SciFiAndTvTalk Is On The Move!

IT was over a year ago that I launched SciFiAndTvTalk and, thanks to all of you, my loyal readers/followers, it has become a great success, so much so that I’ve decided to re-launch this blog/website on a new site. As of today, you can carry on reading at the following location:

http://scifiandtvtalk.typepad.com

A good friend of mine has managed to import all my WordPress posts to my new TypePad home. Unfortunately, the WordPress and TypePad styles are not 100% compatible, which means I have to manually re-set all my old posts. I’ve managed to make a start but it’s going to take me a while. I’ll make an announcement on both blogs when that work is complete. Happily, this blog will still be accessable for the foreseeable future, so if you’ve missed something you can easily catch up. Thank you again all for your continued support, and I hope you will follow me over to my new home. I have lots of great things planned for the future, so stay tuned and keep reading.

All the best – Steve Eramo

UPDATE – 07/25/2010 – Be sure to check out BRAND NEW cast/behind-the-scenes interviews from Stargate Atlantis, Defying Gravity, Eureka, V, Chuck, Stargate Universe, Riverworld, etc. on my TypePad blog. Plenty more to come! Thanks for your continued support and readership!

AMC’s The Walking Dead Update

Actor Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in AMC's The Walking Dead. Photo by Scott Garfield and copyright of TWD

AMC has released the first photo (above) of Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes from the set of The Walking Dead. Robert Kirkman, creator/writer of the comic and executive producer on the TV series says, “Writing this book for the past seven years I’ve gotten very close to the character of Rick. Andrew Lincoln embodies every aspect of the character that fans know and love. After seeing this photo I don’t think that there will be a doubt in anyone’s mind that he is perfect for the role.” 

As noted above, photo by Scott Garfield and copyright of TWD Productions, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Ghost Hunters Returns To Syfy For A Seventh Season

Ghost Hunters' Grant Wilson and Jason Hawes. Photo by Andrei Jackamets and copyright of the Syfy Channel

GHOST Hunters, the Syfy Channel’s hugely successful reality series, has been renewed for a triumphant seventh season. After inspiring two spin-offs, Ghost Hunters International and Ghost Hunters Academy, creating the hottest paranormal franchise in cable, Ghost Hunters has set the standard for paranormal investigating and has cemented its place as a destination for spine-tingling entertainment. Its reign will continue with 25 all-new episodes, slated to premiere on Syfy in 2011. 

Since the series debuted in 2004, viewers have flocked to Syfy on Wednesday nights to catch the latest hair-raising cases from the files of TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society), led by Rhode Island plumbers Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson. Before season seven debuts, viewers can enjoy new episodes from the entire Ghost Hunters franchise all summer and fall. The new class of ghost hunting hopefuls are currently in training under the watchful eyes of Jason Hawes, Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango on the new season of Ghost Hunters Academy, now airing Wednesday nights @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST. Ghost Hunters International will debut a new slate of episodes on Wednesday, July 14th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PSt, and the rest of Ghost Hunters‘ sixth season will premiere on Wednesday, August 25th @ 9:00 p.m. 

As noted above, photo by Andrei Jackamets and copyright of the Syfy Channel, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

This Week On Ashes To Ashes – 06 – 15 – 10

DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) and DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes). Photo copyright of the BBC

SPOILER ALERT!! – A dead body found floating in a canal is identified as Colin Mitchell (Jason Haigh), a man recently reported missing by his glamorous wife, Donna (Daisy Haggard). DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) discovers that Colin worked for Trevor Riley (Sam Spruell), a nasty loan shark with a habit of hurting those who mess with him. A ruthless capitalist, Riley invokes terror in the community he controls and Gene sets his sights on bringing down this cocky, unscrupulous villain. DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) cannot shake the feeling that Donna is hiding something, and wants to use her profiling skills to explore the case further. However, her skills start to fail her as she undergoes surgery in the present to have the bullet removed from her brain. Alex can only wait to see whether she will pull through – and meanwhile Gene’s determination leads him onto equally dangerous ground. Episode six airs Tuesday, June 15th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

Gene puts the cuffs on Riley (Sam Spruell). Photo copyright of the BBC

As noted above, all photos copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

This Week On Doctor Who – 06 – 12 – 10

What lurks beneath the surface? Photo copyright of the BBC

SPOILER ALERT!! – The Doctor (Matt Smith) sets out to take Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill) to Rio, but the TARDIS has other plans and materializes in 2020 Wales, where our heroes stumble upon an operation to drill down into the Earth’s crust. In doing so, however, humankind gets more than it bargains for, and the Time Lord comes face to face once again with an old acquaintance, the Silurians. The Hungry Earth airs Saturday, June 12th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America. 

The Doctor (Matt Smith), Nasreen Chaudhry (Meera Syall), Amy (Karen Gillan) and Tony Mack (Robert Pugh). Photo copyright of the BBC

Silurian Alaya (Neve McIntosh). Photo copyright of the BBC

Alaya (Neve McIntosh) and The Doctor (Matt Smith). Photo copyright of the BBC

As noted above, all photos copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

CSI: NY’s Hill Harper & Supernatural’s Misha Collins in Syfy’s Stonehenge Apocalypse

Hill Harper (as Leshem) in Stonehenge Apocalypse. Photo by Ed Araquel and copyright of the Syfy Channel

In Stonehenge Apocalypse, premiering Saturday, June 12th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on The Syfy Channel, the ancient sandstone pillars of Stonehenge suddenly come to life, shifting along the Earth’s power grid and creating devastating natural disasters around the world. Is Stonehenge really an alien terraforming machine, orginally used to create a fertile, life-sustaining planet? And is its accidental re-activation going to destroy the planet? It is up to brilliant and eccentric radio host Jacob (Misha Collins, Supernatural) to prevent this by stopping a crazed cult leader named Leshem (Hill Harper, CSI: NY), eager for Armageddon. Also starring are Torri Higginson (Stargate Atlantis) as Kaycee, Peter Wingfield (Riverworld) as Dr. John Trousbale and Brent Stait (Andromeda) as Major Peatman. 

Jacob (Misha Collins) and Kaycee (Torri Higginson) work together to try to stop the end of the world as they know it. Photo by Ed Araquel and copyright of the Syfy Channel

Leshem is obviously pleased at what his Foreman (Nimet Kanji) and her team have uncovered for him. Photo by Ed Araquel and copyright of the Syfy Channel

As noted above, photos by Ed Araquel and copyright of the Syfy Channel, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

This Week on Merlin – 06 – 11 – 10

Lady Vivian (Georgia Moffett) and Arthur (Bradley James). Photo copyright of the BBC

SPOILER ALERT!! – Dignitaries from rival kingdoms descend on Camelot for peace talks, but what King Alined (David Schofield) really wants is war. He’ll do everything in his power to stir up hostilities, even if it means using magic. Alined’s jester Trickler (Kevin Eldon) puts a spell on Arthur (Bradley James) to make him fall madly in love with rival King Olaf’s (Mark Lewis Jones) beloved daughter Vivian (Georgia Moffett). Chaos reigns in the palace and Camelot is once more poised on the brink of war. Can Merlin (Colin Morgan) free Arthur’s heart before the prince loses his head in battle? Sweet Dreams airs Friday, June 11th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST on the Syfy Channel. 

Click on the following link for a preview of this episode – http://rcpt.yousendit.com/878572209/2598b919f347ebc877dc4ed6df6934e8 

As noted above, photo copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Sneak Peek At Stargate Universe’s Season Finale

The ruthless Commander Kiva (Rhona Mitra) has no intentions of backing down when it comes to her plans for Destiny. Photo by Carole Segal and copyright of the Syfy Channel

SPOILER ALERT!! – A derailed attempt by the Lucian Alliance to seize control of Destiny culminates in hostages and casualties on both sides. With a tense standoff between Colonel Young (Louis Ferreira) and his brutal adversary, Commander Kiva (Rhona Mitra), the Destiny starts having ship wide power black outs. To make matters worse, Dr. Rush (Robert Carlyle) concludes that these power fluctuations are being caused by deadly bursts of radiation from a binary pulsar that will in a short while cause the shields to fail and kill all aboard the ship. 

While their shipmates try to deal with the Lucian Alliance, Eli (David Blue) and Chloe (Elyse Levesque) are facing their own life-and-death dilemma. Photo by Carole Segal and copyright of the Syfy Channel

While the standoff plays out, Eli (David Blue) helps an injured Chloe (Elyse Levesque) as they try to make their way back from a remote section of the ship. Incursion: Part 2 airs Friday, June 11th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on the Syfy Channel. 

Click on the following link to view a clip from this episode – http://rcpt.yousendit.com/885026511/b22b9b7c18f02f3ce83b04dc9f4e0a24 

As noted above, photos by Carole Segal and copyright of the Syfy Channel, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

The Wire’s Idris Elba Comes To BBC America

Idris Elba as John Luther. Photo copyright of the BBC

BBC America has announced its latest U.S. premiere co-production, Luther, starring Idris Elba (The Wire), a smart, six-part psychological thriller that takes a bold look at the crime genre. 

Best known for his performance as drug kingpin Russell “Stringer” Bell in HBO’s The Wire, Idris Elba now finds himself on the other side of the law. He plays John Luther, an intellectually brilliant but emotionally impulsive murder detective. He considers his profession a vocation rather than a job and it remains to be seen if he’s a force for good or a man hell-bent on self-destruction. His confidante is also his archenemy, Alice (Ruth Wilson), a beautiful, multiple-murderess who evades his grasp early on, and with whom he becomes locked in a lethal battle of wits. 

Luther is created and written by acclaimed suspense novelist, and one of the lead writers on Spooks (a.k.a. MI-5), Neil Cross, who says, “I’m delighted that the BBC has brought Luther to life. It’s an intense psychological thriller which examines not only human depravity but the complex nature of love…and how it’s often this, our finest attribute, that leads us into darkness.” 

Elba, who also serves as associate producer on the project, is joined by an all-star cast: Ruth Wilson (The Prisoner, Jane Eyre) plays Alice Morgan, beautiful, extraordinarily intelligent and a key witness in Luther’s first investigation; Steven Mackintosh (Criminal Justice) is Detective Chief Inspector Ian Reed and Luther’s loyal friend and work colleague; Indira Varma (Rome) is Zoe Luther, who’s had the strength to walk away from the man she still loves; Paul McGann (Withnail and I, Doctor Who) is Mark North, unafraid to compete with Luther for Zoe’s love; Saskia Reeves (Bodies, Blue Murder) is Detective Superintendent Rose Teller, Luther’s risk-taking boss, and Warren Brown (Occupation) is Detective Sergeant Justin Ripley, Luther’s loyal, awestruck new partner. 

Co-produced and distributed by BBC Worldwide, Luther will air later this year on BBC America. 

As noted above, photo copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

This Week On Ashes To Ashes – 06 – 08 -10

Keeley Hawes as DI Alex Drake. Photo copyright of the BBC

SPOILER ALERT!! – When a violent burglary occurs at Alex’s (Keeley Hawes) in-laws’ house, she comes face-to-face with their son Peter (Perry Millward) – the 14-year-old future-father of Molly (Grace Vance).  Alex is desperate to help Molly’s grandparents but Gene (Philip Glenister) – wanting a big collar to bury the press stories of police corruption – dismisses the case as trivial. When the fingerprints from the crime scene reveal the burglar was George Staines (a notorious gangster, now supposedly dead), Gene realizes this could be the catch he’s after. Alex remembers hearing stories about the burglary in her old life, and is convinced she’d remember if the culprit was as infamous as Staines. Gene’s determined to uncover the truth and get the headline he deserves, but will Alex’s loyalty to her in-laws and pent-up resentment of her ex-husband lead her down the wrong path? Alex finally gets to meet the mysterious man who has been circling her and he arrives with a proposition – is her desire to get back to Molly strong enough to become a corrupt cop? Episode Five airs Tuesday, June 8th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America. 

Martin Summers (Adrian Dunbar) is the mysterious man from Alex's future. Photo copyright of the BBC

As noted above, all photos copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!