'Caprica' gets series pickup at Sci Fi

Sci Fi Channel has given a series pickup to "Caprica," the prequel to the channel's signature series "Battlestar Galactica." The project, which is set 50 years before the events in "Battlestar" on the home world of Caprica, hails from "Battlestar" masterminds Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. "Caprica," starring Eric Stoltz, Paula Malcomson, Esai Morales and Polly Walker, was originally expected to be ordered to series in August when another pilot, "Warehouse 13," got a series green light. Full story

Lou Diamond Phillips joins 'Carny' cast

Lou Diamond Phillips has joined the U.S. Sci Fi Channel TV movie "Carny" from Muse Entertainment and Brava Pictures to shoot in Ottawa, it was announced Wednesday. Phillips will play a small-town sheriff up against a revengeful beast that escapes from a visiting carnival sideshow. Full story

Sci Fi greenlights 'GameQuest'

Sci Fi Channel has greenlighted production on "GameQuest" (working title), an eight-episode elimination-style reality competition that pits 12 contestants against one another in a series of video game challenges to find the "best all-around gamer" in the United States. "GameQuest," set to premiere in the first quarter, is produced by Granada America and World Cyber Games, with Samsung Electronics as official series production partner. Full story

'Ghost Hunters' off to college

Sci Fi Channel's "Ghost Hunters" is about to get a higher education. The network has ordered a pilot for another spinoff of the popular reality franchise from exec producer Craig Piligian. Tentatively titled "Ghost Hunters: College Edition," the show features a group of students going around the country to seek out paranormal activity. Full story