CHICAGO TRIBUNE REPORTS STARGATE RENEWALS

GATERS REJOICE:
By Maureen Ryan
Tribune staff reporter
Published November 18, 2004, 5:22 PM CST

It’s no surprise “Stargate SG-1” and “Stargate Atlantis” have both been renewed by the Sci Fi Channel, since both have been doing well in the ratings. More good news: “SG-1” and “Atlantis” will be joined by the new “Battlestar Galactica” series on Friday nights come January.

Sci Fi’s press release mentions that when “SG-1″completes its ninth season, will it will be tied with “The X-Files” for the record of the longest-running sci-fi series on TV. But genre TV fans know that “SG-1” has already topped “The X-Files” in one category: The Sci Fi shows has certainly had more quality seasons than the wildly erratic “X-Files,” which was on life support for a few years at the end of its run.

The press release doesn’t say whether “SG-1” star Richard Dean Anderson, whose role has been reduced in recent seasons, is coming back. The release only says that the show’s producer, MGM TV, is “currently in negotiations with the original cast for their return.”

I sure hope Anderson returns. Though I love the rest of the cast, I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that without Jack O’Neill, “SG-1” would have a gaping hole right in the middle of it.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-tribtv,1,1694646.story