Bridges Family Selected for "Outstanding Family Award"

Stargate star Beau Bridges and his family are to be honored at the Fourth Annual Champions for Families Awards Dinner at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, Ocotber 21, for instilling family values. According to an announcement at ET Online, Bridges and his wife Wendy will be accepting the “Outstanding Family Award” on behalf of the Bridges family at the benefit being held by El Nido Family Centers, a non-profit organization that “strives to empower at-risk children, youth and families in L.A.”

“The family values that their parents, Dorothy and Lloyd Bridges, instilled in them have been passed on to three generations of Bridges. These very traits of gaining self-esteem and achieving goals are also the very core of El Nido’s programs that support and strengthen families,” stated El Nido.

The Bridges family also includes this year’s Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges, who can next be seen in the highly-anticipated Tron: Legacy that will be premiering December 17, 2010.

In the meantime, we’re anticipating the outcome of the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards that will be televised live on NBC at 8/5 PT on Sunday, August 29. Bridges has been nominated for his guest starring role in The Closer episode “Make Over” as the cross-dressing Detective George Andrews.

Make sure to visit ET Online for a recent photo of our Gen. Hank Landry actor.

Syfy Announces Fall Schedule

The return of Stargate Universe for its second season was officially announced by Syfy in a press release published by TV By The Numbers. Amanda Tapping’s Sanctuary also returns for its third season.

Stargate Universe

STARGATE UNIVERSE – Season 2 Premieres Tuesday, September 28, at 9PM (NEW NIGHT) – Stargate Universe returns with 20 all-new episodes for season two. SGU follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians, who must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The desperate survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship, which is locked on an unknown course and unable to return to Earth. In the new season, the team fights to take back the ship from the Lucian Alliance, who transported themselves on board Destiny with plans to take control. The team also discovers their true mission. It’s not about going home, it’s about going further. Season two guest stars include Robert Knepper (Heroes, Prison Break) and Julie McNiven (Supernatural, Mad Men) for a multi-episode arc in which they portray members of the Lucian Alliance. Also, series star Robert Carlyle makes his directorial debut in episode 4, Pathogen. Robert Cooper and Brad Wright, of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, serve as executive producers and writers. SGU is produced and distributed by MGM Worldwide Television Distribution.

Sanctuary

SANCTUARY – Season 3 Premieres Tuesday, September 28 at 10pm (NEW NIGHT) – Syfy’s original series Sanctuary returns this fall with an all-new 20-episode season. Season three picks up from the adrenaline-fueled action of season two, which raised the stakes for the brilliant scientist Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping) and her team, who use their unique combination of instinct, medicine and cutting-edge science and technology to find and aid a clandestine population of beings that the world refuses to believe exist. In season three, the team will face a host of new and daunting abnormals, embark on adventures with both new and familiar faces and unravel some of the secrets woven through the Sanctuary’s rich past.

This season will also feature a two-episode arc for guest-star Polly Walker (Caprica, Rome). Sanctuary also stars Robin Dunne as forensic psychiatrist Dr. Will Zimmerman, Agam Darshi as the quick-witted Kate Freelander, Ryan Robbins as tech wiz Henry Foss and Christopher Heyerdahl as the sinister John Druitt.

One of television’s most groundbreaking series, shooting almost entirely on green screen, Sanctuary was the first television series in North America to use the RED camera exclusively. Its stunning visual effects were nominated for a 2008 Emmy Award. Created by Damian Kindler (Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis), Sanctuary is produced in association with Syfy and is distributed by Tricon Films and Television. Season three of the series is executive produced by Damian Kindler, Amanda Tapping, Martin Wood, Keith Beedie and Tricon Films.

Monsterwolf

Also, be looking for this Saturday Original Movie starring Robert Picardo:

MONSTERWOLF – Premieres Saturday, October 9, at 9PM – On the outskirts of a small Louisiana town, a drilling crew sets blast charges to tap an oil deposit – releasing the Kachinawaya, a Native American animal spirit meant to protect Indian lands from invaders. Stars Robert Picardo (Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and Jason London (Wildfire). A production of Active Entertainment.

Ming-Na to Guest on "Eureka" (Updated)

According to the recent press release issued by Syfy and published by The Futon Critic, Eureka has been renewed for a fifth season, and Stargate Universe star Ming-Na (Camile Wray) will be guest starring in an upcoming episode. Additionally, Jaime Ray Newman, who played Stargate Atlantis‘s Lt. Laura Cadman, will be returning in her recurring role as Tess Fontana:
Ming-Na

SYFY PICKS UP HIT SERIES EUREKA FOR 5th SEASON

NEW YORK, NY – August 17, 2010 – Syfy is greenlighting its hit original dramedy Eureka for a 5th season, it was announced today by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions, which produces the series.

Eureka seems like any other cozy, Pacific Northwest town, but is actually a secret community of geniuses assembled by the government to conduct top-secret research. What they’ve unwittingly created is a place where anything imaginable can happen… and does. Eureka stars Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Joe Morton, Erica Cerra, Neil Grayston, Niall Matter, James Callis and features Jordon Hinson. Co-creator Jaime Paglia and Bruce Miller are Executive Producers.

Since Eureka’s 4th season premiere on July 9, 2010, and with the most recent Live +7 data factored in, the show is averaging a 2.2 HH rating and more than 3 million total viewers per week (1,335 million Adults 18-49 and 1,531 million Adults 25-54).

In addition to great ratings, Eureka has also achieved new creative heights including: a time-altering storyline that has reset the series raising both the drama and stakes for the main characters; the addition of James Callis (Battlestar Galactica) as the new character ‘Dr. Charles Grant’; a first-ever crossover episode with Syfy’s Warehouse 13, a top-notch lineup of special guest stars including Ming-Na, Jaime Ray Newman, Ed Quinn, Wil Wheaton, Jamie Kennedy, Chris Parnell, Matt Frewer and Felicia Day; and a recently announced holiday episode slated to air in December.

“Eureka remains a steadfast performer for Syfy with its superb cast and perfect blend of drama, comedy and eye candy,” said Stern. “Given what Jaime, Bruce and their entire team have done collectively to reinvent the show this year, we can’t wait to see what’s in store for season 5.”

Eureka airs Friday nights at 9:00PM ET/PT on Syfy.

About Universal Cable Productions

Universal Cable Productions creates quality content across multiple media platforms for USA, Syfy and other networks. A leader in innovative and critically acclaimed programming, UCP is the studio behind USA’s Royal Pains, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Psych, In Plain Sight, Covert Affairs and Facing Kate, along with Syfy’s Eureka, Warehouse 13 and Caprica. The studio also produced both long-running series Monk and Battlestar Galactica. UCP is a division of NBC Universal.

About Syfy

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 96 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy – Imagine greater.).

Ming-Na is currently busy in Vancouver filming episodes for SGU’s second season, which will premiere on Syfy in a new regular timeslot of Tuesday, September 28, at 9 PM ET.

Edited to add: From Seattle Pi, we’ve got an update on Ming-Na’s role:

The network has, however, firmed up the role of Ming-Na (Stargate Universe), who will also guest-star next season.

The actress will portray Alice Wen, a senator who arrives in Eureka to handle a sensitive matter within Global Dynamics. She may appear in more than one episode.

Jewel Staite Begins Blogging at Blastr

Jewel StaiteBlastr is the new name for Sci Fi Wire, and not only have they changed their name, but they’ve also changed their focus and tone. As part of their new direction, they’ve invited Stargate star Jewel Staite to be a guest blogger. She’s kicked off the occasion by answering ten questions directed to her from fans who have enjoyed her work in both Firefly and Stargate Atlantis.

In Jewel Staite talks about Firefly fights, her dream role and more, Staite greets her readers, “Hello and welcome to my very first blog for Blastr! I’m absolutely thrilled to be blogging on this site, and even more thrilled that my ramblings will not have to be reduced to 140 characters or less!” Her Twitter account did come in handy in defining her new method of keeping in touch with her fans, though, as she picked questions from among over 53,000 admiring “tweeps” to construct her first Blastr entry.

With the news that Staite’s SGA co-stars David Hewlett and Robert Picardo will be making appearances in SGU’s season two episode “Seizure” (which won’t be aired until 2011), Staite was asked if she’d be making an appearance on the show too. Her reply indicates that she’s open to the possibility—under certain conditions that alluded to her first SGA role as the Wraith Ellia: “That’s a great question. Did you hear that one, Syfy? Thoughts? I still have the same phone number, in case you were wondering how to reach me! Unless you want me in prosthetics, in which case, I’m super slammed. With, like, this blog. And stuff.”

Staite’s busy “stuff” includes her next personal appearance, which currently is set to be at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, from September 3 to 6. In the meantime, make sure to visit Blastr for her guest blog entries that are sure to be full of all kinds of “juicy” details!

Stargate Planner: Week of August 16-22

You might be interested in these news tidbits and announcements that have been noted on this editor’s calendar and notebook for this week. If you’ve got more to add, please don’t hesitate to announce them in the comment section below. We’ll update this article if something comes to our attention during the week.

Calendar

Monday,   August 16
Tuesday,   August 17
Wednesday, August 18 SGU’s “Darkness, Light, and Water will be shown on Wednesday, August 18th beginning at 9:00pm.” (Den of Geek: Geek shows and movies on UK TV in the coming week Stargate Universe starts again from the beginning…).
Thursday,   August 19 Chicago Comic Con begins today and runs through August 22. Paul McGillion, John de Lancie, and Aaron Douglas are scheduled to be guests. Check the website for more details.
Friday,   August 20 Today is Jamil Walker Smith‘s birthday!
Saturday, August 21
Sunday, August 22

News Notes

Stargate Universe Press

It should be noted that whenever spoilers come out for SGU, they are placed in the episode guides in the Stargate Wiki without much fanfare here in the News Blog. To keep on top of such updates, visit the main page of the Stargate Wiki to see the “Recent Updates” list of links.

Solutions News Blog Round-Up

Our News Blog posts since the last Stargate Planner (most recent listed first):

Solutions LJ Companion Background Articles

Last week, we posted a few background articles in our LJ Companion that you might be interested in. The articles listed in this section don’t have a companion piece in our News Blog here:

Reminders

For news as it happens, make sure to visit the Stargate Twitter Superfeed for tidbits directly from the Stargate stars and production crew. And don’t forget our new feature Beyond the Event Horizon, which consists of “home pages” with dynamic feeds from our LJ and Blog for the stars of SG-1 and Atlantis.

Our LJ Companion has news bites, polls, and glimpses into the lives of the actors that we don’t necessarily cover here in our more formal news blog. Make sure to visit the LJ’s feed on our front page or visit the site directly to see its mostly fun little tidbits.

For the latest in convention appearances, which are subject to change, make sure to visit Stargate Actor Appearances.

Artist Martin Firrell Studies Ben Browder's Sci Fi Heroes

Just as he did with Stargate‘s Joe Flanigan, modern artist Martin Firrell has done a study of Ben Browder as part of his Sci Fi Series that explores the deeper significance of popular science fiction. Martin has just posted portions of “the work currently in progress” of his study of Browder, an actor who has portrayed two science fiction heroes: John Crichton of Farscape and Colonel Cameron Mitchell of Stargate SG-1.

Stargate Planner: Week of August 9-15

You might be interested in these news tidbits and announcements that have been noted on this editor’s calendar and notebook for this week. If you’ve got more to add, please don’t hesitate to announce them in the comment section below. We’ll update this article if something comes to our attention during the week.

Calendar

Monday,   August 9 Principal photography resumes for Stargate Universe: Season Two. They’ll be working on the episode “Visitation” that was written by new writer/producer Remi Aubuchon. This episode is scheduled to air ninth, so we should be seeing it before the mid-season break.
Tuesday,   August 10 Today is the DVD release day for Helen, a movie that both David Hewlett and David Nykl are in. It’s about depression and bipolar disorder.

Part 2 of Smallville: Absolute Justice airs tonight in the UK on E4 at 9 PM. Michael Shanks continues his significant guest role as Carter Hall/Hawkman.
Wednesday, August 11
Thursday,   August 12
Friday,   August 13
Saturday, August 14 “The next seven days are full of final sips and refills beginning tomorrow morning, Saturday August 14th with a repeat broadcast from the first moments of Stargate Universe. The series’ three part opener, Air, introduces the unprepared crew of Destiny and parts 1-3 will run in succession on Sky2 starting at 9:00am. The next three episodes Darkness, Light, and Water will be shown on Wednesday, August 18th beginning at 9:00pm.” (Den of Geek: Geek shows and movies on UK TV in the coming week Stargate Universe starts again from the beginning…).
Sunday, August 15

News Notes

Stargate Universe Press

It should be noted that whenever spoilers come out for SGU, they are placed in the episode guides in the Stargate Wiki without much fanfare here in the News Blog. To keep on top of such updates, visit the main page of the Stargate Wiki to see the “Recent Updates” list of links.

Solutions News Blog Round-Up

Our News Blog posts since the last Stargate Planner (most recent listed first):

Solutions LJ Companion Background Articles

Last week, we posted a few background articles in our LJ Companion that you might be interested in. The articles listed in this section don’t have a companion piece in our News Blog here:

Reminders

For news as it happens, make sure to visit the Stargate Twitter Superfeed for tidbits directly from the Stargate stars and production crew. And don’t forget our new feature Beyond the Event Horizon, which consists of “home pages” with dynamic feeds from our LJ and Blog for the stars of SG-1 and Atlantis.

Our LJ Companion has news bites, polls, and glimpses into the lives of the actors that we don’t necessarily cover here in our more formal news blog. Make sure to visit the LJ’s feed on our front page or visit the site directly to see its mostly fun little tidbits.

For the latest in convention appearances, which are subject to change, make sure to visit Stargate Actor Appearances.

Shanks' "Arctic Blast" in Sydney Tonight (August 4)

For our Australian readers, here’s a reminder that tonight (Wednesday, August 4) is the world premiere of Michael Shanks’ Arctic Blast at the Canadian Film Festival in Sydney! Showtime is 6:30 PM at Dendy Opera Quays. Make sure to visit Possible Worlds for the festival’s complete schedule.

“When a solar eclipse sends a colossal blast of super chilled air towards the earth, it sets off a catastrophic chain of events that threatens to engulf the world in ice!” says the Imagination Worldwide’s website, the same sales and distribution company that brought us Shanks’ 2006 movie Swarmed. (There are more details about the plot of the film at the link, so be careful of spoilers.)

Michael Shanks stars as Jack Tate, “a brilliant, yet troubled physicist specializing in Earth Sciences.” He is joined in the cast by Alexandra Davies, Indiana Evans, and Bruce Davison. The script was written by Jason Bourque and directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith (IMDb).

There’s no news as to when the movie will be screened in other parts of the world.

Flanigan in Ireland Shooting "The Other Side"

Stargate Atlantis star Joe Flanigan is currently shooting a movie in Ireland called The Other Side. He’s keeping his fans informed through his new Twitter account.

Here’s what he’s had to say thus far about his new adventure, the most recent on top:

The “Otherside” for ScyFy. I play a Marine colonel stuck in a parallel dimension. Working with John Rys-Davies this morning. Great actor

Enjoying shooting in Ireland. I’ve shot two pheasant, a deer and someone last night who tried to steal my Guiness. Watch out Hewlett!

First day of shooting. Great cast and crew. Pints tonight for everyone!

At Druid Glen Golf Club. Hard to play golf and hold pints. Something must give. God Bless Ireland

that plane had a lot of alcohol. Anyway, I’m here at the LongHaul Pub in Dublin discussing film. God bless the motherland!

The Other Side is a joint effort between RHI Entertainment and Syfy. Here’s the synopsis from RHI Entertainment’s TOS website:

It was a groundbreaking device designed to glimpse alternate universes and government commissioned by a brilliant physicist. But the machine malfunctioned on its first presentation, transporting a group of observers into a nightmarish new dimension. The team quickly must use ingenuity and courage to outwit, outplay and outlast the native man-eating creatures of this bizarre new world while doing their best to repair the damaged machine. Even if they stay alive, without a working transport, they may never make it back home.

Flanigan stars as Colonel Sam Synn, Dagmar Doring as Doctor Jillian O’Hara, John Rhys-Davies as Senator Jackson Crenshaw, Catherine Walker as Doctor Karen Fast, Yare Jegbefune as Lt. Rivers, Rob Soohan as Brian Murphy, and Chris Newman as Pvt. Jordan Reid.

This movie, written by Douglas G. Davis (Carny), and another named Roadkill are two new projects being co-produced by RHI Entertainment and Syfy.

In a press release about these movies, Syfy’s Thomas Vitale, Executive Vice President, Programming and Original Movies, said, “We’ve enjoyed a long and productive relationship with RHI, whose movies have been popular with our savvy television audience. We’re looking forward to premiering these action-packed and entertaining movies as part of our hit Saturday night original movie block.”

Robert Halmi, Jr., President, RHI Entertainment, added, “We love both of these scripts and we are looking forward to seeing them on the screen. Both stories are filled with action, suspense, special effects and great imagination. We anticipate a great reception from the international community while at MIP TV.”

We’ll be sure to keep an eye on Flanigan as he tweets his way through his adventure in his “motherland”!

Shanks' "Absolute Justice" UK Premiere August 3

Part 1 of the two-hour Smallville movie event “Absolute Justice” premieres in the UK on Tuesday, August 3, at 9 PM on E4, according to MSOL, the official website of Stargate star Michael Shanks. E4 will be airing the second part next week at the same time.

Check out the E4 teaser below for a glimpse of Shanks’ debut as Carter Hall/Hawkman in the show’s ninth season. There’s more to come as it has been confirmed that he’ll be returning in its tenth and final season in October when the show returns to The CW in the United States.