by Jonathan Hanie

Created on: August 03, 2009

The Sci-Fi Channel, now going under the hideous new moniker Syfy, has really gone down in the past decade. This channel which once showed clever and unique shows such as: Night Gallery, Ripley's Believe It or Not (the version with Jack Palance which is hardly ever seen now), Voyagers, Dark Shadows, Lost in Space, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Ray Bradbury Theater and many othe gems. It even had unique programs such as The Sci-Fi Trader where the title character dealt with rare and unusual sci-fi collectables. Where are these shows now? Fortunately, most have a second life on DVD. What about others like Ripley's and others that are languishing in DVD release limbo?

Sometimes the viewer is treated to the occasional classic shows such as X-Files, Tales from the Darkside and Twilight Zone marathons on certain holidays. These shows are always a welcome sight and remind one of how unique the channel was when it began back in 1992. I even moved to a certain neighborhood just to receive this channel I was so desperate to get it back then! No joke! I was enthralled to have upwards of sixty television channels and having the Sci-Fi Channel was just the icing on the cake. Sad to say, the icing has since melted!

What happened? It seems that the Sci-Fi Channel, along with many other cable channels including MTV, TBS, VH1, TV LAND and other channels seems to have lost its focus. Instead of concentrating on classic sci-fi shows which made us want to pay for the channel in the first place, they have gone on to show too many off-the-wall programs and even ones that just don't fit. Why, for example, is ECW running on the Sci-Fi Channel (and MTV)? Wrestling just does not fit on a channel that focuses on a science-fiction theme. Wrestling fits the Sci-Fi Channel (or Syfy if you prefer) like Star Trek or Lost in Space fits ESPN! We now have too many channels and nowhere near the variety or quality of the 1980's or 1990's.

I know some say, television channels have to have a variety and include newer programs or the viewers will tune out. Believe me, that is fine. I'm all for that Sci-Fi Channel, but don't forget what made your channel great, you don't need to start a new channel. The new shows should have equal time with the older ones. Also don't forget the name of your channel, the new spelling 'Syfy' just doesn't have that zing. Also bring back the Saturn logo!

Learn more about this author, Jonathan Hanie.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.