #GreenhouseAcademy
I Loved this interview! Thank you. It's really great to know that Parker can look back on his characters with affection and respect, unlike other actors who tend to shy away from their earliest roles or disdain them. But Parker's always been involved with quality entertainment. (Even if it was before it's time and cancelled too soon. That was TV land's loss.) I loved his roles especially in The Hardy Boys and Probe. It was also nice to hear him discuss his methods with Photography. He has some some beautiful photos.
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