# Why are most Sci-fi Chanel movies crap? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 23, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475 "2005-11-23T20:38:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/21 "2005-11-24T05:06:43Z")
> [@Evil Captor](#): > > Sooner or later, they’ll do a knockoff of Gor, and it’ll suck so bad God will wipe out millions of kittens. And then I won’t liked SciFi Channel moveis so much. And three weeks later there will be a SciFi Channel Original Production about it. Probably with giant CGI Zebra Mussels. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/22 "2005-11-24T15:53:09Z")
> [@MGibson](#): > > I’ve found that the type of people who get bent out of shape over the use of sci-fi versus science fiction generally have a stick up their ass. It’s nice to know that we geeks can divide ourselves with inane distinctions just like everyone else though. > > Marc I’m talking about professionals, here. You know, the Western Channel should have people in it who know about westerns, the Romance Channel should have people who know about romance novels, etc. To me, it seems that the people who run the Sci-Fi channel don’t know much about sf/fantasy, and don’t care. They just want to turn out the cheapest, sleaziest, easiest product they can get away with. They have no pride in their product, and it shows. I say again, stay away from any product that MARKETS itself as scifi. The people who produced it don’t know the field. It’s like someone who claims to know theater, but who can’t tell you the basic plots of various Shakespeare plays. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/23 "2005-11-24T16:49:39Z")
> [@Lynn Bodoni](#): > > I’m talking about professionals, here. You know, the Western Channel should have people in it who know about westerns, the Romance Channel should have people who know about romance novels, etc. To me, it seems that the people who run the Sci-Fi channel don’t know much about sf/fantasy, and don’t care. They just want to turn out the cheapest, sleaziest, easiest product they can get away with. They have no pride in their product, and it shows. > > I say again, stay away from any product that MARKETS itself as scifi. The people who produced it don’t know the field. It’s like someone who claims to know theater, but who can’t tell you the basic plots of various Shakespeare plays. God forbid they show a black & white movie from the 40’s/50’s/60’s. :rolleyes: They much prefer crap like Empire of the Ants. I think the downfall started when they were bought by whatever parent network now owns them. Think about the fact that they passed on the new Doctor Who (which is an exceptional hit in the UK) because it didn’t fit with their lineup; yet they show such ass-suck as Trippin the Rift. People ought to boycott the parent company in protest. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/24 "2005-11-24T16:51:58Z")
> [@Lynn Bodoni](#): > > I say again, stay away from any product that MARKETS itself as scifi. Your objection is still apparently to the **term** “sci-fi” (as opposed to SF or science fiction). You are assuming that anyone who really knows about the field will find the term “sci-fi” objectionable or demeaning or as designating something lesser than serious SF. You are wrong. There are two schools of thought on that – historically represented, respectively, by revered uberfanne Forrest J. Ackerman, who coined the term “sci-fi,” and Harlan Ellison, who famously likened it to “the sound of crickets making love.” (I have a message-button that reads “I [heart] copulating crickets!”) I will admit Harlan’s anti-sci-fi POV does command majority support, but nowhere near unanimous support. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sci-fi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sci-fi) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/25 "2005-11-24T16:53:16Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > People ought to boycott the parent company in protest. What is the Sci-Fi Channel’s parent company? Does anybody know? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/26 "2005-11-24T17:14:05Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Your objection is still apparently to the **term** “sci-fi” (as opposed to SF or science fiction). You are assuming that anyone who really knows about the field will find the term “sci-fi” objectionable or demeaning or as designating something lesser than serious SF. You are wrong. There are two schools of thought on that – historically represented, respectively, by revered uberfanne Forrest J. Ackerman, who coined the term “sci-fi,” and Harlan Ellison, who famously likened it to “the sound of crickets making love.” (I have a message-button that reads “I [heart] copulating crickets!”) I will admit Harlan’s anti-sci-fi POV does command majority support, but nowhere near unanimous support. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sci-fi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sci-fi) I’d say that your cite rather proves my point. “An alternative abbreviation, SF, is also in use though “sci-fi” is more common among the general public outside science fiction fandom, much to the consternation of serious science fiction fans and writers.” Most serious writers and fans will avoid using the term scifi to describe the genre they love. They will use scifi to describe the 90% of the stuff that’s crap, but not the good stuff. The discussion and history pages of this article also back me up. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/27 "2005-11-24T17:46:00Z")
I know it’ll most likely suck, but I will probably watch \*\*Manticore \*\* this Saturday because, well, it’s _a movie about a freaking manticore_–and how many movies about manticores am I likely to see in my lifetime? ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/28 "2005-11-24T19:29:22Z")
Google add: **End Communism now. Sign the Anti-CCP Petitions. Your voice makes a difference [chinasupport.net](http://chinasupport.net)** 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/29 "2005-11-25T06:17:46Z")
> [@](#): > > **BwanaBob** wrote: > Think about the fact that they passed on the new Doctor Who (which is an exceptional hit in the UK) because it didn’t fit with their lineup; yet they show such ass-suck as Trippin the Rift. They WHAT?! Just when I thought I couldn’t hate the Sci-Fi Channel any more. They give MST3K the ax, they show almost nothing but Z-grade crapola, and now…now THIS. Where’s my shotgun? ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/30 "2005-11-25T06:39:40Z")
> [@KCSuze](#): > > They WHAT?! > > Just when I thought I couldn’t hate the Sci-Fi Channel any more. They give MST3K the ax, they show almost nothing but Z-grade crapola, and now…now THIS. > > Where’s my shotgun? Well, on the bright side, they did bring us “Battlestar Galatica”. For me, that’s almost enough to forgive them for everything else. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/31 "2005-11-25T06:57:08Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > What is the Sci-Fi Channel’s parent company? Does anybody know? NBC-Universal (General Electric). ---
**Author:** ![Albert\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/32 "2005-11-25T07:35:46Z")
I’ll give the network credit for a few things: Battlestar Galactica (new and old), Firefly, Stargate’s theme song, few if any Star Trek shows (?licensing problems?), that utterly horrid but somehow enjoyable Dungeons & Dragons 2 movie, X-Files reruns I don’t care much for most of their other stuff. I wish they’d kept MST3K. ☹ Is the use of the term “sci-fi” really that big of a deal? Jeez. I guess I’m not a real geek, then. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/33 "2005-11-25T07:56:43Z")
> [@AlbertRose](#): > > IIs the use of the term “sci-fi” really that big of a deal? Jeez. I guess I’m not a real geek, then. 🆒 A number of TV networks have gone away from what their names originally stated. Most of the films on AMC aren’t classics, you won’t really learn much from TLC, and Cartoon Network has started to show movies that aren’t animated. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/34 "2005-11-25T08:00:42Z")
> [@AlbertRose](#): > > Firefly, My dad thinks that Sci-fi channel is planning to buy the rights to the series to produce it, citing that it would explain why they’re showing marathons of it lately. I don’t agree with him, but if sci-fi channel did pay for a new season, I’d forgive everything bad they’ve ever done. ---
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/35 "2005-11-25T08:17:54Z")
> [@](#): > > **HPL** wrote: > Well, on the bright side, they did bring us “Battlestar Galatica”. For me, that’s almost enough to forgive them for everything else. That and “X-Files” re-runs. I’m not into “Battlestar Galactica” or “Firefly”, but from what I read on the boards, they seem to be quality series. You’re right, they _almost_ make up for it. But denying us the Doctor…that ain’t right. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/36 "2005-11-25T14:34:16Z")
> [@AlbertRose](#): > > I’ll give the network credit for a few things: > > Battlestar Galactica (new and old), > Firefly, > Stargate’s theme song, > few if any Star Trek shows (?licensing problems?), > that utterly horrid but somehow enjoyable Dungeons & Dragons 2 movie, > X-Files reruns > > I don’t care much for most of their other stuff. I wish they’d kept MST3K. ☹ > Is the use of the term “sci-fi” really that big of a deal? Jeez. I guess I’m not a real geek, then. 🆒 add Farscape to that list, although i’m still pissed at them for canceling it, and no, the Mini wasn’t enough, dammit, i want more 'Scape… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/37 "2005-11-25T18:39:21Z")
> [@mobo85](#): > > NBC-Universal (General Electric). I think boycotting everything made or sold by GE or its subsidiaries would be a real challenge. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/38 "2005-11-25T19:10:09Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I think boycotting everything made or sold by GE or its subsidiaries would be a real challenge. Damn straight, especially since they have me make pharmacuticals for them. 😃 NBC-Universal is very…different…from the rest of GE proper. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/39 "2005-11-25T19:14:52Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I think boycotting everything made or sold by GE or its subsidiaries would be a real challenge. You could just boycott the NBC-Universal division, which includes NBC, Universal Pictures, the USA Network, Bravo, Telemundo, the Universal Studios theme parks, and, of course, the Sci-Fi channel, among others. [site](http://www.nbcuni.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475/40 "2005-11-25T19:28:13Z")
> [@thwartme](#): > > This isn’t really a surprise. More people see summer-time action flicks than late-fall Oscar contenders, too. (Big generalization, I know, but there’s some truth in it.) > > thwartme So am I a bad person because I really can’t get into the latest “I’m dying of cancer”/“A love that can never be”/“One woman against the world”/“Yet another begging for an oscar”/“Gay cowboys eating pudding”/“I never learned to read!”/“A man/woman/shemale overcoming adversity” movie? Anyone else see the Drew Carey Show episode where they were doing their “Shameless Emmy Pandering” episode? Seemed pretty accurate for Oscar begging time to me… -Joe [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-sci-fi-chanel-movies-crap/332475.md?page=3)