...because there's always hot babes in those shows!
Princess Leia, bra-less Colonel Wilma Deering, in tighty whiteys Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero, the reason that Spandex was invented
Do I have to go on?
(As usual I'm The Voice of Reason.... )
Valerie and Betty from LAND OF THE GIANTS (man, Betty wore a really tight sweater for a while and those puppies were at attention) Judy from LOST IN SPACE...I'd take her on a day trip to the "drill site" T'Pol from ENTERPRISE...a few nude scenes there Scully, Marita Covarrubius, & Reyes from THE X-FILES
My theory is that science fiction operates in a "strata" far away from the bore and mundane quality of everyday life, and most niche fans (or geeks, if you will) are also dreamers. If the world is cruel to them or they don't really understand it, it's easy to dream onself into a world of wizards, spaceships and aliens.
So they channel all their social and creative energy into living, breathing and exploring these worlds.
I'm generalizing, of course, but I think that's the main reason for the particular position of science fiction. Instrumental film music fans often have much in common with these fans, and - in fact - often are one and the same.
At this point I don't even know just how I would define sci-fi anymore. Sometimes just that question by itself sets off a big fracas.
I was reading in one of the ABOUT TIME books, which are "unauthorized" fan guides to the Dr Who series, and one of the authors defined science fiction as "man's relationship with his tools." I think that's part of what it is, but not the entire definition.
At this point I don't even know just how I would define sci-fi anymore. Sometimes just that question by itself sets off a big fracas.
I was reading in one of the ABOUT TIME books, which are "unauthorized" fan guides to the Dr Who series, and one of the authors defined science fiction as "man's relationship with his tools." I think that's part of what it is, but not the entire definition.
The reason why these "people" like SF is also political. It is the mark of utopia or it's opposite. Predigested philosophy for the mass. But SF is devoid of interest by now. SF is today a gross commerce: see the sociological case of tycoon and toy makers George Lukas. It's even become a bogus religion which is nonsense: see the fanatics from the Scientology or the people who adopt the Star Trek ways of life. This is complete decadence.
Other than film scores, it seems that science fiction is the unifying theme on this board. Aside from the various topics relating to sci-fi, like the endless Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien, BSG, etc., Not to mention the topics that deal with the genres actors, directors, and shows themselves. I get the sense that when a sci-fi-related topic is created, there's a comfort level in that there's a built-in audience here. Try another genre-specific topic and it doesn't get nearly as much response.
It would be great to have a good Sci-Fi mini-series that had a good ending that makes sense, but all we seem to get are these series that go on, & then get cancelled when the numbers don't add up, & leave you hanging.
It would be great to have a good Sci-Fi mini-series that had a good ending that makes sense, but all we seem to get are these series that go on, & then get cancelled when the numbers don't add up, & leave you hanging.
Or, just as bad, that do have an ending but it's either silly or screwed up.
Witness Babylon 5, which was meant for a five-year arc, got cancelled so they rushed to finish it in year 4, then, surprise, got renewed, leaving behind a what-do-we-do-now year 5. Or both Battlestar Galactica and Lost, which had endings . . . but the former was controversial and the latter a case of "oops! we wrote ourselves into a corner and don't know what to do now!"
It really would be great, in these days of more long-form as opposed to episodic television, if more writers pictured their shows as a story with an endpoint they were moving toward, so that we could avoid these bizarre "wait, what!?" and half-assed endings.
If you want great sci-fi with GREAT writing and characters, check out radio episodes of DIMENSION X and its offspring X MINUS ONE. Both are available at the Internet Archive.
Other than film scores, it seems that science fiction is the unifying theme on this board. Aside from the various topics relating to sci-fi, like the endless Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien, BSG, etc., Not to mention the topics that deal with the genres actors, directors, and shows themselves. I get the sense that when a sci-fi-related topic is created, there's a comfort level in that there's a built-in audience here. Try another genre-specific topic and it doesn't get nearly as much response.
I think that's a fair assessment, yes. However, I would argue that beyond the "fan series" STAR TREK, STAR WARS etc., the interest in other types of sci fi isn't THAT big.
I've been quite pleased with the responses my two main sci fi topics have had recently; this one on films taking place inside spaceships:
However, I somehow get the feeling that the activity would be much, much higher had it been one purely about some aspect of STAR TREK, for example.
There are many people here who are EXTREMELY niche-oriented. It's not enough to enjoy the niche of film music or science fiction. There are also many who specialize WITHIN these, like Italian film music of the 60's, Golden Age trivia, British TV shows from the 60's and 70's, STAR TREK, James Bond and so on.
So we're really on the fringes of the fringes here, if you'll excuse the pun.
There are many people here who are EXTREMELY niche-oriented. It's not enough to enjoy the niche of film music or science fiction. There are also many who specialize WITHIN these, like Italian film music of the 60's, Golden Age trivia, British TV shows from the 60's and 70's, STAR TREK, James Bond and so on.
Right. Outside of the '60s Star Trek, I'm not a sci-fi buff. I do enjoy some of those other things, like '60s and '70s TV shows. However, even those topics tend to be "When's the score cd coming out?" type things rather than any detailed conversation about the programs themselves. The "Mission: Impossible" and "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" threads are two that come to mnd; lengthy discussions kept alive by three or four posters.
I think one reason sci fi shows have a stronger following than most other genres is that each sci fi show brings a unique universe that really can’t be replicated elsewhere. For example, if you love the Starship Enterprise, transporters, Klingons, Romulans, etc., the Star Trek franchise is the only place you will get it. Similarly, if you love Jedis, lightsabers, stormtroopers, Tie Fighters, etc., Star Wars is where you have to go. Obviously, elements of each franchise/show has derivative elements, but the universe as presented by a sci fi show is nevertheless unique, and you can’t experience those elements elsewhere in the same way.
Other genres feature characters in real life settings, and can be made again and again so long as the audience is there. For example, if you like cop shows, there are usually at least a half dozen being made at any given time. Granted, the creators involved bring a uniqueness that may be difficult to replicate, but if a particular cop show gets cancelled, someone else can create another cop show with a similarl concept, taking place in the same city, and even have some of the same actors. You can’t really do this with a sci fi show.
Gee, and I thought it was because of all the cool spaceships and laser guns!
Though I mention Star Wars, is it truly science fiction? It deals primarily with mythology, mysticism, and superstition more than it does with "seeking out strange new worlds", which comes off as a given in Lucas' universe. I guess the Death Star(s) could represent the terror of technology, as does the Empire itself. Cold mechanization vs. "warm" spiritualism and the power of belief. I don't know, just throwin' some thoughts out there...
Possibly, but with regard to your greater question (the topic of the thread) it doesn't really matter - fantasy is linked with science fiction in a number of ways, including its power to inspire passionate fans in a way not usually seen with the "non-fantastic" genres. If you'd gone to, say, Dragon*Con (as I did last year, and plan to again this year), you'd have noticed scads of cosplayers from plenty of both "pure fantasy" stories and series, "pure science fiction" ones, and ones that fall somewhere in between (such as Star Wars, Ghostbusters, and the entire Marvel and DC universes).
It would be great to have a good Sci-Fi mini-series that had a good ending that makes sense, but all we seem to get are these series that go on, & then get cancelled when the numbers don't add up, & leave you hanging.
Which brings to mind a series I didn't watch, but that had the Greatest Series Finale cliff hanger ever made. At the end of the episode three words were plastered boldly across the screen:
TO BE CONTINUED
Ha Ha! Wickedly evil sense of humor those writers on Farscape had!
Although now that I give it a moment this was the second greatest series finale ever. The World Champeen series finale was for Newhart!
It's sort of like what Kubrick said about ghost stories - no matter how scary they are, ghost stories are basically optimistic because ANYTHING that suggest a life after death is optimistic.
Likewise, sci-fi shows portray "otherness" - something beyond the mediocrity and everyday horrors of real life. I think that sci-fi fans (TV or otherwise) are basically an unhappy lot looking for a bit of relief. Either that or they're supreme optimists who think things can get better with technology. After all, even when sci-fi aliens invade Earth, they do so with fabulous technology. THAT is a very optimistic view of technology.
So why sci-fi TV shows in particular? Because they're on all the time and they're everywhere.
Last pertinent word to Oscar Wilde: “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
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