TV news, with a side order of books
futon critic: In press release about ratings for Children of Earth and Planet of the Dead, with a tiny mention of Being Human being part of their big ratings win that week with no specifics on its ratings, BBCA announces "the acquisition of the new season of Doctor Who starring Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor. Shot in HD, the U.S. premiere season of 13 episodes, will air Q2, 2010 following soon after its UK premiere."
I knew they had first rights for the last of Tennant's run, but I wasn't sure about the new series. From what I've been reading about timing of other shows aired in the future, they're looking at airing about two weeks behind the UK airing, but of course that's subject to change.
Spoiler TV: I haven't been following SGU stuff closely, as I don't intend to watch anyway, but I scrolled past a casting call notice that just stopped me dead in my tracks.
[ELEANOR PERRY] (35-40) and quite attractive. A brilliant scientist who happens to be a quadriplegic. Affected since childhood, her disability has rendered her body physically useless. However, after being brought on board the Destiny as the only person who may be able to save the ship and her crew from certain annihilation, she is given temporary powers that enable her to walk again and to finally experience intimacy.sptv050769..Strong guest lead. NAMES PREFERRED. ACTRESS MUST BE PHYSICALLY THIN. (THINK CALISTA FLOCKHART).
Oh, please tell me they're kidding. Please? Brilliant quadriplegic who gets a sci fi treatment that allows her to walk again, so of course she now gets to experience intimacy too. And it's important enough to mention in the casting call! Oh, and must be anorexic thin too, mustn't forget that! I know they're going to explain it away that she's so thin because her body's wasted away, but you can guarantee she'll just be skinny and not show any sign of not being in perfectly skinny health even though she's been wheelchair bound her entire life. There'd be no other reason for her to be around unless she was thin, pretty and a virgin who can now have sex, right? Is there a lottery of some sort?
It's been said elsewhere, but people are having a lot of sex on this show, aren't they? I'm going to assume the Destiny's stuck on autopilot because they're too busy fucking to care where they're going.
Spoiler TV: 24 casting news
Every year, I get fed up with the show and say I'm not going to watch the next season. Then I watch when I hear one or most actors I like will be appearing in recurring or guest appearances. Might as well go ahead and watch the whole thing, right?
They had me at Callum Keith Rennie this time. [sigh] Oh, 24, why can't I quit you? Oh yeah, Callum. Never mind. *g*
Unshelved: Even though the "Mac vs. PC" ads always annoyed the crap out of me, Unshelved's take on it with "Search engines vs. Libraries" gives me a giggle. But a bit of sad about the real meaning of that last panel.
Don't worry, librarians have totally covered the "Search engines vs. Libraries" thing. As learned from many entertainment studio executives and politicians, it's all about the spin.