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Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

Started by Mike Olbinski · 1 year ago

Yesterday morning we heard that The Sci Fi Channel is moving Charlie Jade to a new day and time. Starting next week, it’ll be taking over the coveted Monday 3am slot.
I can’t be too upset by this. Clearly the show was underperforming on Friday nights and the programming wizards at SciFi needed to move it. What impresses me is the depth ... Continue reading »

31 comments

  • Ellestra

    1 year ago

    You've made me so sad. I watched Charlie Jade on AXN year ago and I loved it (I live in Poland). It's a great show with multidimensional characters and interesting premise.
    I was hoping Americans will like it and maybe a second season will be made. :(
    Instead SciFi made sure nobody knows its exists.
    reply
  • ProgGrrl

    1 year ago

    "Think of the possibilities of an Internet-based network founded by Joss Whedon, J.J. Abrams, and Ronald Moore, dedicated to developing and promoting innovative, cutting-edge science fiction."

    It's so true, man. And the audience is totally primed to watch everything online. I'm sure we will see something like this within the next 3-5 years -- but only if someone cracks the big issue: how to monetize the site enough to pay for a big-budget project that Abrams, Whedon or etc. would be willing to participate in.
    reply
  • R.A. Porter

    1 year ago

    Ah...that's the $64K question.* How to monetize it. If I could answer that I'd be rich, rich, rich!

    *Note that it is not actually a $64K question. For that little, J.J. could do it with change from his couch. :)
    reply
  • klinqueen

    1 year ago

    My favorite rant for the last few years has been that Whedon or Abrams (or even Peter Jackson, if he were more small-box inclined) should start a direct-to-consumer project of downloads, subscriptions, direct-to-DVD, whatever it takes to get the wonderful ideas from their heads to our eyes. An internet channel would be awesome, and way overdue. I will have to check out the other classic channel mentioned in the meantime.

    The cost is much, much less to go direct to consumer, especially on the net, so let's say bye-bye to the studios and get someone with the money and balls to start this new entertainment model! It can be done; the question is who will be first.

    And yes, the SciFi Channel is a sewage pit of imbecility. Other than BSG (which I haven't been watching, sorry!) and Doctor Who, I skate in, see a Ghost Hunter ad (or the weekly "SciFi Original Movie") and depart quickly. Half an hour of watching SciFi gives me far more than my daily requirement of cheese.
    reply
  • daddyjason

    1 year ago

    I actually like Stargate: Atlantis too.

    And I know that most people here will disagree with me, but Doctor Who isn't very good. I can't watch it...at all. It's almost as bad as the Sci-fi movies of the week.
    reply
  • Paula

    8 months ago

    I agree totally.I was very irratated when the original Stargate SG1 went away,but I was content with BSG,then oops, that will also soon be gone.So what are we die hard sci-fi fans left with...that really silly Dr.Who(and believe me I tried to like it) oh then Flash Gordon???I agree with starting a network(if the sci-fi channel cant accomadate them) with the throw aways of some really good shows off the prime networks..Hey their loss.I really like this Charlie Jade but since never seen it before..I am alittle lost with the plot line...It needs to be on earlier than 3am.....
    reply
  • Mike Olbinski

    1 year ago

    Great article Richard, you hit on a lot of great points.

    What's sort of funny to me is that they've probably had the ability to actually chase down GOOD shows that other networks dump off and build a nice network. Firefly maybe, Journeyman, Jericho...

    I know I heard Fox wouldn't let anyone else have Firefly, and I don't know about Journeyman, but if I was CEO or whatever of Sci Fi, I'd do my best to try and get these discarded gems and put them on my network.
    reply
  • R.A. Porter

    1 year ago

    Thanks, Mike. I agree. Even with castoffs, there's a really nice little network to be built. Hell, it could be done for medium-cheap and put on shows like Jake 2.0 and Odyssey 5 along with a few more pricey offerings. I just don't see how anyone can get a new channel on the channel lineups anymore.
    reply
  • Mike Olbinski

    1 year ago

    "Starting next week, it’ll be taking over the coveted Monday 3am slot."

    Funny line, but it just sucks overall that it's moving to that time slot. To make up for BSG, it was nice to have a good scifi show on Friday nights.
    reply
  • daddyjason

    1 year ago

    Great article. Nice sarcasm.

    I know it was a hard show to get into - for me as well - but you're absolutely right when you say that they never actually gave it a shot. And to put it on in the middle of the night... That's just lunacy. I mean, even putting it on outside of primetime at 5 or 6 in the evening would be a better choice....the weekend would be a better choice...Sunday morning at 10 AM would be a better choice. Just moronic.
    reply
  • R.A. Porter

    1 year ago

    It's just hard to know how the show might have done if they'd promoted it properly. I think the 8pm slot was a little early for it, personally. But there are plenty of hours on their schedule just filled with reruns. I'm not sure Sunday at 10pm would have killed them. Or part of a second block of SF on another night.

    3am is just...well, that's the time you find yourself taking the ugly home girl from the bar. SciFi sees CJ as *that* girl.
    reply
  • jina

    1 year ago

    So... I am assuming we will have recaps of CJ by 5am on Monday's? Nice!
    reply
  • R.A. Porter

    1 year ago

    Absolutely. 5am Mondays. :)
    reply
  • steve davidson

    1 year ago

    R.A.,

    I guess you missed the launch of The Classic Science Fiction Channel - an internet based broadcaster currently offering public domain and creative commons movies, televisions shows, serials and radio programs. (http://www.rimworlds.com/theclassicscienceficti...)

    I ranted on this subject earlier this month and if the response from BoinBoing is any indication, there are many, many former SciFi viewers who feel the way that you and I do.

    Here's a link to the original screed. http://www.rimworlds.com/csfcabout.htm

    If I can find a good email for Josh, I'd show him the responses; you don't get to the coveted demographic by showing them what you think they want, you get to them by giving them what they ask for.
    reply
  • R.A. Porter

    1 year ago

    Steve, thanks for the links. I'll definitely check that out.

    Here's how bad the problem is: I'm pretty plugged in and aware of what's going on both online and in entertainment in general and I *know* there are a ton of things out there of which I've heard nothing. Imagine trying to get that knowledge to people who *aren't* plugged in.

    This is why promotion is so very important, and why a budget like the one NBC Uni has for SciFi *could* be helpful.
    reply
  • Cap'n Schwartz

    1 year ago

    I have to say first off.... "it’ll be taking over the coveted Monday 3am slot." LOLOLOL.
    Secondly, Richard GREAT write-up!!! You got me interested when this first came out, and of course because the show is highly interesting they are gonna move it to where it'll have no choice but to off it due to lack of viewership. Lovely. you are hitting the nail on the head on the promotion piece, as other than you I've never heard of this (and I'm a mega BSG fan who watches their channel quite a bit), which means this was poorly promoted. How dissapointing...
    reply
  • R.A. Porter

    1 year ago

    Thanks for your kind words, Cap'n. :)
    reply
  • steve davidson

    1 year ago

    RA

    no problem on not finding the site - there's tons of stuff everyone is missing out on simply because of volume.

    I'm adding your blog to my blogroll in the hopes that your commentary will help swell the ranks of people who are looking for a real niche SF offering - mine or anyone else's - just as long as we get away from pro-wrestling and the oxymoronish reality shows about the 'spirit realm'
    reply
  • Kevin Bachelder

    1 year ago

    Really enjoyed reading this...some great perspectives on the whole situation...thanks for sharing it.

    My feeling is that the Scifi channel wanted to look good to us "hardcore" scifi fans so even though they passed on this show months ago they wanted to at least give it a second chance. They know that many of the vocal hardcore fans have DVRs and Tivos so while we don't like the new time slot at least it's still on so we can record and watch it. Not saying I like them doing that but from a cold, corporate point of view it makes sense.
    reply
  • Mike Olbinski

    1 year ago

    Yeah, it's so mind-boggling that the network actually GETS a good Sci-Fi show, but still can do nothing to promote it.

    I mean, if they can't promote a SCI FI show, then what good are they? :)
    reply
  • daddyjason

    1 year ago

    None.
    reply
  • Sean

    1 year ago

    I don't know what else to add that everyone else hasn't already mentioned. I'm just really dissapointed. Pissed off as well. This was suppose to lead to a possible season 2. Now it appears it may not happen. I suppose we have to wait for an official announcement on what's going on.

    Other than that, awesome article, spot on. I'm glad you're going to continue with the reviews. That's one of the things I was worried about when I heard the news for some reason. I don't have a Tivo so can't record it and I'm definately not staying up until 4am in the morning to watch it. What an idiotic timeslot. But I'll still look forward to stopping by and reading and commenting on the reviews.

    The co-creator for the show (a year ago) talked about trying to get a internet distribution deal. TheWB.com is re-launching their old website for internet distribution for old and new shows this coming fall. I don't know if they would be interested in Charlie Jade though. I really wish they could figure something out to work this out so the show could be greenlit for a season 2. I can't express how dissapointing this is. I really hope we hear from someone soon about what's going on.
    reply
  • R.A. Porter

    1 year ago

    I doubt we'll hear much. If they didn't promote the show before airing it, I doubt they'll promote their reasons for s**t-canning it.
    reply
  • Sean

    1 year ago

    Well the co-creator (Robert Wertheimer) has been doing podcasts (hopefully they continue) so I'm sure we'll hear something. I hope.
    reply
  • A CJ fan

    1 year ago

    Wouldn't that be 3 am Tuesdays? It shows on the Monday schedule, but after midnight. Eg. one would set their recording device for 3 am (EDT) on the 24th (Tuesday) to record Episode 3.
    reply
  • Sean

    1 year ago

    It's enough they have to bury the show but then they screw with you even more on the day and time... It's considered Monday night. But yes, it's Tuesday morning.
    reply
  • Stacy

    1 year ago

    Great article. I would only add, along the lines of lack of promotion, SciFi could have gained more viewers by showing the pilot more than once. I heard about the show from you, but by then had missed the pilot. It was slightly hard to follow starting with the 2nd episode but we were willing to keep it going. Glad I have a DVR because I have no problems sleeping.
    reply
  • Mike Olbinski

    1 year ago

    I agree Stacy...they have so much crappy programming on, they could have
    shown it a few more times.
    reply
  • Tracey

    1 year ago

    Let's face it: The "SciFi" Channel hasn't actually been targeting SF since they started airing John "I See Dead People" Edward years ago. They wanted a broader demographic, they say, and they seem to have missed the fact that 9 of the top 10 grossing films of all time are essentially SF/Fantasy genre (3 Star Wars movies, 2 Spidermans, E.T., LOTR, Pirates of the Carribean and Shrek). A high percentage of the top 25 also fit into that genre. Fundamentally, you have an alleged SF channel being run by people who do not "get" -- or even like -- SF. SF is a niche, yes, but Waldenbooks realized a long time ago, when they set up their first book club as an SF book club, that it's a niche with a lot of money to spend and a lot of willingness to spend it. What they need is somebody who gets that.
    reply
  • R.A. Porter

    12 months ago

    Sadly, I don't think this channel will ever get it. NBC-Uni just wants another mass market channel they can use as a place to either incubate shows or dump shows. With USA and Bravo they've got what they want. SciFi just doesn't fit the mold.
    reply
  • Mario

    12 months ago

    Great article.

    There is just one thing - the show is at 3 am Tuesday morning.

    Try programming your DVR for Monday 3am and see what you get?
    reply

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