SciFi TV

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Blade, you are describing the plot of Frankenstein by Mary Shelly in a modern guise with multiple monsters.  In that book, the good Dr. Frankenstein didn't know what he was doing either.

As such, both Caprica and BSG are cautionary tales for this age.

Another example of the robots must not harm man (the creator) is in Forbidden Planet.  A real bust of a flick, but Walter Pigeon somehow makes it fly with Anne Margret as the lady who doesn't know she is in distress.  One of its claims to infamy is the score, done entirely in theramin, so you know when it was made.

Robbie the Robot from that flick made it into TV with the Lost in Space series.  I guess they had to do something with that expensive suit of armor.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Blade, you are describing the plot of Frankenstein by Mary Shelly in a modern guise with multiple monsters.  In that book, the good Dr. Frankenstein didn't know what he was doing either.

As such, both Caprica and BSG are cautionary tales for this age.

Another example of the robots must not harm man (the creator) is in Forbidden Planet.  A real bust of a flick, but Walter Pigeon somehow makes it fly with Anne Margret as the lady who doesn't know she is in distress.  One of its claims to infamy is the score, done entirely in theramin, so you know when it was made.

Robbie the Robot from that flick made it into TV with the Lost in Space series.  I guess they had to do something with that expensive suit of armor.quote>

Forbidden Planet I've seen and of course, I grew up with Lost In Space, so I'm familiar with those stories.  You're right, Caprica, BSG and even Terminator are cautionary tales, no doubting that.  Then again, a lot of sci-fi has always been cautionary tales.

The one thing that differs BSG from the rest is the idea of "What has happened before, will happen again," a continuous repeating cycle.  In other words, the BSG storyline takes human history a step further than what we know about it by suggesting that we did not evolve on this planet, that perhaps humans originated from somewhere else and that we humans keep making the same mistakes over and over again by trying to create life, which eventually comes back to bite us in backside. 

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Yes, we aliens are prone to making historical blunders over and over.  I always say that, in the bottom line of my sig.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Yes, we aliens are prone to making historical blunders over and over.  I always say that, in the bottom line of my sig.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Yes, we aliens are prone to making historical blunders over and over.  I always say that, in the bottom line of my sig.quote>

So, you finally admit you're an alien.  I always knew there was something different about you.   [I hope you know I'm just messin' with ya]

Just so you know, I don't believe that humans evolved on another planet, that's nonsense, but the concept when taken in sci-fi terms, is rather interesting to ponder.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Yes, we aliens are prone to making historical blunders over and over.  I always say that, in the bottom line of my sig.quote>

So, you finally admit you're an alien.  I always knew there was something different about you.   [I hope you know I'm just messin' with ya]

Just so you know, I don't believe that humans evolved on another planet, that's nonsense, but the concept when taken in sci-fi terms, is rather interesting to ponder.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

I am rather partial to H. Beam Piper's Paratime universe which clearly states that we are Martians.  In this scenario, the Martians, having exhausted the resources of their planet, hopped to earth and started using it up.  The invention of the Ghaldron-Hesthor interdimensional device has allowed the First Level civilization to hop to alternate time-lines and they have set up a vast, secret trading empire to collect resources needed to continue, having exhausted the prime time-line's resources and not having interstellar travel.

This scenario could easily support a TV series and at least one motion picture (Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen), which might even make a trilogy.  The TV series could be a continuing police procedural following the paratime police on their various adventures.  It comes with a built-in hero (Verkan Vall) and heroine (Dalla), and you can have all kinds of villains. 

I suggest that the episode "He Walked Around the Horses" would not make a hit with the TV audience because it is too historically arcane, but some of the others would do nicely for a pilot.  There could be an on-going background plot of trying to pin down the cross-time slavers, which would culminate in the big bust scene in some ending episode for a season with cliff hanging as to the fate of the home time-line criminals (the syndicate or mob).  Maybe the pilot could be based on the "God Trouble" episode.  Lots of action, and a good place to "explain" some of the technology.  It would need two hours, so It might air in two parts. 

Other existing episodes and new ones from the writers could be serialized if need be.  Many of the characters could be fleshed out and made more actual.

Casting for this could be very eclectic.  The first level people have completely cosmopolitan attitudes similar to Star Trek, and there is one central government for the planet.  It is interesting that the police headquarters is in the Hind.  (Dherghabar).  Any number of cross-time scenarios can be developed.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

I am rather partial to H. Beam Piper's Paratime universe which clearly states that we are Martians.  In this scenario, the Martians, having exhausted the resources of their planet, hopped to earth and started using it up.  The invention of the Ghaldron-Hesthor interdimensional device has allowed the First Level civilization to hop to alternate time-lines and they have set up a vast, secret trading empire to collect resources needed to continue, having exhausted the prime time-line's resources and not having interstellar travel.

This scenario could easily support a TV series and at least one motion picture (Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen), which might even make a trilogy.  The TV series could be a continuing police procedural following the paratime police on their various adventures.  It comes with a built-in hero (Verkan Vall) and heroine (Dalla), and you can have all kinds of villains. 

I suggest that the episode "He Walked Around the Horses" would not make a hit with the TV audience because it is too historically arcane, but some of the others would do nicely for a pilot.  There could be an on-going background plot of trying to pin down the cross-time slavers, which would culminate in the big bust scene in some ending episode for a season with cliff hanging as to the fate of the home time-line criminals (the syndicate or mob).  Maybe the pilot could be based on the "God Trouble" episode.  Lots of action, and a good place to "explain" some of the technology.  It would need two hours, so It might air in two parts. 

Other existing episodes and new ones from the writers could be serialized if need be.  Many of the characters could be fleshed out and made more actual.

Casting for this could be very eclectic.  The first level people have completely cosmopolitan attitudes similar to Star Trek, and there is one central government for the planet.  It is interesting that the police headquarters is in the Hind.  (Dherghabar).  Any number of cross-time scenarios can be developed.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Sounds interesting Nonny, but smart sci-fi doesn't fit with the attention span of most sci-fi fans these days, so it probably wouldn't get very far.

In other news, Sci-Fi announced today that they have canceled Caprica and will not air the five remaining episodes until sometime in early 2011.  Idiots.  They could at least air the remaining episodes and not leave fans of the show hanging like that.  They just lost another viewer.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Sounds interesting Nonny, but smart sci-fi doesn't fit with the attention span of most sci-fi fans these days, so it probably wouldn't get very far.

In other news, Sci-Fi announced today that they have canceled Caprica and will not air the five remaining episodes until sometime in early 2011.  Idiots.  They could at least air the remaining episodes and not leave fans of the show hanging like that.  They just lost another viewer.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Originally posted by: blade2k5

In other news, Sci-Fi announced today that they have canceled Caprica and will not air the five remaining episodes until sometime in early 2011.  Idiots.  They could at least air the remaining episodes and not leave fans of the show hanging like that.  They just lost another viewer.

quote>

Speaking of the general intellectual capability of the TV audience and ratings driven executive decisions, this is yet another example of the bad business judgement that results from following the current bottom line.  I have no idea what the ratings were like, but if that number of viewers stopped watching that channel because of Caprica not being broadcast, what program would they blame that drop on?  If that behaviour in the board room continues, how long before the chickens come home to roost, hmmm?  Who owns that channel?  What are the chances of the survival of its management as the bottom line goes to red?

I don't care for Caprica, but this is yet another example of the general stupidity of modern managerial thought.  This time, they may have chucked the baby with the bath water.  Let us hope so.

Meanwhile, what are they airing in its place?  Old episodes of Lost in Space?

Newton Minnow was right!

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Originally posted by: blade2k5

In other news, Sci-Fi announced today that they have canceled Caprica and will not air the five remaining episodes until sometime in early 2011.  Idiots.  They could at least air the remaining episodes and not leave fans of the show hanging like that.  They just lost another viewer.

quote>

Speaking of the general intellectual capability of the TV audience and ratings driven executive decisions, this is yet another example of the bad business judgement that results from following the current bottom line.  I have no idea what the ratings were like, but if that number of viewers stopped watching that channel because of Caprica not being broadcast, what program would they blame that drop on?  If that behaviour in the board room continues, how long before the chickens come home to roost, hmmm?  Who owns that channel?  What are the chances of the survival of its management as the bottom line goes to red?

I don't care for Caprica, but this is yet another example of the general stupidity of modern managerial thought.  This time, they may have chucked the baby with the bath water.  Let us hope so.

Meanwhile, what are they airing in its place?  Old episodes of Lost in Space?

Newton Minnow was right!

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Originally posted by: blade2k5

In other news, Sci-Fi announced today that they have canceled Caprica and will not air the five remaining episodes until sometime in early 2011.  Idiots.  They could at least air the remaining episodes and not leave fans of the show hanging like that.  They just lost another viewer.

quote>

Speaking of the general intellectual capability of the TV audience and ratings driven executive decisions, this is yet another example of the bad business judgement that results from following the current bottom line.  I have no idea what the ratings were like, but if that number of viewers stopped watching that channel because of Caprica not being broadcast, what program would they blame that drop on?  If that behaviour in the board room continues, how long before the chickens come home to roost, hmmm?  Who owns that channel?  What are the chances of the survival of its management as the bottom line goes to red?

I don't care for Caprica, but this is yet another example of the general stupidity of modern managerial thought.  This time, they may have chucked the baby with the bath water.  Let us hope so.

Meanwhile, what are they airing in its place?  Old episodes of Lost in Space?

Newton Minnow was right!quote>

I have no idea what they'll air in it's place, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's one of their so-called reality shows like Ghost Hunters or some such ignorant programming like that, but I can tell you it won't be anything like Lost in Space.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Originally posted by: blade2k5

In other news, Sci-Fi announced today that they have canceled Caprica and will not air the five remaining episodes until sometime in early 2011.  Idiots.  They could at least air the remaining episodes and not leave fans of the show hanging like that.  They just lost another viewer.

quote>

Speaking of the general intellectual capability of the TV audience and ratings driven executive decisions, this is yet another example of the bad business judgement that results from following the current bottom line.  I have no idea what the ratings were like, but if that number of viewers stopped watching that channel because of Caprica not being broadcast, what program would they blame that drop on?  If that behaviour in the board room continues, how long before the chickens come home to roost, hmmm?  Who owns that channel?  What are the chances of the survival of its management as the bottom line goes to red?

I don't care for Caprica, but this is yet another example of the general stupidity of modern managerial thought.  This time, they may have chucked the baby with the bath water.  Let us hope so.

Meanwhile, what are they airing in its place?  Old episodes of Lost in Space?

Newton Minnow was right!quote>

I have no idea what they'll air in it's place, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's one of their so-called reality shows like Ghost Hunters or some such ignorant programming like that, but I can tell you it won't be anything like Lost in Space.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Well there is something to be said about video on demand.

I just watched Dreamworks Studios How to Train Your Dragon which is an allegory of growing up.  Totally CGI, but not of the very high quality that would keep an adult audience for long.  More like a Disney than anything else, but I found it entertaining to say the least.  I got my six bucks worth.

The interesting thing about VOD is that they carry a lot of stuff, including some real classics.  Unfortunately, they also carry garbage like 2012, but having read a few reviews, I won't watch it.

Some of the dragons were cute, and the big dragon villain reminded me of the roughneck character in the Popeye comics.  I applaud the imagination of the Dreamworks team in putting together an entertainment worth watching at least once, and I recommend it.  I wonder what it would be like on the big screen in a theatre?  Anyone seen it?

The interesting thing about VOD is that it controls like a DVD player, so you can break if you have to (and I have to).  The other thing about the medium is that it is a lot chaper than going out to a movie although you miss the crowd ambience.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Well there is something to be said about video on demand.

I just watched Dreamworks Studios How to Train Your Dragon which is an allegory of growing up.  Totally CGI, but not of the very high quality that would keep an adult audience for long.  More like a Disney than anything else, but I found it entertaining to say the least.  I got my six bucks worth.

The interesting thing about VOD is that they carry a lot of stuff, including some real classics.  Unfortunately, they also carry garbage like 2012, but having read a few reviews, I won't watch it.

Some of the dragons were cute, and the big dragon villain reminded me of the roughneck character in the Popeye comics.  I applaud the imagination of the Dreamworks team in putting together an entertainment worth watching at least once, and I recommend it.  I wonder what it would be like on the big screen in a theatre?  Anyone seen it?

The interesting thing about VOD is that it controls like a DVD player, so you can break if you have to (and I have to).  The other thing about the medium is that it is a lot chaper than going out to a movie although you miss the crowd ambience.

quote>

I saw it 3D in theaters and is one of the better animated films made in the last few years.  Despictable Me is another good humorous one.  I have VOD, but would rather rent the blu-ray for a 1.99 than pay $6.

Also, though 2012 has a really dumb story, the effects were really cool, especially when Los Angeles was being ripped apart.

[Ocram's Razr 964]

They will most likely air F science fiction movies (which are far worse than B sci-fi films). I refuse to watch that channel anymore.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Originally posted by: blade2k5

I have VOD, but would rather rent the blu-ray for a 1.99 than pay $6.

quote>

1. I don't have a blue ray player (I do have a DVD player, but it is not connected at the moment)
2. I don't drive because of vision problems
3. It is a long way to any video rental outfit
4. It is difficult for me to go anywhere at 9:30 p.m.

My six bucks pays for convenience.  Your $1,99 + gas to and from + having to go get it (your time is worth something, eh?) probably is comparable.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Originally posted by: blade2k5

I have VOD, but would rather rent the blu-ray for a 1.99 than pay $6.

quote>

1. I don't have a blue ray player (I do have a DVD player, but it is not connected at the moment)
2. I don't drive because of vision problems
3. It is a long way to any video rental outfit
4. It is difficult for me to go anywhere at 9:30 p.m.

My six bucks pays for convenience.  Your $1,99 + gas to and from + having to go get it (your time is worth something, eh?) probably is comparable.

quote>

they dont have Netflicks in canada? done by mail. $20/month. about the cost of going to 1 movie w/ popcorn and drink.

Im not a memeber but my sisiter is,so if thiers a movie i wanted to see but didnt want to pay theater price's i ask her to order it fo me.and i just drop it in the mail when im done.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Originally posted by: blade2k5

I have VOD, but would rather rent the blu-ray for a 1.99 than pay $6.

quote>

1. I don't have a blue ray player (I do have a DVD player, but it is not connected at the moment)
2. I don't drive because of vision problems
3. It is a long way to any video rental outfit
4. It is difficult for me to go anywhere at 9:30 p.m.

My six bucks pays for convenience.  Your $1,99 + gas to and from + having to go get it (your time is worth something, eh?) probably is comparable.

quote>

It takes 20 minutes total, the rental place is about two miles round trip and I barely burn any gas considering I get 37MPG.  Oh, and I got the Sony Blu-Ray player dirt cheap.  A $350 player for $119 when the store I bought it from was going out of business.

I don't use Netflix, don't like waiting for the dvd to come in the mail, it's much faster going into town to rent one, two or three when I want one.  Netflix can't get me a rental when I want it.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Interesting.  That makes two buck for the movie, about fifty cents for gas, wear and tear on your car, which leaves, in my numbers 3.50 for 1/3 of an hour of your time.  Does that mean I can get you to work for me for 10.50 an hour (21,000 a year)?

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Interesting.  That makes two buck for the movie, about fifty cents for gas, wear and tear on your car, which leaves, in my numbers 3.50 for 1/3 of an hour of your time.  Does that mean I can get you to work for me for 10.50 an hour (21,000 a year)?quote>

No, I'm semi retired and only work on Saturdays for most of the year for something to do.  Besides, I'm earning way, way more than that per hour.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Moose could hire you for 10.50/hour to send him movies.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Well, I am totally retired and I do a little volunteer work in the software sector, from home.  I actually get less than 10.50 an hour, but I do hold myself together.

Looking over the VOD selection I usually don't find anythng I want.  Someday, when I get some assistance moving my furniture around I will be able to hook up the rest of my entertainment kit.  I was lucky when I hooked up my video gear in that the very heavy, old crt tube fell over on me, but I wasn't hurt and it wasn't either.  It is so front heavy, I need assistance to handle it.  Mostly what I get off my cable system is classical music on one of the FM stations, CFMX Coburg.  I also sometimes watch one or the other of the four PBS stations that are on this service (Detroit, Buffalo, Seattle, Toronto).  Otherwise, "a vast wasteland".

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Well, I am totally retired and I do a little volunteer work in the software sector, from home.  I actually get less than 10.50 an hour, but I do hold myself together.

Looking over the VOD selection I usually don't find anythng I want.  Someday, when I get some assistance moving my furniture around I will be able to hook up the rest of my entertainment kit.  I was lucky when I hooked up my video gear in that the very heavy, old crt tube fell over on me, but I wasn't hurt and it wasn't either.  It is so front heavy, I need assistance to handle it.  Mostly what I get off my cable system is classical music on one of the FM stations, CFMX Coburg.  I also sometimes watch one or the other of the four PBS stations that are on this service (Detroit, Buffalo, Seattle, Toronto).  Otherwise, "a vast wasteland".

quote>

Same here.  It's either something you've seen a thousand times before, or it's something else you have no interest in.  Very few times will I ever see anything that I actually want to watch VOD.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Any word on what they are replacing Caprica with?  Star Trek reruns?  Star Wars in pieces?

I guess it doosn't matter, because the sponsors and producers who collaborated in pulling it, probably don't watch the channel themselves.

[Barbarossa 51]

.

  Edited September 8, 2012 by Barbarossa  

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Any word on what they are replacing Caprica with?  Star Trek reruns?  Star Wars in pieces?

I guess it doosn't matter, because the sponsors and producers who collaborated in pulling it, probably don't watch the channel themselves.quote>

Star Trek TNG.  Real ratings winner there.  I hear Space Channel is airing the 5 remaining episodes of Caprica for all you Canadian fans starting tonight.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Originally posted by: blade2k5

Star Trek TNG.  Real ratings winner there.  I hear Space Channel is airing the 5 remaining episodes of Caprica for all you Canadian fans starting tonight.

quote>

Well, I don't watch Caprica, so it is no skin off me.  The ST episodes are rather old, but Patrick Stewart is fairly good in his role, and you can enjoy the vicissitudes of Brent Spiner who would like to have a heart, figuratively speaking.  That role is right out of Wizard of Oz.  I hope for your sake if you are going to watch that they don't run a bumch of the Q episodes.  They are rather childish.

[blade2k5 1,523]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Originally posted by: blade2k5

Star Trek TNG.  Real ratings winner there.  I hear Space Channel is airing the 5 remaining episodes of Caprica for all you Canadian fans starting tonight.

quote>

Well, I don't watch Caprica, so it is no skin off me.  The ST episodes are rather old, but Patrick Stewart is fairly good in his role, and you can enjoy the vicissitudes of Brent Spiner who would like to have a heart, figuratively speaking.  That role is right out of Wizard of Oz.  I hope for your sake if you are going to watch that they don't run a bumch of the Q episodes.  They are rather childish.

quote>

Nope, not watching.  Never really cared for TNG and Syfy has nothing on that I'm even remotely interested in watching, so it'll most likely be a long time that I'll watch the network again.