New Fox Series VR5
Grt Grfx
replacement show for M.A.N.T.I.S. (FINALLY!) look interesting?
I hope I hope I hope...
ErosWelkr
replacement show for M.A.N.T.I.S. (FINALLY!) look interesting?
VR. 5 looks really cool, I'll definitely watch it.
MANTIS sucks though, I tried liking it but it makes no sense! And it
keeps making me ask: "Why do people with guns feel it's necessary to get
CLOSER to the one they are shooting at?" What a dumb show!
I wish they'd bring back Brisco County Jr. and Fortune Hunter! :)
meryl.b.smith
IEEE Regional Office <ie...@pender.ee.upenn.edu> wrote:
>Corey McFadden (co...@ot.com) wrote:
>: In article <3jbrmu$e...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, grt...@aol.com (Grt Grfx) says:
>
>Does anyone else besides me think that the star of that show is
>a clone of Darrel Hannah? I would have sworn it was her when I saw
>the ads!
>
Yup. She just look a heck of a lot more exhausted. :)
>Glad the Mantis is finally dead, VR5 looks very promising, I'm looking
>forward to tonight's viewings on Fox!
>
I watched it, and was a little disspointed. It *was* better than I had
dreaded, but gad too many X-Files rip offs for me. The Comittee?
A "mysterious benefactor" ala Deep Throat? A dead sis named Samantha?
Nurse Owens was her *mom* for pity's sake! If they cut the sex scenes
and got a little more origional, I would be happy. I did like the
way they only had the 365 or so colors for the VR scenes. Nice
touch. Whatsername needs to get some sleep, though. :)
Guess TelCom or whatever is out 2 workers, eh?
Pam Smith
COnsidering stickoing around for the next ep...maybe.
Richard Boyd
>Did anyone see it tonight? I'd have to give it a big C+. Teetering on the
>lame side. Lori Singer has never impressed me greatly and she looks like
>an other "washed up" film talent trying to make a few bucks off TV.
>The VR aspects of the show were downright laughable. I mean, she connetcs
>her phone (connected to a real person) to an old style coupling modem and
>it makes a VR connection to their subconsciouc. What sonics....? Sheesh..
>even my wife (schoolteacher) found the techobabble indigestible.
I tend to agree. It looks like FOX has gone from bad to worse for the
Friday, 8 pm time slot. VR5 is downright insulting.
--
****************************
*** Richard Boyd ***
*** (ra...@netcom.com) ***
****************************
Richard Boyd
VR5 sorta reminds me of the type of show that would appear on MST3k.
Paula J. Vitaris
: pvi...@curly.cc.emory.edu (Paula J. Vitaris) writes:
: [snip]
: >Though I agree with the assessment of VR5. The premise is stupid, Sydney
: >Bloom at least in this pilot episode is not particularly intriguing, and
: >the rip-offs from Fox's own X-Files are obvious. According to that USA
: >TODAY article, all the networks are screaming "Get us the next X-Files!"
: >When will they ever get it? X-Files works because it's not a "next"
: >anything. If they went looking for something original, they might
: >actually have a good show on their hands to attract audiences.
: Nah, Paula, that makes too much sense... and would probably annoy the
: advertisers.
ROFL! Except... I think the advertisers must LOVE The X-Files. What a
great demographic it delivers! :)
-- Paula
Chris Doane
>I know this is on before the X-files, but can we not discuss it here.
There are
>12 responses to this thread already. I'm sure there is more post down
below.
>This is not a Sci-Fi group or even a Fox Sci-Fi group it is an X Files
group
>and by extension lusting after FM, DS, DD, and GA. We went through this
with
>Earth 2 also. Go to the science fiction tv group or create a new group
just for
>VR.5. Thanks
> Kristen
> Always with Honor
>
Waaaaa !!! The VR5 threads in this newsgroup will probably encourage
someone to create an alt.tv.vr5 EVENTUALLY, but for now I guess you'll have
to do the unthinkable and skip over any further VR5 threads. What a
drag.....I guess I'm lucky because I'm an X-files fan AND a VR5 fan. Way
to go FOX !
BTW Lori Singer in the red dress last week when she went (virtually) to
Lookout Point ? Wowwwww......
--
Chris Doane cdo...@passport.ca | "I wish that it might
The Computer Guys Ltd.| come to pass, not fade like
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA | all my dreams" N.Peart
Jeb Card
>To all flamers of VR5...
>
>I'm curious... The majority of people here seem to think VR5 is either bad,
>awful or pathetic, and I'm wondering -- compared to what? Yes, the show
>is... simple. It's not technicaly acurate (being kind), but as far as I
>could see it made no pretense to technical accuracy. Yes, the beautiful
>blonde with no social life is kind of lame, but TV almost never (being kind
>again) portrays real life anyway so why pick on this show?
>
>I thought it was O.K. considering the state of televison in general --
>actually kind of cute.
Here is why:
With a lot of the other, lame, tv, the game is already set. I know that the
latest show about the single dad with the kooky kids and wacky neighbor trying
to muddle through the most outrageous situations is going to be utter crap.
I can pretty much simply just ignore it, and if I am wrong and the show looks
to be really good and well written, then I am wrong and I can find that out.
I can make amends and check it out.
However...
VR-5 is being sold as part of a genre which I (and I am using here in a generic
way, but of course I can still only speak for myself, which makes no sense what
so ever!) will pay attention to. It is being sold to my likes and interests.
First I would put money on a bet (well actually I wouldn't since I don't bet)
that the heaviest advertising for the show was during X-Files. It is about
emerging computer technology (snort!). It is supposed to be generally weird.
You get the picture.
Well the reason it gets a beating is that we haven't assumed that it will
be bad. We had expectations for it. But when those expectations are completely
trashed, the lameness hurts ever so much more.
AARON WILLIAM MILLER
repeat the elements that mad XF a success may have been nailing their own
coffin. (Then again, repitition IS the sincerist form of flattery).
Even the fact that the title is already an acronym seems to gear it
toward an internet, cult type crowd.
BTW, I didn't even see the episode,
EricA
Bryce Koike
>To all flamers of VR5...
Strangely enough, I read a very strong review in the San Diego
Union Tribute (yeah, as if I should believe any reviewer...) and so I
tuned in, expecting something interesting, even if I thought the
previews were terrible.
>I'm curious... The majority of people here seem to think VR5 is either bad,
>awful or pathetic, and I'm wondering -- compared to what? Yes, the show
Compared to the show it's trying to copy, for starts -- The X-Files.
Compared to most of my other favorite television shows.
Even as a science fiction show, a region where I'm willing to give
a show an enormous amount of freedom, VR5 actually managed to really
disappoint me.
>is... simple. It's not technicaly acurate (being kind), but as far as I
>could see it made no pretense to technical accuracy. Yes, the beautiful
Accuracy is one thing...few shows manage to be 100% accurate all the
time, even those in the 20th Century. But blantantly ignoring all
physical laws to generate silly plot elements for the sake of
creating a horror-movie-like atmosphere is ridiculous. The ability
for the woman to get into the head of that guy by simply dialing him
up and connecting him to her computer is beyond ludicrous. It's
stupid. Okay, obviously some people don't care or don't recognize
that (like the SDUT reviewer), but that was just the beginning.
The dialog gave me nothing to get into, the character interaction
was almost nonexistant, and the whole virtual reality gimmick just
didn't make sense. SHE remembers what happens, but the people she
calls don't? Not to mention that she really isn't a character any
more than her friends.
The whole conspiracy thing...uh, aren't enough shows doing this
already? Do we really need one more?
In some ways, this show is better than Mantis, but most dramatic
television I see these days is better than Mantis, so that's not
saying much.
>blonde with no social life is kind of lame, but TV almost never (being kind
>again) portrays real life anyway so why pick on this show?
Because there's nothing of value in it? Someone sat around and
looked for things that people thought were "cool" and came up with
the following:
Blonde babes are cool -- Baywatch
Conspiracies and Weird Stuff is cool -- X-Files and Twin Peaks
Virtual Reality is cool -- because everyone and their dog talks
about it now.
Quite frankly, I'm surprised they didn't call this something like
"CyberReality 5" although maybe that's just because the word "cyber"
would turn people off.
VR5 employs the above as plot gimmicks, so instead of creating a
television series, the people involved are just trying to manipulate
what they see as public demand into their show. There's no
personality to the show (yet...it's just the pilot and there's still
hope for it), but the producers need to stop worrying about copying
the success of the X-Files and to start worrying about giving VR5 a
personality.
>I thought it was O.K. considering the state of televison in general --
>actually kind of cute.
There was promise in the first episode and there were things that
might have worked if they'd been done differently, but as a whole, I
just didn't feel like I cared about anything in the show. None of
the characters interested me and there was too much time wasted
showing off how weird virtual reality was when this woman dialed her
phone.
(And this is one of my big complaints -- surreality can be amazing,
mind-blowing, and very impressive. Some directors have done
absolutely stunning things with surreal imagery as have painters and
others. But VR5 shows what happens when you try to commercialize it
and turn it into a gimmick. I just felt like an enormous amount of
time was wasted showing off when it would have been better spent
developing characters and the plot.)
gretchen jacobsen
Now this how isn't high art or anything..but it's lots of fun. I mean,
look at those funky colors in VR land. And the sort surreal omnipresent
man and the strangly sexy university VR research stud. I liked the tease
where you thought he was some old guy and then he pops out with his
shirt off like god's gift to the intelligencia female. tee-hee
sure it's not high art nor half as well researched as x-files but it's a
hell of a lot better than wild palms (by ack oliver stone).
I say look at is in the same respect you watch the old Batman. It's
cybercamp. And it kicks the ass of star trek voyager any old day.
(Mantis also)
>
>
Jerry Hewett
>Though I agree with the assessment of VR5. The premise is stupid, Sydney
>Bloom at least in this pilot episode is not particularly intriguing, and
>the rip-offs from Fox's own X-Files are obvious. According to that USA
>TODAY article, all the networks are screaming "Get us the next X-Files!"
>When will they ever get it? X-Files works because it's not a "next"
>anything. If they went looking for something original, they might
>actually have a good show on their hands to attract audiences.
>
> -- the ever anal Paula
I have to agree with you. This is the thing that really frightens me about The
X Files becoming popular. Now everyone is looking for their own version.
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" just doesn't cut it with me.
Because that is all it would be; a cheap imitation. I'm even bothered by the
idea of a spin-off series. It doesn't matter that Chris Carter would be in
charge because I believe that The X Files is *unique*. And I would like for it
to stay that way.
Debbie H. (jhe...@ix.netcom.com)
Shawna McGourty
Hewett) writes:
Well, I wouldn't hold your breath about these "imitations" disappearing
any time soon, as much as we might want that! Just today I saw yet
another "series premiere", a new show called "sliders" which seems to be
an imitation of the VR5 show. Great, a rip-off of a rip-off! people
like the x-files so much that the networks are chomping at the bit to
get more of these types of shows out. I really think that they'll be a
lot more common in the future, just like other types of shows are. And
really, I don't think VR5 is that bad, but I'm a fan of cheezy horror
movies anyway, so strange tv shows like this appeal to me!
Shawna McGourty (Sha...@ix.netcom.com)
Alan D. Earhart
(Shawna McGourty) wrote:
> Well, I wouldn't hold your breath about these "imitations" disappearing
> any time soon, as much as we might want that! Just today I saw yet
> another "series premiere", a new show called "sliders" which seems to be
> an imitation of the VR5 show. Great, a rip-off of a rip-off! people
> like the x-files so much that the networks are chomping at the bit to
> get more of these types of shows out. I really think that they'll be a
> lot more common in the future, just like other types of shows are. And
> really, I don't think VR5 is that bad, but I'm a fan of cheezy horror
> movies anyway, so strange tv shows like this appeal to me!
I believe that "Sliders" more closely resembles a project by GRR Martin
called "Doorways".
Ask about it in rec.arts.sf.tv since I only know a little about it and I
don't want to pass alng bad info.
--
alan "not-Bob"
aear...@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
Cybil L Solyn
: In article <D5F1D...@tyrell.net> ast...@tyrell.net.tyrell.net (Robin Reynolds) writes:
: >To all flamers of VR5...
: Strangely enough, I read a very strong review in the San Diego
: Union Tribute (yeah, as if I should believe any reviewer...) and so I
: tuned in, expecting something interesting, even if I thought the
: previews were terrible.
Yeah I read the same one! I swear he was doing PCP at the time. The first
episode was dissapointing, and the second one, though better, still left
me a quivering mass of boredom. I don't think I can stomach another one!
AHHHH
: >I'm curious... The majority of people here seem to think VR5 is either bad,
Marty Busse
riping off in the slightest: the Prisoner. When SIdney uttered the infamous
phrase "My life is my own", and got the same response No. 6 got, I knew it
for sure. :, >"% OD
--
"You must be either the master or the servant, the hammer or the anvil."-Goethe
"Words are for lies, or else they're misunderstood."-The November Man
"The rules are the things made up to justify everything that has been done."-
Denisov
Diana McKinney
than has been shown. since her vr is like a dream in which she creates
the area on her computer i'd think that she would practice in the vr
to be able to manipulate her surroundings. lord knows that i'd find a
friend that i was comfortable with (she did ask duncan) and see what
all i could do. in her second "jump" duncan transformed into that guy
sydney worked with. i got the feeling that that was her doing, therefore
if she can interact with her invironment then she should have more
control. i don't like her being manipulated by the vr when she should
ultimately have control over it. granted this sounds alot like the
movie dreamscape but i think they could do more with it.
sorry about the babbling...
di
Alice Hadden
The reason I didn't like VR5 is the implausibility of the story. A modem
from the 70's that teleports you into someone's subconscious?? Ok,
X-files has dealt with stranger stuff, but at least they present it in a
way that I'm willing to suspend my cynicism. Mulder and Scully
investigate these dilemmas intelligently. Whats-her-face of VR5, well,
just accepts and plays with this new, dangerous toy without any qualms.
But that's just beside the point. Anybody who remotely knows anything
about computers has a hard time with the show (as I've talked with a few
compu-geeks like myself. :}). If they could make the characters a little
more intelligent (the professor of Virual Philosophy. HA!)--then maybe,
just maybe, I'd give it a chance. But then, I gave ST-Voy a chance too.
But perhaps there's hope. A lot of series start out kind of sucky
(remember the 1st season of ST-NG?) and get better as time goes on.
Maybe if the producers get enough feedback over the Net, it might get
better. Until then, I'll keep drooling over Mulder (as if that would ever
stop.)
The truth is stuck between the seat cushions.
ali
David L. Wasley
VR5 is pretty weird and not at all what I expected. That's good because
I was expecting it to be boring.
Terry Gray
things, including VR.5.
I like it.
Now, if this has been mentioned before, I apologize, but was it noticed
that Sydney's first glimpse of Prof Morgan was thru a curtain and that the
older man we were seeing was not Morgan though we were being led to
believe he was? A quote came to me while watching that scene: Pay no
attention to the man behind the curtain. Yes, it comes from the movie
Wizard of Oz. And Frank Morgan was the name of the actor who played the
wizard. Coincidence?...I don't think so.
--
Mysquito(Terry Gray)/tg...@infi.net
An obstacle isn't an obstacle until you try to overcome it.
Jeff Mine
She has psychic abilities which are accessed using VR equipment.
Jim Petrosino
>
>
>The reason I didn't like VR5 is the implausibility of the story. A modem
>from the 70's that teleports you into someone's subconscious??
I believe this teleport thing has to do with the state of mind someone is
in when they answer the phone. I AM NOT IN ANY WAY weel-versed in psychology,
but I'd have to guess that if you are ever prone to "psyche-probing" or
"connecting" while awake - answering the phone would be this time, as you
are unaware (barring caller ID) o fwho is there, and yet in the first word
or so your subconscious can recollect all necessary data and interpret to
the conscious mind who is on the other end.
Also, if you keep watching: (Ive seen all the episodes) it gets pretty deep
into her background (well - they are eluding to it anyway).
It seems as though her father had something to do with early VR research and
she was part of some genetic experiment (similar to the "camouflage guys"
I cant recall their name right now - on Seaquest perhaps?) that allows her
to exploit subconcious openings or something?
Besides - the show is about virtual reality - not ACTUAL REALITY. In VR,
anything is possible...as far as we know, the whole season could turn out
to be a game she is developing for SEGA...and it'd be a pretty cool game
if it was.
Why must people always bash the new (and old) sci-fi shows? If you must
find absolute accuracy in what you watch - stay with PBS and Discovery.
One of the key words in science fiction IS fiction. If you don't like the
show - quit watching it, and wasting our time with posts about how much it
sucks. Go study nuclear propulsion or something...just let us watch some
sci-fi and have some fun.
I am a major in Virtual Reality Programming (really) and am sick of people
who know nothing of it's history, present or future telling the world
what is and isnt possible...if you are that narrow minded go work for
Microsoft.
ADBB
Jim
msjhs
Jeff Mine <brookl...@delphi.com> writes:
> I think everyone is missing the point, which is surprisingly simple
> She has psychic abilities which are accessed using VR equipment.
: ) I absolutely agree with you. but did you see the episode aired on
Friday, March 24, 1995? at the end when sarah(?) bloom is looking at
the file that Dr. Morgan sent her, the file , before is was earased,
mentioned "The Helix Project." I think that sarah is an experiment, tho
to achieve what I have no idea. Her sister would have been the control
and the accident was completely unse by the commitee. -I--chris sykes
Cathlene Brady
: It was pretty obvious from the beginning that she was in some kind of
: genetic experiment: I emailed my guess on the subject to their address after
: the show premiered.
Obvious to you maybe, but I didn't see it till you folks pointed it out.
Now all sorts of things make sense. I'm impressed!
--
Cathy Brady Math Specialist/Education
cbr...@umd5.umd.edu Maryland Science Center
Opinions are my own "Beyond Numbers" exhibit
or something I overheard
Marty Busse
genetic experiment: I emailed my guess on the subject to their address after
the show premiered.
Btw, I think Sidney Bloom is the perfect match for Mulder. They should
have a date or something.