Science Fiction Today

Save Terra Nova with Dinosaurs

Terra Nova star Jason O’Mara is asking fans to #saveterranova by sending plastic dinosaurs to Fox, saying:

“If you want to address your package of little plastic dinosaurs to somebody at Fox, send them to president of the network. He’s a good guy so keep it friendly please. Mr Kevin Reilly, Fox Broadcasting Co, PO BOX 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90213.”

Terra Nova is an expensive production and its ratings have been low. Rumor has it that the well received, and much cheaper, Alcatraz will replace Terra Nova  so long as its ratings hold up. Overseas Terra Nova is a much bigger success, which may be the only reason it hasn’t already been canceled.

Past fan efforts have saved other shows from extinction, with the prime example being the post-apocalyptic drama Jericho. Cancelled after its first season, fans flooded the network with peanuts (a reference to a line at the end of the season ending episode) and a surprised CBS revived it for a seven episode second season. Although critical reviews were positive, the ratings were worse than ever and the show was again given the axe.

O’Mara is also asking fans to create viral buzz for the effort by using the #saveterranova tag in their Twitter posts.

(Source: scifinow.co.uk)

The Munsters Reboot Gets a New Title

Bryan Fuller’s reboot of The Munsters is now titled Mockingbird Lane. The family’s address in the original series was 1313 Mockingbird Lane.

The new series for NBC changes the concept from a half-hour sitcom to an hour-long drama. The characters reportedly will also not use the heavy gothic monster makeup used in the original series so that the family can more easily pass as normal people.

NBC Picks up JJ Abram’s Revolution Pilot

NBC has picked up a new drama pilot from J.J. Abrams (Star Trek) and Warner Bros. TV titled Revolution:

“In this epic adventure thriller, a family struggles to reunite in a post-apocalyptic American landscape: a world of empty cities, local militias and heroic freedom fighters, where every single piece of technology — computers, planes, cars, phones, even lights — has mysteriously blacked out … forever.”

An air date has not been announced.

Stephen Amell Cast as Green Arrow

Canadian actor Stephen Amell has been cast as the title character in the CW networks pilot for Arrow, which is based on DC Comics Green Arrow character. The series is being promoted as a modern take on the vigilante superhero who fights crime using archery, martial arts and technology. 

David Nutter is directing the pilot, written/executive produced by Andrew Kreisberg, Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim. Amell appears on the CW series The Vampire Diaries in 2010, and had a guest role on 90210. Most recently Amell had a recurring role on HBO’s Hung, and was one of the finalists to replace Andy Whitfield as the lead on Spartacus: Vengeance.

SyFy Orders “Rewind” Pilot

The SyFy Channel has ordered a 2-hour pilot for a time-travel series called Rewind from writer Justin Marks (Street Fighter), Deadline reports.

The series follows “a team of military field operatives and civilian scientists who must use untested technology to travel back in time to alter past events in order to change the future and avoid a devastating terrorist attack.” Yes, it sounds remarkably similar to the series Seven Days.

The new series is from Universal Cable Prods and BermanBraun, who produce the network’s scripted drama Alphas. Marks wrote the pilot and will executive produce with Tom Spezialy (Chaos), Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein.

“Justin Marks has created a time-travel series with an exciting innovative approach that really exemplifies Syfy’s commitment to bring compelling storytelling to life,” said Mark Stern, Syfy’s president of original content.

SyFy primarily has been focused on developing reality shows with very few scripted shows in the works. Among them is the highly anticipated Battlestar Galactica spinoff Blood & Chrome, and a still as yet untitled space series from Robert Hewitt Wolfe (Andromeda).

Game of Thrones and American Horror Story Golden Globe Nominations

Game Of Thrones and American Horror Story are up for Best Drama at next year’s Golden Globe Awards. They will compete against Homeland, Boardwalk Empire and Boss. Last year’s genre nominees The Walking Dead and True Blood did not get repeat nominations this year.

Peter Dinklage, who won a Supporting Actor Emmy for his portrayal of Tyrion Lannister in Game Of Thrones, is again nominated for the same category.

(Source: scifinow.co.uk)

Grimm Gets A Full Season

NBC’s supernatural drama Grimm has received a full season pick up. The series has quickly grown into a hit, beating both Fringe on Fox and CSI: NY on CBS. Grimm has improved NBC’s performance in its Friday time slot by 50%, with an average of 6.9 million viewers.

“We are very pleased to be making a full-season commitment for Grimm,” said NBC president Robert Greenblatt. “This series is turning the traditional procedural drama on its head and is attracting a loyal following for us on Friday nights. We love where it’s going creatively and we’re excited to deliver more episodes to our audience.” 

NBC is also giving Grimm a Thursday night test slot, with an episode to air in the Prime Suspect slot at 10 p.m. on December 8th.