After the 1998 movie that was named “Godzilla”, I started wishing there was a way to sue the entertainment industry. The Foundation series just reinforces that desire.
It’s such a treat when the Apple Foundation series does serve up a tidbit of the story from the book. Kind of like spotting a heavily-madeup celebrity in a cameo role.
Asimov was interesting; he could visualize psychohistory & a world in which humankind had metastasized throughout galaxies – but in which atomic energy was still the end-all, everyone smoked tobacco, and everyone was shocked when a woman worked outside the home……..
He spoke at the college my dad taught at; as Dad was Chair of the Chemistry Dept., and Isaac was a chemist, my folks hosted the reception, He spent the whole evening talking to my my – who was quite charmed by him.
Let’s not forget that Asimov was limited by what was both futuristic and would sell. He couldn’t go too far from society norms or he’d never sell a story. The concept of psychohistory was a huge leap, keeping the rest of the story grounded in the time in which Asimov wrote (nuclear power being all the rage, men in all the important roles), was the touchstone that kept people grounded.
Since then society has changed. Art evolves with society. There’s no telling what Asimov would have written today.
Personally, I like Apple’s fresh take on the concept.
Modern Disney, Amazon and Netflix are certainly huge offenders in this category. Fortunately, they don’t have the rights to change the original material.
Well, as they could not recast the whole series every few episodes – when the story jumps 50 years or more – it was NEVER going to be the same series. Even if they did, there would have to be interminable voice overs and introductions to explain what had happened.
There was a reason it was considered ‘Unfilmable’.
I recently re-read the fifteen or so books in the Foundation series. So you can assume I’m a fan, but the tv series was one of the most disappointing adaptations I have ever seen.
eromlig about 1 year ago
Small stuff — “A Selden Crisis In A Teapot.”
Say What Now‽ Premium Member about 1 year ago
They really messed up “I Robot” so where’s the surprise?
Qiset about 1 year ago
After the 1998 movie that was named “Godzilla”, I started wishing there was a way to sue the entertainment industry. The Foundation series just reinforces that desire.
wi3leong Premium Member about 1 year ago
The movie World War Z was described as being faithful to the title of the novel.
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member about 1 year ago
It’s difficult to know if the writing or the science was worse in Foundation (the Asimov version, I’ve not seen the series).
bwoodruf Premium Member about 1 year ago
It’s such a treat when the Apple Foundation series does serve up a tidbit of the story from the book. Kind of like spotting a heavily-madeup celebrity in a cameo role.
Cozmik Cowboy about 1 year ago
Asimov was interesting; he could visualize psychohistory & a world in which humankind had metastasized throughout galaxies – but in which atomic energy was still the end-all, everyone smoked tobacco, and everyone was shocked when a woman worked outside the home……..
He spoke at the college my dad taught at; as Dad was Chair of the Chemistry Dept., and Isaac was a chemist, my folks hosted the reception, He spent the whole evening talking to my my – who was quite charmed by him.
ChessPirate about 1 year ago
It came from Hollywood? ’Nuff said…
A Good Boy about 1 year ago
I was really excited to see Foundation was being made into a series. Watched one episode; what a sad joke.
The Wolf In Your Midst about 1 year ago
Hollywood putting out “in name only” adaptations is an old thing. Why do people keep falling for it? I guess nostalgia is one heck of a drug.
Ed B Premium Member about 1 year ago
Let’s not forget that Asimov was limited by what was both futuristic and would sell. He couldn’t go too far from society norms or he’d never sell a story. The concept of psychohistory was a huge leap, keeping the rest of the story grounded in the time in which Asimov wrote (nuclear power being all the rage, men in all the important roles), was the touchstone that kept people grounded.
Since then society has changed. Art evolves with society. There’s no telling what Asimov would have written today.
Personally, I like Apple’s fresh take on the concept.
prrdh about 1 year ago
This sort of thing makes me glad I don’t have time for television.
DarkHorseSki about 1 year ago
Modern Disney, Amazon and Netflix are certainly huge offenders in this category. Fortunately, they don’t have the rights to change the original material.
Stephen Gilberg about 1 year ago
I never watch shows based on books I’ve already read. If they’re faithful, I feel like I’m wasting my time. If not, they’re rarely better.
edkorczynski about 1 year ago
The books didn’t need a “plucky teenage sidekick”… yet somehow for this series to get greenlighted…
mobeydick about 1 year ago
Well, as they could not recast the whole series every few episodes – when the story jumps 50 years or more – it was NEVER going to be the same series. Even if they did, there would have to be interminable voice overs and introductions to explain what had happened.
There was a reason it was considered ‘Unfilmable’.
ekke about 1 year ago
The answer is simple: people not buying their “product.”
Read a book, for gosh sakes!!!
baraktorvan about 1 year ago
I gave up on American television 20 years ago, turning my tv watching to Britbox and DeutscheWelle
Upton O'Goode about 1 year ago
Asimov’s Foundation books were boring af! Any TV series was bound to be worse.
Skeptical Meg about 1 year ago
I recently re-read the fifteen or so books in the Foundation series. So you can assume I’m a fan, but the tv series was one of the most disappointing adaptations I have ever seen.