text:
FARSCAPE cancelled! Recently UPDATED!!
Father Geek here, thought you'd want to know about this...
The Farscape sets have been struck, but the fears of many fans have not be realised for they have not been destroyed, but are simply in storage.
This is probably because other networks have expressed an interest in acquiring Farscape.
Both Showtime and UPN have expressed interest.
Showtime would be a better bet as it is a pay channel and it judges it's success on the number of subscriptions the channel receives and not by a show's ratings as SciFi does. It also loves shows which are critics' darlings which Farscape definately is.
UPN is also after a companion SciFi show to Enterprise. I haven't seen the season finale of Enterprise (I heard it was good enough, though), but I have seen the majority of the episodes and I think Farscape is head and shoulders above it. Enterprise is a little generic and could do with more arc plots a la DS9, but it certainly isn't as Drennish* as Voyager became.
The older UPDATE info from LOTTA about addresses, etc... appears below... Don't stop writing if you care, the buzzzzzz can carry over to a new network...
The sets are set to be struck THIS WEDNESDAY!!! Time is of
the essence!!!
The Farscape sets have been struck, but the fears of many fans have not be realised for they have not been destroyed, but are simply in storage.
This is probably because other networks have expressed an interest in acquiring Farscape.
Both Showtime and UPN have expressed interest.
Showtime would be a better bet as it is a pay channel and it judges it's success on the number of subscriptions the channel receives and not by a show's ratings as SciFi does. It also loves shows which are critics' darlings which Farscape definately is.
UPN is also after a companion SciFi show to Enterprise. I haven't seen the season finale of Enterprise (I heard it was good enough, though), but I have seen the majority of the episodes and I think Farscape is head and shoulders above it. Enterprise is a little generic and could do with more arc plots a la DS9, but it certainly isn't as Drennish* as Voyager became.
The older UPDATE info from LOTTA about addresses, etc... appears below... Don't stop writing if you care, the buzzzzzz can carry over to a new network...
The sets are set to be struck THIS WEDNESDAY!!! Time is of
the essence!!!
UPN is also after a companion SciFi show to Enterprise. I haven't seen the season finale of Enterprise (I heard it was good enough, though), but I have seen the majority of the episodes and I think Farscape is head and shoulders above it. Enterprise is a little generic and could do with more arc plots a la DS9, but it certainly isn't as Drennish* as Voyager became.
The older UPDATE info from LOTTA about addresses, etc... appears below... Don't stop writing if you care, the buzzzzzz can carry over to a new network...
The sets are set to be struck THIS WEDNESDAY!!! Time is of
the essence!!!
The sets are set to be struck THIS WEDNESDAY!!! Time is of the essence!!!
This will hopefully help direct the letters
to the appropriate person, the one who is actually in a position to do
something about it! Please note that as I read the info below, Barry Diller
and Michael Jackson seem to be the two people that could have real influence
on this!
Sources listed at end of email.
- The Sci-Fi Channel is owned by USA Cable Entertainment.
- USA Cable Entertainment is owned by Vivendi Universal Entertainment.
-Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE) is a joint venture between Vivendi
Universal (owns about 93%) and USA Interactive (owns about 6%)
-Vivendi Universal is a French company, is traded on NYSE as "V", and also
owns Universal Music Group and Universal Studios
-USA Interactive (used to be "USA Networks") is a U.S. company, is traded on
Nasdaq as "USAI", and controls the Home Shopping Network, Ticketmaster, and
Therefore, as the Sci-Fi Channel and USA Network (www.usanetwork.com) are sister channels, complaining to USA Network may not do much to help, and USA Interactive is only a 6% shareholder in VUE.
Here is updated info from Hoovers, which also correlates with what is on the
company websites:
I have included the marketing/public relation/advertising sales people, as
their jobs would be made harder by any type of boycott or loss of sponsors.
Hope that helped. Let me know if you have any questions.
The critically acclaimed Farscape has been hailed "The Best Sci-Fi on
TV" by TV Guide, "TV's Best Space Series" by USA Today, and "The Year's
Best in TV" by Newsday. A TV Guide cover proclaimed Farscape's Claudia
Black and Gigi Edgley as two of the "Sexiest Stars in the Universe" and
most recently, the August 18 cover of TV Guide Ultimate Cable called Ben
Browder one of the "Sexiest Men in the Universe."
Mr. Seb here with the most troubling news of the week about the best Sci
Fi show on TV.
After the last episodes air in January, the critically acclaimed Sci Fi
series Farscape will be no more. Sci-Fi has decided to opt out of
Season 5 and cancel the series. The executive producer David Kemper and
series star Ben Browder (Commander John Crichton) entered the official
Sci Fi chatroom and announced this earlier tonight. As Ben put it,
"They're taking a chainsaw to Moya next week" meaning that the sets are
scheduled to be destroyed within a matter of days.
Of course efforts have begun to save the show.
Sci-Fi Programing: 212-413-5821
or comments at 212-413-5577
Time is running out. If this show is to survive we all must act and do
so immediately.
From the #farscape chat, just minutes ago:
<22:11> As you know, Sci Fi has picked us up
<22:11> for 4th and 5th seasons.
<22:11> However, as with everything done at a
<22:11> corporate level,
<22:12> there was an out clause built into Sci Fi's
<22:12> pickup schedule.
<22:12> As of yesterday, we were informed --
<22:12> after massive efforts by everyone at Henson
<22:12> and working on the show --
<22:12> most importantly Brian Henson
<22:12> and the 3 gentlemen
<22:12> here
<22:13> that Sci Fi was not going to exercise it's
<22:13> option to pick up the 5th season of Farscape.
(note : more confirmation can be found on Sci Fi's message
boards, chatlines everywhere, and on some of the major farscape
USA Cable Entertainment
Company HQ Address
Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment
Company HQ Address
Front Office SUITS...
Vivendi Universal
Company HQ Address
Home office SUITS...
USA Interactive
Company HQ Address
152 W. 57th St.
More USA SUITS...
SUIT Titles Definitions...
Father Geek with a little advice... write often and with a civil tongue... fax if you can, but also E-mail and PRIORITY snail mail, or if you can afford it EXPRESS OVERNIGHT MAIL... Suits place ALOT of weight on the snail mail, more than E-mail, but they must receive it before sets are struck later this week... It might be helpful to include this info...
Father Geek back... Good Luck... Happy Hunting... Here's the original breaking story...
Online Petition: SAVE FARSCAPE NOW!!!
The real power lies in calling and sending letters into Sci Fi HQ in New
Write in at:
Father Geek back... Nancy just sent me this from one of the chat rooms...
I have included the marketing/public relation/advertising sales people, as their jobs would be made harder by any type of boycott or loss of sponsors.
Hope that helped. Let me know if you have any questions.
The critically acclaimed Farscape has been hailed "The Best Sci-Fi on
TV" by TV Guide, "TV's Best Space Series" by USA Today, and "The Year's
Best in TV" by Newsday. A TV Guide cover proclaimed Farscape's Claudia
Black and Gigi Edgley as two of the "Sexiest Stars in the Universe" and
most recently, the August 18 cover of TV Guide Ultimate Cable called Ben
Browder one of the "Sexiest Men in the Universe."
Mr. Seb here with the most troubling news of the week about the best Sci Fi show on TV.
After the last episodes air in January, the critically acclaimed Sci Fi series Farscape will be no more. Sci-Fi has decided to opt out of Season 5 and cancel the series. The executive producer David Kemper and series star Ben Browder (Commander John Crichton) entered the official Sci Fi chatroom and announced this earlier tonight. As Ben put it, "They're taking a chainsaw to Moya next week" meaning that the sets are scheduled to be destroyed within a matter of days.
Of course efforts have begun to save the show.
Sci-Fi Programing: 212-413-5821
or comments at 212-413-5577
Time is running out. If this show is to survive we all must act and do
so immediately.
From the #farscape chat, just minutes ago:
<22:11> As you know, Sci Fi has picked us up
<22:11> for 4th and 5th seasons.
<22:11> However, as with everything done at a
<22:11> corporate level,
<22:12> there was an out clause built into Sci Fi's
<22:12> pickup schedule.
<22:12> As of yesterday, we were informed --
<22:12> after massive efforts by everyone at Henson
<22:12> and working on the show --
<22:12> most importantly Brian Henson
<22:12> and the 3 gentlemen
<22:12> here
<22:13> that Sci Fi was not going to exercise it's
<22:13> option to pick up the 5th season of Farscape.
(note : more confirmation can be found on Sci Fi's message boards, chatlines everywhere, and on some of the major farscape fansites)
Readers Talkbackcomments powered by Disqus
+ Expand All
Sept. 6, 2002, 11:59 p.m. CST
The important thing...
by Roj Blake
...folks, is to be POLITE. The more calm and rational people can be, the more responsive SciFi is going to be. Get to work, write those letters, amke those calls, send them telegrams...NOW! Roj, out.
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:02 a.m. CST
by Mr Wednesday
you finally got your Farscape talkback didn't ya?
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:04 a.m. CST
No. Fucking. Way.
by Horseflesh
Farscape is cancelled and Enterprise will continue to bore the piss out of me for the next 6 years. For the love of sweet shaken baby jesus do NOT cancel Farscape!!!
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:11 a.m. CST
critically acclaimed...
by kobayashi
... by who? People actually watched this show?
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:15 a.m. CST
Sorry, but this show wasn't deserving of any praise
by flowergirl
When I finally managed to catch a few episodes I couldn't *believe* that this was the show people keep talking about. Terrible sets, writing, acting, that this program was praised staggers the mind. These "critics" *coughpaidoffcough* must be the same folks who heap praise on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If they think a group of 30 year old actors calling themselves the Scooby gang is quality TV....that still doesn't explain why Farscape was praised. Folks, Farscape was AWFUL. It's been cancelled for a reason. Being bizarre and different isn't tantamount to quality. Let it die in peace.
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:15 a.m. CST
Not surprised in the least
by RawShark
Just an immutable law of nature regarding great sci-fi shows - tragic early death. Every time. A chainsaw to the sets?! Surely there should be the opportunity at least for other networks to pick up the show? Hell, the BBC was happy to fund Due South after it got axed, why not look into foreign networks picking up the bills? Farscape has cult popularity all over the world. Sigh. Good work in providing us with contact details, but I'm not very optimistic about this.
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:17 a.m. CST
People overseas have better taste
by flowergirl
Folks, Farscape was on a par with Cleopatra 2525 as far as production values. No foreign network is going to pick it up. Let it die in peace.
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:24 a.m. CST
HAHAHAH Farscape blows
by Anyawatcher
Who cares. I watched this last season and didn't know what the big deal was. The last episode with the worm hole-stupid shit. I''m glad this glorified muppett show is over. Australia sucks.
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:28 a.m. CST
so sad
by mAD~mOD
this was sadder the last time I hear it, when the Muppet Show was canceled
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:30 a.m. CST
Face facts, The Sci-Fi Channel is all about making $$$!!! FARSC
by UTellEmSteveDave
Seriously...The Sci-Fi Channel is even a cheaper operation than The E! Channel. Their shows are produced either on the cheap or as a co-production with someone else (usually both) AND...the big AND...they only need so many episodes in the can for future rerunning profit. They should call it The Chea-Po Channel. Anyway, FARSCAPE was a silly show.
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:33 a.m. CST
Having T.V. GUIDE say a show is the "best" anything is like havi
by Eugene O
I'm too tired to say it twice.
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:37 a.m. CST
Damnit, I just started watching this show
by coop
In just a few months the show has become one of my top 5 shows and now it's over? what the hell? At least I have some older shows to catch up on but it's just not fair. Crap shows go on forever and the things I love are short lived.
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:44 a.m. CST
Let me get this straight...
by Rayanne Graff
This is the one with the big blue froggy/mushroom guy? Shame. I guess.
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:53 a.m. CST
Hey, Sci-Fi's just...
by Christopher3
Keeping up its tradition of making sure that no one gets too much of a good thing. "Invisible Man," "The Chronicle," "Now and Again"...
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:53 a.m. CST
don't let the muppets fool you
by coop
I was one of those people who didn't watch Buffy for years because I thought it was a stupid teen show with monsters and then I was predjudiced against farscape because it seemed like a goofy sci fi show with muppets. People on here kept raving about it (and some raved about Lexx too which was total crap) so I gave it a chance and after catching up a little I am really into it. Just like with Buffy, what people don't understand is that it's the clever writing that is so entertaining. If you are comparing Buffy to any crappy teen show or Farscape to crappy sci fi shows, you just aren't paying attention.
Sept. 7, 2002, 1:15 a.m. CST
Saw this one coming
by WilliamT
A few weeks back, I saw where Ben Browder's agent was looking to get him cast in the BATMAN VS SUPERMAN flick. So, I think he's been expecting this for quite awhile. I know I have. The show's kind of gone into a rut.
Sept. 7, 2002, 1:18 a.m. CST
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! or yes?!
by fyrie
I can only imagine that Sci-fi channel is on its way out. Please, please do the series justice for the finale.
Sept. 7, 2002, 1:27 a.m. CST
I remember hearing a while ago that SCIFI wanted to stop airing
by TheMatarife
And sort of gravitate to horror fantasy and other scifi as well to boot ratings. I guess they really mean it. They think the only way they can shed the geeky image and low ratings is to get rid of farscape. It is their most visible show after all. Just my thoughts.
Sept. 7, 2002, 1:40 a.m. CST
by NeoAngelus
I'd really like to find out exactly WHY they aren't picking this up for another season. I'm positive that there isn't a viable reason.
Sept. 7, 2002, 1:47 a.m. CST
by NeoAngelus
This is more than likely me being over-hopeful, but I've developed a theory. Perhaps TNT knew of the cancellation of Farscape, and that's why they ditched Witchblade, so that they could afford to buy the rights to Farscape. It seems to me that Farscape has a larger worldwide fan base than Witchblade, and is a better show anyway. And Turner owns cable stations all over the world, so it could still be aired everywhere. I'm crossing my fingers that this may be in SOME way true.
Sept. 7, 2002, 1:48 a.m. CST
UM??? januray? i think not
by Lelon
as I understand it, season 4 is half over, and farscape isn't coming back until january, and that said the last eps are in january. something dont jive. hopefully we still have a full half season left.
Sept. 7, 2002, 1:51 a.m. CST
You got to be shitting me as well.
by Minoc Drakkir
Well, there goes ANY reason I have to watch the Sci-Fi channel. When Sci-Fi first came around, I use to insultingly refer to it as the "All Cancelled Network" because of the crap that use to show (Automan anyone?). Well, who would have known that I am so prophetic! They just cancelled one of the very few shows that got me to watch TV consistently instead of popping in a DVD into my home theater (TV generally sucks my friends). I knew there was a "disturbance in the force" when they announced that there would be no Farscape episodes PERIOD (not even reruns?) until January. Instead they treat us to back-to-back episodes of Stargate SG1 (not a bad show, its just not as interesting as Farscape). It is now clear that they made this decision months ago, why else not show reruns which would continue to cultivate an audience who may have just discovered the show until the final episodes of season four. Well, I guess I will be watching Sci-Fridays on Showtime now. Odyssey 5 and Jeremia have really peaked my interest (been watching them since Sci-Fi has been a Farscape free zone for what seems like forever now) and if anyone from the Sci-Fi channel happens to read this posting, consider your channel blacklisted. I'm blocking your channel from my satellite system until the final Season 4 Farscape episodes and then your gone for good. Great customer service there guys. -Drakkir Out.
Sept. 7, 2002, 1:53 a.m. CST
by nickmarks
Farscape is the most creative show on TV. No show can match it's story and look. EVERYONE!!! We need to write to these fuckers. Call these bastards. Spam these mothers until they realize we are not going to go away. WHOSE WITH ME!???? That phone number up above in the post...the mail box is full. If anyone knows any home numbers of these people or other businesse numbers we can try post them! VIVA FARSCAPE!
Sept. 7, 2002, 2:07 a.m. CST
I am shocked.
by Imagikafan
The one reason I watch the Sci-fi channel has just been eliminated. Farscape is definitely one of the best sci fi shows of the past decade. As soon as the last episode of this great show airs, I am done with this channel. -Mark
Sept. 7, 2002, 2:11 a.m. CST
What a week...
by Almost Sexy
Could y'all please pretty please please refrain from lumping Farscape in with anything written by Joss Whedon?? Man that's too bad. It's a good thing I don't have cable after all... Oh and thanks to all the on-topic posters for ignoring catty turnip-snippers.
Sept. 7, 2002, 2:15 a.m. CST
by Lomer
Farscape is the only thing on tv I watch. I love this high quality show, it is the show in which I now compare all other shows. I'll definately be doing my part to try keep Farscape on air! -Lomer (phone calls, letters, faxes... got it.)
Sept. 7, 2002, 2:39 a.m. CST
Crackers DO Matter
by Rnap22
This is something that a couple of us are doing. In with our letters we are including a package of crackers and at the end of the letter saying, "Crackers DO matter!" Just wanted to try to get everyone together on this. Already posted over at xenite. Please help us out and save our show! Pass it around to any other Farscape sites you go to. This is the best show on Sci-Fi and most other stations these days.
Sept. 7, 2002, 2:39 a.m. CST
Oh boy, more time to run SG-1!
by vroom socko
Don't you just love it when people who have no understanding of what quality Science-Fiction is have control over the production of Science-Fiction programming? I'm going out tommorrow to pick up a few of the DVD's as a show of support. As soon as the finale airs, there will no longer be any reason for me to watch this channel.
Sept. 7, 2002, 2:57 a.m. CST
Watch ODYSSEY 5. It's good scifi.
by Darth Siskel III
I've gotten into this show. It's the only thing keeping me from cancelling Showtime.
Sept. 7, 2002, 3:13 a.m. CST
Petition To Oust Bonnie Hammer
by cravenimage
For anyone who feels inclined to sign a petition calling for the ouster of SciFi Channel Head Bonnie Hammer, go to this url: http://www.petitiononline.com/eulogy/petition.html and add your voice to the call for this fools removal once and for all.
Sept. 7, 2002, 3:17 a.m. CST
no frelling way!
by u.k. star
i can' believe this i've been passing this news around the uk and everyone is devastated, and this was the best season yet, "this will not stand"
Sept. 7, 2002, 3:31 a.m. CST
Waking the sleeping giant.
by Visigoth
SciFi may be in for a rude shock. I have not seen (or heard) of so large a community getting behind a campaign to rescue a show so fast as what is occuring with fans of Farscape. The 60's era write in to save Star Trek may very well wind up paling in comparisson. And please people, remember that polite hand written letters mailed throught he postal service is far more effective than anything else. And if you participate in the "Crackers DO Matter" campaign and include some saltines, make sure to just send a few crackers with each letter. If you do not have access to the restaraunt packages use small clear baggies for the crackers so that they do not get mistaken for soemthing else.
Sept. 7, 2002, 4:15 a.m. CST
RE: Petition to oust Bonnie
by Niaiserie
Just thought I'd quote this bit from the transript: "I am the most savaged and angry person about this you know. Brian started on this project with Rockne in 1993. I was brought in in 1994. It has been essentially my life since then. If I am not angry at Bonnie, then you have no right to be...Bonnie is the President of Sci Fi, and has always been a fan of Farscape."
Sept. 7, 2002, 4:20 a.m. CST
by Cap'n Chaos!
I guess I should be suprised we got four seasons. I'll be writing sci-fi, but I don't think it'll do any good because they've shown to be a pretty worthless network. They've only done about four things right in my opinion during their entire existence. 1.) Saved MST3K for another three seasons. (I think it was three...) 2.) Launched Farscape in the first place. 3.) Show reruns of Star Trek and Twilight Zone. Because I may think all the spin-offs are crap, but I still enjoy these original series, even if I'm not a real Trekkie. 4.) Picked up Stargate which is a lot better than the movie and is probably the closest thing to the sixties Star Trek on TV now. I'm not saying it's as good or hasn't had it's share of BAD episodes, but it's got a good cast with characters as fleshed out as on most of the popular dramas on TV and it's got some damn spirit in it. Try finding that in Andromeda or Enterprise. Back to the point, I'd be very surprised if someone didn't pick it up, be it TNT or one of the netlets. UPN could use another cult show. Hell, pair it with Enterprise and let the fur fly! I guarantee they'd stay on top of WB. Now we just need the frog to cancel Angel at the end of this season and let UPN pick it up so it'll be on a network that'd treat it right. *unintelligible rantings brought to you by insomnia: not the movie, but the real thing.*
Sept. 7, 2002, 4:30 a.m. CST
Fuck Sci-fi maybe Showtime can pick it up!!!
by Ozymandias13
If Showtime had any sense they would pick this show up and put it on the Sci-Friday schedule. This show would be great on showtime cause it wouldnt be limited by the same censors as the Sci-fi channel. That means we can have Chriton say fuck instead of frell and possibly a little nudity from some of the the main characters or some of the guest stars.
Sept. 7, 2002, 5:21 a.m. CST
A Farscape Campaign Website
by jullfff2
http://farscape.wdsection.com is currently in the process of consolidating all of the information currently racing across the internet in order to help fans get the information they need to get their letters out as quickly as possible. If anybody has additional information they'd like posted, please go to the WDSection community and post it at http://www.wdsection.com/community/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=14 so it can be added to the information already on the farscape campaign website. The chat transcript says that the set destruction starts on Friday.... we need to get everything out before then. Thanks for all of your assistance!
Sept. 7, 2002, 5:52 a.m. CST
by Davthefish
Good riddance to bad shite.
Sept. 7, 2002, 5:57 a.m. CST
Getting personal isn't a good way to aproach this
by mindKMST
Don't go after an individual person at scifi just because the show you like was cancelled. Put pressure on scifi to bring Farscape back with support for the show. That said, Farscape was one of the only reasons I turned on my TV. I will miss the show greatly but I'm not totally ready to give up on it being picked up by someone else.
Sept. 7, 2002, 6:01 a.m. CST
Old News...
by Kelvington
Isn't this old news? About a month ago wasn't it reported that the show was cancelled? They weren't picking up the 5th season? It will be a shame if we don't see Gigi again. Man is she cute. Plus MUPPETS! Don't Henson's people have enough money to do this on their own?
Sept. 7, 2002, 6:14 a.m. CST
Farscape & Witchblade
by DarkZero
Between the cancellation of Witchblade and now the cancellation of Farscape, I think it's very clear what the situation is: cable channels simply don't like having higher ratings than network channels for the first time in history and have decided to take a suicide dive back into ratings obscurity. I guess the pressure of gaining very easy momentum by attracting a hardcore sci-fi crowd during the summer and using those ratings and the buzz they create to push "normal" shows like reruns of Law & Order and lighter sci-fi fare like The Dead Zone (aka "Touched By Some Psychic Dude") was just too much for them, so they decided to get rid of all of their shows that are doing well and promoting their channel in mainstream publications like TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly during the summer. I guess we can't really blame them. I mean, after all, easy success that propels your entire year of programming, supports your lackluster nights of affiliated network programming, and sells like hotcakes to foreign network and cable channels all over the world is a really hard thing to deal with. ------- All sarcasm aside, I'll be laughing my ass off when these idiots wonder why their ratings have slipped, despite the fact that their new scheduling strategy really just boils down to "ditch our current plan and start acting like the network channels that we've finally started beating". I'll laugh even harder when the Sci-Fi Channel realizes during the next season that appealing to the lowest common denominator with light, easy-access, episodic sci-fi isn't going to work for them and that the hardcore sci-fi fans that loved Farscape and the other shows that they've ditched over the years isn't going to take them back this time. When you mercilessly ditch what you have for a shot at something slightly better, you inevitably miss that shot and end up with nothing at all.
Sept. 7, 2002, 6:30 a.m. CST
This would be funny if it was not so pathetic
by spike fan
The fact that the scifi channel is cancelling its best show and one of the best shows on TV beggers belief. S3 of Farscape was the best thing out there while episodes like Scratch and Sniff and Revenging Angel easily deserved an Emmy nod but where ignored. Hopefull somone with clout is out there to knock some sense into the idiots who ordered this cancellation.
Sept. 7, 2002, 7:28 a.m. CST
I will never watch the Sci-Fi channel again!
by joemannix
FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK.....SORRY. I've never used profanity in a talkback before, but felt it necessary before! This sucks muck deek.
Sept. 7, 2002, 8:01 a.m. CST
I used to watch the show
by scarface319
After B5 was taken off the air I started watching Farscape. As much As I wanted to like the show I just couldn't. I watched it for 3 seasons but for me I just couldn't get into the show. I know how I felt though when they cancelled B5 so for all of you who loved Farscape, you have my sympathy.
Sept. 7, 2002, 8:46 a.m. CST
Stargate SG1 just jumped the shark
by Eyegore
At the end of the last season finale episode, they all hopped into a gigantic starship they've been building in secret and flew off into space ala star trek, andromeda, farscape, or any other space opera where a bunch of people sit around on a starship bridge bouncing around the galaxy getting into adventures. It reminds me of the final season of Buck Rogers in the 25th century. Oh, and they don't know how to get back to earth either...Lost in Space. As for Farscape, it's clearly the best show on Sci FI, but it doesn't really suprise me they canceled it. I was suprised when they canceled Sliders and MST3K. Now I'm just numb to thier retardedness. Mark my words, they won't be renewing Stargate after they're done destoying it with the next season of tooling around lost in space on thier sg1 starship.
Sept. 7, 2002, 8:54 a.m. CST
by auk
eyegore - the SG-1 episode you were talking about was in the middle of a series.. anyway in other news, BOOO
Sept. 7, 2002, 9:18 a.m. CST
I don't get it! Farscape and Witchblade were good, popular
by Drath
They had great ratings for cable shows, they had followings of fans that EVERY show and network hopes to gather. They was everything either TNT or SCI-FI could hope for, and they're being cancelled for the dumbest bullshit reasons I've heard since Ford pardoned Nixon! TNT's afraid Witchblade won't work for a third year? Since when the fuck does that stop shows from being renewed, let alone good ones? Tons of shows that NEVER worked have been renewed over the years so long as they had modest enough ratings, but this one was TNT's only hit. I don't care if the star had a drinking problem, so did Kelsey Grammar, and NBC's kept HIS show for ten years! And now Farscape goes?!!?! Sci-Fi had a 2 year contract and they're just junking it despite the show's success? That is rediculous! What the fuck is wrong with this week? I feel like I'm on crazy pills! I thought evil was supposed to be expunged from the world of movies and TV when Lorenzo Di Bonaventura left WB. It's like the Chi has to be balanced now and everything that's good is being destroyed. I won't watch Sci-Fi if it's turning into lame horror/USA action crap. I thought that was just a joke, but to cancel Farscape is a pretty clear message that you don't want the viewers. Fuck you Sci-Fi and die in the piss filled grave of your own making you messed up bitches. That goes double for you, Turner Network Television.
Sept. 7, 2002, 9:28 a.m. CST
Maybe it's a good thing SciFi never picked up Doctor Who...
by ejcarter9
...if they were just going to do to it what they've done to Farscape and Sliders.
Sept. 7, 2002, 10:40 a.m. CST
Damn you Sci-Fi channel
by SinfulAngel
YOU DIE, YOU DIE AND GO STRAIGHT TO HELL!!! This network should get it over with and go off the air completely. The Sci-Fi channel can't do anything right. I'm pretty sure the people running it don't like science fiction let alone television.
Sept. 7, 2002, 11:21 a.m. CST
My Saturday "To Do" List...
by Rufus_T_Firefly
Send pissed off e-mail? CHECK. Sign online petition? CHECK. Send pleading fax to New York? CHECK. Go to local Safeway for saltines? CHECK. Pack and send via Priority Mail? CHECK. This sure as Hell might be a fruitless cause, but I'm sure going to give it a shot. Worst comes to worst, I'd like to thank the entire Farscape cast and crew for the finest four seasons of sci-fi TV since Shatner hung up his black lycra shortpants.
Sept. 7, 2002, 11:24 a.m. CST
flowergirl and GreatOne -fools who come to these threads just to
by Electric_Monk
You know, flowergirl, you seem to think that Farscape sucked. It is obvious that you were a person who thought Full House was the funniest show on TV and helped keep it on for 8 years or you thought Voyager was the best Trek ever produced. Farscape, a show I doubt you watched, was clever, funny, well written and weird. It was different. But, like the so called GreatOne who just posts because he needs the attention, I'm sure you just needed to take the opposing opinion. And I'm the fool who was baited by your uncalled for comments. Please tell us your favorite show so when it gets cancelled, we can rub your face in it. You are entitled to your own opinion, but this was not the time or the place to state it. Besides, your opinion is based on the few episodes you claimed you saw. The show deserved more attention from you, so you could make an "informed opinion". Jeebus, what an ass.
Sept. 7, 2002, 11:25 a.m. CST
What a shite week!
by ArchDiver
This is going to completely sour the fall season for me. I have letters to write. AD out
Sept. 7, 2002, 11:29 a.m. CST
To all you haters out there
by ArchDiver
Stop wasting bandwidth. People are trying to organize on this forum and you are wasting space. It's like jacking the mikes at an ACLU rally to say you think Rodney King got what he deserved. AD out
Sept. 7, 2002, 11:44 a.m. CST
Dr. Who
by ChrisPC24
Ejcarter, they did run Dr. Who for a while, but ran the same few episodes over and over til they dropped it.
Sept. 7, 2002, 11:48 a.m. CST
History repeats......
by RobinP
This sounds like a similar incident several decades ago, when due to the notoriously inaccurate Nielsen ratings, "Star Trek" was booted off the air after its third season. (Incidentally, why do they still use those ?) For those who don't remember, fans instantly organised themselves into various action groups and achieved.....nothing. Letters, petitions.....all for nothing. It took a full 12 years for Star Trek to get back to the screen, and even then it was NOT due to the petitions of fans and conventions and the like. It was due to the popularity of Star Wars. Thing is, Star Trek became a phenomenon in syndicated reruns. The networks had enough episodes in the can to rerun them ad infinitum, and I have a feeling that will happen again with Farscape. To those of you who are fans of the series, I'm sorry for your loss, hey I know how it feels when one of my favorite shows gets shot down, but other than help you cope, writing letters will get you nowhere. Now, while I'm not a particular fan of the series, I have nothing against it either. I've caught some bits and pieces of some epsodes here and there as they air at the time I get home from work, but I was under the impression that the show had a fairly solid fan base, and that its ratings were reasonably high. Why cancel it then ? Is it that they just have enough episodes now ?
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:24 p.m. CST
And there was much rejoicing!
by odietamo
Good riddance to this no story, no depth, comic book IQ level crapfest. I am so tired of hearing about it from it's truly fanatical fans. Don't go away mad, folks...
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:36 p.m. CST
Same song, different beat
by ginta1971
Only twice have I seen petitions help any show:NBC's cancelling of The Pretender and Sci-Fi's picking up MST3K (the second one being debatable if it was the petitions). Folks, it's the nature of the beast, shows you like WILL get cancelled, and shows you hate will continue on forever (I think Murder, She Wrote was on for what....73 years?). Yes, I understand you are pissed, I used to get that way too, but maybe it is my advancing age, I just shrug and move on now.
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:38 p.m. CST
A Clue...
by HerderOfCats
I attended WorldCon, in which some of the executives of the SciFi channel were at a panel. They gave no clue that they were cancelling Farscape, but it was clear that the relationship with Farscape was different then many of their other shows. Basically a number of their shows are produced by either themselves or by a sister company under Vivendi Universal, but Farscape is not. Thus they have very few rights to Farscape, basically first broadcast rights. They may have decided that they needed more rights or control to the properties that they do broadcast then what Farscape was offering. Think about it, with the Dune miniseries, they own it completely. They get money from every DVD, every overseas sale, etc. This adds up, and may be what makes them believe they'll make more money producing their own or their sister companies shows then continuing to promote Farscape which owns all such subsidiary rights. BTW, re: the comments about starting in January being a bad sign, the executives also said in the panel that they don't try to do new stuff in the fall like the other networks. Instead, they counter-program, and thus introduce new mini-series and events in December when most networks are doing their first reruns, and introduce new shows in January and Summer when the momentum for network shows is down. -- Herder of Cats
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:38 p.m. CST
Actually ArchDiver, it's not like that at all.
by odietamo
But I don't find it the least bit surprising, in your utterly narrow worldview, that you would consider it the same. /// This is a forum, a place for sharing opinions on topics. The topic in this forum thread is the death of Farscape. It is NOT the "ArchDiver would like to organize a rally" thread. /// Start your own site. Make your own forums. Then gather your fans of this combination comic book, bad french film and organize away as you dictate the rules. /// Oh, and when twenty guys with sticks, guns and law enforcement powers surround you and tell you to lay down, stay the F down. King didn't "deserve" it, but was sure as Hell not obeying the police, the law or common sense to have put himself in that situation and then continued to try to get up, defying them, when they were beating him. The moral is, do NOT break the law and DO obey the police and then they don't beat you. Pretty simple, really.
Sept. 7, 2002, 12:51 p.m. CST
More thoughts...
by Minoc Drakkir
I just wanted to follow up to what RobinP said. Sci-Fi does not care about the storyline at all, or the hopes, desires or wants of the fans. However, they do care about profit and ratings. FarScape has a solid fan base, good ratings, great reviews and will have 88 episodes after the unfortunate close of season 4. So the question is... why cancel it at all? What the hell could they be thinking? The reason, money. Sci-Fi will not renew season 5 (i.e. not spend another dime on the show) but they will replay those 88 episodes over and over again and continuously reap profits by raping the corpse of what is easily the best Sci-Fi show since Babylon-5. They will sell the show on DVDs and VHS and make money. They have already licensed a video game and they will make money from that as well. Now, don't interpret this as a defense of what Sci-Fi is doing. I'm a big time capitalist and quiet frankly they own the show and can do with it as they wish. With that said however, as a consumer and player in the free market, I am the one who really has the power and not the corporation which is Sci-Fi. They have taken away a product that I was very fond of and therefore, I choose (therefore I exercise power) not to do any business with Sci-Fi again. This is no different from getting bad service at a restuarant and NEVER returning again. You don't care while your food was cold when you got it, you just remember the bad service and they lose a customer forever. That means I will not be buying Farscape DVDs, will not be watching reruns and will not be watching ANYTHING on the Sci-Fi Channel (with the exception of the final episodes of Season 4). That is what we must impress upon them in our letters. Not only are they jeopardizing their income stream by canceling the show we love, but they are jeopardizing all income generated from all current and future content they provide their viewers by angering the audience they cater to. Sci-Fi (and all TV channels) not only have to face competition from hundreds of other channels, but other forms of content as well such as movies, home theaters, rental stores, video games systems and the computer. Think about it AICN friends, on Friday night for example, you have a myriad of choices of how to entertain yourself if you decide to stay home for the evening. Do you watch the news, play the latest video game, surf the net, rent some movies, watch MTV2, pop in a DVD, or watch... Farscape. Well for me (and evidently many others) I would watch Farscape... every time. It was the only show that kept me on that channel ever Friday night. Now, its going to be gone. Well I'm pissed that the show is leaving... but ultimately, its going to hurt Sci-Fi more than its going to hurt me because I have hundreds (literally) of choices of Friday night content. So, not only does Sci-Fi face that competition (as it use to) but my anger and disgust as well. Well, though I will miss Farscape, I won't miss the Sci-Fi channel. Sorry for the long rambling diatribe, I just needed to get this off my chest. Best Seeing You. - Drakkir Out.
Sept. 7, 2002, 1:03 p.m. CST
thank Christ, now I don't have to hear the snob geeks rantin
by Tall_Boy
another one bites the dust, cha cha cha. here hoping buffy and angel go next so they can all shut the hell up.
Sept. 7, 2002, 1:40 p.m. CST
Save Farscape!
by Dakky
Here's a link with information on how to save Farscape: http://farscape.wdsection.com./
Sept. 7, 2002, 1:48 p.m. CST
by SpacePhil
The little voice says, "Thank you for calling USA Networks. Our switchboard is now closed. Please call back during regular business hours, from 9 to 5. Thank you." I called at about 1:30 pm. Mayhaps we're getting through to them ?
Sept. 7, 2002, 1:57 p.m. CST
Tips for Writing Letters to Sci-Fi
by Mostholy
Hey y'all. Just mailed my first batch of letters to Sci-Fi this morning. First of all, Archdiver's right. Never mind all the haters and trolls right now. The best revenge would be to pull a Pretender and get the show back on the air. Almost all of these I've seen elsewhere, but I thought it might be helpful to get 'em all in one post. 1) BE POLITE. Which doesn't mean don't be angry, disappointed, emphatic, pleading, and/or strong in your choice of words. It means no swearing, no personal threats or threats to the company (OTHER than to say you'll no longer be watching them.) Remember what Kemper said about Bonnie Hunter - if he's not pissed at her, you shouldn't be. 2) BE "NORMAL." Sci-Fi expects the fanboy/fangirl conventioners to be pissed and will write them off as acceptable losses. So it may help to disguise oneself (if necessary) as an average (upscale) consumer, deeply disappointed by the loss of the show. The type of person who wouldn't normally watch science-fiction but was enthralled by Farscape. 3) MENTION CRITICAL ACCLAIM. Mention the Saturn awards and mention that oft-repeated TV Guide quote, "the best science-fiction series on TV" - Sci-Fi uses it almost all of their Farscape promos, so there's no harm in hoisting them by their own petard. Plus, it's true. 4) IT'S NOT JUST THE CANCELLATION, IT'S THE CLIFFHANGER. It is a double disservice to fans and the show in that, in its current state, it will never be resolved. 5) FARSCAPE GAVE SCI-FI LEGITIMACY AND RATINGS. Before that first wave of Friday prime shows, Sci-Fi was Dark Shadows 24-7. Farscape was an early hit for the network and the first show to ever give the fledgling network respectability. As such, it deserves a more honorable sendout. 6) CRUMBS DO MATTER. If you're participating in the "Crackers DO Matter" campaign and sending some form of crackers, make sure (a) they are sealed in a bag of some sort and (b) very well marked. This is most assuredly not the week to be sending unmarked powdery substances to the Rockefeller Center. 7) THIS DECISION WILL IMPACT SCI-FI'S RATINGS. Admit to enjoying a few of the other shows on the network (or future shows - I mentioned anticipation of the forthcoming Children of Dune film.) Say that you will boycott these programs AND the network as a result of this decision. 8) YOU WILL ALSO BOYCOTT FARSCAPE RE-RUNS. I think Drakkir is probably right about the Sci-Fi plan...it's to make all future money on the first 88 episodes. Say that you will not watch them on Sci-Fi in protest (if it's true that Sci-Fi only has first broadcast rights, then DVD money doesn't go to them...is that the case?) 9) KEEP IT SUCCINCT, AND SPELL-CHECK. As I said before, the less fanboy and more professional the letter seems, the more Sci-Fi will have to wonder about the type of demographic who wrote it. Hope that helps. Now lets go get the frellers.
Sept. 7, 2002, 2:11 p.m. CST
No ONE i knew saw this stupid SHOW! THANK GOD it's going!!!
by MentallyMariah
Someone finally came to there senses! I tried to watch it and oh my god did it SUCK HARD!
Sept. 7, 2002, 2:13 p.m. CST
Forgot two...
by Mostholy
10) IF FARSCAPE IS NOT SAVED BY SCI-FI, THEN THEY HAVE NO BUSINESS CALLING THEMSELVES THE "SCI-FI" CHANNEL. Nuff said. And 11) WRITE AS IF THE DECISION IS REVERSIBLE. And close by urging them to reconsider.
Sept. 7, 2002, 2:27 p.m. CST
i heard this cancellation has everything to do with Yancy Butler
by BurlIvesLeftNut
or maybe I am making that up.
Sept. 7, 2002, 2:41 p.m. CST
Follow up to MostHoly
by Minoc Drakkir
Great Post MostHoly. Just wanted to add something to your very well thought out list that I have seen on other forums and I think is a good idea. Some one (don't remember who) recommended writing the letter in your own handwriting as opposed to typing it. It has the effect (the argument goes) of immediately legitimizing your letter since it doesn't look like a form letter at first blush. But please, write neatly. If they can't read what you are trying to say... the message will be lost. Is anyone here is management, sales or customer service? If so, what is the ratio of customers who complain vocally versus those who are silent. I vaguely remember in the television arena it was someone insane number like "for every letter you get, there are 10,000 customers who feel the same way but don't take the time to write" or something like that. Therefore, an immediate and large response is key. Just one other thing, we have to assume the Sci-Fi network is anticipating our response. They know that we are going to be pissed off and raise hell about this. So, if we give them exactly what they were expecting, it will NOT change their minds about this show. For example, if they anticipated 10,000 angry letters and 5,000 phone calls and that is exactly what they get from the fanbase, they will probably pat themselves on the back and ride out the storm. However, if we give them 10 - 20 times what they expected... they will (if they are have sound business judgment) be forced to reevaluate their decision and it will be clear that they misjudged the market. Therefore, please, if you love this show please write to Sci-Fi. Be seeing you. -Drakkir out.
Sept. 7, 2002, 2:50 p.m. CST
I wish this news could upset me
by Billy Goat
Being a fan of Jim Henson's Creature Shop, I watched this show from the beginning. I think the first season was the best, when the show was still about John Crichton trying to adapt to the alien world he's stuck in. But in my opinion, the show jumped the shark when Zhaan died, possibly even sooner. Too many characters seemingly dying and coming back, too many "special" episodes, too many stories founded on gimmicks that lesser shows would only use as desperate ratings stunts. The writers were no longer asking themselves "what good stories can we tell?", but "how can we screw with the audience's minds?" and "how many rules of storytelling can we break?". And TV Guide's preview of what will happen next just made me groan. It's time to give it a rest.
Sept. 7, 2002, 3:44 p.m. CST
Sites that are Mobilizing the Scapers
by Deneba
Here are some sites to help you in the effort to save Farscape: (This one has the best information. Great job and fast action!) http://farscape.wdsection.com/ http://www.karlsweb.com/ http://pub120.ezboard.com/bfarscapediscussion http://www.farscapeweekly.com/ http://www.farscape-one.de/ http://www.johnskeedvabbq.com/ficpics.html Come on, Scapers. Don't waste your breath on trolls. Save your efforts for for something that will make a difference. Show commitment by handwriting letters, sending telegrams and faxes, making phone calls. The voicemail boxes are full right now, but call Monday. Tuesday. Keep calling. Only a concerted dedicated effort will save this unique show.
Sept. 7, 2002, 4:34 p.m. CST
by boozysmurf
<a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/xg103/">http://www.petitiononline.com/xg103/</a> <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/scaper1/petition.html">http://www.petitiononline.com/scaper1/petition.html</a> And the official Save Farscape site: <a href="http://farscape.wdsection.com/">Save Farscape</a> FREE NET FAXING: <a href="www.tpc.int/sendfax.html">www.tpc.int/sendfax.html</a> the number is +1-212-413-6531
Sept. 7, 2002, 4:53 p.m. CST
I'm still not convinced this isn't it a plot to turn SCI
by TheMatarife
So that they can grab more of a share of the centrist audience and not the Fangirl/Fanboy market, that segment propels a lot of stuff, but unfortunatley its not huge, and when a network caters to it, it ges a geeky rep that is death to mainstream appeal. Anyway, whats the story behind the Crackers? i never really watched so i don't know it too well.
Sept. 7, 2002, 4:58 p.m. CST
Welll, heres some input from a guy who wrote two farscape licenc
by TheMatarife
This is a post from Keith R.A. DeCandido made over at the PSIPHI.org forums (a startrek novels site) He wrote a couple of Farscape novels for TOR. "Well, confirmation from the show-runner and stars is pretty solid -- I'm waiting to hear from a friend at Sci-Fi (who won't know until Monday at the earliest, what with it being the weekend and all). However, given that the ratings have been plummeting faster than Louie Anderson bungee-jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge, and given that the show is extremely expensive for Sci-Fi, and so needed to maintain a much better rating than it had been getting to justify the cost to a network that has tons of money problems as it is, this decision doesn't really surprise me. As for finishing the story in novel form, I suppose it's possible, if they can find a publisher. Tor was deadlocked with Henson over legal issues, and I can't imagine that the show being cancelled will motivate Tor to settle it up for a low-end tie-in book. Sadly, the same is true of other publishers."
Sept. 7, 2002, 5:13 p.m. CST
To all the haters
by JeffTheBeefy
To all of you how like to gloat when the show YOU don't watch gets cancelled....just die. Slowly. Painfully. That's like laughing at a handicaped person....it's just frelling wrong.
Sept. 7, 2002, 5:18 p.m. CST
by teiresias
According to the figures at this site: http://www.farscapeworld.com/other/other/usrating.shtml The ratings don't seem to be taking any huge nosedive relative to any of the other seasons of the show, particularly about mid-Season 1
Sept. 7, 2002, 5:25 p.m. CST
Rodney King did get what he deserved...and so did Farscape
by Anyawatcher
Rodney was speeding over 100mph away from the cops then lunged at at the cops. If he pulled over he'd be fine. Anyway Farscape was boring and bad. And don't compare this updated Muppet sho to Buffy. Joss actually knows how to make a great show. Shove your petitions up your asses.
Sept. 7, 2002, 5:25 p.m. CST
Eyegore: SG-1 Jumping the Shark
by DarkZero
In response to Eyegore's bit about SG-1 "Jumping the Shark"... maybe you're a little new to the show, but SG-1 gets stuck on a ship in the middle of deep space in a two part episode in just about every season. It's a concept that they keep using over and over for their two-parters, but they always add some new twist to make a completely new story out of the same concept. The only difference here is that instead of just showing the episode in two parts like Showtime usually does, Sci-Fi decided to declare the first part a "season finale" even though the season ends in January, which accidentally hints to the viewers that the show will somehow be changing its focus. That wasn't the season finale and they won't be stuck in space for more than one or two episodes.
Sept. 7, 2002, 5:30 p.m. CST
A move to pick up Witchblade?
by gleason
At IGN Filmforce, on their piece on the Witchblade cancellation, they mentioned that due to the money already invested in SCIFI's current programming, they would probably not be able to pick up Witchblade at the price the producers might want (or even close to it). Could the cancellation of Farscape, with its large cost attributed to its production values and FX, have to do with SCIFI's possible interest in picking up Witchblade (which seems to have similar if not somewhat higher ratings to Stargate SG-1)? It could have been a move similar to voiding the last few years on a star athlete's contract to free up salary cap room to sign another, younger, more promising star. Of course there's no evidence that SCIFI/USA is interested in picking up Witchblade, but such tactics would not surprise me, or probably anyone else.
Sept. 7, 2002, 6:26 p.m. CST
buh-bye SCI-FI
by kojiro
I no longer have any reason to watch your network.
Sept. 7, 2002, 6:43 p.m. CST
Will someone please explain why you're sending crackers to t
by RobinP
This seems a little starange and...er....immature when the idea is to pass oneself off as something other than the regular (?) sci-fi geek. Also, with the anniversary of Sept 11 coming up, is this really wise ? I mean crushed crackers through the MAIL ? Could be some shooting yourself in the foot type of repurcussions here, guys. Anyhow, someone please explain to me how this started, as I never really watched the show I guess it could be some esoteric reference ? If it is....what makes you think the execs will understand what you're trying to say ? What makes you think they even watch their own output of programmes. This is NOt as far fetched as you may think !
Sept. 7, 2002, 6:48 p.m. CST
Not getting the point and still behaving poorly
by ArchDiver
First off, there is no need for name-calling. We are more sophisticated than that, right? Secondly, hiding behind the open forum idea is BS, pure and simple. The original article is all about ways in which fans can save the show, and a lot of the posts have been concerning just that. Thirdly, I was opening a debate about King, I was using it as an example of how it would be inappropriate and unintelligent to show up some place that people are rallying to a cause and insult them for doing so. But I waste my words with all of you, particularly one that sadly takes their name from a character I love. And odietamo, indiligens cum pigra familia, discintaque in otia natus. Nemo congressu, nemo aditu, nemo civitate, nemo luce dignum putet. AD out
Sept. 7, 2002, 7:18 p.m. CST
Ahhhh...Boo Hoo
by TheYellowBoy
I hated that show anyway. Ding Dong Farscape is Dead! Long Live Buffy and the other 200 shows that were better than Nutscape!
Sept. 7, 2002, 7:18 p.m. CST
Phase 2: Hit the Sponsors.
by Mostholy
Hey y'all...if you've already written/called Sci-Fi, great. Keep it up. They're expecting the initial deluge...so it's gotta go on for two weeks at the minimum. Secondly, Sci-Fi is really going to hate it if there seems to be a backlash with the sponsors. We need to write letters to Sci-Fi's major sponsors, proclaiming that we'll boycott their products until they pull their advertising from the channel. They're obviously going to think that's goofy, but if they get several hundred of these type of missives, they will go to Sci-Fi to find out what the hell is going on. This is hitting 'em in the pocketbook, people. AS ALWAYS, BE POLITE - DON'T ACT LIKE A LOON. A list and contact info of Sci-Fi's major sponsors can be found here - http://www.farscapeweekly.com/cancelled.htm (scroll to the bottom) - and they include Ace Hardware, Kia, Dell, Orkin, Cingular, Land's End, Mazda, etc. Obviously, you can write one letter and send it to each. Keep up the good fight, y'all.
Sept. 7, 2002, 8:27 p.m. CST
R.I.P. the best show in years
by foreverguardian
rarely has a TV show managed such originality and style on such a constant basis as Farscape. A wonderful cast, great characters and unique situations made the show worth FAR more than a measly four seasons. I for one will miss the show dearly, will forever loathe the sci fi channel, and play the existing episodes to death. SciFi channel: You are making a BIG MISTAKE. YOU NEED A FLAGSHIP SHOW. FARSCAPE IS ESTABLISHED, RESPECTED AND VERY DAMN GOOD. Not that you care about quality...
Sept. 7, 2002, 8:29 p.m. CST
by Z0D
You are a retard. If you ever watched the season finale of Stargate you would know that SG-1 was not in control of the ship until it was "lost in space." The fact of the matter is that they are lost, plain and simple. The ship got hijacked, and they were there to try and stop it, but failed. I think you are making an excuse to piss on the show because you think the show's producers are shortchanging the show. Piss off. --->Stargate is the best sci-fi show besides Enterprise on television. Live with it. ___---KNEEL---___
Sept. 7, 2002, 8:30 p.m. CST
Remove the Sci-Fi Channel
by the_patriot
Well, this truly frelling sucks! I'm going to write my polite yet strongly worded letters. If Farscape doesn't get picked back up, I suggest we all start another letter writing campaign- to your cable and dish providers, requesting that they DROP THE SCI-FI CHANNEL. Because repeats of Lost in Space and Star Trek to not a sci-fi channel make. This channel needs to learn quickly that they need to start providing quality, NEW programming like Farscape, Stargate SG-1, Witchblade or even Showtime's Odyssey 5- not repeats of 1960's shows that we can now pick up on DVD. Bastards. Grr.
Sept. 7, 2002, 9:53 p.m. CST
The Good Shows always seem to get cancelled...
by Foe-Hammer
Babylon 5, Farscape, both great shows, but short lived. Shows like Enterprise, Andromeda, etc. are total crap...but still seem to get funding because theres a ton of money to be made in memorabilia and toys. And andromeda? WTF whoever green lighted this SHiiITe needs to be 'sent to the hell where people are skinned alive, its that simple understand'...Its all about money. Oh well, shit does happen. Afterall though Its just a frikin TV show. I'm not gonna lose sleep over it...If you do I'd get out more.
Sept. 7, 2002, 10:03 p.m. CST
Barry Diller is an asshole!
by Russman
Please, write this bald headed prick at: Mr. Barry Diller President/CEO USA Networks, Inc 8800 Sunset Blvd, Fifth Floor Los Angeles, CA 90069 ...and tell that moron that you cancel the shitty shows not the good ones! Other than recording B5 episodes for a friend, after Farscape goes off, I'll have no reason to watch that station. Maybe I'll watch Taken and the next Dune, but I've no reason to watch. It's such a shame.
Sept. 7, 2002, 10:04 p.m. CST
Andromeda is shit now, ENTERPRISE isn't that bad
by TheMatarife
Don't get me wrong, its no DS9 or TNG, but it is way better than voyager. I still hope for it to be awesome. Andromeda is shit now, according to its fans, the first season and such were alright and improving, but I watched a little of the early stuff and then saw the recent stuff and laughed at how shitty it was.
Sept. 7, 2002, 10:39 p.m. CST
I do not understand
by Beck82
I do not understand this at all farscape has the sci-fi channels second highest ratings next to stargate sg-1. And had the highest for a long time. Now farscape I think has been sliping in qulity for some time namly the most recent season but that happens, it was still good. Assuming it stays canceled? What will anchor scif Friday reruns of the dead zone. Because ecept for some talk on the net and by producers this is also Stargate Sg-1
Sept. 7, 2002, 10:59 p.m. CST
SciFi how you really know how to ruin a good thing
by GoonLord
I know a crowd of folks who loved this show and watched faithfully every Friday. So now not only are you taking away the only show I know they cared for on your station (granted, you slip in a good flick now and then), you also take it away when there were such possibilities! How can you take away a show that is heading for a resolution a some future point (UNlike most television lately). There is no way you can truly wrap up all that has been laid out for us in the last half of a season! Hell, you wont even keep the damned thing on the air for most of that time! So, so irritating. I just wanted to share my discontent...
Sept. 7, 2002, 11:07 p.m. CST
...and for the love of all things holy!
by GoonLord
How can they take it away after the underlying promise of the first two-parter of this season!! The species connections and ancient history obviously have to be leading somewhere! Somewhere that is going to seriously change how it all works for all of them and will be a part of Crichton's future since it'll be him who somehow brings it all together. Damn it to HELL! Okay..the anger built up..had to be released before writing a letter or making a call...or 300. I realize that some of the 'filler' eps haven't been the greatest, but all tv is like that. But at least they still progressed the show in some way even if it was just a little. -----In the end..all I really want to know is if someone will be able to at least give us a satisfying resolution in some form if it all does go down the drain. Reruns arent going to cut it if I never get to see where it all ends up! Even if its just some post somewhere that we can all see by the creators..something telling us what would've happened..the major points. It would still work. Please keep that in mind.
Sept. 7, 2002, 11:21 p.m. CST
The lesson learned: Sci-Fi cable shows have no future
by Drath
I suspect the conspiracy people are on to something about Sci-Fi wanting to switch to USA action/non-space show material. I mean, think about the crap Sci-Fi puts on most of the time. Farscape was good, but a lot of the stuff they show is Z-grade crap. Actually, the same is true of USA, but at least their Z-grade crap has a wider audience because it's not "space stuff." I can't blame them if they want to shift the bulk of their programming, but that shouldn't mean tossing out the baby with the bathwater. What this tells me as a viewer is that Sci-Fi and USA are unreliable for on-going programs. They won't support their shows, so why should I support their networks? Don't watch the Dead Zone on USA OR Sci-Fi, it won't have a long life--critical acclaim and quality be damned. Don't bother watching whatever Sci-Fi brings in to replace Farscape and Stargate(which I've heard is already doomed). They don't want to cultivate a hit in this genre, USA and Sci-Fi are slobs to whom success means ripping us off with as little effort as possible. You can make up excuses for TNT when they cancelled Crusade and to a lesser extent Witchblade, turn Yancy Butler into your scape goat you immature bitches, but you can't make up an excuse for Sci-Fi. They backed out of THEIR two year committment to a show that was succeeding. That says something's wrong with the network, not the show or its fans. I wish this was BS, that'd be like waking up from a nightmare. It's just so FU that BOTH Farscape and Witchblade are dying at once. Maybe the stupid pills are going around. ***** Speaking of stupid pills...I'd complain about all the Farscape bashing here, but why waste bandwidth talking to teenagers? Dumb teenagers.
Sept. 8, 2002, 12:04 a.m. CST
Yet another summer relief series cancelled.
by Xocxoc
I am not one of those super passionate fans of Farscape, but I really was hoping for a season 5. Witchblade was cancelled with numerous plot holes unresolved, so was Invisible Man and countless other Sci-Fi series -- Remember VR-5, Now and Again, Twin Peaks, Dark Angel, and all the other serieses [sic] that ended with big cliff hangers only to never be resolved? -- Will Farscape face the same fate? As I understand, once they were given a two season renewal, they started a show arc that would not end until the end of season 5. Season 4 has already been filmed, meaning there will certainly be a season cliff hanger that will not be resolved. ** Without Witchblade and Farscape, next summer is going to seem much more dreary.
Sept. 8, 2002, 12:22 a.m. CST
Sci-Fi is now officially dead to me
by RoobyRoo
Why would I tune into this shit-ball of a network now? Any network stupid enough to gree-light that Black Scopion abomination is clearly bankrupt of standards, but killing Farscape AFTER agreeing to a fifth season is grounds for a boycott. William Shatner's late-night shit-movie fest (not even GOOD bad)? Reruns of that Dead Zone mediocrity? Endless reruns of shows that have already been run into the ground? Sci-Fi was once my hope for a channel that could bring together programming that the average Wal-Mart shopper just doesn't appreciate. Unfortunately they have floundered year after year, and Farscape (their one great program) has been destroyed (by a poor time slot as well as a lack of reruns to help initiate the uninitiated). Fuck Sci-Fi. I'm done with them. And I don't want to hear that they didn't have enough money--USA networks has deeper pockets than most cable outlets. If they wanted to keep Farscape they could. I can't help but think that their mis-management of this series over the last year means that they have planned Farscape's execution for a while, now. By the way -- fuck all of you Buffy-loving trolls who wandered in here to try and agitate us with your inflammatory comments. All that you do is confirm my opinion of the morons who watch that shit.
Sept. 8, 2002, 1:21 a.m. CST
This has got to be about Scifi wanting to stop being scifi
by Entilzha Proph
Someone earlier pointed out that scifi wanted to get away from space science fiction - totally true. This came from JMS after the B5:LOTR mess-up, where they played it THE EXACT SAME TIME AS A FUCKING FOOTBALL GAME!!! Anyway, later on I heard somewhere, that scifi wanted to stop being scifi altogether, and change like TNN changed. Unfucking bealivable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sept. 8, 2002, 1:38 a.m. CST
Minoc Drakkir...
by Cap'n Chaos!
Actually, I wouldn't boycott actual Farscape merchendise, because from what I understand, SciFi was not renewing the show in part because they were not getting money from that. Much the same way WB pisses on Angel because it's owned by Fox, unlike Smallville which is corporate synergy at it's most streamlined. If you buy FS DVD's (like I plan to once the season sets start being released next month) most of it should be going to the folks that made it and ADV who's releasing it. I do agree that boycotting the Sci-Fi channel is certianly something that may make an impact on the right people, however and encourage anyone that feels that strongly about it to do so. (Being a hardcore capitalist myself, I agree with your points, I just think some of them were mis-aimed.)
Sept. 8, 2002, 1:47 a.m. CST
They can't DO this!!!!!
by Brinn71
This show is the BEST and they CAN'T TAKE IT AWAY!!! Can anyone else pick up the show!? Thank you Henson, cast and crew for one of the BEST shows on TV. I HATE Sci-Fi for this! Brinn 71
Sept. 8, 2002, 3:20 a.m. CST
It Don't Make Sense...
by Grimjack99
...but if SciFi wants to take away what the viewing public wants, then I see nothing wrong with, once all of Farscape's original episodes air (Jan or Feb of next year), going back to only having basic cable. The SciFi channel was the main reason I had for upgrading my cable service in the first place, and won't miss it once Farscape ends. When I think of the creative contribution that the people at Henson, not to mention the actors, producers, designers, and writers made to that show, and to see how unceremoniously they were dropped (Sci-Fi planned on not releasing this info until AFTER the last new episode ran, well after the sets had been destroyed), well, if an employer treated me like that...People, let them know your feelings through your actions. If, like me, you are going to drop your expanded cable selection for this reason, make sure you tell your cable company exactly why you are doing this. Yeah, they might think you're weird (and they're probably right), but if enough people do it, it just might make the start to worry about their own income...
Sept. 8, 2002, 3:47 a.m. CST
Universal lacks all common and business sense!!!
by Strider69
Leave it to those idiots over at Sci-Fi/USA to kill their best moneymaker to date. I don't see many convention halls filling up, and millions of dollars being spent (Sell-out DVD's, Action Figures, Cards, Novels, Souvenirs, Collectables of all shapes and sizes) on any of their other half-ass shows. The only things good on their station BESIDES Farscape are shows that originated elsewhere. But Sci-Fi/USA is a part of the Universal Television Group---THE VERY SAME COMPANY THAT ISN'T PUTTING OUT XENA & HERCULES DVD'S IN AMERICA, despite the lingering demand for them. Come on chumps, Can't you let a good thing be! My God, you never even gave it a chance for a spin-off! Shows like Farscape are what could have kept that station going forever, but instead they choose to forcefeed us marathons of LEXX, and old Star Trek (which is good, but not 24/7). Sci-Fi you suck!!! Have a nice Day!!!
Sept. 8, 2002, 4:08 a.m. CST
More on what's behind the cancellation.
by DrVital
It's beginning to look like the show is going down due to the ongoing financial problems of EM TV, the German company that owns Henson, and has been trying (unsuccesfully) to sell the them. Check out this link" (http://community.spacecast.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=001147) where Anthony Simcoe says: "That's awesome but as far as I know Sci Fi wants it - It's EM that sunk it." Best guess right now is that Sci-Fi doesn't/can't take on the financial responsibility, and EM can't afford to continue making a successful show! I have a feeling that the size and response of the fan community to this one is going to surprise everyone... Here's the info to conact EM TV: EM.TV & Merchandising AG Betastr. 11 D-85774 Unterf
Sept. 8, 2002, 4:16 a.m. CST
by jullfff2
IMPORTANT NEW INTEL FROM FARSCAPE DARKSCAPE The forum is constantly updated with new information. Check it out. According to Anthony 'PLOPPY' Simcoe, in a chat at #farscape on scifi.events.com, it seems that EM TV is the real perpetrator (EM TV - a german company - owns The Jim Henson Company) and SciFi really wanted to keep Farscape. So here is the address and info for EM TV: EM.TV & Merchandising AG Betastr. 11 D-85774 Unterf
Sept. 8, 2002, 4:48 a.m. CST
Yeah, I think I buy into JMS theory that Scifi tried to kill B5
by TheMatarife
It wouldn't surprise me, theyve pulled some nasty shit before like the mst3k thing. Scifi wants to go from hardcore scifi and space opera to more mainstream stuff like fantasy and mainstream scifi movies. Don't look forward to Solaris being shown on Scifi anytime soon.
Sept. 8, 2002, 4:56 a.m. CST
by orac_uk
As news of this cancellation sends shockwaves throughout the UK (seriously, Farscape is the only genre show that has created a buzz here), I still can't believe it. Farscape had got to a point where it was even knocking out better episodes than Babylon 5 and fans here are just in shock - we believed Farscape was untouchable. Only a few months ago, we assumed that season 5 would lead to a film. The DVD's outsell Buffy, Trek and all the others whilst it is one of the few genre shows to get good reviews from critics who normally see the genre as a joke. Now we learn that SCI-FI have failed to tell the production team that they had no intention of going to year 5. The worst thing about all this is that the series will not get the conclusion that it deserves. Criminal really for a series that is so plot driven owing more to Blake's 7 and Babylon 5 than these piss poor Trek shows that will run and run to entertain the brain dead. The good shows always die prematurely but it's no consolation.... TV SCI-FI is officially dead with the loss of Farscape.
Sept. 8, 2002, 5:13 a.m. CST
Hey, look on the bright side!
by Demon Disco
We've still got Firefly to look forward to! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!! Sorry. There's evidently no way I could actually say that with a straight face...
Sept. 8, 2002, 8:46 a.m. CST
Now & Again + SciFi
by Gislef_crow
Just as a note, SciFi had nothing to do with cancelling Now & Again - that was CBS. It's only due to SciFi that we can see the show (in the Sunday a.m.)
Sept. 8, 2002, 10:05 a.m. CST
Doctor Who
by ejcarter9
ChrisPC: I know that. It was showing right up to the point when I got SciFi, then they stopped showing it. I'm talking about the rumors of SciFi picking up the series from the 1996 TV Movie with McGann.
Sept. 8, 2002, 11:17 a.m. CST
Sci-Fi...The Rerun Channel...
by gonkthud
That's what it should change its name to. It's far easier to snap up a catalogue of reruns on the cheap that almost everyone and their dog has seen already-Star Trek, X-Files, etc.,-then sink your money into crap like "Firestarter: Rekindled" the only good part of which was the fetching leading lady, which you can show ad naseum, then package and resell on DVD and VHS at your leisure. I've never watched "Farscape" but this move by Sci-Fi doesn't surprise me. They have their finger on the Cancel button of every original series and are just waiting for the syndication quota to be met before firing away. That said, I quit watching them on a regular basis when they cancelled MST3K.
Sept. 8, 2002, 12:30 p.m. CST
You can't trust the SciFi network !!
by warlock411
When you become a fan of a show you are giving a part of yourself to the show and the network. If you cant trust a network you end up by not caring about any of its shows because you know that when you do they will only cancel it. Why bother supporting and caring about a show if the suits are only going to kill it?
Sept. 8, 2002, 12:43 p.m. CST
First of all...*ahem* NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
by Sod Off Baldric
Sept. 8, 2002, 12:49 p.m. CST
Second of all...
by Sod Off Baldric
To all the people on this talkback who are deriding Farscape and saying how glad they are that it's cancelled (I'm looking mostly at you, Flowergirl, and you, Bamf!), grow up. If you don't like the show, why in the hell did you click on the article? You didn't see me going into the Roswell talkbacks to laugh at you over the cancellation of that, did you? You don't see me registering my disgust in the Smallville talkbacks over the fact that it's actually lasted past an entire season, do you? There are those of us who liked this show a lot. It had great writing, wonderful characters, superb special effects and interesting, original storylines. We don't need bitter little nerds like you coming in and pissing on us...Sci-Fi Channel has been pissing on us enough. I guess you're all just bitter because there's no regular Andromeda or Mutant X talkbacks.
Sept. 8, 2002, 1:30 p.m. CST
Don't Blaem Me! I Voted For Gore!
by Vermifax
When I think of all the lovely TV programs that manifested and flourished during the Clinton Administration, only to be degraded and decimated during the Bush Administration.......I just get sad and weary. It won't stop here. We'll see more great shows leave us while Sheriff Retard is still in the Oval Office. Oh well. Sign O' The Times, I guess. :-(
Sept. 8, 2002, 1:33 p.m. CST
Pilot's already been dismantled . . . It's too late now
by You Are Banned
Sorry, but according to Anthony Simcoe (D'argo), they've already started taking the sets down. Pilot has been dismantled. I suppose the sets could be re-built, if necessary, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.
Sept. 8, 2002, 1:44 p.m. CST
Vivendi Universal
by RoobyRoo
This piece about Vivendi Universal being a major factor in the corporate structure influencing Farscape is bad news. Vivendi's stock has gone from about $58 a share to around $9 a share, recently. Their stock tracking is almost a perfect 45 degree downward slope. I wouldn't be surprised if their woes and internal disarray have contributed to this shitty decision. The trade papers have had almost daily updates the last few months, documenting the woes at Vivendi Universal, even saying that they're so bad off that they will be selling hard assets and cutting costs to try and stay alive. Then there's the possibility that the earlier poster is on to something, that it's actually Germany's EMTv (or whatever) that is the corporate culprit. In any case, with the deadline looming for Farscape set destruction, things are bleak. I still intend to send letters which might help the cause, but the lack of a clear "villian" at this point is frustrating. All of this last-minute backstabbing of the show's creators, cast, and crew smack of the kind of underhanded dealings which are either incompetent, or sinister. In neither case do I realistically expect fan outcry to have much impact. But we can try.
Sept. 8, 2002, 1:54 p.m. CST
The sets have not been struck yet
by Mrs. Verhoeven
All Anthony Simcoe said was that they had put Pilot in a box. The sets aren't due to be struck until Wed, Sep 11. Not a lot of time I realize but it's false to say the sets are being destroyed already. I'm sure when they actually do "take the chainsaws to Moya" (as Ben Browder put it), someone from the cast/crew will let us know. :-/
Sept. 8, 2002, 2:52 p.m. CST
SCIFI.com's Farscape BBoard Down
by Drew_777
Maybe SCIFI.com's BBoard cannot handle all of the postings protesting the cancellation of Farscape? http://www.scifi.com/farscape/
Sept. 8, 2002, 3:02 p.m. CST
TVGuide is on crack.
by spaceman_spiff
Aside from the fact that most of the petitions and appeals are going to the wromg place (Sci-Fi instead of EM TV), the other sign of trouble should be the fact that at this point, still, not a single major media outlet seems to have run the Farscape cancellation story (other than ear-to-the-ground sites like "Ain't It Cool" and slashdot.org). Is a slow news cycle, or a lack of caring? Variety, Zap2It.com, TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly, nada... Odd, seeing as how the Witchblade cancellation stories hit the mainstream within a day. Cinescape.com does seem to have the story though, and seems to be implying that the wait for an official acknowledgement (a press release) might be the reason for the silence. Sci-Fi/EM TV/Henson Productions etc. had no intention of announcing this yet... heck, maybe not even until all the sets were torn down and the programming budget for the show reinvested.
Sept. 8, 2002, 4:20 p.m. CST
for the people who don't like Farscape
by allykatD
I have a question. Why do you care if Farscape is cancelled or not? Why do you care if people like it? Is someone tying you to the couch and forcing you to watch Farscape? Do you only get the Sci-Fi channel so you have nothing else to turn to? I really don't get why non-fans care. This behavior always puzzles me. There are a lot of shows on the air that people like and I don't, but I don't bad mouth the show or wish it to be cancelled, I just simply watch something else. For example, I think Survivor is stupid, but I don't have to watch it so what do I care?
Sept. 8, 2002, 4:31 p.m. CST
Save Farscape Campaign Latest Updates and How to Help!
by ||Scorpius||
Visit: http://scorpius-farscape.tv/master/savefarscape.html For the latest updates (get German addies/ph/email for EM TV!), Sci Fi, Henson and other network email addreses, fax, phone numbers, and information about Saving Farscape. Download a free save Farscape Postcard to print out. Updated frequently! Or visit http://forumco.com/scorpius to discuss the campaign or post news. I request anyone with new developments please post them to my BB. Sanctum of Scorpius chatroom "almost always open" http://scorpius-farscape.tv/master/comlink2.html "Scapers Welcome!" THANKS Ain't it Cool for covering this story!! ||Scorpius|| http://scorpius-farscape.tv
Sept. 8, 2002, 4:45 p.m. CST
Despite being the only watchable sci-fi show now?
by laguna_loire
Here in the UK Farscape is a complete delight - Buffy has completely missed any concept of entertaining its audience that it had before, Enterprise never fulfilled its promise, SG-1 killed-off the best character and thus aside from Farscape we have only Alias that really grips. Sadly we're all drowning in Star Trek repeats here, somebody call for a lumberjack, too much dead wood.......
Sept. 8, 2002, 5:15 p.m. CST
EM TV not to blame.....
by Lord_Dacon
check out http://farscape.wdsection.com/ (the following is just copy/paste) "<Barbarella> I HAVE SOME NEWS THE REAL CULPRITS ARE THE EXECS AT SCIFI <Barbarella> SCIFI IS TO BLAME FULLY"..."<Barbarella> SCIFI WANTED TO DROP THE PRICE <Barbarella> AND EM WOULDN'T HAVE IT" well I say boycott sci-fi and any of its affiliates and make sure they know it. They think FarScape costs them too much? Show them how much not having it will cost!
Sept. 8, 2002, 5:26 p.m. CST
Farscape is/was Sci-Fi's flagship show? Wasn't it?
by riskebiz
Why would a young network cancel it's flagship show? Maybe I'm not up on Sci-Fi's programming as much the next person, but Farscape was the most visible show on their network. So they cancelled their visibiltiy to the public at large? How stupid is that?
Sept. 8, 2002, 6:42 p.m. CST
Look on the bright side:
by Stan the Bat
...this will free up precious airtime for more episodes of 'Crossing Over', for those who find that seeing that crap five or six a night just isn't enough. Also cements Scifi's position as the frontrunner in the hotly contested 'least aptly named channel' sweepstakes.
Sept. 8, 2002, 6:47 p.m. CST
utterly ridiculous
by takevin
With the exception of a few good show, their flagship show Farscape is one of the best quality tv shows out there and yet the )$U_$_$%_#+#@ morons wish to cancel it while crap like John Edwards goes on. The scifi channel has completely detoriated in the past few years to crap shows, it is suppose to be SCIFI. Meaning they should have classic shows or movies for the weekend, bring back show like Buck Rogers and such.
Sept. 8, 2002, 7:31 p.m. CST
Stargate and Dead Zone viewers should be on their guard.
by Darth Christ
As well as anyone who loves ANYTHING on SFC at this point, not just Stargate and Dead Zone. After what they've just done to us Farscape fans, does anyone tuning into all the other shows on SFC actually feel safe in their fandom anymore? I mean, look folks, Farscape still brought home some prime bacon, but it got cancelled for little more excuse than "just because". I'm holding out hope for one week to see how the letter writing and general gentle hellraising goes, but failing that, I'm gutting SFC off my cable dial. They're just too obvious at this point in their lack of care for the fans. (And don't get me wrong, I never watch Stargate or Dead Zone, but I respect their right to exist as well as the fans who love them. So I see no reason to insult anybody in those fanbases. I wish you all luck in your own worlds, but I'm telling you, I wouldn't trust their stability at SFC anymore).
Sept. 8, 2002, 7:54 p.m. CST
Threaten to Boycott "Taken"
by Mad_Radhu
I think what we need to do is threaten a boycott of "Taken" when it comes out the winter. SciFi has put a lot of time and money into this show and it NEEDS to be a success. If enough people say they won't watch because of the Farscape situation, we might get our message through. Moo Hoo Ha Ha...
Sept. 8, 2002, 7:56 p.m. CST
by Smeg For Brains
If everyone who watched Far Scape stopped watching everything on Sci Fi their ratings would plummet period. This is the only power we have. The suits at USA don't give a rats ass about letters, or phone calls. They know that Farscape has a huge fan following, and they still cancelled it. They did this because they know that in a short period of time most people will forget about their anger over the cancellation, and start watching the next shitty show they put on to replace it. WELL IF WE WOULD JUST VOW TO NOT FORGET IT, AND ACTUALLY STICK TO IT THEY WOULD BE SORRY! PLEASE EVERYONE WHO CARES ABOUT FARSCAPE, STOP WATCHING THE SCIFI CHANNEL PERIOD! And write them, call them, do something to let them know that they haven't just gained a disgruntled viewer. Let them know that they have LOST a viewer totally. To them if you are angry but still see thier comercials you are still making them money, so who cares if you are mad? So let them know you aren't going to watch their scraps. If they get rid of the best show on tv then they should also lose that audience completely. It's the only thing that they would fear. So write or call, but make sure you include in your letter/call that you absolutely will not watch their channel. It is the only thing that will make them think anything more than "who cares, nerd?". PLEASE DO THIS. PLEASE STICK TO IT AND AT LEAST MAKE THEM SORRY THEY CANCELLED THE SHOW AND LOST MILLIONS OF VIEWERS FOR THEIR OTHER SHOWS AS WELL.
Sept. 8, 2002, 8:03 p.m. CST
this bites major frelling cock
by sigma957
ok...i admit...i dont watch it as much as i used to...what can i say...i found a girlfriend! but this still sucks. Guess this is why i read so much, since most shit on TV aint fit to watch without significant mood altering drugs in the system. as for who's at fault....i gotta say it aint us fans....we watch the show, but if you are like me...i dont think i could name a product i ever saw advertised on Sci-Fi...largely because like with any network...when they go to commercial...i go into surfer mode. And, i'd just like to point out to programmers at all networks that show any scifi shows...most of us are not going to be taken in by the 1-900 phone lines you put on during the shows. It was rather insulting when B5 had a 11:30 pm time slot and every fucking comercial break was some slut trying to get me to phone a 4000 pound woman with a nice voice. Ok programmers....get the net and catch a clue, you want us to watch your ads so you can get revenue...advertise something that an intellegent person might actually need....christ people...it's 12:15 in the morning...the show is hitting its climax...throw ona fucking snickers bar ad and the second the show over i'm off to 7-11 for a sugar fix...learn something from your mistakes...give us what we want...good shows with advertising that is not insulting to our intellects and we will watch your prescious ads. Now i don't want to get off on a rant here....but....
Sept. 8, 2002, 8:40 p.m. CST
Even more on the cancellation...
by DrVital
Straight from Mr. O'Bannon hizzelf: "I am touched beyond words by the outpouring of love and support from all the fans. Very importantly, I want to make it crystal clear to everyone that despite what Anthony said, EM-TV is only a tangental player in the demise of Farscape. Sci-Fi Channel chose not to pick up the series for season 5, period. To say that they want the show is completely false. Please don't let the real story get clouded. Writing letters to EM- TV in German won't hurt, but it shouldn't be the focus of anyone who is moved to protest."
Sept. 8, 2002, 8:52 p.m. CST
Boycott Sci-Fi channel
by allykatD
Well, I guess in a way I will be boycotting that channel since Farscape is the only thing I was interested in. I tried Stargate, but it's kinda lame and I tried to get into "The Dead Zone" but I don't really like that either, the lead character is too mopey. I don't care for Alien abductee movies (although I liked "The Visitor" which was also cancelled) so I probably won't tune into "Taken". Farscape is such a popular show, I can't believe that some other network won't pick it up. Normally I don't get too worked up about show cancellation because it's happened so many times to the shows I like, but this one has me a bit ticked.
Sept. 8, 2002, 9:09 p.m. CST
Sci Fi Really Isn't
by pracalwexc
I remember seeing an interview on CNN several months ago with the woman in charge of Sci Fi channel. She's one of those people who intelligent sci-fi fans hate...someone who admittedly knows NOTHING about the genre. I mean she said as much in this interview. (I wish I could get some of the quotes.) From this interview, it was obvious that her vision of sci-fi is the typical, cheesy horror crap that they're putting on more and more of. Farscape was the only remaining show that showed any intelligence. Unfortunately, there are more people in the world who think good sci-fi is cheesy horror than intelligent writing, so that's what gets airtime.
Sept. 8, 2002, 9:31 p.m. CST
Bashers posting on this board...
by SamWave
equates to dancing on the grave of somebody who didn't do as much as look at you funny. Grow up.
Sept. 8, 2002, 9:32 p.m. CST
fuck off, Flowergirl......
by Bregalad_
Don't be such a lame bitch just because you have NO TASTE. --------------------------------------- We are the viewers!! We are the consumers!! We have to send the strongest consumer message to Sci-Fi and USA Networks. And to those German bastards too, if they are really behind it. --------------------------------------- Tell them they can expect a MASS EXODUS of viewership if they take away FarScape.... which is easily the most creative, brilliant, and satisfying fantasy/sci-fi television ever.
Sept. 8, 2002, 9:49 p.m. CST
by TomVee
I will admit I am not as familiar with FARSCAPE as most of you talkbackers, but if it is the show with the very tall and effeminate alien with the very strange eyes, this has not been a particularly good show. If I have the wrong show, forgive me and set me straight. LEXX is an abomination and I have no idea why that show is even on the air -- other than it must be supercheap to produce. I have not seen enough of the new STAR TREK show to form an opinion, but I am left with the impression from a lot of you that it is at best fair to middling. WITCHBLADE was a joke, BLACK SCORPION even worse -- BS in fact struck me as a porno film minus the porn. Both X-FILES and BUFFY have run out of steam and should be cancelled. That talk show with the lisping psychic that seems to be on virtually every day is an abomination. DEAD ZONE is boring, unfortunately. BABYLON 5 was the last decent sf show I can remember, and let's face it, it wasn't all that good. STARGATE SG-1 seems to be about as good as it gets these days, and that one tends to get boring periodically. Don't even get me started on THE PRETENDER, which I understand has been cancelled anyway. Where does this leave science fiction on TV? Well, let's see how the new TWILIGHT ZONE turns out. I hope it is better than the last go-round with this franchise.
Sept. 8, 2002, 10:05 p.m. CST
Why throw it away if it isn't broken???
by gaborworld
I can say that I've seen EVERY single episode of Farscape and love it! I must admit- some of the episodes I've seen are pretty stupid. But 95% of them are great! I'm waiting for Sci-fi to give us an answer as to why they are canceling. I don't want to bash other shows on Sci-fi- but some of them are pretty bad! Why not cancel some of them? Why rerun X-files? The Deep Zone?- Does anyone watch that at all? Star Gate? I liked Richard Dean Anderson as Magiver- but this crap? KEEP FARSCAPE- cancel something else! I'm pretty sure there is a reason behind this- it can't just be the money issue- Farscape is filmed in Australia - Star Wars II was filmed in Australia- there's a reason for that- it's cheap to film there! They could have just as easily filmed this show in Burbank! I think the producers of Farscape and the people at Sci-fi came to some kind of disagreement- why else would they cancel? Scifi picked the show up for Season 5 & 6- then cancels? No- there's something more to this. To the people at Sci-fi: I don't feel you owe me anything- I'm just one of your "customers" that "uses" your products- in this case I watch your show- which gives you ratings- which gives you more commercial money. But I AM a fan of this "product". I've watched every single episode- I've bought all your Farscape DVDs- (which suck when it comes to special features by the way) So therefore- you OWE me and explanation!
Sept. 8, 2002, 10:08 p.m. CST
To all those who don't like Farscape...
by Smeg For Brains
Why are you even reading this article, and then going so far as to post something? You act like the people who care about this show don't have lives, yet you put just as much effort into this news article, and posting as them, and you don't even like the show! That is much more pathetic than what you see as a bunch of losers complaining that their "muppet" show was cancelled. At least these people are using the time for something they care about. You are wasting the same amount of time on nothing. I think that the people who need lives are the ones who would take the time to go to the article and read it, and then read the talkback, and post on it for a show they don't care about. That is what a loser with nothing better to do does. Also, not everyone who watched Farscape was sitting at home on Fridays wanking off to their computer screens like you obviously do to pass your miserable lonely lives away. I've been a Farscape fan since day one, yet I've watched almost all the episodes on Saturday. How is this possible? It's called a VCR. Also to anyone who would post something trying to belittle people for watching a show like Farscape, anyone who likes this show is WAY smarter than you, so you just end up looking like an idiot. Making fun of a smart, funny, sophisticated show like Farscape just lets everyone know how much of a dullard you are. It's like making fun of Shakespear, or the Godfather. Everyone your barbs are pointed at just sees you as the pathetic morons you are. Oh, and I know that the Jim Henson company and the Muppets have always stood for excellence in effects, so why do you think that calling it a Muppet show is an insult? It is a huge compliment. Anyone who has ever seen the show would know that the effects in Farscape are some of the best in any Scifi show, or even movie, ever, period. I know you like your crappy Xena and Hercules CG effects, though. What assholes.
Sept. 8, 2002, 10:16 p.m. CST
Now and Again/SciFi
by Gislef_crow
Just a note, SciFi did not have anything to do with cancelling Now & Again - that was CBS. It's only because of SciFi that we even get to see it.
Sept. 8, 2002, 11:12 p.m. CST
Well, SciFi is now down to one hour of programming worth watchin
by SG7
...SG1. Oh, and re-runs of B5. Everything else on that network is CRAP. SG1+Farscape hauled in their biggest ratings ever and they cancel? Did they just hire a bunch of executives from TNT or something? And to the 'tard that said SG1 jumped the shark: that was episode 11 out of 22 for this season. Doh.
Sept. 8, 2002, 11:20 p.m. CST
i never liked this show...
by Rick McCallum
but i am curious about what happened with scifi on this. it sounds to me that the network either personally hated the show (like herc) or determined that they were losing money airing it, when they could be airing their own sister production companies' programming. what about the german production company which owns this series? it sounds to me that they really don't care one way or the other whether the show is cancelled. ("don't blame uz! vee didn't cancel it!") why don't they, with the fans' support, seek foreign tv network distribution for a 5th season instead? the impression i've always had is that farscape has greater appeal outside the u.s. anyway. there's no need to air the 5th season in the u.s. -- just release the season on dvd months later for americans. again, i never liked this show, but i think of myself as tolerant of most fellow geeks' interests, even if it's for a show that is basically "return of the jedi: the series". plus, any group that can keep herc's love for bad reality series in check is cool by me. hey, herc, what did you think about kelly winning? i bet you wanted that frizzy haired carrot top clone freak to win.
Sept. 8, 2002, 11:41 p.m. CST
Rick McCallum the tolerant
by Prof. Pop-Cult
There are two things I cannot stand: Those who are intolerant of others, their culture, and beliefs. And the Dutch. :-)
Sept. 8, 2002, 11:47 p.m. CST
Word from Rockne O'Bannon: Target TNT, Showtime, UPN
by Mrs. Verhoeven
Straight from the horse's mouth here: http://pub120.ezboard.com/ffarscapediscussionshippersoulmates.showMessage?topicID=858.topic We can do this, people.
Sept. 8, 2002, 11:48 p.m. CST
I hate to say it, but you guys are really fked.
by TheMatarife
You really don't have a chance. Frankly, SCIFI knew what kinda reaction this was gonna get, thats why they did it at the end of a season so they had no time to shop it around, and why they probably aren't gonna announce the cancellation till theyve taken down the sets. They know no one will be able to save it after that. I think they just want to do cheapass reruns for all eternity. Theyve done this to other shows before remember (MST3K). They blew all their cash on the X Files and Stargate, so something had to go. By all means, keep trying, just don't hold out much hope. They know what they are doing, and they probably will win.
Sept. 9, 2002, 12:04 a.m. CST
Story arcs
by Prof. Pop-Cult
Once again, the lesson I think for producers of TV series, especially genre ones on cable, is to always assume that your current season is your last one. These cancellations come quick and ruthlessly. Plot each season as if it were a giant movie, or mini-series, with a beginning, middle and end. If you get 13 episodes, then end a major story arc in the last episode, or at 22 if you get that many episodes. Look to "Buffy" and "24" as examples of season-long story arcing. Really, why does this seem so damned difficult for most TV producers to do? Why do they insist on "stringing viewers along" with unresolved threads and cliffhangers? The old way of thinking seems to be that writing teases like this will drive up viewership. But history has shown that this isn't typically the case. It has the reverse effect. This type of episodic scriptwriting, along with the ruthless cancellations by network executives, is what has been mainly driving away viewership from TV in general over the years. Not VCRs, the Internet or TiVo boxes. Sure, Sci-Fi is at fault here for Farscape's cancellation, but blame the creative inertia and inflexibility which series producers (I mean in general, not specifically the Farscape producers) seem stubbornly unwilling to let go.
Sept. 9, 2002, 12:12 a.m. CST
I live in Canada, so I have 2 full seasons almost to look forwar
by Phantom Einstein
Never thought I'd be happy it took so long for the show to catch on up here. We're way behind you all & I've been eating my heart out. BTW, this was a great show. ONe of the all time greats.
Sept. 9, 2002, 12:28 a.m. CST
Prof. Pop
by El_Barstardo
Normally they do do that. The problem here was that sci-fi signed to a 2 season deal (5 & 6) so the writers assumed they could tie up loose threads in the 6th season. It also depends on the kind of show it is. Buffy can operate on a 1 story-arc per season basis easily, but shows like farscape and Babylon 5 can't, as they have an overall arc (in this case Johns search for earth) which once resolved would end the show completely.
Sept. 9, 2002, 12:32 a.m. CST
Thank you
by Shipscat
Thank you so much for this article- it is greatly appreciated by those of us who love Farscape and feel betrayed by Scifi's cancellation of their most popular and critically acclaimed show. This is just in from Rockne S. O'Bannon, the creator of Farscape: Fellow Cascaper crh received another email from Rockne with info/suggestions: <snip>In additional to letter/fax/etc. campaigns aimed at the Sci-Fi Channel, fans should also express their passion about the show to UPN, TNT, and Showtime. UPN is actively seeking a science fiction companion piece to Enterprise, and Farscape airing with a hit like Enterprise could keep it on for years to come. TNT is looking for a new genre series, now that Witchblade is off, and an award-winning, "the best sf series on tv" with a built-in audience might really appeal to them. TNT has expressed some initial interest in the idea of bringing the series over to their network, and a flood of fan support would certainly help there. And Showtime is clearly a place where science fiction has a healthy home (Odyssey 5, Jeremiah) and they may also take a serious look if there were a strong enough demand shown for it. I know there's been a scattering of postings on message boards about writing to other networks, but most fans are directing their attention solely to Sci-Fi Channel, and with the current regime at Sci-Fi, it's a long shot that they'll reverse themselves. I'd love to see fans aiming their passion at these other networks, as well. If ...[you] could get the word out that the head of drama development at these three networks should also be given the full-court press as much as the Sci-Fi Channel, it might really mean something. <snip> So along with the blitzkrieg of letters, emails, telegrams, and phone calls to scifi, Rockne thinks that we could influence another network to pick up the show. Once again, thanks. Shipscat
Sept. 9, 2002, 12:55 a.m. CST
IMPORTANT!! New message from series creator Rokne O'Bannon
by coop
This was a message on http://farscape.wdsection.com from series creator Rokne O'Bannon: "In additional to letter/fax/etc. campaigns aimed at the Sci-Fi Channel, fans should also express their passion about the show to UPN, TNT, and Showtime. UPN is actively seeking a science fiction companion piece to Enterprise, and Farscape airing with a hit like Enterprise could keep it on for years to come. TNT is looking for a new genre series, now that Witchblade is off, and an award-winning, "the best sf series on tv" with a built-in audience might really appeal to them. TNT has expressed some initial interest in the idea of bringing the series over to their network, and a flood of fan support would certainly help there. And Showtime is clearly a place where science fiction has a healthy home (Odyssey 5, Jeremiah) and they may also take a serious look if there were a strong enough demand shown for it. I know there's been a scattering of postings on message boards about writing to other networks, but most fans are directing their attention solely to Sci-Fi Channel, and with the current regime at Sci-Fi, it's a long shot that they'll reverse themselves. I'd love to see fans aiming their passion at these other networks, as well. If ...[you] could get the word out that the head of drama development at these three networks should also be given the full-court press as much as the Sci-Fi Channel, it might really mean something."
Sept. 9, 2002, 1:03 a.m. CST
Yeah, typical TV exec BS. What else is new?
by Sphere
Just like everybody else, I'm confused as to why a show that is the best on the network, not to mention most likely gets the highest ratings, would be canceled. If it weren't for HBO, I'd say screw TV period right now. This is the text from my petition entry***********I had heard that the Sci-Fi channel was going to alter its programming to try to cater to a younger audience, to capture some of the fanbase of shows on other networks that seem to appeal to a certain audience. My fear upon hearing this was that that would involve sacrificing the wit, intelligence, and maturity that exist in many of the Sci-fi networks shows. The cancellation of Farscape would seem to confirm such fears. While the rest of television subjects viewers to a glut of mediocrity and bland cynicism disguised as "cutting edge", Farscape was consistently entertaining on many levels, genuinely pushing the envelope both visually and thematically. I can attest to the fact that Farscape not only appeals to a wide range of age groups, but is indeed adding to its fanbase as word of its quality spreads. I know several people who until very recently never heard of the show, but now watch it religiously. When such a show is cancelled, it is a sign that television is indeed being pushed to the wayside as a form of entertainment.
Sept. 9, 2002, 1:05 a.m. CST
Talk Back Idiots
by orac_uk
Why do these Talk Backs always attract complete idiots who come out with spastic comments like 'oh blame the writers for using story arcs' or 'I never liked this show anyway, it's like Return of the Jedi'.??! Excuse me but if Farscape was anything remotely one dimensional as Star Wars, I wouldn't be wasting my time watching it. And if I want episodic TV, I will watch Enterprise. When will people realise that the loss of a popular SCI-FI series is a blow to the entire genre? This is not good news because if it can happen to Farscape, you can bet your life that none of the shows you cherish are safe. One of the unique things about Farscape is that it attracts more than just the usual audience of geeks. It has an appeal that few sci-fi shows have had in the past hence the angry reaction that has dwarfed any previous cancellation. Farscape had a wider appeal than the Trek stuff, bringing viewers in who would never normally watch sci-fi. Let's not kid ourselves, Stargate has survived because it is considerably cheaper than Farscape to produce (I'm not knocking that show but just compare the production standards). Like many, I am really choosy as to what I watch on TV, but Farscape has been a pure delight. Intelligently written with great characters and stunning visuals. It shall be greatly missed by all sorts of viewers.
Sept. 9, 2002, 1:14 a.m. CST
Sorry for the rehash
by coop
Apparently someone beat me to posting that letter by about 15 minutes and I apologize for the redundant post. Also I'm sorry for not liking Lexx Stanley Tweedle and I'm sorry for not liking your namesake the most. The dead guy is kinda cool but the show (to me) is just bad goofy Canadian sci-fi. Of course I have a bad opinion about that show where a lady cop has a magical knife for an arm but at least I've never seen that show. I have on the other hand seen several episodes of Lexx. The carrot probes are kinda funny but for the most part I only watch it when there is nothing else on. Once again, I'm sorry (really really).
Sept. 9, 2002, 1:49 a.m. CST
Sorry Joe...
by El_Barstardo
You are correct, it was seasons 4 & 5, and that is actually what I meant, otherwise my post to the prof makes no sense. Silly Me! Anyway the series deserves closure, I hope another network picks it up so it can go for a few more seasons before being neatly wrapped up.
Sept. 9, 2002, 2:15 a.m. CST
Mum's the word from Sci-Fi
by Mockingbird Girl
What's interesting about this, of course -- and this is also for you trolls who say "look, no major media coverage" and "Sci-Fi knew that they would get this reaction" -- is that the Sci-Fi channel has NOT issued any official statement (unlike, for example, the "Witchblade" producers). The fact that this has essentially leaked onto the web via the creative team *and* that it happened over the weekend explains why there is no major press coverage as of yet. (Entertainment editors are mostly M-F 9-5 folks.) Since the network suits did not make a statement and are probably off playing golf on the weekend, it is more than likely that they will start hearing from major media outlets starting tomorrow afternoon and will have to issue something official late tomorrow or Tuesday. They may well be completely unprepared for the barrage that's in store for them. At least, I sure hope so... heh heh heh...
Sept. 9, 2002, 2:25 a.m. CST
Story arcs revisited
by Prof. Pop-Cult
Yeah, they THOUGHT that they had a fifth season. But I bet if they had looked at their contracts closely, it was probably clear that SciFi had the option to cancel at the end of the fourth. Sorry, but this is still not an excuse on the writers'/producers' part. Again, it is based on an irrational overconfidence. And are you 'Scapers trying to tell me that this series is unable to provide closure for itself despite the fact that they had 88 episodes to romp around with? Please. And who's to say that the series would/should end with Crichton returning to Earth? Does it have to end that way in order to come to a conclusion at the end of a season (any one of them) that could be satisfying to the viewer? Of course not. I mean, come on, folks: You get a season order for 22 episodes. You're telling me it's not possible to tell a complete story that concludes itself in the final episode of the order run? I don't buy it. Once again, let me repeat: The TV series is cutthroat. Series producers need to quit cliffhanging viewers along, season after season, and start using their story planning, and overall imaginations, better under the current reality of the TV programming biz. And what about the German production company behind this show? The idea of getting a fifth season aired on non-American networks and channels, like Austrialian and or German ones, sounds like it makes the most sense. Are they restricted from selling a fifth season to other networks due to some agreement with SciFi? Unless I learn otherwise, I doubt it. SciFi probably has rerun rights, but I don't they'll even want to fully exercise them. I bet the German production company could possibly get a fifth season funded, but their heart might not be into it.
Sept. 9, 2002, 2:37 a.m. CST
More on Story Arcs
by El_Barstardo
Prof pop - Yes, the series can have 1 season story arcs, but, even if the season ended without a cliff hanger and concluded it's "season story arc", the fans still wouldn't be happy. A series like farscape (I don't know about Buffy since I don't watch it) NEEDS an ending which closes the themes / story arcs which are present in the entire series. This is not an episodic show, which is where a lot of its appeal lies. John doesn't nessasarily have to return to earth in the last episode, but the final episodes must deal and give closure to this issues (among other outstanding ones), since it was a driving force with the character from the early days of the series. To not do so would be a diservice to the fans. It's like the final episode of the wonder years (remeber that show?), which gives closure to the whole Kevin / Winnie thing. To not conclude it would be like Lucas deciding not to bother with Episode 3 (cept that would probably be a good thing...)
Sept. 9, 2002, 2:50 a.m. CST
Great. Just as I am about to buy the first few episodes on DVD.
by Noriko Takaya
My timing is truly magnificent. Toppu o Nerae!
Sept. 9, 2002, 3:15 a.m. CST
closure (re: arcs)
by Prof. Pop-Cult
This is an interesting discussion, and I think the issue is, how obligated (creatively, artistically, morally even?) are series producers to their viewers when it comes to their method of episodic storytelling? My personal feeling is this: Time is a valuable thing, and when you "commit" to watching a TV series, you are investing your time in it, when you could be doing other things, and I really do feel that the producers should respect and appreciate that. But the vast majority of them simply do not. They feel as if you owe them since what they do is free for you to enjoy, for the most part. X-Files is an example of a series where, ultimately, I don't think its producers respected its audience much, if at all. To those who invested 9 seasons in X-Files, did you feel satisfied in the end? Most likely, the answer is no. And this isn't because they needed more seasons, more viewers, more money, more David Duchovny, etc.. These are nothing but excuses. What they lacked, simply put, was consistently talented writing, and story planning. Now, back to the topic at hand, I am not saying that Farscape lacked quality writing. Far from it. Would they need a fifth season to wrap everything up satisfyingly? And if they got the fifth season, would they do so, or try to string things out for a spinoff, TV movie, or theatrical feature? And would their series conclusion be satisfying to most of its fanbase? Who knows -- at that point, we're entering the realm of personal opinions/taste regarding what each fan would like to see in the finale verses what the producers would finally decide to do. But I still hold the opinion, and suggestion, that producers should adopt a "every season is its own complete story" format, and then think of every season renewal as a chance to create a "sequel" storyline. Even though Crichton's overall, Illiad-esque quest to return to Earth was the driving force for the character, it need not be the main arc for every season. Maybe that would be the whole theme of the series -- the journey is important, not the destination. That itself could be a very powerful, moving message: Life itself is already a journey, so enjoy the ride. This should have been the point of ST: Voyager, but they fucked that one up badly.
Sept. 9, 2002, 3:20 a.m. CST
Well, To say I'm suprised...
by Zone Zero
Would be lying. I've had a love-hate relationship with Sci-Fi channel since they stopped showing anime regularly on Saturdays. Of course, it was butchered, but it had to do. Untill I got my own tapes. Then they do this stuff, which is shooting itself in the foot? Again, no suprise there. Farscape was actually sorta cool. SG-1? Naaah, never really got into it. I just watch Sci-Fi now for Star Trek and B5. If I want anything else, I just watch a tape or DVD. Do I want Farscape back? Not really, but I bet there are fans of the show that do. I don't hate Farscape, but that's because I never saw it. Good luck guys.
Sept. 9, 2002, 3:21 a.m. CST
TNT are not the answer
by orac_uk
Sources close to the production team are now urging fans to contact TNT who have shown some interest as well as suggesting a few more possible homes. Living in the UK, I've not heard of the others but TNT is infamous for it's heavy handed treatment of Crusade. Would the suits at TNT really allow the Farscape production team to produce those weird off-beat episodes that we have all come to love. Whenever JMS tried to introduce complex ideas to Crusade, TNT would send him unhelpful memos until eventually they cancelled the show. Unless the Farsape team can get artistic control assurances, I don't think TNT would be a good idea especially since they didn't understand Crusade when it was clearly full of potential.
Sept. 9, 2002, 3:49 a.m. CST
by Unsafe_breadbin
Well we're still awaiting the start of season 4 here in the UK, but I have to say this really is bad news. Farscape was the most original and the most interesting sci-fi program I'd seen in years. Sure, it's dead easy to just look at it and say "hey, muppets. Must be cheap and bad". But these guys did some great stuff with a budget that was tiny in comparison to some other series that were dreadful (and I seem to remember some other sci-fi that involved muppets that did amazing things on a tiny budget - some chap called Lucas directed it...). Intelligently plotted, well scripted and acted, downright nasty in places, and none of the trek technobabble or "humanity conquers all" arrogance. If this does get cancelled, it'll be a real shame.
Sept. 9, 2002, 4:24 a.m. CST
Save your ink.
by Darth Taun Taun
SciFi is run by a bunch of laboratory test animals. (Hence the cancellation of MST3K.)
Sept. 9, 2002, 5:34 a.m. CST
Arcs, Arcs and more Arcs.
by El_Barstardo
I agree with you Prof Pop, X-files had a crap conclusion, but to be honest I think it was due to the opposite reason - the show went on for too darn long. It ran out out ideas, and just keept going for the sake of milking a dead horse. They should have ended the show much earlier at the resolution of the Alien stuff. I think Babylon 5 had the best approach - I believe the writer had plotted the series to go for 5 seasons, to be fully concluded and ended at the 5th. Unfortunatly he supposedly had to condense the 4 & 5th seasons into 1 because he expected to get the chop at the end of the 4th, so when they were given the 5th they didn't realy have anywhere to go. Or something like that...
Sept. 9, 2002, 6:25 a.m. CST
Shocking and sad
by Kerr_Avon
Farscape's over, Buffy's last season.....what am I supposed to do now?
Sept. 9, 2002, 7:14 a.m. CST
No more need for a television
by Mr Rewind
NO MORE FARSCAPE! BO SELECTA! Farscape is easily the best thing on television. The SCI-FI channel is proper Bo. The only good thing to come out of Australia has been taken away. I only hope that the finale is nothing less than spectacular. Rewind
Sept. 9, 2002, 10:45 a.m. CST
Ya know, I've changed my mind... Screw Sci-Fi channel.
by Russman
I won't be watching their shows or commercials anymore. I'm not even going to watch "Taken" or the next "Dune". They'll be out on DVD eventually and I'll rent them if I really want to see them. I'll watch the last bunch of Farscapes and that's it. Christ, I'll pick up a book instead or try to put up with (ugh!) people and hang out them. Am I overreacting, maybe, but this is one less household or M18-49 viewer Sci-Fi has. So to the Suits at Universal, I can only quote the immortal words of Bender on Futurama: SO LONG LOSERS!! Have fun with your Godzilla movies!
Sept. 9, 2002, 10:48 a.m. CST
Spin off time...
by Peirce
We've been talking about a spin off for some time now. Sounds like this could be a really good time for it. After this season is over on SciFi, if another station picked up the franchise, they could start a spin off. They wouldn't really need to explain the transition from the original Farscape, but could leave this as part of the mythology to explain over the course of the season. Of they could have some silly 2 hour movie to explain the transition. The original Farscape is over, sad to say. But that doesn't mean the franchise needs to be.
Sept. 9, 2002, 12:40 p.m. CST
The Official Word from SCI FI.....
by Electric_Monk
The SCI FI Channel confirmed that it will not pick up its original series Farscape for a fifth season. "There are no bigger fans of Farscape than we here at SCI FI Channel," the network said in a statement. "It was one of SCI FI's first original series and quickly became a critical and fan favorite. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to reach a broader audience, Farscape has been unable to grow beyond its core fan base. That, coupled with the extreme and growing cost of production, has led to the difficult decision to end the series at the conclusion of season four."******************** Hello, sci fi has always had a core fan base, it's just the nature of it. As for appealing to a broader audience, I'm confused. The show had a wide appeal and most of its fans were in that coveted white, male 18-35 demographic. It had many female fans and a crap load of gay fans who thought Ben Browder was hot. They're blowing sunshine up our butts.
Sept. 9, 2002, 1 p.m. CST
People didn't watch the end of the last SG1?
by jimr
I don't understand why people are saying SG-1 is lost in a ship. No one saw the part where Thor showed up? Right at the end? They're not lost, they're on their way to another galaxy to fight high-tech with low-tech. Thor made it pretty clear that both they and their ship were needed, so the Asgard obviously can take the ship home too. Lost? Huh?
Sept. 9, 2002, 1:13 p.m. CST
Sept 11
by Tiff0703
Guess they picked the right day to tear everything down. Sept 11 - another reason to hat ethat date...
Sept. 9, 2002, 1:16 p.m. CST
At least let them properly end it.
by Damitol
The really crappy thing is that the show was cancelled a few days before the last scenes of Season 4 were shot and the sets torn down. The appeal of Farscape (and the reason other casual viewers don't understand the fuss) is that you had to be aware of massive and growing back story to fully understand what was going on. Even the most minor of actions of decisions in season one could impact the latest episode. Unlike most genre TV, there were consequences for what a character did or said. To not allow the producers to wrap the show up properly is a slap in every fan's face. Sure - to answer every open question would take two more seasons, but even a 4 hour "series finale" would set the main plot threads to some type of rest. Yes it's an expensive show and yes it's audience hasn't exponentially grown. BUT it helped build the Sci-Fi Channel and has consistantly been one of their top rated programs. To just pull the plug is so very wrong.
Sept. 9, 2002, 1:17 p.m. CST
Ravers vs. Bashers
by James Crackcorn
Now if there's anything worse than someone who raves on and on about a show is someone who cruelly bashes a show for no reason. But I digress. I enjoyed the first season of Farscape but kind of lost interest as it buggered on. (Are we in season 4 now or what?) But the writing was on the wall. When the Sci-Fi Channel starting heavily promoting new age crap like "Crossing Over" I pretty much figured the end was near. Prediction: no more space-based shows/movies on SFC for the foreseeable future. (Is that an oxymoron?) On the subject of Lexx, it was a fun, quirky little show. And no, I'm not equating quirkiness with artistic merit. I'll be the first to admit that it's scripts and production values were laughably bad at times but that was part of the charm. I just liked it because it was so nakedly and unapologitically bizarre. I wish Enterprise would take 1/100 the risks Lexx did.
Sept. 9, 2002, 1:30 p.m. CST
Striking sets is no big deal...
by RoboBagPiper
In fact, as JMS has pointed out over B5 forums, it's cheaper to rebuild sets than to store them, oftentimes. So don't consider the striking of sets the end. Sets can always be rebuilt. Keep those letters of support going, even if you can't get them in by Wed.
Sept. 9, 2002, 1:39 p.m. CST
Linear Efficiency, all over again
by Lobanhaki
Linear Efficiency is my term for things that seem like good business decisions but only when you look at the numbers. Yanking Farscape, is yanking one of their few competitive advantages. Instead of surrounding their shows with genuinely good material, they are sacking those good shows for cheaper, more generic productions. It's efficient in cost cutting terms, but it's a highly inefficient strategy in terms of establishing their credibility as content providers, and in terms of their ability to compete in the market. You see, their problem is, they will not be able to distinguish their material from other "popular" channels, and they will, as a result, not get the business from the people who are bored with what those channels offer. At best they will catch the trailing edge of whatever trends they are supposed to follow, at worst, they will be ignored as people look for more interesting material. The key here is to not sit around waiting for audiences and to not sacrifice your audiences when you get them. God knows, isn't the Sci-Fi channel SUPPOSED to be different from other channels in their content? Sci-Fi should keep in mind: being different, being exotic, being intelligent is the raison d'etre of science fiction and fantasy. God knows, they aren't paying for things to be banal.
Sept. 9, 2002, 1:47 p.m. CST
Who wants to bet....
by RoboBagPiper
Who wants to bet that the bashers are really one, maybe two, rather sad lonely people posting under a variety of aliases, while they wait for their next porn download, knowing they'll never know the touch of another human being...
Sept. 9, 2002, 2:12 p.m. CST
SciFi's Farscape Cancellation Press Release
by RoguePlanet
Farscape To End The SCI FI Channel confirmed that it will not pick up its original series Farscape for a fifth season. "There are no bigger fans of Farscape than we here at SCI FI Channel," the network said in a statement. "It was one of SCI FI's first original series and quickly became a critical and fan favorite. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to reach a broader audience, Farscape has been unable to grow beyond its core fan base. That, coupled with the extreme and growing cost of production, has led to the difficult decision to end the series at the conclusion of season four." The remaining new episodes of Farscape's fourth season will return in January 2003. ADV Films will release "Into the Lion's Den (Part 1)" on DVD and VHS as part of the upcoming Farscape: Season 3 home video release, scheduled for 2003. Previous seasons of Farscape episodes are currently available on DVD and VHS from ADV Films; the newest release, Farscape: Season 2 Volume 2.2, was released last month. Farscape was created by Rockne S. O'Bannon and produced by The Jim Henson Company, in association with Hallmark Entertainment. The series featured Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Anthony Simcoe, Gigi Edgley, Wayne Pygram and Raelee Hill. David Kemper, Juliet Blake, Robert Halmi Jr., Brian Henson and Richard Manning executive produced the show. O'Bannon served as executive consultant. BUNCHA FUCKIN' HOOEY!! Farscape has routinely produced an average rating of 1.2, which is better than any show they've had for four years. Only Stargate SG-1 (which was a huge hit BEFORE it came to SciFi) and The Dead Zone (which has about the SAME ratings as Farscape) have come close to holding those kinds of ratings. It's all about money. EM-TV, the German company who owns Henson, wouldn't drop the price to make an episode of Farscape, so SciFi decided to drop it...they can spend their money on cheaper SHIT like their remake of Quantum Leap. Oh, yeah...that'll go over like hot shit on a plate. They'll call it filet mignon, and think people will eat it up? ...*%^$%^& SciFi.
Sept. 9, 2002, 2:24 p.m. CST
Funny how shows like this get cancelled and...
by cooper2000
Crappy shows like Enterprise stay on. There is no justice. They schedule it at 10:00 on a Friday night After a mediocre show like Stargate and then when it doesnt do well they cancel it without even giving it a new time slot? Crap!!
Sept. 9, 2002, 2:39 p.m. CST
UK BBC Response To Shocking News
by orac_uk
This has just recently appeared on the cult section of the BBC Online website and it perfectly sums up how all of us in the UK are feeling over this: The US Sci Fi Channel will not be renewing Farscape for a fifth season. The channel has taken a surprising, not to say shocking, decision not to exercise its option on Farscape season five. That means that, unless someone else picks up the show, season four will be the last Farscape. The news was broken by Executive Producers David Kemper and Richard Manning and Ben Browder (Crichton) in a Sci Fi Farscape channel chat on Friday evening. Fans who had joined expecting a happy chat on the occasion of the wrap of season four's shooting were told by the three that the Sci Fi Channel would not be picking up season five. Speaking in the chat, David Kemper explained, "As of yesterday, we were informed, after massive efforts by everyone at Henson... most importantly Brian Henson... that Sci Fi was not going to exercise its option to pick up the 5th season of Farscape. The rumors that everyone has been calling me about are sadly, very sadly, true. Tuesday will be the last time Ben dons the uniform of Commander John Crichton." The shock and sadness of all on the show were best expressed by Ben Browder and Richard Manning, who also paid tribute to the support of the fans. "Farscape fans are the best," said Manning. "The looniest, but the best." "The shock and sadness here in Australia is profound," added Browder. "Half of my phone calls in the last day have ended in tears." The three appealed to fans to try to save Farscape through letters, emails and phone calls, stressing that speed was of the essence as the sets for the show are due to be torn down imminently. A campaign has already been set up by the Farscapeworld site, which also has a transcript of the full cancellation chat. The Sci Fi Channel has now confirmed the news in a story posted on Sci Fi Wire, blaming the decision on growing production costs, and the series' failure to reach a broader audience. We at Cult would like to express our shock at this news, and sympathy to all the fans out there who are feeling as bad as we are right now.
Sept. 9, 2002, 2:45 p.m. CST
Letter to the Suits
by diaphinia
Boo, hiss! Bad SciFi! Here's the letter I'm putting in the mail today: I was very distressed to hear about the cancellation of Farscape on SciFi Network. It's one of the best shows on television, and, in my household, we schedule Friday nights around that exemplary program.//And I'm not the only one who loves the show. [critical acclaim info here]. Facing the dearth of quality programming on television, it has been a comfort to know that there are a few bright spots in the tarry sky of prime time. One of the most luminous is Farscape.// Please, please continue to encourage innovative, well-written television programming. If SciFi Network cancels Farscape, my family will have very little reason to watch the network. Please give us a reason to keep watching SciFi. Please keep Farscape coming for a fifth season, at least!
Sept. 9, 2002, 3:03 p.m. CST
by braz
Sept. 9, 2002, 3:11 p.m. CST
Hey, flowergirl
by lilhepcat
Here's the post you were hoping for, someone responding to you. Now quit trying to get people ticked off and go away now. Trolls are very boring after two posts...
Sept. 9, 2002, 3:56 p.m. CST
by Geekgrrl
Crossing Over is cheaper to produce. Here's to hoping it gets picked up by some other network!
Sept. 9, 2002, 4:16 p.m. CST
sorry guys
by maverick_22
am sorry bout your show bein canned never was able to get into it i have a muppetphobia. however it must have been pretty good to evoke such strong reaction. I understand being pissed but what i do not understand is why u must lash out at all the other shows on TV.Granted Enterprise (much like VOyager) leave much to be desired but they r spin offs and as such are rarely if ever as good as original program. and ANdromeda while certainly not the best program is by far not the worst. also i am sorry but your letters and phonecalls will most likely do nothing more than waste paper.Until the end of TV the good quality shows we like are destined to die while the LCD shit is destined to flourish in its mediocrity.
Sept. 9, 2002, 5:42 p.m. CST
Claudia Black is HOT! Some suit should give her a great Genre S
by SkiffyPup
She was awsome it "Pitch Black" ///Sorry about Farscape. I watched it sometimes. Interesting to see it had a 1.2 rating and how that compares to Witchblade's 2.0. Wish they would just tell us in ADVANCE the number at which they feel it cost effective to keep a show. Then we could either rally for support when it counts, or stop watching when the numbers out and save our valuable time and emotional investment in the storyline./// I wonder if Channels are starting to think they can USE cancellation as a RATINgS BOOSTER tactic for the remaing EPS??? Just a conspiracy theory and a bad idea... wouldn't put it past 'em, tho.//// SciFi Channel is going with the "Crossing Over" crowd and away from US. So SAD! I guess they'd rather have my 80-ish mother as a viewer than 40-ish me. GOOD PLAN (not).
Sept. 9, 2002, 5:42 p.m. CST
Farscape is by far the worst show on T.V.
by OGREISHERE
So this makes me happy HAHAHAHAHA.
Sept. 9, 2002, 6:05 p.m. CST
To clear up the Stargate cliffhanger confusion
by Billy Goat
Some people out there may not be aware that episodes of SG-1 appear in syndication about a year after they premiere on cable. While Sci-Fi Channel is currently halfway through season 6, season 4 just completed its broadcast syndication run. The season 4 finale was rerun this past weekend in my area, and yes, it does end with a cliffhanger in which the crew is stranded in unknown space. Season 5 starts next week, I presume. (I never had Showtime, so as the saying goes, "it's new to me".)
Sept. 9, 2002, 6:50 p.m. CST
Fuck those Muppets
by El_Barstardo
Yeah, fuck those muppets, muppets suck. Farscape should be all CGI, because we all know how much better Star Wars got with CGI! Pilot took off his arm first!
Sept. 9, 2002, 7:55 p.m. CST
Yeah, Sci Fi, get rid of all your original programming.
by Talking_Machine
Well, first they get rid of MST 3000 (arguably, one of the best TV shows EVER), then they send Invisible Man off to oblivion and now they are going to cut Farscape. So, what is left? Some more bad 80's movies? Every time I turn on their channel they are showing Howling 8, House 7 or some other piece of crap. Oh, I guess they could show more Twilight Zone marathons (don't get me wrong, I love that series, but enough already.)
Sept. 9, 2002, 8:11 p.m. CST
Farscape Cancellation line at Jim Henson Productions
by Action137
Below is the phone number at Jim Henson productions they have set up to take messages reguarding Farscape. they do mention on the pre-recorded message that they will be answering all those that leave a message. let's see if we can overwhelm them. Farscape Cancellation line at Jim Henson Productions. 323-802-1609
Sept. 9, 2002, 8:25 p.m. CST
Voice Mails all filled - good sign
by DMinL.A.
Voice mail boxes of Sci-Fi and USA network execs are filled, as are all commment, viewer mailboxes etc. Farscape petition signing continue. I read message update here, but it's unclear -- is next season now on or not? I say keep writing, calling, etc 'till we know for sure and the news hits major papers, tv news, etc.
Sept. 9, 2002, 8:38 p.m. CST
Who's Sci-Fi trying to bullsh*t??
by Tool_Fan
I have a few inside sources at sci-fi and yes the Company that produces Farscape is having financial difficulties. The reason why sci-fi isn't helping out financially is because it will conflict with John Edward's increasing salary. John Edward and Bonnie Hammer are close friends and Crossing over is Ms Hammer's favorite program on Sci-fi.It's all part of the nasty politics that goes under Ms.Hammer's management. True, she is not responsible for canceling Farscape but she is not lifting a finger to save it either because John Edward is more important to her. It doesn't matter how many Farscape fans speak up. If you really want to do Farscape a favor, read this petition that's been going around and if motivated, sign it. Who ever this petition author is has really hit the nail on the head. http://www.petitiononline.com/eulogy/petition.html
Sept. 9, 2002, 8:39 p.m. CST
I'm not a basher, I do think they planned this however. Focu
by TheMatarife
Scifi knew what they were doing when they didn't give an annoucement till 3 days before they tore down the sets. They knew farscape fans wouldn't roll over and die. I hope you guys and gals win this fight. I am not a bashers, I've seen maybe 5 minutes of it tops, and read some episode summaries. I've seen how fanatical you guys are and I think its great. I wish I could say startrek still did the same for me. Anyway, the best plan is to focus on UPN. Upn could bring it into every house in america. Pairing it with Enterprise might mean increased ratings and fandom. UPN is in need of shows that won't get canceled in 6 months. They have been giving genre shows greater control, as evidenced by Buffy, which has pulled off things they could never do on the WB on UPN. Showtime is also not bad. They could actually let you guys put language and boobies on the show.
Sept. 9, 2002, 8:49 p.m. CST
Let's destroy our own company!
by Saluki
Wow. I don't know what I am more pissed off about. Sci-Fi actually shutting down the best show on television, or the trolls coming out of the woodwork. Sci-Fi's counter-programming was actually very interesting and seemed to work for the most part, I cannot wait to see what they think of the ratings in January for Farscape. The problem, much like with my other favorite show, Futurama, is that the time schedule was thrown around. It was aired at 8 PM EST, then 9 PM EST, now at 10 PM EST. Give me a break. A million households tuning in on a basic cable channel at 10 o'clock on a Friday night is downright impressive. Most people are out at entertainment establishments by that time, not at home watching television. I can understand Sci-Fi's concern over budget costs, this is a business, however walking away from the table and throwing the show away is not the correct action. Bargain, budget and complete something for once. I believe Farscape had at least one good season left to air and then Sci-Fi should move on THEN, not now when it is not complete and not later when we are in season 9 and everything just is no good (X-Files?). Thanks for all the support, and thanks to the cast/crew for the excellent entertainment.
Sept. 9, 2002, 9:01 p.m. CST
Sci-Fi is a lost cause
by RoobyRoo
Sci-Fi's intentional butchery of Farscape doesn't bode well for fan influence in their decision (They fuck with the timeslot and stick it at 10:00 on a Friday, and have up to 8 Months between new episodes). If Sci-Fi were serious about keeping Sci-Fi afloat they would have tried a different timeslot. The best bet, it seems to me, is to try and flood Showtime and UPN with logical, reasonable, letters and calls to try and convince them that Farscape is a VERY viable property -- in the right hands, that is (read: Not the fools at Sci-Fi). Contact information for other networks is nicely laid out at www.farscapeworld.com on their "save Farscape" page.
Sept. 9, 2002, 9:59 p.m. CST
UPN should pair up Enterprise and Farscape
by warlock411
The programs would complement each other because they are both alike and different at the same time. The writing on Farscape was good enough that I came to care about Pilot and Rigel as much as I liked Worf or Dax on Deep Space 9. One interesting note my mom ( who is almost blind so she has to listen to and not watch a show ) likes Farscape. She did not know Rigel was a muppet.
Sept. 9, 2002, 10:24 p.m. CST
Trolls and stuff
by GPL Racer
Some points: One, don't feed the trolls. If you don't respond, they'll go away. Two, don't bash other shows (I can't believe Farscape was cancelled while that piece of crap ____ is still on the air), it only attracts and encourages trolls. Three, what did you expect from an organization that chose the name 'SciFi Channel'? Fans (trufans) of science fiction from the mostly print era use the term sci-fi as an insult. It implies cheesy 1950's giant insect or iguana posing as dinosaur movies.
Sept. 9, 2002, 11:17 p.m. CST
Goddamned bottom-lining frog assholes!
by WarDog
I KNEW this was the work of those French shitheads at Vivendi. They have no fucking idea about Science Fiction and even less about American culture and literature and art. Shee-yut, elected not to pick the fifth season option? BLAST IT! Who do I have to kill--and I do mean KILL--to stop this from happening? ****** I just hope this doesn't make the fourth season wrap-up rushed and sub-par and it'll finish just like The X-Files.
Sept. 9, 2002, 11:39 p.m. CST
Not rushed finale - NO FINALE AT ALL!
by newscaper
Bastards KNOWINGLY pulled the plug after the kick ass *season* ending CLIFFHANGER was 90% done. There will be NO fucking resolution, much less a rushed one. Muthaf****s
Sept. 9, 2002, 11:43 p.m. CST
Sorry Wardog...
by El_Barstardo
Considering filming finishes today, there will be no wrap up what-so-ever. Not even a lame X-Files one.
Sept. 10, 2002, 12:55 a.m. CST
no surprise here
by zahadum
Might be the best thing for the show; it can leave with a reputation intact. This seasons the scripts were poor and unfocused and the cast way to heavy on T&A.
Sept. 10, 2002, 1:27 a.m. CST
by RoguePlanet
I just have one thing to say, and one thing only --- God, I hate the French.
Sept. 10, 2002, 6:54 a.m. CST
Practical solutions (seriously)
by Rick McCallum
After keeping up with this situation and not being a Farscaper myself, I think I have some practical solutions for the fans and producers to pursue: 1) I don't think TNT, UPN and Showtime are the networks to seek to pick up the show. I doubt they're interested, especially UPN. Wishful thinking on the part of fans and, especially, the producers. Instead, I would go for the Hallmark Network, along with a joint broadcast venture with Australian, German, British and Canadian cable/satellite channels. Farscape simply seems to have a greater appeal with non-Americans, so look to these markets to pick up the fifth season. 2) A TV movie for syndication or to air on another network. And/or a series of TV movies, like what happened to the Alien Nation series. 3) Cut the costs for producing a single episode of Farscape by at least 30%. It's just going to have to be done. 4) Instead of alarming fans that the sets are being torn down, disassemble them and put what can be saved into storage until a deal can be made for a fifth season. Since the final episodes of the 4th season will air in March, I think this gives the producers plenty of time to shop around the series for a fifth season.
Sept. 10, 2002, 7:32 a.m. CST
Farscape and witchblade...
by Caine
As far as cancelling Witchblade, I think that might have to do more with Yancy Butler's alcoholism treatments than anything else. The show DID stop production so she could go to rehab - perhaps she keeps falling off the wagon. I do not know. However I think that is more likely than TNT cancelling it so they could grab Farscape. *** Farscape's life has always been tenuous at best, if you look at the history. Perhaps the brains decided there was nowhere else to go with the storyline, I do not know. I am not surprised that Sci-Fi is cancelling it, I figured it was only a matter of time. A loss really. No TV show that I have EVER seen has ever had consistantly good shows - there are always ones that seem off. Farscape was no exception, but it WAS different, AND enjoyable. Its too bad that the programming head decided it had to go.
Sept. 10, 2002, 9:15 a.m. CST
why it got "cancelled"
by themidnighter23
I've read stories that Farscape was cancelled because of declining ratings. bullshit. The reason why they were declining was because of the time change. They keep SG-1 but they bag Farscape? Which show had a better time slot? FUCK SCI-FI channel!!!
Sept. 10, 2002, 10:01 a.m. CST
Shame on you Sci fi
by Archjockey
I am an avid fan of Farscape, and of the Sci fi genre as a whole, so the cancellation of this wonderfully creative and engaging show comes as quite a disappointment to me, and many of my friends as well. What is intuitively obvious to anyone who follows entertainment successes and failures, particularly television audience numbers, is that growing a large fan following is predictably difficult when a show is preempted for months at a time, as has been done to this show. In spite of that, a strongly devoted fan base has been built, largely on the strength of the actors and writers. To make a medical analogy, why not try CPR (like running reruns of earlier episodes between airings of new episodes) before declaring the patient dead? The fans are incensed because the show they are passionate about has been clearly degraded in the ratings, not because of the popular or critical successes of the show, but because of what smacks of programming and scheduling bias against it. Many people are holding out the faint hope that this network will resurrect the show or it will be picked up by another network white knight, however I see this hope as dubious. I simply hope that those who can apply pressure to the individuals making the programming decisions are aware of the fact that they are reacting to a self inflicted ratings wound, and that in the future, if they ever have the opportunity to run a series as high in quality as this, that they learn from their mistakes here. I for one, though, will hold out hope that there is a savior for this series. If not, then Claudia, Ben, Anthony, Gigi, Lani, Virginia, Wayne, et al
Sept. 10, 2002, 10:55 a.m. CST
SG-1is actually scheduled to cease production, too
by Geekgrrl
So the real question is WTF? As far as the Scifi channel's name, that was an intentional reference to cheesy 1950's movies. It was named when Asimov and other greats were on the board of directors. Unfortunately their dream is as dead as the people John Edwards claims to talk to.
Sept. 10, 2002, 11:21 a.m. CST
Farscape sets and Witchblade
by Russman
Rumor has it that phots are being taken of the set and that it's being dimantled instead of torn down..... And folks Witchblade was never meant to be a series. The support for the movie gave them reason to do one season and that's all they were going to do. But there was enough fan support so they decided to do ONE MORE SEASON. And the ratings weren't that good anyway. So it wasn't cancelled, there really wasn't a plan to do another 13 episodes.
Sept. 10, 2002, 11:22 a.m. CST
"There are no bigger fans of Farscape than we here at SCI FI Cha
by cyber
If that was true, Farscape would not have gotten cancelled. Cable tv in general is doing a good job of fucking up their best shows. Sopranos skipping a season?? Farscape cancelled? WTF!!! For the first time ever cable tv has produced shows that are good and different from what is shown on regular tv. I pray to god that The Shield is still going to have its second season, and that farscape gets renewed, even if on a different channel.
Sept. 10, 2002, 2:21 p.m. CST
by themidnighter23
WTF is that supposed to mean? I watch Buffy and I find Angel more interesting now. Buffy is slowly falling apart.
Sept. 10, 2002, 7:30 p.m. CST
What about the Happy Days?
by El_Barstardo
Are we allowed to watch that Maddkinski? Will it free us from our Nerddom and make us all cool like you? We could even carry a comb in our back pocket! Ayyyyyyeeee!
Sept. 10, 2002, 9:18 p.m. CST
Buffy GEEKS calling Farscape fans "geeks"?
by 7ZeroCorpse
Puh-lease. Buffy is ridiculous teen pap. It's beyond stupid, and when you boil it down it's just teen-angst bullshit with a monster every week. Farscape is a well-made science fiction "space opera" style series, with a minimum of emotional bullshit, Rikki Lake moments, or tear-jerker plotlines, while Buffy is ALL Rikki Lake moments, emotional BS, and tear-jerker plotlines. Besides, I'd rather jump on ANY of the women of Farscape than the scrawny, malnourished, teeny-bopper-appeal tarts on Buffy. Give me Virginia Hey in blue body paint, or Gigi Edgley in tights any day.
Sept. 10, 2002, 9:42 p.m. CST
Buffy Geeks...
by El_Barstardo
Let the buffy geeks laugh at our plight, for at the end of the day, though our beloved franchise may be getting screwed, at least it ain't getting screwed by Freddie Prince Jr.
Sept. 10, 2002, 10:06 p.m. CST
by TomVee
So again I ask, which show has the tall, effeminate alien with the bizarre eyes? If that was FARSCAPE, I am not a fan and can se why it was canceled. But you say it has been on for five years? Hard to believe if I am thinking of the right show.
Sept. 10, 2002, 11:36 p.m. CST
Dear Farscape Fans
by Roj Blake
Obviously the "Save Farscape" campaign has become, for lack of a better word, fervent. This is great, and I'd expect nothing less from the people who appreciate this show. Even if - at the very worst - nothing comes of it, it'll be remembered by the right people for a long time to come. However, I would like to propose/ask that the campaign perhaps be pulled back/slowed down for tomorrow, the one-year anniversary of 9/11. There are a lot of people in this country who are not Farscape fans - in fact most of them aren't, and tomorrow is going to be a day of mourning and remembrance for one of the most horrific days in American history. Tomorrow, Joe Average is not going to want to hear about the saving of a science fiction TV show. Television, radio, and other news outlets and their reporters are going to have their attentions focused elsewhere. If the "Save Farscape" campaign is going to have any long-term effects, and if it is to be taken seriously, then I think it would be in everybody's best interest if we simply lay low tomorrow. The last thing we want to be thought of is "that group of crack-pot fanatics who ignored the one-year anniversary of 9/11". This is especially imperitive, I think, given that the SciFi offices are located in New York City. There are probably people working in those very offices who lost friends and family a year ago, and the last thing they're going to want to deal with is "Farscape". Let's all collectively show some respect, tact, and decency. Thanks for reading. - Roj
Sept. 11, 2002, 12:04 a.m. CST
by DEFIANT74205
Sept. 11, 2002, 2:06 a.m. CST
Farscape and Buffy
by coop
What the hell is all this crap between the fans of these two shows? I was guilty of initially avoiding both of these shows because of the assumptions you are all making but I have learned the error of my ways. Both of these well written shows are critically acclaimed for a reason. Farscape is not just some goofy space show with muppets, and Buffy is not just some goofy show about a teenage girl fighting monsters. You get mad when people assume your show is a joke yet you do it to each other without realizing the irony. Both Farscape fans and Buffy fans know that if the naysayers actually watched enough of their shows they would be fans. Just stop assuming shit. If you don't want to give the other show a chance, don't. Just shut the fuck up about it already. Of course there are those in here that assume shit about both shows but ignorance is bliss. Twin Peaks was a great show, American Gothic was a great show, The X-Files was (initially) a great show, the Shield, The Sopranos, 24 etc... all great shows (some greater than others) and Buffy AND Farscape are also great shows. If you don't know the joy of these shows I feel sorry for you, but when you open your mouth before you know the truth, you show your ignorance.
Sept. 11, 2002, 2:17 a.m. CST
by coop
I think you mean "Earth Final Conflict" which had effeminate asexual aliens with wierd eyes. That show was syndicated and it was canceled last season. It wasn't that good so it must be what you mean. To be sure go to: http://www.taelons.com/people/pdaan.html to see if you recognize the aliens.
Sept. 11, 2002, 2:56 a.m. CST
by FS Consortium
Take a moment to go to www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/FarscapeFund This petition/fund is extremely unique. In addition to signing, the fans/viewers can pledge a $ amount that they WOULD donate to an investment fund devoted to achieving at least one Viewer-Financed episode of Farscape and sweetening any new 5th Season network deals. If nothing else it will be an impressive number (in a language the networks can understand) to include in letters and faxes. Add this to your Websites and get the word out about it. Everyone who signed the main petition should sign this one and pledge at least $1 (some have gone as high as $100-$350). Encourage people to be honest. We want as accurate and realistic a total as possible. Even $1 WILL help. 1.5 million viewers = $1.5 million. That's an episode right there. If we all donate $22 we could buy the whole dang season!!!
Sept. 11, 2002, 3:38 a.m. CST
FS Consortium
by coop
I have not heard from any of the official people about that so if you sign it, be sure you don't send any money unless you hear from the real people that it's legit. I would happily pay for a season if it came down to that but anyone can create a psuedo fund and grab some sucker money. Just don't be one of the suckers.
Sept. 11, 2002, 8:14 a.m. CST
DK speaks! Transcript! IMPORTANT!
by Vampgirl
http://farscape.wdsection.com/dkchattrans2.html DK hung out for hours last night, through server problems and everything. He also said in another area, that to keep contacting UPN and Showtime. Add TNN and WB to that list as well. Through everything last night, the guy was INBELIEVEABLY nice. The Save Scape movement is having an effect. He says people who were not talking are now talking... There is a protest scheduled for 8AM in NYC at the SciFi HQ (peaceful and nice). There is an ad running in the national Variety Thursday as well.
Sept. 11, 2002, 9:48 a.m. CST
Farscape The Movie......It's True...read on.....
by WyntahChyld
This was taken from the OFFICIAL Farscape website. ************************************************************ Farscape is a flagship show for The Jim Henson Company. We are proud of its achievements over the past four years, which have included international critical recognition, three Saturn Awards, and a recent Emmy nomination. As always, your show of support is a true inspiration for our company and has been integral to our success. Although SCI FI Channel has chosen not to pick up a fifth season, The Jim Henson Company is in active development on a new Farscape film, an anime project and is currently discussing syndication of this highly acclaimed series. We are eager to move forward with the Farscape creative team in developing new projects that will resonate with our overwhelmingly loyal fan base.
Sept. 11, 2002, 10:39 a.m. CST
Still in shock..
by cooper2000
As another poster posted, you dont really know how Farscape is until you see a few episodes. I thought it would be a dumb muppet show too and maybe thats why a lot of people werent watching it but I heard the buzz and started watching and I am hooked. This isnt a bland sacharine show like Enterprise or Voyager, it has great writing and amazing characters. Its deep and its dark at times and funny during others.*** I have been doing a lot of catching up through the DVDs and just watched the last 4 episodes of Season 2 and they are some of the most amazing written Sci Fi on TV that I have ever seen and much better than the effects laden Star Wars.*** I have been calling and emailing all week plus sending some faxes. Its imperative that this continues for more than a few days.*** If you can make a difference that would be great.
Sept. 11, 2002, 3:17 p.m. CST
Farscape vs Buffy... Apples vs Meat Sauce
by Spice-Orange
First of all... they are two totally different shows. Buffy is is more comical and campy then Farscape. Buffy is easier to watch. You don't have to know all the characters and there back story to get everything out of the show as a causal viewer. on the other hand, Farscape has quality characters, deep characters. if you have seen all the farscape eps. The characters, to me anyways, feel more deep because there troubles and actions go on throughout many, many episodes. Buffy's characters are all stereotyped, proof is the convenent revolation that Willow is gay... wow.. how cutting edge. I like how this all comes out when gay characters are now ok to have and people aren't shocked about it anymore. Buffy story arcs never last very long, and none of them seem very original. Heck, the whole vampire background of the show has been played to death with countless tired movies that all suck. I guess thats why Buffy plots are doing "magic" and other things now... vampires can only do so much tell you remember you saw it all before in 20 year old movies. The key difference between the two shows is this: Farscape could make a feature film that wouldn't be half bad. Great Effects, original- if not weird- plot and characters that aren't stereotyped to a T. I can't see a buffy movie comming out when the show is over, can you? it would just be more of the same... Farscape has movie quality scripts, even if you don't like the show, you have to admit that. You can't?? Then you can agree that farscape plots have more quality then most movies in theaters these days. there. if you don't believe that one, go see swimfan and feardotcom... or that new tom green movie.... ugh *throws up* I hope the show finds a new home, i'm sure it will, somewhere- be it Books, film, different network, or street preformances :) I don't know why buffy fans are happy.. the show is rumored to be in its last season too, so WTF? At least farscape will stop open ended, buffy will have to wrap it all up. How much longer can an stick fight for "forces of Evil"? doesn't it get old? ever? I watched the season when she first got to college... then the whole "underground military" plot died suddenly and i lost interest becuase it went back to magic and lame monster of the week stuff. sorry but i already have a monster of the week show and thats smallville, at least that show has hotter girls in it. :) can't wait for Farscape Season 5
Sept. 11, 2002, 8:36 p.m. CST
Showtime and UPN
by RoobyRoo
The buzz that these two networks are possibly interested is great news. It's probably a lot more realistic to hit Showtime and UPN with letters, e-mails, and phone calls of support for Farscape, as the Sci-Fi channel has basically shit on Farscape recently (with it's piss-poor scheduling, taking it out of rotation altogether, etc...). If Sci-Fi had a clue, they'd have probably tried to work the ratings up rather than stick it at 10:00 at night, without some reruns to initiate new viewers. Everyone who is moved to voice their support of Farscape would do well to contact Showtime and UPN (I would subscribe to Showtime just for this one show, and what it says about them that they'd take Farscape into their fold). Convenient contact information is available at farscapeworld.com on the "save farscape" page (as I posted earlier- but you can't say it too many times).
Sept. 11, 2002, 11:35 p.m. CST
CNN had Save Farscape on TV TONIGHT!!!!!
by Vampgirl
IMPORTANT: CNN HEADLINE NEWS aired a 2-3 minute segment on the removal of Farscape on their Hotwired segment tonight 9/11/02. It covered the mail site at farscape.wdstation.com as well as TV Guide Matt Rousch's protest of the show's cancellation. There will be a protest at SciFi channel Headquarters tomorrow starting 8-9AM 9/12/2002. Hopefully many will attend. Variety is running an ad tomorrow nationally for SAVE FARSCPE. www.savefarscape.com
Sept. 12, 2002, 5:50 p.m. CST
Viva la Revolucion! Viva la Farscape!
by ArchDiver
This is all kickass news! I think SCIFI has gotten the message. A shift of focus of the campaign to UPN, SHOWTIME, WB and TNN will probably open their eyes more than continued direct pressure from fans. Especially if one of them goes into active negotiations to acquire it. Someone noted a problem with the rights to the previous seasons, but that didn't stop UPN with Buffy, did it? ***** And fuck the trolls wasting bandwidth on this forum. Fuck them right in their stupid ears! AD out
Oct. 4, 2002, 10:30 p.m. CST
Isn't vengeance sweet?
by MaddogHoek
Here in Canada we have our own space channel, which basically gets all of the shows that the US Sci-fi channel cancels. We have 'Harsh Realm', 'G vs. E', and now Farscape (we actually had it about a year before it was cancelled). What I say, is for everyone who was a fan of Farscape, your best form of protest is to avoid watching the US Sci-Fi channel. It's bread and butter are 'sci-fi geeks', who albiet are not a very large population, but are very loyal to good products. However, the US Sci-Fi channel is probably in such sorry states because it continually cancells its quality TV, because quality TV does not sell, but neither does unquality science fiction. Your protest is to let the Sci-fi channel die, and the corporate heads out of a job, and nobody willing to hire them because of their blatant incompetence.
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