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What killed this genre? - 1/26/2015 11:36:48 AM   
JWill93

 

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Status: offline 		Thanks to playing Mass Effect under the recommendation of a friend I am now into the space opera genre. I have started reading space opera novels by authors like Iain M. Banks, Alastair Reynolds, and Peter F. Hamilton. The success of Guardians of the Galaxy makes this still a viable genre on the big screen. However the genre seems to have died on TV. We had Space Opera shows like Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Babylon 5, Farscape, and Star Trek. So what killed the Space Opera genre for TV? Is there a stigma that the genre is too "nerdy" that turns people away? Is it bad stories that people can't relate too? Is it that the characters are not interesting? Is it cost? Have we been too spoiled with these comic book movies that require millions of Dollars in CGI that for a space opera show to appeal to this generation it will need non stop space battles that would require way more money then any TV network has?
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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/26/2015 12:00:33 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
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From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		Reality TV has killed off most creative TV shows. It's far cheaper and much more profitable to hire a bunch of wanna be celebs and have them eat a bowl of flies than to try and create a show with professional actors and writers.

Jim

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/26/2015 4:20:08 PM   
jday305


Posts: 161
Joined: 3/31/2013
From: Northeast Indiana
Status: offline 		Everything goes in cycles too. People get tired of the same type of shows. Give it a few years and someone will produce a space opera type series that will catch on and before you know it there will be three or four more following.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/26/2015 4:57:35 PM   
Zap


Posts: 3639
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From: LAS VEGAS TAKE A CHANCE
Status: offline 		Its a movie but what ever happened to, what was it called? District 9. I may not have the title correct. Where the aliens were like insects and had been herded into a closed off part of a city in Africa. The man selected to look for weaponn stashes was infected with alien blood and started turning into an alien creature. That one deserved 2 or 3 follow-ups.




Thanks Wolfe, that's the one.

< Message edited by Zap -- 1/26/2015 7:48:16 PM >

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/26/2015 5:26:36 PM   
Wolfe1759


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From: Shropshire, UK
Status: offline 		^ District 9 and I believe there have been some rumours of a sequel.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/26/2015 6:15:23 PM   
Twotribes


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Status: offline 		You should try David Weber's Honor Harrington Series.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/26/2015 6:26:01 PM   
RedArgo


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Status: offline 		I really enjoy the HH series. You can get the first couple books for free in electronic format at Baen books.

Baen free books

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/26/2015 6:38:19 PM   
Josh

 

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From: Leeuwarden, Netherlands
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quote:

ORIGINAL: JWill93

Thanks to playing Mass Effect under the recommendation of a friend I am now into the space opera genre. I have started reading space opera novels by authors like Iain M. Banks, Alastair Reynolds, and Peter F. Hamilton. The success of Guardians of the Galaxy makes this still a viable genre on the big screen. However the genre seems to have died on TV. We had Space Opera shows like Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Babylon 5, Farscape, and Star Trek. So what killed the Space Opera genre for TV? Is there a stigma that the genre is too "nerdy" that turns people away? Is it bad stories that people can't relate too? Is it that the characters are not interesting? Is it cost? Have we been too spoiled with these comic book movies that require millions of Dollars in CGI that for a space opera show to appeal to this generation it will need non stop space battles that would require way more money then any TV network has?


Been wondering about this myself too, loved the genre and whatdoyouknow all of a sudden *poof* all gone.
I agree with Jday305 here that I things come and go, the wheel turns albeit slowly. One of these days there will be new and glorious space operas in 8K resolution no less.

I had this very same feeling with the 3D top down isometric RPG's. Loved them, played them till death. All of a sudden they're all gone and all new games that are released are the newest 3D craze (I'm talking way back here). And guess what 10-15 years later we're swamped with new "old school" RPG's, good old lovely top down dungeon crawlers. Wasteland 2, Pillars of Eternity, just to name a few.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/26/2015 7:31:48 PM   
Chickenboy


Posts: 24520
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From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline 		JWill93-

There are two interesting SyFi original series being produced now, one of which is The Expanse. Both look like promising contributions to this genre.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/26/2015 10:57:35 PM   
rodney727


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Status: offline 		I agree. I remember in 1986 they said star trex wouldn't make it out of the first season and would be canceled half way thru the first season. I'm still holding out for the series "Earth" making a comback!
quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

JWill93-

There are two interesting SyFi original series being produced now, one of which is The Expanse. Both look like promising contributions to this genre.



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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/27/2015 1:59:52 AM   
gradenko2k

 

Posts: 935
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Status: offline 		Science Fiction requires a lot more "world-building" in the writing, along with a special effects budget. It's not as much of a safe or cheap bet as other genres.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/27/2015 2:30:49 AM   
Fred98


Posts: 4430
Joined: 1/5/2001
From: Wollondilly, Sydney
Status: offline 		Warning! Warning! Warning!

I enjoyed Star Trek. You cannot break the laws of physics so Star Trek would tell us they invented a machine to do so. Plausible so it made it enjoyable.


Star Wars was just a fairy story set in a science fiction world. It was too fantasy for me. I saw the original movie. Then when I had a VHS I hired the 3 tapes and watched the 3 original movies. Never bothered with the rest.


Babylon 5 had potential but it too would sometimes become too fairy story / fantasy for me. The episodes where Will Robinson appeared were the best.


Anyhow I have a bad back and I have to and rest now. Oh the pain!

.
.








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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/27/2015 6:09:29 PM   
Hertston


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quote:

ORIGINAL: JWill93

However the genre seems to have died on TV. We had Space Opera shows like Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Babylon 5, Farscape, and Star Trek. So what killed the Space Opera genre for TV?


I'm not sure anything has? Consider the time period those shows cover. A new one is overdue, though.

Certainly cost of special effects is probably the biggest issue. Reality TV is something of a red herring, there are plenty of sci-fi shows around equally if not more 'creative'; just not space opera. Throw in what seems to be a new Marvel or DC based show every month and there's more than enough to watch while avoiding reality TV!

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/27/2015 8:54:44 PM   
Max 86


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Status: offline 		Most don't last because they are not very good frankly. There was a recent show that was cancelled where the plot was that all electricity magically went away and humanity had to survive on candle power. One of the major characters was a military super stud uncle and he kept doing the dumbest things imaginable. In one episode he takes out a room full of bad guys with a sword but when faced with 2 snarling dogs he and the whole party he is with turn and run, and one girl even had a crossbow. Then there were some people that still never armed themselves even though they were living in a dangerous apocalyptic environment. Just stupid stuff over and over. That show desperately needed a tactical advisor.

Other sci-fi shows seem to lose their direction and screw up the story line, ala Battlestar Galactica and Eureka.

Star Trek was/is a good vehicle because you have a ship that can go anywhere never needing refueling or taking on food / medicine. All that is needed is a good imagination. Deep Space 9 was boring by comparison as a space station does not go anywhere and it seemed the writers had to make up questionable plots to make up for it. Voyager really got bogged down in tech speak babble, then they made the smartest move, bringing in Seven of Nine to sex it up for a few more seasons.

TV writers can't 'world build' as Gradenko mentioned above and for some reason they never go to sci-fi books for any story lines. That is where the good stuff really is and its a shame they don't look there for more material.

Falling Skies is starting its last season (season 5) this summer and it needs to end as they can't seem to take it anywhere since they changed directors in season 4.

Need better writers, story lines and production values to make any of them worth a darn. But, like many of you, I hold out hope.



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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/27/2015 9:26:08 PM   
KG Erwin


Posts: 8981
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Status: offline 		I'd give it a few more years, especially as we get closer to a manned trip to Mars. This WILL happen, hopefully within my lifetime.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/28/2015 9:54:18 AM   
aaatoysandmore

 

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Status: offline 		Because they just don't have actors interested anymore like Will Wheaton and Billy Mumy.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/28/2015 2:09:53 PM   
Rising-Sun


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From: Clifton Park, NY
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Jim D Burns

Reality TV has killed off most creative TV shows. It's far cheaper and much more profitable to hire a bunch of wanna be celebs and have them eat a bowl of flies than to try and create a show with professional actors and writers.

Jim


Though MTV did that, it was horrible back then and turn everything upside down.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/29/2015 10:43:58 AM   
Vasquez


Posts: 441
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From: München, Bayern, Deutschland
Status: offline 		Anyone remember Space: Above and Beyond ?

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/29/2015 2:31:56 PM   
Chijohnaok2


Posts: 628
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From: Florida, USA (formerly Chicago)
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Vasquez

Anyone remember Space: Above and Beyond ?


I loved that show. I have it on DVD.
There was a sort of grittiness to it, and the ship construction seemed a blend of old (steel beams showing in the larger ships) and new (new advanced weapons for example). This blend seemed to make the show more connected to the present time.
The Battlestar Galactica re-imaging had that same sort of feel to it.

I think that Syfy has sort of gone in ebbs and spurts with "better" (or at least more classically themed) science fiction programs.
It did series like BG, Warehouse 13, etc.

Then they toss crap on like Sharknado or Dinocroc vs. Supergator.

when the channel was launched on September 24, 1992, Rubenstein recalled, "The first thing that was on the screen was 'Dedicated to the memories of Isaac Asimov and Gene Roddenberry'

They've recently done some new programming like Dominion and Ascension.

I hope they do more new programming in keeping with their original dedication and less of the crap.
I know that worthwhile original programming can be more expensive but they should also consider bringing back reruns of some classic TV science fiction shows: Twilight Zone (Rod Serling version), Star Trek, Space 1999, SAAB, etc. Running these should be relatively dirt cheap, draw in viewers, and help them re-establish some science fiction credibility.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/29/2015 5:57:19 PM   
Jabbman


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Wolfe

^ District 9 and I believe there have been some rumours of a sequel.

Yes it was District 9, one of my top-10 favorite films. Excellent sci-fi with an original storyline and some interesting subtle references to South African apartheid, for those of us who are old enough to remember it.

I would recommend it to anyone, especially fans of sci-fi and alien stuff!

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/29/2015 7:03:21 PM   
Rising-Sun


Posts: 2082
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From: Clifton Park, NY
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Jabbman


quote:

ORIGINAL: Wolfe

^ District 9 and I believe there have been some rumours of a sequel.

Yes it was District 9, one of my top-10 favorite films. Excellent sci-fi with an original storyline and some interesting subtle references to South African apartheid, for those of us who are old enough to remember it.

I would recommend it to anyone, especially fans of sci-fi and alien stuff!


I am still waiting for part two, wondering if that alien ever gonna show and help that dude lol.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/30/2015 2:47:55 PM   
falco148

 

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From: Yantai, PRC.
Status: offline 		Was a great British TV series back in the early 70s called UFO. I remember back in the day when I was a school-kid counting down the days every week until Friday night, when it was aired. Pretty cheesy dialogue but the whole concept (costumes, music, story, plot-lines & special effects etc) were brilliant.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 1/30/2015 4:12:48 PM   
ironduke1955


Posts: 2037
Joined: 5/17/2006
From: UK
Status: offline 		I liked Blake 7 another UK production, the genre is not dead Battle Star Galactica was pretty good spoilt by the clones who were pretty much identical to the humans to the point that you could not tell them apart (hmmm wouldn't that make them human)just looked like a way to get the main characters more screen time. and they could never die LOL, At one point I was expecting that all the humans left would turn out to be Cyclon clones

There is more than enough good sci-fi out there just needs the production values and right actors, as long as they don't make a remake of Lost in Space with the cast of Friends.

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RE: What killed this genre? - 10/24/2015 8:12:42 AM   
JWill93

 

Posts: 12
Joined: 5/17/2014
Status: offline 		Who is excited for The Syfy's The Expanse? I hope with this and Star Wars we are at the beginning of a space opera revival!

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Post #: 24
RE: What killed this genre? - 10/24/2015 10:31:28 AM   
jamus34

 

Posts: 103
Joined: 7/25/2008
Status: offline 		SciFi in general (outside of the superhero genre) on TV is pretty much dead.

It's sad, but it makes it that much easier for me when I cut the cord last summer. There honestly is are 0 shows on network TV that I have any interest in.


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RE: What killed this genre? - 10/24/2015 12:48:19 PM   
Mobeer


Posts: 662
Joined: 1/17/2007
Status: offline
quote:

Max86:
"There was a recent show that was cancelled where the plot was that all electricity magically went away...."


It was called "Revolution".
I liked that show - it was heavily promoted then disappeared without trace.


quote:

Vasquez:
"Anyone remember Space: Above and Beyond ?"


Like that too - it was heavily promoted then disappeared without trace again, the promotion ended as the show started.
I went to a few S:AaB fan club meetings.


Hopefully "The 100" won't get cancelled. I think I should pretend to dislike it to give it more of a chance of survival.



syfy channel: They lack credibility with me - looking for programming in the UK they turned down the suggestion of the original Godzilla movie and then broadcast Emmanuelle in Space.



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Post #: 26
RE: What killed this genre? - 10/24/2015 4:52:52 PM   
JWill93

 

Posts: 12
Joined: 5/17/2014
Status: offline 		Hopefully The Expanse is what we are waiting for.

< Message edited by JWill93 -- 10/24/2015 5:53:38 PM >

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RE: What killed this genre? - 10/24/2015 6:33:18 PM   
Hertston


Posts: 3564
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From: Cornwall, UK
Status: offline 		Dark Matter is an excellent show. It's got a real 'Firefly' vibe (without the six-shooters). And it got renewed for a second season.

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Post #: 28
RE: What killed this genre? - 10/25/2015 2:15:50 AM   
aaatoysandmore

 

Posts: 2848
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Status: offline 		It's like anything else, fads come and go. Much like these tablets now that took the place of notebooks that took the place of laptops for awhile. People can't make up their minds what they want. So, they keep some things alive longer than others.

Look at tv, used to be free, now it's cable and satellite and dish. Gotta pay to watch a football game now, that used to be free to. Same with baseball everything is pay pay pay.

Like DLC that used to be included in all video games, now you gotta pay for every little thing.

What happened to cassettes and 8 track tapes? VCR's? Transistor radios? Vinyl records even? Oh, there's a few of them around but they aren't mass produced anymore by any means. Something else has taken their place and tomorrow something else will take the place of something else we use today.

I mean I thought I was making a joke one day when I said "someday they'll be charging us for water and air" and sure enough they are today at service stations. That don't even give full service. Even Walmart has us checking out our own groceries, there's hardly any service anywhere anymore. I can't remember the last time I saw a full service station with a gomer or goober there to fill my tank up or wash my windows and check my oil. Now, everyone is a goober or gomer (shazam).

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RE: What killed this genre? - 10/28/2015 2:13:53 AM   
mahks


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From: Thailand
Status: offline 		I've always wanted to see the foundation series turned into a Movie or TV series

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