News, spoilers and updates in the Stargate world
For Nielsen Ratings for week of December 19 to 25
Michael Shanks’ appearance in the episode “Payback” was watched by 20.3 million viewers as reported by CNN.com! This rating put CSI: Miami at the top of the Nielsen prime-time ratings for the week of December 19 to 25. During the previous week, the show ranked #10 with 13.8 million viewers.
CNN Top 10 (changes weekly) (previous week’s ratings are in cache in Google)
[Thanks to Jace and luvtwtid for the tip — DeeKayP]
Maderfilm sought Michael Shanks for a leading role
Recently revealed in an Eclipse Magazine interview, Michael Shanks has been cast in a leading role for the sci-fi anthology Dead Stop, produced by Maderfilm.
In a news release on their site, Maderfilm proudly announced “Stargate SG-1‘s Michael Shanks Joins Cast of DEAD STOP“: “Producer Julie Caitlin Brown has been working tirelessly to attach talent and shop this anthology film developed by Mr. Mader with partners Marc Scott Zicree & Emmy-Winner Michael Reaves. After landing the incredible JOHN RHYS-DAVIES for a role in Mr. Reaves’ segment, she recently brought the script to MICHAEL SHANKS who agreed to play one of the lead roles, joining Star Trek’s ROBERT PICARDO and ARMIN SHIMERMAN who were already attached. Stay tuned for more news and updates as this exciting project heats up.”
The Maderfilm website contains news and current project information and will be updated as the project takes off. Dead Stop is an “anthology film in the tradition of The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt, and Creepshow…”
Dead Stop is about two brothers who seek out revenge for their kid sister’s assault. The three of them set out, but their car gets stranded near an inn kept by Mr. Chance, who invites them to stay in separate rooms of his vacant, abandoned hotel. According to Eclipse Magazine, the siblings are “suddenly thrust into dramatic stories in which they are entirely different people confronting a host of ghosts and monsters. Within these stories, they must rise to their best within themselves to survive.” Maderfilm’s website states, “…all three must confront their darkest natures and deepest fears.” Shanks will play the role of Garrett, one of the brothers who takes this incredible, life-changing adventure.
Shanks will co-star with three sci-fi veterans. John Rhys-Davies has performed in several well-known works, including the Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones films. Stargate SG-1 viewers will recognize Robert Picardo as Richard Woolsey (“Heroes”, “Prototype”), as well as his time as the holographic doctor in Star Trek: Voyager. Armin Shimerman might also be recognized by SG-1 fans as Anteaus of the Nox (“The Nox”), even though his time as Quark in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine might be more known.
Maderfilm has also included an additional note about this anthology: it will include “Knife Through the Veil”, a “notorious” Twilight Zone episode that was “yanked by the censors one week before shooting” because it was “too hot for CBS to air!”
“Payback” airs Monday, December 19, at 10PM Eastern on CBS
Eclipse Magazine conducted an interview with actor Michael Shanks and CSI Miami episode writer Marc Dube concerning Shanks’ upcoming role as Doug Stets, a prime suspect in a murder case in the upcoming episode, “Payback”.
“To have a professional actor come in and add some nuance to a character is such a pleasant surprise.” Dube has high praise for Michael Shanks’ work. “He can say more with a hesitation or a look than most can with a monologue. With only a couple of scenes to work with, he was able to portray not only an overly concerned boyfriend, but also a man with a violent streak. He was a pleasure to work with.”
[…]
“To his credit, Michael played the role as written and he knew exactly where to take it,” Dube said of working with Shanks on the set of CSI: Miami. “He’s been there many times before. He knew what to do with each moment and how to play every word. He’s the kind of actor who was able to craft his performance without us having to do any rewriting.”
SCI FI MAGAZINE Q&A TRANSCRIPTS
From the SciFi.com Staff:
The February 2006 issue of SCI FI Magazine presents Q&As with the cast and creators of its three Friday series, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis and Battlestar Galactica.
Space limitations prevented us from running all the questions and responses in print. That’s why we’re proud to present the omitted portions of the SCI FI Magazine transcripts here on SCIFI.COM.
Those interviewed for Stargate SG-1: Beau Bridges, Ben Browder, Robert C. Cooper, Lexa Doig, Christopher Judge, Michael Shanks, and Amanda Tapping.
[Thanks to Sue and Ali for the tip — DeeKayP]
Due to obtaining a guest role on CBS’s CSI: Miami, Michael Shanks had to cancel two appearances previously scheduled for the coming week. After having to cancel his appearance in the London Expo last weekend, Shanks has also had to cancel his appearance at the Wolfcon SG-10 Convention in London and his Forbidden Planet signings.
Shanks sent this note to his fans via the Wolf Events website:
“To everyone attending SG-10, I want to extend my sincere apology that I have at the eleventh hour to cancel my appearance. This is not something I do lightly but it is unavoidable. I have spend most of today/night with Bryan on the phone trying to work out a plan but we have failed to find a way round my work commitment. After having to cancel the Expo last week I was so sure that there would not be a problem with SG-10.
I will be guest starring on the US hit series CSI Miami and was only booked yesterday and am required on set Friday.
Not the news I wanted you to hear but I do wish you all the best at the event and will be phoning into SG-10 to talk to you all on Saturday.”
Shanks will be guesting in episode 411 of CSI Miami. His publicist has confirmed for Solutions that he will be playing the role of Doug Stets, the landscape architect boyfriend of a haunted rape victim, Valerie Naff. Stets is one of those implicated in the death of the rapist in a possible revenge attack.
Episode 410 of the series is due to air on Monday 24 November 2005, so we can tentatively expect Shanks’ episode to air on Monday 5 December.
Press release from Sci Fi Channel and Sony Pictures:
‘STARGATES’ CONTINUE TO SHINE BRIGHT ON SCI FI
‘SG-1’ AND ‘ATLANTIS’ RENEWED
Stargate SG-1 Enters Unprecedented 10th Season
The Longest-Running Sci-Fi Drama in US Television History
New York, NY (October 24, 2005) – The Stargate franchise continues to rule the television universe. SCI FI Channel has ordered new seasons of its hit original series, Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. Production on both 20-episode seasons is slated to begin in early 2006 for summer premieres on SCI FI.
Heading into an incredible tenth original season, Stargate SG-1 is now the longest-running sci-fi drama in American television history, outlasting The X-Files, The Twilight Zone and every iteration of Star Trek. And the series is stronger than ever. The first half of SG-1’s ninth season has averaged 2.4 million viewers per week.
Stargate Atlantis, cable television’s first successful drama spin-off, has been renewed for its third original season. A pulse-pounding action adventure, Atlantis took the original premise of Stargate – instantaneous travel to different worlds through an ancient portal – and introduced a brand new team and sinister new enemies that pose a threat to humankind throughout the universe. A bona fide hit, the show has averaged over 2.3 million viewers a week for the first half of its sophomore season.
SG-1 co-creator Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper will return as executive producers on both series.
Stargate SG-1 is produced by Double Secret Productions, in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and Sony Pictures Television. Stargate Atlantis is produced by Acme Shark, in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and Sony Pictures Television.
The one-two punch of the Stargates, coupled with the critically-acclaimed Battlestar Galactica, have made SCI FI Channel cable’s #1 destination for young adults on Friday nights. New episodes of the entire SCI FI Friday lineup will return to SCI FI in January 2006.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an independent, privately-held motion picture, television, home video, and theatrical production and distribution company. The company owns the world’s largest modern film library, consisting of approximately 4,000 titles, and over 10,400 episodes of television programming. Its film library has received 208 Academy Awards®, one of the largest award winning collections in the world, and includes numerous successful film franchises, including James Bond, Pink Panther and Rocky. MGM is owned by an investor consortium comprised of Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Sony Corporation of America, Comcast Corporation and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.
Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry’s leading content providers. SPT produces and distributes top-rated, award-winning programming in every genre, including series, movies and family entertainment for network and cable television; first-run syndicated series; off-network syndicated programs; and theatrical releases. SPT (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
SCI FI Channel is a television network where “what if” is what’s on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com
Thanks very much to journalist Mary McNamara for providing this news to Our Stargate
Season Nine Premieres November 10
Starting the build-up to the Season Nine premiere of Stargate SG-1 on Canada’s SPACE Channel, CHUM has placed a clip of an on-set interview with Michael Shanks on their website. Shanks enthusiastically relates how Season Eight was supposed to wrap up the SG-1 story and Season Nine was originally designed to be a spin-off named Stargate Command. Shanks adds, “But, things changed. We decided to do a Season Nine of SG-1 and it’s very different, and obviously we’ve had some cast changes. And in the first few episodes it seemed like a completely different show, but it’s still good ol’ Stargate with tongue firmly planted in cheek, and we’re off to save the universe.”
NOTE: The clip was made while on-set, so there most definitely is some spoilery content. Viewer beware!
Spacecast.com (quality of dial-up viewing is extremely poor)
[Thanks to Sueb45 for the tip and to SueSPV for the quotes — DeeKayP]
As reported at Gateworld, Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles and MGM have signed a licensing deal for the company to create the first action figures based on the characters of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. The figures will be 7-inches in height and will reportedly feature the main characters of both series. Individual figures will sell for about $15 (US).
There is no word yet on when the figures will become available, but it is welcome news to fans of all ages that the shows will finally have merchandise that other shows produce far earlier in their lives as series!
The SCI FI Channel reported today that they had their best 3rd quarter (Summer) ratings ever. The Friday line-up of Stargate: SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and Battlestar Galactica made the channel the number one cable channel for persons aged 18-49 and persons aged 25-54 on Friday nights. In the latter group it had higher ratings even than the WB and UPN networks.
In terms of ratings growth, while the channel did not specify the growth versus the Summer of 2004 for Friday nights, its overall ratings grew by 11% for persons 25-54, 12% for persons 18-49, and 12% for persons 18-34. The growth was much higher for Wednesday nights than these overall numbers.
Networks measure their ratings for various age groups because advertisers often want to target specific demographics. The younger demographics are the ones ‘coveted’ by advertisers.
Here is the full press release, courtesy of Mary McNamara on the Our Stargate Forum:
SCI FI BEATS THE HEAT WITH BEST 3RD QUARTER EVER
#1 Cable Net on Friday Nights
Triple-Digit Increases in Key Demos on Wednesday Nights
Best September on Record
New York, NY (September 27, 2005) – SCI FI blazed a ratings trail this summer, giving the Channel its best third quarter ever. Its SCI FI Friday block of originals cemented the Channel as the #1 cable destination on Friday nights among P18-49 and P25-54 for the entire quarter – averaging more P25-54s than even the WB or UPN. The SCI FI Wednesday block of alternative reality series also scored for SCI FI, delivering double and triple-digit increases among young adults. The Channel’s Saturday action movie franchise added to the ratings bonanza with Pterodactyl (August 27), which devoured over 3.1 million viewers and became the highest-rated original movie in SCI FI history.
SCI FI’s total day (M-Su 6am-6am) for 3Q05 saw an 11% increase in P25-54, a 12% increase in P18-49 and a 12% jump in P18-34 versus 3Q04.
Other 3Q05 highlights for primetime (M-Su 8pm-11pm) include:
SCI FI owned Friday nights during 3Q05, becoming the #1 cable network on Fridays among P18-49 and P25-54. The strength of the SCI FI Friday franchise was proven with its recent summer finales. In spite of stiff competition from network premieres, the Stargate SG-1 finale (Sept. 16 @ 8-10pm) and a new episode of Battlestar (Sept. 16 @ 10pm) were Top 2 cable entertainment programs among P25-54 that night. A week later, the summer finale of Battlestar Galactica (Sept. 23 @ 10pm) drew 2.3 million viewers and became the #1 entertainment program on cable for the night among P25-54 – it was also the only non-news program to finish within cable’s Top 10 among that demo.
Some of SCI FI’s greatest third quarter gains were made on Wednesday nights. The SCI FI Wednesday lineup, led by Ghost Hunters, gave the Channel double and triple digit increases in key demos versus the previous year.
SCI FI also had its best September ever. Averaging a 1.0 HH rating, the Channel was up +17% among P18-49, +12% among P25-54 and +19% among P18-34. SCI FI ranked within the Top 10 cable networks for primetime for both ratings and delivery among P25-54, and P18-49. It also scored double-digit increases among M18-34 (+28%), M18-49 (+20%) and M25-54 (+11%) vs. September ’04. During September, SCI FI Wednesdays grew +102% among P18-34, +112% among M18-34 and 90% among F18-34.
SCI FI Channel is a television network where “what if” is what’s on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com
If you were to choose, how would you rank them?
“With the resurgence of science fiction shows this season, Boston.com’s entertainment staff decided to take a look at some of the sci-fi genre shows from yesteryear. Based on years of sci fi viewing experience and through a variety of online sources, we’ve come up with our picks for the Top 50 science fiction shows of all time.”
Stargate SG-1 made the Top 10, placing 6th, while newcomer Stargate Atlantis took the 26th spot. SciFi Channel’s new Battlestar Galactica, placed an impressive second place!
The Boston.com reviewers had this to say about Stargate SG-1: “‘Stargate SG-1’ is also part of Sci-Fi Channel’s Friday night lineup. The show follows a secret miltary unit that travels across the universe via a Star Gate, a device created by ancients. A great show with a solid cast.” They have the original cast pictured.
For Stargate Atlantis: “‘Stargate Atlantis’ is a spinoff of Sci-Fi Channel’s original ‘Stargate SG-1′ series and is part of the current Friday night lineup on the channel. When a Stargate portal is found in the ancients’ city of Atlantis (beneath Antarctica) a team is formed to explore it. As they use the Stargate to travel to the Pegasus Galaxy, they encounter an evil enemy called The Wraith, who threatens human existence.” They have a picture of Teyla only for this article.
Even though they have some of their facts wrong about the storyline of the shows, it’s an interesting read. Check out the rest of the selections as they count down from 50 on their website.
If you were to choose, how’d you order the Top 50 SciFi Shows of All Time? Visit our Solutions Discussion Forum and offer your list.
[Thanks to morjana for the tip — DeeKayP.]