Eureka!

I'm heading up to Vancouver later this week to shoot an episode of Eureka!

The SyFy (I know they're my new employers, but it still pains me to write that) Channel put out the following press release this morning:

Actor, author and blogger Wil Wheaton of the popular television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the classic film Stand By Me, has signed for a guest starring appearance on the 4th season of Eureka, one of Syfy’s most popular original series. The new season is slated to return to Syfy on Friday, July 9 at 9:00PM ET/PT.

In episode 403 of Eureka titled “All The Rage,” sci-fi fan favorite Wheaton plays the brilliant Dr. Isaac Parrish, head of the Non-Lethal Weapons Lab at Global Dynamics.  Parrish’s dry wit and superior attitude make him a thorn in Fargo’s (Neil Grayston) side — with potentially disastrous consequences. The episode featuring Wheaton is scheduled to air on Friday, July 23rd.

I've had the script for a little while, now, and I've been getting to know Dr. Isaac Parrish as I convert the words on the page into a person you'll see on television. I obviously can't go into any specifics, but I've had a great time developing his backstory, creating his relationships with the characters, giving him secrets and beliefs, and doing all the other parts of character creation that make being an actor so much fun.

As part of my homework, I spent the entire weekend watching DVDs and reading about the show on the Internets so I could understand the tone and see the characters in action … it wasn't a bad way to spend several hours, I tell you what. (In my professional opinion, time you currently spend watching a show that you hope will get better would be much more wisely spent watching reruns of Eureka.)

I'm not sure how much I'll be allowed to Twitter/Twitpic/blog from the set, but I'll keep notes like I always do and hopefully have something interesting to share when the show airs in July.

Enormous thanks go to my friend Amy Berg (who wrote The Two Live Crew Job and created my character Chaos on Leverage) who joined Eureka this season and found a way for me to visit it.

111 thoughts on “Eureka!”

  2. Looking forward to it! Eureka has come across as a very smart show in my eyes. It’s nice to have a decent series on SyFy that does take itself too seriously.

  4. True story: I love Canada. I've considered defecting for pretty much my entire life.
    So Canadian Wil Wheaton is probably a pretty nice guy, because he's awfully happy to be there.

  8. You know, I never gave Eureka a chance before. Every time I saw a commercial on Sci-Fi (I refuse to use their new name), I felt completely underwhelmed by the concept. I should probably give it a shot, but at least judging by the commercials, it doesn’t seem memorable or endearing at all. Your character sounds really cool though, so now I’m motivated to give Eureka a shot.

  12. Dude, that’s 2 of my 3 favorite shows you’ve been on recently (Congrats). Now all you need is a guest spot on Psych for the trifecta, lol. Looking forward to it!

  13. Hmm. I wonder if Dr. Parrish == Dr. Horrible. Both are scientists who invent weapons. Both have the double r. Put that in your backstory.

  14. I’ve been boycotting the “SyFy” channel since their ridiculous name change. It was the latest symptom in a growing disease of poor programming choices and general unpleasantness…however, I think I can make an exception on July 23rd. It’s the least I can do for the guy who signed my wheelchair at PAXE 2100-90 AD. 🙂

  16. You just keep showing up in all my favorite shows, OK? I can definitely live with this. I’m already giggling thinking of how you’ll play another foil for Fargo.

  18. Wonderful news! I’ve already marked the date as appointment television. This is incredible, actually, as my father and I watch three television shows together: Leverage, The Big Bang Theory, and Eureka. You’ve now hit all three of the programs which Geek Dad and Geek Son bond over every week, which is appropriate, as the first show we watched together was TNG back when I was a tyke in ’87.
    So, if you’ll permit this fan to get sentimental on account of his Pops, I’d like to say thanks for being awesome on all our favorite shows. There’s no doubt that you’ll be just as great on Eureka…and that Dad Rabbitte will let out a Sheldon-esque “WHEATON!” at the screen the second you appear.

  19. Was this the result of the audition you mentioned recently?
    Sounds like I need to go back to Eureka. I’ve heard Season 3 was really good but I gave up at end of Season 2.
    A mad scientist sounds like a wonderfully geeky role for you. Don’t forget the horn-rimmed glasses and pocket protector. 😉
    Congratulations!

  26. When I check on my future DVR recordings about every three weeks, one of the things I do is go down a short list of some of my favorite actors to see if they are in anything new or unexpected.
    If you keep showing up in all the things I’m already recording and love I might have to take you off that list.

  27. That sounds like you will have a ton of fun with that role, and I am going to enjoy every minute of it. Enjoy Vancouver if you get the chance to, depending on your shooting schedule of course.
    Ashes to ashes,
    DJ Pheonyx
    The Cape Radio
    http://www.thecaperadio.com

  31. I love Eureka and of course you deserve to be on that show! I’m already laughing thinking about how tweaked Fargo will get.
    I have to say you are rapidly leveling up in Geek Legend status. Let’s see what’s left: Caprica (V-World Wil Wheaton), SGU (Alien Wil Wheaton – would also work for V), Warehouse 13 (Cursed Wil Wheaton?)… ooooh, Fringe (Alternate Reality Wil Wheaton)!!!

  32. Hope you have fun here.
    Since you’re a fan of good beer, you will have to go to the Alibi Room (I’m not affiliated, I’m just beer loving coder). The Alibi is a great local spot which amalgamates almost every good local beer, and some that are undrinkable anywhere else. As an example, there is currently a cask conditioned Oud Bruin from the Yaletown brew pub. And also a 10 year old lambic from Storm (ask for a taster of that one, it’s delicious but a whole glass is too much IMO).
    Enjoy your time here.

  35. I’m a huge Eureka fan, so I am very excited for this episode featuring you! And As far as what Actorgeek said – if you end up guest starring on Fringe and/or Caprica, I’d die and go to geek heaven!

  37. Hopefully your scientist isn’t of the variety that ends up dead in the episode. When you go back and watch, Eureka has a really high death rate for such a light-hearted show, and most deaths are guest-star scientists who irritate someone that’s in the opening credits. Dr. Wil needs to recur on Eureka at least once to balance out Evil Wil on Big Bang.

  38. That’s fantastic news! I was already looking forward to the next season of Eureka, but now I really can’t wait.

  39. Such excellent news. I’m glad to see that all of the geeky parts of my universe are starting to come together in nerdly harmony. Incidentally, are there many new characters on Eureka that *aren’t* thorns in Fargo’s side? That guy’s got more thorns than the White House rose garden!
    Congrats, Wil. Have fun shooting it!

  43. I like the extreme ambiguity of “potentially disastrous consequences”. Also I think you should start referring to yourself as Wil “Sci-fi fan favorite” Wheaton simply because it’s fun to say.

  48. I can’t wait!!!! I do enjoy Eureka for sure!!! Also will be waiting anxiously for Evil Wil to return to Big Bang Theory!!!
    much love to you and your family (cat and dog too- my son and I get so tickled reading your tweets with them!)
    Kathy Porter

  49. You should be able to Twitter and take Twitpics on the set as Neil Greyston who play Douglas Fargo on the show has been twittering on set since filming started a couple of weeks ago.
    Look forward to seeing you in the show and hope the weather up here in Vancouver cooperates during you visit

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