When Battlestar Galactica ended its run a few years ago fans were pretty disappointed. It was a great show that was enjoyed by a lot of people. One of the reasons for that enjoyment was the great cast.

Ron Moore, Exec. Producer and Co-Creator of the re-imagined series, tried to give fans something they’ve been wising for with the pilot for his series for NBC called 17th Precinct. Reuniting for the pilot were BSG alumni Jamie Bamber, James Callis and Tricia Helfer along with Caprica‘s Esai Morales. Sadly, no Edward James Olmos was in sight.

However, what we did get is a pretty interesting and inventive pilot which gives a new twist on the well-worn police procedural. It’s so fresh, in fact, that’s that’s probably the reason NBC decided not to pick it up. They would rather have a block of Whitney Cummings and Chelsey Handler shows and put Community on “hiatus” than have original programming.

But, I digress. Check out the pilot after the break while you still can. It might go away just as fast as it appeared.

Continue Reading →

The countdown to to the return of Syfy’s Eureka for season five is almost done. The show returns soon will all-new episodes and to help generate more interest in that return, Syfy has sent us a new preview for this season.

Of course, we’re going to share it with you. In case you’re not familiar with the show and are wondering what all the fuss is about, here’s some info from our friends at Syfy: “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 also features a diverse and talented cast including Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Joe Morton, Erica Cerra, Neil Grayston, Niall Matter and James Callis. In addition, it will feature several guest stars for the new season including Wil Wheaton, Felicia Day and Stan Lee.

Check out the preview after the jump. Eureka returns Monday, July 11th on Syfy.

Continue Reading →

Salli Richardson-Whitfield has her hands full these days. Whether she’s directing an episode of Eureka, acting in independent films in her “free time”, saving Eureka from itself as Dr. Allison Blake, or taking care of her real-life kids, Salli remains calm as a cucumber.

In all the commotion, she somehow managed to find time to take dance lessons from Eureka’s resident blue-eyed boy, Colin Ferguson. Of course, I know more than a few ladies who wouldn’t mind being swept off their feet by Sheriff Jack Carter.

Fortunately, we were there when she was able to catch her breath and chat about playing a character who’s just as assiduous as she is.

The Flickcast: While there are a lot of women in power in sci fi, Allison is one woman who’s feminine as well.  How do you and the writers balance the complexity inherent in Allison Blake: a mother, leader, scientist, and single woman?

Salli Richardson-Whitfield: Well it’s very funny, because when we first started out, the first season or two… When a new director would come in they’d go, “So, a little softer”. They wanted to make sure she (Allison Blake) was never too hard. Maybe it’s just my personality can be a bit hard and cutting. I don’t know, it’s a Chicago thing or something. I’d be like, “I’m not being hard, that’s just how I am.  If they’d come to me, I think that’s how I’d say it.”

Continue Reading →

America’s smartest little town, Eureka, is known for its brilliant minds. Although Salli Richardson-Whitfield is not the head of some secret military facility or medical staff in real life, she does run the show from time to time…literally. Who knew she could direct the cast as well as she directs Global Dynamics?

We had the opportunity to sit down with the woman who plays a mother, leader, and love interest. So in essence, a real woman. During the interview you could tell she had a lot in common with Allison Blake: she’s graceful under pressure, smart as a whip, and one classy dame.

The Flickcast: We heard you’ll get the opportunity to direct an episode of Eureka this season. What’s it like to direct?

Salli Richardson-Whitfield: It’s something I’ve been wanting to do. Last season I wanted to do it and then I was pregnant and it’s not the best time to be directing for my first time. I would have been hormonally a little difficult.

But they’ve been very generous in giving me this opportunity and I’ve been taking it very seriously … The thing on the show is, once you decide you want to direct, once you start paying attention, you realize everything you haven’t been paying attention to. So, every director that comes on finds me sitting there. As they turn around, they bump into me because I’m sitting there and I’m like, “Well why did you do that?”

Continue Reading →

Friday again? Apparently so. Well, I guess that means we’ve got previews for you of tonight’s episodes of Eureka and Haven.

First up is Eureka. In this episode the rivalry for Allison between Carter and Grant rises to new heights. What could this mean? Watch the clip, and the episode, to find out.

Next up on Haven. In this new episode Audrey is faced with a new mystery as she investigates a case where a man’s body is bent out of shape. Weird? You betcha. Fortunately, Audrey knows weird.

Check out previews for both shows after the jump. Eureka kicks things off tonight at 9/8C followed by Haven at 10/9C only on Syfy.

Continue Reading →

Well gang, it’s official. Syfy has decided to give Eureka, everyone’s favorite show about a town of misfit geniuses, a fifth season. The news was announced by Mark Stern, Exec. VP of original programming for the network. Said Stern: “Eureka remains a steadfast performer for Syfy with its superb cast and perfect blend of drama, comedy and eye candy.”

In case you’re not familiar with the show and are wondering what all the fuss is about, here’s some info from our friends at Syfy: “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.”

Currently, Eureka features a diverse and talented cast including Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Joe Morton, Erica Cerra, Neil Grayston, Niall Matter and James Callis. It is currently enjoying good ratings in its fourth season and also has several interesting twists and stunts planned including a crossover episode with Syfy’s Warehouse 13, 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.

As fans of he show we couldn’t be happier about this development. It’s great to see original sci-fi programming getting the recognition and treatment it deserves. Now if only Syfy would give a second season to Caprica and bring back Battlestar Galactica. Hey, we can dream, can’t we?

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

With Stargate Universe and Merlin having their season finales it’s time to turn our attention to two other shows airing on Syfy. One, Eureka, is a returning show coming back for another season and the second, Haven, makes its debut tonight.

In support of these two shows we will do what we usually do and bring you previews for both of them so you can get ready for tonight’s episodes. First up on Eureka, the gang is back and starting the 4th season with a twist. Also, a brand new cast member joins the show and we’re pretty excited about it. That’s right, James Callis (Battlstar Galactica‘s Baltar) comes to Eureka to shake things up this season.

Next up is Haven, which is based on The Colorado Kid from author Stephen King. It follows FBI agent Audrey Parker who arrives in the small town of Haven, Maine to solve the murder of a local ex-con. However, things are not what they seem and Audrey soon discovers the people of Haven are hiding a dark secret.

Check out previews for both shows after the break. Eureka airs tonight at 9/8C followed by Haven at 10/9C only on Syfy.

Continue Reading →

With many of the female Battlestar Galactica alumni like Katee Sackhoff, Grace Park and Tricia Helfer making deals to appear in other tv series, it was only a matter of time before more of the men did as well. Today, Syfy announced that James Callis, perhaps best known as Dr. Gaius Baltar on BSG, has joined the cast of Syfy’s original series Eureka.

On the show, Callis will play Dr. Grant, a scientist and former resident of Eureka whose unexpected return is cause for serious alarm. Plus, his romantic romantic interest in Allison Blake (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) also causes significant friction with Sherriff Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson).

This is great news for fans of Callis and BSG. Seeing some of your favorite actors from the show get new roles on good shows is always a welcome development. Now if we can just get that sitcom starring Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnel off the ground we’ll really be set.

Production on season 4 of Eureka begins March 18th with all new episodes beginning to air on Syfy on July 9.

I know, I miss Battlestar Galactica too. As I’ve said before, it was one of my favorite tv shows of all time and each Friday I feel a sense of loss due to the hole in my TiVo schedule where BSG used to be. I also miss the great characters and actors from the show like Edward James Olmos’ Adama, Katee Sackhoff’s Starbuck and James Callis’ Gaius Baltar. Well, if you miss Baltar like I do and wish he would return to tv, you will almost get your wish when the actor who played Baltar, James Callis, returns to the Sci-Fi Channel in a tv movie called Merlin and the Book of Beasts.

In this “Sci-Fi Original Movie” Callis plays the heroic Merlin who must fight to save a book which, if it feel into the wrong hands, could spell the end of mankind. . . or something like that. As a bonus, the movie actually takes place in Camelot, with all that entails, and the director, Warren P. Sonoda (director of other “classics” such as Ham and Cheese and 5 Girls) has compared his movie to Braveheart. Hey. its possible this movie is as good as Braveheart. It could happen. Okay, probably not.

Still, you gotta give Sonoda props for aiming high. At least he didn’t say his movie compared to something like In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale, which we all know sucked big time. Good or bad, Merlin and the Book of Beasts, which also stars the attractive Laura Harris, hits Sci-Fi Channel this Saturday at 9 p.m. Until then, be sure and watch the trailer. I know you’ll find it as “magical” as I did.