These types of articles are always fun because fans love to debate the rankings and what shows did or didn’t make the list. Of course any list like this that leaves off Farscape needs to closely scrutinized.

You can check out the article here…

http://www.wizarduniverse.com/25greatestscfishowsever.html

So what do you think Joss’d readers?  What is your favorite quote from Serenity?  Firefly?  Who is your favorite character?

Whedon ‘Verse artist, Jo Chen, has been nominated for the prestigious Eisner Award for Best Cover Artist for her work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8, Serenity, and Runaways. The award winners will be announce at San Diego ComicCon.

Best of luck to Jo from everyone here at Joss’d!

According to PPRD spokesperson Leland Serra, the discovery was an accident. “A couple of our scientists who monitor the Hubble – and when I say ‘monitor’ I mean hijack the space telescope when NASA scientists are off at their weekly poker game – were a little bored one night and decided to point the Hubble in the general direction of where our map says The Verse should be,” Serra said.

Click here to read more.

Tabz, the Producer @ Universal Studios - photo by Pastor Matt (my dad)

I was born and raised in Southern California, but only went to Universal Studios once (when I was very little). So I was excited this past week to finally visit.

Universal Studios can only be described as “an experience”. While it’s reminiscent of a trip to Disneyland or another theme park, but with the world of movies and television given a tourist treatment. I’ve been fascinating with TV/Movie production since I was a kid, so the day was extremely entertaining. The best part being the tram tour, that takes you through many of the studio back lots (including Wistera Lane from Desperate Housewives), Norman Bates’ hotel from Psycho, and more.

Of course, as I said, this is the tourist version of a studio backstage pass. But throughout the park you get a nice idea of how films and TV are made on the Universal Studios back lot. Along with how special effects work, an idea of how scale can be used (giant ducks and all) and a lot of hydraulics.

Now for where the Whedon comes in. Since Universal Studios made Serenity there’s a couple of small nods to the movie in the park. The first (and largest) being the Mule, which rests with famous cars along the tram tour:

The Mule from Serenity - Photo by Tabz

The tour goes quickly past this part so blink and you may miss it (make sure to sit on the left hand side of the tram car if you go).

Then, a small nod to the movie can be found The Universal Experience, a small interactive exhibit of props and memoriablia:

St. Christopher Medallion from Serenity - photo by Tabz

Of course, there’s little Buffy (since that’s WB, UPN and Fox owned), but I did meet a very nice bloke that owes Spike money:

Do I look like a meal? - Photo by Pastor Matt (my dad)

All in all, it was a fantastic day at Universal Studios Hollywood, after the studios I hung out at the Things from Another World shop on the Universal City Walk (outside the studios, you can visit that anytime) and drooled over all of the Whedon/comic book merchendise! You can see Things from Another World online too: http://www.tfaw.com/

EW makes a list of 26 shows that were cancelled too soon and obviously Firefly makes the list.  Check it out here.

EW has another list of the 20 Coolest Heroes in Pop Culture and Buffy makes the list.  Find that one here.

SFX has a list of the 25 best and worst TV episode titles, including titles from Buffy and Angel.  This one’s really fun.  Find it here.

And lastly, this is a list of 5 reasons why TV Guide loves Eliza Dushku, which is just great.  It’s kind of a mini interview as well.  Read that here.

From CSTS Global:

We sent the signal out and a few of the brave and bold with their brilliant artistical skillz took up the gauntlet (and their pallets) to create this year’s promotional art.

We know it’s gonna be a challenge – but we need you, the good folk of the `Verse, to help us choose which one will become the official artwork for CSTS 2009. You can only vote once and you’ve only got until March 12th to get your voice heard and your vote counted.

So vote and then tell your friends to spread the word and come help us choose the best of the best.

View Entries
http://www.cantstoptheserenity.com/2009-art-contest-entries/

Vote Now
http://www.cantstoptheserenity.com/artvote2009/

Voting Closes March 12, 2009 12:59 PM PST

This video probably has 50 or so different fandoms represented. Fantasticly, I might add.

Keep your eyes open for Buffy, Faith, River and others. Isn’t it great to have so many strong female characters?

No, NASA won’t be fronting the money for a sequel to one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time. Though we can dream!

However, NASA is looking to name the International Space Station’s Node 3 and have turned to the public for help. The statement on the NASA website is this;

NASA wants your opinion in naming the International Space Station’s Node 3 – a connecting module and its cupola. The name should reflect the spirit of exploration and cooperation embodied by the space station, and follow in the tradition set by Node 1- Unity- and Node 2- Harmony.

To stay within those parameters, the available choices are; Venture, Legacy, Eathrise, and awesomely, SERENITY! We have an amazing opportunity to impact both space and the fandom! Voting will remain open until March 20, 2009 and the results released in April. Serenity is currently in the lead with an outstanding 86% of the vote!

Thanks to Jason over at ActiveDollhouse for the heads-up.

Read. Vote. Lauch!

You can find the article and vote here.

What do you think? Tell us here or over at the original post.

He is scheduled to be at the California Browncoats table F6-F7.

This information comes courtesy of the folks behind Done the Impossible. Here’s the link to the original posting.

NASA wants your opinion in naming the International Space Station’s Node 3 – a connecting module and its cupola – before the two segments travel to space and are installed on the orbiting laboratory. The name should reflect the spirit of exploration and cooperation embodied by the space station, and follow in the tradition set by Node 1- Unity- and Node 2- Harmony.

Read the story and vote for Serenity at the NASA website.

This is an annual get together for hundreds of Browncoats from all across the country. The location has rotated each year since it was started back in 2004.

For all the details please visit the official website…

http://www.browncoatball.com

Fancast.com has a lovely Joss Whedon retrospective. The series of articles is pretty indepth (and the graphic is really nice too).

Check it out over at Fancast.com.

Meanwhile, here’s a quicky:

There’s a new Firefly community at Live Journal: “bigdamn_rewatch is a Firefly rewatching community where we’ll rewatch an episode of Firefly every 2 weeks. We’ll post episode recaps, invite discussion and open up the floor for fan-related material or fanworks anyone has made or found.”

Sounds pretty shiny! You don’t have to have a Live Journal account to read the page, but you’ll need one to post. You can read the rest of the announcement post over there.

I look forward to ‘watching’ where this goes!

Keep flyin’!

If you can help in anyway please visit Sonny’s Myspace page and make a secure paypal donation. If you can’t help out financially please help spread the news.

We’re Whedon fans, and we have a great history of helping our own. Lets rally behind Sonny, and help him out.

Buffy Between the Lines is organizing a giveaway to help encourage people to give – please visit BuffyBetweentheLines.com for details.

Clicky here.

Just what every good Browncoat needs, Firefly-inspired tea!

From the website:

‘Take my love, take my land, take me where I cannot stand. I don’t care…’ I’ve my tea! Inspired by the fabulous Joss Whedon’s sci-fi show, this tea is a mixture of all things a gunslinging space cowboy (or girl) could want. The smoky kick of gunpowder, the elegant softness of mandarin oranges and just a hint of the wild, but sweet, side of life. A perfect brew for all the browncoats out there!