Boston Globe article, SciFi channels slick new shows causing outcry from longtim fans - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

BONNIEBON · 20th March 2003, 04:03 PM

OK, I've already typed most of this article once, and got booted off line just before finishing, so I'm going to abreviate, and stick to just import. facts.

Boston Sunday Globe article headline: 'The Sci Fi Channel's slick new shows are causing an outcry from its lontime fans. By Suzanne c. Ryan

For die-hard science fic. fans like Jason Seaver, Friday will be a sad day in tv land.
It's the day Scifi channel will run the final episode of tis first original series, Farscape, a show that Seaver and other passionate followers call tvs best science fic program since the original Star Trek.
Scifi officials pointing to flagging ratings, say Farscape must go to make room for new and higher profile programming such as Taken and Children of Dune. Next the channel inroduces its first orig. reality series, Scare Tactics, as well as a horror comedy series that spins off the movie Tremors.
cifi's fans dont want to hear about an image makeover. They want the channel to stay the same. "I've talked to a ton of people online who have said they're through with the channel after the last epi of Farscape airs, says Seaver, a

BONNIEBON · 20th March 2003, 04:09 PM

yr old computer programmer from Cambridge. "I can't say I'm too interested in much of thier upcoming slate... Tremors, looks like it's going to stink. And just what does Scare Tactics have to do with Science fic. anyway?"
After operating for yrs in relative obscurity, the sleepy channel known for its airing old episodes of the twilght zone is finally attempting to jettison it's pocket protector image.
many of the top grossing movies of all time are science fic. We're realizing there is a huge audiance to explore, says Bonnie Hammer, pres. of the channel

BONNIEBON · 20th March 2003, 04:28 PM

available to million households.
But by going mainstream, Scifi may lose its core fan base. Other cable channels have changed their orig. format and survived, but science fic. fans are renowned for being partic. passionate-and willing to speak their minds-about the genre.
While in the past, scifi was primarily a re-run channel, Hammer says, the mandate now it to define ouselves as a front-runner in original programming.
Children of Dune is a prime example. With Dune, scifi hopes to follow the remarkable success of Taken, Taken broke Scifis viewership records, attracting 4.97 million people.
the channel has realized, Hammer says, that traditional science fic. shows via space tech are no longer as appealing to tech savy wiewers as Earth based twists on modern day reality, such as The Sixth Sence and Matrix.
" Years ago, scifi was based on all these pedictions about technology. People don't care about the future that much but about new perceptions on the here and now. We're trying to develop products that deal with that."
To be sure, the channel has not abandoned the space odysey.
In dec., it's rolling out the 4 hr mini series, Battlestar Galactica. But the reality, Hammer says, is that scifi must expand its reach.
Anticipating her critics, she calls it a myth that the channel is only watched by geek boys.
" We're well balanced, 55/45, male/female.
Fans of Farscape are fed up with her justifications.
Launched in 1999, the series chronicles the advent. of and astronaut lost in space....
The shows cancellation has caused a huge public outcry. there are websites and fan clubs devoted to reversing the decision. Some fans have banded together to pay for thier own Save Farscape tv and radio commercials. Others have attended Farscape conventions and signed petitions.

BONNIEBON · 20th March 2003, 04:47 PM

Chatter on the internet is intense and extensive leading up to the show's last broadcast.
Julie Rayhanabad, a founder of savefarscape.com says she 's rally disappointed in the channel because it doesn't appear to be committed to traditional science fic the way its fans are.
Indeed, on March 28, Sicfi will debut Tremors, the series.
We don't see tremors as a good series. The worm comes, to get you and you kill it," says Ray Hanabad. Likewise, Scare tactics is a ratings ploy, she adds. It will pull in more random viewers who aren't science fic fans but will tune in because its reality tv.
In another affront to fans, Scifi has decided to replsce one of the Battlestar Galactica main male characters, Starbuck, with a female actress in the Dec. miniseries.

BONNIEBON · 20th March 2003, 04:55 PM

There's a huge uproar about that.
Paul Bender, a Brooklyn Ny, resident who attends Farscape conventions and is a member of sev. Farscape internet chat groups, believes the channels primary mission should be to air reruns of the shows that didn't survive on other networks as well as create original programs on par with Farscape.
" I would like to see shows like Earth 2 and Firefly. It's the science fic. channel after all. That is what they should be doing.
Hammer concedes she reeives emails daily from ujpset viewers. Science fic for some reason has an even more passionate fan base than other genres, so when any series ends, somehow there is a back-lash. Still, she instists that Farscape is coming to its natural end....It was a favulous series that told great stories with a fab cast and at some point you have to say goodbye....like many series, it started waning in the ratings, and we have to move the channel forward with fresh product.

BONNIEBON · 20th March 2003, 04:58 PM

On the surface, tonights childen of dune would seem to contradict SciFis new mission.
I'm gonna skip the explanation of Dune and skip to the last sentece.
But whether the networks biggest fans will bother to listen is another matter entirely.

Dave · 20th March 2003, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BONNIEBON
Hammer says, that traditional science fic. shows via space tech are no longer as appealing to tech savy wiewers as Earth based twists on modern day reality, such as The Sixth Sence and Matrix.

Does that mean 'Odyssey 5' still has a chance of being picked up by the scifi channel then?

(I only wish!)

Somehow I very much doubt it

Anyway, precisely what market research has she done to suggest this? It is rubbish based on no evidence. 'Space Tech.' shows have always been, and always will be the staple diet of science fiction. Nothing is going to change that.

And she is speaking as head of the channel that ruined the excellent 'alternative reality' show 'Sliders' and is about to ruin the archetypical 'space tech' show 'Battlestar Galactica'.

BONNIEBON · 21st March 2003, 07:11 PM

She also said that they realized that the top selling movies of all time have been scifi based. (star wars, ect). Well, gee, I kind of thought that those were space ship, futuristic type movies! Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see how she can compare them to the present and new takes on the here and now.

CynVision · 22nd March 2003, 07:10 AM

I theorized at New Year's that Scifi would be renamed USA Network #2. It seems I was right. Once they started putting Braveheart on I knew they were running out of ideas. Isn't the channel up for sale? Maybe someone will buy it and restore some sanity.

bummer · 22nd March 2003, 02:29 PM

She sounds like a complete moron with no clue, to me....oh, wait...she already proved that one!! Apparently she feels the need to prove it yet again by remaking Battlestar Galactica....why remake something that some view as perfect? As a BG fan, I have no desire whatsoever to see a remake. And Tremors?? What is the thinking behind that? Jeeez....

Krystal · 22nd March 2003, 04:59 PM

My answer to her is that she should stick to good scifi programs and make good original scifi programs that definitely will make scifi the number one channel to scifi fans old and get new fans. I don't think programs like Scare Tactics, Tremors and the new BG will do that. BG have the potential but they totally miss the opportunity and blow it. To give her an example: Children's of Dune is one that goes in the right direction. Take that, things like Taken, keep Farscape, Stargate SG1 and make BG what it could be and you have the number one scifi channel to any kind of fan. That are programs of quality and potential.

Maybe all is not lost since the channel is for sale, so we fans have to keep giving our opinions since probably the new owners would like to hear them. Let's hope they're more open than the actual owners.

Krystal

Texane · 29th March 2003, 03:44 AM

thinks I'm watching "Scare Tactics" (more lousy Shannen Doherty **** - she should have stayed with Charmed/t&a shows), or "Tremors" (the "yee-haw" scifi show bringing us short-shorts and daisy mae), they can forget it.

"Taken" and "Children of Dune" were good, but they are not a series, and they cost more to make than a season of Farscape!!! (Taken had more than 10 directors).

Clearly those making the decisions have so much less brain power than the average Farscape viewer, they do not have a clue as to whom their audience is, or what a unique series Farscape has always been. I suppose that means Farscape must step aside for the beer guzzling, yee-haw, 2 cent episodes that are about to be thrown (up) at us. :angryfire

BONNIEBON · 3rd April 2003, 05:59 PM

Oh, they know who thier audience is, they just don't give a **** about us! They WANT to attract those hee haw beer guzzelers! :evil:

sidewinder · 3rd April 2003, 08:56 PM

well this just proves my theory that all large companys/goverments are run by compleat morons who don't have the ability to make sane decisions.
to quote a famous film.

PRESIDENT SKROOB: Sandurz, Sandurz! You got to help me! I don't know what to do. I can't make decisions! I'm a president!

20th March 2003, 04:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
BONNIEBON Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: BOSTON, MA., USA Posts: 187	Boston Globe article, SciFi channels slick new shows causing outcry from longtim fans OK, I've already typed most of this article once, and got booted off line just before finishing, so I'm going to abreviate, and stick to just import. facts. Boston Sunday Globe article headline: 'The Sci Fi Channel's slick new shows are causing an outcry from its lontime fans. By Suzanne c. Ryan For die-hard science fic. fans like Jason Seaver, Friday will be a sad day in tv land. It's the day Scifi channel will run the final episode of tis first original series, Farscape, a show that Seaver and other passionate followers call tvs best science fic program since the original Star Trek. Scifi officials pointing to flagging ratings, say Farscape must go to make room for new and higher profile programming such as Taken and Children of Dune. Next the channel inroduces its first orig. reality series, Scare Tactics, as well as a horror comedy series that spins off the movie Tremors. cifi's fans dont want to hear about an image makeover. They want the channel to stay the same. "I've talked to a ton of people online who have said they're through with the channel after the last epi of Farscape airs, says Seaver, a

20th March 2003, 04:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
BONNIEBON Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: BOSTON, MA., USA Posts: 187	to continue.... yr old computer programmer from Cambridge. "I can't say I'm too interested in much of thier upcoming slate... Tremors, looks like it's going to stink. And just what does Scare Tactics have to do with Science fic. anyway?" After operating for yrs in relative obscurity, the sleepy channel known for its airing old episodes of the twilght zone is finally attempting to jettison it's pocket protector image. many of the top grossing movies of all time are science fic. We're realizing there is a huge audiance to explore, says Bonnie Hammer, pres. of the channel

20th March 2003, 04:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
BONNIEBON Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: BOSTON, MA., USA Posts: 187	why won't this let me post the whole article at once? available to million households. But by going mainstream, Scifi may lose its core fan base. Other cable channels have changed their orig. format and survived, but science fic. fans are renowned for being partic. passionate-and willing to speak their minds-about the genre. While in the past, scifi was primarily a re-run channel, Hammer says, the mandate now it to define ouselves as a front-runner in original programming. Children of Dune is a prime example. With Dune, scifi hopes to follow the remarkable success of Taken, Taken broke Scifis viewership records, attracting 4.97 million people. the channel has realized, Hammer says, that traditional science fic. shows via space tech are no longer as appealing to tech savy wiewers as Earth based twists on modern day reality, such as The Sixth Sence and Matrix. " Years ago, scifi was based on all these pedictions about technology. People don't care about the future that much but about new perceptions on the here and now. We're trying to develop products that deal with that." To be sure, the channel has not abandoned the space odysey. In dec., it's rolling out the 4 hr mini series, Battlestar Galactica. But the reality, Hammer says, is that scifi must expand its reach. Anticipating her critics, she calls it a myth that the channel is only watched by geek boys. " We're well balanced, 55/45, male/female. Fans of Farscape are fed up with her justifications. Launched in 1999, the series chronicles the advent. of and astronaut lost in space.... The shows cancellation has caused a huge public outcry. there are websites and fan clubs devoted to reversing the decision. Some fans have banded together to pay for thier own Save Farscape tv and radio commercials. Others have attended Farscape conventions and signed petitions.

20th March 2003, 04:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
BONNIEBON Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: BOSTON, MA., USA Posts: 187	keep getting booted off line...so to cont. Chatter on the internet is intense and extensive leading up to the show's last broadcast. Julie Rayhanabad, a founder of savefarscape.com says she 's rally disappointed in the channel because it doesn't appear to be committed to traditional science fic the way its fans are. Indeed, on March 28, Sicfi will debut Tremors, the series. We don't see tremors as a good series. The worm comes, to get you and you kill it," says Ray Hanabad. Likewise, Scare tactics is a ratings ploy, she adds. It will pull in more random viewers who aren't science fic fans but will tune in because its reality tv. In another affront to fans, Scifi has decided to replsce one of the Battlestar Galactica main male characters, Starbuck, with a female actress in the Dec. miniseries.

20th March 2003, 04:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
BONNIEBON Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: BOSTON, MA., USA Posts: 187	I'm getting there.... There's a huge uproar about that. Paul Bender, a Brooklyn Ny, resident who attends Farscape conventions and is a member of sev. Farscape internet chat groups, believes the channels primary mission should be to air reruns of the shows that didn't survive on other networks as well as create original programs on par with Farscape. " I would like to see shows like Earth 2 and Firefly. It's the science fic. channel after all. That is what they should be doing. Hammer concedes she reeives emails daily from ujpset viewers. Science fic for some reason has an even more passionate fan base than other genres, so when any series ends, somehow there is a back-lash. Still, she instists that Farscape is coming to its natural end....It was a favulous series that told great stories with a fab cast and at some point you have to say goodbye....like many series, it started waning in the ratings, and we have to move the channel forward with fresh product.

20th March 2003, 04:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
BONNIEBON Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: BOSTON, MA., USA Posts: 187	and to conclude..... On the surface, tonights childen of dune would seem to contradict SciFis new mission. I'm gonna skip the explanation of Dune and skip to the last sentece. But whether the networks biggest fans will bother to listen is another matter entirely.

21st March 2003, 07:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
BONNIEBON Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: BOSTON, MA., USA Posts: 187	She also said that they realized that the top selling movies of all time have been scifi based. (star wars, ect). Well, gee, I kind of thought that those were space ship, futuristic type movies! Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see how she can compare them to the present and new takes on the here and now.

22nd March 2003, 07:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
CynVision CO, RDA's Leather Brigade Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,220	I theorized at New Year's that Scifi would be renamed USA Network #2. It seems I was right. Once they started putting Braveheart on I knew they were running out of ideas. Isn't the channel up for sale? Maybe someone will buy it and restore some sanity.

22nd March 2003, 02:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
bummer Bruce Campbell love slave Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 370	She sounds like a complete moron with no clue, to me....oh, wait...she already proved that one!! Apparently she feels the need to prove it yet again by remaking Battlestar Galactica....why remake something that some view as perfect? As a BG fan, I have no desire whatsoever to see a remake. And Tremors?? What is the thinking behind that? Jeeez....

22nd March 2003, 04:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
Krystal Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 2,264	My answer to her is that she should stick to good scifi programs and make good original scifi programs that definitely will make scifi the number one channel to scifi fans old and get new fans. I don't think programs like Scare Tactics, Tremors and the new BG will do that. BG have the potential but they totally miss the opportunity and blow it. To give her an example: Children's of Dune is one that goes in the right direction. Take that, things like Taken, keep Farscape, Stargate SG1 and make BG what it could be and you have the number one scifi channel to any kind of fan. That are programs of quality and potential. Maybe all is not lost since the channel is for sale, so we fans have to keep giving our opinions since probably the new owners would like to hear them. Let's hope they're more open than the actual owners. Krystal

29th March 2003, 03:44 AM	#12 (permalink)
Texane Frelling Wicked Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Texas (of course!) Posts: 3,877	if that full fledged moron . . . thinks I'm watching "Scare Tactics" (more lousy Shannen Doherty **** - she should have stayed with Charmed/t&a shows), or "Tremors" (the "yee-haw" scifi show bringing us short-shorts and daisy mae), they can forget it. "Taken" and "Children of Dune" were good, but they are not a series, and they cost more to make than a season of Farscape!!! (Taken had more than 10 directors). Clearly those making the decisions have so much less brain power than the average Farscape viewer, they do not have a clue as to whom their audience is, or what a unique series Farscape has always been. I suppose that means Farscape must step aside for the beer guzzling, yee-haw, 2 cent episodes that are about to be thrown (up) at us. :angryfire

3rd April 2003, 05:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
BONNIEBON Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: BOSTON, MA., USA Posts: 187	Oh, they know who thier audience is, they just don't give a **** about us! They WANT to attract those hee haw beer guzzelers! :evil:

3rd April 2003, 08:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
sidewinder High Summoner Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: mars Posts: 220	well this just proves my theory that all large companys/goverments are run by compleat morons who don't have the ability to make sane decisions. to quote a famous film. PRESIDENT SKROOB: Sandurz, Sandurz! You got to help me! I don't know what to do. I can't make decisions! I'm a president!