SciFi Surplus Podcast #027
March 30, 2008
Topics: Boston Legal, Jericho, Dollhouse, Sanctuary, X-Files, Fanboys, Galactica 1980
Thank you for taking time to spend with us. This is show number 27 and you’re in for quite a ride. The powers at the top of the Blabbermouth Media food chain have decided that our show needs to be adjusted a bit for the second quarter of 2008. They’ve determined that our broad analysis of Speculative Fiction is ultimately going nowhere and that we should pick a new topic. They left it completely up to me and the first thing that popped into my head was Boston Legal so here we go. Just to be perfectly clear, we’re not going to be talking about news that involves Jericho’s fight to survive, Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse casting, Amanda Tapping’s Sanctuary, X-Files, or Fanboys. We’ve also been instructed not to talk about our SciFi Sixteen tournament, and I am never supposed to give my thoughts on Galactica 1980. With that said, happy Aprils Fools. Let’s get our geek on!
Anti-witness News
Jericho Tries to Live On
The twice canceled television series, Jericho, is fighting to stay alive. Executive Producer, Carol Barbee, says she is committed to finding the show a new home, possibly on a cable network. She also says that the timing of the news was a bit off because proposals couldn’t be made fast enough for a deal to be reached before the show was officially canceled for the second time by C-B-S. Even if a deal can’t be reached to continue a television series, Barbee says there is still more story to tell and there may be an opportunity for graphic novels or possibly a feature film.
Casting for Dollhouse
The casting of Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse” is moving forward with four new actors. Tahmoh Penikett, who you will know as Helo from “Battlestar Galactica,” will play an F-B-I agent obsessed with the urban legend of the dolls. Also newly listed as cast members are Fran Kranz, Dichen Lachman, and Enver Gjokaj. The story centers around Echo, played by Eliza Dushku, who can be programmed and de-programmed with feelings and skills by a secret organization to perform any number of missions.
Amanda Tapping’s Sanctuary on SciFi
The web series Sanctuary, fronted by Stargate’s Amanda Tapping, will be coming to the SciFi Channel in the fall. Sanctuary is the story of Doctor Helen Magnus and her business of protecting supernatural beings. Tapping says the pilot being shot is very different from the web project but the character of Magnus is the same. SciFi has ordered 13 episodes. You can watch the first four webisodes for free on You-Tube.
Olmos Okay if Battlestar Crew Dies
Edward James Olmos, the Oscar-winning actor that plays Admiral Adama on Battlestar Galactica, says he would have no problem if every character in the show is dead by the end of their final season. He says if the show were to stay true to form, there would be no survivors. It should be made clear that this is not a spoiler and is opinion on the part of Olmos. His feeling is that Galactica is a commentary on our times and we are in danger of destroying ourselves. The fourth and final season of Battlestar Galactica begins Friday, April 4th on the SciFi Channel.
Details of X-Files Movie Surface
Chris Carter, director of the up-coming X-Files movie is saying despite the fact that the story is a stand-alone, the the shows mythology will be respected. In the film we learn something about William, the son of Scully and Mulder. The story takes place 6 years after the end of the show in 2002. One thing that is still up in the air, however, is the title. Carter says there is some disagreement between himself and the producers about the name. The X-Files film is scheduled for a July 25th release.
Fanboys Gets Two Versions
The much delayed movie, “Fanboys,” will be released on DVD as two different versions although anything close to a release date is purely speculative. The original storyline centers around a group of Star Wars fans that drive across the country and break into Skywalker Ranch in 1999 so their friend with cancer can watch Phantom Menance before he dies. The theatrical release took out the cancer storyline and an email campaign made it known that there were hundreds of thousands of people that were not happy with the change. The date for the theatrical release of the film seems to still be up in the air. George Lucas liked the film and gave his stamp of approval and allowed sound effects from his franchise to be used. Kevin Smith was also a fan of the film and asked for and received a cameo appearance.
