Pyro Mini: Officially The Greatest Invention Of All Time (Shoot Fireballs From Your Hands… Yes… That’s Exactly What You Just Read) [VIDEO]

Have you ever dreamed of being able to vanquish your enemies with projectile balls of fire launched from your hands? Do you have posters of Ryu from Street Fighter adorning your bedroom walls?  Enter Ellusionist, purveyor awesomeness and magic training… and they have just the product for you.

It’s called the Pyro Mini and it does EXACTLY what you think it does and though it may not vanquish your enemies, you will officially become the biggest badass on the block the moment you purchase one.

File this under things you don’t need at a price you can’t resist at the VERY affordable price of USD $147.  For crap’s sake, the Star Trek Communicator Bluetooth is $150 and that thing doesn’t even shoot fire.

Check out the video below and check out the Ellusionist.com.

ABC: Marvel’s ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Is So Freakin’ Awesome We’re Airing The Pilot Twice

…And why the hell not?

On Tuesday, the highly anticipated Joss Whedon series, Marvel’s Agents of  S.H.I.E.L.D. (a spinoff series of the insanely successful film, The Avengers) starring fan-favorite Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, premiered and though it was clearly the front-runner going into the evening, I’m not sure if anyone saw it doing as well as it did. With 11.9 million viewers and a 4.6 rating among the coveted 18 – 49 demographic, Agents of  S.H.I.E.L.D. was the highest rated premiere in all of television in four years. 

So, ABC had a choice: air an episode of Shark Tank on Thursday  at 8:00 p.m. or, y’know… the highest rated premiere on television in four years.  Kind of  a no-brainer with that decision.  The only downside is for folks who can only get ABC on their TV because after the awesomeness that is Agents of  S.H.I.E.L.D. ends (yeah… we f*cking love this show), those unfortunate viewers will be forced to watch the two-hour season premiere of Grey’s Anatomy.

GEEK ALERT! BBC: Matt Smith Leaving ‘Doctor Who,’ The Search For Number Twelve Begins…

Via The Official Blog:

The BBC is today announcing that Matt Smith is to leave Doctor Who after four incredible years on the hit BBC One show. Matt first stepped into the TARDIS in 2010 and will leave the role at the end of this year after starring in the unmissable 50th Anniversary in November and regenerating in the Christmas special. During his time as the Doctor, Matt has reached over 30 million unique UK viewers and his incarnation has seen the show go truly global. He was also the first actor to be nominated for a BAFTA in the role.

Matt quickly won over fans to be voted Best Actor by Readers of Doctor Who Magazine for the 2010 season. He also received a nod for his first series at the National Television Awards, before winning the Most Popular Male Drama Performance award in 2012.

Matt has played one of the biggest roles in TV with over 77 million fans in the UK, USA and Australia alone!

Matt Smith says: “Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I’m incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.

Having Steven Moffat as show runner write such varied, funny, mind bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career. It’s been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he’s a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.

The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I’ve never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I’m back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!

It’s been an honour to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with ‘the ginger, the nose and the impossible one’. But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys. Matt.”

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, says : “Every day, on every episode, in every set of rushes, Matt Smith surprised me: the way he’d turn a line, or spin on his heels, or make something funny, or out of nowhere make me cry, I just never knew what was coming next. The Doctor can be clown and hero, often at the same time, and Matt rose to both challenges magnificently. And even better than that, given the pressures of this extraordinary show, he is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Whatever we threw at him – sometimes literally – his behaviour was always worthy of the Doctor.

But great actors always know when it’s time for the curtain call, so this Christmas prepare for your hearts to break, as we say goodbye to number Eleven. Thank you Matt – bow ties were never cooler.

Of course, this isn’t the end of the story, because now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now – all unknowing, just going about their business – is someone who’s about to become the Doctor. A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again! After 50 years, that’s still so exciting!”

Having starred alongside three different companions, Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) and most recently Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman), Matt’s Doctor has fought Daleks and Cybermen, as well as Weeping Angels in New York. Regularly heard shouting ‘run’ and ‘Geronimo’, through Matt’s Doctor fans have been introduced to a new culinary combination – fish fingers and custard!

Matt’s spectacular exit is yet to be revealed and will be kept tightly under wraps. He will return to BBC One screens in the unmissable 50th anniversary episode on Saturday 23rd November 2013 – TUNE IN!

We’ll have exclusive quotes from Jenna on this site tomorrow and a special video from Matt – coming soon!

GEEK ALERT! UPFRONTS 2013: SyFy Announces Fall 2013 Programming Slate, 14 Scripted Series In Development

Quick and dirty, here, folks. Just got this press release and we wanted to get it up as quickly as possible.

What should be noted is that there are only two new scripted series coming this fall, however, this is not particularly surprising.  SyFy tends to premiere new shows all throughout the calendar year as opposed to the major networks.

Also of note, if you’ll recall, we posted a piece from last year regarding the dozen or so scripted series that SyFy was developing.  As you read further, you’ll notice that eight of them are not mentioned in SyFy’s press release.  Here is the list of shows that were in development last year at SyFy that we have no word on as of yet, but appear to have been shelved.  We’ll keep you posted:

UPFRONTS 2012: SyFy Announces 2012 – 2013 Schedule, 12 New Scripted Series In Development

• Rewind  Rewind revolves around a team of military field operatives and civilian scientists who must use untested technology to travel back in time to alter events and change the future — and avoid a devastating terrorist attack. Shane McRae stars as Sean Knox, ex-Special Forces who ranks as a field operative in a special division of the Department of Homeland Security.
• The Adjustment Bureau  In this drama, based on the hit movie starring Matt Damon, guardian angel-type agents work to keep the world according to The Plan. They create everything from plane crashes to coffee spills in order to steer people to realize their true destiny. But there is one thing the operatives and their Chairman can’t control — free will.
• Grave Sight   From the best-selling author of True Blood, this Charlaine Harris book series follows Harper Connelly – a young woman with a unique gift. After being struck by lightning as a teenager, Harper can sense the location and last memories of dead people. She teams up with her protective stepbrother, Tolliver Lang, to help find a missing teenage girl — only to uncover a network of lies and murders throughout a small town in the Ozarks.
• Untitled Booster Gold Project  Based on the best-selling DC Entertainment Comic, this is the story of a washed-up athlete from the future who travels back to the present in hopes of becoming the greatest superhero of all time. But instead of chasing criminals, his main priority is chasing fame and money. Booster Gold discovers that being a hero takes more than just a megawatt smile.
• Seeing Things  Based on the comic Grey Legion from Platinum Studios, after a cop meets his violent demise, he returns as a ghost to close his last case. But the only person who can help him is a socially awkward man who is realizing for the first time that his hallucinations may not be all in his head.
• Defender  In the aftermath of an intergalactic war between humans and transhumans, the starship Defender, populated by a combustible mix of former enemies, is sent on a seemingly simple goodwill mission, which turns into a fight for their lives and for the safety of the Universe at large.
• The Family  For generations, an alien family has hid amongst humans in plain sight using their advanced intellect to carve out a life for themselves as their family grew. But when the family patriarch that kept peace amongst the factions dies, a war begins to brew with some members believing the time has come to reveal themselves, and their superior power, to the inferior human race.
• One Mile Straight Down  When a powerful earthquake hits California and opens up a chasm bigger than the Grand Canyon, it reveals an enormous hidden ocean lying deep beneath the earth’s crust. Billionaire adventurer James Exeter works with the government to take an advanced nuclear submarine down to explore it and discovers more than he ever could have imagined.

Via Press Release:

SYFY UNVEILS NEW QUARTERLY MULTIMEDIA EVENTS “RINGWORLD,” “HELIX,” “DOMINION,” “UNBREAKABLE” AND “OPPOSITE WORLDS”

OSCAR-WINNER JAMIE FOXX TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE, WRITE AND DIRECT HORROR ANTHOLOGY SERIES

UPCOMING REALITY SERIES JOE ROGAN QUESTIONS EVERYTHING, COSWORLD AND FANDEMONIUM

NEW YORK – April 10, 2013 – Syfy and Chiller President Dave Howe today unleashed the imagination of the advertising community by announcing an original programming slate featuring Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx (Ray, Django Unchained) executive producing, writing and directing a horror anthology series, a trio of new reality series – Joe Rogan Questions Everything, Cosworld and Fandemonium – and 19 scripted and reality development projects, including The Jim Henson Creature Shop, a creature competition program.

Howe further announced a groundbreaking strategy of major quarterly multiscreen events showcasing new high concept programs, including Ringworld, a miniseries based on Larry Niven’s classic novel; Helix, an epic thriller from Battlestar Galactica’s Ronald D. Moore; the scripted series Dominion (working title) from Sons of Anarchy writer Vaun Wilmott; Opposite Worlds, a real life Hunger Games-type competition, and Unbreakable, an unscripted program testing contestants through mental and physical extremes.

In making the announcement, Howe said: “This upfront season, we’re embarking on a bold and ambitious new programming strategy that further reinforces Syfy as the premier destination for high-concept, boundary pushing entertainment experiences. Building on the transmedia sensation Defiance, Syfy will create and deliver buzzy and highly social event programming every quarter that will stand out in the marketplace. These interactive tent-poles embrace the second screen experience our unique and valuable Igniter viewers now expect, and deliver greater and deeper partnership opportunities for our advertisers’ brands. Going forward Syfy is committed to delivering innovation through smart, upscale, aspirational original content, backed up by the scale and gender balance of a top 10 network.”

Bolstering its powerhouse scripted programming lineup, Syfy announced that the five-episode series from Jamie Foxx will join Defiance, Warehouse 13, Being Human, Haven and the upcoming Helix from Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica). Syfy will also begin production on the pilot of High Moon, from Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies), based on John Christopher’s best-selling novel The Lotus Cave.

Said Mark Stern, President, President, Original Content, Syfy, and Co-Head, Original Content, Universal Cable Productions: “By shattering the boundaries of conventional storytelling, Syfy has become synonymous with provocative, quality television. Each year, the bar for success is raised by the expectations of our audience – and ourselves. We’re always reaching for greater imaginative heights. These new creative alliances, with this illustrious roster of award-winning talent, underscores Syfy’s commitment to bringing our viewers the very finest programming.”

New original scripted development projects – including 8 from Universal Cable Productions — will include No Place from Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future), Clandestine from Gale Anne Hurd (The Walking Dead) and Sojourn from Jason Blum (Paranormal Activity). These will expand the existing development slate highlighted by Proof, produced by M. Night Shyamalan (After Earth), the British cult favorite Blake’s 7, directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale), and Dominion from Defiance director Scott Stewart and writer Vaun Wilmott (Sons of Anarchy).

From MGM Television and Universal Cable Productions (UCP), Syfy announced that it is developing miniseries based on Larry Niven’s award-winning novel Ringworld, as well as Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood’s End, from executive producer Michael DeLuca (The Social Network) and UCP.

Previously, Syfy announced it is developing Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle from Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions, writer/executive producer Frank Spotnitz, Headline Pictures and FremantleMedia International; Stephen King’s Eyes of the Dragon, from UCP and Ostar Productions, and Darkfall, from UCP and Jim Henson Productions, as long form productions.

Building on Syfy’s hit reality programming like Face Off and Ghost Hunters, new unscripted series will range from Fandemonium, a dizzying ride into the fan girl and fan boy cultures, Cosworld, which follows the country’s hottest cosworld players, and Joe Rogan Questions Everything, an investigative series hosted by Joe Rogan (Fear Factor).

Among the unscripted shows in development is a paranormal project with Meat Loaf; The Jim Henson Creature Shop, a creature competition program from Jim Henson Studios; Unbreakable, based on The Death Race, an extreme endurance race held annually in Vermont, along with current reality pilots such as Opposite Worlds, in which twenty people live in two distinctly different worlds – the Past and the Future.

Syfy further announced that upcoming second screen initiatives will be included in Helix, where viewers can use Syfy Sync to gain real-time access to the research lab depicted in the series through a two screen experience called “Access Granted”; for Unbreakable, viewers will be able to Skype with contestants via a Facebook App to predict who’ll win each week’s challenges; Google Plus Hangout Chats with the cast of Fandemonium; the Cosworld cast vlogging to share fantasy secrets with fans, and viewers will have the ability to select alternate endings for Jamie Foxx’s horror anthology series.

In delivering valuable viewers to its programming, Syfy’s Igniters drive consumer behavior and new products through social media. Compared to viewers of the top 10 cable networks*, Igniters are:

· 62% more likely to be “Super Influential” video game consumers

· 40% more likely to have friends ask their advice before buying electronics

· 32% more likely to keep up with the latest advances in auto technology

· 32% more likely to have people copy what they do/wear

· 24% more likely to have family/friends ask for and trust their advice on soft drinks

· 16% more likely to recommend vacation travel to people

· 14% more likely to see movies opening weekend

*based on Simmons/MRI data

A global brand, Syfy is currently available in 60 countries, reaching nearly 145 million households.

NEW REALITY SERIES

Joe Rogan Questions Everything (working title) – Premieres Tuesday, July 16 at 9PM — Life-long unexplained paranormal mystery-addict Joe Rogan ventures into unknown worlds and untapped territories to search for answers to life’s most startling theories. Having explored these questions for years on his podcast, Joe now takes his journey to the next level, traveling the country and knocking on any door necessary to find the truth. In his own unique and inquisitive style, Joe will stop at nothing to quench his curiosity for the unknown. Production company: A. Smith & Co. Executive producers: Arthur Smith, Joe Rogan, Kent Weed, Frank Sinton, Michael Braverman, Tod Mesirow, Barry Bloom, Jeff Sussman and Chandra Keyes.

Cosworld (working title) – Premieres Tuesday, August 27 at 10PM– Cosworld is a tantalizing six-episode docuseries that lifts the veil on the imaginative world of cosplay competition. The series follows some of the hottest cosplay stars as they make a splash at comic book conventions around the country. The show dives deep into their lives, following their process as they create extravagant and visually arresting costumes each week. These individuals will constantly defy odds and race against the clock to transform themselves into amazing fictional characters that push the boundaries between fantasy and reality, all in hopes of impressing the convention judges to win a cash prize and the chance to become a cosplay legend. Production company: 51 Minds, an Endemol Company. Executive producers: Mark Cronin, Courtland Cox and Dave Caplan.

Fandemonium (working title) – Premieres Fall 2013 — From the producer of Jersey Shore comes Fandemonium – a six-part docuseries that celebrates the incredibly unique, often misunderstood, and infinitely fascinating fan girl and fan boy culture. Living together in an LA apartment complex, a tight-knit group of pop culture-obsessed fans continue to find their place in the world and flourish, thanks to their passions and personalities. Whether it’s being first in line for the latest blockbuster, making a lasting impression upon getting the chance to meet their heroes, or just figuring out how to balance their passions with making a living – when these friends get together, it’s flat out Fandemonium. Production company: 495 Productions. Executive producer: SallyAnn Salsano.

NEW SCRIPTED SERIES

Untitled Jamie Foxx Project (five episodes) – Premieres October — Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx will executive produce, write and direct this half-hour, horror anthology — in the vein of Tales from the Crypt/The Twilight Zone – which tells creepy morality tales addressing themes such as envy, jealousy and superficiality. Troy Miller (Flight of the Conchords, Brand X) will serve as executive producer through his production company Dakota Pictures. Writers on the project include Foxx, Mike Ferris (Terminator: Salvation) and John Pogue (Army Wives, Everwood). Writer Jeff Stilson, Jaime King and Julie Yorn will also serve as executive producers. Studio: Universal Cable Productions.

Helix — A team of scientists investigate a possible disease outbreak in an Arctic research facility and find themselves trying to protect the world from annihilation. Co-executive producer & writer: Cameron Porsandeh. Executive producers: Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica), Steven Maeda (Lost, CSI: Miami), Lynda Obst (Contact). Production company: Lynda Obst Pictures & Tall Ship Productions. Studio: Sony Pictures Television.

NEW SCRIPTED PILOTS

High Moon — High Moon is an imaginative, out-of-this-world series exploring what happens when the countries of Earth establish colonies to mine the Moon’s resources and discover a new form of life. Chaos erupts in a genuinely emotional, humorously thrilling and always unexpected fashion as the people of the Moon race to uncover this life form’s powerful secrets. Co-executive producer/writer: Jim Danger Gray (Pushing Daisies, Hannibal). Executive producer/writer: Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Pushing Daisies). The pilot is written by Gray from a story by Fuller and Gray. Executive producers: Cary Granat & Steve Granat of Reel FX and Don Murphy & Susan Montford of Angry Films (Real Steel, Transformers). Studio: UCP.

NEW LONG FORM DEVELOPMENT

Ringworld — In Ringworld, based on the Hugo Award-winning novel by Larry Niven, a hastily-assembled team of explorers travels to the farthest reaches of space to investigate a mind-blowing alien artifact called Ringworld – an artificial habitat the size of one million Earths. As they crash land on this enormous structure, they discover the remnants of ancient civilizations, technology beyond their wildest dreams, mysteries that shed light on the very origins of man and, most importantly, a possible salvation for a doomed Earth. Adapted by writer Michael Perry (The River, Paranormal Activity 2), Ringworld is being developed as a four-hour mini-series Syfy event. The project is a co-production of MGM Television and Universal Cable Productions (UCP), with MGM as the lead studio. Executive producers are William S. Todman and Edward Milstein.

Childhood’s End — Based on the Arthur C. Clarke novel, the story follows a peaceful alien invasion of Earth by the mysterious Overlords, whose arrival ends all war and turns the planet into a near-utopia. Childhood’s End will be executive produced by Michael DeLuca (The Social Network) with Universal Cable Productions serving as the studio.

NEW SCRIPTED SERIES DEVELOPMENT

No Place — The residents of a high-tech gated community arise one day to find themselves cut off from the rest of reality. Outside the walls of Paradise Hill is…nothing. Now the neighborhood must figure out how to survive as resources dwindle and tensions rise. Writers: John Brancato & Mike Ferris (Terminator Salvation, The Game). Executive producers: Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke, Brancato and Ferris. Circle of Confusion will also produce the project with David Alpert (The Walking Dead) and Rick Jacobs as executive producers. Matt Hawkins and Marc Silvestri serve as executive producers for Top Cow. Studio: Fox Television Studios.

Dominion (working title) – In this series (formerly called Legion), 20 years after evil angels descended from heaven to lay waste to the human souls they felt God had favored over them, a reluctant “savior” must arise to protect Vega, the last remaining stronghold of humanity. The savior has more to fear than just angels, as the elites of this new society conspire to gain power for themselves. Writer/CO-EP: Vaun Wilmott (Sons of Anarchy). Director/EP: Scott Stewart (Defiance). EP: David Lancaster. Studio: Sony Pictures Television. Based on the feature film “Legion'” produced by Bold Films.

Orion –In this space opera Orion, an adventurous female relic hunter, tracks down valuable artifacts while trying to piece together her past. Set amidst an intergalactic war pitting humans against a terrifying alien race, Orion must decide whether to use her abilities to save herself or commit to the cause and unearth long hidden artifacts that could free all of humanity from a horrible fate. Executive producers/writers: Ron Milbauer & Terri Hughes Burton (Alphas). Co-executive producers: George Krstic & Ryuhei Kitamura. Supervising producer: F.J. Desanto. Studio: UCP.

Sojourn — The first detective ever in space is tasked with investigating a murder on a starship — headed to colonize another planet – and instead becomes embroiled in a vast conspiracy involving a mysterious terrible crime dating back to the original launch of the ship 50 years ago. Writer: Phil Levens (Smallville). Producer: Jason Blum (Paranormal Activity). Studio: Lionsgate.

Clandestine – After a clan of bandits are nearly destroyed and left for dead by Coalition forces, they take refuge in the nearest safe haven, a derelict Coalition starship floating in space. Once onboard, they masquerade as Coalition officers while continuing their criminal ways – until they stumble upon a shocking realization about the true nature of the Coalition. Writers: Todd Stashwick & Dennis Calero. Executive producers: Gale Anne Hurd (The Walking Dead) and John Shiban (Hell on Wheels). Studio: UCP.

Infinity — When an alien armada is sighted in the region of Pluto, the Earth government turns to a young billionaire industrialist — who has the only ship ready for interstellar travel — to greet the aliens and avoid a catastrophe. Powered by secret alien technology discovered on Earth in the 1960’s, the ship engages in a firefight that sends them spinning through a wormhole into an uncharted region of space. Lost in the universe, the team struggles to survive as they encounter new planets and alien species, searching for a way back home. Writer: Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost). Producer: Berman/Braun Television. Studio: Universal Television.

Silver Shields — When his father is slain by assassins connected to the government of the large nearby city of Pont Royal, farm boy Caymer journeys there to continue his father’s legacy as a member of the local police force — and to solve the mystery of his father’s death. He discovers that his simple country view on life is at odds with the big city, filled with orcs and other magical creatures. Executive producer/writer: Robert Hewitt Wolfe (Alphas). Producer: Aaron Kaplan. Studio: UCP.

Shelter – A massive meteorite is headed toward Earth, forcing 30,000 hand-picked humans to live underground in a government funded shelter in order to start a new society. What begins as a Utopia quickly succumbs to the old human faults and jealousies as certain members of society create alliances to gain favor and power. Meanwhile things on the surface are not what they seem. Humans slowly realize that this event may have been fated and the survivors meant for a greater purpose in rebooting life on Earth. Executive producer/writer: Bruce Joel Rubin (Deep Impact) and co-executive producer/writer Ari Rubin. Studio: UCP.

Untitled Alfonso Moreno Project — After a meteorite strikes a plane, the only two survivors find themselves sleepwalking and waking up with no memory of their actions. On the run from the government, they must figure out what happened to them and prove their innocence. Executive producers: Alfonso Moreno (NCIS) & Ross Fineman (Lights Out). Studio: Fox Television Studios.

LONG FORM SCRIPTED DEVELOPMENT

Eyes Of The Dragon – Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel. A kingdom is in turmoil as the old king dies and his successor must battle for the throne. Pitted against an evil wizard and a would-be rival, Prince Peter makes a daring escape and rallies the forces of good to fight for what is rightfully his. Writers: Michael Taylor (Defiance, Battlestar Galactica) and Jeff Vintar (I, Robot). Executive producers: Michael Taylor and Bill Haber. A production of Universal Cable Productions and Ostar Productions.

Darkfall – When, without warning, modern forms of power and technology become a thing of the past, Los Angeles, and the world at large, becomes a place where magic rules and life as we know it is turned upside down. Writers: Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris (Kung Fu Panda, Sleeper Cell). A production of The Jim Henson Company and Universal Cable Productions.

NEW REALITY SERIES DEVELOPMENT

Opposite Worlds — Opposite Worlds is based on the mega-sensation Latin American reality series, Mundos Opuestos, in which twenty people from all walks of life are mixed together in two opposing teams that live in two distinctly different worlds – the Past and the Future. The Future is a Utopia where every wish can be granted with a push of a button; the Past is a constant struggle for survival. Each week, players compete in a series of challenges to determine who lives in the Past and who lives in the Future, and fight to be the last man standing. Production company: Smart Dog Media. Executive producer: Craig Plestis. Format devised by Canal 13, Sergio Nakasone, Juan Pablo Planas and Veronica Ruaro.

Unbreakable — Based on The Death Race, an extreme endurance race held annually in Vermont, Unbreakable sets to test competitors’ inner resolve to persevere through mental and physical extremes. Nothing is as it seems in this competition, where contestants must navigate through a seemingly natural but altered environment full of obstacles and challenges. Testing each individual’s spirit to its limit, the contestants will either self-eliminate or fall by the wayside, until only one will remain to conquer all. Production company: Pilgrim Studios. Executive producers: Craig Piligian and Joe Desena

The Jim Henson Creature Shop – For generations the craftsmen at The Jim Henson Creature Shop have brought to life imaginative, lovable and memorable characters that have enthralled audiences around the world. Now, aspiring creature makers will have an opportunity to win the job of a lifetime – an apprenticeship with the Creature Shop. Teams of amateur creators will face off to build elaborate and awe-inspiring creatures, ranging from animatronic monsters and fantastical puppets, to life-like beasts and beyond! Creations are judged by Brian Henson – son of Jim Henson and Chairman to the Henson empire – along with top industry experts. Executive producers: Brian Henson (The Jim Henson Company) and Joseph Freed.

Meat Loaf Rocks the Paranormal (working title) — Meat Loaf Rocks the Paranormal features rock legend Meat Loaf and his colorful but divided family of skeptics and believers. Unlike the typical family vacation, Meat Loaf, his two daughters and rock star son-in-law Scott Ian of Anthrax travel to America’s most haunted and famous locations to settle the family’s paranormal debate. Production company: Thinkfactory Media. Executive producers: Adam Reed, Adam Freeman and Leslie Greif.

The Gadget Show – Based on the popular UK series, The Gadget Show previews and reviews the latest technological gadgets fit for mass consumers. Traveling around the globe, the show’s gadget-obsessed hosts highlight the coolest tech trends, world premiere inventions and engineers of the future. Mixing in-studio segments with out-in-the-world product testing, the hosts perform adrenaline-fueled stunts to determine the quality of the hottest new devices about to be put on the market. Production company: All3Media America/North One Television. Executive producers: Stephen Lambert, Eli Holzman and Ewan Keil.

Dead Famous (working title) — When celebrities pass before their time, questions are often left unanswered with their loved ones and fans. Dead Famous sets out to find answers to those questions and to provide closure via a LIVE séance, led by a medium and with friends, family and paranormal investigators in attendance. Leading up to the séance, the Dead Famous host will visit the celebrity’s private locations and collect personal items which will then be used to help make contact. Production company: Smart Dog Media. Executive producers: Craig Plestis, Guiliana Rancic and Colet Abedi.

Graveyard Shift — Graveyard Shift follows Josh Gates as he journeys alongside people whose extreme jobs and bizarre lives start after the sun goes down. Whether holding the night guard position at a notoriously haunted graveyard in Baltimore, installing neon lights in the most extreme skyscraper in the Chicago skyline, or journeying through mysterious underground tunnels with a city’s public works department, Gates will battle his fears and imagination while venturing to places where few dare to go. Production company: Discovery Studios. Executive producers: Josh Gates, Eddie Barbini, and Gary Shapiro.

Make Me a Millionaire Inventor — Based on the British series, Make Me Millionaire Inventor follows a team of engineers and scientists as they hunt through the U.S. Patent Office for the best inventions — never made — to make inventors’ dreams come true. The show will pick different patents each week and track down the original inventors to surprise them with the offer of a lifetime: a chance to finally bring their idea to fruition. The team will then coach the inventors as they prepare to pitch a working prototype to industry pioneers – in hopes of making the most important sale of their lives. Production company: Objective Productions/Kalel Productions/All3Media America. Executive producers: Nick Parnes, Andrew O’Connor and Eli Holzman.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast Corporation. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

GEEK ALERT! SyFy: Ronald D. Moore’s ‘Helix’ Greenlighted For Full Season

SyFy is reuniting with Battlestar Galactica‘s Ronald D. Moore for a brand new epic SciFi series, Helix, scheduled to begin production soon and air later this year. Not only is this cool on its face because Moore doesn’t slap his name to anything unless it’s awesome to begin with, but SyFy has so much faith in this that they skipped the whole pilot process, opting to order an entire 13 episode season without seeing a single produced episode.  That’s what you call faith.

Via Press Release:

SYFY REUNITES WITH RONALD D. MOORE GREENLIGHTS NEW SCRIPTED SERIES HELIX FROM SONY PICTURES TELEVISION FOR 2013

MOORE AND LYNDA OBST SERVE AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

NEW YORK – March 7, 2013 – Syfy is giving a 13-episode greenlight to Helix (working title), its newest original scripted series for 2013, it was announced today by Mark Stern, President of Original Content, Syfy and Co-Head Original Content, Universal Cable Productions. Helix is Executive Produced by Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica), Lynda Obst (Sleepless in Seattle, Contact), Steven Maeda (Lost, CSI: Miami, The X-Files) and Cameron Porsandeh, who wrote the pilot, will serve as Co-Executive Producer. The series will be produced by Sony Pictures Television.

Helix is an intense thriller about a team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control who travel to a high-tech research facility in the Arctic to investigate a possible disease outbreak, only to find themselves pulled into a terrifying life-and-death struggle that holds the key to mankind’s salvation or total annihilation.

“With its well-drawn characters, taut drama, and incredible production team, we couldn’t be more excited to see this intense thrill-ride of a series come to life,” said Mark Stern.

Helix is expected to begin production early in 2013 to debut later this year.

Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry’s leading content providers, producing and distributing programming worldwide in every genre including comedy, drama and reality series, telefilms and theatrical releases, for every platform. SPT is a leader in local language production around the world with 18 production companies outside the US, and also sells SPE-owned formats in approximately 70 countries. SPT’s worldwide television networks portfolio includes 124 channel feeds, which are available in 159 countries reaching more than 800 million households. Additionally, SPT owns multiplatform video service Crackle and is a part owner of GSN, 3net, FEARnet, and ITN Networks, Inc.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

GEEK ALERT! SyFy: ‘Sinbad,’ ‘Primeval: New World’ Premiere Date Announced

Via Press Release:

NEW YORK – March 28, 2013 – Building on the success of acquired original series such as Lost Girl and Continuum, Syfy today announced that Sinbad and Primeval: New World will join the prime time schedule beginning Saturday, June 8.

Debuting at 9PM (ET/PT), the 12-episode Sinbad follows the epic sea journey of the flawed hero Sinbad, played by newcomer Elliot Knight, who embarks on a quest to rid himself of a curse and embrace his destiny, as he is forced to flee from his home town of Basra. On board The Providence, an intriguing band of travelers is thrown together, including taciturn Norwegian sailor Gunnar (Elliot Cowan/Marchlands), agile jewel-thief Rina (Marama Corlett/The Devil’s Double), and haughty and aristocratic Nala (Estella Daniels/Thorne). Completing the ship’s complement is the odd-ball cook (Junix Inocian/The 51st State) and the cerebral doctor Anwar (Dimitri Leonidas/Grange Hill).

Sinbad is a British Sky Broadcasting presentation of An Impossible Pictures Production. Producer is Grainne Marmion. Executive producers are Tim Haines, Sophie Gardiner and Andrew Woodhead. The series is distributed by BBC Worldwide.

Following at 10PM (ET/PT) will be Primeval: New World. The 13-episode series will star Niall Matter (Eureka), Sara Canning (The Vampire Diaries) and Danny Rahim (Eastenders) as a team of animal experts and scientists investigating paranormal events, while battling both prehistoric and futuristic creatures. Amanda Tapping, who starred in the Syfy series Sanctuary, is on board to direct several episodes.

Based on the original series from Impossible Pictures, Primeval: New World’s creative team is led by executive producers Martin Wood (Sanctuary, Stargate: Atlantis) and Gillian Horvath (Sanctuary, Highlander). The spin-off was created by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens (Star Trek: Enterprise, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World) and written by Gillian Horvath, Peter Hume (Charmed, Flash Gordon), Jon Cooksey (The Collector, The Outer Limits), Sarah Dodd (Flashpoint, Arctic Air), Katherine Collins (Endgame), and Judith and Garfield Reeve-Stevens.

Primeval: New World is produced by Omnifilm Entertainment. Executive producers for Ominfilm are Gabriela Schonbach and Michael Chechik. The series is produced and developed in association with Bell Media, German free-to-air broadcaster ProSieben, and UKTV channel Watch, with the participation of the Canadian Media Fund, The Province of British Columbia Film Incentive BC, The Canadian Film & Video Production Tax Credit Program, and British Columbia Film. Leading independent studio, Entertainment One, holds the international distribution rights.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast Corporation. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

GEEK ALERT: MAJOR Details On ‘Doctor Who’ 50th Anniversary Special Episode Revealed (Guess Who’s Coming Back?)

Woo Hoo!!!

Via Press Release:

AHEAD OF TONIGHT’S PREMIERE, DOCTOR WHO ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR CAST FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Mar 30, 2013 | BBC AMERICA

AHEAD OF TONIGHT’S PREMIERE, DOCTOR WHO ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR CAST FOR 50^TH ANNIVERSARY

David Tennant and Billie Piper to return for blockbuster celebrations with John Hurt also confirmed

Ahead of tonight’s premiere, Doctor Who revealed some of the all-star cast that will mark the 50th anniversary.  David Tennant and Billie Piper will join current Doctor and companion, Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman, while John Hurt (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Alien, Harry Potter) will also co-star.

Last seen as the Doctor on January 1, 2010, this will be the first time Tennant has reprised his role as the Tenth Doctor.  During his reign as the Time Lord, Tennant appeared in three series as well as several specials.  He was first revealed as the Doctor in the 2005 series finale, The Parting of the Ways.

Meanwhile Billie Piper, who played companion Rose Tyler for two series following the reboot in 2005, will appear in the show for the first time since featuring in Tennant’s last episode, The End of Time in 2010.

Also confirmed to join the cast is John Hurt who will also co-star in the anniversary special that will form part of blockbuster celebrations.  Produced by BBC Cymru Wales for BBC One, the 50th anniversary will be written by Steven Moffat and Directed by Nick Hurran.

Billie Piper as Rose Tyler

Filming for the 50th anniversary begins this week in the UK. Meanwhile, Doctor Who returns to BBC America tonight, March 30, 8:00pm ET/PT with eight epic episodes, which officially introduces the Doctor’s newest companion, Clara Oswald, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman. Doctor Who will be immediately followed by the world-premiere of new original series Orphan Black at 9:00pm ET/PT and Chris Hardwick’s The Nerdist at 10:00pm ET/PT as part of BBC America’s Supernatural Saturday.

All-new special, Doctor Who: The Companions, premieres Sunday, March 31, 7:00pm ET/PT. As the Doctor’s newest companion, Clara Oswald, steps into the TARDIS, take a look back at previous companions that have won over the Doctor’s heart in Doctor Who: The Companions. Along the way, companions old and new talk about how the show has changed their lives, and how they’ve never quite managed to leave the TARDIS behind. Matt Smith and David Tennant are joined by fellow contributors including John Barrowman (Captain Jack), Arthur Darvill (Rory) and Noel Clarke (Mickey).

Additionally, David Tennant’s two-part special Spies of Warsaw premieres on Wednesday, April 3, 9:00pm ET as part of BBC AMERICA’s Dramaville programming block. Adapted by renowned Emmy^®-winning writing team Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (Across the Universe, Tracey Takes On…) and executive produced by Richard Fell (Outcasts), Spies of Warsaw is based on The New York Times Bestselling author Alan Furst’s acclaimed novel. David Tennant and Janet Montgomery (Made in Jersey, Black Swan, Entourage) star in the thrilling spy story set in Poland, Paris and London in the years leading up to the Second World War.

DOCTOR WHO SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter: @BBCAMERICA @DoctorWho_BBCA #DoctorWho

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BBCAMERICA and https://www.facebook.com/DoctorWho

Tumblr: http://doctorwho.tumblr.com/

BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy®, five Golden Globes® and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable’s most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in more than 80.7 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist. Find out more by visiting www.press.bbcamerica.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/bbcamerica.

GEEK ALERT! Doctor Who Season Seven (Part Two) Trailer, Details & New Posters

What better way to get prepared for part two of  Doctor Who‘s seventh season then by giving its fans a sneak peek at some of the details about the upcoming episodes and some new posters?  For the record, the press release is calling the details “spoilers.”  They aren’t.  They are basic synopses of the premise.  Read further without fear.

Scroll down for your posters.

Via Press Release:

ALL-NEW DOCTOR WHO DETAILS AND POSTER IMAGES REVEALED AHEAD OF MARCH 30 PREMIERE ON BBC AMERICA

Mar 17, 2013 | BBC AMERICA

Doctor Who premiere followed by new series Orphan Black and Chris Hardwick’s The Nerdist as part of Supernatural Saturday

The Doctor kicks off this new run of adventures by searching for his companion Clara – an Impossible Girl he’s already lost twice. Together they find themselves battling monsters on distant alien planets, trapped in a Russian submarine with a deadly passenger, chasing terrifying ghosts, delving into the heart of the TARDIS, facing the Crimson Horror in Victorian Yorkshire, and coming face to face with an army of upgraded Cybermen. The action grows and the Doctor’s oldest secret threatens to be revealed as the world’s longest running science fiction series builds toward its explosive 50^th anniversary in November 2013. Doctor Who premieres Saturday, March 30, 8:00pm ET/PT on BBC AMERICA as part of Supernatural Saturday.

Following the premiere of Doctor Who, Matt Smith will be one of the first guests on BBC America’s The Nerdiston Saturday, March 30, 10:00pm ET/PT.

SERIES CREDITS
The Doctor                                   Matt Smith (Going for Gold, Christopher and His Kind)
Clara Oswald                             Jenna-Louise Coleman (Emmerdale, Captain America: The First Avenger)

Executive Producer
and Lead Writer                         Steven Moffat (Sherlock)

Executive Producer                    Caroline Skinner (The Fades)

Series Producer                         Marcus Wilson (True Dare Kiss, Life on Mars)

SYNOPSES

**SPOILER WARNING**

The Bells of Saint John – Episode 6

The Doctor’s search for Clara Oswald brings him to modern day London, where Wi-Fi is everywhere. Humanity lives in a Wi-Fi soup. But something dangerous is lurking in the signals, picking off minds and imprisoning them. As Clara becomes the target of this insidious menace, the Doctor races to save her and the world from an ancient enemy.

Episode credits: Written by Steven Moffat, directed by Colm McCarthy (Ripper Street, The Tudors), and produced by Denise Paul (Taggart).

The Rings of Akhaten  – Episode 7

Clara wants to see something awesome, so the Doctor whisks her off to the inhabited rings of the planet Akhaten, where the Festival of Offerings is in full swing. Clara meets the young Queen of Years as the pilgrims and natives ready for the ceremony. But something is stirring in the pyramid, and a sacrifice will be demanded.

Episode credits: Written by Neil Cross (Mama, Luther), directed by Farren Blackburn (Luther, The Fades) and produced by Denise Paul

Cold War – Episode 8

The Doctor and Clara land on a damaged Russian Submarine in 1983 as it spirals out of control into the ocean depths. An alien creature is loose on board, having escaped from a block of Arctic ice. With tempers flaring and a cargo of nuclear weapons on board, it’s not just the crew but the whole of humanity at stake!

Episode credits: Written by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock) and directed by Douglas Mackinnon (Silent Witness).

Hide – Episode 9

Clara and the Doctor arrive at Caliburn House, a haunted mansion sat alone on a desolate moor. Within its walls, a ghost hunting Professor and a gifted psychic are searching for the Witch of the Well. Her apparition appears throughout the history of the building, but is she really a ghost? And what is chasing her?

Episode credits: Written by Neil Cross and directed by Jamie Payne (The Hour, Call the Midwife).

Details on episodes 10-13 will be released at a later date.

INTERVIEWS

STEVEN MOFFAT – Lead Writer and Executive Producer

Lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat gives us an insight in to the monsters and adventures that we can expect from the new series.

So it’s back and with James Bond-esque urban thriller.  Why did you decide to kick-off the new series with a very modern day threat?

It was Marcus Wilson’s idea. We were discussing how the first ep of the second run would probably be a contemporary Earth adventure, so the Doctor could meet the modern day Clara – and anyway, I wanted to do Wi-Fi monsters – and Marcus suggested we do a proper urban thriller.  The Doctor can never be Bond or Bourne – but if he tried it might look a bit like this.

What else can we expect from the new series?

A haunted house, a submarine, a planet with cool rings, Victorian Yorkshire, a journey into the TARDIS, Dame Diana Rigg and her daughter Rachael Stirling together on screen for the first time, new Cybermen, and the Doctor’s greatest secret revealed.

You are bringing back a couple of classic monsters with the Cybermen and Ice warriors, are there any new ones to look out for? 

Plenty of new monsters! Watch out for the Spoonheads, the Whispermen, and – my favorite – the Vigil. Oh and Neil Gaiman has done something horrible with the Cybermen!

We finally get to meet the Clara that will travel with the Doctor across the series’ eight epic adventures.  Can you tell us a little bit about her character?

You’ve sort of met her, but you sort of haven’t. The same shed load of attitude you saw before, the same rapid-fire banter with the Doctor, but this time she’s living in modern London with no memory of the Time Lord!

How has the dynamic of the relationship between the Doctor and his companion changed since the introduction of Clara?

It’s all new for the Doctor – this time the greatest mystery in the universe is standing right next to him.

What was it about Jenna that made you decide she would be right fit for the role of the new companion?

Casting is a funny process – the right people sort of choose themselves. It happened with Matt a long time ago, and when we saw him bantering with Jenna it happened again. Auditions start with you telling the actor about the character – sometimes they end with the actor telling you. That’s what happened with Jenna!

A ghost story, a period drama to end all period dramas and an underwater siege, was it intentional to go as big as possible with this series in the year of the 50th?

We try to make every year the biggest possible, but when you see that big, glittering 50 hanging above you, you start trying even harder. I’ve been a fan all by my life and I know we have to deliver!

MATT SMITH – The Doctor

Having run down corridors from every monster imaginable, Matt Smith returns as the Doctor to face old and new foe.  But he’s not alone.  Along for the ride in his brand new TARDIS is the Doctor’s latest companion, Clara Oswald.  Here Matt talks about what he is looking forward to from the epic new series.

I think it is going very exciting to introduce Clara to the world and Steven has hit a real vein of form, explains Matt as he chats enthusiastically about the new series.

Along with a new costume this series, the Doctor has a new TARDIS to travel through space and time. Walking on to the new TARDIS was like the first day at school, explains Matt.  I actually found it quite difficult as I had got so used to the rhythm of acting on the old one, where I used to slide about on the glass floor, but Michael Pickwoad has done a fabulous job, he continues.  This one is more like a machine.

Having lost his first companions, the Ponds, at the hands of the Weeping Angels in New York last year and after a period of mourning the Doctor is joined by a new companion this series, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman, she’s done brilliantly well, says Matt.  She’s kind, charming, thoroughly prepared and very brave as an actress.  And most importantly of all we get on, which is vital on a show like this.  I’m so proud of what she has achieved in the last year, he concludes.

So what do fans have to look forward to this series?  An urban thriller, ‘The Bells of Saint John,’ brings the series back with a bang as the Doctor’s search for Clara Oswald takes him to modern day London, where Wi-Fi is everywhere. But something dangerous is lurking in the signals, picking off minds and imprisoning them.  Filming for this James Bond-esque thriller took Matt to Westminster Bridge, the Southbank and St Paul’s,amazing, I loved shooting in London, says Matt, there is something so brilliant about having the locations there ratherthan just adding them in. 

Following on from this the second episode, ‘The Rings of Akhaten,’ take the Doctor and Clara away from earth and on their first proper adventure…..in outer space.  Featuring an alien market Matt remarks, it was very ‘Whoey’.  We had between 50 to 60 prosthetic aliens, which is something that only really this show can offer, he continues, making it a very unique experience as an actor.

As well as introducing some new monsters, the new series brings back a couple of old monsters in the form of the Ice Warriors and Cybermen, I think it’s good to pay homage to the classic series, says Matt, especially for the fans.  This series we have modernized some of the monsters for a whole new generation.

Soggy, like drowned rats, Matt is explaining the shooting experience for the third episode ‘Cold War,’ written by Mark Gatiss.  Set on a Russian submarine spiraling out of control in 1983 an alien creature is loose on board, having escaped from a block of Arctic ice.  They built a submarine and the five-year old in me was like “yeah it’s a submarine!” says Matt. I loved getting sprayed down at the beginning of the shoot, Matt continues, and it wasn’t a chore as it does so much of the acting for you, making it really authentic.   Mark Gatiss has delivered one of the best episodes of the series, he concludes.

JENNA-LOUISE COLEMAN – Clara Oswald

The new series will mark the official introduction of the Doctor’s latest companion, Clara Oswald.  Having already appeared in the series opener ‘Asylum of the Daleks’ in September and as Clara in the Christmas special, ‘The Snowmen,’ here Jenna explains a little bit about her character and working with monsters.

Very excited, Jenna is talking animatedly about her first series as the Doctor’s companion.  It will be fantastic to see the final version with all of the elements put together.

Having made a surprise appearance as one of the Doctor’s most notorious of enemies, a Dalek, in last year’s series opener, audiences have been treated to two different versions of the latest companion.  We’ve had one introduction to Clara in the Christmas special, but not necessarily the same Clara we will see in this series, explains Jenna.  But the essence of all the different versions is the same, Jenna continues, she’s very brave and resourceful, a match for the Doctor and an explorer in her own right.  She dreams of travelling and seeing the world and wants more than what’s on offer.

So how has Jenna found working with Matt Smith?  Just a joy, it really is.  He is the most perfect leading man and sets such a lovely tone on set, making the atmosphere so wonderful.  There’s not much more you could ask for in your co-star, she concludes.

The series opener ‘The Bells of Saint John’ is a modern day urban thriller, which sees the Doctor and Clara face a monster in the Wi-Fi, as minds are uploaded by an organization run by Miss Kizlet (Celia Imrie).  Set in London, Jenna was thrown in to the deep end as she was asked to get on a motorbike…driven by the notoriously clumsy Matt Smith.

I loved shooting in London, says Jenna, it was so much fun.  It was one of those moments where I thought “I’m filming Doctor Who, on a motorbike, riding across Westminster Bridge with the Houses of Parliament in the background.”  So would Jenna trust Matt to drive her on a motorbike in real life?  Well on screen it looks very exciting, but both of us were being very silly as we were so tightly strapped in.  I just clung on!

As the newest edition to the show, Jenna explains how this series will take the viewer on the same journey of discovery she experienced when she first joined, especially for episode two ‘The Rings of Akhaten’ which is set on an alien planet.  It’s one of my favorite episodes, says Jenna, it’s so weird and wonderful and something that only this show can offer.  It shows Clara for the first time what life with the Doctor will be like.  It’s a complete fantasy, she continues, and it’s great for audiences as the story begins again and we get to explore all these strange new worlds together, as well as getting to know the Doctor again.

The third episode, ‘Cold War,’ set on a Russian submarine marks the return of the classic Doctor Who monster the Ice Warriors.  They were terrifying, exclaims Jenna, I think this is the first time Clara is really, really scared.  The whole set was really realistic and built to size, which wasn’t too much of a problem for me,shejokes.   So how did they make it look so realistic?  Before every take they would come and spray us, the whole make-up process was reversed as they would damp us down in the morning and rub my mascara off!  We were soaking wet for two weeks.      

So having completed filming and watched most of the episodes, does Jenna have a favorite?  I really like The Rings of Akhaten as and it’s the first proper adventure for the Doctor and Clara.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter: @BBCAMERICA@BBCDoctorWho #DoctorWho

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BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy®, five Golden Globes® and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable’s most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in more than 80.7 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist. Find out more by visiting www.press.bbcamerica.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/bbcamerica.

GEEK ALERT! Straight Outta Vic’s Movie Den, New Hi-Res Pics From ‘Star Trek: Into Darkness’ & J.J. Abrams Grants Dying Trek Fan A Final Wish

EDITOR’S NOTE: Live, from New York… IT’S VIC’S MOVIE DEN!

Shawn: Most of our readers know that Vic De Leon is a regular contributor to The ‘Tastic but what most people don’t know is that he occasionally scoops even me… as he has done with these pics below. As blasphemous and shameful as it is for me to admit, I got scooped on Trek. So, yes, below is a straight-up jack of my colleague’s piece.

Before we get to that, though, I wanted to make a mention of a very touching story in regards to Star Trek: Into Darkness that has been making its rounds over the past couple of days. About six weeks ago, devoted Star Trek fan, Daniel Craft was diagnosed with terminal cancer and found out that he had only weeks to live.  Wanting to make his last days as happy and comfortable as possible, his friend Doug posted a plea from his wife, Paige, on Reddit 11 days ago to just make it possible for Daniel see the first ten minutes of the film that was shown at The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey because, for some reason, the theater they went to didn’t show it.

Well, the impassioned plea went viral and made its way to J.J. Abrams and he and Damon Lindelhof got in touch with them and had a producer personally hand-deliver them a DVD of a rough cut of the feature film that premieres in May.  After, resting for a day to have the strength to watch the film, Paige made popcorn and she and Daniel watched the film and had a blast.  After the film was over, Daniel went to bed and didn’t get up again.  Friday morning, Paige took Daniel to the hospital for hospice care and with his wife and his brother at his side, he passed away at 10:15 p.m.  You can read more about this wonderful story and the amazing, albeit, sadly short life of Daniel Craft in this piece from THR.

We at The ‘Tastic want to commend Mr. Abrams, Mr. Lindelhof and all of those involved who made this act of kindness and generosity possible.  Now, without further adieu…

NERD ALERT!

Here are some new Hi Res Pics from the upcoming Paramount / J.J. Abrams motion picture – Star Trek – Into Darkness the direct sequel to the 2009 reboot also directed by Abrams.

In the following epic pictures we see more of Spock, Uhura, Scotty and Kirk along with a cool shot of Bruce Greenwood (Captain Chrsitopher Pike) and Chris Pine (Captain James T. Kirk) engaged in conversation. But the bad ass of the lot is hands down Benedict Cumberbatch as “John Harrison” He just looks totally hardcore.

The film will be released may 17th, 2013. Enjoy!

“After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.”

Click on the pics in the Gallery below for full size. Thanks for stopping in!

– Vic

SyFy Announces Return Of ‘Powerful Mondays’ With ‘Being Human,’ ‘Lost Girl’ and ‘Continuum’

Via Press Release:

SYFY’S POWERFUL MONDAYS PROGRAMMING BLOCK KICKS OFF 2013 WITH SEASON THREE  RETURNS OF HIT SERIES Being Human AND LOST GIRL 

PREMIERE OF TIME-TRAVELING POLICE DRAMA CONTINUUM

MONDAY, JANUARY 14 FROM 8-11PM 

NEW YORK – January 2, 2013 – Syfy’s Powerful Mondays programming block returns on Monday, January 14, kicking off with the premiere of the new original series Continuum at 8PM (ET/PT), followed by the season three returns of hit programs Being Human at 9PM and Lost Girl at 10PM. 

CONTINUUM – 8PM – The time-traveling police drama Continuum stars Rachel Nichols (Star Trek, Criminal Minds) as Kiera Cameron, a cop from the future who finds herself trapped in the present day. When a group of fanatical terrorists escapes their planned execution in 2077 by vaulting back in time to 2012, they inadvertently sweep along Kiera, a dedicated City Protective Services officer.  With unexpected assistance from teen tech genius Alec Sadler, played by Erik Knudsen (Jericho, Scream 4), Kiera infiltrates the local police department and forms an uneasy alliance with her new partner, detective Carlos Fonnegra, portrayed by Victor Webster (Castle, Melrose Place). Though desperate to get back to her husband and son, Kiera concentrates on bringing down the terrorists before they change the course of history. Executive producers of Continuum are Simon Barry (The Art of War), Jeff King (Stargate SG-1, White Collar), Tom Rowe (Tin Man), Pat Williams (Smallville) and Reunion Pictures. The series premiere, “A Stitch in Time,” is written by Simon Barry and directed by Jon Cassar (24, Terra Nova). 

Being Human – 9PM – Being Human stars Sam Witwer (Aidan), Meaghan Rath (Sally) and Sam Huntington (Josh) as three paranormal roommates (a vampire, ghost and werewolf) all trying to hold onto the remnants of their human lives while sharing each other’s secrets and a Boston brownstone. Kristen Hager, who has played Josh’s girlfriend Nora (also a werewolf) for the past two seasons, becomes a series regular this season.

The new season of Being Human picks up 15 months after the events of last season’s riveting finale which ended with Aidan buried alive as punishment from vampire leader Mother, Sally lost in a state of limbo, and Josh’s plot to kill Ray, his werewolf “maker,” endangering Nora instead.  Season 3 features new and returning guest stars including Mark Pellegrino, Amy Aquino, Xander Berkeley, Bobby Campo and Kyle Schmid. 

Being Human is a Muse Entertainment production in association with ZODIAK USA. It is based on the acclaimed series created by Toby Whithouse and produced by Touchpaper. Executive producers are Michael Prupas (The Kennedys, Pillars of the Earth), Anna Fricke (Men in Trees, Everwood) who is also showrunner and writer, Jeremy Carver (Supernatural), and Rob Pursey & Toby Whithouse. Irene Litinsky (Human Trafficking, The Phantom) is series producer.

LOST GIRL – 10PM – The victory in the final battle of Season 2 has created new alliances for Bo (series star Anna Silk) along with reinvigorating old enemies, like “The Morrigan,” played by Emmanuelle Vaugier (Two and a Half Men, Human Target), whom Bo crossed in an attempt to bring peace to the Faedom. Now Bo, who until now has refused to pick a side, will be forced to make a deadly decision. Among the guest stars will be Linda Hamilton (“Terminator”) and joining the Lost Girl cast this season is Rachel Skarsten (The Vow, Flashpoint) in a recurring role as “Tamsin,” a thrill-seeking, sexy new Fae who ruffles many feathers. Returning for season three are Kris Holden-Ried (The Tudors, Underworld 4) as “Dyson”; Ksenia Solo (Life Unexpected, Black Swan) as “Kenzi”; Zoie Palmer (The Guard, Instant Star) as “Lauren”; Rick Howland (Billable Hours, Murdoch Mysteries) as “Trick” and K.C. Collins (Owning Mahowny, Doomstown) as “Hale.” Lost Girl is a Prodigy Pictures Production in association with Shaw Media. Executive producers are Emily Andras, Plato Fountidakis, Paul Rapovski and Jay Firestone with Vanessa Piazza serving as a Co-Producer. 

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)