Sci-Fi War Room: Babylon 5 Harlan Ellison, J Michael Straczynski, Herb & Yvonne Solow

This is an interesting discussion, and great to see JMS and Harlan together.

I watched this when it first aired, and what Harlan said about Science Fiction VS Sci Fi stuck with me (I've never forgotten it). I try to make it a point to use the term Science Fiction instead of Sci-Fi as often as possible as a result.

The science-fiction McLaughlin Group?

So good!

what year is this made?

This is so interesting because it echoes what was being said by Siskel and Ebert over on their show. It very much predicts what happened during this time period and why 1999 was such an interesting year for drama, rather than science fiction.

Ellison was the voice we needed but didn't deserve.

Harlan was so right. And that is all we have now, stupid flashy special effects movies that have nothing of substance.

There is a reason why they put Middle Men Buffers between the Creators and the Studio Heads. When they would butcher Ellison's work he would go after those responsible. He would show up at their door and start throwing desks, writing the newspapers, and taking his name off the movie. Cordwaider Bird! Plus today's writers don't care about anything but the paycheck. They don't care as long as the check doesn't bounce.

Just the picture in my mind of Harlan Ellison standing under Herb Solow's office window and shouting "Herbie sweetie! Can you come out and play!" makes this whole thing worth it. Also ,any mention of Huck Barkin, a name heard all too rarely these days.

Roger used to host Blind Date

God I miss Harlan. Alas, things have only gotten worse. . .

(I'm afraid I've given up the "Sci-Fi" terminology fight, but what a fight it was. . .)

I hasn’t seen that particular interview, but it hits many nails right on the head. Science fiction and fantasy at their best should be character driven and make you think, not just gawk at a big spaceship model blowing up.

Back when the SyFy channel was known as the science fiction channel and it still had respect for true science fiction