"Masters of Science Fiction" (2007) TV series 2007-????

Seasons:

1

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

A series adapting science-fiction stories by well-known authors into 60 minute episodes, introduced by renowned physicist Stephen Hawking...

Plot Keywords:

Anthology | Voice Over Narration

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Stephen Hawking

...

Himself - Host (6 episodes, 2007)

Runtime:

42 min (excluding commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

IDT Entertainment

A poor poor effort with far too much propaganda and politics.

The first episode was OK for awhile but it dragged on and on and on. The point, once made, was weak and completely unoriginal. About the only really creative part of the first episode was the way in which they tried to hide the point (and the plot) until near the end. By that time I had stopped caring.

The second episode was nothing short of a cheap politically motivated lopsided propagandistic take-off of the 1960's short story (The General Zapped an......) which was set in the Vietnam war. OK, so I left the rest of the title of the short story out (it would spoil what there is of the plot - I present it here exactly as it was presented in the opening credits. The special effects were uninspired. The short story was better.

This series, so far has been a huge disappointment. Beginning with the too too short "Intro" by the much celebrated Stephen Hawking and ending with the plots and stories that are more likely to put a person to sleep than they are to provoke any thought.

The remaining two episodes includes one by the well known Sci-Fi writer Harlan Ellison - who is equally celebrated for his rather vocal negative opinion of the TV medium. So what happened Mr. Ellison? I still have not forgotten the short TV series (1970's) called "The Legend of the Starlost". Or has Cordwainer Bird decided to give it a go one more time. In any case, for those of you who have never read Mr. Ellison's works you definitely need to - preferably before watching his Masters of Science Fiction episode. Just don't read Ellison too close to bedtime, you'll never get to sleep. He's that good.

The Masters of Science Fiction is a poor effort and a financial boondoggle. The producers should be ashamed of themselves for putting it on.