Which sci-fi is better?

[Deja Q]

Poll question: Which sci-fi is better?

American sci-fi. Has bigger budgets but generally uses fewer high concept, "out there" plots. Characters are usually bland. Such examples include Star Trek and its 50 spinoffs, Babylon 5, X Files, Republican political TV ads.

British sci-fi. Generally low budget, but uses high concept ideas and plots and also feature more interesting/more characteristically diverse group of people, which often leads into interpersonal conflict. Such shows include Doctor Who, Blake's 7, Red Dwarf, Neverwhere.

[cprise]

1. British

Hitch Hiker's Guide, Red Dwarf, and some British directors and writers that did great things in Hollywood.

They are able to avoid ruining a good story with an obligatory happy ending (I'm thinking Minority Report).

As for Sci-Fi writers, Americans are better.

[PVnRT]

18. What is wrong with happy endings?

Just curious - it seems that there is a strain of people out there who are convinced that any ending that isn't thoroughly depressing is somehow awful.

[Disandra]

2. American...

...only because of the Republican political TV ads. Those are highly entertaining.

:-)

[madrchsod]

3. British sci-fi movies are horrid

the worst are the Italian`s. television sci fi- the Brits.you could throw in the avengers,they had some sci-fi plots in some of their shows.

[populistmom]

4. I've learned to appreciate British sci-fi

It seems to be a common theme of males in my life from my dad to a couple of boyfriends to my husband. I rather enjoyed a Red Dwarf marathon last year in fact.

[DrWeird]

5. I'll have to say British.

They're certainly wittier. It's not like I'm looking for realism when I want sci-fi.

[Terwilliger]

6. Bab 5 characters weren't that bland

I like Outer Limits, original Twilight Zone, others...I like British fare also, though I haven't seen much besides Doctor Who

Who produces Farscape?

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

7. How dare you make me choose?

Seriously, they both have their strengths and weaknessess.
There's plenty of room for good sci-fi all around.

[Eccho]

8. No contest

British Sci Fi -- (Ridley Scott) Alien, Bladerunner

American -- Aliens, Star Wars, Star Trek, (and don't forget Kubrick is an American) 2001, ET, Close Encounters, and I'm just listing the obvious.

I think Americans have it hands down.

But the Brits have Fantasy sewn up (LOTR, Harry Potter, King Arthur)

[Endangered Specie]

9. Star Trek, Red Dwarf... thats about it for me

[solinvictus]

10. "Exterrrrrrminate! Exterrrrrrrrminate!"

British sci-fi is not that good, "The Prisoner" being the exception. Wasn't "Space:1999" produced by the British?

[BigMcLargehuge]

19. yep by Gerry Anderson

who also produced UFO and a whole mess of "Supermarionation" programs incuding the Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet.

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. I like them equally

Both have strengths, both have weaknesses

[LastKnight]

12. ive always been a red dwarf fan...

a lifelong trekker also, but i like the comedy in red dwarf...

-LK

[corporatewhore]

13. brittish red dwarf lexx but then again us has star trek

[corporatewhore]

14. wheere was farscape from?

[CrownPrinceBandar]

15. austrailia? n/t

[Kamika]

16. I dont even know of any british sci fi

Only know dr who which is just weird, and red dwarf.. while fun is just a parody and doesn't count

[Enraged_Ape]

17. Buy (or rent) the Firefly box set, then decide

One of the best (if not THE best) science-fiction television shows of the last two decades. Great characters, witty writing, and a product of the US of A (specifically, Joss Whedon).