Prophets of Science Fiction

[spaltor]

This looks really interesting!  Rather than describing it myself, here's the press release:

________________

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2011/01/06/science-channel-greenlights-prophets-of-science-fiction-featuring-ridley-scott-946211/20110106science02/

SCIENCE CHANNEL GREENLIGHTS "PROPHETS OF SCIENCE FICTION" FEATURING RIDLEY SCOTT

--Ridley Scott to Produce Eight-Episode Series To Premiere in 2011 on Science Channel --

(Pasadena, CA) - Ridley Scott, the visionary mind behind iconic works of science fiction including "Blade Runner" and the "Alien" franchise, and epic adventures such as "Gladiator", brings his unique expertise to Science Channel for the project, PROPHETS OF SCIENCE FICTION. The network today announced the greenlight of the eight-episode series that will profile great minds of science fiction who later inspired "science fact." PROPHETS OF SCIENCE FICTION explores legendary figures; including Isaac Asimov, Gene Roddenberry and George Lucas, and examines how their work often inspired future discoveries decades before they took place.

"I am thrilled to be partnering with Science Channel on this exciting new series. I hope that the audience will find the subjects as interesting and inspiring as I do," said Scott. The series, which will premiere in the second half of 2011, will engage audiences in a dynamic, hyper-stylized way that has yet to been seen before on television. Viewers will be taken on a tour of what was - and what will be - through the eyes of the ingenious authors, illustrators, filmmakers, and scientists who became PROPHETS OF SCIENCE FICTION.

"Quite simply, Ridley Scott is a titan in the world of science fiction - and the perfect personification of PROPHETS OF SCIENCE FICTION." said Debbie Myers, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Science Channel. "Science Channel is thrilled to go on this journey with Ridley beyond imagination into the world of the unknown. Science is sparked by creativity, and the remarkable individuals we cover in this series actually inspired future generations of scientists."

PROPHETS OF SCIENCE FICTION is produced for Science Channel by Ridley and Tony Scott. For Science Channel, Bernadette McDaid is executive producer. Mary Lisio also is executive producer on the project.

ABOUT SCIENCE CHANNEL:

Science Channel, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), is home for the thought provocateur - the individual who is unafraid to ask the killer questions of "how" and "why not." The network is a playground for those with audacious intellects and features programming willing to go beyond imagination to explore the unknown. Guided by curiosity, Science Channel looks for innovation in mysterious new worlds as well as in its own backyard. Science Channel and the Science Channel HD simulcast reach more than 68 million U.S. households. The network also features high-traffic online and social media destinations, including ScienceChannel.com, facebook.com/ScienceChannel and twitter.com/ScienceChannel.


Read more: Breaking News - Science Channel Greenlights "Prophets of Science Fiction" Featuring Ridley Scott | TheFutonCritic.com http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2011/01/06/science-channel-greenlights-prophets-of-science-fiction-featuring-ridley-scott-946211/20110106science02/#ixzz1BQPsZbZW

[spaltor]

FYI - I just came from a Science Channel panel at NYCC.  The series is going to premiere this fall on November 9.  I was able to record some of the panel, including the audio from some previews.  Rock - If you'd like that for the podcast, I can't probably have it to you fir next week.

[turtlesrock]

hmm. looks interesting.

[spaltor]

Just got the press release about the episode details for season 1.  I'm really looking forward to this series. 

Mary Shelley
Premieres Wednesday, November 9, at 10:00 PM (ET/PT)
Mary Shelley set out to create a monster--along the way she created a masterpiece.
In 1816, teenager Mary begins stitching together a patchwork of ancient legend, modern technology, and personal tragedy- giving life to her novel, Frankenstein - and the genre of science fiction.

H.G. Wells
Premieres Wednesday, November 16, at 10:00 PM (ET/PT) (Tentative)
H.G. Wells' self-penned epitaph underscores a lifetime of grim - yet uncanny - prophecy. With stories like The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, The World Set Free, and The War of the Worlds, H.G. Wells established himself as a sci-fi writer of almost clairvoyant talent. But these tales of hi-tech adventure hold an ominous warning - beware the dark side of progress.  Our greatest innovations could very well become the tools of our own destruction.

Philip K. Dick
Premieres Wednesday, November 23, at 10:00 PM (ET/PT) (Tentative)
Literary genius, celebrated visionary, paranoid outcast, writer Philip K. Dick lived a life of ever-shifting realities straight from the pages of his mind-bending sci-fi stories. His books have inspired films like Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report and his ideas have influenced the development of real-life breakthroughs in everything from robotics to law enforcement. The brilliant, troubled sci-fi legend's work confronts readers with a deceptively simple question; "what is reality?"
 
Arthur C. Clarke
Premieres Wednesday, November 30, at 10:00 PM (ET/PT) (Tentative)
Some sci-fi storytellers are content to merely predict - but Sir Arthur C. Clarke creates. The writer is single-handedly responsible for the cornerstone of modern telecommunication technology - the satellite.  Clarke's collaboration with director Stanley Kubrick on the iconic 2001 predicted videophones, iPads, and commercial spaceflight – all while redefining science-fiction cinema for a new generation. His sci-fi legacy inspires us to unveil the mysteries of the universe, confident in the knowledge that science is the new magic.

Isaac Asimov
Premieres Wednesday, February 1 at 10:00 PM (ET/PT) (Tentative)
Isaac Asimov dreamed a better future where we need not fear our own technology. His I, Robot stories of a sci-fi future where robots can do our jobs for us led to the creation of real-life industrial robots--and paved the way for a robo-friendly world. Today, droid doctors save lives performing delicate spinal surgery, and automaton astronauts repair orbital stations in the vacuum of space. And it all started with Isaac Asimov's futuristic sci-fi vision: a robot in every home.

Jules Verne
Premieres Wednesday, February 8, at 10:00 PM (ET/PT) (Tentative)
He put a man on the Moon in the Victorian era. He criticized the Internet...in 1863. Jules Verne is the ultimate futurist, with a legacy of sci-fi stories predicting everything from fuel cell technology to viral advertising. The extraordinary voyages of Jules Verne span from the center of the Earth to the surface of the Moon, inspiring art, industry, culture, and technology.

Robert Heinlein
Premieres Wednesday, February 15, at 10:00 PM (ET/PT) (Tentative)
Science fiction legend Robert Heinlein is a walking contradiction. His stories address themes of patriotism, and duty - while stressing the importance of personal freedom and expression. Heinlein's groundbreaking sci-fi stories like Starship Troopers and Stranger in a Strange Land continue to challenge readers with the enduing question; "what is freedom?"

George Lucas
Premieres Wednesday, February 22, at 10:00 PM (ET/PT) (Tentative)
From Luke Skywalker's light sabre to Darth Vader's Death Star, the Star Wars franchise is one of the defining science fiction works of the later 20th century. George Lucas' prolific imagination has already inspired two generations of scientists and engineers to push the envelope of technology. By introducing computers into the filmmaking process, he changed the way movies are made, and the way we all see the future. Surprisingly, many fictional technologies from "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" are now becoming a reality.

[Dangelus]

Looks VERY interesting!

[Geekyfanboy]

I love this idea.. can't wait to see more.

[WillEagle]

This does sound good. I'll have to wait for it to pop up on their website or Netflix.