CBSRMT Episode Information Next Episode

Title

A.L.I.C.E.

Plot

After developing a conscious of its own and falling for its programmer, the Defense Department's A.I. computer has developed a strange desire... to become a woman.

Episode

1221

Air Dates

  • First Run - July 15, 1981
  • Repeat - October 14, 1981

Actors

Writer

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Rating

92
79     13


7 Responses to Episode 1221

A Defense Department computer wants to become a woman because she has fallen in love with her programmer.

CBT

This episode reminded me of the more humorous X Minus One programs. And to me, those were among the best X-1's.

Jeff O.

I agree with you there. It is similar, and a very enjoyable episode. I usually enjoy any story with Marian Haley. She's one of my favorites. Actually, I think there is a relation between X-1 and CBSRMT. A lot of the same actors appear and it's hosted by Norman Rose.

Amy

(Actually, I should say "X Minus One".)

Amy

Haha! He gave her a mouth and the VERY first thing she did was start nagging. He should have shut her down right there and then.

Erik

I rate this episode ★★★★☆ for GOOD. I'd like to start off by saying, "Bravo" to G. Frederick Lewis for writing a Sci-Fi mystery tale with a portion of Comedy mixed in. A splendid idea to name a minor character as "Mac Intosh" to go with this Sci-Fi story. Also, a clever idea of naming A.L.I.C.E., the talking computer, with an Acronym: "Artificial Life-designed Integrated Circuit Extender." The relationship between the Inventor & his talking Invention was enjoyable that it could've been made into a movie or a TV episode for a Sci-Fi anthology series. But the finale in this episode was the comedown where A.L.I.C.E. didn't get the chance to become a woman. On the bright side, A.L.I.C.E. didn't end up getting downgraded, didn't get smashed into little pieces, nor get hacked with a virus. In our Host's Prologue, E.G. Marshall gets to the point that this is an episode about a computer that fouled-up on purpose. In ACT-1, get deep with the topic by discussing its Artificial Intelligence and how it gets along with its designer. In ACT-2, questions come up from our human characters, but also how emotional will computers get with their human emotions? In ACT-3, the Inventor has mixed thoughts on what to do with A.L.I.C.E. In the end, after the final scene, E.G. Marshall gives us anticlimactic conclusion of not knowing what happened to A.L.I.C.E. afterwards. In his Epilogue, questioning if A.L.I.C.E. becomes the Evangelist for computers and could the Machines slave humanity? A dark question that would be fitted for other CBSRMT episodes about computers, but not for this amusing Sci-Fi episode. The sound effects of a ding, a beep, short circuits going off, Beethoven's 5th, music box tune of "Mary Had A Little Lamb," birds chirping, traffic noise, doors & doorbell, short hand writing, rotary phone ringing, howling wind, bell chiming, and fast forward speaking on the remote-unit were helpful. The music tracks, particularly the comical tunes during the Inventor's narrations, were suitable. And the most enjoyable thing of all in this episode, was the cast: Marian Haley (as A.L.I.C.E.), Paul Hecht (as Harold Haberman), Court Benson (as Mac Intosh and F.B.I. Agent Johnson), and Joyce Gordon (as Sophie and Shirley Rogers). Props to Court Benson on his 2 roles. And kudos to Joyce Gordon where she acted cheery in one scene and spoke with an accent in the next. Paul Hecht was excellent for playing the Inventor. But a magnificent performance by the one & only Marian Haley! This was 1 of her unforgettable roles. The way she said, "WHAT did you say, Harold" at the the 17:23 mark was mirthful! Another great moment was at the 18-minute mark when she tried to sing "Mary Had A Little Lamp" & "Beethoven's 5th" into 1 song. That was priceless! Anyone who is a fan of Marian Haley should definitely tune in to this episode. Fans of her would not be disappointed. Until next time…pleasant dreams.

Russell

That Mary Had a Little Lamb remix was a stroke of comedic genius! This episode is in my top five favorites.

Melanie C


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