The truth about Battlestar Galactica and SciFi Channel

[spiderr987]

Given the GINO has been breaking new records of suckage with it's 0.9-1.2 ratings performance, you're one of the very few people watching and feel that way. By all means, don't let me in stop you from enjoying this rip off, crapfest. It takes all kinds...

[xmagman]

I find it interesting that Glen Larson is a Consulting Producer for the new BSG. Especially since he is so adamantly against the new show.

[JRein]

I heard Glen Larson got jipped on the new show. I haven't seen the new one yet, but watched every episode of the 70s version on Hula. It was soo tacky, but I loved it!

Hi xmagman, he got a consulting producer credit as a consilation. The guys bitter because he created the show and now he doesn't have the creative control.

[xmagman]

JRein,
That may be. But if he is so much against the show he should have had his name removed from the list. That way he could say that he had absolutely nothing to do with the new BSG.

[spiderr987]

TOM DESANTO's GALACTICA:
Awakening a Sleeping Giant


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



In a June 2000 chat, Sci-Fi Channel Vice President Bonnie Hammer confirmed that the network was considering producing new episodes of Battlestar Galactica. "We have actually started some preliminary conversations; however, we never knew where they are going to go. I don't want to start any false hopes out there. However, it is definitely something we are looking into." By January 2001, there was a surprising turn of events. Reliable rumors leaked through BattlestarGalactica.com webmaster Michael Faries revealed that there was a new Battlestar Galactica project (apparently spearheaded by Bonnie Hammer) which would feature "various ships of the fleet but no battlestar, a main starship with biodomes (an unintentional retread of The Starlost?) and no involvement from Richard Hatch or Glen Larson."

On January 26 the SciFi Wire confirmed that the rumors were true. "The series would resemble its predecessor in name only, offering new characters, a new villain to replace the Cylons and a new ship," said a spokesman for the network. At this point the entire online fan community was up in arms, and three days later the network retracted the story. [Are the fans that hardly exist]? In 2004, Michael Rymer, the director of Ron Moore's miniseries pilot, claimed that the biodomes starship was the lead vehicle of the Bryan Singer pilot on the DVD commentary, which begs the question as to whether this is the true start-point of the DeSanto/Singer project.
On February 22, 2001, Variety magazine announced that Bryan Singer and Tom DeSanto, the creative team behind The Usual Suspects and the phenomenally successful X-Men movie, were slated to bring back Galactica on behalf of Studios USA. In an interview with Michael Fleming, Singer wrote:

"The lesson I learned on X-Men is to have a healthy respect for the fan base of sci-fi fantasy franchises, and I'm confident that the Galactica brand is a sleeping giant. It was a show I watched during its initial run, from the pilot to the final episode. The essence and the brand name is quite potent in a climate where there's a great deficit of sci-fi programming."


Cylon Concept



USA Television Production Group president David Kissinger endorsed the team and the plans to take the series into prime time. Kissinger was quoted as saying, "It's possible that we might be able to do a dual window scenario with the Sci-Fi Channel." Studios USA executive Dan Pasternack was interviewed a day later on the SciFi Wire, adding that the premiere probably wouldn't appear any earlier than mid-season 2002. He also made several comments that addressed many of the concerns that were raised against the "biodomes" project, noting that the new project featured Cylons and was endorsed by Glen Larson.

"Bryan Singer's intent is to be very faithful to the spirit and legacy of the original show.... to creatively to go forward in time as the saga has continued in his mind... He is not looking to take it in any direction that would be disappointing to fans of the original show... Bryan and Glen [Larson] sat down. We wanted to make sure this union was very blessed by Glen. ... He has blessed this and wants to see it go forward... I think it's safe to say you can't do Battlestar Galactica without Cylons, [but] what our relationship to the Cylons will be, I can't say... I don't know if [finding Earth] is the goal in this show. ... We could be on a different exodus... It's pretty epic stuff we're going to do. We're committed to doing it right, now that we have Bryan. It's waited some 20-odd years to be reborn."

In an interview with Fandom.com, DeSanto ducked the question of whether original cast members would be used, but promised that "old fans and people who haven't heard of it alike will be happy with the new series." He admitted to not having seen Richard Hatch's Second Coming trailer and had no info on the network or the location shoot. Regarding the production, "I think it's going to surprise. The same way X-Men surprised the studio, I think this will surprise the network and will become a phenomenon. I don't think people realize the passion people have for this show and the fond memories of the show."

Then the information dried up. BattlestarGalactica.com webmaster Michael Faries relayed spotted reports gleamed from his phone calls with Tom DeSanto and the production offices. Bryan Singer met and talked with Richard Hatch who officially endorsed the project, saying he was elated and that it was a wonderful surprise for him. Fans learned that the DeSanto/Singer team had actually been working on their Galactica project since last August and that the Variety article was only a formal announcement and that preproduction was already underway.

In early March, key cast members were being considered and Dan Angel and Billy Brown ("X-Files") were recruited as showrunners for the new production, helping flesh out the pilot script. By April, Studios USA had green-lighted the production and both a series bible and first-draft script had been completed. In June, the Fox network agreed to host the new two-hour Battlestar Galactica continuation series pilot. Tom DeSanto was elated. "I've dreamed of bringing Battlestar Galactica back for over 10 years now and could not think of a better home for it than Fox."

Glen Larson had also joined the production as a consulting producer. DeSanto commented in September 2003, "He just wanted to make sure that his child wasn't being raised by a pack of wolves. He didn't want it to be something that was being turned out to exploit its name." Original cast member Dirk Benedict told fans at MotorCity Comic Con in May that he personally talked to Tom DeSanto several times. Tom told Dirk that he was very enthusiastic about bringing back at least four of the original characters on to the new series. The only stumbling block was the studio executives who didn't want any of the old characters back.

By August, Richard Hatch hadn't been signed for the project or invited to any official meetings to discuss his role even though filming was scheduled to being in November. Dirk Benedict and Herb Jefferson had already signed on to the project and were optimistic that follow-on projects would include Richard Hatch, although it was becoming increasingly obvious that Richard was not invited for the pilot.

Several FX houses including Foundation Imaging, Eden FX and the Orphanage began work, and the producers began constructing sets in a rented, abandonned Sears warehouse in Vancouver. "We built the skeletons of two Vipers and started building the bridge set. It was going to be a true rendition of the bridge, only we were going to make it a bit larger." Budgeted at more than $10 million, principal photography was scheduled between November and January 2002, with postproduction to continue through the spring, and a May 2002 premiere on Fox. After directing the pilot, Singer would immediately begin pre-production on X2: X-Men United, which was scheduled to being shooting in May as well.

After 9/11, the production ground to a halt. Said DeSanto, "It was devastating. No one was able to function. It was difficult to focus, and we lost about a month, and that caused the schedule to shift." The delay forced the departure of Bryan Singer to focus on X2, and Fox had assigned Rob Bowman to take his place. DeSanto tried to recruit another name director, Nic Meyer (who had directed several Star Trek feature films), before bringing on board Stephen Hopkins, Gary Fleder and Brian Henson. With Singer gone, however, everything unravelled. Fox had lost interest, withdrew its support, and chose instead to devote its efforts to creating Joss Whedon's Firefly. On November 13, Variety announced that as a result of Singer's departure, the early 2002 shoot in Vancouver had been cancelled. Tom DeSanto then made an announcement to the fans:

"Our THANKS TO ALL OF YOU that have signed the petitions, written letters and supported the return of Battlestar Galactica. We are listening to you. And we appreciate your support, past, present and future. We feel that you will not be disappointed with our production for the new Battlestar Galactica. And we hope to bring it to you as soon as it is possible."

Behind the scenes (and without DeSanto's knowledge), Studios USA initiated steps to bring back Battlestar Galactica with a new creative team. In December, David Kissinger called David Eick, asking him if he would helm a new series. According to commentary on the miniseries DVD, Eick stipulated he would do so only if he were not be bound in any way by the work done by the DeSanto/Singer production. Joining Eick as producer and principal writer is Ronald D. Moore, whose highest profile work to date had been on Paramount's Star Trek franchise. On April 2, 2002, the saga of DeSanto and Singer ended, with the official announcement of the Sci-Fi Channel December 2003 miniseries. Unlike DeSanto, it was a remake, or "re-imagining" of the original story.

http://www.battlestargalactica.com/newfilms.htm

Glen Larson speaks out against SFC's molesting his BSG source material!

‘Battlestar Galactica’ returns
But fans of original are wary of remake


Updated: 1:15 p.m. ET Dec. 9, 2003

A few years ago, fans thought they’d get the continuation saga they’d clamored for when Bryan Singer and Tom DeSanto, the director-writer team behind “X-Men,” hooked up with original “Galactica” creator Glen Larson to develop a project at 20th Century Fox.

When that deal fell through, Universal TV chief David Kissinger brought in executive producer David Eick and Moore to rework the franchise for Sci Fi.
“We want the fans to embrace what we are doing,” says Sci Fi President Bonnie Hammer, “but if you produced now what was produced then, it would feel like old TV. We wanted to make it more relatable, even in terms of the stereotypes of characters.”
__________________________________________________ _________

“I understand they’re trying to do a modern version,” says Larson. “But change for the sake of change — it’s taking the title and exploiting it.”
__________________________________________________ _________

http://www.cylon.org/bsg/bsg-desanto-01.html

How the Sci Fi Channel wrecked my books.
By Ursula K. Le Guin

Posted Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004, at 6:14 AM PT

On Tuesday night, the Sci Fi Channel aired its final installment of Legend of Earthsea, the miniseries based—loosely, as it turns out—on my Earthsea books. The books, A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan, which were published more than 30 years ago, are about two young people finding out what their power, their freedom, and their responsibilities are. I don't know what the film is about. It's full of scenes from the story, arranged differently, in an entirely different plot, so that they make no sense. My protagonist is Ged, a boy with red-brown skin. In the film, he's a petulant white kid. Readers who've been wondering why I "let them change the story" may find some answers here.

When I sold the rights to Earthsea a few years ago, my contract gave me the standard status of "consultant"—which means whatever the producers want it to mean, almost always little or nothing. My agency could not improve this clause. But the purchasers talked as though they genuinely meant to respect the books and to ask for my input when planning the film. They said they had already secured Philippa Boyens (who co-wrote the scripts for The Lord of the Rings) as principal script writer. The script was, to me, all-important, so Boyens' presence was the key factor in my decision to sell this group the option to the film rights.

Months went by. By the time the producers got backing from the Sci Fi Channel for a miniseries—and another producer, Robert Halmi Sr., had come aboard—they had lost Boyens. That was a blow. But I had just seen Halmi's miniseries DreamKeeper, which had a stunning Native American cast, and I hoped that Halmi might include some of those great actors in Earthsea.

http://www.slate.com/id/2111107

Are you seeing a pattern, here? SciFi Channel is developing a reputation for screwing over author's and exploiting their source material, against their wishes.

[xmagman]

TLDR....
Why can't you respond like a normal human being?

[spiderr987]

I have a degree in history, so I have a really bad habit of responding with facts and links to support them. I know that most GINO fans are allergic to such things and usually talk outta their azzholes.

[xmagman]

Wow. I ask you a simple question and expect a simple answer. Which I got; but you just had to put that little insult as a caviot on there. I guess it goes to prove that just because you have a degree in something doesn't necessarily make you smart.

I get it. Hell we all get it! You hate the new BSG and the Sci-Fi channel with a passion! You got your point across about 122 posts ago! You're upset that someone took your beloved 1978 BSG took all the cheesiness out of it, gave the characters some depth, got rid of that ridiculous dagget and that annoying kid, and re-imagined what life might actually be like if all civilazation as the characters know it ceased to exist!
You're pissed off because you know that if Larsen were at the helm of this thing it would have never even got off the ground! Hell how long did they try?! 26 years! And NOTHING ever happened! That is until RDM came along.
So now you've been pouting like a little child ever since the new BSG aired. And like a pouting child you choose to insult those who like it and enjoy it. You seem to have a big problem with people who have views and opinions that are different from your own. You can't handle it.
I don't care if you don't like the new BSG! Because I do! I don't care if you like TOS. I did at one time too....when I was like 7. Get over your self; Mr. History Degree and move on to other things. No one really gives a sh!t that you are pouting like a 4 year old who lost his blankey.

[spiderr987]

Wow! You must be one of the G.I.N.O. writers, producers, etc to get so emotional over little ol' me. HAHAHAHAHA! I guess me shedding light on the monumental ratings failure and the absolute writing clusterf*ck the idiots working on Galactica In Name Only have created is pretty embarrassing for SciFi Channel. Paramount respected their pre-existing fanbase and Gene Roddenberry and were rewarded in alcalades with their STAR TREK continuation franchise. ...yet, NBC-Universal/SciFi Channel in all their...

...infinite wisdom decided to alienate their pe-existing fanbase by screwing over the BSG creator, Glen Larson, backdooring the X-MEN/TRANSFORMERS producer, DeSanto, who Larson had approved to run the faithful BSG show and continually ridicule the original show in several press releases in a pathetic attempt to place the poorly written & produced G.I.N.O. on a pedastal. As a result SciFi Channel is left with a ratings lemon and everyone loses. Congrats, retards. Paramount you are not.

[xmagman]

I'm not emotional. I'm not a writer or producer for the new BSG. As I said I don't care that you or anyone else doesn't like the show. It doesn't bother me, at all. I don't care if the ratings are low. I like what I like and that's that. I don't insult someone else because they like something that I don't. I'm big enough to realize that everyone has different tastes and different views on stuff.
Maybe if you were mature enough to pull your head out of your @ss you would see that. I would stick my head in my @ss to see things from your point of view but I'm not that flexible.
I realize that how the show came to be was less than desireable for TOS fans. But what's done is done. It's history, you can't change it....move on. The new BSG isn't going to be cancelled, the rest of season 4 is going to air after the hiatus. You are powerless to do anything about it. All your rantings on these forums will change nothing in the end.

So just move on to something else like saving the whales or the rain forest or some other thing. And please, for Pete's sake, get therapy.