First up it’s Tricia Helfer on the November 16th episode of Two and a Half Men.

In “The Moustache Attachment,”  Chelsea (Jennifer Taylor) invites her beautiful college roommate, Gail (Tricia Helfer) to stay at the house while she gets over a bad breakup and Charlie (Charlie Sheen) dreams of threesomes. (Photo: Greg Gayne/WB ©2009 Warner Bros. Television. All Rights Reserved.)

Next, on November 23, Katee Sackoff plays herself on The Big Bang Theory’s “The Vengeance Formulation.”

After he’s humiliated on National Public Radio, Sheldon vows to destroy Kripke (? LOL), while Wolowitz tries not to destroy his new relationship with Bernadette. Katee Sackhoff appears as herself, offering Wolowitz some relationship advice.
(Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS ©2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Two lovely ladies and two very funny comedies. You can’t beat that.

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It’s not like we didn’t now this was coming. We were warned and that’s not just a line from the movie. Here’s what the folks at National Geographic have to say about the truth beyond the legend.

The Maya believed that everything — including creation and destruction — occurred in cycles. Their calendar spanned five cycles, each lasting approximately 5,200 years. At the end of each cycle before this one, the Maya believed the current, flawed creation had to be destroyed for the world to be born again. Some believe the end of the current cycle on December 21, 2012, is an apocalyptic sign. And those who see a connection between the complex and incredibly accurate Maya calendar and a prophecy that the world will end in 2012 point to an unexpected discovery made by Princeton University scientist Adam Maloof as proof.

On Sunday, November 8, 2009, at 8 pm, National Geographic Channel examines the evidence behind the Maya calendar prophecies in 2012: Countdown to Armageddon. The special follows Maloof to three continents on a detective story that spans eons — with clues embedded in the oldest rocks on the planet.

In this special, you’ll see the investigation of identical rock shifts in both Norway and Australia, take a closer looks at the ruins of Chichén Itzá, which some believe to be the physical embodiment of the Maya calendar, and examine the Dresden Codex — the most comprehensive source for Maya astronomy, which has been locked in a high-security vault.

Is there proof that the Maya knew what they were talking about when they predicted the end of the world? Watch 2012: Countdown to Armageddon on November 8 on the National Geographic Channel, then catch 2012 the movie opening in theaters on November 13.

Photo:
Cameraman Thomas Sassenberg and Director / Executive Producer Andreas Gutzeit atop the Temple of the Warriors (Templo de los Guerreros) in Chichén Itzá, Yucatán, Mexico. (Photo Credit: © Story House Productions)

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So, I guess we shouldn’t be surprised or concerned to hear that the keymaster of the Dollhouse will be sliding over one spot to direct an upcoming episode of Glee.

Michael Ausiello broke the news on his EW blog, so you can head over there for more details but really, what more do you need to know other than it’s going to be the best episode of the new musical comedy ever — and probably the weirdest. Can’t wait.

Pictured back row L-R: Chris Colfer, Jenna Ushkowitz, Heather Morris, Cory Monteith, Harry Shum Jr, Lea Michele and Dianna Agron. Front row L-R: Dijon Talton, Naya Rivera, Mark Salling and Amber Riley. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Michael Yarish/FOX

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It happens tonight, October 19, at 9:30 on CBS.

Photo: Robert Voets//CBS
©2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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*   *   *  *

Irwin Allen’s spectacular underwater epic City Beneath the Sea, has finally been released on DVD by Warner Bros. Archives. This long overdue release will be of great welcome to Irwin Allen and science fiction fans everywhere!

In the 21st century, Commander Mike Mathews, (Stuart Whitman) is called back to resume his duty by the President, played by (Richard Basehart) of the underwater metropolis Pacifica. There were two reasons for his return to Pacifica, it housed the entire Fort Knox gold supply, making it very vulnerable, as well as the earth was being threatened by a giant meteor, capable of destroying the whole planet!

I remember seeing this film for the first time many, many years ago, and it leaving quite an impression. A great cast, Stuart Whitman, Rosemary Forsythe, Robert Wagner, and Robert Colbert to name a few.This, in combination with good use of old props and excellent miniature work, the most impressive, being the city itself. Many new, and elaborate models and miniatures were created. Futuristic and cargo submarines, a cool vehicle called an Aquadozer, and if you look real closely, you may even spot a cameo of the great Seaview far off in the distance. The Flying Sub, (which doubles as the “Aquafoil”) has a new color scheme and is put to good use here.

Irwin Allen’s previous ground-breaking science fiction series, Lost in Space,  The Time Tunnel, Land of the Giants, and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea had all gone into syndication. The prolific and energetic producer-director had intended this pilot film as his fifth series. I have always thought this film was like all four shows rolled up in one! Its high production values, brilliant use of color, extraordinary miniature work, all star cast and of course, lots of action! This is one of the great, slightly overlooked, works of Irwin Allen. His contribution to science fiction was well ahead of its time, and will always be etched in our memory.

I am very happy to see this excellent film, finally released on DVD by Warner Archives. It deserves attention as a single release, by one science fiction’s great master’s Irwin Allen!

*Warner has also released Gene Roddenbery’s Genesis II, Earth II and The Man From Atlantis. To purchase City Beneath the Sea or any of these DVDs, visit the Warner Archives.

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Here are my candidates for the top five scifi quotes to make it into the pop culture vernacular.

5. “The Truth is Out There”

Ever since Mulder and Scully gave us a glimpse into The X-Files, we’ve been determined to find the real truth about aliens, Bigfoot, Elvis and Lady Gaga. That single phrase has inspired millions to look beyond what is presented to us and that’s a good thing and thanks to Chris Carter, that phrase and The X-Files will always be associated with conspiracies of every kind.

4. “I’ll be back“

Usually when you hear this phrase, it’s uttered in a flat, deep voice with an “a” that sound more like Bach than back. It’s one of the most basic lines uttered by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator and it’s been used in hundreds of TV shows and movies since, and even in reference to Schwarznegger’s political career. He’s never living that one down.

3. “He’s Dead, Jim.”

It’s become a running joke, but has anyone ever counted how many times Dr. McCoy ever actually says this phrase on an episode of Star Trek? Along with “I’m a doctor not a. . . (insert job title here)” and “Beam me up, Scotty,” this phrase is recognized by non-geeks, the world over, leaving actor DeForest Kelley to remark that the line will likely end up on his tombstone.

2. “Danger, Will Robinson, danger”

This quote comes from one of my favorite scifi classics, Lost in Space. The line was  uttered by the Robot as he tried to keep his young charge from heading off into trouble on an alien planet. It was  only once in this exact format but somehow it has gone on to be copied and parodied time and again, even making an appearance on The West Wing.

1. “Luke, I am your father”

There’s something about this dramatic line from Star Wars that makes people giggle when it’s heard out of context. Said this way, it’s actually a misquote as Darth says, “No, I am your father” with the emphasis on “I”, again, not the way it’s usually repeated.  Two of the best uses of the catchphrase are in Austin Powers 2 and Toy Story 2.

Do you have a favorite scifi quote that you like to toss in when the proper occasion arises? Tell me about it in the comments below!

Graphic from Stock.xchng

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Originally, the series was expected to run 13 episodes beginning right after the winter Olympics. Now NBC has changed the order, asking for a four hour miniseries which means some major reworking needs to be done on the plot. With two hours already in the can, the producers and writers are now left scrambling to create a satisfying ending with only two more hours on the clock. Not wanting to give up hope of an additional pick-up, they plan to write an ending that leaves room to grow should the mini do well.

All of this comes just days after ABC announced that they’re going to air four hours of the series “V” in November with a cliffhanger that won’t resolve until after the Olympics in March. Huh? The only upside is that they haven’t canceled their order for additional episodes — yet.

I guess a split season could work. Cable shows have been doing it for awhile but usually with more than four episodes packed up front. No matter how they spin it, it seems like a lack of confidence in both projects which is a shame. From everything I’ve seen of “V“, it looks like a winner. Certainly a winner for Fox, unfortunetly it’s on ABC.

NBC Photo: Mitchell Haaseth

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What classic scifi show do you think this Time magazine reviewer was referring to? You’ll find the answer when you read Mark Phillips’ blog covering what the critics had to say about early scifi TV.

Mark and I “met” virtually when we both began pitching stories about Irwin Allen’s TV shows to magazines such as Starlog in the early 90’s. Since then, he’s made quite a career out of tracking down crew members and guest stars — just about everyone who ever worked on an Irwin Allen production as well as other classic shows.

Together with his partner Frank Garcia, Mark wrote an extensive encyclopedia covering 62 scifi shows always trying to be as objective as possible about the material. During his research, he uncovered tons of critiques written when these shows were new and now he’s publish bits of them on his blog.

From the critic who said Lost in Space star Jonathan Harris gave the worst single performance of the year to the one who said Star Trek was a “dreary mess” — check out Mark’s blog and don’t forget to tell him that Cynthia sent you.

Photo: Amazon

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Let’s start with scifi royalty – Star Trek’s William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.

Next it’s two of my fave’s Murdock and Face from A-Team, Dwight Schultz and Dirk Benedict who also starred in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the original Battlestar Galactica respectively.

Here’s Star Trek: TNG star Patrick Stewart and Smallville’s John Schneider.

Ron Glass from Firefly was in the house, as was Bruce Davidson from Knight Rider.

Interested in seeing more? Check out YouTube for a variety of videos from the panels including William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy sharing the spotlight.

Photos: Newscom 

Photo Credit: Dan Harr/AdMedia

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Let’s start with Kate Vernon of Battlestar Galactica

Next up is her co-star Mary McDonnell and Star Trek Voyager’s Kate Mulgrew

Buffy’s buddies Charisma Carpenter and Julie Benz were also on hand.

Interested in seeing more? Check out YouTube for a variety of videos from the panels including William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy sharing the spotlight.

Photos: Newscom 

Photo Credit: Dan Harr/AdMedia

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