15 Upcoming TV Shows That Could Save Small-Screen Scifi

[Hyperspace05]

As for Star Wars the setting has promise, as noted by another between ATC and ANH. It allows for opportunites to see some younger characters of those we know from ANH, some older from ATC perhaps and brand new characters.

But to me this has the same problem as the various Clone Wars series have had - We know what will happen with all the major characters.

Why must Lucas insist on dabbling around in those "safe waters"? Why not a SW series in the distant past? (Founding of the Old Republic? Knights of the old Republic?) - Or Post-ROTJ?

 

[T.Geiger]

Of all the shows listed, The Walking Dead is the most intriguing. I'm not really a zombie fan and I can't see how the zombie genre could provide enough substance for a TV series, but the combo of Frank Darabont and AMC has got me interested.

I didn't see it mentioned here yet, that The Walking Dead is based on a fantastic comic that's been running since Oct 2003. (The wikipedia article has a few spoilers in it.) As with any good zombie movie, the drama comes from the survivors, and not the reanimated dead themselves.

If the show were to primarily follow the comic, there is probably enough material to produce two full seasons already. But therein lies the question, how closely will it hew to the original?

The stated purpose of the comic asks the question, "What would daily life be like after a zombie apocalypse?" No miracle cure, no containment, and no grand escape. And there's no great heroic arc either. People die and are tortured on a regular basis, and with no immunity.

There are more than a few bits that can't or won't be adapted to the silver screen. Mostly for sheer gore, but also for sexual situations and prohibitive costs. Some scenes would require hundreds of extras to portray correctly (or possibly just several dozen through proper use of camera tricks). And the second I hear the term "computer zombies", I'm bolting as far and fast as I can.

I have significant doubts that any such grand scale zombie movie or show could ever be made well. I will definitely tune in to this series, but expect that I will be flipping the Input within 15 minutes.

From the realm of sci-fi we've had... werewolfes in support roles

Also at least one starring role in Werewolf.

 

[FluffyUnbound]

I have significant doubts that any such grand scale zombie movie or show could ever be made well. I will definitely tune in to this series, but expect that I will be flipping the Input within 15 minutes.

How grand is grand?

I think both Dawns do an OK job. And Romero managed to do it dirt cheap, too.

The funny thing about zombies in film is that there is now the equivalent of "stock footage" available, because of all the indie horror and fan-made stuff out there. The fan-made stuff usually is almost unwatchable if you're trying to watch the main characters, but the background stuff and zombie mayhem stuff is usually surprisingly well done. I'm surprised no one has just opened a [small] checkbook and snapped a lot of that footage up. The result might have a Diary of the Dead feel to it, but it's not like that's really a bad thing.

 

[Greg Cox]

From the realm of sci-fi we've had... werewolfes in support roles

Also at least one starring role in Werewolf.

There was also the short-lived werewolf drama, WOLF LAKE.

(Which still pops up on SyFy some afternoons.)

 

[The Comedian]

Hmmm... "Riverworld" is being done by the same production team that did "Tin Man" and "Alice." Yup, I'll be there!

That's very encouraging. I was rightly angered by how SyFy botched Riverworld the first time around.

"Game of Thrones", being that it's on HBO, should take off like a rocket (because HBO doesn't care about the family values crowd and doesn't allow junk on their network), if it's at all close to the quality of Rome, Deadwood or Carnivale.

 

[auntiehill]

Tragically, the only space opera in contention this year - and still not picked up to series - is from the CW. It's called Plymouth Rock and it's, yes, teens in space.

^
*flees in horror*

 

[Greg Cox]

Hmmm... "Riverworld" is being done by the same production team that did "Tin Man" and "Alice." Yup, I'll be there!

.

I believe they're airing all four hours of the new RIVERWORLD on April 18.

 

[Joy]

Hmmm... "Riverworld" is being done by the same production team that did "Tin Man" and "Alice." Yup, I'll be there!

That's very encouraging. I was rightly angered by how SyFy botched Riverworld the first time around.

I actually know zero about Riverworld, but I liked Tin Man and Alice so much that I'm eager to see anything else put out by that production team.

 

[The Comedian]

Hmmm... "Riverworld" is being done by the same production team that did "Tin Man" and "Alice." Yup, I'll be there!

That's very encouraging. I was rightly angered by how SyFy botched Riverworld the first time around.

I actually know zero about Riverworld, but I liked Tin Man and Alice so much that I'm eager to see anything else put out by that production team.

I highly recommend the novels by Philip Jose Farmer.

 

[Kegg]

Not a promising list at all, but then what is?

No matter, as far as I'm concerned TV sci-fi has been quite properly saved by Caprica (until such a time as that show becomes cancelled, which I'd rather hope doesn't happen.)

 

[Greg Cox]

That's very encouraging. I was rightly angered by how SyFy botched Riverworld the first time around.

I actually know zero about Riverworld, but I liked Tin Man and Alice so much that I'm eager to see anything else put out by that production team.

I highly recommend the novels by Philip Jose Farmer.

Coming out soon from Tor! (Plug, plug.)

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

As for Star Wars the setting has promise, as noted by another between ATC and ANH. It allows for opportunites to see some younger characters of those we know from ANH, some older from ATC perhaps and brand new characters.

But to me this has the same problem as the various Clone Wars series have had - We know what will happen with all the major characters.

I wouldn't necessarily say that's the case. Most of the major good guys from the movies are out of the game altogether during the 20 year gap between Revenge of the Sith & A New Hope. Most of the Jedi are dead, particularly all of the minor ones that got any significant screentime in the prequels. Obi-Wan Kenobi & Yoda are living in exile. Luke Skywalker is living with his aunt & uncle on Tattooine doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I suppose they could still do some stuff with Han Solo, Princess Leia, or Lando Calrissian, but of those 3, Leia is the only one I think is very likely.

There are a bunch of established villains running around to work with like Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Grand Moff Tarkin, Greedo, & Jabba the Hutt. But with the good guys, I think that Lucas will be forced to create an entirely new group of heroes to focus on, which means tons of unknown fates, even if we do know the ultimate fate of the Empire & the Rebellion.

 

[FluffyUnbound]

Who says he can only make new good guys?

One thing that always struck me about Lucas' bad guys is the way they all stick together. And that's a little unrealistic, considering the fact that they're, you know, bad.

One the Force becomes a tool of conquest and domination, there should be wannabe Sith lords crawling out of the woodwork. Unless the theory is that the Jedi had identified and controlled everyone with any useful force powers, other than the handful of villains we end up seeing in the prequels.

 

[The Comedian]

As for Star Wars the setting has promise, as noted by another between ATC and ANH. It allows for opportunites to see some younger characters of those we know from ANH, some older from ATC perhaps and brand new characters.

But to me this has the same problem as the various Clone Wars series have had - We know what will happen with all the major characters.

I wouldn't necessarily say that's the case. Most of the major good guys from the movies are out of the game altogether during the 20 year gap between Revenge of the Sith & A New Hope. Most of the Jedi are dead, particularly all of the minor ones that got any significant screentime in the prequels. Obi-Wan Kenobi & Yoda are living in exile. Luke Skywalker is living with his aunt & uncle on Tattooine doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I suppose they could still do some stuff with Han Solo, Princess Leia, or Lando Calrissian, but of those 3, Leia is the only one I think is very likely.

There are a bunch of established villains running around to work with like Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Grand Moff Tarkin, Greedo, & Jabba the Hutt. But with the good guys, I think that Lucas will be forced to create an entirely new group of heroes to focus on, which means tons of unknown fates, even if we do know the ultimate fate of the Empire & the Rebellion.

Mon Mothma? Admiral Ackbar? Generals Dodonna, Madine, Riekan, et al? Bail Organa? Red Leader? Captain Antilles?

Porkins? (May history never forget the name PORKINS!)

Not to mention the many Bothans who died bringing in critical information!

Luke and Han and Lando were in the Rebellion near the end of the war. The real heroes were the ones who organized the rebellion and kept it alive, with no Jedi to help them...only their wits and their courage.

There's a story in that, I think.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Luke and Han and Lando were in the Rebellion near the end of the war. The real heroes were the ones who organized the rebellion and kept it alive, with no Jedi to help them...only their wits and their courage.

There's a story in that, I think.

Yeah! They risk their necks for decades and then Darth Vader's barely-grown kids come along and use political connections and Jedi superpowers to steal all the glory. Think how pissed they must have been!

 

[Hyperspace05]

As for Star Wars the setting has promise, as noted by another between ATC and ANH. It allows for opportunites to see some younger characters of those we know from ANH, some older from ATC perhaps and brand new characters.

But to me this has the same problem as the various Clone Wars series have had - We know what will happen with all the major characters.

I wouldn't necessarily say that's the case. Most of the major good guys from the movies are out of the game altogether during the 20 year gap between Revenge of the Sith & A New Hope. Most of the Jedi are dead, particularly all of the minor ones that got any significant screentime in the prequels. Obi-Wan Kenobi & Yoda are living in exile. Luke Skywalker is living with his aunt & uncle on Tattooine doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I suppose they could still do some stuff with Han Solo, Princess Leia, or Lando Calrissian, but of those 3, Leia is the only one I think is very likely.

There are a bunch of established villains running around to work with like Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Grand Moff Tarkin, Greedo, & Jabba the Hutt. But with the good guys, I think that Lucas will be forced to create an entirely new group of heroes to focus on, which means tons of unknown fates, even if we do know the ultimate fate of the Empire & the Rebellion.

And you prove my point by listing all the villains, which we KNOW cannot die since they appear in "A New Hope".

 

[Mr. Sin]

The story of the founding of the Rebellion has kind of already been done in the video game The Force Unleashed. George was apparentally heavily involved in it's creative process, so I'm not sure he would contradict that.

 

[Hermiod]

Luke and Han and Lando were in the Rebellion near the end of the war. The real heroes were the ones who organized the rebellion and kept it alive, with no Jedi to help them...only their wits and their courage.

There's a story in that, I think.

Yeah! They risk their necks for decades and then Darth Vader's barely-grown kids come along and use political connections and Jedi superpowers to steal all the glory. Think how pissed they must have been!

Well, kid - Leia was involved from the start.

 

[The Comedian]

Luke and Han and Lando were in the Rebellion near the end of the war. The real heroes were the ones who organized the rebellion and kept it alive, with no Jedi to help them...only their wits and their courage.

There's a story in that, I think.

Yeah! They risk their necks for decades and then Darth Vader's barely-grown kids come along and use political connections and Jedi superpowers to steal all the glory. Think how pissed they must have been!

I would have been pissed, for sure!

"Luke, take Red 2 and 3 and hold up here and wait for my signal."

Wedge:

Biggs: Uh, look, I know I recommended him and all, but not as COMMANDING OFFICER!

 

[The Comedian]

Luke and Han and Lando were in the Rebellion near the end of the war. The real heroes were the ones who organized the rebellion and kept it alive, with no Jedi to help them...only their wits and their courage.

There's a story in that, I think.

Yeah! They risk their necks for decades and then Darth Vader's barely-grown kids come along and use political connections and Jedi superpowers to steal all the glory. Think how pissed they must have been!

Well, kid - Leia was involved from the start.

Young Leia probably TP'd the Emperor's house when she was eight.