SFSurplus-2008-07-18 #057 [41:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Thank you for taking your valuable time to listen to us. This is show number 57 on the feed July 18th, 2008. In the Council of Great Relevance we’re going to run down the schedule for San Diego Comic Con. In the news: Keanu Reeves is Plastic Man, Megan Fox is less skinny, A Sequel to RoboCop, and a Family Guy Wrath of Kahn Special. The two-week spoiler gag rule has passed and we’re going to talk about WALL-E and some non-spoiler reactions to Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog.

SciFi Surplus is presented by Pixel Mine Games. You can play Ashen Empires or Fireteam Reloaded for Free right now. Visit Pixel Mine Games dot com!

You can make contact with SciFi Surplus using the Temporal Temps Hotline by calling 801-938-5525. Our Skype username is “scifisurplus.” For all of this information again or send and email go to scifisurplus.com and click “talk to us.”

I’m Casey and joining me on the show today is

Producer - Pam (Girl Friday)
Cartoonist - John
Science/Space Enthusiast - Jeromy
Graphic Designer/Filmmaker - Nathan

Everyone’s on board, Let’s get our geek on!

Anti-witness News

Keanu Reeves may be teaming up with the Wachowski Brothers for a “Plastic Man” film. Producer Joel Silver says that Reeves would play Eels O’Brien, the heroes real name. As expected, this super-movie would feature a man who is able to stretch his body in any way necessary to save the day.

* Pam:
* This could be the Wachowskis first film after Speed Racer flopped.
* Pam: Weird - Keanu Reeves acts like he’s plastic, but not flexible. Maybe he should be “Wooden Man” instead?
* Porcelain Boy

Megan Fox is now 10 pounds heavier for her role in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” Director Michael Bay decided she was too skinny. Fox added the weight in 3 weeks for the film.

* John: I don’t like skinny women either.
* Pam: Amen, brother.
* Jeromy: I have to see the final product before I judge. Megan Fox is probably hot no matter what the scale says.

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The new RoboCop movie will be NOT be a remake but a direct sequel to the original films. Darren Aronofsky is in talks to direct the movie. The story is said to take place 20 years after the RoboCop program was shut down.

* Nathan:
* Casey: I have wanted more RoboCop for a long time!
*
* Nathan: I will be stoaked to see this and I’m glad it’s a sequel and not a reboot. Maybe they’re building up to a Robocop vs Terminator Movie? (There were comics.)

Seth MacFarlane says he’d like to produce a Family Guy special based on Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn. This is a similar concept to the wildly popular Star Wars spoof, Blue Harvest.

* John: I didn’t care for Blue Harvest
* xx
* xx

Tom Baker might be returning to Doctor Who for the 2010 season.

* xx
* xx
* It’s been rumored for a long time among Who fans that Tom Baker has said he’d come back if he could play a villain. This would make my year. And I’m already really looking forward to Steven Moffat running the show. - Nathan

Council of Great Relevance or Interview: San Diego Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con is the biggest and most star-studded fan gathering primarily because it is closest to Hollywood.

TV News

* Fringe
o Pilot screening going on Wednesday
o Pam: JJ Abrams is a god, and I still miss Sydney Bristow (I fully admit she’s hot)
o John: I think J.J. Abrams may be totally overrated. His involvement in LOST is minimal. And that Alias girl is NOT hot, and too spindly and pouty to be taken seriously as a spy.
o Pam (recognizing this is the first of many disagreements between Pam and John in this episode): I think JJ is more of an idea man, but has had some execution issues. And I feel sort of sorry for Jennifer Garner because she’s married to Ben Affleck.
* BSG
o 30th Anniversary Panel— Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek/Apollo), Bear McCreary (BG composer), producer Tom DeSanto (Transformers, X-Men), Dr. Kevin Grazier (science consultant), and surprise guests present an in-depth discussion of the Battlestar universe from the classic to the re-imagined and beyond, including BSG trailers and Q&A.
+ Pam: Richard Hatch is still milking BSG for everything it’s worth.
o Reimagined BSG Panel— Sneak peek into the final revelation (Crotchety old man, Buzz Aldrin is the 5th model!). Focusing on the character relationships that give this hit series its power, this exclusive panel sheds new light on the ties between Humans and Cylons and provides valuable insight into the adventure ahead. Panelists include cast members Tricia Helfer, James Callis, Michael Trucco, and Katee Sackhoff and executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick, along with moderator Kevin Smith.
+ Pam: Looks like Richard Hatch was shut out from playing in the big kids’ sandbox.
* The Big Bang Theory Screening and Q&A
o Positive proof that physics is funny, The Big Bang Theory makes its Comic-Con debut with a screening of the “Nerdvana Annihilation” episode and a Q&A with the show’s creators and stars. Come talk with executive producers Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, as well as series stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar. Adam Savage (MythBusters) will moderate the session.
o Pam is totally jealous about not being in this panel - Adam Savage from the Mythbusters and the Big Bang Nerds? Total nerdvana!
o John: Mythbusters is cool, but what little I’ve seen of Big Bang is an insult to geeks, and just bad- do you watch it, Pam?
o Pam: I do, but I think it’s more insulting to nerds than geeks - I watch it because it reminds me of conversations I have with my friends. That probably makes me nerdy, but I’m okay with that.
* Doctor Who
o Writer Russell T Davies, executive producer Julie Gardner, and writer Steven Moffat discuss their creative process and experience working on the BBC’s Doctor Who—with exclusive clips and a Q&A session.
o Dave should go to this session and tell them they won the SFS 16, just to see the reaction.
* Lost
o Co-creator/executive producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Carlton Cuse will discuss season 4 of Lost, leading up to the season finale.
o Pam: Typically, Comic-Con has been the big event for Lost between seasons, as “Darlton” maintains radio silence on the finale from the airdate until the Con.
o Anticipate the launch of the next ARG, which involved Dharma recruiting
o Another panel on the “Lost Podcast with Jay and Jack”— have one of the oldest and biggest podcasts dedicated to ABC’S Lost with The Lost Podcast.
o Future SFS show will be on the “Science of Lost”
* Knight Rider:
o On the heels of NBC’s hit sequel movie based on the iconic 1980s television classic, Knight Rider has been reinvented as a supercharged action series showcasing the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand).
o I thought the TV movie sucked? Didn’t see it, but thought it was poorly received - PC
o I liked it well enough, mainly because it stayed in continuity, and it had the Hoff! - Nathan
* Wizard’s First Rule
o A first look at the upcoming action-adventure series Wizard’s First Rule with book author Terry Goodkind and show executive producers Robert Tapert, Kenneth Biller and Sam Raimi. The one-hour weekly television show premiering late fall is inspired by Terry Goodkind’s bestselling epic fantasy series: The Sword of Truth. The story follows the journey of Richard Cypher, a simple woodsman, as he discovers the magical powers he holds within. With the help of a mysterious woman and a powerful wizard, he must use his newfound abilities to stop a ruthless tyrant from unleashing an ancient evil and enslaving the world.
* Joss Whedon— Joss and the writers and cast of his new short film, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, will show never-before-seen clips while Joss also discusses Buffy Season Eight, the Fray crossover, and the upcoming Serenity comic focusing on Shepherd Book
* Black Panther Animated Series Preview
o The new television show - to be adapted from the first six issues of Marvel’s current Black Panther series, coincidentally (or not, as the case may be) written by BET’s President of Entertainment, Reginald Hudlin - is still in production for a planned early 2009 airdate, but a specially-produced preview will be shown at the con during BET’s Saturday panel, much to the delight of fanboys in attendance.
* Other panels
o Torchwood
o Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Screening and Q&A
o Dollhouse - Eliza Dushku will host her own panel for Dollhouse.
o Eureka - Returning to SciFi channel on July 29
+

Movie News

* Day the Earth Stood Still (20th Century Fox)
o Stars Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly, plus director Scott Derrickson and producer Erwin Stoff, present an exclusive look at The Day The Earth Stood Still, Fox’s contemporary reinvention of its 1951 classic.
o Pam: I can’t believe we talked about Keanu Reeves twice in this cast. Ugh.

* Stargate Continuum
o Next full-length feature will be released Tuesday, July 29
* Futurama Secrets Revealed!
o Matt Groening and Exec producer David X. Cohen in a “mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, fact-checking panel extravaganza!” Appearing with Matt and David are series regulars Billy West (Fry, Professor Farnsworth, Dr. Zoidberg, Zapp Brannigan), Katey Sagal (Leela), John DiMaggio (Bender), and Maurice LaMarche (Kif, Morbo). And if that’s not enough, enjoy color commentary from Eric Kaplan (co-executive producer, writer) and lots of insider straight dope from producer Claudia Katz and director Peter Avanzino of Rough Draft Animation.
o Sneak peek of “Bender’s Game,” the all-new feature-length Futurama adventure, crash-landing on store shelves this November!
* Other panels
o Push preview—In this futuristic sci-fi thriller set in Hong Kong, a group of young American ex-pats with extraordinary psychic abilities must band together and use their different talents on a final mission to escape a clandestine government agency forever. Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Djimon Hounsou, Camilla Belle and director Paul McGuigan present a first look at exclusive footage and answer questions about the film.
o Knowing—An action thriller of global proportions. Director Alex Proyas appears in person to introduce never-before-seen footage for his new major motion picture starring Nicolas Cage.
o Twilight—Action-packed, modern-day love story between a vampire and a mortal with Director Catherine Hardwicke, author Stephenie Meyer, and the cast
+ Pam: SQUEEEEEE! (or insert other appropriate girly noise there)
o Terminator Salvation, by Warner Bros
+ John: Has everyone seen the new teaser? Pretty cool.
o The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and Death Race
o Starship Troopers 3: Marauder
+ I cannot believe Casper Van Dien is back - PC

Video Games News

* Midway’s Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe— Ed Boon (Mortal Kombat) and Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane) discuss how two billion-dollar entertainment franchises collide as Mortal Kombat warriors battle DC superheroes for the first time in this highly anticipated video game. Ed and Jimmy provide an exclusive look at never-before-seen gameplay, unveil key characters on the game’s roster, and answer your questions.
o How much of a focus do we want to put on video games? maybe do a later show on it?
o Pam once broke up with a boyfriend using Mortal Kombat.
* Stargate Worlds— After nearly 15 years on the air, the Stargate franchise is launching its first-ever multilevel online game. The key creative team from Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment and FireSky Studios present a compelling sneak-peek and answer questions.
* Ghostbusters: The Video Game— Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and panelists from Sierra Entertainment and Sony Pictures Consumer Products discuss the eagerly anticipated Ghostbusters: The Video Game, due out this October.
Other
* Greatest American Hero
o William Katt: Greatest American Hero Comic— Join Alex, Justin, and Pete from Pulp Secret for one of the biggest announcements at this year’s Comic-Con, an event that’s been 25 years in the making. Catastrophic Comics’ William Katt (Greatest American Hero), Christopher Folino (Gamers), and Derek McCaw (Fanboy Planet) along with Arcana Studios’ Sean O’Reilly (The Clockwork Girl) are on hand for an interview and Q&A.
o William Katt was just signed on for a stint on Heroes

We love hearing from you. If you want to contact us about anything, go to scifisurplus.com and click talk to us.

Jeromy Read this:
Email: Tony from Westchester, NY
Subject: Episode #56
Another winner!
Mur Laffety - a goddess! I plan to check out The Takeover and will
keep an eye out for the link to buy Playing For Keeps.
“Re: Your Brains”. The best zombie song and quite possibly the best
song ever! I was laughing so hard I had to pause the podcast, lest my
co-workers gather around out of curiosity.

It’s time to take a break.

Part 3

Welcome back. On the Temporal Temps hotiline are our Producer Girl Friday, Pam, John, and Nathan. Jeromy is in the studio.

Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog

* BriAnna is going crazy over this thing! She’s watched the first two parts at least 12 times each.
* Whedon also says he’s now okay with FOX.
* Joss says he created it in a “mad rush of joy and rediculousness.”
* Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion, Fellicia Day
* Pam: It is pretty funny- love the facial expressions NPH is putting into his role. It does remind me of a mix between Playing for Keeps (Mur’s book on sale August 25th!) and Mystery Men.
* Jeromy: Email: Rachel from Brooklyn

Email: Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog

Message: I’ve watched the first episode and it’s wonderful. OK, so
actually I’ve watched it twice and it was wonderful! And Fox can’t
cancel it! (I’m already in mourning for Doll’s House.)

Hope everyone else has enjoyed it half as much. Thank you for
keeping me up to date and making sure I knew about this
* It begs the question, Is there a sci-fi surplus sing-along installment in our future..?

WALL-E (Nathan, Pam)

* Supporting information goes in bullet points
* If you want to be the one who says something, put your name at the end of the point like this. - Casey
* Pam: I was pleased that Wall-E didn’t push some of the ideas (like lazy humans) to the absurd extreme - I thought it was well handled
* Pam: I was amazed at the level of communication between the robots for the lack of speech.
* Nathan: Wally was amazing all around but one of my favorite things about it was that it’s taking very sophisticated science fiction concepts and exposing kids to them. Sentient machines, humanity migrating off of Earth etc. These are big concepts that a generation of little kids will now take as being totally normal. That’s pretty cool. I really think this thing could take best picture overall. Best animation is in the bag.

Headlines on Cell Phones. Some of them are very funny. Because they shorten them for phones, they don’t always make sense. The best one I’ve run into is, “Bush Thinks.”

* Fitness Slows Atrophy - Physical Fitness May Slow Alzheimer’s Brain Atrophy
* Sex Is Good
* Cartoons Are Drawn

Thanks go out to our producer Pam, Nathan, John, and Jeromy. Great job everyone! If you like SciFi Surplus and you’d like to help out, please take the time to make a donation at SciFi Surplus dot com. For everyone here, I’m Casey and we’ll talk to you next time!