Farscape Cancelled!
September 7, 2002 2:46 AM Subscribe
Farscape Cancelled! One of the best sci-fi shows on TV is going to be cancelled. There's a petition up to save it.
Shame. I wasn't quite sure where they were going with the plotlines last series but this was still one of the most original sci-fi series around - good writing, good characters. I signed the petition but I get the feeling all the networks expect the online petitions whenever anything's cancelled now - anyone evey heard of one having an effect?
posted by Lame_Dave at 3:38 AM on September 7, 2002
posted by Lame_Dave at 3:38 AM on September 7, 2002
hmm, farscape's alright. not nearly as addictive as babylon 5 was for me though.
i kinda stopped paying attention after they killed off zahnn.
anyone evey heard of one having an effect?
you mean aside from the classic trek letter writing campaign thing?
posted by juv3nal at 3:50 AM on September 7, 2002
i kinda stopped paying attention after they killed off zahnn.
anyone evey heard of one having an effect?
you mean aside from the classic trek letter writing campaign thing?
posted by juv3nal at 3:50 AM on September 7, 2002
bastards.
posted by eyeballkid at 4:39 AM on September 7, 2002
posted by eyeballkid at 4:39 AM on September 7, 2002
juv3nal: I don't think there was an online letter writing campaign for the original Startrek, which is what Lame_Dave was talking about ...
posted by kaemaril at 4:42 AM on September 7, 2002
posted by kaemaril at 4:42 AM on September 7, 2002
The new season has been drifting pretty badly to date, but this is still disappointing. At its best, this show was a real kick in the head, and even this year it shows just how utterly empty the Star Trek money-extraction-machine has become.
As for online petitions, they probably will be ignored. As the linked article at AICN points out, if you really want to have an effect, you've got to call the two Sci Fi channel phone numbers listed there, and send snail mail to the address.
posted by Zonker at 4:50 AM on September 7, 2002
As for online petitions, they probably will be ignored. As the linked article at AICN points out, if you really want to have an effect, you've got to call the two Sci Fi channel phone numbers listed there, and send snail mail to the address.
posted by Zonker at 4:50 AM on September 7, 2002
Never heard of it.
Then perhaps there was no need to comment. Just a thought.
posted by terrapin at 5:07 AM on September 7, 2002
Then perhaps there was no need to comment. Just a thought.
posted by terrapin at 5:07 AM on September 7, 2002
muppets iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin spaaaaaaaaaace...! good riddance.
posted by t r a c y at 5:55 AM on September 7, 2002
posted by t r a c y at 5:55 AM on September 7, 2002
Witty: Never heard of it.
terrapin: Then perhaps there was no need to comment. Just a thought.
See, when a friend tells me, "There's a petition to save FarScape!" and I go, "Never heard of it," they often say something like, "Oh, it's this great show and here's a link to tell you all about it and here's some more information." And then someone else who happens to be passing might say, "Oh, yes, that is indeed a great show, and here's why I think so." And then I'll have learned something that I wouldn't have if I'd just kept quiet about my ignorance.
posted by hob at 6:36 AM on September 7, 2002
terrapin: Then perhaps there was no need to comment. Just a thought.
See, when a friend tells me, "There's a petition to save FarScape!" and I go, "Never heard of it," they often say something like, "Oh, it's this great show and here's a link to tell you all about it and here's some more information." And then someone else who happens to be passing might say, "Oh, yes, that is indeed a great show, and here's why I think so." And then I'll have learned something that I wouldn't have if I'd just kept quiet about my ignorance.
posted by hob at 6:36 AM on September 7, 2002
I was a fan of Farscape, but lately they haven't been up to snuff. I see no shame in cancelling a show before it becomes awful.
Let these folks move on to something else.
posted by frykitty at 6:47 AM on September 7, 2002
Let these folks move on to something else.
posted by frykitty at 6:47 AM on September 7, 2002
I've liked season four so far (and it is only half over despite the previous episode being called the season finale, isn't it?), but I sure don't know how anyone could start watching now. Season four is likely a boring jumble to anyone who hasn't seen enough of the other seasons.
posted by markpasc at 6:56 AM on September 7, 2002
posted by markpasc at 6:56 AM on September 7, 2002
Hilfy:A little something just for you.
Can we please try to avoid a rudeness race?
posted by hob at 7:10 AM on September 7, 2002
Can we please try to avoid a rudeness race?
posted by hob at 7:10 AM on September 7, 2002
Then perhaps there was no need to comment. Just a thought.
Perhaps this should have been a more comprehensive front page post, with links to a good site regarding the show, and the so called petition? More likely it shouldn't have been a front page post at all. Just a thought.
Tracy:
A little something just for you.
Blow it out your ass hilfy, she's entitled to her opinion whether you like it or not.
posted by zarah at 7:12 AM on September 7, 2002
Perhaps this should have been a more comprehensive front page post, with links to a good site regarding the show, and the so called petition? More likely it shouldn't have been a front page post at all. Just a thought.
Tracy:
A little something just for you.
Blow it out your ass hilfy, she's entitled to her opinion whether you like it or not.
posted by zarah at 7:12 AM on September 7, 2002
Let's watch. Because here is a press release discussing their renewal. I can't seem to find any information on SciFi discussing the cancellation.
And, yes, I am a loyal fan, as are my wife and my 13 year old sister in law (who always comes over Friday nights to watch).
As soon as I see something a little more legit than AICN, I believe more...
posted by Samizdata at 7:14 AM on September 7, 2002
And, yes, I am a loyal fan, as are my wife and my 13 year old sister in law (who always comes over Friday nights to watch).
As soon as I see something a little more legit than AICN, I believe more...
posted by Samizdata at 7:14 AM on September 7, 2002
hilfy - LOL! my response was perfectly appropriate considering the hysterical aicn-fan-boy quality to this (less than worthy fp) post. not to mention the fact that the creatures on farscape are all henson made and, you know, i think the show is horrifyingly bad. it was just so much more fun saying it otherwise.
several of my colleagues have been working on farscape since season 1 and their opinion isn't that much different than mine... if by some chance it's saved (even tho' pink slips have been delivered to all crew members) many won't return with it.
Samizdata - that press release is from 2001.
posted by t r a c y at 7:34 AM on September 7, 2002
several of my colleagues have been working on farscape since season 1 and their opinion isn't that much different than mine... if by some chance it's saved (even tho' pink slips have been delivered to all crew members) many won't return with it.
Samizdata - that press release is from 2001.
posted by t r a c y at 7:34 AM on September 7, 2002
Zarah: Cry me a river.
Samizdata:
Don't hold your breath. I'm willing to bet it's Vivendi's (Parent company of USA/SCI-FI) troubles that are at heart. USA also canceled WitchBlade, also high in the ratings and reviews, and now FarScape. Seems to me they are cutting anything with a high production cost.. I.E. Anything with lots of Special Effects.
Tracy: That picture was more in fun than anything else..it gives me the chuckles every time I see it. As far as Farscape, yes I know it's Henson but it's a far cry from muppets, especially pilot. I have to take the 'several of my colleagues' thing with a grain of salt.
What is so bad about it in anycase? It's a bit over the top at times, I admit, but I find it entertaining nonetheless. It's pretty different from every other sci-fi show out there.
posted by Hilfy at 7:46 AM on September 7, 2002
Samizdata:
Don't hold your breath. I'm willing to bet it's Vivendi's (Parent company of USA/SCI-FI) troubles that are at heart. USA also canceled WitchBlade, also high in the ratings and reviews, and now FarScape. Seems to me they are cutting anything with a high production cost.. I.E. Anything with lots of Special Effects.
Tracy: That picture was more in fun than anything else..it gives me the chuckles every time I see it. As far as Farscape, yes I know it's Henson but it's a far cry from muppets, especially pilot. I have to take the 'several of my colleagues' thing with a grain of salt.
What is so bad about it in anycase? It's a bit over the top at times, I admit, but I find it entertaining nonetheless. It's pretty different from every other sci-fi show out there.
posted by Hilfy at 7:46 AM on September 7, 2002
Farscape, Babylon 5, Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda; all require a bit too much thought, conflicting with the need to suspend belief. One really has to have seen a good portion of the series to make sense of most episodes.
Slightly O/T, Witchblade with it's more down to earth style was also axed this week, which disappoints me more.
posted by DBAPaul at 8:33 AM on September 7, 2002
Slightly O/T, Witchblade with it's more down to earth style was also axed this week, which disappoints me more.
posted by DBAPaul at 8:33 AM on September 7, 2002
yes I know it's Henson but it's a far cry from muppets
I have to agree with tracy here... I had no idea they were actually by henson, but they still looked like muppets. I have a friend who watches it religiously and I could not figure out why - so bad it's good? Or does he really just think it's good...?
I watched it a few times with him and it was less annoying than, say, urkel, or ray romano, but still. No great loss.
posted by mdn at 8:38 AM on September 7, 2002
I have to agree with tracy here... I had no idea they were actually by henson, but they still looked like muppets. I have a friend who watches it religiously and I could not figure out why - so bad it's good? Or does he really just think it's good...?
I watched it a few times with him and it was less annoying than, say, urkel, or ray romano, but still. No great loss.
posted by mdn at 8:38 AM on September 7, 2002
Crap, missed Hilfy's note re Witchlade on preview. Probably cause I was getting supporting links.
posted by DBAPaul at 8:39 AM on September 7, 2002
posted by DBAPaul at 8:39 AM on September 7, 2002
another one bites the dust. Now if we can just get rid of a few more,(non scfi-fi mind you)
WitchBlade <--- (she uses it 'maybe' once a show, and it's pretty un-impressive when she does, with the rest being boring dialog from YET ANOTHER cop show)
The Dead Zone <--- (does anyone else wonder why the cop isn't completely against his wife going over a guy she was once in love with's house alone and meeting up with him A LOT.)
HACK <--- ("...I was never here." We wish.)
posted by filecrave at 8:44 AM on September 7, 2002
WitchBlade <--- (she uses it 'maybe' once a show, and it's pretty un-impressive when she does, with the rest being boring dialog from YET ANOTHER cop show)
The Dead Zone <--- (does anyone else wonder why the cop isn't completely against his wife going over a guy she was once in love with's house alone and meeting up with him A LOT.)
HACK <--- ("...I was never here." We wish.)
posted by filecrave at 8:44 AM on September 7, 2002
"it was less annoying than, say, urkel, or ray romano"
Yeah, but then again what isn't?
And filecrave, I'm so pissed that the Dead Zone got made into a series I could plotz, as soon as hilatron tells me what that is.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 9:05 AM on September 7, 2002
Yeah, but then again what isn't?
And filecrave, I'm so pissed that the Dead Zone got made into a series I could plotz, as soon as hilatron tells me what that is.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 9:05 AM on September 7, 2002
will we ever see a hard-science SF show? Babylon 5 had the makings of it, but nothing since. All we've got is the various Star Treks. If I hear the phrase "use the deflector to generate an inverse tachyon pulse" one more time, I'm going to shoot my TV.
How about a TV show based on the Foundation series, or some other decent storyline, that doesn't mean "we used the title" when it says "based on the book by...."
Oh, and put me in the group that thinks the muppets were a bit too distracting in Farscape.
posted by blue_beetle at 9:29 AM on September 7, 2002
How about a TV show based on the Foundation series, or some other decent storyline, that doesn't mean "we used the title" when it says "based on the book by...."
Oh, and put me in the group that thinks the muppets were a bit too distracting in Farscape.
posted by blue_beetle at 9:29 AM on September 7, 2002
Tracy: That picture was more in fun than anything else
i'm aware of that, i wasn't upset by it at all. in fact i've bookmarked it for further use :-D
I have to take the 'several of my colleagues' thing with a grain of salt.
you can take whatever you like, however you like. i've yet to be compelled to prove or defend how i make my living to strangers online.
posted by t r a c y at 9:40 AM on September 7, 2002
i'm aware of that, i wasn't upset by it at all. in fact i've bookmarked it for further use :-D
I have to take the 'several of my colleagues' thing with a grain of salt.
you can take whatever you like, however you like. i've yet to be compelled to prove or defend how i make my living to strangers online.
posted by t r a c y at 9:40 AM on September 7, 2002
well I liked the show... it took me a while to get over the "muppet" aspect of it. But if you suspended your muppet prejudices it was quite a good show, with likeable characters and exciting storylines.
now would somebody cancel stargate already... last I saw they had a space ship and mcgyver was still on there.
posted by dancu at 9:57 AM on September 7, 2002
now would somebody cancel stargate already... last I saw they had a space ship and mcgyver was still on there.
posted by dancu at 9:57 AM on September 7, 2002
you can take whatever you like, however you like. i've yet to be compelled to prove or defend how i make my living to strangers online.
That makes two of us. So since you seem to be in the 'know' why don't the people who work on it like it? I still do see why it's such a horrible show. Is it just because of the 'muppets'? As someone else mentioned it's a refreshing take on Sci-Fi in story and in the 'look' the show has. It certainly isn't a serious hard science kind of show..and they have the..mm..hot actors. I'm gay but I don't think I'd kick Ben Brouder out of bed for eating animal crackers...ahh..but I digress. :)
posted by Hilfy at 10:33 AM on September 7, 2002
That makes two of us. So since you seem to be in the 'know' why don't the people who work on it like it? I still do see why it's such a horrible show. Is it just because of the 'muppets'? As someone else mentioned it's a refreshing take on Sci-Fi in story and in the 'look' the show has. It certainly isn't a serious hard science kind of show..and they have the..mm..hot actors. I'm gay but I don't think I'd kick Ben Brouder out of bed for eating animal crackers...ahh..but I digress. :)
posted by Hilfy at 10:33 AM on September 7, 2002
If Farscape and SG-1 were comic books, they'd be doing crossovers to breath new life into them or introduce new shows that have limited exposure. You could easily do crossovers with half the shows on Sci-Fi these days and keep things interesting, plus it introduces you to new shows you might not otherwise watch. You just have to be careful it's engaging and well written and not just a cheap introduction to characters from another series.
Nielson ratings show that SG-1 and Farscape are by far the big guns in Sci-Fi's line of original series. They'd be fools to cancel it without milking it to death. Oh wait...TV stations are still run by Network Executives. Sorry. My bad. Farscape, you'll be missed.
posted by fatbobsmith at 10:54 AM on September 7, 2002
Nielson ratings show that SG-1 and Farscape are by far the big guns in Sci-Fi's line of original series. They'd be fools to cancel it without milking it to death. Oh wait...TV stations are still run by Network Executives. Sorry. My bad. Farscape, you'll be missed.
posted by fatbobsmith at 10:54 AM on September 7, 2002
Well, I remember something being organized online for The Sentinel, when it was cancelled. However, as Zonker points out, actual letters and phone calls do the job of protest far better. In the end, The Sentinel fans only organized online. Offline, they wrote letters, phone swamped offices, and even put an ad out in USA today in support of the show. It's public in your face displays like that which garner attention. An online petition that takes a click to sign, also just takes a click to move to the recycle bin.
posted by FunkyHelix at 11:33 AM on September 7, 2002
posted by FunkyHelix at 11:33 AM on September 7, 2002
Yet another obituary thread where the disinterested make snarky comments and the fans of the dead are in high dudgeon.
I enjoyed Farscape, though I've missed the last season (no cable). The "muppets" worked just fine and were well-executed as characters.
The Sci-Fi Channel folks are in a particularly tight squeeze, one can see -- to really develop "appointment viewing" they need original series to which they commit over a long period, but they've been pretty flighty with some. Farscape has lasted longer than others. I dunno what I'd do, really.
posted by dhartung at 11:39 AM on September 7, 2002
I enjoyed Farscape, though I've missed the last season (no cable). The "muppets" worked just fine and were well-executed as characters.
The Sci-Fi Channel folks are in a particularly tight squeeze, one can see -- to really develop "appointment viewing" they need original series to which they commit over a long period, but they've been pretty flighty with some. Farscape has lasted longer than others. I dunno what I'd do, really.
posted by dhartung at 11:39 AM on September 7, 2002
Farscape had a few things I'd never seen. And I think that's the most you can hope for these days in the factory of echoes that is the television/film industry.
posted by tomworking at 12:34 PM on September 7, 2002
posted by tomworking at 12:34 PM on September 7, 2002
What the hell are they thinking? Do they need to make room in the line-up for more crap paranormal shows? I hate sci-fi! It could be so cool and it generally sucks.
posted by quirked at 12:51 PM on September 7, 2002
posted by quirked at 12:51 PM on September 7, 2002
fatbobsmith: There was a Farscape comic out there from Dark Horse I think and Avatar are bringing out an SG1 comic this year.
posted by davebushe at 5:42 PM on September 7, 2002
posted by davebushe at 5:42 PM on September 7, 2002
Ah well...after the cancellations of shows such as Futurama and Invader Zim, I've given up on watching much television. As long as they don't cancel the NFL, I'm ok.
posted by JaxJaggywires at 8:38 PM on September 7, 2002
posted by JaxJaggywires at 8:38 PM on September 7, 2002
Count me among the disappointed. I prefer incredibly good puppets to bad cg, and nothing compares to Farscape's organic look and constant moving camera. They did do their fair share of stupid violations of physical laws, but really, don't we all sometimes? Just a little?
posted by emyd at 8:40 PM on September 7, 2002
posted by emyd at 8:40 PM on September 7, 2002
i'm really surprised at the amount of anti-Farscape sentiment here, but then i guess that is my fanboy nature showing. i couldn't stand the Star Trek (et al.) universe anymore and was so happy to discover a show as well produced as Farscape. i won't bother to go into what i feel are the merits here, but for those of you who haven't seen it, i think it's worth checking out. The DVD's from the first and second seasons are now available.
That said, there are a couple of issues i would like to address:
ed: Farscape was originally a BBC show, is it possible that the similarities in stories weren't an intentional homage? i haven't seen Blake 7 so i can't comment.
The thing about this that really pisses me off, is that as far as i can tell, Farscape was SciFi's number 1 show, they have never been afraid to heavily promote it (witness the DVDs, the video game, the magazines...) Why would they alienate a solid fanbase? Especially on the heels of their decisions earlier this year to cancel the Invisible Man (their #2 show), Lexx, and the First Wave, all shows that had strong followings?
If they are serious, i am so never going to watch SciFi again.
[on preview, JaxJaggywires the loss of Zim is another one that causes me pain to this day.]
posted by quin at 8:48 PM on September 7, 2002
That said, there are a couple of issues i would like to address:
ed: Farscape was originally a BBC show, is it possible that the similarities in stories weren't an intentional homage? i haven't seen Blake 7 so i can't comment.
The thing about this that really pisses me off, is that as far as i can tell, Farscape was SciFi's number 1 show, they have never been afraid to heavily promote it (witness the DVDs, the video game, the magazines...) Why would they alienate a solid fanbase? Especially on the heels of their decisions earlier this year to cancel the Invisible Man (their #2 show), Lexx, and the First Wave, all shows that had strong followings?
If they are serious, i am so never going to watch SciFi again.
[on preview, JaxJaggywires the loss of Zim is another one that causes me pain to this day.]
posted by quin at 8:48 PM on September 7, 2002
I watched Farscape a few times, but unfortunately it never managed to permanently grab my attention. Then again, I suppose that's true for most shows on Sci-Fi...
posted by hlari at 9:31 PM on September 7, 2002
posted by hlari at 9:31 PM on September 7, 2002
Good luck with the letter-writing campaign. Sci-Fi cancelled Mystery Science Theater 3000 despite an extensive campaign by fans (which even included a full-page ad in Variety, if I remember correctly).
posted by hyperizer at 10:16 PM on September 7, 2002
posted by hyperizer at 10:16 PM on September 7, 2002
Futurama isn't cancelled. It's back on this fall.
I think the whole rumor about the Simpsons being cancelled was a power play by Groening to keep Futurama on the air.
posted by nyxxxx at 1:48 PM on September 8, 2002
I think the whole rumor about the Simpsons being cancelled was a power play by Groening to keep Futurama on the air.
posted by nyxxxx at 1:48 PM on September 8, 2002
JaxJaggywires:
Ah well...after the cancellations of shows such as Futurama and Invader Zim, I've given up on watching much television.
That's the way I'm starting to look at things too as the networks seem to go out of their way to kill shows I like.
Futurama - Killed by the NFL and MLB on the East Coast. FOX blatantly refuses to put it in a time slot where the majority of the U.S. can actually watch it.
As long as they don't cancel the NFL, I'm ok.
I wish they would kill tedious and boring NFL games, than I might actually get to see Futurama!
Invader Zim - Nick never had a clue what to do with it, which makes me wonder why they greenlighted it in the first place. Instead, they decided to stick it in a time slot where the target audience would never see it (Friday nights) and they're still playing "musical schedules" in an attempt to bury it.
Crusade - TNT killed it because Straczynski wouldn't put space hookers in it.
I've watched Farscape about a dozen times and quite frankly it never held my attention. I do miss LEXX, because it put some much needed weirdness back into science fiction TV. If you missed the series finale, it's one of the best ever.
From what I've seen from the ads, Joss Whedon's (Jesus Christ, he's got a weblog) "Firefly" will have a space hooker (brought to you by FOX, The Network That Reeks of Class). Yay!
posted by mark13 at 1:59 PM on September 8, 2002
Ah well...after the cancellations of shows such as Futurama and Invader Zim, I've given up on watching much television.
That's the way I'm starting to look at things too as the networks seem to go out of their way to kill shows I like.
Futurama - Killed by the NFL and MLB on the East Coast. FOX blatantly refuses to put it in a time slot where the majority of the U.S. can actually watch it.
As long as they don't cancel the NFL, I'm ok.
I wish they would kill tedious and boring NFL games, than I might actually get to see Futurama!
Invader Zim - Nick never had a clue what to do with it, which makes me wonder why they greenlighted it in the first place. Instead, they decided to stick it in a time slot where the target audience would never see it (Friday nights) and they're still playing "musical schedules" in an attempt to bury it.
Crusade - TNT killed it because Straczynski wouldn't put space hookers in it.
I've watched Farscape about a dozen times and quite frankly it never held my attention. I do miss LEXX, because it put some much needed weirdness back into science fiction TV. If you missed the series finale, it's one of the best ever.
From what I've seen from the ads, Joss Whedon's (Jesus Christ, he's got a weblog) "Firefly" will have a space hooker (brought to you by FOX, The Network That Reeks of Class). Yay!
posted by mark13 at 1:59 PM on September 8, 2002
nyxxxx:
Futurama isn't cancelled. It's back on this fall.
Not quite. FOX has a full season of unaired episodes they've already paid for in the can. That doesn't mean that the series is alive and well.
If you know something I don't, please feel free to enlighten me!
posted by mark13 at 2:13 PM on September 8, 2002
Futurama isn't cancelled. It's back on this fall.
Not quite. FOX has a full season of unaired episodes they've already paid for in the can. That doesn't mean that the series is alive and well.
If you know something I don't, please feel free to enlighten me!
posted by mark13 at 2:13 PM on September 8, 2002
Cartoon Network bought the cable-tv rights to Futurama
posted by tolkhan at 11:35 AM on September 9, 2002
posted by tolkhan at 11:35 AM on September 9, 2002
I've posted a screed that might be of interest. I'm curious to hear comments from this crowd.
What the fans want
posted by Caviar at 6:09 PM on September 10, 2002
What the fans want
posted by Caviar at 6:09 PM on September 10, 2002
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by Keyser Soze at 3:13 AM on September 7, 2002