Wanted: Variety article titled "Recognition for sci-fi still a fantasy..." by Haken

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Wanted: Variety article titled "Recognition for sci-fi still a fantasy..."

POSTED BY: HAKEN
UPDATED: Sunday, July 14, 2002 18:32
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Monday, June 17, 2002 11:34 PM

Likes to mess with stuffs.

Does anyone have access to Variety? I want to read the following article:

Recognition for sci-fi still a fantasy
'X-Files' broke out, but 'Buffy,' 'Trek,' others overlooked

Abstract: Science fiction and fantasy shows hold a special place in TV history. Who can think of the 1950s without "The Twilight Zone," the 1960s without "Star Trek," or the 1990s without "The X-Files"?

The article contains comments from Marti Noxon, J. Michael Straczynski, Frank Spotnitz, as well as those of Brannon Braga and Rick Berman.

Here's the URL:

http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=upsell_article&articleID=VR111
7868528&cs=1

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Tuesday, June 18, 2002 12:05 AM

MARQUISDECARABAS

Science fiction and fantasy shows hold a special place in TV history. Who can think of the 1950s without "The Twilight Zone," the 1960s without "Star Trek," or the 1990s without "The X-Files"?
But you wouldn't always know these series have had such an impact from Emmy nominations. While sci-fi shows have earned hordes of technical Emmys, the genre's writers, actors and producers are usually passed over by academy voters who appear to appreciate only police, lawyer or medical shows and view sci-fi as a lesser form of entertainment suited only for children and the childish.

"I feel like sometimes there are things going on on (sci-fi) shows that are more exciting or more creative than what's on other shows," says Marti Noxon, an executive producer on UPN's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." "You feel like these awards are not really in tune with what people are getting excited about."

"Buffy" is the most cited example of a genre show overlooked by the Emmys. Creator Joss Whedon gets high marks from critics and peers for taking the supernatural teen-angst saga into unusual, exciting and highly creative territory, such as last year's silent episode and this season's musical extravaganza.

"Joss has brought to 'Buffy' a level of writing I would put head to head with any show out there," says J. Michael Straczynski, creator of sci-fi skeins "Babylon 5" and "Jeremiah." "That he's been nominated only once is a terrible oversight."

Tough 'Trek'

The many versions of "Star Trek" have had a difficult time with creative Emmys, despite being one of the most popular and enduring franchises in TV history. The original series got two best drama noms and Leonard Nimoy scored two acting noms, but the only creative win for the show was a daytime Emmy for the 1975 animated version.

Since 1987's debut of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," 22 successful seasons of the various "Star Trek" series have been produced featuring such top actors as Patrick Stewart, previous Emmy nominee Rene Auberjonois, Avery Brooks, Colm Meany and four-time Emmy nominee Scott Bakula. The only creative nom was for best drama series for "The Next Generation's" final year in 1994.

"I have outgrown expecting to get nominations in acting and writing and directing categories," says Rick Berman, executive producer of all series from "The Next Generation" on. "It's just been so many years we've been overlooked."

"The year we were nominated for 'Next Generation,' it was wonderful to be acknowledged," says Brannon Braga, Berman's partner on "Enterprise." "You wonder if we took the bumpy (Klingon) foreheads off people, if 'Star Trek' would have gotten more nominations in the past."

Berman says among the overlooked is Connor Trinneer, who plays engineer Trip Tucker on "Enterprise." "If Connor were on any other freshman TV series right now, he would be the buzz of the trades in terms of getting a nomination. But he's on 'Star Trek,' and we're forever hopeful, but the history doesn't show he has much chance."

Other sci-fi freshmen making a push but having little or no buzz include WB's teen-oriented take on the Superman mythos, "Smallville," and long-running cablers such as Sci-fi Channel's "Farscape" and "Stargate SG-1."

The one show that broke out of the creative Emmys sci-fi ghetto is "The X-Files," which earned noms for best drama, writing wins for creator Chris Carter and Darin Morgan, and multiple noms for stars David Duchovny and 1996 best drama series actress winner Gillian Anderson.

Spotnitz says the show had the overall quality but also the right approach to its sci-fi and horror genres to win over Emmys voters. "Part of the reason it could overcome the genre prejudice is that it attempted to not feel like a genre show," says Frank Spotnitz, executive producer of the just-concluded Fox skein. "It worked very hard to make the sci-fi and horror elements seem plausible."

For many detractors, it's the implausibility of genre elements that turns them off. Straczynski says exploring the impact of everything from cell phones and computers to "Jeremiah's" treatment of hot topics such as DNA research and biological warfare is far from unimportant.

"In a way, science fiction is a more relevant form than some mainstream shows," he says.

Science fiction writer David Gerrold says the genre defies expectations by deviating from traditional definitions of drama. " 'Real drama' is about the human condition; it's about angst, anguish, suicide, incest. It's about people failing to put their lives together," says Gerrold, who penned the classic "Trek" episode "The Trouble with Tribbles," episodes of "Babylon 5" and books such as "The Martian Child." "Science fiction is about what do we build next. (It) gets into what is the nature of reality, what does it mean to be a human being. Those are answers you don't get in an ordinary story."

That odd nature makes it extremely difficult to pull off a sci-fi show both good and accessible enough to connect with the kind of mainstream audience enjoyed by most Emmys winners. Most sci-fi ends up in specialized niches that rely and thrive on an extremely loyal but relatively small fan base. Shows like "Buffy" and "Enterprise" don't compete on the same ratings level as big network shows, but are still popular enough to be tentpole series that reliably pull viewers in to smaller nets.

"I think for a sci-fi show to take hold with a mass audience is very difficult," Spotnitz says. "You have to tap into something really powerful."

And while genre shows have found a great deal of success on their own terms through outlets like Fox, syndication and cable, sci-fi's Emmy odds are hurt by not having a presence on the traditional Big Three networks.

Straczynski says the big nets' conservative streak and sci-fi's high budgets keep them from gambling on the genre for now, but even that barrier will fall when the right show comes along.

Until then, sci-fi will have to be content with only the occasional creative nod from Emmy.

"It's like any other popularity contest," Noxon says. "We try to make a show we believe in and would like to watch, and as long as we do that, we feel like we're winning. But at the same time, you feel like the kid who never gets asked to the prom."

-------

Daniel.

Visit Firefly: The Ultimate Resource
http://www.insanity.com.au/firefly

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Tuesday, June 18, 2002 12:49 AM

HAKEN

Likes to mess with stuffs.

Thanks for posting the article, Daniel!

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Tuesday, June 18, 2002 4:43 AM

PANDORA

Great article!

While it's true that sci-fi is hard-pressed to be nominated for anything but technical Emmys, I think it's really ok. An Emmy is a nice thing, sure, but some of the shows that have won them haven't really been benchmarks of quality in the television arts and sciences anyway- it *is* a popularity contest, and sometimes the Prom Queen is the most beautiful, intelligent, sweetest, quality girl in the class- and sometimes she's just a stupid bitch with big boobs and an attitude. We know that our girls are the ones that are really going to matter in the long run (and they're the ones that the smart people like

). So while it might be nice to see Emmy acknowledge quality in the sci fi genre, I'll neither hold my breath nor stress too hard.

Pandora
Underdogs rule! (ok, well, not really, by definition, but you know what I mean)

"Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the closet making babies and I saw one of the babies
and the baby looked at me." -Ralph Wiggum

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Tuesday, June 18, 2002 1:48 PM

NOVAGRASS

Quote:
Originally posted by Pandora:
Great article!

While it's true that sci-fi is hard-pressed to be nominated for anything but technical Emmys, I think it's really ok. An Emmy is a nice thing, sure, but some of the shows that have won them haven't really been benchmarks of quality in the television arts and sciences anyway- it *is* a popularity contest, and sometimes the Prom Queen is the most beautiful, intelligent, sweetest, quality girl in the class- and sometimes she's just a stupid bitch with big boobs and an attitude. We know that our girls are the ones that are really going to matter in the long run (and they're the ones that the smart people like ). So while it might be nice to see Emmy acknowledge quality in the sci fi genre, I'll neither hold my breath nor stress too hard.

Pandora
Underdogs rule! (ok, well, not really, by definition, but you know what I mean)

"Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the closet making babies and I saw one of the babies
and the baby looked at me." -Ralph Wiggum

Very good point, Pandora. Star Trek is a good example of this. It is one of the most recognized series in TV history, and was overlooked *so* often. I feel that Buffy will have the same impact.

Could it be that Firefly might be the one to break down the wall? I only hope that FOX could take the intentions of the man they hired with some seriousness... maybe then, we'll see a Sci-Fi show break down the "wall" mentioned in the article.

--Dylan Palmer, aka NoVaGrAsS--

"Nice guys can only get so mad." Fillion on Mal

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Tuesday, June 18, 2002 2:10 PM

TLSMITH1963

I have been watching Buffy for the first time, & it's a shame that it doesn't get more nominations. Also, I think that the actors who played Londo & G'Kar on B5 are every bit as good as the actors who usually get nominated. I wish the Emmy people would get over their stupid prejudice against SF. There is good stuff that is being ignored.

Tammy

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Tuesday, June 18, 2002 2:16 PM

HAKEN

Likes to mess with stuffs.

Call me ignorant, but who exactly are the Emmy people?

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Tuesday, June 18, 2002 3:03 PM

PANDORA

Quote:
Originally posted by Haken:
Call me ignorant, but who exactly are the Emmy people?

The Emmy people are people affiliated with the Academy for Television Arts and Sciences- basically people who work in television. From the Academy's website:

Quote:

Active Membership is a privilege extended to professionals actively engaged in television—executives, producers, performers, announcers, newscasters, writers, craftspeople, cameramen and women, directors, artists, designers, photographers, editors, academics, entertainment attorneys and others. You must have been involved in television for at least one year in order to be approved by the Membership Committee.

So basically, mostly just schleps like you and me, only who work in TV.

They're great- for me to poop on!

Pandora

"Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the closet making babies and I saw one of the babies
and the baby looked at me." -Ralph Wiggum

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Sunday, July 14, 2002 10:18 AM

RINGWRAITH

Quote:
Originally posted by Pandora:
Quote:

They're great- for me to poop on!

I've gotta know: is there a bit of Triumph the Insult Dog there? From Conan O'Brien?

************************************************
"How will this end?"
"In fire."
--Babylon 5, 'The Coming of Shadows'
************************************************

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Sunday, July 14, 2002 10:32 AM

PANDORA

Quote:
Originally posted by Ringwraith:
Quote:
Originally posted by Pandora:

They're great- for me to poop on!

I've gotta know: is there a bit of Triumph the Insult Dog there? From Conan O'Brien?

You are correct, sir!

Speaking of which, my friend sent me this ho-larious clip of Triumph making fun of people camping out for tix to Attack of the Clones. It made me squirm a bit, being of the geek persuasion myself, but godDAMN, it was funny...

Pandora
I'm great! For me to poop on!

"Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the closet making babies and I saw one of the babies
and the baby looked at me." -Ralph Wiggum

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Sunday, July 14, 2002 5:17 PM

MOJOECA

I saw the Triumph clip, too. F'ing hilarious.

My favorite part is when he talks to someone dressed as Darth Vader. Pointing at his control panel on his chest, Triumph asks "Where's the button that calls your parents to come pick you up?"

Or when he asks a trivia question: "What was Han Solo frozen in at the end of Empire Strikes Back." A fan quickly answers, "Carbonite." Triumph shakes his head, "No. The correct answer is 'who gives a shit!'"

--- Joe

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Sunday, July 14, 2002 6:32 PM

PANDORA

Quote:
Originally posted by mojoeca:
I saw the Triumph clip, too. F'ing hilarious.

My favorite part is when he talks to someone dressed as Darth Vader. Pointing at his control panel on his chest, Triumph asks "Where's the button that calls your parents to come pick you up?"

Or when he asks a trivia question: "What was Han Solo frozen in at the end of Empire Strikes Back." A fan quickly answers, "Carbonite." Triumph shakes his head, "No. The correct answer is 'who gives a shit!'"

--- Joe

For those of you who haven't been blessed with seeing this clip, here's a site where you can!

http://www.ifilm.com/ifilm/product/film_info/0,3699,2439321,00.html

Enjoy, it really is great!

Pandora

"Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the closet making babies and I saw one of the babies
and the baby looked at me." -Ralph Wiggum

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