A Look Back at 'SLIDERS' 1995 - 2000
"What if you could travel to parallel worlds? The same year, the same Earth, only different dimensions? A world where the Russians ruled America? Or where your dreams of being a superstar came true? Or where San Francisco was a maximum security prison? My friends and I found the gateway. Now, the problem is: finding a way back home."
Parallel Universes. The concept of multiple recreations of our universe, but with different paths of evolution. With each decision/choice we make, the universe is split, each taking a different path. What a great concept for a TV series.
On March 22, 1995, FOX debuted SLIDERS. A series that takes on the concept of parallel universes. the series follows a group of four travelers as they accidentally open a wormhole to a different parallel universe. Each episode would take them to a different parallel universe as they try to find their way back home.
The cast consisted of Jerry O'Connell, John Rhys-Davies, Sabrina Lloyd and Cleavant Derricks. The two hour pilot did fairly well for FOX, as it drew over 14 million viewers. But as it settled in its 9:00pm time slot, the numbers slowly dropped down to 8 million viewers in May. Those were still decent numbers for FOX, which was still in it first decade of programming.
Sliders was picked up for a second season, but as a mid-season replacement. The second season premiere was Friday, March 1st, 1996. It was now the lead in for the FOX hit THE X-FILES. A compatible series that could help the sophomore series in the ratings.The ratings hovered in the 8-9 million rage, below the average ratings for FOX. but that was good enough for FOX to give a third season order to the series.
The first two season of SLIDERS were the more consistent and entertaining of the series. It played of the different histories and changes of each parallel universe. There was an episode where Hillary Clinton, not Bill, was the President. Another universe played off that America was still part of the British Colonies.
The ratings for season three were fairly consistent. Usually in the 8 million viewer zone. But as the season progressed, two of the original four cast members were written off. John Rhys-Davies was killed off in the middle of the season, while Sabrina Lloyd's character ended with the third season.
Along with those characters, FOX decided to cancel the promising, yet under performing series. But as there was life in another univer... er... with another network.
Seasons four and five were aired on cable's Sci-Fi network. These episodes featured more of the continuing story arc of the Kromaggs battling the humans for earth, and the parallel universes. Jerry O'Connell's brother joined the cast in season four to play... his brother. But by the end of the fourth season, both O'Connells were written off the series. By season five and 87 episodes, only Cleavant Derricks was left of the original cast.
I only saw about half of the episodes of season four and never watched season five. But, I still enjoyed the series and its original concept. This is a perfect property to get a re-imaging for a reboot series or even a feature film. As remake happy as Hollywood is, it can't be to far off for this to happen.
For a more information on SLIDERS, visit the wiki page on the series.
Parallel Universes. The concept of multiple recreations of our universe, but with different paths of evolution. With each decision/choice we make, the universe is split, each taking a different path. What a great concept for a TV series.
On March 22, 1995, FOX debuted SLIDERS. A series that takes on the concept of parallel universes. the series follows a group of four travelers as they accidentally open a wormhole to a different parallel universe. Each episode would take them to a different parallel universe as they try to find their way back home.The cast consisted of Jerry O'Connell, John Rhys-Davies, Sabrina Lloyd and Cleavant Derricks. The two hour pilot did fairly well for FOX, as it drew over 14 million viewers. But as it settled in its 9:00pm time slot, the numbers slowly dropped down to 8 million viewers in May. Those were still decent numbers for FOX, which was still in it first decade of programming.
Sliders was picked up for a second season, but as a mid-season replacement. The second season premiere was Friday, March 1st, 1996. It was now the lead in for the FOX hit THE X-FILES. A compatible series that could help the sophomore series in the ratings.The ratings hovered in the 8-9 million rage, below the average ratings for FOX. but that was good enough for FOX to give a third season order to the series.The first two season of SLIDERS were the more consistent and entertaining of the series. It played of the different histories and changes of each parallel universe. There was an episode where Hillary Clinton, not Bill, was the President. Another universe played off that America was still part of the British Colonies.
The ratings for season three were fairly consistent. Usually in the 8 million viewer zone. But as the season progressed, two of the original four cast members were written off. John Rhys-Davies was killed off in the middle of the season, while Sabrina Lloyd's character ended with the third season.
Along with those characters, FOX decided to cancel the promising, yet under performing series. But as there was life in another univer... er... with another network.
Seasons four and five were aired on cable's Sci-Fi network. These episodes featured more of the continuing story arc of the Kromaggs battling the humans for earth, and the parallel universes. Jerry O'Connell's brother joined the cast in season four to play... his brother. But by the end of the fourth season, both O'Connells were written off the series. By season five and 87 episodes, only Cleavant Derricks was left of the original cast. I only saw about half of the episodes of season four and never watched season five. But, I still enjoyed the series and its original concept. This is a perfect property to get a re-imaging for a reboot series or even a feature film. As remake happy as Hollywood is, it can't be to far off for this to happen.For a more information on SLIDERS, visit the wiki page on the series.
Unless your wanting to see the entire series, I'd just skip season 5 entirely. Wasn't good and had the Quantum Leap ending.
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