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[07/05/07 - 07:54 PM]
It's the Future, Today, as 'Masters of Science Fiction' Brings Renowned Storytellers, Top Stars and ProF. Stephen Hawking to Abc, for Four Saturdays in August
Co-producer Starz Media details the anthology series, which features appearances by Terry O'Quinn, Anne Heche, James Denton, Judy Davis, Sam Waterston, Malcolm McDowell, Brian Dennehy and John Hurt.

[via press release from Starz]

IT'S THE FUTURE, TODAY, AS 'MASTERS OF SCIENCE FICTION' BRINGS RENOWNED STORYTELLERS, TOP STARS AND PROF. STEPHEN HAWKING TO ABC, FOR FOUR SATURDAYS IN AUGUST

Terry O'Quinn, Anne Heche, James Denton, Judy Davis, Sam Waterston, Malcolm McDowell, Brian Dennehy, John Hurt And Others Star in Stories That Are Topical and Also Fantastic

Series Debuts 10 p.m. Aug. 4 With Mark Rydell's 'A Clean Escape'

Los Angeles, Calif. � July 5, 2007 � Just when TV viewers may have had their fill of summer escapist fare, ABC brings to the air a series of four original films as current as today's headlines, but with all the wonder and imagination of the best sci-fi literature, with the 10 p.m. Aug. 4 debut of "Masters of Science Fiction," Starz Media's John W. Hyde and Industry Entertainment's Keith Addis jointly announced today.

Featuring stories from some of the most creative minds in science fiction literature, talented actors and directors and hosted by world renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, "Masters of Science Fiction" is unlike any program on the air, on broadcast or cable networks. It's an entertaining, crowd-pleasing collection of movies that mix powerful ideas, cinematic production values and peak performances. With a line-up of talent in front of and behind the cameras that is laden with top awards, this is indeed a collection of "masters."

"Masters of Science Fiction" is produced by Starz Media in association with Industry Entertainment. Executive producers are John W. Hyde, Keith Addis, Andrew Deane and Brad Mendelsohn.

First up, at 10 p.m. Aug. 4, is "A Clean Escape," based on a short story by Nebula Award-winner John Kessel ("Another Orphan," "Buffalo"), written for TV by Emmy� nominee Sam Egan ("The Outer Limits," "Jeremiah") and helmed by Oscar�-nominated director Mark Rydell (On Golden Pond, For the Boys). A dying Dr. Deanna Evans (two-time Oscar� nominee and double Emmy�-winner Judy Davis; "Life With Judy: Me and My Shadows," Marie Antoinette) refuses to believe that her patient, Robert Havelmann (Emmy� winner and Oscar� nominee Sam Waterston; "Law & Order," The Killing Fields), cannot remember the last 25 years of his life. It remains unclear why she has been so obsessed with this particular patient until the final, shocking conclusion that may just have resonance with the current global crisis.

It's followed at 10 p.m. on Aug. 11 by "The Awakening," based on a short story by Howard Fast (Spartacus) and written and directed by Michael Petroni (The Dangerous Life of Altar Boys). It stars Emmy� nominee Terry O'Quinn ('Lost', Stepfather) and Elisabeth Rohm ("Law & Order") in a story set in the middle of a ferocious firefight outside of Baghdad, where U.S. soldiers discover a mysterious body � one that they can't even identify as human. Swiftly, all over the earth, more such creatures appear and begin to communicate. With this contact, the world is forced to choose between peace and destruction.

Next, at 10 p.m. on Aug. 18, is "Jerry Was a Man," from a short story by seven-time Hugo Award winner Robert A. Heinlein ("Stranger in a Strange Land," "Starship Troopers"), written and directed by Oscar�, Emmy� and Golden Globe� nominee Michael Tolkin (The Player, The Rapture). It tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. Van Vogel (Golden Globe� nominee Malcolm McDowell; A Clockwork Orange, "Heroes"; and Emmy� nominee Anne Heche; "Men in Trees," John Q), a wealthy couple for whom pleasure is their only work; mundane or dangerous chores are done by anthropoids. Somehow, Mrs. Van Vogel's dormant compassion is awakened by an anthropoid named Jerry. What traits would prove that Jerry is, indeed, a man?

Rounding out the limited series at 10 p.m. on Aug. 25 is "The Discarded," which is based on a short story by seven-time Hugo Award winner, three-time Nebula Award winner and Science Fiction Grand Master Laureate Harlan Ellison ("A Boy and His Dog," "Star Trek"), written for the screen by Ellison and Oscar� nominee Josh Olson (A History of Violence) and directed by Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: Insurrection, Star Trek: First Contact). It stars James Denton ("Desperate Housewives"), two-time Oscar� nominee John Hurt (V for Vendetta) and Emmy� and Tony� Award-winner Brian Dennehy (Assault on Precinct 13, Cocoon) in a story of despised minorities forever adrift in the darkness of outer space. As a last resort � born out of their loneliness and despair � they are forced to make an ominous pact with those responsible for their plight, in the hope that they will finally be offered refuge at home on Earth.

Tying all of these individual stories together is Prof. Stephen Hawking, the Cambridge University professor best known for his work in cosmology and black holes, whose bestselling book "A Brief History of Time" entertained the general public by illuminating the complexities of astrophysics. Yet for all the hard science that has earned him acclaim as arguably the world's most renowned and respected thinkers, he also has a love of the fantastic. "I have always wanted to know what is out there, to explore the universe, and what is beyond," Hawking notes. "I read a lot of science fiction when I was younger, [and] now I write it, in a sense."

Hawking's opening and closing narration to the "Masters of Science Fiction" films brings scientific authority, along with a sense of wonder, to the programs. His remarks make you think, as befits a master of science. And the movies make you think too, even while they provide exceptional entertainment. And it's no wonder; after all, the storytellers are, quite simply, "The Masters of Science Fiction."

About Starz Media

Starz Media, LLC, is a programming production and distribution company operating worldwide. It includes the Film Roman, Anchor Bay Entertainment, and Manga Entertainment brands. Its units create animated and live-action programming -- including theatrical films -- and programming created under contract for other media companies. It distributes that programming, and programming acquired from outside producers, through home video retailers, theaters, broadcasters, ad supported and premium television channels, and Internet and wireless video distributors in the U.S. and internationally. Starz Media is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation that is attributed to Liberty Capital Group.





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· DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)
· HEROES (NBC)
· JEREMIAH (SHOWTIME)
· LAW & ORDER (NBC)
· LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND: ME AND MY SHADOWS (ABC)
· MASTERS OF SCIENCE FICTION (ABC)
· MEN IN TREES (ABC)
· OUTER LIMITS, THE (SCI FI)





[07/11/25 - 12:45 PM]
ABC Concludes September to May Season with Top Five Shows Among Adults 18-49 Including "High Potential," "Abbott Elementary," "The Rookie," "Shifting Gears" and "9-1-1"
Continuing to lead among broadcast series, ABC's "High Potential" stood as the No. 1 new drama among Total Viewers (16.41 million) and No. 1 new show among Adults 18-49 (3.85 rating).

[07/11/25 - 11:28 AM]
"Big Brother: Summer of Mystery" Premiere Up +10% from Last Summer
Last night, season 27 premiered to nearly 3 million viewers.

[07/11/25 - 10:01 AM]
FX's "Alien: Earth" Takes Fandom to New Heights with Premium Exclusive Content Including a Companion Podcast and Innovative Immersive Experiences
"Alien: Earth," a new drama series from Noah Hawley inspired by the acclaimed feature film franchise, will premiere on Tuesday, August 12.

[07/11/25 - 10:01 AM]
CBS Unveils Fall Primetime Premiere Dates for the 2025-2026 Season
Highlights include an early return for "Watson" on Monday, October 13 in place of the previously announced "FBI" spin-off "CIA."

[07/11/25 - 10:00 AM]
The "Outlander" Universe Expands in Hall H, as Starz Returns to San Diego Comic-Con
Look for can't miss panels for "Outlander" and "Outlander: Blood of my Blood" in Hall H on Friday, July 25 and an in-depth preview of the newest saga in the Spartacus franchise, "Spartacus: House of Ashur" on Saturday, July 26 in the Indigo Ballroom.

[07/11/25 - 10:00 AM]
Adult Swim Returns to San Diego Comic-Con with "Pirate Purrrty on the Green," Must-See Panel Events, and Exclusive First Looks and Giveaways
Adult Swim will bring its famed pirate ship outside the San Diego Convention Center (5th Avenue Landing and Convention Way), this time with a feline twist!

[07/11/25 - 09:01 AM]
HBO Max to Host Fan Experiences for Upcoming Seasons of "Peacemaker" and "It: Welcome to Derry" in San Diego
The festivities include a panel in Hall H, where showrunner/writer/director and Co-Head of DC Studios James Gunn and the cast of "Peacemaker" will share new details about the upcoming season and premiere the global trailer for season two.

[07/11/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Billy Joel: And So It Goes" - Official Trailer - HBO Max
There's always a message in the music.

[07/11/25 - 06:00 AM]
"Love Island (UK)" 10th Anniversary Special Date Announcement
The special premieres in the US on Friday, July 11.

[07/11/25 - 02:01 AM]
Netflix Will Release "Death Inc." Seasons 1, 2 and 3
The series is a comedy centered around a family-run funeral home and the relationships between the eccentric characters who inhabit it.

[07/11/25 - 12:01 AM]
"Too Hot to Handle: Italy" Is Coming on July 18 Only on Netflix
A special guest will guide the contestants in the first Italian edition of the reality show.

[07/10/25 - 07:01 PM]
Video: "The Winning Try" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After his career fell apart, a disgraced rugby star finds purpose coaching his old school's team - driving them and himself toward growth and redemption.

[07/10/25 - 07:01 PM]
Video: "The Nice Guy" - Teaser Trailer #3 - Disney+
He wants out for good. But the past comes with strings.

[07/10/25 - 05:03 PM]
Meagan Good Returns to Lifetime to Executive Produce and Star in the Alluring New Thriller "I'll Never Let You Go" Alongside Antonio Cupo and Thomas Cadrot, Premiering August 16 on Lifetime
Good stars as Emily Westover, a poised and successful art gallery director whose life takes a dark turn after a brief, impulsive affair with a magnetic Italian artist, Carlo (Cupo).

[07/10/25 - 12:01 PM]
"Virgin River" Is Returning for Season 8
"On behalf of myself and the whole 'Virgin River' family, we're eternally grateful to Netflix and to the fans for allowing us to continue on this journey with these beloved characters," said showrunner Patrick Sean Smith.