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AMC Doing a SCIFI Series?
By: Stephen LackeyDate: Sunday, October 28, 2007
AMC is a funny network to me. I’ve noted here in the guide a few times I see that “American Movie Classics” is showing some film that no one would consider a classic, such as Catwoman or any number of Steven Segal films they’ve aired lately. They aren’t just showing the classics, so what kind of network are they? When many of these cable networks started up, the theory was that they’d draw audiences from the majors by being more niche, more specific in their programming. That hasn’t worked out so well for most of them though. MTV hasn’t really been “music television” in many years and CourtTV has either just changed or is about to change (not sure if it has happened yet because I don’t watch that network) its entire format to a more reality based programming with a wider variety of shows in that genre. So, what is AMC doing to set itself apart now? Obviously just showing classic films didn’t work because they’ve added a lot of garbage to their schedule, most likely because it came cheap.
Well, we may have an answer to that question, and it may be beneficial to us scifi/horror fans. The network is developing a sci-fi series called 99 Stories. In the series, a group of strangers find themselves trapped in a high rise building with nowhere to go but up. Each week, the group must face new challenges put upon them by a “technological brain” that controls every element of the building. In a recent Hollywood Reporter interview, writer David Seltzer says that the elevators are in control of the strangers destinies because they decide who deserves to go up. He also comments that the actions of the people inside the building are also tied to the rest of the world in some way. Will I watch this? Yeah probably, even though I’ve already seen Cube and Fortress.
This isn’t AMC’s first series. They already have the critically acclaimed drama Mad Men and another drama is on the way called Breaking Bad. So, again I ask you, what kind of network does AMC hope to become? This network is at the bottom of my list of nets I think of when I’m looking for a weekly television series. Do they just want to be another FOX or CW featuring a mix of drama and genre television series? I don’t know if they can compete in that arena but I’ll definitely give 99 Stories a shot.
Some of our shows are either going into reruns or aren’t on at all due to baseball but there are a few still making the week worthwhile. First up is definitely Heroes. The season has yet to blow me away but I’m still hoping it will. Reaper remains a silly diversion, and Supernatural is has been consistently good and I expect the trend to continue. There’s no Prison Break or Bionic Woman this week.
Monday
CHUCK (NBC, 8PM EST) Chuck Versus the Sandstorm
Chuck contemplates helping an agent escape his handlers after realizing the man's life seems to run parallel to his own. Elsewhere, Morgan feels jilted by Chuck as Halloween approaches.
HEROES (NBC, 9PM EST) The Line
West encourages Claire to teach the snobby head cheerleader a lesson; Alejandro is wary of Sylar's intentions toward Maya; H.R.G. hunts for the last of Isaac's paintings with help from his Russian mentor; and Hiro struggles with his feelings for Yaeko.
JOURNEYMAN (NBC, 10PM EST) Keepers
Dan comes to the aid of two brothers traumatized by their father's abuse. Elsewhere, Dan and Livia eavesdrop on an intimate chat between Jack and Katie; and Jack suspects Dan has started gambling again.
Tuesday
THE UNIT (CBS, 9PM PST) M.P’s
The safety of a pop diva is in the hands of Jonas, Mack and Grey when they smuggle her into a restricted area so she can entertain the troops. Meanwhile, Bob and a Justice Department escort return a prisoner to his own country to face execution.
REAPER (CW, 9PM PST) Leon
Sam tries to return a soul at the DMV and discovers that Gladys the demon is on vacation for Halloween, an action the Devil disapproves of, so Old Scratch gives Sam an extra-tough assignment in order to make himself feel better.
Wednesday
PUSHING DAISIES (ABC, 8PM PST) Girth
Jockeys are dying in mysterious trampling incidents, so Ned, Chuck and Emerson decide to investigate. Meanwhile, Ned deals with difficult Halloween memories. Mamma Jacobs: Barbara Barrie. John Joseph Jacobs: Hamish Linklater.
CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS, 9PM PST) About Face
The team searches for a serial killer that posts missing flyers about victims before they are missing and are murdered.
Thursday
SMALLVILLE (CW, 8PM PST) Lara
In the process of trying to get the crystal back, Kara is captured and sedated with a kryptonite serum; Clark follows and tries to release her, but not before the serum has caused both to have a vision of Clark's mother (Helen Slater)
SUPERNATURAL (CW, 9PM PST) Bedtime Stories
Once upon a time, Sam and Dean visit a strange town where mysterious deaths seemed linked to fairy tales. Meanwhile, Sam summons the Crossroad Demon (Sandra McCoy) and threatens her with the rebuilt Colt unless Dean is released from the deal.
THE OFFICE (NBC, 9PM PST) Branch Wars
Karen's return to Scranton causes a ruckus when she courts Stanley to relocate, prompting Michael to go on the offensive and recruit Jim in his battle. Elsewhere, a “Finer Things Club” riles the employees.
Friday
GHOST WHISPERER (CBS, 8PM PST) Double Exposure
Professor Payne begins dating a colleague at the university, but her extreme camera shyness perplexes him. Professor Claudia Pollili: Victoria Pratt.
FLASH GORDON (SCIFI, 9PM PST) Secrets and Lies
Flash and Zarkov become embroiled in a clash between Zurn and Dactyl clans on Mongo. Meanwhile, Joe jeopardizes his career by discussing his otherworldly adventure. Azura: Jody Thompson. Vultan: Ty Olsson.
STARGATE ATLANTIS (SCIFI, 10PM PST) Tabula Rasa
The crew suffers from amnesia after plant samples from their new home planet unleash a virus.
MOONLIGHT (CBS, 9PM PST) B.C.
Mick searches for a powerful vampire from Josef’s past that may be linked to drug overdoses that Beth is investigating.
Saturday
VENOM (SCIFI, 8PM EST)
Teens try to discover the truth in the death of a friend and encounter an evil force in the swamps of Louisiana.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (USA, 8PM EST)
This swash-buckling tale follows the quest of Captain Jack Sparrow, a savvy pirate, and Will Turner, a resourceful blacksmith, as they search for Elizabeth Swann. Elizabeth, the daughter of the governor and the love of Will's life, has been kidnapped by the feared Captain Barbossa. Little do they know, but the fierce and clever Barbossa has been cursed. He, along with his large crew, are under an ancient curse, doomed for eternity to neither live, nor die. That is, unless a blood sacrifice is made
Sunday
SIMPSONS (FOX, 8PM EST) Treehouse of Terror XVIII
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