The Third Eye (American TV series)

Lore & Background

The Third Eye premiered on Nickelodeon on January 8, 1983. It usually began with a disclaimer stating, 'The following is a science fiction program, and may contain some startling scenes. This show is intended for older children.' The intro featured voice-over by John C. Havens saying, 'Somewhere in the crowd... sometimes you find someone very special. Someone who hears the unheard. Someone who understands the mystery. Sometimes, there's someone who sees with the third eye!' Initially, three serials were shown: Into the Labyrinth, The Haunting of Cassie Palmer, and Under the Mountain. In April 1983, a fourth serial (Children of the Stones) was added, and the fifth and final serial was The Witches and the Grinnygog.

The series was described by Nickelodeon president Geraldine Laybourne as part of a confusing 'checkerboard schedule' and was pulled from the lineup so the network could focus on original series. In 1984, film historian Aljean Harmetz stated that Nickelodeon acquired the program's presentations 'for a pittance' because their relatively low production values and their actors' foreign accents made them 'unacceptable' to other networks.

Reader's Guide

The Third Eye is significant as an early Nickelodeon anthology that introduced American audiences to British and New Zealand science fiction serials centered on psychic abilities. Its five serials—Into the Labyrinth, The Haunting of Cassie Palmer, Under the Mountain, Children of the Stones, and The Witches and the Grinnygog—each explored themes of telepathy, supernatural powers, and ancient mysteries. The series was notable for its disclaimer warning of startling scenes and its targeting of older children. Despite its short run, it reflected Nickelodeon's early strategy of acquiring foreign content at low cost, as noted by film historian Aljean Harmetz. The series was ultimately discontinued due to scheduling confusion and a shift toward original programming. Its legacy lies in its role as a niche anthology that showcased lesser-known international sci-fi, with some serials (like Into the Labyrinth) having additional episodes that aired only in the UK.

Did You Know?

• The intro voice-over was performed by John C. Havens.
• Nickelodeon acquired the serials 'for a pittance' due to low production values and foreign accents, according to film historian Aljean Harmetz.