I was probably the last on my block to hear about it, but thank heavens I did. ABC premiered a new, not-quite-series called Masters of Science Fiction last Saturday evening. Fortunately, I saw something in the paper in time to set my DVR and catch it. It’s an anthology series (or not-quite series, since ABC hasn’t committed to continuing it beyond a few episodes) featuring adaptations of short stories by noted SF writers, including Kessel, Heinlein, Ellison, and others. Each story will be intro’d, and I guess outtro’d, by the voice of physicist Stephen Hawking, ala Rod Serling.
I quite enjoyed the first episode, “A Clean Escape,” based on a short story by John Kessel. Well written and acted, and pretty powerful.
Who knows how long this will last, so watch it and support it (Saturday evenings at 10, Eastern time). Maybe if it gains an following, ABC will see that there’s an audience for more than one intelligent SF show on TV! Wouldn’t that be great?
“The mere habit of writing, of constantly keeping at it, of never giving up, ultimately teaches you how to write.” —Gabriel Fielding
John D.
Sadly, only six episodes were ever filmed and ABC is only showing four of them (weekly in August). Consider this a limited-run series that’s 25% over. 🙁
Anonymous
Well I did record it on my DVR, but haven’t gotten around to watching it yet. Good to know that it’s worth watching.
-tsmacro
Charlza
I only happened to hear about it the day before. It’s too bad they’re only airing 4 episodes 🙁
Jeffrey A. Carver
I read somewhere that ABC was undecided about showing the last 2 episodes. If the buzz is good enough on the first 4, they might. It would be stupid not to.
On the other hand, NBC killed Studio 60, and that was pretty stupid, too.
Anonymous
Yeah it was too bad about Studio 60. At the very least I was happy they brought the story arc they were in to an end, at least there was some sense of closure with the show. I hate it when they just cancel a show when it’s right in the middle of an ongoing storyline and then just leave you hanging!
-tsmacro