If you’ve been reading this column for any length of time, you’ll have figured out that I am a fan of all genre series, science-fiction, fantasy and horror. And while I should be happy that none of the genre series released have been cancelled yet, I do wish that what was available was more sci-fi than fantasy.

The lack of sci-fi on television this season is something I have been hearing across the Web a great deal. And I have to say I agree. While I have nothing against fantasy programming, it appears sci-fi is joining the western as a dying breed on television.

If we look at the new shows introduced since summer 2011, we can see only three that qualify as sci-fi: "Falling Skies," "Alphas" and "Terra Nova." Everything else is magical or paranormal based. I don’t know about you, but I know I’d like to see more.

I understand why in most cases sci-fi isn’t feasible. When the average fan thinks of sci-fi, they are thinking of space. And space is expensive. It has been since the original "Star Trek." While the arrival of CGI has brought some costs down, that process has its own expenses associated with it. High-quality graphics (and who will accept anything less?) require time to render correctly.

Also audiences today want to see things look realistic. Who can envision a spacecraft that looks functional but still allows for filming and for covering the dramatic purposes necessary for television?

The biggest issue with creating sci-fi programming is that often times the audience isn’t there. A show must be able to generate an audience large enough to justify its expense. Sci-fi programs have traditionally had a very hard time doing that.

However, despite the pitfalls associated with sci-fi television, I would love to see the networks, both broadcast and cable take more chances and give us more choices in the genre. I applaud Fox, Syfy and TNT for making that effort, and hope the others will take up the challenge.

Pilot Watch 2011

Here are a couple of tidbits here to whet your appetite. First off, NBC has given "The Munsters" remake being shepherded by "Pushing Daisies" creator Bryan Fuller a pilot order. NBC hopes to have the series on air for summer 2012.

NBC has also given the OK to the pilot of "Beautiful People," described as “set in the near future, 'Beautiful People' is about a society where humans co-exist with mechanical androids that look like us but are treated like second-class citizens.” Now let’s try to avoid describing this as "Caprica." I am sure it will be totally different.

And finally, the "Powers" pilot at FX is still alive, but undergoing retooling. It is hoped that if picked up, this series will make it to air for the fall 2012 season. "Powers" centers on "two detectives, Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim in a homicide department that deals with cases involving ‘powers’ (people with superpowers).”