Making Mr. Right

Work Title: Making Mr. Right
Medium: Film
Episode Title:
Year: 1987
Writer(s): Floyd Byars
"Original" Writer: Yes Writer(s): Laurie Frank
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

from wikipedia.com In the film a scientist, Jeff Peters, is a cold and emotionally repressed intellectual who cannot stand other people due to their intellectual inferiority to him. His dream is deep space exploration, which would be problematic for a human because of the total cutoff from human contact for long periods of time. He develops the Ulysses android (which looks exactly like him) for the purpose of studying phenomena in space, since an android would not be affected by the isolation. Frankie Stone is hired to do public relations for the project. As a part of her job, she must get to know the android better. However, in his interaction with her, the android develops emotions and develops better social skills than the scientist himself. Frankie also develops feelings for the android and befriends Jeff on a lesser level. Eventually, Jeff decides to go into space while the android takes his place on Earth so Ulysses and Frankie (who by now are deeply in love) can be together. Due to his lack of social skills, Jeff realizes that the lack of human contact will not be a hardship for him.

  • Self-Written?:
  • Source Name: Wikipedia
  • Source URL:
Era/Year of Portrayal: present_day
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Present day 1987.

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: Ulysses
  • Description of the technology: Ulysses is an android. He is mobile, can communicate through speaking, and generally looks like a man. He is made of steel and plastic and has a computer designed brain. He was created in the image of his creator. He learns over time, repeating phrases, adopting emotions, and asking questions. He is friendly, nice, generally submissive, and eager to learn.
  • Nature of task or activity: Frankie teaches Ulysses how to act human. Others interact with him at a mall, at a wedding, and at the laboratory.
  • Performance of the Technology: N/A
  • Description of creator(s): Dr. Jeff Peters. A white scientist in his 30s or 40s. Anti-social, smart - cares only about science.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): To advance science, and to create androids for long unmanned space missions.
  • Description of users of technology: Frankie Stone is an attractive, successful public relations executive. She is in her 20s or 30s. She is knowledgeable about the world and savvy.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: The experience is nice. People like Ulysses because he is friendly and inquisitive.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: Frankie knows Ulysses is an android - most people do not.
  • Valence of experience: enjoy it.
  • Specific responses: physiological arousal, intense parasocial relationships, distorted social judgments, enjoyment, involvement
Long-term consequences:

Frankie realizes Ulysses loves her and she loves him. They live happlily ever after, after Dr. Peters decides to send himself into space, instead of Ulysses.

Other:

Coder name: Amanda Scheiner
Coder email: amandags@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University