I want my Sci Fi back

I’m really frustrated.

I have been a big fan of the Sci Fi Channel since the early 90’s (it was founded in 1992, according to Wiki). I remember back then thinking that FINALLY there was television aimed at someone like me that thoroughly enjoys Science Fiction. Sci Fi became the first channel I would tune into when turning on the TV. I could go on about this but suffice it to say, I was pretty happy to see the Sci Fi Channel.

Last year, Sci Fi became SyFy. There were various reasons for the change, but basically, Sci Fi made the change “to end confusion over how to capitalize and stylize their name and as part of an on-going rebranding effort.”(Source: Wiki.) Programming has been changing over time adding reality shows and WWE Smackdown and apparently it has been an attempt to target young male and female audience. (unpopular, according to Wiki’s info…)

What happened?!?! What happened to my Sci Fi??

You know.. I’m smart enough to understand the need to draw newer audiences and look for new programming, and I suppose I can see the rebranding thing and all of that….. but I don’t see how the changes to totally overhaul the station and make it something else makes sense. There is less and less good Science Fiction programming and more (non)reality shows, and of all things wrestling, on the Sci Fi Channel…or what’s now SyFy.

What has brought me to the point of this frustration the most I think is the latest show that was canceled, Caprica. I enjoyed Battlestar Galactica when it first aired in 1978, and when it finally returned in 2004 as a miniseries on Sci Fi. It was a pretty successful show and won many awards. Caprica was based on that series, only took place 58 years earlier, basically telling the story of the Cylons beginning and what brought them to existence.

I really enjoyed this show, but had trouble keeping up with it with my screwy work hours. Any shows I want to watch, I have to be thankful for DVR at home so I can watch when I can find the time between what the kids or the wife are watching. Caprica’s first season consisted of 10 episodes on Friday night. A good time far as I was concerned, as did many of those I see in the forums that talk about it. Nearly a year later, SyFy announced that it was returning on Tuesday night at 10pm and after 5 episodes, it was canceled, with SyFy not even showing us the end of the 1.5 season. WHAT THE HELL?!?!?! Cancel this show, with the first 20 episodes spread in 2 halves over almost 2 years? Man… I could go on and on here but…. (If you want to know more about Caprica, here is a link to numerous information pages )

When it got canceled, I got behind the protest against the canceling, and the drive to try to save it. I sent many tweets on Twitter to try and make it trend in the U.S. (it did in Canada), and added my voice to the many that cried out to save the show, with my thinking that if I voice my opinion, there must be hundreds or more that feel the same that won’t speak out….

MY BIGGEST GRIPE here is that after all these years, I feel that my feelings and my opinion as a fan of first the station, and second this show in particular, mean nothing. I tried to ask intelligent questions of one of the Execs at SyFy in the first place I could, Twitter, and it seemed like I was getting a “Canned” answer back from him for my questions.”It’s still a great show, just not one that we can continue with sadly. We love it, which is why we made it.” Sadly? If you loved it, why kill it with the goofy scheduling? Oh wait… they had to make room for WRESTLING… ARRHHHHHH!!!

Ranting about this now seems pointless. But I did want to put this down in writing somewhere so I could voice my disapproval and disappointment to SyFy and NBC Universal. And I know I’m only one tick on the counter of viewers, but I actually have reduced my viewing of that channel to only the few shows I still follow, like Stargate Universe, Eureka, Sanctuary, etc. (And, I have found I can find those shows elsewhere if need be.)

In the Grand Scheme, my opinion doesn’t count, and that’s what this post is all about. It infuriates me that after all the years of supporting this Channel, my voice means nothing.

I want my old Sci Fi Channel back….

************* Just a quick note**********
January 04, 2011
Sci Fi… er sorry… SyFy channel is airing the last 5 episodes of Caprica tonight at 6pm (check your local listings for an accurate air time). I’d like everyone that reads this, though I know there aren’t that many, to please tune in to the Syfy channel tonight. Use an extra TV if you can… DVR it… whatever… just turn the channel on for the 5 hours that the show airs. If you like the show, raise your voices to SyFy and NBC Universal and let them know. My personal feeling is that it deserves more time, and I’d like to think that some of the Execs at SyFy/NBCUniversal would fight for it if they see enough viewership tonight.

From what I’ve heard of the last 5 episodes, they are quite exciting, and could show fans what COULD come if SyFy can bring it back.

That is all…..