SciFi tends to be (what I consider to be) fucking bad.

[Crazy_Dude]

At first I thought that this was about the SyFy channel. And I could agree with you on that since its horrible to say the least.

Sci-Fi in general is more a matter of preference. I love Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Stargate SG-1 and Firefly are in my top 5 favorite shows.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

The few decent shows I can think of are either set in space or incredibly cheesy but funny.

Farscape.
Battlestar Gallactica.
Caprica.
Hercules the Legendary Journeys (oh come on, you've all watched and giggled at the cheese).
Zena (same reason as above).


Can't remember if Beastmaster was on sci-fi channel or not, think it was.

Angel.
Buffy.
Dark Angel.
Witchblade.
Sanctuary.

I might borrow my brother's Box set of Farscape.
I've been getting through Battlestar with my girlfriend. I have to get myself in the right mood (as I've said, not a fan of space) but it is good.
Caprica, I'll wait until I've watched Battlestar, I'm lead to believe that they're linked.
Hercules and Xena, They count as sci fi? News to me. But yeah, I love Hercules, it's on TV every day and I watch it with my girlfriend, I'm not so much a fan of Xena though.

What country are you in that Hercules is on TV every day? And if it's the US, what channel? Because I haven't seen it on cable since about 2005, and I really miss those cheesy 90's action shows. They were a pretty big part of my childhood

As for your problem with sci fi, I think your real problem is with cheesy special effects. Until very recently (like, post-Attack of the Clones CGI backgrounds recently) it wasn't really possible to do a different alien world every week on a TV budget. It's why alien worlds in Stargate SG-1 usually look like the woods in canada, and the alien worlds on the original Doctor Who stories look like gravel pits in Wales; it's because that's exactly what they were. The budget didn't allow for impressive alien worlds, but it did allow for them to get everyone on a bus and shoot some footage in the most alien looking place nearby. Star Trek the original series did it the opposite way, making cheap sets to represent alien worlds, and while it allowed for more diversity, that approach had problems too, largely because the sets aged worse than the gravel pits and forests.

If you're going to enjoy sci fi TV, you're going to have to learn to enjoy the show, despite the occasionally wonky special effect, and the frequently wonky sets. Otherwise, you're going to be limited to new sci-fi, movies, books, comics, and maybe radio dramas if you're into those, because you're going to be hard pressed to find a pre-2005 TV series that has special effects that would have worked in a movie. As for post-2005, I hope you like cheesy camp series and dark, gritty dramas that don't realize they aren't soap operas, because Doctor Who aside, that's pretty much all that's still being made. It's a shame, really; I'd kill for a new Star Trek TNG, a new Stargate SG-1 or hell, barring something of that quality, a new Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda. It's been too long since we've had hopeful sci-fi that was allowed to take itself seriously -- and don't tell me BSG was hopeful, because it wasn't. The characters may have been hopeful about their own future, but that alone does not a hopeful series make.

 

[Mark Flanagan]

Try Farscape/BSG/Torchwood are all good series or Andromeda if you want something cheesy.

On the subject of Stargate SG1 it's a great show (opinion) and the longest running North American science fiction series so it must have been doing something right. Maybe it's not Sci-Fi but you?

 

[Jerubbaal]

People have already mentioned it, but the X-Files is an amazing show. You may or may not like the first few seasons too much (I liked them plenty) but once you get into the storyline involving the Syndacate and the Smoking Man you'll be hooked.

Also, the original Twilight Zone is still a joy to watch (and almost all the episodes are available on Netflix now).

 

[oktalist]

This is reminiscient of a common complaint a lot of people seem to have with sci-fi: that they don't find the portrayed events believable. Conversely, I have the same exact complaint about non sci-fi so-called "drama" shows, soaps and sitcoms; they're so exaggerated.

If you think Stargate is bad, there's nothing I can do to help you.

Stargate SG-1 is easily in my top 5 Sci-Fi shows and movies, up there with Firefly and The 5th Element.

Nah man, I like plenty of SciFi. If anything I think SG is the exception for me liking SciFi, but the standard for production quality. It's got low production quality, really you have to acknowledge this.

I don't really know exactly what you mean by low production quality, so I can't say whether I agree with that or not. Take care not to judge Stargate SG-1 by its spin-off series or by SG-1's season 6 onwards (after it moved to SyFy (then the Sci-Fi Channel)) as it went downhill pretty quickly IMO. Seasons 1 and 2 are the best, and there's lots of good stuff in 3, 4 and 5, too. It was nominated for several Emmys and was nominated and won tons of other awards, especially for its visual effects. And it's good if you don't like space, as the whole stargate thing means they skip all the boring interstellar flight most of the time, and there's plenty of episodes that take place entirely on Earth.

I know you said Doctor Who is not for you, but you also admitted that it is good nevertheless, and that is a show that is famous for being very low budget.

It's good to see you will be checking out Firefly.

Red Dwarf

I've heard of it, but nothing about it. Any comedies that it's similar to which you could name?

Galaxy Quest is the closest sci-fi comedy I suppose, but a lot of the comedy in Red Dwarf is of the Men Behaving Badly variety, if you know that British show.

I'd say that TV in general tends to be bad, although setting your story on a spaceship/whatever means you need a spaceship set to be built, which is one more thing to possibly get wrong.

This. Hardcore fans of Star Trek TNG will be the first to admit that about half of the episodes are rubbish.

There are plenty of awesome sci-fi movies: The Matrix, Sunshine, Capricorn One, The Terminator, Alien, 12 Monkeys, Brazil, others that have been mentioned in this thread...

I liked the old BBC approach to locations. Whereas Star Trek would make a cave or a refinery set, the BBC would film in a real cave or refinery, it makes it look much better.

And this. Filming something on a set when it's supposed to look like it's outside is bound to bring down the percieved quality. And sets that are meant to look all futuristicy would be more expensive than your contemporary sets on, say, Seinfeld, or even Quantum Leap. So sci-fi shows tend to have to spend more to get the same quality as non sci-fi shows, with the exception of shows like Quantum Leap which take place in a contemporary setting. Special effects are another factor here.

 

[Zantos]

Anything put onto a DVD by SyFy. You don't know good cheesy sci-fi until you've seen Crocosharktipus Vs. The Arachnapiranhaconda.

I kid, I kid.

But yeah, Warehouse 12 is a good new one, Sliders eternally rules, and X-Files is always classic.

I was thoroughly disappointed that that's not a real film

Has anyone mentioned Falling Skies yet? I'm really enjoying that so far.

 

[StBishop]

What country are you in that Hercules is on TV every day? And if it's the US, what channel? Because I haven't seen it on cable since about 2005, and I really miss those cheesy 90's action shows. They were a pretty big part of my childhood

Australia, it's on 7mate. It's a free to air channel. You may be able to watch full episodes online? I don't know though. Might be worth googling.

 

[similar.squirrel]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon%27s_Law

This conversation has been had before

Damn you. Invoking the real Kilgore Trout before I could..

Anyway, watch a film called Moon. Now.

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

Warehouse 13, Eureka, Dollhouse, and Sanctuary look pretty damn amazing. Oh, and Firefly too, I can't believe I almost forgot to mention it.

I guess the cheesy factor is part of the appeal to me when I'm watching sci-fi, and I will admit some of it is down right awful. I think it makes the show more entertaining, Xena would not be as good if it were not as cheesy and unintentionally funny if it had a higher budget and better production.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

What country are you in that Hercules is on TV every day? And if it's the US, what channel? Because I haven't seen it on cable since about 2005, and I really miss those cheesy 90's action shows. They were a pretty big part of my childhood

Australia, it's on 7mate. It's a free to air channel. You may be able to watch full episodes online? I don't know though. Might be worth googling.

Trust me, I've checked. Short of a netflix subscription, I'm not going to be able to stream Hercules legally. Xena has a few more options, but they're all pay to watch as well -- it's on Hulu Plus and Amazon's pay per view service, but nothing ad supported, which is all I really want. The DVD's have been reissued at $20 a season, though, so if I ever stop being so broke (I'm a college kid, and I couldn't find a job this Summer) I'll probably start picking up those.

 

[Dorian6]

There's the first few seasons of "Sliders." Before John Rhys Davies left

 

[Thaius]

Firefly is fantastic, but if you have some irrational hatred of space as a setting for some reason, that will get in the way. I recommend watching District 9, a film rather than a show. Truly incredible film.

 

[Alpha Maeko]

I like a variety of Scifi, from Doctor Who to Star Gate to Star Trek to Star Wars.

Then there's Firefly, Farscape, and Sanctuary.

 

[Princess Rose]

So with that in mind, prove me wrong. Give examples of well made, and especially non-space based, good Sci Fi shows.

No.

Why the hell should I try to prove you wrong? You don't like sci-fi? Good for you. I don't like horror movies. Did I make a thread asking people to "prove me wrong"? Hell no - because there's nothing to prove.

Some people don't like sci-fi. Some people don't like hot tubs either. Why should I give any kind of shit what you do or do not like?

All this thread serves to do is piss off everyone who likes sci-fi. So, to you I say, stop being an ass and trying to make people justify what they like to you. It's insulting.

 

[Phlakes]

Moon.
The Fifth Element.
Minority Report.

And fucking Blade Runner.

As for TV shows... I'd say Star Trek TNG/DS9, but that's very space oriented. Most of the time.

EDIT: Also, Falling Skies, which just ended its first season. Surprisingly good. Basically what the new V should've been.

 

[StBishop]

So with that in mind, prove me wrong. Give examples of well made, and especially non-space based, good Sci Fi shows.

No.

Why the hell should I try to prove you wrong? You don't like sci-fi? Good for you. I don't like horror movies. Did I make a thread asking people to "prove me wrong"? Hell no - because there's nothing to prove.

Some people don't like sci-fi. Some people don't like hot tubs either. Why should I give any kind of shit what you do or do not like?

All this thread serves to do is piss off everyone who likes sci-fi. So, to you I say, stop being an ass and trying to make people justify what they like to you. It's insulting.

Alternatively you could read through and see that I've actually had plenty of people give me some ideas of good SciFi to watch and we've been having a pretty goo chat about the whole thing.

I do like SciFi, I just find it all disappointing. So I'm looking for better examples.

 

[supernovashadow]

It looks like everyone has given you a good list. I'll add The Outer Limits (both the older and the newer version), Futurama, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

 

[Tallim]

I don't know why but I feel i have to mention Seaquest DSV. Not saying it's very good but still.

 

[FalloutJack]

It just tends to be poorly made (production value) and my dislike of space enhances it rather than help me to get over it.

There just tends to be a very home made feel about it, watch Star Gate and then watch Fringe. There's a massive disparity between (what I consider to be) one of the best made Sci Fi shows (Edit: Fringe) and what I consider to be a pretty much standard production value Sci Fi show (Edit: Star Gate) , I don't mean that everything needs great effects or what ever, Quantum Leap is an example of something I consider to be "well made", especially for it's time, I just expect the sets and acting to seem organic.

So with that in mind, prove me wrong. Give examples of well made, and especially non-space based, good Sci Fi shows.

PS. Inb4 Doctor Who. I don't really like it and can't be bothered getting in to it.

EDIT: For clarity! Thanks Jadak.

Actually, I need a bit of clarification. Are you talking about Sci-Fi the genre, or Sci-Fi the channel that forgot how to spell and thus turned illiterate and stupid?