Sci-Fi News and Reviews

2008 Fall Sci-Fi - CBS

CBS has turned its back on the Sci-Fi community.

Most of us are still mourning the loss of "Jericho" and "Moonlight" (and I'll post an update on *that* show early next week). They seem to think the public doesn't appreciate our favored genre (and, evidently, have never heard of "Lost"), so their lineup consists of standard dramas with a few 'genre-lite' shows sprinkled in. By that, I mean that the Sci-Fi elements are simple and non-challenging - there won't be spaceships, time travel or aliens found here!

Returning Shows
"Ghost Whisperer" is still on, which is a genre-lite show. I can dig J. Love Hewitt, but she's not enough to make me watch the show.

New Shows
I only see one new CBS show that I can shoehorn into the Sci-Fi genre. The Eleventh Hour actually does have a chance to be good. It's a drama about a government science advisor who investigates abuses of science and crimes of a scientific nature. I am stretching the Sci-Fi tag here, as the show creators say it is 'science-based', not actually Sci-Fi. And, continuing the theme of 2008 (see ABC's "Life on Mars"), it's based on a British miniseries.

So, why do I think it might be good? The cast looks very promising. Rufus Sewell ("Dark City")is the lead and fits the role. "Buffy" alum Marc Blucas and Marley Shelton round out the cast - and they both are solid. Besides, ratings for "Eleventh Hour" are guaranteed, as it follows "CSI".

I almost counted The Mentalist as a second CBS genre show. But, upon further review, it's just another detective show that I won't be watching.

The Outlook
This is bleak. CBS is clearly moving away from the Sci-Fi genre. "Eleventh Hour" has some promise, but it will barely qualify as a real Sci-Fi show. I doubt anyone will be counting "The Mentalist" at all by midseason - it will be cancelled.

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Posted by Fred on June 5, 2008 2:52 PM
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