'Galactica' appeals to masses, even actors

Source: Zap2it

VANCOUVER - When asked about the Sci Fi Channel series Battlestar Galactica, which is on the same network as his series, Eureka (and films across town in this Canadian city), actor Colin Ferguson smiles and says, "They're the cool kids."

He's not the only one who thinks that.

A jubilant bunch of online journalists troop into the hangar bay of the Galactica, as constructed in a huge soundstage at the Bridge Studios.

At that very moment, on this late-June day, there are, no doubt, many famous Hollywood folks who would happily hock an award or two to be sitting in the same place where the human denizens of the beleaguered space cruiser jump into their Viper and Raptor fighter spacecraft to face the onslaught of the mechanistic Cylons (many of whom look like humans).

One can't even speculate what they might do to get their photo taken in a Viper, as some of the attendees do later on.

On this day, the bay is home to a panel discussion with cast members Aaron Douglas (Chief Petty Officer Galen Tyrol), Michael Hogan (Col. Saul Tigh), Jamie Bamber (Capt. Lee "Apollo" Adama), Grace Park (Lt. Sharon "Boomer" Valerii), Tamoh Penikett (Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon) and an assortment of identical Cylons, along with Bonnie Hammer, president of the Sci Fi Channel, and the channel's chief of original programming, Mark Stern.

"We're the coolest, no question about it," says Penikett. He recounts how Eureka actor Ed Quinn tracked the Battlestar cast down when he first arrived in Vancouver.

"We didn't know who he was," Penikett says. "He was, 'Welcome to town. Would you like to come over and watch the fights?' The guy couldn't shut up about the show. It was awesome."

Apparently, the relationship has continued. "I've been a fan since the beginning," says Quinn, speaking in early May. "That show, the writing, it's just opera. It's so incredibly good. Aaron Douglas is a friend of mine, and I have been texting him, 'You are a bleeping, bleeping Cylon, you bleeping traitor.' He is so angry with me. He's probably going to punch me."

"I saw the first season," says Billy Campbell, star of USA's The 4400, also in early May. "I will watch the rest of it. It's fantastic."

Campbell liked it so much that he cornered Hammer at the network's upfront presentation to advertisers. According to Hammer (and Campbell), he pleaded for an opportunity to be on the show, even offering to work without pay.

Since Battlestar is filming its fourth and final season (set to air in early 2008), time is running out, but Stern says, "I tell you, we are talking about trying to figure out Billy's schedule, and trying to get him into the show."

But it's not just other TV stars who watch Battlestar. Douglas recalls an incident that took place in January when he passed Robin Williams on the street in Beverly Hills.

Williams turned around, followed Douglas and waylaid him on the curb to talk about the show.

"He goes, 'That's the best show on TV,' " Douglas says. " 'I never miss it. You tell Eddie [star Edward James Olmos], you tell everybody that's my favorite show. What are you shooting? Why are you here? Why are you not shooting? Is the Chief dead?' I'm staring at this guy, 'This is Robin Williams.' All these people are walking by, going, 'Holy crap, that's Robin Williams. Who's that [other] guy? Why is Robin Williams shaking his hand?' "