There is further evidence of the Fox network's hatred and/or misunderstanding of the science fiction genre. Along with giving the Friday Night Death Slot to The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Dollhouse, they are making room for shows like Boldly Going Nowhere and Glee.According to the article, the show Glee, which is about a high school Glee Club (can anybody say High School Musical rip-off?), will be given a slot after American Idol. You don't get much stronger publicity than that. I suspect that Boldly Going Nowhere (which I have hope for, since its from the creators of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) will also get a decent slot. But that show is a parody of science-fiction, not the real thing (which when done well actually makes you cogitate on philosophy, life and the universe).
If it's given a decent time slot (and it probably will, since there is already an order for episodes and Friday night is already full), then it's probably for the purpose of making fun of the fans of sci-fi.
Of course there are those who argue that Fox is going for mainstream audiences and sci-fi is too niche of a market. To them, I blow a raspberry.
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Have any questions for Vik Sahay of Chuck? Ask them here!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-12-2008 @ 12:18PM
edgore said...
" But that show is a parody of science-fiction, not the real thing (which when done well actually makes you cogitate on philosophy, life and the universe)."
I would argue that the greatest science fiction parody ever made you cogitate about life, the universe and everything as much as any serious Science fiction did....
Reply
12-13-2008 @ 12:30AM
Argus said...
Hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy wasn't a parody of Sci-Fi, it was a Sci-Fi comedy. There's a diff. I found the Red Dwarf books to be more philisophical though, what with the toaster and everything :P
12-13-2008 @ 12:44AM
edgore said...
I would argue with you about whether or not HHGTTG is a parody or not, but then you mentioned the Red Dwarf *books* and the toaster, so I am helpless against you.
12-12-2008 @ 12:29PM
lou.dalmaso said...
six word explanation...
Big Bang Theory is a hit
I gar-ron-tee you some exec heard that, asked a nephew what the show was about. was told "Sci-Fi nerds", and said "well, we got to have one of those shows, too"
Reply
12-12-2008 @ 12:46PM
Tony said...
I am excited about Boldly Going Nowhere but I am disapointed that, for now, Fox has not greenlit Virtuality which sounds like an incredible show. They haven't said no to it but they are reworling the script(revisiting ordering it in May) . Which probably means they are waiting to see how Dollhouse does before adding another Sci Fi show to their lineup.
So with Terminator, Dollhouse and Virtuality in the fold I don't see how Fox "hates" Sci-fi. I think the ratings this winter on Friday will be a big indication on how Fox plans on moving ahead with this genre. I don't think Friday night is a death sentence for these types of shows. I don't expect ratings to be through the roof but perhaps respectable for the night they are on. I would love to see this built as a Sci Fi night going forward so i'm hoping for solid ratings. I'm happy that these shows might have a chance to compete on Friday night rather than on Monday with 10 million other options on at tv at the same time.
Reply
12-12-2008 @ 1:44PM
Richard said...
Is Fringe NOT SciFi? I know it is somewhat of a cop show, but it all revolves around science, most of which, I assume, is fiction.
Reply
12-12-2008 @ 1:51PM
royce said...
Glee is from Ryan Murphy the creator of Nip/Tuck. Maybe it will be bad, but it could at least be interesting.
Reply
12-12-2008 @ 2:57PM
Willmore2000 said...
You can count good sci-fi on your fingers. Good sci-fi is so rare, that I'm not shocked that networks don't give them better chances. For every Battlestar Galactica, there's a dozen Fringe, Terminator and Sanctuary shows.
I do have great hope for the Red Mars mini-series planned on AMC, that has got to be one of the greatest sci-fi books ever written, and if done right, it could be a fantastic mini-series.
Reply
12-12-2008 @ 7:40PM
LadyOracle said...
I think this is possibly the best thing for Sarah Conner. I'm already trying to juggle Chuck, HIMYM, and Big Bang Theory and having to watch Sarah Conner online. This way my TIVO can handle all of them. I'm not happy about House filling its space as I will have to decide which to record again.
I will admit to being really lame and usually being in on Friday nights, but this will be a nice replacement for the sorely missed Stargate Atlantis and my SciFridays on SciFi.
Reply
12-12-2008 @ 9:18PM
Toby O'B said...
They've hated sci-fi since 'Alien Nation' back in the early 1990s.....
Reply
12-13-2008 @ 5:20PM
RT said...
There are viewers on Friday night who are hungry for something other than reruns, and there always have been. The X-Files was a Friday night show for a long time. Dallas was number one for years. Miami Vice did fantastic ratings. CSI started on Fridays. You assume every single person in America is out on the town on Friday night... and in case you hadn't noticed, the economy has people staying home. To call Friday a "death slot" is to prove you know nothing about television or its history.
Reply
12-15-2008 @ 4:45PM
John said...
Friday nights are the Sci-Fi channel's best time slot...
Reply