Roundup 10.27.11: SYFY
Well, we didn’t get invited to the annual Digital Press Tour, but we still have plenty of news about the Network Formerly Known as the Sci Fi Channel:
NEW SHOWS
This weekend, we’ll get treated to Ving Rhames battling the undead in “Zombie Apocalypse” on the Saturday night made-in-Canada movie. [See the trailer here]
Our buddies at Airlock Alpha has details on the schedule for all of the Christmas specials, plus the debut of “Lost Girl” in January. The new Canadian import (is there any other kind for this network?) will be the lead-in for the returning “Being Human”.
Another show making its debut soon: “Total Blackout” hosted by Jaleel “Urkel” White. This is a game show. People are put in the dark, and hilarity will ensue. Right? [Accidental Sexiness]
Also in the “what the…?” department: Syfy has ordered six episodes of “School Spirits” from Mark Burnett – yeah, the “Survivor” guy. “School Spirits” is what they call a “docu-series” that focuses on stories about haunted schools. Really. [More at Variety]
But the network that used to concentrate on science fiction shows actually may be developing another science fiction show with “Communion” – based on a book documenting people’s encounters with aliens. [More at Variety]
Deadline is reporting that Syfy will is going into development on a series based on The Adjustment Bureau, the trippy head-game movie starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin (“Smallville”) are set to produce for MRC/Universal. And while many comments on the boards have a tendency to compare the idea to “Fringe”, it’s too soon to tell what form this show would take.
NEW DELIVERY
And soon, you’ll be able to see this and everything else Syfy has to offer – on your XBox! Microsoft announced earlier this month, that it will soon start streaming number of channels through its game console. Anyone with a web-connected console and XBox Gold will be able to watch Syfy, HBO, and other network fare. [Christian Science Monitor]
Another game-related announcement came earlier this year, but more details came out at New York Comic Con about “Defiance” and how it will integrate both broadcast and video game elements in what they’re calling a “cross-media experience”. Syfy and Trion Worlds have Rockne S. O’Bannon (“Farscape”) working on the on-air side of things, while Trion is developing the game to launch on all platforms at the same time. [More at Crave Online]
By the by, Trion is also looking at an IPO, even though it’s not immediately imminent. [Baltimore Sun]
NEW DEALS
Deadline also has this updated report on the IATSE deal for the crew of “Face Off”.
Syfy has also renewed “Haven” for a third season. [Entertainment Weekly] [Zap2It] And you can read an interview with star Emily Rose as she talks about Uncharted 3 and her work as the voice of Elena Fisher.
And “Merlin” will also return for its fourth season in January as well. Did anyone realize the show’s been on this long?
For those who miss “Battlestar Galactica” and its flagship spacecraft, you can head over to TechnaBob to see this LEGO model. Called the Battlestar Berzerk, the model took two months and weighs 54 pounds. This should hold you over until Bryan Singer finishes the new Battlestar Galactica… Really.
