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1
Firefly

FOX (ended 2002)

"Take my love, take my land, take me where I cannot stand. I don't care I'm still free, you can't take the sky from me. Take me out to the black, tell them I ain't coming back. Burn the land and boil the sea, you can't take the sky from me......There's no place I can be since I found Serenity, you can't take the sky from me." Firefly is set five hundred years from today in a new planetary system after humanity abandons "Earth That Was". Under the leadership of Malcolm Reynolds, a renegade who fought against the new unified central government (the "Alliance"), the crew of the Firefly-class vessel Serenity struggles to survive any way they can. They fly between the border planets to keep away from the Alliance and below its radar. This series was described as a "science fiction western" but is different from other space-based shows as it features no aliens. (For stations and individuals seeking the intended air order of the series as specified by creator Joss Whedon, as opposed to the order Fox originally aired them or that they are informing stations is the order they should be shown in, see here) Each of the crew members has a special role: Malcolm Reynolds holds the duty of Captain - he is a defeated soldier who opposed the unification of the planets by the Alliance to no avail. He strives to keep all his crew members on task and Serenity flying safely, while trying to make a living and do the right thing...in his rather flexible moral framework. Zoe (aka The Soldier) is extremely loyal to Reynolds as she served with him during the war and owes her life to him. Zoe has the strength and experience to take command of the ship, if necessary. Wash is Serenity's pilot (and Zoe's husband) - unassuming, self-deprecating, and calm with a sense of humor. Kaylee is the ship's mechanic - an experienced engineer who keeps Serenity flying. Inara is a 'Registered Companion,' most easily described as a high-priced courtesan or geisha. She is also the person with the highest social standing on the ship and acts as the crew's Ambassador. Jayne is the muscle of the crew. A tough, uncultured Mercenary, unpleasant and offensively direct, but loyal to those on his crew...usually. The newcomers are: Simon Tam is the Doctor on Serenity and comes from a wealthy family and has a privileged upbringing. He has spent his life savings and future to save his sister, River. River (aka The Fugitive) was experimented on by the government. Her psychic visions (a result of the experiments) are taken at first as babble by the crew but they slowly come to realize that there's more going on than what shows on the surface. Book or "The Shepherd," is a wise minister who knows far more about military matters and battle tactics than a man of the cloth should, and his past is shrouded in mystery.moreless
2
Fringe

FOX (ended 2013)

This sci-fi drama follows the exploits of FBI agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv,The Secret Life of Us), jack-of-all-trades Peter Bishop (Dawson's Creek's Joshua Jackson)and institutionalized scientist Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble,Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) as they work the cases of the Fringe Division, a task force focused on fringe science and paranormal events. They face a rapidly spreading series of unexplained phenomena of the threatening kind, leading to unimaginable discoveries and events. Also cast in the series areThe Black Donnelly's Kirk Acevedo andBoston Legal's Mark Valley as FBI agents andThe Wire's Lance Reddick as Phillip Broyles, a special agent for Homeland Security and head of the Fringe division. Alongside them are veteran actress Blair Brown andTake the Leadactress Jasika Nicole. Brown plays Nina Sharp, a veteran Chief Operating Officer of Massive Dynamic, a cutting-edge research company, while Nicole plays Astrid Farnsworth, a federal assistant. This highly anticipated sci-fi drama was created byTransformers / Star Trek / Mission: Impossible III's J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. Fringe's pilot was directed by Emmy Award-winning Alex Graves (The West Wing) and produced by Warner Bros. Television, Bad Robot Productions and Fringe Element Films. The show was nominated for Emmys for special effects and sound editing, and has won several Saturn awards including Best Network Television Series and Best Actress on Television (Anna Torv).moreless
3
The X-Files

FOX (ended 2002)

The X-Files is a Peabody, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning American science fiction television series created by Chris Carter, which first aired on September 10, 1993, and ended on May 19, 2002. Running for 9 seasons, the show was a hit for the Fox Broadcasting Company network, and its main characters and slogans (e.g., "The Truth Is Out There", "Trust No One", "I Want to Believe") became pop culture touchstones. The X-Files is seen as a defining series of the 1990s, coinciding with the era's widespread mistrust of governments, interest in conspiracy theories and spirituality, and the belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life. TV Guide called The X-Files the Second greatest cult television show and the 37th best television show of all time. In 2007, Time magazine included it on a list of the "100 Best TV Shows of All Time." In 2008, Entertainment Weekly named it Classic Sci-fi and the fourth best TV show in the last 25 years. This long running FOX drama lasted nine seasons and focused on the exploits of FBI Agents Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, John Doggett and Monica Reyes and their investigations into the paranormal. From genetic mutants and killer insects to a global conspiracy concerning the colonisation of Earth by an alien species, this mind-boggling, humourous and occasionally frightening series created by Chris Carter has been one of the world's most popular sci-fi/drama shows since its humble beginnings in 1993. The show has also spawned two movies, The X-Files Movie in 1998 and I Want To Believe in 2008. So sit back and enjoy the fascinating world of The X-Files. The entire nine seasons of The X-Files are now available on DVD! As well has hundreds of books written about the show. Emmy Awards 2001 - Outstanding Makeup for a Series for episode DeadAlive 2000 - Outstanding Makeup for a Series for episode Theef - Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Series for episode First Person Shooter - Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series for episode First Person Shooter 1999 - Outstanding Makeup for a series for episodes Two Fathers/One Son 1998 - Outstanding Art Direction for a Series for episode The Post-Modern Prometheus - Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Series for episode Kill Switch 1997 - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Gillian Anderson - Outstanding Art Direction for a Series for episode Memento Mori - Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series for episode Tempus Fugit 1996 - Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series to Peter Boyle for episode Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose - Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing for a Drama Series to Darin Morgan for episode Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose - Outstanding Individual Achievement in Cinematography for a series for episode Grotesque - Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Editing for a Series for episode Nisei - Outstanding individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Drama Series for episode Nisei 1994 - Outstanding Individual Achievement in Graphic Design and Title Sequences for The X-Files Golden Globe Awards 1998 - Best TV Series (Drama) 1997 - Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series (Drama) to David Duchovny - Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series (Drama) to Gillian Anderson - Best TV Series (Drama) 1995 - Best TV Series (Drama)moreless
4
Sliders

FOX (ended 2000)

In his basement in San Francisco, boy-genius Quinn Mallory unlocks the doorway to an infinite number of parallel Earths. During a test run, Quinn invites co-worker Wade Wells and his teacher Professor Maximillian Arturo to see his new invention. However, an increase in power and an early departure leave all three, plus a washed-up soul singer named Rembrandt "Crying Man" Brown, lost in a parallel world. Now they must "slide" from world to world, not only adapting to their changing surroundings, but also trying to get home. Sliders was produced by St. Clare Entertainment and filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in its first two seasons. Filming moved to Los Angeles, California, United States for the last three seasons.moreless
5
Dollhouse

FOX (ended 2010)

They can be anyone you want. The Dollhouse is a very secret, and very illegal, place where wishes come true. Clients with the right connections and enough money can hire "Actives", people who have been programmed to perfectly fulfill the needs, and desires of their clients. The Actives are people who have chosen, for their own reasons, to surrender their bodies and minds for a five-year stay in the Dollhouse. Now they can be imprinted with any personality, skill, or even muscle memory. They can be the perfect companion, lover, spy, assassin; and when the job is done they forget everything. But something is wrong with the Active called "Echo". No longer just a blank slate waiting for her next assignment, Echo is remembering flashes of the lives that she has lived and the games she has played, and she is starting to wonder just who she really is... Dollhouse is a production of 20th Century Fox Television, Joss Whedon's "Mutant Enemy", and Eliza Dushku's "Boston Diva Productions".moreless
6
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

FOX (ended 2009)

The Terminator franchise arrives on TV with this serial drama. The series picks up two years after the events ofTerminator 2: Judgment Day with John and Sarah Connor (Thomas Dekker and Lena Headey) hiding from the government. After two years in one place Sarah decides they need a change of scenery and in doing so they expose themselves to FBI Agent James Ellison (Richard T. Jones) and Skynet's army of Terminators including Cameron Phillips (Summer Glau) a reprogrammed Terminator sent to protect John. She informs them that Judgment Day was not stopped and will take place in 2011. John convinces Sarah to stop hiding and fight so Cameron takes them to a time machine the resistance has set up to take them to the year Skynet was created 2007.moreless
7
Terra Nova

FOX (ended 2011)

FOX Broadcasting teamed with Steven Spielberg, Peter Chernin, Brannon Braga, Rene Echevarria and Aaron Kaplan to bring a new series,Terra Nova. In the year 2149, the planet Earth is a disaster, and most of the plant and animal life has become extinct. Scientists can't reverse the damage, but have found a way to travel back to prehistoric times to save the human race. Among the Tenth Pilgrimage of settlers in Terra Nova is the Shannon family. Jim Shannon, played by Jason O'Mara, is a loving father with secrets in his past. His wife, Elisabeth, is a trauma surgeon who has been recruited to join Terra Nova's medical team. Their three children join them on this journey: Josh is 17 and is not happy about leaving the life he knows. Maddy is 15 and is looking forward to a new life and a chance to make changes. Zoe is 5, and there is a secret involving her that could create problems for the Shannon family. Commander Nathaniel Taylor warns the new arrivals of the dangers that surround them in Terra Nova. There are not only dinosaurs, but other settlers who have left the colony to start their own. The outcast colony is led by Mira, who left because she disagreed with Taylor as a leader. The Shannons soon discover not all the danger exists outside the walls of Terra Nova. Some of the members of their group disagree on how to save mankind and some may even be trying to destroy the new world before it can get started. While FOX has announced the cancellation, Terra Nova is being shopped to other networks.moreless
8
John Doe

FOX (ended 2003)

The series is about the life of John Doe, a mysterious man who rises from the primordial waters of an isolated island, possessing knowledge of literally everything in the world, yet having no memory of who -- or even what -- he is. Doe quickly finds his way to Seattle, where he befriends the police and uses his special gift to help them solve "impossible" crimes each week, while continuing his unending quest to uncover who he is and where he came from. Despite his considerable charm, Doe is an emotional island unto himself. Want to know the population of Peru in 1853? How many blue cars there are in the state of Washington? Or better yet, predict which horse will win every race at the track based on knowing all the variables? Doe has all the answers. But what is he like? Family man or loner? Hero or villain? What is truly in his soul? Doe doesn't have a clue. In his search to unlock the key to his past, He may be a government agent, an extra-terrestrial or perhaps just a regular John Doe with a bout of amnesia. Whatever secrets his past holds, Doe is now the man who knows everything -- a gift that will forever change his destiny.moreless
9
Touch

FOX (ended 2013)

Created by Tim Kring, Touch involves a widowed father who is troubled by his inability to connect to his mute 11-year-old son. When he discovers his son possesses the gift to see things that no one else can see and the patterns that connect seemingly unrelated events - everything changes. Touch is produced by 20th Century Fox Television, Tailwind Productions and Chernin Entertainment.moreless
10
Dark Angel

FOX (ended 2002)

Max is a genetically-enhanced human prototype hunted by her former military handlers through the edgy, underground street life version of 21st century America. Max is aided in her quest - both to avoid capture and reunite with her "siblings" scattered in the aftermath of their escape - by Logan Cale, an idealistic cyber-journalist battling repression and corruption in post-apocalypse.
During the theme, the opening voice-over was as follows:
They designed her to be the perfect soldier... a human weapon...then she escaped. In a future not far from now...in a broken world... she is haunted by her past. She cannot run, she must fight...to discover her destiny.
Dark Angel was filmed on location in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.moreless
11
Tru Calling

FOX (ended 2005)

What would you do if you could relive a day? If you're TRU DAVIES (Eliza Dushku), you'd save lives. Tru is a smart and sexy recent college graduate who - when her high-powered medical internship falls through - finds herself working the midnight shift at the city morgue. One night, Tru questions reality when she thinks she hears a murder victim asking for her help. But the next morning, our heroine wakes up to find that she is back at the beginning of that very same day - twelve hours before a death that only she knows about is set to take place. Now with the clock ticking, Tru is compelled to traverse the city over the next twelve hours to try to prevent this tragedy, while at the same time trying to rescue members of her own family from their dangerous and self-destructive lives. With the sexiness and speed of "Run Lola Run," plus the ticking clock suspense of 24, Tru Calling puts a stylish new spin on the procedural crime format as Tru uses her newfound ability to try to stop tragedies before they actually happen. In the series, Tru is surrounded by HARRISON (Shawn Reaves), her handsome and charming younger brother who has a knack for finding trouble; MEREDITH (Jessica Collins), their older sister who has a great career and money, but battles drug addiction; LINDSAY (A.J. Cook), Tru's loyal but unsuspecting best friend; and DAVIS (Zach Galifianakis), the quirky morgue staffer Tru works with on the graveyard shift. In the middle of the first season, we were introduced to a new character named Jack Harper(Jason Priestly), who plays a new morgue attendent, who seems to have a strange effect on Tru's abilities when he's around. Tru discovers that he also has the power to go back in time...only he is her true universal opposite, which means he wants the people to STAY dead... The pilot episode was directed by renowned filmmaker Phillip Noyce. Tru Calling is a production of 20th Century Fox Television and Original Film and was created by executive producer/writer Jon Harmon Feldman. Marty Adelstein, Neal Moritz, Dawn Parouse and R. W. (Bob) Goodwin are also executive producers. Theme Song: "Can Somebody Help Me?" - Full Blown Rose Original Title: Tru Show Type: FOX Drama First Telecast: October 30th, 2003 Last Telecast: April 21, 2005moreless
12
Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century

FOX (ended 2001)

Sherlock Holmes has been rescusitated in the 22nd century to combat Moriarty's clone. With the help of a droid programmed with the personality of Watson, Inspector Beth Lestrade of New Scotland Yard, and the Baker Street Irregulars, Holmes searches for clues and usually manages to come up with a solution that keeps everyone guessing. Characters Sherlock Holmes: Sharp as a tack, but not a real people person, this guy is pretty self explanatory. He uses deductive logic (i.e. All lights in this room are green. There is a light on the table. Therefore it must be green.) to solve crimes. If you listen hard, you can usually follow his explanation, at least by the last few minutes of the show. Watson: A compudroid programmed to have the personality of Watson (complete with the phrase "I don't understand, Holmes. How did you know..."), Watson was initially rejected by Holmes, who thought no one, and especially no robot, could replace the real Watson. Watson is great in a tight spot, as he is much stronger than the average human (and most of the non-average ones as well). Inspector Beth Lestrade: Apparently a descendant of the Lestrade in the original short stories, this girl is something else. Wild, reckless, destructive, always bucking authority, and generally "tough-cop", she is always ready to act on insufficient information. But, all in all, she usually settles down enough to be of some service at least once or twice an episode. Wiggins: A would-be boxer, this guy used to play soccer at Princeton. He is one of the Baker Street Irregulars, employed by Holmes to be an extra set of eyes, ears, and legs. Wiggins checks out leads, shadows people, and generally helps Holmes out by gathering facts. He has a girlfriend named Jacey, but as far as I know she hasn't figured into much. Deidre: This girl is also one of the Baker Street Irregulars, and does mostly the same things as Wiggins. However, she sometimes sees things a different way than either Holmes, Watson, or Wiggins, and this unique perspective makes her invaluable. Tennison: Confined to an anti-grav chair, Tennison is the computer expert of the bunch. He helps Holmes out by checking computer systems and security systems. Moriarty: Cloned back to life as an accident, he is again wreacking havoc, though this time in New London. He is Holmes' archenemy, and was basically the model for a lot of evil geniuses with extensive networks.moreless
13
Voltron: The Third Dimension

FOX (ended 2000)

From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe, comes a legend. The legend of Voltron! A mighty robot. Loved by good, feared by evil. As Voltron's legend grew, peace settled across the galaxy. But then the evil Prince Lotor escaped from his prison in deep space. He formed a secret alliance with Haggar, mistress of dark magic, and together they summoned awesome forces of fear and destruction. Threatened the universe with new, horrible menaces. Voltron was needed once again. Now comes the story of a super force of space explorers. Specially trained and sent by the highest echelon of the Galaxy Alliance to bring back Voltron. This is Voltron: The Third Dimension. Voltron: The Third Dimension is set five years after the events that end the Lion Voltron episodes of Voltron: Defender of the Universe. In 1999, it won for best "Daytime Emmy" under the Outstanding Sound Editing: Special Class category and was nominated for the "Golden Reel Award" under the Best Sound Editing: Television Animated Series- Sound category.moreless
14
M.A.N.T.I.S.

FOX (ended 1995)

This is the scientific journal of Dr. Miles Hawkins, to be published in the event of my death. I know when the truth is known, people will wonder why I felt it necessary to create the "M.A.N.T.I.S.". The reality--I never did. The M.A.N.T.I.S. asked his own creation and I could not refuse him.

Dr. Miles Hawkins, a scientist/inventor who cannot walk, invented a shell in which he can walk and do various stunts. With the help from a few colleagues, The Doctor will be able to fight criminals that the police can't find.moreless
15
Space: Above and Beyond

FOX (ended 1996)

Space: Above and Beyond. It is the year 2063. Five rookie marines are thrown into active service when mankind is unexpectedly attacked by an alien race. But all the enemies are not from a distant planet, and not all of those who appear to be human can be trusted. It's up to the Wildcards to defeat the enemy wherever they find them, in space, or on the ground.moreless
16
Millennium

FOX (ended 1999)

Millennium was a television series that premiered on Friday October 25, 1996. The series was Chris Carter's much anticipated follow-up to the very popular The X-Files. Millennium focused on the work of ex-FBI profiler Frank Black, who had retired but was brought back in as a consultant. Frank had a special ability to see into the minds of serial killers and to get into their heads. He also worked for a mysterious organization called the Millennium Group which seemed to take a special interest in serial killers and end of the world prophecy. In the first season, Frank lived in Seattle with his wife Catherine and daughter Jordan. The show focused on Frank's work as a profiler. He spent most of his time in the first season trying to solve serial murder cases. During the second season, the show primarily on Frank's relationship with the Millennium Group. He separated from his wife after his violent rescue of her from a stalker. Frank learned that the Millennium Group was a secret society that believed that the world was coming to an end. During that season, Frank spent much of his time working with Millennium Group member Peter Watts and fellow investigator Laura Means. After the death of his wife at the end of the second season, Frank severed all connection with the Millennium Group and returned to work with the FBI. With the help of special agent Emma Hollis, he began to investigate the Millennium Group itself. The show changes direction again this season, however much of the long term questions that were raised during the first two seasons are answered. The show was canceled at the end of the third season, with an unfinished ending. In later 1999, the show received a conclusion of sorts in a crossover with The X-files entitled "Millennium." However very little closure is brought by this episode. There is however as of late rumors that Millennium may be brought back as a movie of some kind in the near future and finish the story. Show Type: Mystery/Thriller/Horror As of late, there has been some speculation in 2008 about the possibility of a "Millennium Movie" however, it is not know how likely this is yet. First Telecast: October 25, 1996 Last Telecast: May 21, 1999 Episodes: In total 67 Color Episodes (67 one-hour episodes, 6 two-part episode) were produced. Related Shows that feature Crossovers: The X-filesmoreless
17
Ultraman: Towards the Future

FOX (ended 1992)

Welcome to the Ultraman: Towards the Future guide at TV.com.

ULTRAMAN: TOWARDS THE FUTURE Japanese Release Title: ULTRAMAN GREAT (URUTORAMAN GUREETO)Show Type: Tokusatsu Science Fiction/Fantasy Produced by Tsuburaya Productions and The South Australian Film Corporation Distributed in the US by Sachs Family Entertainment and broadcast on Fox Network: First Telecast: January 4, 1992 Last Telecast: March 28, 1992 Color, Film/Video 13 Episodes

Basic Plot: During a trip to Mars, astronauts Jack Shindo and Stanley Haggard witness a fight between two giants, a giant silver & red humanoid called Ultraman, and a giant sluglike tentacled creature called Gudis. During the battle, Stanley is killed by Gudis while escaping in the spacecraft (upon Jack's orders), but Ultraman is victorious. Although he destroys the Gudis, the alien creature evaporates into a green virus that rapidly streams towards Earth, thus beginning its invasion. Shindo, now stranded on Mars, stands face to face with the mysterious giant . . .

Back on Earth, the Gudis virus infects various lifeforms, controlling them and turning them into giant monsters! The only ones equipped to deal with the Gudis threat is the Universal Multipurpose Agency (UMA), a squadron with high-tech weapons and vehicles at their disposal. Led by Colonel Arthur Grant, the UMA team is ready to protect the Earth from the ravaging monsters. But all questions are answered when Jack Shindo mysteriously returns to Earth and, because of his amazing knowledge of the Gudis, is asked by Grant to join UMA. Jean Echo is the only member of UMA who was an aquaintance of his (and a possible love interest). Jack provides UMA with all the knowledge they need to cope with the Gudis monsters, but unbeknownst to them or anyone else, Jack uses the Delta Plasma Pendant to transform into Ultraman! The silver superman has merged his lifeforce with that of the Earthman, and has decided to stay on Earth to aid UMA in protecting it from Gudis, and all other possible threats.

Series Background

The first show in the Japanese Ultraman series to be filmed in English, through the joint effort of Tsuburaya Prod. and the South Australian Film Corporation. This show was filmed in 1989 but didn't air in Japan or the US until late 1991 and ran several months through its first and final season. "Ultraman: Towards the Future" initially had a budget around $400,000 an episode--very substantial. This was intended by Tsuburaya Prod. to finance the usual Ultraman quota of about 50 episodes. However, all if not more of the budget was to be blown on the first 13 episodes, dooming "Ultraman: Towards the Future" early in production. (See bottom for additional notes.) Unlike the later "Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero" (or "Ultraman Powered," as it is called in Japan), "Ultraman Great" ("Ultraman: Towards the Future" in Japan) actually made it to national American television,* also spawning a line of merchandising that included a Dreamworks/Bandai line of action figures, vehicles and a playset, a Super Nintendo single-player fighting game, episode VHS tapes, and a comic book series from Nemesis Comics. "Ultraman Powered" on the other hand, despite being the first American-made Ultra series (Hollywood, USA), never made it in the US, rejected by networks such as Fox Kids and Kids WB. To date, "Ultraman Great" and "Ultraman Powered" are the only two English Ultra series risked by Tsuburaya Prod., which recovered from financial setbacks in 1996 with the radical introduction of a new, non-M78-based type of Ultraman, "Ultraman Tiga." Interesting to note about the "Ultraman" comic book series of 1993-1994, many ads were featured for the upcoming "Ultraman Powered" series and the comic made no distinction between the new series and the original "Ultraman Great" series on which it was supposed to be based. The Ultraman drawn in the comic, aside from looking more like a robot akin to "The Iron Giant," resembled more closely "Ultraman Powered." The two English series were very different, however. "Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero" was based on the original "Ultraman" (1966), using modified designs several original Ultraman monsters. "Ultraman: Towards the Future," on the other hand, was completely original and unrelated to the original "Ultraman." Ultraman Great doesn't even have his own version of the famous "Specium Ray."

*Similar to the method used to produce the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "Ultraman: Towards the Future" was shot out of order. Dore Kraus (Jack Shindo) commented at a Kaiju Convention that this was very confusing, because the actors never really knew the whole story at any one time behind the scene they were acting. This and likely other factors contributed to mounting tensions between the "laid-back" Australian crew and the "uptight" Japanese crew. The final product was not really up to Tsuburaya standards--considerably a monumental waste of money. But Ultraman Great had no trouble fitting in with the other Ultramen and has since his Japanese broadcast retained his image and respectability. There are still Ultraman Great toys, particularly in Bandai's traditional vinyl line of Ultramen and monsters, still popular today.

*Particularly considering the of the Ultraman franchise in Japan and most of Southeastern Asia, the final product of Tsuburaya's first attempt at Westernizing Ultraman was disappointing. The blame may most likely be laid on the Aussie's involved in its production, such as Supervising Producer Gus Howard, who earnestly believed the original "Ultraman" (1966) was "trash with a capital 'T,'" and therefore insisted on "repackaging the concept" for an unspecified (and never found) western audience. Series writer, Terry Larsen, merely adapted the story already evolved by Japanese crew members; in fact, Larsen supposedly had never heard of the Ultraman series before, which calls into question his selection as series writer. The basic disinterest of the Australian crew in emphasizing the action/fighting/brawling was what made this series with potential such a yawn.

*"Power Rangers" ("Zyuranger," the first series of a long line of annual Tokusatsu, or special effects, series produced by Toei Studios to be purchased by Haim Saban for US distribution) found its success by not tampering with the action sequences but editing out the plot development elements, most portions of which were geared toward a Japanese cultural audience (and featured the Japanese actors out of costume). "Ultraman: Towards the Future" took the wrong route by dumbing down the fighting and amping up the drama. In a half-hour, fast-paced action show, however, such drama becomes very trivial.

*A REALLY BIG ISSUE: Producer Gus Howard admits that Australia really "didn't have any special effects infrastructure." This was exemplified for the time period by "Ultraman: Towards the Future"'s supremely bad special effects, excepting the pyrotechnics. It wasn't the special effects themselves, however--it was how they were employed. For example: primitive computer effects such as scaling images were often used for aircraft/monster flight when simple trick photography would have been easier and more believable. There was a lot of money blown on various kinds of special effects, the most effective being high-speed film (for slowing shots down) and monstrous pyrotechnics. Other than that, the show looked worse than a home video. Some episodes looked better than others as a result of the different visual effects techniques employed.moreless
18
Alien Nation (1989)

FOX (ended 1990)

"That was the scene in California's Mojave Desert five years ago - our historic first view of the Newcomers' ship. Theirs was a slave ship, carrying a quarter million beings bred to adapt and labour in any environment. But they'd washed ashore on Earth, with no way to get back to where they came from. And in the last five years, the Newcomers have become the latest addition to the population of Los Angeles... "moreless
19
The Lone Gunmen

FOX (ended 2001)

Relax and let TV.com's The Lone Gunmen page be your guide to the exploits of everyone's favorite hackers. The show was a spin-off from The X-Files and was Produced by Companies: * 20th Century Fox Television * Millennium Canadian Productions Ltd. * Ten Thirteen Productions. Sadly it was never renewed after its initial 13 episode order by Fox. Although, a conclusion is reached of sorts in a cross-over episode of The X Files. Distributors: The show was distributed by the Fox Network (2001) (USA) (TV), and in 2001 it Won -- Best Cinematography in TV Drama -- Robert McLachlan [For the pilot.] ------------------------------------ Trivia * The Lone Gunmen impersonate three people to get past a facial recognition security system in the episode "All About Yves", and photos of the people they impersonate appear on screen. The pictures are of executive producers Frank Spotnitz (Langly), Vince Gilligan (Frohike), and John Shiban (Byers). * The pilot episode, which first aired on March 4, 2001, concerned a terrorist plot to fly a hijacked airplane into the World Trade Center towers. * After the series was canceled following the first season finale, an episode of The X Files (1993) was dedicated to wrapping up dangling plot lines from the series. In addition to featuring the Gunmen, who made their debut on The X-Files in 1994, the episode featured the return of Jimmy Bond (Stephen Snedden), Morris Fletcher (Michael McKean), Yves Adele Harlow (Zuleikha Robinson), and Kimmy the Geek (Jim Fyfe). * "Yves Adele Harlow" is an anagram for Lee Harvey Oswald. * In the episode "Planet of the Frohikes", the "Boulle Behavioral Institute" is a in-joke reference to Pierre Boulle, the author of the original novel of "Planet of the Apes." * In the episode "Cap'n Toby", the series writer "John Gillnitz" is an amalgam of that episode's three writers: John Shiban' , Vince Gilligan, and Frank Spotnitz. * The pilot episode features a corporation called "EComCon". EComCon (a compression of "Emergency Communications and Control") is a codename for a secret base used by a rogue Air Force general to overthrow the U.S. Government in the film Seven Days in May (1964). ----------------------------------------- Soundtracks * "The Lone Gunmen" Written by Mark Snow Performed by Mark Snow Episode: {all episodes} * "Forever Young" Written by Bob Dylan Performed by The Band Episode: {"Untitled #1AEB11" aka "The Capt'n Toby Show" (2001) (ep. #1.13)} ------------------------- Release dates USA -- 4 March 2001 Australia -- 31 August 2001 Finland -- 20 June 2002 Germany -- 30 January 2003 Belgium -- 2 March 2004 Sweden -- 25 April 2004 Poland -- 9 October 2004 --------------------------------------- Filming Locations 1. New York City, New York, USA 2. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada ----------------------------- Taglines 1. Their missions aren't impossible... they just make them look that way. 2. Heroes have never looked like this before. For obvious reasons. 3. America's future is in their hands. God help us. 4. Heroes to some. Sex symbols to others. ======================== ADDRESSES (alphabetical order) Tom Braidwood (Melvin Frohike) c/o Lucas Talent Inc Sun Tower 100 West Pender, 7th Floor Vancouver BC V6B 1R8 CANADA Dean Haglund (Ringo Langly) Dean Haglund can be contacted through his website: http://www.deanhaglund.com Bruce Harwood (John Byers) Bruce's old agent's address is unavailable as of 12/03 and we don't have a new one for him yet, but we'll let you know as soon as we hear anything on that front. Zuleikha Robinson (Yves Adele Harlow/Lois Runtz), c/o The Gersh Agency P.O. Box 5617 Beverly Hills, CA 90209-5617 Stephen Snedden (Jimmy Bond) c/o Envision Entertainment 9255 Sunset Blvd. Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90069 =============================moreless
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Beast Machines

FOX (ended 2000)

Beast Machines is a continuation of Beast Wars. Fugitives on their own world, the Maximals have to retake Cybertron from Megatron and his army of drones, while adjusting to their new technorganic bodies. The new series opens as Optimus, Cheetor, Black Arachnia and Rattrap discover themselves suddenly back on the Transformer homeworld of Cybertron - with no memory of how they got there. Instead of a hero's welcome for winning the Beast Wars, our heroes are hunted by a mysterious new breed of Transformers - the Vehicons. These vicious machines enforce the will of Megatron, who has returned with a vengeance. Megatron has wrestled possesion of Cybertron, leaving Optimus and his team constantly under fire and on the run. Forced underground, the Maximals undergo a strange reformatting that not only alters their Beast/Robot bodies, but the very essence of HOW they transform. No longer an instantaneous response, transformation is now a disciplined skill that must be learned and refined like a martial art. The Maximals face their greatest challenges as they struggle to free their planet from Megatron and his Vehicons.moreless
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