Because the world’s been clammoring for more of Sam Neill in a very long beard… MERLIN’S APPRENTICE features Sam Neill, Miranda Richardson, and John Reardon, who apparently starred in “White Chicks.”
I guess this particular Hallmark feature does have one thing going for it…
No Martin Short! His performance was so strange in the original series, it sort of tilted everything into camp. Then again, I’d rather have unusual than dull.
Did this ever air on television? If so, I must have missed it. It may or may not be coming out on DVD this month — it’s listed differently on various websites.
The first season of Ricky Gervais podcasts is done, and I’m seriously considering paying actual money to listen to the new series. It’s just that funny.
Yes, Ricky’s bigger than ever. His podcast, which he shares with Steve Merchant and Karl Pilkington, will be featured in this year’s Guinness Book as the most downloaded. There will be more episodes of the cringe-worthy Extras for HBO eventually, but we’ll be seeing Ricky animated sooner than that.
Gervais has written an episode of The Simpsons entitled “Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife,” which is set to air March 26.
From RickyGervais.com:
Gervais’ character in The Simpsons is based on David Brent from The Office sitcom. He moves into The Simpson household with Marge as the family take part in an episode of Wife Swap, while Homer moves in with his wife. Gervais was invited to pen the episode by Groening, who is a fan of The Office. He described writing the episode as a “dream come true”.
See some Simpsons storyboards here.
But that’s not all… Gervais and Merchant will also be penning an episode of the American Office for next season.
From RickyGervais.com:
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the creators of The Office, will hop across the pond to work on their show’s American counterpart.
Mr. Gervais and Mr. Merchant will write an episode of NBC’s version of The Office sometime next season, NBC tells Zap2it.com.
(snip)
Gervais acts as Executive Producer on the show and has reportedly already made more from the remake than from the original. Apart from change of format deals, The Office is shown in over 80 countries making it the BBC’s most successful comedy export of all time.
“I had extended an open invitation for them to write or direct at any time, but I think they were smart to wait until we had developed our own following and our own style,” says Greg Daniels, executive producer of NBC’s Office.
It’s pretty cool that NBC’s The Office is actually popular. I mean, in addition to being really good. Now that people are watching, it could stick around for several more seasons.
The Troma empire of fun-loving mediocrity may soon come to a television near you. James Hibberd of TV Week reports that the cult independent film company has two new shows in development. No networks have bit yet, but I think either would fit in well on Spike, Comedy Central, or The Horror Channel.
I’m a fan of the ideals of Troma, if not the films. Hey, I’ve only seen a few of them. BUT, I’ve read head honcho Lloyd Kaufman’s filmmaking books several times each. They’re chock-full of tips and hysterical anecdotes — highly recommended reading.
Lloyd was his typical, glib self when speaking about the projects:
Asked why Troma is getting into television after years of indie filmmaking, founder and President Lloyd Kaufman replied, “Money.”
“It would be perfect if I get lots of money, don’t have to do anything and I get all the credit,” Mr. Kaufman said. “I know nothing about television and I will not be my usual unpleasant self, unlike for my movies, [over] which I have total control.”
The shows in question:
TromaZone
A reality series described as “the anti-’Project Greenlight,’” where Troma fans make their own short films.Tweaked
A half-hour program stripping movies from the Troma library and giving them new voice-over tracks by a team of comedy writers, a la Spike TV’s “Most Extreme Elimination Challenge.”
This isn’t Troma’s first foray into TV. There was a short-lived animated series based on the Toxic Avenger, which focused on environmental issues. There was also Troma’s Edge TV, produced for British television.
It’s a big week for Troma news, as they just posted a trailer for their shot-in-Buffalo film, “Poultrygeist.” Check out said trailer here. I’d tell you what I think of it, but I can’t seem to get it to play on my computer.
I’m back in the loop for some of my favorite channels. With digital cable, I now get Encore. (I had the Starz channels for awhile, too, but maybe it was just a free week.)
In any case, here’s some horror movie programming to keep in mind.
THE FOG: Behind-The-Scenes Featurette
I caught the trailer for the new Fog movie this past weekend. I think this could work, expecially since the original didn’t really do it for me. I know there are John Carpenter fans who love his movie, but aside from a few creepy shots, I think it could use some improvement.
On September 15th, Starz Edge will premiere a featurette with behind-the-scenes footage of the Fog remake, plus cast interviews and the trailer. Starz airs the featurette on September 16th.
The new film stars Selma Blair (Hellboy), Maggie Grace (“Lost”) and Tom Welling (“Smallville”), with Rupert Wainwright directing. Blair, Grace, Welling, Carpenter, Wainwright and producer David Foster are interviewed in the featurette.
THE FOG from Revolution Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment is scheduled for theatrical release on October 14th, 2005.
Encore’s “FEAR FEST: 31 NIGHTS OF HORROR”
A Different Fright Flick Every Night in October Culminating on Halloween With The World Television Premiere of Director Tobe Hooper’s Toolbox Murders
Every night at 8:00 p.m. on Encore
October 1– Toolbox Murders (World TV Prem.)
October 2 – Willard (2003)
October 3 – An American Werewolf in Paris
October 4 – Christine
October 5 – Lord of Illusions
October 6 – The Believers
October 7 – From Dusk Till Dawn
October 8 – The Thing (1982)
October 9 – Candyman
October 10 – Night of the Creeps
October 11– The Prophecy
October 12 – Child’s Play
October 13 – Child’s Play 2
October 14 – Child’s Play 3
October 15 – Bride of Chucky
October 16 – The Amityville Horror (1979)
October 17 – The Howling II
October 18 – Virus
October 19 – Nomads
October 20 – Ginger Snaps Back
October 21 – Van Helsing
October 22 – Freddy Vs. Jason
October 23 – Bram Stoker’s Dracula
October 24 – Hellraiser 4
October 25 – The Blob (1988)
October 26 – Final Conflict
October 27 – Halloween II
October 28 – Fallen
October 29 – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
October 30 – Psycho (1998)
October 31 – Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Morgan Spurlock (director of Super Size Me) has reported that his excellent documentary series “30 Days” has been renewed. It will air next summer on FX, and hopefully they’ll have more than 6 episodes this time.
Back in the day, The Real World would occasionally be thought-provoking like this, but today most reality shows are about sex, gossip, and voting someone off each week. So, it’s great that we’ll be seeing more of 30 Days.
Each episode of the first season placed people into unique situations for a month. The goal was to see the world from a different point of view. The first episode had Morgan and his girlfriend working minimum wage jobs. Shows to follow had conservative Christians living with Moslems, and then Gay roommates. Other topics tackled were environmental conservation, steroid use, and college binge-drinking.
It was fascinating to see how people’s preconceptions would change (or in some cases, NOT) depending on the situation. I also enjoyed seeing New York animator Pat Smith’s work used to illustrate educational segments.
In the last couple years, FX has been one of the most consistent networks in terms of producing quality shows. It’s good to see they’re backing this one again.
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