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1998 Fall SF TV Preview
By Kathie Huddleston
 t is the best of times and the worst of times for speculative fiction television shows. There are more SF series on the air than there have ever been. The successes of The X-Files and Hercules have given rise to many imitators, but they have also opened the doors to exciting new shows that are fresh (Farscape, Cupid) or that explore familiar material in an original way (Fantasy Island, Seven Days). All of this is good for SF television. However, there is a dark side. For every success there is a price to pay.
Last year was the worst of times for new shows, as series after series was
shot down. Of the seven SF shows that premiered on the big four networks (ABC,
NBC, CBS and FOX), all went on to cancelation. Since neither UPN nor WB
offered anything new, that left it up to syndication, which proved to be a haven for freshman SF series. While established shows continued to do well and most kept their audiences, with so many shows being introduced there were bound to be cancelations.
That might seem scary, but there are a host of new shows ready to pick up where the old ones faltered. While the big four are shying away from
SF (with only three offerings this fall, two from ABC and one from Fox), UPN and WB have both decided to get into the act this season. Meanwhile, syndication and cable continue their exceptional track record with SF series.
The major networks might use poor performance as an excuse to stay away from SF, but the truth is that the shows they offered just weren't very
good. The fledgling networks, cable networks and syndication will continue
to take more of a risk with the shows they present, because they are
thrilled with the small but extremely loyal audience SF can
attract.
Canceled Shows | New Shows | Returning Shows
Mid-Season Replacements | Kids' Stuff | Movies & Specials
- The Adventures of Sinbad, Syndicated
- Conan the Adventurer, Syndicated
- Highlander, Syndicated (End of run)
- FX: The Series, Syndicated
- Meego, CBS
- Mission Genesis, Sci-Fi Channel
- Prey, ABC (Not officially canceled, but unlikely
to return)
- Sleepwalkers, NBC
- Tarzan: The Epic Adventures, Syndicated
- Team Knight Rider, Syndicated
- Teen Angel, ABC
- Timecop, ABC
- The Visitor, Fox
- You Wish, ABC
Back to the top
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Brimstone
Fox, Tuesday, 9 p.m.
Premieres Oct. 27
-
Dubbed Touched by a Devil by Fox Entertainment President Peter Roth,
Brimstone is the only show that can claim to be darker than Millennium.
Ezekiel Stone (Peter Horton) has made a deal with the devil (John Glover).
He was a good cop who was killed on duty after murdering his wife's rapist
in cold blood. Now, if he is to get out of hell, he must track down 113
malevolent underworld demons who have escaped to Earth. Co-executive
producers Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris used their original script, Living
Hell, for the initial inspiration.
- Prediction: Even though the producers have promised a glimmer of
wit (something the devilish Glover is more than capable of), the show
starts out violently and grimly. In the most competitive spot on
television, up against Just Shoot Me, Spin City, the WB's hot new Felicity, and even UPN's Mercy Point, Brimstone won't last until Christmas. Look for Fox to move this show to Fridays before Millennium, where it might actually have a slim chance. But even there, how much darkness can one night take?
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Charmed
WB, Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Premieres Oct. 7
-
This new drama from executive producer Aaron Spelling offers three sisters,
Prue (Shannen Doherty), Piper (Holly Marie Combs) and Phoebe (Alyssa
Milano), who discover they are good witches. Each sister has a special
gift. Unfortunately, the sisters also discover that evil warlocks and other
nasty forces are after them. After a well-publicized spat, it appears
Spelling and Doherty have made up.
- Prediction: Not the comedy its title might imply, Charmed
is hoping for the same audience that's fallen in love with Buffy the
Vampire Slayer. While not quite up to that level, Charmed does
have potential. The show's most serious problem has to do with timeslot
competition from other series going after the same audience (Party of
Five, Drew Carey) and other genre shows (Star Trek:
Voyager, 3rd Rock). Luckily for Charmed, it's on WB,
which means it can handle a small, loyal audience. Look for it to make it
to the end of the season, possibly switching with Tuesday's
Felicity in hopes of drawing some of Buffy's audience.
-
The Crow: Stairway to Heaven
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 21
-
Martial arts expert Mark Dacascos takes over for the late Brandon Lee in a
series that picks up where 1994's The Crow movie left off. It's been a
year since murdered rock musician Eric Draven (Dacascos) sought vengeance
against those who killed him and his true love, Shelly (Sabine Karsenti).
Still trapped between the worlds of the living and the dead, he seeks
redemption with the help of the mystical Crow by helping those in need,
always hoping to someday reunite with Shelly. Wisely based on the first
movie rather than the second, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven promises
the same dark cinematography and symbolism as the film, while blurring
the line between fantasy and reality. Expect full use of a hot contemporary
soundtrack.
- Prediction: Much like the films, this series is dependent on the
quality of the lead actor. Producers will undoubtedly water down the extreme violence both films offered. Filling Lee's shoes won't be easy, but if Dacascos can pull it off and the producers are creative with their story lines, this series could do very well. Expect fans to give it plenty of time to take flight.
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Cupid
ABC, Saturday, 10 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 26
-
Series creator Rob Thomas (Dawson's Creek) and writer/producer Scott
Winant (My So-Called Life) have come up with a new series that could
probably be called Touched by an Arrow. Trevor Hale (Jeremy Piven) tells
his skeptical psychiatrist, Claire Allen (Paula Marshall), that he is Cupid,
the Roman god of love. He claims he was banished from Mount Olympus for
losing his touch, and that he must unite 100 couples without using magic in order to get back. When she invites him to join her singles group, Trevor sees definite possibilities.
- Prediction: Cupid is a funny, romantic comedy that may be
a possible contender for ABC, which has been struggling on Saturdays. Paired
with the darker Fantasy Island, Cupid is a good counter-programming move opposite the dark Profiler and the silly but
popular Walker, Texas Ranger. Look for ABC to give Cupid some
time to find an audience.
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Fantasy Island
ABC, Saturday, 9 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 26
-
Forget the campy Fantasy Island from 1978. Executive Producer Barry
Sonnenfeld (Men in Black, Maximum Bob) has done away with Tattoo and the kinder and gentler Mr. Roarke and his white suits. But that's not all he's done away with. In this Fantasy Island, Mr. Roarke (Malcolm
McDowell) is much more sinister as he happily plays out each visitor's "be
careful what you wish for" fantasies.
- Prediction: ABC reshot this at the last minute, so the final
result remains to be seen. However, this is a very inventive take on the
old series. While bringing back old shows can be a bad thing (Love
Boat), Sonnenfeld has brought Fantasy Island nicely into the '90s. It's great to see the very talented McDowell with a regular gig.
Along with Cupid, this show has given ABC the best-looking Saturday
night they've had in a long time, and the network will likely give both shows a chance to catch on. The only negative is its placement opposite The Pretender, which vies for the same audience and has developed a solid following.
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Highlander: The Raven
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 21
-
Duncan MacLeod hung up his sword last year after six seasons (that is, until
his new Highlander movie comes along). Taking over his job of
protecting the weak and dealing out justice in this spin-off is that 1,200-year-old thief, Amanda (former Miss America Elizabeth Gracen), who made
Duncan's life so difficult for all those centuries. Helping in her fight for
justice is the very mortal former cop Nick Wolfe (Paul Johansson).
Producers have promised that The Raven will have some fun in it, making
it a cross between Highlander, Moonlighting and
Ghost.
- Prediction: The main appeal of the Highlander series has
always been the sword fights. The fans will no doubt flock to this
show hoping for a taste of their beloved Highlander. However, Amanda
was never known for her talent with a sword, so it's unlikely this show
will feature a weekly duel. Are the fans ready for Highlander meets
Moonlighting? Only time will tell, but if the mix of immortal and
mortal worlds doesn't work, look for Nick to die and come back as an immortal. One question: Where is the Highlander in this series?
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Mercy Point
UPN, Tuesday, 9 p.m.
Premieres Oct. 6
-
This series seeks to go where no human has gone before by taking ER into
space. Joe Morton, an exceptional actor, will lead a team of 23rd-century
"mednauts" at an intergalactic hospital located on a space station at the
edge of the galaxy. Treating both humans and aliens can be a
challenge for these darling docs and their android head nurse (Julia
Pennington). Luckily they have a holographic doctor to help them out.
- Prediction: Producers have added
scenes and new characters to this show at the last minute, so it's hard to tell what the finished version will look
like. Initial impressions are that if anyone can make a series work, it will
be Morton. However, he can't be on the screen all the time. Mercy
Point has the same problem as Brimstone--all the
competition in the Tuesday, 9 p.m. timeslot. Still, being on UPN has got to
offer this program a good chance because not as much will be expected of it.
One possibility would be for Mercy Point to swap slots with Seven
Days if one or the other does not perform.
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Mortal Kombat: Konquest
Syndicated
Premieres Sept. 28
-
It was only a matter of time before this very popular game went from movies
to television. This one-hour live-action series based on the Mortal
Kombat franchise will follow the adventures of Kung Lao and his friends
as they defend the Earth against the evil forces of the Outworld. Expect
lots of martial arts, multiple dimensions and monsters in this action-packed series from Threshold Entertainment.
- Prediction: It's more of the game you know and love. It should
attract droves of fans. Whether or not it will succeed will depend entirely
on the production values. Fans will be very forgiving and give this series
time to gel.
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The Net
USA, Saturday, 9 p.m.
Presently running
-
Angela Bennett's (Brooke Langton) life has been erased by an evil secret
organization, known only as the Praetorian Guard. Their mission is to
create chaos through technology. Her only ally is the mysterious Sorcerer
(Tim Curry), who will only communicate with her online.
- Prediction: Additional episodes of this series have been
ordered, so USA Network must be satisfied with the numbers up to this point. While the show is not very good, it will at least finish the season.
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Seven Days
UPN, Wednesday, 8 p.m.
Premieres Oct. 7
-
When the president, vice president and speaker of the house are killed in
terrorist attacks, an ex-CIA agent, Frank Parker (Jonathan LaPaglia), is
taken from a mental hospital for a very special mission. A time machine has
been created--based on alien technology--that will allow someone to be sent
seven days into the past. Frank is drafted to try out this unperfected
machine in order to stop the slayings before they happen. As time marches on, he'll undoubtedly get to stop lots of other catastrophes from happening too.
- Prediction: Okay, it sounds a little like Timecop meets Early
Edition, but the buzz is exceptionally good on this one. LaPaglia and
co-star Justina Vail are getting very high marks. Seven Days has a
good timeslot as well, without much heavy competition. It looks to be a
nice companion piece for Voyager, and both shows could end up
benefiting from the alliance.
-
Welcome to Paradox
Sci-Fi Channel, Monday, 10 p.m.
Premiered Aug. 17
-
This anthology series is set in the fictional city of Betaville, where
technology has excelled far beyond humanity's wildest dreams. However, as
technology advances unchecked, humanity struggles to maintain its tenuous
dominance. Stories have been taken from current and classic science fiction.
- Prediction: So far the Sci-Fi Channel seems happy with this
show, as it has been doing well in the ratings. Drawing from its lead-in
program, Sliders, Welcome to Paradox is attempting to follow
in the footsteps of the very classy The Outer Limits. So far it's
been very uneven and, at best, mediocre, despite its great potential.
Obviously, there must be advertising in Betaville, because there are an
awful lot of Volkswagen Bugs running around the set.
Back to the top
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3rd Rock from the Sun
NBC, Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 23
-
Phil Hartman's tragic death left several shows in a lurch, including 3rd
Rock. In the season cliffhanger, Hartman had a guest role as a thug
who kidnaps Harry (French Stewart) after discovering he's an alien. That
story will be resolved without any refilming. It seems that a freak show
bought Harry, then released him because he wasn't weird enough. Sally
(Kristen Johnston) will lose her virginity to officer Don (Wayne Knight),
Jane (Jane Curtin) will be promoted over Dick (John Lithgow), and Tommy
(Joseph Gordon-Levitt) will graduate from high school.
- Prediction: This show is as funny as ever, with terrific comic
turns by guest stars--such as John Cleese--only adding to the fun. Severely
hurt by its move from Sunday nights, 3rd Rock is going to have
another tough season up against Drew Carey and the genre shows
Voyager and Charmed. Look for 3rd Rock to jump timeslots yet again.
-
Babylon 5
TNT, Wednesday, 10 p.m.
Premieres the week of Oct. 28
-
It's the end of the line, with only five episodes to go before
B5 finishes out its final season. The very last episode will take place 20 years in the future, as Centauri Emperor Londo Mollari (Peter Jurasik)
looks back at all that has happened during his time on Babylon 5.
Look for characters from B5 to inhabit the B5 flick
Babylon 5: River of Souls, and perhaps tie up some loose ends.
- Prediction: B5 is over, but there is a possibility of more movies, and perhaps even a feature film. However, J. Michael
Straczynski always had a five-year plan in mind, so the best guess is that
the final movie will be it for this series. Fans can take heart, however,
that Crusade will press on with the fascinating and complex universe
that Straczynski has created.
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer
WB, Tuesday, 8 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 29
-
Last season, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) was expelled, her mom told her
not to come back if she left the house, and she drove a sword through her
boyfriend's heart and sent him to hell in order to save the world. Those teenage
years sure are difficult! So Buffy did what any self-respecting vampire slayer
might do. She hit the road and left town. Now, as the show goes into its
third season, Willow (Alyson Hannigan), Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and
their friends hold down the fort while Buffy is away. Werewolf Oz (Seth
Green) will become a regular, and new character Faith (Eliza Dushku) will be
introduced. One big note on Buffy: Angel (David Boreanaz)--who
isn't dead--will be getting his own show, called simply Angel, next year. Cordelia
(Charisma Carpenter) will leave Buffy for the new show, as well.
Creator/Executive Producer Joss Whedon also has a Buffy movie in the
works.
- Prediction: This very hip show should have a great year.
Everyone is a senior now, so next year is going to
look very different with Boreanaz and Carpenter gone, and the major
characters growing up. The only danger for Buffy are Whedon's
extra projects, which will undoubtedly leave him with less time for the show.
-
Early Edition
CBS, Saturday, 8 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 26
-
Fisher Stevens (the most interesting character on the show) says goodbye to
Early Edition. In his absence, Gary (Kyle Chandler) will have to
juggle both his bar and his real job of preventing disasters and saving
lives. New bar manager (Kristy Swanson) should add a twinkle to Gary's eye.
Another new character will be an eccentric bartender (Billy Worley), and
there will be a guest appearance by George Takei. Stevens will make a
comeback for a two-part episode set in Hollywood.
- Prediction: It was a tough year for Early Edition, as it
fell hard from its promising start as the top-rated new drama during its
first year. Going into its third year, CBS has moved the show up an hour,
taking over the 8 p.m. slot. Last season, direct competition with The
Pretender hurt the show, which was reaching for a similar audience.
Starting at an earlier time with very little competition, Early
Edition has a chance at making a comeback. However, with the wind knocked out of the
show's sails, the best guess is that this will be Early Edition's
last year.
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Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Oct. 5
-
There's big news for Final Conflict fans, as it is revealed that
lead character Boone (Kevin Kilner) has been murdered during a Taelon
power struggle. Taking over the leading man role will be the mysterious
Liam Kincaid (Robert Leeshock), who seeks to discover the Taelon's true
motives. As hinted at during the show's first season, it will be revealed
that the humans and Taelons are not alone in the universe.
- Prediction: This series, created by the late Gene Roddenberry and
brought to the screen by his widow, Majel Barrett, was the top-rated new
syndicated drama last season. Off to a very good start, it will be
interesting to see how the departure of Kilner will affect the direction of
the series. This show's strength lies in strong performances by Leni
Parker, Von Flores and Lisa Howard, and the complicated exploration of two
races who are often at odds with each other. Hints were dropped throughout
last season in X-Files style, giving fans just enough crumbs to add
to the developing story line of the Companions' true reason for being on
Earth. The Companions have done great things and terrible things, and the
rebellion has vowed to protect the human race--but at what cost? Look for
this show to continue getting better.
-
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 28
-
Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) will suffer the death of someone close to him, as
well as several new incarnations of himself on other networks. He will
match wits with characters from Irish mythology, and he will cross paths
with the Norse gods Thor and Odin. A crossover episode, filmed in 3-D, will
feature Xena (Lucy Lawless) and Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) from Xena.
- Prediction: Sorbo suffered an aneurism in his shoulder last
season; however, he's recovered and seems to be doing fine. This show is here to stay as long as Sorbo wants to play Herc. It's extremely popular
and Herc and Xena make a great team. It's unlikely any of the new Hercules
shows will have any effect on this one.
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Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 26
-
The family dog, Quark, will change from a Border Collie to a Border Terrier
during the season premiere. Wayne (Peter Scolari) will go into outer space, ending up on an asteroid that's about to collide with Earth (no doubt
he saves the day). Amy (Hillary Tuck) will turn into a sea monster and a
mermaid.
- Prediction: This sophomore show is doing well in the ratings and
should have no problems this year. Ed Naha, who wrote the original film,
has joined the series as head writer.
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Millennium
Fox, Friday, 9 p.m.
Premieres Oct. 2
-
Last season it seemed the world was about to end as a plague engulfed the
Earth, while Frank (Lance Henrickson) and his daughter (Brittany Tiplady)
were locked away in a cabin. His wife, Catherine (Megan
Gallagher) apparently caught the disease and left the cabin to die in the
woods. Carter felt the series had gone in the wrong direction, and so the
season premiere will take place eight months after Catherine's death, with
Frank and his daughter moving to Washington, D.C. Frank will work for the
FBI and have a new female partner, Klea Scott, who will look at Frank as a
mentor. And about the plague that engulfed the world? We'll just have to
wait and see how the world managed to survive.
- Prediction: This show is in trouble, and the only reason it's
made it this far is because Fox wants to keep Carter happy so he'll keep
doing The X-Files. Ratings were bad last season, and executive
producers Glen Morgan and James Wong were let go due to Carter's
disappointment in the direction the series had taken. Michael Duggan
(C-16) was brought in to make changes. Carter will be more involved,
and there may be a crossover with The X-Files. Frank is now working
for the FBI. He has a strong female partner. It's not hard to guess the
direction this is going in.
-
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Sci-Fi Channel, Saturday, 5 & 11 p.m.
Premieres the first quarter of 1999
-
This is the 10th season MST3K has been on the air, and the third
year it's been on the Sci-Fi Channel. Thirteen episodes have been ordered.
No major changes have been planned for this series, just more fun with Mike
and the 'bots.
- Prediction: It will live forever.
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The New Adventures of Robin Hood
TNT, Saturday, 6 a.m.
-
TNT's first original series will be undergoing some changes during its
third season. Facts are sketchy, but it appears Matthew Porretta will not
be back as Robin Hood. Look for John Bradley to star as Robin as he and the merry
men go on "a glorious quest to save the people from starvation and
redistribute the wealth."
- Prediction: According to the TNT FAQ page on Robin Hood,
new episodes will be running sometime in 1998, and the show has been renewed
for several years.
-
Nightman
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Oct. 5
-
This show will go back to its roots as producers try to get closer to the
tone of the original Malibu comic. They are planning a darker look and tone, along with an edgier feel. Series regular Derek Webster, who played Johnny's
sidekick, Raleigh, will be replaced by Derwin Jordan. In hopes of adding a bit of sex appeal, Jayne Heitmeyer has been cast as Lt. Briony
Branca, a cop who is attracted to Johnny Domino (Matt McColm), but who doesn't
approve of Nightman.
- Prediction: While Nightman could use a bit of edge, let's
hope they don't add too much. One of the pleasures of watching the show is
that it's fun. It's not going to hurt to add a strong woman to the show,
but Webster will be missed. Look for Nightman to continue to do well
this year.
-
The Outer Limits
Showtime, Friday Premieres Jan. 23, 1998 - 4th Season
Syndicated Premieres the week of Sept. 21 -- 3th Season
-
This exceptional anthology series has continued to avoid the unevenness
that most similar shows face. Its consistent quality and terrific
production values make The Outer Limits a class act. Each season
begins on Showtime and then moves to syndication in its second year. The
Sci-Fi Channel will pick up the series after its syndication run is done,
so The Outer Limits should live on forever. The first two episodes
of the fourth season will be Criminal Nature (on Jan. 23) and The
Hunt (on Jan. 30).
- Prediction: This Cable Ace, Saturn Award and Emmy Award winner
should continue through the next couple of years. Showtime seems very happy
with its performance and is continuing to make a profit off it through
syndication, and now through the deal with the Sci-Fi Channel.
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The Pretender
NBC, Saturday, 9 p.m.
Premieres Oct. 17
-
A fire looked about to wipe out the entire cast of The Pretender during
the season cliffhanger. While that won't happen, other juicy details will
emerge. Supposedly Jared's father killed Miss Parker's mother. There are
other revelations, but who cares? The Pretender's fun comes from
watching Jared (Michael T. Weiss) deal out his brand of justice. This
season he'll become an attorney, arsonist, ex-con and arms dealer.
- Prediction: The Pretender and Profiler haven't
quite been the Saturday Night Thrillogy that NBC promised. However,
Pretender did do well enough for NBC to run two episodes together as
a pretend Pretender movie. Fantasy Island is the only real
threat to this series, and it's unlikely to hurt the show.
-
Poltergeist: The Legacy
Sci-Fi Channel, Premieres Jan. 1999 -- 3rd Season
Syndicated Premieres the week of Sept. 21 -- 2nd Season
-
In a surprising move, Poltergeist has gone from Showtime to the
Sci-Fi Channel for its fourth season. Twenty-two original episodes will air
on Sci-Fi, beginning in the first quarter of 1999. The Sci-Fi Channel
will also have exclusive basic-cable rights to episodes that were
previously run on Showtime (they will also have these rights for The
Outer Limits and Stargate SG-1). For its new season,
Poltergeist continues with the fight against all things evil. While
the series is marginal at best, with neither the writing nor production
levels up to the standards of The Outer Limits, the producers
deserve some credit for the original ways in which they manage to get the characters in trouble each week.
- Prediction: This deal is a good thing for the Sci-Fi Channel and
for the series. MGM has ordered 88 total episodes of Poltergeist,
which will carry it through this season. Let's hope the move to the new
network will add a bit more daring and originality to this series.
-
Profiler
NBC, Saturday, 10 p.m.
Premieres Oct. 17
-
Profiler has created its own little niche. New executive
producer Stephen Kronish has vowed to make the show lighter. To that end,
the evil Jack will be captured and locked away, which will mean Sam (Ally
Walker) can actually have a life again. Sam's daughter, Chloe, has been
recast, and the role will be taken over by Evan Rachel Wood. Sam's roommate,
Angel (Erica Gimpel), will be around a bit less.
- Prediction: Cupid probably won't hurt Profiler's
ratings. But if they drop, look for Jack to suddenly escape. Maybe the
audience will want Sam to be tormented. Until then, Sam will spread her
wings.
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PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 21
-
The third season of PSI offers more creepy stories based on actual
X-files from the non-governmental Office of Science Investigation and
Research, with Dan Aykroyd as the host. Guest stars will include Linda
Blair, Fred Williamson and Graham Green.
- Prediction: There hasn't been much buzz about PSI, but
the cast has included Michael Moriarty, Matt Frewer, Nigel Bennett and
Aykroyd.
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Sabrina, The Teenage Witch
ABC, Friday, 9 p.m.
Premieres Sept. 25
-
Last year Sabrina had a tough choice to make, her mortal boyfriend or a
sexy male witch. That crisis will be resolved, and Sabrina will finally get
her witch's license. Watch for a Sabrina TV movie on Oct. 4.
- Prediction: The move to the earlier timeslot won't hurt this
top-rated series among teenage girls. Sabrina rules on Friday nights.
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The Sentinel
UPN
Midseason Replacement
-
When The Sentinel wasn't renewed after a heartbreaking cliffhanger,
fans leapt into action. They flooded UPN and Paramount with phone calls,
faxes and e-mails. With the actors' contracts about to expire, fans pooled their money to create a media
campaign that would force the powers-that-be to listen. Through the "Save
Our Sentinel" campaign, fans sent out press releases across the country and even
purchased an ad in the Lifestyle section of USA Today. When the
series was finally acknowledged as a mid-season replacement, the fans
placed another ad (in The Hollywood Reporter) thanking UPN and Paramount.
- Prediction: While the fan campaign undoubtedly didn't hurt in
UPN's decision to continue with the series, The Sentinel performed
respectably enough last season. With UPN going to five nights of
programming, it's not going to hurt to have a show with a strong fan base
in the wings.
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Sliders
Sci-Fi Channel, Monday, 9 p.m.
Presently running
-
After moving to its new home on the Sci-Fi Channel, Sliders, an
often maligned series, has become the fair-haired child of the
network. The only reason the show made it is fan support. That said, fans
are very unhappy about the loss of the Wade (Sabrina Lloyd) character, and
the show truly lost a terrific character actor when John Rhys-Davies went
on to do other things. New actor Charlie O'Connell (brother of lead Jerry
O'Connell) stepped in as the fourth member of the team, and has done fairly
well. Whether he becomes an asset to the show depends on how he settles
into the role of Colin.
- Prediction: The Sci-Fi Channel has been extremely happy with
what has turned out to be their top-rated original program, but there are
rumors that the O'Connell brothers want to leave the series at the end of
the season. While Sliders wouldn't miss
newcomer Charlie, the show would have a tough time continuing without
Jerry. This series will be on for a while if Jerry agrees to
continue with it. The Sci-Fi Channel ordered another 18 episodes for the
1999 season.
-
Stargate SG-1
Showtime, Friday, 10 p.m. (Presently running) -- 2nd Season
Syndicated (Premieres the week of Sept. 21) -- 1st Season
-
Stargate producers could have relaxed and decided not to rock the
boat. However, the series has gotten stronger this season, choosing to push
the conflict between the Goa'uld and the humans even further. After saving
the Earth, the SG-1 team has had plenty of challenges. At one point Daniel
(Michael Shanks) saw the Goa'ulds kill his friends and take over the Earth
in an alternate universe. Despite the sparse sets, lack of extras and tame
special effects, the writing has driven the show.
- Prediction: Its future looks very bright. No need to make a
prediction. MGM has extended its order from 44 to 88 episodes, which
insures four full seasons.
-
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 28
-
This will be DS9's seventh and the final season. Because they have
nothing to lose, expect this very solid show to push the envelope.
Replacing Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) will be Nicole de Boer as Ensign
Ezri Dax. Look for her character to be very confused for awhile, as she has
to deal with Jadzia's husband, Worf (Michael Dorn), and all the memories a
300-year-old symbiont might have. The season premiere, "Images in the
Sand," sees Sisko (Avery Brooks) having a vision from the Prophets, who he
believed were dead. They will lead him to the discovery of an old family
secret.
- Prediction: There's been no word about DS9 going into
movies like The Next Generation did. While it seems unlikely to replace
Next Generation at the movies (as Next Generation did with
the original series), it would be entirely possible that some of the
characters would be written into future movies. Remember that Worf and
O'Brien (Colm Meaney) were both originally from Next Generation.
-
Star Trek: Voyager
UPN, Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Premieres Oct. 14
-
Never before has one character (or perhaps one outfit?) done so much for a
television series. Producers have promised to tame down the Seven of Nine
(Jeri Ryan) stories a tad, and give some of the other characters a chance.
Still, Seven will have a sexual awakening this season (perhaps with poor
Harry Kim?). Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) questions a decision that could have
brought Voyager home (and perhaps finally gets Commander Chakotay
out of her system?). LeVar Burton of Star Trek: The Next Generation will
direct and star in Voyager's 100th episode, called "Timeless." There
are rumors that perhaps this will be the year Voyager makes it home.
- Prediction: UPN is still attached to this series and realizes
that it's in their best interest to keep Voyager alive and well. To
this end, UPN seems dedicated to bringing new SF series into the mix, as it
looks for a good companion show. Seven Days may just fit that bill.
Ryan's very original character has helped spice up the action and knock
the other characters a bit off center. Voyager will probably make it
through its seven seasons.
-
Touched By an Angel
CBS, Sunday, 8 p.m.
Premiered Sept. 20
-
Producers know when to leave well enough alone. No big changes are in store
for Monica (Roma Downey), Tess (Della Reese) and Andrew (John Dye). There
are still plenty of tear ducts to be jerked. Sixty Minutes couldn't
have a better companion. Look for Monica to become a bit less naive and
Andrew to tangle with a killer angel.
- Prediction: In its fifth season, Touched By an Angel is
going to stay right where it is.
-
Viper
Syndicated
Premieres in September
- This ever-changing show will get both a new driver and a new car for
its fourth season. Lead character Thomas Cole (Jeff Kaake) has left the
series and will be replaced by James McCaffrey as Joe Astor. Astor was the
original Viper driver when the show had its brief moment on NBC in 1994. He
will reprise his original role as a former mobster turned cop whose main
anti-crime weapon will be a brand-new 1998 cobalt-blue Viper Coupe that can
hover and drive underwater. The Coupe replaces the 1992 Viper Roadster.
Dorian Harewood as Julian Wilkes, also from the first season, will appear
in the season premiere.
- Prediction: With four seasons under its belt, Viper has
hung in there. It should have no trouble making this transition back to
McCaffrey.
-
Xena: Warrior Princess
Syndicated
Premieres the week of Sept. 28
-
U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has recently stated that Xena is
one of her role models. It's hard to argue with that kind of endorsement.
Look for Xena to eschew musicals this year, instead focusing more on
drama. Finishing off last season's cliffhanger, Xena (Lucy Lawless)
must retrieve Gabrielle's (Renee O'Connor) soul. Together they will travel
on a spiritual pilgrimage.
- Prediction: Xena is right behind Hercules in the ratings, which is a very good thing for the producers. Despite lots
of competition, these two mythical heroes have kept their appeal.
-
The X-Files
Fox, Sunday, 9 p.m.
Premieres Nov. 9
-
For the sixth season, the big news is the move of shooting venues from Vancouver to Los Angeles. How can executive producer Chris Carter handle all that sunny weather? Look for Carter to get back to basics after the movie, which
wasn't quite the blockbuster Fox was hoping for. The season opener should
answer questions left hanging by both the last year's cliffhanger and the
movie. Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Mulder (David Duchovny) will discover
what happened to Gibson Praise (Jeff Gulka), the brilliant young chess
prodigy. They will also be reassigned, with X-Files' fate left in the
hands of an enemy. Mimi Rogers and Darren McGavin will be on hand for
several episodes, and Blythe Danner and Armin Mueller-Stahl, who played
characters in the movie, will pop up during the season. Threads from the
movie will undoubtedly be woven throughout the series.
- Prediction: If this show starts any later it's going to be a
midseason replacement. While the movie didn't do gangbusters at the box
office, it didn't do badly either. The series' main players are all tied up
for at least two more years, so The X-Files will be around for awhile.
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- Crusade TNT, Premieres Jan. 6, 1999
- From J. Michael Straczynski, this spin-off series offers a new
threat to the Babylon 5 universe. The fourth Babylon 5 movie,
Babylon 5: A Call to Arms, will launch the series early next year. An
alien race called the Draak vow revenge against humans for destroying their
masters--the Shadows--and unleash a deadly biogenetic plague. With only
five years to save the Earth, Gary Cole, the commander of the Alliance
ship, Excalibur, must find a cure for the mutating plague. B5 regular
Tracy Scoggins will also star.
- Farscape Sci-Fi Channel, Friday, 9 p.m., Premieres Jan. 15,
1999
- Written and created by Rockne S. O'Bannon (Alien Nation,
SeaQuest), this series is about an Earth astronaut who finds himself
hurled across the universe into a completely alien galaxy. As he seeks to
return to Earth, he finds himself aboard a ship full of escaping political
prisoners from different alien cultures. The Sci-Fi Channel hopes this
show, featuring creatures created by the Jim Henson Company, will become
its signature series.
- Futurama Fox, Midseason replacement
- This prime-time animated comedy series from Matt Groening
(creator of The Simpsons) is set in the year 3000. The lead
character awakens from suspended animation to take a job piloting an
intergalactic delivery truck.
- Hollyweird Fox, Possible midseason replacement
- This troubled show from Wes Craven and Shawn Cassidy was
actually on the fall schedule. Originally this series was about three young
20-somethings who "investigate the paranormal in the shadow of the
Hollywood sign." However, the Fox bigwigs decided the initial pilot didn't
live up to their standards and they ordered the series to be retooled and
recast. Cassidy dropped the out of the project. While Wes Craven is still
officially attached to Hollyweird, it is questionable if this series
will ever see the light of day.
- Total Recall 2070 Showtime, Premieres late fall/early 1999
- Forget Arnold. This series, based on the film Total Recall, is set in the 21st
century. A regular guy visits a virtual reality center and starts to have
trouble figuring out what is real and what is fantasy. Add a bit of
X-Files-type conspiracy and you have the formula. Michael Easton
(VR5, Ally McBeal) will play the lead.
Back to the top
- Animorphs Nickelodeon, Friday, 8:30 p.m., Premiered Sept.
4
- Five teens have the ability to morph into animals in
this live-action series based on the popular books of the same name. These teens are fighting to save the Earth from the Yeerks, slug-like aliens.
- Batman Beyond WB, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., Premieres in Nov.
- This animated series centers around Batman in the 21st century.
- Brats of the Lost Nebula WB, Saturday 10 a.m., Premieres Oct.
10
- A puppet adventure about five teenagers who wander the universe.
- Disney's Hercules ABC, Saturday, 8 a.m., Premiered Sept.
12
- There's the popular live-action adult series and the new live-action series about Hercules as a teen. Now here's Disney's version, based
on the 1997 film, with voices from the movie and lots of guest stars,
including William Shatner, Heather Locklear and Merv Griffin.
- Flying Rhino Junior High CBS, Saturday, 8:30 a.m., Premieres
Oct. 3
- Animated series about four time-traveling kids who must get
back to the present to stop a classmate from transporting their school
through time.
- Godzilla Fox, Saturday, 9 a.m., Premiered Sept. 12
- In this animated sequel to the recent film, a biologist and one
of Godzilla's children join forces to investigate strange phenomena and
stop ecological disasters.
- Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog Fox, Saturday, 10 a.m.,
Premiered Sept. 12
- This live-action dramatic series was filmed in Ireland and
follows four children on a quest to find a legendary hero.
- Mythic Warriors: Guardians of the Legend CBS, Saturday, 11:30
a.m., Premiered Sept. 12
- An animated anthology series that has different heroes from
Greek mythology rising to do battle with various supernatural creatures.
- Pocket Dragon Adventures Syndicated, Premiered Sept. 7
- These easy-going dragons live together in a magical medieval
kingdom.
- Pokeman Syndicated, Premiered Sept. 7
- Based on the Nintendo game, this Japanese cartoon is about a
10-year-old boy who battles an army of monsters.
- Robocop: Alpha Commando Syndicated, Premiered Sept. 7
- Animated series about a 21st century superhero who fights crime in
New Detroit and is who is part robot, part man.
- ReBoot The Cartoon Network, Premieres Jan. 1999
- This computer-animated series, which formerly ran on ABC and which has been airing regularly in its native Canada, returns to U.S. TV in January, thanks to The Cartoon Network.
- So Weird Disney Channel, Premieres in Jan. 1999
- A teenage girl chronicles her encounters with the paranormal on
her Web site.
- Starcom Pax TV, Sunday, 6:30 a.m., Premiered Sept. 6
- Interstellar pilots fight to save space colonists from evil bad
guy Emperor Dark and his army.
- Voltron: The Third Dimension Syndicated, Premiered Sept.
19
- This remake of the 1984 animated series Voltron is
about space explorers and a mighty robot. This full CGI 3-D series has space
battles that are on par with Babylon 5's (not surprising, due to the
fact that the same FX house does them). No 3-D glasses required.
- War Planets Syndicated, Premiered Sept. 19
- This computer-animated intergalactic saga from the makers of ReBoot deals with unlikely heroes who must unite their planets against a terrible enemy.
- Young Hercules Fox, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., Premiered Sept.
12
- Live-action series with a teenage Hercules and his friends.
Seems as action-packed and violent as the other Hercules.
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Movies and Specials of Interest
- Babylon 5: A Call to Arms TNT, Jan. 3, 1999
- This fourth movie in the Babylon 5 series will launch the
new Babylon 5 spin-off series Crusade, starring Gary Cole.
- Babylon 5: River of Souls TNT, Nov. 8
- This third Babylon 5 movie is a follow-up to the series
starring Tracy Scoggins, Jerry Doyle, Richard Biggs and Jeff Conaway. An
archaeologist steals an ancient artifact and, in the process, releases
thousands of enraged souls, endangering Babylon 5.
- Chameleon UPN, Oct. 22, Thursday Night at the Movies
- In the year 2028, a genetically engineered female assassin
defies government orders and goes on the lam with a young boy who holds a
radical microchip.
- Emma's Wish CBS, Oct. 18
- Joanna Kerns plays Emma, a 75-year-old woman who makes a wish
(when she blows out the candles for her birthday cake) to spend one month
with her estranged daughter. The next morning she wakes up 35 years younger
and goes to work as a nanny for her own grandchildren.
- The Fury Within UPN, Oct. 28
- A feuding couple's house becomes the site for a poltergeist.
Starring Alley Sheedy and Costas Mandylar.
- Futuresport ABC, Oct. 1
- Wesley Snipes stars as the creator and master of a high-tech
sport that uses hoverboards and rollerblades.
- I Married a Monster UPN, Oct. 8, Thursday Night at the
Movies
- No one said marriage was going to be easy, but when a husband
becomes possessed by a monstrous alien intent on procreating its race
through human beings, his wife may just have to draw the line. A remake of
I Married a Monster From Outer Space.
- Inferno UPN, Oct. 29, Thursday Night at the Movies
- Forget asteroids, hurricanes, volcanoes and earthquakes. How
about a solar explosion for creating the perfect natural disaster? Anyone
ever wonder why script writers and producers are so anxious to kill off the
human race?
- Invasion Earth Sci-Fi Channel mini-series, Dec. 6-8
- Set both during World War II and the present, aliens are quietly trying to take over the Earth.
- In Your Shoes ABC TBA
- A magic spell causes an aging quarterback (David Allen Grier)
and his pregnant wife (Vivica A. Fox) to switch bodies.
- Lost Souls UPN, Thursday Night at the Movies
- A family moves into a home in the country and encounters
supernatural manifestations that are caused by an antique in their cellar.
Starring John Savage and Barbara Sukowa.
- A Knight in Camelot ABC, Nov. 8
- Whoopi Goldberg plays a 20th-century scientist who is
transported to King Arthur's court in the 6th century. Once there she
can't help but try and modernize things.
- Riddler's Moon UPN, Nov. 5, Thursday Night at the Movies
- A struggling woman (Kate Mulgrew) is about to lose her farm
when her physically challenged son has visions of a bountiful
future.
- R.L. Stine's Night Terrors ABC mini-series
- The author of the popular Goosebumps books for children would
like to scare adults with this horror mini-series about patients in a
medical clinic who have sleep disorders.
- Sabrina Goes to Rome ABC, Oct. 4
- Sabrina (yes, the one on Friday nights) goes to Rome and risks
losing her powers when she falls for a photographer who may have evidence
that she's a witch.
- Stephen King's Storm of the Century ABC TBA
- The first project conceived and written directly for television
by King, this has to do with a small Maine town that has been cut off from the
world by a massive blizzard. An evil stranger makes an appearance and the bodies begin to pile up.
- 30-Years-to-Life UPN, Oct. 15, Thursday Night at the
Movies
- In the not-too-distant future, prisons have been abolished. When
a teenager is punished for a murder he didn't commit, he is sentenced to
geriatrication, a process that ages him 30 years overnight. Starring
Robert Hays.
- Time at the Top Dec.
- A teenage girl finds a time machine and travels way back to
1981.
- Tom Clancy's Netforce ABC TBA
- Set in 2005, an FBI agent (Scott Bakula) deals with computer
crime on the Internet that could have repercussions throughout the
world.
- Wes Craven's Fear: Torch ABC TBA
- The first in a series of movies that
explore our most primal fears. First up, Torch, about a group of
college kids that proves there is no such thing as friendly fire.
- Witchblade TNT Pilot Movie, Jan. 1999
- Once every generation a magical gauntlet, known as the
Witchblade, chooses a person to wield it. In this case, it's New York
detective Sara Pezzini. Based on the comic book.
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