SCI FI REVS UP PILOT PRODUCTION WITH AGGRESSIVE SLATE OF ORIGINALS

New York, NY (April 13, 2005) - SCI FI Channel, already an industry standout for its high-quality original series, announced today new additions to its series development slate for '06-'07. Coming off the red-hot premiere seasons of 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Stargate Atlantis,' SCI FI will add to its roster of acclaimed scripted dramas, miniseries and next generation alternative series ('Tripping the Rift,' 'Ghost Hunters'), new projects from luminaries in film, television and literature.

SCI FI's new development slate expands the reach of both the Channel and the sci-fi genre by incorporating the broad, mainstream appeal of fantasy, adventure and alternative reality. Highlights include a new series based on the incomparable life and work of celebrated author Shirley Jackson, to be executive produced by two-time Academy Award-winner Michael Douglas. Projects include:

Scripted Series

'UNTITLED MICHAEL DOUGLAS PROJECT'
'Desperate Housewives' meets 'The Twilight Zone' in this merging of the life and work of the late, celebrated author Shirley Jackson ('The Haunting Of Hill House'). Storylines and themes from Jackson's catalog of supernatural short stories will be woven into her real life experiences--as told in her non-fiction books 'Life Among the Savages' and 'Raising Demons.' This series will reflect Jackson's spirited family life and her transition from urban mom to small-town matriarch. Executive produced by Academy Award-winning actor/producer Michael Douglas ('Wall Street,' 'Traffic'); Alan Brennert ('Stargate Atlantis') is on-board to write.

'HEROES ANONYMOUS'
Based on 'Heroes Anonymous,' the popular comic books created by Scott Gimpel and Bill Morrison and published by Matt Groening's Bongo Comics, this live-action one-hour series lives in the world of 'The Incredibles' and 'Spiderman' ? a modern-day big city where superheroes are a part of everyday life. 'Heroes Anonymous' follows a group of twentysomething aspiring superheroes that form a support group to help them cope with the nearly impossible task of trying to discover their own identity, while carving out their secret identity. Produced by NBC Universal Television Studio and Bender-Brown Prods, the series will be Executive Produced by Lawrence Bender ('Kill Bill Vol. 1&2,' 'Pulp Fiction'), Kevin Brown ('Legend of Earthsea,' 'Roswell') and Karl Schaefer ('The Dead Zone'). Gimpel and Morrison will pen the pilot.

'THOSE WHO WALK IN DARKNESS'
Based on John Ridley's ('Three Kings,' 'Third Watch') best-selling novel of the same name, 'Those Who Walk in Darkness' is a near-future drama about an expert team of S.W.A.T. police whose primary mission is to hunt down and capture rogue "Metanormals"? people who genetically posses superpowers. Along with high-octane action, we'll delve into the intense relationships, on the job and off, within this elite team. John Ridley will write and executive produce in association with NBC Universal Television Studio.

'URBAN ARCANA'
Cities across the globe have been invaded by creatures from a parallel world. These beings have crossed through a portal into the human sphere and don't plan to obey the laws of the land. Undercover detective Sean Mayhew must protect the human population from the influx of these chameleon-like, mythological creatures. 'Urban Arcana' is based on a Hasbro/Worlds of Wonder role playing game. Aron Coleite ('Crossing Jordan') will write; Gary A. Randall and Rockne O'Bannon ('The Triangle, Farscape') will executive produce in association with Fox Television Studios.

'TOMORROW'S CHILD'
Horribly burned in an accident, a young girl is brought back to life by new "skin" of extraterrestrial origin. This new flesh gives the girl powers beyond human comprehension, and soon the government is on her trail, looking to make her its next guinea pig. As she travels the country in Fugitive fashion, she looks to discover the origin of her powers and seek out others like her. Produced by NBC Universal Television Studio and Gary Foster's Horseshoe Bay Productions ('Daredevil,' 'Elektra').

'TIME TUNNEL'
In this updated interpretation of the classic 1960s television series created by Irwin Allen, a female scientist and a government agent find themselves trapped in time when an experimental time travel project is sabotaged. Produced with Fox Television Studios and Kevin Burns and Jon Jashni of Synthesis Entertainment. Allen's wife, Shelia Allen will produce. Written by John Turman ('The Hulk').

'3:52'
From distinguished television writer/producer John Tinker ('St. Elsewhere,' 'L.A. Law,' 'Judging Amy,' 'The Practice'), comes a chilling human scenario. What if 2 billion people suddenly vanished off the face of the Earth? And nobody knew why? The ripple effect would be global and personal; religion and politics would change forever; families would mourn lost loved ones while scientists and conspiracy theorists would search for answers. 3:52 (the time of the disappearance) will examine the 'What If' of this event as told from the point-of-view of a small Maryland town.

Alternative/Reality

'BARBARIAN CHRONICLES'
What if 'Lord of the Rings' met 'Curb Your Enthusiasm?' The answer: 'Barbarian Chronicles.' This 1/2-hour animated series from Brendon Small, creator of the offbeat series strip 'Home Movies,' is a fresh ensemble comedy set in a magical realm of swords, sorcery and - you heard it here first ? Middle-earth metrosexuals. Executive produced by Small and David Letterman's Worldwide Pants, this series pulls back the curtain on a hilarious and heretofore unknown age of comedy.

'SERIOUSLY BAFFLING MYSTERIES'
It's Larry Sanders for the paranormal set. Supernatural investigative reporting gets a mockumentary makeover in this hilarious half-hour docu-spoof from FremantleMedia North America. Series host Jonathan Frankle goes in search of the paranormal on a shoestring budget, but instead finds trouble with his producer and crew. Production chaos and behind-the-scenes dysfunction bleed into each episode - the make-up artist negotiates a raise using a voodoo doll, a Nostradamus prediction about the apocalypse causes administrative anarchy and an investigation into a legendary cannibalistic monster degenerates into a Survivor-like discussion about who among the crew would be voted onto the menu first.

'DALLAS IN WONDERLAND'
This one-of-a-kind half-hour reality series, hosted by the irrepressibly vivacious British television star Dallas Campbell, follows one man's quest to achieve the impossible. Our determined host leaves no stone unturned in his earnest attempts to succeed at a bizarre set of outrageous, self-inflicted sci-fi challenges. Some experiments seem vaguely possible, others are clearly impractical, and some are downright crazy - but all are ingeniously lofty. Whether applying to NASA to fulfill his dream of space exploration or hitting up the Raelians for help with some narcissistic cloning, Dallas' hilarious never-say-die approach to a good challenge will feed the wanderlust in us all. Executive Produced by R.J. Cutler's Actual Reality Pictures ('American High,' '30 Days').