The Sci-Fi Channel Encyclopedia of TV Science Fiction

by Roger Fulton, John Gregory Betancourt, John Fulton, Roger & Betancourt

Book Overview

From "My Favorite Martian" to "3rd Rock from the Sun", this guide features virtually every sci-fi series in the past five decades, making this the definitive volume on televised science fiction... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0739400452
• ISBN13: 9780739400456
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Warner Books
• Length: 668 Pages
• Weight: 2.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A must for your collection

Whether you're a trivia buff, a true SF fan, or simply nostalgic to revisit the other worlds of yesteryear, the Sci-Fi Channel Encyclopedia of TV Science Fiction is a must for your collection. hundreds of episode listings with casts and credits; every show if reviewed and 16 pages of photographs.

One of my favorite reference works

"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shows that were nonetheless loved by devoted circles of viewers.Of course, a book of this nature is generally out of date by the time it hits the bookshelves, so I am already anticipating a new edition.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.

If you love SF, especially TV SF, you will enjoy this book.

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.

Great book - really nice episode guides. Useful.

I really like this book - I keep it next to my TV and use it to note down which shows I have in my collection, just a checkmark and a tape number next to the episode guides. I understand it's an update of a British book -- seems very current, it even has shows like The Burning Zone and Homeboys in Outer Space.-- Dave Kraye