The End Of Science Fiction Television?
I found this article in Wired discussing how the series finale of Fringe, which aired in January, marks -- at least for now -- the end of an era for sci-fi TV. Although Fringe wasn't the last sci-fi show, the ones that are still on the air have more of a supernatural/magical/mystical angle -- in other words, they're a lot closer to fantasy than pure sci-fi.
In the 1990's and 2000's, it seemed like the science fiction genre experienced a genuine resurgence. In addition to nearly 20 consecutive years (1987-2005) of having a Star Trek series on the air, we were treated to some true classics, including The X-Files, Lost, Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, Babylon 5, reboots of Battlestar Galactica, The Outer Limits, and Dr. Who, and, of course, Fringe.
Although they're not hard sci-fi, I would also include Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel among the more modern "classic" shows.
Now? We're left with mostly reality shows, cheesy sitcoms, police/security procedure shows that all start to look the same after a while, and the occasional comic book adaptation. In fairness, what I've seen so far of Arrow looks decent enough and Smallville was fairly good until it started getting overly cheesy in the last few seasons.
Maybe it's true that this second-rate crap is actually what the public wants to watch. That's a depressing thought. But I don't think that in itself is the complete story. I also blame the networks and their irritating habit of cancelling quality sci-fi shows just when the shows start to hit their stride -- for example Firefly, Dollhouse, V, Terra Nova, Stargate: Universe, and the list goes on. Even though Stargate: Atlantis lasted five seasons, it too got the ax at least four or five years too soon and largely left fans hanging.
Nearly all of these shows have had very passionate and engaged fan bases, which makes me skeptical of the claim that there's no market for quality TV. Many recent shows would have probably developed such a following if they were allowed the lengthy runs that shows used to get so that they could have the time needed to find their footing and develop the show.
The movies don't seem to be much better. While it's true that there's a few somewhat decent movies sprung every year just in time for Oscar season, the crap that comes out of Hollywood the rest of the year follows an all-too-predictable pattern -- sequels, remakes, and comic book adaptations. Hell, they've even resorted to remaking movies that are only 15 or 20 years old. If it wasn't for talented authors such as JK Rowling and Suzanne Collins occasionally coming on the scene, the state of movies would probably be even more dismal.
A major part of good sci-fi, of course, is that it's entertaining. But it goes far deeper than that. Sci-fi is like no other genre in the way it can spark imagination and get people thinking in a serious way about the opportunities and challenges that the future holds. Considering that so many parts of modern life were invented by nerds who grew up watching Star Trek and other classic sci-fi TV, I also have to wonder whether a decline in sci-fi might lead to a decline in real-world innovation in 20 or 30 years as well. I guess we'll have to see.
But then, maybe the genre is just in a slump and will come roaring back in a couple of years. We can hope.
In the 1990's and 2000's, it seemed like the science fiction genre experienced a genuine resurgence. In addition to nearly 20 consecutive years (1987-2005) of having a Star Trek series on the air, we were treated to some true classics, including The X-Files, Lost, Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, Babylon 5, reboots of Battlestar Galactica, The Outer Limits, and Dr. Who, and, of course, Fringe.
Although they're not hard sci-fi, I would also include Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel among the more modern "classic" shows.
Now? We're left with mostly reality shows, cheesy sitcoms, police/security procedure shows that all start to look the same after a while, and the occasional comic book adaptation. In fairness, what I've seen so far of Arrow looks decent enough and Smallville was fairly good until it started getting overly cheesy in the last few seasons.
Maybe it's true that this second-rate crap is actually what the public wants to watch. That's a depressing thought. But I don't think that in itself is the complete story. I also blame the networks and their irritating habit of cancelling quality sci-fi shows just when the shows start to hit their stride -- for example Firefly, Dollhouse, V, Terra Nova, Stargate: Universe, and the list goes on. Even though Stargate: Atlantis lasted five seasons, it too got the ax at least four or five years too soon and largely left fans hanging.
Nearly all of these shows have had very passionate and engaged fan bases, which makes me skeptical of the claim that there's no market for quality TV. Many recent shows would have probably developed such a following if they were allowed the lengthy runs that shows used to get so that they could have the time needed to find their footing and develop the show.
The movies don't seem to be much better. While it's true that there's a few somewhat decent movies sprung every year just in time for Oscar season, the crap that comes out of Hollywood the rest of the year follows an all-too-predictable pattern -- sequels, remakes, and comic book adaptations. Hell, they've even resorted to remaking movies that are only 15 or 20 years old. If it wasn't for talented authors such as JK Rowling and Suzanne Collins occasionally coming on the scene, the state of movies would probably be even more dismal.
A major part of good sci-fi, of course, is that it's entertaining. But it goes far deeper than that. Sci-fi is like no other genre in the way it can spark imagination and get people thinking in a serious way about the opportunities and challenges that the future holds. Considering that so many parts of modern life were invented by nerds who grew up watching Star Trek and other classic sci-fi TV, I also have to wonder whether a decline in sci-fi might lead to a decline in real-world innovation in 20 or 30 years as well. I guess we'll have to see.
But then, maybe the genre is just in a slump and will come roaring back in a couple of years. We can hope.