Stupid Moves of the Day: MacGyver, SyFy and MGM

[wraithfodder]

First, who has not heard that yes, they're going to make a MacGyver movie? I don't hold out any hope for it, not after they cast Ben Stiller as Starsky in Starsky & Hutch, and Colin Farrell as Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice. Sorry, but remakes like this just don't work. I have horrid visions of them casting Adam Sandler, complete with mullet, as MacGyver. Shudder. Anyway, here's the main post on it - http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i68061ff8eae6a63772900e662e5accd6

Second, Sci Fi channel is changing its name to Sy Fy (they probably bought out the Sy Fy part from Sy Fy Portal as their name changed instantly). Anyway, skip the NY Times article and go straight to Ad Age - http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=135254 - which gives more details and just makes you shake your head and scream "What were they thinking?" Really, check SciFi Wire's comment page, Twitter, or just about any article, and you'll be hard pressed to find positive press on this move. I can only fathom this will expand their realm to more wrestling crap and maybe paranoral cooking or modeling shows. After all, that's all female viewers watch, right? (last remark said with heavy sarcasm).

And MGM, well, read the post before this. Gah, they need more brains in the marketing department.

But with SciFi, SyFy, or Skiffy, well, doesn't matter much as well, Stargate Atlantis is done and well, SGU, I'll tape and watch later.

Comments

[aelfgyfu_mead]

Interesting about the old SyFy Portal! This article says, "Of course, Airlock Alpha itself has changed its name indirectly because of this, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Quantum Global Media Inc., the owner of Airlock Alpha, said the change was necessary to allow the site to remain a science-fiction site, but at the same time, not have to spell it out so directly to readers. It also will be a main element in the upcoming BlipNetwork that is being formed with Airlock Alpha, the existing horror news site Rabid Doll and the upcoming television news site Inside Blip."

I don't quite follow the "indirectly" and what "BlipNetwork" is.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Well, MIchael Hinmman is founder and site coordinator of Airlock Alpha which is part of BlipNetwork, which is, I don't know, part of Quantum Global Media. Indirect... Quite honestly I would think they would have sold the name to Sci Fi.

[nialla]

Yeah, I think the "direct" version of the story is "Sci Fi gave us a truckload of money for the name." ;)

[strange-magic.livejournal.com]

You know, I love MacGyver as much as the next person(maybe a bit more because I do have the MacGyver theme song as my ring tone),but I REALLY don't want to see them make a movie from it. *rolls eyes*

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

yeah, let it live in memories on DVD...

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

**nods**
To date there has been no decent remake
They have ~~ruined~~ the originals
It would seem that the following would apply here:
If it ain't broke, don't fix it

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but they have no originality...

[rasmizar.livejournal.com]

But but... there can be only one (MacGyver)!

Hmm, with the RDA-Stargate connection, and JF (supposedly) looking for a job, I now have this vision of Joe Flanigan as MacGyver... ;-)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'll take him as MacGyver ;)

[rasmizar.livejournal.com]

...with a blond mullet? *shudder*

[whisper99.livejournal.com]

Well, it just goes towards more proof that Skiffy is run by a bunch of morons.

[crayonbreakygal.livejournal.com]

Skiffy. hehehehe

That just goes to show you how much SciFi knows about marketing.

JF as MacGyver? Now I just might watch that. Otherwise, nah.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

MacGyver was a light-hearted action adventure show. I can't imagine them making it now without inserting crude humor and sex.

[parisindy.livejournal.com]

ack no not macgyver!!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

They're talking a MAGNUM PI movie too. Blech.

[parisindy.livejournal.com]

oi!!! the world has gone mad!

[oxbastetxo.livejournal.com]

"Sci-Fi has really gone from being a cable channel that focused on sci-fi to a relationship- and experience-based brand. When you commit to making a brand of that kind of magnitude, you have to figure out how to make it as accessible as possible."

I think this is one of the most stupid thing I have ever read.

*sigh*

Just...sheesh.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

It's one of those things you know a management type dreamed up cuz it makes NO sense.

[vecturist.livejournal.com]

I read the NYT article and found the comments about trademarking interesting. Also interesting is the number of subscribers have gone down...

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

well, if the channel is sci fi but you show wrestling... and you kill off stargate and battlestar is going... yeah, expect the numbers to continue to slide...

[2bluaeryn.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads up on the vid on MGM site. Seems that Joe's lack of comment on JF and his lack of footage speaks volumes on the possible relationship or lack thereof between these two. JM also looked a little worn and weary in this or was it me? Him pitching *gave SGU a chance* kinda felt like a plea for backup because they don't feel as confident in the aftermath with the decisions and choices that have been made...but that's JMO.

As for SciFi, Skippy...whatever it's now calling itself, will be calling itself - I haven't watched the channel since the last airing of SGA. In fact my TV is rarely on these days unless I'm putting in a DVD, gives *me* control over the content and quality of what I watch which works for me.

The only thing keeping watching SciFi in any case was SGA. WWF, Ghosthunters and all that other trash had and has no real business again IMO on a channel that promotes itself as a haven for SciFi. What does WWF have to do with the *if* of SciFi??

I left Skippy when FS was literally yanked off the air mid-season after telling the world it had been renewed only SGA brought me back. Will SGU do the same? Some how I doubt it. This channel and the producers of the SG fanchaise has left a really bitter taste in my mouth. I feel that they have not been loyal to fans on many levels including how they have handled their own characters favoring some over others and openly admitting the perferences. The last year I missed what I loved so much about SGA...the sense of Team, family...there was *not* enough of it.

As for SGU, I truly don't want to invest time in something I really have a feeling upfront is not going to work for me. I was *loyal* to SGA sat though some eps to support the show and the ratings because I cared about its future. I would be lying to say I do and would do the same for SGU.

Sorry for going on and on.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I feel LJs/blogs are for venting, and I don't mind as long as people keep the language clean (nothing horrid) and don't make threats (well, boycotting is okay). I mean, some boards delete stuff like this.

[2bluaeryn.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry it was not my intention to use this as an area to vent, I guess it just came out that way.

As for boycotting, it is not what I have set out to do, I've just not found anything of interest on Skippy of late. As for SGU as I said just doesn't sound like my cup of tea not because how this all went down just because it *doesn't*. It's just like I LOVED SGA, but SG1 was OK. I love TNG and Enterprise, but wasn't a big fan of some of the other spin-offs.

As I said...sorry and I will follow the path of "if I can't say anything nice, I won't say anything at all."

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Hey, no need to be sorry! :)

Venting can be harmless (doesn't mean you swear a blue streak, after all) but for most of us, we can't talk to co-workers about this stuff (they're too busy watching Gray's Anatomy, sigh). I just see it as a way to get out of your system what you want to. Alas, Skiffy isn't offering much in the way of good or even semi-decent fare. I suspect a goodly # of folks will bail once BSG concludes this week.

[lahela-sga.livejournal.com]

When I read about the Skiffy name change on GW I checked my diary, thinking it must have been April 1st... dumbest thing ever.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

ANd they're aiming to get the child audience too...

[katikat.livejournal.com]

As someone somewhere said - the name SciFi could make people think that they air, you know, scifi *rolls eyes* Because how many true scifi shows do they actually air? As much as I like Sanctuary, it's basically Poltergeist: The Legacy 2.0, and Supernatural could crush it under its thumb in the creative department.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I watch Sanctuary only for guest stars from Stargate. Otherwise, it hasn't grabbed me, sorry to say.

[kaaatie.livejournal.com]

Huh! I didn't know that about MacGyver. I loved the TV show, and I certainly don't want to see them ruin it in a crappy movie... but I guess there's the possibility that it'll be good... (A very slight possibility!)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Maybe it will be tied up in litigation...

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

oH, cute icon!

[theninth.livejournal.com]

I have to admit, I'd watch a paranormal cooking or paranormal modeling show.

"Flip This Crypt", "Make me a Wraith Supermodel", and "To Serve Man ... as an Entree" would be kind of awesome.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Well, now you can sue SyFy if they steal your titles, and I'll sue for the idea ;)

[poundpuppy-29.livejournal.com]

my icon tells what I think about this move that Skiffy made
"Skiffy Skiffy Skiffy" and it fits my opinon of the MacGyver movie not everything from the 80's needs to made over or re imagined

[mangababe.livejournal.com]

It's so hypocritical of Sci Fi to talk about getting away from "geeks and aliens"....when it's the geeks and aliens that have given them their biggest shows! Frelling morons I tell you. Once BSG is gone, I'm sure I'll give SGU a try, but the only show that will keep me watching is Sanctuary.

[flingslass.livejournal.com]

ancientcitadel says that syfy is Polish slang for Syphilis. Appropriate? :D

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, that's even hit the press.

ANd SGU is a swear word in Danish. Wow, SCiFi is striking out ;)