Raise your hand if you miss Battlestar Galactica. So say we all!

Yes, Caprica is pretty doggone awesome. But I still miss BSG, darn it.

If you’re feeling the same, Syfy hears your cries. The somewhat-still-science-fiction-based cable network has greenlit an online series (a la Doctor Horrible) called Blood & Chrome, which will depict the adventures of young William “Husker” Adama during the first Cylon War. BSG and Caprica co-exec producer Michael Taylor is writing the script. The goal of the production, according to the Chicago Tribune, is to show “both the realities of war as fought by soldiers on the ground, and the somewhat less real version portrayed in the media.” In other words, expect Blood & Chrome to contain plenty of the same timely social commentary that BSG was known for.

Blood & Chrome episodes are expected to last about nine or ten minutes, and will use the same “virtual sets” (i.e., green screen) production philosophy as Syfy’s Sanctuary. Episodes will also up the ante with more extreme content than you can get away with on the small screen, since it’s destined for Internet broadcast.

If successful, Blood & Chrome could lead to more online BSG projects of a similar nature, or possibly even a Syfy TV show. Production has not yet begun, so it could be a while before the series appears on the Net.

More properly, it’s CBS Television Studios, not the broadcast network, that’s inked the Oni Press deal. Which means that CBS now has the first rights to look at Oni’s library of comic books and graphic novels and consider using them as fodder for television shows and made-for-TV movies.

On the one hand, this seems like an incredibly smart move, for any television studio right now to tap into something so near and dear to the pop cultural consciousness. But CBS? Seriously? Home of all things procedural and dramatic? Doesn’t seem like a natural fit.

Then again, CBS is letting its inner geek out with its own booth at this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego, a first for the top-rated network. And they do have The Big Bang Theory, the sitcom that celebrates geekdom in all its glory.

As for Oni, they already have three other properties in development in development at major film studios. So breaking into TV is the next logical step. But CBS? Sure, I could see Fox or even ABC making a move like this. Or better yet, a cable network where more risks can be taken. CBS has never been geek-friendly territory, so they’ve got some serious work to do to make this alliance fit.

Dustin Hoffman

Deadwood writer David Milch is writing the script and A-list director Michael Mann is helming the pilot. The story concerns the world of horse racing, including provocative examinations of horse owners, gamblers, jockeys, and other industry players. Hoffman of course stars as the main character.

Also among Luck’s almost-entirely-boys-club cast are Dennis Farina (Law & Order), John Ortiz (Public Enemies), Kevin Dunn (Transformers), Richard Kind (Spin City), Jason Gedrick (Boomtown), Ritchie Coster (The Dark Knight), Ian Hart (Finding Neverland), Tom Payne (Wuthering Heights), Kerry Condon, Gary Stevens, and Nick Nolte.

Production begins this fall in Santa Anita and L.A., with no air date set.

According to producers, Ward will be playing a new character who’s “an experienced investigator from Washington, D.C., whose work is driven by her empathy for the victim.” She’ll first appear on the show during the Season 7 premiere in the Fall.

Robot Chicken is going back to the world that George built in Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III. And above you can see your first look at imagery from the special.

Adult Swim has scheduled the special to run at 11:30PM EST on December 12th. Robot Chicken returns for a new season in October.

The departure was Melina’s own choice after her recent contract expired.

Both CBS and CBS TV Studios released the following joint statement:

“We hoped Melina would return to ‘CSI: NY’ for another season, but we respect her decision to move on,” while adding, “Her amazing talent and invaluable contribution to the success of the series are greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten.”

Kelly’s book includes a focus on Oprah’s early childhood, promiscious teen years and her unknown paternity. The movie is planned to be released in conjunction with Oprah’s exit from network TV in September 2011.

Thompson says of the story:

“…I think it’s a fabulous story, and it’s certainly a challange, but Kitty Kelley’s extensively researched book offers us the factual foundation to frame our cinematic portrait of this powerful and beloved icon. Oprah Winfrey is a very powerful woman, and that’s also something that will make our movie great.”

And once again, Ball is using television to feed his obsession with death. His new title is All Signs of Death, and it’s based on a Charlie Huston novel called The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death. Huston’s novel is a crime noir thriller centering on a young man named Webster Goodhue, whose life gets complicated when he takes a job as a crime scene cleaner.

Ball himself will direct the pilot episode and oversee the series, while Huston himself is writing the pilot’s script. There’s been no cast announcements yet, but expect them soon, as production starts next month in L.A.

It should be no surprise that HBO wants to stay in the Alan Ball business. Six Feet Under got plenty of critical acclaim during its 5-season run, while True Blood, currently in its 3rd season, is the network’s highest-rated show. Like the Sookie Stackhouse novels that True Blood is based on, the main character in Huston’s Mystic Arts book is planned to recur in future books. Which should give Ball plenty of fodder for future seasons of his show.

Ryan Seacrest Productions is growing its television empire by creating a new dancing show for E!. Just Dance is said to be a reality show about choreographers and dancers in Los Angeles.

Laurie Ann Gibson is already slated as one of the cast members. Gibson is best known as Lady Gaga’s choreographer for videos like “Paparazzi,” “Telephone,” and “LoveGame.”

Just Dance has not yet been greenlit by E!, but it seems like a sure thing for the entertainment-focused network, which is enjoying a lovefest with Seacrest’s production company. E! has so far aired four Seacrest-produced shows, including Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Denise Richards: It’s Complicated.

Perhaps Just Dance is an attempt to keep RSP from becoming known as Dumb Blonde Productions. What do you think? Love Ryan Seacrest, or hate him?

DirecTV has brought hordes of HD channels to the masses, so what do they do next? They go 3D, apparently.

Now that the big screen is being flooded with 3D — and the inflated revenues 3D films bring — the small screen naturally wants a piece of the action. DirecTV is among the first to sign on with the new technology, planning a suite of 3D channels for viewers who have one of those shiny new 3D TVs to watch them on.

Included in DirecTV’s lineup are:

• ESPN 3D, which is already showing the World Cup in 3D
• n3D, 24/7 3D programming from Panasonic
• DirecTV Cinema in 3D, a similar channel that’s currently showing Imax titles like Deep Sea 3D and Under the Sea 3D

I’m sure that for the 10 people out there who own 3D televisions, this must come as very exciting news.