Science fiction on television

Science fiction is one of the most eclectic and varied of all the genres of fiction. Such is its appeal that it has been a popular element of television drama since its very beginnings. Science fiction programmes can go anywhere, do anything, and show and tell stories that could not be done in other, more conventional productions.

Related Topics:
Science fiction - Fiction - Television - Drama

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As there is no universally recognised definition of "science fiction", there is some ambiguity as to what exactly "science fiction" covers in terms of television. In recent years, the term has come to cover any programme that deals in the fantastical or even merely the horrific, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed or '. Those programmes do not fit into the most common definition of "science fiction" (speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology or both upon society and persons as individuals and are perhaps more comfortably covered under the generic term "telefantasy").

Related Topics:
Fantastical - Horrific - Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Charmed - Speculative fiction - Science - Technology - Society - Persons - Telefantasy

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History of this genre has been shaped virtually by only three countries. First would be the precursor of this genre, the United Kingdom, responsible for such defining milestones as Quatermass (1953–79), Doctor Who (1963–1989, 2005– ), and Blake's 7 (1978–81). Second, its successor and today's undisputed leader, the United States, responsible for majority of the most popular shows aired over the last decades, such as Star Trek (1966–69) and Twilight Zone/Outer Limits (1959–2002) franchises and Babylon 5 (1993–98), The X-Files (1993–2002) and Stargate SG-1 (1997–present) series, to name just a few. Third, Japan, whose anime shows like Cowboy Bebop, Neon Genesis Evangelion or ' are rapidly gaining worldwide popularity. Today, without a doubt, science fiction as a genre has firmly established its place in the make up of many countries' programming.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - Quatermass - Doctor Who - Blake's 7 - United States - Star Trek - Twilight Zone - Outer Limits - Babylon 5 - The X-Files - Stargate SG-1 - Japan - Anime - Cowboy Bebop - Neon Genesis Evangelion

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