Torchwood Trailer (Spoilers of course)

TV News

The new Dr Who companion has been announced.
Karen Gillan a 21 year old Scottish actress has been named as the sidekick to the new Dr played by Matt Smith. She's a cute red head so no problems there but isn't it about time this new version of the classic series followed suit by having either male or even alien companions rather than pretty little things (well apart from Donna).

House starts on SKY1 and SKY1HD this Sunday at 9pm, I've already seen the series but I'll tune in now and again from some of the better episodes and in HD of course.
The first round of bidding for the Virgin media TV channels has ended with reports that BSKYB with a £160 Million offer is way ahead of bids from CH4, Time Warner and NBC/U, interesting whatever happens.

Work Update

There was a meeting at work yesterday where the plant manager spelled out the situation in regards to the order book and short term future. Compared to this time last year the production is down by 20%, the simple answer is to go onto a 4 day week and review the situation on a weekly basis.
It's not ideal but it does mean there will be no compulsory redundancies, for now anyway.

Star Trek

Trekkies Bash New Star Trek Film As 'Fun, Watchable'



I saw the new movie yesterday and strangely enough it was enjoyable but as a fan it cut to many corners or trod on what I consider as Trek for it to be really good, no worries at all about buying it on Blu-ray though and adding it to the collection. A second movie looks on the cards and now they have gotten past the need to set up the crew I am really expecting JJ to create something incredible.

Dollhouse Renewed?

A source indicates that despite low ratings for it's Friday night broadcast Dollhouses DVR and potential DVD sales have secured it a second 13 episode run on FOX.
If it is true then I am quite delighted as the show does have some very good elements and a half season run will mean a tight and arc orientated narrative.

Live Feed Article

Memorabilia and Flu update

Good news as over a week has passed since returning to the country and no signs of the virus, we can all breath and sneeze easier:)
On a slight side note the building next to the manufacturing facilities is being demolished, driving one of the big JCB's and knocking a building down looked like fun:)


A little on the high side price wise with courier shipping but I just had to have the QMX Stargate SG1 coasters, I couldn't afford the scale model of a F302 so I'll make do with something to put my Buffy mug on.

Swine Flu update

A guy at work whose kid returned form Mexico last week is now on paid leave as a passneger on the same fleet has been confirmed with the virus, so far the young lad and the father are fine but the company has to be seen to take steps.
Cue endless rounds of humour at the guys expense the day before and even today after a global company wide memo did the rounds:)

Funny how you suddenly feel a little under the weather when people start talking about viruses and flu or is that just me?

District 9

This looks like the sleeper hit of the summer, low budget docu style movie about an alien presence on Earth and their impact as they settle and are faced with growing issues with the resentment of the humans surrounding them. It's also produced by Peter Jackson so has some muscle behind it.
District 9

BSG

More info is now emerging about the upcoming full series release on DVD and Blu-ray due July 28. I have the mini-series and first season on HD DVD and DVD but restrained myself from buying the second, third and fourth so a full series boxset is just about workable:)

House

After Five decided not to show the fifth season of House (they were expected to push it back to the summer) they chose not to renew so SKY1 have picked up the PAY rights including HD but no info in Free rights so no word on a SKY3 screening at a later date.
On a side note I just bought season4 on DVD for a tenner.

Turn Coat

I've just read the latest Dresden File novel "Turn Coat" which was released the other day.
An enjoyable read but quite a dark novel certainly lacking much of the humour from previous stories but once you read it you will understand why.
The first few chapters can be heard read by Jim on the Butcher Block.

Tricia Helfer 35 today

Tricia adds a year to her age this day, she just keeps getting better and better with guest appearences on Burn Notice and Chuck and the upcoming Warehouse13.

Offical Website of her gorgeousness.

Red Dwarf: Return To Earth and other Scifi

The long awaited reunion of the boys from the dwarf makes it's debut on Dave tonight at 11.30pm, yes I know hardly primetime but I suppose they think the fans will tune in or record it regardless.

Dr Who returns with the first of three specials tomorrow on BBC1 at 6.45 and simulcast in HD and the day after SKY1's adapatiation of Skellig screens at 7pm.

Back in the saddle

Right I've installed the new boot drive and a clean install of XP SP3 and after spending most of the afternoon install apps while intermitintly watching the footy, House and Chuck I am quite happy with the final result. XP boots up very fast even with the software overhead added to it and the overall performance is much smoother than before. I have moved both Newsleecher and Itunes storage folders off the boot drive which may be helping out there but as always I think there is a need for more hard drive space:)

SKY HD and PC fun

My SKY+HD has been updated with the new GUI, much more modern than the previous one which was based on the 1998 vintage GUI first seen with the launch of SKY D.

After the performance issues with various anti-virus applications and overall "not right" feeling I've been getting from the PC I am about to add a new WD Velociraptor as my boot drive and run a clean install of XP SP3, Vista still has issues with a few apps I need. I could be back in a couple of hours or heaven forbid the whole weekend, things seldom go smoothly:)

Harpers Island

A new mini-series premieres on the 9th, it's been picked up by the BBC but no idea if an airdate has been decided upon.

Anti-Virus Software

I upgraded to the new AVG 8.5 free package and my PC suddenly decided it would take over 4 minutes to bootup and overall seemed very sluggish especially when opening a drive. I uninstalled it and downloaded the trial of Kaspersky AV but that demanded I uninstall my Zonealarm firewall. Next I tried the trial from McAfee but that quite frankly turned my PC into a treacle sponge so that got uninstalled as well:)

I'm going to try the well reviewed free offering Avast! next and if that doesn't work I'll try to get AVG8.0 again.

Andy Hallet RIP

Reports say that Andy Hallett (singer and performer) perhaps best known for his portrayal of Lorne in the Joss Whedon series "Angel" passed away tonight.

Eonline

Stargate Universe Teaser

Thanks to Gateworld..

Family Guy do TNG