New this fall

[John Crichton]

... But is it genre? I mean, she saw visions, but that's like saying Ally McBeal would be genre... isn't it?

It's genre in that it's a non-episodic mystery show that is very Whedon-esque (who, to some, is a god of the genre). Others can disagree but I suspect that's much of the appeal.

 

[Desdichado]

Everything I've read says that Prison Break is by far and away the best of the new shows. So I'll probably try and catch that when I can. Otherwise, I won't be tuning in to much besides Lost.

Why is Prison Break being listed above as genre, by the way? Is there something I'm missing?

 

[stevelabny]

Prison Break is getting the "genre" tag the same way that Veronica Mars and Lost do.
Though neither of them is scifi or fantasy, they get the nod because they are different than mainstream tv, and encourage you to watch every episode and think.
We're all hoping Prison Break will provide more of that.

 

[Sir Brennen]

Why is 'Bones' getting a genre show tag? Isn't it just a highly-specific CSI knock-off?

Or is it because it has David Boreanez (Angel) co-starring in it?

 

[Desdichado]

Prison Break is getting the "genre" tag the same way that Veronica Mars and Lost do.
Though neither of them is scifi or fantasy, they get the nod because they are different than mainstream tv, and encourage you to watch every episode and think.
We're all hoping Prison Break will provide more of that.

That's bordering on elitism nonsense. "Genre" doesn't mean anything if it just become synonomous with "stuff I like" or "stuff I think is good" or "stuff that encourages you to think." According to those criteria, Blossom would have been a genre show.

I think it's more intuitive to acknowledge that "mainstream" T.V. does have the capacity to entertain us and encourage us to think, not just genre television. In fact, in my experience, genre TV is more likely to be hackneyed, cliched and brainless than mainstream TV. At least it's already got a built in audience, if it can at least strive to be mediocre.

 

[ThirdWizard]

That's bordering on elitism nonsense. "Genre" doesn't mean anything if it just become synonomous with "stuff I like" or "stuff I think is good" or "stuff that encourages you to think." According to those criteria, Blossom would have been a genre show.

Isn't genre in this context already "genres I like?" Since its using an uspecific term to describe scifi/fantasy, which are really only a few genres out there of many?

 

[Desdichado]

Isn't genre in this context already "genres I like?" Since its using an uspecific term to describe scifi/fantasy, which are really only a few genres out there of many?

In what context? There is no definition of genre that satisfies "stuff I like." Genre is in the context of this subforum, material that contains fantastic or sci-fi (and maybe horror) elements.

 

[ThirdWizard]

In what context? There is no definition of genre that satisfies "stuff I like." Genre is in the context of this subforum, material that contains fantastic or sci-fi (and maybe horror) elements.

Ahhh okay, if that's what you mean by "genre." I've heard it in other places with people just meaning "genres I like" and it annoys me.

 

[MaxKaladin]

Everything I've read says that Prison Break is by far and away the best of the new shows.

Really? I hope not as the descriptions I've read make it sound horrible. Some guy thinks his brother is innocent and wants to clear his name. Ok, good so far. He evidently did the design for the prison, so he's going to use the plans to break his brother out. Ok, that seems a bit contrived but I can live with it. So, his brilliant plan for breaking his brother out is to commit a real crime , get arrested and sent to prison on the off chance he's going to be sent to the same prison as his brother and be in the same cell block so they can break out together and clear his brother's name. Yeah, right. Real brilliant there...

 

[ThirdWizard]

Really? I hope not as the descriptions I've read make it sound horrible. Some guy thinks his brother is innocent and wants to clear his name. Ok, good so far. He evidently did the design for the prison, so he's going to use the plans to break his brother out. Ok, that seems a bit contrived but I can live with it. So, his brilliant plan for breaking his brother out is to commit a real crime , get arrested and sent to prison on the off chance he's going to be sent to the same prison as his brother and be in the same cell block so they can break out together and clear his brother's name. Yeah, right. Real brilliant there...

Hey, I've had adventures that started that way.

It is contrived, though. Maybe he.. um.. knows somebody. Yeah, that'll do.