Quark is a delightful American science fiction sitcom that originally graced the NBC network screens, featuring the talented Richard Benjamin in the lead role. The pilot episode made its debut on May 7, 1977, and the show was later picked up as a mid-season replacement, hitting the airwaves again in February 1978. Sadly, despite its unique charm, the series was canceled in April 1978, having left a distinct mark during its brief run.
Created by the creative genius Buck Henry, who was also behind the beloved spy spoof Get Smart, Quark took audiences on a whimsical journey aboard the United Galaxy Sanitation Patrol Cruiser. Set against the backdrop of 2226, this interstellar garbage scow operates out of the colorful United Galaxies Space Station Perma One. The protagonist, Adam Quark, leads a diverse and eccentric crew in their noble quest to tackle space debris by gathering "space baggies" from the cosmos.
What set Quark apart was not just its quirky premise but also its clever satire of popular science fiction franchises, including iconic works such as Star Wars, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Flash Gordon. Remarkably, the show includes three episodes that pay direct homage to Star Trek in a playful and humorous manner. Quark even earned itself an Emmy Award nomination, thanks to the creative costume designs by Grady Hunt in the episode "All the Emperor's Quasi-Norms, Part 2," showcasing the show's attention to detail.
In one particularly memorable episode, a catastrophic deep-space phenomenon threatens the galaxy, and Quark's ship is the last hope. However, with them being so far out, communication is limited to telegrams. This leads to a humorous exchange where Quark's superiors, Palindrome and The Head, find themselves bickering over the costs associated with sending messages. Their antics to save words and costs add a layer of comedy, while Quark and his crew manage to save the day despite the chaos.
Interestingly, this episode features Dr. O.B. Mudd, a grumpy one-eyed scientist portrayed by Douglas Fowley, stepping into the "science guy" role, which was previously held by Ficus. There's a fun reference to Mudd and Quark's collaboration in creating Andy—an unforgettable nod to character building. Unfortunately, Mudd's character doesn’t make any further appearances, leaving fans puzzled over his abrupt exit from the storyline, aside from a comical transfer gag.
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There's also a curious detail about the Barnstable twins being credited as the "Barnett" siblings in the pilot. It's fascinating to consider how sci-fi was once viewed as “television poison” until fairly recently, especially given today’s thriving landscape of science fiction and fantasy shows. The last space fantasy series to garner any lasting attention before Quark was 'Land of the Giants' in 1968, with ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ not emerging until nearly twenty years later.
Television networks frequently attempted to launch various science fiction or horror shows each season, ranging from 'Planet of the Apes' to 'Voyagers', but most quickly fell flat. Even Battlestar Galactica only managed to stay afloat for two years due to multiple reboots initiated by ABC. This contributed to the sentiment among networks that the science fiction genre was all but dead—a notion that seems quite laughable in the context of today’s numerous successful sci-fi series! Quark may have had a short-lived journey, but it certainly left an indelible impression on the genre and its fans.
Cyb (Priscilla) Barnstable, a dynamic talent, graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in Speech and Drama. Driven by her ambition, she made the bold move to New York City, where she signed with the prestigious Eileen Ford's Ford Modeling Agency. Her modeling career took off, leading her to not only grace the runways of New York but also travel internationally. Throughout her journey, she has appeared in renowned publications such as Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Mademoiselle, Glamour, Brides, GQ, Redbook, and Good Housekeeping. One of her standout roles was as one of the famous “Doublemint Twins,” captivating audiences with memorable commercials. In addition to her modeling work, Cyb honed her acting skills at the Herbert Berghof Studio and Wynn Hammond Studio, where she nurtured her passion for performance.
Cyb shares a special bond with her twin sister, Patricia Barnstable, and together they co-host the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Party. This annual gala is not just a glamorous event; it serves as a significant fundraiser benefiting Diabetes Research, showcasing their commitment to giving back to the community. Currently, Cyb imparts her knowledge and experience as a commercial acting teacher at SMC Pierce College, inspiring the next generation of performers.
There's also a curious detail about the Barnstable twins being credited as the "Barnett" siblings in the pilot. It's fascinating to consider how sci-fi was once viewed as “television poison” until fairly recently, especially given today’s thriving landscape of science fiction and fantasy shows. The last space fantasy series to garner any lasting attention before Quark was 'Land of the Giants' in 1968, with ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ not emerging until nearly twenty years later.
Television networks frequently attempted to launch various science fiction or horror shows each season, ranging from 'Planet of the Apes' to 'Voyagers', but most quickly fell flat. Even Battlestar Galactica only managed to stay afloat for two years due to multiple reboots initiated by ABC. This contributed to the sentiment among networks that the science fiction genre was all but dead—a notion that seems quite laughable in the context of today’s numerous successful sci-fi series! Quark may have had a short-lived journey, but it certainly left an indelible impression on the genre and its fans.
Cyb (Priscilla) Barnstable, a dynamic talent, graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in Speech and Drama. Driven by her ambition, she made the bold move to New York City, where she signed with the prestigious Eileen Ford's Ford Modeling Agency. Her modeling career took off, leading her to not only grace the runways of New York but also travel internationally. Throughout her journey, she has appeared in renowned publications such as Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Mademoiselle, Glamour, Brides, GQ, Redbook, and Good Housekeeping. One of her standout roles was as one of the famous “Doublemint Twins,” captivating audiences with memorable commercials. In addition to her modeling work, Cyb honed her acting skills at the Herbert Berghof Studio and Wynn Hammond Studio, where she nurtured her passion for performance.
Cyb shares a special bond with her twin sister, Patricia Barnstable, and together they co-host the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Party. This annual gala is not just a glamorous event; it serves as a significant fundraiser benefiting Diabetes Research, showcasing their commitment to giving back to the community. Currently, Cyb imparts her knowledge and experience as a commercial acting teacher at SMC Pierce College, inspiring the next generation of performers.
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On the other hand, Patricia Barnstable, who radiates warmth and vibrancy, was born on May 23, 1951, in Louisville, Kentucky. As Cyb's identical twin sister, Patricia has always had her sibling by her side. Together, they are the daughters of Dale and Wilma Barnstable. After graduating from Seneca High School in Louisville in 1969, Patricia’s mother encouraged her to enter a beauty pageant, leading to Patricia being crowned Miss Kentucky in 1971. Her remarkable journey continued as she went on to become a fifth-place runner-up in the Miss USA pageant.
Patricia, like her sister, studied at the University of Kentucky, earning degrees in both Speech and Theater. Her foray into show business began in 1972, when she and Cyb embarked on a memorable journey singing and dancing on Bob Hope's final USO Christmas tour in Vietnam. The sibling duo made their mark in the world of television as well, appearing in commercials for Doublemint Gum and on the covers of popular national magazines such as Redbook and Good Housekeeping.
On the other hand, Patricia Barnstable, who radiates warmth and vibrancy, was born on May 23, 1951, in Louisville, Kentucky. As Cyb's identical twin sister, Patricia has always had her sibling by her side. Together, they are the daughters of Dale and Wilma Barnstable. After graduating from Seneca High School in Louisville in 1969, Patricia’s mother encouraged her to enter a beauty pageant, leading to Patricia being crowned Miss Kentucky in 1971. Her remarkable journey continued as she went on to become a fifth-place runner-up in the Miss USA pageant.
Patricia, like her sister, studied at the University of Kentucky, earning degrees in both Speech and Theater. Her foray into show business began in 1972, when she and Cyb embarked on a memorable journey singing and dancing on Bob Hope's final USO Christmas tour in Vietnam. The sibling duo made their mark in the world of television as well, appearing in commercials for Doublemint Gum and on the covers of popular national magazines such as Redbook and Good Housekeeping.
One of their notable TV appearances includes playing spaceship pilots named Betty—one a clone and the other a human—in the whimsical, albeit short-lived science fiction comedy series "Quark." Additionally, they showcased their talent together on beloved shows like "The Love Boat" and "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color," as well as in the made-for-TV movie "Operating Room."
Philanthropy runs deep in the Barnstable family, as Patricia co-founded the Barnstable Brown Foundation alongside her sister and mother. Their efforts have raised an impressive sum of over $2 million for Diabetes Research, demonstrating their dedication to this crucial cause. Patricia, a proud mother to her son Christopher, continues to reside in her beloved hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Along with Cyb, she remains a gracious hostess for the annual Kentucky Derby Eve party, creating cherished memories for attendees year after year.
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