After months of negotiations and speculation, the Sci Fi Channel announced that it had renewed Stargate SG-1 for a seventh season. According to the press release, "Sci Fi ordered 22 new episodes from MGM. Richard Dean Anderson will stay in his role as both the series' star and executive producer. Production on the new season is slated to begin in Vancouver, B.C., early next year, for a summer 2003 launch. The remaining original sixth-season episodes will resume on Sci Fi in January 2003." Sci Fi president Bonnie Hammer said in a statement, "Clearly the show has done phenomenally well for Sci Fi, both with original and acquired episodes, and we look forward to another record-breaking year." Visit SciFi.com for more information.

FALL INTERVIEWS
October-November, 2002

Negotiations to extend Stargate SG-1 for another year continued even as season six wrapped with no official word. In interviews during the fall of 2002, Richard discussed his plans to move on and spend more time with his daughter, and his plans to return to the series once the announcement for season seven was made. SG-1 STAR READY TO MOVE ON, NOT RETIRE The Vancouver Sun. October 12, 2002 ANDERSON AND SHANKS READY TO STEP THROUGH THE STARGATE Zap2it. November 7, 2002

Following the news of a proposed MacGyver feature film from New Line Cinema, it was announced that Paramount Network Television and the WB Network have entered into an agreement to also bring MacGyver back to television. The proposed series is tentatively titled Young MacGyver and will be produced by former MacGyver executive producers Henry Winkler, Stephen Downing, and John Rich. According to reports in the trades, "Young MacGyver centers on the adventures of MacGyver's nephew, who is brought into the fold of Phoenix Foundation, a 'think tank' dedicated to righting wrongs and defeating bad guys throughout the world." It is possible that Richard may be called upon for a cameo appearance in the new project. In a separate statement, Stephen Downing said, "We want a new show, with a new star, but we want the show and the star to resonate the DNA of the original. I promise you that we will do everything in our power to bring you a great show that sings with the stuff of the original. Let the fans know that."

As filming for the sixth season of Stargate SG-1 comes to an end, Richard is scheduled to make a return visit to Vicki Gabereau, a Vancouver-based talk show that airs across Canada. Richard's appearance is scheduled for October 4, 2002. Check local listings for time and channel.

Production of the sixth season of Stargate SG-1 wrapped on September 30th, followed by the wrap party the next day, and the beginning of hiatus for the cast and crew. Although things look promising for a seventh season, there has been no official word yet as to whether the series will return for another year. Negotiations with MGM and SciFi continue. Richard's plans for the hiatus include packing up his Vancouver home and returning to Los Angeles, plenty of skiing, and a possible rafting trip to Chile in November.

News hit the trade papers that a movie version of MacGyver is in the works, although Richard's involvement with the project is as yet unclear. A press release in the Hollywood Reporter stated, "On Friday, the creator of the Paramount Television series, Lee Zlotoff, closed a seven-figure deal with New Line Cinema to write, direct and produce a feature film based on MacGyver, the ABC series that aired from 1985-92. There is no script yet and no deal for Anderson to return to his roots as the hero that could turn everyday objects into such tools as flamethrowers and explosives to help get out of a jam while never using a gun. Sources said that while Anderson may be written into the script in a supporting or cameo role, the Angus MacGyver character will be a younger role."

Lightspeed Fine Art has commissioned a lithograph of the original Stargate cast, done by artist Keith Paul. These numbered limited edition posters are autographed by the cast members and made available as unique collectibles. At the SG-1 studio, Richard and the rest of the cast took a break from filming to add their signatures to the posters. Click here for information about purchasing these lithographs.

Paramount Pictures celebrated its 90th anniversary by inviting 90 of its biggest stars to attend a huge anniversary party at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. Richard was one of the stars in attendance, and he was accompanied by Dana Delany for the event.

SUMMER INTERVIEWS
June-July, 2002

Coinciding with the premiere of the sixth season of Stargate SG-1 on the SciFi channel, Richard gave a number of interviews which appeared in magazines and newspapers during the summer months. SFX PROFILE: RICHARD DEAN ANDERSON SFX. June, 2002 MR. ANDERSON TV Zone Stargate SG-1 Special #46. July, 2002

Richard continues to return home from Vancouver to Los Angeles each weekend to be with his three year old daughter Wylie. Occasionally he and Wylie can be seen around town enjoying some down time, and maybe some ice cream.

Martin Sargent of "The Screen Savers" on TechTV visted Richard on the set of Stargate SG-1 to talk about his series, and his familiarity (or unfamiliarity) with computers and technology. The interview was taped on May 9th, to air on June 11th. The complete interview can be viewed online at the TechTV website. Click here for a complete transcript of the interview.

Richard made a brief visit to New York City to appear as a guest on the Regis and Kelly morning talk show. The show was taped on June 6th to air the following day, and to promote the debut of the sixth season of Stargate SG-1 on the SciFi channel. Richard talked about the new season of Stargate as well as his recent trips to Chile and Tibet as part of his River Project. Click here for a complete transcript and pictures of the interview.

Stargate SG-1 is finding a new home on the SciFi Channel for its sixth season, and in preparation for the new season's debut, SciFi began promoting the series with a collection of new publicity photos and a new website. Click here to visit the Stargate Owner's Manual on the SciFi site. The new sixth season episodes begin airing in the US on June 7th.

On May 22, Lycos Live Events held a live online chat with Richard Dean Anderson and Amanda Tapping. Taking a break during filming, and speaking by phone from a dressing trailer on the set, their comments were being typed for the online fans. The format allowed fans from around the world to submit questions, and topics of discussion during the very playful chat included the characters of O'Neill and Carter, upcoming episodes for season six, and Richard and Amanda's relationships with their fans and with the Internet. Click here for a complete transcript of the chat.

In April, the nominations for the fourth annual Leo Awards, recognizing excellence in film and television in British Columbia, were announced. Richard was recognized with a nomination as one of the producers of Stargate SG-1 in the category of Best Dramatic Series. Stargate received several additional nominations in other categories including a nod for Amanda Tapping in the Lead Actress category. The Leo Awards will be presented on May 11th in a ceremony at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver. Click here for more information about the Leo Awards.

On March 15, 2002, The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror Films announced its nominees for the 28th annual Saturn Awards. Stargate SG-1 received a nomination for Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series. Also recognized for excellence were Richard Dean Anderson for Best Actor in a Television Series, as well as Amanda Tapping for Best Supporting Actress, and Christopher Judge for Best Supporting Actor. The Saturn Awards will be presented in Los Angeles in June. Click here for more information about the Saturn Awards.

Richard is appearing as a spokesperson for MinutePass, a prepaid calling card offered through Telecom USA. The first commercial appeared last November, and a second commercial began airing in February. In this commercial, Richard walks through various sets to demonstrate the advantages of prepaid minutes when calling away from home. Click here for information about MinutePass. Click here for captured images from the commercial.

On February 18, 2002, Richard Dean Anderson and the cast and crew of Stargate SG-1 returned to Vancouver, British Columbia to begin filming the sixth season of the series. The new season will be moving to a new home on the SciFi channel, and is expected to begin airing in June in the US.

For Richard's 52nd birthday, fans from all around the world created a special website to send greetings and good wishes, and arranged to have a star named in his honor in the International Star Registry. When Richard visited the site, he sent a message of thanks to his many fans. Click here to visit the birthday website, and here to read Richard's reply.

The lithograph "Beware Abydos," by Simon Thorpe, was created as a unique Stargate collectible. During his winter hiatus at home, Richard added his signature to those of the other SG-1 cast members for these numbered limited edition items. Click here for additional pictures.

In January, Richard returned to the Celebrity Sports Invitational, this year held in Banff, Alberta. Richard participated in the Target Golf Shoot-out and managed to become a target himself when he was hit by an errant golf ball. A better skier than golfer, Richard was paired in the Dual Giant Slalom against former World Cup star Klaus Von Heidegger. Although he did not win that heat, he beamed, "This was an honor!" as Klaus congratulated him, "You did great!" His Team Mouton Cadet did go on to win the event. The Celebrity Invitational was hosted by Robert Kennedy, Jr. in support of his Water Keeper Alliance. More than $600,000 was raised to help protect and restore rivers around the world. Click here for pictures from the event.