Pop Critics - Latest Comments in Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

Paula — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:06:52 -0000

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.....

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

Mario — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:05:10 -0000

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?

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

coyotesqrl — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:14:53 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

Tracey — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:42:38 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

mikeo75 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:31:06 -0000

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

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

Stacy — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:06:21 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

Ellestra — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:37:22 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

jclark88 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:13:21 -0000

None.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

mikeo75 — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:50:35 -0000

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? :)

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

s1e9a8n5 — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:39:25 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

A CJ fan — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:11:33 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

s1e9a8n5 — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:20:07 -0000

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

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

coyotesqrl — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:08:40 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

jclark88 — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:31:43 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

s1e9a8n5 — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:24:40 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

klinqueen — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:02:04 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

kbachelder — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:08:48 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

coyotesqrl — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:39:42 -0000

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. :)

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

steve davidson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:31:59 -0000

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'

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

ProgGrrl — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:28:56 -0000

"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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

coyotesqrl — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:53:21 -0000

Thanks for your kind words, Cap'n. :)

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

capnschwartz — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:51:13 -0000

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...

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

coyotesqrl — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:25:50 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

steve davidson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:12:49 -0000

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.

Re: Charlie Jade Rescheduled: The Future of Science Fiction Television

coyotesqrl — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:50:10 -0000

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.