SciFiAndTvTalk

Ghost Hunters Returns To Syfy For A Seventh Season

Ghost Hunters' Grant Wilson and Jason Hawes. Photo by Andrej Jackaments 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 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.

As 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 Syfy Channel Expands Its Reality Programming

MARKING a major expansion of its reality programming, the Syfy Channel has announced it is greenlighting three new reality series, Marcel's Quantum Kitchen, Paranormal Witness and Face Off. This broad-based slate builds upon the success of the channel's unscripted programming such as the Ghost Hunters franchise and Destination Truth on Wednesday nights, along with Syfy's new Thursday reality block, which premieres July 15th.

In making the announcement, Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Content for Syfy/Co-head, Original Content for Universal Cable Productions, said, "We couldn't be more excited to see these shows move forward. Whether it is pushing the scientific boundaries of cooking, immersing us in first-person accounts of paranormal encounters, or exploring the creative artists behind special effects make-up, each of these series underscores the increasing breadth of Syfy's diverse brand."

Ghost Hunters, the #1 paranormal investigative series on television, and Destination Truth - whose recently completed third season established series viewing records - rank among the most popular basic cable programs during Wednesday prime.

On Thursday, July 15th, Syfy launches the new reality block of Mary Knows Best at 9:00 p.m. EST/PST followed by Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files at 10:00 p.m. EST/PST.

MARCEL'S QUANTUM KITCHEN - Utilizing the science of cooking, Marcel's Quantum Kitchen stars one of America's most notorious chefs, molecular gastronomist Marcel Vigneron (Top Chef). In each episode, Marcel and his new catering and event company will be hired by a demanding client to produce an extraordinary celebration or event. Based on the client's requests Marcel will dream up a theme and cuisine for the event, which range from a fairytale graduation party and a Goth-rock fashion show to a birthday dinner held on a platform suspended in mid-air. He and his team of party planners and chefs will tap the depths of their imagination and culinary talents to create everything from the immersive decor to a delicious menu that emphasizes Marcel's brand of avant-garde cooking. Marcel's Quantum Kitchen is a production of Intuitive Entertainment, and executive produced by Kevin Dill and Mechelle Collins.

PARANORMAL WITNESS - From Dimitri Doganis and Bart Layton, the acclaimed creative team behind Locked Up Abroad, this tense, cinematic, high-octane drama-documentary series brings to life the stories of people who have lived through paranormal experiences that defy explanation; from poltergeist to alien encounters. Using the mixture of intimate, firsthand testimony and gritty realistic drama that the producers are known for, Paranormal Witness will take the audience into a world turned upside-down by extraordinary and terrifying events. The series is a production of Raw TV, and executive produced by Dimitri Doganis and Bart Layton.

FACE OFF - This is a competition/elimination series exploring the world of special effects make-up artists and the unlimited imagination which allows them to create amazing works of living art. Not only will the show incorporate effects make-up, it will include a wide range of skill sets including prosthetics, 3-D design, animatronics, sculpting, eye enhancers, puppeteering, casting and molding. Each episode involves incredible reveals of the competitors' finished work, and the drama of one contestant being sent home by the panel of expert and celebrity judges. It all culminates in one winner and one grand prize that will launch a career! Face Off is a production of Mission Control Media, and executive produced by Michael Agbabian and Dwight Smith.

WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes To Guest-Star On Warehouse 13

WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes joins Warehouse 13 as Joanne Kelly's (Myka Bering) unrequited high school love interest in an upcoming August episode.

Rhodes (WWE Friday Night SmackDown) guest-stars as Kurt Smoller, the former captain of Myka's high school football team. Charming and good-natured, Kurt shows up at the high school reunion looking better than ever and, in spite of complications brought on by exposure to an artifact, Myka finds herself romantically drawn to him. Rhodes joins other announced Warehouse 13 guest-stars Lindsay Wagner (The Bionic Woman), Tia Carrere (Wayne's World), Nolan Gerard Funk (Aliens in America), Jewel Staite (Stargate Atlantis, Firefly) and Sean Maher (Firefly) as well as Philip Winchester (Crusoe, Alice) and Paula Garces (Defying Gravity). Warehouse 13 kicks off its sophomore season, Tuesday, July 6th @ 9:oo p.m. EST/PST on the Syfy Channel.

Lost's Jack Bender Directs Syfy Channel Pilot Alphas

THE Syfy Channel has inked award-winning director/executive producer Jack Bender as director/executive producer for the action-adventure 90-minute pilot Alphas (working title) from writers Zak Penn (X Men: The Last Stand, Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk) and Michael Karnow, it has been announced by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy, and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions, which is the studio for the project. Bender just wrapped six seasons as an executive producer and director on the critically acclaimed series Lost, and directed last Sunday's much anticipated series finale. Alphas is executive produced by Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun from BermanBraun Television and is slated to commence production in Toronto this summer.

Alphas follows a team of ordinary citizens who possess extraordinary and unusual mental skills. Using physical feats and uniquely advanced mental abilities, this unlikely team takes the law into their own hands and uncovers what the CIA, FBI and Pentagon have not been able or willing to solve. These gifted individuals must balance their quirky personalities and disparate backgrounds with their not always visible powers as they work to solve crimes, stop the ticking time bomb and catch the enemy.

"We are very excited that Jack has chosen to be part of Alphas," said Stern. "His vision and expertise are perfectly suited to this project, and will truly elevate it."

Bender is a film director, actor, television producer and screenwriter who has also directed such popular shows as The Sopranos, Carnivale, Alias and Boston Public. He is also an accomplished painter, sculptor and mixed media artist.

Syfy's Eureka And Warehouse 13 To Do Crossover Episodes

WAREHOUSE 13 and Eureka, the Syfy Channel's top scripted series, are joining together for the first time ever for a pair of crossover episodes this summer, it was announced today by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Development, Syfy, and Co-Head Original Content, Universal Cable Productions.

In the episodes, which are currently filming, Douglas Fargo (Neil Grayston) of Eureka's Global Dynamics is sent to Warehouse 13 to help update its aging computer system. This triggers a seemingly sentient computer virus that sends the Warehouse into lockdown and traps the team inside The Warehouse 13 episode is entitled 13.1 and will air on Tuesday, August 3rd @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST.

The Eureka episode entitled Crossing Over, will air on Friday, August 6th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST. Warehouse 13's Claudia Donovan (Allison Scagliotti) pays a visit to Eureka, hoping to see some amazing technological wonders. She gets more than she bargains for, though, when seemingly random objects begin appearing around town. Working with Sheriff Carter (Colin Ferguson) and Fargo, Claudia has to help solve the mystery before the strange anomalies have deadly consequences...particularly for newcomer Dr. Grant (James Callis).

Rene Auberjonois (Boston Legal, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) will guest-star in the Warehouse 13 episode as former Warehouse agent Hugo Miller.

Dollhouse's Eliza Duska Celebrates Memorial Day On Syfy

THE Syfy Channel kicks off the official start of summer with a four-day Memorial Day weekend marathon of nearly 40 movies, highlighted by the premiere of Wrong Turn, starring Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse, Tru Calling, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), on Saturday, May 29th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST.

The festival begins on Friday, May 28th with "Cold as Ice" films, featuring Ice Spiders (Patrick Muldoon and Vanessa Williams) @ 5:00 p.m., Wyvern (Nick Chinlund) @ 7:00 p.m. and Yeti (Peter DeLuise) @ 9:oo p.m. On Saturday, May 29th, Syfy unleashes horror movies such as Open Graves (Mike Vogal) @ 3:00 p.m., and Wrong Turn 2 (Erica Leerhsen) @ 7:00 p.m., leading into Wrong Turn @ 9:00 p.m.

The "Don't Go in the Water" marathon on Sunday, May 30th showcases fan favorites from Mega Shark Vs. Giant Octopus (Debbie Gibson) @ 3:00 p.m., Lake Placid 2 (John Schneider, Cloris Leachman) @ 7:00 p.m. and Mega Piranha (Barry Williams, Tiffany, Paul Logan) @ 9:00 p.m. to Supergator (Kelly McGillis) @ 11:oo p.m.

The holiday gala concludes on Memorial Day, May 31st, with a Stephen King movie marathon. Patricia Wetting and Dean Stockwell star in the two-part The Langoilers @ 11:oo a.m., followed by Rob Lowe, Gary Sinise and Molly Ringwald in the four-part The Stand @ 3:00 p.m.

Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) Coming To Syfy

THE Syfy Channel has acquired the rights to the classic British detective series Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) from ITV Studios, Inc. for development as a pilot for a one-hour scripted series to be produced by ITV Studios. Josh Bycel (Scrubs) and Jonathan Fener (American Dad) will write and executive produce. Howard Braunstein of Jaffe/Braunstein Entertainment (The Memory Keepers Daughter/Christmas in Canaan) will also executive produce.

Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) is based on the popular British detective series from the late 1960's in which Marty Hopkirk (Kenneth Cope) is murdered in the line of duty. He returns as a ghost, visible only to his former partner, Jeff Randall (Mike Pratt), and assists him in crime-fighting from beyond the grave. The series, which was syndicated in the U.S. under the title My Partner The Ghost, was later revived on British TV in 2000 for two seasons with actors/comedians Bob Mortimer and Vic Reeves in the title roles.

"Josh and Jonathan have found a great way to update the buddy-cop formula with a supernatural twist. We look forward to working with them, Howard and ITV to bring new life to this British classic," said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming for Syfy.

Julie Meldal-Johnsen, Senior Vice President, Business, Development and Business Affairs, Scripted/Digital, TV Studios, commented, "We're delighted at the opportunity to develop this proven property for Syfy and are fortunate to have partnered with writers of the caliber of Josh and Jonathan."

Mutant X's Victoria Pratt And The Dead Zone's Sean Patrick Flanery On Syfy

Sean Patrick Flanery in the USA Network series The Dead Zone. Photo by Joe Pugliesi and copyright of the USA Network.

In Mongolian Death Worm, premiering Saturday, May 8th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on the Syfy Channel, treasure hunter Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints, Young Indiana Jones, The Dead Zone) and U.N. aide worker Victoria Pratt (Mutant X, Day Break) find themselves battling local bandits while searching for Genghis Khan's secret tomb in central Mongolia. The crypt is guarded by man-eating Mongolian death worms, who grow very angry at being disturbed.

Day Break's Victoria Pratt. Photo by Craig Sjodin and copyright of ABC.

As noted above, photos by Joe Pugliesi or Craig Sjodin and copyright of the USA Network or ABC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!