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Can Sci-Fi Fans Face the Future?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the still-not-over-firefly dept.

khendron writes "The Toronto Star has an article about sci-fi fans and their ongoing habit of protesting the cancellation of their beloved TV shows. From mailing bras to starting malicious Internet rumours, devoted viewers try all sorts of things to protect what they love. That's not always good news."

8 of 394 comments (clear)

  1. Another thought... by ackthpt · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Maybe Sci-Fi shows have run their course. After all, it was Sci-Fi that displaced the western, which had a long run.

    So ... what's replacing Sci-Fi? (Please, please, please, not reality TV, please, please...)

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    1. Re:Another thought... by miyako · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Actually, it seems to me that a lot of Sci-Fi is being replaced with shows that have a bit more of a paranormal twist, like the (now defunct) Buffy and Angel, and shows like Charmed.
      They have a tendancy to follow some of the same themes and styles, like the morally ambiguous choices of heros, and the sort of adventure feeling.
      Of course, it's been quite a while since I've watched TV, so I could be on the wrong track.

      --
      Famous Last Words: "hmm...wikipedia says it's edible"
    2. Re:Another thought... by Monkelectric · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Eh, you're two horrible generations behind. The paranormal stuff got started when I was in high school with the X-Files, and Im an old man now. Paranormal is already old hat as is its successor, Reality shows. The real question is, what horrible abortion am I going to not watch next?

      --

      Religion is a gateway psychosis. -- Dave Foley

  2. Final show appalling? by RonnyJ · · Score: 4, Interesting
    It's somewhat dismaying to read one of the comments from Jolene Blalock in the article, apparently regarding the final episode of Enterprise.

    There is an awkward silence when the subject of the final episode is broached. "I don't know where to begin with that one," she finally stammers. "The final episode is ... appalling."

    1. Re:Final show appalling? by yotto · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Whenever I see ellipsis (Those little dot dot dot things) I instantly think "MISQUOTE!" There are two possibilities here:
      1) She said "The final episode is," then paused dramatically, and finished up with, "appalling."
      2) She said something like "The final episode is an endearing tribute to both the failed show and the Star Trek universe, and I find the fact that it will be seen by so few to be appalling."

      Either way, I think the way she was quoted was ... appalling.

      --
      Pulp Audio Weekly - Geek News and Reviews
  3. It's human nature... by dingo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ...you just try and organise a "please don't axe our favorite show" protest before it has been axed. It just wont happen.

    Too bad as it would probably work better.

    Executive types hate reversing decisions, somehow thinking it implies they don't know what they are doing, but deciding not to can a series...thats just another choice that can be made without loosing face.

    --
    The Borg assimilated my race & all I got was this lousy T-shirt
  4. Fandom makes for lazy writers by eln · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The problem with Enterprise is, the studio knew that there was this already existing rabid fanbase for all things Trek, so they figured that they could put any old crap on TV, put the Trek name on it, and they would have a built-in fanbase. Sadly, all of these protests have proven them right.

    Unfortunately for them, this time the fanbase isn't big enough to sustain a series, even on the low ratings friendly UPN. The article also states how they hope to be picked up by the Sci Fi channel, which requires even lower ratings of its fare.

    The problem is, Enterprise really isn't a very good show. It needs to be cancelled. Maybe it will mean the death of the Trek franchise, but I seriously doubt it. More likely, it will result in someone down the road coming up with another Trek series and actually putting some effort into writing a quality show.

  5. So what is the gender split for enterprise fans by kgruscho · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The article towards the end mentions that some of the more successful fan movements have been largely the result of female fans. (e.g. Farscape) I wonder to what extent this is true of Enterprise? Anybody have some numbers? The impression I get from the marketing of Jolene Blalock is that women have not been marketed to..