Fall 2008 Science Fiction and Fantasy Television Viewing Guide and Predictions

Science Fiction and Fantasy viewing for the Fall Season gets and early start on Sunday, September 7th with the premiere of HBO's vampire series True Blood. Currently there are twenty new and returning genre series on the schedule this Fall (that's if you include such marginal entries as The Mentalist, The Eleventh Hour, and Eli Stone) with three waiting in the wings and another seven series scheduled to bow in Spring (including Lost and Battlestar Galactica). Along with that, there are four series pilots set to air sometime this Fall which could carry over into weekly episodes shortly after. All in all, that's a pretty serious commitment if you plan on catching all of the Science Fiction and Fantasy offerings each week (that just might burn out your DVR).

So as a veteran of Science Fiction and Fantasy television viewing, I'm here to help sort out the schedule for which series you have to watch, which ones you can DVR for later, and which ones are probably worth skipping out on. Also, I will give my yearly predictions on which shows I think will catch on and which ones will soon disappear into television oblivion. So rest your worries about what to watch, Johnny Jay will guide you through the schedule. Also, check out our Fall Schedule Preview for premiere dates and our comments on the upcoming shows.

Flagged for the Must Watch List: These are the shows that I am definitely tuning into each week (at least as the season begins). These are either the returning heavy-hitters or the new shows that look the most promising.

Heroes (NBC Mondays 9 PM) - Went through a bit of a sophomore slump last season but appears ready to blow us away in its third season.

Chance of Success: High. It has a built in core audience and NBC remains committed to it despite last season's rating drop-off and plans a major marketing push for Season 3.

Pushing Daisies (ABC Wednesdays 8 PM) - How this odd little dark fairy tale for adults received a renewal for a second season I will never know. But I'm not arguing because I'm definitely hooked.

Chance of Success: Moderate. It did well last season, but I can see viewers tiring of the concept quickly.

Fringe (FOX Tuesdays 9 PM) - J.J. Abrams dark thriller is the most anticipated new series of the season. The trailers look promising and Abrams has delivered in the past (Lost, Alias).

Chance of Success: Good. Pegged as one of this season's breakouts, but I hope they have not set the bar too high.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (FOX Mondays 8 PM) - It gave us quite a rollercoaster ride in its first season and I am counting on it to continue to deliver some engaging stories.

Chance of Success: Moderate. Ratings dropped off last season and FOX has little patience with the Science Fiction and Fantasy genre.

Legend of the Seeker (Syndicated, times will vary) - Sword and Sorcery has never been well represented on television, so I am hoping Sam Raimi will deliver the goods with this one.

Chance of Success: Good. Raimi is attached to it and syndication does not require huge ratings returns.

Vying for the Must Watch List: These are shows that I will definitely tune in for but may quickly lose interest if they don't stand out among the crowd.

Sanctuary (Sci Fi, Fridays 9 PM) - I enjoyed the web series so I want to see the transfer to television. Not certain how well the combination of CGI and live action will work on the tube, though.

Chance of Success: Good. Has a built in audience from the web series and should pick up more viewers when it moves to Sci Fi. And if it fails, it can always go back to the web.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Carton Network, time tbd) - I loved the previous animated Batman series (not so much Batman: Beyond, though) so I am hoping the newest version will continue in the same vein.

Chance of Success: High. All of the DC animated adaptations have done well and this should be no different.

True Blood (HBO Sundays 9 PM) - I don't have HBO, but I know several people who do and who plan on tuning in for this one. If the early returns are good, looks like I might have to fork over the cash for the pay channel.

Chance of Success: Good. There's always a market for vampire shows and HBO isn't looking for the same numbers as the broadcast networks.

My Own Worst Enemy (NBC Mondays 10 PM) - Looks kind of interesting and it comes on after Heroes, so I will definitely watch it early in the season.
Chance of Success: Moderate. If it can build on its Heroes lead-in, it should do well. But then Journeyman failed to do much with the slot last year.

Worth Considering: These are shows that may be worth a first look, but the list above is already getting crowded so they better impress early.

Life on Mars (ABC Thursdays 10 PM) - What I have read so far makes it look like it will be more than just a cop show with a twist. But this concept could lose steam quickly.

Chance of Success: Low. Already experienced behind the scenes shake-ups which never bode well for a series. And viewers may not warm up to the premise.

Supernatural (CW Thursdays 9 PM) - Got dinged last season for saying Reaper was better than Supernatural, so I guess I will sample of few more episodes this season.

Chance of Success: High. This show has consistently met ratings expectations and should continue to do so in Season 4.

Eli Stone (ABC Tuesdays 10 PM) - Tuned in for a couple of episodes last season and found it mildly interesting, sort of like The Practice meets Field of Dreams. I will tune in again this season when I have time.

Chance of Success: Moderate. It no longer has its Lost lead-in so now it has to sink or swim on its own.

Low on the "To Do" List: These are new or returning shows that I just can't get too excited about.

The Eleventh Hour (ABC Thursdays 9 PM) - Sounds like it will be the latest incarnation of Bruckheimer's CSI franchise with sci fi buzzwords thrown in for genre interest. I'd rather go back and watch Patrick Stewart scowl through the original British version.

Chance of Success: Good. It will probably attract the same crowd that watches all the other CSI incarnations.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Carton Network, Fridays 9 PM) - I hear this series will air commercial free because it is just one long thirty minute advertisement for Star Wars merchandise.

Chance of Success: High. Shouldn't George Lucas be paying the Cartoon Network for commercial air time?

The Ghost Whisper (CBS Fridays 8 PM) - Not a bad show and it has a significant following, I've just never jumped on board.

Chance of Success: High. Its regular audience should keep it going for another season and beyond.

Stargate: Atlantis (CBS Fridays 10 PM) - Not a bad show and it has a significant following, I've just never jumped on board.

Chance of Success: Not certain how to answer this one. Sci Fi has already announced that the show will end after this season.

Smallville (CW Thursdays 8 PM) - Not a bad show and it has a significant following, I just think I am in the wrong demographic.

Chance of Success: High. This one just keeps sailing along.

Chuck (NBC Mondays 8 PM) - Not a bad show and . . . oh just see comment above.

Chance of Success: High. Somebody at NBC really likes this one because they have already picked it up for a full season of 22 episodes.

The Bottom Feeders: If there is nothing better to do and I have finished cleaning out under the cars seats and alphabetizing my CDs, DVDs, and comic book collection . . .

Knight Rider (NBC Wednesdays 8 PM) - Just what we need: pretty people, fast cars, and mindless action. It will probably be the biggest hit of the season.

Chance of Success: Good. As the slew of reality shows will attest, people love mindless entertainment.

The Mentalist (CBS Tuesdays 9 PM) - I'm not even sure that this cop show with a twist belongs on the list. I just included it because all the other sites insist it belongs in the genre (I drew the line at The Ex-List, though).

Chance of Success: Moderate. Is there an audience for yet another cop show with a twist?

And now the envelope please: As I present the early predictions for the shows that will bow this Fall (check back later for my predictions on the Spring shows):

Best New Show - Fringe

I'm really going out on a limb here, aren't I? Pretty much everybody is saying the same thing, but with J.J. Abrams on board it seems like a sure thing. For runner up I will throw in Legend of the Seeker and True Blood.

Best Returning Show - Heroes

I gotta believe they will keep the momentum going from the end of Season 2 and really take this show into the stratosphere. Runner up - The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Pushing Daisies.

New Show Most Likely to Get Cancelled - Life on Mars

It's already experienced some pretty serious behind the scenes shake-ups and the concept seems somewhat limited. I'm intrigued from what I have read about it but I see Life on Mars as this season's Journeyman. For runner up I'm going to throw Fringe in there because the expectations have already been set pretty high and FOX has very little patience with Science Fiction and Fantasy shows no matter the pedigree or how promising they look (can anybody say Firefly?).

Returning Show Most Likely to Get Cancelled - The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Sad to say it, but I have to face reality. First, see my comments on FOX in the previous entry. Second, consider the fact that ratings for the series declined throughout its inaugural run (I'm amazed it got renewed in the first place). Last, notice that Whedon's Dollhouse is scheduled in its timeslot for the Spring. Any more questions? Unfortunately I will put Pushing Daisies in the runner up slot because I have a hard time believing that the fickle television audience will stick with such an original and inspired show.

Biggest Hit of the New Shows - Knight Rider

It pains me to say it and I would much rather put Fringe there, but I am guessing mindless action will win out over heady stories and season long arcs. I will go ahead and give Fringe the runner up spot, though, assuming that the scenario mentioned above in the "New Show Most Likely to Get Cancelled" section doesn't come into play.

This Season's Jericho/Moonlight - Life on Mars

You have at least one every season. A show that draws a fanatic following yet gets axed by the network because the ratings are not up to snuff. Looking over the Fall list of shows, I would say Life on Mars could be this season's candidate. Sounds like it could provide some interesting stories, at least early on, but may not draw enough viewers. I will put Fringe in the runner up slot in the case that FOX pulls a FOX and gives it the boot.

Series Best Suited for a One Season Run - Life on Mars

British television does it all the time, a limited run (anywhere from six to a couple of dozen episodes) with an ending point that may or may not leave open the possibility of a sequel. I realize that the syndication market has heavily influenced American television to strive for longer runs to help recoup costs, but now with the vast DVD market that's not as much of a factor. Some series have a good concept, but not one designed for multiple seasons. Just do one then you're done, and you will have a stronger show. Life on Mars is the obvious candidate. The British version ran sixteen episodes, and, based on what I have heard about the American adaptation, they could probably get a good 22 episodes out of the remake. The sad fact is, though, I doubt it will make it past its original order of thirteen episodes.

Darkhorse Candidate of the Season - My Own Worst Enemy
This is the show that hits you from left field and proves to be much better than expected. Enemy seems like a good choice with Christian Slater taking the central role. I will throw Life on Mars in there as a runner up.

Candidate for Worst Show of the Season - Knight Rider

There's no Cavemen this season, but Knight Rider seems like the likely choice to carry the torch. Only problem is that I think it will last well beyond its first season. Runner up - The Mentalist.

Check out our full coverage of the Fall Season at the Axiom's edge site.