M2tv

SCI FI Announces Major Cast Changes for Stargate Atlantis Season 5

As Stargate Atlantis begins production on its fifth season later this month, SCI FI Channel just announced major cast changes.

Amanda Tapping leaves the show to star in her own production, the on-line series Sanctuary recently picked-up for broadcast by SCI FI.

SCI FI hints that big changes are ahead as season four (airing now, Friday's at 10p) unwinds. "Some cherished friends are lost, others are found," said the net in their press release this morning, "new alliances are forged while new races are introduced."

Jump here to read the full story.

Stargate Atlantis Season 4: Amanda Tapping in Command

Amanda Tapping, Stargate SG-1’s Colonel Samantha Carter, moves into position as commander of the Stargate Atlantis base this season. Tapping’s fans will tag along, hopefully, enriching SCI FI Channel's Atlantis with viewers from the now cancelled SG-1 who never quite transitioned to the sister series.

The fourth season of Atlantis premieres tonight on SCI FI at 10p E/9p C.

Last July, I caught up with Tapping at the SCI FI Channel Comic-Con bash. We stood near the crowded, rooftop bar of the Hotel Solamar and chatted about her new position on the cast of Atlantis and her on-line virtual experiment - a sci-fi drama called Sanctuary.

Long-time Stargate producer/director and Sanctuary co-creator Martin Wood was nearby, so he joined in the conversation for a minute or two.

CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW

Joe Mallozzi, Showrunner, on Stargate Atlantis Season Four

Stargate Atlantis season four launches tomorrow night at 10 (9/C) on SCI FI Channel. This year, Colonel Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) takes command of the base and Jewel Staite (Firefly, Serenity) dons scrubs as the new doctor. Behind the scenes, executive producers Joe Mallozzi and Paul Mullie take over the showrunning duties for the first time.

Last July, at Comic-Con, I sat down with Joe Mallozzi to discuss the new season and the trajectory of season four.

CLICK HERE FOR THE TRANSCRIPT of our chat.

HOLIDAY COUCH POTATO GUIDE: Starz Does The '80's; Current at Burning Man; We Are All New Orleans

Here in the Bay Area, we're trapped in our neighborhoods this Labor Day. The Bay Bridge is undergoing some serious earthquake retrofitting. The only direct route from the east bay into San Francisco is closed - yes, closed! - for the duration of the holiday.

Traffic is being funneled instead through Marin onto the Golden Gate Bridge. CHP just announced that they're on the prowl with their new, super-fancy laser detectors (in lieu of the old radar detectors) and. .Let's just say Marin's 101 freeway roads won't exactly be user-friendly this weekend.

So we're staying home.

But this is Marin, so vegging at home is a pretty wonderful thing. We're picking up some local organics at Farmer's Market, kicking' back with a bottle of Holdredge Pinot Noir, and booting up the 42 in. plasma.

If you're similarly cribbin', here's a guide to what's airing on cable over the weekend.

Love Shack Baaaaaay-beeeee! It's 80's weekend on Starz. Back by popular demand Starz Encore's third annual big 80's marathon returns, beginning at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on Friday, Aug. 31.

Hosted by one of the original MTV VJs, Alan Hunter, "Big 80s Weekend" will feature 48 '80s movies, a look at classic '80s pop culture with trivia, news, movie videos, and more - including interviews with '80s rockers Ted Nugent, Bret Michaels, and others.

Sci Fi Channel will run the six most popular Stargate SG-1 episodes based on their Internet polling. The "Viewer's Choice Marathon" airs Friday, August 31, beginning at 4p ET. A ten episode Dead Like Me marathon begins Monday, September 3 starting at 8a.m. ET

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE WEEKEND GUIDE

Stargate's Chris Judge, 24's Brad Turner Partner for Rage of Angels (2)

CLICK HERE TO READ PART ONE OF THIS POST

PART TWO below:

Aside from Turner's association, Judge said several times that another key selling point for the project is the participation of Michael Shanks (Stargate SG-1's Dr. Daniel Jackson) as Lucifer. “We’re walking into a network with two guys from the longest running scifi show in history whose show is still making product,” he pointed out.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Stargate's Chris Judge, 24's Brad Turner Partner for Rage of Angels

Stargate SG-1 co-star Christopher Judge has teamed up with the Emmy-winning producer/director of 24's, Brad Turner, to develop Rage of Angels, a drama that tracks the earthly adventures of the angel Gabriel and his nemesis Lucifer. MGM, the studio that wholly owns the Stargate franchise, is behind the two-hour, back door pilot

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

SCI FI Makes It Official: Paul McGillion Returns to Stargate Atlantis

In a press release distributed this morning, SCI FI Channel made it official: Paul McGillion, the actor who captured fan hearts as the compassionate Scot on Stargate Atlantis, will reprise his role for a fourth season, two episode arc. McGillion's character, Dr. Carson Beckett, was abruptly offed in an explosion during a third season episode titled "Sunday."

The series’ fourth season launches Friday, September 28 at 10pm ET/PT.

This isn't the first tiime that Stargate producers have nixed a favorite doc., however. Fans are still stinging from the death of another well-liked Stargate physician, SG-1's Dr. Janet Frasier (Teryl Rothery). Beckett's demise touched off an on-going and well-organized protest headquartered at savecarsonbeckett.com

But this is Stargate and anything's possible.

Anyone with an Internet connection has known for months that McGillion was set to appear in at least two fourth season episodes. But fans want more. They've been lobbying SCI FI and the producers to have McGillion permanently reinstated for season five.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

Comic-Con Overview: Torchwood, Spike, MGM's Charlie Cohen, Stargate, More

Comic-Con overview written for this week's Multichannel book. Contains some information (Stargate in particular) not included in my blog.

CLICK HERE TO READ IT ON THE WEB

MGM Resurrects Dead Like Me

MGM Studios just finished wrapping a Dead Like Me direct to DVD movie, revealed MGM's Senior Executive Vice President Finance and Corporate Development Charlie Cohen during a chat at the SCI FI Channel/Entertainment Weekly Comic-Con party.

Cohen, who oversees the studio’s new Home Entertainment Productions division along with the studio’s Stargate franchise, said the movie would be released in "about a year." He also discussed cast changes and said the studio is "open" to producing more movies and even bringing the series back for another television run.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE STORY

ComicCon:Chris Judge Readies for Rage of Angels

Walking down the street you might not recognize Stargate SG-1 co-star Chris Judge (Teal'c). Judge has refashioned himself. His new look was on display at the SCI FI Channel/Entertainment Weekly bash last night. Judge's transformation is striking. Handsomely outfitted in an understated checked sportcoat and black shirt strategically unbuttoned by three or four, it was obvious that he's slimmed down. For years Judge shaved his head and bulked up for his role as Teal'c. But now his hair is long and gelled.

What can I say. It's a fabulous look for him.

UPDATE: oh, my gosh - it looks like I can finally access my Multichannel blog again! yessssssss! so click here to read the rest of this post. And to access the link to photos.

P.S. I'm closing comments here. But y'all can comment on Multichannel if you're inspired. Hopefully some of the thorny problems w/ the comment function have been ironed out.