Ghosted and the Orville both debuted last year and the Hoboken Public Library recently got their first seasons on DVD. They parody popular classic Science Fiction TV shows, but even while they skewer conventions and plot lines, they still manage to send lots of love to the shows they are poking fun at. I’ve also listed a few of my older comedy science fiction favorites that are worth checking out.
Ghosted
I was a fan of the The X-Files as a teen, so I was interested to check out Ghosted. Ghosted stars Craig Robinson and Adam Scott in a half hour comedy about a skeptical former security guard and a brilliant true believer who must solve paranormal incidents involving aliens, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures for a secret Government Agency. Having been cancelled after its first season, it didn’t find the audience of the long running X-Files which it parodied, but it is still a fun way to spend some time binging on a snowy winter day.
The Orville
The Orville, according to my husband, feels like every episode is one of the funny episodes you would get each season of a Star Trek series and considering the hilarious “The Trouble with Tribbles” often gets ranked as one Trek fan’s favorite episodes of all times, this could mean it is definitely worth checking out if you are a Trekie. I thought it captured more of the feel of the old TV shows than the new streaming series which has more in common with the recent Star Trek movie reboots. The great banter between Captain Ed Mercer and his first officer and ex-wife are just one of the reasons to tune in. I recommend this highly, even if like me you are not usually a fan of star and creator Seth MacFarlane’s work.
Red Dwarf
My father, who is a Science Fiction fan, encouraged me to check out the BBC show Red Dwarf , which centers around a motley starship crew including the last living human who wakes from stasis in the far future, a hologram of his former bunkmate, a humanoid creature who evolved from his pet cat, and the ship’s computer AI. The series first aired in 1988 and has evolved over the years. Lister and Rimmer are the Odd Couple in Space. Check it out and see why the show has developed a cult following.
Lexx
Lexx is a Canadian series focusing on the powerful starship Lexx, which can destroy worlds, and its crew. The story takes them to a number of unusual planets and even an alternative version of our own. Lexx moves between a more serious tone and at times has broader farce towards the end of its run, but on the whole the humor is much darker than the others on this list.
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is based on the idea that some movies are so bad they are good. This cult classic stars a man trapped in space with only his robot companions to keep to keep him company while they watch horrible movies as part of mad scientists’ nefarious experiments. The funny dialogue between the actors adds laughs to some truly bad films. Definitely worth revisiting older episodes or checking out the new reboot. Hoopla lets you decide who you think is funniest Joel, Mike, or the newest star Jonah. You can also borrow episodes from BCCLS libraries including HPL.
If you are a fan of Science Fiction and Fantasy, you can join me for screenings of Science Fiction and Fantasy movies we show one Monday each month at 4 PM; in February our screening will be on February 25. At 6:15 PM on Feb 25, there will also be a discussion of the magical novel, A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab; it was suggested by one of our group members and though I’m only a third of the way through I already want to read the other two in the series. You can stop by the reference desk for a print copy. Borrow an ebook copy from eLibraryNJ or digital audiobook copy from Hoopla, who also has the comic series. Don’t have an ereader of your own; HPL residents can check out ereaders with all of our book discussion books and more downloaded on them. Email hplwriters @ gmal.com for more information about the group. You can sign up for the library’s enewsletter to stay up to date on all the library’s fun and informative programs.
Written by:
Aimee Harris
Head of Reference
Hoboken Library Staff Picks 
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