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Sci-Fi News and Reviews

Upcoming US Network Sci-Fi Pilots

SCI FI Wire is reporting that several new science fiction and supernatural pilots have been picked up by the major US networks. The article reports that 45 dramas were ordered, with approximately 25% in the SF genre.

25%! Huzzah! It looks like 'Heroes' (and to a smaller extent, 'Jericho') have made a large impression on the network brass!

Just to temper the enthusiasm, though - some of these shows look downright awful (especially CBS's "Babylon Fields", which has the worst description ever). For my money, I'd like to see as many as possible, so that one or two actually stick. Is there a 'Battlestar Galactica' in this bunch?

Here are the pilots, listed by network:

ABC
Life on Mars
A David E. Kelley creation about a detective who goes back in time to the 1970s. Since it is Kelley, it will be witty, offbeat, intelligent...and good for a couple of seasons. Then, it will become tiresome (see "Ally McBeal").

Eli Stone
"Eli Stone" is about an attorney who begins to have larger-than-life visions that may be prophetic. To me, this sounds like a variation of the upcoming 'Raines', about the detective who realistically imagines the people in his case talking to him. I am not real interested in either show.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith
"Mr & Mrs. Smith" is based on the Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie film of the same name, which was fairly entertaining. I am not as optimistic about a TV version, since it was so star-driven.

Pushing Daisies
"Pushing Daisies" is a detective story slash fairy tale about a guy who can bring the dead back to life. The topic just doesn't fascinate me, for some reason. It might be decent, in a 'Ghost Whisperer' sort of way.

NBC
The Bionic Woman
This is a remake of the classic Lindsay Wagner show from the seventies. I'd dismiss it, but David Eick ("Battlestar Galactica") is in charge, so the new "Bionic Women" has a good chance to be good.

Journeyman
'Journeyman' is describes as "...an epic fantasy about a man who travels back in time to fix the lives of people in trouble". Now, usually, I am all-in on anything defined as an "epic fantasy", but I think I may have seen this show when it was called "Quantum Leap". Wait for the reviews on this one.

CBS
Babylon Fields
GeekMonthly's article quotes a CBS source that describes the show as “...a sardonic, apocalyptic American comedy-drama where the dead are rising and, as a result, lives are regained, families restored and old wounds reopened.” It might just be me, but, if I wanted to alienate all possible viewers, I would probably describe a zombie show where the zombies live in a soap opera and cry alot. Sounds wonderful.

Demons
'Demons' is about a former priest who fights demons. Who doesn't love demon-fighting priests? This show makes me long for 'Miracles' and lament its untimely cancellation. Heck, I'll probably watch this, unless I detest the casting of the lead.

Twilight
'Twilight' focuses on a vampire who works as a private eye and falls in love with a human girl. It's too hard not to make a connection with 'Angel'; but, since I would love that show to still be on the air, I will likely tune in.

FOX
New Amsterdam
This one focuses on a cop who is hundreds of years old. Now, call me crazy, but 'Twilight' (see just above), is about a private eye vampire who is immortal. Do we have to get two of every network idea, albeit slightly altered? '30 Rock' and 'Studio 60' (behind the scenes at a late night variety show)? 'Invasion' and 'Threshold' (ooh - an alien invasion is in progress)? Even 'Kidnapped' and 'Vanished' (political figures family member is kidnapped)sounded very similar when this season began. Any idea is done twice, it seems.

Sarah Connor Chronicles
This is set in the Terminator universe some time after "Come with me if you want to live". It centers on Sarah Connor and her son John Connor as they live in Los Angeles. This is several years too late for me.

Them
David Eick is very busy. This is another pilot run by him, about an extraterrestrial sleeper cell that has infiltrated the human race. Terrorism + Space Aliens...if the aliens are lizard-like and change shape, I will start to wonder if Eick is a psuedonym for Icke? (just kidding, if you know what I am talking about).

The CW
Reaper
Reportedly about a 21-year-old slacker who becomes the devil's bounty hunter. I have no idea what a "devil's bounty hunter" does...and, I think I am not that interested.

In my final analysis, I think there are only a few of these shows that have a chance to make it through their first season. I have a sneaky suspicion that both of David Eick's shows will do well ('The Bionic Women' and 'Them'). I will probably end up on the 'Twilight' bandwagon. Right now, I am squarely against 'Babylon Fields'. However, from early reports, it will likely be the most hyped of all of these shows. Here's hoping my instincts are wrong!

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Posted by Fred on January 31, 2007 4:34 PM
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Life on Mars is yet another American remake of a British TV show. The Brit version was brilliant and a lot of fun, not sure how well the concept will translate. The original was set in down and out, 1973 Manchester - if the remake is set somewhere like Pittsburgh, it might have a chance, but if it's yet another New York cop show - probably best to skip it.

-- Posted by: Craig at January 31, 2007 6:43 PM

Life on Mars is yet another American remake of a British TV show. The Brit version was brilliant and a lot of fun, not sure how well the concept will translate. The original was set in down and out, 1973 Manchester - if the remake is set somewhere like Pittsburgh, it might have a chance, but if it's yet another New York cop show - probably best to skip it.

-- Posted by: Craig at January 31, 2007 6:45 PM

Kelley seems to gravitate toward Boston for his shows (Boston Public, Ally McBeal). From what I am seeing out on the message boards, everyone agrees that NY would be a bad idea.

I'd like to see somewhere different myself. I like the Pittsburgh idea, or maybe somewhere like Detroit.

Of course, a lot of the message boards say that they didn't think the British version would have extended well to a longer run. So, it may not bear much resemblance to the original at all.

-- Posted by: Fred at January 31, 2007 8:09 PM

I got hooked on Life on Mars this summer (I actually wrote about it on Pop Fodder), and I fear what Kelley is going to do with the update. I just don't trust the guy -- I mean, c'mon, dancing babies?

However, I do agree with Fred's point about the Brit series likely not projecting well over a long run. There are inherent limitations in the "world" that's been created (namely, what if Sam wakes up?). Fortunately, the UK series isn't built around the 100-episode syndication milestone. Season one was a brisk and effective 8 episodes, and it felt like the perfect amount. Any more and we'd be subjected to the inevitable filler that plagues most U.S. shows.

-- Posted by: mac at February 1, 2007 6:51 PM

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