scifi post

[timetobegin]

It seems that there is a higher rate of sci-fi shows airing over the Summer (winter for southern hemisphere folk), and more often than not they are only 13 episodes long.

At the moment we have Defiance, Oprhan Black, Warehouse 13, Continuum.... with more starting up soon. (Haven!) Scifi also tends to go hand in hand with the shorter fantasy seasons too (Game of thrones! Teen Wolf!)

(please not their MIGHT be spoilers for the latest episodes in the comment)

<B>Which current sci-fi shows do you watch?</b> <B>Why are there no shows with spaceships?</b> <B>Does the 13 episode (or less) format suit scifi shows?</b> <B>Favourite cancelled scifi shows</b> <B>Why do you think big networks seem to be doing more scifi than syfy?</b> <B>Any sci-fi tropes or formats you don't like?</b>

of course pick and choose which questions you answer!

Comments

[colls]

Which current sci-fi shows do you watch? Falling Skies, Defiance, Orphan Black
Why are there no shows with spaceships? I can't think it's budgetary because set design doesn't have to be very complicated and space scenes are CGI? I don't know - it's fallen out of favor with the "target demographic" or something. Which makes me think the "target demographic" needs a good space show to show them what they're missing out on.
Does the 13 episode (or less) format suit scifi shows? I think it allows networks to try something out with less investment. I don't think it's a decision based on storytelling. Maybe I'm feeling cynical? I get the argument that there are less filler episodes with 13 episodes, and that's true, but sometimes I like filler episodes. *shrugs* Shorter seasons do seem easier to catch up on though.
Favourite cancelled scifi shows Star Trek, Stargate, X-Files, BSG, Firefly, Space: Above & Beyond, Andromeda, Farscape
Why do you think big networks seem to be doing more scifi than syfy? I think mainstream scifi (which I mean stuff that's accessible - like Fringe and Orphan Black and LOST) doesn't always seem scifi-ish to everyone. It's like it sneaks in under the radar.
Any sci-fi tropes or formats you don't like? the tropey-er the better. I do get tired when all shows out seem to have a similar theme - ie. the prevalence of post-apocalypse shows, for instance. Why so many? Vampire shows -- do we need... (how many are there?) It's like something gets popular and that's all anyone produces for a couple years.
WHERE IS THE VARIETY?
WHERE ARE THE SPACESHIPS?

[timetobegin]

yeah i think people expect the set designs to have high production values? i dunno, its weird that a show like doctor who has a huge following in many places, but the us doesn't really have shows like that on the air?

filler episodes can be great

[skieswideopen]

I think you have a point about the lower investment of thirteen episode seasons. I do think some shows benefit from it, but I don't think that's why networks do it.