The following are quotes from Ms. Hammer from CNN.com, October 10, 2001: "Bonnie Hammer: She is SciFi."

"Horror is a part of science fiction," she says. "It belongs in the definition of sci-fi. In the older regime" before she got her hands on the console, "the network's look was darker, horrific. That was totally wrong, wrong definition, wrong way to pursue this channel. What belongs on the air is lighter."

"It's anything outside of what we know to be true. Sci-fi is speculative fiction. 'Field of Dreams' is sci-fi. 'Farscape' (with Ben Browder) is sci-fi, of course -- any space opera is. It's a place for reverie. Fantastical. The magical. Very different."
— Bonnie Hammer, Sci Fi Channel

Ms. Hammer, the question of Braveheart on SciFi is still on the table. According to your own definition, how do you justify airing a blatantly non-science-fiction story? Does your previous association with PBS persuade you into enlightening viewers with a pseudo-historical drama?

I suggest that you join a science fiction book club, perhaps attend a science fiction convention, get to know the market first hand. Science fiction and horror are easy genres to work with. You have the pleasure of programming for a viewer market crossing all demographic boundaries. All network CEOs should be so fortunate. The network I work for has a viewer demo and donor base of 60-80 year olds. Try programming for a group like that!

Ms. Hammer, count your lucky stars, eat some Lucky Charms, and don't blow the budget on movies like Braveheart.