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Fox Likely Won't Pick Up Ron Moore's 'Virtuality'
Plans to air pilot in the middle of the summer
Plans to air pilot in the middle of the summerAs a strong network followup to "Battlestar Galactica," Ronald D. Moore had pinned his hopes on a Fox series that would take science-fiction fans to the stars. But now, it looks like "Virtuality" will be nothing more than a standalone movie, and a look of what could've been.
Fox, according to The Futon Critic, plans to air the pilot July 4, a Saturday night and on a holiday ... not exactly the timeslot one would think a tease for a new show would go. It's not a surprise, however, as reports last December said Fox had ordered a number of changes to "Virtuality" in an effort to make it more "mainstream."
Airing "broken pilots" during non-peak seasons are a way for a network to make some of its investment back during pilot season. It had commissioned "Virtuality" last summer from Moore and co-creator Michael Taylor about a ship called the Phaeton, which is on a 10-year mission, and opens the door for the crew to use virtual reality modules, similar to how "Life On Mars" ended its American run. The bad part is, something happens to the virtuality system, and all hell breaks loose.
The show was said to have a wide range of characters, including a married gay couple, and had popular actors like Clea DuVall from "Carnivale," Nikolaj Coster-Waldau from "New Amsterdam" and Erik Jensen from "CSI."
"Virtuality" ran into some trouble last September when author Joe Haldeman claimed "Virtuality" resembled his 2005 novel "Old Twentieth" rather closely. Haldeman's novel centered on a ship called the Aspera which is on a 1,000-year voyage to Beta Hydril. In order for the ship's crew to stay sane, they use a virtual reality system that develops a flaw.
Haldeman said at the time he would likely not seek legal action against Fox for "Virtuality," but it most likely remained a possible legal liability for the network.
No official word has been received about the show from Fox, but it's likely they won't announce its fate until after it presents its fall and spring schedule to advertisers.
"Virtuality" is set to air July 4 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
About the Author:
Michael Hinman is the founder and site coordinator for Airlock Alpha and the entire BlipNetwork. He owns Quantum Global Media Inc., the parent corporation of the BlipNetwork. He's a print journalist by day, and lives in Tampa, Fla.
