“Stargate Universe” Interviews

In a pair of interviews with Scotland’s Daily Star and The Express, actor Robert Carlyle discussed Stargate Universe, his role in as Dr. Nicholas Rush, and the resistance some fans have towards the new series. “We’re dealing with 15 seasons of expectations with a certain fan base,” he said. “Hopefully, as the show goes on, people will appreciate Universe for being its own thing.”

He noted that there would be a new alien race introduced on the series. “There is a big story point coming up that does introduce an alien race. It’s more along the line of a District 9-type alien. They’re not the typical Stargate alien bad guys.”

One thing he admits is that, “The producers took a big risk on casting me, as I had never done science fiction before. But I immediately felt comfortable with the character and that is important. We’ve been discussing my input in the directing arena. They are well up for it.”

Meanwhile, in an interview with Australia’s Northern Territory News, Lou Diamond Philips, who plays Colonel David Telford, says his role is one he is especially proud of. “There’s nothing etched in stone at present, but everyone seems to be very enthusiastic about my character Colonel Telford – it’s no secret that I’d 100 percent step into that in a more regular way if it was offered. I love the show. I absolutely love the writers – I think Brad Wright and Robert Cooper are brilliant — and the cast is amazing. I really do feel as if it is original and unique and it’s exciting to watch. Hey, I’m a fan even of the shows I’m not in.”

Finally, in Australia’s The Sunday Mail, actress Ming-Na shared her feelings about the sci-fi genre in general and her role as human resources executive Camile Wray in SGU. “I came to America when I was very young and didn’t speak the language and always felt a little bit out of place growing up,” she admitted. “Sci-fi was just a wonderful form of escapism for me where I could pretend to be someone else in another world. “After talking to (executive producer) Robert Cooper about the character and where they wanted to take her, I was very excited. You think she’s the typical IRA officer trying to strut her power and get into everybody’s business, but you slowly find out she’s a strong woman who’s had to figure out how to succeed in a man’s world against the military and the scientists, and yet there’s a great deal of vulnerability. That’s what I love about her, she’s misunderstood in the beginning. I feel a connection to the character. I think she’s similar in the sense that being an Asian woman in this business I too have had to deal with a lot of rejection or prejudices or lack of roles and had to really fight for the parts that I have gotten. As far as our sense of humor though, I just love to have a great time and she’s very serious and by the book. I’m far more spontaneous.”
Of the series itself, she offers, “Ultimately you have to believe in what you’re doing and take pride in what you’re doing. Whether we get a fan base who loves us or try to please the old Stargate fans, I think ultimately we are putting together a wonderful show with a lot of adventure and humor and great characters and we will find our audience. I’m very confident about that.”

Syfy Renews SGU & Sanctuary

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Syfy has renewed both Stargate Universe and Sanctuary for, respectively, a second and third season of 20 episodes. In the case of SGU, it’s a show of faith on the network’s part given criticism on the part of the fans and ratings that have varied. Offers executive producer Robert Cooper, “We’re dealing with 15 seasons of expectations with a certain fanbase. Hopefully as the show goes on, people will appreciate Universe for being its own thing.”

“Alice” Exclusive Interview: Writer/Director Nick Willing

Following on the success of the miniseries Tin Man, Syfy is offering up a new “reimagining” of a classic story in the form of Alice. SciFi TV Zone speaks to writer/director Nick Willing, who not only helmed Tin Man, but in 1999 directed a more “traditional” version of Alice in Wonderland.

Click To Play

Syfy Picks Up “Haven”

Syfy has ordered 13 episodes of the supernatural drama series Haven, based on the novella The Colorado Kid, from renowned author Stephen King. Haven from E1 Entertainment will be the first property to be produced for Syfy Pay channels around the globe (excluding Canada and Scandinavia). The announcement was made today by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Content for Syfy and Co-Head, Original Content for Universal Cable productions, and E1 Entertainment’s John Morayniss, CEO of E1’s Television Group. Production is expected to begin in early 2010, for an anticipated air in 2010. International distribution is handled by E1 Entertainment.

“Haven is the quintessential Stephen King town, full of complex, yet identifiable, characters and compelling supernatural situations. Sam and Jim wrote a great pilot, and we can’t wait to see Scott, Lloyd, and Shawn join them in bringing this town to life as a series. We also couldn’t be more excited to partner with our international Syfy channels and be in business with E1 who will definitely deliver the high-quality production value we expect,” Stern said in making the announcement.

“E1 has successfully orchestrated the first Syfy global partnership with Syfy in the U.S. and their international pay channels and we couldn’t be more pleased,” added John Morayniss. “What a combination: the Syfy brand, the pedigree of Stephen King and the global presence and reach of E1. With those ingredients, I predict a worldwide ratings hit for Haven. Syfy audiences and television viewers around the world will be enthralled with this exciting new series.”

Syfy President Dave Howe commented, “”This is the first series to capitalize on the global power of the Syfy brand. This and more series like this in the future will be a potential game changer for Syfy’s business, enabling us to commission and produce more and more high production value original content that can live on Syfy’s growing network of channels around the globe.”

Roma Khanna, President Universal Networks International added, “Haven, based on the novella The Colorado Kid by Stephen King, is the first major content partnership driven by our global Syfy business and is the first step in our plan to invest in more top quality content for Syfy Universal and our newly revitalized global channel portfolio. This world class project illustrates our commitment to deliver more high profile, first-run content which provides compelling entertainment for our viewers around the world.”

Deep in the heart of Maine, Haven is a town where people with supernatural abilities have migrated for generations because it mutes their powers, allowing them to lead normal lives. At least, until recently. When hot-shot FBI agent Audrey Parker is called to Haven to solve the murder of a local ex-con, she catches the killer but uncovers a much deeper mystery about this town. Each week, as the town-peoples’ dormant powers begin to express themselves, Audrey will try to keep these supernatural forces at bay while unraveling the many mysteries of Haven – including one surrounding her own surprising past in this extraordinary place.

The impressive creative team behind Haven includes Scott Shepherd (Tru Calling, The Dead Zone) serving as showrunner and is joined by his partners Executive Producers Lloyd Segan and Shawn Piller (The Dead Zone, Wildfire, Greek) and E1 Entertainment’s John Morayniss (Hung, The Bridge) and Noreen Halpern (Hung, Copper). The pilot is written by Sam Ernst (Shrek the Third, The Dead Zone) and Jim Dunn (Shrek the Third, The Dead Zone) who will also serve as executive producers on the series. Adam Fratto will serve as co-executive producer.

Outer Space Astronauts Comes to SyFy

Syfy continues to expand its horizons with the premiere of new irreverent half-hour comedy series, Outer Space Astronauts. Using the latest in computer graphics technology to meld live-action and 3D animation, the visually innovative five-episode series premieres on Syfy on Tuesday, December 8 at 9:30 p.m. (ET/PT) following the season finale of the hit reality series, Scare Tactics at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). Outer Space Astronauts will continue to roll out every Tuesday night at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).

Series creator and executive producer, Russell Barrett took a complete do-it-yourself / hands-on approach to the creation of the show by developing, executing and editing the series right in his very home. He also enlisted childhood and hometown friends as series stars including, Adam Clinton (Commander Dick Amos), Stephanie Clinton (Lieutenant Sunny Hunkle), Jay Wendorff (voice of Kyle 14) and Dana Kirk (Operations Officer Donna Kennedy).

”Syfy fans have never seen animation quite like this before! The graphics may be basic and simple, but combining them with live-action elements has never been done in a series before. To say that it was a grassroots endeavor is an understatement. Russell literally produced this in his basement for more than a year, and that allowed him to create a unique series with a sharp, sly sense of humor.” said Mark Stern, EVP Original Content Syfy & Co-Head Universal Cable Productions.

Outer Space Astronauts is a futuristic comedy series about eight vaguely courageous, highly distractable military personnel who journey to the far reaches of the galaxy, seeking knowledge, adventure and whatever else they can come up with. On board the O.S.S. Oklahoma, this legion of misfits are led by a lackluster captain who would rather be planning the next “margarita Monday” than leading a mission against evil, much to exasperation of his by-the-book second-in-command. Regardless of being a comedy of errors, this team will surprise even themselves as they navigate their way around the solar system.

“Russell Barrett is a very dry, very funny guy who created his own part animated, part live-action space ship world in a series of episodes using his own style and vision of animation,” said David O. Russell, Executive Producer. “What more needs to be said about outer space astronauts who are in outer space working as astronauts, in outer space?”

Outer Space Astronauts was created by Russell Barrett, and is executive produced by Barrett, Scott Puckett and David O. Russell (Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees).

Meet the series characters:

Captain Bruce Ripley (Russell Barrett) is the worst captain in the fleet with the best reputation. He’s uninterested, bored and sloppy, yet manages to always get the job done.

Commander Dick Amos (Adam Clinton) should be the leader of the ship since he holds the most credentials than anyone, but even with his top performance record, Dick is always stuck behind the eight ball.

Lieutenant Sunny Hunkle (Stephanie Clinton) With a name that equally matches her ‘sunny’ disposition, the sweetest girl in the galaxy gets along with everyone. She doesn’t mind that her ‘secret relationship’ with Dick should remain a secret, she’s cool, calm and easy going.

Intern Jimmy Peck (Peter Burns) has been Captain Ripley’s right-hand man since their college days. A bit simple-minded, or just eternally naïve, Jimmy has a way of coming through just when you thought he was completely useless.

Pilot Johnny Boothe (Benjamin Nurick) shouldn’t be flying or driving anything as he holds the most citations for reckless piloting out of anyone (a record he states proudly!). Boothe’s disregard for safety and his addiction to speed however has saved many a day on board the O.S.S. Oklahoma.

Kyle 14 (voice: Jay Wendorff) is one of the first artificial humans to be given a post on an OSA ship. He’s the most state-of-the-art android in existence and “waaaay better than the Kyle 13 model.”

Chief Weapons Officer Andy Matheson (Laura Valdivia) has saved the life of every crewman on the ship more times than they can count. His enormous stature and history of big time whuppin’ sometimes intimidates his fellow crewman except for Brimley.

Weapons Officer Chad Brimley (Tony Bravo) likes to find other’s weak spots and poke at it with a stick. He has excellent skills, and is highly intelligent in weapons development and ammunition science, but his motivation for work isn’t always top notch.

Operations Officer Donna Kennedy (Dana Kirk) and technology don’t mix. She tries in vain to hide her ‘fear of all things that plug in and beep’ from the crew, but on a ship which functions solely from the latest technology, her technophobia gets the best of her.

Chief Mechanic Pinto (Steve Millunzi) is a human monkey wrench. If something is broken, Pinto can fix it – which is great, because things tend to break quite frequently!

Ka’ak (Jacey Margolis) is from another planet and skilled in all areas of space travel. Despite her super-model looks, her mangled use of English is a good tip-off to her alien roots; not to mention her blood-red skin!

“Being Human”: American Style

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Syfy has picked up the rights to make an American version of Toby Whithouse’s brilliant BBC series Being Human, about a vampire, werewolf and ghost who share a house together. It is truly much more dramatic than the premise would seem on the surface. The network has commited to 13 episodes of the show, with plans to debut it either in Summer or Fall 2010.

Says Syfy president Dave Howe, “We’ve always been keen on vampires and werewolves, and we loved the originality of Being Human, the fact that the fantastical creatures in it are very young, accessible and charming.” He also emphasized that this will not be a slavish remake of the British version. For the original article, please click HERE.

Stargate Universe: “Darkness”

Stargate Universe: “Darkness”
By Tiffany Vogt

This article may contain spoilers.

This was an episode in which the gadgets nearly stole the show. The lights on Destiny may have gone out due to power depletion, but it was highly entertaining to see the crew record their messages of hope, longing and despair in the Kino, and Eli (David Blue) was never more adorable than when he handed his cellphone to Chloe (Elyse Levesque) to give her a bit of light in the darkness.

For all the cuteness, this was a dark episode, and not just because the lights went out. Watching the normally calm, cool and collected Dr. Rush (Robert Carlyle) have a panic-attack and pass out from fear and exhaustion set the tone. They were all at wits end. Without power, they were basically sitting in a coffin in space. Dr. Rush’s fear was not unfounded, all the fiddling everyone had done to figure out what each button and switch did needlessly depleting their power reserves. His bellow, “Stop pushing buttons!” was not just out of frustration. They desperately needed every bit of power they could eek out of the ship to survive.

So while Dr. Rush was incapacitated, it fell on Col. Young (Justin Louis) to figure a way out of their dire predicament. Thus, it was appalling that his first thought was to use the communication stones to go home and say good-bye to his estranged wife. But in the absence of both Rush and Young, the younger folk had more to do and they rose to the occasion: Lt. Scott (Brian J. Smith) continued to try to figure out a way to use the shuttle; T.J. (Alaina Huffman) kept a watchful eye on her recuperating invalids, both Col. Young (occupied by Col. Telford) and Dr. Rush; and Eli got to play the hero in the midst of the chaos.

It was Eli’s idea that everyone should record a message into the Kino for posterity – just in case someone else came along and discovered it long after they were gone. This felt very foreboding and added a somber note to the episode, for some of the Kino messages included: “All I want is to get off this ship”; “I shouldn’t even be here. To think I could have missed all this.” and “I always knew I’d die in space. I knew something awful was going to happen. I just knew it.” But, like therapy, it was a way for everyone to release their darkest fears.

On the flip-side, there were some nice comedic moments to offset the feeling of futility, such as when Col. Young asked, “So where does that leave us?” and the response he got was. “Dead.” Likewise, when Col. Young inquired of Eli, “So you’re working the problem” and Eli sheepishly responded, “Yeah.” To which then Col. Young snapped at the other two scientists standing there, “Does the computer-hacking drop-out have to save our asses? Or are you going to get your heads out of yours?!” — with Eli mumbling in the background, “The drop-out is still here. . .”

Additionally, once the darkness descended and there was no light anywhere, it was Eli who gallantly gave Chloe his cell phone with the faux admonishment, “Don’t make any long distance calls.” It was Eli’s quick-witted quips which also deflected some of the pervasive foreboding when he was accosted by a group of anxious survivors and he glibly reassured them that, “If they tell me, I’ll tell you. This is good. I think as a group we’ve bonded.”

Finally, while Col Young was running away and saying good-bye and Eli was busy keeping everyone’s spirits up, Lt. Scott was in his way working on potential solutions; and once Col. Young returned and Dr. Rush awakened, Lt. Scott was able to share with them that he believed that the ship had taken them to their current location for a specific reason: that there were three habitable planets within range. Still in desperate need of fuel resources, they set their course for orbital insurgent trajectory, even with Scott’s warning ringing in their ears that it would be “close enough to kiss but not enough to capture.” Thus, it was not too surprising, when moments later it was noted, “The planet has altered Destiny’s course more than we hoped” — and in the distance we saw a fleet of alien space crafts approaching. Survival at what cost? Are the ships friend or foe? This far into space it does not bode well.

What Worked

Surprisingly, the shower scene, in which Eli stood guard so that Chloe could get cleaned up was more poignant, funny and endearing than one would have thought. It is a credit to the actors that it was so delicately and humorously handled.

Also surprisingly right on key was the awkwardness between Col. Young and his wife, Emily (Ona Gauer). That she did not immediately race to his side and accept that it was indeed him inhabiting Col. Telford’s body was believable. The same with her reaction to his half-hearted apology, to which she immediately chastised him with, “You still chose to go.” Her sad pleas to “just let me go” was an echo of a relationship already long gone.

In contrast, it was nice to allow Dr. Rush a lighter moment, when he awoke and TJ asked him, “How do you feel?” and he ruefully replied, “Embarrassed.” His willingness to attribute his recent panic-attack as caffeine withdrawal was priceless.

What Didn’t Work

Is it really necessary for Col. Telford (Lou D. Phillips) to go out of his way to undermine and question the authority and leadership of Col. Young each and every time they body-swap? It also feels like a poor use of Lou D. Phillips to give him such tedious lines where, as Telford, he says: “I’d like to speak to Dr. Rush immediately” and “I want to know what’s really going on aboard this ship!” Let’s hope they take some time to flesh-out his character a bit more and give him a less two-dimensional role.

Also, all the Planet of the Apes references have been over-done. It’s time to find another sci-fi film to emulate and refer to. It will help keep the show fresh and more engaging.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

“Darkness” was written by Brad Wright and directed by Peter DeLuise. Stargate Universe stars Robert Carlyle, David Blue, Brian J. Smith, Alaina Huffman, Ming-Na, Lou D. Phillips, Jamil Walker Smith, Elyse Levesque, Justin Louis. Stargate Universe airs Fridays at 9 p.m. on Syfy.

MAXIM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA COVER

(November Issue On Sale Tuesday, October 20)
BATTLESTAR BABES, TRICIA HELFER AND GRACE PARK

Battlestar hotties Tricia Helfer and Grace Park heat up the pages of the November issue of Maxim magazine and will soon heat up your flat screens when Battlestar Galactica: The Plan is released on DVD on Tuesday, October 27 and on ScFy early 2010. Sexy Cylon, Tricia Helfer, says of the two releases that “There will certainly be a lot more explicit action on the DVD. And I refuse to have a body double, so you will see a little bit of skin from me as the Six character. There’s also a new character you’ll see in some very intense sex scenes.”

Stargate Universe Review: “Air”

Stargate Universe – “Air”
Survival at no matter the cost
By Tiffany Vogt
Oct-12-2009
This article may contain spoilers

Stargate Universe is the second spin-off of the successful sci-fi series Stargate SG-1, which ran for an astounding ten seasons. Unlike that series, which was based on Earth, or Stargate: Atlantis, which was based on a portable city on another planet, Stargate Universe is focused on a rag-tag group of survivors who find themselves trapped on an alien ship traveling on the outer fringe of the universe. Fearful of using the barely functioning Stargate aboard the ship as it may lead their attackers back to Earth, they must rely on each other to survive until they can find a way to safely return home.

Stargate Universe tackles the ambitious premise of trying to straddle both prior incarnations of the franchise, while establishing its own identity. In breadth alone it feels larger than its predecessors. The size of the cast is daunting as the viewer tries to figure out who is who and what role each plays in this micro-universe.

After watching all three parts of its pilot “Air,” a few faces have begun to stand-out. The most recognizable is Dr. Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle), who is the scientific genius who everyone defers to simply because without him, they will all die. Next is the recently recruited video geek/guru Eli Wallace (David Blue), whose fantasies came true when they beamed him up onto their ship and invited him to be a consultant to crack an alien code. Then on the military-side, there is 1st Lt. Matthew Scott (Brian J. Smith), who seamlessly takes charge after the Icarus base attack. Following Scott, there is 1st Lt. Tamara Johansen (Alaina Huffman), a medical officer, who seems more concerned about her affair with her superior, Col. Everett Young (Justin Louis), than anything else. Last, but not least, there is the waif-like ingénue Chloe Armstrong (Elyse Levesque), who was accompanying her high-ranking father, Senator Alan Armstrong (Christopher McDonald), at the time of the attack and she is literally caught in the cross-fire of military and scientific agendas as her father sacrificed himself to give them all a fighting chance at survival.

In the background, there are also Col. David Telford (Lou D. Phillips), Camile Wray (Ming-Na) and M. Sgt. Ronald Greer (Jamil Walker Smith), all who appear to have dubious agendas and inter-personal conflicts of their own. However, those have not yet been fully explained and are murky at best. With so many high profile actors in not yet clearly identifiable roles, the series will surely provide much more tangible traits and identities for each.

The series started with a bang as we saw the military base camp attacked and civilians and military personnel evacuated to the only safe-haven they could find — through the Stargate which had dialed an unknown location. After ascertaining they were aboard an alien space craft called “Destiny,” they quickly moved to meet their basic survival need for breathable air. The ship had been abandoned for thousands of years and it was not functional. With the clock ticking, they had to find a way to jump-start the ship’s life-support systems. After one human sacrifice to turn a vital lever mechanism to keep things running, it was determined to use the Stargate to find a nearby planet to get the key ingredient they needed: limestone.

So while parts 1 and 2 focused on the attack and reeling from its after-effects, part 3 focused on a 12 hour mission to a nearby planet in search of limestone. Appropriately, the planet was an arid desert filled with only wind and sand — and a Stargate which the Ancients had the foresight to plunk down there in case it was ever needed.

The advance team diligently scoured the planet, with the typical bickering of those who are not accustomed to working together, and in the end they found exactly what they were looking for — just in the nick of time.

All in all, it is a solid start to launching a high-profile sci-fi series, but one wonders if it can truly stand on its own free of the long-shadows of Stargate: SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis. The comparisons between the shows may make this step-sibling series appear to be the lesser of the three. In SG-1, they had Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks and Christopher Judge — all uniquely entertaining and engaging to watch. Such comedic rapport has never been duplicated since their reign. Then in Atlantis, there was the epic star-crossed romance of Dr. Elizabeth Weir and Lt. Col. John Sheppard back-dropped against the comedic duo of Dr. Rodney McKay and Dr. Carson Beckett and the ferocious hearts of Teyla Emmagan and Ronon Dex. It remains to be seen if Stargate Universe can capture the hearts and imagination of the fans yet again by introducing us to characters that will entrance us the same way.

What Worked

Solid casting of likeable and appealing actors is what captures our interest so far. To date, Robert Carlyle is the best developed and most interesting. The ambiguity of his character’s loyalty and motivations is what keeps us guessing and watching.

What Didn’t Work

An avid sci-fi fan, I found Stargate Universe a tad tame. It looks darker and edgier as promised, but it lacked the cut-throat nature of what the average sci-fi fan has come to expect. Perhaps series such as Battlestar Galactica have raised the stakes on space opera drama. So while the characters show promise and there is a lot of potential for the series, it has not hooked me and made itself appointment-television yet.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

“Air” was written by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper and directed by Andy Mikita. Stargate Universe stars Robert Carlyle, David Blue, Brian J. Smith, Alaina Huffman, Ming-Na, Lou D. Phillips, Jamil Walker Smith and Elyse Levesque. The series airs Fridays at 9 p.m. on Syfy.

SyFy’s Friday Night Ratings Surge

Maintaining Syfy’s ratings surge, the second season premiere of Sanctuary leaped 18% in Adults 18-49 and 7% in Adults 25-54 versus last year’s average, while grabbing nearly 1.9 million viewers (1.85) on Friday, October 9, at 10PM (ET/PT). The show delivered nearly one million Adults 18-49 (946,000) — its second highest A18-49 delivery ever — along with 1.15 million Adults 25-54.

From 9-10PM (ET/PT), Stargate Universe improved on last week’s record setting performance (the highest franchise premiere mark in four years), by growing 22% in Adults 18-49 (1.37 million) and 13% in Adults 25-54 (1.49 million) – the best Stargate showing in these demos in four years – as well as garnering 2.4 million total viewers with a 1.8 HH rating. For the second consecutive week, Stargate Universe bested FOX’s Dollhouse in total viewers and key demos head-to-head at 9PM (ET/PT).

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