Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV Series) Cosmic Whiz Kid (1979) User Reviews

Whatchu talking' 'bout, Buck?

[Fluke_Skywalker · 6/10 · 1 June 2016]

Plot; Buck is enlisted to rescue the kidnapped president of the planet Genesia, a 10 year old Earth child who just happens to be from the late 20th century.

When someone says "1970s", a few things automatically spring to mind. Disco. Stagflation. Gary Coleman (and not necessarily in that order). Coleman was, absolutely no pun intended, a big star in late 70s thanks to his role as Arnold Jackson on the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes and a subsequent series of successful made-for-TV movies. That made him a rather good get here as Hieronymous Fox, the titular Whiz Kid who was sure to bring his legion of pre-pubescent fans with him to the 25th century. For the adults you had Gil Gerard, looking here like a feature dancer at a Little Rock Chippendale's in his tight brown suede sport coat and even tighter matching pants.

But Coleman isn't the only name of note here. The great Ray Walston guest stars as the villain of the week. Often looking like he accidentally stumbled in from cosplay night at the Shadylawns Senior Center, he sinks his dentures into the role with an admirable zest that helps to mask what must surely be abject humiliation. But, those 'My Favorite Martian' residual checks don't pay the bills, so...

On the margins, this is a fairly weak episode, but Coleman, Walston and Gerard's gigolo duds make it all go down more smoothly.

Buck Rogers: "Cosmic Whiz Kid"

[Wuchakk · 6/10 · 12 August 2017]

PLOT: When a child-like ruler (Gary Coleman) of the planet Genesia is kidnapped, Buck teams up with his bodyguard (Melody Rogers) to rescue the genius "boy" with the future of Genesia hanging in the balance. Ray Walston plays the sinister kidnapper while Albert Popwell appears as one of his heavies.

COMMENTARY: This installment is mainly notable for Coleman, yet there are several other highlights, starting with Rogers as the uniquely striking Lieutenant Dia Cyrton, who essentially takes Wilma's place. Moreover, Earl Boen has an interesting bit role as a telepath and Lester Fletcher appears as an axx-kicking little man with super-strength due to the gravity of the planet from which he hails. The script is generally weak, but there are consistent chuckles.

Buck helps rescue Hieronymous Fox, child genius & President of alien world from kidnappers.

[jefffisher65-708-541158 · 6/10 · 15 July 2013]

One's opinion of Cosmic Whiz Kid probably depends on how annoying one finds the late Gary Coleman's guest-starring role to be, I suppose; on Diff'rent Strokes,' he was acceptable, but in many of his other roles, not so much. Still, the notion of letting Buck meet somebody who is actually from the 20th century as well was a nice one, and the added attraction of Melody Rogers as Coleman's bodyguard Dia Cytron makes up for a great deal. Her two piece outfit nearly steals the show from our favorite outer space beauty, Erin Gray this time around, in fact.

The other reviewers have pretty well covered the episode, so I won't add a great deal else. I must say I thought that Buck taking out the super-strong killer sent after him was a bit much to swallow even for this series. Ray Walston did a nice turn as the villain Roderick Zale, though.

I suspect that some of the special effects problems with BRI25C were due to budget restraints imposed by NBC, as well as the state of of special effects in that era.

It is a bit sad watching this for another reason entirely, the unfortunate demise of Mr. Coleman. It seems some television series are cursed almost, such as Diff'rent Strokes, given the tragic demises of both Coleman, and Dana Plato. I know Todd Bridges has also had a number of serious problems in his life since Strokes ended years ago, now. Another series which seemed to have stars pursued by tragedy was In the Heat of the Night," I can think of off-hand.

It takes diff'rent strokes to rule the planet Genesia.

[BA_Harrison · 18 November 2007]

What is it that I love so much about this TV series? It's cheesy, poorly directed, looks cheap, and features the same couple of bad matte paintings and special effects in each episode.

Actually, come to think of it, those ARE the reasons that I love this show. Plus the fact that the 25th Century is literally crawling with hot babes in skimpy space-duds!

Cosmic Wiz Kid stars Gary Coleman (Arnold from Diff'rent Strokes) as Hieronymous Fox, a five-hundred year old child genius and president of planet Genesia, who is kidnapped and held for ransom by space criminal Roderick Zale (Ray Walston). Fox's tasty female bodyguard, Dia Cyrton (Melody Rogers, looking fetching in her tight-as-you-like orange outfit, with matching silver boots and gloves), enlists the help of Buck Rogers (Gil Gerard) to help rescue her boss. Meanwhile, Earth's sexiest star-pilot, Col. Wilma Deering (Erin Gray), goes undercover to lend a hand (and unfortunately swaps her sexy blue Spandex outfit for a much less appealing jumpsuit) .

Full of all the awful elements fans have come to expect from this series—polystyrene props, dreadful comedic moments, naff fights performed by unconvincing stunt doubles in bad wigs—Cosmic Wiz Kid is a fairly entertaining episode that perhaps relies a little too much on the 'charm' of its pint-size, chipmunk-cheeked guest-star Coleman. If, like me, you find his 'cute kid' act more than a little irritating, then do what I do: try and mentally blank out the annoying little pipsqueak, and then sit back and revel in the sheer crapness that is Buck Rogers' 25th Century.

On offer in this episode are such rare delights as a gold-skinned psychic alien, a robot with a low opinion of organic life-forms, and a super-strong assassin who reveals that he would be considered puny on his own planet. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the following: the 'futuristic' computer monitor that displays nothing but coloured shapes, Wilma Deering's 'advanced' communication device (a box with a button), and a textbook example of the 'final joke/freeze frame' ending that was so common in TV series of the era (see Hart to Hart or Knight Rider for further great examples of this classic technique).

Cosmic whiz kid

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 3 April 2022]

Gary Coleman plays 493-year-old child genius Hieronymous Fox, a president of Genius planet, and really owns the episode. He treat to watch with comic abilities, and the other cast do well too - Buck and Melody do some good Kung fu moves. There's an old wimpy terminator who is far from wimpy. A highly entertaining episode.

Annoying Boy

[claudio_carvalho · 6/10 · 21 November 2023]

In the planet Genesis, their president is an Earthling genius boy called Hieronymous Fox from the Twentieth Century. He is 493 years old and he used the cryogenics technology developed by himself to survive the holocaust and now he is the President of Genesis. When he is kidnapped by the men of the criminal Roderick Zale and brought to the planet Aldebaran 2, Zale wants to ask a high-value for ransom. His bodyguard Lt. Dia Cyrton asks Dr. Huer to help her to rescue Fox, but the Defense Earth Directorate cannot officially interfere in Genesis' issues. But he sends Colonel Deering undercover to Aldebaran 2. Meanwhile, Buck Rogers is on vacation and ready to travel, but Lt. Cyrton abducts him to help her.

"Cosmic Whiz Kid" is a silly episode of "Buck Rogers". The annoying boy Hieronymous Fox is the reason. His story and acting is unbearable. The rest of the plot is the same, with Buck Rogers saving the day, always with the company of a beautiful woman. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Cosmic Whiz Kid"

Hugely entertaining episode

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 8 April 2011]

Five hundred year old child genius Hieronymous Fox (a cute and appealing performance by Gary Coleman), the president of the planet Genesia, gets kidnapped and held for ransom by a gang of no-goodniks led by the nefarious Roderick Zale (Ray Walston in fine form). Naturally, it's up to Buck (the ever amiable Gil Gerard) to save the precocious little squirt from his abductors. Wilma Deering (the insanely dishy Erin Gray) and Fox's loyal bodyguard Lt. Dia Cyrton (a winningly spunky portrayal by the luscious Melody Rogers) help Buck out. Director Leslie H. Martinson, working from an eventful script by Alan Brennert that's essentially a witty sci-fi variant on O. Henry's classic short story "The Kidnapping of Red Chief," relates the fun plot at a steady pace and maintains an engaging tongue-in-cheek tone throughout. The sound acting from an able guest cast rates as another substantial asset, with especially stand-out work from Earl Boen as telepathic alien informant Selmar and Lester Fletcher as lethal super strong top assassin M.D. Toman. The endearingly hokey matte paintings, cruddy (no so) special effects, and several badly staged fight set pieces further add to the considerable kitschy charm. As a tasty major eye candy plus, the shapely Ms. Rogers totally rocks a sexy midriff-baring two piece outfit. Johnny Harris' groovy score hits the right-on funky spot. An immensely enjoyable show.