Karen Cliche (5/07 Flash Gordon)

[mutantxarchive]

Excerpt from Sci Fi Wire 5/11/07: Karen Cliche | Flash Gordon | Pics on Comics Continuum & Steve Bacic

Flash Gets Its Dale Arden
-Mike Szymanski

Gina Holden (Fantastic Four) has been cast as Dale Arden, the female lead in SCI FI Channel's upcoming original series Flash Gordon. She will co-star opposite Eric Johnson (Smallville), who plays the title character.
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Others in the cast include Karen Cliche (Baylin), Giles Panton (Joe), Panou (Nick), Jonathan Walker (Rankol), Jill Teed (Norah), Carmen Moore (Jolie) and Anna van Hoft (Aura). SCI FI has ordered 22 episodes of Flash Gordon, which began shooting this week in Vancouver, Canada, and will debut in August.

© SciFi Wire

Excerpt from SciFi Wire 6/29/07: Karen Cliche

Flash Honors Past, With Updates
Cindy White

SCI FI Channel's upcoming original series Flash Gordon will update the story for a new age, while still honoring the past incarnations with a retro look and feel, Mark Stern, executive vice president of original programming for SCI FI Channel, told reporters.
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One departure from the source material is a new character called Baylin (Karen Cliche), a bounty hunter from the planet Mongo. She finds herself trapped on Earth and becomes a comrade of Flash (Johnson); his former girlfriend, Dale Arden (Gina Holden); and scientist Dr. Hans Zarkov (Jody Rasciot), who are able to travel back and forth through a portal between the two worlds. "I think that there's an amazing chemistry, actually, between this group," Stern said. "What's great about what Peter's done is to kind of add Baylin into this mix of this couple that have kind of been estranged now, but there's still chemistry. And now you've got this kind of sexy alien in the middle of it, and when hasn't that happened before? And so they're trying to figure out that whole dynamic now. And then you've got Jody, who's just this great energy in the middle of all that."

© Scifi.com

Excerpt from SyFy Portal 7/6/07: Karen Cliche

'Flash Gordon' To Introduce Familiar TV Elements: Bounty hunter will have some Vala qualities about

A sexy, savvy alien who looks like a human supermodel makes her first visit to present-day Earth, and comedy ensues as she tries to learn the culture here on this planet. If you're thinking we're talking about "Stargate SG-1's" Vala, then you need to read the headline again. Karen Cliche, who was a regular on such series as "Mutant X" and "Vampire High," will bring a new character to the "Flash Gordon" series that premieres next month on SciFi Channel. And any resemblance she may have to Claudia Black's former Stargate character are completely coincidental. "I play Baylin, a bounty hunter from the planet Mongo, and I basically end up on Earth on assignment," Cliche told online reporters at last month's SciFi Channel Digital Press Tour in Langley, B.C., just outside of Vancouver. "It's so easy for my character to be a little robotic at times, but there are so many opportunities for humor."

Cliche joined fellow actors Eric Johnson (Flash Gordon), Gina Holden (Dale Arden) and Jody Racicot (Dr. Hans Zarkov) on the set that will serve as Ming's Council Chambers in the series in studios that at one time were horse stables just north of the American border. Unlike many of her co-stars, including John Ralston who plays Ming in the series, Cliche was not put under the pressure of reviving a character that has been around for decades. Because of that, she had the freedom as an actress to make Baylin her own, and audiences will get to see that right away. "With my character, there were no expectations," Cliche said. "It was really fun to start with a blank slate and create Baylin with the help of everyone on the whole team. That is the real fun thing, how this alien on Earth, who is used to living her life alone as a warrior, and now has to be familiar with the family element that she now has with these guys."

© SyFy Portal

Excerpt from The Comics Waiting Room 8/07: Karen Cliche

AISLE SEAT EXTRA: KAREN CLICHE Karen Cliche Could Beat You Up and Take Your Lunch Money… But She’d Give It To A Good Cause. Honest.
by Marc Mason

It sounds like the plot to a movie: young girl, enthralled by the stage and doing drama productions in school, takes a traditional teenager job in order to make a few bucks. But one day, she serves a Big Mac to the right person and… boom! She’s on the road to a modeling and acting career that will make her an international star. While it might seem like you’ve seen that on a lonely afternoon of watching LIFETIME, actress Karen Cliche lived it. And now she’s kicking ass, taking names, and saving the world… one young girl at a time. I caught up with Karen during a break from filming the Sci-Fi Channel’s new FLASH GORDON series. She plays Baylin, a bounty hunter from Mongo who’s deadlier than Lindsey Lohan behind the wheel of a car. She had been shooting until 5 a.m. the afternoon we spoke, but you wouldn’t have known it; she was charming, energetic, and full of excitement about her current role and her charitable work. Fatigue? Not in this actress’ vocabulary.

MM: How did you get involved with FLASH GORDON?
KC: One of the writers, James Thorpe, is someone I’ve worked with before (YOUNG BLADES, ADVENTURE, INC.) and he brought me up to the producers. I auditioned for Dale, actually. Then I sent in a tape for Baylin and was cast, and started filming soon after.

MM: Baylin is described as a bounty hunter from Mongo. What does a bounty hunter from Mongo do? Do you have special weaponry or a new fighting style for the role?
KC: When I’m introduced, she’s working for Ming. Baylin was orphaned at a young age and winds up in her position, but she’s not a bad person. She’s someone who does what she has to do to survive. I carry an “IP”, which is a laser-type gun that knocks people out, and a foot-long knife. It’s all very physical. But I didn’t have to do a lot of training, thanks to my background and work in other shows (like MUTANT X and ADVENTURE INC.). Here, I only average about a fight an episode, compared to ADVENTURE INC. where I’d average three. This is down for me! (laughs)

MM: You’ve worked all over, but you were born in Canada (in Quebec), and now you’re back filming in Canada (Vancouver). Does that make you feel more comfortable on the set?
KC: Oh yes. I’ve been lucky to stay in Canada for much of what I have done. I’m in love with Vancouver; it’s one of my favorite cities. And it’s such a great city to shoot in: it has forests, landscapes… they sub in great for Mongo. And that cuts down on the green screen time.

MM: What kind of a relationship do you have with sci-fi?
KC: I’ve done a lot of sci-fi, which I love. I tend to prefer comedies, actually, but the more I play regular human roles, the more it almost becomes boring! Actors want to stretch their imaginations. “How do I play an alien?” It’s fun and exciting.

MM: Following up on that, looking at your credits list, you’ve done a lot of genre work in general. What makes you comfortable with these types of roles?
KC: Genre stuff came to me naturally, mainly because I like to be challenged. I’ve played a vampire, musketeer, aliens… playing something that doesn’t exist let’s you play. You also want the audience to enjoy it. I hope to do genre stuff for the rest of my career! Also, on set when shooting, actors root for the fans because we know what they want to see. It makes the job easier when we know.

MM: When you’re working on an effects-heavy project, what do you need from a director in order to make it interesting for you?
KC: With FLASH GORDON, the pilot uses a lot of green screen, but there’s not a lot on the show itself. It’s easier and better when you’re walking through real sets. Everybody works hard to create a reality- you want the real thing. But when you have to fake it, you hope there’s a director explaining exactly what you’re supposed to see. Shapes, location… But on some other projects in my career, the information has been bad, and the project hasn’t come out as well as you’d hope. What it all comes down to is using your own imagination and acting skills. Again, with FLASH, it’s (mostly practical), including all real makeup.
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With that, we wrapped our interview. Karen did mention that next year the cast anticipates being at Comic-Con for the first time, which drew a slyly sinister laugh from me. Her response was to ask me why everyone laughs like that when she tells them that, which got a good laugh out of us both. It was a pleasure to chat with her; not only is she one of the toughest women gracing TV screens these days (and how on Earth did she never find her way into a GALACTICA episode- she’d fit in so well!), she’s also one of the most compassionate. A winning combination, indeed.

© Comics Waiting Room

Excerpt from CFM News 8/07: Karen Cliche

KAREN CLICHE INTRODUCES US TO THE NEW WORLD OF FLASH GORDON
by Suzanne Philips

The Sci-Fi Channel is set to turn on a new generation of fans this week with the premiere of the series "Flash Gordon". Beautiful Canadian star Karen Cliche took a few minutes out of her busy schedule to talk with CFMNews about the project.

CFM: Tell us a little bit about the show?
KAREN CLICHE: The series premiere is this Friday, August 10th at 9pm on the Sci-Fi Channel. People know "Flash Gordon" from the comic book and the old film. What We are doing is a hipper, sexier, modern day version. I play a new character called Baylin, who is a bounty hunter, but al of the old favorites are still there. It's a Sci-Fi show, but our show has great new elements of life in it - relationships, drama, action, and comedy in a one-hour show.

CFM: Did you have to do any physical training to play a bounty hunter?
KC:The last show I worked on,"Young Blades", I played a woman dressing up as a man to join the Musketeers to avenge the death of her brother and I did a lot of sword fighting and action in that. In the last five years, I have been in several shows where I have had to beat people up, so I had some experience with that coming into "Flash Gordon". There is a lot of hand-to-hand combat in this show. No CGI or wires, just brutal fighting. It's fun to beat people up, or at least pretend to. It gets out a lot of aggression.

CFM: Who do you think this new version will appeal to?
KC: I think it will appeal to teenagers to forty year olds. Everyone will have a crush on someone in this show. All of the major characters are really good looking. I think teenagers will have a crush on "Flash" and there is someone for everyone in the show. I think the show will have a wide appeal. There are complex relationships and a mature sense of humor, but there are silly moments as well. We are doing 22 episodes this year, we have finished 10 so far and are just getting ready to start with number 11.
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To see a sexy, intelligent woman who is a role model but can also kick butt, tune into "Flash Gordon" when it starts airing on the Sci-Fi channel on Friday at 9pm.

© CFM News

AZ Central 8/4/07: Karen Cliche

Karen Cliche hops aboard 'hipper, sexier' 'Flash Gordon'
Kerry Lengel Aug. 4, 2007 12:00 AM

Some are born into geekdom, but Karen Cliche, one of the sexy young stars of TV's latest Flash Gordon remake, had geekdom thrust upon her. "I started doing sci-fi about five years ago, and I really didn't know that world at all," says the 30-year-old Cliche (pronounced Kleesh), whose screen credits Adventure Inc., Mutant X and Vampire High. "My favorite show was Golden Girls growing up. But I have learned to appreciate" the sci-fi world, she says. "Now when I play regular human roles, I'm like, 'Ooh, where are my superpowers?' I find it kind of boring just to play a regular human girl."

Premiering Friday, Aug. 10, on cable's Sci Fi Channel, the latest Flash Gordon is a departure from both the original comic, which blasted off in 1934, and the campy 1980 film best-known for its Queen soundtrack ("Flash! Ah-aaah!"). The new show stars Eric Johnson, who played Whitney Fordman on Smallville, so it may be no surprise that the series has a bit of a CW feel. "This Flash Gordon is a hipper, sexier, modern take on the previous stuff," Cliche says. "There's a little less of the spaceships and all that, and a lot more concentration on story line and the different characters and their interaction together. . . . Instead of the campy vibe of the film in the '80s, this is a little wittier, and a little more dramatic."

Ditching the familiar rocket ship, Flash travels back and forth between Earth and the planet Mongo via a "rift" in space-time. His sidekicks, Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov, also have changed from past incarnations. And Cliche's role is brand new. She plays Baylin, a tough bounty hunter sent to Earth by the evil dictator Ming who ends up switching sides. "She's not bad, she just acts bad," says the Canadian-born former model, who likes playing smart, independent characters.

"My most loyal fans are young women. Not that I don't appreciate the male fans and their dedication, but it's really important for me to be that role model, and my characters to be that role model, for young girls."

© AZ Central

Comics Continuum 8/7/07: Karen Cliche

FLASH GORDON'S KAREN CLICHE

Karen Cliche as a sci-fi bounty hunter? For those who have followed her career, it makes perfect sense. Already a veteran in the genre with starring roles in Mutant X and Adventure Inc., Cliche is playing Baylin in Sci Fi Channel's new Flash Gordon series, which premieres on Friday at 9 p.m. Whether it be the light-bending mutant Lexa Pierce from the final season of Marvel's Mutant X or Mackenzie Previn from Adventure Inc., Cliche has shown the chops -- acting and physical -- to handle strong female action characters. The French-Canadian actress' credits also include Young Blades, The Dresden Files, 'Til Death Do Us Part, Big Wolf on Campus and All Souls. The Continuum caught up with Cliche (pronounced Kleesh) for a quick Q&A about Flash Gordon.

The Continuum: How did your role in this show come about?
Cliche: I had worked with one of the head writers on Flash several times on different shows, and he had given me a heads up on the project months before I auditioned for it. First I sent a tape in for Dale, and then they asked me to send another one for Baylin and here I am!

The Continuum: Describe your character? What is her relationship to Flash?
Cliche: Baylin is a bounty hunter from Mongo who lost her parents at a very young age, and has been forced to survive on her own for a long time. She meets Flash on assignment, and ends up stuck on Earth for a while. She is drawn to Flash because of his sincerity and sees that he is trustworthy, and relates to his quest for answers and yearning for a lost parent. Back on Mongo, she has no family or tribe, so she finds that in Flash, Dale and Zarkov, and as much as she would never admit it, she finds comfort in that.

The Continuum: Were you familiar with the Flash Gordon mythos?
Cliche: I had heard about Flash Gordon through the years, but was not familiar with it beyond that. I was a very young French kid when the film came out!

The Continuum: You've been in other genre shows, like Mutant X (see right). Is it a case of liking the genre or the fact that a lot of those shows are shot in Canada? Or both?
Cliche: I definitely have come to love genre. It was a whole new world for me when I started, and to have the challenge of creating and embodying aliens, vampires or mutants is so creatively stimulating! Yes, many of these shows are shot up here, and I definitely think because I have the opportunity to participate in genre shows, I have grown very attached to these kinds of characters. It is to the point now where when I play a normal human, I feel like something is missing!

The Continuum: How is Eric Johnson working out as Flash?
Cliche: Eric is absolutely the best leading man one could ask for. He is so much fun. He is dedicated and gracious , and it doesn't hurt that he is very talented and great looking! I think people will love his take on Flash. He brings humor, sensitivity and humility to the role.

The Continuum: Are you involved in a lot of action scenes? Do you like those?
Cliche: I absolutely love action scenes. It is so challenging and such an adrenaline rush, because you know that if you miss your timing on one punch...ow. It is such a test of coordination and skill. Women don't often get to showcase their physical strength, and I love to be able to do that. So I do all the fighting in my shows, with the exception of high falls or gymnastic moves that I would look ridiculous doing... or kill myself! So I leave those things to the wonderful stunt girls!

The Continuum: OK, here's your chance to pitch the show. Why should we tune in every week?
Cliche: I think this show will appeal to wide range of people. All the elements are covered and the writing is fantastic. I believe people will love the characters, the wit, the complicated relationships, the action... should I go on? The episodes keep getting better and better, and we are having a blast. I hope you guys will love it too!

© Comics Continuum

Excerpt from Variety 8/7/07: Karen Cliche

Review: ‘Flash Gordon’
August 7, 2007 | 03:52PM PT Brian Lowry

Flash Gordon Sci Fi Channel; Fri. Aug. 10, 9 p.m.
Production Filmed in Vancouver by Reunion Pictures and distributed by RHI Entertainment. Executive producers, Matthew O'Connor, Tom Rowe, Robert Halmi Sr., Robert Halmi Jr., Peter Hume; co-executive producer, James Thorpe; producer, Pascal Verchooris; director, Rick Rosenthal; writer, Hume.
Crew Camera, David Pelletier; editors, Rick Benwick, Gary Smith; music, Michael Picton; production designer, Clyde Klotz; casting, Stuart Aikins, Sean Cossey. 90 MIN.
Cast Flash Gordon - Eric Johnson Dale Harden - Gina Holden Baylin - Karen Cliche Hans Zarkov - Jody Racicot Ming - John Ralston Aura - Anna Van Hooft

© Variety

Excerpt from The TV Addict 8/7/07: Karen Cliche

TheTVaddict.com Interview: FLASH GORDON’S Karen Cliche
By: Amrie Cunningham (My Take on TV)

The summer of interviews continued this week as I got some time to chat with the disarmingly beautiful and incredibly down to earth Karen Cliche (pronounced CLEESH), who plays Baylin on Sci-Fi’s newest action adventure series, FLASH GORDON. She had so much great stuff to say about her cast, her character, her support for women’s issues, and her love for a certain classic TV show.

Amrie: Hey Karen - we’re so excited about the premiere of Flash Gordon!
Karen: There’s a lot of excitement buzzing. It’s so cool.

What about Flash Gordon made you want about to be a part of it? Had you seen a script?
Actually I knew nothing about it. I had heard about it through the years, but I didn’t know much about Flash Gordon in general. I wasn’t a huge fan but then my agent brought it up. I knew one of the head writers, James Thorpe, who had written on a couple of the series I had done. He had put in a good word for me so when the role came out, when I auditioned, I just loved it…a lot of the roles I’ve played, I’ve played a man, I’ve played a mutant, I’ve played a vampire….when the opportunity came to play the alien, the physicality to her, she was a tough girl, strong woman. That’s just ideal for me. I really wanted to play her. I thought, what a challenge to play an alien bounty hunter from Mongo. Who gets the opportunity to play this? I was very excited about it.

What does the viewer need to know about Baylin going in?
In the pilot, I come in the last 10-15 minutes. You’re introduced to Baylin in a very in your face, strong kind of way. She comes to Earth on an assignment from Ming to get Aura back to Mongo. She doesn’t care about Earth. She ends up stuck on Earth and befriends Flash and becomes part of their team and so she’s just a really strong independent, unapologetically strong woman. It’s how she is, not because it’s a put on or she tries to be. It’s just because that’s the way that she is. Her parents died when she was very young. She’s been on her own for a long time. She’s been self sufficient her whole life. When she is confident and strong and independent, she’s not trying to be. That’s the way she’s known how to survive all her live. When you’re introduced to Baylin, it’s like a kick ass tough girl and then throughout the episode, you get to feel a little more about her. She sort of has a sense of humor, I think. Maybe she’s funny because of her mannerisms. She doesn’t really know how to be politically correct. You learn more about her throughout. We just shot an episode, 8 or 9, you really find out what it is that happened to her in her life. I think people will really appreciate finding that out about her and it will give her a whole other level. She doesn’t breakdown. It doesn’t destroy her. You just understand her a little bit more. It just makes you love her even more. People are going to love her because she’s just this strong kick ass woman, but then once you learn a little more about her life story, it adds a whole other element to her.

Do you have a lot of fun on set? Is it a good working environment?
Oh my god. Eric is so fantastic as our leading man. He has a great attitude, he’s just so funny. We laugh a lot. It’s a great family going here. When you’re doing a series for 8-9 months, it’s really important to be comfortable at work and to have fun, because those are long days. We’re so lucky to have a great team together. I’ve been really lucky in the series that I’ve done where the cast and crew has been unbelievable. But I can only imagine if there was one bad apple in the bunch, how it would affect anybody’s performance, and spirit. Oh we don’t have any of that.
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What made you want to become an actress? I know you kind of stumbled into modeling, so to speak…what made the decision for you to devote time to acting?
Oh you know you hear in the business “model-turned-actress-Karen”. But the truth is, I wanted to be an actress since I was really young. I remember practicing the Oscar speech in the mirror when I was 5 or 6 years old . I did it all through high school, I won highest achievement awards at graduation. Did that all through high school and that was my goal. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. This business really is a farfetched dream. You go “nah, that’s impossible” and you move onto more realistic ambitions so I went onto psychology and then at the same time, I was modeling. I started traveling. I left university and I just realized that world is so big, and there are so many opportunities and if I’m not going to be brave in my life, then why am I living it? I started to pursue acting, and it happened pretty fast and started working out. Once it started happening, and I was very comfortable in this environment, I put all my energies towards it and it really paid off.
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What other shows do you want when you have downtime?
Right now I don’t watch anything, haha, I’ve been in some forest in Mongo for the past three months ha, but I really love Grey’s Anatomy. I just got into it about a year and a half ago. We rented all the DVDs and my husband and I just sat there for like 6 days straight. Did not leave the house. Watched Grey’s Anatomy top to bottom. I love that show. I also like talent shows. I don’t like reality shows, the trashy ones. I really like American idol and SYTYCD. I’m not a dancer, and I’m not singer, oh God, I’m definitely not a singer, but I just love shows that showcase people’s talents. I love talented people! That’s really what I’ll spend my time watching TV on. Do you wanna know what my fave show of all time is? Golden Girls.

[Here’s where we get all fan-girl on each other and start geeking about Bea Arthur and her gang]
No way! I watch Golden Girls in reruns all the time, whenever it’s on!
I’m obsessed with GG. I have all the episodes on DVD!

That’s amazing - I love that show.
The last season just came out on DVD so you should go get it.

I don’t talk to anyone else who watches it as religiously as I do - that’s so funny. It’s one of those things that I pull out at parties “oh I watch Golden Girls”…
And then everyone just gets really silent and goes “oh yeah that’s a funny show” and they don’t expect it to come out of your mouth. It’s a brilliant show! [As we recover from our laughter]
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What would be the one thing that you want to tell a new viewer of the show, to get them involved?
I really do think people will love the show. First, people are going to be “oh it’s going to be only sci-fi” but no, no, no, the beauty of it is, across the board, there’s going to be something for everybody in this. There’s a little less spaceship sci-fi stuff, but we still have most of our episodes on Mongo. The people who love that aspect will be satisfied. You have the sci-fi, and the special effects, and the different creatures. You have that, and you have the relationships between the characters, who are wonderfully acted by our cast. Everybody can relate to that feeling of “I still have feelings for my exboyfriend but I can’t and oh I’m engaged to someone else.” There’s feeling of longing for Flash’s father. Everyone can find something in the show that they can relate to and I think that they’ll just fall in love with the characters. And the storylines and the really cool effects and what happens on Mongo and the parallels between earth and Mongo and I just think that everybody’s going to find something that they want, whether you’re a sci-fi fan or not. It’s going to be a brand new audience. Good talking to you, it was a lot of fun!

All in all, a really lovely woman, who is sure to make a splash! Be sure to watch the premiere of Sci Fi’s original series FLASH GORDON, premiering August 10 at 10PM (check your local listings).

© The TV Addict

Excerpt from TVaholic 8/8/07: Karen Cliche

Review: Flash Gordon - Series Premiere on Sci Fi Channel
by Jason the TVaholic on August 8, 2007

Also, I like much of the cast from previous shows. Gina Holden was the best thing about the dreadful Blood Ties. And, Karen Cliche (Mutant X, Adventure Inc.), who plays alien bounty hunter Baylin, is always solid when a role calls for some action.

© TVaholic

Superhero Hype 8/8/07: Karen Cliche

Flash Gordon Pilot on DVD for a Limited Time
Source: Genius Products August 8, 2007

Genius Products presents "Flash Gordon: The Premiere Episode," a limited-time only DVD release featuring the premiere of the highly anticipated SCI FI Channel series, available on DVD August 14, 2007. Starring Eric Johnson ("Smallville"), Gina Holden (Final Destination 3, Fantastic Four) and Karen Cliche ("Young Blades"), the DVD features deleted scenes and a sneak peak at the rest of the season of "Flash Gordon" which premieres August 10, 2007 @ 9pm ET/PT on SCI FI.
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Debuting on DVD immediately following the August 10, 2007 broadcast debut, "Flash Gordon: The Premiere Episode" will be available for an S.R.P. of $19.95.

© Superhero Hype

Media Village 8/8/07: Karen Cliche

Karen Cliche: Hot on the Trail of Flash Gordon
by Cynthia Boris August 08, 2007

Karen Cliche has spent a good portion of her acting career playing the tough girl. The kind that kicks butt and is proud of it. Her first big role was in the action series Adventure, Inc.. From there she played the mysterious Lexa Pierce on Mutant X and more recently she took on the part of the female (pretending to be a male) musketeer, Jacqueline, on the swashbuckling series Young Blades. These days she's extra tough as she straps on a sidearm for the role of Baylin, the bounty hunter from Mongo, in the new SCI FI Channel series Flash Gordon. On a two-week hiatus in the middle of shooting the soon-to-premiere series, Karen took some time out of her day to chat with me about her co-stars, her roles and this re-imagining that is Flash Gordon. She readily admits that they have big shoes to fill, but she's confident in the version of Flash that they've created. "I'm sure people will come into the show with a lot of expectations. They've known Flash Gordon for a long time, but I think this take is wonderful because it has something for everyone," says Karen. "People might tune in for the relationship between Dale and Flash, or they might watch for the planet Mongo with the tribes and the really cool sets, and I hope the audience will love and appreciate [the humor] element. There's a lot of great wit."

But with a piece like this, it's easy to fall into the realm of camp and that's a line the show doesn't want to cross. Says Karen, "Once you [go campy] it takes away from the drama, and Flash's quest to find out what happened to his father can't be joked about."

What can be joked about is Karen's character, Baylin, who comes to Earth in search of Ming's daughter but ends up a fish out of water when she's trapped here and can't get back. "The reason she's so tough and hard at first is not because she's trying to be like this, she just is what she is. She's an alien from another planet. The mannerisms are different and she doesn't have the political correctness." And it's this lack of manners that often has Flash tongue-tied as he tries to cover up Baylin's social faux pas in front of his friends.

Keeping Baylin's true identity a secret is part of the show's grand scheme. Flash, Dale and Zarkov are the only humans who know about Mongo and the space rift that is allowing aliens to appear on Earth. Their struggle to keep that knowledge to themselves while they neutralize each alien threat is the engine that keeps the show going. On the mythology side, you have Flash looking for the truth about his father's death/disappearance and the romantic rumblings between Flash and his former girlfriend, Dale. The fact that Dale is now engaged to another man adds a level of sexual tension to the series that is ratcheted up a notch when Baylin takes up residence at Flash's house. "See, that's why it's so complicated and interesting," says Karen. " She's engaged and here's me coming in the middle of all of this. Dale gets jealous, but she's not really, truly entitled to her feelings because she and Flash aren't together anymore. That's the fun element that Gina gets to play, 'I shouldn't feel this way. I love this guy, but I still love this other guy, and I don't want you or anyone else to have him.' People will get how she feels because, come on, we'd all be lying if we said we haven't felt like that in some point in our lives."

So will there be a romance between Flash and Baylin? "We haven't established any true love triangle, but there's definitely room for opportunity. We shall see."

But Baylin has a bigger hurdle to jump before she can get to love, and that's friendship. "When we first meet Baylin she's come to Earth on assignment to get Ming's daughter back to Mongo. She couldn't care less about Earth. She has no interest in being there. She's simply working. But when she gets stuck she begins to realize that this place is as good as any. Back on Mongo she doesn't have a family or a tribe. She's a loner, been alone all of her life, so going back to work for Ming is much less appealing than hanging out with Flash, Dale and Zakov and being part of a nice team. So she really latches on to that. She would never admit that she needs this friendship and love, but she does."

One of the things Karen likes best about her new role is the physicality of it. You can dress Baylin up but you still can't take her out. She's a hunter underneath that frilly frock and the length of her skirt isn't going to stop her from taking on the bad guys. "There are a lot of elements to a good fight scene. It really is like a dance between two people. You can get the choreography down but if you don't sell it the fight looks terrible. A lot of selling it is in the grunts and groans, very unfeminine sound effects. It's hilarious, especially when you have to go into studio and loop your sound effects and you're standing there going 'oof, ah!' You feel like an idiot but it works."

Grunting and groaning for the camera is all part of the fun of making a Sci fi, action series like Flash Gordon. Karen and her cohorts also get to play-act jumping through time rifts, battling robot aliens and tromping through the real-life forests of Vancouver that stand-in for the planet Mongo. When it comes time to reflect on her cast mates, Karen notes that the three leads are all very much themselves on screen. Jody Racicat (Zarkov) is "witty and smart and so unique," says Karen. Gina Holden (Dale) has great energy and plays the conflict within herself so well with her gorgeous big, wide-eyes. And then there's Flash himself, Eric Johnson. "Everybody should know that Eric is a lot like Flash in so many ways. He is one of the most fun, genuine, humble, gracious people I've ever met. We're so lucky to have him as our leading man because he sets the tone on set and it's always fun. Flash has to be a really likable character and he plays it just to a T. We LOVE him."

Of course, if the other three leads of Flash Gordon are very much like their characters, what does that say for Karen and her socially inept, kick ass, take-no-prisoners, alter ego Baylin? Karen laughs. "Yeah, I thought of that as soon as I said it. A lot of the characters I play are these tough girls who are unapologetic for their confidence and I guess, as an actor, we're really drawn to roles we can relate to in some way. I can relate to these girls in the way that they have this really tough outer shell, but inside they're probably some of the most sensitive people you've ever met. They have to create this persona in order to survive in the world especially when they've been hurt and betrayed. They have to protect themselves. Many characters grow and get stronger. I like to play the opposite; it's kind of interesting."

Interesting. Now, that's a great word for both Baylin and Karen Cliche. Catch them both when Flash Gordon premieres August 10th at 9:00 on the SCI FI Channel.

© Media Village

Excerpt from Eclipse Magazine 8/8/07: Karen Cliche

The Bounty of Baylin: An Exclusive Q&A With Flash Gordon’s Karen Cliche
Submitted by M R Reed on Wed, 2007-08-08 22:33

This Friday night at 9PM EST the SCI FI Channel enters another amazing scifi series into their scifriday line up. This time around it’s a new take on an old favorite, Flash Gordon. Continuing with Eclipse Magazine’s Flash Gordon mania week, we had a chance to catch up with the beautiful Karen Cliche who stars as bounty Hunter Baylin in the new version of Flash Gordon.
....
In Flash Gordon, Karen Cliche plays Baylin who was Ming's most valuable bounty hunter. Cast out at an early age from her tribe, the Verden, Baylin learned out of necessity to survive on her own. Fiercely independent, with a strong personal code of honor, she is a force to be reckoned with. As dangerous as she is beautiful, Baylin joins Flash and Dale on Earth as they battle the evil forces of Mongo. In this exclusive Q&A with Karen Cliche Eclipse Magazine readers get the low down on her role as Baylin and working on Flash Gordon.

EM: You seem to play a lot of very athletic ‘fighter’ type characters. Do you have any formal training in fighting and gymnastics?
KC: What's funny is I was never very athletic growing up! Though I was never a "dainty" girl and didn't mind getting my hands dirty. About 6 yrs ago I trained for a film for 2 months learning Aikido, Tae Kwon Doe, and learning the choreography for a huge fight scene. It was my first time ever doing something like this, and from then on I started landing tough girl roles and learned how to handle weapons and fire arms as I went along. So I know how to 'fake fight" for TV and film very well, but I would be close to useless in a real situation!

EM: In Flash Gordon, Baylin finds herself being thrown unprepared into earth’s culture. How is she adapting to the changes and what kinds of challenges does this kind of scenario bring to your character in the series? How is she integrated into a more contemporary setting after being in an alien setting?
KC: Well, there are many opportunities for comedy with Baylin on Earth. She of course isn't accustomed to most things, like how to drink from a bottle, or not to eat a banana with the peel still on, etc., and we showcase that quite a few times! You see her learn the mannerisms and customs throughout the show, but she has yet to adapt this whole political correctness thing! So we use those scenarios for a laugh most of the time. Because Baylin is brave and has been on her own for such a long time she isn't afraid of the differences between Earth and Mongo. She is eager to learn and she sees it as a challenge to overcome.

EM: As an actor, what draws you to play characters like Baylin in Flash Gordon, which are strong, independent woman who can hold their own in a fight or in a mentally demanding situation?
KC: In my own life I am drawn to women who are strong and self assured. I think it is very important that women have the confidence to speak their mind and stand up for themselves. We are very intelligent powerful creatures and we shouldn't be afraid of our strength. So if my characters can be an inspiration for someone, then I am so happy! (I even take strength from my characters and apply it in my own life!)

EM: What in your perspective sets the character of Baylin apart from other characters in Flash Gordon and how as an actor have you approached the process of setting her apart and making this role stand out?
KC: Baylin first of all has a very unique way of speaking. It is very precise, and to the point, with no "ums, gonna's and ya know's"..... so her speech is the most obvious difference , since she looks human in every way. What I keep in mind is that she isn't aware of the social ways humans have; shaking hands, smiling when she doesn't want to, even lying. So she seems very brash and unfriendly, even rude at times, but it really is like a cultural difference. Except it is a planetary difference!

EM: Where you familiar with any other versions of Flash Gordon before auditioning for the series? What do you think sets this version apart from them and what gives it a fresh take on the stories and mythology of Flash Gordon?
KC: I was not familiar with Flash Gordon before this. I did a little research on the other characters, but I also didn't want to know too much about it because I knew this take on it would be different. The adventure is still there, and Ming is still trying to rule the universe, but our version is hip, witty, and a lot of elements and conflicts are thrown in the mix. Love, jealousy, the quest and yearning for a loved one, and of course, my character is new so she stirs things up a bit!

EM: The creators of Flash Gordon wanted a very distinctive look for the series and the characters and have done so extensively through costuming. What type of costuming is used for your character? Did you have any challenges with costuming and what was your favorite?
KC: Baylin's "classic" look (the one I am most often in) is her bounty hunter attire. She is Verden, so her tribe is very organic and earthy, and my costumes always reflect that. Greens and browns and very textured cloth. And of course finished off with a 12 inch dagger and an IP gun! Because I am often in that one and all the weaponry attached doesn't make for the most comfort, I love when I have to disguise as another tribe, especially when it is colorful, sexy Omadrian or Courtesan looks! ooh la la.

EM: What kind of challenges did you find in filming this role of Baylin and what was the most rewarding aspect of playing the character in SCI FI’s new series Flash Gordon?
KC: I think any time an actor plays a "non human" we are faced with the exciting challenge of drawing purely from our imagination. I wanted to give her many relatable qualities so that the audience could understand her , but at the same time staying loyal to the fact that she is different and that takes real concentration to not slip into human mannerism mode! Her way of speaking was and is still the main thing that defines her so I have to always watch I don't ever say DON'T , but DO NOT! I even find myself speaking this way sometimes now as Karen!

EM: If you could tell the audience one thing to look for in Baylin as a character when the watch Flash Gordon this coming Friday what would it be?
KC: With Baylin, she comes across as very tough and hard, and she is in some ways yes, but she is this way because she was orphaned at a very young age and so has been a warrior most of her life to survive. There hasn't been much room for frivolousness so she tends to take everything quite seriously, because she has never really had the luxury to be relaxed and dependant on others. She has fought both physically and emotionally all of her life. So once people understand that, on top of her not knowing the "proper" ways to act on earth, she is quite endearing! I think!

EM: If you could create a promo for Flash Gordon to grab the audience attention knowing what you do about series, what would it be?
KC: Everyone's portrayal of their characters is fantastic. We have a talented bunch of people on this show, and the writers are no exception. Eric is so charming as Flash. The heartbeat of the show is the search for answers concerning the death of his father, but on top of that lies a lot of adventure, drama and humor. It is a great fun hour of television!
....
Be sure to check out Karen Cliche as beautiful bounty hunter Baylin by tuning in for the premiere of The SCI FI Channels new series Flash Gordon this Friday August 10th at 9PM EST.

© M R Reed

Excerpt from New York Daily News 8/9/07: Karen Cliche

'Flash Gordon' more than space filler
Thursday, August 9, 2007, 4:00 AM

The earthbound stuff is a lot less interesting than when Flash and company cross over to the planet Mongo. This new "Flash" hedges its bets, though, by bringing back one character from Mongo, Karen Cliche's aforementioned bounty hunter, as a warrior woman displaced on Earth.

© New York Daily News

Excerpt from Slice of Scifi 8/9/07: Karen Cliche

Premiere Of Flash Gordon Available On DVD
August 9, 2007 By Sam Sloan -

This new 21st Century take on a classic character stars Eric Johnson (“Smallville”), Gina Holden (“Final Destination 3,” “Fantastic Four”) and Karen Cliche (“Young Blades”). The DVD features deleted scenes, storyboards with sketches and a sneak peak at the rest of the season of “Flash Gordon” - S.R.P. of $19.95. For a limited time only - Genius Products will make available a DVD of the premiere episode of “Flash Gordon” which airs on The SCI FI Channel this Friday, August 10, 2007. The DVD goes on sale August 14, 2007.

© Slice of Scifi

The Comic Book Resources 8/14/07: Karen Cliche

KAREN CLICHE: POSTING A BOUNTY ON "FLASH GORDON"
by Remy Minnick, Guest Contributor Posted: August 14, 2007

The role of the sci-fi bounty hunter has a sort of cult following behind it. From Boba Fett and the plethora of other bounty hunters in "Star Wars" to Jubal Early in "Firefly," the tradition of cool has continued, even spilling over into anime, comics and other mediums with characters like Spike Spiegel in "Cowboy Bebop," Samus Aran of "Metroid" fame, Death's Head in the self-titled Marvel UK comics series, and even Marvel's Deadpool has been known to take a bounty or two. Now, with the new "Flash Gordon" television show on SciFi, a new bounty hunter's story begins, that of Baylin of Mongo.
Karen Cliche will already be familiar to fans of Marvel's late "Mutant X" television show, where she starred as Lexa Pierce. Cliche's body of work includes series about vampires, musketeers, aliens, mutants and even porn stas. CBR News caught up with Cliche as she was getting ready to enjoy one of Wade Wilson's own favorite past times, watching an episode of the "Golden Girls."

For those who didn't see last Friday's premiere on SciFi, Cliche told us a bit about the first episode. "Basically, you're introduced to all the characters and you find out that Flash's father is..." Cliche told CBR News, before cutting herself off, realizing she might give away too much.

Cliche quickly changed the subject to her own character, the beautiful bounty hunter Baylin. "My character only comes in the last ten or fifteen minutes of the show, and comes in full force on assignment from the evil Ming from Mongo," she said. "I'm an alien and I just come and I basically get stuck on Earth and kind of team up with Flash, Dale, and Zarkof and the whole gang. As the episodes roll on, we befriend each other but basically Baylin's kind of a nomad. She doesn't have her own tribe, when she discovers this other planets she maybe doesn't even feel partial to her own planet."

As for why Baylin feels that way, Cliche said, "She doesn't feel attached to her own planet because she has been alone for most of her life, so that's kind of her back story in one minute."

Obviously, playing an alien can be a lot different then playing a human, as the whole world is new to them and they have a completely different state of mind. Some actors might find this difficult but Cliche found it interesting. "[In] my career I've played so many of these genre type things," she said. "I've played a mutant [and] now I'm playing an alien. I've actually played an alien before in this really great show called 'Galidor' and I played a musketeer girl disguised as a man [in 'Young Blades']. So I really enjoy that whole challenge of going, 'Okay, I have absolutely nothing to draw from, what do I do?'

"So, it's just this little combination of finding subtleties that make that character distinct as an alien or a mutant or whatever it is but then also making her relatable to humans as well and have her have emotions that people, like people in the audience watching the show, can relate to. So it's a nice little challenge, I actually really like it but it's funny because the more I play with these kind of characters the more when I play normal girls I'm actually like, 'Yawn!' I'm a little bit like 'Hey, where's my superpowers? Where's the challenge here?' It's interesting if it's a well written human being but I think I'm starting to lean towards the 'Gimmie some alien' business."

Though traditionally seen as a male-dominated area of fiction fandom, Cliche's work in genre television brought her an appreciation for sci-fi and the like. "Yeah, absolutely," she remarked. "I mean, I wouldn't say I'm completely turned, I mean I just told you I was about to tune in to 'The Golden Girls,' but I certainly [have an appreciation for it]. Before I started doing this stuff, I didn't understand it therefore I didn't want to look at it. You know, 'It's too 'sci-fi', it's too technical. I don't get it.' I just assumed that that would be the truth but once I started playing these roles I really realized the underlying theme to [them] whether it's 'Star Wars' or 'Star Trek' or anything, it's always very relatable to humans; it's just they're in a spaceship. That sometimes is the only difference. So, I'm not afraid of it anymore, actually I really have a bigger appreciation for it now that I've done it for sure."

One might think that with Baylin being an alien, it might be difficult for Cliche or her audience to relate to the character she portrays, but as it turns out, that is not the case. "Well, most of the characters I play always have kind of the same running theme," Cliche explained. "It's always a girl who has been hurt or abandoned or whatever in the past that makes her create this really tough outer shell and be very protective of herself and very standoffish and very on guard towards others.

"So, I think just from the letters that I get and some of the young girl fans that I have, I hear that they totally relate to [the characters I play]. The girls that are really sweet and soft inside but because they're so afraid of getting hurt they put on this tough act and there's even some things about those characters that I relate to, which is probably a big reason why I play them so often because I really get it. So I feel like I'm kind of a spokesperson of tough girls with mushy little insides, I think that's kind of my role or my characters roles in life for some people. It's kind of interesting."

With Baylin being an alien new to Earth, she is not aware of our culture and how things work -- like peeling a banana. "Baylin gets put in these situations and [I] actually I like filming [them] cause I really like playing comedy, said Cliche. "We really wanted to make sure we kept in mind and played off that she is an alien. If you have someone that's from a completely different culture coming into your home they will do things that you find either inappropriate or rude or funny or outrageous and that's the same things we always want to keep playing with Baylin. I mean, she is from another planet the differences are going to be huge. So I've tried to eat a whole head of lettuce or a banana without peeling it first."

Cliche didn't actually have to eat an unpeeled banana, as "Flash saves the day!" she said. "He spared me, as an actress, to have to eat a banana with a peel on it and I'm really thankful for that.

"There is a bunch of funny situations like [with] a water bottle. Baylin wouldn't open the cap and drink it; she has no idea. So she takes out her foot long knife, stabs it, and squirts it in her mouth. That's just normal behavior to her. So there's lots of little cool scenes that we play, little moments that I really really enjoyed because it adds a little silliness and a little reality. If Baylin shows up from another planet and she's completely normal, she's just like everybody else it wouldn't make any sense

Her role on "Flash Gordon" has required Cliche to do physical training. "I've actually done a lot of training for the past few years just on the TV shows I've done. I'm always kind of a butt-kicking girl. There's not actually too much physical stuff [on 'Flash Gordon']. Actually, when we come back after this little two week break, we are starting episode eleven. I know that that one is action packed. Tt's very, very physical. Baylin meets her nemesis, this other hot sexy alien, and they have a big fight so that'll be really, really fun to do. I really look forward to those things but I don't necessarily have to do any training for that. I know how to sell a punch for the camera, that's already kind of been trained into me about six years ago."

Looking back on what she has already taped, Cliche determined that she has a favorite episode. "I don't remember what number it was, but I'm thinking it's either eight or nine. It's where you find out a little bit about Baylin. There's this big monster on Mongo called the Night Hunter and he's this huge about 7 [to] 8-foot creature and he's blood-sucking. Anyways, you basically find out why I'm so afraid of him and it has to do with what happened to my parents. So there's a scene that Flash and Baylin have where you find out [why]. She basically finally exposes herself a little a bit and describes why she's afraid of them and what happened to her parents and there's a really touching bonding moment between the two.

"I really liked that it happened not in episode two but almost halfway through the show, so you don't wait too long to find out why Baylin is the way she is but just at the right time. She kind of gives a little, here's a little door that opens and you see in to her and you understand her a little bit better so I think it was really good timing. That was my favorite episode because you never really get to play that when you're playing these tough girls the opportunities are rare to expose yourself and show another kind of range of your acting ability. I really like that it was a nice moment to just be calm and get a little teary-eyed."

As this is a sci-fi show, special effects are par for the course, which always means there is some green screen work. Thankfully, "Flash Gordon" is filmed in Vancouver, B.C., which doubles for the planet Mongo. "We're very lucky on the show that we shoot on these fantastic locations that give us the opportunity to feel like we are really on Mongo," Cliche said. Because we're in beautiful Vancouver, B.C. forests so you really don't have to fake it very often."

Cliche doesn't find herself on a set too much, as "a lot of times we shoot on location, because often Flash and I are running through some forest of Mongo and a lot of the stuff we do is shot outside, which I absolutely love. Where as Ming and Rankol, they have a lot of stuff in the studio, and Dale when she's at her office she's in studio, but Flash and I get to do a lot of running around in the forest which is great."

"It's so much fun and I know that every actor says 'Oh, it's so fun. We have so much fun, it's so great,' but we really do," Cliche confessed. "I've been so lucky, first of all, on every show I've done going to work, whether it's four o'clock in the morning, I don't care it's just such a blast. Eric [Johnson], who plays Flash, is just so fun and always upbeat and very positive and hilarious and just great. Gracious, humble, the whole package. So it's so wonderful working with him and most of my scenes are with him, so I am very lucky. Everybody else is just so wonderful, it's just a great, great group of Canadian actors who are just really talented and really humble and it's just a great time and the crew's fantastic. You know, I have nothing bad to say."

Flash Gordon has been around for over 70 years, and with such a lengthy history there's certainly plenty of material to study up on, although Cliche wasn't really afforded the chance to do so. "As soon as I got the role, the next day, practically, I was flying out to Vancouver [and] we started shooting two days after that. So, my time has really been consumed playing Baylin and reading our scripts and working. But then as my character is a new character, I didn't need to do any previous research like the other cast did. I didn't have to get to know my character and what people expected of my character prior to this so there was that relief from it."

As SciFi's "Flash Gordon" is a re-imagining of the classic franchise, Cliche found that she "didn't want to know too much because our story and our take on it is, I don't want to say quite different, but it is it's own thing," she said. "Its contemporary and its changed. Last time we ever saw Flash Gordon on screen was 25 years ago, so a lot of it's changed; the cast is different and the characters have a new twist so you know I did just enough to know what I was talking about but that's about it. I didn't really feel the need to go into too much detail with the old stuff."

"People love the old stuff. [There are] such fans out there, and especially for the movie, too. People are really, really excited about that movie."

Comics fans are used to the comparisons between live action versions and the source material, but with SciFi's "Flash Gordon," it seems that most people are comparing it to the cult classic film than to the original comic strip. "Yes, that's what I find too," Cliche agreed, adding that that she hasn't seen the movie. "At one point I was going to, someone had it in their trailer and we are all planning on watching it and I got called on set. I've never seen it but I hear it's just a bunch of campy fun and it's fantastic."

As for the differences, there are no longer any Hawkmen, at least in name. "Our Hawkmen are called Dactyls and the lion men would be called the Turn. I really like the Hawkman episode we did and [former 'Mutant X' director] TJ Scott was our director for that one, so I think I might just be partial to that that episode because it was so cool and it was so amazingly fun to shoot."

When asked if she had a favorite race of Mongo, Cliche said, "It really depends on how the writers write it in and how we meet them and what happens in the story that kind of makes me have a favorite." Cliche was quick to add,"[The episode featuring] Tyrus, who is one of the lion men, that was a really good episode. I think that's the one that's airing next week. I really like that one, too. He's my ex bond mate, as we say on Mongo, and he comes back to Earth to get me back, so it's a pretty cool episode."

Genre fiction has been very good to Cliche, and she's eager to do more. "I have to say, I didn't see 'Elektra' but when I saw the trailer for that I was like, 'Wow.' I would've really loved to do a movie like that were its just so kick-butt, I just thought that would be really fun in itself."

© Comicbook Resources

Excerpt from Zap2It 11/3/07: Karen Cliche

'Flash Gordon' vs. The Blue Men Group
By Tamara Brooks Nov 03rd, 2007

Before he left, Nick suggested to Flash that Baylin help. Flash says no but after he leaves, Nick asks anyway and Baylin agrees to help. After they finish waxing the car, Nick asks Baylin out that night in an amusing exchange ("strangle the digglish" is indeed a game, not a euphemism). When Baylin asks Dale what a movie is (Nick suggests they "grab a movie" and Baylin thinks it's a body part), they get in a conversation about relationships of a casual nature using all Mongo terms. This was, by far, the most amusing part of the whole episode. Kudos to both Karen Cliche and Gina Holden.

© Zap 2 It

Excerpt from Den of Geek 11/19/07: Karen Cliche

The new Flash Gordon: has it got better?
Tamara Brooks 11/19/2007 at 4:12AM

Excerpt from Slice of Scifi 3/31/08: Karen Cliche

A FLASH in the Pan!
March 31, 2008 Source: MICHAEL HINMAN of SyFy Portal Submitted by: Tim J. Mapes (SyFy Portal & SoSF Fan)

Finally, it looks like everyone can say goodbye to what some critics have called one of the worst SF television shows to come along in quite so time. SCI FI Channel’s “Flash Gordon” is history, according to Variety.
....
“Flash Gordon” starred Eric Johnson as the title character, John Ralston, Gina Holden, Jody Racicot and fan favorite Karen Cliche.

© Slice of Scifi

Excerpt from Scifi World 4/1/08: Karen Cliche

Interview with Spencer Maybee
Date of publishing: 1st April 2008

Gilles Nuytens: What will you keep in mind from this experience (Flash Gordon)?
Spencer Maybee: ....seriously, Eric Johnson, Gina Holden, and Karen Cliche were a lot of fun to work with. It was fun to work with a group of actors who were so grounded in their characters and who had obviously bonded quite a bit over the shoot of the series. There were fart jokes and other kinds of fart jokes. But between the cuts and rolls, all of a sudden, there you are in Mongo. They’re workhorses, the three of them.

© Scifi World

TV Series Finale 4/3/08: Karen Cliche

Flash Gordon: Sci Fi Quietly Cancels Adventure Series

The latest TV series to be based on the classic comic strip Flash Gordon has gone where many sci-fi series have gone before - the cancellation galaxy. It turns out that Flash’s greatest nemesis this time around wasn’t Ming the Merciless but a lack of viewers. The series debuted on August 10, 2007 on Sci Fi. It was the latest series based on the intergalactic hero’s exploits and stars Eric Johnson (Smallville) and Gina Holden (Blood Ties). Though many science fiction fans were looking forward to the series, most reviews were pretty negative. The producers took the criticisms to heart and worked on improving storylines and adding more Mongo action. The premiere attracted approximately 2.1 million viewers (one of Sci Fi’s best-rated series premieres of the year) but fell as the season progressed. Flash Gordon’s first season finished airing on February 8, 2008 with the episode entitled “Revolution, part two.” Sci Fi has been quiet on the subject of the show’s fate though, based on the show’s ratings, a second season hasn’t realistically been expected. As time’s gone on, it’s become apparent that Flash won’t be back to save the world next fall.

© TV Series Finale

Excerpt from Coffee Addicted Writer 4/18/13: Karen Cliche

DVD Review - Flash Gordon: The Complete Series
Thursday, April 18, 2013 | Posted by Billy B.

Flash Gordon: The Complete Series
Starring: Eric Johnson, Gina Holden, Karen Cliche, Jody Racicot
Studio: Mill Creek Entertainment
Release Date: April 16, 2013
....
The cast has a lot of chemistry, but the dialogue can be a little juvenile at times. My favorite character is the warrior Baylin (played by the beautiful Karen Cliche).

© Coffee Addicted Writer