ne thing's for certain—there are a third fewer returning speculative-fiction shows this year than last. It wasn't that long ago that you could turn on the television any night of the week (OK, with the exception of Saturday) and there'd be something on. But genre shows took a hit last year, and now there are odd clumps of shows banging up against each other on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
For their new seasons, the producers of returning series have either promised to dig into the characters a bit deeper (Smallville, Enterprise, Angel), build on their established universe while heading in a new direction (Andromeda, Mutant X) or explore girl power by making their girls a bit happier (Buffy, Charmed).
Of course, Farscape fans are still furious about the announcement last week that the SCI FI Channel canceled the series. While the series will be back in January with 11 episodes yet to air, that seems like small consolation.
Showtime's Jeremiah is up in the air, and its fate should be determined sometime in the next couple of months. Everything else should stay secure through the beginning of the new season, with the exception of Charmed and Angel, which move into Sunday nights. It's difficult to tell whether the move will help or hurt them.
For fans worried about the state of genre television, it may be heartening to see all the projects in development in the Midseason and Beyond and the Movies, Miniseries and Specials sections below. While there are a wealth of new ideas and material based on classic science-fiction novels, there are also far too many old shows being recycled (The Bionic Woman, Lost In Space, The Time Tunnel, Quantum Leap and more). Several upcoming new animated series are also based on already existing material (Buffy, Spider-Man and Teenage Ninja Mutant
Turtles). It's worrisome that there isn't more fresh material.
There is so much uncertainty right now that it's impossible to say how this will all shake out. Undoubtedly, the loss of Farscape will be felt for a long, long time to come. But for now, it's time to move on.
There's a brand-new sparkling fall season that's just about to roll out, with some excellent new shows on the horizon and returning series ready to take them on. So let the shows begin. Angel, Buffy, Enterprise, Andromeda and all the rest have given it their all for the big premiere, and there's only one wish those behind the scenes have—for you to watch.
Alias moved enough into the realm of SF to earn a spot in our roundup. "The show is not overtly sci-fi, and a lot of people wouldn't expect it to be. But we've been dealing with the Rambaldi stuff, the prophecies, these inventions that obviously were not only ahead of their time, but perhaps ahead of all our time. I so love those elements, and I think it's one of the things that makes the show, for me, unique," said executive producer J.J. Abrams. Mysterious prophecies, unrelenting action and appealing characters made this one of the brightest new series to survive the pack last year. As the first season ended, Vaughn was presumed dead, Will was rescued after being tortured, and Sydney ran into her long-lost mom. This season, Abrams promises to amp up the science-fiction elements. Season two opens with Lena Olin joining the cast as Sydney's mom, a spy in her own right who may have killed Vaughn's father. That last little twist means, of course, that Vaughn survived and will return to spend even more time with Sydney, as their relationship deepens. The new-mom development will fill Sydney, her father and Vaughn with plenty of dramatic tension as the season wears on.
The Outlook: ABC needs all the good shows it can get, so even though the ratings could be stronger, the future looks bright for this classy spy show. The network has been behind Alias since the beginning, and ran the pilot without commercials, making it feel more like a movie than a television episode. While there won't be any more commercial-less episodes in the near future, network support should remain intact. Competition with Angel and The Sopranos probably won't affect the show's ratings that much. So look for the series that made cliffhangers cool to enjoy
another strong season.
Andromeda
Syndicated Premieres the week of Sept. 30
While the Andromeda finally managed to form the Commonwealth at the end of last season, a cliffhanger left Beka and Tyr missing after attempting to close a dimensional tunnel and stop an alien invasion. As the third season begins, look for more "wondrous" tales and stand-alone episodes. "By the virtue of the Commonwealth being formed, the stories become more personal to each character," said executive producer Robert Engels. "So the stories can be much more driven by the personalities, as opposed to be driven by the ever-impending invasion of the Magog." Guest stars include John de Lancie, Tony Todd and former regular Brent Stait returning as Rev Bem. Fans can also look forward to a new method of transportation for Andromeda's crew.
The Outlook:Andromeda ran neck and neck with Mutant X last season, proving they were good companion shows for each other. I have to admit, I lost a bit of interest in Andromeda. A shake-up in the creative staff probably didn't help to make the series more consistent in tone. However, this season the new direction of the series looks to be a positive one, which will open up the show's possibilities. As for how the series will do, the new syndication entries look weak this year, and all the other returning shows besides Andromeda and Mutant X were canceled or didn't return. Look for Kevin Sorbo and the bunch to enjoy another race with the Mutant Xers for the top syndicated action hour.
Angel
The WB, Sunday, 9 p.m. Premieres Oct. 6
Fans either loved it or hated it, but few remained neutral on Angel's powerful third season. In the climactic finale, Angel's son, Connor, sent his father to the bottom of the ocean trapped in a box, while Cordelia ascended to heaven and Lorne went to Vegas. This was all moments before Angel and Cordelia were ready to confess their love for each other. Oh, yeah, and Wesley slept with Lilah. This season, "there will be enough pain for every single character on the show," said executive producer Tim Minear. No, Angel will not be fighting demons on the bottom of the ocean, so look for a rescue involving an unexpected person. Cordelia will return from her trip upward, but not unchanged. Fred and Gunn will have their own challenges, and we'll find out more about Fred's past. Vincent Kartheiser becomes a regular as Connor and Gwen (Alexa Davalos), a mysterious cat burglar interested in paranormal objects, gets Angel's attention. And that Slayer from the wrong side of the tracks, Eliza Dushku, is set to come back for episodes on both Buffy and Angel.
The Outlook: For its fourth season, Angel moves to Sundays after Charmed, and opposite Alias. If anyone's counting, that's three different nights in four years. Still, Angel did OK on Monday nights last year, and its dedicated audience shouldn't have any trouble
finding it on its new night. The bigger question has to do with the behind-the-scenes changes. Exec producer David Greenwalt left the series in a contract dispute, although he is still consulting. The new show runner was to be David Simkins, but he left shortly after he was hired. That leaves Angel back in the hands of Joss Whedon and Tim Minear, who are launching the new series Firefly at the same time, while still pitching in to help out Marti Noxon, who is running Buffy but had a baby this summer. That's a lot for even this superhuman team. In the hands of anyone else, I'd be really concerned. A series doesn't just lose a prime creative force like Greenwalt without the foundation begin rocked. However, if anyone can do it, it's the dynamic duo of Joss Whedon and Tim Minear.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
UPN, Tuesday, 8 p.m. Premieres Sept. 24
Much like Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer had a season that divided fans in fundamental ways. Buffy came back from the grave, but it wasn't easy for any of the characters. Who would have thought the cost that they'd have to pay would be so personal, cutting to the core of every
character? In the midst of it all, Whedon gave us one of the finest television episodes of all time with the musical episode, "Once More, With Feeling". The season ended with evil nerd guy Warren, frustrated by the failure of his elaborate efforts to get Buffy, taking out a gun and shooting her. His
shooting spree left Buffy in the hospital and Tara dead. The act drove Willow over the edge as she drew on her vast power as a witch, and in an interesting twist she became the big bad for the year, nearly destroying the world. While Buffy was trapped with Dawn fighting monsters, it was left up to Xander to
stop Willow and save the day. Season seven begins with the gang going back to the beginning and a new big bad about to cause some trouble. Dawn is headed to a rebuilt Sunnydale High that still sits on the Hellmouth. She'll have a couple of new friends who will be recurring characters. There will be a trip to
England for Willow, who has her own demons to conquer. Anya is still a demon, Xander will find himself working on the renovation of the school, and Spike will be back with his soul. Overall, look for Buffy to be happier this year and the tone to be lighter.
The Outlook: In it's sixth season, Buffy did what few shows could have done. Not only was it named one of the 50 greatest shows of all time by TV Guide, it helped UPN (along with Enterprise) beat The WB in the ratings. Even though fans were divided in their feelings about last year, this may be the final season of the series, so fans will be there every step of the way. Sarah Michelle Gellar's contract is up at the end of the year, and considering her busy movie career, continuing with Buffy seems unlikely. Without her to head the series for an eighth season, at the very least the show would end up having a makeover with a new lead. Eliza Dushku, who played the Slayer Faith, is set to return to both Angel and Buffy. This could possibly be setting up Gellar's exit at the end of the season in such a way that an eighth season with a new lead would be
possible. However, while I have a massive amount of faith in Whedon to pull off what would be impossible for any mere mortal, for me a Vampire Slayer series without Buffy would be a different show. So, while the series may get reincarnated, perhaps into something even better with another seven years ahead of it, I look for Buffy as we know it to come to an end at the conclusion of the season. And Joss, thanks for creating not just one of the best genre shows, but one of the greatest series of all time. TV Guide may have just figured it out, but those of us who've watched the series all along have known Buffy was the greatest since the beginning.
Charmed
The WB, Sunday, 8 p.m. Premieres Sept. 22
Last season, the Charmed Ones were given the chance to relinquish their powers by The Angel of Destiny so they could live a normal life. At the last minute, they chose to keep their powers, so life should remain action-packed for the sisters. For the fifth season, look for Piper's pregnancy and Cole's determination to reunite with Phoebe as continuing themes. "I think what we're looking forward to doing, certainly the beginning of season five is sending our girls off into their own separate directions," said executive producer Brad Kern. "We have a lot of creative ground to till left on the show. And the first two episodes are going to be dealing with mermaids. We never dealt with mermaids before. We're going to turn Phoebe into one. That will be fun." Also look for fairy tales to come to life, and the girls will become superheroes.
The Outlook: For four seasons, Charmed survived in the toughest timeslot on television, opposite the NBC comedies and, last year, CSI, the top-rated drama on television. The WB finally has moved this series to Sundays, which can't be any tougher than Thursdays. Charmed has a very loyal audience and excellent demographics. And better than that, Charmed finally has a partner in Angel, which may well end up helping both shows. Even though Sunday nights are an unknown for
Charmed, I'm liking its chances and think this solid and entertaining series will have another charmed season.
Crossing Over with John Edward
SCI FI and Syndication Already premiered in syndication
The show's success in syndication seems to have started an entire new kind of talk show. Living with the Dead psychic James Van Praagh has entered the syndicated ring with his own series. As for Crossing Over, the second big season promises to be more intimate. Special guest stars include
Jenny McCarthy, Gene Simmons, two of the Backstreet Boys and Anthony Michael Hall. Hall is an interesting choice, considering the psychic nature of the character he plays on his series, The Dead Zone. Also, there will be a watch-and-win contest, with the grand prize being a private reading with Edward at the winner's home. For those interested in attending one of Edward's shows, he has a big tour coming up in November where he will head to Australia.
The Outlook:Crossing Over was originally first run on the SCI FI Channel and then rerun in syndication. That order has been switched due to its popularity and the series is now first run in syndication. However, the spirits tell me that SCI FI has picked up Crossing Over for a fourth season. Look for this popular show to continue in syndication for a long, long time to come.
The Dead Zone
USA Network, Sunday, 10 p.m. Continuing
And speaking of speaking with the dead, The Dead Zone earned phenomenal ratings during its first season, breaking records across the board to become the top basic-cable original dramatic series of all time. The numbers were so good, in fact, that USA lent the series for a second airing to
the SCI FI Channel in their SCI FI Friday lineup. The season-one cliffhanger introduced the villain from Stephen King's novel, politician Greg Stillson.
The Outlook: No need to guess on this excellent series. Another season has been ordered, which is set to premiere in January. Anthony Michael Hall is wonderful as the regular guy who must accept the incredible circumstances of his new life, and the series is going in interesting directions. Sure, Johnny ends up saving his friends' lives a little too often, but there are also some very original episodes that focus on the mind-bending material that no other series could do or has done quite so well.
The new Trek took over in fine fashion, giving fans plenty to talk and complain about. That fact that fans care about the theme song, the pace of the series and whether or not T'Pol stacks up to Jeri Ryan says something. Big themes for the season focused on the human's conflict with the Vulcans,
the introduction of the Suliban as the primary bad guys and the Temporal Cold War. The big season-one cliffhanger, "Shockwave, Part 1," found Archer hijacked to a post-apocalyptic far future and the Suliban about to destroy the Enterprise. "We've got some delightful episodes coming up. We're very pleased with the way the first season went. We're paying very close attention to the continuity of Star Trek. We don't want to violate anything, and I don't think we have. Some people would disagree," said executive producer Brannon Braga. Season two opens with "Shockwave, Part 2," in which Archer tries to figure out a way to get back to his own time and the Enterprise is captured by the Suliban. Archer will learn a few "tantalizing details about what his role might be in history." Other episodes this season will see a brush with the Romulans, a Hannibal Lecter-like Vulcan and a sick Porthos. Also we'll see more of Dr. Phlox.
The Outlook: Along with Buffy, Enterprise helped revitalize UPN and win the ratings race with The WB. Yes, the series is a little slow and it has all the Trek trappings, but the characters are interestingly flawed and it's fun to see a Trek where things break down
or go wrong occasionally. For season two, expect continued good ratings as the series settles down and really starts to show us what it's got. Remember that most Treks take a couple years to jel, and let's hope Enterprise finds its rhythm this season.
Farscape
SCI FI, Friday Second half of fourth season premieres Jan. 2003
Call it two for the price of one. Farscape makes both our Canceled and Returning sections. Yes, this series has been canceled by SCI FI and there will not be a fifth season. The only good news is that 11 episodes remain to air, and they are scheduled to begin running in January. When last we left John Crichton, he was in the process of learning the fine art of traveling in wormholes when he accidentally ended up traveling to Earth. "Oops," he said. No kidding, especially since he was in orbit above Earth without a spaceship. Now that's an interesting dilemma. As for the second half of season four, look for the crew of Moya to end up on Earth in 1985. Beyond that, it looks like we're in store for a Farscape with no ending. The series was canceled during the last few days of shooting on the fourth season, and the producers had no time to give fans any kind of ending to the story. SCI FI had already announced a fifth season for the series, so the producers had season five all plotted out. Because of that, we can expect another Farscape cliffhanger at the end of it all. Whether or not John's butt will be left hanging out in space, and whether the top of his skull will be separated from his head, remain to be seen. I'm sure the producers have come up with some grand torture to inflict on our boy, something that will live in our minds forever.
The Outlook: Grim, but not hopeless. Farscape is arguably the best science-fiction series on TV, and its loss at this point is just painful, especially with Buffy (arguably the best fantasy show) looking like it might possibly end this year as well. SCI FI released a statement
about Farscape, saying that while they loved the series, it was too costly to produce and didn't have enough viewers. Then Yahoo News released the facts to support SCI FI's decision. Reportedly, Farscape costs about 1.5 million dollars an episode to produce, and this summer garnered only a 1.2 rating from May 27 to Aug. 18. Anyone who watches Farscape's ratings would know that they haven't gone up much, if at all, over the years. Unfortunately, Stargate SG-1 looks to have contributed in the decision by doing very well this summer, with ratings that are almost a third higher than Farscape's. While it's hard to fault the SCI FI Channel execs for making a sound business decision, it would have been nice if they had let fans know that the show was in trouble. Not so fans could write thousands of letter complaining, but so fans could promote the series and help it grow, so that fans and SCI FI could become partners in a way. It seems unlikely that SCI FI
will reverse its decision, but stranger things have happened. However, other possibilities for the series do exist. According Yahoo News, "the buzz" is that Jim Henson TV is shopping Farscape around to other networks, with an eye on UPN. They are also talking the possibility of a Farscape movie, which would at least offer the producers a chance to give the story some sort of a satisfying ending. So there is hope, if just a little bit.
Futurama
Fox, Sunday, 7 p.m. Premieres Nov. 10
Here's another fine series that may end its run this year, but don't count it down and out quite yet, said executive producer David X. Cohen. The production has been shut down; however, there is a full season of Futurama ready to roll. "We're not canceled. We have a whole year of shows to air. If the show does well, we have probably the most vile and crazy fans of any show, so if they can turn up the heat on Fox or have enough picket lines, you never know. So I think there is a chance." Cohen said fans should expect the sexiest season ever, and the ones that watch this season will be well rewarded. Futurama's fifth season will feature Al Gore leading a global warming summit, Bender getting a sex change operation and Fry and Leela becoming superheroes.
The Outlook: More sad news. No, this wonderful animated series hasn't been canceled, but the cost of getting Futurama back into production would seem prohibitive. However, good news is afoot for fans of this show. The Cartoon Network has made a deal to syndicate all 72 episodes of Futurama and will air it in the network's Adult Swim beginning in January.
In Search Of
SCI FI, Friday, 8 p.m. Premieres Oct. 11
Yep, it's a bit of a stretch to say this is a returning series with a new host, but we just got final information on this new show and wanted to include it. The new In Search Of will be hosted by Mitch Pileggi of The X-Files fame. Based on the 1976 original with Leonard Nimoy, which lasted for six seasons, the series will use reenactments and eyewitness accounts to explore mysteries, myths, legends and bizarre phenomena.
The Outlook: Out of all the new reality series SCI FI has come up with (Scare Tactics, The Dream Team), I'm liking this one best. The old show was always interesting and thought-provoking, and Pileggi should make a great host. SCI FI is set to air eight hour-long episodes, but good ratings could increase that order.
Jeremiah
Showtime Unknown
Jeremiah wrapped its first season and there's no word if there will be a season two.
The Outlook: This series ended up being a lot more interesting than it sounded. Yes, it is a little grimmer than it needs to be, but Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner have made this series worth watching. While ratings for Jeremiah started out of the gate slowly, it did better as the season
progressed. Paired with the more popular Odyssey 5, it's difficult to say how this show will do. Most likely whether this show gets a pickup will largely depend on what Showtime decides to do with their Sci Friday night and what else they have in the wings that might be paired with Odyssey 5 should that series get a pickup.
Mutant X
Syndicated Premieres the week of Sept. 30
In the big first-season finale, the Mutant Xers discovered that their powers had changed and gotten stronger. They also ran into bad boy Gabriel Ashlocke (Michael Easton), the most powerful New Mutant alive. Ashlocke took care of Eckhart and Mutant X had their first run-in with him. "The direction of the show has changed just a little bit from last season," said supervising producer and head writer Peter Mohan. "Our stories are turning a lot more out to the world, out to the things that come across Adam's field of view, through the hundreds of things that he's involved in. The technological advancement he's made through his connections with politics, the arts and all of the things that his brilliant mind touches. The scope of our stories is becoming much broader. Mutant X still isn't, of course, becoming public in the world and revealing their powers, so they have to work in a fairly undercover way. But it's a much more interesting world that they're playing in now." This year finds Ashlocke's dying because the genetic manipulations done to him have become unstable. The Mutant X team will also run into a soul-stealer New Mutant, a Yeti-like creature and aliens. And they'll still kick plenty of ass along the way.
The Outlook:Mutant X and Andromeda competed all season for top syndicated action honors, and they've turned out to be great companion shows for each other. Considering that these two are the only returning series and the new shows look weak, Mutant X should do just fine. The
series is all style without much substance, but there's no better-looking cast out there. And when they kick butt, they look good doing it.
Odyssey 5
Showtime Continuing
The time travelers of the Odyssey 5 continue to dig into the mystery surrounding the upcoming complete destruction of the Earth. While they believe the Earth's destruction has something to do with artificial sentient life forms that escaped through the Internet, this has many layers to it. No word yet on what to expect as the series continues. However, star Peter Weller will direct several upcoming episodes.
The Outlook:Odyssey 5 took off nicely in the ratings and at this point it looks good for a second season, although there is no official word from Showtime. This complex, interesting series does a good job at mixing real life with intrigue. While it's still hard to imagine how artificial sentient life forms can be responsible from the complete annihilation of the Earth, as well as other planets in other galaxies, the possibilities are intriguing. And maybe it's not the life forms after all, but some other thing. It's a good mystery with multifaceted characters.
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
The WB, Friday, 8:30 p.m. Premieres Sept. 20
Somebody really should take the word "teenage" out of the title. Last season, Sabrina fell to pieces, literally, after giving up her true love so that Aunt Hilda (Caroline Rhea) could marry hers. Looking to develop a "young, adult edge" this year, Sabrina will find a job writing for a music magazine and learn to rap, at least after a little personality swapping. Gone are Rhea and David Lascher, soon to be followed by Beth Broderick (Aunt Zelda) and Trevor Lissauer (Miles). It looks like a new show to me. Course of Nature and Ashanti will be musical guests.
The Outlook: While Sabrina still manages to snag those wonderful 12-34 female demographics that advertisers love, this witch is looking a little long in the tooth. This will be a key year for the series to see if Sabrina can reinvent itself. If the show's producers manage that, this
series could gain a whole new lease on life.
Smallville
The WB, Tuesday, 9 p.m. Premieres Sept. 24
Even without tights or flights, Smallville made its mark to become the second highest rated show on The WB. The first season ended with a big cliffhanger that had Clark leave Chloe hanging in mid-kiss as he went off to save Lana from being swept away by a tornado. Also, Lex was on the verge of a life-changing decision, and then there was that pesky spaceship that was causing some trouble. For season two, the goal is to deepen and expand the characters, said executive producer Alfred Gough. "Within the course of the new season, Clark will get a new power, and one of his friends will learn the secret. There will be somebody besides the parents who he can talk to. We'll keep trying to expand the mythology as well, without getting too serialized."
The Outlook: Put on some sunglasses. This one has a bright, bright future ahead. Smallville is a delight, and the fans love it. Sporting smart stories, excellent production values and a wonderful cast full of complex characters, the series has it all, and it did right from the beginning. Look for Smallville to soar all the way.
Stargate SG-1
SCI FI, Friday, 9 p.m. Second half of sixth season begins in January 2003
In the episode "Prometheus," Jack O'Neill and the gang found themselves in a bit of trouble just before the big midseason break. They managed to stop Col. Frank Simmons (John de Lancie) from stealing the experimental X303, but ended up lost in space and unsure of how to get back home. However, just when O'Neill was about to get nervous that Carter didn't actually have some fantastic idea about how to save them, Thor showed up, letting them know that once again he needed their help. As season six continues, SG-1 end up to their necks in replicators after the nasty critters have overrun the Asgard homeworld.
The Outlook: In a surprising turn of events, Stargate SG-1 gave SCI FI its highest ratings ever for an original series, unintentionally pulling the wings off Farscape. While Corin Nemec still seems a little off balance as Jonas Quinn, and Richard Dean Anderson's gotten a bit crankier, the series has stayed true to itself. Overall, the series is having another good run of episodes, with all involved doing fine work. So should Stargate fans start jumping up and down for joy because the series is doing so well? Not quite yet. More than one source behind the scenes has stated that after six years, the cast and crew are ready to hang up their fatigues and move on to other projects. However, execs at SCI FI have stated that the fate of the series rests in their hands. Success has a way of changing people's minds, especially if negotiations are still on the table. One thing that isn't in question is that SCI FI is working on developing a possible series set in the Stargate universe with different characters. There is also talk of a Stargate film. Beyond that, there's a new animated series called Stargate Infinity. So regardless of what happens with the present series, we haven't seen the last of the Stargate.
Touched by an Angel
CBS, Saturday, 8 p.m. Premieres Sept. 28
This season, Touched by an Angel producers are listening to the fans. Stories based on viewers' ideas will be used to create new situations for the episodes. Monica will run into her evil alter ego, Monique, the devil will kidnap Gloria, and Tess will develop Alzheimer's disease.
The Outlook: Now in its ninth season, Touched by an Angel pulled off a miracle by getting renewed after the ratings fell last year when the series was moved to Saturday nights. Despite a sizable fan base, look for this to be the show's last year.
Conspiracists and paranoids get together to explain their wacky theories in this new talk show. It's Conspiracy Theory as a series, with host Richard Belzer (Law & Order) and a Conspiracy Council who will take a serious look to the possibilities these theories may be true.
The Bionic WomanUSA Network, Summer 2003
And continuing the belief that old ideas never die, they just come back to television decades later to be remade, USA will take on The Bionic Woman. The original series was a spinoff of The Six Million Dollar Man and premiered in 1976, airing for two and a half seasons. It starred Lindsay Wagner as Jamie Sommers, in a role that earned her an Emmy. Her character was given bionic parts to save her life after she was nearly killed in a parachuting accident. She was then pressed into spy service by the Office of Scientific Intelligence. USA executives, believing that the series is "an old title ripe for reinvention," promise a modern-day, souped-up Bionic Woman.
Buffy the Animated SeriesTo Be Determined
Showtime backed out of their deal with Joss Whedon to distribute his new animated series, which takes the Buffy gang back to high school. However, "it's not dead by any means," said a spokesman for Mutant Enemy Inc. Whedon and crew are presently shopping the idea around and hoping to find a home, with plans to get the series into production in the next couple of months. That's probably because Whedon isn't busy enough with just three series on the air.
CarnivˆleHBO, 2003
This supernatural series about satanic evangelists and carny workers during the Depression promises to be a mix of The X-Files, David Lynch and Marjoe Gortner. The good-versus-evil tale is set in the Dust Bowl. The classic carny characters will include everyone from a dwarf to Siamese twins to a bearded lady to Adrienne Barbeau as a tattooed snake charmer. Also starring are Nick Stahl, Clancy Brown, Michael Jay Anderson, Patrick Bauchau, Clea DuVall and John Fleck. The pilot for Carnivàle was directed by Rodrigo Garcia.
The Chronicles of AmberSCI FI, To Be Determined
Based on Roger Zelazny's classic 10-volume series, Amber is set to become a four-hour miniseries. The story revolves around Amber, the immortal city and a royal family that has power over space and time.
Dead Like MeShowtime, 2003
This fantasy comedy features a woman named George, whose life gets interesting after she's killed when a piece of the Mir space station lands on her. She ends up working for a "reaper" named Rube. Dead Like Me stars Ellen Muth and Mandy Patinkin.
The Dream Team with Annabelle and MichaelSCI FI, January
This new half-hour "alternative-reality TV" series explores the meaning of dreams. SCI FI has ordered 65 episodes of The Dream Team, which will be co-hosted by Annabelle Gurwitch and psychotherapist Michael Lennox, who is an expert in dream interpretation.
EarthseaSCI FI, To Be Determined
Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea trilogy will be adapted into a six-hour miniseries that will be executive produced by Kevin Brown and Lawrence Bender. The miniseries will cover A Wizard of Earthsea, Tales of Earthsea and Tombs of Atuan, and tell the story of an awkward boy who becomes a wizard's apprentice, and what happens to him when he discovers Sparrowhawk is his true name. As he begins his transition into becoming a man, his journey will pit him against an evil that may be connected to him.
The Forever WarSCI FI, To Be Determined
It's been a long time coming for this Hugo and Nebula award-winning classic tale by Joe Haldeman. The Forever War is being developed as a four-hour miniseries and will follow the story of a young man who enlists to defend Earth against an alien threat only to find himself falling in love and trapped in a seemingly endless journey through space and time. Executive produced by Richard Edlund, a seven-time Oscar winner for special effects.
The HospitalABC, 2003
The Hospital is a 15-hour limited series from Stephen King.
Lost In SpaceNBC, To Be Determined
A whole new generation gets Lost In Space in this two-hour film and back-door pilot for a possible series. Fox Entertainment has made a deal with the estate of the late producer Irwin Allen to rerun past episodes as well as create new film and television versions of four sci-fi classics from the '60s, including Lost In Space. The other three series are Land of the Giants, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and The Time Tunnel, which is being developed as a series for Fox.
The Left Hand of DarknessSCI FI, To Be Determined
In this original four-hour miniseries based on the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning 1969 classic novel by Ursula K. Le Guin, a human ambassador is sent as an emissary to convince the people of an arctic planet to join a galactic alliance. However, he discovers a society so totally alien that he must overcome his own prejudices and learn to understand this ancient culture, where gender is unimportant.
MiraclesABC, January
On the surface, it sounds a whole lot like Pax has just canceled Mysterious Ways. However, the differences are there once you dig a little deeper. In Miracles, Paul Callan is a young seminarian who investigates claims of miracles for the church. His ability to find a logical explanation for most so-called miracles and stop the hysteria involved in such claims has made him a valuable investigator. Unfortunately, it's destroying his own faith. When Paul does discover what he believes is a true miracle, the monsignor dismisses it and Paul resigns. However, when he is approached by a mysterious priest to join an organization that investigates unexplained occurrences, Paul finds himself on a journey he never imagined. Starring Skeet Ulrich and Angus Macfadyen. Angel's David Greenwalt is one of the executive producers.
MYSTSCI FI, To Be Determined
Based on the best-selling adventure game of all time, MYST is set
to become a four-hour miniseries that will journey to the mysterious island. An ancient civilization has existed beneath the surface of the Earth that uses magical books to travel to other worlds and times.
Night GalleryUSA Network, To Be Determined
First UPN takes on Twilight Zone and now USA will produce a limited series based on Night Gallery. Even Rod Serling might be surprised he's so popular after more than 30 years have passed. Stories will be updates of classic episodes, as well as new tales, some derived from work by best-selling authors. Tom Thayer will executive produce.
Noah's Ark projectABC, 2003 or 2004
Live action and computer animation will be combined to create a musical adaptation of Noah's Ark, but told from the animals' point of view. This television film will air on ABC's Wonderful World of Disney. Scott Sanders executive produces.
Quantum LeapSCI FI, To Be Determined
A new two-hour film from series creator Don P. Bellisario is based on the 1989 series starring Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell that ran for five seasons on NBC. In the series, time-traveling scientist Dr. Sam Beckett's mind and mirror image leap from one person to another, "striving to put right what once went wrong." The reincarnated Quantum Leap will also act as a back-door pilot for a possible series. From series creator and executive producer Don P. Bellisario.
Red MarsSCI FI, To Be Determined
Kim Stanley Robinson is acting as a consultant for this four-hour miniseries based on his critically acclaimed Mars Trilogy, which chronicles the story of the first colonists on Mars. Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars explores the colonists struggle through mystery, suspense and romance to make a home on this new world.
RipperBBC
Ripper is still on the books as a possibility. This series, which would star Anthony Stewart Head, would revolve around his character Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and his adventures in England. While Head and Buffy creator Joss Whedon both appear still to be interested in doing the series, Whedon already has four series on his plate, so it doesn't appear that Ripper will take off any time soon.
Scare TacticsSCI FI, First Quarter 2003
Let's just call this one Candid SCI FI Camera. Shannen Doherty hosts this 13-episode hidden camera series that features everything from a mock alien encounter to babysitting in a haunted house. Yes, friends and loved ones set up their unwitting victims with elaborately staged pranks,
but it's all in good fun and for the cameras.
Spider-ManMTV, First Quarter 2003
There's no firm title on this new animated series, which will feature the adventures of our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and stars Neil Patrick Harris, Lisa Loeb and Ian Ziering. The animation is courtesy of Mainframe Entertainment, which promises bright, lively colors and an almost
realistic neon-lit city set in the near future.
Starport AuthoritySCI FI, To Be Determined
The title of this half-hour series may change in this Cops-of-the-future sendup of reality shows. Cameras follow the Starport Authority beat cops as they battle crime, stay on the lookout for illegal aliens of the interstellar kind and eat donuts. Written by Bart Baker.
Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesFox, January
This new animated series will feature those four beloved turtle martial artists and tell their story from the beginning.
That's So RavenDisney Channel, To Be Determined
Starring The Cosby Show's once littlest star, Raven (formerly Raven-Symone), this supernatural comedy will features a teenage girl who can see flashes of the future.
The Time TunnelFox, 2003
Two government scientists get trapped in time in this new series from Fox, based on the 1966 classic. As part of the deal between Fox Entertainment and the estate of the late producer Irwin Allen, reruns will be aired and film and television versions of four series from the '60s will be made, including The Time Tunnel. The other series include Land of the Giants, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and Lost in Space, which is being developed as a two-hour movie and pilot for NBC.
TremorsSCI FI, January
Even after three movies, that little desert town of Perfecton, Nev., still appears to be a hotbed of activity for giant worms and all sorts of other creepy-crawlies in this new one-hour series. While the U.S government would like to take care of the problem, it seems the locals do a better job at
kicking monster butt. Michael Gross returns as Burt Gummer, and the films' creators, Nancy Roberts, Brent Maddock and S.S. Wilson, will be on hand to work with the show's executive producer, David Israel.
Tripping the RiftSCI FI, To Be Determined
This half-hour animated series is based on the award-winning short film. Tripping follows the adventures of a stumpy purple alien named Chode and his lively crew of misfits aboard a smuggling spaceship called The Free Enterprise. According to SCI FI Tripping is an edgy CGI series with "raucous humor" and "comic sendups." From creators Chuck Austen and Chris Moeller.
Untitled Steven Bochco projectFox, Fall 2003
And now for something almost completely different from NYPD Blue and Hill Street Blues executive producer Steven Bochco. In this as-yet-untitled new drama from Bochco, a cop from 2003 "suddenly fast-forwards to 2069." The series will be set in New York City and will follow cops in that future time. Writers Bochco, Nick Wootton and Matt Olmstead are attached.
VeritasABC, Midseason Replacement
In a series that promises a whole lot of Indiana Jones and a little bit of X-Files, this one-hour show will revolve around a father-and-son archeology team who explore mythological stories, but with a grounding in archaeology. From the Holy Grail to Ponce de Leon to lost
civilizations, the two investigate mysteries of the ancient world. However, what's a good Indiana Jones-type adventure without some bad guys, in this case a mysterious brotherhood to chase after the heroes? Co-creator Patrick Massett promises stand-alone episodes, as well as several arcs that
will weave a bigger story into the fabric of the series. Starring Ryan Merriman, Alex Carter, Eric Balfour, Arnold Vosloo and Cobie Smulders.
The Witching HourNBC, 2003-2004
NBC has acquired the rights to Anne Rice's The Witching Hour trilogy, which is set to be developed as a 12-hour limited series. The trilogy is set in New Orleans and is about the Mayfair Witches, a family with a supernatural history. John Wilder is set to adapt the three books, The
Witching Hour, Lasher and Taltos.
Young ArthurNBC, To Be Determined
This tale of a young Arthur before he pulled the sword from the stone purports to be a cross between A Knight's Tale and more importantly The WB's Smallville. Paul Wasilewski and Julian Morris have the lead roles as Lancelot and Arthur. NBC is going for the 12-to-34 demographic in this one, so it might just be perfect for Sundays at 7 p.m.
Young BladesPax, January
A swashbuckling adventure/comedy based on the early days of D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis at the Musketeer Academy. These 17th-century one-day musketeers will have adventures, take on the establishment and battle an evil secret society. Starring Hugh Dancy, Scott Hickman, Anthony Strachan and Callum Blue.
SCI FI will offer three specials leading up to the Steven Spielberg megaseries Taken, including this documentary that focuses on the real people who have experienced alien abduction. Through their poignant, harrowing testimony, the phenomenon of alien abduction is explored as these people discuss their close encounters and the unexpected impact the experiences have had on their lives. Produced by award-winning documentary filmmakers Tina DiFeliciantonio and Jane C. Wagner.
Babies in ToylandNickelodeon, December
This Rugrats Christmas special stars the voices of Paul Reubens as Hermie the Elf and Jim Belushi as a department-store Santa Claus.
Back to the BatcaveCBS, To Be Determined
ZAP! POW! BANG! The caped crusaders are back in action. Or at least the actors that played them are. Adam West and Burt Ward star as themselves in this new adventure comedy. Faster than you can say, "Holy retirement home!" the aging duo find themselves trying to stop a plot to steal the Batmobile from a charity benefit. The comedy will have reenactments of behind-the-scenes drama and on-the-set explosions of the Batman production. Also starring Julie Newmar and Lee Meriwether, who both played Catwoman, and Frank Gorshin, who played The Riddler.
Battlestar GalacticaSCI FI, 2003
This miniseries is a retelling of the 1978 television series that starred Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict and Lorne Greene. The original series told the story of the last surviving humans who were trying to escape the evil Cylon Empire in a ragtag fleet of ships led by the Battlestar Galactica. Ronald D. Moore (Roswell) is writing the script and David Eick is executive producing. There's not a lot of info yet, but according to Moore there will be characters both familiar and new in this latest Battlestar Galactica.
CarrieNBC, November
Angela Bettis stars in the remake of this Stephen King classic.
The Christmas OrangeABC, December
In this animated special, when an angry kid sues Santa because he only got an orange for Christmas, St. Nick is forced to retire.
Curse of the WerewuffNickelodeon, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. ET
The Rugrats star in this Halloween cartoon special.
Children of DuneSCI FI, First half of 2003
Frank Herbert's Children of Dune continues the saga of the Atreides dynasty. This second six-hour miniseries from the SCI FI Channel is based on Dune Messiah and Children of Dune. Under Paul's rule as emperor, Dune has experienced a renaissance. However, a conspiracy threatens to destroy him. In the end, the future of Dune comes to rest in the hands of Paul's heirs, and his son Leto will end up having to make impossible decisions that will affect humanity itself. If Children of Dune even comes close to the quality of SCI FI's first miniseries, Dune, fans will be in for a treat. Academy-Award winner Susan Sarandon joins the cast.
Clive Barker's Saint SinnerSCI FI, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. ET
SCI FI partnered with horror master Clive Barker in this tale about a 19th-century monk who accidentally unleashes two beautiful female demons upon Los Angeles. The monk must follow them to the future to try and stop the evil creatures from wreaking deadly havoc. The script is adapted by Doris Egan from Barker's original novel and stars Greg Serano, Gina Ravera, Mary Mara and Rebecca Harrell. Barker is on board as one of the executive producers.
DreamkeeperABC, May 2003
Robert Halmi Sr. brings this four-hour miniseries to the screen about a Native American teen named Shane who goes on a journey with his 100-year-old grandfather, Old Pete Chasing Horse. Through their long drive, Shane's grandfather recounts ancient tribal stories. The Native American legends come from several tribes and date back hundreds of years. Told in the tradition of 1001 Tales of the Arabian Nights, Dreamkeeper looks to be another impressive miniseries from Halmi and his team. Steve Barron directs from a screenplay by John Fusco.
Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a FairytaleHallmark
Channel, Runs through September
This four-hour miniseries that tells of the life of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, who was considered the master of fairy tales, even though he resented being thought of as a children's author. Woven throughout the mini are interpretations of Andersen's life tied to recreations of four of
his classic stories, including The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, Little Match Girl and The Snow Queen. This mini from Hallmark stars Kieran Bew, Emily Hamilton and Flora Montgomery. Philip Saville directs from Kit Hesketh Harvey's original screenplay. It is executive produced by Robert Halmi Jr. and David V. Picker.
Inside Taken: Behind the Scenes SpecialSCI FI, Nov. 22
Take a peek behind the scenes of the biggest miniseries ever in this one-hour special. The cast and crew of Taken talk about the making of the 20-hour epic and about their personal beliefs on the alien abduction phenomenon. In a rare on-camera interview, Steven Spielberg discusses his latest projects and how Taken fits in with his film legacy. Inside Taken was produced by Mark Feldstein and Brad Roth of Stun Creative.
Interceptor Force 2SCI FI, Saturday, Nov. 30
In this sequel to SCI FI's first Interceptor Force movie, another vicious shapeshifting alien comes to Earth, but this time it's out for revenge. Set in the near future, the alien is hell-bent on blowing up a Russian nuclear power planet in hopes to create a nuclear winter on Earth. Former world kickboxing champion Olivier Gruner reprises his role as the leader of an elite team of soldiers who must join forced with the Russians to take on the alien threat. The two-hour SCI FI original movie also stars Nigel Bennett (Forever Knight), Roger R. Cross (First Wave), Elizabeth Gracen (Highlander) and Adrienne Wilkinson (Xena).
The Lost WorldA&E, Oct. 6-7 at 8 p.m. ET
A&E brings to the screen the popular Sir Arthur Conan Doyle tale as a two-part miniseries starring Bob Hoskins and Peter Falk. Professor Challenger (Hoskins) leads an expedition to the heart of the Amazon jungle to find a remote plateau where dinosaurs have survived. Once there, the explorers discover Indians, highly evolved apes and other wonders that a true Lost World might offer. A&E's Lost World was directed by Stuart Orme from the adaptation written by Tony Mulholland and Adrian Hodges.
PhenomenonABC, 2003
This remake of the motion picture Phenomenon, which starred John Travolta, is loosely based on Gerald DiPego's original screenplay. The television film stars Christopher Shyer as George Malley, an ordinary man who sees a strange light in the sky on his birthday and discovers he's become extremely intelligent and physically attuned overnight. While ABC's Phenomenon starts out similar to the original film, it veers off into its own direction by the end. This movie is a back-door pilot to a possible series. Also starring Jill Clayburg and Peter Coyote.
Puppetmaster vs. Demonic ToysSCI FI, Saturday, Dec. 21, at 9
p.m. ET
Merry Christmas, SCI FI style. What could be better than evil toy makers trying to turn harmless dolls into killer toys just in time for Christmas? When the great-nephew of the original puppet master and his daughter reanimate the puppets, a fiendish group of evildoers want to steal
their reanimation formula.
RiverworldSCI FI, 2003
Based on the classic novel series from Philip José Farmer that began with To Your Scattered Bodies Go. This series will feature a cast of millions, including one of Hitler's henchmen and explorer Sir Richard Francis Burton, all of whom have been reborn next to a seemingly endless river. A group of explorers band together to search for answers as to what happened to them. Of course, in the novel, everyone wakes up naked, so it will be interesting to see how SCI FI handles that little detail. Originally, Riverworld was slated to be a series, but is now being developed as a two-hour movie and a back-door pilot. The movie stars Brad Johnson, Emily Lloyd and Cameron Daddo and is executive produced by Alex Proyas, Topher Dow, Ralph Vicinanza and Vince Gerardis.
The Rocky Horror Birthday ShowFox, February 2003
It's been nearly 30 years since Richard O'Brien first wrote The Rocky Horror Picture Show as a play in London. So Fox has decided to celebrate the show's big three-zero by producing a two-hour movie that will feature at least one new song from O'Brien, who will also consult on the film. While the original version featured Doctor Frank-N-Furter as an alien scientist from the planet Transexual striving to make the perfect man, in the Birthday Show he will be a plastic surgeon who lives in a penthouse. Director Stephan Elliott's production promises to be faithful to O'Brien's original song lyrics.
The Roswell Crash: Startling New EvidenceSCI FI, Nov. 15
Another of the three specials to air on SCI FI leading up to the Taken miniseries, the channel reopens the case of Roswell to find out what actually crashed in the desert near the town. This groundbreaking investigation includes new eyewitness testimony, late breaking revelations and
never-before-seen footage. Look for a big "smoking-gun" shocker.
Mr. St. NickABC, December
Kelsey Grammer plays Nick St. Nicholas, Santa's wayward son, who lives in Miami and wants no part of the family business. However, when circumstances change things, he may have no choice but to become his father's
son.
SabretoothSCI FI, November
When a sabretooth tiger is created in a lab from genetic material, what is bound to happen? Well, it will get loose and eat people. It's up to the scientist who created the creature, the money man who funded the experiment and a famed big game hunter to bring the prehistoric beast down.
Starring Vanessa Angel, John Rhys-Davies and David Keith.
A Scooby-Doo ChristmasThe WB, December
We can't seem to get enough of those popular Scoobies. The new animated series just premiered on The WB last weekend, and in December there will be a Christmas special with, no doubt, yet another case for those kids to crack.
Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Whitechapel VampireHallmark
Channel, Oct. 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Matt Frewer again takes on the role of Sherlock Holmes for Hallmark, in this fourth television film. Along with the ever-dependable Dr. Watson, Holmes must investigate a killing in Whitechapel. The same area suffered from the Jack the Ripper attacks, and now an Anglican monk is dead. He apparently is the victim of a vampire, and Holmes will discover that this final case has him questioning his own amazing logic.
Sir NigelNickelodeon, November
In this November special, the Wild Thornberrys take a trip to Scotland and England.
Snow QueenHallmark Channel, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. ET
Bridget Fonda stars in this four-hour miniseries, the first of four holiday films to be shown exclusively on Hallmark. The Hans Christian Andersen tale is about a young woman who must battle the wicked Snow Queen for the soul of the man she loves. David Wu directs from a teleplay by Gavin
Scott, which was based on an original screenplay by Simon Moore. If it's Hallmark, you know the Halmis must be involved, and sure enough both Robert Halmi Sr. and Jr. are executive producing.
TakenSCI FI, Monday, Dec. 2, at 9 p.m. ET
There's nothing mini about this monster miniseries from Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Television and the SCI FI Channel. The channel will air this "epic sweeping drama" in 20 hours over 10 nights. Steven Spielberg
presents Taken tells the story of three families over four generations and how their lives are touched by alien abduction and government conspiracy. Allie (Dakota Fanning) is a young girl at the heart of Taken. The miniseries opens over the skies of France during WWII and follows the
characters for 60 years to the present day, using historical events as backdrop for the events in the film. The ensemble cast includes Joel Gretsch, Catherine Dent, Eric Close, Michael Moriarity and Heather Donohue. All 20 hours of the film were written by Leslie Bohem.
Very Merry Muppet Christmas MovieNBC, December
For their very first television movie, the Muppets are joined by David Arquette, Whoopi Goldberg, Joan Cusack and Snoop Dogg. To save the Muppet Theater from an evil landlady (Cusack), Kermit the Frog gets a little help from God (Goldberg) when an eccentric angel (Arquette) is sent to help.
Together Kermit, the angel and the Muppets must put on a spectacular Christmas show.
A Wrinkle In TimeABC, To Be Determined
The Wonderful World of Disney will present the Madeleine L'Engle classic children's tale as a four-hour miniseries over two consecutive Sunday evenings. The story crosses the boundaries of time and space when two children, Meg and Charles Wallace, and their neighbor Calvin O'Keefe go on a
journey to find the children's scientist father, who has disappeared. With the help of three strange women, the children must travel to the desolate planet of Camazotz, where a repressed society of beings has been enslaved by an evil force. The children and their friends discover it's up to them to rescue their father. The miniseries was directed by John Harrison from a screenplay was written by Susan Shilliday.
ne thing's for certain—there are a third fewer returning speculative-fiction shows this year than last. It wasn't that long ago that you could turn on the television any night of the week (OK, with the exception of Saturday) and there'd be something on. But genre shows took a hit last year, and now there are odd clumps of shows banging up against each other on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
