SciFi TV

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Well, I was just listening to my favorite classical station just now, and they played an instrumental version of the finale to Porgy and Bess.  I thought at the time of the productions I have seen, the realized in the current context it could be played by people who were improverished by the drug culture just as easily as poor blacks of the early 1900's. 

As a TV production, with sponsor breaks it could probably run for two hours. and maybe on the main networks and not necessarily on PBS.  It should have about the same impact as West Side Story if it was done right, maybe with some updating of the lyrics and dialogue.  Not really Science Fiction unless it was placed in, say, 2050.  I think it could make an interesting show.  With a little stretching, it might make a five episode mini-series.

[beebs 129]

Anyone still watching SGU? Any thoughts about Destiny's real mission?

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: beebs

Anyone still watching SGU? Any thoughts about Destiny's real mission?quote>

I have a bunch of episodes recorded that I haven't watched yet.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Originally posted by: Meg

Originally posted by: beebs

Anyone still watching SGU? Any thoughts about Destiny's real mission?quote>

I have a bunch of episodes recorded that I haven't watched yet.

quote>

Me too. Baseball and football have been curtailing my recorded viewing this fall.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: beebs

Anyone still watching SGU? Any thoughts about Destiny's real mission?quote>

I gave up on it after the first season ended.  And with SGU's ratings falling, it'll most likely get cancelled in the very near future.

[beebs 129]

Originally posted by: blade2k5

Originally posted by: beebs

Anyone still watching SGU? Any thoughts about Destiny's real mission?quote>

I gave up on it after the first season ended.  And with SGU's ratings falling, it'll most likely get cancelled in the very near future.

quote>

So you've said. Rather than continue a circular debate and discussion on that, lets just agree that the show isn't your cup of tea, you won't be watching it, and move on.

Meg & EB - Hope you'll both enjoy the new season.. I know Meg, you hadn't liked the constant bickering between the crew.. although it still crops up I haven't found it as "in your face" as last year. There seems to be more of a feeling of "togetherness", which is good. That and the story is moving at a relative gallop compared to last year. Let me know when you've watched some.. I do enjoy discussing this stuff now and then.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: beebs

So you've said. Rather than continue a circular debate and discussion on that, lets just agree that the show isn't your cup of tea, you won't be watching it, and move on.

Meg & EB - Hope you'll both enjoy the new season.. I know Meg, you hadn't liked the constant bickering between the crew.. although it still crops up I haven't found it as "in your face" as last year. There seems to be more of a feeling of "togetherness", which is good. That and the story is moving at a relative gallop compared to last year. Let me know when you've watched some.. I do enjoy discussing this stuff now and then.

quote>

You asked a question and I answered it.  If you have a problem with that, I suggest you follow your own advice and move on.  Besides, I was just trying to give you a heads up on the the status of the show, considering that you like it.  Excuse me for doing so.

[mightygoose 92]

anyone like fringe....

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: mightygoose

anyone like fringe....quote>

I've heard a lot about it both good and bad, but have never watched.  There always seems to be something else on that either my wife watches or I watch.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Originally posted by: mightygoose

anyone like fringe....quote>

I have occasionally watched episodes of fringe.  Luckily, some of the ones I watch included the pilot, so I do have a feel for it.  The main feeling I get when watching it is that even Walter is helpless in the face of all this.

I haven't had much TV time lately because I am chasing a bug in my new box of tricks.  If you are curious, see my most recent thread in the B&TI section.  I am looking for any good input I can get.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Went and saw Skyline today. Only thing good about it was the FX for a $10M budget. Since it's already made a profit $11M weekend take], expect a sequel next year, which is already in the works.

[Meg 368]

I like Fringe. This season is going better than I expected.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Originally posted by: blade2k5

Went and saw Skyline today. Only thing good about it was the FX for a $10M budget. Since it's already made a profit $11M weekend take], expect a sequel next year, which is already in the works.quote>

So no story at all?

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: Easy Bakes

Originally posted by: blade2k5

Went and saw Skyline today. Only thing good about it was the FX for a $10M budget. Since it's already made a profit $11M weekend take], expect a sequel next year, which is already in the works.quote>

So no story at all?quote>

Not one worth mentioning.  Not even worth a rental.

[Ocram's Razr 964]

I might catch that flick.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Ill probabaly still go see it. Have to use those free tickets i have on something.

[blade2k5 1,523]

If you're set on seeing it, better do so within the next week because it won't be in theaters long...in fact, I expect it to be dropped from more than half the theaters it's currently playing in this coming weekend. It'll probably be on DVD/BluRay by January or February.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Originally posted by: blade2k5

If you're set on seeing it, better do so within the next week because it won't be in theaters long...in fact, I expect it to be dropped from more than half the theaters it's currently playing in this coming weekend. It'll probably be on DVD/BluRay by January or February.quote>

probably will but harry potter is this weekend.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: Easy Bakes

Originally posted by: blade2k5

If you're set on seeing it, better do so within the next week because it won't be in theaters long...in fact, I expect it to be dropped from more than half the theaters it's currently playing in this coming weekend. It'll probably be on DVD/BluRay by January or February.quote>

probably will but harry potter is this weekend.quote>

I know.  They're predicting a $127M opening.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Nice SyFy playing the ST:NG were picard was captured and tortured by the Cardassians.

only seen this one once.

There are 4 lights.......

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: Easy Bakes

There are 4 lights.......quote>

Are you sure it's not two and that you're not suffering from double vision?

[blade2k5 1,523]

Bad news for SGU fans, Syfy has decided not to renew the series for a season three.  The final 10 episodes will air sometime this coming Spring.

http://www.deadline.com/2010/12/syfy-cancels-stargate-universe/

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Probably a blessing.  R.I.P.

SGU just doesn't have the pizzaz of the original SG1, nor even the lesser qualify SGA.  I think the writers have beaten this to death.  How about a series based on taking a trip on the subway?  It is about as exciting, after a while.  You can only push creature features so far.

What science fiction television needs is to quit with all the fake realism and go to something a little more fantastic.  If they could get copyright permission from some of the old pulp magazine authors (estates) they could retread some of the stories I enjoyed as a teen-ager (1950s) that came out of the 1930's and forward stuff.  I think the Lensman series, starting with Triplanetary by Doc Smith would make a good TV series.  It is a police procedural of a kind.  It just has a little fantasy thrown in with benevolent aliens fighting a war with several races of malevolent ones, and using humans as part of their arsenal.  Space operas have done well in the past, and this story could be beefed up a little for modern taste without wrecking it too much.  Besides, I'd like to see what the CGI guys can do with a character like Worsel, the Velantian reptilian lensman.

Another good one would have been to serialize The Hobbit iwth real actors, but it is becoming a motion picture, so I suspect the copyright is somewhat tied up.

If one wanted to do a real melodrama, there is always the possibility of using CGI and remaking Flash Gordon.  The characters are larger than life, and the all-American boy wins in the end over the evil machinations of Ming the Merciless.  Almost as much fun as Who Stole the Corks at the Vinegar Works with heroic Sterling Quality,  evil Snively Whiplash and innocent Pure Polly Pureheart (to mix three different plots.)  The actual plot of Who Stole ... is not suitable for description on a PG13 board.

[Easy Bakes 253]

They did remake Flash  Gordon a few years ago. I was disappointed when it was canceled after 2 seasons.

it was one of the better shows on Syfy at the time. Lots of political intrigue in that one.

theres also no hope for OZ {the outer Zone} being made into a series. was a decent re imagining  of Wizard of Oz.

nor for them to do and more Dune stuff

Like http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142032/

I know it was 10 years ago but it was very well done.

[EyeofMobius 27]

I would most likely dig a series of short stories in a scifi fantasy setting. In a setting with a lot of character possibilities like a major metropolis and be steam punk or cyberpunk theme. Really the only recurring characters would be some of the area's bigger movers and shakers and be in a role to just bring continuity to the world but the individual stories would be driven by changing characters.

I used to love the Aeon Flux Cartoon Series despite it making little sense half the time. I don't find very many galaxy sized adventures appealling except for The Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy. I should rephrase that...I don like shiny flashy ultra high tech space travel; I want my space travel a bit more dirtbag. I recently watched the Cowboy Bebop Anime and really enjoyed it; maybe because the main characters were broke most of the time. I tend to dig the side of sci-fi that aint always pretty and heroic.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

10 years is a generation plus in Television.  They could retred something from the 1990s and most people wouldn't notice.  To reach even farther back, how about updating Father Knows Best? (giggle)  It could be cast into the future, kind of like Father is a sort of George Jetson.  They have all those nice scripts to rewrite in a new dimension.

Frankly, I'd like to see a return to moralistic westerns with the natives as heroes and the truth about the U.S. military and politicians, but I don't think the American peepul could stomach losing all those icons.  I don't know if such a thing could go on the Syfy channel.  Maybe if the venue was on the moon.  "We don't care where the oxygen goes if it doesn't get into the wine".

EDIT:  My one edged friend, how would you feel about something like a deep telling of the Lensman series, or maybe the Skylark of Space series.  It only requires a slight suspension of belief and the violation of the Special Theory of Relativity.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

10 years is a generation plus in Television.  They could retread something from the 1990s and most people wouldn't notice.  To reach even farther back, how about updating Father Knows Best? (giggle)  It could be cast into the future, kind of like Father is a sort of George Jetson.  They have all those nice scripts to rewrite in a new dimension.

Frankly, I'd like to see a return to moralistic westerns with the natives as heroes and the truth about the U.S. military and politicians, but I don't think the American peepul could stomach losing all those icons.  I don't know if such a thing could go on the Syfy channel.  Maybe if the venue was on the moon.  "We don't care where the oxygen goes if it doesn't get into the wine".

EDIT:  My one edged friend, how would you feel about something like a deep telling of the Lensman series, or maybe the Skylark of Space series.  It only requires a slight suspension of belief and the violation of the Special Theory of Relativity. quote>

and Political Correctness

you would have to do the same thing for Interstellar Patrol or Bill the Galactic Hero { A Harry Harrison series about a marine who was shanghaied into the service but muddles thru saving the universe} or even better Harrisons Death world books.

I would love to see someone tackle Roger Zelazny's  1st few Amber books maybe up to the point were Random becomes King would make a great mini series.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Nine Princes in Amber (or was it seven?).  Been a long time since I read them.  Seems to me the intrigue in that series would make BSG look like a Sunday picnic.  "Nothing is but what is not" The Bard of Avon

[EyeofMobius 27]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

EDIT:  My one edged friend, how would you feel about something like a deep telling of the Lensman series, or maybe the Skylark of Space series.  It only requires a slight suspension of belief and the violation of the Special Theory of Relativity.

quote>

@ A Nonny Moose: I have not delved myself that far back into the classics of science ficiton and had to find the explanations of those two items. The stories seemed to be of a great concept even by today's standards but must have truly been amazing at the time of print. I believe I could appreciate an effort for something based on Lensman series if it were well done but the Skylark of Space feels too ripe a target for MST3K.  There's an old science fiction short story I really enjoyed that was called "Sting" I believe about a comet that lands in a rural area containing an alien insectoid egg; naturally monster goodness is abound. My next book order hopes to include "A Stranger in A Strange Land" and "Neuromancer."

I digest most of my Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Horror short fiction through the Escape artists podcasts Escape Pod / PodCastle / Pseudopod. Really good stuff; if I am to attempt to get anything submitted of such quality I shall have to work hard for it.

[beebs 129]

That's disappointing about SGU, but I suppose not entirely unexpected. I hope they're able to come to an agreement on a miniseries or something to conclude the story. Apparently, the story of SGU was ultimately going to wrap the three series' together and bring it to a close.

On to other SciFi stuff... has anyone seen Tron? Any good?