Richard Dean Anderson, Stargate SG-1
Question: Do you know why Stargate SG-1 isn't being renewed for a new season? I was an original fan of the movie, but didn't get into the series until Ben Browder made the leap from the still-missed Farscape. The occasional episodes I saw before that were usually not that great, but lately, with Claudia Black as Vala and with the new story lines, they seem pretty entertaining. I know that its ratings are supposedly down, but I was under the impression SG-1 was still a solid performer. This move seems even more incredible given the fact that Stargate Atlantis has been renewed. Why couldn't Sci Fi just say, "No more bugs-chasing-the-team episodes" (always the worst) instead of canning the series? Also, I know the studio that produces Stargate SG-1 is shopping for a new home. Do you think there's a chance someone else could pick it up? Maybe G4 or Spike?
Answer: You may be relatively new to Stargate, but that makes you the exception. From what I gather, the main contributor to Stargate's
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Question: I have to say congratulations to Stargate SG-1 for reaching 200 episodes, a milestone for any show. But my question now is: In a world of Internet, downloads and increased competition, will any other shows reach that 200-show mark? I mean, does Grey's Anatomy have the staying power of Stargate? Even though I love both shows, I don't believe it does.
Answer: Before anyone criticizes Geoff, this question came in before Stargate's cancellation was confirmed. It's even more timely now, don't you think? It's an excellent question, and one that really got me thinking, because there are so many considerations at play. For a regular series to hit 200 episodes, that usually means it must stay on the air for 9 to 10 seasons, depending on the number of episodes ordered per year. Given today's more cluttered TV environment, I have to think it may be even more likely for certain sorts of shows to hit the 200-episode mark. If they've broken through and become a franchise, the networks will
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Richard Dean Anderson, Stargate SG-1
While Stargate SG-1 fans are already gathering signatures to petition Sci Fi Channel to pull a 7th Heaven move and un-cancel the veteran series, it probably ain't going to happen, folks. However, there are some signs of life in the show and it's not just the MMO (massive multiplayer online) game that is due out in the fourth quarter of 2007 and that MGM, which owns the Stargate franchise, is sinking $40-50 million into. While executive producer Brad Wright tells TV Guide his "dream is to take SG-1 back to the feature it began as," we are now hearing that MGM may produce a series of TV-movies based on the mother-ship series.
"From MGM's perspective, we don't view SG-1 as a television series, we view it as a franchise, and one with a lot of vibrant life," says studio spokesman Jeff Pryor. "The fan base is fiercely loya
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Richard Dean Anderson, Stargate SG-1
TV Guide caught up with Richard Dean Anderson on the Vancouver set of Sci Fi Channel's Stargate: SG-1, where he was making his first visit back since he left the show one and a half years ago to spend more time with his young daughter. Sitting in a mock wedding chapel, Anderson looked just fine in a tux, as he waited for a nuptial scene to begin. (SG-1 fans, you'll love it.) The occasion was special not only because of the former star's return — the first of two SG-1 and three Stargate Atlantis visits this season — but because the episode was the 200th of the decade-old show (airing Friday, Aug. 18, at 9 pm/ET). Anderson talked to us about the anniversary, why he returned and what he's been up t
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Stargates' David Hewlett and Amanda Tapping
It's taken four years, but on Friday, July 28, at 9 pm/ET, the crew of Sci Fi Channel's Stargate SG-1 visits their Atlantis brethren for a crossover episode all about — what else? — saving the galaxy. SG-1's comely scientific genius, Lt. Col. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), and Atlantis' annoyingly brilliant Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) must destroy the Ori's Supergate or they'll all be prostrating before false gods before they can say, "O'Neill, help!" We talked to Tapping and Hewlett, combatively acerbic buddies in real life, about the shows and their roles.
TV Guid
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Stargates' David Hewlett and Amanda Tapping
It's taken four years, but on Friday, July 28, at 9 pm/ET, the crew of Sci Fi Channel's Stargate SG-1 visits their Atlantis brethren for a crossover episode all about — what else? — saving the galaxy. SG-1's comely scientific genius, Lt. Col. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), and Atlantis' annoyingly brilliant Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) must destroy the Ori's Supergate or they'll all be prostrating before false gods before they can say, "O'Neill, help!" We talked to Tapping and Hewlett, combatively acerbic buddies in real life, about the shows and their roles.
TV Guid
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Stargates' David Hewlett and Amanda Tapping
It's taken four years, but on Friday, July 28, at 9 pm/ET, the crew of Sci Fi Channel's Stargate SG-1 visits their Atlantis brethren for a crossover episode all about — what else? — saving the galaxy. SG-1's comely scientific genius, Lt. Col. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), and Atlantis' annoyingly brilliant Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) must destroy the Ori's Supergate or they'll all be prostrating before false gods before they can say, "O'Neill, help!" We talked to Tapping and Hewlett, combatively acerbic buddies in real life, about the shows and their roles.
TV Guid
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Question: In 2002 John Doe opened with a naked man curled on his side in a clearing. It moved to a close-up of his eye as it opened and looked around. In 2003 Stargate SG-1 opened its seventh season with a naked man curled on his side in a clearing. It moved to a close-up of his eye as it opened and looked around. Now in 2006 we have Kyle XY which opened with a naked man.... I know TV repeats itself, but this is a bit much. Were the same writers on all three shows? Or did everybody just like this scene so much we have to see it again and again?
Answer: Not being familiar with the Stargate setup, I would just say the similarities between the John Doe and Kyle XY premises go beyond the naked-hunk-in-the-woods image, though it is a striking one. Even a classic one. Which is why it's fair game to try it again, because the fact is that this image works. Kyle seems to be getting some mileage out of it. Producers often express surprise when confronted with a scene or a shot that copies
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Question: Summer TV is always bad, but this year I find myself watching virtually nothing. OK, I have used the rerun schedule to catch a few eps of My Name Is Earl (but not if I already saw them), and I have rewatched some Grey's Anatomy episodes, but otherwise I watch nothing. I can't face Gilmore Girls reruns this year. Somehow Lost reruns don't cut it. I'd rather pull my fingernails out one by one than watch moronic reality shows. I don't have cable. Am I doomed until September? Is there anything out there on broadcast TV that is worth watching?
Answer: Oh, David, this is so sad. I'm actually having a pretty good TV summer, but only because of the variety of cable choices, from Rescue Me on FX and The Closer on TNT to Hustle on AMC to HBO's Deadwood-Entourage combo on Sundays, with a chaser of The 4400 the same night. And in July there's the delightful new comedy-mystery
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Question: I was just wondering if you'd had the opportunity to watch BBC America's Hex yet. After seeing the two-hour premiere, I must say that I was very impressed, especially with the lead actress (Christina Cole). The show manages to successfully combine the witchcraft angle of Charmed with the sly humor (at least with one character) of Buffy, and sports that Gothic British style that makes everything seem so much more important. How many episodes of this show have actually been produced (I know it premiered in Britain in 2004), and are there still new ones on the horizon? Also, are you going to be reviewing the show in the magazine anytime soon?
Answer: Why am I not surprised to be getting questions about this one already? (Including a few expressing outrage over a spoiler commercial that BBC America aired during the premiere. I didn't see that, having watched the pilot on a screener DVD.) I was kind of intrigued by the premiere episode — thought it was well executed, well acted,
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