SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2002 ARCHIVES

September 6, 2002: Starting tonight, Farscape's Season Three kickoff, Season of Death, will begin airing at 9 pm on Canada's Space Channel. The shows will repeat on Saturdays at 5 pm. Season Three will be directly followed by Season Four, which will premier on February 7th at 9 pm.

Check out Canadian Space Channel's Farscape area. It has a forum that's just catching on to Farscape, some wallpaper, character bios, a "Fit for Space" quiz, and a First Contact advice column where you can add your own tips.

SCIFI.COM TO GET A NEW LOOK

Late August 2002: Last week the SciFi Channel restructured its marketing department into three teams: Marketing, Creative and Production. Their first order of business is to create a redesign of both the network's web site, scifi.com, and its Sci Fi Magazine. The results of the Sci Fi makeover will be unveiled in tune with the network's marketing push for the Steven Spielberg-produced miniseries "Taken."

Several people moved into new positions, some from within the company and some who were recently hired. In the Marketing Division, Adam Stotsky was named vice president of brand marketing and Andrew Schulman was appointed director of consumer promotions. 

Mike Eilperin is in the new position of Vice President/Creative. He will be in charge of all creative for both on-air and print promotions. Rohitash Rao in the new Creative Director/Advertising and Calvin Chu was named Design Director. 

Gunilla De Santo, SciFi's Director of Production, takes on the new responsibilities of on- and off-air production.

TV  GUIDE'S "ROUSH RANT"

September 24, 2002: The "Roush Rant" in the September 28-October 4 Issue is all about Farscape:

Does cable's "Sci-Fi Channel" not understand its core audience - a group known for putting the fan in fanatic? Some of these people still have not forgiven NBC for canceling the first 'Star Trek', in 1969. How does 'Sci Fi' expect such ardent souls to react after it gave the fantastically entertaining 'Farscape' the boot before it could film a promised fifth season? (The remainder of the fourth season resumes in January.) Yes, the show is expensive - it certainly looks it - but even if the ratings were flat, "Farscape" gave the network credibility, acclaim and prestige. Without it, "Sci Fi" is just another green-cheese merchant.  

IF WE BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME

September 21 2002: This is a posting at the Save Farscape Announcements Yahoo Group. There is a wealth of information about mounting the campaign for higher ratings in January. Click here to read the message.

IS UPN OUT OF THE PICTURE?

September 26, 2002: According to IGN FilmForce, UPN confirmed to TV Guide earlier this week that it has no interest in picking up Farscape. Earlier this week an representitive from the UPN told FilmForce that the cost may have been a factor in the final decision. 

Also mentioned in the article is the possibility of an anime series of 22 episodes...

...Click here to read the article. 

SETS ARE STORED, NOT DESTROYED

September 24, 2002 FROM AICN: The Farscape sets have been struck, but the fears of many fans have not be realised for they have not been destroyed, but are simply in storage. This is probably because other networks have expressed an interest in acquiring Farscape. Both Showtime and UPN have expressed interest.

Showtime would be a better bet as it is a pay channel and it judges it's success on the number of subscriptions the channel receives and not by a show's ratings as SciFi does. It also loves shows which are critics' darlings which Farscape definately is.

UPN is also after a companion SciFi show to Enterprise. 

AUSTRALIAN FANS INVITE CAST

October 1, 2002 From The Daily Telegraph: In its campaign to save their beloved Farscape from disappearing in the black hole of cancelled TV shows, the Australian fan club will hold a rally at Maroubra Beach this Saturday.

Any actors who have guest-starred, as well regular cast and crew, are welcome to attend. The rally starts at noon.

Thanks to Ellen for the heads-up on this one.

RUMORS OF STARGATE'S RENEWAL

October 29, 2002: Rumors are flying all over the internet about SciFi renewing Stargate for another season. Although the rumors are being denied by both MGM (the company that produces the show) and SciFi (we all know they always tell the truth) Stargate's producer N. John Smith announced the renewal last weekend at a convention in Blackpool. He also said that negotiations on a working schedule have been completed with Richard Dean Anderson, who plays Col. Jack O'Neill.

WANNA GO INTO SPACE?

September 30 2002: Pepsi may be sending someone into space. Literally. The soft drink maker is seriously considering putting up $35m to produce and promote a TV contest, the winner of which would receive a spot on a Soyuz shuttle on a trip to the International Space Station! About $15m would go to the Russians and the remainder would go into the show. The $35m is about a third of Pepsi's promotional budget.

Click here to read the article.

SCI FI  CELEBRATES A BIRTHDAY

September 24, 2002: Now we know why SciFi can't afford another season of Farscape.

The Sci Fi Channel's will mark its 10th anniversary with a fall slate of promotions driven by filmmaker Steven Spielberg's December miniseries Taken, with the cable channel also using the promotional strength of its new owner, Vivendi Universal, and hidden photos of UFOs.

...Continued on Newscape's SciFi News page

HENSON WINS EMMY FOR JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

September 22, 2002: Jim Henson's Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story, Part 2 won the Creatative Arts Emmy for Makeup for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Prosthetic)

SCI FI POSTS A CANCELLATION F.A.Q.

Sci Fi finally makes a statement about the cancellation of Farscape. Some of it is a bit...suspicious...to put it kindly. I've added some of my own comments to this document that do not necessarily reflect the views of Karlsweb or other members of its staff.  Read the F.A.Q. with PKBarb's commentary here.

WHO KILLED FARSCAPE?

October 14, 2002: Author Clare Sainsbury's article at Strange Horizons is the best I've read so far on SciFi's cancellation of Farscape. Here's an excerpt from and a link to the article:

"So the SCI FI Channel's abrupt decision a few weeks ago to cancel its hit show Farscape after four seasons came as a huge shock to many. Whether you are a fan of the show or not, its abrupt cancellation raises many questions about the place of speculative fiction in the current TV climate."

...Click here to continue.

June 8, 2002: TV Zone Special # 47, due out from Visual Imagination in September, will contain a comparison between new shows on TV such as Dead Zone and the regulars such as Farscape and Enterprise.

Cult Times #83

August 1, 2002: Although Buffy's on the cover of Visual Imagination's Cult Times #83, it doesn't mean there's no Farscape inside! There's a wonderful interview with Raelee Hill (Sikozu Sikozu Svala Shanti Sugaysi Shanu) in which she talks about her Farscape experiences, her favorite episode and what it's like to have a Farscape romance!

TV ZONE SPECIAL #47

July 23, 2002: There are a couple of new print magazines to be on the lookout for also: TV Zone from Visual Imagination and Starlog. TV Zone has an interview with Claudia Black and also contains TV Zone's predictions of what's to come in Season Four.
Starlog #301 (with Men in Black on the cover) has a four-page article/interview with David Kemper. There are also several photos, but most of them have been around since the beginning of Season Four. 

DREAMWATCH MAGAZINE

June 27, 2002: The newest issue of Dreamwatch, published today in the UK and in 3 weeks in the US, features an  in-depth interview with David Kemper on season four. Taking a break from working on the season's 12th episode, Kemper discusses the show's new sense of mystery, Crichton's new approach to life, Aeryn's pregnancy, season four's new regular characters, the season's arc, the current state of play regarding the Farscape movie. There's also an interview with Wayne Pygram who talks about false teeth and squeaky costumes!

For an exclusive to Karlsweb quote from David Kemper that didn't make it to the magazine, check out the Karlsweb Spoilers page

UNCHARTED TERRITORY

A new book, Uncharted Territory: An Unofficial and Unauthorized Guide to Farscape by Scott Andrews will be released on August 8, 2002. Amazon.com UK lists it at a preorder price of £5.59 ($) plus shipping. According to the synopsis, it covers the first three seasons of the show. 

VIVENDI UNIVERSAL SLASHES JOBS

October 14, 2002: According to Screen Daily, Vivendi Universal, the company that partially owns Vivendi Universal Entertainment which in turn owns the SciFi Channel (among many other things) is poised to slash staff at its Paris headquarters by nearly half.  Also on the agenda is downsizing of their New York office.

The company plans to reduce their overwhelming debt load by about 16% within 18 months. 

EW LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

October 13, 2002: There's a very well-written letter to the editor in the newest issue of Entertainment Weekly. It's great to see  Farscape is still making the mainstream magazines. Thanks to E.B. for passing this along! 

Here's a transcript:

THE GREAT "FARSCAPE"

I was particularly offended that the Sci Fi Channel's decision to cancel Farscape had to do with "the series' inability to 'grow beyond its core fan base'" (Monitor).  It seems to me that Sci Fi would want to please the Farscape fan base because they are the ones who are die-hard sci-fi fans, not to mention possibly a key demographic for that channel's advertisers.  If Sci Fi doesn't want a show with critical acclaim and a loyal fan base, then maybe the producers of Farscape can find a new home on another network where they are appreciated.
Christopher Carter
Scobey, Miss.

FURTHER TALKS ON HENSON SALE

October 12, 2002: A team of two investors is expected to hold further talks with EM.TV regarding the sale of The Jim Henson Company. Last week, Saban Capital Group, led by Haim Saban, made an offer of $128 million with Evercore Partners, a New York private equity firm.

EM.TV may still be talking with at least one other possible buyer but Saban and Evercore are ready to sign a non-binding letter of intent with EM.TV soon, and are the front-runners, sources said.

Evercore has a large range of companies in its portfolio including American Media, Inc., publishers of National Enquirer.

BEN BROWDER RADIO INTERVIEW

October 10, 2002 UPDATE: In an interview on Australia's Triple J radio station, Ben said that he's hopeful that at some point they'll be able to finish the story.

Click here to read a transcript of the interview.

TRIVIA CONTEST

October 9, 2002: Rittenhouse Archives October trivia contest is about Farscape. There are four questions and the winner gets a Season Three Case Topper trading card signed by Virginia Hey. Click here to enter the contest.

FOX TROT DOES FARSCAPE

October 8, 2002: This morning millions of readers across the country opened their newspapers to the comics section and read Bill Amend's "Fox Trot" comic which mentioned the campaign to save Farscape. Click here to see it for yourself, then email Mr. Amend to say thank you.

ATLANTA RALLY A BIG HIT!

October 7, 2002: From John Snider, editor of scifi dimensions: 

The online magazine scifidimensions has posted a report on the October 5th Save Farscape Rally from Atlanta, including:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS in streaming audio with stars Lani Tupu (Crais, Pilot); Gigi Edgley (Chiana) and Paul Goddard (Stark). [Nearly an hour of interviews!]

PHOTO GALLERY from the October 4th signing session at Atlanta's Tower Records, as well as the Fifth of Farscape Rally "Afterparty" at The Chamber!

COLLECTIBLE GIVEAWAY - Register for a chance to win a Save Farscape flyer signed by Lani, Gigi and Paul - plus a cool Fight for Farscape pin.

Now...make sure the SCIFI Channel hears from you! Tell them you want Farscape Season Five!

(P.S. While we're thankful for links to this article from other sites, please do not link directly to the streaming audio files, as this robs us of bandwidth AND hitcount!)

(There's an excellent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on John & scifidimensions)

The FreePilot website has more photos of the event. 

A MESSAGE FROM AUSTRALIA

October 2, 2002 Thanks to Deb for letting me post this at Newscape 

At Brisbane's Conquest science fiction convention held this weekend, Jonathan Hardy, the respected Australian acting icon who voices the feisty and beloved Dominar Rygel expressed his thanks to all Farscape fans for their support of the various Save Farscape campaigns.

Urging fans not to give up yet, Jonathan assures us that all the cast and crew are committed to continuing with a further season – if only some far-sighted network can be convinced to pick up the show and run with it.

Click here to read the rest of the message.

FARSCAPE DVD 2.4 RELEASE DATE

October 2, 2002 FROM CINESCAPE: DVD and VHS releases of FARSCAPE's season two fourth volume (of five for the season) were announced for December second today by ADV Films. [Episodes are Beware of Dog, Won't Get Fooled Agoan, The Locket, and The Ugly Truth.]The four episode two-disc or two-tape sets will retail for $39.98 and $19.98, respectively. ADV has offered strong support for the canceled series, formerly on the SciFi Channel, including public exploration of an animated incarnation of the show.

Fan reaction to the cancellation of the show has been swift and sustained, and while SciFi's decision appears final as of this date, ADV's continued marketing support for the series is a positive signal regarding viewer and consumer interest in the show.

IS THIS WHAT SCI FI IS THINKING?

September 28, 2002: I asked someone who works at a cable station what the feeling was at their station about SciFi's behavior toward Farscape. The answer is I got is quite interesting and brings up some points that I hadn't heard before. Thanks to EB.

...Click here to continue

BURBANK GOLD SOLD OUT, NY CLOSE

September 27, 2002: The Gold weekend package for the official Farscape convention in Burbank (Nov. 22-24) is sold out. Tickets are still available for daily preferred seating.

For the New York convention, the gold packages are nearly gone so if you plan to attend, better get those tickets fast. Last year's New York convention was completely sold out prior to the convention date and there were no tickets available at the door.

FARSCAPE LOSES EMMY TO SEX AND THE CITY

September 22, 2002: The Emmy awards for Creative Arts were given out a week before the "real" Emmys. Farscape was nominated in the "Costumes for a Series" category along with "Sex and the City," "Alias," "Six Feet Under," "That 70s Show," and "Will and Grace."

 

Terry Ryan	Lyn Askew

Terry Ryan (Costume Designer) and Lyn Askew (Costume Supervisor) had the honor of being nominated for Into the Lion's Den, Part 1: Lambs to the Slaughter.  

DAVID KEMPER BACK ON INTERSTELLAR TRANSMISSIONS

September 24, 2002: If anyone missed the webcast last week of Executive Producer David Kemper Q&A on Interstellar Transmissions, he'll be returning this coming Friday, September 27th at 7pm to 8pm Eastern, to answer more questions from Farscape fans. Windows Media Player is required to listen to the live broadcast. Email your questions before Friday to scifiradioguy@aol.com or call 888-565-1470

David Kemper & ricky manning

September 19 2002: This is the chat postponed from Wednesday because of server problems. Click here to read a transcript.

DAVID FRANKLIN CHAT

September 25, 2002: Thanks to intrepid chat moderator Barbarella, there will be a chat on Saturday, September 28th at 9PM Easterrn at #farscape with 6 additional relays set up. Click here to read a transcript

CABLE SHOWS SO GOOD THEY'VE BEEN CANCELED
THANKS TO EB FOR SENDING THIS ARTICLE

September 26, 2002: Using the kind of logic once employed by Groucho Marx, who claimed he'd never belong to a club that would have him as a member, one could say the quality of original programming on cable has improved by looking at the caliber of the shows that have been canceled.

...Click here to read the article.

MORE RATINGS NEWS

August 29, 2002 SciFi Wire reports that the SciFi Channel wrapped it's best summer ever, ranking ninth among all basic-cable channels on a household basis and ending with a record 1.0 prime-time rating (representing 741,000 households) for August! Overall prime-time ratings for the summer were up 13% over last year.

SciFi ranked fifth in adults 25-54 and seventh in the 18-49 age range in key prime-time demographics.

"Leading the charge was SCI FI Friday, a two-hour block of original series that included the original series Stargate SG-1 and Farscape. The block set a summer record for the channel, averaging a 1.4 rating (1.1 million households). That represented a 27 percent ratings increase over last summer's ratings average for the time period and a 46 percent increase in household delivery over last year."

UK DVD 3.5 CONTENTS

September 1, 2002: Contender will release the last of its Season Three DVDs on September 16th. It will have its usual large number of fantastic extras including: 

Episodes 319 through 320
Deleted Scenes
David Kemper interview
Info- pods in Rygel, Crais and Scorpius
Original SciFi Trailers
Stills featuring Behind the Scenes, Episode Facts, concept artwork, character and prop photography.

This is a REGION TWO DVD and will not play on most US players. For more about region encoding, check out the DVD FAQ.

A NOTE FROM MIKE BRANTLEY 
September 21 2002: Mike Brantley is the TV & Media Editor for the Mobile [Alabama] Register. His recent article in the register leaves no doubt how he feels about the cancellation. (Click here to read the article.) 
In answer to an email from Mike (Frellingbatfreek) he sent the following response:
"Mike, thanks for the note. Don't worry... I'm there. :)
I've gotten more e-mail about this show during the past couple of weeks than I have about any show since I've been covering TV. The next closest was the response from viewers who were mad about the cancellation of "Dr. Quinn," but they weren't quite this organized."
Thanks to Mike (Frellingbatfreek) for passing this one along!