Welcome to Paradox (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Welcome to Paradox is a science fiction
television series aired on the Sci Fi Channel
. Despite being filmed in Canada, the series was only broadcast on Sci Fi Channel affiliates in the United States. It first aired on August 17, 1998, and ran for one season, ending on November 9, 1998. As this was part of a crop of new shows produced in 1998 by Sci Fi Channel
and it was not successful beyond the first season, it was never placed in syndication. "Betaville" was the original title for the series.
The series is an anthology hybrid. The stories all took place in the fictional future city of "Betaville", a nod to Jean-Luc Godard
's Alphaville. However, the majority of the stories were adapted from other short stories whose details didn't have anything outwardly to do with the fictionalized city. The stories that were adapted were from old works by famous science fiction authors. Themes that were explored were the impact of certain technologies on the human body and psyche, as well as the role of humanity in the face of being overwhelmed by hostile technologies. Each episode had a "Host", who was to be named "Paradox" until the concept was dropped, an actor that served as a narrator, adding a prologue and epilogue to the show much like was done with The Twilight Zone
and The Outer Limits
. The Volkswagen New Beetle
was chosen to be the transportation of Betaville. Any time it was called for a car to be featured in an episode, a New Beetle was used.
is taking over actual reality, perfect machines are wrenching control from the people that can afford such luxury, and the very fabric of humanity is challenged with genetic engineering and social engineering programs that push the boundaries of hubris if not sanity.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series aired on the Sci Fi Channel
Sci Fi Channel (United States)
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
. Despite being filmed in Canada, the series was only broadcast on Sci Fi Channel affiliates in the United States. It first aired on August 17, 1998, and ran for one season, ending on November 9, 1998. As this was part of a crop of new shows produced in 1998 by Sci Fi Channel
Sci Fi Channel (United States)
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
and it was not successful beyond the first season, it was never placed in syndication. "Betaville" was the original title for the series.
The series is an anthology hybrid. The stories all took place in the fictional future city of "Betaville", a nod to Jean-Luc Godard
Jean-Luc Godard
Jean-Luc Godard is a French-Swiss film director, screenwriter and film critic. He is often identified with the 1960s French film movement, French Nouvelle Vague, or "New Wave"....
's Alphaville. However, the majority of the stories were adapted from other short stories whose details didn't have anything outwardly to do with the fictionalized city. The stories that were adapted were from old works by famous science fiction authors. Themes that were explored were the impact of certain technologies on the human body and psyche, as well as the role of humanity in the face of being overwhelmed by hostile technologies. Each episode had a "Host", who was to be named "Paradox" until the concept was dropped, an actor that served as a narrator, adding a prologue and epilogue to the show much like was done with The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
and The Outer Limits
The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)
The Outer Limits is an American television series that aired on ABC from 1963 to 1965. The series is similar in style to the earlier The Twilight Zone, but with a greater emphasis on science fiction, rather than fantasy stories...
. The Volkswagen New Beetle
Volkswagen New Beetle
-Specifications:*Dimension:**Length: **Width: **Height: **Wheelbase: **Curb weight: *Max speed: 177–210 km/h *Acceleration : 6.5-13.2 sec-Body styles:-Engine choices:-Safety:...
was chosen to be the transportation of Betaville. Any time it was called for a car to be featured in an episode, a New Beetle was used.
Setting
Betaville is the fictional host city where all the stories of Welcome to Paradox take place. Set in an unspecified time in the future, Betaville is a city of Utopian ideals. There is no crime, violence, disease, or any other problems of modern society. However, there is a dark underbelly welling up in Betaville that for some, impacts them head on. Technology in various forms has invaded life to the point that simulated realitySimulated reality
Simulated reality is the proposition that reality could be simulated—perhaps by computer simulation—to a degree indistinguishable from "true" reality. It could contain conscious minds which may or may not be fully aware that they are living inside a simulation....
is taking over actual reality, perfect machines are wrenching control from the people that can afford such luxury, and the very fabric of humanity is challenged with genetic engineering and social engineering programs that push the boundaries of hubris if not sanity.