NBC is showing a set of international low-budget science-fiction television shows this summer. The network is also moving some of its season finales to June to help Conan O'Brien with his initial ratings when he takes over for Leno on June 1st.I've heard lukewarm reviews about the BBC's Merlin (a show I've already written about) and I'm glad to get the opportunity to watch it and judge for myself. The Listener is a Canadian production about a telepathic paramedic. NBC is definitely taking a page from the Sci Fi Channel by having a couple of science fiction disaster mini-series to fill some summer programming space with The Storm and Meteor.
I just wonder if the WGA strike had something to do with their choice of programming. It is a lot cheaper to license an international program (particularly when you don't even need to use subtitles) than try to create original programming, particularly if your only goal is to fill timeslots.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-13-2009 @ 11:16AM
Ryan said...
No, this is way more scifi then the SciFi Channel airs. Besides where is the wrestling and giant insect movie day?
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3-13-2009 @ 11:33AM
JoeBrooks said...
Wrestling: Saturday's Main Event - Probably another one in June/July
Big Insect Day: Did they fire Rosie already? Hmm, you got me on that one.
3-13-2009 @ 11:43AM
Ryan said...
I was going to suggest crappy reality shows that have almost nothing to do with scifi, but NBC already has that.
3-13-2009 @ 11:47AM
Edward said...
maybe they can put episodes of Doctor Who on NBC
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3-13-2009 @ 12:50PM
Lisa said...
I actually really enjoyed Merlin when it aired on BBC. It doesn't match up to Doctor Who, but few programmes do. However it is a very watchable show and one of the few that all of the family can enjoy.
My favourite episode is the one in which Michelle Ryan (Bionic Woman) comes to reek her revenge on the kingdom. You can watch it here:
http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/merlin-the-poisoned-chalice-clip/
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3-13-2009 @ 1:00PM
Jimmy said...
I have to agree with Ryan, this is more sci-fi than the SciFi Channel; although, science fiction and fantasy doesn't have to include space battles and elves to be good sci-fi. Regardless, I may actually have to watch NBC this summer. Merlin, even with the lukewarm reviews, sounds interesting.
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3-13-2009 @ 2:29PM
George said...
Merlin isn't Doctor Who by a long shot, but it's easily up to the standard of most US sci-fi/fantasy shows. I'm not sure where you're getting "low-budget", either, unless that's another way of saying "not so ridiculously expensive to produce that it gets canceled the minute ratings show a downward trend".
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3-13-2009 @ 5:28PM
Brad said...
I enjoyed the first season of Merlin on the BBC, hopefully this will get it some more attention.
As for the listener, I thought the pilot was pretty bland. But then, it's working with Canadian production values and writing staff, which basically means people that couldn't get a decent writing gig in the US (where most good Canadian writers go). I really wish NBC (or another big US network) had picked up ReGenesis a few years back, as it was a FAR better show in my opinion than the Listener looks to be, and didn't get anywhere near the attention it deserved.
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3-14-2009 @ 2:29AM
Kate said...
I too really enjoyed Merlin. I've found that the people who didn't enjoy it are mainly people who can't enjoy fantasy/supernatural shows without blow your face off special effects. Admittedly, the special effects in Merlin are pretty lacking. But I found the story to be very entertaining and fun. I think what I like about it the most is that it's much more lighthearted and funny than most interpretations of the Arthurian legends. It doesn't take itself very seriously at all.
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3-14-2009 @ 9:12AM
Caladhiel said...
I, too, really enjoyed Merlin when it aired on the BBC. As others have said, it's not brilliant television, but it's quite enjoyable for what it is, and I think it has the potential to be a surprise hit with families in particular, as it's an extremely family friendly show. Both my kids love it!
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