On 5 August, the complete critically acclaimed Masters of Science Fiction anthology series will be released on DVD as a 2-disc set. The Masters of Science Fiction DVD contains the entire series—including the world premiere of the two episodes that were never aired! Originally broadcast last year on ABC, Masters of Science Fiction adapted short stories from some of the genre’s greatest practitioners, including Robert A. Heinlein, Harlan Ellison, Robert Sheckley, and John Kessel. Mark Dawidziak of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote: “I’ve seen what may be the best futuristic anthology series since the glory days of The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. It’s called Masters of Science Fiction.” SFScope, too, was entranced by the shows, and you can read our reviews on these pages: “A Clean Escape”, “The Awakening”, “Jerry Was a Man”, and “The Discarded”.
Now, in partnership with Big Honcho Media, SFScope is giving away ten copies of the $29.97 DVD set. To enter for your chance to win the DVD of what we called “good, intelligent science fiction television”, simply comment on a recent article on the site (anonymous comments, though always accepted, may cause your entry to be ignored—make sure you give us your e-mail address when you comment, so we can contact you if you win). If you really don’t have anything to say, click the “Contact Us” link at the top of any page, and send us an e-mail saying that you want to be entered to win the Masters of Science Fiction DVD. We’ll randomly pick two winners from all the comments and e-mails we receive by Friday 7 August, another two winners on 14 August, and then three winners on 21 August, and the final three on 28 August. Comment as many times as you like (though only one entry per person will be taken each week); if you’re e-mailing, one per week is sufficient.
In addition to the four aired episodes, the two unaired episodes, which are on the DVD, are:
“Watchbird”, based on a story by Robert Sheckley, written by J. Michael Straczynski and Sam Egan, directed by Harold Becker, and starring Sean Astin and James Cromwell.
“Little Brother”, based on a story by and written by Walter Mosley, directed by Damell Martin, and starring Clifton Collins, Jr. and Kimberly Elise.
For even more info on the series, hosted by Stephen Hawking, see http://www.mastersofscifi.com/site/.
I loved the series. Unfortunately, only three episodes aired in my area. The one I really wanted to see, “The Departed”, wasn’t aired. Instead a movie about Ray Charles was shown in its place. If I win, I’ll get to see the other half of the series for free.
Here’s a surprise–a network had a high quality show that had the potential to reach a small but enthusiastic audience. And then they scheduled it on Saturday nights and didn’t promote it. Surprisingly, it ended up getting cancelled. Feh…and the networks wonder why they’re losing to cable?
I’ve been looking forward to this DVD set for a while, the stories are from some of the best authors of science fiction literature.
This was an amazing series .. glad to hear that it’s being released finally
I’ve been looking forward to this DVD set for a while, the stories are from some of the best authors of science fiction literature. I’d love to win a copy.
Gimme gimme please.
I found this on boingboing.net, along with countless others. Now the deluge of comments!
I totally missed this when it was on television. Maybe I’ll luck out and win the DVD so I can see it. Unfortunately, I was unconscious for 3 weeks in the hospital last year and it happened to be right at the time this was broadcast.
Awesome! Most of my wife’s family will probably get together to watch this! Free would be awesome.
I missed the series when it was aired last year, and was hoping it would come out on DVD. Gotta check Netflix!
A contest you say? Awesome, sign me up!
I am definitely going to recommend that my library purchase this.
It is good to see this series being released as a complete set as I was not able to catch the shows when they originally aired. Being packaged together as a series makes this a great gift idea and allows for this quality storytelling to be appreciated by an expanded audience.
Cool series. Thanks for the update. I hope to win?
I liked “Jerry Was A Man”, but as with most TV SF the design was more notable than the performances. I wonder when we’ll start getting those variables balanced by means other than the “distressed/dystopic” future option.
Missed this one TV–I didn’t even realize it was airing until after it was pulled!
Awesome!!! I want to win! I’ll play it for my future children!!
I doubt they will air this here in Argentina anytme soon.
Cool, I only got to see two episodes of this on TV before it got cancelled, now I can see the rest!
Haven’t heard of this series (since I don’t have cable). Sounds great!
Is the competition open to those outside of the US?
Never saw this series on television, but the list of contributors looks impressive. Can’t wait to see this one!
Woah.. I just heard of this series via Boing Boing (http://www.boingboing.net/2008/08/01/masters-of-science-f.html). It sounds amazing!
Wow, what a giveaway. 🙂 And what a DVD!
I missed this (having no tv at school) and was afraid I’d never get a second chance on it.
Y’know, if it weren’t for us Canuckleheads, there wouldn’t be any modern sci-fi Tv! See: Regenesis, new Outer Limits, Andromeda, Sliders, middle Twilight Zone, Ray Bradbury’s & Kurt Vonnegut’s shows, Fear Itself, 4400, Eureka… there are more, and maybe even better, but that’s off the top of my head (and my dvd shelf)
So you Mercans owe us! jk 😉
I can has dvd?
I was actually wondering when this was going to be made available on DVD. Because of a growing SF addiction, I recently purchased Firefly: The Complete Series and Serenity, as well as Silent Hill (I know, I know…I’m running behind).
I saw one episode of The Masters… and it was very cool! Would love to have the whole series.
count me in.
It’ll be great to see the un-aired segments.
Have been waiting for this for what seems like forever!
Excellent.
I actually liked this series, I wish it had ran longer.
Wait, I thought Stephen Hawking was real and not SF?
WTF? SF?
it’s about time, someone should have put this together years ago.
I completely missed this series when it aired, much to my consternation. Will almost certainly buy the DVD.
Comment on an article, like this one?
I’d love some free science fiction DVD goodness.
Sweet! Loved the series, but I missed a few episodes when my Verizon FiOS DVR went belly-up.
Finally a chance to see the unaired episodes!
…sends positive energy for my entry to be picked…
I was a big fan of the Masters of Horror series, but somehow completely missed this one. Good thing they’re giving it the DVD treatment.
This looks great! It would be even better if I can get it for free! PLEASE! 🙂
Sounds good…
I had great hopes for “Masters Of Science Fiction”, but on the whole I was disappointed by the way the stories were adapted for television. Only because in several cases, the adaptation showed that the writers involved didn’t really understand the story.
“The Discarded” however, was well done, and J. Michael Straczynski knows SF very well, so I’m sad that the Sheckley story wasn’t shown, and as for Mosley, that guy can WRITE!.
So, I’ll definitely buy it if I don’t win it.
–Jerry
Best TV series in the last 10 years IMHO.
Loved the series! I was hoping they would do more.
I never heard of this series, only Masters of Horror.
I wonder what’s next, Masters of Romance Comedy?
I enjoyed the article “Marvel to adapt Stephen King’s The Stand to graphic novel”. The Stand is my all-time favorite book and I look forward to seeing the graphic novel in September 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
Fingers crossed 🙂
I WIN
I’ve been a science and science fiction junkie for a number of years now. It would be great to win a copy.
I hope there’s another season or more episodes coming.
Looks cool will have to check it out! And this site has potential, going to browse a bit now…