Bar Karma

Bar Karma, first broadcast in 2010, was an innovative and captivating show that took audience interaction to a whole new level. The groundbreaking series emanated from Current TV, an American cable channel helmed by the former Vice President Al Gore and entrepreneur Joel Hyatt. With its unique premise and interactive format, Bar Karma captured the imagination of audiences and pushed the boundaries of traditional television.

The series, spanning 12 episodes, was an intriguing blend of science fiction, drama, and philosophy. The show gets its unusual title from its central setting – a mysterious watering hole at the edge of the universe, known as Bar Karma. Unbeknownst to the patrons of the pub, the bar exists outside of time and space. This mystical establishment sits in an unchangeable cosmic loop that caters to lost souls seeking redemption, second chances, and generally a break from the rigors of reality. Thus, the visitors of Bar Karma are not the usual bar-goers one might encounter, but rather, they're individuals plucked from various points in time and space who get a unique opportunity to alter their fate.

A core trio of characters run this peculiar establishment. The innovatively named James, the thousand-year-old bar owner who has seen it all, Doug Jones, a Wall Street broker turned reluctant barhand who arrives at the bar under mysterious circumstances, and Dayna, a sensitive yet strong-willed waitress blessed with the gift of seeing alternate pathways of time and space. The drama unfolds as they grapple with the implications of the mysterious time-space loop, moral quandaries, existential debates, and influences of destiny on individual choices.

The outstanding aspect of Bar Karma lay in its interactive production model. The show stood out as television's first community-developed series, where audiences played a keen role in governing the storyline; a concept developed by show producer, game designer, and Sims creator Will Wright. This meant that fans didn't just watch the series passively but had a real hand in shaping its storyline. Community members were given the software StoryMaker, where they designed their episode concepts, narrative arcs, characters, and plotlines. The community then voted on these ideas, and the production team translated the winning concepts into episodes.

Every aspect of Bar Karma was gripped by the theme of variance and choice. The moral dilemmas, ethical quagmires, and time travel paradoxes were cleverly interwoven, causing the viewer to question everything from free will to destiny, from consequence to coincidence.

Despite its sci-fi framing, Bar Karma was all about humanity at its core. It dug into the human condition, exploring themes like forgiveness, redemption, regrets, and the sheer unpredictability of life. Through it all, the series never lost sight of its characters. Whether they were patrons who stumbled into the bar or the bar staff itself, each character's journey had its own arc and growth.

Bar Karma was also visually engaging, creating a surreal ambiance that perfectly mirrored its fantastical premise. Its use of special effects and atmospheric coloration brings the unconventional setting and plot to life, underscoring the series' dedication to immersion and detail.

The show historical significance cannot be overstated. Nearly a decade on, it maintains its unique position as one of the first experiments in audience-driven storytelling on television.

In summary, Bar Karma was an innovative series that successfully combined interactive storytelling with thought-provoking narratives, compelling characters, and an otherworldly setting. It was aware of its unusual premise and brave enough to lean into it fully, delivering a novel and often surreal viewing experience. While no longer in production, Bar Karma remains as a testament to the potential of audience participation in media and the infinite storytelling possibilities that comes with such a premise. Consequently, the show offers an experience unlike anything else, making it a cult classic and a game-changing series well worth revisiting for fans of complex, multi-layered narratives.