Does Remake count as Original?

[Majestic]

Just a tiny little rant here. Have you all noticed that with all the remake series trailers done by the sci-fi channel they seem to say at the end "A Sci-Fi Original Series."

They are remakes for goodness sake, they aren't original. I certainly don't think they are. I have noticed this with Battlestar Galactica and now with the new Flash Gordon series starting this month in the US.

What do you guys think? Does a remake count as original?

 

[Hellkite]

It new original content that there making on there own but true they are using a old story line

 

[Syf]

It counts as a new show. Look at BSG... They only follow the original show loosely. It's no different than one show using the same concepts as another show. So in effect, it is a new series. It is totally different than the original. The original will always be a seperate show.

 

[Paul]

I dont think so , they are just reusing an idea thus not original

Take the Tomb Raider games , the original had a unique history for lara ( rebelious teenager who was disowned ) but in the remake for it they used the updated history ( following in the footsteps of her father ) .

2 on 2 so far

 

[Rodglas]

New actors, new stories, new sets, new writers old concept, new direction.

I think the "original" refers to the fact that it is a SFC production as opposed to say Babylon 5 or seaQuest which were produced by other companies and therefore do not qualify as original as SFC defines it.

Rod

 

[Syf]

Looks like this is a matter that splits the polls down the middle.

Like BSG, the old show will always be the "Original". But if new BSG is not considered original, then you should say the same thing a Enterprise, TNG, or any other show that takes it's concept from an older show. They all use the same storyline as the original, then add new elements to it. As I see it, the newer BSG is as different to the original and any "Incarnation" of Star Trek is to the original Star Trek.

The only thing that is the same in the old BSG and the new BSG is that they are both looking for earth.

 

[Muad'Dib]

I agree with Rodglas, I understand Sci-Fi original series is an implication that the channel itself produces the series as opposed to other series whose rights they have purchased in order to show on the channel.

As to the original question, I fell a remake does not count as an original. It might have a new interpretation, a variation of or even susbstitution of what the original had, but it is nevertheless a remake. No matter how different and polished BSG might be, it's still a remake of the 70s BSG.

I have seen at least 6 different interpretations of "The Iliad" in books, film and tv; but as different as they may be from one another, they are simply a remake of Homer's original poem.

As I see it remakes are not original which is why they are called precisely that: remakes, it takes the original concept in possibly a different direction (Unless it's the very rare case where they recreate the original word for word like the Psycho movie).

Syf, I understand your pov but the difference is that Enterprise, TNG, etc aren't remakes of TOS; they are spin-offs. Where they take the original universe or characters and expand it with separate storylines. BSG meanwhile was effectively a remake of BSG TOS, that it has become unrecognizable as the seasons past is another matter altogether, the principle and general theme remain the same. At least in my pov

 

[Majestic]

I agree with Rod and Muad'Dib, its not an original it's a remake. In regards to shows like Stargate Atlantis and Enterprise, they are spin offs, they aren't using the same Characters and redoing or coping exactly the storyline of the shows like the New Flash Gordon and BSG are.

So in the scheme of things Sci-Fi is false advertising, they should be saying a Sci-fi New Produced Series instead of a Sci-fi Original Series.

 

[Syf]

I understand your views.

As for Sci-Fi's method of advertising, I think it's more of a way to say "look what we made, isn't it cool!".

 

[Aerilon]

I voted No. If something is remade, then it isn't Original in my opinion. Imagine if they redid ALL of the TOS episodes. Whilst it may look good, it wouldn't be the Original Show that we all know and some of us love.

 

[Syf]

Whilst it may look good, it wouldn't be the Original Show that we all know and some of us love.

This is exactly my point. If it's not something you've seen before, then it's new. So in it's own sense, it is really both. Look at the current BSG show. They changed almost everything. It is not the same thing as the old show. Which is better... is each the opinion of who says so. I myself like them both. But I am pleased that they didn't stay the same as the old show. It would be bad to only "exactly" redo the original story.

 

[Tholian_Storm]

I think it's original to a degree. Now , if they went and purchased the rights to TOS and followed the exact same stories then No. If they did like BSG , then Yes. It could be worse , y'know. At least SciFi Channel hasn't gone the way of the FOX Network , yet. I hate reality shows , so I don't watch FOX anymore. I do , however , love ''Who Wants To Be A Superhero?"

This guy right here. Make way for RECEDING HAIRLINE MAN!!