[scifinoir2] More Genre Pilots Are Coming
Which ones work for you/ Which ones do you think stand a chance of making it? By ED LEFT Source: SyFy Portal Feb-28-2008 Last time out, we took a look at the new series ordered by the broadcast and cable networks that should be showing up on our television screens in the next 12 or so months. Today I’d like to take a look at the genre related pilot projects in the works. These concepts have not been ordered to series, and there’s a good chance we’ll never see them reach the light of day. But here they are. Based on the U.K. series of the same name, Eleventh Hour has been ordered by CBS, and is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The show revolves around Jacob Hood (Rufus Sewell) as a science advisor to the government. He and his bodyguard work to save people from abuses of science. I’ve enjoyed the U.K. version on BBC America, and if this version is half as good, it’s a keeper. The Bruckheimer name only helps its chances. J.J. Abrams has created Fringe, a drama for Fox. It’s about an FBI agent played by Anna Torv who finds herself dealing with unexplained phenomena, and has to work with an institutionalized scientist whose life’s work may be at the center of the problem. Abrams has a good track record, considering his involvement in both Lost and Alias. However, the leaked script of the pilot has been severely bashed on the Internet. It didn’t sound good, but with a rewrite, and actual performances attached to it, who knows how it will turn out? Given its pedigree, I am hopeful about this pilot. Another British import with a decent pedigree is Life on Mars. It’s being produced for ABC by David E. Kelley. This show is about current day detective Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) who finds himself working as a cop in the 1970s after a car crash. Also starring are Colm Meaney as Gene Hunt and Rachelle Lefevre as Annie Cartright. The U.K. version of this show was a television masterpiece. Kelley hiring Colm Meaney as Gene Hunt is inspired casting, and I can see him capturing the essence of the character. This pilot has been taking forever to get off the ground, and given that it’s been on the shelf so long, I’m surprised it hasn’t gotten stale. I loved the original, but don’t see this idea taking off on American TV. I think it would be too confusing for the average viewer. The Meant To Be’s is a pilot ordered by CBS about a young woman who dies, but before she can cross over, she has to return to Earth and help people. Every few years a series pops up with a similar concept, and you’ll notice, there aren’t any on TV right now. That’s because they don’t tend to last. This one has a nice twist in the fact that it’s a formerly dead person who has to do the life fixing. I don’t see a long future in this one, if it even manages to make it to series. The Oaks is a pilot ordered by Fox. It’s a drama about three couples who live in the same house in three different time periods -- 1967, 1987 and 2007. Their stories are tied together by the ghosts who haunt the house. The pilot is fully cast and shot. I am intrigued by this one, just because I want to see how they will make the concept work. I look forward to seeing the pilot. BO has ordered a pilot for Patient 2344, a story set in a medical research institute in the near future. It seems like the short-lived CBS drama Century City a couple of years ago, except with doctors instead of lawyers. Since it’s HBO, if it moves forward, we’ll see all the episodes ordered. I don’t see it moving forward myself. Revolution is a pilot ordered by the SciFi Channel. Let me quote directly from the Sci Fi Channel press release for this one: New America is a colony settled by the now-named 'United State of America' on a planet resembling our own, located 50 light years away. Echoing many contemporary issues and themes, it is a futuristic version of a new world's passionate fight for freedom. The expansive drama centers on the Hart family one of the founding families of New America. Tom, a former military man turned industrialist, is the patriarch of the family facing great pressure from the government to increasingly tax the colonists already heavily burdened. His two sons have struggles of their own with one rebelling against his industrialist grandfather and the old America, the other more radical one heading toward revolution. His 16-year-old daughter is simply trying to find her way in this world. Add to this a new local governor torn between her allegiance to the colony and her desire for peace, and a young ambitious bureaucrat looking to bring the colony back under control. I like the concept, and my feeling is this is meant to take over the dark and gritty niche left open by the conclusion of Battlestar Galactica later this year. There’s a lot of story in that synopsis, and I hope it gets the chance to tell it. Cost might be the only detriment to this making it to the air, given how tightly Sci Fi watches the
Re: [scifinoir2] More Genre Pilots Are Coming
Okay, you opened the gate and let the maniac out...blame yourselves for any collateral damage. Fringe...can anyone say Mulder and Scully? Only not as easy on the eyes? Life on Mars- I'll wait for the BBC DVD to make it across the Pond, thanks. And, if anyone here has Kelley's e-mail addy, send him this for me. It's called 'originality'. Try it. Tracey, it *might* be too confusing for the masses, but I think that if it can find a niche audience, like Life, it has a chance. The Means to Be- I don't see it, either. Not even short-term. I'm with you on The Oaks, Tracey. Patient 2344, I don't have to worry about ever seeing. No HBO, and I'm not likely to travel to a friend's house to see it, based on the premise offered. Revolution... I like the thought. Skiffy... It's dead. Warehouse 13... I think we've mentioned this one a few weeks back. Now, as then, I offer this. http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/980356660827.htm As for It (not sure fi that's the real name of the show- the text went wonky on me down the page)... might fly for awhile, before the stories collide with Clicheville. Okay, I'm done. You can come out from beneath your desks now. Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Which ones work for you/ Which ones do you think stand a chance of making it? By ED LEFT Source: SyFy Portal Feb-28-2008 Last time out, we took a look at the new series ordered by the broadcast and cable networks that should be showing up on our television screens in the next 12 or so months. Today Iâd like to take a look at the genre related pilot projects in the works. These concepts have not been ordered to series, and thereâs a good chance weâll never see them reach the light of day. But here they are. Based on the U.K. series of the same name, Eleventh Hour has been ordered by CBS, and is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The show revolves around Jacob Hood (Rufus Sewell) as a science advisor to the government. He and his bodyguard work to save people from abuses of science. Iâve enjoyed the U.K. version on BBC America, and if this version is half as good, itâs a keeper. The Bruckheimer name only helps its chances. J.J. Abrams has created Fringe, a drama for Fox. Itâs about an FBI agent played by Anna Torv who finds herself dealing with unexplained phenomena, and has to work with an institutionalized scientist whose lifeâs work may be at the center of the problem. Abrams has a good track record, considering his involvement in both Lost and Alias. However, the leaked script of the pilot has been severely bashed on the Internet. It didnât sound good, but with a rewrite, and actual performances attached to it, who knows how it will turn out? Given its pedigree, I am hopeful about this pilot. Another British import with a decent pedigree is Life on Mars. Itâs being produced for ABC by David E. Kelley. This show is about current day detective Sam Tyler (Jason OâMara) who finds himself working as a cop in the 1970s after a car crash. Also starring are Colm Meaney as Gene Hunt and Rachelle Lefevre as Annie Cartright. The U.K. version of this show was a television masterpiece. Kelley hiring Colm Meaney as Gene Hunt is inspired casting, and I can see him capturing the essence of the character. This pilot has been taking forever to get off the ground, and given that itâs been on the shelf so long, Iâm surprised it hasnât gotten stale. I loved the original, but donât see this idea taking off on American TV. I think it would be too confusing for the average viewer. The Meant To Beâs is a pilot ordered by CBS about a young woman who dies, but before she can cross over, she has to return to Earth and help people. Every few years a series pops up with a similar concept, and youâll notice, there arenât any on TV right now. Thatâs because they donât tend to last. This one has a nice twist in the fact that itâs a formerly dead person who has to do the life fixing. I donât see a long future in this one, if it even manages to make it to series. The Oaks is a pilot ordered by Fox. Itâs a drama about three couples who live in the same house in three different time periods -- 1967, 1987 and 2007. Their stories are tied together by the ghosts who haunt the house. The pilot is fully cast and shot. I am intrigued by this one, just because I want to see how they will make the concept work. I look forward to seeing the pilot. BO has ordered a pilot for Patient 2344, a story set in a medical research institute in the near future. It seems like the short-lived CBS drama Century City a couple of years ago, except with doctors instead of lawyers. Since itâs HBO, if it moves forward, weâll see all the episodes ordered. I donât see it moving forward myself. Revolution is a pilot ordered by the SciFi
