Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Stargate Atlantis - Kavan Smith Audio Interview

From DTRN (Destiny Radio Network) and The SciFi Guys:

http://www.dtrn.co.uk/

SciFi Guys Season Two

Wednesday, February 6th at 8pm (GMT)

Audio interview with Kavan Smith



(If you can't listen live, the interview should be available for download at the site the following day.)

Previous audio interviews include:


Season One

David Nykl

Chuck Campbell

Paul McGillion

Damian Kindler and Amanda Tapping

Dan Payne

Kate Hewlett

David Hewlett




Season Two

Beau Bridges

Eric Breker (SG1's Col. Reynolds)

Torri Higginson

Stargate Atlantis - Woolsey, Jackson and Beckett - Oh, My!

From Joseph Mallozzi's blog update for February 5, 2008:

http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2008/02/05/february-5-2008-extra-extra-read-all-about-it/

(Please follow the link for the complete blog update.)

February 5, 2008: Extra! Extra! Read all about it!


In case you hadn't noticed, that long-awaited Atlantis season 5 press release finally came out today (check it out here):

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=2&id=48051

For those of you who just got back from the moon and may have missed it, here are the salient points -

1. Woolsey assumes command of the Atlantis expedition!

I've always admired Robert Picardo's work in shows like China Beach and Star Trek: Voyager and we had been looking to cast him for a long time. Finally, the opportunity presented itself in SG-1's Heroes I and II in which he played the button-down Trust attorney Richard Woolsey. He was a fun, albeit not all-that-likable character, and it wasn't until his next appearance, in the episode Inauguration, that
we caught a glimpse of the man beneath the officious façade. Despite being innately hard-nosed and by-the-book, Woolsey redeems himself at episode's end by allowing his own moral compass to guide him rather than blindly follow the directions of his scheming employer, Vice President Kinsey. In ensuing appearances (Prototype, The Scourge, Return I and II, and the Seer), he proved himself at times obtrusive, fastidious, and, yes, a pain-in-the-ass, but also loyal, intelligent, and above all, principled.

Way back at the end of season three when we were considering a new commander, Woolsey was one of the first names that popped into my head. I thought he would be a great choice - an established player in the Stargate universe and an interesting character that could offer much in the way of potential conflict. It also didn't hurt that Bob is a nice guy, and a wonderful actor who has hit it out of the park every time he's appeared on the show. After much discussion though, it was decided at the time that Carter would be a better fit. And we had a great season with her. But with Amanda having made the difficult decision to commit herself to another project, the opportunity to bring in Woolsey presented itself once again. And, this time, we took it.

Of course, his appointment does beg certain questions, the chiefest being: If Carter was appointed commander of the Atlantis expedition as a military response to the ongoing replicator and wraith threat, what has changed between then and now? Good question. Tune into season 5 to find out.

2. The beloved Dr. Carson Beckett returns for five episodes!

It's impossible to write "Dr. Carson Beckett" without using the term "beloved" I've noticed. Anyway, yes, it's true, Paul McGillion will be back with us for 5 episodes. It was great having him back on set in season 4 and we all look forward to seeing significantly more of him this year. "How is this possible?"you ask. "I thought he was dead!"you say. Hey, now that you mention it, he WAS dead! How does that work? Well, tune in to the last few episode of season 4 to find out.

3. Daniel Jackson will be guesting in some episodes.

So far, we've got a terrific, BIG two-parter planned. I suspect that the page count in the Daniel/McKay scenes (featuring the two fastest-talking actors in show business) will have the scheduling gurus doing back-flips. Remember that new enemy I mentioned? Oh, and Marty G. will be doing the honors on this one.

4. Samantha Carter will appear in several episodes.

Given Amanda's upcoming commitment, it's impossible to offer an exact number of episodes. As I said, it really has everything to do with a) her schedule and b) the types of stories we come up with. However, I can say that, at present, we do have her locked in for two.

5. No mention of the Weir character

I've already stated our intention to pay off the storyline we hinted at in Be All My Sins Remember'd. We have the story in place and, once a deal is closed, you'll be the first to hear about it.

For those of you asking about which line in the teaser poem refers to
Outcast:

"Wallace's research a menace let loose."

**snippage**

Stargate SG-1: Ark of Truth - MGM Stargate: Ark Angel - The Ark of Truth, Part 2

From MGM Stargate:

http://stargate.mgm.com/news_detail.php?id=62

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)

Ark Angel - The Ark of Truth, Part 2

February 5, 2008 (General)

In the second part of our exclusive interview series, Robert C. Cooper, talks about putting Stargate SG-1's upcoming movie, `The Ark of Truth,' into motion.

Stargate SG-1: The Ark of Truth is scheduled to be released on DVD on March 11, 2008.

Stargate Atlantis - Various Sources - Season 5 News

(Articles featured on the main pages!)

From TV Guide Online:

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-News-Blog/Todays-News/Stargate-Atlantis-Season/800032524

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)

TV GUIDE NEWS

Today's News: Our Take Inside Stargate Atlantis' Season 5 Shake-up


He might not be as easy on the eyes as Amanda Tapping, but when Stargate Atlantis starts filming its fifth 20-episode season later this month, Robert Picardo will join the cast on a full-time basis, just as the officious (and heretofore recurring) bureaucrat Richard Woolsey assumes command of the expedition from Tapping's Samantha Carter.

**snippage**

<><><><>

From Zap2It:

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-robertpicardostargateatlantis,0,2760058.story

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)


Robert Picardo Joins 'Stargate Atlantis'

Fifth season will include 100th episode

February 5, 2008


"Stargate Atlantis" begins shooting its fifth season soon, and with it comes the addition of a new castmember and an important milestone.

**snippage&&

Also, actor Robert Picardo, who has appeared as International Oversight Committee rep Richard Wooley on previous episodes will officially join the "Atlantis" cast this season as he takes command of the Atlantis expedition. The team of military and civilian explorers use the Ancients-created Stargate to travel to the Pegasus galaxy in order to find other technologies left behind the Ancients.

**snippage**

<><><><>

From SciFi Wire:

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=48051

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)

12:00 AM, 05-FEBRUARY-08


Atlantis To Start Season 5

**snippage**

Fan favorite Paul McGillion will return for five episodes to reprise his role as Dr. Carson Beckett. Amanda Tapping (Col. Samantha Carter) will appear as a special guest star in several episodes, and Stargate SG-1 star Michael Shanks (Dr. Daniel Jackson) will appear as a special guest in episodes as well.

Robert Picardo, who plays International Oversight Committee rep Richard Woolsey, joins the Atlantis cast this season as Woolsey assumes command of the Atlantis expedition. The team, led by Lt. Col. Sheppard (Joe Flanigan), Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett), Teyla (Rachel Luttrell), Ronon (Jason Momoa) and Dr. Jennifer Keller (Jewel Staite), must adjust to his unique leadership style.

**snippage**
__________________

Stargate Atlantis - Woolsey to Command Atlantis in Season 5

From NBCU:

http://www.nbcumv.com/release_detail.nbc/scifi-20080205000000-people039schoice.html

PEOPLE'S CHOICE WINNER 'STARGATE ATLANTIS' BEGINS PRODUCTION ON SEASON 5

Published: February 5, 2008

Robert Picardo To Join Cast

Show Will Hit 100th Episode This Season

SCI FI Channel's recent People's Choice Award winner, Stargate Atlantis, will begin production later this month on its fifth original season. The new 20-episode season will include the series' benchmark 100th episode. Produced and distributed by MGM Television, Stargate Atlantis is filmed in Vancouver, Canada.

As Atlantis speeds toward its centennial episode, the Stargate universe promises new and surprising developments. The status quo is shaken following the events of season 4 (currently airing on SCI FI, Friday nights at 10pm) – some cherished friends are lost, others are found. New alliances are forged while new races are introduced.



Robert Picardo, whom Stargate fans will recognize as International Oversight Committee rep "Richard Woolsey," joins the Stargate Atlantis cast this season as Woolsey assumes command of the Atlantis expedition. The team, led by Lt. Colonel Sheppard (Joe Flanigan), Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett), Teyla (Rachel Luttrell), Ronon (Jason Momoa) and Dr. Jennifer Keller (Jewel Staite), must adjust to his unique leadership style.

Fan favorite Paul McGillion, will return for five episodes to reprise his role as the beloved "Dr. Carson Beckett." Amanda Tapping ("Colonel Samantha Carter"), who remains a fixture of the Stargate universe, will appear as a special guest star in several episodes this season and Stargate SG-1 star Michael Shanks ("Dr. Daniel
Jackson") will appear as a special guest in episodes as well.

Stargate Atlantis follows the adventures of an intrepid team of military and civilian explorers who travel the distant Pegasus galaxy by means of a Stargate, a portal created long ago by a highly advanced alien civilization called the Ancients. In their never-ending quest to seek out other technologies left behind by the
Ancients, the Atlantis team encounters alien cultures – some friend, some foe.

The series is executive produced by Brad Wright, Robert Cooper, Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie, Carl Binder, and Martin Gero. Mallozzi and Mullie share the reins as showrunners.


SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (http://www.scifi.com) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 93 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.