NOT SO TAKEN WITH SCIFI

December 22, 2002: The following letter is published the December 28th issue of TV Guide:

NOT SO TAKEN with Sci-Fi
I find it darkly amusing to reach Sci Fi Channel's Bonnie Hammer referring to Taken as "big and different," but also a "big risk" ["Close Encounters," November 30].  Sci Fi had something big and different - and successful!  It was called Farscape.  I won't be watching Taken.  Why bother with Sci Fi at all if all they do is give their good shows the ax? 
Betty Ragan
Socorro, N. Mex.

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF FIREFLY

December 22, 2002: As most of you already know, FOX has cancelled Firefly after only 13 episodes. Save Farscape has written an outstanding statement on Firefly, Farscape and the state of science fiction in general. Click Here to read the statement.

DISNEY TO BID FOR HENSON

December 19, 2002: Walt Disney Co. is preparing to offer approximately $135 million for the Jim Henson Co.

Click Here to continue

IMPACT MAGAZINE

November 12, 2002: The newest issue of UK's Impact magazine (#132) will have a six page exclusive feature/interview with Ben Browder. Click Here for more information on the issue which will be released in the UK next week. 

OF INTEREST ON EBAY

November 12, 2002 

Aeryn Mutation figures to benefit the Save Farscape fund

Creation Entertainment has a number of auctions of Farscape merchandise in which they've reduced the reserve-price.

Peacekeeper Barbie & Crichton Ken Auction to benefit the Beyond Hope Fund and the USA Today Ad Fund 
UPDATE: Auction ended with a great bid!

In the "This has to be a record of some kind" department, a SketchaFEX card from the Season Three set sold for $442.00

IMPORTANT UPDATE TO LANI'S CONVENTION SCHEDULE

November 11, 2002: Karlsweb has just learned from Lani Tupu that his appearance at Morehead State University scheduled for 11/12/02 and his signing at White Crow Comics have been postponed until February. Lani apologies for this last minute change but contractual obligations make him unavailable.

UPN RENEWS TWILIGHT ZONE

UPN has picked up a full season of The Twilight Zone, calling it "the most compatible show ever paired with a Star Trek series on UPN."

Translation: Since its Sept. 18 debut, the show has been able to hold onto more of its lead-in audience (73 percent of Enterprise’s total viewers, 74 percent of household rating) than any of its predecessors.

MORE JUNK FROM SCIFI

November 5, 2002 From Variety: 

The Sci Fi Channel, which is single-handedly keeping alive the low-budget, futuristic exploitation movie, has commissioned four more of them to premiere on its Saturday night movie showcase.

>>"Deathlands," an apocalyptic thriller based on the series of novels by James Axler set in "a world ravaged by war and radiation." Vincent Spano and Traci Elizabeth Lords star.

>>"Encrypt," an end-of-the-world melodrama dealing with a future Earth turned into a wasteland by devastating storms. Grant Show (news) and Vivian Wu star.

>>"Webs," which takes place in a parallel universe covered in spider webs. It concerns a human treasure-seeker stalked by a mutant spiderwoman. Cast and director are to be announced.

  >> "Bugs," a monster movie pitting a mechanical engineer and an entomologist against very, very large bugs living in the subway tunnels of a Canadian city. Cast and director are TBA

The Sci Fi Channel can bring these movies in for around $2 million apiece and score healthy Nielsen ratings when they make their debut Saturdays at 9 p.m. For the year-to-date, premieres of an original Saturday movie on Sci Fi are averaging a 1.4 rating, which is 56% greater than the time-period average for 2001. The network plans to greenlight 15-20 of these originals each year.  

CINESCAPE'S TV MANIA ISSUE

November 14, 2002: Cinescape has always loved Farscape and their "Survival Guide" only goes to prove it. 

Season three is gone through, episode by episode with a brief summary followed by an analysis, with a grade given to each episode. 

SCI FI CHANNEL HOPES ALIENS WILL NAB VIEWERS

November 30, 2002: FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL The Sci Fi Channel, long seen as a niche cable network for geeks watching "Star Trek" reruns with Spock ears on, wants to change that perception next week with "Taken," one of the most ambitious miniseries ever on television.

Click Here to continue.

GIGI CLAUDIA & BRIAN AT TAKEN PARTY

November 26, 2002 Cinescape has a short article on the Save Farscape TV ad but the picture is from the  "Taken" premiere after party. Gigi Edgley, Brian Henson and Claudia Black are posing with Bonnie Hammer. And everyone's smiling.

Click Here to read the article.

December 6, 2002: A 5th of Farscape is having another eBay auction to pay for an ad in USA Today to run on January 17, 2003. The auction still had nine days to run the last time I looked and the bids are piling up fast! Even if you don't bid, check it out - it's a fantastic piece of work! Click Here to see the auction.

Speaking of auctions, Scifidimensions, the site that brought us the cool interviews of Gigi Edgley, Paul Goddard and Lani Tupu when they were in Atlanta, is having several auctions to support the site. Among them are Shekhina, a photography book signed by Leonard Nimoy and two novels signed by the author, Orson Scott Card. Check 'em out by Clicking Here.

BBC CALLS FOR QUESTIONS

November 26, 2002 When Claudia and Wayne are in the UK for the Wolf Events convention on December 7th, the BBC is planning an interview. They've asked for fans to send in suggested questions that they might ask them. To submit a question, Click Here. Thanks Katya for sending this to Karlsweb.

UNIVERSAL-DREAMWORKS MERGER?

FARSCAPE, THE GAME SHOW

November 7, 2002 From Creation Entertainment: We're happy to announce that Farscape Executive Producer RICHARD MANNING will be joining the fun of The Official Farscape Convention coming to Burbank, California November 22-24, 2002!

Richard has always been a great part of the success of the previous events, so we're thrilled to welcome him back!  Along with commentary on stage, Richard will be participating in a new gameshow we've been developing for the convention.

GUY GROSS ATTENDS CYBER PARTY!

November 13, 2002: The cyber party has begun on the SciFi BBoard and Farscape's award winning composer Guy Gross was the first celeb to drop by. He answered loads of questions for everyone. Here's a little snippet from the chat:

We all appreciate all you're efforts. There are photocopies of various bits you fans have done to get this show back on the road all over the post production doors and notice boards. If it doesn't happen it's not because you guys didn't give it your best shot. I hell yah, I'm available for 2 more seasons WHEN you guys buy the rights and do it! Oh... and I heard about the cancelation on line with you guys in the chat room. Though I kinda knew it was coming.

In case you couldn't make it, Click Here to read the entire thread. For a cyber-party menu, Click Here.

LANI ACCEPTS

November 5, 2002: The  Journey to the Center of the Internet Party will have yet another celebrity drop-in during the weekend of November 14-17. Lani Tupu has accepted the invitation. From the SciFi BBoard: "Acclaimed actor *Lani Tupu* aka our beloved and heroic "Dark Captain" aka Captain Bialar Crais has graciously accepted the invitation from scapers to attend the scaper cyber party!" To find out what else is happing on the cyber party, click here.

VIVENDI HIRING FREEZE

November 18, 2002: Vivendi Universal Entertainment has imposed an indefinite hiring freeze throughout the telecommunications conglomerate, according to USA Networks Inc. president of network distribution and affiliate relations Douglas Holloway.

Speaking Nov. 14 at a National Association for Minorities in Communications New York chapter panel discussion on the effects of industry consolidation on minority hiring, Holloway said Universal -- which oversees USA Network, Sci Fi Channel and Trio, among other cable entities -- is under a hiring freeze within all of its divisions.

He declined to give further details

FAR OUT & WAY COOL 

December 30, 2002: In his latest "Roush Review," Matt Roush asks the question, "Earth to SciFi: Why Cancel This Show?" Click Here to read the article. And don't forget to thank Mr. Roush by clicking here.

SFX TOP 10 CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME

December 30, 2002 From Zap2it.com: In a poll commissioned by the science fiction magazine SFX to determine the top 10 sci fi characters of all time, cult hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer made an impressive showing, with Spike, Willow, Angel and Buffy herself taking four of the slots.

Three of the remaining six spots were also taken by TV characters, including Farscape's John Crichton and Aeryn Sun.

However, the top spot went to Dr. Who, the eccentric Brit who traveled through time and space in the guise of several actors over the course of 26 years from 1963 to '89.

The Top 10 Sci Fi Characters of All Time, in order, is as follows:
1. Doctor Who ("Doctor Who" )
2. Spike ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer")
3. Buffy Summers("Buffy the Vampire Slayer")
4. John Crichton ("Farscape")
5. Aeryn Sun ("Farscape")
6. Han Solo (the "Star Wars" saga)
7. Willow Rosenberg ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer")
8. Darth Vader (the "Star Wars" saga)
9. Angel ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer")
10. Gandalf ("Lord of the Rings" )

CLAUDIA BLACK INTERVIEW

December 16, 2002: The BBC website has a super interview with Claudia Black that was done during her recent visit to the UK. Claudia talks about everything from getting the part of Aeryn Sun to what she's doing now. You can either read the interview or watch the RealPlayer version. Click Here for the interview.

STRANGER THAN FICTION
Sci Fi "Taken" Weekly Ratings Crown

December 12, 2002 From CABLEFAX DAILY: We knew numbers for Steven Speilberg's $40mln mini-series "Taken" were good. But we were shocked to see that they were strong enough to land SCI FI in the top prime-time spot among basic nets last week for the 1st time ever. 

It's 2.8 rating/2.23mln HH delivery beat out football-laden ESPN and general entertainment nets - though pres. Bonnie Hammer said beating such competition was never the goal.  "We were so focused on nightly ratings and buzz,"that it wasn't until the end of the week that she realized, "Holy crap!  We could be the #1 cable net for a week or 2."  The main lesson Hammer is taking from the success of "Taken" is that the net can take more risks in the future.  "Our goal always has been to broaden slightly, not become a general entertainment net but a broader general entertainment supplier within a genre," she said.  "Taken" is seen as the springboard for that new approach, which includes 6-hour mini "Children of [Dune]" in March.

Thanks to e b for passing this along

INTERVIEW WITH BEN BROWDER

December 22, 2002: Beginning Monday, December 23, there will be an interview with Ben Browder at SciFi Today. From the SciFi newsletter: 

And if a FARSCAPE Marathon [December 24th from 8am to 7pm on SciFi] isn't enough, we bring you this special holiday treat! Ben Browder, FARSCAPE's beleaguered and beloved astronaut John Crichton, goes on the record with his thoughts on the Moya crew's final journeys and his own personal next journey.

Click Here to go to SciFi today

TV GUIDE LOVES FARSCAPE

December 17, 2002: It's no surprise to anyone who loves Farscape that TV Guide is a big fan of the show. In their December 21st issue (the one with Santa Shaq on the cover) Farscape gets mentioned several times. With pictures and everything! Click Here to continue

FARSCAPE MENTIONED IN EW

December 30, 2002 From the Jan 3 issue of Entertainment Weekly "What to Watch" column:

Farscape (Sci-Fi, TV-PG)
Catch last summer's final three episodes in preparation for next week's season premiere. Or don't.  Either way it's not skin off my back. (R)

Thanks to E B for the heads-up on this one!

SEVERAL NEW ARTICLES WORTH A LOOK

December 26, 2002: The first, from My InKy, really loves Farscape and ranks it #1 in TV shows for 2002. (Thanks to Warrior for the heads up on this one.)

The second is from Australian Entertainment News and is a short interview with Gigi Edgley along with some background about Farscape. 

The Washington Post has an article about SciFi's post "Taken" ratings, mentioning SciFi's promotion of Farscape during the miniseries

DAVID KEMPER RETURNS AND BRINGS LANI WITH HIM

December 21, 2002: On January 2, 2003 at 6:00 PM (not sure of the time zone yet, but will post it when I have it) David Kemper will return to Interstellar Transmissions for another broadcast.

You may ask David and Lani questions by either emailing them in ahead of time or by calling in during the webcast. The last time DK was on the show they had the most calls they'd ever had.

Click Here to read the transcript from his last visit to Interstellar Transmissions.

WAYS I'D IMPROVE THE SCI-FI CHANNEL

December 4, 2002 This article, subtitled: The Sci-Fi Channel sucks, you know? was probably written a couple of years ago, but except for the names of the shows, things haven't changed all that much. It's an interesting read. Click here to read the 4 page article.

CHAT WITH DAVID KEMPER

December 21, 2002: Originally, Ben Browder was scheduled to chat on SciFi in January. Recently, this was changed to a David Kemper chat on Jan. 9 at 9pm EST.  Click Here for more information. Instead, Ben has done an interview which will be on SciFi Today as of December 23rd. Click Here for the interview

VIVENDI TO SELL ART COLLECTION 

December 12, 2002 FROM THE NY TIMES: Vivendi Universal , the troubled French entertainment conglomerate, has ked the three leading auction houses for proposals to sell off the prized modern art collection that has long been the hallmark of the Seagram Building on Park Avenue.

...Click Here to continue

Thanks to Jane and Lainydoo for passing this along!

VIACOM TO START A SCIFI CHANNEL?

Many thanks to MIke for passing this along!

December 10, 2002 FROM VARIETY: Viacom Inc. chief operating officer Mel Karmazin is busy exploring the launch of a sci-fi cable channel, hunting for bargain acquisitions, continuing to beef up CBS and pressuring Washington to loosen station ownership regulations.

...Click Here to continue.

EMTV EXECS ON TRIAL

November 11, 2002: EMTV, the company that purchased the Jim Henson Company from the 

Henson family a few years ago, are on trial in Munich for defrauding EMTV's shareholders. 

To read more about the woes of EMTV, check out our Article Links page for links to several articles on the subject.

SOME GOOD NEWS

December 2, 2002 From Ain't it Cool News: Word from Gigi Edgley and Claudia Black, among others, at the official Farscape convention in New York on the 29th and 30th of this past month is that there is a strong possibility of a Farscape motion picture, and/or a four-parter. 

Black also said that exec. producer David Kemper says he found a way to "finish" Farscape with what was shot without actually "ending" it, hinting that it leaves room to finish the story later on...to which the audience cheered.

ANOTHER BID FOR HENSON CO.

December 06, 2002 From The Hollywood Reporter: Former UPN president and CEO Dean Valentine has emerged as the latest suitor to field an offer for the Jim Henson Co.

...Click Here to continue.

TV ZONE 156

October 24, 2002: From the latest issue of Visimag's TV Zone: "Farscape fans were shocked when we broke the news that their favourite show had been cancelled. We take a look at the popularity of the series, and try to assess why, ultimately, it might have been just too good to survive…

Click here to continue

SCIFI HAS RECORD NOVEMBER

November 27, 2002 According to SciFi Wire, the SciFi channel set a prime time ratings record for the month of November. This placed it in the top ten of all basic cable records and reflects a 43% increase over last November. Click here to read the article on SciFi Wire.

"WIRED" MENTIONS AD

November 23, 2002: Wired's website has an article about the Save Farscape TV commercial that will be running in many major cities next week. Click Here to read the article.

RETURN OF THE POPUP

November 22, 2002: It disappeared for a while, but it's back - the popup from SciFi. Could it be that they're experiencing another surge of email, snail-mail and phone calls urging them to renew Farscape? 

Click here to continue.

SEC INVESTIGATES VIVENDI

November 20, 2002: 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has launched a formal investigation of Vivendi Universal, the Paris-based media conglomerate confirmed late Tuesday.

...Click here to continue

GUY GROSS WINS AWARD

November 18, 2002: Karlsweb congratulates Guy Gross for winning the Best Music for a Series or Serial for his work on Farscape. The award was given last night in Sydney by the Australian Guild of Screen Composers. 

Be sure to read Amy's Four Questions with Guy Gross.

KERMIT GETS HOLLYWOOD STAR 

November 15, 2002: Kermit the Frog joined Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny Woody Woodpecker and Big Bird when he was honored with the 2,208th star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Although he couldn't be reached for comment after the ceremony, Kermit appeared quite pleased with the honor.

VIVENDI TO SPIN OFF ENTERTAINMENT ASSETS

November 14, 2002: Vivendi, the company that owns the SciFi Channel, has decided to spin off it's US entertainment assets. An initial public offering is expected in the next four to six months. 

...Click here to continue.

RUMOR DENIED

November 14, 2002: A couple of days ago Newscape posted an unconfirmed rumor that the Farscape Magazine would be ceasing publication after the next issue - #11. Thanks to Jess for passing this along:

"Hi Jess, and everyone.
We've just had a statement from the people at Farscape magazine on this:
'Martin Eden, Editor of the official Farscape magazine has stated that this rumour is untrue - no such decision has been taken, and the magazine will continue.'

If the situation changes, we'll report on it as soon as we hear, but there you go for the meantime."

CREATION COSTUME CONTEST

November 6, 2002: Get your costumes ready, folks! Creation Entertainment just informed Karlsweb that although it's not yet posted on their website, there will be a costume contest at the convention in Burbank on November 22-24. They plan to hold the contest on Sunday. 

If you need some inspiration, click here to visit Karlsweb's costuming section.

ROSES DON'T SWAY SCIFI EXECS

November 7, 2002 FROM BROADCASTING & CABLE: Distraught Farscape fans are finding that it takes more than flowers to woo Sci Fi Channel executives.

Since Sci Fi's September decision to end the original series, Farscape devotees have sent dozens of roses to Sci Fi president Bonnie Hammer, her assistant and any network executive they can find.

Universal Television chief Michael Jackson and even DreamWorks SKG -- which is co-producing Sci Fi's upcoming miniseries, Taken -- have been showered with flowers

The floral blitz hasn't changed Sci Fi's plans to cancel Farscape after its fourth season, which begins in January.

Fans might want to start sending flowers to other cable networks or TV stations. After four seasons, there will be 88 Farscape episodes, enough for a syndicated run.

SHOW SUPPORT FOR CAST

November 14, 2002: Anthony Simcoe & Gigi Edgley will be signing autographs at SFX convention in Boston this weekend. What most fans don't know is that their main source of income while touring the States is the sale of photos at their tables. So if you don't have a picture yet and plan to buy one at the convention anyway, get it from the folks who will be signing them, Anthony and Gigi.

Also, for you music buffs, Anthony will have some copies of his new CD, signed by both himself and Wayne Pygram.

SCIFI RENEWS STARGATE

November 7, 2002 As has become typical for the SciFi channel, they first denied that rumors were true, then issued a press release confirming them. 

Continued on the Newscape SCIFI news page

MICHAEL SHANKS RETURNS AS JACKSON

UPDATE: November 11, 2002 A recent article at Zap2It confirms that both Richard Dean Anderson and Michael Shanks will be back for Season 7 of Stargate SG-1. Click here to read the whole article.

FARSCAPE FLIES THE FRIENDLY SKIES

November 4, 2002 UPDATED: 

In an update, Lanidoo (read story below) let Newscape know that in November, United Airlines will now be showing Farscape in the business and First Class sections on outgoing flights to the UK, The Netherlands, Germany France, Belguim and Italy instead of the flights mentioned below. !  They also have a great synopsis of the series so far accompanying a picture of Crichton and D'Argo with the season four ladies (you have probably seen the shot elsewhere) to explain the series to new viewers.

If you want to say thank you to United, here are some addresses from the in-flight magazine.

United Airlines
PO Box 66100
Chicago, IL 60666

www.united.com

Customer Relations
877-228-1327 (toll free)
fax: 877-406-1059

Thanks to Lainydoo for passing this one along!

"Just thought you might get a kick out of this. I sure did. My husband and I are currently on a trip to Japan. Guess what one of the entertainment selections is on United Airlines in first and business class? That's right, none other than our beloved Farscape. They show it outbound on all flights to Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand. It is repeated at least three times over the course of the flight. I watched "Revenging Angel" with great delight. As soon as I return to the States I plan to write and email to thank UA for helping to bring Farscape to a larger audience. UA must think it is appropriate for their higher paying customers. Take that SCIFI. Thought you would like to know, I had no idea UA cared."

A FUTURE FOR FARSCAPE?

This (Click on the picture ) appeared in the October 13th issue of TV Time Plus, which is the "TV Guide" of the Orlando Sentinel. The Orlando
Sentinel is the major newspaper for the Central Florida area, so this means that nearly every subscriber of the Sentinel had this article sitting on their coffee tables for at least a week, and there was a chance they read it each time they checked their local TV listings. With the big picture of Zhaan right in the middle of the page, it certainly catches your eye. Can't get much better local publicity than this.

Thanks to HaMm3rEd for passing this one along!