The branding geniuses at the Sci-Fi Channel think that in 2009, the name “Sci Fi” is just too geeky sounding.  The solution?  Rebranding as “Syfy.”

To that end, the 16-year-old network—owned by NBC Universal—plans to announce that Syfy is its new name March 16 at its upfront presentation to advertisers in New York.

“What we love about this is we hopefully get the best of both worlds,” Mr. Howe said. “We’ll get the heritage and the track record of success, and we’ll build off of that to build a broader, more open and accessible and relatable and human-friendly brand.”

Sci-Fi Channel execs had long speculated that the channel’s name was holding the network back from becoming everything they thought it could:

“The name Sci Fi has been associated with geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements with video games and stuff like that, as opposed to the general public and the female audience in particular,” said TV historian Tim Brooks, who helped launch Sci Fi Channel when he worked at USA Network.

But here’s why they think Syfy is totally different:

“It gives us a unique word and it gives us the opportunities to imbue it with the values and the perception that we want it to have,” he said.

“Imagine Greater” will be the network’s new tagline.  Look for the change to take effect during the next six to 12 months.

Frankenfish is the greatest giant mutant fish movie ever made, partly due to the presence of Sci-Fi eye candy China Chow. This hottie may have moved on from Sci-Fi originals, but she’ll forever remain in our hearts as the fish fighting heroine of the the Sci-Fi Channels late night classic.

She doesn’t have the web presence you’d expect from an up and coming starlet but luckily for us the ‘net abounds with photos of the former model. Here’s hoping she gets more exposure in 2008, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a Frankenfish II!

Another Sci-Fi Starlet Saturday, another hot supermodel turned sci-fi actress. Featured today is Natasha Henstridge, also known as, the chick from Species.

Natasha Henstridge entered a modeling contest at age 13, and by 15, the young Canadian was living in Paris and gracing the cover of the French edition of Cosmopolitan. She later made the transition to commercial work, and appearing in a few cosmetics spots helped her catch the acting bug.

It wasn’t much later that Natasha Henstridge made her first film, Species, in which she played an oversexed alien/human hybrid who spent tons of time in various states of nudity. Natasha went on to appear in Species II and Species III as Eve, a clone of her original character Sil.

Natasha Henstridge has worked fairly consistently since her debut role in Species. Other than the Species films, her sci-fi work includes roles in Adrenalin: Fear the Rush, Ghosts of Mars, and single episodes of The Outer Limits and Homeboys in Outer Space. Natasha has also worked in thrillers, romantic comedies, and dramas, but has probably seen the most success with her television parts in the short-lived She Spies series and Commander in Chief.

Currently, Natasha Henstridge is playing the title character’s fiancee in the new legal series Eli Stone. You can read more about Natasha at:

IMDB profile for Natasha Henstridge

Natasha Henstridge on Wikipedia

AskMen.com profile for Natasha Henstridge

Just Natasha Henstridge (fan site)

ECW is being postponed until Thursday at 10/9C this week so that The Sci Fi Channel can air the final episode in the Tin Man miniseries, starring Zooey Deschanel and Neal McDonough.

The viewer ratings this week will be interesting to watch since ECW on Sci-Fi will be up against the second hour of TNA iMPACT! on Spike. How much crossover is there between fans of iMPACT! and ECW, and which show will capture the loyalty of those fans? This one’s a tough call, but I’m betting TNA will be able to hold their own against ECW.

Meanwhile, I’ll be watching the conclusion of Tin Man tonight. It’s probably not a series I’d watch more than once, but the unique take on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is worth checking out, if only for the striking similarities in the acting of leading lady Zooey Deschanel and her sister Emily Deschanel (lead actress on Bones.) These women make David Duchovny and David Boreanaz look animated!

Critics have given NBC’s revival of Bionic Woman a lukewarm reception, but reviewers and fans can both agree that Michelle Ryan is a hit. As the star of the new Bionic Woman, 23-year-old Michelle Ryan portrays the robotically-enhanced barkeep Jaime Sommers. Michelle is reportedly performing her own stuntwork for the series, including plenty of fight scenes.

Prior to her September 2007 debut on Bionic Woman, Michelle Ryan was best known for her role as Zoë Slater on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, and more recently, a stint on the popular BBC series Jekyll. Jekyll sounds like it’s worth checking out - one reviewer called it “part Hammer-style horror-thriller, part X-Files conspiracy fiction, and part solid drama.” Michelle also appeared in this year’s I Want Candy, the low-budget British comedy featuring Carmen Electra in the titular role.

It comes as no surprise that Michelle Ryan has been listed on FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women several times. There are plenty of revealing photos of Michelle online, including this red carpet wardrobe malfunction (NSFW link) and this one that’s safe for work:

For more pics of Michelle Ryan, try a Google Image Search. Then check out these links for more on Michelle:

Michelle Ryan’s IMDB profile

Michelle Ryan Gallery

Michelle Ryan on Wikipedia

NBC’s Official Bionic Woman Site