Firefly Reconsidered: Why Firefly Isn't "Hall of Fame" Great

[Ryujin]

Now I'm thinking a top # poll of FOX sci-fi shows would be fun. I just don't know how big # should be or how many each person should be able to vote for.

#1 - Fringe

 

[Ryujin]

So to train folks to parrot your brand name, you just have to make them pay for it?

Connect their cash expenditure to a piece of art and they're less likely to pan it. Same sort of thing tends to happen if someone invests the time and money into a summer blockbuster, in the theatre; rave reviews on the way out, even if it was crap.

 

[Deset Gled]

So to train folks to parrot your brand name, you just have to make them pay for it?

I disagree with Bill on this.

It's "HBO's Rome" and "HBO's Chernobyl" because those are relatively generic names. There are lots of documentaries on Chernobyl and Rome, so we specify which one we're talking about. I've never heard anyone says "HBO's Game of Thrones" or "HBO's Westworld". YMMV.

 

[Morrus]

I disagree with Bill on this.

It's "HBO's Rome" and "HBO's Chernobyl" because those are relatively generic names. There are lots of documentaries on Chernobyl and Rome, so we specify which one we're talking about. I've never heard anyone says "HBO's Game of Thrones" or "HBO's Westworld".

Yeah, but we have all the same documentaries, and others, on Chernobyl and Rome, but we don't say "HBO's Rome" or "HBO's Chernobyl". So that's not the causation. It must be something else.

 

[Ryujin]

Yeah, but we have all the same documentaries, and others, on Chernobyl and Rome, but we don't say "HBO's Rome" or "HBO's Chernobyl". So that's not the causation. It must be something else.

Probably has at least a little to do with not having to then also explain where you're watching it, but I do still stand by my 'investment' comment.

 

[Richards]

I reject the original constraints. "Firefly" is definitely in my personal Hall of Fame, despite getting canceled after only filming 14 episodes. I don't care what plot lines might have been used if the show had lasted longer, I don't care whether the quality would have improved, stayed the same, or decreased over time had it had a full run - those 14 episodes for me are some of the most enjoyable sci-fi I've ever watched on television.

Johnathan

 

[Morrus]

Probably has at least a little to do with not having to then also explain where you're watching it,

But only HBO customers explain where they're watching it. BBC or ITV or Sky or Fox or (insert US TV channels here) customers don't. HBO has this unusual hold, where people even try to come up with bizarre reasons to explain why they do it. It's a weird Pavlovian marketing thing which is marked and notable with HBO. The studio's name is literally integrated into the show's name. In the US it's not Rome, it's HBO's Rome. It's one of the most remarkable marketing coups I've ever seen! And it's so good it has its victims defending it!

 

[Ryujin]

But only HBO customers explain where they're watching it. BBC or ITV or Sky or Fox or (insert US TV channels here) customers don't. HBO has this unusual hold, where people even try to come up with bizarre reasons to explain why they do it. It's a weird Pavlovian marketing thing which is marked and notable with HBO. The studio's name is literally integrated into the show's name. In the US it's not Rome, it's HBO's Rome. It's one of the most remarkable marketing coups I've ever seen! And it's so good it has its victims defending it!

Here's it's not just with HBO, but also Netfix and Amazon Prime. Usually "X" on Netflix though, because Netflix's "X" is clumsy sounding.

 

[payn]

Pour me another cup of HBO kool-aid cause im still thirsty!

 

[Ryujin]

I reject the original constraints. "Firefly" is definitely in my personal Hall of Fame, despite getting canceled after only filming 14 episodes. I don't care what plot lines might have been used if the show had lasted longer, I don't care whether the quality would have improved, stayed the same, or decreased over time had it had a full run - those 14 episodes for me are some of the most enjoyable sci-fi I've ever watched on television.

Johnathan

Contract killer getting kicked into Serenity's engine is definitely in my hall of fame SF moments