Masters of Science Fiction

Starting August 4 the new ABC series titled Masters of Science Fiction presents a new adaptation of an sf story in each hour long episode.

The first four weeks include:

• "A Clean Escape" based on John Kessel's short story. Mark Rydell directs from a script by Sam Egan. Stars Judy Davis and Sam Waterson.

• "The Awakening" based on a Howard Fast story. Michael Petroni directs from his own script. Stars Terry O'Quinn, Elisabeth Rohm, and William B. Davis.

• "Jerry Was a Man" based on Robert Heinlein's classic short story. Michael Tolkin directs from the his own teleplay. Anne Heche and Malcolm McDowell star.

• "The Discarded" from the Harlan Ellison story (of course). Jonathan Frakes directs from Ellison's script. Stars Brian Dennehy, John Hurt and James Denton.

Listed on the website but not scheduled yet:

• "Little Brother" based on a short story from Walter Mosley. Directed by Damell Martin from Mosley's script. Clifton Collins, Jr. and Kimberly Elise star.

• "Watchbird" based on the Robert Sheckley short story written by Sam Egan (Anyone have any idea what they are talking about?) Directed by Harold Becker from the J. Michael Straczynski teleplay. Stars Sean Astin, James Cromwell and Sally Kellerman as the voice of The Watchbird.

While I'll scratch my head at some of these selections, I'm glad to see the talented John Kessel getting some attention. He wrote one of my favorite 1980s sf satires Good News From Outer Space. Anything that brings attention back to Robert Sheckley is a good thing. And Howard Fast... what an unexpected choice. Most people forgot he ever wrote science fiction. What's next, an adaptation of a John Jakes sf story?