This just in from the National Ledger in an article written by Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith
The Sci Fi Channel’s popular “Stargate: SG-1” is celebrating its 200th episode tonight (8/18), and fans should enjoy the festivities while they can. Star Michael Shanks tells us the end could very well be in sight.
Stargate: SG-1 Nearing Final Days?
“I think it’d be nice for one more year, and then that would be the time to close the book on it, for sure,” claims Shanks, who plays Dr. Daniel Jackson. However, “from an imagination point of view, there’s a lot left in this franchise. The wonderful thing about science fiction is that there is a lot of imagination out there and there are a lot of places we can take this unique concept. In terms of the business side of it, I really don’t know. There’s a reason why shows end, but those things we can’t be in control of.”
Whatever the future holds for the show, currently in its 10th season, fans are eager to see tonight’s milestone episode, which boasts a guest appearance by former star Richard Dean Anderson.
“This has been the most prolonged celebration that I’ve ever seen. We’ve already had like three parties,” Shanks tells us, but for him, the 200th episode holds even deeper meaning. “This particular one is a milestone in that it makes me think, ‘I’m still here? It’s been a decade!’ When I started, I was like, ‘Oh, this will last for a few months, I’ll get some money, and some new experience,’ and we are still here. It’s definitely been a unique life circumstance
Grend says
It may just be the “Final Days” for the show if they don’t get their ratings back up.
Look, we all bitch and moan about the arbitrary nature of Nielsen’s, etcetera – and yeah, SciFi channel knows a chunk of us are time shifting or downloading to watch – but if you want the show to continue…
…people, we have to suck it up and sit through the commercials. Period.
We’re a dedicated bunch, so WHY is that so hard for a fan base willing to run campaigns to save shows, buy newstime, etc? We gotta hold our noses on this one and WATCH.
Two cents. I love you guys for posting and love the staff for this site, please don’t flame my tired ass. (grin)
grend says
This may seem over the too, and its for Nielsen households o’course …we must have some … But it’s something I hear a lot about… We blame networks for crappy biz practices but we never watch traditionally either. OK rant ovet! Now go warm up the couch for 200!!
Kyle Nin says
I watch all my shows on TV. Commercials and all (not because I want to, but because there’s no other way for me to do it).
I’m hoping that the 200th episode will attract general sci-fi fans that don’t watch the show. Then maybe they’ll see it’s an interesting and fun show and start watching it regularly. (Well, like I said, I’m hoping.)
karl says
You are not telling me that sci-fi dont rake it in from this show- it is a number one show all over the world- the syndication rights etc and huge back catalogue, DVD sales, etc etc must be enormous. I mean for crying out loud I love the show but they have been using the same area for filming for years and it sure as hell shows! It cant be one of the most expensive series to make can it?
The time shifting aspect is something that the industry is just going to have to learn to deal with. That is what happens when you stick an advert in every 5 minutes- people lose patience and find other ways to watch programs. Cut the number of ad breaks and maybe more people would watch. Crying poverty just doesnt cut it.
Kyle Nin says
I don’t think money is the reason. There apparently aren’t as many viewers as there have been in the past. Last year, I think the ratings were at least 2.0 or even 2.5, but this year it’s more like 1.5, so there is a noticable drop. I just don’t understand why people don’t want to watch.
If the ratings went back up over 2.0, I think Sci-Fi may decide to continue it. If not, well, we all know what happened to Enterprise.
fred says
The way I do my part is to skip through the comericals so I can enjoy the show, and then I go back and watch nothing but the comericals. You never know when the next “where’s the beef?” is going to happen.
And I can’t get enough of celebs pimping colored sugar water.
Sam says
I watched the 200th episode last night and it was very funny. I loved the way they took shots at themselves, and I really loved it when Vala’s idea for a TV series with the cast was a scene of Farscape. The Star Trek parody was hillarious with the producer doing a perfect Scotty.
I also caught one line which indicated that SCI FI Channel just may have already renewed Stargate SG1 for an eleventh season….hope it is true.
The Stargate Atlantis show last night was quite superior and we actually got to see more of Jack O’Neill in that episode than we did in the 200th show of SG1, only Jack was a sinister replicator….Cool stuff.
John says
Hello, Folks This is my very first blog so please be kind. I watched the show for the last 199 espisodes so I guess I was a little impressed by the 200th. However, the series is lacking something. I want to say its passion is not what it used to be now don’t get me wrong writing is great but they need to bring the same passion to the scene that was in their the first five years of the series and I think that we might be surprise many more people will start to watch maybe make a tv movie bring the hype and the passion and we will be there.
Davehill says
I’m not worried, this clears the path for may Stargate spinoffs.
Stargate : Pormethus anyone?
anita says
I am a huge fan of sg1, and the 200th eposide was a’ight, the fact that they made fun of themselves was okay, but get real, it was not that great, however am a huge fan of Valla, and to me she take up where Jack left off in dry humor, am eagerly awaiting season 11. So here’s hoping ther is one. And to all my sg1 fans, lets support our show and try to sit throught those boring, sleepy ass comericals.