E.T. the Extra Terrestrial and the creator of Star Wars toys

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Max Pearson presents a collection of science fiction themed Witness History stories from the BBC World Service. Our guest is Lisa Yaszek, Regents' Professor of Science Fiction Studies at Georgia Tech in the USA. Actor Peter Coyote looks back on the making of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, sharing memories from the set and reflecting on the film's enduring appeal. We hear the story of Octavia E. Butler, who overcame poverty, racism and sexism to become one of the most influential voices in science fiction. Plus, how American television boldly went where it had never gone before with what is claimed to be the country’s first interracial kiss broadcast on television, in an episode of Star Trek in 1968. We also hear about Turkish Star Wars, the cult film that would go on to gain a reputation as one of the world's worst movies. And how the success of the original Star Wars transformed toy marketing forever. Then, in Sporting Witness, the story behind Norwegian commentator Bjørge Lillelien's legendary reaction to Norway's 2-1 victory over England in a World Cup qualifier in Oslo in 1981. Contributors: Lisa Yaszek - Regents' Professor of Science Fiction Studies at Georgia Tech in the USA. Peter Coyote - actor in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Nisi Shawl - friend of Octavia E. Butler. Nichelle Nichols - actress who played Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek (archive). Çetin İnanç - film director (archive). Jim Swearingen - toy designer. Marius Lillelien - son of Bjørge Lillelien. (Photo: On the set of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Credit: Universal/Getty Images)