23 years of this site still chugging along...
Author Sir Terry Pratchett passes away at 66
by Doc on Mar.12, 2015, under Books, Obituaries
I sadly found out just a few minutes ago that author Sir Terry Pratchett, best known for his Discworld series of fantasy novels, passed away today at the age of 66 after suffering from Alzheimers since 2007.
Pratchett’s [asin=038553826X]Discworld[/asin], in which many of his over 70 books are set, was a flat world which was sitting on the backs of four enormous elephants, who themselves stood on the back of a giant turtle traveling through space.
He received an OBE for his services to literature in 1998, and was knighted in 2009. In 2001 he was Britain’s second most read author, only behind J.K. Rowling.
He took his illness in stride, and kept writing with his last bpok, an [asin=0544466594]anthology of children’s stories[/asin], released last summer.
His death was announced on his own Twitter account with a sense of Pratchett’s humor and writing style. The first tweet was written in all upper case as he typically represented his character of Death in his books:
AT LAST, SIR TERRY, WE MUST WALK TOGETHER.
Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night.
The End.
Confirmed: Ascension is a no-go from Syfy
by Doc on Mar.10, 2015, under Television
Syfy has confirmed in a statement to Deadline that they have passed on taking Ascension to series. But what is more interesting is what they said…”We were very happy with Ascension as an event series, but with so much high profile development in the works, we have decided not to pursue a full series,” according to the statement.
What that tells me is that although Ascension did well, Syfy believes that what they have in the pipeline is likely stronger.
I’m still disappointed…Syfy threw a lot at Ascension, and it appeared that they were “all in” for the show. And now we have this twist at the end that may never be resolved. 🙁
While there is some slight hope it could get picked up by another network, the odds are very slim…network hopping is pretty rare as another network is unlikely to be able to make a show work any better than it did on the previous network to risk it.
Hasselhoff to play Ziering’s dad in Sharknado 3
by Doc on Mar.10, 2015, under Television
David Hasselhoff (Baywatch) will trade his red swimming trunks for a chainsaw when he portrays Gilbert Sheperd, the father of Fin (Ian Ziering), in the eagerly anticipated Original Movie Sharknado 3, Syfy and The Asylum announced today.
Hasselhoff joins stars Ziering, Tara Reid (April) and Cassie Scerbo (Nova) in the newest installment of the global pop culture sensation.
Syfy and The Asylum previously announced that Bo Derek will play April’s mother, May, Ryan Newman will play April and Fin’s daughter Claudia Sheperd and Jack Griffo portrays Claudia’s friend, Billy.
Additional cameo roles include Mark Cuban as the President of the United States; Ann Coulter as the Vice President; Jerry Springer as Mr. White, a manic tourist; *NSYNC singer Chris Kirkpatrick as a pool lifeguard, and Chris Jericho, who will portray Bruce the roller coaster ride operator.
Sharknado 3 will premiere on Syfy in July, causing mass destruction in Washington, D.C., before roaring down the Eastern Seaboard and into Florida.
Anthony C. Ferrante will once again direct, based on an original screenplay by Thunder Levin. Sharknado 3 is a production of The Asylum.
When it aired last July 30, Sharknado 2: The Second One became Syfy’s most-watched original movie ever.
The Walking Dead companion series gets two season order
by Doc on Mar.09, 2015, under Television
It may not have a name yet, but it’s got two seasons already on order…the companion series to The Walking Dead, which AMC ordered a pilot for last September, has already been picked up for two seasons – an initial 6-episode season which would likely lead into the mothership’s sixth season, and a second season of an indeterminate number of episodes to air in 2016.
The companion show will be set in Los Angeles and have all new characters. It stars Cliff Curtis, Kim Dickens, Frank Dillane and Alycia Debnam Carey. Co-creator/co-writer (with Robert Kirkman) Dave Erickson will executive produce and act as showrunner. The Walking Dead production gang of Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero and David Alpert will also executive produce.
There WILL be male Ghostbusters again – in a second film
by Doc on Mar.09, 2015, under Movies
Sony isn’t turning the Ghostbusters into an all-female franchise – that’s only happening for the upcoming movie.
As it turns out, Sony wants it’s own “cinematic universe” of linked movies, ala the highly successful “Marvel Cinematic Universe”, the upcoming DC Universe, and even the expanded Star Wars films. And it sees the Ghostbusters being the center of that universe.
Deadline reports that Sony has partnered to form Ghostcorps, which will include original Ghostbusters shepherds Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd, and will be developing branding opportunities that will include a second Ghostbusters movie with a male cast – one that may also include Channing Tatum (Magic Mike), who is tagged to produce with his partners Reid Carolin and Peter Kiernan.
Also in the fold are directing duo brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, who directed Captain America: The Winter Soldier and are currently working on Captain America: Civil War, and screenwriter Drew Pearce who wrote Iron Man 3 and Mission: Impossible 5 and who came up with the idea.
Syfy apparently passes on Ascension
by Doc on Mar.09, 2015, under Television
Syfy has not confirmed publicly or responded to requests on this, but actor Gil Bellows said in a tweet this weekend that Syfy has not picked up Ascension for any sort of continuation of the story. Syfy is likely silent as the show is currently airing in Canada, and wouldn’t want to potentially torpedo the ratings.
We are still trying to get official word on this, but if true it is very disappointing, as it was a very interesting premise with a very fun cast, and we were left with a really big question to be answered…
Star Trek movies producer Harve Bennett, 1930–2015
by Doc on Mar.05, 2015, under Movies, Television
Sadly, fans of Star Trek remain in mourning…TV and movie producer Harve Bennett, who produced four of the original Star Trek movies and many TV shows including The Six Million Dollar Man, Salvage 1, The Invisible Man and Time Trax, passed away yesterday at the age of 84.
Bennett was brought in help rescue the Star Trek franchise after the first movie downplayed the characters and action for special effects, going as far as binge-watching the entire original series and settling on a particular episode named “Space Seed” to come up with a new story that resulted in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, which he produced along with the next three movies. Bennett also worked with Leonard Nimoy to develop the story for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Interesting fact: Bennett could be heard in the title narration on each episode of The Six Million Dollar Man, saying “Steve Austin, a man barely alive…” The rest of the dialog was recorded by actor Richard Anderson, who played Oscar, but when they wanted to add a line he wasn’t available, so Bennett said it himself.
Harrison Ford injured in plane crash landing
by Doc on Mar.05, 2015, under Movies
A small single-engine two-seater vintage trainer plane being piloted by actor Harrison Ford crashed on a golf course near the Santa Monica airport after he reported engine trouble and was attempting to perform an emergency landing.
Ford reportedly walked away from the crash after being helped by a couple of physicians that were at the scene, and later by paramedics. It appears that he sustained some serious injuries but is apparently OK. His son Ben later tweeted, Dad is ok. Battered, but ok! He is every bit the man you would think he is. He is an incredibly strong man.”
Ford is an experienced aviator, and has crashed before without serious injury.
CBS Watch! magazine releases Leonard Nimoy tribute issue, on sale today
by Doc on Mar.05, 2015, under Movies, Television
A special tribute issue to the late Leonard Nimoy, most famous for his role of Mr. Spock on Star Trek, will be released by CBS Watch! Magazine today, on newsstands nationwide and via [asin=B00U6FAMW0]Amazon[/asin].
Through photos and exclusive editorial content, the 100-page memorial issue celebrates every aspect of the man the world came to know and love as Spock, including his roles of director, photographer, poet and author.
Retailing for $9.99, the publication will be available for purchase on newsstands through June 16th. For more information, go to CBSWATCHMAGAZINE.com
Previously released special issues include CBS Watch! NCIS, The Wizard of Oz, George Strait, Star Trek and Survivor, as well as CBS Health Guide: Your Body.
Helix preview: “Vade In Peace”
by Doc on Mar.04, 2015, under Television
On Fridays Helix, the CDC team, Alan and Sister Amy see the fallout of Michael’s wrath. Watch “Vade in Peace” Friday at 10/9c.
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