sf/f TV development news - 2013

[Vendikarr]

^But showing a protagonist taking pills that give him power could fall under the category of "imitatable acts" and risk giving impressionable young viewers the wrong idea about what kind of behaviors they should emulate. At least, I can believe that the networks would fear that possibility. Sure, maybe you could get a rich and meaningful story about drug addiction out of it, but I'm not surprised that the CW would prefer to play it safe and avoid the issue.

I get why the CW would use a safer interpretation of the character, I just think the pill taking hero is a better story. Probably not the story for the broadcast outlet like the CW, but it would work on FX or AMC or one of the premium cable networks, where they tell edgier stories.

I'll still try the CW's version because I give all genre stuff a chance.

 

[Christopher]

I don't mind more CW superhero shows -- but I'd like to see a superheroine show or two. I hope they can get the Amazon project up and running. Or... what else? Hmm, I guess it's too soon to try another Birds of Prey, especially since Arrow has its own Black Canary and Huntress. But hey, what about Raven? A teenage goth sorceress who's half-demon? That's got The CW written all over it.

 

[Enterprise is Great]

The CW has a pilot in development about kids getting super powers from drugs so why shy away from doing that for Hourman?


and more pilot news:
ABC Developing Alien Drama From 'Under the Dome' Writer

 

[JD]

They were stories that they were working on developing a Raven show around the time Smallville ended, but I don't think anything ever became of it.

 

[Vendikarr]

They were stories that they were working on developing a Raven show around the time Smallville ended, but I don't think anything ever became of it.

I love Raven, but I don't think it's a concept that would work for television. Raven was raised in another dimension, and taught to use her magic there. When she was a teen, she was ready to fight evil.

TV would have her raised in small town America, and not aware of her special nature until the events of the pilot. She would meet a wise mentor who can tutor in learning to use her magical abilities. It would be an age of discovery storyline.

The problem is, despite being half demon, the show comes across as a witch story. And with the exception of Bewitched and Charmed, witches have no staying power on television.

It's possible they even recognized the similarity, because they did have the series The Secret Circle that was a witch story come out a couple of years ago, and it didn't last.

 

[Taylirious]

Stargirl would be perfect for The CW. It could work better than AMAZON as far as being SMALLVILLE like.

 

[Christopher]

The problem is, despite being half demon, the show comes across as a witch story. And with the exception of Bewitched and Charmed, witches have no staying power on television.

The very fact that there are exceptions proves that you can't generalize like that. Most shows of any genre or subject matter fail. Many police procedurals are hits, but many more are flops. Many medical dramas are hits, but many more are flops. It's simply the nature of television that the majority of shows fail. It can't be blamed on the subject matter, because it's the same for every subject matter.

 

[Borgminister]

Okay this is gonna be strange but I just got done watching Orphan Black season 1, and had to comment on the tour de force by the lead actress, to go along with fairly tight production, direction and writing. Didn't think it would sustain a separate thread, so I'm posting here after a nice Russian stout.

I'm not one to like depictions of the gay lifestyle, kind of grudgingly absorbed it as part of The Wire, but this is the closest a show has come to letting me accept that portrayal in stride as part of the overall show.

Other than that I commend the lead actress on playing multiple parts wonderfully; she left me eager for what the second season brings.

And Max Headroom!

 

[sojourner]

There's an Orphan Black thread around here somewhere. I think it went dormant until the new season.

 

[Borgminister]

Ah... always late to the party!

 

[Enterprise is Great]

The CW Developing iZombie Drama Series From Veronica Mars Creator Rob Thomas

 

[RJDiogenes]

Since this is the CW, something tells me that the iZombie girl will not be a shuffling, rotting cadaver.

 

[sojourner]

Wonder how they'll avoid the necrophilia angle? At some point she has to have a boyfriend right?

 

[Vendikarr]

Since this is the CW, something tells me that the iZombie girl will not be a shuffling, rotting cadaver.

Here's a snippet from the iZombie entry on wikipedia

Spoiler: iZombie from wikipedia

The series deals with Gwendolyn Price, a revenant gravedigger in Eugene, Oregon and her friends Ellie, a 1960s ghost, and Scott, a wereterrier. Gwen can pass for a regular girl, but she needs to eat a brain once a month to keep from losing her memories and intelligence. As a gravedigger she has plenty of access to recently deceased people; when she consumes their brains she "inherits" part of the deceased's thoughts.

We know the series will be different, seeing as it's going to be a procedural, but they will probably keep the appearance aspect the same.

 

[Enterprise is Great]

Hiroyuki Sanada To Co-Star In CBS Series ‘Extant’

 

[Borgminister]

That one's gonna depend on Halle's acting in large part.

 

[Enterprise is Great]

Cinemax Acquires Robert Kirkman Spec ‘Outcast’

Like The Walking Dead, Outcast too is based on a comic by Kirkman, who will serve as executive producer alongside David Alpert of Circle of Confusion. Outcast follows Kyle Barnes, a young man who has been plagued by possession since he was a child. Now an adult, he embarks on a journey to find answers but what he uncovers could mean the end of life on Earth as we know it.

 

[Enterprise is Great]

CW Eyes ‘Tales From The Darkside’ Reboot With Alex Kurtzman, Bob Orci & Joe Hill

Ghost TV Adaptation From Fringe's Jeff Pinkner and Akiva Goldsman in the Works

 

[RJDiogenes]

While I'd love to see the return of Tales From The Darkside, I wonder if it can be true to the original without Romero and needing to fit the CW brand. Hopefully Kurtzman and Orci will be involved in name only.

 

[Enterprise is Great]

^^^

They're way too busy to be involved much if at all beyond the pilot just like JJ Abrams has little to do with his many different series.

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Syfy Developing ‘Beowulf’ Drama Series