Having a little break between our turkey and Xmas pudding… thought it was the best time to come over and wish you all a very happy Xmas day!

I would also join to this Xmas message  all our best wished for 2010, hoping that the new year will bring you joy, happiness and all you can wish for…

Have a good one!

Bisous (as we French people would say in such occasions..)

Yes – it has been a while, so moving on …

As many of you know, I was in the the US in November attending Creation Entertainment’s “Salute to Firefly and Serenity” event.  It was fabulous to catch up with our friends from the SoCal Browncoats, Austin Browncoats, QMx, KNTR and “Browncoats: Redemption”.  I can assure you that there was much conversation and merry-making.

The day I returned to the UK, it was the Starfury event, “Cylon Attack” at Heathrow (how handy!) which included Morena Baccarin, Jonathan Woodward and Sean Maher (returning to the UK after an absence of 3 years!) as guests.  Odile also attended “Cylon Attack”, she and I recorded our next two forthcoming shows there and I’m going to write about both conventions in a separate entry.

I know that this is late news, but the Producers Guild of America announced in late November that Joss Whedon is the latest recipient of their Vanguard Award.  This award recognizes achievements in new media and technology and will be presented at the Guild’s annual awards ceremony on 24 January 2010.  Joss is in more than excellent company with this award as past recipients include George Lucas, James Cameron and John Lasseter to name just three.

Also in November, we were contacted by a new listener, Michael Hudson, who told us about a new audio drama called “Miranda: A Survivor’s Story”.  Unfortunately, since coming back from the US, I’ve been so busy I haven’t had an opportunity to listen to it yet, but as I have been very overdue in sharing this, please go to their website here to listen.

Prior to the conventions, Martin Firrell exhibited his long-awaited “H E R O” which featured Nathan Fillion in early November.  For all who couldn’t travel to London to see it, Martin has posted two pieces on YouTube (here and here).  The work was exhibited at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks in central London and was made more poignant that particular week due to the deaths of British serviceman, one of whom was stationed at the barracks.

Lastly and I make no apologies for this being completely un-”Firefly/SERENITY” related – there is going to be a feature film of classic British SF TV series, “UFO”.  For those of you not in the know, “UFO” was the first live-action TV series from legendary producer, Gerry Anderson (“Thunderbirds”, “Joe 90″ and “Captain Scarlet” puppet shows).  I’m going to unfurl my flag – I am an unashamed “UFO” fan!  I love this show AND was the subject of my very first 2-page “what I did at the weekend” essay when I was 6, so as you can understand that I have a particular interest in this project.  The film is to be directed by Matthew Gratzner and written by Ryan Gaudet and Joseph Kanarek.  It has already been announced that Joshua Jackson has been cast as “Paul Foster” and recent news has Ali Larter in talks for “Virginia Lake” (you want strong female SF characters?  Start watching “UFO”!); no news on casting the lead character, “Ed Straker”.  As always, unfortunately when non-Brits deal with quintessential British TV, one can’t help but feel apprehensive, but it’s happening and we’ll judge when it’s ready.  If this interests you, there’s an interview with Matthew Gratzner here.

Wendy

Hi there!

With Wendy traveling all over the world trying to meet shiny Browncoats we had to use one of our backup plan, so for this month we have a real treat for you: Paul from Cadmium2 and Andy from Angel Between the lines join us to discuss Shindig.

As usual you can listen to the show here or find us on iTunes!

Enjoy the show! Drop us a line!

Those extradordinary peeps at “Browncoats: Redemption”, have released a “Redemption” screensaver.  You can download via their Facebook page (what do you mean you’re not a friend of them – are you crazy?!), but as you can see, she’s a fine addition to the ‘Verse.

Variety have posted their review here.  As we have said in previous shows, both Andrew and myself, the original series holds fond memories and it’s encouraging to see this “re-imagining” receiving such a good review, especially for Morena Baccarin’s performance.

Speaking with a friend earlier this evening, I learned that I had very erroneously said in our last blog that Zach Levi was attending Starfury’s “T2″ convention in 2010.  This is wrong, he is not attending and my apologies to Sean Harry for not checking before posting.

Courtesy of my overnight (GMT) headlines email from Variety brings forth the fabulous news that “Chuck” has had another 6 episodes added to it’s renewal order from NBC.

The second series has almost finished in Blighty and it has been great to see the show grow.  For those of you not in the know, Yvonne Strahovski has been added to the guest lineup at Starfury’s “T2″ convention in 2010 where she joins returning guests Zach Levi and Adam Baldwin.

Twitter followers of Nathan Fillion could not have missed him confirming his “Firefly” Easter egg on the recent “Vampire Weekend” episode of “Castle”.  Wish I could tell you what I thought of the episode, but then I’d be incriminating myself …  Also if you haven’t found it yet, “Castle” has a fan podcast called “Castlecast” and it’s available via iTunes.

Ending on a slightly highbrow note, in another Twitter message yesterday, Nathan also confirmed that he will be attending Martin Firrell’s “HE R O” on 6th November in London.  The work will be on show to the public 4th to 11th November (UK’s Rememberance Day) at the Guards Chapel, Birdcage Walk in Central London.  You can find out more information from the work’s website – we have a link on the right.

Further to my earlier post regarding the next episode of “Castle”, ABC.com has posted a slightly longer preview online which shows something we thought we would never see again – Nathan Fillion donning Mal Reynolds’s now iconic coat in clear and unadulterated definition.  I know that this footage is all over the interweb but it is genuinely a pleasure to post it here also -

Also, Dave and the lads over at The Correctness blog have posted an “open letter” to Joss blog regarding “Dollhouse” and remaining part of the Fox network.  It’s not everyone’s cup-of-tea, but I liked it.  If you wish to read it, please go here.  Remember that this is the opinion of The Correctness team and so any comments should be left for them on their site.

I’m sure that most Browncoats haven’t failed to be aware that it looks like Richard Castle is about to wear a most familiar piece of clothing as once worn by his real-life alterego. 

For those of us not in the US, the power of YouTube brings us the 30 second promo for the next episode of “Castle” entitled “Vampire Weekend, and oh yeah …!

Okay, yes, I’ve kind of recovered from the more than excellent news that Jonathan Frakes has directed an upcoming “Castle” episode;  I’ve walked into my office and learned that a colleague won their local pub quiz (despite him being a “Buffy” fan and NOT recognizing a photo of SMG!) and now the fabulous news that ABC has given “Castle” a 9 episode back order.

Although the show hasn’t exactly set the ratings alight, it has become a solid performer in it’s timeslot on US tv and now that DVR playback numbers are factored in (and I’m also guessing any online viewings via abc.com and DVD sales), it has been enough to sway the network honchos.