program blurbs for December.  If you don’t like any spoilers at all, look away now.

via Syfy:

Syfy HIGHLIGHTS – DECEMBER 2009

DECEMBER SPOTLIGHT

ALICE
A Four-Hour Syfy Event
Airing Sunday, December 6 and Monday, December 7 @ 9:00pm

Using the classic Lewis Carroll books “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking-Glass” as a jumping off point, writer/director Nick Willing has created the modern-day story of Alice Hamilton (Caterina Scorsone), a fiercely independent twenty-something who suddenly finds herself on the other side of a looking glass. She is a stranger in an outlandish city of twisted towers and casinos built out of playing cards, all under the rule of the deliciously devilish Queen of Hearts (Oscar winner Kathy Bates) who’s not very happy about Alice’s arrival.

Alice Hamilton is a young, martial arts instructor with commitment issues.  At the age of ten, her father left the family without warning or word and it’s had long-lasting effect on her… she can’t quite trust men.  She has high hopes that her new love, Jack Chase (Philip Winchester), might be “the one” but when he offers her a spectacular engagement ring that has been passed down for generations in Jack’s family, true to form, she panics and sends him packing… directly into the arms of a mysterious, well-dressed gang of men, “Suits,” who are out to nab Jack and the valuable jewel.  Realizing that Jack has slipped the ring into her pocket before leaving, Alice pursues him, witnesses his abduction and gives chase.

Alice follows the group through a smoky mirrored portal — a looking glass — and soon realizes that she has slipped into a parallel universe where the Suits, led by White Rabbit (Allan Gray), bring people kidnapped from our world into Wonderland.  There, these “Oysters” as they are called, have their memories erased and are held captive in a casino where everyone is always a winner. As they gamble, their extreme emotions of joy, delight, excitement, etc. are drained from them and bottled for consumption by the citizens of Wonderland. By feeding these positive human emotions to her subjects, the Queen of Hearts, like the Roman emperors of old, maintains her stranglehold over Wonderland with her husband, the King of Hearts (Colm Meaney), at her side.

In her desperate quest to find Jack, Alice enlists the help of an array of characters including the resistance fighter Hatter (Andrew Lee Potts), resistance leader, Dodo (Tim Curry) and the White Knight (Matt Frewer).

Hearing of Alice’s arrival, the Queen suspects she still possesses the ring Jack offered to her.  The “Stone of Wonderland” is not only a treasured gem but is also needed to operate the looking glass. Without it, there is no way to control the portal in order to collect new Oysters and maintain her reign. The Queen charges some of Wonderland’s more dangerous characters, including her pet assassin Mad March (Geoff Redknap) and 10 of Clubs (Zak Santiago), to capture Alice and retrieve the ring at all costs.

Rounding out the stellar cast are Harry Dean Stanton as Caterpillar, Alessandro Juliani as 9 of Clubs, Timothy Webber as Carpenter, Alex Diakun as Ratcatcher, and Eugene Lipinski as Doctors Dee and Dum.

For this re-imagined adaptation, writer/director Nick Willing mines the bizarre ingenuity and twisted logic of Carroll’s work to create a daringly different, boldly colorful and delightfully skewed dreamscape of his own. Willing also directed the record-breaking, Emmy-winning miniseries Tin Man for SCI FI in 2007.  Serving as Executive Producers for this ambitious new event are Matthew O’Connor and Lisa Richardson from Reunion Pictures, Jamie Brown from Studio Eight and RHI Entertainment’s Robert Halmi, Sr. and Robert Halmi, Jr.

OUTER SPACE ASTRONAUTS
NEW SERIES

“Diplomatic Hat”
Air Date:               Tuesday, December 8 @ 9:30pm – SERIES PREMIERE!

With a sense of camaraderie, Captain Ripley invites some new ‘alien friends’ on board the U.S.S. Oklahoma for pizza night.  With dinner plans locked in,  Commander Amos has his hands full with the their diplomatic agent Ka’ak.  Little does the OSA team know that the aliens are interested in more than the pizza, they want the whole ship… and the pizza!

“Of Cannibals and Cuddlepuffs”
Air Date:               Tuesday, December 15 @ 9:00pm

As Ripley battles a serious case of mono, Sunny adopts a seemingly loveable and cuddly smelling “pet” onto the ship.  Brimley and Matheson attempt to rescue a damsel in distress from a group of not-so-wonderful-smelling cannibal kidnappers.

“Undies”
Air Date:               Tuesday, December 15 @ 9:30pm

Barely escaping the wrath of a mistaken supernova, Intern Jimmy Peck becomes seriously ill while a disgusting, filthy undergarment begins to exhibit extraordinary powers. Sunny helps Ka’ak file her first report in the human art of office bureaucracy.

“Vast Emptiness”
Air Date:                Tuesday, December 22 @ 9:00pm

While traveling through a desolate, empty, boring area of space, Ka’ak throws a kick-ass party, complete with delicious alien cocktails, that has many serious, non-kick-ass repercussions.

“One Year Ago”
Air Date:               Tuesday, December 29 @ 9:00pm – DECEMBER FINALE!

On the day a younger, more innocent Amos arrives on the ship, the crew is plagued by equipment problems, oxygen depletion, radioactive teeth and a former Commander with a knack for really inconvenient mutinies.

Syfy ORIGINAL SERIES

SCARE TACTICS

“Ghoul Bus 2”
Air Date:               Tuesday December 1 @ 9:00pm

A security guard encounters an abandoned school bus in the middle of the desert…and someone or something is watching. An office worker is confronted by not one, but two

men, who come into the office matching the description of a dangerous criminal.  A maid comes face to face with a chainsaw wielding maniac at a hotel that caters to bizarre erotic fantasies. ECW Champ Matt Hardy plays a violent criminal who breaks out of his

physical and mental restraints to go after another doctor’s assistant.

“Dying to Kill!”
Air Date:               Tuesday, December 8 @ 9:00pm – FALL SEASON FINALE!

A receptionist at a doctor’s office is caught in the middle when a patient comes in demanding to be reattached to his former conjoined twin.  A young man working for the power company must confront a crazed scientist stealing power to manufacture the ultimate weapon.  While cleaning out a supposedly abandoned garage a young woman uncovers an entire race of alien pods… and they’re about to hatch.  A caretaker at an old folks home is shocked to discover an elderly patient who has the power to kill… with his mind!

GHOST HUNTERS

“Mark Twain House”
Air Date:               Wednesday, December 2 @ 9:00pm

This week, TAPS travels to Hartford, CT to check out the haunted house of legendary author Mark Twain.

Until the death of their 24-year-old-daughter Susy, the family lived in the beautiful, ornate Victorian style home. But now there’s a new set of tenants in town, and someone -or something – might not be ready to leave.

Rumor has it that soft, faint whispers can be heard in the halls, along with child-like giggles in the nursery.  Employees have also witnessed full-bodied apparitions roaming the floors, and mysterious, shadowy figures have been spotted in the windows after hours.  The paranormal activity shows no sign of letting up when the TAPS team arrives, and throughout the investigation, the gang experiences one of their most eventful evenings yet!

“American Legion”
Air Date:               Wednesday, December 9 @ 9:00pm

The American Legion – Willow Grove, PA

The team heads to Pennsylvania in search of spirits haunting the American Legion.

This old farmhouse has been around since the 1700s and was originally built to help war veterans…but their spirits may not have been ready to leave when the house was renovated into apartments for visitors. With lights turning off and on by themselves to large dark shadows serving up drinks behind the bar, this sounds like a case for the Ghost Hunters.

Old State House – Hartford, CT

TAPS travels to Hartford, Connecticut to investigate the Old State House where government issues were put to the test.

Built in 1796, and now operating as a museum, the building is now also known for its paranormal activity.  Guests frequently report hearing footsteps and voices whispering when no one else is in the room.

Will the Ghost Hunters crew find evidence to back up the claims of this haunted museum?

“Hindenburg Crash Site”
Air Date:               Wednesday, December 16 @ 9:00pm – 5^th SEASON FINALE!
SYNOPSIS NEEDED

GHOST HUNTERS ACADEMY

“Drama Queen”
Air Date:               Wednesday, December 2 @ 10:00pm

When the class travels upstate to check out Buffalo Central Terminal this week, they receive a surprise drama lesson as they’re put to the test dealing with conflict in the group.

When Steve and Tango switch up the game by pairing students with different partners, tensions run high and the pressure is on.  With limited time, there’s lots of ground to cover. The recruits need evidence to back up countless claims. Some say they’ve seen ghosts drinking from the water fountain while others have witnessed eerie voices, creepy footsteps and full body apparitions.

Will everyone be able to take the heat or will someone get cold feet and have to start packing? Find out in this week’s new episode of Ghost Hunters Academy!

“The Blame Game”
Air Date:               Wednesday, December 9 @ 10:00pm
SYNOPSIS NEEDED

“Final Exams”
Air Date:               Wednesday, December 16 @ 10:00pm – 1^st SEASON FINALE!
SYNOPSIS NEEDED

STARGATE UNIVERSE

“Justice”
Air Date:               Friday, December 4 @ 9:00pm – FALL SEASON FINALE!

Everyone is shocked when a member of the crew is found dead from a gunshot wound.  While at first glance it appears to be suicide, the gun is nowhere to be found. The crew is confined to quarters while a search is performed and when the gun shows up in Col. Young’s (LOUIS FERREIRA) quarters, he becomes the number one suspect. Fearing a mob scene, Young agrees to a trial and cedes command to Camile Wray (MING-NA).

Dr. Rush (ROBERT CARLYLE) convinces Wray to give him control of the science team and carte blanche with the new Ancient interface, previously kept under guard. But before Rush can unlock its secret, or Young’s trial can conclude, both are needed to explore a planet hiding a secret that threatens the Destiny and her crew.

SANCTUARY

“Next Tuesday”
Air Date:               Friday, December 4 @ 10:00pm

Magnus (AMANDA TAPPING) and Will (ROBIN DUNNE) are called to make a straightforward retrieval of a rare Abnormal off the coast of Louisiana. With a commissioned helicopter, the retrieval is successful and their cargo securely on board. But as the pair starts heading back to the mainland, something causes the unusual sea creature to break loose. Unable to control the Abnormal and the helicopter simultaneously, Magnus and Will make a crash landing and find themselves entangled in guy wire, precariously dangling over an abandoned oil bore well several feet above the water in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.

With the Abnormal nowhere to be found, Magnus concludes it has made its getaway into the depths of the water. But their solitude doesn’t last long. Not only does the Abnormal return, it’s even angrier than before. And Magnus and Will quickly learn they must escape or become its next victim.

“Penance”
Air Date:               Friday, December 11 @ 10:00pm

Magnus (AMANDA TAPPING) is reunited with an old friend, Jimmy (MICHAEL SHANKS) who is transporting a valuable elemental Abnormal to the Sanctuary for safety.

But an underground mob accustomed to cashing in on the Abnormal black market, tracks down Jimmy and his valuable cargo before the delivery is complete. Magnus and Jimmy find themselves in a dangerous shootout, determined to save the Abnormal. Will (ROBIN DUNNE), Kate (AGAM DARSHI) and Henry (RYAN ROBBINS) are quick on the scene as backup. Kate proves her worth when she manages to get Jimmy and the Abnormal to safety. But not before taking a shot from one of the mobsters herself.

Hiding out in an abandoned, derelict motel room until the immediate danger of the mob passes, Jimmy tends to Kate’s gunshot wound. With little to do but talk and wait for Magnus to find them, Jimmy and Kate discover an unexpected common history.

“Sleepers”
Air Date:               Friday, December 18 @ 10:00pm

Magnus (AMANDA TAPPING) and Will (ROBIN DUNNE) investigate a number of inexplicable teenage disappearances. The common denominator in the case seems to be that they all recently spent time at an exclusive rehab clinic in Mexico.

Paying a visit to the clinic, Magnus and Will are surprised to meet the program’s director…none other than a disguised Nikola Tesla (JONATHAN YOUNG), one of the original Five.

Tesla portentously explains he has been working on a treatment that cures the teens of their addictions in merely a week. Magnus and Will know Tesla has an ulterior motive and press him to disclose the real purpose for the clinic. Unable to hold back his excitement, Tesla reveals he is actually turning his patients into Vampires.

Tesla’s treatment is designed to create a time-release of the Vampire gene, evolving his unsuspecting patients into Vampires over a 30-year period. But when one of his patients discovers the formula to speed up the process, they find themselves up against a powerful and determined group of new Vampires. Unless they can be stopped, Magnus fears Tesla may have unleashed the resurrection of the deadliest race of Abnormals ever to roam the Earth.

Syfy ORIGINAL MOVIE

ANNILHILATION EARTH
Air Date:               Saturday, December 12 @ 9:00pm

With the world on the brink of both economic and ecological disaster, a brilliant physicist, David Wyndham (LUKE GOSS – TEKKEN, HELLBOY II), must discern whether the destruction of a cutting-edge super collider facility was the work of terrorists or his own miscalculation. Under intense pressure from a U.N. diplomat (MARINA SIRTIS – STAR TREK: TNG), David leads his team of scientists into the radioactive wasteland once known as France, and soon begins to suspect he’s become the unwitting pawn in an international plot to reshape the political landscape of the globe. The real danger, however, now lies in the heart of the energy-producing super collider network itself. Unsure of who he can trust, even suspecting his own best friend and partner, Raja (COLIN SALMON – RESIDENT EVIL), of conspiring against him, David must race against time to solve the mystery and stop the expanding Higgs boson field from not only destabilizing the planet, but tearing apart the very fabric of space and time.