Marshall Bids Farewell To New Voyages...

source:Slice of Sci-Fi
wirtten by: Uncle Sam

After three years Jack Marshall is stepping down as the primary director of the extremely successful online fanfilm series "Star Trek: New Voyages."

Marshall, along with the series star James Cawley (James T. Kirk) were the inspirational and driving force behind the fan based project. In his official statement Marshall gave no reason for leaving but thanked everyone involved in the project for allowing him to be part of something so groundbreaking and for having "such an enjoyable time." He did indicate that he has some new edeavors in his future, however.

New Voyages is still moving forward with all of its production plans including its next important landmark achievment, a two-part episode "To Serve All My Days" starring Star Trek legend Walter Koenig as Paval Chekov.

Work on the shows will continues with Max Rem and Erik Goodrich as head of production until a new helmer can be signed.

James Cawley spoke to fans on the site's forum pages and reassured them that New Voyages was doing fine and in capable hands. "There are many exciting developments coming to 'New Voyages', all of you may rest easy,and know that this show is in good, capable hands," Cawley said. He went on to say that "A new website, with many new features is on the way soon."

I find this intriquing in one respect, with the coming onboard of names like Walter Koenig and writer D.C. Fontana, could this signal a change in the status of New Voyages? This is pure speculation on my part but with the vacancy of Marshall in the director's chair, could this be a sign that big Hollywood directors like Frakes or Burton may be seriously looking at this project? As Spock would say, now that would be "Fascinating."

Star Trek.com To Stay Open...

In a report placed on the Forum Boards on Star Trek.com, the official website won't be closing down as of Dec.31 as had been originally reported earlier this month.

Due in large part to the overwhelming response of Star Trek, and Sci-Fi fans worldwide, Paramount has decided to keep the site up, and running as a tribute to the 40 year old franchise started by the late Gene Roddenberry.

After a hugely abysmal year for the franchise, and her fans, this is more than welcome piece of news for not only us here at Sci-Fi News, but to each and every Trek fan around the world! At least for the forseeable future, Star Trek.com is here to stay.

So cheer, give yourself a pat on the back, and head over to Star Trek.ocm, and say thanks!

ST:O Moving Forward...

Star Trek: Online is moving forward with it's design of the game's structure.

Just after we published the interview from Daron Stinnett, the graphic at the left was published (click for larger image) to the Dev Blogs which can be found here.

Mike Stemmle, Story Lead for the dev team also published a possible storyline for the intial release, done in remarkably good Captain's log-esque style. the post for this can be found here.

We'll keep you posted as information becomes more available, and we're already on the sensors watching for the opening of the official website!

Happy Holidays From Sci-Fi News!

Alvin and I, along with all the other folks here at Sci-Fi News want to wish all of you a joyus holliday season, and a propserous new year!

Merry Christmas
Happy Chanukah
A Blessed Kwanzaa

Carl's Bribing Santa..

Carl's bribing Santa to keep Star Trek.com open.

Unless a new host can be found by the end of the year, Star Trek's official website will be closed to the public.

The Trek Life is a webisode comic started by David Reddick after talks with the site's staff about adding in the weekly strip.

Trek Core Gathers Games...

Trek Core is on the move for adding content.

TC's gaming section has been adding lstings, and content since it's launch a few weeks ago, and the listing has gotten impressive. With over 280 games in the listing, each will have it's own "exhibit"with information, screenshots, reviews, downloads, cheats, and more information then Spock's Datatapes can handle.

The gang over at the site has also released thier first version of an exclusive copy of Star Trek Solitaire, that is playable from their site as well.

Whlie most of the site is still unopened at this time, TC's team has also released screencaps from the first 6 seasons of DS9 to the viewers, with the promise of more content to come after the first of the year.

If it's this good now, We can hardly wait to see a fully opened site!

Stinnett Discusses Plans...

Source: Trek Today

Daron Stinnett, the executive producer of Star Trek Online, called massively multiplayer games "the new frontier for both game players and developers" and talked about his plans for the Star Trek MMORPG.

"The characters, themes, and stories of Star Trek are loved around the world. And it is our goal to make a MMORPG based on Star Trek that will appeal to everyone with an affinity to the series," Stinnett told MMORPG.COM. "At the same time, we feel a responsibility to the trekkers out there who have very detailed expectations. So the greatest challenge that the team and I face is meeting the expectations of the hard-core Star Trek fans while also delivering a MMORPG that is appealing and approachable to the millions of more casual fans."

Stinnett described himself as a professional gamer for the past 25 years, beginning on small games in high school and eventually working for Spectrum HoloByte on Falcon 3.0 and later LucasArts on several projects. "I enjoy so many things about the games industry," he explained. "One of the more rewarding aspects is the diversity of skills and knowledge that one can bring to bear in this field...just about any subject has relevance to games development." He added that continuing his education in order to make games "has been a consistent source of personal satisfaction."

After several years working on console games, Stninett decided to switch to MMO development by joining Perpetual Entertainment. "For the last few years I've been working mostly on console games where there tends to be less contact with the gaming community," he noted. "Now that I'm making an MMORPG, I've had a chance to reconnect with gamers in a way I haven’t experienced since my time working on Falcon."

Stinnett said that Star Trek Online is in pre-production, "which means we're doing a lot of planning and prototyping." The engineering team has begun work on a gameplay prototype for starship combat while the design and art teams begin to create environments.

The original article is here.

Animated Series Comming To DVD

Source:Trek Today


Paramount has officially confirmed that Star Trek: The Animated Series will be released on DVD in 2006.

The Digital Bits confirmed with "multiple sources" as well as the studio that work was in progress for a mid-to-late 2006 release of the complete animated series. "One source told us not to expect the title on the studio's release schedule before June, and a couple of others have let us know that September or October is tentatively planned," noted the site.

The animated Star Trek debuted on television on September 8th, 1973, the seventh anniversary of the original series' release on September 8th, 1966. The Digital Bits predicted that the animated series DVDs might be released to coincide with Star Trek's 40th anniversary in September 2006.

Twenty-two original stories were produced for the animated series over two seasons, with most of the original series cast returning to voice their characters. There has been no word yet on how many discs might comprise the DVD set(s).

The full article is in The Digital Bits.

G4 Network Snags 'Trek'

Source: CNN Entertainment

If deal goes through, cable station to get original series, 'TNG'

LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) -- G4 is about to boldly go where many networks have gone before.

The Comcast-owned cable network is close to acquiring the syndication rights to the original Star Trek and one of its spinoffs, Star Trek: The Next Generation from Paramount Domestic Television, sources said. "Trek" has been a syndication fixture since the first edition blossomed there after its brief network run in the late '60s.

Sources also suggest that "Trek" will be part of a Comcast effort next year to reposition the channel brand of G4, which struggled to establish itself as the TV home for video gamers, in a broader play for young male viewers. A name change also is being considered.

A spokeswoman for G4 declined comment on the acquisition but issued a statement regarding the channel's positioning. Paramount declined comment.

"Video games are the core of G4's programming strategy," the spokeswoman said. "They are the foundation and basis of our network. Any programming we add to our slate will be attractive to a gamer audience and serve the male 18-34 demographic."

Financial terms of the acquisition were unavailable, but G4 is believed to be double-running both series weekdays, including a primetime window.

Next Gen starts January 8 on G4; it will continue to run on Spike TV as well with time-period restrictions keeping the programs from running in the same daypart. Spike TV will continue to run other "Trek" spinoffs including "Deep Space 9." T.O.S. will begin on G4 in the second quarter.

"Trek" is the latest acquisition G4 has made for a program that isn't overtly about video games. The short-lived Fox series "Fastlane" and Comedy Central franchise "The Man Show" are other recent purchases. The network also has had success with the anime genre, a leftover from G4's merger with a Comcast acquisition, TechTV.

In terms of G4's channel positioning, Comcast has to walk a fine line lest it violate affiliate agreements for G4 with other cable operators that specify the channel focus on video games. However, video games will likely still be part of the mix at G4 given how popular they are with the young males the channel targets.

"Trek" isn't exactly alien to the gamer world; the brand has generated more than 70 video game titles.

Moore Signs for 'nother round

Source: Variety
Written By: Denise Martin

Moore Sci-Fi at NBC U - 'Galactica' producer inks 2-year deal

HOLLYWOOD -- "Battlestar Galactica" exec producer Ronald D. Moore has inked a rich overall pact with NBC Universal Television Studio, reupping for another two years.
Deal calls for Moore, who exec produced the first season of HBO's "Carnivale" before joining "Battlestar," to create and develop series, with an emphasis on sci-fi-themed projects.

He's already set up the NBC fantasy skein "Pen and the Sword" and "Warehouse 13," a quirky one-hour for Sci Fi Channel. Moore also will continue to steer "Battlestar," which kicks off the second half of season two Jan. 6.

Producer-scribe said he's never considered himself a sci-fi writer, but having penned numerous episodes for three series in the "Star Trek" franchise, he's come to embrace the genre.

"It's something I've become known for, but the stories I tell are character-driven narratives," Moore said. "I'm especially happy to see that 'Battlestar' has gotten recognition from critics. I've always believed in the show."

NUTS prexy Angela Bromstad said it was imperative to keep Moore inhouse. His "prolific work is recognized throughout the industry for its wit and creativity."

"Pen and the Sword" revolves around a young man at a temp agency who comes to realize the building he works in is a portal to a sort of medieval alternate reality. Show will follow the man as he slides between worlds, trying to unravel the connection between the two -- i.e., verbal spats between colleagues in one dimension are sword fights in the other.

"It's definitely something different for a broadcast network," Moore said. "At its heart, 'Pen and the Sword' is really the story of this guy and his late father, who was somehow involved in the office."

For Sci Fi, Moore will oversee "Warehouse 13" from writer Brent Mote. Project concerns a pair of government officials banished to a storage facility in North Dakota where they spend their days cataloguing artifacts and other odds and ends collected by the government over the years. Unbeknownst to them, every item has a backstory, pulling them into fantastic and supernatural quests each week.

"It's 'Northern Exposure'-esque and more comedic than anything else I've seen on Sci Fi," Moore said. "What interested me was that it was a fun concept anchored by real characters."

Moore is best known for his work on "Star Trek" skeins "Deep Space Nine," "The Next Generation" and "Voyager." He wrote and exec produced the "Battlestar Galactica" miniseries that spun off the weekly skein and also worked on "Good vs. Evil" and USA's "Touching Evil."

Moore is credited with the story for "Mission: Impossible II" and the screenplay for "Star Trek: First Contact."

Star Wars Galaxies Report 12/19/05

Changes Go On, Players Still Waiting...


Publish 26 has now been live for almost a week, and players are still waiting for promised changed to the gaming software.

The highly hyped, and promised character slots to have two toons on the same server for a total of 8 toons per account has finally passed muster, and is now on the live servers. But, players still aren't happy with alot of the problems, and server lag that still plague the game title that has been there since it's inception back in 2002. SOE has promised thay are renewing their commitment to resolve this, along with a horde of issues that were brought on with the changes to the title's New Game Expirience (NGE for short) along with a possible return of the Creature Handler profession, and of making Star Distroyers available to guilds.

However, SOE still has major issues to repair before they can call this upgrade a success. It's my hope that we all can see those repairs, and changes soon!

As I see this situation, SOE and LA could have placed the NGE on servers of it's own to properly beta test this fiasco that they've published, and given it a total run through, and put it through it's paces before they released it. And they wonder why people are defacing their software in the stores?!?!?!

Archer, Picard, and Kirk on Big Screen?

According to a SyFy Portal unnamed 'trusted' source, there's a rumor floating around at Paramount about a possible feature film with Scott Backula, Patrick Stewart, and Willaim Shatner is spreading like wildfire...

At best, it's nothing more than a speculation, at worst a rumor.

With the schedules of the three actors, while not impossible, would be a monumental undertaking, and highly improbable for all three actors to be free for a shooting schedule.

However, even SyFy Portal admits that there is no Official conformation has come form a Paramount, or Viacom spokesperaon.

Super Sized Season 7...

Rob Caves, in a production release has announced that the 7th, and final season of Star Trek: Hidden Frontier is now in production through March, 2007 with all 8 episodes having air times of 35-40 minutes

Picking up where last year’s cliffhanger, "Her Battle Lanterns Lit" leaves off, season 7 features the continued war between the Tholians and the Federation alliance, as well as developments in the lives of the Excelsior’s crew. Season 7's premiere "Heavy Losses" showcases the return of Hidden Frontier's popular villains as well as some surprising additions.

Caves also announced that principal photography on season 7 would begin in January 2006 in Los Angeles. Veteran director Risha Denney (Capt. Elizabeth Shelby) will helm the season premiere. Visitors to Hidden Frontier’s weekly production chat will continue to have the first look at CGI, stills and other season 7 materials as they become available.

Check out the Hidden Frontier site for further updates by clicking here!

New Voyages Episode 3 Delayed Til Summer '06

Star Trek: New Voyages has announced that the Episode 'To Serve All My Days' with special guest Walter Koenig won't be available for download until sometime next summer, do to production scheduleing.

With that in mind, Jack Marshall has announced a series of Vignettes that were shot during the filming of the Koenig appearance on the series to be released in increments until the release of episode 3.

The First, titled 'Center Seat' was to have been released last month. However, due to new enhancements being added to all of the vignettes, They too have been delayed in post production until they are announced on the New Voyages website.

To keep up on the release dates of the vignettes, and 'To Serve All My Days' you can reach the New Voyages site by clicking
here.

Save Star Trek.com!

In The Eyes of Paramount, Viacom, CBS, or whomever has the plug, it has been decided to officially pull the largest online resource for Star Trek media on the net.

Since 1995, Star Trek.com has been the gahering place for hundereds of thousands of fans to get the official infomration on the current shows, movies, and news tidbits about the franchise, and it's family, started from an idea by Gene Roddenberry.

The time has come, no mtter what your thoughts are on the series, movies, or anything you have for personal feelings for against others, and let us all come togehter in the spirit of Gene's legacy, and save Star Trek.com!

We here at Sci-Fi News, are joining in the Save Star Trek.com Campaign with the folks at Trek United to gather the troops once more to help one of the largest icon's in Sci-Fi entertainment.

Tim Brazeal presents the idea of getting at least 100,000 fans to send e-mails to
editor@startrek.com with all the upeat feelings you can muster to the editors of Star Trek.com to keep the site, domain, and Gene's vision alive.

Add 'Save Star Trek.com' sigs to your e-mail, and forum posts as well! we want to pass this on to as many people as possible before the Dec.31 deadline!

Join us in the fight to save the resource we enjoy! send that e-mail today!!!

Chat With The Roddenberry Family

On Dec. 18, Fans will have the chance to chat with Rod, and Majel Roddenberry by linking here to roddenberry.com and joining into the chat rooms!

One of the founding members of the francise, Majel starred in the original pilot as 'Number One' the XO on Captain Pike's (Jeffery Hunter) Enterprise in the original pilot. After the pilot wasn't well received by NBC, Majel was recast as 'Nurse Chappel' and started on the 40 year voyage that took her to multiple roles within the franchise. From 'Dr. Chappel' in the preceeding movies to 'Luxanna Troi' The lively mother to Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) on Next Gen, to the intangeble voice of the ships computers, Majel is a huge part of the legacy that Gene started.

Rod, son of the 'Great Bird' and Majel, is the executive producer of a documentary titled 'Trek Nation' along with becomming a huge supporter of the franchise that he himself once worked on as a production assistant on the Next Generation set.

Majel and Rod will both be answering questions, and Rod will be talking about the documentary. Check it out!!

Star Trek.com May Be in Jeopardy...

source: Trek Today

Tim Gaskill, editorial director at the official Star Trek web site, has sent out an e-mail to people involved with Star Trek to alert them that Paramount Digital Entertainment will be shut down at the end of the year, leaving the fate of StarTrek.com in limbo.

"As if we needed further reminding that the fate of Star Trek is a tenuous one at best, it has been announced that Paramount Digital Entertainment, the home to STARTREK.COM since 1996, is shutting its doors as of 12/31/05," Gaskill wrote to current and former Paramount and Star Trek staffers. "Rather than go quietly, we are in the midst of preparing a presentation for the powers-that-be designed to show the vast scope and depth to the site, and how it is a 'go to' site for anyone in the world in search of Star Trek information."

Gaskill noted that the split of Viacom and CBS had cost many jobs on the Paramount lot. Moreover, he explained that the division of the giant media corporation had not yet settled Star Trek with either Paramount Pictures or the television production division: "We think CBS will be taking it over. (Even though it will be forever identified as a Paramount product.) As a result of this lack of clarification on the ownership of the franchise, the fate of STARTREK.COM also hangs in the balance."

Gaskill asked people involved with Star Trek whether they would be willing to write testimonials on behalf of StarTrek.com to use in the presentation to try to preserve the web site. "It would be very gratefully received," he said, admitting that his own job, which has included recording commentary for podcasts, is one that will terminate at the end of 2005 unless new plans are made for the site.

"This is a great franchise and it would be sad to see it sink into an abyss of lost TV and movie franchises. I would like to think that we could do better...STARTREK.COM is used not only by fans of the show, but by licensees to promote their products, various Paramount departments (including production), convention organizers, news organizations, advertisers, etc." Gaskill concluded, saying that the site's value for the franchise and the studio would be difficult to assess.

Update: 12/8/05
Trek United has confirmed through 'numerous sources' that in fact Star Trek.com will be closed as of Dec.31 of this year. The website, which has been in operation since 1995 has been the gathering place, and clearing house for all information related to the sereis based on Gene Roddenberry's vision started almost 40 years ago.

Tim Brazeal, The head of Trek United, has contacted Eugene'Rod'Roddenberry (Rod's site is here) to ask if there would be any way possible for the Roddenberry family to become involved in a project to save the Site, and continue it's operation. Roddenberry stated that if there was any possible way he copuld help, that he would. Rod also mentioned that he had the capibillity to manage the site, and domain. Mr. Roddenberry is in the process of placing together a proposal to be presented to Paramount Pictures within the next 2 weeks to see if there could be a relationship worked out between then to keep the site alive.

Rod has the backing of the fans. Trek United, and Sci-Fi News support Rod, and the chance of saving one of the worlds greatest television masterpieces.

Jack Colvin Passes...

Jack Colvin, best known for playing relentless tabloid reporter Jack McGee in the 1970s series The Incredible Hulk, died last Thursday of complications following a stroke. He was 71.

Recalling his most memorable TV foray, Colvin once told the Los Angeles Times, "When they told me the title, I laughed. But then they gave me two scripts to read and I knew the series would go."

Hulk, with Bill Bixby in the lead, ran from 1977 to 1982.

Wheaton Jumps Into Podcasting...

Wil Wheaton has jumped into the realm of running a podcast!

Radio Free Burrito, was started recently by Wheaton two weeks ago with episode 0 with Ep. 1 released on the 5th.

Be warrned folks, these shows are not for the feint of heart, not to mention language content at times can be off color, but all in all it is a great podcast!

You can reach his podcast, by logging on to his website, here to reach his blog WWdN:IX (Will Wheaton dot Net:In Exile) and look for the post titled Radio Free Burrito, Episode 1.

Trek Core Comming Soon...

Source:Trek United

Adam and Mike, formally of TrekPulse are building a new site called TrekCore using some of the material from TrekPulse as well as adding new and innovative content.

TrekPulse was a heavy media content site that closed down recently.

We are happy to see this new site launch. It is important to have sites dedicated to showcasing STAR TREK and keeping its presence on the web strong and vibrant. So, kudos to Adam and Mike for helping to keep the vision alive.

Until the TrekCore site is fully up and operational they can be found as a BBS at The Omega Sector.

Picard Returns To Center Seat?

It looks as though Jean-Luc Picard may return to the big screen, but not for a while...

Today SFX was at the press launch for Patrick Stewart's new TV series Eleventh Hour, which airs on ITV in January - and was surprised by a guest appearance by the star himself.

As well as chatting about X-Men 3 (he was very defensive about new director Brett Ratner), he also discussed the possibility of a return to his most famous role, Jean-Luc Picard.

Following the box office failure of Nemesis, Stewart's been saying he believed the franchise was dead in the water for ages, but it seems there's been a turnaround, because he revealed there've been lots of serious meetings lately about a new film, and there are money men who want it to happen.

However, he also made it clear that he's signed up to working with the Royal Shakespeare company for the next 16 months, so even if another Next Gen film did get greenlit, he wouldn't be able to start filming it until after that.

NCIS In Trek? Make It So!

After 5 years of 8 episodes or less on over 12 incarnations of Star Trek: Poseidon, Starliner Productions (STN) is proud to release this short press release:

NCIS is CBS' hit naval criminal investigative show - taking on elements of JAG and CSI. We have adopted this winning formula and are proud to present our new series.

As yet untitled (see below), the new show will focus on Starfleet criminal investigations. You may think that everything is peachy in the 24th century - but with the events of the last decade, many humans are not pleased to be sharing their hard work with aliens. Xenophobia not seen since the Xindi attack of 2153 is sweeping Earth and all colonies. It is up to a new crack team to investigate criminal activity onboard Federation starships.

Racial attacks and calls of hate are rife and Head of Starfleet Admiral Ross calls on his old friend - from the academy - Captain Montgomery Jamieson to resurrect his team, last together to deal with the Maquis mutiny.

Strap yourself in for a thrill ride as over the course of the first 5 episodes we discover the plights facing the Federation as it enters this bold new era.

A radical re-think of Star Trek by an avid group of fans, this new series will still be written and released weekly - starting early 2006 (yet to be confirmed).

You can get involved, email your ideas for the title of the show to editor@trekzone.org.

Starline Productions is Australia's only dedicated Sci-Fi production company.

Season Finale Available Now!

Get it Now at The Hidden Frontier Website!

Communicator Phone Delayed....

Source: Trek Today

The anticipated Star Trek Communicator Phone has an original series design and menus reflective of Next Generation PADDs and consoles, but unfortunately you won't be able to get one as a gift this holiday season.

The Inquirer reports that the phone has been delayed until 2006, though it is expected to be available in time for Star Trek's 40th anniversary.

The communicator phone is made by Sona Mobile, which said that the company has been flooded with requests for a quick turnaround. But quality standards required a longer production time.

Though the outer design of the phone resembles communicators of Captain Kirk's era, it is the voice of Lieutenant Commander Worf alerting owners of incoming calls. The phone chirps like a communicator when flipped open to reveal a set of menus reminiscent of Next Gen panels.

Images of the phone are available at Sona Mobile's web site, which also reveals that the phone can play Fleet Wars, an MMOG involving the Federation, the Romulans and the Borg.

Each phone comes with an eBook version of Star Trek Vanguard: Harbinger and can play clips from Star Trek episodes and movies.

Pat Morita Passes...

Souce: Slice of Sci-Fi.com
By:Kyle Nin

Pat Morita, most famous as Mr. Miyagi, the Oscar winning wise karate master in the Karate Kid films has died at the age of 73. His other notable and most recognizable character was Arnold, the cranky owner of Arnold's Drive-In eatery in TV's award winning Happy Days.

While confining most of his roles to drama and comedy, Morita was no stranger to Science Fiction, making guest appearances in The Incredible Hulk, the short-lived series Space Rangers, and The Outer Limits.

Morita died on Thanksgiving Day at his home in Las Vegas of natural causes. He is survived by his wife of 12 years.

French Sci-Fi Comming In Spring...

Source: Slice of Sci-Fi and Film Force

Luc Besson's Banlieue 13 ("District 13") will be coming to North America. The science fiction actioner was a fairly big hit in its native France and has played elsewhere around the world. Besson, the prolific French filmmaker, wrote and produced B13, while Pierre Morel directed; Morel had previously worked with Besson on The Transporter, as had lead actor Cyril Raffaelli.

Banlieue 13 is set in the crime-ridden ghettos of Paris, 2010. Parts of the city have been walled off by the government to contain the lawlessness, and District 13 is one of the worst areas. The story follows a vigilante named Leïto (David Belle) and a young martial-arts-trained cop named Damien (Raffaelli) as they take on the nefarious crime lord Taha. Taha has acquired a neutron bomb for some evil scheme, and he must be stopped before he puts that plan into action.

What makes the film stand out is its emphasis on creative, acrobatic stunts during the fight scenes. Co-star David Belle, in fact, is the founder of Parkour – a freestyle athletics movement that combines running, dancing, martial arts, and aerobatics in the navigation of difficult obstacle courses.

CBS Cancels Threshold

Source:Trek Today

CBS has cancelled Brannon Braga's Threshold after a move to Tuesday nights resulted in a drop in ratings.

E! Online's Kristin Veitch noted as an aside in her column about the plug being pulled on long-running thriller Alias that Braga's first series after the cancellation of Star Trek: Enterprise had been dropped by the network. The show finished a distant third in its time slot on November 22nd.

The show had not really had a chance to settle into its new time, noted TV Squad. Threshold traded its previous Friday 9 p.m. slot with Close To Home, which saw a rise on Friday in ratings from its original spot Tuesdays at 10. Threshold's Tuesday airing put it into competition with the highly-rated Law and Order: SVU, and this week it went up against the American Music Awards as well.

Threshold recently signed Catherine Bell, formerly of JAG, to play a new character. The series starred Carla Gugino and Star Trek: The Next Generation's Brent Spiner (Data).

TV Fodder stated that there had been no word whether the remaining episodes of Threshold would be aired on CBS or streamed online, where the network has been offering previous episodes to build an audience for the show.

Special Report...

Hey Gang!

Odeo, our Podcasting host has taken down it's uploading software for the time being for upgrades.

We are in the process of scrambling to find annother host for temp use until the Odeo services are back up, and ready for us to use. So, until further notice, we won't be having a show for you to tune in.

We apologize for this, and we're working on a solution as we speak.

We'll let you know as son as something comes open!

Alvin & Will

Update:

Ok kids, we have a new temporary hosting solution through Switchpod. However the solution came with ads within our podcast. to listen to the test, click on the link for the test podcast on the right, and look for the third listing (will be up top, if you choose not to listen to the ads) to listen to the test podcast. We'll be updating you each week as to the status of getting back to our regular Odeo Channel, or annother solution as soon as we can come up with it.

We've also linked up with some of the best aggregators on the net for you to direct download, and save our shows in iTunes for your listening pleasure!

Thanks for bearing with us as we make this change, and we hope to have an actual show out next week~!!
A & W

Grand Master Named....

Source: SciFi Wire

Prolific and irascible SF author Harlan Ellison has been named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and will be honored at the Nebula Award Weekend in Tempe, Ariz., May 4-7, 2006, the SFWA Web site reported. SF writer William F. Nolan will serve as the 2006 Author Emeritus.

Since his first sale, "Glowworm," to Infinity Science Fiction in 1956, Ellison has shaped and sometimes re-shaped modern science fiction, the SFWA said. As a writer and as an anthologist, his influence, though sometimes controversial, has been vast. Ellison won seven Hugo Awards; three Nebula Awards; many script-writing awards for his television work, which included episodes of the original Star Trek; an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America; and various World Fantasy Awards.

Always a champion for writers, Ellison led the legal fight against AOL with his "Kick Internet Piracy" campaign to hold Internet service providers responsible for pirate sites. He also helped to launch the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

Nolan was born in 1928 in Kansas City, Mo., and sold his first fiction in 1954. His work has included a broad range of material, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, westerns and mysteries. He's authored more than 150 stories and 75 books, including 13 novels. Among the best-known of his novels is Logan's Run, co-authored with George Clayton Johnson, and later on his own Logan's World and Logan's Search. His work has earned praise from such writers as Stephen King, Ray Bradbury and Joe R. Landsdale.

Nimoy Not Sorry To Be Spock...

Source: Trek Today

Nearly thirty years after he famously declared I Am Not Spock in a book with the same title, Leonard Nimoy is happy to concede, "I am the actor who played Spock, so, I guess, in some meaningful sense, I am Spock."

Indeed, he wrote a follow-up in 1995 proclaiming just that.

"I am totally comfortable with [this situation]," Nimoy told MassLive.com while in Springfield for the United Fan Con the weekend before last. "I am not really, I mean, not 'really' Mr. Spock. I am an actor who played that part."

The first book, he said, was a study in how an actor creates a character, but he found that fans were offended by the implication. "I gave the book a very bad title. It was my idea, and it was a bad idea. I thought it would be interesting to people, but it turned out to be a problem."

He wrote I Am Spock in part to clear up that misunderstanding, since it led to a belief that he didn't like Spock and Star Trek. "I come from Boston. My parents come from Russia...I told about the differences between myself and Spock, because people are very curious."

At 74, Nimoy has retired from both acting and directing, expressing his creativity through photography. His art was on display at UFC, which had the highest pre-registration in 15 years.

For more, including Nimoy's recollection of traveling to Russia for the debut there of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, see the original article at MassLive.com.

Shatner Talks About New Books...

Source: Trek Today

It is William Shatner's belief that when Kirk and Spock first encountered one another, they didn't like each other very much.

"They meet and have no fondness for each other. They're bound by their mutual rebellion," Shatner explained to The Edmonton Sun of his plan for a series of books about young Kirk and Spock, which he hopes might form the groundwork for the next Star Trek film or TV show. Because Vulcans live much longer than humans and there is virtually no canonical information on Kirk's birth, it has been speculated that Spock could be several years older than Kirk, but Shatner imagines them as near-contemporaries growing up together. "It'll be an interesting read and hopefully it'll be an interesting series, as we find out how the boys became men."

I for one, will be interested in see how this develops...

James Doohan Flight Delayed...

Source: Reuters and Yahoo News
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Plans to launch the remains of "Star Trek" actor James Doohan into space next month have been delayed pending more rocket engine tests, organizers said on Wednesday.

Doohan, who played the "Star Trek" engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott on the TV series, died in July at age 85. In accord with his last wishes, his cremated remains were set to be launched into space by commercial flight operators Space Services.

Charles Chafer of Space Services said the flight, due to blast off from California, was likely to be delayed from December 6 until at least February because engineers working on the Falcon One rocket wanted to do some more engine tests.

Doohan's remains will be packed into a tube that is ejected from the rocket and expected to orbit Earth for 50 to 200 years.

Chafer said the remains of 200 other people from as far afield as Russia, Japan and Australia would also be on the flight.

"They literally come from all walks of life -- from rocket scientists to restaurant owners and truck drivers. They were mostly people who were interested in space or anyone who just liked to walk out and look up at the stars at night," said Chafer.

Finale Released to Newsleter Subscribers...

Rob Caves, Executive Producer of Star Trek: Hidden Frontier announced to newsletter subscribers recently that the season finale of Her Battle Lantern's Lit was available for download, with the release to the general website comming soon!

He also repoerted that while the cast, and most of the crew were on hiatus from the show that he was working on CGI shots to be included for the 7th, and "monumental" season to conclude the Hidden Frontier series.

Shows for the final season would start production in January 2006 and was stated to be longer than most of the current episodes from the prior 6 seasons.

We'll keep you up to date as Season 7 begins production next year!

Star Trek Alums Face Manticore

Two STAR TREK alumnus, Robert Beltran (STAR TREK: Voyager) and Chase Masterson (STAR TREK: Deep Space Nine) are teaming up in Sci-Fi Channel's MANTICORE.

Half-Lion and Half-Dragon, the deadliest weapon of the ancient world is reborn and on the loose in modern-day Iraq.

Now, one squad of U.S. soldiers must risk their lives to stop the creature before it wipes out all mankind.

A New Team To Produce Next Star Trek Series...

Source:SciFi Pulse
By: Ian M. Cullen

Over that last few months there has been much discussions within Fandom about when who and where the next Star Trek show will be taking place, the biggest question is when will there be a new show, the answer at present is still very much up in the air as to when, and Rick Berman who has been the caretaker of Star Trek since the tragic passing of the series creator Gene Roddenberry is as in the dark as the rest of us. In issue 124 of the official UK Star Trek Magazine Berman revealed his thoughts on what will happen when Paramount decide to go once more unto the Trek.

In a recent readers poll which was filled in by the readers of Star Trek Magazine fans were asked what current shows could Star Trek learn from as and when it returns and the answers were pretty close between Doctor Who, Stargate Atlantis and the controversial much loved and much hated re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica.

“That’s hard to comment on. It’s certainly an interesting conclusion. When they re-energise the franchise it’s going to be the result of someone fresh, someone who has not been extensively involved with Star Trek, coming up with a new approach to the series. I think when Roddenberry created The Next Generation it was similar in many ways to the original shows, but obviously with a brand – new cast and a lot of new elements to the universe and to the spaceship. But since then, we did nearly 700 hours of Star Trek. So when the time to reinvent it or reinvigorate it, it’s going to have to be something very fresh and new, and my guess is that it would very possibly be from someone other than the people who have been creatively involved with it in the past.”

One thing that has been on the minds of many fans is the current status of the 11 th Star Trek movie, some elements of Fandom have also asked why it has to be a new crew and why can it not be the Enterprise Crew? Berman gave a somewhat revealing answer to this which pretty much states that nothing is set in stone as of yet.

“I would say that the storyline of the movie is still up in the air. The original story that has been put into development took place after Enterprise was done. Whether the next movie takes place there or whether it takes place at another point, I think that the studio’s feeling is that it would be nice to try to do a feature film with a fresh, new, none television series crew. So if Paramount decides that they’re going to reinvigorate or reinvent Star Trek at some point in the future, that would probably negate the use of characters from the existing shows.”

“By the way, I would say that the film is still in the same early stages of development it was the last time we talked.” Berman added while talking to Ian Spelling.

This year has been a pretty bad time for Star Trek having lost some pretty prominent names. Berman was asked for his thoughts on the losses of James Doohan and Robert Wise and provided the following by way of his own personal remembrances of both men.

“I met Robert Wise. One night I was at a Hollywood function, and my wife and I were sitting at a table along with some other people. We saw that the table next to ours was occupied by just one person, and it was Robert Wise. My wife walked over to him and said, ‘Would you please come and join us?’ He came and sat with us for the evening, and he was a lovely person. Obviously, we’re all incredibly grateful to him. Jimmy, who I worked with and who I knew, was a doll. He was just a very talented and sweet man. They’re both missed.”

As to other projects Berman reveals that he does have a few things in the works right now which he cannot reveal as of yet.

“My biggest focus right now is my involvement in some series ideas we’re trying to develop, and hopefully I can tell you more the next time we talk.”

The Full interview is a part of the Star Trek Magazine new issue #124 published in the U.K. which also includes interviews with Chase Masterson, and Kate Mulgrew

Harry Potter Has Smash Opening

Source: Coming Soon

Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire earned a massive $101.4 million from 3,858 theaters in just its first three days, according to studio estimates. Warner Bros. Pictures' fourth installment in the popular "Harry Potter" franchise, directed by Mike Newell, averaged an impressive $26,289 per theater.

The $150 million-budgeted film set a new record for biggest opening in November, surpassing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which debuted to $90.3 million in 2001. It is also the fourth biggest weekend for a film in box office history, passing up Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ($93.7 million) and trailing just Spider-Man ($114.8 million), Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith ($108.4 million) and Shrek 2 ($108 million). "Goblet of Fire" is the second-best opener of 2005, behind "Revenge of the Sith," and has tied Spider-Man, "Sith" and The Matrix Reloaded in reaching the $100 million mark in three days.

For its single day performances, the film's $39.355 million Friday box office is the second-highest ever, behind only Spider-Man ($39.406 million) and above "Prisoner of Azkaban" ($38.3 million). The Friday total is also the fourth best opening day in history. The Saturday total of $35.5 million is the fourth biggest for that day.

While earning considerably less, 20th Century Fox's Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line collected a solid $22.4 million in second place. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, James Mangold's well-reviewed drama averaged a strong $7,565 per location.

Walt Disney Pictures' Chicken Little dropped two spots to third with $14.8 million in its third weekend. The computer-animated comedy has earned $99.2 million so far.

Fourth place belonged to The Weinstein Co.'s Derailed, which added $6.5 million. The $22 million Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston thriller is at $21.8 million after two weeks.

Director Jon Favreau's space adventure Zathura rounded out the top five with $5.1 million in its second weekend. Budgeted at $65 million, the film has made $20.3 million.

Writer/director Neil Jordan's Breakfast on Pluto, with Cillian Murphy, Stephen Rea, Brendan Gleeson and Liam Neeson, earned $34,900 from just three theaters for an average of $11,633. The dramedy has earned $45,000 since opening on Wednesday.

Threshold Announces Bell Joining Cast

Source: SciFi Wire
Brannon Braga, co-creator and executive producer of CBS' SF drama Threshold, said that Catherine Bell will soon join the show's cast in a recurring role. Bell, who will also star in SCI FI Channel's upcoming original miniseries The Triangle, will play a genetic engineer who joins the Red Team of Molley Caffrey (Carla Gugino), which is trying to stop an alien threat. Bell is perhaps best known for playing Lt. Col. Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie on CBS' long-running series JAG.

A New Look Is Here!

Welcome to Sci-Fi News 2.0! We hope you enjoy the new look as we slowly start to make changes to the page, and prepare for a slow transition hopefully after the first of the year to our own servers to better serve you!

Look for our next podcast to be comming soon with a major news story on Star Wars Galaxies, info on Star Trek:Online from a special Guest, and Alvin's gonna be in via a report on what he's got planned. (It's a secret, and he won't tell!) So, check back with us for the release of Sci-Fi News Show #5!

Season Finale...

Watch for it this week on the Star Trek: Hidden Frontier Website!

Galaxies Player? We Want To Hear From You!

Are you playing Star Wars Galaxies?

Have you played the NGE on the Testcenter Servers?

We want to hear from you!

send your feedback on your expirience with the new version of SWG to us via text at scifi_news2001@yahoo.com, or record us a little voice message by using the id 'scifi_news2001' to record a 2 minute message via Yahoo IM with voice!

Star Wars Galaxies Announces New Game Enhancements

In A letter dated Nov. 2nd, Julio Torres, producer from Lucasarts announced the Star Wars Galaxies Community that starting this month, the game title would be introducing major enhancements to the core programming of Galaxies and fundementally changing the game from a turned based system to a more fast paced enviorment, with a new conglomerated set of professions, and a new look, and feel for the quest based programming which is soon to be in place.

There's going to be 3 new combat views. 1st Person, Overhead, and 3rd Person over the shoulder. The major changes in the professions listings are from the some 20+, to just 9. Here's the official list:

1. Bounty Hunter
2. Commando
3. Entertainer
4. Medic
5. Officer
6. Smuggler
7. Spy
8. Trader
9. Jedi

Yes folks now you will be able to start out as a Jedi padawan.

For the veteran players, SOE will be offering you the chance to have a look at all 9 professions with respec tokens, to get a look, and feel for them before you decide on your sole profesion for your character. For new characters once the transition is complete, they will only be able to choose one profession for each character on their accounts.

Veteran players willl also be getting some special "Loyalty Rewards" for transitioning over to the new gamplay system. They are:

Elder Buff: Increases to combat abillites which can be shared with new players
Elder Title: Recognition of your status as a valued veteran player
The 9 token respecs talked about above
Jedi Bonus Items: Power enhanced Robe, Lightsaber color crystal, and the opportunity to play as a transcended blue glowing Jedi character
10 additional combat levels to expand on to Combat Lvl 90.

To read about the full story about the changes to start within the month of November, check out the Star Wars Galaxies Website for Mr. Torres' letter, in which you will find the F.A.Q. that has been published with the full details of the changes.

Stay tuned to hear more on the changes as they move to the live servers, and we gain more information!

Comming up on Sci-Fi News #3...

Comming up on Our next show!

We're gonna chat about Star Trek: Online! What we know, and what we hope for from Perpetual Entertainment's venture into the genre'

We'll have thoughts on the cancelation of Enterprise, and out thoughts on Star Trek: The Begining

Newsbytes from Trek, and all your fave Sci-Fi sources

And more!

Check it out, comming soon!

Show Notes for Episode 2!

Episode 2 Podcast can be downloaded from Odeo's Show listing


Enterprise: S5 article can be found at the Slice of Sci-Fi.com website, and the original press release can be found via link there as well.

Anthony Montgomery's story about his new CD entitled "What You Know About" can be found by clicking here to read it on Star Trek.com


Interviews with David Reddick, Bobbi Sue Luther, Carter Jenkins and more can be found by linking with The Fandom.com Remember, next week Ron Moore will be on the show with Chase, so check it out!

All the information on Walter Koenig's appearance in "To Serve All My Days" a Star Trek New Voyages Episode can be found by downloading "Michael & Evo's Slice of Sci-Fi" Podcast #26 via ITunes, or directly from their website (shown above) and the show's production info can be found at the Star Trek:New Voyages Website

Information on the "Star Wars Galaxies: Trials of Obi Wan" Beta can be found by linking up with the Star Wars Galaxies website, and to find out more about the Episode III DVD and Battlefront II releases on Nov. 1st link up with Star Wars.com's website!

To read the full story on the death of Charles Rocket, click here to link up with Star Trek.com

Also, don't forget to check out our weekly web only posts for "On The Threshold" done by 'Big Al' and more news to come!

News Mix For 9-17-05

Chase Masterson has been a busy lady!
The UFF is showing big succes in it's drive to help Hurricane relief victims. Ron Moore has also donated some very special items along with Rene' Auberjonois donating his own DS9 cast jacket! Updates can be found here. at Star Trek.com, and you can click here to reach the United Federation of Fans Website to bid on items for thier ebay auction, and to donate to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund!


Chase also has annother interview comming up on the The Fandom.com With Wil Wheaton (TNG-Crusher) Monday at 7pm EDT. Chase will be talking with Wil be about several projects he's involved in, including his new book Do You Want Kids With That? (we think) which is about a collection of his stories on step-parenting from his infamous blog at Wil Wheaton.net. Check it out!

(Insert Star Wars Music here)

Ep. III And Battlefornt II Release confirmed!

Star Wars Episode III Revenge of The Sith and The Sequel to the hit game Star Wars Battlefront will both be released jointly on November 1st!

The Ep.III DVD will indluse several special featurettes, and a 2 Level demo for Battlefront II within the 2 disc set according to Star Wars.com.

You can pre-order the DVD, and Battlefront II by going here to order the DVD/Game combo for XBox, PS2, PSP, Or PC to ship on Release day!

Also over on Star Trek.com, Avery Brooks comments form this years Vegas convention are included within the 4 captains article over on Star Trek.com which he included the comment that he must do more of these conventions! to check out the article, click here.

As We All know, Robert Wise passed on Wednesday, and the condolences are pouring in from all over the world. There's an update to that story as well by clicking here.

And finally, for those of you who missed the news, Brock Peters (DS9-Joeseph Sisko, MOVIII-Adm. Cartwight) passed on Aug 23 of this year due to complications of Pancreatic Cancer. Allthough we know it's late, we here would like to express our deepest sympathies to Mr. Peters family and friends, and thank them all for giving us such a wonderful person, and a truly gifted actor to see.


Update 9-25-05 Along with the release of Episode III and Battlefront II S.O.E. and Lucasarts will also be releasing the expansion Trials of Obi-Wan for Star Wars Galaxies for download from thier servers, with release comming on CD shortly thereafter according to the Star Wars Galaxies website. Check it out!

Bookmark us for your next instalment of Sci-Fi news!

Until Next Time...

Robert Wise Passes At 91

Robert Wise, Director of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, West Side Story, and The Sound of Music has passed due to complications of Heart failure at UCLA Medical Center today. in a report placed by the LA Times.

Mr Wise had just celebrated his 91st birthday on Saturday with a gathering of family and friends.

Click here to get the latest info, and see a tribute to Mr. Wise later today over at Star Trek.com

We here at Sci-Fi News send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Wise. We Greive with thee...

Correction....

The New Sci-Fi Thriller Threshold will be airing at 9 pm EDT on Sept. 16. Check your local listings for correct times Originally it was reported to have been airing on the 5th. We apologize for any inconvience.

News Mix...

Actors Join Relief Efforts

Fans, along with actors form the different Trek episodes are joining together to raise funds for the Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, The Humane Society of the Uinted States, World Vision, and the United Way. The Donations are being raised by a special auction of memoribila donated by fans, and actors and accepting donations at their website

The United Federation of Fans (UFF) has an impressive list of endorsers, led by Chase Masterson, along with Armin Shimerman, Tim Russ, Nana Visitor, and Andrew Robinson just to name a few.

The auction is being handled by G.E.N.I.U.S. (Genre Entertainment Network In Union to Serve) an organization founded by Ms. Masterson to raise funds for charitable causes. Check out the site, and help out in the Hurricane Katrina recovery effort!

In a related story, Wil Wheaton (TNG-Crusher) has also organized a set of charity Texas Hold'em torunements over on PokerStars.com to help with the relief efforts as well. PokerStars is matching all player buy-ins of $20.00 for the tunament tomorrow evening, along with prizes to the winner. And, Wil himself is offering autographed copies of one of his books to every person atthe final table. The event tomorrow night is a $20+$0 No Limit Hold'em Freeze out Turnament which starts at 9:30 pm. Check with PokerStars.com to see if space is still available.

Kate Talks Tea...

Kate Mulgrew (Janeway-VOY) has a candid interview about her one woman play based on Katherine Hepburn and her own life over at Star Trek.com Click here to read all about it!

Trials of Obi-Wan in Open Beta

Star Wars Galaxies is now accepting applications to Beta Test it's newest expansion Trials of Obi-Wan which will include exclusive content from the planet Mustafar (seen in Ep III) according to the entry in the forums where you can register your application.

According to the press release, "like Obi-Wan Kenobi after his death in Ep. IV, Star Wars Galaxies has become more powerful than you can possibly imagine" with registered sales of over 1 million units of the MMOG software. Missions within the expansion will be delivered by the Jedi Master himself, which will allow players to understand the words uttered by Luke Skywalker's mentor shortly beofre his death.

To apply to the Beta Test, you must have an active Star Wars Galaxies account in good standing, and fill out an application wich you can link to from here. Good luck, and we'll be looking for the expansion later this year!

Reporters Wanted

Sci Fi News is looking for fans who want to get involved! Ever wanted to write on your favorite Sci-Fi stuff? Here's your chance!!!

To work on Sci-Fi News, you need a blog on Blogger and an interest to report on the Sci-Fi news happenings on the web, TV, and all other sources you can get access to! If you're interested, contact the team members here by clicling on thier profiles and sending an e-mail with "I wanna be a Reporter!" and tell us why you're interested!

Chase's interviews In Archive...

Chase Masterson 

Chase Masterson (pictured above) has two new interviews posted into the Archives over at the The Fandom.com website. Both of which are worth the listen to.

Brannon Braga

Brannon talks about the loss of Enterprise, and is very candid about his possible role in the show's cancellation, along with promoting the new CBS series 'Threshold' which starts airing on Sept. 5 @ 9pm Eastern.

Ira Beher

Ira Behr (Producer, DS9) talks about his time on Trek, and his emmy nominated series 'The 4400' in his interview with Chase, an re-lives a few fond memories with her about their time on DS9 together.

Check these out, you'll be gad you did...

Okuda Joins Trek MMO

Mike Okuda 

Mike Okuda, Creator of the LCARS (Library Computer Access and Retreval System) Design for TNG, DS9, And Voyager has signed on as a Design Consultant with Perpetual Entertaiment, as they begin to formulate the first MMO game based upon the franchise.

Released at the recent Trek convention in Las Vegas, Okuda, along with the design team sat in for a Q & A with over 3000+ and showed off a updated LCARS design, and updated uniforms for the game which will be set 20 years after the latest movie Nemesis

Stay tuned right here for more information as the dev team makes it available!