SciFi Surplus Podcast #037
May 4, 2008
Thank you for listening to us. This is show number 37. On the way, the Nebula Award winners. For real this time! “The Hobbit”, New shows for American television, and J.J. Abrams comments about the new “Trek” film are in the news. I’ve got a very quick review of Iron Man in the interest of not spoiling anyone. Plus Vince, Randy and I are going to give you an update on the SciFi 16 tournament.
Anti-witness News:
Casey: Somehow in our last show, Council number 36, we didn’t pass on the news of the Nebula Award winners. Here is that information now. Nebula Awards are presented annually by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, recognizing superior achievement.
Nebula Award Winners
Source
Vince: The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon took home the award for Best Novel.
The Novella Award went to “Fountain of Age” by Nancy Kress.
“The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate by Ted Chiang was the Best Novelette.
The winning Short Story was “Always by Karen Joy Fowler.
And the best Script went to Guillermo Del Toro for “Pan’s Labyrinth.”
The Andre Norton Award, recognizing writing for young adults, went to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling.
McKellen Reprising Gandalf In Hobbit
Source
Casey: Sir Ian McKellen confirmed to “Empire Magazine” that he will reprise his role in the upcoming “The Hobbit” movies. McKellen says Gandalf is not a role that you turn down. He also says that he spoke with both Gillermo Del Toro and Peter Jackson. Filming for “The Hobbit” will begin in 2009 and the two films are expected to be in theaters in 2010 and 2011.
SF Series Likely This Fall
Source
Vince: Variety is talking about which new speculative fiction shows will begin on American televisions in the coming season. Fox has the the most buzz with Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse” and J.J. Abrams’ “Fringe.” Another notable project is a spoof called “Boldy Going Nowhere” which will likely be a mid-season replacement. CBS is working on the psychic drama “The Mentalist” and Jerry Bruckheimer’s “11th Hour.” ABC is rebooting the U.K. time-travel drama “Life on Mars” for a shot at a network time-slot.
`Star Wars’ kid Abrams aims to reinvent `Trek’ world
Source
Casey: J.J. Abrams says he’s making the new “Star Trek” movie as he would like to see it, not the way Trek fans would like to see it. Abrams also says that he is not a rabid fan of the Enterprise crew and refers to the universe as a maligned franchise. Abrams says the new film will be true to what has come before but will look and feel completely different.
Sidewise Nominations
Source
Vince: The alternate history, Sidewise Nominations have been announced. The award is named in honor of Murray Leinster’s 1934 short story “Sidewise in Time.” The annual award will be presented at the 66th World Science Fiction Convention in Denver this August.
SHORT FORM
“Les Innocents/Lumiere” by Elizabeth Bear
“Quaestiones Super Caelo et Mundo” by Michael Flynn
“Public Safety” by Matthew Johnson
“An Alternate History of Chinese Science Fiction” by Jess Nevins
“Metal Dragon Year” by Chris Roberson
“Recovering Apollo 8″ by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
“Missives From Possible Futures #1: Alternate History Search Results” by John Scalzi
LONG FORM
The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon
1945 by Robert Conroy
Ilario: The Lion’s Eye and Ilario: The Stone Golem by Mary Gentle
Mainspring by Jay Lake
Rome Burning by Sophia McDougall
Ha’penny by Jo Walton
Thirteen Wins Clarke Award
Source
Casey: Richard K. Morgan’s novel “Black Man,” also known as “Thirteen” in the U.S, has won this years Arthur C. Clarke Award. The award recognizes distinguished science fiction published in Britain. The novel is a future story about a genetically modified person that is charged with the task of capturing other dangerous genetically modified people.
DC Revives Flash
Source
Vince: The Flash is back! DC Universe number zero has raised Barry Allen from the dead after being gone for 23 years. The flash was vaporized in 1985 to preserve the universe. His rebirth is surprising only because he’s been gone so long.
Myles Sure CBS To Renew Moonlight
Source
Casey: Sophia Myles, the actress that plays Beth Turner on the CBS Vampire Drama, “Moonlight,” says she would bet all of her money that there will be a second season. She credits fans for donating blood and sending garlic to network executives. One of the issues that Myles talks about is the fact that nearly all the fans of the show are women. The British actress promises that if men watch the program with their wives, they greatly increase their chances of “getting lucky.”
Vince: And that’s Anti-witness News!
