April 25th, 2008
From The Times: Science fiction fans can celebrate the return of a famous cult hit, after plans to remake the BBC series Blake’s 7 were announced. The space saga, which ran from 1978 to 1981, was praised for its dark storylines and gained an international following. After years of lobbying, a revival has been prompted by the success of Doctor Who and complex sci-fi series such as Battlestar Galactica.
The new Blake’s 7 will fly on UK’s Sky One, after the satellite broadcaster asked the holders of the rights to Terry Nation’s creation to develop a fresh series. The BBC show followed the exploits of Roj Blake as he led a band of reluctant rebels against the totalitarian Federation, which ruled the galaxy.
The producers have mapped out a six-part series that revives Blake, his self-serving lieutenant Avon, and Servalan, the ruthless Supreme Commander, as well as the show’s other fondly remembered characters. The new series is expected to tell the story of how the rebel group was formed.
Although the British audience will be limited to Sky subscribers, the series will be sold to international broadcasters — the original was shown in 40 territories. The Blake’s 7 brand also has significant potential for programme downloads and DVD sales. Elaine Pyke, Sky One commissioning editor, told Broadcast: “At a time when science fiction shows often discard good storytelling for overblown visual effects and following the lead of Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica, the time is ripe for a revival of a show that represents the best traditions of the genre.”
Russell T. Davies’s reinvention of Doctor Who convinced broadcasters that sci-fi was no longer the province of geeks. Life on Mars, with its time-travel scenario, continued the trend. Sky, which is partly owned by News Corporation, parent company of The Times, is seeking a show to replace Galactica. The US import, praised as metaphorical critique of American foreign policy, has begun its final run.
The BBC will challenge the latest revival with a new sci-fi show that echoes Blake’s 7. Outcasts follows the race to find an alternative home to Earth in the Universe. In return for their liberty, a group of social misfits and criminals become the pioneers of a large new settlement on a near planet.
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Posted by Silmarillion in Television • 
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I prefer Obama to McCain. Now, McCain’s better than average for a Republican. And though his ads are intellectually offensive, he’s just bowing to his campaign masters and would calm down and be more sane once in office and not campaigning. But I have a few concerns with McCain on foreign policy. He’s not a full-fledged Neocon. That’s good. He opposed Reagan on Lebanon. Good. He was critical of Bush’s initial strategy in Iraq. That’s good. But there’s a problem. He thinks the Vietnam war was winnable and that the US shouldn’t have withdrawn. He’s also eager to spread democracy with force. This just isn’t a good set of beliefs for inheriting Iraq.