Picardo has another close encounter

Stargate SG-1 guest star Robert Picardo (better known to many sci fi fans as the holographic doctor in Voyager) is due to have yet another close encounter with outer space, picking up an appearance in the upcoming second season of The 4400.

Picardo's official website reports that the actor is due to appear in the fourth episode of the new season, due to air on June 26th 2005.

Spader & Shatner, now closer than ever

"You can tell a lot about a person by that first impression, that first smell," says James Spader, the original Daniel Jackson, of his Boston Legal co-star William Shatner in an interview containing teases for the upcoming second season of the show, as the actors' respective characters allegedly get up close and personal.

To read more, go here. Thanks to sue on the Our Stargate forum for the tip.

Carmen Argenziano Interview

In an exclusive interview with Carole Gordon and Our Stargate, Carmen Argenziano (Jacob Carter), talks about acting, his time on Stargate SG-1, and what the future holds -- for himself and perhaps for one of our favorite Tok'ras.

Read it on the Our Stargate website!

Michael Shanks Online Charity Auction

The Michael Shanks Online (MSOL) website has announced a very special event -- a charity auction of about 40 items, some of which are extremely rare and are definitely collectors' items! Every item offered has been autographed by Michael Shanks and/or other members of the Stargate cast and crew.

The auction started Thursday, 12 May, and will close in approximately two weeks. All items will be listed on the auction pages of the MSOL website, while the auction is being conducted on eBay. The first 15 items can be viewed now and new items will be added over the next week.

All proceeds from the auction will be donated to one of Michael's preferred charities, The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

Check out The MSOL Auction page

Any queries can be directed to msolcharity@michaelshanks-online.com.

Avari: from good father to Turkish ruler in opera performance

Erick Avari, best known to fans of Stargate SG-1 as Kasuf, takes on the part of Selim in Portland Opera's production of Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio, playing through to May 21st.

Avari, who boasts a wide range of previous theatre, film and TV experience, plays a Turkish pasha who kidnaps a Spanish noblewoman in this singspiel - an opera with spoken dialogue rather than sung. "He has adjusted beautifully; he laughs about it a lot," said director Sharyn Pirtle of Avari's getting into the role.

For more about the production, go here, while Portland Opera's website is here.

Black and Browder on joining season 9's SG line-up

"I've come to make Michael Shanks' life a misery," said prospective Stargate SG-1 co-star Claudia Black in an interview with Sci Fi Wire, as she talks about reprising her role as Vala after sharing the screen with him in season 8 episode 'Prometheus Unbound'. Meanwhile fellow Farscape star and Stargatenew boy Ben Browder talks about his experiences of joining the show in season 9 and what it's like to work with Beau Bridges.

For more of this interview, go here.

Thanks to sue on the Our Stargate forum for the tip.

Mixed results for SG in Saturn Awards

In February we reported on the nominations for the 2005 Saturn Awards - the results, announced today, proved to be a mixed bag for the Stargate SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis-related nominees.

Stargate SG-1 beat off competition including its own spin-off to pick up the Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series award, while Ben Browder, soon to be a series regular, beat Richard Dean Anderson and others to collect the Best Actor in a Television Series award.

Fellow Farscape cast member Claudia Black picked up the Best Actress award, while her fellow 'Prometheus Unbound' co-star Michael Shanks was pipped at the post by Terry O'Quinn (John Locke in Lost) as Best Supporting Actor.

Meanwhile, Amanda Tapping picked up the Best Supporting Actress award, beating Torri Higginson (Stargate: Atlantis) and former SG-1 guest star Erica Durance (Smallville).

For more on the awards, go here.

Congrats to Kozak on Agatha win!

In February, we reported that Harley Jane Kozak, best known to fans of Stargate SG-1 as Sara O'Neill, was up for a prestigious Agatha Award for her debut novel Dating Dead Men.

Everyone here at SDJ would like to congratulate Ms Kozak on winning the Agatha Award this weekend, an award both nominated and voted for by fans of the traditional detective story genre, and wish her continued success with her books. The follow-up, Dating is Murder is now also in print and the third book in the series is on the way.

Thanks to Jo Anna on the Our Stargate forum for the tip.

Atlantis companion on the way