When I first got cable television one of the channels I was most excited about was the Sci-Fi channel. I’ve always been a science fiction geek, so an entire network dedicated to the subject was particularly thrilling. I was quickly disappointed however, as the channel mostly aired repeats of bad, cancelled television shows. Every once in a while a glimmer of something good like “Explorers” would come on, but for the most part the selection was a let down.
Over time Sci-Fi grew a little more impressive. Shows that started on other networks would find their salvation as Sci-Fi gave them a new home and a little more devotion. For instance, “Space: Above and Beyond” extended its run thanks to Sci-Fi, and “Babylon 5” found a new home there in syndication after the Turner Networks thoroughly screwed the show over. That syndication eventually led to the potential pilot The Legend of the Rangers: To Live and Die in Starlight. Although the pilot led nowhere, at least it got there on its own, without network interference like the previous B5 spinoff “Crusade.”
Providing a home for cancelled shows came to its pinnacle with “Stargate SG-1,” which found a home at Sci-Fi after being cancelled on Showtime at the end of its fifth season. Since then the show has had five more seasons, inspired a spin-off series with “Stargate: Atlantis” and recently celebrated its 200th episode.
Sci-Fi has moved beyond saving shows from other networks, however. Recently it has moved into the domain of original programming, most of which is actually quite good. If you haven’t checked out the Sci-Fi channel recently, here are a few shows worth a look:
Battlestar Galactica: It’s rare for a remake of a show to gain more popularity than the original, especially when a show starts out with such auspicious beginnings as this one.
When fandom discovered the changes in store for their beloved “Battlestar,” particularly gender changes to some of the major characters, they rebelled against the idea. This show ended up with petitions protesting the show before the first episode even aired. After that pilot made its debut everything changed. The two hour telemovie felt like the genuine extinction of the human race and fans were sold to the point that the movie even aired on NBC.
Since then fans can’t wait to see what’s next for “Battlestar Galactica” and its incredible cast. The producers have kept fans in mind as they develop the show as well, offering podcasted commentary tracks that can be downloaded and listened to as the show airs, and involving one of the key figures of the original “Battlestar,” Richard Hatch, who originally led the way to having “Battlestar” reborn. Currently in hiatus, the show’s third season approaches soon.
Eureka: Think “Twin Peaks” with less mystery but more oddity and you have “Eureka.” While “Battlestar” is based on an earlier show, “Eureka” is almost 100% original, although the show heavily borrows on archetypes viewers will quickly recognize for a lot of its characters. In a town of geniuses though, none of the archetypes are completely what they seem.
When I first wrote about this show in the “Worth a Look” section I compared it to “Eerie, Indiana,” a comparison that was quite wrong. “Eerie” was strange in the same way “Eureka” is, but unlike “Eerie”’s one shot storylines, “Eureka” is building towards something with each episode. As a total sucker for dynamic storytelling where events don’t return to status-quo after each episode, and for good science fiction storytelling, “Eureka” has rapidly become one of my must-see shows each week.
It doesn’t hurt that the cast is extremely talented with personal sci-fi favorites like Matt Frewer (“Max Headroom”) and Debrah Farantino (“Earth 2”) included in the mix. Particularly interesting is leading man Colin Ferguson as Sheriff Carter. Ferguson brings an interesting outlook to the show as the outsider who has to make sense of the oddities the show presents each week. From reacting to his high-tech house to dealing with the possibilities of alien invasion, Carter is the portal through which the audience connects to Eureka. His cynical side and sarcastic wit alone make the show worth watching.
Who Wants To Be A Superhero?: Yes, even mentioning this show makes me a bit of a hypocrite after I spoke out against reality programming in my last column, but you’ve never seen a reality show like this. These contestants aren’t striving to be a rock star or the Ultimate Survivor. They want to be an honest to god Super Hero. So each week comic book god Stan Lee gets to play Donald Trump and decide who gets to get closer to that goal.
As a geek the show is almost a little embarrassing to watch. I couldn’t imagine going to the lengths these contestants go to in order to appear in a comic book, but then I’ve never been at that absolute bizarre end of geekdom. The result is a show that’s quite ridiculous, and you can’t help but laugh. Sadly it’s laughing at these players more than with them, which I feel bad about, but guiltily still enjoy.
The one downside of the show is that the producer’s don’t have enough show to last a whole hour each week. Consequently, the episodes are heavily padded, with a repeat of the show’s premise and recap of previous episodes for the first five minutes, and up to 20-30 seconds of the show repeated after each commercial break. Also, with only twelve starting contestants and two eliminated each week (not to mention a spy as one of them removed in the first week), the show has a very short run. I can’t imagine a second season of such a bizarre show, but it’s been fun while it’s lasted.
”Entourage” (HBO) 10:00 pm
What About Bob- (New!) – I have to admit I’ve fallen behind this season on “Entourage,” so the episode description telling me Turtle is shopping for footwear while Ari and Bob Ryan start to split over the Ramones project doesn’t mean much to me. Regardless of whether I was caught up though, I would still be making the same suggestion I’m about to make: TiVo this week’s “Entourage” and watch it later in the week, when there’s nothing good on. The 10pm hour this Sunday needs to be spent elsewhere, watching…
”Roast of William Shatner” (Comedy Central) 10:00 pm
(New!) – If you only watch one hour of television this week, this should be that hour! Yes it rebroadcasts several dozen times over the week, but you need to see it first so you can talk about it at the water cooler all week! Last year’s roast of Pamela Anderson was one of the funniest roasts I’ve ever seen, but I expect this one to surpass it easily. Comedian celebrities ranging from Artie Lang to Patton Oswalt gather together to make fun of the legendary actor (and we use that term loosely) who brought life to Captain Kirk, T.J. Hooker, and Denny Crane. Considering the last decade of Shatner’s career has largely involved making fun of himself, I can’t imagine a guest better suited or who will be better humored about the razzing.
”Prison Break” (FOX) 8:00 pm
Manhunt - (Season Premiere!) – Fox leads off the new season of television shows by bringing “Prison Break” back for its second season a little early. This season starts off the day after the escape… wait a minute, if they’ve already escaped, how can the show be called “Prison Break” still. Obviously it’s now about fugitive life, not about a prison break, right?
”Vanished” (FOX) 9:00 pm
Pilot - (Series Premiere!) – Just what we needed, another show filled with intrigue as no character is what they appear to be and there’s a huge mystery that offers more questions than answers. In short, it’ll be a hit despite mediocre reviews. This one even pulls in aspects of CSI shows as it unveils the mysteries of a missing senator’s wife (the senator is played by former “24” guest John Allen Nelson, which should give him an immediate nefariousness). Fans should be wary however. Fox has never been kind to shows like this, often pulling the plug after the show draws in enough viewers to get pissed off, but not enough to actually save the show (see last year’s “Reunion”). An encore broadcast of the pilot airs Tuesday night at the same time.
”Eureka” (Sci-Fi) 9:00 pm
Dr. Nobel - (New!) Fargo and Spencer inadvertently activate a weapons system – like anyone would do that intentionally. Actually, this is Eureka, someone might. The retired scientist who developed the weapon is brought in to help solve the problem. This show is so good, I’m not even disappointed that the episode isn’t what “Entertainment Weekly” is describing it to be: Carter’s house falling in love with him (although hopefully that episode is coming soon in the future).
”Scrubs” (NBC) 9:00 pm
My Way Home / My New Suit - (Repeat) – Finally! NBC has run out of reality programming and brings back something worth watching with not one, but two episodes of “Scrubs”. The first episode, “My Way Home,” presents brilliant Wizard of Oz allusions as J.D., Elliott, and Turk try to gain confidence about their futures. The second episdode, “My New Suit,” features the return of J.D.’s brother, played by Tom Cavanagh who can’t ever seem to keep his own series going but is always hilarious on this.
”The Office” (NBC) 8:30pm
Michael’s Birthday / The Secret / Drug Testing- (Repeat) – Michael competing with a real medical crisis for attention, a trip to Hooters, and Dwight in a sherrif’s uniform make up the highlights of this mini-marathon of one of the best sitcoms on television. Yeah, “Gray’s Anatomy,” which ABC is foolishly moving to Thursday nights, doesn’t have a chance.
”Who Wants to be a Superhero?” (Sci-Fi) 9:00 pm
(New!) – The final three contestants compete to determine who gets to be a real superhero, featured in a comic book by Stan Lee and a Sci-Fi original movie. I have held onto my suspicion of the winner from the beginning (go Major Victory!) but I’m happy to see the show come to a close. You can only take so much of this silliness before it wears thin… which happened about two weeks ago.
”The Wire: It’s All Connected” (HBO) 8:00pm
(Special) – Want to get into one of HBO’s top original series but haven’t seen the previous shows? This half hour special covers some of the highlights of the past, reminding old viewers of important details and hopefully introducing new viewers to the show so they don’t feel lost.
Grease (VH1) 8:00pm
What better way to celebrate the return of the school year than with the classic Grease? Actors far too old to be teenagers play the Pink Ladies and the Greasers as they reminisce about summer lovin’ and drop out of beauty school. Okay, maybe it’s not the best way, but there’s not much else being offered on television, so unless you’re going out this is your best bet.
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