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Genre shows in television often focus on science fiction, combining scientific and speculative elements with special effects. They appeal to a specific audience, often young males, and follow unofficial rules with an element of speculation. They may include supernatural fantasy, world-building, and horror. Renegade scientists, law enforcement officials, and brave astronomy travelers are common characters, and production techniques may require advanced technology. Genre shows can serve as metaphors for real-world problems but are often snubbed by critics and attract small but devoted audiences.
While a genre typically refers to any creative work that can fit into a category, in television the term often refers to television programs with a science fiction focus. Features of the genre show include combined scientific and speculative elements and special effects. Specific audiences, characters, and themes can also influence this type of show.
A genre show is a form of niche programming designed to appeal to a specific audience. In the science fiction genre, this audience is often made up of younger individuals, particularly males. Sci-fi creators may also look for other avenues, such as a genre film or comic book series.
Like most genres in other mediums, a genre show is usually bound by a set of unofficial rules, although the implementation of these rules can be applied liberally. Perhaps the most guiding principle of a work of science fiction is an element of speculation, or “What if?” As such, a genre show often deals with what might happen if a certain situation were to arise, often with a somewhat scientific basis. For example, many genre shows have tackled various scenarios for humans coming into contact with extraterrestrial beings or traveling through time.
While many of these shows are scientifically based and attempt to apply true scientific principles whenever possible, an element of supernatural fantasy still remains in numerous shows. Genre shows often make use of technologies that have not been created, but may be created in the future. Spiritual beings such as ghosts or fantastical creatures such as animal-human hybrids may also appear in a work of science fiction, as another important component of a genre show is world-building or the creation of a reality other than one’s own. Some genre shows even cross the line into horror if they emphasize scary or gory experiences.
Also, certain types of characters and settings may be more prevalent in a genre show. Renegade scientists or law enforcement officials, for example, are often needed for a scenario involving global threats. For shows that take place in space, brave astronomy travelers are in large numbers, as are alien beings. The common man being thrust into a fantastical situation is another common prototype for the science fiction genre. Common backgrounds for a science fiction show include outer space, parallel dimensions, or a futuristic version of Earth.
As far as production techniques are concerned, by its very nature a genre show can be laden with special effects. Since the setting and character types may feature otherworldly elements or fantastical technology, the show crew may need advanced technology such as computer-generated imagery to realize the story’s broad scope. Sophisticated makeup applications or costumes may also be required.
The genre show occupies an unusual place in the television landscape. It often serves as a subtle symbol for real-world problems. Many early and mid-20th century science fiction stories, for example, functioned as metaphors for fears about the world’s growing interconnectedness and threats of foreign invasion. At the same time, these shows are often snubbed by critics and mainstream audiences as low-brow, so they become cult hits and attract small but fiercely devoted audiences.
