SOURCE: "Michener's Space, the Novel and Miniseries," in Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 23, No. 3, Winter, 1989, pp. 51-64.

In the following essay, Osterholm considers alterations of characterization, thematic emphasis, and plot incidents in the television miniseries adaptation of James Michener's novel Space (1982).

James Michener's 1982 novel Space and its adaptation as a thirteen-hour television miniseries provide excellent material for a case study on the styles and trappings of major productions for the popular American culture. The miniseries cost $32 million and was broadcast on the CBS television network April 14 to 18, 1985, with a nine-hour abridgement broadcast in July 1987, Significant alterations in characterization, plot, and themes for the miniseries reflect popular interests and obsessions, at least as well as the experienced producer, writers, and directors for television could both identify and further popularize them. Michener's novel, although popular itself, is clearly more refined and advanced, more demanding of its audience, than the broadcast...