STARGATE (Thurs Dec 27, Seven-11pm)

Yes folks, the longest running U.S. Sci-Fi series to have the word ‘Star’ not immediately followed by ‘Trek’ in the title is back with a new season of intrepid scientists and military types exploring unknown galaxies via the titular devices – mystical portals that can transport you thousands of light-years in a fraction of a second, so long as you don’t stop for the in-flight movie. Ex-MACGYVER star Richard Dean Anderson has matured but is still bonkable as Colonel Jack O’Neill. Former X-Files Alumni Mitch Pileggi, however, appears to have accidentally gone to the Star Wars makeup trailer each week by mistake – it’s the only reason I can think of why he now seems to have the same beautician as the Emperor Palpatine… Fun sci-fi that, like its spinoff series STARGATE ATLANTIS, slashes up a storm for its primarily female and gay viewers by having Colonel Jack and scientist Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks) looking like they want to get into each other’s portals every few scenes.