NationStates Jolt Archive

Sci Fi Channel Changes name to something less geeky (http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/03/sci_fi_channel_aims_to_shed_ge.php).

Sci Fi Channel Aims to Shed Geeky Image With New Name
‘Syfy’ Will Announce Name Change, Other Plans at Upfront
By Jon Lafayette

In some universe, the name “Syfy” is less geeky than the name “Sci Fi.” Dave Howe, president of the Sci Fi Channel, is betting it’s this one.

To that end, the 16-year-old network—owned by NBC Universal—plans to announce that Syfy is its new name March 16 at its upfront presentation to advertisers in New York.

“What we love about this is we hopefully get the best of both worlds,” Mr. Howe said. “We’ll get the heritage and the track record of success, and we’ll build off of that to build a broader, more open and accessible and relatable and human-friendly brand.”

Sci Fi is coming off the best year in its history. In primetime it ranked 13th in total viewers among ad-supported cable networks in 2008. It’s a top-10 network in both adults 18 to 49 (up 4%) and adults 25 to 54 (up 6%).

During its fourth-quarter earnings call, parent General Electric said Sci Fi racked up a double-digit increase in operating earnings despite the beginnings of the recession.

Nevertheless, there was always a sneaking suspicion that the name was holding the network back.

“The name Sci Fi has been associated with geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements with video games and stuff like that, as opposed to the general public and the female audience in particular,” said TV historian Tim Brooks, who helped launch Sci Fi Channel when he worked at USA Network.

Mr. Brooks said that when people who say they don’t like science fiction enjoy a film like “Star Wars,” they don’t think it’s science fiction; they think it’s a good movie.

“We spent a lot of time in the ’90s trying to distance the network from science fiction, which is largely why it’s called Sci Fi,” Mr. Brooks said. “It’s somewhat cooler and better than the name ‘Science Fiction.’ But even the name Sci Fi is limiting.”

Mr. Howe said going to Syfy will make a difference.

“It gives us a unique word and it gives us the opportunities to imbue it with the values and the perception that we want it to have,” he said.

Dave Howe
In terms of television, the new brand better reflects that the channel has programs that are not about the typical sci-fi themes of space, aliens and the future.

“We really do want to own the imagination space,” Mr. Howe said. “We want to get the credit for the range of content that we already have on our air and that we’ll be doing more of in the future.”

Mr. Howe said Sci Fi looks at its branding every couple of years. He added that when new executives join the network, they usually ask if it has ever thought about changing the name.

The network worked with the branding consultancy Landor Associates and went through about 300 possibilities before selecting Syfy.

“When we tested this new name, the thing that we got back from our 18-to-34 techno-savvy crowd, which is quite a lot of our audience, is actually this is how you’d text it,” Mr. Howe said. “It made us feel much cooler, much more cutting-edge, much more hip, which was kind of bang-on what we wanted to achieve communication-wise.”

The network plans to make the changeover July 7, when it will launch the new series “Warehouse 13.”

The series, about a secret government facility in South Dakota where all mysterious relics and supernatural souvenirs are housed, is emblematic of the channel’s programming direction.

“It is a dramedy and it is set in the here and now. It’s a kind of an Indiana Jones meets ‘Moonlighting’ meets ‘The X-Files,’” Mr. Howe said. “This is a very accessible, relatable, fun show.”

The network will begin briefing cable operators about the transition this week and plans a trade ad campaign in April as part of the upfront. The new campaign will use the slogan “Imagine Greater,” which Mr. Howe thinks will resonate with both consumers and media buyers.

“It’s a call to action,” he said. “Look at the everyday and how you can turn it to the extraordinary. It’s an aspirational, optimistic message about enhancing people’s lives.”

Mr. Howe said the international Sci Fi channels will transition to the new name over the next six to 12 months.

Web site SciFi.com also will make the change to Syfy.com.

Sci Fi has been working to branch out from being simply a linear cable network to become a hub of businesses operating in the imagination under the Sci Fi Ventures banner.

“We need an umbrella brand we can attach to new businesses: Sci Fi games, Sci Fi kids. It does no use to attach ‘Sci Fi’ because there’s hundreds of sci-fi Web sites and sci-fi publications. So it’s changing your name without changing your name,” Mr. Howe said.

Sci Fi also will be unveiling some of its programming and development plans at its upfront.

But one key venture it won’t discuss is its work with Trion Worldwide to create content designed from the beginning to work on multiple platforms. Mr. Howe said the network is close to announcing a title and description of the project, which will launch as both a subscription-based, massively multiplayer online game and a television series.

A writer has been assigned to the project. The idea is to have the show completely synchronized so that when events happen in the show, they are reflected in the game, and vice versa.

“Because it’s a server-based game, as the storylines evolve in the TV series, so the game echoes that,” Mr. Howe said. “It’s a completely, uniquely interactive 24-7 immersive entertainment experience.”

He’s seen some “amazing demos” from Trion of the graphics and how the world will be built out.

“What that launches, it truly is the next evolution in dynamic storytelling,” Mr. Howe said.
I don't think a name change is the problem... but the crappy movies that are obviously rip offs of blockbusters that is hurting them...

SyFy anyone?

Ewww... no thanks...

SF would be fine but, rebranding themselves with such a nasty name? No.

okay what in hell dose Syfy stand for ?

an Really Every one still just going to say Sci Fi

okay what in hell dose Syfy stand for ?

Sy - Fy

Pronounce it out loud.

Syfy might not be as geeky, but it several million magnitudes stupider than anything else imaginable (and I'm including names that don't even make sense, like "Doilies Express Channel" and "Yiffy Fuck Factory.")

Sy - Fy

Pronounce it out loud.
Not everybody pronounces the letter Y in the same way... :D

Not everybody pronounces the letter Y in the same way... :D

Well, true. The others would colloquially be referred to as "wrong."

Sy - Fy

Pronounce it out loud.
Siff-fee?
Seigh-fee?
See-fee?
When you put a "y" at the end of a word (and it is the second vowel sound), it is pronounced as a long "e," as in "Skippy" or "Handy" or "library." It would be nice to think that corporate executives have at least a basic handle on the grammar of their own fucking language.

Sy - Fy

Pronounce it out loud.

i asked what it stand for ,not how to say it ,at less we know what Sci Fi is

Well, true. The others would colloquially be referred to as "wrong."
Chances are, you'd also be "wrong". :p

Sci Fi is going about it all wrong. You don't try to keep up with whatever's trendy. You sell your name and MAKE it trendy. Being nerdy is in, now. They should take it and run with it. Be Sci Fi and make a point about how cool being nerdy is. Run Weird Science and Revenge of the Nerds every day.

Siff-fee?
Seigh-fee?
See-fee?
When you put a "y" at the end of a word (and it is the second vowel sound), it is pronounced as a long "e," as in "Skippy" or "Handy" or "library." It would be nice to think that corporate executives have at least a basic handle on the grammar of their own fucking language.

Corporate executives intelligent? What country do you live in?

Remember back when the SciFi Channel actually showed classic Science Fiction? Now it's all horror movies, canceled TV shows and Stargate.

The biggest problem IMHO is they've literally become the Horror Channel. I used to like to leave the TV on SciFi all day on Saturday but now I don't know th at I can keep doing it as my baby daughter grows up because of the horror movies they're always showing. WTF is a Saw marathon doing on SciFi?

'They should just create a Horror movie channel so when I'm in the mood for horror I can watch it, and watch SciFi (or SyFy) when I want science fiction.

Siff-fee?
Seigh-fee?
See-fee?
When you put a "y" at the end of a word (and it is the second vowel sound), it is pronounced as a long "e," as in "Skippy" or "Handy" or "library." It would be nice to think that corporate executives have at least a basic handle on the grammar of their own fucking language.

when i say it it sound like SI Fy

See-fee?
Perhaps that's what they see. Fee. More fees.

Corporate executives intelligent? What country do you live in?
I'm not asking for intelligence, just the equivalent of a 4th grade education in the English language. There are people who want to demand that you have at least that just to be a citizen of the US.

Doesn't really matter, there's nothing on SciFi worth watching anymore. Dr. Who when it's on. They've canceled every series they've ever had worth watching.

Doesn't really matter, there's nothing on SciFi worth watching anymore. Dr. Who when it's on. They've canceled every series they've ever had worth watching.

Stargate didn't get canceled, it just ended. Well after it should have. And spawned a shitty spin-off.

Sy Fy? SY FY!?

If they don't improve the content, it doesn't matter what it's named. They kill every good show they have and then replace those with reruns of the worst of Trek, that godawful Tin Man thing, disaster of the week movies and wrestling. WRESTLING FGS.

And then the change the spelling of the name and think that's going to make us all forgive the classless crap they've been trying to foist on us.

They want to attract more than geeks. What's wrong with geeks? I'm a geek. I liked MST3, Dresden Files, BSG, Eureka and good sci fi movies. They want females, I'm a female.

They're going to try to be all things to all people and end up being nothing to no one.

They remind me of the pointy haired bureaucrat in Dilbert.

I could rant all day,
I could rant all day,
and still rant some more.
I could say a thousand things
About the stupid things
The Sci Fi Channell will do
(to the tune of I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady).

they could do with better shows.

Legend of the Seeker is a good one. also BBC's Robin Hood Series. all of em. would make a great addition...

and some better Sci-Fi Originals.. not obvious rip offs!

Stargate didn't get canceled, it just ended. Well after it should have. And spawned a shitty spin-off.

They had an 11th season planned to finish out the Ori storyline. SciFi canceled it. They even told them while they were doing the party to celebrate the 200th episode.

They had an 11th season planned to finish out the Ori storyline. SciFi canceled it. They even told them while they were doing the party to celebrate the 200th episode.

which they had to do as a tv movie

They had an 11th season planned to finish out the Ori storyline. SciFi canceled it. They even told them while they were doing the party to celebrate the 200th episode.

the problem with the Ori Storyline is that it's too close to the Gould storyline. After a couple of episodes, I was bored with it. "oh hum... another religion for them to fight against..."

Polish for spotty - how is that getting away from a nerdy image?

the problem with the Ori Storyline is that it's too close to the Gould storyline. After a couple of episodes, I was bored with it. "oh hum... another religion for them to fight against..."

Kinda like that fecal slop pile "Legend of the Rangers" as a spinoff to Babylon 5. G'Kar explaining an ancient superpowerful race that was coming back to ruin everyone's day. All I could think of was "Haven't we done this before?"

That and the idiotic weapon system that was controlled by punches and kicks :rolleyes:

i know what could improve things - make every day terrible scifi saturday! more grizzly bears in space, please!

i know what could improve things - make every day terrible scifi saturday! more grizzly bears in space, please!

I WANT them to show Galaxy of Terror! :D

It’s a top-10 network in both adults 18 to 49 (up 4%) and adults 25 to 54 (up 6%).

What?

Kinda like that fecal slop pile "Legend of the Rangers" as a spinoff to Babylon 5. G'Kar explaining an ancient superpowerful race that was coming back to ruin everyone's day. All I could think of was "Haven't we done this before?"

That and the idiotic weapon system that was controlled by punches and kicks :rolleyes:

agreed.

hmmm...
Law and Order: Alpha Centari.
CSI: Babylon 5...

Doesn't really matter, there's nothing on SciFi worth watching anymore. Dr. Who when it's on. They've canceled every series they've ever had worth watching.

I get Dr. Who via PBS, 11pm Saturday nights, when I'm home.

Sci Fi (I shall refuse to use the new, stupid moniker) had me at Farscape -- I caught Babylon 5 on TBS or TNT or whatever it was on before it migrated.

Then they canceled Farscape in favor if the utterly insipid Lexx and the expensively insipid Tripping the Rift. The resurged with a decidedly anti-Lynch version of much of the Dune story -- it wasn't very good, but it was a nice departure from the whacked out DeLaurentiis film version.

After the first seven movies featuring Dean Cain, I was through with them.

Siffy.

Whatever, now that Battlestar Galactica is finished, and with the Dr. Who remake probably getting cancelled soon (not that it was even very good, but it was at least watchable), now Siffy can begin it's anti-meteoric descent back to irrelevancy with Ghost Hunters and ECW Wrestling.

agreed.

hmmm...
Law and Order: Alpha Centari.
CSI: Babylon 5...

lol

CSI: Babylon 5...

i would totally watch that if nothing else better was on

They kill every good show they have and then replace those with reruns of the worst of Trek, that godawful Tin Man thing, disaster of the week movies and wrestling. WRESTLING FGS.

A hard-core scifi geek friend of mine is still bitter about the SciFi channel putting ECW in their lineup. Of course, given all the crap he gives me for watching wrestling, this means I have to point out that it's consistently their highest rated show(I'm just assuming it is to tweak him, I don't really know if it is or not, but given the rest of their programming, I feel it's a safe bet)whenever I get the chance.

Siffy.

Whatever, now that Battlestar Galactica is finished, and with the Dr. Who remake probably getting cancelled soon (not that it was even very good, but it was at least watchable), now Siffy can begin it's anti-meteoric descent back to irrelevancy with Ghost Hunters and ECW Wrestling.

Lolwot. They've already got at least three series commissioned. Sci-Fi has no say in the production of Doctor Who.

Lolwot. They've already got at least three series commissioned. Sci-Fi has no say in the production of Doctor Who.

Damned good thing too.

I once came across this:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51K8YHA8CWL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

...on that channel

Apparently "SciFi" is too confusing. Shoot me now.

Apparently "SciFi" is too confusing. Shoot me now.

The state of education in the US today.

agreed.

hmmm...
Law and Order: Alpha Centari.
CSI: Babylon 5...

oh how about Cops Babylon 5

oh how about Cops Babylon 5

or Star Fleet Criminal Investigation Service - SFCIS

oh how about Cops Babylon 5

This is the closest thing available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MMAoOPa0Pg

or Star Fleet Criminal Investigation Service - SFCIS

see there a lot of show they can rip off an make into Sci-Fi

This is the closest thing available: ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MMAoOPa0Pg

star wars cops was done well

Ok, I have a Stargate question. How come every alien planet on Stargate looks like a wooded area of Earth, and every alien is humanoid and speaks english?!

Stargate = Fail.

I only watch Sci-Fi for the Ghost Hunters and TNG anyways.

Ok, I have a Stargate question. How come every alien planet on Stargate looks like a wooded area of Earth, and every alien is humanoid and speaks english?!

Stargate = Fail.

I only watch Sci-Fi for the Ghost Hunters and TNG anyways.

Those questions were already asked about Star Trek.

Ok, I have a Stargate question. How come every alien planet on Stargate looks like a wooded area of Earth, and every alien is humanoid and speaks english?!

Stargate = Fail.

I only watch Sci-Fi for the Ghost Hunters and TNG anyways.

No offense but ghost hunters blows. Its the one where they get 5 guys together with some cameras, turn off the lights in an old building and walk around hearing noises and seeing "something" shoot across the screen. I could do that whenever I'm bored, just walk outside at night, and anything I can't see what it is, well maybe its a ghost... :rolleyes:

Frankly, all of sci-fi is fail... I used to like that fucking station, but I honestly don't think I could bear to watch it ever again. (not that it didn't suck back then, but I had hopes it could get better)

Ugh! More stupidity....

Lolwot. They've already got at least three series commissioned. Sci-Fi has no say in the production of Doctor Who.

lolwut

Siffy may have nothing to do with the production, but they are responsible for airing it in the United States. And, with indications that Siffy is underwhelmed by the ratings of the show, I feel it's only a matter of time before the stop airing it, removing the last watchable program from their schedule.

lolwut

Siffy may have nothing to do with the production, but they are responsible for airing it in the United States. And, with indications that Siffy is underwhelmed by the ratings of the show, I feel it's only a matter of time before the stop airing it, removing the last watchable program from their schedule.

Good thing they added WWE wrestling to their lineup! That's so sci-fi! Though I must say WWE has better actors than their usual Sci-Fi Original movies.

lolwut

Siffy may have nothing to do with the production, but they are responsible for airing it in the United States. And, with indications that Siffy is underwhelmed by the ratings of the show, I feel it's only a matter of time before the stop airing it, removing the last watchable program from their schedule.

BBC America airs it in America too. But you have to have digital cable and it is more than a season behind.

And really? They arn't happy with the ratings for Dr Who? Compared to what? Their "straight to Sci Fi because they suck too hard for even DVD" movies? Their shitty new faux reality show? Their reruns of random 90s and 80s sci fi shows in the middle of the day?

BBC America airs it in America too. But you have to have digital cable and it is more than a season behind.

And really? They arn't happy with the ratings for Dr Who? Compared to what? Their "straight to Sci Fi because they suck too hard for even DVD" movies? Their shitty new faux reality show? Their reruns of random 90s and 80s sci fi shows in the middle of the day?

Their prime time lineup right now seems to be re-runs of Enterprise.

BBC America airs it in America too. But you have to have digital cable and it is more than a season behind.

Yes, I know that BBC America airs it. The issue isn't whether I'll be able to watch it if Siffy gets rid of it. The issue is, if Siffy gets rid of it, then there's literally nothing left on that channel worth watching.


And really? They arn't happy with the ratings for Dr Who? Compared to what? Their "straight to Sci Fi because they suck too hard for even DVD" movies? Their shitty new faux reality show? Their reruns of random 90s and 80s sci fi shows in the middle of the day?

Compared to the money they spend for the rights to air it. All those awful in-house TV movies may get shitty ratings, but they cost the network next to nothing. Same with the "reality" shows like Fear Factor and Ghost Hunters. A polished serial like Doctor Who or Battlestar Galactica costs the network a lot more money, so they want really high ratings out of it. I mean, heck, there were discussions that Siffy was going to cancel Battlestar Galactica after its second AND third seasons cause it wasn't pulling in the ratings it did in its first season. That's three-time Emmy Award-winning, 11-time Emmy Award-nominated Battlestar Galactica that they were talking about cancelling. Siffy has a notoriously itchy trigger finger when it comes to lowering the boom.

This is the closest thing available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MMAoOPa0Pg

I thought you were going to hit me with a clip of this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Precinct

aka 'space turkey'. So bad, its not good, at any level. Bog standard plots, every 'cop' stereotype that you can imagine. Presumably you weren't meant to notice with the 'aliens' voicing the tripe that passed for dialogue.....

I mean, heck, there were discussions that Siffy was going to cancel Battlestar Galactica after its second AND third seasons cause it wasn't pulling in the ratings it did in its first season. That's three-time Emmy Award-winning, 11-time Emmy Award-nominated Battlestar Galactica that they were talking about cancelling. Siffy has a notoriously itchy trigger finger when it comes to lowering the boom.

They all seem to though. HBO binned Rome after two, Deadwood (dear sweet deadwood) after three.....

Sci Fi Channel Changes name to something less geeky (http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/03/sci_fi_channel_aims_to_shed_ge.php).


I don't think a name change is the problem... but the crappy movies that are obviously rip offs of blockbusters that is hurting them...

SyFy anyone?
i assume that they are changing the name to the non-science fiction syfy so that they can make more money by showing endless reruns of law and order, house and csi without anyone wondering what is so sciencefictiony about them.

i assume that they are changing the name to the non-science fiction syfy so that they can make more money by showing endless reruns of law and order, house and csi without anyone wondering what is so sciencefictiony about them.

I think it's so they can trademark the name and make money off of merchandising. Can't trademark the term "Sci Fi".

Siffy
Yay, I started a thing! Or, at least, I'm sufficiently connected that I can claim credit for it.
i assume that they are changing the name to the non-science fiction syfy so that they can make more money by showing endless reruns of law and order, house and csi without anyone wondering what is so sciencefictiony about them.
There's already a TNT, though. How much Law & Order can basic cable take before becoming overwhelmed and bursting into flames?

Yay, I started a thing! Or, at least, I'm sufficiently connected that I can claim credit for it.

There's already a TNT, though. How much Law & Order can basic cable take before becoming overwhelmed and bursting into flames?
it seems that we cant get enough of any of them

the rerun drift is a "problem" with themed channels that are owned by the big boys. the nashville channel was bought and renamed SPIKE. A&E has very little arts programming (maybe none). american movie classics runs movies from the last few years. if GE can make a little more money by programming in a bunch of reruns of the most popular shows on network tv then they will do so.

Siff-fee?
Seigh-fee?
See-fee?
When you put a "y" at the end of a word (and it is the second vowel sound), it is pronounced as a long "e," as in "Skippy" or "Handy" or "library." It would be nice to think that corporate executives have at least a basic handle on the grammar of their own fucking language.
"Siff-fee" was the first to occur to me. It sounds rather unfortunately more like an attempt to come up with a cutesy, user-friendly nickname for syphilis than a tv channel.

Yay, I started a thing! Or, at least, I'm sufficiently connected that I can claim credit for it.

There's already a TNT, though. How much Law & Order can basic cable take before becoming overwhelmed and bursting into flames?

USA also runs Law & Order for about five hours a day.

Does anyone know if they still air Mystery Science Theater?


That show was funny as hell.

"Siff-fee" was the first to occur to me. It sounds rather unfortunately more like an attempt to come up with a cutesy, user-friendly nickname for syphilis than a tv channel.

you know, syphilis does go some way towards explain the sci fi channel's decisions...

you know, syphilis does go some way towards explain the sci fi channel's decisions...
It's disturbing to consider that timely medical intervention might have prevented this mess.

Alternatively, perhaps it is a marketing ploy. Syphilis is sexually transmitted, and sex is sexy, and evidently quite the seller.

If the new branding includes slogans like "contagiously good" and "got your dose today?", we may be forced to conclude that the attempt to "de-geekify" the channel's image, has missed the point by a wider margin than initially indicated.

Does anyone know if they still air Mystery Science Theater?


That show was funny as hell.

That was gone a long time ago.

Ok, I have a Stargate question. How come every alien planet on Stargate looks like a wooded area of Earth, and every alien is humanoid and speaks english?!

Stargate = Fail.

I only watch Sci-Fi for the Ghost Hunters and TNG anyways.
the 'Theory' is that the Gould seeded all those worlds with humans. thus a certain type of environment is needed.

as for Star Trek... they all had Univeral Translators implated into their brains. :p

Good thing they added WWE wrestling to their lineup! That's so sci-fi! Though I must say WWE has better actors than their usual Sci-Fi Original movies. and better action.

you know, syphilis does go some way towards explain the sci fi channel's decisions...
"Mommy and Daddy got Syphilis last week... we spent all weekend watching it."

the 'Theory' is that the Gould seeded all those worlds with humans. thus a certain type of environment is needed.

as for Star Trek... they all had Univeral Translators implated into their brains. :p

and better action.


"Mommy and Daddy got Syphilis last week... we spent all weekend watching it."

However you look at it, it'll rot your brain. Ooh, brainz.

However you look at it, it'll rot your brain. Ooh, brainz.

... Hulu is Syphilis! :eek2:

Ok, I have a Stargate question. How come every alien planet on Stargate looks like a wooded area of Earth, and every alien is humanoid and speaks english?!

Stargate = Fail.

I only watch Sci-Fi for the Ghost Hunters and TNG anyways.

As already pointed out, those questions were already asked forty years ago for the original Trek, and asked again for every subsequent series. However, in the spirit of fair play I'll answer them with information that was delivered explicitly in dialogue on the TV shows.

1) How come every alien planet on Stargate looks like a wooded area of Earth?

Because the Ancients, who built the Stargates, inhabited Earth and could only survive on Earth-like planets, so they deliberately placed the Gates on planets with similar environments. Additionally, the Goa'uld have terraformed many planets that were not Earth-like to be suitable homes for them and their slaves.

2) Why is every alien is humanoid?

Short answer: They aren't.

Long answer: Aliens in Stargate that actually are aliens (Meaning a different species from us) are often quite inhuman in appearance, including the snake-like Goa'uld, the demon-spider style Re'tu, and the just-damn-odd-looking Re'ol.

Supplemental answer: The aliens that you are likely referring to, the inhabitants from other planets that look exactly like us, are humanoid because they are human, the descendants of humans taken from Earth between the the years 8,000 and 3,000 B.C.E. and then seeded upon the many worlds controlled by the Goa'uld. Unlike, I must point out, Star Trek, where they're actually aliens and they look identical to us in complete defiance of all accepted rules of evolution.


3) Why do all the aliens speak English?

Short answer: They don't.

Long answer: Stargate, unlike Star Trek, actually does have alien languages, fully constructed ones, too (I used to be quite fluent in Goa'uld), and their aliens often speak their owns languages (Often humorously). The Ancients speak a Latin-esque language that is possibly one of the inspirations for the original language of Rome, the Goa'uld speak a gutteral language derived from the language of the Unas and one of the roots for many pre-historical Earth languages, and the Asgard speak English backwards (But sounds really alien). Other languages are often described, if not spoken aloud, and I feel I must point out that Stargate also realizes that there are languages apart from English here on Earth, and doesn't just give foreigners accents to show where they're from; Czech, Russian, and German are languages that are also used throughout the show (Admittedly to a very minor extent, it's still more than Trek).

In summation:

Stargate = Epic Win

Actually, I rather like the Sci-Fi channel. Or, syfy channel. Point is, I like the whole 'It's so bad it's good' aspect of most of their movies.:D

That was gone a long time ago.

Yeah I wouldn't know, I stopped watching TV 10 years ago now. That was a good show though:(

Yeah I wouldn't know, I stopped watching TV 10 years ago now. That was a good show though:(

Yes it was, Crow was awesome.

Unlike, I must point out, Star Trek, where they're actually aliens and they look identical to us in complete defiance of all accepted rules of evolution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_humanoid_(Star_Trek)


Long answer: Stargate, unlike Star Trek, actually does have alien languages, fully constructed ones, too (I used to be quite fluent in Goa'uld), and their aliens often speak their owns languages (Often humorously).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klingon_language

I wouldn't call the movies rip-offs, just cheesy, badly done films that are boring as hell. The name? Doesn't make a difference.

I read this name as SyLy first -- and SyLy (or Syku Lyku) is a famous rejistani soccer player :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_humanoid_(Star_Trek)

I'm well aware of The Chase (I might not be a full-blown Trekkie, but I am an enthusiastic fan), however the suspected progenitor of some humanoid life is not the suspected progenitor of all humanoid life in the galaxy. Apart from the simple unbelievability that they would (or could) seed every single planet with their genetic material, and nothing they said in the episode implied they were responsible for all life, many planets of Trek are somehow or other separated from the rest of the galaxy, and could not have been seeded by them (Off the top of my head is one planet encountered by Voyager that was trapped in accelerated time, and several thousand years passed in a few hours. The beginning of their evolution would have only occurred a few thousand years ago, if that, well after the proposed seeding of life by the progenitors). Additionally, even if those aliens were the genetic ancestors of every single sentient species in the galaxy, it still wouldn't make sense for everybody to look human, because the evolution of your physical appearance is not determined by your genetics. All species on planet Earth contain 97% identical DNA, yet are radically different species because of the evolutionary paths they have taken as forced upon them by their environment.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klingon_language

The Klingon language was not created until after the original Trek aired (It first appeared briefly in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, with the following construction based upon the original guttural noises created by none other than James "Scotty" Doohan) and rarely appeared in any important role in any of the series. iIt never actually mattered if anybody did or didn't speak Klingon, except for a few episodes in the beginning of Enterprise, whereas in Stargate some episodes specifically revolved around the different languages of the species (And don't you dare point to Darmok, that wasn't a language barrier, that was a critical thinking barrier)

1) How come every alien planet on Stargate looks like a wooded area of Earth?

Because the Ancients, who built the Stargates, inhabited Earth and could only survive on Earth-like planets, so they deliberately placed the Gates on planets with similar environments. Additionally, the Goa'uld have terraformed many planets that were not Earth-like to be suitable homes for them and their slaves.



Also, the root word of Goa'uld may be "Canadian".