Ever notice that, especially with sci fi, the lower the budget the better the results. I think that the lack of money forces the writers and producers to find more entertaining ways of producing television other than adding a big fight scene or explosion whenever the plot lags. examples: Star Trek TOS vs all the rest (with the possible exception of TNG) Early Red Dwarf vs Later Red Dwarf.
Can't speak so much for sci-fi, however Canadian shows are generally lower budget, but I think the writing on them are brilliant.
