GeekRoundTable.com

Dick Beals (1927-2012)

From the website CARTOON BREW.......

Jerry Beck

Animation voice actor Richard Beals (aka Dick Beals) passed away this week at age 85. Nobody has a better obit online than Mark Evanier, but I couldn’t let him pass without a remembrance here on the Brew. Beals had essentially one voice – that of a cheerfully optimistic little boy – but it was used often and well by just about everyone in Hollywood. Most famously, Beals voiced Ralph Phillips in Chuck Jones’ theatrical cartoons and was Speedy Alka-Seltzer in numerous TV commercials.

In addition, Beals was Davey in Davey and Goliath, Buzz Conroy on Frankenstein Jr. and Birdboy on the Birdman series. Hanna Barbera used him to re-dub live action boy actors in (or more likely, they pre-recorded the tracks for) Gene Kelly’s Jack And The Banstalk and in commercials

Beals had a long career on radio and on early live television before settling into voice-over roles. Perhaps my favorite was this one – in support of Gary Owens as two members of the American Eagle Squadron, as both Dan and Yank on Roger Ramjet . There is no better way to pay tribute to Beals today than to rewatch and listen to his work – and to thank him for all the memories. Rest in peace.

Thank you, Mr. Beals.

 

 

Leaked "Battlestar Galactica: Blood And Chrome" Trailer Is Frakking Awesome

http://www.buzzfeed.com/catesish/leaked-battlestar-galactica-blood-and-chrome-tr

Wonder Woman TV show 'not moving forward'

by James Hibberd

EW.com/Inside TV

 

Jan 7 2011

Wonder Woman wasn’t able to lasso a new home.

Sources tell EW that all the major broadcasters have passed on the much-buzzed about project. Late Friday, NBC was the final network that declined to bring back the superhero.

Warner Bros. TV was actively shopping a script from David E. Kelley that updated the period tale about an Amazon princess who battled Nazis and other bad guys during World War II. One source close to the project said the Wonder Woman team won’t give up on the project, even though it’s “not moving forward at this time.”

One factor may have been the projected cost of rebooting the series, with the studio requiring a rich license fee to bring the iconic character back to life (in other words, nobody wanted it to be another Bionic Woman). The cost means that it’s unlikely a cable network could step up and foot the bill.

The character was last seen on the small screen in the 1970s series that starred Lynda Carter. Kelley’s take incorporated the superhero’s signature lasso, cuffs, and plane in the script, and insiders said it was a serious, non-campy take on the DC Comics character. For years, various writers and producers (including Joss Whedon) have tried to bring back Wonder Woman, but the character has proved difficult to resurrect.

Wonder Woman to Hit TV Before the Big Screen

By Brad Trechak

There have been repeated attempts over the past few years to bring the Amazon Princess to the big screen -- including a notable attempt by geek icon Joss Whedon -- though for now it looks like folks have instead turned their attention toward getting 'Wonder Woman' on television again. For those too young to remember, Diana Prince's alter ego had her own show in the '70s starring Lynda Carter.

The most surprising piece of information relating to this news is that David E. Kelley, creator of such television shows as 'Ally McBeal' and 'The Practice', has been assigned to revamp the heroine for television.

It seems a shame that the number three icon at DC Comics is sent back to television while the top two (Superman and Batman) have made successful movie franchises and arguably number four (Green Lantern) is on his way to movie stardom. Back in May, Warner Bros. did say that they're still developing Wonder Woman for the big screen, though as of now there's no word on how far along they are. DC plans to reveal their plans for the big screen by the end of the year.

While there is no doubt that some talent is behind this new concept for Wonder Woman, one can only hope that they don't alter her for television audiences to the point of unrecognizability (like J. Michael Straczynski has just done in the comics). In a world where the big superheroes are finding themselves in movie theaters nowadays, can someone like Wonder Woman survive on the small screen? Is there still a place for live-action superheroes on TV?

Neil Gaiman's Sandman' Coming to TV?

By Brad Trechak

Neil Gaiman's epic DC Comics series The Sandman could be getting the television treatment. Supernatural creator Erick Kripke is being tapped by Warner Brothers Television (who has purchased the rights to the property from sister company DC Entertainment) to run this new show. Comics uber-star Neil Gaiman has not been contacted as of yet to be involved with this project.

There have been a few attempts to move The Sandman to another medium, most notably a movie involving Roger Avary. Much like Watchmen, The Sandman would likely lose something in translation which would incur the wrath of the fans. Eric Kripke would likely be taking a huge weight on his shoulders trying to get the concept right should he accept this project.

Please have this show on one of the pay networks like HBO. Don't put it on the CW. If it was on the CW, Dream and Death would end up becoming human teenagers that try to fit into high school or something stupid like that. Keep to the source material. Thank you.

Sanctuary Episode, "Sleepers" Mentions...San Diego Comic Con GEEK ON

San Diego Comic Con gets a great nod from the team at Sanctuary. I won't spoil it for you just pay attention at about 4-5 min in...

This is available online at Hulu and Scfi.

Enjoy!

The Jim Henson Company Forms Publishing Partnership with Archaia

THE JIM HENSON COMPANY AND ARCHAIA COMICS FORM GRAPHIC NOVEL PUBLISHING PARTNERSHIP
 
NEW COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS WILL BE BASED ON FAVORITES FROM
THE JIM HENSON COMPANY’S LIBRARY AS WELL AS ORIGINAL CONCEPTS

Hollywood, CA (June 22, 2009) –The Jim Henson Company and Archaia announced today that they have entered into a partnership that will publish comic books and graphic novels based on popular Henson titles as well as new co-branded original properties.
 
The multi-year partnership will draw from The Jim Henson Company’s extensive film and television library, including Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Mirrormask, The Storyteller and other titles. The agreement also allows The Jim Henson Company and Archaia to partner with talent in the comic book, television and film industries to create brand-new stories under a co-branded banner, building on the legacy of quality and creativity of The Jim Henson Company brand and strengthening Archaia’s relationships within the entertainment sector.
 
“Some of the best storytellers in the world are flocking to comic books and graphic novels, making them the foremost platform for innovative and imaginative storytelling,” said Joe LeFavi, Director of Publishing and Development at The Jim Henson Company and who will serve as story editor on all the books. “Archaia has always epitomized artistic integrity, and their passion and support for our brands ensure that fans will receive the very best from the properties they know and love as well as from the new stories we will tell.”
 
“This is a truly groundbreaking agreement, as it is not just a licensing deal but a partnership in every sense of the word,” said Stephen Christy, Archaia’s Director of Development. “To work with the entire Jim Henson Company and with new talent to create the next generation of Jim Henson Company fan favorites is an unprecedented opportunity, and a dream come true for all of us at Archaia. Creating comics that become a part of the incredibly rich Jim Henson Company legacy is an exciting challenge, and I think fans will share our excitement when they see the talent we’re bringing in to help make these comics a reality.”
 
Representatives from Archaia and Henson will announce creative teams and a release schedule for the initial slate at San Diego Comic-Con International, with the first title tentatively scheduled for winter 2009.
 

About The Jim Henson Company

The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include “Sid the Science Kid”, and “Pajanimals”. Features include “The Dark Crystal,” “Labyrinth,” “MirrorMask,” and “Unstable Fables.” Television productions include “Fraggle Rock” and the sci-fi cult series “Farscape.” With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson's Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state of the art and vintage equipment. The Company is currently in production on 40 episodes of “Dinosaur Train,” an animated preschool series teaching concepts of natural science and history, set to debut on PBS KIDS in fall 2009. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand continues to produce “Puppet Up! - Uncensored,” a live puppet improvisational show that runs monthly at the Avalon Hollywood. The Company has also announced the creation of Jim Henson Designs, a merchandise collection inspired by Jim Henson’s earliest sketches, and The Jim Henson Company: Discoveries, an acquisitions banner that celebrates outstanding third party produced independent film, television and video productions from around the globe embodying the Company’s enduring legacy. www.henson.com

You want million dollar!?

Ahh, so here we go.

Anyone that's listened to us knows how much we despise multiple title summer blockbuster ccrossovers with life changing consequences and solutions that will eventually be washed away at the end only to start all over again in about 3 months time.

So how could I ever find a story that contains all of that and actually enjoy it? Can't right? Until recently...

This has been one of my favorite online comics and OMG they actually did the same exact thing with other online comics, just better. And it was free.

This is brought by the guys of LeastICouldDo.Com and LFGComic.com. I've talked about these guys to other people before and I have successfully converted them to reading it daily and also reading the writer's blogs.

Enjoy!

Ultimate Final Civil War Invasion Crisis Thing

And this deserves a notice. 

Dollhouse. Oh my god! They finally pulled in the big number, Alan Tudyk. If you don't know who he is it's this debonair mother fucker

 

He comes in as a paranoid environmental pothead engineer, which becomes funny how well he plays the role. And the second half of the show this guy gets way more lines and becomes vital to the episode, and just fucking shines

This show really needed a chance given to it than what it got. The characters and story telling is completely different that Joss Whedon's Buffy and Firefly. Which has been a down side for some people. Which kinda made me think, "You know what, this is the same type of thought people went into the Spirit with". And I would just ask people to give this show another try. The twists aren't cliched and change every episodes, they end and the characters have to live with their decisions. And it comes back to bite them in the ass.

It's too bad that we won't be able to see the episode that stars Felicia Day, ready?

Her ~~~>

really I could have posted any picture, but why not her with a lightsaber? *SWOON*

Guess I'll have to see that episode when the DVD get's released.

I won't be covering any news about Star Trek, cause we're all going to have our opinions. Word to your mother.

Collaborating and listening,

Johann "The Johann Joseph" Joseph

X-Files star Gillian Anderson set to appear on Dr. Who

 

According to the Daily Telegraph, Gillian Anderson is lined up for an appearance at Doctor Who. The article at their website states:

The 40-year-old, best known for her role as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the sci-fi drama, is expected to be cast opposite the new Doctor Matt Smith. Doctor Who's makers want the London-based actress to appear in a one-off special episode as a deadly enemy of the Time Lord.
The American star would play the part of the renegade Time Lady The Rani, a glamorous but evil scientific genius previously played in the series by Kate O'Mara in the 80s. An insider told the Daily Express newspaper: "Gillian obviously has a massive sci-fi following and it's felt that it would be a major coup to have her appear in Doctor Who.

"The team behind the show are keen for the next Doctor to have lots of new enemies and Gillian would be a glamorous and impressive addition to the list. The Rani would be a perfect role for her as the character used to be regarded as one of the Doctor's most deadly opponents."

read the full article here.

April 25th, 2009. A star went out

From Wikipedia: Beatrice "Bea" Arthur (May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009) was an American comedienne, actress, and singer. In a career spanning seven decades, Arthur achieved success as the title character Maude Findlay on the 1970s sitcom Maude, and as Dorothy Zbornak on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls; she won Emmys for both roles.

This is truly bad news. Bea Arthur was definitely an icon in all forms of media. She also voiced the Fembot/Femputer in the Futurama, episode "Amazon Women In The Mood". She played Dewey's babysitter in Malcolm In The Middle. And her incredibly sharp with when she appeared on the Comedy Central Roasts.

As I read more about her profile and her role in the show "Maude" certain aspects of the show included topics like divorce, menopause, drug use, alcoholism, nervous breakdown and spousal abuse and an abortion episode. And the Abortion episode was 2 months before the conclusion of Roe v. Wade. A lot of these actors may have threatened to walk off instead of doing issues like these that could have been career suicide.

And of course her appearance on the Star Wars Holiday Special.

What else can I say other than, she will definitely be missed.

J Dash D