The Sci-Fi Channel Encyclopedia of TV Science Fiction

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite reference works
Review: "The Sci-Fi Channel Encyclopedia of TV Science Fiction" is an impressive achievement by co-authors Roger Fulton and John Betancourt. The book is a guide to dozens of science fiction TV series dating from the 1950s to the late 1990s. The authors include British and U.S. series (as well as a few productions from elsewhere). A nice touch is the inclusion of children's series and short-lived series (such as TV's "Planet of the Apes" and "The Fantastic Journey"). Fantasy, as well as sci-fi, series are included.

For the main series profiled, the authors provide an introductory article as well as a complete episode guide. For each episode, they give a plot summary, as well as writing, directing, and guest-starring credits.

Not all the series are given such detailed attention; some only have the episode titles listed, and some don't even get that. In general, shows that get less comprehensive attention are shows that are primarily thought of as representatives of another genre: "Bewitched" (sitcom), "The Six Million Dollar Man" (action/adventure), etc.

Despite its sometimes incomplete nature, this is a wonderfully informative and entertaining book. Sci-fi staples and cult favorites are well represented: "Babylon 5," "Blake's 7," "Quantum Leap," "Star Trek" and its various sequels, "The X-Files," etc. I particularly liked the ample attention given to short-lived shows that were nonetheless loved by devoted circles of viewers.

Of course, a book of this nature is generally out of date by the time it hits the bookshelves, so I am already anticipating a new edition. But until then, this book remains in an honored position in my library.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite reference works
Review: "The Sci-Fi Channel Encyclopedia of TV Science Fiction" is an impressive achievement by co-authors Roger Fulton and John Betancourt. The book is a guide to dozens of science fiction TV series dating from the 1950s to the late 1990s. The authors include British and U.S. series (as well as a few productions from elsewhere). A nice touch is the inclusion of children's series and short-lived series (such as TV's "Planet of the Apes" and "The Fantastic Journey"). Fantasy, as well as sci-fi, series are included.

For the main series profiled, the authors provide an introductory article as well as a complete episode guide. For each episode, they give a plot summary, as well as writing, directing, and guest-starring credits.

Not all the series are given such detailed attention; some only have the episode titles listed, and some don't even get that. In general, shows that get less comprehensive attention are shows that are primarily thought of as representatives of another genre: "Bewitched" (sitcom), "The Six Million Dollar Man" (action/adventure), etc.

Despite its sometimes incomplete nature, this is a wonderfully informative and entertaining book. Sci-fi staples and cult favorites are well represented: "Babylon 5," "Blake's 7," "Quantum Leap," "Star Trek" and its various sequels, "The X-Files," etc. I particularly liked the ample attention given to short-lived shows that were nonetheless loved by devoted circles of viewers.

Of course, a book of this nature is generally out of date by the time it hits the bookshelves, so I am already anticipating a new edition. But until then, this book remains in an honored position in my library.

Rating:
Summary: If you love SF, especially TV SF, you will enjoy this book.
Review: I'm a life-long fan of Science Fiction who was raised with TV as my primary grow light, and as such, I gotta tell you that THE SCI-FI CHANNEL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TV SCIENCE FICTION, by Roger Fulton & John Betancourt, it is pretty cool. It contains lots of information about all those great--and even not-so-great--Science Fiction, horror, and fantasy TV shows that we SF fans all love and cherish, including some stuff on obscure, nearly forgotten shows like NBC's short-lived SF comedy QUARK. There are also program guides for a lot of the shows listed, with air dates and short episode synopses.

While I really like the book and think it is a must for any serious fan of SF, there are, alas, a few shortcomings--but only a few. For one, it does not contain an entry for BORIS KARLOFF'S THRILLER, which is surprising not only because the show is an American classic, but also because the show itself is currently broadcast on the very network that is sanctioning this book. Also, fans of certain less-popular but relatively recent shows may be disappointed to find that the entry for those shows do not include an episode guide (e.g., THE FLASH or THE ADVENTURES OF BRISCO COUNTY, JR.). I must also mention that there are a few mistakes in the book's Table of Contents, but this is only a minor annoyance and is easy to surmount.

In short, if you love SF, especially Television SF, you will enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: This book has too many omissions.
Review: Okay. First of all this is a reprint of a guide that was first published in Britain that does not seem to have been edited for American publication. Secondly, there are mistakes--pick your favorite series and browse and you'll find some--I did (in the SPACE:1999 section if you must know.) Also, each show is kind of reviewed but individual episodes are NOT reviewed, which was not the impression I got from the TV commercial. And there is even a British series that the channel shows (MONSTERS) that is not listed. Now, if you were the sci fi channel, wouldn't you at least make sure every show that you broadcast was in the book?? Now, I gave the book 2 stars because it does have an awful lot of info in one convenient place. Still, I would recommend that anyone interested in this LOOKS at it first. Don't buy it sight unseen. And remember that british opinions on series do not always match american opinions.

Rating:
Summary: An incomplete "complete guide"
Review: While the book jacket calls this "The SCI-FI Channel Encyclopedia of TV Science Fiction," it is more a product of England's TVTimes. It is a very good resource for British SciFi and, for the price, is worth owning for that reason alone. However it is more notable for what it omits than what it includes. Space limits a point by point critique, but two things became apparent almost immediately. First, it does not have an index. While, like most encyclopedias, it is in alphabetical order, with out a comprehensive index it is impossible to cross reference information. Second, It has many glaring omissions. No work can be total, but the history of TV Sci-Fi is not that long. In the whole realm of TV shows, few are Sci-Fi, so a complete list should not be that hard to assemble. The authors have made a good try, but where they fall short is questionable. If "Journey to the Unknown" is classified as Sci-Fi, why is "Thriller" omited? If Sci-Fi comedy such as "Captian Nice" and "Holmes and Yoyo" listed, where is "My Living Doll," "Mr. Terrific," or "It's About Time"? Why didn't the "Star Lost" make it to the "41 obscure Shows. . ." list at the end of the book? The inside jacket says that, "no true SF fan should be without this up-to-date reference guide." In reality, any true SF fan will find this book cute but annoying. And any casual TV fan looking to add to their reference library would do better buying "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows." It tends more to deliver what is promised

Rating:
Summary: If you love SF, especially TV SF, you will enjoy this book.
Review: While the book jacket calls this "The SCI-FI Channel Encyclopedia of TV Science Fiction," it is more a product of England's TVTimes. It is a very good resource for British SciFi and, for the price, is worth owning for that reason alone. However it is more notable for what it omits than what it includes. Space limits a point by point critique, but two things became apparent almost immediately. First, it does not have an index. While, like most encyclopedias, it is in alphabetical order, with out a comprehensive index it is impossible to cross reference information. Second, It has many glaring omissions. No work can be total, but the history of TV Sci-Fi is not that long. In the whole realm of TV shows, few are Sci-Fi, so a complete list should not be that hard to assemble. The authors have made a good try, but where they fall short is questionable. If "Journey to the Unknown" is classified as Sci-Fi, why is "Thriller" omited? If Sci-Fi comedy such as "Captian Nice" and "Holmes and Yoyo" listed, where is "My Living Doll," "Mr. Terrific," or "It's About Time"? Why didn't the "Star Lost" make it to the "41 obscure Shows. . ." list at the end of the book? The inside jacket says that, "no true SF fan should be without this up-to-date reference guide." In reality, any true SF fan will find this book cute but annoying. And any casual TV fan looking to add to their reference library would do better buying "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows." It tends more to deliver what is promised