Does anyone remember the television program "Sliders"?

[lumberjack_jeff]

My wife brought the set of the first season home from the library. One of the episodes was entitled "The Weaker Sex".

The basic premise was that our intrepid universe-hoppers found themselves on a parallel earth in which women strongly dominated society. In the first few minutes of the show (which aired in 1996) the main characters were buying a pretzel from a kiosk at which a TV was playing. In hopes of finding evidence that they'd found their way home, they asked the vendor "Who is the president?". He answered "Clinton, of course" then he added "but I have no idea how, married to that loud mouth". The TV then announces a press conference with "President Hillary Clinton".

Later in the program, they introduce us to "Pope Jane Pauley". :rofl:

One of the sliders, Max Arturo was soon recruited by a group of equal rights advocates to run for Mayor of San Fransisco against the grossly sexist administration of incumbent mayor Anita Ross. Arturo, initially considered a bit of a crackpot and not taken seriously at all, slowly but steadily makes gains in the polls. This captures the attention of conservatives so his campaign HQ is attacked with bricks, an assassin attempts to take his life and his campaign is threatened with bombing. Realizing that he is interfering with a society which is not receptive to his brand of reform, he decides that the best way to get out of the race without damaging the cause of equal rights was to throw the upcoming debate - to "pull a Muskie".

So at the debate, when it is his turn to speak, Arturo chokes up, expresses how hurtful he finds his opponents words and leaves the podium in a near-state of tears.

Back in the dressing room, his friends congratulate and joke with Arturo on his convincing performance, only to find that his "display of humanity" has earned him another 5% of the vote thus winning him the election.

Aside from the irony of a 1996 television program using a President Hillary for its shock value, I find the parallels to current events to be more than a little interesting.

One of my favorite TV programs ever.

[Mythsaje]

1. I liked what I saw of Sliders...

My ex was pissed off that they took off "Strange Luck," a really interesting show, and replaced it with Sliders...also interesting, in my view, but she refused to watch it. Later, I caught up with some of it. Since my novels revolve around some of the same theories, I found it quite entertaining.

[Ecumenist]

2. Yep and I loved it...

It was hilarious and extremely interesting!!

[BootinUp]

3. I used to watch it all the time

unfortunately I never got around to recording any of it.

[lumberjack_jeff]

4. The set is really great stuff

I'm lucky that my library has it.

[hfojvt]

5. Was it sponsored by White Castle?

Just in case FYI - their burgers are called sliders.

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. Indeed, one of the most unfortunate associations ever.

I said "ass".

[THUNDER HANDS]

7. video link to that episode...

or 30 seconds of it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw3yidwGchk

[damntexdem]

8. No, there was never a TV program "Sliders."

It was only broadcast in a set of parallel universes, not here.

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. No doubt if the sliders ever found themselves here in 2008

They'd bail out real quick-like.