Sci Fi Baio And Boobies

October 27, 2010 by Editor
Filed under Film Reviews

Zapped! (1982)

Directed By: Robert J. Rosenthal

Review Written By: Ken Knight
Mondo Film & Video Guide Feature Contributor
IMDb.com Link

Anyone…(and I do mean Anyone!) who stayed up late at night watching HBO, Cinemax, or Showtime between 1983 and 1985 had to have at least caught glimpses of this titular“teen sex comedy” starring Scott Baio of “Happy Days” fame, Willie Aames, and the ultra-slinky blonde cupcake Heather Thomas. I lost count how many times I watched it late at night once my homework was done, ZAPPED! being one of those “gratuitous”

R-rated flicks with the “nerd-becomes-powerful” theme which dominated the genre at the time, it got over-played on Cable TV back in the early-to-mid 80’s.

“Barney” (Scott Baio) is a science nerd at the high school whose buddy (Willie Aames) slips him into the predictable clash between the stereotypes Feminist Class President, bullying Jocks, snobby cheerleaders, and lonely adult teachers, where he fails to see the one nerd-girl who is really in love with him because he is smitten with the snobby but well-built Cheerleader/Prom Queen (played by sexy Heather Thomas of TV’s “Fall Guy” fame) and he suffers both abuse and sage advice by others around him such as the cynical Coach (played by the legendary black actor/showman Scatman Crothers) who keeps telling Barney “Them women’s trouble!” (to no avail). When Barney accidentally mixes a formula in the lab that gives him telekinetic super-powers, the entire high school and surrounding community find themselves in one hell of a “revenge of the nerds” assault by Barney and his new abilities. That’s any nerd’s primo fantasy isn’t it?

Revenge on their tormentors via some special power or ability that also grants them immunity along the way. Shithead Jock boyfriend of the shapely cheerleader likes to beat up on poor Barney but he gets his of course and Heather Thomas’ cheerleader loses her top more than once thanks to Barney’s telekinetic ability. I won’t spoil the rest for you except to say it is what it is, a funny “nerd’s revenge” flick starring Scott Baio and Willie Aames of the 70’s teen-heartthrob scene and for us guys, Heather Thomas in one of her first film roles!

Oh Heather! Wallpaper From Mondo-video.com CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Heather Thomas did in fact refuse to do the nude-scenes for this film, opting for a similar-proportioned female “body double” for the nude scenes but later complained when a still-shot emerged with her head superimposed on the other chick’s topless body, implying Heather Thomas actually did the nude-scene when she did not! Though Heather refused to do cinematic nude scenes, she did pose near-nude and in string-bikinis for “pin-up” posters sold in stores back during the 1980’s which were so prolific she can easily be called the “Pin-Up Queen of the 80’s” (with Samantha Fox and Tanya Roberts as close rivals).

I give ZAPPED! one thumbs-up for it’s funny climate and easy-to-watch scenery and pleasing “mood”. It is now available on DVD for fans of the early 80’s “sex comedy” genre.