SF Signal: Tube Bits For 11/13/07

Tube Bits For 11/13/07

The Boston Herald reviews Battlestar Galactica: Razor and is somewhat nonplussed, giving it a C+. I disagree that the plot is convoluted. On the contrary, it's rather simple. The problem is it isn't told very well, with too much jumping back and forth and liberally sprinkled with unexplained behavior by Admiral Cain. That said, it does return to the 'survival' mode that made the first season so good.

NBC launched their new video download service, NBC Direct, and it's getting a ton of negative reviews. IE/Windows only, shows only available for 1 week after air date, and once you start watching a show, you only have 48 hours to watch it. Is NBC trying to push people to alternate methods of obtaining its shows? Way to screw over you faithful viewers NBC, and good luck on trying to get new ones for your serialized shows. Hulu was a decent move, but this one blows.

Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis won't just be the only things in the Stargate universe much longer (oh, add the original movie too). Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment is currently working on a MMORPG (think World of Warcraft, Tim's favoritist game) set in the Stargate universe. It's called Stargate Worlds, and MMORPG.COM has a chat transcript with the development team available. I like the art concepts and the idea could be cool too, but I don't really see anything strikingly different for this game than others. Still, it's a rare SF themed MMO so I'll be keeping an eye on it.

Star Trek's episode, 'The Menagerie', is being screened across the country at select theaters starting today. Eugene Roddenberry will be on hand at two events to personally introduce the screening. Sy Fy Portal has a nice interviewish article with Eugene where he discusses all things Trek.

Speaking of Star Trek, the rumors surrounding the plot (I won't give anything away here, but the link may contain MAJOR SPOILERS! In fact, just reading the rest of this sentence may spoil things...) have reached Harlan Ellison, and he is none too pleased. I'm sorry Harlan, but I don't think locations or characters are copywritable. You just may be SOL here, no matter how curmudgeonly you act.

"I'm sorry Harlan, but I don't think locations or characters are copywritable."

I'm not so sure about that. There have been plenty of cases where folks have tried to use locations or characters and have gotten slapped. See, for example, TSR, Inc. vs. Tolkien Enterprises or the literary estate of H.P. Lovecraft.

J.K. Rowling seems to be able to do it. I've heard of other author-imposed ban on fan faction such as David Weber (for his Honor Harrington tales). There must be something to it...

Maybe you can't copyright "New York City". But something like the Guardian or a non-historical character?

Posted by Fred Kiesche on Tuesday November 13, 2007 at 11:30 AM

Worse than not supporting alternative operating systems is NBC's outright STUPID adherence to low quality DRM laden CRAP streaming files while the HTPC's and TIVO's of the world produce files that you can do WHATEVER YOU WANT, WHENEVER YOU WANT.

So NBC, let me speak to you in a format you understand:

"When media companies use poorly planed digital rights management to try to secure intellectual properties that were originally aired without rights management, you are in fact enabling Communism and it makes baby Jesus cry."

Posted by tditto on Wednesday November 14, 2007 at 10:21 AM