SCIFI.COMs broadband channel SCI FI Pulse will premiere two outrageous sci-fi originals on July 13, 2006 a full two weeks prior to their broadcast debuts on SCI FI Channel. Pulse viewers will have the chance to affect the future of the off-beat animated half-hour pilot, AMAZING SCREW-ON HEAD, featuring the voice talents of Paul Giamatti (SIDEWAYS), David Hyde Pierce (FRASIER) and Molly Shannon (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE). Also to air is the wildly bizarre GARTH MARENGHIS DARKPLACE, featuring the British cult figure in a send up of the best of the worst of science fiction TVs past.
Viewers will become part of the development process. After watching the pilot of Amazing Screw-On Head, they'll be asked to fill out an online survey from the NBC Universal research department. The online survey results will help SCI FI execs decide whether or not to greenlight the pilot to series.
"The SCI FI Pulse broadband network gives us a unique way to tap into our viewers and get their direct feedback in a way not previously possible," said Dave Howe, evp/gm of SCI FI. "Our viewers are passionate about SCI FI and this is another way for us to get them involved with the network."
Adapted from the critically acclaimed, Eisner Award-winning comicbook by Mike Mignola (HELLBOY), AMAZING SCREW-ON HEAD is a half-hour animated comedy based on the exploits a secret agent working for the U.S. government, Screw-On Head. Screw-On Head (Giamatti) is a robot that screws his head onto a wide variety of bodies, and battles those who threaten civilization. Produced by Kickstart Prods., the pilot was written by Bryan Fuller (DEAD LIKE ME, WONDERFALLS, NBCS CARRIE). Fuller and Jason Netter serve are exec producers, with Mignola as art director and Chris Prynoski directing.
In the pilot, Screw-On Head faces off against his arch nemesis (and former manservant), Emperor Zombie (Pierce). Shannon plays Screw's love interest, Patience the Vampire. Rounding out the cast are Patton Oswalt (King of Queens) as Mr. Groin, Screw's faithful manservant and Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers' Frau Farbissina), who plays the dual roles of zombie henchwoman Aggie and Geraldine.
GARTH MARENGHIS DARKPLACE is the six-episode British cult favorite series that celebrates how far science fiction has come on television. Hatched from the twisted mind of world-renowned horror author, Marenghi, the series is a haunting medical drama set in Romford, England. New doctor Liz Asher is tipped off by a psychic cat that there is darkness in Darkplace. When a patient mysteriously dies, she and Dr. Rick Dagless, M.D. must scalpel-up and fight the Forces of Evil (which involves attempting to close a standard-sized hell-mouth beneath Romford). The series is produced by Avalon Television.
Both AMAZING SCREW-ON HEAD and GARTH MARENGHIS DARKPLACE will debut on SCI FI on July 27, following the series debut of the Channels newest reality series, WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO? starring Stan Lee.
SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic website, www.scifi.com, and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 85 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.
