Tag: TV

‘Warehouse 13’ Canceled! Don’t Worry, It’s Getting A Final Season!

by Shane O'Hare

Just reported from our friends over at Deadline, the signature show for the SyFy network will be coming to a close. The good news is that the fifth and final season will be a sort of closer, or an ender if you will. It will be abbreviated and finish up the story. From the news break:

“Warehouse 13 has been an incredible signature series for us,” said Syfy President of Original Content Mark Stern. “We are grateful to the loyal and passionate fan base and know that Jack Kenny, his gifted creative team, and outstanding ensemble cast will give them an amazing finale season.” Saul Rubinek, Eddie McClintock, Joanne Kelly, Allison Scagliotti and Aaron Ashmore star in the drama from Universal Cable Prods.

So all good things must come to an end, I am just bummed that the most adorable actress on TV (Allison Scagliotti ) wont be on any more to make me go “Awwww”.

Warehouse 13

Geekscape 290: ‘Lily’ Actress Lynn Ayala and Murder Detective Sal LaBarbera!

by Jonathan

We first met actress Lynn Ayala last year at San Diego Comic Con when she helped promote ‘Space Command’ at the Geekscape booth! Now, she’s back with ‘Lily’, a brand new project written by Warehouse 13 and Grimm show runner David Simkins and directed by Battlestar Gallactica and Defiance director Michael Nankin. The Lily just launched a Kickstarter campaign and needs your help! Also in the studio is LA murder detective Sal LaBarbera, a 27 year big city detective. The two of them talk about the research for Lily, Lynn’s first experience seeing a dead body and the level of detail present in the show. Sal also tells us about the different actors and actresses that he’s shown the nastier side of LA on ride alongs and Lynn tries to stand up for her couch sitting friend!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:04 — 24.9MB)

Robert Rodriguez TV Network Launches In December With ‘From Dusk Til Dawn’ Series!

by Shane O'Hare

Just in from our friends over at IndieWire. Today at a press event Robert Rodriguez and Univision Communications announced that they will be teaming up to produce a brand new Television Network.

The English language El-Rey will be geared toward young adults with programming focused on pretty much everything, from unscripted and sports all the way to dramas and animations. Rodriguez was quoted as saying:

I’m thrilled to be partnering with Univision on this groundbreaking initiative to deliver high-quality original programming to our community and the wider, mainstream audiences, El Rey Network will serve as a launching pad to satisfy the tastes of young adults looking for exciting, cinematic, action-packed content. As a broadcast leader in media, Univision is the best partner to support us in achieving this vision.

But that is all boring news compared to what kind of scripted series are planned. Rodriguez announced that he will be adapting the 1996 film ” From Dusk Til Dawn” as a series. He will be writing and directing and plans on expanding the lore of the film. He has also brought on board Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (Star Trek) to produce an action adventure series for the network. Both shows will be filmed in Austin at Rodriguez’s headquarters.

So keep an eye out on the TV Program Guides this December for El-Rey

Geekscape 286: Rabid Love with Paul J. Porter and Hayley Derryberry!

by Jonathan

It’s time to talk about the horror movie ‘Rabid Love’ with writer director Paul J. Porter and star Hayley Derryberry! What 80s horror films did they use as inspiration and what were the challenges in putting together this small budget, indie horror film? Paul and Hayley’s friend Kimberly Wong comes on to talk about Coachella, take a few Instagrams and share in the passion! Matt Kelly rings up to talk the best death’s in the Friday the 13th movies and how Prophecy still rules supreme and Allie Hanley tells everyone to go see ‘Oblivion’, ‘Defiance’ and ‘DaVinci’s Demons’! We talk the awesome new ‘Man of Steel’ trailer and Shawn Madden makes sure to put all rumors about an expanded DC cinematic universe to rest! PLUS! We all meet American Bob!

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:14 — 26.6MB)

Serializing the Classics: Can Iconic Films Make It On The Small Screen?

by Andy Hines

As you likely know, the Psycho and Hannibal Lecter series of films have now been given the contemporary prequel treatment on the small screen. In the last 40 days, Bates Motel debuted on A&E, while Hannibal premiered on NBC during the WonderCon weekend. These two films are among the most iconic in movie history. The question is, if we already know where the series’ must end, how liberal can the television series’ that fill in the gaps really be?

HANNIBAL main cast
HANNIBAL Main Cast

The newer of the two series’, Hannibal so far seems most likely to succeed. Despite being on a network long-known for letting good shows die rather quickly (typically by canceling early), Hannibal seems to be well produced and scripted. The series stars Mads Mikkelsen (CASINO ROYALE) as the titular Dr. Hannibal Lecter, Laurence Fishburne (THE MATRIX TRILOGY) as Jack Crawford and Hugh Dancy (ADAM) as a slightly tweaked version of FBI profiler Will Graham. Fans have seen glimpses of who Will Graham was before Dr. Lecter infected his life, but now we’ll see a different side as it is stated that he likely has Asperger’s Syndrome (a much milder form of Autism). This helps explain the wild imagination and almost total empathy, while shedding light on why he insists on limited social interaction and almost no eye contact. It also fits with the “all business” personality of the character that we saw from Edward Norton in Red Dragon. What we really need to see is how the “good” doctor progresses throughout the series. At the moment, he’s played rather well by Mikkelsen, though not nearly as creepily as by Hopkins. Not yet anyway. That may occur as we get farther down the line. Most of the menace from the character is what we, as fans, infer upon it. Since we know the endgame, we read more into it than may even be there, but I get the feeling that it’s exactly what the show runners are banking on at this point. NBC isn’t skimping on the creepy/shock factor for the crimes that the team investigates, that’s for sure. There are 13 episodes ordered for the first season, and so far they’re rather good, but fans deserve and desire more, and we’re hoping the content keeps improving.

Norman and Norma Bates
Norman and Norma Bates

Bates Motel is the prequel series to Alfred Hitchcock’s most (in)famous film, Psycho. Although we never saw her alive in the film or its sequels, the first certainly gave us a brief insight into Norma Bates. The first few episodes have been very rich and filled with decent characters, but Norman doesn’t yet feel like the Bates we’ve all come to know and be scared of. There’s a creepy factor coming off of Freddie Highmore (CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY) that works for a young Norman Bates, but what I didn’t expect was for him to be a much less socially awkward version of the Norman Bates we all know and hate. Then there’s the real psychopath, his mother Norma, played wonderfully by Vera Farmiga (THE DEPARTED). While she may seem to be little more than a devoted mother, there’s clearly an underlying evil that I was surprised to see in just the first episode.  From there, every awkward moment I’ve seen appears to have the classic Psycho music in the background. Halfway throughout the ten episode first season, it’s already been a very promising start, worthy of the beloved series of horror films.

Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Dr. Hannibal Lecter

We should expect a second season, at least for Bates Motel, as it has already been ordered. We’ll be waiting awhile for NBC  to come to their senses and order a second season of Hannibal. As for whether they’ll do justice to the old stuff, we’ll have to take a look back after the end of these first seasons, but at present they’re working their way to becoming rather impressive. Now, I’d love to tell you it feels exactly the same, but as these characters are younger than their established selves, the fandom will have to decide.

Terry Moore’s ‘Rachel Rising’ Coming To Television

by Shawn Madden

THR report that Alcon Television Group, the TV arm of Alcon Entertainment, is bringing the acclaimed horror comic book series Rachel Rising to the small screen. The series from artist Terry Moore is the first piece of property that Alcon has picked up since its inception ten months ago.

The comic series is being described as “a horror story for people who don’t like horror stories” and tells the story of Rachel, a woman who “awakens” dead in a shallow grave and proceeds to try and piece together what happened to her. During this time she is tracked by a mysterious blond woman and a maniacal young girl named Zoe. Moore will serve as an executive producer on the show with Hellboy & Watchmen producer Lloyd Levin.

Source: THR

The Other Clone Saga: A Look at ‘Orphan Black’

by Andy Hines

As geeks, we know a little something about clones, either being really cool or whole thing going horribly wrong. Cases in point; Star Wars (both the concept of Jango Fett clones and the Clone Wars animated series) and the Spider-Man Clone Saga (not that great). When we hear things about a BBC series based on the concept of clones, consider our interest piqued for better or worse. Now, when you add a beautiful actress as the main protagonist (and playing several different parts), your fishing trip is over. We’re basically in the boat at this point. This is essentially what BBC America has given us all with their new sci-fi series, Orphan Black.

Tatiana Maslany, as the main protagonist, Sarah.
Tatiana Maslany, as the main protagonist, Sarah.

As I explained to my editor when “pitching” the story, “it’s basically the Clone Saga with a beautiful woman and no powers, or in other words…interesting.” That’s possibly the best part of this series, the fact that it puts the “science” back into modern science fiction. There are no powers, no aliens, and no space ships. It’s a show about science run amok, albeit with the sciencey bits happening largely off-screen. While it is about cloning (and we haven’t even gotten into the ethical issues yet in the series), it’s a very human story about a woman learning these things about herself and at the same time, making a better life and trying to make things right for her and her daughter. The discovery that she’s been cloned and the struggle to reunite with her daughter, Kiera, makes this a wonderful story to be serialized in a television series. Especially when the BBC are the ones producing it.

Tatiana Maslany and Dylan Bruce in Orphan Black
Tatiana Maslany and Dylan Bruce in Orphan Black

With any luck, the show will move beyond just the first series, which I’m sort of obligated to call it since it’s a BBC production. The fact that one of the main characters, played by Kevin Hanchard, is a cop, and one of the clones’ partners should make for a very compelling show. It’s science-y at points, but the real magic hits in the very real interaction with the various characters, a third of whom are played by Maslany. This is thanks in no small part to co-creators Graeme Manson and John Fawcett who pull double duty (shut up) as writer and director, respectively. None of it feels forced or phoned-in, which certainly helps, as there will be at least 10 confirmed episodes for the first series. I know it’s normally called a season here, but it’s a British thing and we’re discussing a BBC show, now hush and drink your Earl Grey.

 

Deconstructing The “Douchebag Bond”: A Look At ‘Archer’

by Andy Hines

Let’s just get right to it. The main protagonist, Sterling Archer (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin), is essentially the American douchebag version of James Bond. There. I said it. Everything about him screams “selfish, though oddly charming, asshole.” The writers have taken tropes from every spy movie, television show, comic book or whatever piece of media you can think of and jacked it up to 11. Archer is basically the embodiment of Hollywood machismo, though slightly more refined. With an iron liver, combat and trade craft training, and an unhealthy obsession with Burt Reynolds, he is the everyman of espionage. The more American part of the show is that their agency ISIS is a completely private agency and perpetually on the verge of bankruptcy. I mean, can we get more American than that these days?

Sterling Archer
Sterling Archer

Archer is arguably the most successful show currently on FX, and in its fourth season, with a fifth confirmed. We’re really here to figure out just why it’s so popular. I mean, it was created by Adam Reed, the creator of the cult favorites Sealab 2021 and Frisky Dingo. Though it’s animated, in no way is it a kid’s show. It may be the single most non-PC program on television, primetime or otherwise. I can certainly see that being a part of its allure, as is the almost constant innuendo (not that I’m complaining, of course.) His self-centeredness is epic in scope, as is his nearly complete lack of compassion for others. His “skills” are a mix of James Bond and Frank Drebin (look it up, kids) and really half skill/half dumb luck. He really is awesome and ludicrous at the same time. The thing is, he’s not the only thing people keep coming back for. There are plenty of other characters and factors to draw viewers.

Lana Kane
Lana Kane

As I said, there’s not just Sterling Archer to pin the success of the show on, but also the supporting cast. I would say the runner-up is Archer’s ex, Lana Kane. She is ironically very sensitive to non-PC language and innuendo, especially when it comes from either Sterling or Malory Archer. The interactions between these three are one of the reasons fans love the character (voiced by Aisha Tyler), as is the history between them, known or otherwise. The two butt heads more often than Carol (or was it Cheryl?) changes her name or “Dr.” Krieger develops a mad-sciencey experiment. Then there’s Archer’s mother, Malory, who really needs her own separate article. There’s just so much wrong with that relationship and even just her. So let’s move down to Cyril. Honestly, just the fact that we’re not even sure what his and Lana’s relationship is anymore is probably a big part of why I keep watching. The froggy little accountant for ISIS somehow always manages to find money out of thin air. Speaking of frogs, the farm-raised (and it certainly shows) head of Human Resources, Pam, is easily one of the funnier ISIS employees. Aside from Lana, the openly gay Ray Gillette is the only really qualified and dependable field agent at ISIS. Like everyone else, he is incredibly non-PC, though generally asks that others be so.

(clockwise from top) Krieger, Carol, Pam, Archer, Ray and Cyril
(clockwise from top) Krieger, Carol, Pam, Archer, Ray and Cyril

With all of that considered, the best part may be just how outlandish the characters and scripts really are on a given season. It’s ridiculous to the point of being like nothing else on television, and as close to NSFW you can get in a cartoon this side of Ren and Stimpy. With all of the classic spy tropes, innuendo, crude humor and near nudity, it’s perfect for college kids and their only slightly more mature parents. All of this adds to the insane beauty of Archer, which is a strange mash up of stuff that, on paper, should not work, but somehow does with a screwed up perfection. While many of the episodes are very standalone, there are plenty that work within the larger narrative, but I feel like that’ll take a while to really get to a true finishing point. Until then, let’s all sit back, relax and enjoy the best/weirdest/funniest damn animated series since the heyday of The Simpsons. 

The 9 Most Awkward Moments From ‘American Horror Story: Asylum’

by paulpresley93

Upon the recent news regarding the casting and theme of next year’s American Horror Story vignette, I feel the need address one of the things that makes this show as amazing as it is: its sheer, unapologetic awkwardness. Never has a film, television series, or YouTube video made me so uncomfortable over the course of an hour (while loving every minute of it). I loved it so much in fact, that I have comprised a list of the most awkward moments from season 2.

 

SPOILER ALERT: I’m essentially telling you the entire plot (save the last few episodes), so if you haven’t seen it yet, stop reading now.

 

9. Evan Peters Gets an Anal Probing

 

This happens within the first ten minutes, so not much of a spoiler, but holy balls is it awkward. One second he’s chilling with his wife, and the next there’s a big green alien hand headed for his… well ass. What makes it worse is that not one, but TWO fingers are extended. Ryan Murphy has to know that this is the number of fingers designated “the pleaser”. This was certainly a banger way to start off the series. Pun most definitely intended.

 

loldaddy.com-1339791153

 

8. The Best Solution to Alien Abduction? Polygamy…

 

So this season not one, but TWO of Evan Peters’ significant others also get abducted and impregnated by aliens (yet the kids are biologically his?). One apparently took a long time in gestation, so poor Evan just assumed she was dead. One day he comes home and BOOM his OTHER lady is home. His solution: polygamy. And thus it turned into an episode of Sister Wives. Apparently Ryan Murphy thinks this is the proper train of thought when placed in this situation, but I guess it is more believable than the alternative: having an American Gladiator style fight to the death. Maybe next season?

 

ahs-s02e12-2

 

7. Chloe Sevigny Insults the Size of James Cromwell’s *ahem* Nether-regions

 

At some point early in the plot, James attempts to rape Chloe and just when he whips out ol’ Richard she responds by laughing at how small it is. Now if it wasn’t awkward enough for viewers that they were about to witness rape, it ends with knowing that the old guy from Babe has a tiny penis. Way to ruin that movie… while simultaneously explaining a lot about it.

 

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6. Chloe Soon After is Turned into a Monster and Dumped in a Playground

 

Because she does insult Cromwell’s penis, his natural reaction is to it is to turn her into a Frankenstein monster and… dump her in a children’s playground? Apparently so… because soon after this occurrence we see the now deformed woman crawling through a playground thoroughly ensuring that all of the children there will be needing intensive therapy later in life. Seeing something that looks like a sea monkey crawling towards you and moaning isn’t something a juice box and some goldfish can fix, which makes this significantly more awkward for the kids than the audience.

 

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5. Lots of Nun Whipping… Lots…

 

Nun on nun. Nun on slut. Nun on serial killer. Lots of nun whipping to be had Briarcliff, Jessica Lange having an entire wardrobe devoted to all of her paddles. And if this wasn’t confusing enough for your libido they actually show the asses of the people getting whipped, also proving that none of these people wear underwear. The weirdest of these whippings is most definitely the “nun on nun”. The innocent young nun drops her drawers to be spanked by the older, wiser nun. Is it just me, or is this the plot of every late 70’s porno?

 

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4. Jessica Lange Tries to be Sexy…. and Succeeds…

 

She gives a priest a lap dance in a red satin lingerie piece… ‘Nuff said.

 

Ep1Pic7

 

3. A Lesbian is Forced to Touch a Penis… and Cries

 

First off, I’d like to address how ridiculous it was that Lana didn’t just play straight for a week to get out of the insane asylum. That was the easiest solution to this problem. But noooooooo she had to go all proud lesbian (which I honor, I just think it’s a little impractical) and remain adamant that she liked the V. But to make matters worse (or potentially hilarious to the viewer) as therapy they make her touch the penis of a gorgeous man. Poor dear. And she responds by bursting into tears. Seriously, lesbians don’t find penises that horrifying in real life. They just would rather not participate. Ridiculous (and oh so awkward).

 

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2. Channing Tatum’s Wife Gives Adam Levine a Blow Job While His Arm is Cut Off

 

I honestly had no idea how to condense the title of this one… Channing Tatum’s wife (that’s her real name, isn’t it?) gives Maroon 5 (he’s the only one in that band right?) a blow job while his arm gets hacked off. There’s not enough Colgate in the world to wash that taste out of your mouth. But at least you got to put Adam Levine’s penis in your mouth. I personally am still waiting on that call.

 

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1. DYLAN MCDERMOTT SUCKS MILK FROM A HOOKER’S BOOB

 

YES! HE DOES! I… I cant…. I have never been more uncomfortable watching television since that episode of Murder, She Wrote where Angela Lansbury doesn’t wear a bra. This serves no purpose to the series other than to make the audience yell profanities at their TV because they can’t believe what’s going on. AND THEY TALK ABOUT IT SENSUALLY. The hooker comes over and begins to speak in a sultry voice saying things like “My nipples are so hard.” “I’m about to burst.” and my personal favorite “I’ve got a rockin’ body and a titty full of milk.”

 

got-milk

 

Done. All kinds of done. Here’s hoping that the next season brings more and more delightfully hard to watch nonsense (which it should, because Kathy Bates is probably playing a witch, and there’s not a damn person alive that doesn’t want to see that).

‘Fallout’ Television Series May Be In The Works

by Shawn Madden

There’s no question that the Fallout video game series is a highly-recognizable name and very popular franchise among the video game community. Now, it appears that Bethesda may be looking to branch out by bringing the popular video game series to television. Bethesda Softworks have registered a trademark at the US Patent and Trademark Office with the mark “FALLOUT”, for “an on-going television program set in a post-nuclear apocalyptic world.” Pretty straight forward right?

 

fallout-tv-2

 

Another interesting thing it’s worth noting is that Erik Todd Dellums, who portrays DJ Three Dog in Fallout 3, recently tweeted that we may be seeing more of the character soon. Many fans had assumed that a fourth installment in the series would be on the way, but with this recent revelation it appears Dellums may have been referring to the television series.

 

 

With the success of shows such as The Walking Dead, Revolution and other shows of the sort…it doesn’t seem entirely unlikely that this show could be coming to your small screens soon. How soon? Well, hopefully before a nuclear apocalypse.

 

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Source: EuroGamer

Geekscape 268: The Wedding Band’s Derek Miller

by Jonathan

Derek Miller returns to Geekscape to talk about his new TBS comedy series “The Wedding Band”, premiering this weekend! Derek talks about getting the gig after not knowing how to play the drums, becoming friends with Brian Austin Green and Megan Fox and talking to Lost’s Harold Perrineau about the series ending! Also, what Derek gave up comic books for, making it in Hollywood and what games he’s still playing. Oh yeah, and Megan Fox is a serious gamer.

Subscribe to the show on iTunes!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:41 — 36.5MB)

Take A Bite Out Of This: NBC Releases First Photos From ‘Hannibal’

by Derek Kraneveldt

Today NBC released (via Entertainment Weekly) a first look at their upcoming crime thriller Hannibal. I’m quite excited for the series, though the way that it’s described almost sounds as though it will have a heavy Dexter vibe to it.

 

Not a ton is known about the series beyond a synopsis, which you can see below:

 

One of the most fascinating literary characters comes to life on television for the first time: psychiatrist-turned-serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. In this new drama from Bryan Fuller (“Pushing Daisies,” “Heroes”), based on the characters from Thomas Harris’ classic novels, we see where this incredible story began.

 

Will Graham is a gifted criminal profiler who is on the hunt for a serial killer with the FBI. Graham’s unique way of thinking gives him the astonishing ability to empathize with anyone – even psychopaths. He seems to know what makes them tick. But when the mind of the twisted killer he’s pursuing is too complicated for even Will to comprehend, he enlists the help of Dr. Lecter, one of the premier psychiatric minds in the country. Armed with the uncanny expertise of the brilliant doctor, Will and Hannibal (known as a serial killer only to the audience) form a brilliant partnership and it seems there’s no villain they can’t catch. If Will only knew…

 

Starring brilliant young actor Hugh Dancy as Will Graham, “Hannibal” will breathe new life into a deadly classic.

 

Check out the photos below, and let us know what you think! 

 


 
The 13 episode first season will have a pilot directed by David Slade (30 Days of Night, Hard Candy), though a premiere date has not been set.
 
Source: Entertainment Weekly

Sifting Through The Wreckage! The Geekscapepod For October 23rd, 2012!

by Jonathan

What a week! While I was working on our slew of Geekscape related projects, like ‘Doc of the Dead’, the Geekscape went crazy! New trailers for ‘Iron Man 3’, ‘Django Unchained’ and the ‘Evil Dead’ remake! Is Frank Grillo suiting up for Captain America 2? Ant Man starts filming in January! ‘Arrow’ steps up its game and ‘The Walking Dead’ REALLY steps up its game! Plus! What’s with soft hearted assassins? And ‘Silent Hill: Revelation 3D’ director Michael K. Bassett talks being a serious gamer!

Subscribe to the show on iTunes!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:29 — 17.5MB)

October 19th Is A State Of Mind: Troy and Abed Offer An Explanation Of The ‘Community’ Delay

by Derek Kraneveldt

Well, we may not be getting the Community premiere that we were all eagerly awaiting (nor even a date when we might be able to see it), but today the cast released a small gift for us fans that may slightly soften the blow.

If you weren’t yet aware, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the fourth season of fan-favourite Community will not be airing tonight. NBC made the announcement that they do in fact hate us, just 10 days before the scheduled premiere date.

The cast released a hilarious and cool video today, showing that they’re thinking of us fans. I don’t want to spoil anything, so just give it a watch below, and let us know what you think!

Season 4 of Community premieres… someday.

Walking Dead Weekly: Season 3, Episode 1 – Seed

by Derek Kraneveldt

Welcome to Walking Dead Weekly! As the title implies, each week (bearing a new episode of course), we’ll be taking a look at the latest episode of the AMC series. I’ll let you know how I felt about each weekly offering, and will also compare it to what Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard were doing with the comic at the same time.

This week’s column is coming a little later than I had hoped, as I had quite a bit of catching up to do. See, I used to be a huge fan of the series, and then that damn farm came, which was a fantastic (and small) arc in the comic, but absolutely drawn out and boring as hell in the show. I gave up on Season 2 about halfway through. When I heard nothing but good things about the Season 3 premiere, I figured now was as good a time as any to catch up!

Needless to say, there will be spoilers ahead. If you haven’t watched the episode yet, I wouldn’t read any further! I’m sure most of you have however, based on the fact that over 10 million people tuned into the premiere!

Episode Thoughts – “Seed”

First off, I have to say how good it feels to be back in this universe. I remember how insanely excited I was for October 31st, 2010, when The Walking Dead would see its first episode. A serious drama about a world overrun with zombies, that would be based on Robert Kirkman’s fantastic ongoing adventure? Yes please! Then as quickly as it came, it would be over: after a fantastic premiere, a couple more great episodes, and a few more decent to mediocre ones, the first season would come to a close, and almost another year would pass before we’d get another look at Rick and the gang.

October of 2011 would host the premiere of the show’s second season, and honestly, I barely remember any of it. What I do recall is seeing the first few episodes before realizing that I simply didn’t care about what the show was offering at that point. I stuck with it for a couple more episodes before it dropped off my radar completely.

Season 3 premiered just this past Sunday, and it was Geekscape staffer Scott Alminiana’s thoughts on the episode that really made me consider giving it another shot:

The opportunity for a weekly column fell into my lap shortly afterwards, and I was in. I powered through the remaining episodes of Season 2 (seriously, how the hell did you all do it?), and after a few boring ass hours and a really intense one (damn that finale), it was premiere time (side note: finally Shane is gone, FINALLY)!

The premiere opened with an unsettling close up of an old-man walker and a pal, just seconds before being ended by Rick and friends. I instantly noticed just how much older Carl looked (growing up unfortunately does not follow production schedules), but the writers had it all covered, the farm went down ages ago, and the survivors have already been through a winter since we last saw them.

RIP Owl. 2012-2012

The group is weak and hungry: hunting is rarely successful due to the fact that it has been very cold, and any buildings found tend to have been raided long before the survivors’ arrival. Things look bleak, and seem to only be getting bleaker, as walkers are hot on their tail.

We’re not far from the moment that everyone had been waiting for at this point. After much anticipation, and a brief tease during the season two finale, our survivors finally come across a seemingly abandoned (well, by living things) prison. Sure, the place is full of walkers, but clear them out, and this could be the safe haven they’d been waiting for.

More zombies in one frame than the whole of season 2!

The rest of the episode is really action heavy, and that’s something I absolutely welcomed after last season. The yard and surrounding area need to be cleared of dead, and it’s up to the gang to do it. Of course, this is easier said than done, and once everything appears to be peachy, another wave of walkers pops out. The only thing that really bugged me here were the zombies clad in riot gear (ripped straight from Left 4 Dead 2). The group acts extremely scared of these guys, but beside the fact that they’d be harder to kill, they’re also basically harmless: thick gloves prevent them from scratching anyone, and they’re also wearing face shields, preventing anyone from being bitten.

Look familiar gamers?

Aside from a few moments that may surprise you after this point (and a rather disturbing idea from Lori), plotwise nothing more really happens until the episodes closing moments, when it’s revealed (unsurprisingly) that the West Georgia Correctional Facility was occupied long before Rick and the others arrived.

Overall, I thought the episode was a great return to form for the series, and I’m happy to say that once again I’m a fan of the show. I can’t wait for David Morrissey to pop up as The Governor and personally introduce the group to this season’s tagline: Fight the dead,  fear the living.

I have to point out just how amazing the show looks too: cinematography is very strong, and as usual the makeup/effects are freaking phenominal (I definitely had a couple “FUCKING SICK” moments throughout the course of the episode. As far as I’m aware, The Walking Dead offers simply the most disturbing (in a good way) zombies ever to appear on screen.

Comic Comparison

Well, the prison took a little longer to make it to the show than some of us would have hoped (it was introduced in Issue 13, but by my count this is episode 20). Now that it’s here though, it seems like so far we’ve got a pretty accurate representation of what was portrayed in the comics.

He doesn’t say it in the show, but you can sure see it in his eyes.

There of course are some differences between the show and its source material in this episode, mostly having to do with group members. Fan favorites Daryl and Glenn are thankfully still around, despite one never existing in paper form, and the other deciding to stay back on the farm (which never went to shit). Hershel manages to get himself bitten near the end of the episode (which leads to a moment akin to Episode Two of The Walking Dead game), while in the book of course, he never leaves the farm.

Sadly, show only fans appear to have missed out on this one.

Another thing that was skipped over in the premiere (as mentioned above) is the entirety of the Winter season. Issue 9 had the group taking shelter within a gated community, having missed the warning of the fact that everyone inside was dead. This actually happened before the farm section in the book, but since we hadn’t seen it, I definitely hoped it would show up here as it was a fantastic issue and plot point.

Michonne looks to already be establishing herself in the series (after a quick introduction in last season’s finale), yet in the book she wouldn’t show up for another 6 issues. Also, her undead companions look absolutely disgusting (in a good way).

Again, this episode was very heavy on the action. That being said, there isn’t really a ton of things to compare! In both cases we get an introduction to a major set piece that is part of the most-loved story arc from the book, and if this episode is any indication, will be the same for the series.

Home sweet home?

In closing, all I can really say is that I can’t wait for more. If the rest of the season follows the source material as closely as this opening episode, we’ve got some absolutely fantastic television ahead of us.

See you next week!

Ed Brubaker Sells Two TV Titles: Will Act As Writer And Executive Producer

by Derek Kraneveldt

Comic writer extraordinaire (and Eisner Award winner) Ed Brubaker is busting into a new form of media!

 

The multi-award winning scribe has just sold his first two television projects:

 

Rising Suns follows an American Yazuka boss fighting for his life and falling for the FBI agent who is hunting him. This one will come from 20th Century Fox, and Kyle Killen (creator of Awake and Double Life) will also serve as an executive producer.

 

NBC has also taken interest in a title from Brubaker. This one remains untitled, but will follow an agent-in-training as she erases all traces of the agent she is shadowing.

 

Of course, nothing more is known about these titles, but one from one-line synopses we have so far, they certainly sound interesting!

 

Will you be checking these out whenever they make it to the small screen?

 

Photo credit Luigi Novi

Watch The First Five Minutes Of ‘American Horror Story: Asylum’

by Derek Kraneveldt

The new season crawls closer and closer, and I’m getting more and more excited.

There’s just seven more days until the premiere of FX’s scariest show, American Horror Story.  Most of the actors stay the same, but not much else does (even the show added a subtitle, Asylum): everyone is playing a different character, in a different place, in a different era and with a completely new plot.

This preview starts in modern times before heading back to the 60’s, the years in which the main story is set to take place.

I was a big fan of the first season, and again I can’t wait for this one. The show was not perfect, but the good far outweighed the bad, and American Horror Story made for an intensely creepy, yet eerily satisfying time.

Watch the preview below, and let us know what you think! Will you be checking in on October 17th?

Guillermo Del Toro, FX Adapting ‘The Strain’ For TV!

by Derek Kraneveldt

This is some awesome news for Del Toro fans (read: pretty much everyone)

Deadline reports that a TV adaptation of the acclaimed vampire series The Strain is in the works for FX.

Del Toro himself, along with Chuck Hogan actually wrote the source material, and both will be handling the TV rewrite. Del Toro is also set to direct the pilot of the adaptation!

Deadline states that Del Toro originally envisioned The Strain as a television project. Networks weren’t interested however, and it was turned into a novel instead. The networks then came crawling back, but their pleas went unanswered until after the trilogy was completed.

Carlton Cuse (Losl) is set as showrunner, and will concurrently be running the A&E Psycho prequel Bates Motel. In an interview with Variety, Cuse spoke of the series, stating “These are very scary vampires, these are not romantic vampires. They will give you nightmares.”

The synopsis of the novels opening helps further this claim:

A Boeing 777 arrives at JFKand is on its way across the tarmac, when it suddenly stops dead. All window shades are pulled down. All lights are out. All communication channels have gone quiet. Crews on the ground are lost for answers, but an alert goes out to the CDC. Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather, head of their Canary project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats, gets the call and boards the plane. What he finds makes his blood run cold.

In a pawnshop in Spanish Harlem, a former professor and survivor of the Holocaust named Abraham Setrakian knows something is happening. And he knows the time has come, that a war is brewing.

So begins a battle of mammoth proportions as the vampiric virus that has infected New York begins to spill out into the streets. Eph, who is joined by Setrakian and a motley crew of fighters, must now find a way to stop the contagion and save his city – a city that includes his wife and son – before it is too late.

It sounds terrifying, and it sounds perfect for a network like FX. I don’t get any Vampire Diaries vibes from this one either (no offence fans), meaning we may actually get some vampire horror back on TV!

Today is actually the first I’ve heard of the series, but it sounds extremely intriguing. The pilot isn’t set to shoot until next September, so you’ve got lots of time to get acquainted with the novels!

Vertigo Comic ‘Midnight, Mass’ Coming To NBC

by Shawn Madden

NBC is currently developing a drama series based on Midnight, Mass, a Vertigo title from 2002. The title focused on occult experts Adam and Julia Kadmon as a sophisticated, sexy, globe-trotting husband and wife paranormal investigator team – based in Midnight, Massachusetts – that takes on supernatural foes, macabre mysteries and the most frightening creature of all: marriage. Evan Daugherty, who co-wrote Snow White And The Huntsman, will pen the adaptation which will be produced by Warner Bros. TV.

John Rozum, the comic’s creator, will also serve as an executive consultant on the project. This is the second time NBC and Warner Bros. TV are attempting to bring Midnight, Mass. to television. In 2009, they had plans to adapt the comic with a different writing team behind it but it never made it to the pilot stage. But with the success of shows such as Supernatural and Grimm we can most likely expect it to make it to that stage this time around.

Source: Deadline

Geekscape at Comikaze: ‘Generic Girl’ Producer Victor Solis

by Jonathan

‘Generic Girl’ producer Victor Solis came by the Geekscape Comikaze booth to talk about ‘Generic Girl’ making its way to Youtube! A love letter to the positive aspects of comics, and the classic Adam West ‘Batman’ TV show, I think it’s a series worth watching! Also, Victor tells us about a brand new initiative to give Jack Kirby the recognition he deserves!

Subscribe to the show on iTunes!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:24 — 5.1MB)

Remember MacGyver? He’s Back! In Comic Form!

by Derek Kraneveldt

I can’t say I’ve ever seen MacGyver. The television series ran for 7 years (1985-1992), and ended when I was just 2 years old. This seems like big news for fans though!

Image Comics revealed today that the character is returning for his first new story in two decades. The mini-series is set to run for five issues and will be co-written by the characters creator Lee David Zlotoff.

Issue #1 will hit shelves on October 10th!

From the press release:

The series, co-written by Tony Lee (Doctor Who, Hope Falls) and drawn by Will Sliney (Farscape), with covers by Andie Tong (Superman, TRON),  picks up Mac’s story as he gets tangled in a web of industrial espionage and murder. On the run across the globe, Mac has to escape his pursuers—which won’t be easy with a million-dollar bounty on his head!

“I’ve been a fan of the TV show since I was a kid, and whenever I was asked what my dream project would be at conventions, only one name ever came up,” said Tony Lee. Some discussions and a meeting with his manager later, Lee was Skyping with MacGyver creator Zlotoff.

The more he thought about the medium of comics, the more the idea appealed to him, Zlotoff explained. “In the last decade or so, the graphic novel and comics arena has simply exploded in terms of both the kinds of stories that are being told and the range of artistic styles now being explored. So as I considered the constant call from fans around the world to bring MacGyver back, it struck me that the simplicity and directness of comics might be the perfect place to start.”

The result? A five-issue mini-series that ups the ante for the eponymous hero, taking him to far-off places and embroiling him in trouble that only MacGyver could escape.

“The biggest issue the TV show had was budget, and comics don’t have that problem,” said Tony Lee. “We have MacGyver traveling to African jungles, Cairo, even Moscow in a globe-trotting adventure that—short of a big budget feature film—could never have been done before in such scale and scope.”

In addition to a story full of thrills and twists, MACGYVER will contain the history of the television show’s creation in the issues’ backmatter, written by MACGYVER creator Lee David Zlotoff.

What do you think? Excited for more Macgyver?

 

Terry Brooks ‘Shannara’ Coming To Television

by Shawn Madden

Variety is reporting that Sonar Entertainment will be partnering with Farah Films to produce a television show based on Terry Brooks Shannara saga, the series of novels has been running for the past 25 years and even includes one graphic novel, The Dark Wraith Of Shannara, published back in 2008.

The first season of the Shannara TV show will be based on the second-released book, The Elfstones of Shannara. The series takes place hundreds of years in the future set after the destruction of our civilization in the “great wars”, with the world reverting to a medieval state and magic re-emerging, while mystical creatures such as elves and trolls populate the Earth.

Most of the main characters in Brooks novels are members of the Shannara clan, a noble lineage with mixed heritage of man and Elf that allows them to wield magic. The story Many of the protagonists in the series are descended from the Eleven noble family of Shannara.

Brooks stated:

“Partnering with Sonar Entertainment and Farah Films on adapting the ‘Shannara’ saga for television is an exciting prospect. Everything about both companies suggests the result will be one that both old and new fans of the books will readily embrace. I am committed to doing everything I can to help make this happen.”

 

Tricia Helfer To Guest On ‘Community’

by Derek Kraneveldt

It’s nearly time to head back to Greendale!

TV Line has learned that Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica, The Firm) will have a guest role on Community’s fourth season.

Helfer plays Lauren, and will meet Abed at an Inspector Spacetime convention.

Could Lauren be a new love interest? What about Hilda? Will Agent Robin ever return?

Community returns on October 19.

Tricia Helfer

’30 Rock’ casts Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara For Final Season

by Derek Kraneveldt

Looks like everyones favorite drug lord is checking out a different kind of rock.

Heisenberg himself, Bryan Cranston is set to show up alongside Catherine O’Hara (SCTV, Six Feet Under, Curb Your Enthusiasm) in the final season of NBC’s 30 Rock.

TV Guide reports that we’ll finally get to meet Kenneth’s family. O’Hara is set to play his mother, and Cranston will portray her special “friend”.

Bryan Cranston is golden in nearly everything he’s in, so this is a pretty neat little tidbit. Maybe we’ll even get a Breaking Bad easter egg or two.

The 7th and final season of 30 Rock hits on October 4th

 

Watch This New Trailer For ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ Season 5

by Derek Kraneveldt

The trailer that premiered at Celebration VI has made its way online!

The official press release had this to say about the upcoming season:

The shadow of the dark side falls upon “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” Season Five as the series moves closer to the grim events of “Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith”. The big-screen action, unforgettable characters, and rousing adventure of the “Star Wars” Saga continue, as Jedi heroes face a galaxy of foes. With unparalleled visuals, sound, action and adventure, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” continues the cinematic saga with the equivalent of a short animated “Star Wars” movie each week. Season Five is filled with explosive action, exotic worlds, intriguing characters and shocking turns as several major players face their destinies as the galaxy plunges into darkness.

I haven’t yet seen the show myself, but this looks damn cool.

Season 5 premieres on September 29.

‘Doctor Who’ Posters Give Us A Glimpse Into Series 7

by Derek Kraneveldt

We’re just a few days from the premiere of the newest series of Doctor Who. Images for the first 5 episodes have found their way online, and give us a taste of what’s to come from this years offering.

Check them out below!

Admittedly, I’ve never seen a single episode of Doctor Who. Do I hand in my geek card? Can I be redeemed?

Asylum of the Daleks

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship

A Town Called Mercy

The Power of Three

The Angels Take Manhattan

‘American Horror Story: Asylum’ Plot Details Revealed

by Derek Kraneveldt

A few days ago we showed you some creepy new images for the upcoming second season of American Horror Story. Looks like EW revealed some plot details this week too. Sounds like some weird happenings are going on in this asylum.

The plot revolves around an insane asylum run by a group of nuns, and many of the patients that call it home. Jessica Lange (Big Fish, American Horror Story) portrays Sister Jude, head warden at the asylum, who very well may be the craziest one of the bunch if her character last year is any indication.

We’re set to see things that out-weird anything from last season, including Nazi doctors, aliens, and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, who says the coming season is “absolutely terrifying. Very gruesome.”

Co-creator Ryan Murphy also let out a tidbit about the future of the series, stating that “Every year of the show is a different miniseries, and there will be several chapters.” This insinuates that every year the show continues will be drastically different, which will certainly help to keep the scares fresh.

American Horror Story: Asylum premieres on October 17.

Asylum

 

Observe A New Promo For ‘Fringe’ Season 5

by Derek Kraneveldt

I remember the uproarious internet applause the day that Fringe’s uncertain future was revealed.

The world was sure it would be cancelled: it was too expensive, the ratings weren’t good enough, it was a great show on Fox. Nearly everyone had prepared for the end of Olivia, Peter, and Walter’s crazy journey. Then the unthinkable happened, and it was announced that another season would be produced.

I’ve yet to watch the show beyond the first season. I have no idea what’s going on, but this teaser makes the coming season look cool as hell.

 

‘Beverly Hills Cop’ TV Show Coming From Eddie Murphy And Shawn Ryan

by Derek Kraneveldt

Vulture has revealed that the Beverly Hills Cop movie series is being adapted to hit the small screen.

According to the article, The Shield creator Shawn Ryan is in charge of the project. Vulture’s sources state that the project will be shopped around starting later today. Some really cool news about the project: in addition to serving as Executive Producer, Murphy will be portraying an on-screen character. The show is thought to revolve around the police career of Axel Foley’s son, while Axel himself is now the chief of police and will be designed around the “Buddy Cop” formula. Based on the property and the names attached, my guess is that it will be picked up quickly.

So, what are your thoughts on this one? Excited to see some more Beverly Hills Cop?

Beverly Hills Cop

Jesse Bradford Is A Big Deal! The Geekscapepod For August 28th, 2012!

by Jonathan

Geekscape writer Shawn Madden joins me on this Geekscapepod as we talk about potential directors for Warner Bros planned ‘JLA’ movie. Marvel, Joss Whedon and ABC put a S.H.I.E.L.D. series into production! Kick Ass 2 is putting together quite the cast. Rob Liefeld has lost his damn mind! A new team is taking on The Man of Steel for DC and the leaked Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles script sounds awful! PLUS! Jesse Bradford is a big deal and my neighbor has a mid-life crisis!

Subscribe to the show on iTunes!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:58 — 18.7MB)