The Safe House - Expositions

SciFi Wire

May 19, 2003

Minority Wins Top Saturn

Minority Report won the Saturn Award for best science fiction film at the 29th awards ceremony of the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films and Cinescape Magazine on May 18 in Hollywood. Minority Report director Steven Spielberg took home the award for best director and was on hand to accept the award personally at the gala ceremony at the Hollywood Renaissance hotel.

...

Additional film honors went to Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones for best special effects and to Robin Williams for best actor (One Hour Photo).

In the television category, ABC's Alias was named best network television series, and the SCI FI Channel's original series Farscape was honored as best syndicated/cable TV series. Alias star Jennifer Garner was named best actress, and Angel star David Boreanaz was tapped for best actor.

Alias' Victor Garber took the honor for best supporting actor, while Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Alyson Hannigan won the award for best supporting actress.

© SciFi Wire 2003

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TV Guide Online

May 19, 2003

Ask Matt

by Matt Roush

Question: Recently, there has been a lot of speculation over which is the better show, Alias or 24. I'm curious as to which one you think is better or more deserving of an Emmy, if they were to be nominated. I've been watching both regularly and through my own judgment, I have to say that Alias has one up on 24, especially after the season finale. While both have great action sequences, an element of fantasy, and surprising twists and turns, I feel that Alias has more raw and deep emotion than 24. And I think it makes it that much richer as a series. I don't feel the same emotion watching an interaction between Jack and Kim as I do Syd and Jack or Jack and Kate as Syd and Vaughn. Plus, I think Irina is one of the most complex and mysterious characters on TV and while Sherry and Nina are great, to me there is no comparison. I think the emotional depth of Alias makes it a better show. What do you think? Linda

Matt: This question reminds me of the song from the musical Finian's Rainbow titled "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love (I Love the Girl I'm Near)." I enjoy both shows a great deal. They reinforce the power of weekly series television. I can't wait for each new episode, and I dread when each one comes to a (usually gripping) end. Whichever one I'm watching is the one I like the most. But to be a bit more objective, I'd probably side with Alias for the same reasons as listed above. Namely, the emotional content and the addition this season of Lena Olin as the season's most enigmatic, fascinating and glamorous new character. But this is a tough call, no doubt about it. As for either one winning an Emmy as best drama: a long shot, to put it mildly.

© TV Guide Magazine Group, Inc. 2003

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TV Guide

May 19, 2003

Roush Rave

by Matt Roush

Alias has done it again. First, ABC's electrifying spy thriller reinvented itself at mid-season with jaw-dropping twists on Super Bowl Sunday. That was mere child's play compared with this month's breathlessly exciting season-ending cliff-hanger that left us baffled but beside ourselves in anticipation for this fall. In the weird climax, after a bruising battle with the genetically altered "double" of her best friend, Francie, Sydney (Jennifer Garner) awoke in Hong Kong, dazed and confused. When her lover, co-agent Vaughn (Michael Vartan), arrived, he told Sydney she had been missing and presumed dead for nearly two years. Plus, he's wearing a wedding ring. Huh? Can't wait to see how this will be explained (and if we even understand it when it is).

© TV Guide Magazine Group, Inc. 2003

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The Hollywood Exclusive

April 29, 2003

by Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith

SILVER LINING: "Alias" costar Garber admits he was disappointed that his planned lensing of a new version of "Fiddler on the Roof" in Prague, Czech Republic, this summer, was postponed due to the war and terrorist fears. However, he feels, "It was a wise decision because it was a combination between security and financial reasons.

Hopefully we'll be able to shoot it next year, because we all really want to do it." Adds Garber, "Sometimes it makes me sort of anxious, not knowing what I'm doing, but this break is a long time coming. The time off will be sort of a relief."

He's making the most of his time off. Now, he says, he'll spend his summer globetrotting, much like the undercover CIA agents he and Jennifer Garner portray on "Alias." Garber's first stop will be a jaunt to the Bahamas with friends, followed by a short stay in Paris a bit later in the summer. The Broadway veteran also tells us he just bought a new apartment in New York City, and "I'll be enjoying that while going to the theater with friends."

© Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith 2003

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Zap2it

April 13, 2003

by Taylor Michaels

Q: Please confirm: I believe Carl Lumbly of Alias once starred in a TV movie called M.A.N.T.I.S., which became a series, and that the actress who plays his wife on Alias was in the movie and that his love interest in it more recently played a villainous secret agent on Alias.

A: You are right. Yvonne Farrow, Lumbly's Alias wife, appeared in the two-hour movie pilot for M.A.N.T.I.S., a sci-fi series that ran on Fox from August 1994 to March 1995. Also in that TV movie was torrid Gina Torres, who played Sydney Bristow's (Jennifer Garner) nemesis Anna Espinosa in early episodes of Alias.

In fact, by the time you read this, there is a distinct possibility that Anna Espinosa will have resurfaced on Alias, if the speculation of many fans is on the money.

Thanks to TwinnerA, who spotted this in her Sunday newspaper TV insert!

© Zap2it 2003

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Sports Illustrated

April 14, 2003

Sports Beat

Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

Just when you thought there couldn't be any more uncomfortable silences on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," they went out and hired Mike Tyson to be the guest sidekick last week. While Tyson was at times surprisingly chatty, he was also at times unsurprisingly vulgar. On Friday, apropos of nothing, he asked guest Michael Vartan of "Alias" if he had ever had sex with Shannen Doherty, then proceeded to wonder aloud, "Can you imagine Shannen with a big, black buck?" Another Tyson reference -- to having sex with "Alias" costar Jennifer Garner -- as well as a lengthy comment that was bleeped out left Vartan mute and looking as if he were sitting in the guest's chair against his will.

© Sports Illustrated 2003

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Zap2it

April 7, 2003

TV Gal Declares 'Angel' Redeemed

[...]

If "Alias" (Sunday, ABC, 9 p.m.) went to all this trouble to make Faux Francie evil why aren't they doing more with her character? Poor Merrin Dungey still doesn't have enough to do. But one thing I think the show has done so right is allowing Vaughn and Sydney to be happy for awhile. Once the major obstacle was taken out of their way, the show didn't try to dream up another one (take note "Ed"). Sure I don't expect their happiness to last until the end of this season, but they've been together since the Super Bowl which is a very long time in the world of TV. By the way, I think it's also important to note that the show has made a big point of telling us Sark's age.

© Zap2it 2003

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ABC Medianet

March 31, 2003

ABC Ratings Release

"Alias" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
"Alias" surged from the final half-hour of its movie lead-in (8:30 p.m.) by 35% among Adults 18-49 (4.6/10 vs. 3.4/8) to earn second place in its time period across each of the key adult demographics: Adults 18-34 (4.0/10), Adults 18-49 (4.6/10) and Adults 25-54 (5.3/11). "Alias" ranked as Sunday's No. 1 drama among Adults 18-34, beating NBC's "Law & Order: C.I." by 21% in head-to-head competition (4.0/10 vs. 3.3/9).

"Alias" gained audience throughout its telecast. From its first half-hour to its second half-hour, it built 3% in Total Viewers (9.6 million to 9.9 million) and 7% in Adults 18-49 (4.5/10 to 4.8/11).

© ABC Medianet 2003

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E! Online

March 20, 2003

Ask Marilyn Beck

Dear Marilyn: Is Michael Vartan from Alias romantically involved with anybody, someone famous?
Elsa, New York

Dear Elsa: Vartan was engaged to Shannon Gleason for 10 years, but the last time I spoke to him about his romantic life, he assured me he was very much available--and expected to be so for the foreseeable future.

He blames his single situation on the women he comes in contact with in Hollywood. "So many of them," he says, "come with an agenda to make it in show business." He feels that instead of being attracted to him for himself, they're thinking he can get them ahead.

© E! Entertainment Television, Inc. 2003

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TV Guide

March 29-April 4 2003

TV Fashion Hall of Fame

Thanks to Lizzythelizzar!

Ron Rifkin as Arvin Sloane on Alias (ABC). Talk about dressing to kill. Bad guy Sloane may not wear amazing disguises à la Sydney Bristow, but he still looks cool in such designers as John Varvatos.

© TV Guide 2003

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ThePeople.com

March 2003

Showbiz People: TV's Toughest Chicks

Sydney Bristow

Alias

Story so far: Sydney has been recruited by not one, but two major spy networks, caused the death of her fiance, discovered her father is also a spy, and defused a nuclear bomb - while still finding time for her college homework.

Kick-ass moment: Putting a well-placed boot up the bum of baddie McKenas Cole, played by Pulp Fiction director Quentin Tarantino.

Preferred weapon: Killer kicks and punches, not to mention the James Bond-style gadgets, including exploding pens and code-cracking mobile phones.

Tough-chick chic: Sydney's rainbow wigs are a might attention-grabbing for a secret agent, but who said spies have to be dowdy?

Sassy rating: 9/10

© ThePeople.com 2003

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Canadian TV Guide

March 2003

The Top 5 Shows You Should be Watching

Thanks to Anna for the heads-up! :)

Hello, Just thought I'd drop a line and let everyone know that Alias was featured this week in the Canadian TV Guide.
Their main feature was "the Top 5 Shows You Should be Watching"
Now, that might sound like a burn, but its not, really, Alias was highlighted as one of the best shows on tv, they described the writing as "Brilliant" and the plot excellent. I don't have a copy of it, as it it stands, I was waiting in the checkout when I saw JG pic on the cover and made a mad dash to read the article before I had to pay and leave the store.
Next week though, if you go to TVguide.ca you might be able to read the article yourself.
I know the tv guide up here's a different mag altogether and thought I'd just let you know. Unfortunately no mention of MV. Boo.

© Canadian TV Guide 2003

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The Washington Post

March 4, 2003; Page C07

The TV Column

By Lisa de Moraes

Thanks to Chloé, Vartan Ho #67 for the heads-up! :)

Network executives also announced they had picked up "Alias," which is the least they can do considering the way they squandered that show's post-Super Bowl broadcast. Braun said the early pickups mean those shows can get a head start hiring writers and additional cast members for next season.

© The Washington Post 2003

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