cydonia

Am reading The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Apparently this book has already been mentioned in this thread, but the thread is so damn long I can't find what anyone said about it I'm only about 140 pages into it but like it so far.

I'm almost finished with Maximum Ride by James Patterson. Fun, easy read. Has anyone read the sequel?

TV Squad Tori Higginson (Dr. Weir) and Stargate Atlantis go their separate ways Posted Feb 9th 2008 8:35PM by Richard Keller SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD! Be aware that I'm just the messenger here. Remember the time, only a few weeks ago, where a supposed Replicator version of Dr. Elizabeth Weir appeared during the final minute of the Stargate Atlantis episode 'Be All My Sins Remember'd'? And, do you recall the debate that went on here and in the Interwebverse on what that meant? And, didn't it excite you just a bit to see Weir back and being primed for a potential return to the series either late in the fourth season or sometime in the fifth? Well, as they said in many Shakespearean plays -- tain't happenin'! (That would be Rudy Shakespeare of Pennsauken, New Jersey, that is). That's because Tori Higginson, who portrayed Dr. Weir, has up and quit the show according to an article at the Gateworld website. This announcement especially stinks since Weir was going to be a potential player in a major story arc for season five. That's right! Weir's mysterious appearance at the end of 'Remember'd' was going to be addressed in a future episode which, in turn, was going to become a recurring story arc. Higginson's reasons for not coming back for another Atlantis season are unknown. A possible reason could have been Weir's removal from the cast list after signing a 6-year contract back in 2004 and relocating to Vancouver, BC. The producers, in what seems like a fairly cold statement, said that they were being quite gracious in keeping on Weir after that happened. Either way, it is unsure at this time if the rogue Replicator storyline, minus Weir, will re-emerge.

Yes I did and I let out a big old groan. I hope he won't be whining about 'MY BOY' again I seriously wanted to smack him so much near the end of season 2, he just kept getting worse and worse with his 'my boy' stuff. Oh god - do you think we'll have to see MY BOY in person? He's got to be at least 18 by now (joking!). I don't want to see him or the father. The only way I want to see him is if the Losties beat the crap out of him for betraying them.

Yes I did and I let out a big old groan.

I'm so glad there are people out there who pay much more attention to these things than me. I just watch the show and if I happen to catch in the chair I do. If I don't, I don't. LOL. I just enjoy the ride. Kristin at E! has an interview up with Hurley and he said it was originally him in the chair. I have behaved and have not looked at the spoiler

Nice to have you back Lost. Thank goodness I watched the 1 hour recap at 8, b/c I had forgotten a lot of what had been going on. Oceanic 6 - Jack, Kate, Hurley. Who are the other 3? Why is Jack such a messanic a-hole all the time? Self righteous prig. Some of the blogs are saying that the guy in the chair in the shack (where Hurley was drawn to) was Jack's father. I didn't catch a good enough look. So good to see the old gang again.

Sanctuary Comes To SCI FI SCI FI Channel has green-lighted a television series based on the Web series Sanctuary, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The show will be the first to use live-action actors against virtual sets in the style of the features 300 and Sin City. SCI FI has ordered a full 13-episode season of the new scripted drama series, which originated online as the first high-definition SF Web series. Sanctuary is a side project from the Stargate SG-1 trio of star Amanda Tapping, writer-producer Damian Kindler and producer-director Martin Wood. They are executive-producing the series with Sam Egan. Kindler created Sanctuary and Wood directed the webisodes starring Tapping. Tapping plays the enigmatic Dr. Helen Magnus, who is on a quest with her young protege, Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne), to track down, aid and protect strange creatures that walk the earth. Tapping, Kindler and Wood discussed Sanctuary with the network even before it launched as a Web series. Talks shifted into high gear when the trio came back with a DVD containing two one-hour blocks of webisodes. "We were blown away by the level of quality they have been able to achieve on a Web budget," SCI FI executive vice president of original programming Mark Stern said. "We loved the world they'd created, and we particularly loved their approach, since we had been looking for a way to apply the virtual-set CGI environment from films like 300 and Sin City to a television series." Sanctuary, which features 90 percent CGI sets, will be retooled for its transition to television. A new two-hour premiere episode will be produced for the network, with expanded roles for some of the characters, although the cast will remain intact. Much of the CGI footage from the Web series will be enhanced and incorporated into the show. Sanctuary will be produced by Stage 3 Media in association with SCI FI Channel. Filming is slated to begin in March.

I'm a bit disappointed that they are airing the episodes now as we'll have to have another long break for the rest of the season once the strike ends. However, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I'm excited to see it back on the air again.

I'm a sucker for it as well, but I liked Wuthering Heights better as far as Bronte books go. The new adapation from BBC is showing again on Masterpiece Theater tonight I believe - 2 parts. It was excellent.

I think that's part of my problem with her - I used to watch BH90210 and I just don't buy her in this role. I hadn't been focusing on the lazy eye, but now I will be I think Alan Cumming is excellent and Neal McDonough can do no wrong in my book. I understand the feelings about DG - I love her sister in Bones, but I'm not liking her as much.

I admit I'm enjoying this miniseries. I love the productions of the Halmi's (eventhough they are usually cheesy) and think the actors are all good. Except Kathleen Robertson who has almost single handly ruined it for me - I wish they had found someone better.

Just finished Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose. I've already seen the miniseries but will watch it again, now that I've read it.

TV Squad Torchwood return set for January Posted Nov 21st 2007 3:01PM by Jason Hughes Just as happened with parent series Doctor Who, those of us stateside won't have to wait as long after the British airing of Torchwood's second season to see it here, though ironically it has yet to be announced when it will premiere on BBC Two in the UK. TVGuide.com tells us the second season of BBC America's biggest hit comes to us beginning January 26. And with James Marsters (Buffy/Angel) dropping in for a guest shot, and Doctor Who's Freema Agyeman (companion Martha) checking in for an extended stay mid-season, this second go round with Captain Jack Harkness, Gwen and the gang is shaping up to be more exciting than the first. Marsters will play a time-agent criminal who "goes around in different times killing people with no remorse at all." His character Spike, remains one of the most popular in the Buffy-verse, so I expect Torchwood's ratings to see another "spike." (Boo! Boo! Hiss! Get off the stage!). Ageyman, who left the Doctor's side at the close of his third season to stay behind on Earth, reprises her role as Martha Jones from that series in Torchwood. It is promised that she will be rejoining the Doctor at some point in the fourth season of that show, and as the two series share a reality, one would surmise she will finish her stint on Torchwood just in time to go gallivanting around time in the Tardis again. Meanwhile, John Barrowman (Jack Harkness) will stay back on earth and defend the human race from threats alien and bizarre. It's like The X-Files without all the angst. Rather than whine and cry and be emotionally scarred by being abducted by aliens like Mulder, Captain Jack runs laughing like a crazed banshee to jump onto the Tardis so he can hijack a ride with an alien (the Doctor). Maybe it's because the Doctor isn't big on probing. And if he were, the sonic screwdriver isn't really that big anyway ... wow, that took an ugly turn.

Finished In a Sunburned Country (really enjoyed it) and am now listening to Peter and the Starcatchers read by Jim Dale of Harry Potter fame. It's a prequel to Peter Pan and is kind of in the same vein as HP - I've only listened to the first disc but it's fun.

Televisionary Twinkle, Twinkle, Little "Star": Season Four of "Battlestar Galactica" Pushed Back Well, frak me. I've had a sinking feeling for a while now that Battlestar Galactica, scheduled to return in January 2008, would be pushed back. What with the whole no-official-launch-date song and dance from cabler Sci Fi. Still, I had no idea that it would be pushed back quite as far as it has been. That's right, folks. Other than the two-hour BSG prequel movie entitled "Razor" (slated to air on November 24th), you'll be waiting a long time to sate your need for a Battlestar fix; series' fourth season is now scheduled to blast off in April 2008, according to The Los Angeles Times. Looks like we'll be waiting quite a while to find out just what the hell happened to Starbuck (if that really IS Kara Thrace) and just how much those four sleeper Cylons really do know about their mission. Stay tuned.

I'm on an audiobook kick now that I've started a walking program. Have listened to the Chronicles of Narnia Radio Theater production (great - like listening to old time radio productions). Just finished The Lovely Bones. Yes, I know I'm probably the only person that hadn't read/listened to this one yet. I liked it very much. Am currently listening to In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson. Am only on disc 3 but am quite enjoying it. Has anyone read his stuff? He's got great reviews on Amazon and I have a couple of his other books already burned from the library and read to listen to.

It's not coming back SciFi didn't see fit to give it another season. Too bad as I really enjoyed Harry.

Just a reminder for us Stargate Atlantis fans, new season starts tonight!

Reading Eragon. I know, pretty light reading, but it was given to me as a gift by a family member, so I feel obligated to read it. It's actually not that bad - again - very light but easy.

His family needs to get over it already. Prosecution? Methinks there is something more to story. You just don't turn on your own son like that over such a stupid thing. Or do you?

I'll piggy back on princess' comment of WTF? Perhaps we need to be reminded once again that everyone needs to play nice on this board. So if there is some type of pissing contest, please take it to PM. We don't mind some spirited conversation, but please remember that this board is for EVERYONE and there are many DIFFERENT opinions. Every opinion has a right to be expressed. So let's keep it civil please. BTW, I hear every now and again this notion of cliques on the board. I would love for this not to be true. My worst memories are of high school b/c I was on the wrong end of the so-called popular kids. So let's not act like high school. No one is in charge. No one is prom queen/king. No one's views mean more than any other. The only person in charge is Princess - and to a much lesser extent myself. So if there is any misconception out there (real or perceived) that anyone other than Princess rules this board, you are sadly mistaken. So let's have fun and get back to the gossip. And folks, that's all it is. It's really not worth getting all worked up over, doncha think?

The fact that Eddie bolted after losing, is the precise reason he didn't win the award. From what I've been reading, Hollywood doesn't like him b/c he's an arrogant prick. Compare Eddie to Peter O'Toole who was seen at the post Oscar party at 1:30 am dancing away. That's a good sport and someone who has some perspective.

Ted Casblanca Where Is the Loss? Eddie has left the building. That was the whispered scuttlebutt backstage at the Oscars Sunday. Apparently, Mr. Em, largely considered a shoo-in for Best Supporting Actor in Dreamgirls, took off shortly after he lost to Alan Arkin in a bit o' an upset. No Academy personage would comment, and none of Murphy's peeps could be found to ask for verification at this breaking moment, when Jen Hudson was gabbin' with me about any advice she'd give (or not) to the career self-destroyer, Britney Spears. <snip> Nothing Funny About It Oh, back to No-No Norbitt, gotta tell ya what I did ferret out from those who know E.M. well. It ain't pretty: "He's very disappointed," replied a Murphy camper, who I had asked for a gauge on Murphy's mood. "I mean, after all," the insider added, "he did everything [to campaign]. "Why leave so early?" I pressed. "Didn't he know how that would look? Why didn't someone make him stay?" "He's Eddie," I was told. "You do what he wants." Or "He does what he wants." Yo, Murphy-dude! Scorsese sucked it up for decades before he got his big win (and Leo's still very much doing so), think he wanted to put out that happy-face benevolence? Fuhgeddaboudit!

Spoilers ahoy... Chicago Tribune - The Watcher Amanda Tapping joins 'Stargate Atlantis' Changes are afoot in outer space. “Stargate SG-1” is wrapping up its long run with 10 episodes that begin airing April 13, Sci Fi Channel announced Tuesday. A spinoff series, “Stargate Atlantis,” will also air 10 episodes of its third season starting on the same date. The biggest news, however, is that Amanda Tapping, who played “Stargate SG-1’s” Samantha Carter for 10 seasons, will join the main cast of “Atlantis” for its fourth season, which arrives in the fall. Tapping will be in 14 of the 20 Season 4 episodes of “Atlantis,” which, like “SG-1,” revolves around intrepid explorers using wormhole technology to travel all over the universe (an activity that often leads to epic battles with alien bad guys). Torri Higginson, who plays Elizabeth Weir, the head of the “Stargate Atlantis” mission, will be a recurring character in Season 4, executive producer Joseph Mallozzi said in a phone interview from the show’s Vancouver set. Mallozzi couldn’t say for sure how many fourth-season episodes Higginson would be in; that number is in “a state of flux,” he said. Mallozzi didn’t want to be specific about how Higginson and Tapping’s characters will fit into the command structure of the Atlantis expedition in Season 4, but he did say that Carter will provide “more of a support role.” “She’ll be an important member of the Atlantis expedition, but the Atlantis team is the Atlantis team. The stories will focus on them as a team and on them in terms of the development of the characters. Sam isn’t there to overshadow what we have in place but to support it,” Mallozzi said. But Carter’s background as an astrophysicist will mean that Rodney McKay (David Hewlett), the snarky in-house genius on “Atlantis,” will have another scientific brain to pick. “She can take some of that workload off David -- David has a terrific amount of technobabble” on the show, Mallozzi said. Carter’s experience as a military officer, a warrior and a leader will also come in handy, he said. Mallozzi would not confirm one development that has been widely discussed on “Stargate” fan sites for months, which is the death of “Atlantis” doctor Carson Beckett, who’s played by Paul McGillion. The actor told Starburst magazine that his character is killed off in an upcoming Season 3 episode called “Sunday” (which has already aired in Canada). “Needless to say I was stunned, for lack of a better word. I didn’t see that coming at all. Personally, I felt like I was doing a good job on the program and I think the producers thought so as well. …. I was sad and disappointed by their decision, but yet this is a business. I understand that and I respect these guys for giving me the chance to play a character like Carson Beckett,” McGillion told Starburst. Mallozzi would neither confirm or deny the death of Beckett, but he did say, speaking hypothetically, that in the realm of sci fi, even “dead” characters have a way of turning up again in some way. Could Beckett make an appearance in Season 4? “It’s possible,” Mallozzi said. “This is sci fi, no one is every gone for good.” He added that if the character were to exit, Beckett would not “ascend,” as Daniel Jackson did when his character exited for a season. “I can guarantee you that will not be the route we go,” Mallozzi said. Asked whether any other cast members of “Atlantis” are leaving, he said, “stay tuned on that one.” Jewel Staite, of Joss Whedon’s “Firefly,” will join “Atlantis” for eight episodes as Dr. Keller, “a physician who joins the Atlantis expedition,” according to a Sci Fi press release. (Staite already had a guest role on the show as a different character, a Wraith child named Ellia). Mallozzi said that Season 4 of “Atlantis” would also feature the arrival of a new alien race, one that will be an “unpredictable wild card.” “Looking over the 10 stories we’ve been thinking about” for the first half of Season 4 of “Atlantis,” Mallozzi said, “the easiest way to put it is that a lot of [stuff] is going to go down. Some fans will not like it, some fans will love it. We’re going to get movement on characters, and we’ll have some fairly character-centric stories. We’re going to develop an aspect of the Wraith, and we’re going to have this new wild-card race,” he said. There were no plans at present, he said, to have Ben Browder (who plays “SG-1’s” Cameron Mitchell), Claudia Black (“SG-1’s” Vala Mal Doran) or Michael Shanks (“SG-1’s” Daniel Jackson) guest on “Atlantis,” but Mallozzi didn’t rule it out. “They’re going to be in the two [‘Stargate SG-1’ DVD] movies” that are being filmed this spring, Mallozzi said. As far as bringing them back to “Atlantis,” “it’s a matter of coming up with a believable story and the actors’ availability and everything else. At this point it makes more sense for Teal’c or for Daniel Jackson to come to ‘Atlantis’ than for [Cameron] Mitchell." He added that Christopher Judge, who plays Teal’c on “SG-1,” will guest on one early fourth season episode of “Atlantis.”