When Sci Fi Channel turned into SyFy Channel this past summer, they made a promise of stearing away from their normal fare of made-for-TV sci fi movies, original sci fi original series and sci fi related reality shows.  Ironically, they chose the switchover date as the premiere date for their latest sci fi series, Warehouse 13, and we have still yet to see any change in programming.

2012: Startling New Secrets is the first to touch on that promise.  Although still sci fi related, it ventures off from their normal scripted programming (yes, I am including "reality" shows in that category) and into History Channel-like documentary programming.  Though not produced as well as History Channel or Discovery Channel docs, it is in a way more interesting.  It is presented more like a news piece from 60 minutes than a hard science-based fact spewer.

2012: Startling New Secrets plays like a conspiracy theorists wet dream.  I have seen probably 5 or 6 "documentaries" on 2012 in anticipation of the big budget movie of the same name and all have been relatively boring, regurgitating boring fact after boring fact.  The conspiricist route that SyFy takes on this show makes it more watchable than the others, even if less "factual".

Also unlike the others, this "doc" doesn't try to hide the fact that it is playing off of the hopeful popularity of the movie by not only mentioning Roland Emmerich's flick but also playing clips and talking of his own governmental conspiracies.

Take 2012: Startling New Secrets with a grain of salt and you may come out entertained.  Go in expecting a heavy fact based History Channel-type documentary and you will likely turn it off before it's over.  It's a bit slow and repetetive at times but it's good for a boring day when nothing else is on.  It's not for everyone, but it is mostly fun.