These are the Voyages of the Starship Odyssey
An outline of the original premise for Star Trek: The Next Generation has surfaced and it details a very different show than the one that helped revive the franchise on the small screen. The series would take place on the USS Odyssey instead of the Enterprise and the crew would have a new general order to spread the word that “Intergalactic Peace is Possible” in a time when tensions are high between the Federation, the Klingon’s, and the Romulans. The ship’s captain would be a Vulcan and would also be, um, not alive anymore. You see, he would get killed in the pilot but would live on in the computer and be available for “consultations”. Overall, the seven-page pitch presents an interesting premise that could have turned out a pretty decent show. It was presented to Gene Roddenberry to convince him to come aboard the production, and he eventually did, though major changes would follow. You can read the full memo here, and perhaps at some point the Star Trek expanded universe will try to flesh this tale out into a series of novels or comics. Source: DigitalSpy.com
Sci Fi TV Status Report: Midnight, Texas Will Live to See Another Day
It took a while, but NBC announced this week that its Summer series Midnight, Texas will be returning for a second season. That series debuted last July to good ratings for a Summer entry and was actually the highest rated of the scripted originals offered by the broadcast networks during the off-season. It also developed a notable following that was very active on the social networks. But after the show wrapped up its ten episode run, the network went silent on its fate. Word broke just recently that NBC was in the process of renegotiating contracts with the actors, and now they have officially renewed the show. Series regulars Sarah Ramos and Yul Vazquez will not be part of the main cast when the show returns (apparently their contracts expired and they could not work out a deal), but they may return in recurring roles. Also, writer and showrunner Monica Owusu-Breen will be leaving, but producers Eric Charmelo and Nicole Snyder will be taking over the showrunner duties. NBC has not announced when the show will return, but I expect it will have a late July bow like last year. Be sure to follow CancelledSciFi.com and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter site for the latest ratings results and the renewal / cancellation status of your favorite shows.
Sci Fi TV Schedule: The Walking Dead, The Tick, and Star Wars Rebels Return Next Week
Most of the broadcast network shows will be on break next week rather than air against Olympics coverage (Legends of Tomorrow and Kevin (Probably) Saves the World will have new eps), but the cable channels and streaming services will be open for business as usual. On Monday, Star Wars: Rebels returns from hiatus (sooner than previously reported) and will air back-to-back episodes the next three weeks to wrap up its final season. On Friday, Amazon’s The Tick returns with the remaining six episodes of its first season. And on Sunday, The Walking Dead returns for the second half of its eighth season. You can see the full weekly listings of sci fi and fantasy shows at this link and the Mid-Season schedule at this link.
More Sci Fi TV News
Matt Ryan will be returning as Constantine in the upcoming fifteenth episode of Legends of Tomorrow to be titled “Necromancing the Stone” which will air later this season.
Hannah Simone (New Girl, H+) will be taking on the lead role in the pilot for ABC’s reboot of The Greatest American Hero.
The Thirteenth Doctor, to be played by Jodi Whittaker, will be headlining a new comic book series from BBC Worldwide Americas and Titan Comics which will launch in Fall along with the eleventh season of Doctor Who.
While Ian McKellan was said that he would like to reprise his role as Gandalf in the upcoming Lord of the Rings prequel series from Amazon, Andy Serkis has indicated he will likely not be involved.
Ryan Murphy has signed a big-dollar development deal with Netflix. He is currently working on the eighth season of FX’s American Horror Story and that show has been renewed through a ninth.
Last Week’s Post: Star Wars and Conan TV Shows on the Way, New Firefly Books Coming, Bryan Fuller Leaves Amazing Stories, and More Read
