Author: Paula

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Gate Geek – All the single ladies….

(via) Finally…we find out about the ladies of Stargate Universe (and another guy, for good measure).  Universe started production last week, so it’s nice to get this clarified.  Michael Ausiello and the Hollywood Reporter got the exclusive announcement rights (even before the MGM website).

And the ladies are:

  • Ming-Na – Formerly of ER fame and now playing Camille Wray, “an HR bigwig and highest ranking survivor.”
  • Elyse Levesque – Best known to genre fans for her work on Smallville and playing, “Chloe Armstrong, the wild and immature daughter of a U.S. Senator.”
  • Alaina Huffman (who has another name on IMDB) – Another Smallville alum who will be playing MSgt. Tamara Johansen, a field medic assigned to treat the seriously wounded.  (Given Stargate’s history, this does not bode well for her ultimate survival, but we can only wish her the best.)

A bit of a surprise announcement (to me, at least) is Lou Diamond Phillips (La Bamba) who has joined the cast as Col. Telford, “a lifelong military man and the chosen leader of the ill-fated expedition.”  (Confused.  I thought that was Robert Carlyle‘s role?  Is Telford not long for the Universe?  Or am I perpetually confused?)

Either way, I’m liking how this cast is shaping up.  Here’s hoping they pull off a good show!

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Gate Geek – Stargate Universe launches production

Stargate Universe has, at long last, started production.   However, we still don’t have a clue which actors were cast in the female roles; even though they’re at the studio, right now.  (Can someone go over and look?) 

How delaying the announcement of the full cast helps with publicity?  Not a clue.

And speaking of Stargate women, the auction Amanda Tapping did for a school raised US$20k.  See, MGM?  Stargate women are powerful.

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Gate Geek – Fun, Stargatey things to do

Still waiting for the announcement of the women of Stargate Universe that was supposed to be out by now.

In the meantime, CJer Michelle let me know that MGM is continuing to engage fans in their prep of Stargate Atlantis Best-Of compilation for Blu-Ray with a “design the cover” contest.  They are also announcing the episodes that won. (Most of the ones I wanted…yays)  Annoying Flash design prevents us from linking directly, so go click around.

In other fun Stargate-related news, Amanda Tapping continues to show that she is one of the nicest people in show business by offering up some really cool auction items to benefit a Vancouver-area school.

And the charming Cliff Simon (Ba’al) talks with GateWorld about Stargate and his ongoing interest in helping people get their brains going.

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Gate Geek – New cast member gets really excited

Now, everyone giving Stargate Universe a hard time should stop and appreciate the enthusiasm coming into this project (well, if Brian J. Smith is any indication).  The brave man takes his first step into fandom by granting an interview with GateWorld.  He can’t be all bad, though.  He admits to being a “Trekkie.” <sic>

In related news, writer Joseph Mallozzi shares that Robert Carlyle will get to keep that lovely accent for the show.  (Ahh…Scottish accents on Stargate.)

Those still mourning Atlantis and worrying about the fate of her actors will be happy to know that David Hewlett appears to be making progress on his sci-fi comedy Starcrossed first featured in his movie A Dog’s Breakfast.  Keep your fingers crossed it makes it out of Development Hell.  We don’t need any more ghost shows on SciFi.

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I see your Trek and make it relevant

A very interesting Q&A with JJ Abrams about the upcoming Star Trek movie.

He’s still trying to find a way to explain how he’s going to keep the original fans happy while keeping casual moviegoers entertained.

At least he appreciates that he’s never going to make the nitpickers happy.  There’s just a whole level of Trekdom that no one will ever win over unless The Great Bird rises again.  (And probably not even then.)

Keep boldly going, JJ! (via)

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Genre TV Round-Up – Chuck in 3-D

It’s no wonder genre shows are struggling when you have to wait so long to see new episodes.  But NBC is trying to rally us back around to their Monday night line-up with gimmicks and fun.

Chuck will not only be in 3-D, but will feature appearances by Dominic Monagahan and Scott Bakula (as Chuck’s dad?!).

And Heroes will try to stop hemorrhaging viewers by doing a spot during the SuperBowl in which we explore what it would look like if Heroes played football.  (It’ll also be the start of the supposedly-tightened-up Volume 4.)

Another NBC-owned show, Battlestar Galactica, gets some squee from the Watch with Kristin staff who are celebrating them some love.  (By the way, have you been catching the Best Of…series on the website?)

And finally, an interview with Sanctuary star/producer Amanda Tapping, who talks about having a great first season and what might be to come if they make it back on air by October.

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Gate Geek – Daniel helps launch SGU

It looks like we’re going to be seeing Daniel Jackson in the premiere of Stargate Universe.  Michael Shanks told SciFi Wire that he’s been approached to do the cameo thing. 

Speaking of SGU, a good way to start accepting the new SGU gang will be to catch actor Brian J. Smith (Lt. Matthew Scott) during his guest stint on Law & Order on February 11th.

And, in spite of the rumors going through the worried internet denizens, Michael Shanks is talking about the movies coming up.  (More RDA!  More RDA!) Can we all stop worrying about not seeing our SG1 or SGA faves again?  Those actor contracts will come along soon enough.

In other Stargate news, GateWorld interviews Connor Trinneer.  (Don’t look if you haven’t seen Prodigal, yet!)

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Gate Geek – More Stargate Hunks

Continuing on with the Stargate 90210 theme, the new additions to the Stargate Universe cast (joining Robert Carlyle) are certainly not totally lacking the looks department.  (I can totally get behind a little eye candy, if the stories are also good.)

  • Justin Louis – Will be Colonel Everett Young.  And he’s actually ::gasp:: married!  (In a Stargate show?!  No one gets married and lives.)
  • David Blue – Who I loved, loved, loved in Ugly Betty, will play Eli Wallace.  He’s a total slacker who is your basic genius.  (I wonder if the threat of citrus works on him?)
  • Jamil Walker Smith – Sr. Sgt. Ronald Greer, “a Marine with a temper you don’t want to mess with.”  The edgy, mysterious one.  TV Guide has a picture.
  • Brian J. Smith – Lt Matthew Scott; the inexperienced one who is thrust into leadership before his time.

Now, if MGM and SciFi would just learn that they’re annoying the established fans with this whole “edgier and younger in tone” crap, they might bring along more old fans to the new show.

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Gate Geek – Author John Scalzi Creative Consultant for Universe

Joe Mallozzi has announced that author John Scalzi (Old Man’s War, The Android’s Dream) will now be a creative consultant to the new Stargate Universe series.  (Plus, the announcement includes a really delicious-looking trip to Vancouver restaurant Fuel… except for that foie gras… yuck.)

If you have read his books (and if you haven’t, why not?), this certainly hints at an interesting direction for the show.