Sci-Fi Storm

Sheldon Whittaker (Creator of Barrier) writes “The space race enters new heights and speeds down under, as New Zealand producer Sheldon Whittaker proposes to film a futuristic science fiction television series called ?Barrier?.

It?s the year 2439; Earth is a member of the United Alliance of Independent Worlds (UAIW), a loosely bound government that has endorsed the ?Barrier Racing League? to promote the development of faster starship engines.

The series follows the adventures of a maverick racing team that finds itself in trouble after salvaging new technology from an alien derelict. The project is currently under a submission and review process with various producers, While this process is going on we have set up several casting and show oriented polls, to let interested SF fans have some input.

We also welcome suggestions for other surveys, polls, or events that we could run.

Thank you.
http://www.barrier.net.nz/“

Here’s a first for Sci-Fi Storm: a 2007 Gift Guide. A collection of some of the really cool things (mostly videos) that have come out recently or due out really soon. FYI, the only income this site makes comes from the commissions on sales that you buy through our links (or anything else you may buy for an hour or so after following one of our links), and this year those commissions are WAY down…so if you like to shop from Amazon and having done your holiday shopping yet, take a look and buy some stuff…or just follow this link and buy just about anything…

Despite the bleak outlook for its network sibling Journeyman, freshman series Chuck has gotten an
order to complete a full season – even in the face of the writer’s strike. No official word yet on the other NBC freshman SF show, Bionic Woman.

Sorry I’m late…been trying to get a lot of things done in advance of a much needed vacation. Anyways, after lots of unconfirmed reports, the BBC is finally confirming the return of Billie Piper for three episodes in the fourth series of Doctor Who. This means that the Doctor will have three different companions in the series – although it isn’t specified if Rose Tyler will overlap with Martha Jones, who will only appear in half of the episodes.

Anonymous Coward writes sends us in the link for the Space Western Limerick contest we announced here. Drinking and Serenity seemed to be common subjects…

In a chat with the Premium Hollywood web site, Journeyman producer Kevin Falls says that the show could end with the 12th episode, which was the last one on the initial order for the show. Due to the WGA strike and the mediocre numbers, it seems unlikely that they would get an additional order for episodes. Falls said, “If?and let?s not kid ourselves, it?s a long shot that we would get a back nine, given the strike and our questionable numbers?but we wrote it in a way so it could be the series-ending show. I mean, it wouldn?t answer every question, but it would give you a lot to chew on.”

Liz Martin writes “On November 17, 2007, Sam Jones and Melody Anderson recorded a downloadable commentary track for Flash Gordon with Bob Lindenmayer and Big Kev’s Geek Stuff, a pod-cast and occasional XM radio feature staring The Opie and Anthony Show’s resident geek, Big Kev. In addition to the downloadable track, there is also a limited run of DVD’s available which contain the commentary track, a filming of the taping of the track, a filming of Melody Anderson and Sam Jones on Big Kev’s Geek Stuff, live on on XM radio, and still photos featuring Melody and Sam posing with props from the show. Also, the cover of the disc is an exclusive Alex Ross original, only available on this disc which is also signed by both Sam Jones and Melody Anderson. The commentary track and limited edition DVD are available for purchase at www.bigkevsgeekstuff.com.”

Verity Lambert, the award winning and founding producer of Doctor Who in 1963, has passed away Wednesday, days short of her 72nd birthday. In the early 90s she attempted to revive Doctor Who as an independent production, but the BBC at the time was looking in to a joint BBC-U.S. production, which eventually became the Doctor Who TV movie.

David Twohy, who wrote and directed Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick), believes more Riddick could happen, according to a post on his web site. It would likely be an independent film, and thus be on a much smaller budget – but since Pitch Black was filmed for only $22 million, it’s possible.

Veteran actor Ben Cross (Dark Shadows) has been selected to play Spock’s father Sarek (originally played by Mark Lenard), and will be opposite Winona Rider as Spock’s mother Amanda Grayson (originally played by Jane Wyatt. Anyone else need to be cast? Yeoman Rand? Lieutenant Riley? I think I’ve mentioned Lieutenant Leslie before. Will they figure out how to include some of the Klingons like Kang and Kor? And will that be with or without ridges?