Autumn is my favorite season not only because of the warm colors and cool temperatures but also for all the new and returning shows on TV.

The premieres feel a bit more spread out this year which is good with seven new genre shows and 11 returning. As usually the majority of the shows are some kind of urban fantasy while six at most can be called science fiction. No space travel this year either which is just sad. Isn’t there anyone to pick up the torch left by Stargate, BSG or Star Trek?

Let’s see if we can find any trends. There are two zombie shows on the schedule which is less than expected. Through AMC is hard to beat. I would say we have a new Saga trend this year with Grimm and Once Upon A Time but it is all dwarfed by the supernatural thrillers that are still going strong. We do have some new Horror too, maybe that is a trend?

August 29: Death Valley (MTV) [NEW]
– A supernatural cops parody

New show with 12 episodes. It had to happen sooner or later with all supernatural buzz – a parody on cops and everything supernatural. It follows a camera team that follows the San Fernando Valley Police as they deal with vampires, zombies and wares. The first episode lived up to my expectations – a bit of crazy dark humor and a couple of genre tropes. It started a little early for fall but I still include it. More …

September 4: Lost Girl (Showcase CA)
– The best Succubus hero & sidekick ever

Returning season two, 22 episodes. In season one Bo discovered she was a succubus and part of the Fae. Refusing to choose sides she becomes a troubleshooter for both Dark and Light Fae though they both want her to choose sides. She also flies the best sidekick ever, Kenzi and a love triangle with a werewolf detective and a human Fae researcher. Bo has some family secrets to uncover this season. Lost Girl has my warm recommendations, now also in the UK and US. More …

September 15: Secret Circle (CW) [NEW]
– a teenage-witch story

New show, 13 episodes. Cassie Blake’s mother dies in a fire and Cassie moves in with her grandmother. Her new high school classmates have a secret circle and with her in it, strong magical powers. At first she refuses to believe them but a kiss and some water magic convinces her. Then she finds her mother’s spell book and starts to understand that there is much more going on here than it seems. This looks dark and a bit soapy but could turn into Teen Wolf awesomeness if we are lucky. More …

September 15: Vampire Diaries (CW)
– the drama continues

Returning season three, 22 episodes.  Season three teases a blossoming relationship between Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) as Stefan’s (Paul Wesley) turn to the dark side. Stefan left town. Elena and Damon are alone in Mystic Falls to complicate their relationship further when the season returns with Elena’s birthday. “Over the course of the season, Elena will be struggling with a deep, deep attraction for Damon,” Plec said. “That’s going to be a big problem for her.” More …

September 22: Persons of Interests (CBS) [NEW]
– High Tech Crime Prevention

New show, 13 episodes. Extrapolate our current technology and apply significant funds to it and you could probably have something like what is used in this new show. It is not ‘real’ science fiction but rather CSI-Fi. Software that uses pattern recognition to identify people about to be involved in violent crimes is not far beyond what we are able to do. Here the billionaire inventor and a black ops specialist prevent crimes before they happen.  More …

 

September 22: The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
– The Geek Friends Show

Returning season five. One of my favorite shows and although it is not genre it is about fanboys and deserves a place on this list. Last season ended with some moves under the influence and now it is the morning after. So, Penny and Rajesh? Wonder how that goes down with Leonard? Find out that and more in the premiere ‘The Skank Reflex Analysis’ where Sheldon takes command of the Paintball team …

September 23: Fringe (Fox)
– Where is Peter?

Returning  season four, 22 episodes. Fringe is one of my favorite shows all categories. It is something of a modern Archive X with a great following even if one could be happier with the ratings. Last season ended in a game changer. Peter Bishop connected two universes with the machine then ceased to exist. This season starts with Peter gone. ‘Much has Changed’ is Fox theme for this new season. I can’t wait. More …

 

September 23: Supernatural (CW)
– Returns to road-movie action

Returning season seven, 23 episodes. Castiel is getting up in The Winchesters’ grill with the whole ‘I am God’ thing. That is going down as well as you can imagine. According to Executive Producer Sara Gamble this season will be ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid-inspired’ with Sam and Dean on the run from Castiel. Then there is the whole leaking memory block to deal with too. Less Noir and more back to the road-movie action?

September 26:  Being Erica (Soapanet)
– Final season

Final season four, 13? episodes. This final season turns the tables as Erica is about to take on her first patient. She passed Dr. Tom’s test at the end of season three and has now become a trainee doctor. Creator Jana Sinyor said ‘This is going to be a big year for Erica, and by the end of it – she will have finished the journey she started…’.

September 26: Terra Nova (Fox) [NEW]
– Dino-time-traveling adventures

New show, 13 episodes. The Shannon family joins Terra Nova through a temporal worm hole from the year 2149 not knowing its location 85 million years in the past at the height of the dinosaur era. There are some hard asses running the colony from what we seen on the trailers. It is reasonable to expect most of the action to take place in the past but some will also portrait the doomed world they left behind. I imagine something like Jurassic Park meets the Robinson Family.

October 5: American Horror Story (FX) [NEW]
– unsuspecting family moves in

New show, 13 episodes. The Harmond family moves into a bizarre Los Angeles mansion with their teenage daughter. Said to be a ‘psychosexual thriller’ featuring a creepy maid, a guy in a rubber suit creeping around the ceiling, the mandatory nosy neighbor and many more. Horror isn’t really my thing but I will check it out. That maid was rather good looking…

October 7: Sanctuary (Syfy)
– the best green screen show around

Returning season four, 13 episodes. Amanda Tapping is back as Helena Magnus the head of the Sanctuary network as abnormal starts to flood the earth after the destruction of Praxis, the underground city. Helena is in hot pursuit of the man responsible, Adam Worth (Dr Jekyll & Hyde). Who fled to the past in an attempt to save his daughter. Last season was really good so this is a given.

October 16: The Walking Dead (AMC)
– In the country with zombies

Returning season two, 6+6 episodes. This was the great new shows last year. Now it is back with more than the double number of episodes and zombies. Season 2 picks up about five seconds in an overlap with the first season’s finale according to what we learned at Comic Con. The group has just left the CDC and head for a more rural setting. For fans of the graphic novels I can reveal that Hershel’s farm will be in this season and maybe we will see the Prison and the Governor too. More …

 

October 21: Chuck (NBC)
– A Tearful Goodbye Season

Final season 5, 13 episodes. I love Chuck. Saddly the little show that could survive against all odds will end this season. One of the last things that happened in the last season finale was Morgan involuntary downloaded the Intersect. Chuck becomes Morgan’s new handler as the team continue its mission to protect the Intersect. Their venture into the private sector offends The Verbanski  Corp headed by former spy Gertrude Verbanski (Matrix’s Anne Moss) which will intrigue Casey since Gertrude and he are long time rivals, sort of. Will Casey ever find the love he deserves? Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) will also drop by to play a villain early in this season. I hate to see Chuck go but at least we will get closure.

October 21: Grimm (NBC) [NEW]
– Van Helsing With Supernatural Creatures

New show, 13 episodes. Detective Nick Burkhardt thought he was ready for the grim reality of working homicide in Portland, Oregon. That is, until he started to see things… things he couldn’t quite explain. He is a descendant of a secret group of hunters known as ‘Grimms’ charged with stopping supernatural creatures from becoming common knowledge.

October 23: Once Upon A Time (ABC) [NEW]
– A Fairytale Set In Modern Times

New show, 13 episodes. A fairytale set in modern times. Emma Swan’s (Jennifer Morrison) destiny suddenly changes when she discovers she is a lost princess and accepts to save her world from darkness. The action is set in the town of Storybrooke, a place where time is frozen and characters from our favorite fairytales have been sent to and don’t remember who they are.

October date tbd: Merlin (BBC)
– Hidden Magic

Returning season four, 13 episodes. The offical tagline for the fourth series is: The Darkest Hour Is Just Before The Dawn. Camelot is in trouble (when has it ever not been). This season Arthur is being challenged for the throne. The first episodes are called ‘Revival of the Witch’ and takes place one year after Morganas failed bid for the throne in the third season finale.

October date tbd: Misfits (E4)
– Alternative Superheroes

Returning season three, 8 episodes. The good thing is that the misfits are back. The sad thing is that Nathan is not coming back with them. He will have his farewell on a webisode ‘Las Vegas, Baby!’ to be released September 15. There’s a new replacement character named Rudy for this extended season.

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Before concluding there are some Christmas specials worth mentioning although they take place in winter. BBC will run a three episode Dirk Gently miniseries as well as the usual Doctor Who Christmas Special (last year’s episode ‘A Christmas Carol’ was wonderful). One thing to be thankful is that Syfy brings back the summer shows for a Holliday episode or more. Eureka, Warehouse 13 and Haven will all be back but not Alphas?

Happy Autumn Watching!

 

Spring is here even in the far North. The winter season is almost over, and some renewals has already been made. Fringe, Supernatural, Vampire Diaries has all been renewed but many of my favorites are still undecided. The Networks’ upfronts are scheduled for mid-May and then we will see. Check the progress on my “When is my favorite show coming back?” page. But this is about the upcoming Summer season. What can we expect this summer beside the usual reruns?

  • Science Fiction Series: 1 new and 4 returning
  • Urban fantasy/Supernatural: 2 new and 2 returning
  • Superhero: 1 new
  • Animated: 1 returning

The Nine Lives of Chloe King (ABC)
New Series – June 14

This is said to have a sci-fi backdrop but looks like pure urban fantasy about a young girl, Chloe King who dies only to discover that she lives again. Guess that’s were the nine lives comes in.  She is the protector of an ancient race hunted by human assassins for millennia. Corny? maybe, but the trailer looked like good fun. Chloe is played by Skylar Samuels (The Gates). It is based on the book series The Nine Lives of Chloe King by Liz Braswell.

Alphas (Syfy)
New Series – July 11 (12 episodes)

Five ordinary people becomes an extraordinary team of Alphas – imbued with hyper-normal mental and physical abilities. Working for the Defense Department they investigate cases involving other Alphas. Sounds familiar and the trailers so far was plain action. A less brainy Heroes? Personally I think the whole superhero thing has been overdone a bit but I will give it a try. It is summer.

Falling Skies (TNT)
New Series - June 10 (10 episodes)

People try to survive and fight back after an alien invasion that destroyed most of the human race. It is a rare bird – real scifi without supernatural elements, at least I hope so.  Good cast and a twist, the aliens kidnap teenagers and turn them into killing machines. This could be the really good.

Teen Wolf (MTV)
New Series - June 5 (12 episodes)

Another supernatural highschool show? Might be watchable but I doubt I get anything more than girls in short skirts out of it and while that might attract a younger audience but I want some fun too like in the original movie. This might get a bit teenage-angsty from the look of it. I will check out the first episodes but most likely just put them on a pile for a rainy day.

Primeval (Watch)
Returning season 5 - May 24 (6 episodes)

The new Primeval cast is light on the eyes. It is more than a bit cheesy but has a certain entertainment value. This season will focus more on Matt Anderson’s secret mission and Philip Burton’s true ambitions for Connor Temple and the ARC. It airs in a period with not much else on so I am game.

Futurama (Comedy Central)
Returning season 6 – June 23 (13 episodes)

This is the second part of season six. This is one of my favorite animated series and just right for some summer fun. It is a science fiction sitcom so we will have to take as it comes, prepare to be entertained. Bender and company are renewed for season 7 with at least 26 episodes to air in 2012 and 2013.

True Blood (HBO)
Returning season – June 26 (12 episodes)

My favorite non urban fantasy returns with witches and a nude Erik running in the woods. Freely built on Charlaine Harris’ fourth and maybe fifth Southern Vampires novels Dead to the World and Dead as a Doornail. Last season was a bit twisted and added some great new characters which of some will return this season.

Torchwood: Miracle Day (Starz)
Returning season 4 – July 4 (10 episodes)

This year’s mysteries starts with the day no one dies. Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper are back and one of the season arc is about how they team up with CIA agent Rex Matheson and Ester, an analyst who has no idea what Torchwood is. It sounds a bit like they will take us back to the inter-personal drama that was so delightful the first seasons. This is a given watch for me.

Eureka (Syfy)
Returning season 4.5 – July 11

Eureka is a favorite. One have to embrace lighthearted fun when one finds it today. After Eureka’s time shift last season things continues to unravel. Add an astronomical accident, a race to go where no man gone before and dark forces. Sounds like the ordinary romp maybe with a bit of space adventure?

Warehouse 13 (Syfy)
Returning season 3 – July 11 (13 episodes)

I wonder if Wells will be back? Myka left the team last we saw them, but I am pretty sure she is back now or soon again. There is a new agent though, Steve Jinks played by Aaron Ashmore (Smallville), an ATF agent with an innate ability to detect when someone’s lying.  Another lighthearted show just right for me. Last year they did a crossover with Eureka. Will we get one with Haven this year?

Haven (Syfy)
Returning season 2 – July 15 (13 episodes)

The continued adventures of FBI agent Audrey Parker as she tries to uncover her past and deal with the supernatural mysteries of a little town called Haven. This season Audrey and her two men are joined by recurring guests Jason Priestly who will play Chris Weekly, a handsome but anti-social marine biologist who must deal with an affliction most would consider a blessing and Vinessa Antoine who will play Evidence “Evi” Ryan, a former con-artist and lover of Duke’s (Eric Balfour). This fun should hold a bit into fall and be back for a Christmas special.

That was all I got genre wise for summer. There are a few non-genre shows I will watch too. The Glades (A&E),  Switched at Birth (ABC), Covert Affairs (USA), Memphis Beat (TNT), Suits (USA), Wilfred (FX), The Great State of Georgia (ABC), Royal Pains (USA), Necessary Roughness (USA), Rizzoli & Isles (TNT) and The Closer (TNT) to name a few.

Which ones will you be watching?

 

The Holidays are over and the mid season changes are over us. Some of the season premieres have already happened.

I am excited about Primeval and The Cape. Being Human US version on the other hand will have a hard time beating the UK version (Series 3 is not scheduled yet). Fringe, Human Target, Chuck and Doctor Who are my favorites of the returning shows.

I hear that The Listener will be back on CTV. The two year hiatus had me thinking it was canceled. The first season about the telepathic paramedic was quite good so I think will give it another chance.

What do you think about the new season?

Primeval (BBC/BBCA) [New Season]
January 1

The new Primeval is quite entertaining and most of the old cast is still on, they have a few new photogenic team members, one with borderline NSFW short skirts. There is a new mystery with their team leader, someone might have caused a change in history again. It is still not very original but it is fun lighthearted entertainment.

V (ABC) [New Season]
January 4, 10 episodes

The alien invasion is on again. My sense of disbelief had to work hard on the premiere and the characters still feels a bit hard to root for. I hope for a bit more action this season. V struggle with ratings and I am afraid the new V is going the same way as the old one even with the guest starring old queen.

No Ordinary Family (ABC) [Returning]
January 4

This family of super heroes has at least been entertaining me but it is struggling with ratings and if I am totally honest is a bit bland. I like Michael Chiklis a lot since the Commish and he does brighten up the show here. The show is lighthearted which I like and the assistant chick (autumn Reeser) is cute and talented.

Human Target (Fox) [Returning]
January 5

Hmm, Human Target gets better and better. I like the new boss, she and Chance has good chemistry and Guerrero has his new apprentice Ames played by Janet Montgomery who is wonderful. The format with standalone weekly episodes works well here.

The Cape (NBC) [New Show]
January 9, 13 episodes

This is the latest new show. The critics has not been kind but it is way to early to say anything definite about it. I am pretty sure it can work okay as long as you don’t take it too serious. Some of the stuff in the premiere was hilarious to be honest but it is cheesier than anything I have seen in a long time. But it has Summer Glau in it.

Chuck (NBC) [Returning]
January 17

Chuck continues with mommy issues and girlfriend issues on Monday. I love this show but they should stop messing with Sarah and Chuck’s relationship. I am most interested in Casey and Morgan’s continued adventures.

Being Human US version (Syfy) [New Show]
January 17

The US version of Being Human has big shoes to fill but I will give it a try. I hope they remade the script enough so that we can enjoy both shows. A vampire and a werewolf move in together in a house haunted by a ghost is the same in this Syfy remake.

Fringe (Fox) [Returning]
January 21

Our Olivia is back home but Walternet is still determined to blow up her universe. Peter and Olivia has some relationships issues to work out the rest of the season. How can he explain that he started a relationship with faux-Olivia. By the way, Wonder what faux-Olivia will do back home in her universe? .

Being Human UK version [New Season]
The week of January 22-28

Being Human returning with a third series is great news. The wonderfully wicked Mr Herrick from series one is back alive again! Annie is trapped in limbo and Mitchel has gone off the rails a bit while George and Nina might be starting a kennel together. That is Vampire-Ghost-Vampire-Werewolf-Werewolf.

The Vampire Diaries (CW) [Returning]
January 27

I am still mainstreaming Vampire Diaries but I gather it is doing well. Beautiful teens doing teen things while being vampires, werewolves and witches. Great fun if a bit angsty, at least they don’t glimmer in the sun.

Archer (FX) [New Season]
January 27

Archer is not exactly politically correct but it damn fun. When these secret agents aren’t out fighting other spies they shag and shame each other. Time for some Winter resort fun in the series premiere where Archer is protecting a young nymphomaniac from kidnapping.

Supernatural (CW) [Returning]
January 28

The brothers are back together and Sam has his tortured soul back. So far the season has been pretty good and the opening episode with a dragon kidnapping young virgins sounds like great fun. Is this really the last season?

The Listener (CTV) [New Season]
Januray 28 Season 2 13 episodes

A telepathic paramedic solves crimes and other mysteries while looking for his true love. A quite entertaining little show that returns after a two year hiatus. Only in Canada?

Camelot (Starz) [New This Winter]
February 25 10 episodes

Cable version of the Arthurian Saga with nudity and sex? That is the feeling one gets from the gritty saucy trailers. It might be worth looking into.

The Event (NBC) [Returning]
February 28

The Event didn’t really impress in the first half of the season. My greatest issue with the show is that I don’t care for any of the characters. I love alien invasions and stuff like that but I need someone to root for. It is probably doomed but I will give it a watch.

Doctor Who (BBC) [New Season]
March tbd, Series 6 13 episodes

The Tardis in America and the Doctor in a Stetson looks good. The trailer for the new season also looks good and I loved the Christmas episode. There is something special with the Doctor.

Teen Wolf (MTV) [New Show]
early 2010, 12 episodes

Another supernatural highschool show? Might be watchable but I doubt I get anything more than girls in short skirts out of it and while that might attract a younger audience but I want some fun too like in the original movie. This might get a bit teenage-angsty from the look of it.

Game of Thrones (HBO) [New Show]
April 17, 10 episodes

This is where I put my high hopes this season. A wonderful fantasy story built on G.R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series made by HBO the channel behind True Blood. It feels like a sure thing. Wonderful actors and a feeling of gritty LOTR are my impressions from the material released so far.

Stargate Universe (Syfy) [Returning]
spring tbd, 10 episoder

I love the Stargate franchise and I love SGU. It has been a bit uneven in quality and suffering from characters that might be good and well played but hard to root for. The season has been picking up and I am looking forward to the rest even if Syfy already canceled the show.

Terra Nova (Fox) [New Show]
May 23 & 24 a two night preview

One of Spielburg’s new shows this year is this time travel drama about a colony from 2149 in prehistoric time. Robinson with dinosaurs? I am a bit sceptic about the whole thing especially since it has been moved around quite a bit. It is doing a Glee on us with a preview in May and the rest in Fall.

Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome
(Syfy) [New Show] tbd

Ensign William Adama, barely in his 20s and a recent Academy graduate, finds himself assigned to the newest battlestar in the Colonial fleet … the Galactica. The talented but hot-headed risk-taker soon finds himself leading a dangerous top secret mission that, if successful, will turn the tide of the decade long war in favor of the desperate fleet.

Outcasts (BBC/BBCA) [New Show]
tbd, 8 episodes

Outcasts and survivors from earth tries to forge a new life on the planet Carpatia in this new series that has a certain western vibe to it from what I seen so far. And it got Jamie Bamber in it, Apollo from BSG. This is the second new show I am excited about this season but it has also been postponed a couple of times which is worrying.

That was all I had until the summer-spring season.  Which show are you most excited about?

 

Time to have a look at the upcoming Fall season for genre fans and It looks better than last year.

In chronological order.





Nikita [New]

I must say that’s one insane chair and it is probably like the action in this remake of Nikita.

When she was a deeply troubled teenager, Nikita (Maggie Q) was rescued from death row by a secret U.S. agency known only as Division, who faked her execution and told her she was being given a second chance to start a new life and serve her country. What they didn’t tell her was that she was being trained as a spy and assassin. Throughout her grueling training at Division, Nikita never lost her humanity, even falling in love with a civilian. When her fiancé was murdered, Nikita realized she had been betrayed and her dreams shattered by the only people she thought she could trust, so she did what no one else before her had been able to do: she escaped. Now, after three years in hiding, Nikita is seeking retribution and making it clear to her former bosses that she will stop at nothing to expose and destroy their covert operation.

Read more inNikita Series Premiere [New This Fall]

Premieres: Thursday, September 9 (CW)

Vampire Diaries [Returning]

Picking up on the same night as last season’s finale, Elena  arrives home to a nightmare as she discovers Uncle John’s and Jeremy’s fate. At the hospital, Sheriff Forbes is comforted by Matt , Bonnie  and Damon while she waits to hear if Caroline will survive the car accident. After a confusing conversation with Elena about the night’s events, Damon is the first to realize that Katherine has returned. Katherine’s arrival sends Stefan and Damon on a path to find out what she wants, why she’s back, and how much of a threat she is to the people they love. Meanwhile, still reeling from his father’s death, Tyler is surprised when his charming and mysterious uncle, Mason Lockwood, arrives to console the family.

There will be werevolves …

This is a show I record and watch later when the season is over. But I am not sure I will do that this season. I want to know what happens.

Extended Vampire Diaries promo with a shorter Nikita promo at the end

Premiere: Thursday, September 9 (CW)

Merlin [Returning]

It has been a year since Lady Morgana disappeared and no trace of her has been found when season 3 begins. She returns under mysterious circumstances and soon the king is having hallucinations; an old enemy attacks and Arthur has to take charge.

Merlin starts to suspect Morgana but she and her evil sister are to fast for him. They capture him and bind him with magic. In desperation he calls the great dragon.

Merlin is a great series and 13 new episodes is better than usual for a BBC production.

Premiere: Saturday, September 11 (BBC One)

Lost Girl [New]

A new sexy supernatural drama about Bo, a Succubus who feeds on the sexual energy of humans. She is the Girl Next doors until she drained her boyfriend to death in their first sexual encounter. Now she has hit the road alone and afraid. Bo’s succubus nature tangles her in a sexy, romantic love-triangle with Dyson, a shape-shifting homicide detective, and Lauren, a human doctor who has found a way through science to help give Bo the sexual self-control she’s been aching for. With the help of her human sidekick, Kenzi, and Dyson, a sexy police detective, Bo takes on a challenge every week helping a Fae or human client who comes to her to solve a mystery, or to right a wrong.

Another supernatural show with nudity and sex is my first thoughts but I can live with that. The concept sounds interesting with a Succubus and the Fae but this in-between kind of detective series have been done before with various degrees of success. Blood Ties where Peter Mohan was Executive Producer comes to mind. It was cheesy but had a certain appeal. The crew and cast make this look like Mutant X the reunion. Cheesy with sex and nudity, count me in but I don’t expect high quality.

Read more about it in my Lost Girl post.

Premieres: Sunday, September 12 (Showcase, Canada)

The Event [New]

What if there was a cover-up so big that even the President was on a need-to-know basis? And what if some average guy stumbled upon the truth – a secret so powerful it could literally change the course of humanity? You think that guy would stand a chance of survival?

The buzz at Comic Con was very positive and that talk for the Event but on paper it looks like yet another fast paced action adventure with character development be damned. Some sources that saw it at Comic Con have said the pilot was fun to watch but all over the place and we have to wait on episode two to get any answers. Much rides on the characters and how much fun it will be to watch. I will give the Event 3-5 episodes to convince me. I am looking forward to check it out but it’s nothing I jump up and down for.

The event is SPOILER! [an alien invasion] at least according to nymag.

Read more in my The Event post

Premiere: Monday, September 20 (NBC)

Chuck [Returning]

Chuck will take up his father’s secret work, whatever that is and to search for his mother who will be played by the iconic Linda Hamilton. He promised Ellie to stop being a spy after he stopped Shaw so he has to keep it a secret from her and probably even from Sarah at first. Morgan is the first one he is going to involve according to sources inside the show.

There are many awesome new and returning guest stars lined up. Dolph Lundgren and Olivia Munn will guest star in the premiere.

Read more about the new season in my Chuck Season 4 post.

Premieres: Monday, September 20 (NBC)

Undercovers [New]

What is it with NBC and spy shows? Do they need another, they have Chuck. It looks like fun CSI-level scifi action.

Outwardly, Steven Bloom and his wife, Samantha, are a typical married couple who own and operate a small catering company in Los Angeles – with help from Samantha’s easily frazzled handful of a sister, Lizzy. Secretly, the duo were two of the best spies the CIA had ever known, until they fell in love on the job five years ago and retired.

When fellow spy and good friend Leo Nash goes missing while on the trail of a Russian arms dealer, the Blooms are reinstated by boss and agency liaison, Carlton Shaw  to locate and rescue Nash. Following leads that take them to cities spanning the globe, Steven and Samantha quickly realize that perhaps this supercharged, undercover lifestyle provides exactly the kind of excitement and romance that their marriage has been missing.

Premiere: Wednesday, September 22 (NBC)

Fringe [Returning]

A little Fringe science is never a bad thing. I am a big fan of this show. At the end of season two the team returned to their original universe. But they don’t know they have the wrong Olivia with them. I am all psyched about having another Fringe team to get to know now.

The first half of the new season will be every other episode in the alternative universe. It starts with Olivia imprisoned in the other universe. Spoiler fairies also told me that it will take until the mid season finale before Bolivia will be unmasked.

New this season is Amy Madigan in the pivotal role of Olivia’s mother. And in episode 2 a powerful female government agent becomes and adversary to the Fringe team for 3-4 episodes.

Read more in Fringe Season 3 [New This Fall]

Premiere: Thursday, September 23 (Fox)

$#*! My Dad Says [New]

$#*! MY DAD SAYS (pronounced “Bleep My Dad Says”), based on the popular Twitter feed by Justin Halpern, stars Emmy Award winner William Shatner as Ed Goodson, a forthright and opinionated dad who relishes expressing his unsolicited and often wildly politically incorrect observations to anyone within earshot. Nobody is safe from Ed’s rants, including his sons, Henry, a struggling writer-turned-unpaid blogger; and Vince, the meek half of a husband/wife real estate duo with domineering Bonnie. When Henry finds he can no longer afford to pay rent, Ed reveals a soft spot and invites Henry to move in with him. Henry agrees, knowing that the verbal assault will not abate and now there will be no escape. Describing their father/son relationship is tricky, but Ed will easily come up with a few choice words.

Thursday, September 23 (CBS)

The Big Bang Theory [Returning]

I can’t wait on the return of ‘Beautiful Minds’. They left us a real cliffhanger last episode – Sheldon meets a girl!

TBBT used to light up My Mondays but this season it moved to Thursdays.

In the premiere The Robotic Manipulation – Penny finds herself along for the ride on Sheldon’s first date ever; while Wolowitz finds a new use for a robotic arm.

Premiere: Thursday, September 23 (CBS)

Supernatural [Returning]

The sixth season of the show will focus on the brothers’ relationship. The season will steer towards the format of the early seasons with “lots of meat-and-potatoes closed-ended episodes, and…a season-long story arc to weave in”. Heaven and Hell are now in “complete disarray”, forcing Sam and Dean to reunite to “beat back the rising tide of creatures and demon-spawn” that “roam across a lawless and chaotic landscape”.

Misha Collins will return as series regular Castiel, as will Jim Beaver as Bobby Singer. Mitch Pileggi will make multiple appearances as Sam and Dean’s grandfather. The recurring role of Christian, the maternal cousin of Sam and Dean, was given to Corin Nemec; he is described as “capable, calm under pressure, and very good at his job”. Kim Rhodes will return as Sheriff Jody Mills, as will Fredric Lehne as Azazel.

Premiere: Friday, September 24 (CW)

Medium [Returning]

Medium is kind of solid entertainment and I like Allison and her normal family with normal family problems. Beside all the supernatural stuff. Medium returns with a ‘Freaky Friday’ premiere this year.

I usually watch this as a filler when I have time.

“Bring Your Daughter to Work Day” – When they have the same dream about a missing homeless man who is the subject of Allison’s most recent case, Bridgette and Allison swap personalities, causing mayhem at home, at school and with the investigation.

Premiere:Friday, September 24 (CBS)

Smallville [Returning]

Time for the final season of Smallville, or so they say.

“Season 10 promises the classic reuniting of the timeless romance between Clark and Lois, and brings Clark face-to-face with his destiny as he overcomes his final trials and forges the iconic identity that will be known for all time.”

There will be lots of characters from the previous nine seasons coming back for a session.

Smallville is a show I usually record and watch when the season is over.

Premiere: Friday, September 24 (CW)

No Ordinary Family [New]

This looks like extra cheesy entertainment and I love Michael Chiklis.

The Powells are about to go from ordinary to extraordinary. After 16 years of marriage, Jim and Stephanie’s relationship lacks the spark it once had, and their family life now consists of balancing work and their two children, leaving little time for family bonding. During a family vacation set up by Jim in an attempt to reconnect, their plane crashes into the Amazon River. But this is where the fun starts for the Powells, as they soon discover that something’s not quite right. Each of them now possesses unique and distinct superpowers. But saving and savoring their family life will be equally important, as they try to find purpose for their new powers and embark on a journey to find out what defines and unifies them. The Powells are a totally relatable family who happen to be a little bit amazing.

Premiere: Tuesday, September 28 (ABC)

Stargate Universe [Returning]

Those three are going to be joined by Lt James and at least one Lucian hottie (Elli’s new love interest) for season 2 of SGU.

Destiny isn’t just out there to boldly go where no Ancient has gone before. It  has a destination of cosmic importance, so important that it overshadows the desire for the crew to get home, and that by fulfilling this new mission, it may in fact allow them to get home.

At least the first episodes will be dark for Young and the original crew of destiny. Young goes to a dark place before emerging stronger. The young members of the crew has to step up and take more responsibility.

Dr. Rodney McKay and Richard Woolsey from SGA will make an appearance. Robert Knepper (Heroes, Prison Break) and Julie McNiven (Supernatural, Mad Men) will guest star as members of the Lucian alliance.

Premieres: Tuesday, September 28 (Syfy)

Sanctuary [Returning]

The giant earth shattering spider slash hot indian chick cliffhanger of last season will get its resolution soon.

Looks like the new season will center around the search for a lost city Dr. Helena Magnus father left clues about.

It is conveniently paired with SGU this season.

Premiere: Tuesday, September 28 (Syfy)

Human Target [Returning]

It looks like they listened to me last year, they needed more females.

Picking up from the heart-pounding first season cliffhanger, Season Two of Human Target kicks off with a bang as Chance and Guerrero race to rescue their kidnapped associate, Winston. Vowing to retire from the security business, Chance is lured back to work by billionaire philanthropist Ilsa Pucci (new series regular Indira Varma), who needs his protection after the mysterious murder of her husband. While on assignment, the team encounters Ames(new cast member Janet Montgomery), a beautiful, chameleon-like thief who has a past connection to Winston.

Based on the DC Comics comic book and graphic novel, Human Target is a full-throttle action drama centered on a unique personal security expert hired to shield those in danger from an imminent threat that cannot be solved through normal means of protection.

Premiere: Friday, October 1 (Fox)

The Walking Dead [New]

The Walking Dead is a six-episode series based on the comic book written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics.

The Walking Dead tells the story of life following a zombie apocalypse. It follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, traveling in search of a safe and secure home. Andrew Lincoln (Love ActuallyTeachersStrike Back) will portray the lead role of Rick Grimes while actor Jon Bernthal (The PacificThe Ghost Writer) will portray the character Shane, who worked with Rick in the police department before the zombie disaster. Other cast includes Laurie Holden (The Shield), who plays Andrea, one of two sisters who join the survivors of the zombie plague, Steven Yeun as Glenn, an expert scavenger and Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break), who plays Rick’s wife Lori.

Also looks promising and I know there are many fans out there waiting for this one.

Premiere: October 31 (AMC)

Outcasts [New]

This is the one new series I am absolutely most excited about. It has been portrayed as something of a western in space and that got my juices flowing plus it is a British/American production which hopefully mean there will be some mighty unexpected stuff happening here.

A group of courageous pioneers face a unique opportunity: the chance to build a new and better future on another planet. Outcasts is an epic new eight-part drama series created by Ben Richards for BBC One/BBCA.

They are led by President Tate and his core team of Stella, Cass and Fleur – they took charge and settled here first alongside Expeditionaries Mitchell and Jack.

They are a diverse group of individuals who left their old lives behind in extraordinary circumstances; promised a second chance at life they created a society, far away from their home, friends, family… and their pasts.

Settled in the town of Forthaven on Carpathia, they are passionate about their jobs, confident of their ideals and optimistic about the future. They work hard to preserve what they’ve built on this planet they now call home, having embraced all the challenges that come with forging a new beginning.

The planet offers the possibility for both corruption and redemption; while they try to avoid the mistakes made on Earth, inevitably our heroes cannot escape the human pitfalls of love, greed, lust, loss, and a longing for those they’ve left behind.

As they continue to work and live together they come to realise this is no ordinary planet… is there a bigger purpose at work? Mystery lurks around them and threatens to risk the fragile peace of Forthaven.

We meet our characters at a moment of incredible anticipation, they’ve lost all contact with Earth but the arrival of the last known transporter signals fresh hopes and dreams. Will Stella’s husband and daughter, who she heartbreakingly left behind, be on board? Why does Tate seem anxious about one particular passenger, Julius Berger? Most nerve-wracking of all, will it land safely and bring a fresh perspective on the new world with it?

Premiere: October/November (BBC, UK), December 5 (BBCA)

That was all for now. I will update this with Midseason series like The Cape and V later. Do you have any other genre show to recommend?

 

This list is for Winter 2010 and Spring 2011. Check the latest season

Here are the descriptions of the new Science Fiction TV shows (and genre related new shows) the coming summer and winter.

Terra Nova – Casting news August 27, 2010
Terra Nova – Casting News June 21, 2010
Walking Dead – Casting News June 18, 2010
The Cape – New regular June 9,2010
Terra Nova – Pilot Script review Updated June 3, 2010.
Walking Dead – First Photo June 2, 2010

My Weekly schedule of all the shows I am going to watch is at the bottom.

New Science Fiction Shows

A Game of Thrones (HBO) Spring 2011

Which fan is not interested in this.

HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s acclaimed novel series. Starring Sean Bean and Jennifer Ehle, and hopes to do seven seasons — one for each novel in the series. Producer D.B. Weiss says it won’t be a huge, splashy series with thousands of orcs stampeding across the screen. Instead, it’ll stay true to the books, and most of the battles will take place offstage.

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

Cast members include Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister, a woman of royal blood, Peter Dinklage as Cersei’s brother Tyrion, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Cersei’s twin, Jaime, Sean Bean as aristocrat Ned Stark, Jennifer Ehle as his wife, Catelyn Stark, and Mark Addy as King Robert.

Bleep My Dad Says (CBS) Fall 2010

I am in to it because Kirk was so damn good in Boston Legal.

$#*! MY DAD SAYS, based on the popular Twitter feed by Justin Halpern, stars Emmy Award winner William Shatner as Ed Goodson, a forthright and opinionated dad who relishes expressing his unsolicited and often wildly politically incorrect observations to anyone within earshot. Nobody is immune from Ed’s rants, including his sons, Henry, a struggling writer-turned-unpaid blogger; and Vince (Will Sasso), the meek half of his husband/wife real estate duo with domineering Kathleen (Nicole Sullivan). When Henry finds he can no longer afford to pay rent to his pretty roommate — and secret admirer — Sam (Stephanie Lemelin), Ed reveals a soft spot and invites Henry to move in with him. Henry agrees, knowing that the verbal assault will not abate and now there will be no escape. Describing their father/son relationship is tricky – but Ed will easily come up with a few choice words. Emmy Award winners David Kohan and Max Mutchnick are executive producers for Warner Bros. Television. Emmy Award winner James Burrows directed.

Covert Affair (USA) Summer 2010

Good with some light summer entertainment, Mr Jake 2.0 is in it too beside Piper Perabo who I liked since Coyote Ugly in 2000. CSI-scifi expected.

In COVERT AFFAIRS, USA’s newest original series, we meet Annie Walker (Piper Perabo), a young CIA trainee who is suddenly thrust into the inner sanctum of the agency after being promoted to field operative. While it appears that she has been hand-picked for her exceptional linguistic skills, it may be something from her past that her CIA bosses are really after. Christopher Gorham plays Auggie Anderson, a CIA military intelligence agent, blinded while on assignment, and Annie’s guide in this world of bureaucracy, excitement and intrigue. Peter Gallagher is Arthur Campbell, the formidable director of Clandestine Services for the CIA. Sendhil Ramamurthy plays Jai Wilcox, an agent with a rich family history within the walls of the CIA. Anne Dudek plays Danielle, a married mother of two and Annie’s older sister who knows nothing of Annie’s life as a spy. Kari Matchett plays Joan, head of the CIA’s Domestic Protection Division…and Arthur’s wife. From Universal Cable Productions, COVERT AFFAIRS is executive produced by Doug Liman (the “Bourne” trilogy, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “The O.C.”) and Dave Bartis (“The O.C.,” “The Heist”) through Dutch Oven and written and co-executive produced by Matt Corman (“Deck the Halls”) and Chris Ord (“Deck the Halls”). James Parriott (Grey’s Anatomy,” “Ugly Betty”) executive produces. Jonathan Glassner (“Stargate SG-1,” “CSI: Miami”) is co-executive producer and director. Tim Matheson (USA’s BURN NOTICE, PSYCH, “Criminal Minds”) directed the pilot.

Fallen Skies (TNT) former Spielberg’s unnamed alien invasion project 2011

This could be a good one, the cast seems a bit young.

From DreamWorks Television and Steven Spielberg that stars Noah Wyle (ER, TNT’s The Librarian movies). The series opens shortly after aliens have wiped out most of the human population. The aliens are now rounding up the few people left, but they are met with strong resistance from a group of soldiers and civilians who fight for their survival – all while struggling to maintain their humanity.

Wyle plays Tom Mason, a former college history professor who becomes the reluctant leader of one of the resistance groups. Also starring in the series are Moon Bloodgood (Terminator Salvation) as Anne Glass, a therapist who works with the surviving children to help them cope with the traumatic situation;

Drew Roy (Lincoln Heights) as Hal and Maxim Knight (Brothers & Sisters) as Matt, Tom’s two sons;

Jessy Schram (Crash) as Karen, who is one of the survivors’ motorcycle scouts; and Seychelle Gabriel (Weeds) as Lourdes, an orphaned teenager who helps run the group’s commissary.

Haven (Syfy) Summer 2010

I might be too scared to watch this. I loved most of the Movies and TV miniseries made out of Kings works. The promos are thin in content, one would say void of content, that didn’t impress me.

Syfy’s all-new one-hour drama series Haven, starring Emily Rose (Jericho, Brothers and Sisters) is based on the novella The Colorado Kid from renowned author Stephen King. The series follows the shrewd and confident FBI agent Audrey Parker (Rose) who has a lost past, and arrives in the small town of Haven, Maine on a routine case. Before long, her natural curiosity lands her in the epicenter of activity in this curious enclave, which turns out to be a longtime refuge for people that are affected by a range of supernatural afflictions.

As the townspeople’s dormant abilities begin to express themselves, Audrey helps keep these forces at bay while discovering the many secrets of Haven — including one surrounding her own surprising connections to this extraordinary place.

The impressive creative team behind Haven includes showrunner Scott Shepherd (Tru Calling, The Dead Zone) who is joined by E1 Entertainment’s John Morayniss (Hung, Copper) Noreen Halpern (Hung, Copper), Laszlo Barna (The Bridge) and Michael Rosenberg (Hung, The Riches) as well as his partners, Executive Producers Lloyd Segan and Shawn Piller (The Dead Zone, Wildfire, Greek). The pilot was written by Sam Ernst (The Dead Zone) and Jim Dunn (The Dead Zone) who will also serve as executive producers on the series.

Nikita (CW) Fall 2010

I loved the promo, light entertaining action with maybe some csi-scifi.

Maggie Q (“Live Free or Die Hard”, “Mission Impossible III” ) has landed the lead role in the CW pilot. Pretty amazing casting for The CW. She’ll play the title character, a spy who goes rogue. Said hour then tracks both Nikita and Alex, a troubled 19-year-old girl who’s recruited to bring her in. Anne Parillaud, Bridget Fonda and Peta Wilson played Nikita in its previous incarnations. Shane West (“ER”) has booked the male lead on the drama pilot, about an assassin for a top-secret government organization who goes rogue (Maggie Q) and the new assassin who is trained to replace her. He’ll play Michael, the agent in charge of recruitment sent to bring in the rogue Nikita.

Melinda Clarke (“The O.C.”) as Amanda, a division operative tasked with educating the newly recruited Alex (yet to be cast) in how to use her femininity to her advantage.

Aaron Stanford (“Traveler”) as Birkhoff, a computer specialist who enjoys Red Bull, potato chips and watching skateboarding bloopers on YouTube.

Xander Berkeley (“24″) as Percy, “the Machiavellian leader of Division – a secret unit inside the government.”

Lyndsy Fonseca (“How I Met Your Mother”) has scored a lead role on the drama pilot, a 21st century take on the “La Femme Nikita” franchise. She’ll play Alex, a 19-year-old felon who – after being sentenced to 25 years in a federal penitentiary – is recruited by a secret government agency to hunt down the title character (Maggie Q), her predecessor. She’s detailed as an “attractive, young, white female with virtually no personal ties or paper trail,” a profile which is deemed ideal for their kind of work.

No ordinary Family (ABC) Fall 2010

I was underwhelmed by the promo, they made it almost sound boring. Otherwise I have hope.

The Powells are pretty much your average, everyday American family. That is until their plane crashes in the Amazon jungle. After that, well, let’s just say the Powells are a little less ordinary.

Jim is a frustrated police sketch artist married to Stephanie, a brilliant and successful scientist. Although they still love each other, their marriage has lost some of its spark. All of that changes, though, when Stephanie takes Jim and their two teenage kids along on a research trip to the Amazon. The Powell’s plane crashes into a swampy river; they manage to escape, but, their pilot, unfortunately, isn’t so lucky. As the Powells gratefully return to their old lives, they are shocked to discover that they have suddenly developed some rather extraordinary abilities.

Jim is super strong with amazing reflexes. Stephanie can suddenly move at lightning speed. Daphne can hear everyone’s thoughts including those of her 16-year-old-boyfriend, ick! Then there’s JJ, who miraculously goes from clueless to brainiac, seemingly overnight. The Powells are reinvigorated by their new powers, but they quickly discover that the toughest challenges may be the most ordinary ones. Sure, they can stop criminals, but all the super powers in the world can’t fix emotional problems.

The Powells better get their act together, soon, though, because that pilot they left for dead at the bottom of a river… he just woke up.

From Brother & Sisters’ Greg Berlanti and Jon Feldman comes a wild new dramedy about a totally relatable family who just happen to be a little bit amazing.

Outcasts (BBC One) Fall 2010

This is the one I am most curious about, it got some good actors and I am in general impressed with the quality of genre shows that BBC produces.

A group of courageous pioneers face a unique opportunity: the chance to build a new and better future on another planet. Outcasts is an epic new eight-part drama series created by Ben Richards for BBC One.

They are led by President Tate and his core team of Stella, Cass and Fleur – they took charge and settled here first alongside Expeditionaries Mitchell and Jack.

They are a diverse group of individuals who left their old lives behind in extraordinary circumstances; promised a second chance at life they created a society, far away from their home, friends, family… and their pasts.

Settled in the town of Forthaven on Carpathia, they are passionate about their jobs, confident of their ideals and optimistic about the future. They work hard to preserve what they’ve built on this planet they now call home, having embraced all the challenges that come with forging a new beginning.

The planet offers the possibility for both corruption and redemption; while they try to avoid the mistakes made on Earth, inevitably our heroes cannot escape the human pitfalls of love, greed, lust, loss, and a longing for those they’ve left behind.

As they continue to work and live together they come to realise this is no ordinary planet… is there a bigger purpose at work? Mystery lurks around them and threatens to risk the fragile peace of Forthaven.

We meet our characters at a moment of incredible anticipation, they’ve lost all contact with Earth but the arrival of the last known transporter signals fresh hopes and dreams. Will Stella’s husband and daughter, who she heartbreakingly left behind, be on board? Why does Tate seem anxious about one particular passenger, Julius Berger? Most nerve-wracking of all, will it land safely and bring a fresh perspective on the new world with it?

Characters

  • President Richard Tate (played by Liam Cunningham), runs Carpathia and is dedicated to keeping the human species alive.
  • Stella Isen (played by Hermione Norris), is Head of Protection and Security (PAS). Stella sacrificed everything for the chance to save the world.
  • Fleur Morgan (played by Amy Manson), is a young, bright and idealistic PAS Officer.
  • Cass Cromwell (played by Daniel Mays), is a PAS Officer. Cass is unpredictable and fiercely loyal to Tate.
  • Mitchell Hoban (played by Jamie Bamber), is Head of the Expeditionaries. He’s progressive and ambitious.
  • Jack (played by Ashley Walters), is Mitchell’s second in command. He’s tough, armed and dangerous.
  • Julius Berger (played by Eric Mabius), is vice president of the Evacuation Programme on Earth. Berger is en route to Carpathia on board transporter CT9, expecting the power and status he enjoyed on Earth.
  • Irish charmer Tipper Malone (played by Michael Legge), is a rebel who speaks out against the authorities representing the voice of the displaced youth.
  • Langley Kirkwood plays the leader of the ACs, a group of cloned human beings and one of Carpathia’s darkest secrets.
  • Patrick Lyster plays the dignified and brave commander of transporter CT9.
  • Lily (played by Jeanne Kietzmann), is lost, troubled and seeking answers.

Terra Nova (Fox) 2011 – updated May 28

Not so excited about this one, but I am going to give it a try. It is one of the few real science fiction shows this year.

The script for Terra Nova begins in 2149 A.D. The scene: a large group of settlers are preparing to leave the apocalyptic world they live in to time travel back millions of years via a massive, high-tech contraption. Their goal is to see trees, enjoy a blue sky, eat real food – basically, to start over in this so-called Eden. But what they find is unlike anything they were expecting.

Jason O’Mara (Life on Mars) plays Jim Shannon, a devoted father with a uneven past, struggles to guide his family through the beauties and terrors of this primeval world. (about.com)

Allison Miller (Kings) will star as Skye, a veteran Terra Nova resident who takes O’Mara’s character’s son under her wing.

 

Steven Spielberg and Peter Chernin are on track to team for a potential new drama at the network about “a family from 100 years in the future who travel back in time 150 million years to the strange and inhospitable environs of prehistoric Earth.” 20th Century Fox Television is behind the hour, which could be ordered straight to series due to its elaborate sets and visual effects. Craig Silverstein (“Standoff”) and British scribe Kelly Marcel co-wrote the script based on an idea of Marcel’s. Silverstein, whose involvement is in second position to his “Nikita” pilot at The CW, and Marcel then would executive produce alongside Aaron Kaplan, who packaged the project. Spielberg and Chernin have subsequently been courted as executive producers as well, where they would be joined by the former’s DreamWorks Television partners Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank and the latter’s Chernin Entertainment TV topper Katherine Pope.

Brannon Braga has reportedly been tapped as the showrunner of Steven Spielberg’s much-ballyhooed sci-fi drama, about “a family from 100 years in the future who travel back in time 150 million years to prehistoric Earth ruled by dinosaurs.” The project, which is being eyed for a direct-to-series commitment, was penned by Craig Silverstein and Kelly Marcel with Spielberg attached to executive produce alongside Aaron Kaplan, Peter Chernin, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and Katherine Pope. Last month, Braga inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with “Nova” producer 20th Century Fox Television.

Travis Yanan has seen the script and he is neutral. June 3, 2010

Terra Nova – Read a draft from last summer. 100+ years in the future, we’ve frakked the planet up something fierce, overpopulated, overpopulated, overdeveloped, and we’ve apparently been able to invent time travel, but not interstellar travel, so the solution posed is to go back in time 154 million years and… well, I’m not entirely sure. Maybe that was the only distance they could go back? It’s something that’s going to need to be seen. As is, the human villain is way too mustache-twirling for me, but there’s a lot that works. I like the main family (who are part of the 10th trip to the past, so it’s not like they’re the first people to cross over/back and having to figure everything out, build shelters, etc). There’s a big world being set up… here’s hoping for payoff.

The Cape (NBC) Fall 2010

The trailer from the Cape was good and promising. This show got Summer Glau in it and she deserves a break. Break the curse and make this awesome.

“The Cape” is a one-hour drama series starring David Lyons (“ER”) as Vince Faraday, an honest cop on a corrupt police force, who finds himself framed for a series of murders and presumed dead. He is forced into hiding, leaving behind his wife, Dana (Jennifer Ferrin, “Life on Mars”) and son, Trip (Ryan Wynott, “Flash Forward”). Fueled by a desire to reunite with his family and to battle the criminal forces that have overtaken Palm City, Faraday becomes “The Cape” his son’s favorite comic book superhero — and takes the law into his own hands.

  • Rounding out the cast are James Frain (“The Tudors”) as billionaire Peter Fleming — The Cape’s nemesis — who moonlights as the twisted killer: Chess;
  • Keith David (“Death at a Funeral”) as Max Malini, the ringleader of a circus gang of bank robbers who mentors Vince Faraday and trains him to be The Cape,
  • Summer Glau (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) as Orwell, an investigative blogger who wages war on crime and corruption in Palm City;
  • and Dorian Missick (“Six Degrees”) as Marty Voyt, a former police detective and friend to Faraday.
  • Vinnie Jones (A veteran of Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, along with Year One and X-Men: The Last Stand) will be Scales, a frightening man with a freakish skin condition that gives him the appearance of green and gold scales. The casting marks his first regular TV role.

“The Cape” is a Universal Media Studios and BermanBraun production from executive producer/creator Thomas Wheeler (“Empire”), executive producer/director Simon West (“Con Air”), the executive producing team of Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun (NBC’s “Mercy), and executive producer Gene Stein (“Accidentally on Purpose”).

The Event (NBC) Fall 2010

It will be confusing to have Jason Ritter as a lead in two shows (the other being Life Unexpected on CW) that run at the same time. But I think I can handle it. Good promo but I doubt the genre part will be heavy here.

A thriller about a regular Joe caught up in a large conspiracy. Zeljko Ivanek (“Damages”) and Ian Anthony Dale (“Day Break”) have both joined the cast of the drama pilot, about Sean (Jason Ritter), “a regular man fighting his way through the mysterious circumstances of a conspiracy to assassinate the U.S. president.” Ivanek is set as Blake Sterling, the “fervid and brash” director of the CIA, with Dale as Dan Taylor, a “government operative assisting Sean in thwarting the assassination attempt who might have ulterior motives.”

Scott Patterson (“Gilmore Girls”) and Sarah Roemer (“Fired Up!”) have both signed. She’ll play Sean’s girlfriend, Leila Gasiorowski, “an MIT-educated biochemist who disappears as part of the conspiracy to force her father, Mark Gasiorowski (Patterson, described as “affable, Marlboro Man good looks”), an airline pilot, to crash an airliner into the presidential retreat.”.

Laura Innes is believed to be playing the leader of the inmates at the Mount Inostranka Facility, a secret prison in Alaska. Said role, Neil McCann, was originally written as male.

Blair Underwood (“Dirty Sexy Money”) has been tapped as the president on the drama pilot, “a thriller with a unique storytelling device that features multiple points of view concerning a decent, regular fellow who battles against mysterious circumstances that envelope a larger conspiracy.” His role, Elias Martinez, a family man who wants to fight the good fight, was originally written for a Hispanic man. (efc)

Wes Ramsey (“CSI: Miami”) and Taylor Cole (“Heroes”) have both landed roles. While not indicated, they’re believed to be playing Greg and Vicky, a couple who Sean and Leila befriend while on vacation that may have ulterior motives.

Nick Wauters is behind the hour, which is set up at Universal Media Studios.

The Gates (ABC) Summer 2010

Happy summer entertainment with a bit of a bite in it. I am looking forward to this one and not only because of the gorgeous and talented female cast in it (the males are also talented by the way).

Nestled inside a private mountain community are The Gates. The image of perpetual suburban bliss, each street is lined with perfectly manicured homes protected by the massive iron gates, but a dark and delicious secret is buried just beneath the surface of this picturesque neighborhood. Like most families that settle inside The Gates, the Monahans are unmoored from a complicated life they abandoned in Chicago. Named the new police chief of The Gates, Nick Monahan is expecting a change of pace in this quiet suburb. Nick’s wife, Sarah, and their children, Charlie and Dana, are embarking on new adventures as well. Their house is to die for, but amidst the excitement, Sarah is still burdened with the revelation that her husband may not be the man she thought he was. Charlie and Dana will also face some challenges of their own: Along with navigating the trials and tribulations of adolescence, they’ll also face the daunting task of fitting into their new upscale school, where their new friends run in tight-knit packs. There’s something very different about this place, almost… haunting. Unions will be complicated by friends with unnatural influence, insatiable housewives will struggle with ravenous cravings, and teenagers will be cursed with keeping their beastly instincts in check. The Monahans are facing an uncertain fate. Nick is about to be tangled up in a mystery where he will begin to piece together the dark truth about their new home, and the supernatural elements that lurk behind the shadows of The Gates.

The Walking Dead(AMC) Fall 2010

Frank Darabont writes, directs and produces this adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s masterful zombie apocalypse comic, in which policeman Rick Grimes leads a group of survivors in search of a new home. Gale Ann Hurd (Terminator) is also producing. In the TV version, Grimes is seriously injured in a police incident in south Georgia, going into a coma. When he awakes, he finds that shit has gotten real while he was out. He goes in search of his family, only to find his neighborhood trashed. He finds two survivors, who tell him the government was setting up a “safety zone” in Atlanta. So he heads there alone, to try and find his family.

Jon Bernthal (“Eastwick”) is the first to be cast in the drama pilot, which is based on the Robert Kirkman comic of the same name about a cop and his family trying to survive after a zombie apocalypse. He’ll play Shane Walsh, the man’s partner/best friend, an outgoing bachelor. Frank Darabont is behind the hour, which is set up at Circle of Confusion and Valhalla Motion Pictures.

Andrew Lincoln (“Love Actually”) has been tapped for the lead role in the upcoming drama, which “tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse.” He’ll play Rick Grimes, a police officer who leads a group of survivors in their search of a safe and secure home.

The production has tapped Laurie Holden (the Shield) for the role of Andrea, a key member of the survivor group who has a proficiency with a sniper rifle and falls for a man twice her age.

Newcomer Steven Yeun has been added to the cast as Glen

Linds Edwards and Jim Coleman have joined the cast of AMC’s Walking Dead adaptation. According to Bloody Disgusting, Edwards and Coleman will portray new characters Lambert Kendel and Leon Bassett respectively. Coleman has previously appeared in the movie American Gangster and the television shows ER and Law & Order. Edwards’s previous credits include the upcoming Seed and a host of short films.

It was previously reported that child actor Chandler Riggs has been cast as Carl Grimes in the zombie series.

Also signing on is Jack LoGiudice (“Sons of Anarchy”) as a co-executive producer.

Undercovers (NBC) Fall 2010

Some go happy spy action. The promo was OK, I need to see more if the relationship works but be sure to tune in to this one too.

Acclaimed writer/producer/director J.J. Abrams (“Star Trek,” “Fringe,” “Lost,” “Alias”) serves as co-writer, executive producer – and also directs – his first direction of a TV series pilot since “Lost” in “Undercovers” with executive producer/writer Josh Reims (“Brothers and Sisters”). “Undercovers” is a sexy, fun, action-packed spy drama that proves once and for all that marriage is still the world’s most dangerous partnership. Outwardly, Steven Bloom (Boris Kodjoe, “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion,” “Soul Food,” “Resident Evil: Afterlife”) and his wife, Samantha (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, “Doctor Who,” “Bonekickers”), are a typical married couple who own a small catering company in Los Angeles and are helped by Samantha’s easily frazzled younger sister, Lizzy (Jessica Parker Kennedy, “Smallville”). Secretly, the duo were two of the CIA’s best spies until they fell in love on the job five years ago and retired. When fellow spy and friend Nash (Carter MacIntyre, “American Heiress”) goes missing while on the trail of a Russian arms dealer, the Blooms are reinstated by boss Carlton Shaw (Gerald McRaney, “Deadwood”) to locate and rescue Nash. The pair is thrust back into the world of espionage as they follow leads that span the globe — and Steven and Samantha realize that this supercharged, undercover lifestyle provides the excitement and romance that their marriage has been missing. Also starring is Ben Schwartz (NBC’s “Parks and Recreation”). “Undercovers” is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Bad Robot Productions and Warner Bros. Television. The pilot was written by J.J. Abrams & Josh Reims and directed by Abrams. Abrams, Reims and Bryan Burk (“Fringe,” “Lost, “Alias”) are the executive producers.

My SF Week This Summer

Genre shows are Bold and Italic. New shows are Blue.

Mondays

  • Lie to Me (Fox) season 2 starts June 7
  • The  Closer (TNT) season 6 starts July 12
  • Rizzoli & Isles (TNT) starts Jul 12

Tuesdays

  • Warehouse 13 (Syfy) season 2 starts July 6
  • Covert Affair (USA) starts July 13 – Alias like action
  • Hawthorne (TNT) season 2 starts June 22
  • White Collar (USA) season 2 starts July 13

Wednesdays

  • Happy Town (ABC) returns June 2
  • Psych (USA) season 5 starts July 21

Thursdays

  • Futurama (Comedy Central) season 6 starts June 24
  • Burn Notice (USA) season 4 starts June 3
  • Royal Pains (USA) season 2 starts June 3

Fridays

  • Eureka (Syfy) season 4 starts July 9
  • Haven (Syfy) starts July 9 – It takes a village to keep a secret. Based on a story by  Stephen King
  • Past Life (Fox) returns May 28

Saturdays

Nothing here but us reruns

Sundays

  • The Gates (ABC) starts June 20 – like a supernatural Eureka
  • True Blood (HBO) season 3 starts June 13
  • Leverage (TNT) season 2 starts June 20
  • Scoundrels (ABC) starts June 20
  • Rubicon (AMC) starts August 1

My SF Week This Fall

Beside the one on the schedule we might expect

  • The Walking Dead (AMC) in October
  • Outcasts (BBC One) this autumn
  • V season 2 in November
  • The Cape (NBC) in 2011
  • Fallen Skies (TNT) in 2011
  • A Game of Thrones (HBO) spring 2011
  • Being Human (BBC) season 3 probably mid-season

Mondays

  • Chuck (NBC) season 4
  • The Event (NBC) – a mysterious event that can change the history of humanity … (might be SF)
  • Castle (ABC) season 3 (Nathan Fillion)

I will watch The Chase(NBC), Rules of Engagement (CBS), Two and a Half Men (CBS), Mike & Molly (CBS) andRide-along (Fox) and maybe House (Fox).

Tuesdays

  • No ordinary Family (ABC)
  • Stargate Universe (Syfy) season 2
  • Caprica (Syfy) season 1.5

I will watch NCIS (CBS), The Good Wife (CBS), Glee (Fox), Life Unexpected (CW) and maybe pick up a comedy, Running Wild (Fox) looks interesting.

Wednesdays

  • Undercovers (NBC)

I will also watch Cougar Town (ABC), Lie to Me (Fox) and Defenders (CBS). I might pick up one or two of the comedies ABC have on too.

Thursdays

  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) season 4
  • Bleep my Dad Says (CBS)
  • Fringe (Fox) season 4
  • The Vampire Diaries (CW) season 2
  • Nikita (CW)

I will watch The Mentalist (CBS), Love Bites (NBC) and Bones (Fox)

Fridays

  • Medium (CBS) season 7
  • Human Target (Fox) season 2
  • Smallville (CW) season 10
  • Supernatural (CW) season 6

I will watch Body of Proof (ABC), The Good Guys (Fox) and maybe Outlaw (NBC).

Saturdays

Nothing here to watch, hope BBCA have something

Sundays

No genre show here, nothing else I like either!

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