[IMG:L]Hollywood’s awards shows are typically filled with stars so glamorous the nights seem almost otherwordly, but there’s one awards show that really crosses into different realms: The 33rd Annual Saturn Awards, given by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, honored achievements by actors, filmmakers and television shows in their ceremony at the Universal Hilton on May 10, 2007.
A few actors and filmmakers were not available to pick up their statues, but those that attended posed for photos and spoke about their achievements in the press room behind the gala ballroom.
Heroes‘ Masi Oka began the show’s sweep of television categories with his win for supporting actor on television. Wrapping up his whirlwind year of recognition for the breakthrough series, he did not hoard his trophy.
“It’s been an amazing journey and to be part of an amazing ensemble is an honor,” Oka said. “This is for us. I don’t really see this for myself. It’s for our entire show, our writers, our entire crew and all the cast. I’m just so happy that Greg [Grunberg] was also nominated, Ali [Larter], and Hayden [Panettiere] won. This is for us. We’re an ensemble. We’re family. I’m just glad, I’m so happy to be representing them just for tonight.”
Jennifer Love Hewitt represented Ghost Whisperer‘s win as best actress on television and also pointed out the extended family that makes genre fare. “It’s really special for us,” she said. “The Sci-Fi family is just such an extraordinary tight-knit group of people that they sort of let in. For our show, it’s really extraordinary to be recognized. This is really for the crew and the cast who make the show every week even though my name’s on it, but it’s really awesome. It’s always exciting to win something. I never win anything.”
Battlestar Galactica won Best Syndicated/Cable Television series, with stars Katee Sackhoff and Edward James Olmos accepting. Olmos, already mourning what is likely to be the show’s last upcoming season, was emotional.
“I think that honestly it’s a very, very high honor and an indication of truly what I consider to be a genre that has really grown an awful lot and I think that this is just one more step in the growth of science fiction,” said Olmos. “I must say thank you to the writers. David [Weddle]‘s here. David‘s around here and there are the other three writers that are here with us that really deserve the most stunning accolades that we could possibly give them because they’ve really pushed us to this level. I’m very grateful for the work that I’ve been able to do in my life but I can honestly tell you, this is the best usage of television I’ve ever been a part of to date.”
Sackhoff suggested that when they bring the statue back to the set, Weddle will probably be the most excited about it. “Everybody [will be excited], but David likes to have them all lined up in his office,” she revealed. “David and Ron Moore will take it for sure.”
Heroes creator Tim Kring brought several writers, producers and costars with him to accept the award for Best Network Television Series. Also enjoying a whirlwind first year, the award was a nice coffee break from what continues to be a busy task of showrunning.
“It’s been amazing,” said Kring. “Although making the show is really hard to do so you kind of put your nose to the grindstone and don’t look up much and the next thing you know, it’s the end of the season and you’re starting a second season.”
Kyle XY himself, Matt Dallas was honored with the Rising Star Award. For his first Saturn Awards experience, the actor was impressed. “It’s a lot of fun,” said Dallas. “I keep hearing about all the other ones being a lot more boring. This one’s quite entertaining I must say.”
Doug Jones accepted the award for Best International Film on behalf of Pan’s Labyrinth. The frequent collaborator with Guillermo Del Toro knows the world of sci-fi fans, so knew exactly the depth from which the award was given. “Absolutely gratifying beyond belief,” said Jones. “I knew at the beginning we were making a true piece of art with this film and to see all of the awards happen, and the Saturns are near and dear to Guillermo‘s heart and mine as well. They represent the geek fan base that has supported us all these years. Without you all, we don’t have a career so this is a very special night for the film and for me personally to represent it.”
Winner of the Filmmaker’s Showcase Award for directing Slither, James Gunn came in with the film’s star Nathan Fillion interviewing him.
Nathan Fillion: Mr. Gunn, do you have any qualms about sending untrained civilians into space?
James Gunn: Uh, no.
NF: Any qualms about the kind of influence you’re having in American culture and pop culture at large?
JG: No.
NF: Do you have any responses to the accusations that you’re unfair to women in your films? That you victimize them?
JG: That’s true.
NF: What about responses to allegations that you actually beat your dog?
JG: That’s- – that’s true too.
They promised they had not scripted the dialogue but were making it up on the fly, including Gunn‘s insistence that he believed Drive was still on the air. Gunn concluded with a dig at his other friend, Eli Roth, who lost the Best Horror Film Award to The Descent.
“I’m going to go show this off and shove it in Eli Roth‘s face,” said Gunn, before clarifying, “He’s my friend, he’s my friend.”
Casino Royale won Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film. Director Martin Campbell accepted his first Saturn award for the second James Bond film he made. “I got no awards for Goldeneye,” he explained. “Got a lot of money, but no awards.”
That this prequel was such an honored Bond film delighted Campbell. “It’s interesting for Bond. Bond doesn’t normally get awards but it was interesting. I think Daniel Craig had a lot to do with it. I think going back to the original book probably had a lot to do with it.”
Superman Returns won five Saturn awards, including Brandon Routh for Actor, Bryan Singer for Director, Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty for Writing and John Ottman for music. After collecting the final award for Best Fantasy Film, Singer gave thanks to his cohorts.
“It’s always special,” said Singer. “I’ve been a member of this academy for a long time so any time someone who’s a fan of the genre likes your work, especially when it’s genre work, it’s always a good thing.”
The final award of the night, Best Science Fiction Film, went to Children of Men. Producers Eric Newman and Hilary Shor accepted on behalf of director Alfonso Cuaron.
“We’re honored,” said Newman. “The fact that we got to go get into business with Alfonso, he’s a genius, he made a great movie. We’re proud to accept it.”
Shor knows that the director will be thrilled to receive the Saturn. “I think Alfonso really understood the audience for this movie,” she said. “The people who are in this world and supportive of this world, I think are people that he appreciates.”
A complete list of winners is available at saturnawards.org.
