Paranormal Pick of the Week: 666 Park Avenue Burns Off Begins on ABC

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After some finales and premieres, we've hit a bit of a quiet time for summer TV (but it won't last!), and one good thing about that is we are seeing some of our cancelled shows come back for their burn offs!  I'm really excited to see that we will see the end of many of them, and this weeks Paranormal Pick of the Week is the return of 666 Park Avenue.  They left us on quite a cliffhanger, so I hope there is a good 'previously on' recap! 

666 Park Avenue ~ Remaining Episodes Begin
Saturday June 22, 2013 at 9pm ET on ABC

The slow burn supernatural drama set in a apartment building/once hotel was a big surprize win for us this year, although sadly it seems like it took a little too long to get people hooked and therefore was cancelled.  So far, I haven't seen the burn offs being aired on a Canadian station, so make sure to watch/set PVR's and such on ABC for the show final episodes.


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Also Awesome

• Whodunnit - Series Premiere Sunday June 23, 2013 at 9pm ET on CTV and ABC; hosted by Gildart Jackson this reality competition show takes 13 guests of a murder mystery to a new level. The series is described as: "Guests will use a variety of crime scene investigation techniques to meticulously uncover evidence in a series of puzzling murders and to ultimately reveal who among them is the killer. Some guests will form partnerships in the competition, while others will choose to go it alone in their quest for the reward of $250,000. The guests will reside on a glamorous estate called Rue Manor with a steward, Butler Giles (Gildart Jackson), and each week must solve a new crime in order to advance in the game. Failure to solve the crime will lead to a guest’s demise, until only three are left. In the final episode, one guest will unmask the killer and take home the $250,000 reward " Sounds interested to me!
• Exploding Sun (Part 2) Monday June 17, 2013 at 9pm  ET on Space; we have the conclusion to the scifi/disaster 2-part movie event that was last weeks pick of the week.

June 2013 Paranormal TV New and Returning Air Dates

The Cast of Teen Wolf (Image Source)

It's getting hot out there and it looks like it will on the screen too! With June just around the corner it's time to look at the sizzling and scary shows hitting out small screens this summer. We also have a bit of a bittersweet turn this summer with several of our cancelled shows have being 'burned off' with there remaining unaired episodes coming to us this month including both Cult and 666 Park Avenue.

But let's look at the sweet before the sour; summer means the return of fan favourites from Teen Wolf to True Blood as well as series premieres like Under the Dome. If non-fiction is your thing, we have a new season of Paranormal Witness as well as the new competition/game show Exit. It's a little bit of everything this June!

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Teen Wolf ~ Season 3 Premiere
Monday June 3, 2013 at 10pm on MuchMusic

Genre: Paranormal/Werewolves

Summer means Teen Wolf to me. It only started 2 years ago back in 2011, but I loved it then and looked forward to Season 2 immensely in 2012. The show it mysterious, crazy, funny and even manages some sweet romance in along with the awkward coming-of-age and coming-of-werewolf-ness. The show is so zany and mysterious, I found it hard to get details on the season without getting spoilers and I don't want to accidentally find out anything on this one. If you want to go into potential spoiler-land, you can check out this description of Teen Wolf Season 3.

Teen Wolf is an American show that's a werewolf-centric supernatural drama based on the 1985 film of the same name. The cast of season 3 includes series regulars Tyler Posey, Crystal Reed, Dylan O'Brien, Tyler Hoechlin, Holland Roden plus a few new faces. Season 3 will be 24 episodes (up from season 1 and 2 orders of 12-episodes), however I suspect we will get 12 episodes in Summer 2013 and the rest at a later time (mostly speculation derived from the back that in iTunes you can buy a seasons pass for "Part I" of Season 3 for the same amount as previous seasons). Either way, I'm happy we will be seen LOTS of Teen Wolf!

Find out more about Teen Wolf at Much Music.com.



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Paranormal Witness ~ Season 3 Premiere
Wednesday June 5, 2013 at 10pm ET on Space

Genre: Non-Fiction Paranormal

I was a late-comer to loving Paranormal Witness. When it first debuted it felt a little shlocky to me and a little to in the vein of Unsolved Mysteries. BUT, in Season 2 that all changed it and it became one of my favourite shows to watch every week with the spooky story, chilling reenactment and the bravery of the witnesses to shared their first hand accounts of the paranormal. The show is also very respectful of the experiences, which also really won me over and now I'm really looking forward to more.

Here is what we can look forward to in Season 3 of Paranormal Witness: "Mixing first-hand testimony with dramatic re-enactments, PARANORMAL WITNESS recreates uncanny experiences that defy explanation. In the season premiere, “The Long Island Terror,” a firefighter’s widow unwittingly buys the former home of devil-worshippers, and does battle with a demon to save her daughters’ lives."

If you are a fan of the show and want to get updates from people whose stories have been shared in previous seasons, SyFy has a "Life After Paranormals" section on their website with a fair number of updates. I love that they've included this so we can see how people are doing and get even more about their experiences.

The episode order for season 3 of Paranormal Witness is a whopping 20 episodes (up from 12 in Season 2 and 6 in Season 1); which means we could easily be scared throughout the entire summer!

See more about Paranormal Witness at Space.ca.



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Being Human UK ~ Season 5 Premiere
Saturday June 8, 2013 at 9pm ET on Space

Genre: Paranormal

I'm thrilled to hear we will be getting the fifth and final season of Being Human (UK) this summer. It feels like it's been so long since I was up in arms about Season 4 that I think I've finally mellowed out (and that season was good, I just... had quite a reaction to it). It's been a really long and emotional journey through the seasons over the years, and although I'll be sad to see it go I am very happy we will see how it will end.

Here is a little be about how the fifth and final season of Being Human (UK) begins: "In the premiere episode, “The Trinity,” when Tom (Socha) and Alex (Bracken) decide to set him free, Hal’s (Molony) wracked by uncertainty…can he control his bloodlust? Things also get complicated with the return of Mr. Rook (Steven Robertson, LUTHER), the shady figure whose government department protects the world from supernaturals. Having been fired from the café, Hal and Tom find new employment at the Barry Grand Hotel, home to poisonous pensioner Captain Hatch (Phil Davis, Fast Girls). Unknown to the trio, his decrepit exterior hides an ancient evil that threatens not only their friendship but also the entire world."

Being Human (UK) is a British supernatural drama and it's fifth and final season (series) will have 6 episodes.

See more about Being Human (UK) at Space.ca.



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True Blood ~ Season 6
Sunday June 16, 2013 at 9pm ET/MT on HBOCanada

Genre: Paranormal/Vampires

Easily one of the most popular, racy, crazy and loved of the vampire shows out there, this series looks like it will still be delivering the goods again and again. I'm a few seasons behind on True Blood, and it's one that feels so much more fun to be spoiler-free so I'm not going to include a season description here but you can read one over at the HBO Canada website.

True Blood is an American series based on the The Southern Vampire Mysteries novels by Charlaine Harris. Season 6 will have 10 episodes (down from it's usual 12), and stars series regulars Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley and Alexander Skarsgård.

See more about True Blood at HBO Canada.



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EXIT host Curt Doussett

Exit ~ Series Premiere
Wednesday June 12, 2013 at 9pm ET on Space

Genre: Non-Fiction/Competition

Although not paranormal, this show sounds like it gets the brain going and is challenging to boot! I think I'll be checking Exit out.

Here is a series description of Exit: "In each episode of EXIT, four teams of two contestants battle to escape a series of four rooms which are each more challenging than the last. The winning team must beat the clock while solving rapid-fire brain games and navigating a bevy of terrifyingly entertaining puzzles in order to be the only team to truly exit and win the $10,000 prize."

Exit is an American game show hosted by Curt Doussett and it's premiere season is scheduled for 6 episode. Exit is based on the Japanese show "Dero!".

See more about at Exit at the shows official website.



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Under the Dome ~ Series Premiere
Monday June 24, 2013 at 10pm ET/PT on Global

Genre: Science Fiction

A new science fiction show in the summer? I'm thrilled! Especially as we lost Alphas from the roster and this one is based on a Stephen King novel that's the size of a small town! How could they fit it into 13 eps and a bubble? Less than a month until we find out how!

Here is a description of Under the Dome:"Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel, Under the Dome is the story of a small town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome."

Under the Dome is an American science fiction series based on the novel Under the Dome by Stephen King. The premiere season scheduled for 13 episodes and the cast includes Mike Vogel, Rachelle Lefevre, Colin Ford, Natalie Martinez, Alexander Koch, Britt Robertson, Nicholas Strong, Jolene Purdy, Aisha Hinds and Dean Norris.

See more about at Under the Dome at GlobalTV.com.



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Cancelled Shows Finishing Their Freshman Run

The 2012-2013 TV season had many casualties, and most of them had abrupt stops during the year and if you are curious to our thoughts you can check out the latest episode of Hexed for our 2012-13 Scorecard. Although it's sad to see them go, it is nice that we will get to see how many of them ended in the summer burn-off's listed below.

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Zero Hour ~Remaining Episodes begin:
Saturday June 15, 2013 at 8pm on ABC

The conspiracy thriller of Zero Hour didn't quite work for me, as it seemed to fall into a pattern after just 2 episodes as well as swaying in a very religious direction. But I'm really glad the remaining episodes will air, and I hope they give some interest and closure to the story.

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666 Park Avenue~ Remaining 4 Episodes begin:
Saturday June 22, 2013 at 9pm on ABC

666 Park Avenue was a slow-burn and a bit of a sleeper hit, it took me a fair amount of episodes to get hooked but once I was, I really was. It's been a long time since they cliff-hangered us, but I'm thrilled to see the final 4 episodes will air and I will definitely be tuning in!



Cult ~ Remaining episodes begin:
Friday June 28, 2013 on The CW from 8pm - 10pm (2 hour block)

Cult being cancelled was the biggest disappointment for me this year. I'll admit to being wary of it in the first few minutes of the very first episode, but when I realized they were *suppose* to be a bit out there I was totally hooked. The crazy-meta references, great cast (Matt Davis and Robert Knepper totally rocked the house) and bizarre, rabbit-hole(s) story line always left me wanting more. I'm thrilled The CW will be airing the final episodes of the season, and I hope a Canadian broadcaster does as well! I'll keep ya posted.

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Do No Harm ~ Remaining episodes begin:
Saturday June 29, 2013 at 10pm on NBC

Do No Harm will probably be known for the quickest cancellation of the year. I had to really work to see both episodes that air, and although this Jekyll and Hyde story was easily the most disturbing of the cancelled shows it has some great acting and phenomenal tension.

That's it for June! I'll update the post if any new shows pop up. Be sure to check out Ep 134 of Hexed where Suzie and I do our 2012-13 TV Scorecard for new shows that hit the small screen.

From Pilot to Pick Up: The 2013/14 TV Season Firms Up

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It's May which means it's now the time that we start to see the 2013-14 TV seasons as The Big 5 US stations are in announcing their schedules mode. Now, here in Canada we won't know until later on where the shows will lands on the Canadian channels but at least it gives us the go ahead on knowing which shows have gone from Pilot to Pick Up.

We are right in the midst of announcements, and has individual channel schedules for Fox and NBC, and then picks up news for The CW, ABC, and CBS.  If you are visually-inclined, check out TV Line's Slideshow for New Fall TV here.  And now, on to the pick ups!

Fox

• Sleepy Hollow is confirmed as added to Fox's schedule for Mondays at 9pm.
• Fox also snuck in another "genre" show with J.J. Abrams' Almost Human, which is described as "An action-packed buddy cop show set in the near future when all LAPD officers are partnered with highly evolved human-like androids.", this one is from FOX and stars Karl Urban, Michael Ealy, Lili Taylor, Minka Kelly, Michael Irby, Mackenzie and Mekia Cox. Almost Human is on Fox's schedule for late fall Mondays at 8pm.

NBC

• Believe gets picked up and casting fills out with Johnny Sequoyah, Jake McLaughlin, Kyle MacLachlan, Delroy Lindo, Jamie Chung, Sienna Guillory and Arian Moayed. Believe lands on the NBC line up on Sunday nights at 9pm.
• Also on NBC are lots of schedule changes, including moving Revolution from Mondays to Wednesday and putting Grimm BACK to Friday Nights where it will share a home with the previously confirmed new series Dracula starring Johnathan Rhys-Meyers.

The CW

• Star-Crossed (previously known as Oxygen) although it has a new title, it's been added to The CW's line up, I'm really looking forward to this one as it's described as "Passion and politics threaten the peace and an epic romance ignites between a human girl (Friday Night Lights' Aimee Teegarden) and an alien boy when he and eight others of his kind (The Orion 9) are integrated into a suburban high school ten years after they and hundreds of others landed on Earth and were immediately consigned to an internment camp where they’ve been imprisoned ever since."
• The Tomorrow People is going ahead on The CW, this is based on the UK series from the 70's following people with extraordinary powers.
• The 100 (previously referred to as The Hundred), follows a set of delinquents sent to each to see if re-population is possible 97 years after destruction of civilization and has the a-okay by The CW to go to series.
• Also, The Originals were previously announced as getting the series order.

ABC

• Joss Whedon's Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has been confirmed and a teaser trailer came out on the weekend and ERUPTED all over the place.
• Mind Games (previously known as Influence) also has the go ahead on ABC, this one stars Steve Zahn and Christian Slater and follows 2 brothers who use the real science of human motivation and manipulation.
• Resurrection (previously The Returned) has also has the go ahead on ABC, this is the one that asks the question "What happens when the people you have mourned and buried suddenly appear on your doorstep as if not a day's gone by? The lives of the people of Arcadia are forever changed when their deceased loved ones return. Based on a novel by Jason Mott.".
• Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (previously known as simply Wonderland) looks like it's moving forward but that it will be a limited run bridge. I have to admit, I'm surprized at that.

CBS

• Intelligence, starring Josh Holloway and Michael Rady and described as "Centers on U.S. Cyber Command, a unit that has been created around one agent with a very special gift: a microchip that has been implanted in his brain that allows him to access the entire electromagnetic spectrum." and has been picked up by CBS.

Shows NOT going ahead: sadly, Delirium is not being picked up by Fox.


As you can see we've already had several title changes and slight modifications, which is a good reminder that these shows are still in development, and clearly information may change about them at any time! But we are keeping our eye out for them and many more shows that will pop up for next season!

You can see the ones we have our eye on from the mammoth list (Big 5 as well as Specialty Channels) and the discussion Suzie and I had on titles with a paranormal, science fiction, fantasy or superhero angle, plus a few that sounded so awesome we couldn't leave it out. A few here and there it's hard to hone in on the genre, but these are all shows that have been confirmed to have gone from pilot to pick up, and that we will be following.

The Neighbors Has Been Renewed for Season 2!

Out of all of the renewal/cancels this year, this was the one that had me most on edge as I was a latecomer to the series The Neighbors which follows a family who moves to a new neighbourhood, one which is filled with aliens (posing as humans). But the news is in and that is that The Neighbors is renewed (more sources here and here).

I'm thrilled we will see more crazy cross cultural misinterpretation mixed in with every day life. The Neighbors was so much fun that I actually broke my rule of jumping into a show mid-season. It's a weird one, but a great weird one. So happy!

Paranormally-Inclined 2013-14 TV Pilots ~ The Big 5 US Networks

Hear Suzie and Shannon discuss these shows on Episode 131 of Hexed: Sisterhood of the Supernatural.

It's February which means it's the time to pour over listings of possible pilots for next years fall seasons. It's amazing to see the trends of sereis over time, as well as what shows make it from pilot to the actual fall schedule (see our post on last years lists), or winter - shows like Cult and Zero Hour just premiere in the past few weeks.

This time around we have a fair amount of dystopic and post-apocalyptic, and a few more romantic series too along with some heavy hitters like S.H.I.E.L.D and the Vampire Diaries spin off. Not too much fantasy this year, which is also interesting. Here's a look at the shows that fall under the Hexed umbrella of Paranormal, Fantasy, SciFi, Superhero and ...well... a few extra ones that we might like just for fun.

Due to the fact that there are SO MANY SHOWS, I'm going to split this into 2 posts, with this list being from the big 5 US networks of The CW, Fox, NBC, CBS and ABC. The specialty channel shows I'll put separately (see here), only because the chance of us specialty-programming isn't as likely up here in Canada are less than the Big 5.

Without further adieu...

Paranormal
Or at least hopefully/possibly paranormally-inclined

The Sixth Gun
Description: "Based on the best-selling Oni Press graphic novel, this supernatural Western follows the story of six mythical guns, each with its own other-worldly powers."
Description: "Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the supernatural western examines six mythical guns that each have their own otherworldly powers"
Genre: Paranormal/Western
Source: Based on graphic novel
Channel: NBC

Shannon's take: This one sounds awesome, it's not often you see supernatural/western as a mash-up and the few times I have see it be done it's been amazing. I'm got my eye on this one!

The Tomorrow People
Description: "Based on the U.K. series created by Roger Price, the drama tells the story of several young people from around the world who represent the next stage in human evolution, possessing special powers, including the ability to teleport and communicate with each other telepathically. Together they work to defeat the forces of evil."
Description: "In the vein of X-Men and Heroes, it’s the story of several young people from around the world who represent the next stage in human evolution, possessing special powers, including the ability to teleport and communicate with each other telepathically. Together they work to defeat the forces of evil. Based upon the original UK series created by Roger Price."
Description: "Adapted from the 1970s UK series, it follows several young people from around the world who represent the next stage in human evolution, all possessing special powers including the ability to teleport and communicate with each other telepathically. Together they work to defeat the forces of evil."
Cast includes Robbie Amell, Mark Pellegrino and Peyton List
Genre: Paranormal/Science Fiction
Source: Based on the 70's UK Series
Channel: The CW

Shannon's take: I'm always going to be interested shows that explore people with special powers like telepathy and teleportation so this hits high on my curiousity list. The only thing that holds back over-the-moon enthusiasm is it sounds a lot like Alphas which aired the past 2 summers and then was cancelled. But, that means there is room on the TV map for it too. Yes, I am a glass-half-full person!

Sleepy Hollow
Description: "A modern-day supernatural thriller based on the legend of Sleepy Hollow."
Description: "Described as a modern–day supernatural thriller based on The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow, it follows Ichabod Crane as he partners with Sleepy Hollow’s local female sheriff to solve the mysteries of a town ravaged by the battle between good and evil."
Description: "A modern-day supernatural thriller based on the legend of the titular Westchester Country, N.Y. town."
Cast includes Orlando Jones, Nicole Beharie and Katia Winter.
Genre: Paranormal/Horror
Source: Based on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Channel: Fox

Shannon's take: Oddly, I think I would be MORE interested in this one if it was historically set given last years take-out-of-period show Elementary, but it will all be about who/what is the determination of good and evil. If it's supernaturally-inclined then I'm in. If it's more horror and procedural, than not likely for me.

Gothica
Description: "A sexy gothic soap set in the present day that weaves together a mythology that incorporates the legends of Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein and Dorian Gray, among others."
Casting includes: Chris Egan (Dorian Gray), Tom Ellis (Victor Frankenstein)
Genre: Paranormal/Soap Opera/Drama
Channel: ABC

Shannon's take: Wow. This is ambitious, and I think the success will all be depending on the tone. I love the exploration of classic horror stories, I hope they go beyond the surface of the easy-to-pick-out the different characters and legends, but then again it *is* a soap. Wait, if it's a soap there needs to be romance... hmmm. I'm intrigued. Very intrigued. This one is gutsy, so I'm cheering for it to succeed.

The Originals
Description: "The series enters on the Original family of vampires, as Klaus returns to the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans — a town he helped build centuries ago — and is reunited with his diabolical former protégé Marcel."
Kinda spoiler-y Description: "This planted pilot, airing as an April episode of The Vampire Diaries, Klaus returns to the French Quarter of New Orleans, a supernatural melting pot that he helped build centuries ago, and is reunited with his diabolical former protégé Marcel"
A VERY SPOILERY Description: "A spinoff of the CW's The Vampire Diaries revolving around the Original family in New Orleans. In the episode, Klaus returns to the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans, a town he helped build centuries ago, and is reunited with his diabolical former protégé Marcel (Charles Michael Davis). Elijah, intent on helping his self-destructive brother find redemption, must side with Marcel's enemies in order to keep Klaus in line."
Genre: Paranormal/Vampire/Historical
Source: Based on The Vampire Diaries TV Series
Channel: The CW

Shannon's take: I have mixed feelings about this Vampire Diaries spin-off. In one way, I admire that The CW is catering to their audience and creating a show just for them, but on the other hand there is something about it that bugs me. Also the notion of it leads to huge potential spoilers around The Vampire Diaries this season, which are getting to be near-impossible to avoid.

The Returned
Description: "What happens when the people you have mourned and buried suddenly appear on your doorstep as if not a day's gone by? The lives of the people of Arcadia are forever changed when their deceased loved ones return. Based on a novel by Jason Mott."
Description: "The potential series asks the provocative question, “What happens when the people you have mourned and buried suddenly appear on your doorstep as if not a day’s gone by? The lives of the people of Aurora are forever changed when their deceased loved ones return.”"
Genre: Paranormal/Drama/Possibly Horror
Source: Based on a novel
Channel: ABC

Shannon's take: I think this one will likely not be a show for me, as I have a feeling it will be a faith-exploration. It's too early to say, it depends if it skews horror direction vs message-y vs something else entirely. We'll have to wait and see!

Believe
Description: "An unlikely relationship develops between a young girl named Bo with a gift and a man named Tate (Jake McLaughlin) sprung from prison who has been tasked with protecting her from the evil elements that hunt her power."
Genre: Little hard to tell, looks like Paranormal OR SciFi
Channel: NBC

Shannon's take: This is another one that it's hard to even tell the genre of it, and I'm guessing it's paranormal or scifi if it has a 'young girl with a gift'. Man, did they HAVE to call her Bo? Don't they watch Lost Girl? Anyway, I'll be curious to hear more, because there isn't enough to go on. How 'young' is the girl? Teen? Younger? Who is the audience? What's her power? And what/who is the 'evil elements'? Are they human? Lots of questions on this one.

Second Sight
Description: "Based on the U.K. by series of the same name by Paula Milne, thegothic psychological thriller revolves around a detective who is suddenly afflicted with an autoimmune virus that causes hallucinations reflective of his subconscious. He discovers that catching the killer depends as much on insight as eyesight."
Description: "A gothic psychological thriller about a detective who is suddenly afflicted with an autoimmune virus that causes hallucinations reflective of his subconscious. He discovers that catching the killer depends as much on insight as eyesight. Based on UK series."
Description: "Based on the British crime drama, the gothic psychological thriller follows a detective who is suddenly afflicted with an autoimmune virus that causes him to hallucinate about subjects in his subconscious. He soon learns that catching killers depends as much on insight as eyesight."
Cast includes: Jason Lee and Kim Dickens
Genre: Paranormal/Procedural/Mystery
Source: Based on UK Series
Channel: CBS

Shannon's take: I'm not a procedural fan, so this one won't likely be for me. Good casting though, and promising premise and starting point.


Fantasy

Wonderland
Description: "The modern-set follow-up to Lewis Carroll's Alice revolves around Clara, whose life took an unexplained turn for the worse seven years ago. A mysterious stranger tells her there may be an explanation after all ... that lies in the fantastical world of Wonderland."
Description: "Set in the world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland, Wonderland is set in modern times and centers on Alice and a new character, Clara. Seven years ago, Clara’s life took an unexplained turn for the worse, and a mysterious stranger tells her there may be an explanation after all… an explanation that lies in the fantastical world of Wonderland. To revive her dreams and get her life back on track, Clara must wage war against Wonderland’s reigning Queen, the woman we once knew as Alice."
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Modern retelling of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Channel: NBC

Shannon's take: Interesting premise, and I like the world of Alice in Wonderland so I'm curious about this one. It's also interesting to note the trending in TV where the protagonist is not who we would normally see as the main character of a story (Merlin is another example). Need to see more! And it's oddly the only fantasy I see, but we have more and more dystopic and post apocalyptic in the mix ahead.

Science Fiction

Oxygen
Description: "Passion and politics threaten the peace and an epic romance ignites between a human girl (Friday Night Lights' Aimee Teegarden) and an alien boy when he and eight others of his kind (The Orion 9) are integrated into a suburban high school ten years after they and hundreds of others landed on Earth and were immediately consigned to an internment camp where they’ve been imprisoned ever since."
Description: "Passion and politics threaten the peace and an epic romance ignites between a human girl and an alien boy when he and eight others of his kind (The Orion 9) are integrated into a suburban high school ten years after they and hundreds of others landed on Earth and were immediately consigned to an internment camp where they’ve been imprisoned ever since."

Cast includes Aimee Teegarden.
Genre: Science Fiction/Romance
Channel: The CW

Shannon's take: Oh.... this so sounds like Alien Nation meets Roswell. Of course that means I'm IN. Can't wait to hear more.

The Hundred
Description: "Ninety-seven years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization, a spaceship housing the lone human survivors sends 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth to investigate the possibility of re-colonizing the planet. Based on the forthcoming The Hundred book series (initial two-book order), written by Kass Morgan and published by Little, Brown."
Description: "Based on upcoming Alloy books written by Kass Morgan, the project is set 97 years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization. A spaceship housing the lone human survivors sends 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth to investigate the possibility of re-colonizing the planet."
Cast includes: Henry Ian Cusick
Genre: Science Fiction/Post Apocalyptic
Source: Based on forthcoming book series
Channel: The CW

Shannon's take: When I hear about this one, I keep having to get over the oddity of a show being based on a 'forthcoming series'. That just feels odd, but maybe it will be some of tie in to the show or influenced by, or who knows. Putting that aside, the idea is totally enough to get me interested because I would LOVE to see more science fiction on TV and starting with juvenile delinquents to investigate anything is a wild premise.

Delirium
Description: "Based on best-selling trilogy about a world where love is deemed illegal and is able to be eradicated with a special procedure. With 95 days to go until her scheduled treatment, Lena Holoway does the unthinkable: she falls in love."
Description: "The series is set in a world where love is deemed illegal and is able to be eradicated with a special procedure. With 95 days to go until her scheduled treatment, Lena Holoway does the unthinkable: she falls in love. Based on Lauren Oliver’s book trilogy."
Description: "Based on a bestselling trilogy about a world where love is deemed illegal and is able to be eradicated with a special procedure. But with 95 days to go until her scheduled treatment, lead character Lena Holoway does the unthinkable and falls in love."
Cast includes Emma Roberts, Billy Campbell, Gregg Sulkin and Corey Reynolds.
Genre: Romance/Dystopic/Science Fiction
Source: Based on book trilogy by Lauren Oliver
Channel: Fox

Shannon's take: I'm very curious about this one, and how it will read on the small screen. I'm a fan of dystopic which has been making lots of waves recently, so getting to see a dystopic series will be very cool. I'm not a fan of love being eradicated though, so I hope there is some kind of rebellion against that. I really need to read this book series! Even if just to avoid spoilers about the show!

The Selection
Description: "Set 300 years in the future, the drama is an epic romance centering on a working-class young woman chosen by lottery to participate in a competition with 25 other women for the Royal Prince's hand to become the nation's next queen. Balancing her loyalty to family, true love and the kingdom, she must attempt to remain true to herself as she navigates the cutthroat competition and palace intrigue, all while a budding rebellion threatens to topple the crown. Based book by Kiera Cass."
Description: "Getting a pilot order for the second year in a row, the project, based on Kiera Cass’ book series, is an epic romance set 300 years in the future. In it, a poor young woman is chosen by lottery to participate in a competition to become the next queen of a war-torn nation at a crossroads."
Cast includes: Sean Patrick Thomas and Peta Sergeant
Genre: Future-Historical/Science Fiction/Romance
Source: based on the Kiera Cass novel
Channel: The CW

Shannon's take: This one is a carry-over from last year, and honestly I don't really dig the premise at ALL. Feels like being forced into a pageant for getting to be a wife. In the FUTURE. Sigh. A lot will depend on the message/tone that they go with.

Intelligence
Description: "Centers on U.S. Cyber Command, a unit that has been created around one agent with a very special gift: a microchip that has been implanted in his brain that allows him to access the entire electromagnetic spectrum." Cast includes Josh Holloway and Michael Rady.
Genre: Science Fiction/Spy
Channel: CBS

Shannon's take: This sounds interesting, although I have know idea what accessing the entire electromagnetic spectrum would do for someone, and how it affects the character and their surroundings. Is it voluntary? Are they a tool? Are they a super-spy? Etc... So many questions.  The only thing I'm a little gr-rr about it I'll probably confuse people because I talk a lot about the awesome 2006-2007 Canadian series of the same name!

Superhero

S.H.I.E.L.D.
Description: "Based on Marvel Comics' secret intelligence organization that has appeared in countless titles including Iron Man, Captain America and The Ultimates since being introduced in the 1960s. The military law-enforcement agency's moniker stands for Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistic Directorate, which also has evolved over time in the comics."
Description: "Based on a peacekeeping group found in both the Marvel comic book and feature film universes, including the 2012 movie The Avengers"
Description: "The adventures of the agents of a covert, quasi-military peace-keeping organization, S.H.I.E.L.D. (or the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division), which was featured in last summer’s Avengers movie."
Cast includes Ming-Na, Clark Gregg, Brett Dalton, Elizabeth Henstridge, Ian De Caestecker and Chloe Bennet.
Genre: Superhero/Science Fiction
Source: Marvel Comics
Channel: ABC

Shannon's take: It's a Joss Whedon and Superheroes. Of course this is a YES.

Not Paranormal/SciFi/Fantasy
But could be close enough, and is interest-piquing

Influence
Description: "Provocative workplace ensemble centered on the complicated relationship between two brothers (Steve Zahn) who head a unique agency designed to attack their clients’ problems using the real science of human motivation and manipulation."
Description: "Provocative workplace ensemble centers on relationship between two brothers — a bipolar genius in human psychology and a slick ex-con — who head a unique agency designed to solve their clients’ problems using the real science of human motivation and manipulation. In addition to helping clients, agency staff sometimes use their skills to manipulate each another."
Genre: Drama - although possibly Science-centric or SciFi
Channel: ABC

Shannon's take: I'm going out on a limb including this one, it's possible it could be a straight-up drama with no paranormal or scifi-y stuff at all but even so the premise sounds interesting and kind of reminds me of Lie To Me. The understanding the motivation part is the part that sounds cool, although I'm not interested in manipulation at all.

Blink
Description: "A warm, quirky, humorous drama about a family whose lives are forever changed, for better and worse, when the patriarch has a car crash resulting in a coma-like syndrome where he cannot speak or move, but can see and hear all. His narration and fantasy sequences emanating from his mind provide context and a wry counterpoint to the stories and conflicts of the family and his own situation."
Genre: Comedy/Drama/Possibly Paranormal and/or Fantasy
Channel: The CW

Shannon's take: Another one that I'm going out on a limb to include, but given that it's primarily noted as a comedy it will all be about if you find it funny. My track record with comedies is awful, so chances are it's not a Shannon show.

Girlfriend in a Coma
Description: "After almost two decades, a 34-year-old woman wakes up from a coma to find out she has a 17-year-old daughter from a pregnancy she was unaware of when her life was put on hold. Based on a book by Douglas Coupland." Cast includes Christina Ricci, Miranda Cosgrove and Daniel Stern.
Genre: Comedy/Possibly Paranormal
Source: based on novel by Douglas Copeland
Channel: NBC

Shannon's take: For me Christina Ricci being in the series and the Douglas Copeland connection are the pulls over anything else. And the title reminds me of a song, even though it's super morbid and oddly it's not our only coma-show that's on the slate! Who knew?

What shows are you interested in checking out of these possible pilots?

Looking for details on ALL the 2013-14 TV Pilots? Check out these awesome posts over at The Hollywood Reporter, TV Line and Deadline.

Paranormal Pick of the Week: Zero Hour Series Premiere

Who new we'd get to a time where mid-February we would get series debuts? Not I, but I'm thrilled we do! This week we get a new conspiracy series, Zero Hour which has a skeptic magazine, centuries old mysteries and it looks like even a a paranormal connection which makes it a show in for this weeks Paranormal Pick of the Week:

Zero Hour Series Premiere
Feb 14, 2013 on ABC at 8pm ET

Here is the series premise: "Hank Galliston is a self-professed paranormal junkie, but his experience is mainly limited to his magazine Modern Skeptic until the day his wife is abducted from her antique clock shop, pulling him into a mystery that stretches around the globe and over centuries. Hank learns that one of his wife's clocks contains a treasure map that may lead to something cataclysmic, and he must unlock its secrets while making sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Hank's associates, Rachel and Arron, and FBI agent Becca Riley join him as he races against time to find his wife and save humanity."

Zero Hour stars Anthony Edwards, Carmen Ejogo, Scott Michael Foster, Addison Timlin, Jacinda Barrett and Michael Nyqvist. See more about Zero Hour on ABC here.



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Also Awesome:
Game of Thrones - Season 1 begins on Showcase this Friday Feb 15, 2013 at 10pm. Although it's neither new nor returning, it's still awesome.  I know I've been meaning to check it out since it began bac in 2011 but I think now I am finally going to get on the train, or would that be horse? And when you are setting those timers, remember this one is a bit longer than the hour so give yourself some breathing room to get all of the crazy goodness. The series stars Sean Bean, Mark Addy, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Michelle Fairley, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Iain Glen and Aidan Gillen.

If it's a new-to-you series, here is a Game of Thrones description: "Based on the bestselling fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin this sprawling new HBO drama series is set in a grounded fantasy world inhabited by ambitious men and women of both honor and ill repute, much like our own real world. In the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, whoever controls the Iron Throne holds unbelievable power, and the series centers on the rise and fall of several families that covet that power at all costs.

This is a story of duplicity and treachery, nobility and honour, conquest and triumph. In the Game of Thrones, you either win, or you die."

A big Thank You to Showcase for bringing us Game of Thrones from the beginning!

February 2013 Paranormal TV New and Returning Air Dates

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February. It's the shortest month and we've got Valentine's Day.  For TV, it used to be a very dry month but with schedules and formats changing and falling into new patterns that's not the case any more. We have new shows, returning shows and even one show that doesn't quite fit either mold but are awesome none the less. Although February doesn't have as much new as January did, it does have a lot to enjoy. Including the return of The Walking Dead. Brains.....

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Do No Harm - Series Premiere
Friday Feb 1, 2013 at 9pm EST on Space

If you didn't catch the series premiere Jan 31, 2013 on CTV you are in luck as the Jekyll and Hyde inspired series Do No Harm also has a home on Space Fridays at 9pm. The series stars Steven Pasquale (Rescue Me) as a neurosurgeon with an alternate personality that he chemically tries to keep under wraps. Although it may not be strictly paranormal, it certainly might be scary and it's inspired by Jekyll and Hyde so I'm definitely curious.

Here's more on the series premise: "Respected neurosurgeon Dr. Jason Cole has it all: a great job, a winning personality -- and a dangerous alternate personality. For years Jason has been able to keep his other self -- a devious, borderline sociopath who goes by the name of Ian -- in a chemical prison with a powerful sedative, but his body has developed a resistance, allowing Ian to escape. And Ian is angry about the time he has lost. With so much to lose, Jason must find a way to stop Ian from destroying everything that Jason has worked so hard to build."

See more about Do No Harm on Space here, or watch the Pilot episode at CTV.ca here.



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InnerSpace: Top 25 Lists Specials

Everyone love lists, and InnerSpace has our geekdar spiking with their Top 25's Lists in the areas we love from the 25 Stars to Watch, Top 25 Sexy SciFi Stars and already released Top 25 Video Game Characters. It's always fun to watch countdown specials, but even more so when they have folks from the series you love. I hear they talk to actors from Merlin, Being Human (North American) and the upcoming original series Orphan Black. Very exciting!

InnerSpace: Top 25 Stars to Watch
Feb 1, 2013 at 6:30 on Space

InnerSpace: Top 25 Sexy SciFi Stars
Feb 8, 2013 at 6:30 on Space

Also check out the Top 25 Video Game Characters here.

See more about Innerspace on Space here.

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The Walking Dead - Season 3 Returns
Feb 10, 2013 on AMC Canada

It feels like it's been forever since we hit the gripping mid-season finale in this third season of The Walking Dead. I know I can run hot and cold on the show depending on the season, but there is no question in my mind that the third season has been spectacular. AMC's hit zombie series debuted all the way back in Halloween 2010 has skyrocket ratings, bringing new and old zombie fans out of the woodwork in scary masses.

We occasionally check in on this one on the podcast, but have been pretty actively talking about it through Season 3 so I know Suzie and I will be so happy to see it back on the air with new episodes. See all Hexed podcasts and posts where we’ve discussed The Walking Dead here.

See more about The Walking Dead on AMC here.


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Zero Hour Series Premiere
Feb 14, 2013 on ABC

It's been a while since we've had a good conspiracy series, but Zero Hour looks like it might fit that bill with an editor of a skeptic magazine, centuries old mysteries and it looks like a paranormal connection. I know I can't wait to check it out. Zero Hour stars Anthony Edwards, Carmen Ejogo, Scott Michael Foster, Addison Timlin, Jacinda Barrett and Michael Nyqvist.

Here is the series premise: "Hank Galliston is a self-professed paranormal junkie, but his experience is mainly limited to his magazine Modern Skeptic until the day his wife is abducted from her antique clock shop, pulling him into a mystery that stretches around the globe and over centuries. Hank learns that one of his wife's clocks contains a treasure map that may lead to something cataclysmic, and he must unlock its secrets while making sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Hank's associates, Rachel and Arron, and FBI agent Becca Riley join him as he races against time to find his wife and save humanity."

See more about Zero Hour on ABC here.



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Cult Series Premiere
Feb 19, 2013 on CTV2

We chatted about Cult way back last February when it was first announced and again when it was noted as a mid season show and honestly the pull for me was that there was a blogger character, which now isn't quite at the forefront. It's about a show called Cult, that's about cults with lots of followers. I wonder if there will be any too-close-to-feeling-like-The Following, but I think they are going for different audiences. All that being said it still sounds very interesting and I adore many of the actors involved, so I know I'll be checking it out. It's a CW show, but will be airing here in Canada on CTV2.

Cult stars Matt Davis (Alaric on Vampire Diaries), Jessica Lucas, Alona Tal (Jo on Supernatural) and Robert Knepper (T-Bag on Prison Break).

Here is a series description: "Investigative journalist Jeff Sefton has learned to laugh off his brother Nate's relentless string of obsessions, especially his latest rant that a hit TV show intends to harm him. However, when his brother mysteriously disappears, Jeff takes Nate's paranoia seriously, and in the process uncovers the dark underworld of the TV show Cult and its rabid fans. The only person who seems willing to help Jeff with his investigation is Skye, a young research assistant for "Cult," who has also started to grow suspicious of the increasingly dark happenings surrounding the show. he fictitious show, centered on the cat-and-mouse game between charismatic cult leader Billy Grimm and LAPD detective Kelly Collins, has become an obsession for its viewers – and now some of its devotees seem to be taking their fixation to deadly extremes in the real world. As Jeff and Skye dig deeper into the fan world, they discover that the gruesome plot twists on television are much more than fantasy for some very unfortunate people. The hardcore fans of Cult would kill to see what happens next..."

See more about Cult on CTV2 here, and check out clips of the show at CW's YouTube channel here.



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Stranded Series Premiere
Specific date is TBC, but it will be on Space on Wed Nights.

The SyFy premiere date for Stranded is Feb 27, 2013 so I'm hoping that is when we will see it on Space too.

Stranded is a non-fiction show that has paranormal enthusiasts who self record footage of an overnight stay at a haunted location. It's created by Destination Truth's Josh Gates and looks like a really interesting addition to the roster of non-fiction paranormal shows. I can't wait to check it out.

Here is a series description: "Created by Josh Gates (Destination Truth), Stranded is an all-new reality series that documents an unconventional – and terrifying – paranormal and psychological experiment. Each episode features the self-recorded footage of a diverse group of every-day paranormal enthusiasts - from newlyweds and a brother-in-law to a trio of roommates. Each team of three will be stranded at one of the most haunted locations in America and record the entire experience with hand-held cameras creating a suspenseful, completely unscripted first-hand account of each group's stay. Over the course of the confinement, the group will cope with increasingly pervasive feelings of fear and desolation, resulting in an experiment that represents a unique combination of psychology and the paranormal."


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Also Awesome:

• Although it's neither new nor returning in this carnation, but it's still awesome. If you want to catch up on Game of Thrones from the beginning, Showcase is starting to air the series as of February 15, 2013.