Jarett Wieselman at the New York Post: Save ‘Eastwick’ campaign launches
Damn it, just when I thought my fall TV trackrecord was going to remain unmarred by cancellation (“Glee,” “Flash Forward,” “Vampire Diaries,” “Modern Family” and “Cougar Town”) ABC had to go and pull the rug out from under me by snuffing out “Eastwick!”
Adding insult to injury, the campy witch dramedy was also one of my favorite fall offerings thanks to its killer combination of snappy dialogue, sexual hijinks, progressing powers and Sara Rue!
Thankfully I’m not alone and a Save Eastwick petition has already been started!
Read More here
via David Bauder at Associated Press: ‘V’ caps a strong development season for ABC
The strong premiere of ABC’s science fiction series “V” caps an unusually strong development season for the network.
Opening week of the Earth-invaders series was seen by 14.3 million viewers, the Nielsen Co. said. That was the second-best new series debut for the season behind the CBS spinoff “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and it was the most-watched scripted show of the week among the youthful demographic ABC covets.
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from John Pavlus at Sci Fi Wire: 4 reasons why V‘s motherships don’t make sense
So ABC’s V is here (episode two airs tonight), reminding us for the zillionth time that gigantic, mile(s)-wide flying saucers are THE conveyance of choice for any kind of alien visitors. (See: District 9, Independence Day, the original V, Alien Nation, Close Encounters…)
The trouble is, aside from providing an excuse for awesome “reveal” shots where the giant ship blots out the sun, it’s actually a completely nonsensical way for extraterrestrials to make an entrance. Here are four reasons why huge-ass space discs would be a dumb idea in the real world…
See the list here
via Sci Fi Wire: Star Trek‘s Roddenberry finally honored by TV Hall of Fame
It seems that in television, honor—like revenge—is a dish best served cold. Thus it is that the TV Academy Hall of Fame has decided to induct Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry into its pantheon, 18 years after his death and long after he had much to do with the franchise he created.
Roddenberry is only one of several TV legends to receive the belated honor, including the comedy duo Tom and Dick Smothers, Murphy Brown star Candice Bergen, Saturday Night Live and game show announcer Don Pardo, The Price Is Right creator Bob Stewart and Emmy-award winning art director Charles Lisanby.
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from Wired: Scott Brown on Why America Is Finally Ready for Doctor Who
There are nerds. And there are science fiction nerds. And then there are American fans of Doctor Who — those who dare to combine the exquisite dweebery of Anglophilia with the delicious dorkdom of old-skool SF. I’m of that last tribe, a real Who-head. I can tell you what Tardis stands for (Time and Relative Dimensions in Space), and, more important, I can say “Tardis” over and over again — not just with a straight face but with reverence. Bargain-basement BBC production values? Alien monsters made from trash cans and toilet plungers? Anachronous kibitzing with Shakespeare and Dickens? That’s my flavor, mate. It’s the sort of thing that’s hard to find on this side of the pond (especially now that Syfy has foolishly ceded new Who episodes and specials to BBC America).
Before you brand me a Benedork Arnold, let me explain: There’s a fix I just don’t get from mainstream American science fiction, perhaps because of its grinding obsession with the imperialistic (and its depressive sibling, the dystopic), not to mention its wearisome push for ever-shinier effects. Like its not-so-distant cousin American religion, American sci-fi is fixated on final battles, ultimate judgment (particularly on questions of control and leadership), and an up-or-down vote on the whole good/evil issue.
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I never really thought about the differences between American and British Sci Fi, but there’s a difference between American and British comedy, so I’m not sure how I missed that. I love British comedy, so maybe I should give Doctor Who a chance. I’m glad to see Gene Roddenberry finally honored, because he revolutionized television, not just sci fi television. And I’m not sure how the campaign to save Eastwick will go; it didn’t work for Futurama, or Firefly, and it doesn’t seem to be working for The Sarah Conner Chronicles. But maybe that has more to do with the ignorance of the networks and how they handle and advertise the shows than the quality of the shows and the dedication of the fans (I’m talking to you Fox!)
Will you sign the petition to save Eastwick? What do you think of V? Do you think Doctor Who should start airing in the US?
