Sci Fi Channel

tourdeforce · Dec 12, 2006

Included in a TV Guide article about "The Lost Room"-

Sci Fi has big hopes for the mini (there's already talk of a weekly series). "We want to get away from space opera and move more toward magical realism, material that is earthbound and contemporary," says Sci Fi exec Nora O'Brien.

Have they not realized their biggest successes with space opera?

Magical realism certainly has a place on the network but a move away from space opera seems like a misstep.

Shadow_Ferret · Dec 12, 2006

Is that what the Lost Room is about? I would have watched had I known. I just saw it on the schedule and had no idea what it was about. I thought it was that Jody Foster movie where she hid in her home from some burglars.

And someone should mention that it's the Sci-Fi channel, meaning science fiction. Not fantasy. I think we actually need a Fantasy channel (and no, PLayboy does not qualify). But then I'm still waiting for the Horror Channel which was supposed to debut something like 2 or 3 Halloweens ago.

Melanie Nilles · Dec 12, 2006

I don't think the SciFi Channel knows what viewers want. They tend to slip into horror more often than not. They USED to have good shows (think Farscape, which they dropped because of "ratings", when they just kept moving it so much that no one could find it). People like good space opera or just good science fiction in general. Why do they have to jump on the fantasy bandwagon? I want SciFi, which is why we watched it a lot years ago, until they slid downhill. The only thing we really watch now is SG-1, Atlantis, Dr. Who, and Battlestar. Hmm... I see a pattern there--they're all science fiction where people go to other worlds.

Okay, getting off my soapbox. I have a sorespot for the stupid decisions the execs (who should be hung) at the station have done to what started out as such a good idea.

Melanie

WildScribe · Dec 12, 2006

Shadow_Ferret said:
Is that what the Lost Room is about? I would have watched had I known. I just saw it on the schedule and had no idea what it was about. I thought it was that Jody Foster movie where she hid in her home from some burglars.

I think that was Panic Room or something like that.

~Dionne, Missing Star Trek

Gillhoughly · Dec 12, 2006

"We want to get away from space opera and move more toward magical realism, material that is earthbound and contemporary," says Sci Fi exec Nora O'Brien.

Bottom line: "earthbound contemporary" is simply CHEAPER to shoot, so MS O'Brien can treat herself to a nice raise when the profits go up.

The bottom line is always MONEY.

That's why they chose Tremors over the much more expensive Farscape.

That's why they have wrestling on Sci/Fi. I guess they think so long as spandex is used we mouth-breather fans won't notice there's dang little S.F. in the show. Wrestling brings in money.

Notice with all the really good S.F. films to choose from they're always showing the cheesy straight to video schlock and calling it a Sci/Fi special production. (Yeah, I'm so hard up for good S.F. that I've just GOT to spend my Saturday night watching the 4th prequel about a giant rubber monster who eats people.)

You'll have noticed by now the high percentage of ads for their OWN shows. The outside advertisers ain't been sniffing their pant legs, so Sci/Fi has to fill up the commercial space with self-promotion.

When Sci/Fi first came out I was delighted--finally a channel with stuff I love!

But the honeymoon is over.

I'm a fan in mourning for Farscape and Stargate SG1 and worried, despite the critical praise and ratings, for Battlestar Galactica.

Except for those, SG1 reruns, and Dr. Who, there's nothing else on Sci/Fi that grabs me. I watch two hours of new stuff on Friday night, then find other things to do.

I wait in hope for THE DRESDEN FILES this January, glaze-eyed Jim Butcher fan that I am.

And why ain't they pushing IT??

johnzakour · Dec 12, 2006

I actually like Eureka. I think it has sort of SF / Northern Exposure feel.

MidnightMuse · Dec 12, 2006

I agree with Gillhoughly - the fact that they put wrestling on the SciFi channel pretty much sealed the deal for an already frustrated Me.

What in GOD'S green earth is SciFi about sweaty men in tights pretending to wrestle ? Seriously! And their original programming is SO awful these past few years, with precious few exceptions.

Every time I see one of their originals come out - and it's a dawg like I expect it will be - the writer in me commits suicide.

The exceptions are too far and few between these days. And I, too, am holding out hope for Dresden Files - but when SciFi gets their mits on something good, they somehow find a way to stink it right up.

Shadow_Ferret · Dec 12, 2006

Maybe they're confusing their geeks and think if you're nerdy enough to watch Sci-Fi then you're probably spaz enough to watch wrestling.

rugcat · Dec 12, 2006

MidnightMuse said:
And I, too, am holding out hope for Dresden Files - but when SciFi gets their mits on something good, they somehow find a way to stink it right up.

Did you see what they did with A Wizard of Earthsea? The word butcher comes to mind, and I'm not talking Jim.

tjwriter · Dec 12, 2006

I really like Eureka, too.

But more often than not, they've got some cheesy movie that I have no desire to watch on.

Akuma · Dec 12, 2006

I like how it seems they churn out a different horrid monster/mutant movie every other week.

I do remember liking the Jules Vernes' movie. Even though they raped it, I guess I just give it points for Captain Picard.

I just hope they don't totally rape the Dresden Files, as well.

johnzakour · Dec 12, 2006

I do watch and enjoy three of their shows: Eureka, Battlestar and Stargate Atlantis. (I also watch Dr. Who, but that's not really theirs...)

I am DVRing The Lost Room, I think it might be interesting.

I like to give Sci Fi channel the benefit of the doubt as they were the first ones ever to buy a story from me.

Akuma · Dec 12, 2006

johnzakour said:
I like to give Sci Fi channel the benefit of the doubt as they were the first ones ever to buy a story from me.

Hey hey! Tell us when it comes on tv! (or if it has already)

Lyra Jean · Dec 12, 2006

sci fi channel has lost it's appeal to me. Especially after they added wrestling. WTF!? But I'm usually at work so I can never catch anything on anyway except the cheesy movies that me and my Dad make fun of.

Don't shoot me but I really like 'Tremors.' I love the movies and do you think they have the series on DVD because I would totally buy it.

Tallymark · Dec 12, 2006

I'm still screaming with rage over the cancellation of SG-1. The show has had an astounding run and has slews of fans, and they cancel it because it didn't make their ratings goals--but what else have they offered us, now? Wrestling? Cheesy sci-fi flicks that weren't good enough to make it to theaters? This is what they cancelled SG-1 for?

I'm just in it for the Dr. Who now.

johnzakour · Dec 13, 2006

Akuma said:
Hey hey! Tell us when it comes on tv! (or if it has already)

It was actually original material for their web site. We talked about bringing it to TV. We talked A LOT about it but nothing ever came of it. Still, the story became the basis for my series of novels. So you never know what the future might bring.

Shadow_Ferret · Dec 13, 2006

I love Tremors. And I admit it, I enjoy cheesey monster movies too.

Is that whole Dresden thing that popular that they're making a show of it? I never even heard of Jim Butcher until a few months ago.

Jamesaritchie · Dec 13, 2006

SciFi

I love Eureka and Dead Like Me. Lost Room is fun, but it hasn't captured me yet. I'm still a Starget fan, so I hope that lasts awhile.

But I will say this. Yes, it's about money, but money does not come from special effects or lack thereof, it comes from advertising dollars, and advertiser dollars come from ratings.

If the SciFi Channel doesn't know what viewers want, it does know what viewers don't want because it knows what the ratings are.

Of course, I'd also say What Good SF Films? There aren't very many out there. But all in all, wrestling aside, I think SciFi is doing a very good job, especially with the things they make themselves. Ratings will tell how many agree.

johnzakour · Dec 13, 2006

Shadow_Ferret said:
Is that whole Dresden thing that popular that they're making a show of it? I never even heard of Jim Butcher until a few months ago.

According to amazon, a lot of people who buy my books also buy his. Though he sells more. Still, maybe that's a good sign for me...

Kasey Mackenzie · Dec 13, 2006

Shadow_Ferret said:
I love Tremors. And I admit it, I enjoy cheesey monster movies too.

Is that whole Dresden thing that popular that they're making a show of it? I never even heard of Jim Butcher until a few months ago.

Yep. The Dresden Files have QUITE a fan following, especially among the urban fantasy/paranormal romance crowds. =) I love me some Harry Dresden, so I'm waiting for the show with fingers crossed that they didn't...er, pun not intended...butcher it!

And OMG! They put WRESTLING on??? What are they THINKING? I used to watch the Sci Fi Channel a lot more but 90% of the time these days they put on cheesy movies or tv shows I couldn't care less about...I REALLY miss Farscape. And I'm going to miss SG-1 although I watch it more on DVD than on Sci Fi. It's just too bad, I used to enjoy the Sci Fi Channel a lot more. Now, I hardly bother to flip past it because chances are better than good that I won't want to watch whatever they're showing.

Shadow_Ferret · Dec 13, 2006

Kasey Mackenzie said:
Yep. The Dresden Files have QUITE a fan following, especially among the urban fantasy/paranormal romance crowds. =) I love me some Harry Dresden, so I'm waiting for the show with fingers crossed that they didn't...er, pun not intended...butcher it!

Considering this is what I write I should be aware of these people, huh?

HorrorWriter · Dec 13, 2006

Sci-fi really lost me with the wrestling. I like kinda the "Lost Room." What happened to the original guy from Dr. Who? Can't wait for the Dresden Files. What was that show a few years ago about 3 young people who investigated crazy things? The monsters and sci-fi events. Does anyone remember?

rugcat · Dec 13, 2006

I think you're talking about "The Chronical," a tongue in cheek show about three reporters on a ufo tabloid type paper. It was kind of fun. I'm not sure it was on the SciFi channel.

The TV show was based on the "News From The Edge" book series by a guy named Mark Sumner.

Tallymark · Dec 13, 2006

Dr. Who gets a new actor every season, because Dr. Who's race doesn't age, they regenerate. ^_^ (it's too bad though; I really like the current actor). I think this was established in one of the previous Dr. Who series, but I haven't seen them so I can't be sure.

Pthom · Dec 13, 2006

I think it's more the case of when the actor or the producer (or the audience) tires of the role. Tom Baker and, I believe, several before him, lasted more than a single season.

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