Sci-Fi Storm

Having actually met and spoken with at an informal level the management at Syfy, I have a new found respect for the tough decisions they have to make.

That doesn’t mean I like the decisions. I can just understand them. I can’t understand why the cast weren’t informed properly, but that’s a different issue.

I keep seeing the same questions – why don’t you take into account digital downloads, DVD sales, etc. The fact is they just don’t count. A network does not make any money on those things – those go to the production company, which is NOT the same as the network. It’s like this:
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Shock is raging across the galaxies as Syfy has canceled Stargate Universe, which just broke out on Twitter via Deadline.com and was confirmed by Syfy. The Twitterverse is going to burn down, methinks…I was liking SGU more and more this season. The final 10 episodes will still be aired next Spring. Given no announcement of another Stargate series, this will end an 8 year unbroken run of Stargate on Syfy, and THIRTEEN years since the debut of Stargate SG-1 on Showtime.

Syfy Ventures and Universal will be partnering up to launch Syfy Films, a film company that will leverage Syfy’s knowledge of the science fiction, fantasy, horror and supernatural genres and aims to produce 1-2 films a year starting in 2012. The joint venture will be headed by Mark Stern, Syfy’s head of original programming and and co-head of content at Universal Cable, and Donna Langley, co-chair of Universal Pictures.

The obvious question is – will we get space opera ala Battlestar Galactica, or monster movies ala Sharktopus?

Just a quick reminder from the road…the holiday episodes of Eureka and Warehouse 13 are tonight on Syfy. I have to wait until I get back to see them 🙁

Also, I’ll be giving away a BBC America prize pack, but you’ll need to be following scifistorm on Twitter to qualify…more details later.

Update: Facebook followers will count as well, but you must be a U.S. resident or have a U.S. address at least…I’m still coming up with a plan, but it won’t be a complicated contest…the prize pack will include DVDs of Doctor Who, Being Human and Top Gear and a Union Jack light switch cover.

Instead of trying to figure out who they are, like most 20 year olds, Aidan, Josh, and Sally will try to figure out what they are as they embark on being roommates while searching their identities as the abnormal, and even more, the paranormal.

Being Human premieres January 17th.
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At last! Here is a preview of the U.S. version of Being Human, which premieres on Syfy on January 17th at 9PM ET/8PM CT.

Being Human follows three paranormal roommates: a ghost (Meagan Rath), a vampire (Sam Witwer) and a werewolf (Sam Huntington) and their difficulties with living double lives.
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Perhaps to lighten the mood after the sad news of last night/this morning, Syfy tweeted a press release for an upcoming TV movie – at least, I hope it was to lighten the mood – I at least got a chuckle: “CATACLYSMIC METHANE-FUELED EARTHQUAKES THREATEN EARTH’S SURVIVAL IN CHRISTMAS AND FAMILY THEMED SYFY SATURDAY ORIGINAL MOVIE ICE QUAKE” Nothing says family togetherness during the holidays like a good end-of-the-world TV movie…

But seriously, Ice Quake airs on Syfy on Saturday, December 11th, at 9PM ET. Brendan Fehr (CSI Miami) and Victor Garber (Alias) are featured, and also has Sharon Taylor and Ryan Grantham from Riese: Kingdom Falling.

Is it mid-season already?

Rush, Colonel Young and the team debate chasing a distant energy signature into an area outside of the course mapped out by Destiny. Rush wants to investigate but it’s a day’s journey FTL to get there and Park, Eli, Dale and Brody question the wisdom of pursuing an energy signature so far off course from Destiny’s mission, not to mention the fact that the crew has had less than pleasant experiences with other alien life forms. What’s the source of this energy signature? Does the crew encounter more hostile aliens?

“Resurgence” airs Tuesday, November 30th, at 9PM ET/7PM CT.
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Syfy has set the premiere dates for their version of Being Human as well as some new and returning series and movies. All times are Eastern Standard Time:

Series:
Ghost Hunters International: January 5th, 10PM

Merlin: January 7th, 10PM – Third season premiere.

Being Human: January 17th, 9PM – The U.S. version of the popular British show

Face Off: January 26th, 10PM – A challenge competition between special effects makeup artists. Think “Food Network Challenge” meets prosthetics.

In addition, the return of Ghost Hunters and the debut of Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen will occur in February, and Destination Truth will return in March.

Movies:
Behemoth: January 15th, 9PM – Scientists discover a giant creature under the Earth that is wrapped around the entire planet. When the creature wakes all grumpy, it causes worldwide destruction. Starring Ed Quinn (Nathan Stark, Eureka).

Mega Python Vs Gatoroid: January 29th, 9PM – Come on, admit it – you’ve been waiting for this. Debbie Gibson vs. Tiffany. Oh, and something about giant swamp creatures in the Everglades.

The remaining five episodes of Caprica, which was canceled last month and pulled from the schedule, will air as a single block on Syfy on Tuesday, January 4th, starting at 6PM ET.