The Sci-Fi Channel

[kenobi65]

They used to be more "classic" sci-fi in focus. The unfortunate thing is, a lot of the "true" sci-fi stuff doesn't get great ratings. The horrorish stuff does, apparently.

And, carp like "Scare Tactics" and that other show (where they put normal people in a house with the "vampire", the naturist, the witch, etc.) are attempts to get on the reality-show bandwagon (which, you have to admit, doesn't seem to mesh well with the idea of science fiction).

What I *will* give SciFi credit for:
- Keeping "Stargate" alive (and, apparently, thriving)
- Resurrecting a good show, "The Sentinel," that was kilt by UPN
- Bringing "Farscape" about (though, they then killed it, even though it got good ratings for them, because it was so expensive to make)

 

[trancejeremy]

Well, Quantum Leap is essentially is just another (albeit imaginative) variant of the Fugitive, with a veneer of science fiction (the time travel thing, which actually seems based on Dunne's theory of the supermind. Sorta. ).

Basically, guy (usually on the run) wanders into town, mets a bunch of new poeple, finds a problem, fixes the problem, then leaves.

(Probably happend before the Fugitive, but I dunno much about TV before then). But also basically how Kung Fu or The Incredible Hulk or even the A-team worked. Less sucessfully, Starman and a very early fox show called Werewolf.

 

[trancejeremy]

Anyway, a lot of channels are misnamed.

I mean, the comedy channel rarely shows anything that is actually funny. AMC, or American Movie Classics, often shows really bad movies that aren't American. And they used to show Tales from the Crypt, which isn't even a movie. MTV had to start up a 2nd channel to actually play music.

 

[Villano]

Anyway, a lot of channels are misnamed.

I mean, the comedy channel rarely shows anything that is actually funny.

Drawn Together. Great concept, horrible, horrible execution.

AMC, or American Movie Classics, often shows really bad movies that aren't American. And they used to show Tales from the Crypt, which isn't even a movie. MTV had to start up a 2nd channel to actually play music.

Just to name two classics they've shown: American Werewolf In Paris and Speed 2.

And does anyone else remember when Sci-Fi ran either Rob Roy or Braveheart a few years ago? I'm still trying to figure out the sci-fi angle of that. :\

I hate to say it, but Sci-FI has actually improved lately. No more psychics or dream analysis shows. And there hasn't been a second season of Madhouse!

 

[BrooklynKnight]

I dont get how anyone could possibly hate Quantum Leap...

The Sentinel was picked up by Spike TV a year ago.

I'm quite satisfied with Sci-fi being the Sci-fi and Fantasy channel. It would be great if they showed startrek, but again, Spike TV bought them out. Spike TV has lots of sci-fiish stuff that used to be on UPN.

I'd dream of merger between Spike TV and Sci-fi but then I'd only have one good channel instead of two!

 

[James Heard]

There would be more beer commercials during Quantum Leap reruns too. And maybe at least one geek reality show from Europe with a bad voiceover, and yet another car improvement show - coming on right before reruns of TOS.

 

[Planesdragon]

And does anyone else remember when Sci-Fi ran either Rob Roy or Braveheart a few years ago? I'm still trying to figure out the sci-fi angle of that. :\

Fantasy is a subgenre of Sci-Fi. While it's possible to list them seperately, it's also entierly appropriate to lump them together.

 

[FCWesel]

I don't mind 13th Warrior or something like that on Sci-Fi, as it was said before...Fantasy is always lumped with Sci-Fi and vise\versa. Go to ANY and EVERY bookstore in the world to see that.

Braveheart and Rob Roy are way pushing it. Sure they may not be "exactly historical", but they are closer to that then Sci-Fi/Fantasy...at least in my mind.

As for SG1. I don't give Sci-Fi much credit for turning that around. I think they simply recognized a quality show (most of the time) and were smart enough to give it a shot.

One thing I HATE though is they never show anything (but the newest shows) in order, they put whatever on whenever and "show-story" be damned.

 

[Fast Learner]

Fantasy is a subgenre of Sci-Fi.

I argue that the opposite is true, that sci-fi is a subgenre of fantasy. There's no question that they're closely linked, though.

 

[Villano]

I don't mind 13th Warrior or something like that on Sci-Fi, as it was said before...Fantasy is always lumped with Sci-Fi and vise\versa. Go to ANY and EVERY bookstore in the world to see that.

Braveheart and Rob Roy are way pushing it. Sure they may not be "exactly historical", but they are closer to that then Sci-Fi/Fantasy...at least in my mind.

I did a quick search and it was Braveheart. I admit, it's been years since I've seen it, but are there any fantasy elements in the film?

Fantasy and horror have a place on the Sci-Fi Channel, but historical dramas? What's next, Tombstone?