A big television event is heading our way this Memorial Day weekend in the form of A&E’s long-anticipated miniseries remake of the 1971 science-fiction film The Andromeda Strain. Based on the novel of the same name by author Michael Crichton, the Oscar-nominated movie was about a group of scientists investigating an unknown deadly virus from outer space.

A&E’s four-hour remake doesn’t depart much from that basic storyline, as viewers will see when the two-part production premieres on Monday, May 26, and concludes on Tuesday, May 27, from 9pm–11pm EST both nights.

Maybe it’s just a coincidence or maybe it’s just a measure of their talent, but oddly enough, the miniseries stars three well-known past and present sitcom stars. Will & Grace alum Eric McCormack plays obsessive reporter Jack Nash; Christa Miller, a veteran of both Scrubs and The Drew Carey Show, is surgeon and exotic diseases specialist Dr. Angela Noyce; and former Silver Spoons child star Ricky Schroder portrays virologist Major Bill Keene, MD.

Other notable cast members include Benjamin Bratt (E-Ring, Law & Order), Andre Braugher (Thief, Homicide: Life on the Street), Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, Angel), and Viola Davis (Traveler, Jesse Stone telemovies).

Ain’t It Cool News posted an advance review last Sunday, written by an anonymous overseas resident who had the chance to see the miniseries early when it was broadcast by a satellite company. The evaluation is far from positive, but I’m still looking forward to seeing the latest version of The Andromeda Strain for myself before forming my own opinion.

A&E is giving all of us who don’t live in the United Kingdom a head start in that department with four preview clips, and they look good to me. Have a look-see after the jump.

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As savvy fans of science-fiction TV already know, ten members from the cast of Sci Fi Channel’s stellar series Battlestar Galactica read the popular Top Ten list on the most recent Late Show with David Letterman.

The fourth and regrettably final season of the Peabody-winning space drama takes off on April 4, preceded on March 28 by two back-to-back half-hour specials. Fittingly, the theme of last night’s very entertaining segment was the Top Ten Reasons to Watch the New Season of Battlestar Galactica.

All of the cast members did a fine job delivering their lines, of course. The absolute best reasons to tune in to BSG’s fourth season were presented by the ladies, however. And, if you watch the show, that the women rock is not surprising in the least.

My personal favorite three picks from the Top Ten are:

• 3. Lucy Lawless (Cylon D’Anna Biers): You’ll find out what’s in the hatch and who gets off the island — Crap, wrong show
  [Lost, anyone? — Top Ten #9]
• 2. Mary McDonnell (President Laura Roslin): I take on the most challenging task of my political career — doing a lame top ten list on a third-rate talk show
  [That isn't really a reason to watch BSG specifically, but it's still funny — Top Ten #2]
• 1. Katee Sackhoff (Captain Kara “Starbuck” Thrace): We engage in a life-and-death battle against evil robots … you know, same shit as last year
  [Tell me about it; but, at least this shit is captivating — Top Ten #3]

I’ve included a clip of the entire Late Show segment after the jump. And, as a bonus for comedy fans who love Battlestar, too, there’s also the eight-minute What the Frak Is Going On?! recap video that summarizes everything you need to know from the first three seasons of the series in video format. Enjoy!

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