Strega, I wasn't trying to convince you sci-fi has a harder time on TV than any other type of show. I'd gone off on a side jaunt--that was talking about how well it does do at the movies. I don't know where I said or even implied that the things you were talking about don't count.

I do generally differentiate between sci-fi and fantasy. I don't see Ghost, Buffy, Angel, Wonderfalls, Ghost Whisperer, and Harry Potter as sci-fi. Alien (etc.), E.T., The Truman Show (I think; I haven't seen it, but the premise sounds it to me) yes. Lost probably is, but who can tell what the hell is going on with that show?

To you, what are the essential elements of sci-fi? I'm curious how magic/spiritual stuff like Ghost and Harry Potter gets in there.

When TV Guide was doing their "Hottest Men and Women of SciFi" feature (which I think has now been killed, or at least pushed back), I was lobbying hard for House to be included, on the basis that there's at least as much fictional science in there as there is in Lost.

By the same argument, though, Serenity is a sci-fi action flick, heavy on the action and blowing shit up - so should have been a success.

Not so much--only if the argument had been: Every film with big special effects is going to be a hit.

What Jessica said. The show, as it airs, seems perfectly respectful to the SF fan. Bothersome for some OG fans, sure. But what show's not bothersome to someone, including in its technical target audience?

By that standard, CSI is SF too.

Does CSI have hot people who should be on a list? 'Cause I'll freely admit that the real driving force behind my House argument was to get DH an interview with Hugh Laurie.

Does CSI have hot people who should be on a list?

O.M.G.

• George Eads
• Gary Dourdan
• Eric Szmanda
• William Petersen

hot people who should be on a list

Best genre definition ever.

Does CSI have hot people who should be on a list?

I present:

Adam Rodriquez, CSI: Miami: [link]

George Eades, CSI: [link]

Excellent points, all! I shall be sure to bring them up if the article ever gets revived.

George is hot, but I'm not at all attracted to him.

Gary, well...come on. I think MM would get naked for him.

Yeah, CSI is chock full of teh hawt.

Yeah, CSI is chock full of teh hawt.

The first couple of times DH watched CSI with me he asked, "Why's the evidence always at the bottom of a pool? So those guys can take off their shirts?"

I just dribbled.

"Why's the evidence always at the bottom of a pool? So those guys can take off their shirts?"

Dammit. THIS is why we never got a shirtless Gunn. NO VAMPS IN A POOL!