History Series / Automan

* FollowTheLeader: Inspired by ''Film/{{Tron}}'' (and even produced by that film's producers), but also borrows heavily from ''Series/KnightRider'' (also from Glen A. Larson[[note]]by this time Larson had left his long-time home at Creator/{{Universal}}, where ''Knight Rider'' to move to 20th Century-Fox[[/note]]).

* FollowTheLeader: Inspired by ''Film/{{Tron}}'' (and even produced by that film's producers), but also borrows heavily from ''Series/KnightRider'' (also from Glen A. Larson).

''Automan'' was a short-lived cop show that aired on ABC in TheEighties. Creator/DesiArnazJr played Walter Nebicher, a police scientist/nerd who's stuck in the computer room when he'd rather be out on the street. In response, he creates Automan (short for "Automatic Man", played by Chuck Wagner), an artificially intelligent [[ProjectedMan holographic partner]]. Automan had the ability to do any action he’s seen on video, and interface with any computer system. He was also aided by Cursor, a [[RobotBuddy blinking ball of light]] who could become virtually any object Automan needed, such as various vehicles or civilian clothing.

Naturally, they fight crime. Twelve episodes of the series aired in 1983-84.

* RunningGag: Walter's last name is regularly mispronounced as "nebbish."

* FollowTheLeader: Inspired by ''Film/{{Tron}}'', but also borrows heavily from ''Series/KnightRider'' (also from Glen A. Larson).

''Automan'' was a short-lived cop show that aired on ABC in TheEighties. Desi Arnaz Jr. played Walter Nebicher, a police scientist/nerd who's stuck in the computer room when he'd rather be out on the street. In response, he creates Automan (short for "Automatic Man", played by Chuck Wagner), an artificially intelligent [[ProjectedMan holographic partner]]. Automan had the ability to do any action he’s seen on video, and interface with any computer system. He was also aided by Cursor, a [[RobotBuddy blinking ball of light]] who could become virtually any object Automan needed, such as various vehicles or civilian clothing.

Naturally, TheyFightCrime. Twelve episodes of the series aired in 1983-84.

* TheyFightCrime

''Automan'' was a short-lived cop show that aired on ABC in TheEighties. Desi Arnaz Jr. played Walter Nebicher, a police scientist/{{Nerd}} who's stuck in the computer room when he'd rather be out on the street. In response, he creates Automan (short for "Automatic Man", played by Chuck Wagner), an artificially intelligent [[ProjectedMan holographic partner]]. Automan had the ability to do any action he’s seen on video, and interface with any computer system. He was also aided by Cursor, a [[RobotBuddy blinking ball of light]] who could become virtually any object Automan needed, such as various vehicles or civilian clothing.

''Automan'' was a short-lived cop show that aired on ABC in TheEighties. Desi Arnaz Jr. played Walter Nebicher, a police scientist/HollywoodNerd who's stuck in the computer room when he'd rather be out on the street. In response, he creates Automan (short for "Automatic Man", played by Chuck Wagner), an artificially intelligent [[ProjectedMan holographic partner]]. Automan had the ability to do any action he’s seen on video, and interface with any computer system. He was also aided by Cursor, a [[RobotBuddy blinking ball of light]] who could become virtually any object Automan needed, such as various vehicles or civilian clothing.

* ShoutOut: Many, as one of Automan's abilities was to duplicate skills he saw performed in movies or television. One notable incident involved duplicating the skills in ''Film/TheHustler'' -- right down to the missed final shot. One shows in the opening titles of each episode. Witness the poster of Heather Thomas from Larson's concurrent series ''Series/TheFallGuy''.

!!''Automan'' demonstrated the following tropes:

* DaChief: Capt. Boyd (Gerald O'Loughlin), an old-school captain who doesn't care for Walter's new-fangled computers.

* {{Short Runners}}: Only lasted 12 eps,with a 13th episode unaired (though all 13 aired in the UK and Mexico).

** TranslatorBuddy: Fortunately, Automan is there to translate for him.

* ExtremeOmnisexual: For a glowing ball of energy, Cursor was very "interested" in any attractive females nearby.

* ShoutOut: Many, as one of Automan's abilities was to duplicate skills he saw performed in movies or television. One notable incident involved duplicating the skills in ''Film/TheHustler'' -- right down to the missed final shot.

* CueTheSun: Inverted for this series. Namely, during the day, Automan cannot typically appear and Walter is on his own against any danger he faces. However, as in the pilot episode, when Walter is mortal peril on his own, the fact that the setting is not at night changes the atmosphere since Automan can now appear just when Walter needs him.