Sci Fi exec mollifies Syfy angst on Twitter

Sci Fi digital exec Craig Engler has taken to Twitter to try and pour some soothing network logic onto the inflamed geek fandom regarding the company's name change to Syfy (which is tomorrow, btw). Here's some of Engler's Tweets (@syfy) from the past week where he gamely restates and answers hand-picked fan questions (basically, variations on "Whhhhhhy!?"). The Tweets have been edited here into a Q&A format (oh, and here's SyFy's new two-minute brand change expensive-looking promotional video).

Q) Does SyFy's new branding mean less science fiction/fantasy programming?

A) No, we are not changing our programming mix

Q) How do you pronounce SyFy? When I see it I want to pronounce it so it rhymes with 'jiffy'

A) Just like "sci-fi"

Q) Why do you insist on trying to pretend your demographic isn't what it is and pandering to people who will never watch you?

A) Demos vary greatly by show, so there is not a single demo that watches us. Many different kinds of people enjoy sci-fi, fantasy, etc.

Q) [Not stated]

A)  Had we only listened to Web-based feedback, for instance, we never would have made Battlestar Galactica.

Q) Anyone else get the feeling that the @SyFy change is far too similar to the TechTV/G4 blend?

A) Hmmm....nope!

Q) Help me understand. Name one new project you can do as Syfy that wouldn't have felt right as Sci Fi.

A) Syfy is about catching up to where our programming mix is, not about changing it.

Q) Your programming mix has poor spelling and grammar? That isn't catching up Craig, that's dumbing down.

A) Syfy is a made-up name, not a word, so it's spelled correctly as is. Like Wii. Or Twitter ;)

Q) It's not so much the name change as it is the "getting away from the geeks" rationale.... I think it's the "oh we've got to get new people" tone - it sort of comes across as leaving us, no matter how much u say it isn't

A) That's not at all our rationale. A TV historian named Tim Brooks said that and it's unfortunately been misattributed to us.

Q) Well, I like the new name Syfy... but I don't like the new logo.. dunno way, perhaps is a bit colorless...

A) The Syfy logo was designed to be something of an empty vessel that we can play with. You'll see some cool stuff happening to it soon :)

Q) How is it working at SyFy? Fun or stressful?

A) Fun! Great channel, great colleagues and the most amazing viewers ever.