Remember the 90s craze of Power Rangers, the heroes in vibrant suits kicking villain butt with choreographed moves? It’s a nostalgic memory for many, a symbol of simpler times. But with every successful phenomenon comes a wave of imitators, often fading into obscurity. If you think you’ve seen it all in terms of Power Rangers clones, prepare to have your mind blown by the spectacularly bizarre: Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters From Beverly Hills.
Image alt text: A promotional image for Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills featuring the four main teenage characters in casual 90s clothing standing against a brightly colored, abstract background.
Premiering on the USA Network, this show attempted to capture the lightning in a bottle that Power Rangers had created. Running for a surprising 40 episodes, Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills (often thankfully shortened to TTAFBH) is a masterclass in low-budget television and questionable creative choices. Before you dismiss it as just another forgotten 90s relic, let’s dive into why this show is so uniquely… memorable.
The Theme Song: A Plot Synopsis in Cheesy Synth
Let’s be honest, sometimes the theme song tells you everything you need to know. In the case of Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills, the theme song is not just catchy, it’s practically a CliffsNotes version of the entire series. Imagine the cheesiest synthesizer sounds you can conjure, add lyrics explaining an alien invasion plot, and you’re halfway there.
The premise is simple: evil alien overlord Gorganus (who, according to the original article, resembles “a flamboyant member of the Brotherhood of Steel from Fallout”) wants to conquer Earth. Why Earth? Because it’s home to Power Portals, naturally. Gorganus, operating from a base that might double as a defunct KB Toys, unleashes a series of increasingly ridiculous monsters. To thwart his plans, we have our heroes: four teenagers from Beverly Hills, accidentally recruited to become Earth’s last line of defense.
Image alt text: A still image from Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills showing the villain Gorganus, a humanoid figure in elaborate, metallic-looking armor, standing in a dimly lit, cavernous set.
Image alt text: A humorous caption overlaid on a screenshot from Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills. The caption reads “If you understand the KB Toys reference from this picture, you’re definitely my target audience,” highlighting the show’s intended demographic and nostalgic appeal.
From Science Project to Galactic Sentinels
Unlike the Power Rangers, who were chosen for their specific skills and attitudes, the Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills stumble into their destiny. Swinton, Laurie, Gordon, and Drew are just high school students working on a science project when they accidentally open a portal to an alien cave. There, they encounter Nimbar, a gelatinous alien being who becomes their mentor, much like Zordon in Power Rangers, but significantly less imposing and more… jiggly.
Image alt text: A sarcastic meme comparing the show’s concept to a more humorous, albeit unlikely, alternative, with text overlaying a screenshot that reads, “If our saviors turned out to be The Beverly Hillbillies, this show would have been awesome.”
Image alt text: A screenshot from Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills depicting the four teenage protagonists, described humorously as “non-threatening teenagers,” emphasizing the show’s low-budget and less intimidating heroes compared to Power Rangers.
Nimbar bestows upon them magical tattoos (hence the name!) that transform them into Galactic Sentinels. Instead of dinosaurs, their powers are constellation-based: Taurus, Apollo, Centaur, and Scorpio. The transformation sequences and costumes, however, are where Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills truly sets itself apart – and not necessarily in a good way.
Image alt text: A humorous comparison of Nimbar to a “Jello mold,” highlighting the character’s unusual and less-than-intimidating design in Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills.
Image alt text: A sarcastic comment on the tattoo transformation in Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills, with text overlaid on a screenshot that reads, “All the clean needles in the world won’t stop that from getting infected,” emphasizing the low-budget and questionable aspects of the show.
Costumes and Combat: So Bad It’s Good?
The Galactic Sentinel costumes are… something else. Imagine less armored Power Rangers and more… well, the original article’s comparison to “a fetish convention, and a bad one at that” is surprisingly apt. It’s clear that budget was a major constraint, and the result is a collection of outfits that are more likely to elicit chuckles than awe.
Image alt text: A collage of three screenshots from Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills showcasing the Galactic Sentinels’ costumes. The costumes are brightly colored and feature unique designs, but are notably less polished and more simplistic than those of Power Rangers, highlighting the show’s low-budget aesthetic.
The action sequences are equally… unique. In the first episode, the monster of the week, Ninjabot, wreaks havoc by “lighting a telephone pole on fire and cutting a rock formation in half.” The fight scenes are often accompanied by a song, complete with lyrics like “We’ve been transformed, got muscles and powers,” which, as the original article points out, is arguably better than Nickelback. When the going gets tough, the Galactic Sentinels combine to form Nitron, their Megazord equivalent, armed with the “Megacalibur” sword.
Image alt text: A screenshot of Nitron, the combined robot form of the Galactic Sentinels in Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills, striking a heroic pose, with the word “EXCELSIOR!” superimposed, adding to the humorous and over-the-top nature of the show.
Why You Should Watch (Ironically)
Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills is not good television in the traditional sense. It’s cheesy, low-budget, and often nonsensical. However, it possesses a certain charm precisely because of its flaws. It’s a fascinating example of a 90s TV show trying to capitalize on a trend and missing the mark in spectacular fashion.
If you’re a fan of “so bad it’s good” entertainment, or if you’re simply curious about the depths of Power Rangers knock-offs, Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills is a must-see. Just don’t expect high art. Expect cheesy costumes, questionable special effects, and a theme song that will be stuck in your head for days. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself enjoying the bizarre ride that is TTAFBH.
