TV News Briefs: A-Team, Terminator, Battlestar Galactica, How I Met Your Mother and Mister Rogers

Fred Rogers statue The A-Team – The big-screen version of the 1980s action series has been given a release date – June 12, 2009. An Eddie Murphy comedy called Nowhereland opens on the same date. Casting has yet to be announced but John Singleton is directing and the script is being penned by writing partners Michael Brandt and Derek Haas.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles – Though FOX has yet to make an official announcement about the series’ future, it looks like the series will be back for a second year. Word is that directors are currently being hired for the first three episodes of the 2008-09 season.

Battlestar Galactica – As previously announced, the Sci Fi series is coming to an end after four seasons. The first 10 episodes of the fourth season will begin airing April 4th with the remaining 10 tentatively slated for early 2009. Co-creator Ron Moore maintains that there won’t be any sequel movies because BSG “works best as an ensemble TV drama.” On the positive side, Sci Fi has finally greenlighted the two-hour “backdoor” pilot for the Caprica prequel series. The movie is expected to air this fall. If the network is pleased with the results, a new series will follow.

How I Met Your Mother – The CBS sitcom has yet to be renewed for a fourth season but series star Josh Radnor believes the series will return. He told the NY Daily News, “I think it’s not easy to get an ensemble that works this well together with a writing staff that’s really in tune with the sensibility of the show. If I was a network executive, I wouldn’t want to dismantle that.” If the network does cancel the sitcom, Radnor has some ideas about what fans could send to CBS. “I’ve joked that everyone should send their mother. And someone else recommended they should send sparklers – for [character] Robin Sparkles – but that would be a fire hazard.”

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood – In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the classic children’s show, more than 30 Southwestern Pennsylvania organizations recently took part in a special celebration. “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Days helped to promote neighborliness through family activities taking place at local libraries, museums, and other community venues. On March 20th, area residents were asked to wear their favorite sweater in honor of what would have been Fred Rogers’ 80th birthday. That same day, plans were unveiled for a $4 million “A Tribute to Children” which will feature a 10-foot-tall statue of Rogers in Pittsburgh. Stay tuned!