NEWS: Why "X-Files," "Lost" Killed Sci-Fi

CULTURE: Why "X-Files," "Lost" Killed Sci-Fi

I loved The X-Files, but I blame it for the downfall of the most awesome television show ever—Firefly. In fact, I think it's to blame for the lack of quality sci-fi on T.V. in general. In addition, the huge surge in science-fiction television shows fizzled out because no sci-fi television show on network television could get the same numbers as The X-Files. Smaller networks can sustain a core following, but ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox cannot seem to keep a sci-fi show on television for more than a season. And Lost is doing the same thing as The X-Files did to science-fiction/horror television.

While Surface is no Firefly, good science-fiction television takes risks and takes a little while to develop their series.

Battlestar Galactica, arguably the best sci-fi television show to appear since Firefly, could never support the numbers that network television demands of its shows today because the any network, in this case NBC (owners of the Sci-Fi Channel), wouldn’t have been as patient as the Sci-Fi Channel’s executives.

Unfortunately, the SciFi Channel either is not able or is not wiling to support original programming on the higher end of the budget scale, e.g. Farscape. I'm not sure even the big networks would be willing to support a program with a budget that large.

I would argue BSG to be the best televison show. The sci-fi qualifier is not necessary.

If the cafeteria at your work only served prime rib and foie gras, would it piss you off that you couldn't have corn dogs and salisbury steak?

Sadly, I think a large part of it is a sort of knee-jerk "I don't watch sci-fi" reaction from the general public. I think one of the reasons X-Files and Lost have been so successful is that they "trick" the audience into thinking they are watching something other than sf, at least at first.

BSG is an amazing show, but you are right, it would never work on network TV. That has nothing to do with the quality of the show - it has spaceships, and therefore most of America will tune it out, no matter how compelling the drama may be.

Firefly was not the best show ever... Firefly was nothing more than a ripoff of several other great shows. It did nothing but steal it's plot from classicly proven titles such as "Star Wars" and "Star Trek"..

The real groundbreaking show that turned heads is "Farscape". Oh yeah and I guess the fact that it lasted 4 seasons instead of half a season, and had enough of a following to spawn a mini-series is pretty good.

On the other hand, the producers of "Sereneity" had to change the name of the damn show just so people would watch it!

Long live Stargate!!

*covers up*

you bite your tongue.

Star Wars!? If anything, Firefly stole from the Civil War.

And I don't know what Firefly has in common with Star Trek. Do you think both those shows invented space, Alex?

[Edited on May 27, 2006 by Hooraydiation]

And I think a lot of those shows failed because they were greenlit for their connection to Sci-Fi rather than actual quality. I caught an episode or two of most of them, and they all kind of sucked.

And in my opinion, Firefly died because of a crap timeslot, poor promotion (whoa! watch because we've got a space hooker!), and Fox's inability to show the episodes in the proper order.

[Edited on May 27, 2006 by Hooraydiation]

I know this is only indirectly related but...I was never into sci-fi at all until Farscape. That show was just absolutely amazing. The writing, acting and visuals still haven't let me go and truly proved to me that sci-fi could be more than techno-babble mixed with uninteresting archetypes....god I miss that show

if the x-files killed quality sci-fi its because it was quality sci-fi

Yah know. I didn't like X Files. I liiked Firefly. But X Files. I don't know. Just didn't care for Mulder or Scully. And.... them little alien bastards the "Greys".... yeah..... TERRIFIED I am. I CANNOT handle it. It's too much.... too much.

Farscape is still the best sci-fi show there ever was and ever will be. I would kill for another season or miniseries set in that 'verse.

I dont really like to call Firefly a sci-fi show. It's really a western set in space.

Lets get it right and agree that it all began with Twin Peaks .....which opened the door for x-files and then Millenium,followed by LEXX one of the most original sci-fi series around along with Farscape. These shows worked and or inspired because of their writing as well as visuals; which seems to be the real reason the knock off shows failed.

I wouldn't be suprised to see Battlestar Galactica, or the rumored spin-off, moved to NBC.

Boo to you sir.... Boo to you.

Most television shows suck.
Who's to blame?
Their to blame.

How dare Lost set the bar for other shows!

They should've made it suck so other shows wouldn't have to try hard to succeed!

This is pretty much the motto I lived by all through High School.






...and college.

This thread should be retitled: SciFi not Popular. Crossover Hits Somehow to Blame.

[Edited on May 27, 2006 by StarBelliedBoy]

i really miss the powers of matthew star....and automan....and manimal

AGREED!!!

Nothing is better!!!

While I would agree that Firefly was not the best show ever, it was pretty damned good. I think the reason it was not successful is that people like me never heard of it until it went into reruns on SciFi in promotion for the movie.

Star Wars was something of a space western, but the similarities end there. I don't see many parallels at all with Star Trek. I see more parallels between Firefly and Farscape ... both are stories of outlaws rather than the militaristic world of Star Trek SG-1.

Obviously, you have never watched an episode of Firefly. There is nothing remotely similar to Star Wars nor Star Trek in it except maybe the whole space aspect, and even saying that is pushing it.

The really sad thing about Firefly was how the network ruined it by airing the original pilot as the sixth episode. If anyone had seen the pilot first it gave a completely different spin - darker spin - on all the characters and set up a much more interesting show. But the network wanted the show to kick off with a bar fight. Could have been a great show.

Farscape was the best show ever, you're just in denial.

I still think Whedon should finish the first season of Firefly in comic form.

[Edited on May 27, 2006 by Chaolin]