SHOOTING STARS: ‘Stargate: Atlantis’ orbits Planet Hollywood

  To some, Las Vegas already qualifies as an alternate universe, complete with alien life-forms.
  But “Stargate: Atlantis” puts that description into practice at Planet Hollywood, spending Monday and Tuesday in front of the casino, inside the casino — and on the roof, where a stunt player will perform a nine-story fall.
  As fans of the Sci-Fi Channel hit know, the show ends its run following its 100th episode in January. Its 99th, however, brings commander John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan, right) to Las Vegas — in “an alternate reality story” set on “a slightly askew version of Earth,” explains executive producer Robert Cooper, writer-director of the made-in-Vegas episode.
  Rather than becoming a space pilot, Sheppard “ended up as a homicide detective in this reality,” Cooper notes. He’s investigating a serial murder case — and trying to find an enemy Wraith (played by guest star Neil Jackson) who’s “hiding himself in Las Vegas” and, disguised by makeup, “blends in quite well.”
  The Wraith, Cooper reports, even ends up playing high-stakes poker with a couple of familiar faces: “Sopranos” veterans Steve Schirripa and Frank Vincent.
  Overall, the episode is intended as “a bit of an homage” to another Vegas show, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”
  Cooper describes it as “stylistically similar to ‘CSI,’ " noting that “if you tuned in late, you might think you had turned on the wrong show.”
  Except, that is, for all those members of the “Stargate: Atlantis” universe hanging around.
  “Fortunately,” Cooper observes, “when you work in science fiction, you can pretty much do anything.”
  “Hangover’s” not over: Headquartered at Caesars Palace, the Warner Bros. comedy “The Hangover” hangs on in Las Vegas through Oct. 12, with Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis as pals who party so hard at their best friend’s bachelor bash that they lose the groom (Justin Bartha) less than two days before the wedding. Todd Phillips (“Old School”) co-writes and directs.
  Heather Graham, meanwhile, has joined the cast as a Las Vegas local “who crosses paths with the guys and might know more about the groom than she lets on.” (At least according to the casting announcement in the Hollywood Reporter showbiz newspaper.)
  Still flying: Southern Nevada’s Bollywood connection is scheduled to end this week — after the Indian feature “Kites” completes its location visit.
  After shooting downtown and on the Strip, the romantic drama shifts to Eldorado Dry Lake Bed, near Boulder City, for some blazing desert scenes.
  “Kites” — which is in Hindi, English and Spanish —  features Bollywood heartthrobs Hrithik Roshan, right, and Kangana Ranaut, along with Latina star Barbara Mori. The latter plays a Mexican dancer who catches the eye of Roshan's high-flying Las Vegas scam artist.
  The actor’s attracted plenty of attention himself while shooting in Las Vegas, according to “Kites” line producer Prashant Shah.
  “I don’t know where these fans are coming from,” Shah says, citing hundreds of fans mobbing Roshan for photos and autographs.
  Following the Southern Nevada shoot, “Kites” returns to India for additional production.
  Going to the dogs: Speaking of international projects, the Japanese TV series “Pochi, Tama,” which focuses on animal performers, plans a live shot of one of the canine performers from Gregory Popovich’s “Comedy Pet Theater” in action on the Strip this week.
  Channeling Charo: Those periodic PBS pledge-drive nostalgia blasts will get a Vegas vibe next January with “Entertainment Las Vegas Style.”
  If the title sounds familiar, it should — the bulk of the special will focus on archival footage of entertainers featured on Tony Sacca’s long-running syndicated show of the same name.
  But Charo’s scheduled to join Sacca for wraparound segments shooting Oct. 6 and 7 from Glitter Gulch to the Strip — including one of Charo performing flamenco guitar in front of the Bellagio fountains. She's used to cameras these days; they're already following her around for a reality show.
  Quick hits: Marie Osmond takes time out from her Flamingo headlining gig with brother Donny to shoot a NutriSystem TV commercial, while the History Channel’s “UFO Hunters” lands for a second-season episode in and around Las Vegas. (Maybe they’ll make it to Area 51.) We also hear the Sci-Fi Channel’s back in town for more “Scare Tactics.” And downtown’s Hogs & Heifers is set to sashay into the spotlight for a proposed TV project.
  On hiatus: That’s showbiz speak for “on vacation,” which is where your faithful correspondent will be for the next two weeks. Shooting Stars will be back Oct. 20 — hope you will be too.