Press Releases from the SciFi Channel   3/31/03

Press Release Source: SCI FI Channel

SCI FI Channel Doubles Dramatic Series Development
Monday March 31, 5:10 pm ET
 

NEW YORK, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- SCI FI Channel, already a leader in original dramatic series in cable, announced today that it has doubled its series development for '04-'05. The ambitious new programming slate broadens the reach of the Channel by traveling through the varied universes of comic book publishing, celebrity producers and A-list writers -- as well as the ever-expanding cosmos of SCI FI's successful Stargate franchise. Projects include:
 
Dead Lawyers -- DreamWorks Television (Taken) produces this one-hour series with a deliciously judicious concept. Sleazy unscrupulous lawyers, in order to redeem themselves, come back from the dead to defend everyone they screwed when they were alive -- and it's all pro bono! When hotshot defense attorney Jimmy Quinn is run over by a bus, he finds himself in his own version of hell: a law firm on earth composed of other dead lawyers, all trying to right miscarriages of justice in order to redeem themselves. Executive produced by The Zanuck Company and DreamWorks Television. Distributed by USACE. Story by Christopher Murphey and Andy Lieberman. Script by Murphey.

The Divide -- What if the weirdest trio you could imagine -- a latenight DJ, his dead twin sister, and the local coroner -- teamed up to fight crime? In this new mystery series, a knowingly bogus late-night radio psychic discovers his abilities are real when visited by the ghost of his twin sister. Together with the aid of the local female coroner, they put together the missing pieces of unsolved crimes. A little supernatural vision from beyond the grave mixed with forensic science here on earth -- a perfect recipe for solving the intriguing mysteries of the dead and the living! Produced for SCI FI by Lions Gate, the production company behind USA Network's hit show The Dead Zone, executive produced by Stan Brooks and written by Frank Military and Dean White.

Legion -- Whoopi Goldberg, Stephen Garrett and Jane Featherstone executive produce this series about a young man who sells his soul to the devil to save his daughter's life. He soon discovers the price he has paid is higher than he thought possible. He must leave his family -- and wander the world with the terrifying ability to recognize other demonically possessed souls. Our hero begins an action-packed adventure to destroy the minions of darkness, and perhaps free himself from eternal damnation. Produced by Kudos Film & Television, Ltd., Whoop, Inc. and Tom Leonardis, written by Tony Jordan, and distributed by USACE.

Stargate: Atlantis -- A whole new adventure with a new team begins in the successful Stargate universe. In this spin-off from MGM Worldwide Television, a secret base left by the originators of the Stargate is found in the most unlikely of places-on Earth buried within the ruins of the legendary civilization Atlantis. The implications of this discovery lead the team to a distant universe, where they find a primitive human civilization threatened by a sinister new enemy.

Painkiller Jane (in development, 2-hour backdoor pilot) -- Based on the Event Comics series, SCI FI and MGM Worldwide Television once again partner, this time to bring to life a virtually indestructible super-heroine for the new millennium, Painkiller Jane. This action-hero series is based on a young marine officer, Jane Browning, who is exposed to a biochemical weapon that changes her genetically, endowing her with incredible self-healing powers. She becomes an ultra-covert agent fighting crime while struggling to remain free from those who would now use her gifts for sinister purposes. Written by John Harrison (writer/director SCI FI's Frank Herbert's Dune & writer/co-producer Children of Dune) and Don Opper. Harrison, Opper and Greg Gold are attached as executive producers. Harrison will direct.

Clive Barker's The Evil One -- Created for SCI FI from the visionary mind of Clive Barker (Wishmaster, Lord of Illusion, Hellraiser, Candyman) comes a new exploration in thriller fiction. It's not always easy being the bad guy -- and, frankly, it's hard to get truly evil help these days. Told from the perspective of an evil demon, this new series from Barker turns traditional narrative on its ear -- where each week, the forces of good and evil do battle. However, in this weekly series, the Anti-Hero often wins ... Produced by Seraphim, Inc. Executive produced by Clive Barker. Format by Barker. Distributed by USA Cable Entertainment.

Total Eclipse -- Jeremy Cross arrives at his new teaching and research position at Greylock, a beautiful and prestigious college, only to discover that the school is a nexus of the otherworldly, arcane, and supernatural. As if tenure wasn't hard enough to get, the faculty's IQ goes up every year, intelligent wolves roam the forests, and the research covers time travel, extrasensory perception, and anything else on the edge of science. Distributed by USACE. Executive produced and written by Steve Aspis.

Suture Girl -- Developed from the Gretchen Culver character in the incredibly popular "Spawn" comic book series, this action series features an extraordinary heroine. After being violently murdered by a serial killer, a beautiful former advertising executive is literally stitched back to life and imbued with special powers by a mysterious gypsy woman. Now, living amongst her new family in the gypsy community, Suture -- still curiously beautiful -- is a voice for the oppressed and a court of last resort, as she fearlessly fights evil with the help of a handsome crusading lawyer. Written by Alan McElroy ("Spawn," "Ecks vs. Sever"), the back-door pilot will be executive produced for SCI FI by Fireworks Entertainment and Edmonds Entertainment's CEO/President Tracey E. Edmonda, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, and Edmonds Entertainment's head of television Sheila Ducksworth. McFarlane will also serve as a producer.

Previously announced series projects currently in development include Quantum Leap, Anonymous Rex, Reveille's 1000 Days and Brother Voodoo.

SCI FI Channel transmits fantastic images to 80 million human homes. Launched in 1992, SCI FI features a continuous stream of cinematic hits, new and original series, and special events, as well as classic sci-fi, fantasy, and horror programming. Check out SCIFI.COM®, the SCI FI Channel's award-winning Web site, at www.scifi.com. SCI FI Channel is a program service of Universal Television Networks, part of the Universal Television Group (www.universalstudios.com), a division of Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.
 

NEW YORK, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- SCI FI Channel, which has almost single-handedly revived the miniseries format for television in the past few years, has announced two new major original miniseries projects in development for '04.  They include:

     6 Days 'til Sunday (6-hour miniseries) -- SCI FI takes another yet scheduling risk with this big event miniseries, which unfolds over six consecutive nights.  In this intriguing premise, J.T. Neumeyer stumbles upon a mysterious briefcase foretelling his own gruesome murder -- in just six days.  In this high stakes race against time, J.T. scrambles to uncover the truth and change the course of the future -- if he can. Brought to SCI FI by executive producer David Kirschner (Frailty, Earth: Final Conflict and The Flintstones), the miniseries is produced by Lions Gate Films (USA's The Dead Zone).

The Thing (4-hour miniseries) -- It's everywhere.  It's anything.  And it can't be stopped.  SCI FI re-envisions the terrifying suspense classic, The Thing, which follows a team of American scientists who discover a bloodthirsty alien life form in the frozen expanse of Antarctica.  Swift, stealthy and cunning, this shape-shifting monster assumes the appearance of its victims with the aims of earning the scientists' trust -- and decimating the group from the inside.  Who can be trusted, and who is a threat?  The miniseries, written by Gary L. Goldman (Minority Report, Total Recall), will be distributed by USACE.

Recent highlights of SCI FI's big event miniseries strategy include ratings winners like the Emmy award-winning Frank Herbert's Dune, the 10-night alien adventure Steven Spielberg Presents TAKEN, and the critically-acclaimed literary adaptation of Children of Dune -- all of which have met with unprecedented success for the Channel.      Other previously announced projects currently in development include Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars, A Tale of Two Cities, MYST, The Forever War, as well as Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea trilogy series and literary classic Left Hand of Darkness.     Additionally, SCI FI begins production April 1 on the 4-hour miniseries
Battlestar Galactica, a re-imagining of the classic series.  The project stars Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell, among others, and is slated to premiere in December '03.

    SCI FI Channel transmits fantastic images to 80 million human homes. Launched in 1992, SCI FI features a continuous stream of cinematic hits, new and original series, and special events, as well as classic sci-fi, fantasy, and horror programming.  Check out SCIFI.COM(R), the SCI FI Channel's award-winning Web site, at http://www.scifi.com. SCI FI Channel is a program service
of Universal Television Networks, part of the Universal Television Group (http://www.universalstudios.com), a division of Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.

 
SCI FI Alters Reality With Slate of New Projects

    NEW YORK, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- SCI FI Channel puts its twisted take on reality shows with a brand-new slate of "alternative reality" programs.  From psychic investigation to science-fact documentaries to a candid look at life on Mars, SCI FI leaves no stone unturned in its search for the truth -- or the truly bizarre.     Highlights of series and specials currently in development include:

    Mad Mad House
    "Can't we all just get along?"  Between a vampire, a witch, a voodoo priest, a yoga master, and a psychic, life at Alt Manor is liable to get pretty strange.  When the roost is ruled by those with alternative lifestyles, you can witness the mayhem, humor and sheer fun unfold as our "Joe Normal" contestants compete in a series of increasingly bizarre challenges in order to claim the grand prize.  Produced by Arthur Smith and Kent Weed from A. Smith & Company, the series will be distributed by USA Cable Entertainment.

    Life on Mars
    Trying to survive on a deserted island is for weaklings!  In this weekly one-hour reality drama, two colonies of people (12 total) take on the struggle for survival off-planet, as they attempt to live in a realistic Mars base. The two teams will contend with physical hazards and psychological obstacles in an ultra-convincing simulation of what life on the fourth planet might be like.  This high-octane, low-oxygen series will be distributed by USA Cable Entertainment and produced by Wall To Wall.

    Lab Rats
    SCI FI takes consumer reporting to the max in this new weekly reality series.  In Lab Rats, outrageous claims and miracle promises get put to the test in the real world.  We've got our own set of "lab rats" ready to put futuristic products to the test personally ... can you really sleep fat away? Re-grow hair?  Make someone fall in love with you?  Find out as the super-sleuths at SCI FI separate the scams from the secrets.  Produced by Hallock & Healey Entertainment, Scott Hallock and Kevin Healey (Spy TV, Scare Tactics)
serve as executive producers.

    SCI FI Declassified specials
    SCI FI Declassified is a new series of original two-hour documentary specials, in the spirit of the highly successful The Roswell Crash: Startling New Evidence (SCI FI's highest rated original special).  This franchise will launch with four groundbreaking investigations that uncover new and explosive evidence using the forensic tools of modern science -- exploring the often blurry line between science fiction and science fact.

    Psychic Investigators
    A body is found.  Another crime unsolved.  For a detective without any leads, there is only one option left:  a psychic.  From the producers of The FBI Files and The New Detectives comes an exciting new investigative series, Psychic Investigators.  Follow real life criminal investigations in which a skilled psychic conducts surveillance on a suspect or provides the key to solving a crime.  Produced by New Dominion Pictures.

    The Illusionist Special
    Just in time for Halloween, this mind-blowing show, featuring a master illusionist, is a provocative exploration of the unbelievable that will leave viewers doubting their senses.  Taped in Universal's Orlando theme park.

    SCI FI Channel transmits fantastic images to 80 million human homes. Launched in 1992, SCI FI features a continuous stream of cinematic hits, new and original series, and special events, as well as classic sci-fi, fantasy, and horror programming.  Check out SCIFI.COM(R), the SCI FI Channel's award-winning Web site, at http://www.scifi.com.  SCI FI Channel is a program service of
Universal Television Networks, part of the Universal Television Group (http://www.universalstudios.com), a division of Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.

Original Action on Your Couch Every Saturday Night

SCI FI Channel Ups Its Energy Level with a New Dose of Original Action Movies

    NEW YORK, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- SCI FI Channel extends its commitment to action-oriented original movies with a new slate of high-octane films that are set to premiere in 2003-2004. A blend of special effects, energetic fight scenes and out-of-this-world creatures have combined to make these actioners a ratings success story for SCI FI. Since introducing Saturday Action movies in
2002, The Channel has averaged a HH rating of 1.4 for the original films. SCI FI is currently slated to air 22 originals in 2003 and will premiere approximately two per month.
    These films will join previously announced projects including Man with the Screaming Brain and Earwigs (both starring Bruce Campbell), Epoch II, Graveland and Puppetmaster vs. Demonic Toys; all make their Saturday night premieres in 2003-2004.
    SCI FI's upcoming lineup of action-packed, Saturday night originals include:

     DRAGON STORM - Stars Maxwell Caulfield, John Rhys-Davies and Angel Borris, and recently completed production in Sofia, Bulgaria with UFO  Films. Alien dragons are transported to Earth inside a meteor crash, forcing two enemy kingdoms to join forces and fight off the alien dragon threat before they scorch the countryside bare.

     IDAHO CREATURE INCIDENT - Stars John Savage and Michelle Goh, and recently completed production in Sofia, Bulgaria with Nu Image. The government experiments with using an alien creature as a weapon. When the trial fails, the creature is locked inside a government facility and must be destroyed before it can escape.

     GHOST MONKEY - A freelance photographer and an American investigator join forces to stop a monkey-like creature that goes on a killing spree. This simian mutant prefers human hearts to bananas - and he leads them on a wild chase throughout the streets of India. Filming begins in Spring 2003 with Promark Entertainment.

     SNAKEHEAD TERROR - In a small town in Maryland, a school of freakishly-large Snakehead fish overrun a lake and take to the land. The scaly mutants can survive out of water, and their idea of fish-food has a decidedly human flavor. It's up to the local sheriff to reel in the creatures before they can go on a massive feeding frenzy. Filming begins in Vancouver in Spring 2003 with Cinetel.

     PHANTOM FORCE - A spin-off from the Interceptor Force movies, Phantom Force follows another section of elite government soldiers. Instead of aliens, this special military division has to protect the human race from the supernatural. Filming begins in Bulgaria in May, 2003 with UFO Films.

     INTERCEPTOR FORCE III - In the not too distant future, a team of specially trained government soldiers called Interceptors protect Earth from hostile alien encounters. With a new threat to mankind looming, the Interceptors face their greatest challenge yet. Produced by UFO Films.

     GARGOYLE - Calabos is an evil wizard who wants to take over the world with an army of vicious, living gargoyles. Only Marcus, a magician who possesses an enchanted ring, can stop Calabos and his stone minions before they capture everyone in their paths. Produced by Chesler Perlmutter.

    SCI FI Channel transmits fantastic images to 80 million human homes.Launched in 1992, SCI FI features a continuous stream of cinematic hits, new and original series, and special events, as well as classic sci-fi, fantasy, and horror programming. Check out SCIFI.COM(R), the SCI FI Channel's award-winning Web site, at http://www.scifi.com. SCI FI Channel is a program service
of Universal Television Networks, part of the Universal Television Group (http://www.universalstudios.com), a division of Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.
 

'Scare Tactics' Turns Your Fears Into A Terrifyingly Funny Reality

**Shannen Doherty Hosts New Series Premiering Exclusively on SCI FI April 4**

    NEW YORK, March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The unforgettable Shannen Doherty enjoys letting loose as the instigator and host of SCI FI's first reality series Scare Tactics, launching Friday, April 4.  This half-hour hidden camera show (with a sci-fi twist) launches with a double dose of back-to-back episodes beginning @ 10 pm ET/PT.

Scare Tactics goes where other hidden camera shows wouldn't dare. Set up by friends and loved ones, unwitting victims take center stage in elaborately staged pranks designed to tap into their deepest fears. From encounters with aliens to babysitting in a haunted house, victims are caught off guard and on tape.  Part of SCI FI's "alternative reality" programming slate, Scare Tactics is produced by Hallock Healey Entertainment (Spy TV).

    Veteran film and television actress Shannen Doherty most recently starred for three seasons as "Prue Halliwell" on the WB series Charmed -- for which she also directed a number of episodes.  She has also starred in the Showtime original film Jailbreakers, and played the title role in NBC's bio-pic Margaret Mitchell.  Doherty's other series work includes Our House, Beverly Hills 90210, 21 Jump Street, Life Goes On, Obsession, Friends Till the End, and The Other Lover.  Her feature film credits include Heathers, Mallrats, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

    Each Scare Tactics hoax is shot as if it's a stand-alone sci-fi short film -- with the victim as the unwitting star.  It's in these "movie-moments" that real emotion takes over, as we watch people react to a startling new version of a reality in which ghosts, Bigfoot, clones and aliens really do exist. Victims are predominantly spotlighted at the behest of their best friends, who have asked the Scare Tactics crew for a little assistance in playing elaborate, fun, and bizarre pranks on their loved ones!

    Scare Tactics was created by Scott Hallock and Kevin Healey and will be produced by Hallock Healey Entertainment.  Hallock and Healey most recently served as producers of NBC's summer hit series Spy TV.

    SCI FI Channel transmits fantastic images to 80 million human homes. Launched in 1992, SCI FI features a continuous stream of cinematic hits, new and original series, and special events, as well as classic sci-fi, fantasy, and horror programming. Check out SCIFI.COM(R), the SCI FI Channel's award- winning Web site, at http://www.scifi.com.  SCI FI Channel is a program service of
Universal Television Networks, part of the Universal Television Group (http://www.universalstudios.com), a division of Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment (VUE), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.
 
 
 

SCI FI Is the Hottest Channel on TV

            11-Month Ratings Streak Beats All Cable AND Broadcast;
                       Scores Best First Quarter Ever;  Scores Best March Ever

    NEW YORK, April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In addition to its second consecutive record-breaking quarter, SCI FI Channel ended 1Q03 by announcing that it has achieved 11 consecutive months of year-over-year primetime ratings growth -- a streak that no other television network can currently beat.     SCI FI ended the quarter at a record 1.0 (1,190,000 P2+) in primetime --  up 33% in ratings and 39% in households from last year.  SCI FI's explosive launch into 2003 was built upon the ratings heat generated by the Channel's record-breaking 4Q02, which featured Steven Spielberg Presents TAKEN.

     Highlights include:

     1st Quarter '03:
     -- The Channel's 1Q03 1.0 primetime average is the #1 year-to-year
         increase in HH rating among all non-news networks (up 33%).
     -- SCI FI is up 36% in total viewers from 1Q02.
     -- This is also SCI FI's fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year
        growth in HH ratings in primetime.
     -- For the first quarter, SCI FI's primetime ranks in the Top 10 among
        all non-news cable networks in both ratings and deliveries for all key
        demos -- HHs, Total Viewers (P2+), Persons 18-49, Persons 25-54,
        Men 18-49, Men 25-54, Women 18-49 and Women 25-54.

     March '03:
     -- SCI FI's heavyweight March line-up weighed in with a 1.1 HH rating
        (1,312,000 P2+), making it the second best month in the history of the
        network -- trailing only December '00, which featured the miniseries
        Frank Herbert's Dune.
     -- SCI FI placed in the Top 10 of all non-news cable networks in ratings
        and delivery of all key demos.
     -- Within those key demos, the Channel also ranked in the Top 5 for
        ratings among all non-news networks for Persons 25-54, Persons 18-49,
        Men 25-54 and Men 18-49.
     -- SCI FI is on a streak with five months in a row of a 1.0 or better
        HH rating (previous record was 2 months).
     -- This is the ninth straight month in which SCI FI has averaged over
        1,000,000 viewers in primetime.

     SCI FI's March Originals
     -- On the strength of SCI FI's original productions Frank Herbert's
        Children of Dune and Riverworld, the Channel scored its best 1Q week
        ever, with a 1.34 HH rating (March 17-23).
     -- Children of Dune, with a 2.4 average, became the 3rd highest-rated
        original program event in SCI FI history, behind Taken and Frank
        Herbert's Dune.  The 6-hour miniseries drew an aggregate average
        audience of 18.2 million viewers.
     -- The 2-hour original film Riverworld, with a 2.2 average, exceeded the
        time period average by 86% and became the most-watched original movie
        SCI FI has ever aired on a Saturday night with 2,735,000 viewers
        (P2+).
     -- Tremors: The Series bowed to a 1.8 HH rating/1,427,000 HHs /
        2,429,000 P2+ average for its two-episode primetime premiere on
        Friday, March 28.  The 2.0 HH rating/ 1,586,000 HH/ 2,634,000 P2+ for
        Tremors at 10pm is the best rating for any episode of any series on
        SCI FI this quarter, and the best performance for any program at
        10pm on Friday in the history of the network.  The episode's rating
        was 67% above the time period average (1Q03 to date Friday 10PM-11P,
        1.2).  The series' four airings on March 28 drew an aggregate audience
        of 7,166,000 viewers (P2+).

     *Source: Nielsen Media Research, qualifications available upon request.

    SCI FI Channel transmits fantastic images to 80 million human homes. Launched in 1992, SCI FI features a continuous stream of cinematic hits, new and original series, and special events, as well as classic sci-fi, fantasy, and horror programming. Check out SCIFI.COM(R), the SCI FI Channel's award- winning Web site, at http://www.scifi.com. SCI FI Channel is a program service of Universal Television Networks, part of the Universal Television Group (http://www.universalstudios.com), a division of Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.