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Syfy scripted development slate - actual space opera included!

Temis the Vorta

Temis the Vorta

Fleet Admiral
Admiral
To make sure yall see the news, I've broken this off into its own thread from general sf/f development.

Syfy's scripted development plans.

Best news: Robert Hewitt Wolfe's promising-sounding (and Trek-like) series has actually survived the process! After B&C got a pass, I was really wondering whether Syfy was going to continue to degenerate into sci-fi-lite and reality crap.

There are also a lot of reality shows planned, but all of them are lame, as expected.

Said Mark Stern, President Original Content, Syfy, and Co-Head Original Content, Universal Cable Productions: “Over its 20-year history, Syfy has always pushed the boundaries of our genre and the entertainment experience."
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Always? ;) Hah! Not lately. But this does give me hope that they're taking serious steps to turn their dreadful situation around. It's sad when a sci fi fan like me can't find one show on the alleged sci fi channel worth watching.
 
They should just call it 'the channel.' This is the same guy that said 'we really just pick the same four or five ideas out of a box like drawing straws', meanwhile he's wearing a $1500 suit.
 
lmao... SyFy, pushing the boundries of Science Fiction?

*falls off his chair laughing*

they're trying to be serious? jesus... come on, this is the channel that actually cancels good scifi shows to make room for more wrestling lmao

M
 
You expect some big TV honcho to wear a cheap suit? He can wear a tiara and a tutu for all I care, just give us some space shows!

Let's see, which ones do I like...oh this is like Christmas is April! :rommie: Here's my ranking (and very much pending casting, of which we currently know very little):

1. Defender - My favorite by a parsec! RHW is enough to sell me, but I also love the Starfleetish setup and the exploration of "transhuman" characters (cyborg, genetically altered or both?) Presumably this will work out much better than Andromeda now that he doesn't have to deal with the schlockmeisters at Tribune.

2. High Moon - Well, it's not very far out in space, but it's space! Good enough. And Bryan Fuller is EP. Very good enough.

3. The Family - This one is a wildcard, but I'm hoping for a sci fi version of Grimm, an unfolding complex parallel society, but without the crutch of the police procedural elements.

4. Rewind - Corny premise, but I'm up for a time-travel show, and I like the cast.

5. Defiance - I like Julie Benz as the mayor but I don't know anything about most of the actors, and this strikes me as a very actor-dependent premise, with a lot of politics and personalities driving the story. Rockne O'Bannon is a very creative guy but I've noticed how his stuff can be a bit undisciplined and focused. I have no idea how the game ties in, probably won't impact the show in any significant way.

6. Booster Gold - I'm not big on superhero shows. Cast Ben Browder in the lead, and I'll change my mind fast.

7. Grave Sight - Doesn't this belong on the CW?

8. Seeing Things - Doesn't this belong on CBS?

9. The Adjustment Bureau - Didn't like the movie, and trying to make this premise work as an ongoing TV series seems very problematic.

It's interesting what we're not seeing here: not as many shows dependent on the cop-show-with-sci-fi-window-dressing routine; no high fantasy inspired by Game of Thrones; no zombies (or post-apocalyptic scenarios) inspired by The Walking Dead.

Methos said:
lmao... SyFy, pushing the boundries of Science Fiction?

*falls off his chair laughing*

they're trying to be serious? jesus... come on, this is the channel that actually cancels good scifi shows to make room for more wrestling lmao

M
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To give credit where credit is due...this slate is a LOT better than I'd hoped for, especially when they announced a tsunami of terrible sounding reality shows earlier today.

I guess we have Comcast to thank for this. It's been just about enough time since they bought NBC Universal for the effects to be seen in their new series (for NBC as well - 2012-13 will be the big test of whether they can turn things around.) Both Syfy and NBC have suffered from the same problem - trying to take the cheap route. That's real short-term thinking and results in a badly devalued brand.
 
Both Defender and High Moon sound like they have great potential. I have complete confidence in RHW and semi-complete confidence in Bryan Fuller. I'll definitely be watching both of these.

The others-- eh. I'll have to see.
 
State of the art submarine exploring the a hidden underground ocean. Count me in. They just need a talking dolphin and a kid genius to make it perfect.
 
The idea that space opera is over on TV has been greatly exaggerated. While the vampire and zombie dramas are cheap by comparison, these things always move in phases...I'm sure we'll have a few space shows in the next few years.
 
At the moment, I'm most intrigued by Defiance, largely because of the cast and credits.

Still, I'm disappointed not to see Riese: Kingdom Falling or that WH13 spin-off featuring H.G. Wells. The latter, in particular, sounded like a whole lot of fun.
 
yeah, i was hoping they'd have picked up the WH13 spinoff as well... that was the one in the list that actually sounded really good

M
 
I'm interested in Defender, but I don't want to see any of the reality shows over here in in the UK, which means all the main channels will probably buy the all the formats just to bug me.:lol:
I know its dead but I'm surprise they have not officially cancelled sanctuary yet.
 
Serial thread killer said:
I'm interested in Defender, but I don't want to see any of the reality shows over here in in the UK, which means all the main channels will probably buy the all the formats just to bug me.:lol:
I know its dead but I'm surprise they have not officially cancelled sanctuary yet.
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Sanctuary isn't dead yet. S4 Finale could work as a Series Finale or Season Finale, and no cancellation yet, and Tapping's team do want to do another season, so it's a waiting game, but, not dead until cancelled
 
Greg Cox said:
At the moment, I'm most intrigued by Defiance, largely because of the cast and credits.

Still, I'm disappointed not to see Riese: Kingdom Falling or that WH13 spin-off featuring H.G. Wells. The latter, in particular, sounded like a whole lot of fun.
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The Wells spin-off was only ever a talking point. No one even ordered a pilot script.

Syfy development runs very slow. They take forever considering concepts. Then they commission pilot scripts. Then they have to budget the pilot. It is at this point that most of their scripted series concepts end.

They get very picky about the pilots they shoot, and it seems that only a third of those ever make it to series.

Of the scripted items under development, I would be three will film a pilot, and only one of those would make it to series.

Admiral_Young said:
I'm interested in the "Booster Gold" show and "Defiance" along with "Defender".
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I have to admit titling the Booster Gold series "The Booster Gold Show" instead of "Booster Gold" kinda appeals to me. It seems to fit Booster's personality.
 
Greg Cox said:
At the moment, I'm most intrigued by Defiance, largely because of the cast and credits.
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The creative side of things is particularly interesting. Kevin Murphy, Rockne O'Bannon, and Michael Taylor? That alone would have guaranteed I would check it out, with the cast just being a nice addition.
 
Greg Cox said:
At the moment, I'm most intrigued by Defiance, largely because of the cast and credits.
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As am I for the same reasons. And it's got Jaime Murray who I'm guessing would have done that H.G. Wells spinoff.

The Adjustment Bureau and The Genie also got my attention. I don't know what kind of shows they'll be but I like the concepts behind them.
 
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