The 8 best SF/F/Horror TV shows of 2018?

Did you enjoy genre TV in 2018?
Our annual review of the previous year's TV shows in our genre had to be delayed twice--and a substitute co-presenter called in--before we finally managed it (guess what kind of review the weather's getting!). FINALLY, however, we met, and had a lively discussion.

Carol Doms's longtime reviewing partner, Ken Keller, was unable to attend the March 16, 2019 meeting, but Rosemary Williams (Chair of ConQuesT 50) ably stepped in to "sub" for him.

Co-presenters and discussion facilitators Carol Doms (at left) and Rosemary Williams, at the March 16 KaCSFFS Meeting.

As there are every year, there were pans and praises, as well as mixed verdicts. The group reached consensus that the following 8 shows were among the most worthwhile viewing in our genres! See if you agree:

Altered Carbon
The group judged Altered Carbon "Good, but you really have to pay attention!"

Black Lightning
Some of the most enthusiastic comments came for Black Lightning. "Good writing and good acting! Well worth watching!" was the consensus of all who'd seen it.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
"This one's my guilty pleasure," Rosemary admitted, speaking of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. "There are all sorts of reasons I shouldn't like it, but it's very entertaining."

The Dragon Prince
Created by the people who produced The Last Airbender (NOT the live-action movie; "we do not speak of that"), this show was especially recommended by Rosemary. "They even use ASL (American Sign Language) correctly!"

The Purge
This horror show was recommended by Carol, who said she was surprised to like it as much as she did. The endorsement was seconded by attending members, including Tim Keltner, our venue-arranger.

The Rain
Several audience members, including Laser Rangers host David Sooby and a well-versed visiting librarian named Barb (friend of presenter Carol Doms) mentioned this horror series before our presenters even got to it.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
This one came recommended by Rosemary, as an entertaining improvement on the original.

The Terror
Both presenter Carol Doms and Laser Rangers host David Sooby recommended this "intense," "well-done historical" series.

So there you have them, in all their varied glory--our picks for 2018. Do you agree? Please share your opinion in the Comments section below!

IMAGES: Many thanks to Jan S. Gephardt, for the photo of Carol and Rosemary; to Cover Abyss for the Altered Carbon Twitter header photo, and Wikipedia for the Altered Carbon title image; to Wikipedia once again, for the Black Lightning title; to TV Line, for the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina image; to HerCampus for the title image for The Dragon Prince; to Wikipedia yet again, for the title card image for The Purge; to DreadCentral for the poster-image of The Rain; to Travis McClain's blog "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" for the She-Ra and the Princesses of Power title image; and to TVSeriesFinale for the title image for The Terror.

March 2019 meeting. For real!

The local meteorologists have reassured us: we SHOULD have good weather Saturday! Many thanks to KaXFAN Tim Keltner, we ALSO have a place to meet, after losing our longtime home at The Writers Place in Kansas City, MO.

Basic facts about the meeting:

Where: in the community room at the Natural Grocers at 13335 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Shawnee, KS
When: March 16, 2019
Hours: we need to start the meeting at 5:00 p.m. and end at 8:30.
Program: "The best and Worst of Last Year's SF/Fantasy/Horror TV, a discussion led by Carol Doms and Ken Keller.

Don't forget your cash or your checkbook!

Remember also that the March meeting is our annual Fiscal Meeting. That means it's time to pay dues, if you want to be a member of KaCSFFS. The new dues structure, approved last year, is $36 for a regular membership, or $60 for a combined membership to BOTH ConQuesT 50 and KaCSFFS. That's:
$36 - KaCSFFS only
$60 - KaCSFFS plus ConQuesT 50
Note: the PayPal button on the website has been disabled pending an update. It was still charging the old amount. We apologize for the inconvenience!

The location-search continues
The search for a new place to meet more regularly continues. Director David Means and several other Board members have viewed, considered, and attempted to book several different places, but so far we haven't found a place that is available on our regular meeting night, that we can afford. 

If you know of any possibilities--preferably located near the center of the Kansas City Metro area--please contact us! Come to the March meeting, or reach out directly to David or any of the Board of Directors, or use the KaCSFFS email. Thanks for any help you can give us!

This also is the first month for candidates to self-nominate to be officers on the KaCSFFS Board. We're looking for candidates for all offices: Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Officer, and Quartermaster.

Roasts and Toasts for 2018 sf/f/horror TV
Our annual review and discussion of the best and worst shows in our speculative genres that came to television in 2018 will be the topic of a lively discussion, led by Carol Doms and Ken Keller. This annual favorite program is back by popular demand. We hope you can join us, and weigh in with your opinions.

Carol Doms and Ken Keller introduce their discussion of 2017's Best and Worst in SF/Fantasy/Horror TV Shows at the January 20, 2018 meeting.

IMAGES: The Natural Grocers Logo is from the parent company's Facebook Page. We are grateful to the European Parliament's post, "Economic governance explained," for the photo of the empty cash box used in our "Treasury Rejuvenation Month" graphic, assembled by Jan S. Gephardt. The photo of Carol Doms and Ken Keller is by Jan S. Gephardt, and was taken with their permission for KaCSFFS publicity purposes during last year's "Best and Worst on TV" program, which they also hosted.

YES! We're having a meeting 2/16/2019!

Many thanks to KaXFAN Tim Keltner, we have a place to meet in February, after losing our longtime home at The Writers Place in Kansas City, MO. Unfortunately, we'll have to postpone that Chili Cook-off.

Where: in the community room at the Natural Grocers at 13335 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Shawnee, KS

When: February 16, 2019
Hours: we need to start the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:30.

Program: "The best and Worst of Last Year's SF/Fantasy/Horror TV, a discussion led by Carol Doms and Ken Keller

Food Theme: FORMERLY the Chili Cook-off, we might be able to buy food at the grocery store where the meeting will be held. The Chili Cook-off has been POSTPONED to a later date when we have a meeting place where we can bring home-cooked food.

The search for a new place to meet more regularly continues. Director David Means and several other Board members have viewed, considered, and attempted to book several different places, but so far we haven't found a place that is available on our regular meeting night, that we can afford. If you know of any possibilities--preferably located near the center of the Kansas City Metro area--please contact us!

Come to the February meeting, or reach out directly to David or any of the Board of Directors, or use the KaCSFFS email. Thanks for any help you can give us!

Maybe no Chili, but a Program!
Our annual review and discussion of the best and worst shows in our speculative genres that came to television in 2018 will be the topic of a lively discussion, led by Carol Doms and Ken Keller.

This annual favorite program is back by popular demand. We hope you can join us, and weigh in with your opinions.

Carol Doms and Ken Keller introduce their discussion of 2017's Best and Worst in SF/Fantasy/Horror TV Shows at the January 20, 2018 meeting.

IMAGES: The Natural Grocers Logo is from the parent company's Facebook Page. The photo of Carol Doms and Ken Keller is by Jan S. Gephardt, and was taken with their permission for KaCSFFS publicity purposes during last year's "Best and Worst on TV" program, which they also hosted.

Chili cookoff and SF/F TV and Movies at January meeting 1/21/17

What: January KaCSFFS Meeting
When: January 21, 2017, 6:00-9:30 p.m.
Where: The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111
Food Theme: Annual Chili Cookoff!
Program: SF and Fantasy TV and Movies: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, led by Carol Doms and Ken Keller

Warm up the winter night with our Annual Chili Cookoff
Every winter in recent years, KaXFEN have fired up our slow-cookers, baked up some cornbread, and brought in our favorite toppings and sides for the Annual KaCSFFS Chili Cook-off. Join the fun and the deliciousness! 

Please bring your own preferred choice to share: Chili, sides, cornbread, or toppings.

Get a preview of SF&F TV and movies to come! 
Join the discussion with Ken Keller and Carol Doms, as they survey some of the upcoming offerings among science fiction and fantasy movies and TV. What favorites are coming back? What promising new shows are in the pipeline for 2017? This was such a well-received feature in 2016 we've asked our favorite media mavens back to discuss this year's crop of picks and pans.

IMAGES: Many thanks to Wikipedia for the photo of the bowl of chili, and to the "Back to the Future" pinboard on Pinterest, for the retro-future viewer image.

Costumes, treats, and Julia Mandala Headline October Meeting, 10/15/16

Susan Ives and Carol Doms
livened up the food table in 2013.

What: Halloween KaCSFFS Meeting

Where: The Writers Place

3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111

When: Saturday, October 15, 2016

6:00 Setup Begins!

6:30 Latest time the business meeting will start. 
7:00 The conversation with Julia Mandala begins! 

Food Theme: Halloween-themed Party Food! 

Consider dressing for the occasion 
KaXFEN usually come in costume for the October meeting, and we've had some strange and interesting looks over the years, from exotic wearable constructions to double-take-worthy makeup and special effects. But even if you don't feel like costuming up yourself, please come and enjoy the creations of those who do. 

Everyone in costume lined up for a photo at the 2014 Halloween meeting.

Every Halloween party needs food
If there's one thing we've learned, it's that KaXFEN not only love to eat--many of them also are excellent and creative cooks. Please bring something delicious and seasonally-appropriate to share. 

Tracy Majkol surveys the bounty at the 2014 Halloween meeting

Julia Mandala at this year's Archon.

Get ready to Meet the Author/Editor
Our main programming event this month is a live interview with our Reviewers' Reading Circle author, Julia Mandala. She will join us live and in her own costume via FaceTime, to discuss her new book book Blood Songs, our RRC Selection for October, and to tell us about the new Fantasy Writers Asylum imprint she's now editing for Yard Dog Press. 

IMAGES: Many thanks to Ty Gephardt and Jan Gephardt for photos of costumes and food from past meetings. Many thanks to Jim Hines, via Facebook, for the photo of Julia Mandala reading to an audience at this year's Archon 40 convention.

Chili Cook-off and new SF TV Shows Highlight February KaCSFFS Meeting Saturday

What: February KaCSFFS Meeting

Where: The Writers Place

3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111

When: Saturday, February 20, 2016

5:30 Board of Directors—open meeting

6:00 Doors open for setup and pre-meeting socializing.

6:30 Meeting begins (Quick discussion of old business, plus we are still open for self-nominations for club offices.)
7:00 Carol Doms and Ken Keller discuss new sf TV Shows
Food Theme: Chili Cook-Off! Bring a sample of your favorite chili recipe, or condiments to go with chili. 

It's once again time for the annual KaCSFFS Chili Cook-Off!

Bring a crock pot full of your favorite chili recipe, and vie for Fame and Fortune (okay, a lovely certificate!) as a premier chili chef. 

Last year we had three contenders. There is always room for more!

If you don't want to bring delicious chili, bring condiments that will complement the main event! Shredded cheese, sour cream, crackers, and much more are always welcome!

Small Screen--Big New Shows
Recent months have seen a resurgence of television shows with sf themes. How good are they? What new ideas and interesting elements do they bring to our living rooms, laptops, or mobile platforms? What are their weaknesses? Carol Doms and Ken Keller lead the discussion.

One of many new shows is The Expanse. We posted a review by David Sooby recently.

Let the Games Begin!

Following on last month's program from David Means, this month we intend to play some of our favorite tabletop games. Bring your own favorite card or board games to share. Test your luck and skill at something new, or settle in with an old favorite! 

Tabletop games were a huge success at the Thanksgiving meeting. Bring your favorites to share!

Related Features Note! 

David Means has shared his notes from the January program about tabletop games. We will be using his information as a source of future feature posts about games, on this blog.

Business Meeting? We don't need no . . . Oh. Right.

Self-nominations for Club officers are still open. Think you could do a job better? Put yourself to the test! Let us know, on Saturday, if you plan to run for office. There are a few other items of Old Business that also probably should receive further discussion, but we'll keep it short. We promise!

IMAGES: Many thanks to Wheedonopolis for the Expanse title image. Both photos from meetings (last year's food table for the Chili Cook-Off, and also one of the tabletop games played last year at the Thanksgiving meeting) are by Jan S. Gephardt, and are used with her permission. 

Flying Fen and Chili, with SF Television

It's the Incredible Flying Fan!

You just never know what you'll see in a newspaper . . . 

Our own Tracy Majkol recently flew on a ring at Union Station with Quixotic’s Jenny Prohaska (KC Star photo by Fred Blocher).

The Great KaCSFFS Chili Cookoff returns! Plus SF TV

How better to spend a winter night with friends?
The January KaCSFFS Meeting: 6:30 p.m., Saturday Jan. 19, 2013
At The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111.

Program:
The Best and Worst of SF TV
Carol Doms leads the proceedings

Have a chili recipe you think is a winner? Bring it on! It just might be the best yet!

Chili Cookoff
This will be our 4th annual event.  Past winners, come and defend your title! Win adulation and a lovely certificate! Challengers, here's your chance for the title of KaCSFFS Chili Champ, and all bragging rights! Certificates will be awarded to the top three chili cooks.

KaCSFFS provides the bowls, spoons and cups. Individuals are responsible for what they wish to drink.

And PLEASE! If you are not going to participate in the chili contest kindly bring other food items to go with chili. This could be slaw or other salad, chips, toppings, oyster crackers or saltines, shredded cheddar cheese, etc., or dessert items.

PHOTO CREDITS: Fred Blocher's photo of Tracy Majkol is from the Kansas City Star. Left and center chili bowl images came from Wikimedia Commons, and the bowl with oyster crackers is an image from The Chili Guy's website.

Next Stop: Mars! (via Overland Park)

A Princess of Mars Headlines SF&F Literati Program 

The 1917 edition featured a cover by
Frank E. Schoonover

When: March 26, 2012, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Barnes & Noble #2352, 11323 W 95th Street, Overland Park, KS 66214, 2nd Floor

As announced several weeks ago, the SF&F Literati group will celebrate the release of the John Carter movie by reading Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars, first in the "Barsoom" series.

Carol Doms writes, "This is a repeat book. It was discussed in January 2003. But I am sure [the] release of the John Carter movie this month was the deciding factor in selecting this book again.  Beth reports that it is available as a free Kindle book."

It also is available as a Nook book and mass market paperback, from Barnes & Noble Booksellers online.

The Barnes & Noble overview says, "A Princess of Mars is the first book in Edgar Rice Burroughs Barsoom series. It is also his first novel, predating his Tarzan series.

“John Carter, a Confederate veteran, goes prospecting in Arizona immediately after the end of the Civil War. Having struck a rich vein of gold, he runs afoul of Apaches. While attempting to evade pursuit by hiding in a sacred cave, he is mysteriously transported to Mars. 

"Carter finds that he has great strength and superhuman agility in this new environment, as a result of its lesser gravity. He soon falls in with the Tharks, a nomadic tribe of Green Martians. Thanks to his strength and combat abilities, Carter rises to a high position in the tribe and earns the respect and eventually the friendship of Tars Tarkas, one of the Thark chiefs.

“Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan, ‘Lost Worlds,’ and the heroic Mars adventurer, John Carter.”

Order next month's book now!

Steven Harper's The Doomsday Vault Featured in April!

Harper's Steampunk opus is
the April selection.

When: April 23, 2012, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Barnes & Noble #2352, 11323 W 95th Street, Overland Park, KS 66214, 2nd Floor

This recent release (November 2011) is the first of the new "Clockwork Empire" series from Harper, a prolific and established writer. You can buy the book from Barnes & Noble online.

The Barnes & Nobles overview says, "“In a clockwork Brittania, Alice's prospects are slim. At 21, her age and her unladylike interest in automatons have sealed her fate as an undesirable marriage prospect. But a devastating plague sends Alice off in a direction beyond the pale-towards a clandestine organization, mad inventors, life-altering secrets, and into the arms of an intrepid fiddle-playing airship pilot.”

COVER IMAGES: The vintage Schoonover cover for A Princess of Mars is courtesy of Wikipedia.  The cover shot for The Doomsday Vault is from Barnes & Nobles.