WHAT'S NEW

Friday, August 5, 2005:
TOP SF&F NETWORK SHOWS:
Medium 4.5
Desperate Housewives 4.2
Lost 3.2
Smallville 1.2
Charmed 0.8
Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 7/11/05 - 7/17/05.

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STARGATE SG-1 and ATLANTIS:
In the most recent MGM newsletter, congratulations is sent along to the talented casts and crews of both 'Stargate SG-1' and 'Stargate Atlantis' for their amazing season premiere ratings. On July 15th, 'Stargate SG-1' kicked off its record ninth original season with 2.6 million viewers. With the revamped cast, which includes new team members Beau Bridges and Ben Browder, the series has been rejuvenated. Meanwhile, 'Stargate Atlantis' launched into its sophomore season with an impressive 2.8 million viewers. Be sure to catch all-new episodes of both series Friday nights on SCI FI Channel, beginning at 8PM (ET/PT).

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THRESHOLD:
CBS plans to get a head start on the new season with a two-hour premiere of the new SF drama THRESHOLD, from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT on Sept. 16, the Friday before the season officially starts on Sept. 19. THRESHOLD revolves around a team of scientists and military personnel who make contact with a mysterious alien life form. THRESHOLD will settle into its regular 9 p.m. slot the following week.

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THE TERMINUS
Variety reports that Warner Brothers has bought the SF movie pitch THE TERMINUS from writer Eric Singer and set it up with Basil Iwanyk's Thunder Road Films. The political thriller, set 50 years in the future, TERMINUS follows a burned-out and disillusioned war correspondent covering an insurgency who finds he can no longer stay objective. "It deals head on with what some call insurgency, what some call guerilla warfare and what some call freedom fighting," Iwanyk said. "Today's scenarios are completely fluid, but by setting it in the future we can extrapolate how that world would look like.

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DRIFT HOUSE: According to Variety, Nickelodeon Movies has picked up the rights to DRIFT HOUSE by Dale Peck. The upcoming fantasy novel revolves around a girl and her two younger brothers being sent to live with their uncle in Canada in a house that resembles a ship perched at the edge of the sea. The siblings discover in the house a mural that seems to predict the future, a dumbwaiter that enables one of the brothers to travel into the future and a parrot historian who's also a translator. Nickelodeon's Julia Pistor will produce. The novel will be published in September by Bloomsbury. Peck plans a trilogy with THE DRIFT HOUSE.

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AVENGER
According to the Hollywood Reporter, TNT has greenlighted an original movie titled "Avenger" from Oscar nominee Wolfgang Petersen, with Sam Elliott set to star in the international thriller. The cable network is partnering with Warner Bros. Television on the project, which is based on the novel by Frederick Forsyth. In the two-hour movie, Elliott will portray Cal Dexter, a small- town lawyer and former Special Forces operative who hires himself out to those seeking to avenge the violent murders of loved ones. As one quest of vengeance takes him around the world, a CIA agent sets out to stop him before his mission throws the world into chaos.

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PAINKILLER JANE:
Comics Continuum reports that an announcement regarding the status of PAINKILLER JANE on SciFi Channel should be made by the end of the month. A pilot has been shot, with hopes of an ongoing series.

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THE RETRIEVER:
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Vin Diesel will star in a movie called THE RETRIEVER, which features Diesel as a one-man army fighting to save the world from nuclear apocalypse. The film will be funded by Germany's Equity Pictures. A description of the project follows:
The whole world is threatened by an apocalyptic weapon, which originates from the death zone of Tschernobyl, having been left behind after the accident in the power plant. Rebels, having nothing to loose, are now threatening to use it. Pure action and thrills are making 'The Retriever' both a huge cinema action film as well as a success to be in the world-wide DVD box office.

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THE FORGER
Variety reports that Paramount has bought Richard D'Ovidio's spec script THE FORGER and set it up with Lorenzo di Bonaventura. The story centers on an imprisoned thief who buys his way out of prison when he learns his estranged son has only a few months to live. But his efforts to make up for lost time with the teen are endangered when a crime boss forces him to do one last job. D'Ovidio's scripting credits include Exit Wounds, Thirteen Ghosts and Ace in the Hole.

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" Dear Horror Fans!
Last night I was invited to see the Los Angeles premiere of George A. Romero's LAND OF THE DEAD. It stars Simon Baker ( a Penny Lane supporter and star of the tv show "The Guardian") , John Legiuzamo, Dennis Hopper and more. It was great! I am very squeamish when it comes to horror movies, ironically, and I have to say I missed a lot of KNB's incredible effects burying my face during the worst of it. They were so REAL! The acting was great, we even laughed a lot ( intentional on George's part!) , the evening was a huge success. He got great reviews in Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. George hasn't made a film in a while as you may know. He is the best when it comes to these kinds of movies. He started the zombie craze!! It's so wild because he is the warmest and kindest guy. AND he needs our help. Universal hasn't put very much money into advertisement. What a film makes in it's opening weekend determines the studio's future decisions about what films will be made and filmmakers will make them! It is imperative we go out and see LAND OF THE DEAD this weekend and cast our vote! If you want to see more sci fi and horror films made, make sure you see the ones that come out on the opening weekend! Please take a friend and go be entertained this weekend by seeing Land Of The Dead! Cast that vote!
Stay scared!
Pat"

Daneil Dae Kim - August 4
Claudia Christian - August 10
Stephen Austin - August 11
Tim Earls - August 15
Nancy Tarczynski - August 16
Skip Beaudine - August 26

If there is anyone we have missed, be sure to drop me a note so that I can add them to our Cast and Crew Birthday Listing. We want to include everyone in our Happy Birthday Wishes.

Ranger Dave writes that the SciFi series SPACE: ABOVE AND BEYOND is due for release on October 4th. Bestbuy.com is taking preorders for it. Amazon.com, however doesn't list it yet.
The television series "Space: Above and Beyond", created and produced by Glen Morgan and James Wong, chronicled the interplanetary adventures of a Marine squadron battling hostile aliens in the years 2063-2064. Part (anti-)war drama, part science fiction, it examined such themes as courage, loyalty and faith. Through the eyes of the Wild Cards, it explored what we, as humans, live for... and what we would be willing to die for.
"Space" aired on Fox-TV in 1995 and 1996, but - despite critical praise, decent ratings, viewer support, and four Emmy Award nominations - was cancelled.

SPACE STATION
Launching onto DVD for the First Time June 7

Space Station follows two separate space shuttles that leave from Florida's Kennedy Space Center and Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome to rendezvous with their new home in orbit 220 miles above Earth. Now people of every age and language can work side by side with their space-walking crewmates, building and inhabiting this unprecedented structure in space.

For video clips from the DVD, go to Space Station page. Now that the shuttle is back in space, this is a very timely video. Learn what the astronauts are going through with weightlessness.

BATMAN DVDs COMING

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Warner Home Video will release a series of two-disc special editions of the four original BATMAN movies from the late 1980s and '90s. BATMAN, BATMAN RETURNS, BATMAN FOREVER and BATMAN & ROBIN will be released October 18. They will be available individually and as a gift set, "Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997." Each special-edition DVD features a new digital transfer of the movie. Bonus features include director commentaries by Joel Schumacher and Tim Burton, cast and crew interviews, several new documentaries, "making of" featurettes and nine music videos from Prince, Seal and the Smashing Pumpkins.

November 1st has been set as the release date for EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH. The explosive and emotional finale to the saga, Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, arrives on DVD and "Star Wars Battlefront II," the sequel to the most successful "Star Wars" game ever, arrives on Xbox, Playstation 2, Windows PC and Sony PSP formats.
Lucasfilm and Fox Home Entertainment present a two-disc set for the "Revenge of the Sith" DVD, with uncompromising picture and sound mastered directly from the original digital source material. The DVD will include a brand-new full-length documentary produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. as well as two new featurettes -- one that explores the prophecy of Anakin Skywalker as the Chosen One, and the other that looks at the movie's amazing stunts. A 15-part collection of Lucasfilm's groundbreaking web documentary series, Making Episode III, will also be included in the set. A two-level playable demo of Star Wars Battlefront II is also included on the DVD.
"'Revenge of the Sith' gave audiences an extraordinary experience, and we want this DVD to do the same," said Jim Ward, Vice President of Marketing and Distribution for Lucasfilm Ltd. "From the beginning of production, George wanted to be sure we chronicled everything that went into the making of 'Episode III' specifically to create an incredible DVD experience. This DVD has literally been three years in the making, and it's going to be a fantastic way to complete the Star Wars saga at home."
In addition to its November 1st debut in the U.S. and Canada, "Revenge of the Sith" debuts on DVD in most major territories around the world on or about the same day.

DEAD LIKE ME: SEASON TWO
Synopsis:
Proving that "reapers are anything but grim company" (Cleveland Plain Dealer), this "deliciously dark comedy about the afterlife" (Newsday) returns for "a second season as strong as its first" (Philadelphia Daily News). Thanks to breakout star Ellen Muth's prickly charm, Dead Like Me has "an amusingly odd and touching energy all its own" (Detroit News and Free Press After more than a year as a grim reaper, George (Muth) has realized that being a teenager in the afterlife is as complex as in real life. There are still unrequited crushes, agonizing dilemmas and the occasional bad attitude. Along with her kooky "co-reapers" Mason, Daisy, Roxy and Rube, George struggles to collect souls while managing her own awkward development... into an adult reaper!

Includes Special Features:
"Dead Like Me... Again" Featurette
Putting Life Into Death
Deleted Scenes
Photo Gallery

Visit to the DVD Reviews page to see what I thought of the set. Let me know if you agree -- or found some other special material that should be noted. Some recent reviews include:
Wonder Woman - Season Two
Wonder Woman - Season Three
Lois & Clark - First Season
The West Wing - Fourth Season

Starburst #327: DOCTOR WHO: A new DOCTOR WHO is set to take on the second season of the BBC’s smash hit. In this issue, you will find a world exclusive first interview with David Tennant - the Tenth Doctor! You will also find an interview with Nick Briggs -- the man who gave voice to the Daleks talks to us about the challenges of recreating the monsters’ original menace in three action-packed episodes of the last series and The Mill-- The last part of an extensive look behind the scenes at the special effects and CG magic created by The Mill as they helped bring the series into the new millennium. Natalie Portman (STAR WARS) speaks along with producer Joel Silver and director James McTeigue about this dark screen adaptation of V for Vendetta.

TV Zone #192: STARGATE SG-1: Ben Browder has crossed the gulf of Space in Farscape, and now he’s exploring Avalon with the SG-1 team, as the squad’s latest member Lt Col Cameron Mitchell. Go on set with TV Zone to find out what’s in store for him in Season Nine. Also inside, an interview with the new Doctor – David Tennant's version of the Time Lord is revealed as shooting begins on the new series of Doctor Who.

Cult Times #119: LOST: With the series becoming a huge hit in the U.S., Matthew Fox talks about filming in Hawaii and about his character and the survivors of a plane crash on a mysterious island. Also in this issue, ENTERPRISE's Rick Berman looks back on the final season and gives his thoughts on the last episode and the future of Trek and MEDIUM's Medium Glenn Gordon Caron, the show's creator, explains what he hoped to accomplish through the tale of a woman who attempts to live a normal family life despite being frequently visited by spirits who want her help.

Expose Special #29: HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE: Get a review of the latest installment of the Harry Potter adventure -- and talk with fantasy authors James Patterson, Juliet E. McKenna, Francis Hardinge and Ian Ogilvy on the resurgence of fantasy fiction.

TV Zone Special #64: NEW SEASON PREVIEWS: STARGATE SG-1 and STARGATE ATLANTIS. In this issue, you will find previews of the new seasons, with cast changes, new plotlines and new foes ahead. Cast interviews with Ben Browder, Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Chris Judge, Michael Shanks, Beau Bridges, Cliff Simon, Mitch Pileggi, Paul McGillion and Jason Momoa. Also inside, preparing for the 10th Doctor Who and a look at the end of the past season.

Cult Times Special #34: DOCTOR WHO: This issue can be a primer for Doctor Who fans. After a nine-year absence, 2005 marked the return of Doctor Who, bigger and better than ever before. Under the guidance of Russell T Davies, it's moved from being a fondly-remembered piece of kitsch to a vital, ratings-grabbing part of the BBC's schedule. You get an in-depth look at the past, present and future of the galaxy's best-loved Time Lord. New to DOCTOR WHO? This issue will give you a look at the 26 years of DOCTOR WHO. This guide features the high points of the series so far and the facts you need to know to fully immerse yourself in the Whoniverse! Also included in this issue, SMALLVILLE's executive producer Alfred Gough looks back on the fourth season of this pre-Superman Clark Kent and tells us why he thinks it's the best year yet! Paul McGillion talks about his role as Dr. Beckett in STARGATE ATLANTIS and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Edward James Olmos looks at the series cliffhanger.

Expose #94: HARRY POTTER: In this issue, you'll learn more about the weird and wonderful world of unlicensed fan fiction as it pushes back the boundaries of JK Rowling’s fictional world… and, in some cases, the boundaries of taste. HERCULES: NBC’s new mini-series explores the darker side of the Greek hero. Meet star Paul Telfer as he talks about taking the character back to his murderously gory origins, and how he pushed to play the character with an English accent.

Starburst Special #69: STAR WARS SPECIAL: This issue contains: The Complete History -- From The Phantom Menace to Return of the Jedi, we look at the complete six-chapter epic; Dark Influences -- 10 ways the Star Wars trilogy has influenced Revenge of the Sith, and Archive Interviews -- Original Starburst interviews with Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kirshner and Return of the Jedi director Richard Marquand.

Be sure to drop over to Titan Magazine's website for updates on magazines associated with specific shows like ALIAS, ANGEL, LOST, SMALLVILLE and STARGATE SG-1. They are gearing up the presses for a BATTLESTAR GALACTICA magazine and a special issue for SERENITY.

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, pencils and cover by Mike McKone.
JMS and McKone's galactic first story arc concludes, as the Entity leads Reed Richards on a voyage of discovery ranging back to the dawn of the universe itself! But will any of this give the FF the key to defeating the invading swarm of alien annihilators? Part 6 (of 6).

32 page, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 26.

SUPREME POWER: HYPERION #2

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, penciled by Dan Jurgens, cover by Mike Deodato.
"Hunting the Alien." Now that the world knows his dark secret, Hyperion suddenly finds himself both alone and hunted. Four new super-powered individuals -- each based on a character from the original Squadron Supreme -- are after his hide, and they've got the will and means to take him down!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 19.

THE BOOK OF LOST SOULS #1

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, pencils and cover by Colleen Doran.
The destinies of most people are defined early on. Then there are the others -- the lost. Those whose numbers aren't in yet, who could go toward the light or toward the darkness -- indeed, who could be tipped one direction or another. And everything starts with the book. That's what Jonathan is about to discover. When he took a suicide plunge off the London Bridge more than a century ago, the last place he expected to land was on his feet, in the present, standing at the entrance to a tunnel into a world of mysteries beyond his wildest imagination. A world of powers and principalities and, above all, rules that he'd best learn quickly. Or he'll have to deal with the Dark Man. And what the Dark Man can't turn, he devours.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 26

FANTASTIC FOUR #529

Fantastic Four #529 will arrive in stores on July 27 from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by J. Michael Straczynski, with art and cover by Mike McKone.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:
"'Appointment Overdue!' Reed's got a rendezvous to keep at the edge of space‹but in order to reach it, he's going to have to work his way through a battalion of America's best-trained fighting men!"

Fantastic Four #529 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #523

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, penciled by Mike Deodato, cover by Terry Dodson.
"Moving Up." It's the sensational Spider-Man versus the horrendous hordes of Hydra as the villainous organization makes its final push to seize control of the country! Standing in the way? Everyone's favorite wall-crawler. But will Spidey have enough left in the tank to take out the group of terrorists and save the day? Part 5 of 6.

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Aug. 3.

FANTASTIC FOUR #530

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, pencils and cover by Mike McKone.
It's a reunion with destiny as the Fantastic Four once more brave the hazards of outer space for a rendezvous with a fateful cosmic storm ­ And the secret that lies therein!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Aug. 24.

SUPREME POWER #18

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, pencils and cover by Gary Frank.
"Exhibit R: The Statement of Mark Milton." Hyperion's world is turned upside down when his dark secret is exposed to the entire world. But the worst is yet to come... Next month's news will blow you away!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Aug. 31.

STRANGE: BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS TPB

Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Sara "Samm" Barnes, penciled by Brandon Peterson, cover by Peterson.
Brash young surgeon Dr. Stephen Strange is on a collision course with destiny -- a journey that will force him to search the deepest corners of his own heartŠand the outer reaches of the cosmos! Masters of the comic-book medium J. Michael Straczynski, Samm Barnes and Brandon Peterson chronicle the adventures of the Master of the Mystic Arts in the year's most highly anticipated origin story! Collects Strange #1-6.

144 pages, $17.99.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #522

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, penciled by Mike Deodato, cover by Kaare Andrews.
It's an action-packed extravaganza as the hordes of Hydra make a final push to take over the United States!! And it's up to everyone's favorite red, white, and blue web-slinger to make sure that "Hail Hydra" isn't the new national anthem!

COMIC BOOKS: For a listing of current comic books written by J. Michael Straczynski, go to JMS COMIC BOOKS page. There is a brief synopsis of the book and a date when publication is expected. Issued covered are AMAZING SPIDERMAN, FANTASTIC FOUR, STRANGE, RISING STARS, and others.
For other comic book titles for such shows as STARGATE, SERENITY, CSI, ANGEL, etc., go to COMIC BOOKS - OTHER TITLES.

Tye Bourdony has sent along his latest satires for your enjoyment.

STARGATE SCHEDULE:
08/08/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 FAIL SAFE
08/08/2004 07:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 SHADES OF GREY
08/08/2004 08:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 NEW GROUND
08/08/2004 09:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 MATERNAL INSTINCT
08/08/2004 10:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 CRYSTAL SKULL
08/10/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 SUMMIT - PT 1
08/11/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 LAST STAND - PT 2
08/12/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 THE WARRIOR
08/13/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 MENACE
08/13/2004 08:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 ( SEASONS 1-5) IN THE LINE OF DUTY
08/13/2004 09:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (SEASON 8) AVATAR
08/13/2004 11:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (SEASON 8) AVATAR

STARGATE ATLANTIS:
08/12/2005 09:00 PM STARGATE ATLANTIS (SEASON 2) CONDEMNED
08/12/2005 12:00 AM STARGATE ATLANTIS (SEASON 2) CONDEMNED
08/19/2005 09:00 PM STARGATE ATLANTIS (SEASON 2) TRINITY
08/19/2005 12:00 AM STARGATE ATLANTIS (SEASON 2) TRINITY

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA:
08/08/2005 11:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SEASON 2) RESISTANCE
08/12/2005 10:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SEASON 2) THE FARM
08/12/2005 01:00 AM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SEASON 2) THE FARM
08/15/2005 11:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SEASON 2) THE FARM
08/16/2005 07:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SEASON 2) SCATTERED
08/16/2005 08:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SEASON 2) VALLEY OF DARKNESS
08/16/2005 09:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SEASON 2) FRAGGED
08/16/2005 10:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SEASON 2) RESISTANCE
08/16/2005 11:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SEASON 2) THE FARM

You do NOT have to pay the prices asked for over at e-bay! Here are photos of B5 and Crusade cast members at fantastic prices. Check out Photo Shop. Ordering is easy -- and you can't beat the prices! Just let me know which photos you want and I'll check to make sure they are still in stock.

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