Sci-Fi TV Monday: LOST, Fringe, V, Star Wars, Being Human, Doctor Who + more | TrekMovie.com
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Sci-Fi TV Monday: LOST, Fringe, V, Star Wars, Being Human, Doctor Who + more April 12, 2010

by Rosario T. Calabria , Filed under: Sci-Fi , trackback

In Sci-Fi TV this week we have big updates with previews for Lost , V, and Fringe. Plus there is news of a new animated Star Wars TV show, a comedy (really!). And there are more details on the US version of Being Human and our regular wrap-up of television ratings, casting bites and all the latest new images and video previews (including a look at new Doctor Who TARDIS and some WW2 era Daleks).

 

 

GENRE TV NEWS

LOST alternate endings + other LOST bites
"LOST"
executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse will appear on "Jimmy Kimmel Live: Aloha to Lost" on the night of the finale. The program will also feature alternate endings and live interviews with cast members:

“JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE: ALOHA TO LOST” is the culmination of a six year-long relationship between “LOST” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Each Tuesday night, Kimmel discusses the show and features “Secrets of ‘LOST’” (comedic “insight” into the mysteries of the island from Evangeline Lilly, Michael Emerson, Jorge Garcia, Daniel Dae Kim, Elizabeth Mitchell, and more). Cast members including Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, Josh Holloway, Jorge Garcia, Michael Emerson, Daniel Dae Kim, Yunjin Kim, Terry O’Quinn and former cast members Dominic Monaghan and Elizabeth Mitchell appear regularly on Kimmel’s couch and producers Lindelof, Cuse, and JJ Abrams make regular guest appearances as well.

Henry Ian Cusick (Desmond) confirms that Love is a strong theme in the series:

"Yes, you’re absolutely right in a sense that the driving force of Lost is love. Desmond is totally driven by love. What’s interesting is how they see this other world. Charlie and Desmond both had near-death experiences and they recognized their loves. It’s sort of spiritual, the thing they have to get to at the end of this, what Desmond has to do."

Cusick also said that his character is not claimed by the Man in Black, like Sayid and Claire have been:

"No, absolutely not. He’s not claimed at all. It’s the polar opposite. Sayid and Claire have been claimed by the Man in Black. Desmond, on the other hand, has had an epiphany. He’s enlightened. He has no fear of the Man in Black."

Here are a few "LOST" bites:

Promotional stills from episode 6×12 – "Everybody Loves Hugo" [more at TVOvermind]

Sneak peek from "Everybody Loves Hugo" [YouTube]

Watch another sneak peek from the episode here

More details on the Fringe musical episode
FOX has announced that the musical-themed episode of "Fringe" will be called "Brown Betty". The episode will air on April 29th. Here’s the official description:

Thursday, April 29 FRINGE (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) – "Brown Betty" While Walter (John Noble) deals with some upsetting news, he tells Olivia’s niece, Ella (guest star Lily Pilblad), a fairy tale that includes musical performances by Olivia (Anna Torv) and Agent Broyles (Lance Reddick).

Here are some casting bites:

Promotional stills from episode 2×18 – "The Man from the Other Side" [more at SpoilerTV]

Promotional stills from episode 2×19 – "Brown Betty" (i.e. the Musical episode) [more at SpoilerTV]

Cast promotional images [more at Fringe Television]

Set images [more via SpoilerTV, (2)]

Promo for episode 2×17 – "White Tulip" [YouTube]

Set video, including a look at Leonard Nimoy [FringeWatch / more via SpoilerTV]

Animated Star Wars comedy in the works
George Lucas is working with "Robot Chicken" creators/executive producers Seth Green and Matthew Senreich and "The Daily Show" writer Brendan Hay to develop a new animated "Star Wars" comedy series:

"There are so many stories taking place in the Star Wars universe, and they don’t all have to focus on the fate of the galaxy," said Grimes. "We’re looking at Star Wars from a new perspective; this will be a glimpse at how the rest of the galaxy is affected by the events of the Saga. There’s a lot of humor to be mined from that."

"The Star Wars universe is so dense and rich; it’s crazy to think that there aren’t normal, mundane everyday problems in a world so well-defined," said Green. "And it’s even crazier to think of what those problems might be, since it’s all set in a galaxy far, far away. What do these characters do when they’re not overthrowing Empires?"

Said Senreich, "We’re going to pull back the curtain of some of those behind-the-scenes shenanigans. It’s going to appeal to all ages, the way Star Wars should — but there’ll be plenty buried under the surface, as well. As Obi-Wan might say, ‘it all depends on your point of view’."

Cast talk V + New episode title revealed
"V"
stars Laura Vandervoort (Lisa) and Joel Gretsch (Father Jack) talked about what’s in store for the rest of the season. Here are some highlights from the various interviews:

Laura VandervoortFancast

It now looks like Anna’s plan involves not just Tyler, but that Lisa will play a big role in it as well.

Vandervoort: Yes, she gets to say more than “Yes, mother” in the upcoming weeks. They’re slowly building Lisa’s story, and in the episodes we’ve been shooting lately, her stuff is getting pretty meaty. She is next in line for queen V, so she has a lot on her shoulders. The storyline with Tyler will get very interesting.

Are you going to get a chance to interact with more characters as the season continues?

Vandervoort: That’s what the upcoming scenes are about. Lisa is interacting with people that I didn’t expect her to. They’re intertwining all the characters finally.

Joel Gretschio9

Gretsch says Father Jack might be even more complex and tormented [than the character he played on "The 4400"].

Gretsch: He’s well intentioned. He believes in his relationship to God, and wanting to help people. And yet he’s a man, and has a backstory, and that gets revealed throughout the season. Why did Father Jack become a priest, and what motivated him? Given that he’s in the resistance and the Fifth Column, how does that compromise his beliefs? Now that he’s working with this beautiful woman, Erica, talk about an obstacle [to his vow of celibacy].

And Gretsch promises that the Resistance will start getting a lot more effective soon.

Gretsch: "We’re just getting more established, and now with the Hobbes character, we have an actual terrorist." He adds: "We become quite effective. You’ll be quite surprised and yet it’s going to [make sense.] We’re going to become a force to be reckoned with."

Check out another interview with Morena Baccarin at Syfy.co.uk. In other news, The V Files reports that the upcoming ninth episode of the series will be called "Heretic’s Fork". That episode will air on April 27th. "V" airs Tuesday’s at 10:00 p.m. on ABC following "LOST".

Promotional stills from episode 1×07 – "John May" [more at lost-spoiler.over-blog.com via SpoilerTV]

Promotional stills from episode 1×08 – "We Can’t Win" [more at The V Files]

Promo for episode 1×07 – "John May" [YouTube]

Watch another promo here

Sneak peek from "John May" [YouTube]

Behind the scenes with Scott Rosenbaum [YouTube]

Watch more interviews: Logan Huffman | Scott Wolf | Morris Chestnut

Being Human U.S. details
Syfy’s David Howe spoke with iF Magazine about the status of the network’s U.S. adaptation of the hit BBC series "Being Human":

iF MAGAZINE: What’s the status of BEING HUMAN?

DAVID HOWE: I think it’s very difficult to adapt. I think it seems easy, but so much of that show depends on the chemistry and execution and otherwise it could really easily go off the rails. We hired some great writers and they are in them [sic] midst of adapting it and we’re hoping to have it on air in the summer.

iF: What’s the biggest challenge in taking what is essentially a six-episode BBC season and turning it into a 13 or 22-epiosde Syfy series?

HOWE: You have to carry it out. I think the biggest challenge is how much do you take from it that’s there. Where are you getting repetitive and derivative and how do you not retread? We talked a lot about the U.K. OFFICE and the American OFFICE. So we’re about making it our own and yet holding on to what’s great about the original.

With regards to what city the series will be set in, Howe says they are probably going to set it on the East Coast "because there’s something about that New England Boston sensibility that feels right for this," although he’s quick to caution that they haven’t made a final decision yet.


PREVIEW Videos & Images

Ashes to Ashes

Promotional images from episode 3×02 [more at Den of Geek]

Chuck

Episode 3×14 – 3×17 promo – "The Back 6" [YouTube]

Interview with Joshua Gomez [SCI FI Wire]

Watch the second part of the interview here and an interview with Zachary Levi here

Doctor Who

Promotional stills from episode 5×02 – "The Beast Below" [more at Den of Geek]

Promotional stills from episode 5×03 – "Victory of the Daleks" [more at Den of Geek]

More promotional images from the series here and here

A look at the new Tardis [YouTube]

Watch two more featurettes here and here

Promo for episode 5×03 – "Victory of the Daleks" [Blogtor Who]

Watch another promo here

FlashForward

Promotional stills from episode 1×16 – "Let No Man Put Asunder" [more at DH-Central.Net]

Promo for "Let No Man Put Asunder" [YouTube]

Interview with Dominic Monaghan [YouTube]

Happy Town

Watch the first 14 minutes now [ABC via hulu]

Human Target

Promotional stills for the season one finale – "Christopher Chance" [more at Pizquita]

Promo for "Christopher Chance" [YouTube]

The Sarah Jane Adventures

Season four set images [more at The Doctor Who News Page]

Stargate Universe

Promotional stills from episode 1×13 – "Faith" [more at MGM]

Promo for "Faith" [Syfy]

Sneak peek from "Faith" [Syfy]

Interview with Alaina Huffman [SCI FI Wire]

Smallville

Promotional stills from episode 9×18 – "Upgrade" [more at OSCK]

Promo for "Upgrade" [YouTube]

Supernatural

Promotional stills from episode 5×18 – "Point of No Return" (100th episode) [more at SPNsite]

Promo for "Point of No Return" [YouTube]

Clip from "Point of No Return" [SCI FI Wire]

Watch two more clips here

True Blood

Promotional stills from the third season [more at SpoilerTV]

Season three posters [PopWrap & Bloody Disgusting]

Alan Ball introduces IDW True Blood comic [YouTube]

Season 2 Blu-ray character perspective: Hoyt [HBO]

Watch more character perspectives: Karl | Pam | Steve Newlin

The Vampire Diaries

Promotional stills from episode 1×20 – "Blood Brothers" [more at Vampiresite]

Promo for episode 1×18 – "Under Control" [YouTube]

Warehouse 13

Season two preview [Syfy]

TV BITES

 

CASTING BITES

MISC VIDEOS

Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog

8-bit Dr. Horrible (Act 1) [YouTube]

V

Stephen Colbert’s V countdown clock rant [THR]

SCI-FI RATINGS (Based on final national numbers unless otherwise noted) [@TravisYanan]

The mid-season finale of "Caprica" (3/26/2010) drew 1.10 million viewers and a 0.5 A18-49 rating. That was down -10% in viewers, but up +25% (or 1/10 of a point) in A18-49 rating (tied for a series-high) from the episode prior (1.23M / 0.4 rating). The nine-episode half-season drew an average audience of 1.20 million viewers and a 0.4 A18-49 rating. "Caprica" premiered with 1.60 million viewers and a 0.4 A18-49 rating, so the show may have held steady within the key A18-49 demographic, but it has lost about 1/2 million viewers since its premiere.

Syfy also issued a press release highlighting the results of the first season so far (including Live + 7 day data). Not surprisingly, the show performs considerably better when accounting for delayed viewing. Here are the main highlights from the press release:

Culminating a premiere season of ratings growth, the Friday, March 26 season finale of Caprica set a series record by delivering 1.1 million Adults 18-49 (including Live + 7 DVR playback data). The episode, airing from 9-10pm, also scored 1.7 million total viewers, 1.16 million Adults 25-54 and a 1.3 Household rating.

These achievements capped off a successful end to Caprica’s first nine episodes. Compared to the first five episodes, the final four averaged 1.0 million Adults 18-49 (+21%) and 1.15 million Adults 25-54 (+12%). These programs were also Caprica’s top individual telecasts in both Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54.

For the first season including all DVR playback, Caprica averaged a 1.3 HH Rating and 1.8 million total viewers, including 906,000 Adults 18-49 and 1.1 million Adults 25-54.

The season 1.5 premiere of "Stargate Universe" on April 2nd drew 1.49 million viewers and a 0.6 A18-49 rating. ‘SGU’ was up +11% in viewers and +20% in A18-49 rating (+ 1/10 of a point) from the mid-season finale (1.34M / 0.5 rating). This past Friday’s episode drew 1.60 million viewers and a 0.6 A18-49 rating. Through 11 episodes, ‘SGU’ is averaging 1.88 million viewers and a 0.8 A18-49 rating. Also airing two Friday’s ago was the U.S. debut of the second season premiere of "Merlin". The episode drew 1.29 million viewers and a 0.4 A18-49 rating. Syfy notes that "Merlin" topped the April 2009 debut of "Primeval" — the previous UK scripted series to premiere on the network — by +18% in total viewers and +45% in Adults 18-49 (553,000 / 0.4 rating). Meanwhile, week two of the series drew 1.37 million viewers and a 0.4 A18-49 rating. And finally, last Friday’s episode of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" drew 2.10 million viewers and a 0.5 A18-49 rating on Cartoon Network. [@TravisYanan]

"Ghost Hunters" drew 2.08 million viewers and a 1.0 A18-49 rating this past Wednesday (4/7/2010). That was down -10% in viewers, but even in A18-49 rating from the week prior (2.31M / 1.0 rating). Lead-out "Destination Truth" averaged 1.76 million viewers and a 0.7 A18-49 rating. That was down -15% in viewers and -22% in A18-49 rating from the week prior (2.07M / 0.9 rating). [@TravisYanan]

"Legend of the Seeker" has seen a slight uptick in audience over the last two episodes, drawing 2.27 million viewers and 2.44 million viewers (the most recent episode drew a 0.8 A18-49 rating), respectively. Through 15 episodes, "Legend of the Seeker" has averaged 2.40 million viewers this season. [TV by the Numbers]

The final ratings figure for the season five premiere of "Doctor Who" was 10.08 million viewers (9.59M viewers on BBC One and 494,000 on BBC HD). That was up significantly from the initial overnight figure of 8 million, meaning more than 2 million time-shifted the program. According to preliminary figures, episode two ("The Beast Below") drew a 6.7 million viewers (6.4M on BBC One and 330,000 on BBC HD). [The Doctor Who News Page & The Doctor Who News Page]

CHART (3/22/2010 to 3/28/2010)

CHART (3/29/2010 to 4/4/2010)


Follow Russ on his blog: Your Entertainment Now and on Twitter: Twitter.com/YourEntNow.

Comments»

1. Fraser Link - April 12, 2010

Fantastic ratings for my new Doctor – love it!!

2. Darkwing - April 12, 2010

I’m totally loving the whole new style and feel for Doctor Who. Matt Smith just may be up to the job!

3. MC1 Doug - April 12, 2010

SyFy needs an infusion of some new science fiction series that don’t involve Stargates and Battlestars… the cable company bean counters just don’t get what science fiction is all about….

4. MC1 Doug - April 12, 2010

A ‘Star Wars’ comedy series? Has George Lucas lost his marbles?

5. Kalashnikov - April 12, 2010

#4 Did you find out that only now?

6. davidfuchs - April 12, 2010

SGU so far has been slightly better in quality (certainly better paced) than its first half.

FlashForward is finally addressing its gaping plot holes and telling better stories.

My god, scifi shows are getting better?

7. ryanhuyton - April 12, 2010

I really think George Lucas needs to give “Star Wars” a rest. Let the “Clone Wars” stay, but nothing else should be made till its over.

I’m sure George Lucas doesn’t want to give J.J Abrams the idea that “Star Wars” needs a reboot. :-)

As for “Heroes”, I guess NBC can’t read the writing on the wall.

8. Rassilon Rave - April 12, 2010

Doctor Who has been awesome so far, looking forward to he ‘Victory of the Daleks’

Long live WHO!

9. Zebonka - April 12, 2010

Everyone Loves Greedo.

10. Sebastian - April 12, 2010

Star Wars as a comedy show (from Seth Green) is the final nail in the coffin of a once noble, exciting, inspiring fantasy franchise. Now, it’ll just be a “joke show” on Adult Swim for everyone born after the mid-nineties. That sense of awe and wonder once associated with it is long destroyed.

Thank you, George Lucas and Seth Green for strip-mining Star Wars until it’s hollow husk finally collapses. Good job!

11. Alf, in pog form - April 13, 2010

I’ve been pretty critical of StarGate Boringverse, but the last two episodes were pretty good. Only one “throw the beer bottle at the TV” moment where Chloe sees a big freakin’ hole being cut in the outer hull of the ship, and instead of running away like a cut cat she curiously ambles up and stands underneath it all wide-eyed and curious. I mean, what a dumb-@ss!!

As for Star Wars, the special effects technology now exists to produce a half-decent weekly TV series, but all George can think of feeding us is more kiddie tripe….sheeeesh!!

/end negative rant

12. Nuallain - April 13, 2010

Couple of extra bits and bites of Whoey stuff to add to that:

The new, significantly redesigned Daleks have been revealed in a gallery on the website of the Radio Times magazine (and are dividing opinion):

http://www.radiotimes.com/content/features/galleries/doctor-who-daleks/04/

And, also, the BBC have announced that this season will be followed by four, free to download, ‘interactive episodes’ talking the form of point-and-click adventures starring the voices of Matt Smith and Karen Gillan (approximately two hours runtime per ‘episode’)

13. Nuallain - April 13, 2010

Oops, link for the news on the games:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw/news/bulletin_100408_01/Doctor_Who_Adventure_Games_announced

14. captain_neill - April 13, 2010

As much as I hate some of the changes that Abrams made to Trek thank God he will not turn it into a sitcom.

I love Star Trek and despite my gripes I will still watch future movies under JJ Abrams, Someday I do hope they will return to the prime universe.

In regards to Doctor Who, Matt Smith is fantastic as I am really liking his incarnation and Stephen Moffet has good stuff so far. As grateful as I am for Russell T Davies for bringing back Doctor Who I am glad he is gone as Moffett has always been better.

Karen Gilan is excellent and extremely hot.

Guess in UK Russell T Davies is kinda like JJ Abrams, very popular with the mainstream yet overrated.

15. captain_neill - April 13, 2010

I refuse to watch Lost, more overrated stuff.

I was watching Flash Forward for the first half but not bothered watching it since I came back. The characters were boring, I did not care if they died or not. John Cho and Joseph Fiennes characters were the most unlikeable. The plots are meandering and the dialogue is terrible. I wanted to like it because Brannon Braga is behind it and Brannon is a fav writer of mine.

But I just lost interest in this show. and given the ratings I don’t think it will get a second season.

V starts over tonight so I will give it a try, Loved the original V and I doubt this will be as good, but it sounds better than the weekly TV show. Sorry but Diana (Jane Badler) is hotter.

16. PropperTrekkieUk - April 13, 2010

New Who is amazing! Dare I say Matt Smith is better then David? Maybe. Different definately!! The cheese has gone and been repaced by a more grown up yet equally as enjoyable and accessable series! Fantastic!!!

17. captain_neill - April 13, 2010

16

One thing is Stephen Moffett is going to be better a showrunner than Russell T Davies

18. Mel - April 13, 2010

I don’t like Stargate Universe. The characters are very unlikeable in my opinion.

19. Lore - April 13, 2010

Speaking of Seth Green: Has anyone seen his appearance in David Foustino’s web series “Star-Ving”. There is a “Married with Children” reunion movie in the works (yes the old cast is brought back together Ed O’neil, Katey Sagel, & of course Christina Applegate, all doing caricatures of themselves. Foustino shows up to a script read to find that the role of “Bud Bundy” has been recast with Seth Green in the iconic role. Check this one out, but warning, Adult Comedy.

20. locutus - April 13, 2010

star wars comedy? george is an idiot

21. SerenityActual - April 13, 2010

Love the new season of Doctor Who! V I need to catch up on, same with SGU. Lucas needs to be put down or hand over the reins to someone else, he’s making the franchise into even a worse parody. Fringe I can’t wait to get caught up on and I hope that both Heroes and Chuck get one more season at least.

22. Pat Payne - April 13, 2010

Love the new Dalek trailer, though one would think that as smart as WInston Churchill is, he’d know better than to ally himself with a rapacious, destructive conqueror with no regard for human life…
(OK, he gets one free pass with Stalin, but STILL…) ;)

Seriously, I CAN-NOT WAIT TO WIT-NESS THE VIC-TORY OF THE DA-LEKS!

23. Dr. Image - April 13, 2010

The new Doctor is GREAT! Now we can finally breathe easier.
Lucas should be commended. He’s finally seen the true value of Star Wars- as a comedy.
Hey, it’s better than as “a fairy tale for children, ” as he once said.

24. CJS - April 13, 2010

4. MC1 Doug – April 12, 2010
A ‘Star Wars’ comedy series? Has George Lucas lost his marbles?

Two words – Jar Jar Binks
(or is that three? Whatever it is, it is proof of the longstanding loss of Lucas’ marbles).

25. Desstruxion - April 13, 2010

Didn’t think I’d say it but I may just be happier with Matt Smith as the Doctor than Tennant. I like the darker feel of the show. The Tardis interior is also great. Sort of retro and steampunk-esque. Amy is a great companion as well. Smith reminds me a bit of Peter Davison in his portrayal. Of course I’m biased in that Davison is “my Doctor.” Great show all around.

26. Mikey1091 - April 13, 2010

I have to say the same about s Star Wars comedy series. Star Wars has always been about the main characters and destinies and so forth. To turn it into comedy would just ruin the franchise.

I am glad though that The Clone Wars series got some mention in this article. Although I am a Trek fan fist, Star Wars is a very close second for me. I have been following The Clone Wars closely, and have yet to miss an episode (then again, they air in UK a week ahead of the US for some reason and I torrent them when the UK guys throw em on Pirate Bay). My favorite character (and I may sound a little childish here even though I’m almost 22) would have to be Ahsoka. I know a lot of people don’t like her or agree with her being Anakin’s Padawan, but that’s your opinion and not mine. Anyway, can’t wait till the next episode!

As for Ron Moore wanting a new Trek TV series, I say go for it! Trek needs to come back to TV. I doubt CBS/Paramount is going to want to let Lucas reign over the SW vs. ST TV wars, like is currently happening. If CBS/Paramount have a mind, they’ll green-light a new Trek series, and I will watch it.

27. Mikey1091 - April 13, 2010

I know I shouldn’t double post, but I forgot to say this: I LOVE these TV/Movie news articles! Keep em coming please!!!!

28. Dholleyuk - April 13, 2010

Still not sure about the new doctor who series, so far bas acting and the stories have been week but to be fair moffet is getting into his stride. Zoe is cute, bit is that enough? Need to see more before I am sold but better then I thought.

PS new title music is crap

29. Dholleyuk - April 13, 2010

Dam my iPhone souls have been bad and weak (not bas and week)

30. DonDonP1 - April 13, 2010

26: Mikey1091 CBS Paramount Television is now CBS Television Studios. Remember?

31. Jesse - April 13, 2010

I think a Star Wars comedy could work.

I just don’t expect it to.

32. gir6 - April 13, 2010

I can’t get into the new Doctor Who. Something about Matt Smith’s face. I think his eyes are too close together.

And yes, that would ruin the whole show for me.

33. Captain Dunsel - April 13, 2010

A Star Wars comedy? Makes perfect sense – Lucas has been laughing at the fanboys for years.

34. Crypter Crypter Crypter - April 14, 2010

The entire time Battlestar was a weekly series, there was talk of moving it to NBC or possible cancellation due to expense and declining ratings! NOW Syfy wants a continuation??? Thank the gods RDM has said that won’t happen!

The only story I’d like to see (other than Caprica) is the story of The Final Five (from Kobol to Earth to the 12 colonies). Maybe another straight to DVD-BluRay movie or a mini series???

35. They call me Stasiu - April 14, 2010

I think Kevin Rubio’s short film ‘Troops’ lends credence to good comedy in the Star Wars Universe. Bring it on!

36. CarlG - April 14, 2010

Matt Smith rocks the house. Long live Eleven! :D

And the new theme tune is great.

Not sure about the TARDIS interior, it looks kind of… kitsch-y, to be honest. Not the desktop theme I would’ve gone with, Doc.

37. captain_neill - April 15, 2010

25

I think he also has some traits of the Sixth Doctor as well


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