Sci Fi (or SyFy, whenever that changeover is taking place) has cast some of its upcoming projects. Battlestar Galactica and Dollhouse's Tahmoh Penikett and Smallville's Laura Vandevoort has been cast in Riverworld and Desperate Housewive's Ryan Carnes has been cast as the lead character in The Phantom.This is either a sign that Dollhouse is destined for only one season or Tahmoh Penikett's character of Paul Ballard is not going to survive beyond the first season. I'm hoping it is more of the latter than the former.
Sci Fi is doing its usual schtick with both projects and broadcasting four-hour movies. Those that do well will get picked up for a series. At least Sci Fi has learned from the mistakes of their Flash Gordon series.
I kind of wish Penikett had been cast in The Phantom instead. I'm not familiar with Ryan Carnes and having a familiar (to me) factor like Penikett as the star would have drawn me more to the show. For those more familiar with him, would Carnes make a good Phantom?
Six Mad Men characters who are in limbo after the finale
Fact or Fiction: Big Bang, Brothers & Sisters and CSI
The TV Squad Podcast: Linda Purl talks about The Office, we talk spoilers, and more
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-07-2009 @ 3:12PM
Alissa said...
actually it means nothing for Dollhouse - he'll be done filming Riverworld before the 2nd Season of Dollhouse begins filming if it happens, and it will be a long time before we know if Riverworld is more than a one time movie event.
It means Tahmoh is hedging his bets, because he's got brains to go with that pretty face. :)
Reply
4-07-2009 @ 4:26PM
John Heltsley said...
I'm a huge fan of the Phantom, since I was a kid. I think Tamoh could have done a great job in the role, but who knows. SciFi ... er SyFy ... tends to make such CRAP (Eureka and BSG are their only real successes - they bought Stargate from Shotime, so I don't count it as "theirs") that it'll probably fail hard no matter what. See: Flash Gordon, as mentioned in the article.
Reply
4-08-2009 @ 12:20PM
wooster182 said...
Penikett has proven as Helo that he excels as a hero committed to a woman and has to navigate through a crazy world (like wartorn Caprica). He sounds perfect for Riverworld. I hope it gets picked up.
Reply
4-08-2009 @ 2:23PM
Jake said...
Have no fear, both will fail miserably. Riverworld because it is one of the weirdest "sci-fi" universes yet devised (apart from the works of L. Ron Hubbard), and will be nearly inaccessible to most mainstream viewers (yes, even mainstream SciFi viewers). The Phantom because that character is one of the lamest comic book heroes ever, which sparked one of the lamest comic book movies ever. Oh, and because Ryan Carnes is a douchebag.
Don't get me wrong, I really like Penikett and hope to see him on better projects in the future. But neither of these stands a chance.
Reply