Nix | October 29, 2008
41 comments

Stargate Producer in Denial, Says Universe Isn’t 90210

Apparently Stargate producer Joseph Mallozzi has been hearing the not-so-pleasing rumblings that his new Stargate show, Universe, is little more than an odious attempt by the suits to “young up” their aging franchise. I’ve gone on record calling this a poor attempt at going the youth route (I think I’ve called it Stargate: 90210 in the past), while others have dubbed it Voyager: 90210. I kinda like my own name for it better. But in any case, Stargate producer Joseph Mallozzi would like to assure fans that Universe is not Voyager: 90210. By which I mean, Joseph Mallozzi apparently hasn’t read his own press releases, because if this thing isn’t stinking of Voyager: 90210, I don’t know what does.

Says Mallozzi, via Gateworld:

“Brad pitched us the series and its first five episodes and, I have to say, it’s a far cry from the shallow confection many fans are imagining,” Mallozzi wrote last month. “In fact, in many ways, it’s a much more cerebral and mature addition to the franchise. While firmly entrenched in pre-established Stargate mythology, Stargate Universe definitely strikes out in an exciting new direction. It’s a series that will delight veteran fans, but also appeal to newcomers who may not necessarily know the difference between an Alteran and an Asuran.

“In spite of what the indicators may suggest, this will definitely not be a Voyager: 90210. The assortment of characters that make up the character breakdown are certainly an atypical collection of heroes, far-removed from the skilled likes of Jack O’Neill, Samantha Carter, John Sheppard, and Rodney McKay — but there’s a damn good reason for that.”

Right. A show about a bunch of 20-somethings on a ship lost in space will be “more cerebral and mature” than both SG1 and SGA. Man, I don’t know if fans of SG1 and SGA should be insulted or if the writers of those shows should take offense. Either way, Voyager: 90210 is on its way, and if you don’t like it, then screw you, old SG fans. The suits want younger viewers, anyway, and you just don’t qualify anymore.

Below: “So, er, can you guys get younger or sumthin’?”


Category: Sci-Fi TV News, Stargate: Universe TV Series |
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  • http://morjana-subductionleadstoorogeny.blogspot.com/ Morjana

    First of all, Stargate Universe is NOT Joseph Mallozzi’s ‘show.’

    Stargate Universe was created by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper. It’s THEIR show.

    Secondly, you’re reacting to the “pitch” of the series. That’s like looking at the shoot of a tulip…just a stalk of green, and declaring the plant ugly. You have to allow for the tulip to bloom to fully appreciate its beauty, and in the same way, you should wait until you actually SEE the pilot episode of Stargate Universe before you trash it.

    Case in point: this summer when CBS ran the promo ads for ‘The Mentalist,’ I was fairly certain that The Mentalist would be cancelled soon after premiering. I watched the first episode, and was impressed enough to continue watching. Now, five episodes in on the first season, I consider it one of the best new series on CBS this season.

  • http://www.scificool.com Nix

    First of all, he’s one of the producers. Calling it “his show” is not wrong. Now if I had said, “He created the show”, then yeah, that would be wrong. Get a grip.

    Secondly, I can react to whatever I want. I’ve devoted enough time and loyalty to this franchise to think that going “younger” is a crass commercial move that disrespects the original shows and cast. And if you can’t see that this is an odious attempt at dissing the series’ old fans in favor of bringing in new, younger fans, then I don’t know what to tell ya.

    Case in point: The Mentalist sucks, and is little more than a rip-off of USA Network’s Psych, but with prettier people and better production values.

  • idizzle

    Have you watched an episode of The Mentalist? Because I don’t like the show either, but it’s no more a rip-off of Psych than Grey’s Anatomy is a rip-off of Scrubs.

  • http://www.scificool.com Nix

    You’re comparing apples and oranges. A doctor show is like a crime show. However you mix them up, it’s still a show about doctors in a hospital, or cops in a precinct. Period. The Mentalist and Psych have a very specific premise: a conman (in the case of the Mentalist, a former conman) uses his heightened ability of observation to solve crimes. Are you telling me that premise is generic enough that you feel perfectly fine with comparing it to a doctor or cop show? Seriously?

  • tomkon

    The character profiles I’ve read for this new Stargate Universe show doesn’t make a lot of sense! The 2 series always had a high standard for the type people they would even let go through the gate,. The profile of characters for this new show doesn’t sound like the type of people that would even be told of the existence of he gate much less be allowed to go through it!! Keep Atlantis just in case this show bombs. By the way Earth now has ships capable of extermley fast Hyper-Space speeds, just as fast as anything the Ancyents had according to the Atlantis series. If needed be we could send our own rescue mission with these ships.
    Give the young audiences a cartoon version and leave the adults their show.

  • Nope

    Well, the pilot aired yesterday. You were way off, bud.

  • Murray B

    The original Stargate movie with Kurt Russell was okay but not exceptional.

    The SG-1 TV series was an improvement over the movie and was excellent.

    SG-A was good despite the derivative alien vampires from space theme.

    SG-U was so bad I could not even watch the whole first episode. My mind kept wandering onto more interesting things. It reminded me most of “The Starlost” but was a little better than that. [anyone not knowing that series can search for "Cordwainer Bird"]

    If they make it a little darker and more like 90210 and BSG then they could displace “The Starlost” as the worst sci-fi television show ever made. If they made it into a movie, who knows, they might even out do “Plan 9 from Outer Space”.

    The most puzzling thing about SG-U is it is too bad to be accidental but there seems no reason to do this on purpose. It is a complete mystery how these…these smelly little turds ever made it onto the air. Something must be going on behind the scenes that we do not know about.

  • Nope

    SG-U is not meant to be the same kind of show as SG-1 or SG-A, obviously. It may not be the big bangs and flashes of those shows, but that’s also a good thing for the rest of us adults who don’t mind watching television with depth.nnThere’s actually nothing about the show that strikes me as bad. At this point, chloe’s character is the only one that really gets on my nerves, but I’m pretty sure her character is designed that way to contrast with the others.nn

  • Nope

    SG-U is not meant to be the same kind of show as SG-1 or SG-A, obviously. It may not be the big bangs and flashes of those shows, but that’s also a good thing for the rest of us adults who don’t mind watching television with depth.nnThere’s actually nothing about the show that strikes me as bad. At this point, chloe’s character is the only one that really gets on my nerves, but I’m pretty sure her character is designed that way to contrast with the others.nn

  • Nope

    SG-U is not meant to be the same kind of show as SG-1 or SG-A, obviously. It may not be the big bangs and flashes of those shows, but that’s also a good thing for the rest of us adults who don’t mind watching television with depth.nnThere’s actually nothing about the show that strikes me as bad. At this point, chloe’s character is the only one that really gets on my nerves, but I’m pretty sure her character is designed that way to contrast with the others.nn

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