Riverworld looks like alternate BSG 'verse

Well, almost... The first degree of separation is Tahmoh Penikett being cast in a lead role for this 2 night, 4 hour movie event from SciFi, that if successful may lead to a new series. Frankly, I don't see this happening for Tahmoh simply because it would be a bit regressive compared to his accomplishments with BSG and now Dollhouse. I only say that by looking at other material SciFi (soon to be rebranded, and I refuse to use the new name until then) has presented in the same manner. Just browse at SciFi.com's main page at some of the TV movies they are airing currently, and you'll probably se what I mean.

But the second degree of separation is what is most striking. The story of Riverworld comes from a book series by author Phillip Jose Farmer, which I sadly know little about. The premise revolves around humans from Earth who have died being resurrected on a terraformed planet. With that basic synopsis, I can't help but associate all sorts of things with BSG, like the concepts of resurrection and humanity's cycle within and without of Earth. It sounds really cool, but I have my doubts as to SciFi's ability to commit to a concept like this enough to make it successful on anywhere near the scale of BSG. via zap2it and TVGuide

The third degree of separation is where it ends. Riverworld is another remake of an earlier failed attempt. In fact, it was the same attempt that SciFi took back in 2003 according to imdb - a pilot for a potential series of the same exact name, and the same concept (and based on the same book series). Do they think they have the star power this time around, the budgeting, the sci-fi fan base (which they are in fact diminishing with the rebranding), or some strange combination of all of these?


We can always hope for the best (quality that is). Riverworld is expected for sometime in 2010. Read more about it and check out some concept art here at SciFi Wire.

What the frak is going on with Dollhouse?

It looks like Joss Whedon's long awaited (by many fans that is) "Dollhouse" has been slated to premiere on January 13, which is a Friday and as Maureen "The Watcher" Ryan puts it "Fridays are regarded as the dumping ground of the prime-time schedule, and given that "Dollhouse" has already endured its share of trauma and drama and stop-start production... Well, we Whedon fans believed the "Buffy" creator when he said, way back when he got back into business with Fox, that he thought the "Dollhouse" would not be a replay of the "Firefly" debacle."

*Sighs* I guess all we can do is hope and pray to the gods. Here's an embed of the Dollhouse preview nabbed from the above linked Watcher article (does anyone else find it odd that they list Whedon as the creator of Buffy and Angel, but leave a big gaping hole where Firefly should also have been mentioned?):



Here's another clip (Thanks to Sitrep) of a TV Guide interview with Tahmoh Penikett where he talks about how awesome and perfect the finale of Battlestar will be (with no spoilers) and digs into Dollhouse a little bit:

Tahmoh at IGN

Tahmoh Penikett spoke with IGN's Eric Goldman shortly after the series wrap about the final days (of course), and his upcoming Dollhouse gig with Joss. Read the interview here. Okay, Ron? Snatch up Tahmoh while you can, eh?

IGN: We've heard about the new Battlestar TV-Movie. Will you be a part of that and even if you're not, would you want to revisit Helo again at some point?

...I don't know if I'm going to. I haven't been asked as of yet. It would be speculation right now for me, but I'd be honored to be, of course.

Here's a video clip with Tahmoh at SDCC (about a week after the interview) from IGN, along with some other snazzy Battlestar video:

Tahmoh Talks 'Dollhouse' to io9

Excited about Dollhouse? I am, and not only out of curiosity as to what Joss Whedon's mind will spew forth upon us, but also to see Tahmoh Penikett get a reboot as an actor. io9 chatted with him at SDCC and it looks like he'll be playing a stark contrast to the do-gooder that was Carl "Helo" Agathon. Read the article here - with video clips!