Not since The X-Files has there been a UFO drama series anticipated as much as Project Blue Book, The History Channel’s latest delivery. While the series is fictional, it’s set within a true historical framework.
HISTORY’s upcoming new drama series ‘Project Blue Book’ is based on the true, top-secret investigations into Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and related phenomena conducted by the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1969. ~The History Channel
Project Blue Book was a US Air Force program that investigated UFOs from 1952 until 1969[1]. While the large majority of the 12,618 UFO reports were explainable, a very small number of them remain unsolved.
Where History Meets Fiction
The History Channel has one other keystone show about aliens & UFOs in its wildly popular Ancient Aliens, but there are lots of problems with that show today. Claiming to run the realm of a non-fiction documentary while ignoring numerous historical facts, the show takes on more of an opinion piece than anything else driving many viewers away[2].
Ancient Aliens has become nothing more than a rotation of the same set of theorists continually spouting the same ideas episode after episode, regardless of the evidence, resulting in a never ending holding pattern where the answer to every question is, “Ancient Astronaut theorists say ‘Yes'”.
This new show however, without the anchor of pretending to be non-fiction, could be so much more. The ability to develop characters and move new faces in and out of the series will help keep things fresh.
Hopefully it takes a page from the first few seasons of The X-Files with the number of characters & personalities. Seriously, go back and watch the first season of The X-Files and look at the sheer number of actors who appeared on that show throughout various episodes.
Perhaps a Return to Good Old TV?
One of the things I really miss about older TV dramas (even those not about aliens) is the use of dialogue between characters.
Take a look at some of today’s most popular shows such as The Walking Dead; an entire season may be comprised of just 10 or 12 episodes. In addition, there’s very little dialogue between characters.
Compare that to The X-Files’ 24-episode seasons where the large majority of the story was told through character conversations. There was more dialogue in a couple episodes of The X-Files than an entire season of The Walking Dead.
But Let’s Not Get Ahead of Ourselves
While I would love for Project Blue Book to become the next X-Files, I have to remember that this is still The History Channel. While The History Channel does lots of great things, they’re not 20th Century Fox.
Sources & Additional Reading
Featured Image Source: Pixabay
1. Wikipedia: Project Blue Book
2. Zesty Things: Why I Stopped Watching The History Channel
I watched it not too impressed too much other crap for an attempt to reinvent history
I like it. I don’t watch much TV, but it’s a pretty good show especially when you consider what else is out there.
When does it start?
It already started. There’s only a couple more episodes left before the season finale. It has been picked up for a 2nd season though, so ratings must be pretty good.
What channel, day and time?
History Channel, Tuesdays at 10 PM EST.
This show is entertaining but so off from the cases they state they are based on
I think that’s to be expected. I’m not sure if it’s a real genre name, but I’ve always called shows like this, “Historical Fiction”.
Alien UFO Blog it states the stories are based on real cases which is probably true but they stretched it too far, either way it’s entertaining
I watch it,I watched x files too
I love X-Files. How do you think Project Blue Book compares?
Alien UFO Blog ,fictional on xfiles,pbb is based on fact,reports from ppl,but I love xfiles
I’m excited about this one. I rarely make time to watch TV, but this could be my new exception.
I’m cautiously optimistic – I have all these ideas in my mind about how great the show could be, but seen too many networks screw up good ideas and ended up disappointed.