For fans of "Warehouse 13," this has been a tough time. One of the good guys (Artie) killed another (Leena) and released a toxin that could kill billions more. Life wobbled ... and then the show took a seven-month break.
It's finally back Monday (April 29), with a terrific episode. Here' the story I sent to papers:
By MIKE HUGHES
Even in science-fiction, it seems,
there are limits. Occasionally, dead people must stay dead.
A terrific show ended its run last week. Fortunately, a good one takes its place.
Gone is "Eureka," an oft-overlooked delight. However, "Warehouse 13" manages to have a similar sense of offbeat whimsy. After exploding its world (literally) at the end of last season, it returns with a dandy episode at 9 p.m. Monday (July 23). Here's the story I sent to papers:
By MIKE HUGHES
As “Warehouse 13” returns, Eddie
McClintock has an important function.
The Saturday Syfy films tend to be fun ... and there will be new ones for four straight weeks. That starts June 9 with "Jersey Shore Shark Attack," which is pretty close to mandatory viewing. Here's the story I sent to papers:
By MIKE HUGHES
As soon as the title was announced, it
was clear the Syfy Channel would grab attention.
Remember when it would take decades before a movie would be considered a classic, suitable for memorabilia?
It's all faster now; "Hunger Games" is still in theaters, but people are already talking about buying collectibles, taking fan tours ... or buying the entire town of District 12.
That's all part of the world of Joe Maddalena and "Hollywood Treasure," which has its "Hunger Games" episode Tuesday (June 5). Here's the story I sent to papers:
By MIKE HUGHES
This is a big week for Jaleel White.
On Monday and Tuesday, he bounced back from last week's "Dancing With the Stars" slump and jumped to No. 2 on the leader board. Tonight (Wednesday, April 25), his game show ("Total Blackout") opens on Syfy. Here's an updated version of the story I sent to papers:
By MIKE HUGHES
First, please read my previous blog about the stand-up comedy show coming Sunday. I'm hoping someone shows up and even laughs.
And speaking of humor, "Eureka" is finally back tonight (Monday, April 16). This show leaps between droll humor and straight science-fiction action, but usually works well. Its final season starts now; here's the story I sent to papers:
By MIKE HUGHES
Eureka is sort of like any little town.
You're never sure what to expect with the Syfy Channel. It can be as brilliant as "Battlestar Galactica" or the best moments of "Eureka"; it can be as silly as some of its Saturday movies ... or as the way it decided to mis-spell Sci-Fi.
Now, however, comes a grand, seven-day stretch:
-- Sunday-Monday (Dec. 4-5): "Neverland" shows what can be done when an old story gets an epic re-telling. The Peter Pan story has great visuals and clever touches; at the end of this, I'll put the story that I sent to papers.
This really isn't what we expect in mid-summer.
We expect the TV doldrums -- reruns and reality and throw-away shows. Instead, we get a rich burst of science fiction.
The best news is "Torchwood: Miracle Day," a miracle of show. The first three episodes indicate that this comes close to the quality of "Torchwood: Children of the Earth," the best show of 2009. I'll put my preview story here in a minute.
There's much more sci-fi, all on cable:
I admire filmmakers who can do a lot with a little.
I like the ragged energy Alex Orr got in his $25,000 "Blood Car." And what Shane Hagedorn and Michael McCallum can get for less -- maybe $20-some,000 less -- than that in "Handlebar" and other movies. And for the artistry Nathaniel Nose has inserted in his handmade, homemade films.
I admire the best of the genre films (both written by John Sayles), "Alligator" and "The Howling." And, of course, I admire the giant of the cheapie-film world, Roger Corman.
