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Speculative fiction
1997 fall TV preview
By Kathie Huddleston, Craig E. Engler and Tamara I. Hladik
n the last couple of years science fiction on television has become downright respectable. While undoubtedly many factors have played a part in the phenomenon, there's one major force that has allowed the mainstream audience to cross over into the world of SF: The X-Files. The X-Files was ranked 12 last year in overall ratings and now rates alongside the best shows that television has to offer. Last season's risky move from Friday to Sunday night only increased the popularity of this unprecedented show, and without a doubt it is a force to be reckoned with.
This SF impetus has helped a stunning number of speculative fiction shows make it to second seasons, and it has also spurred several promising new offerings. Golden girl Sabrina has inspired ABC's new Friday night lineup of supernatural sitcoms, while NBC has replaced the lamented Dark Skies with another SF show, Sleepwalkers, in its Saturday night "Thrillogy." Showtime's latest drama, Stargate SG-1, got off to a terrific start and looks like it will follow up on the success of The Outer Limits and Poltergeist: The Legacy. Meanwhile, the Sci-Fi Channel has rescued Fox's Sliders, and it also debuted its first original series, Mission Genesis. And, of course, the campy sword-and-sorcery hits Hercules and Xena have spawned the inevitable clones.
But this year will also see the end of an old syndicated friend as Highlander--now in its sixth year--enters its final season. Soon to follow is Babylon 5, which will begin its fifth and final season in January 1998, and Deep Space Nine will likely end its tenure in the near future. Still, for every SF show that goes off the air there seems to be one or more waiting to replace it, so SF fans should find plenty of interesting TV viewing no matter which channel they turn to.
Season Prediction: While the networks continue to dabble with speculative fiction, it's up to syndication and cable to bring SF TV into living rooms. However, that tide is turning, so continue to look for more shows to be added than canceled.
Below is a list of the major speculative fiction shows and movies that will air on TV and cable this fall. Included are shows that might not be straight SF but that may be of interest to fans.
Canceled Shows | New Shows | Returning Shows
Movies and Specials of Interest
Canceled Shows
- The Burning Zone
- Dark Skies
- Homeboys in Outer Space
- Lois & Clark
- Roar
Back to the top.
New Shows
- Conan the Television Series
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 22
- This is the familiar story of one of Robert E. Howard's most famous characters, and it has the blessing of the Howard estate. It also has a star who dwarfs Kevin Sorbo's comparatively wimpy Hercules...Conan is played by Ralf Moeller, a former Mr. Universe who stands six-and-a-half feet tall and weighs in at 270 pounds. Costuming said his arms measured 19 inches in girth, his thighs 27 inches and his chest a staggering 51 inches. But he'll need all that muscle to lead a band of ragtag warriors on a quest to free his homeland Cimmeria from the tyrannical rule of Hissah Zul. Look for Richard Burton as Crom in the two-hour premiere.
- Prediction: Moeller is big, but can he act? If he can, look for this show to fill the void for a more serious sword-and-sorcery show than either Herc or Xena can provide.
- Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Oct. 6
- Gene Roddenberry conceived this show back in 1976 and it was actually in development at CBS from 1976-77, but when the first of the Star Trek movies rolled around it was shelved. It's been resurrected by Roddenberry's widow, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, and will even feature Majel in a recurring role. The series itself revolves around Earth in the near future after 71 aliens called Taelons or "Companions" arrive. They use their superior technology to eliminate disease, war, etc., but their motives may not be entirely friendly. William Boone (Kevin Kilner) is recruited by the Taelons to head their security force, but soon he begins working for the resistance as well.
- Prediction: This show will attract viewers because it's new and it has Roddenberry's name attached, but it will have to sink or swim on its own merits. If it doesn't do well coming out of the gate, its revival will be short-lived.
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 22
- This is a TV spin-off of the popular "shrunk" movies, but with new actors and a weekly format. Peter Scolari replaces Rick Moranis as the father/mad scientist who accidentally shrinks various members of his family, including himself. But look for more than just shrinking to go on--series creator John Landis said the family will also be subjected to time travel, alien encounters, and a multitude of other special effects-heavy adventures.
- Prediction: There seems to be a lot of mileage left in the shrunk shtick. This should do okay with the family crowd.
- Team Knight Rider
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Oct. 6
- Remember that lovable talking car named Kitt? Well, he's gone now, but he has five siblings to take his place, including two cars, two motorcycles and a truck. The Kittlings are part of the Foundation for Law and Government, a sanctioned branch of the U.S. intelligence community otherwise known as FLAG. FLAG is dedicated to bringing law and order back to a United States that has grown short on both (CEOs are falling prey to mind control, and blackouts are plaguing U.S. cities). Each vehicle has a unique ability, and together they and their drivers function as one team...sort of an uber Kitt.
- Prediction: Knight Rider has had enough appeal to spawn four shows now (if you include Knight Rider 2010), so who are we to argue? Still, since they couldn't get David Hasselhoff for this one, we'll only give it two seasons.
- Meego
CBS, Friday 8:30 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 19
- Remember that adorable little kid from Jerry Maguire? Well, he has a busy father who's looking for a nanny, and as luck would have it an alien (Bronson Pinchot) crash lands in the backyard. So little Jonathan Lipnicki is going to get Mork for a nanny.
- Prediction: This one is sickly sweet and aimed straight at the children's market. There's no question that Lipnicki is cute, but that won't impress his peers. Pinchot is funny, but he's no Mork.
- NightMan
Syndicated
Two-hour premiere, the week of Sept. 19
Series premiere the week of Oct. 6
- This show is based on the popular Marvel Comics superhero of the same name. Matt McColm (Knight Rider) stars as Johnny Dominoe, a west coast sax player who just happens to stumble into a battle for control of top secret, ultra-high-tech weapons. But that's not all. Johnny also manages to get hit by lightning, giving him the ability to sense things about others and tuning him to the "frequency of evil." Combine that with a high-tech outfit that includes body armor, the ability to stealth, an anti-gravity belt and a robotic eye, and you've got the next greatest superhero.
- Prediction: NightMan has a 22-episode commitment, but the superhero market isn't what it used to be and NightMan lacks the cachet of Batman or Superman. Johnny better not quit his day job.
- Sleepwalkers
NBC, Saturday 9 p.m.
Premieres Nov. 1
- This show replaces Dark Skies in NBC's popular Saturday night "Thrillogy." Bruce Greenwood (St. Elsewhere) stars as Dr. Nathan Bradford, a neurophysiologist and founder of the Morpheus Institute, a cutting-edge facility for sleep research. Driven by a desire to communicate with his comatose wife, Bradford finds a way to enter the dreams of his patients. He and his fellow scientists use the technique to help their subjects resolve subconscious issues that manifest themselves as recurring nightmares...nightmares that can have waking-world implications.
- Prediction: This is an X-Files of the mind, and it should do well sandwiched between NBC's Profiler and Pretender. Dark Skies was probably too overtly sci-fi to attract the kind of audience NBC was looking for, but Sleepwalkers fits the thrillogy profile nicely.
- Teen Angel
ABC, Friday 9:30 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 26
- When a 15 year-old teenager (Mike Damus as Marty) dies, he comes back to Earth to become his best buddy's guardian angel. From the producers of The Simpsons and The Critic, Teen Angel has some heavy hitters backing it even if the premise doesn't sound like a lot of fun. However, look for Marcia, Marcia, Marcia (Maureen McCormick) in a mom role.
- Prediction: Part of ABC's supernatural sitcom TGIF, Teen Angel will lead in to the very strong 20/20. ABC may do some time slot jockeying to find the strongest lineup. However, if Teen Angel doesn't take off very quickly, it will be gone by Christmas.
- Timecop
ABC, Monday 8 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 22
- This is a spin-off of the 1994 Jean-Claude Van Damme movie Timecop, but the TV show promises to be a bit campier than the film. It focuses on a cop (T.W. King) who walks a temporal beat, tracking the bad guys through time and keeping things on track for the rest of us. Executive Producer Rod Singer calls this one "a nice run-and-gun cop show."
- Prediction: ABC has slotted this one in front of its popular Monday Night Football show, but don't expect that to last. Time travel and touchdowns just don't have enough overlap.
- The Visitor
Fox, Friday 8 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 19
- The filmmaking team of Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin--best known for their box office hit Independence Day--have brought their talents to TV. This time they're telling the story of The Visitor, a man named Adam MacArthur (John Corbett) who was abducted by aliens 50 years ago while flying over the Bermuda Triangle. Now MacArthur has come back, seemingly as youthful as the day he was kidnapped, and he is looking for specific individuals who can help him on his mysterious mission. Those people he touches will never be the same, but neither will MacArthur if the government gets ahold of him.
- Prediction: This is the most promising new speculative fiction show of the year, and it proves Fox is committed to the SF genre (or at least committed to milking the success of The X-Files). With the Devlin/Emmerich touch, look for this one to do well.
- You Wish
ABC, Friday 9 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 26
- MTV veejay John Ales stars as a genie who finds a master in Gillian
(Harley Jane Kozak), a single mother of two. Quicker than you can say "I
Dream of Jeannie," he's taking care of her every wish by helping her raise
her kids. From Michael Jacobs of Boy Meets World, You Wish is part of ABC's supernatural sitcom TGIF. He promises to keep the show's focus on the genie and single mom relationship, with the kids as secondary characters.
- Prediction: John Ales knows how to act despite his veejay credit and looks to help Sabrina make Fridays a winner for ABC. However, like Teen Angel, ABC won't have a lot of patience if You Wish's ratings aren't good.
Back to the top.
Returning Shows
- 3rd Rock from the Sun
NBC, Wednesday 9 p.m.
One-hour premiere, Sept. 24
- Even with last year's high ranking of 18, this show is still looking for a permanent time slot. The good news is that fans seem willing to watch it no matter where (or when) it goes. And why not? The actors are having so much fun, they can't help but infect the audience with their mirth. But the aliens have gotten a little too comfy, so the producers have decided romance problems will be in their future, starting when Dick (John Lithgow) and Mary's (Jane Curtin) wedding plans are screwed up by Roseanne (a universal force herself).
- Prediction: This show may jump from time slot to time slot, but it's got a home on NBC for a long time to come. The network has been using 3rd Rock to strengthen the weak spots in its schedule. With a wacky crew of actors led by Lithgow, 3rd Rock has plenty of life in it.
- The Adventures of Sinbad
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 22
- Apparently on the advice of LaToya Jackson, the producers had Sinbad drop his headband this season. He also has a little more attitude, and shady sorceress Bryn has become a shipmate. Buxom amazon Maeve is gone, apparently looking for Sinbad's headgear.
- Prediction: Viewers have been there and done this with Herc and Xena, so they don't need to do it with Sinbad. Sin's headband isn't the only thing that will be going.
- Babylon 5
Syndicated
Remaining season four episodes start the week of Oct. 6.
- This show was saved from extinction at the last minute by TNT, but it still has to finish out its season four run in syndication before it moves to Turnersville. B5 creator J. Michael Straczynski is sure to keep things interesting as season four winds down, but look for the real action to happen in January when season five starts up.
- Prediction: The fifth and final season is a done deal, and two TV movies have been shot. A third movie is already in the works, and a deal is on the table for a spin-off series. While not exactly a stunning success in the ratings, fans will be seeing B5 for some time to come.
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
WB, Monday 9 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 15
- While not a monster hit on the television charts, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is camp entertainment, and Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy) and cast have fun with their roles. While creator Joss Whedon is hinting at even better villains this year, the word is that the show will be softened as it aims for the teenage girl audience. Let's hope not. This year David Boreanaz will become a regular cast member as the vampire Angel, who raises Buffy's pulse.
- Prediction: Buffy and company have the great fortune of being on WB. They'd be long gone if they were on the major networks (including Fox). WB is trying to build themselves up and Buffy has a regular, if small, following. Look for Buffy to finish out the year. If ratings build at all, it could have a home.
- Early Edition
CBS, Saturday 9 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 25
- Early Edition was the top rated new drama of last season and is a nice place to visit in a Quantum Leap sort of way. This year Gary (Kyle Chandler) will take over McGinty's bar and run the joint with the help of Chuck (Fisher Stevens) and Marissa (Shanesia Davis Williams). A bartender (Liz Vassey) and a cook will also be added as recurring characters.
- Prediction: CBS couldn't have come up with a better replacement for Touched by an Angel. Ratings should continue to do well this year as Early Edition faces promising but unproven competition with two new shows, Sleepwalkers and Total Security.
- FX: The Series
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 15
- This thin and improbable series has survived for another year largely based on the likable cast, lead by Cameron Daddo (Rollie). Kevin Dobson is out, his character having died under mysterious circumstances. This show's got to have a cop, so Mira Sanchez has been added as a tough Queens detective.
- Prediction: Even with a cast change, expect the status quo.
- Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 29
- Herc continues to roam, and this year he'll get to face lots of really nasty bad guys, including harpies, pirates and giants. Lucy Lawless guest stars in a parallel universe episode.
- Prediction: Look for Herc to continue on with tongue planted firmly in cheek even though Xena is kicking his butt these days in the ratings.
- Highlander: The Series
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 29
- This season will be Highlander's sixth and final season. Only 13 episodes will air, and that's it. In the season finale last year,
Richie (Stan Kirsch) was killed by Duncan after he was possessed by a
demon. Despite fans' outrage, Adrian Paul (Duncan MacLeod) has confirmed that Richie will not be back. It could be a great last season for what has turned out to be a very solid show. In other very important news, rumor has it that Paul has cut his hair.
- Prediction: Highlander will live on...in reruns and possibly a new movie, Highlander IV (which may star Paul).
- The Hunger
Showtime, Sunday 10 p.m.
- Yet another anthology series featuring weird, wacky and, of course, sexy stories. This is the supernatural version of The Red Shoe Diaries.
- Prediction: Since Showtime wasn't sure if this would be airing come January, we've got to think that it will be canceled.
- Millennium
Fox, Fridays 9 p.m.
Premiering Sept. 19
- While Millennium's first season was intense, unpleasant and dark, Executive Producer James Wong promises to lighten things up just a bit. Hard to imagine considering Frank (Lance Henriksen) and Catherine (Megan Gallagher) will split, and their daughter will begin to show signs that she may have Frank's vision. Allan Zinyk (Roedecker) joins the cast as a member of the Millennium Group. Charles Nelson Reilly makes an appearance as Jose Chung, a character originated on The X-Files.
- Prediction: Millennium's ratings didn't stun anyone last year. However, they weren't bad for such a dark show about nasty things. Creator Chris Carter has begun to mold the complicated kind of world for Millennium that has worked so well for The X-Files. While it's unlikely Millennium will ever reach the success of The X-Files, it should have another successful year.
- Mission Genesis
The Sci-Fi Channel, Monday 7:30 p.m. (Also various times.)
- It's been called 90210 in Space, but Mission Genesis certainly doesn't have 90210's ratings. The first eight episodes are already in reruns, and five more will air before the first half-season is through. The show has also been running outside the United States under its original title, Deepwater Black.
- Prediction: Even though the Nike-clad teens of space are beginning to find their mission in life, this show will not be the genesis of a hit franchise.
- Mystery Science Theater 3000
The Sci-Fi Channel, Saturday 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET
- MST3K is still going--and still funny--despite a mass exodus of cast members in the last few seasons. Things are a bit more stable now, and it seems that Mike Nelson has finally been accepted as a replacement for Joel Hodgson. Dr. Clayton Forrester's mother might not have been the best addition Best Brains could have made, but at least she's still torturing Mike and the bots with those crummy movies.
- Prediction: We've seen some of the upcoming episodes and the show is funnier than ever. It would be silly to cancel this one.
- The Outer Limits
Showtime
- This outstanding anthology series has been collecting nominations and awards with the best of them, including two Cable Ace awards for Best Dramatic Series. The Outer Limits is one of three genre shows from Trilogy Entertainment, which also created Poltergeist: The Legacy and Stargate: SG-1.
- Prediction: Another season will probably begin early next year. Episodes from 1994 are running through September.
- Poltergeist: The Legacy
Showtime, Sunday 11:15 p.m.
- Poltergeist: The Legacy has followed in the steps of The Outer Limits,
showing the present season on Showtime and past seasons in syndication.
Poltergeist, which has absolutely no resemblance to the movie, is about an ancient society dedicated to protecting humanity from evil.
- Prediction: Like The Outer Limits, another season will probably premiere at the beginning of the year.
- The Pretender
NBC, Saturdays 8 p.m.
Premieres Nov. 1
- After significant revelations about Jarod's (Michael T. Weiss) family, he will have his hands full with two new bad guys to chase him. Jamie Denton as Mr. Lyle and Pamela Gidley as Brigitte will be hot on Jarod's trail as Miss Parker (Andrea Parker) looks for her missing father. In between playing cat and mouse with the bad guys, Jarod will continue to try on a few new careers, including race car driver and plastic surgeon.
- Prediction: The Pretender is Quantum Leap with an intriguing mystery at the center. NBC wisely moved The Pretender up an hour, away from the similar Early Edition. The Pretender may never win the ratings race, but the show has heart and should go the distance.
- Profiler
NBC, Saturday 10 p.m.
Premieres Nov. 1
- Prescient profiler Sam Waters' murdered husband makes his debut this season, as do some more folks from Waters' past. It is undecided if police officer Nick Cooper will be back, but Detective Nathan Brubaker is definitely gone. Frances, Agent Bailey's damaged daughter, becomes a regular.
- Prediction: NBC seems to be bolstering this one for the long haul.
- PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 22
- Matt Frewer (Max Headroom) joins this bizarre show as the manager of paranormal cases for the Office of Scientific Investigation and Research. And those cases will be pared down from two per episode to one. Also joining the ensemble is Michael Moriarty as a "consultant."
- Prediction: This one is too weird to predict, but it can only go up from where it is now.
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
ABC, Friday 8 p.m.
Premiering Sept. 26
- Last year Sabrina was the No. 1 television show for kids and teens and placed 32nd in the overall ratings. The show has done so well for ABC's Fridays, it's been moved to 8 p.m. to anchor the evening. It's also inspired three supernatural sitcoms (You Wish, Meego and Teen Angel) on the same evening. This year Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart) will turn 17, must study to get her witch's license and will have romantic problems. Richard Moll (Night Court) will guest star as a sergeant at a boot camp for witches.
- Prediction: The earlier hour is a good move for Sabrina, when even more of the younger set can tune in. With a sitcom witch, alien (Meego - CBS), genie (You Wish - ABC) and angel (Teen Angel - ABC), what more can you look for in a Friday evening? Look for Sabrina to lead ABC in taking Friday evenings.
- The Sentinel
UPN, Wednesday 8 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 10
- The Sentinel's hyper-attuned senses, which have heretofore only been able to zero in on babe-elicious guest stars, finally unclog and detect some female smarts in the person of a yet-to-be-cast female forensics officer. The new character will be used in seven to nine episodes, and may become a regular.
- Prediction: UPN has to keep going with this show since it performs about as well as Star Trek: Voyager. And unlikely as it sounds, this show has developed a small but dedicated following.
- Sliders
The Sci-Fi Channel
Premieres in reruns January 1998
- Sliders won't be returning this fall, but look for reruns on The Sci-Fi Channel in January 1998 and new episodes to air on the channel around March 1998. A reduced budget means we won't see as many cool sliding effects as we once did.
- Prediction: The show will have a chance to settle down now that it has a new home and it's straightened out its cast problems.
- Stargate SG-1
Showtime, Friday 10 p.m.
- Stargate started off pretty well during the summer and looked to be fairly entertaining. While not much like the movie, it was fun and action packed. But as the series is shaping up, the scripts are getting thinner, the special effects are nonexistent (except for the Stargate effect) and the nasty bad guys haven't been anywhere to be seen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, initial ratings for the premiere episode made it the highest rated program of 1997 with an estimated 1.48 million households. Since then there's speculation the ratings have dropped. Showtime has not confirmed or denied the figures.
- Prediction: Stargate has a 44-episode committment and, according to Daily Variety, Fox-owned stations have agreed to a two-year deal to pick up the series in syndication starting in the fall of 1998. Showtime has a lot invested in the show. However, no commitment is going to hold up if the show doesn't perform.
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 29
- Last season, politics on DS9 changed faster than runway models during fashion week, and the trend will continue this season. Also look for deep space nuptials: Jadzia Dax and Worf get married. This does make sense, considering previous host Kurzon's predilection for Klingon culture; a Trill can't change her spots. Look for at least one cast member to die when the Dominion invades (or so TV Guide says).
- Prediction: Rumors abound about the death of a character and the departure of Colm Meany, so that should keep things spicy. But Voyager has overtaken it in the ratings game and DS9 is getting a bit creaky for a syndicated series, so enjoy it while you can.
- Star Trek: Voyager
UPN, Wednesday 9 p.m.
Premiered Sept. 3
- Voyager premiered with a bang, defeating both the Borg and Species 8-4-7-2 in a well-done resolution to last year's cliff hanger. A beautiful female Borg named Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) has joined the crew to stir things up a bit, Kes (Jennifer Lien) is leaving, and romance could be in the air for Capt. Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Chakotay (Robert Beltran). It's about time.
- Prediction: The planned changes look to keep the show on edge and lost in space. While the ratings are undoubtedly disappointing for all involved (ranked 125, but still ahead of Deep Space Nine), it's unlikely UPN will be the network to try and kill Star Trek.
- Tarzan
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 22
- Tarzan swings back, but without ape-man Joe Lara. Instead, in true body-snatcher fashion, the entire show was replaced while on its sleepy summer hiatus. In its stead is the canceled 1992 Tarzan, which starred Wolf Larson. After the '92 version's U.S. cancellation, 48 more half-hour episodes were produced for international syndication. These have been distilled into 24 hour-long episodes for this year.
- Prediction: Since the 24 episodes are in the can, look for them to play out in syndication. But after that expect Tarzan to be sent packing...er, swinging.
- Touched by an Angel
CBS, Sunday 8 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 21
- Touched by an Angel took over for Murder She Wrote last year, holding onto the 60 Minutes crowd and making CBS very happy. This year, two new angels will be added, with Alexis Cruz as a Hispanic angel and Chris Burke (Life Goes On) as an angel with Down's Syndrome. Monica (Roma Downey), Tess (Della Reese) and Andrew (John Dye) will also get to spread their wings a bit more this year. The season premiere will crossover with Promised Land, older parents will have to decide whether to have a Down's Syndrome baby, and Randy Travis will make his third appearance as an ex-con.
- Prediction: Last year's ranking was 10th place for this angelic
if heavy-handed show. This year the ratings will continue to be
blessed.
- Viper
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 22
- No more Viper headquarters. Apparently the agency is in the midst of downsizing and reorganizing, and investigator Cameron Westlake must now work in the white-collar ghetto of the federal building with the rest of the schlubs. Although they won't have to share a cube, this will result in greater interaction with FBI co-worker Sherman Catlett.
- Prediction: Who knew that when NBC canceled this series back in 1994, it would go on to have not one but two seasons in syndication? Even if the car doesn't talk, apparently viewers think it's cool. As long as that happens, Viper's got wheels.
- Xena: Warrior Princess
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 29
- Now in its third season, Xena has done pretty well for itself considering it was created as a companion series for Hercules. Xena now regularly ranks as the no. 1 top syndicated drama, besting both Hercules and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. This year Xena (Lucy Lawless) will be driven to madness by the Furies, her relationship with Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) will be strained after an accidental death, and she'll get to meet
Cleopatra.
- Prediction: Now that Lucy Lawless has become a hot item, the only threat Xena faces is losing its star.
- The X-Files
Fox, Sunday 9 p.m.
Premieres the first Sunday after the World Series
- Mulder's just too plain disorganized in his personal life to kill himself, so viewers know that this shocker from last season is about as credible as Eugene Tooms ordering a veggie burger. More complicated and intriguing is Scully's cancer. Will it be revealed that its cause is second-hand smoke from the Smoking Man? X-Files producers tease with the possibility of a previously verboten liaison between the two agents, but romance might spring anywhere.
- Prediction: This is Fox's top-rated show and it ranked 12th last year, so look for more of the same. The only question is whether Fox can coax Chris Carter back for a few more seasons.
Back to the top.
Movies and specials of interest
- Cloned NBC, Sept. 28
- Somebody seems to be cloning Elizabeth Perkin's son.
- Devil to Pay ABC
- Satan is back and he's looking for someone to bear his baby.
- Futuresport ABC
- Another movie about a futuristic sport. It was supposed to star Wesley Snipes, but Snipes has since said he wants out.
- Hollywood, Aliens and Monsters: A Century of Science Fiction Cinema A&E, Nov. 9
- This one is just what it sounds like.
- House of Frankenstein 1997 NBC, Nov. 2 & 3
- It's a modern day Frankenstein in Los Angeles.
- Ken Follett's The Third Twin CBS, Nov. 9 & 11
- A four-hour miniseries about twins who may have more siblings then they were led to believe.
- Midnight Man ABC
- Timothy Hutton receives a beefed-up body and brain courtesy of the government, but at the cost of his identity.
- Marabunta Fox
- Yet another humans vs. ants movie.
- Nick Fury Fox
- David Hasselhoff as a Marvel Comics superhero.
- Nightmare Street ABC
- Sherilyn Fenn stars as a woman who loses her identity after a car crash, only to find that she's been replaced by a sociopath.
- Peter Benchley's Creature ABC
- Benchley is back with another underwater monster.
- Trucks USA, Oct. 29
- An adaptation of a Stephen King short story about man-eating sentient trucks.
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