Apparently Stargate producer Joseph Mallozzi has been hearing the not-so-pleasing rumblings that his new Stargate show, Universe, is little more than an odious attempt by the suits to “young up” their aging franchise. I’ve gone on record calling this a poor attempt at going the youth route (I think I’ve called it Stargate: 90210 in the past), while others have dubbed it Voyager: 90210. I kinda like my own name for it better. But in any case, Stargate producer Joseph Mallozzi would like to assure fans that Universe is not Voyager: 90210. By which I mean, Joseph Mallozzi apparently hasn’t read his own press releases, because if this thing isn’t stinking of Voyager: 90210, I don’t know what does.
Will Stargate: Universe be the Star Trek: Voyager of the Stargate universe? Time will tell, although taking into consideration the age of the characters that are currently being cast for the show, I’m getting this sinking feeling they’re going the 
Promo images for the Stargate: Atlantis episode (Season 5, Episode 20) “Enemy at the Gates”. That’s right. This is the final episode of Stargate: Atlantis before the cast and crew jet off into their very own series of made-for-DVD movies, following in the footsteps of the Stargate: SG1 gang. From the looks of these promos (VERY SPOILERISH, I must say), I guess we know who ends up with whom — at least at the end of the episode. 
While Yes, in theory, I think it sucks that they’re canceling Stargate: Atlantis just as it’s getting good, I have to think back to the final few seasons of Stargate: SG1, and it reminds me how stale the show got. But that’s just me; I know a lot of Stargate fans still think those final seasons with the Ori were really good. I just happen to not be one of them. But in any case, you probably already know that this season of Atlantis is also its final season, and that the show’s cast will be heading off into a series of direct-to-DVD original movies once the show shuts down production. That leaves, of course, the introduction of a new Stargate show — Universe — to fill the void.
MGM and The Sci Fi Channel have now confirmed that Season 5 of Stargate: Atlantis will indeed be the show’s final season; once the current season ends, the show will move to a series of direct-to-DVD movies, similar to what happened with Stargate: SG1. There will be two Atlantis movies first, and depending on how they do, will probably result in more. But have no fear, Stargate fans. After Atlantis leaves the air, you won’t be denied your weekly dose of Stargate — The Sci Fi Channel has greenlit a new Stargate series. Yup, it’s Stargate: Universe, which we’ve heard of before. 
I have to admit, although I have DVR every episode of Stargate: Atlantis starting with this year, I was a little shock to realize that it had been on the air for five years. Now it appears as if the show’s current fifth season will also be its last, with the Sci Fi Channel planning on shutting down production on the series and moving the cast/crew onto a Stargate: Atlantis movie franchise, similar to what they recently did with Stargate: SG1. That venture, it would appear, proved successful enough that the Sci Fi Channel now wants to do the same with Atlantis.
Stargate: SG1 may have come to an end, in movie or TV form, but don’t worry for the cast, boys and girls. Everyone seems to have found something to do, or should, as you don’t star in a regular TV show for over 10 years and not have plenty of guest starring opportunities on other TV shows. TV just works that way. Once you’ve starred in a show, you’re offered jobs on other shows. Michael Shanks has taken up a number of offers, with a recurring role on the USA Network’s Burn Notice show, where he’ll be playing another burned spy who has to do the bidding of Carla, played by Battlestar Galactica’s Tricia Helfer, the same woman who burned the show’s lead, Michael Westen. 
Well this is sucky news. Actor Don S. Davis, most famous for his role as General George Hammond on the Stargate: SG1 TV series has passed away at the too-young age of 65. According to Don’s wife Ruby Fleming-Davis, Don died June 29 after suffering a heart attack. He had previously reduced much of his workload on SG1 in 2003 due to his health, but returned for some important episodes and is due back for the second (and possibly final) SG1 direct-to-DVD movie, “Stargate: Continuum”. 
The Sci Fi Channel has released their premiere dates for their returning and new shows in a press release. Some of the shows expected back in the cable net’s Summer line-up includes the last Stargate show standing, Atlantis, which returns for its fifth season, and original hit Eureka, which returns for its third year; also returning are Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters International, and prank show Scare Tactics, which had been canceled for a while there, but is now back. I still have no idea what pulling pranks has to do with sci-fi (and hosted by Tracy Morgan, of all people), but I love the show anyways. 
At last, we have the DVD cover art and specs for the second (and final?) Stargate made-for-DVD movie, “Continuum”. Amazon.com has the title listed as being available July 29, 2008, but you can pre-order your copy now. Ben Browder, Michael Shanks, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge, and Claudia Black returns for a second go-around in a Stargate movie, this time they must stop Ba’al from changing history by traveling into the past. And if you saw the bootleg trailer that was posted a while ago, you also know that Richard Dean Anderson makes a guest appearance.