To all of you asking me to post the actual rating we received for our premiere - I can’t reveal that information because we don’t have a real number yet. What we have is the raw number before 3-day DVR is factored in and this is key because:
SciFi Channel is the most DVR-’d channel out there (curse you tech-savvy scifi fans).
SciFi Channel saw the biggest increase of DVR use among its viewers over the past year.
Atlantis is apparently one of the most DVR’d shows on SciFi.
Friday night is the most DVR’d night of the week.
So, bottom line: the number we have will get a bump before becoming official later this week.
With all of the intense number-crunching going on today, it’s a wonder we found time to get anything done. Still, we did manage to squeeze in a viewing of Trio. Great, great episode. Unfortunately, the director’s cut was running long and certain things ended up not making the cut - the chiefest being Carter’s discussion about “that guy in Washington”. Nevertheless, the exchange will make the deleted footage compilation Ivon Bartok is in the process of putting together for the season four dvd release - or, perhaps, find its way into a future episode. Also found time to sit down and chat with the lovely Emma Matthews, the new editor of Stargate Magazine. Our fifteen minute chat turned into a forty-five minute discussion about Atlantis’s fourth season, and if not for our unit publicist Brigitte stopping by shuffle her over to John N. Smith’s office, we’d probably still be talking.
Today’s pics: Emma from Stargate Magazine, over on the FX stage.
Today’s video: Click on the date to see Martin Wood and that crotchety old guy.
Mailbag -
Dovil writes: “I didn't even recognise DH there, at least not until the last photo.”
Answer: Yep, that’s what fatherhood will do to you. Be warned.
Herbert writes: “Is the pattern on the guitar Jason got for Joe the same as Jason's tatoo?”
Answer: It is. It’s the equivalent of the Momoa family crest.
Rachel writes: “ How in the world do you decide what comments to allow through and what questions to answer?”
Answer: If I’ve already answered the question, I’ll skip it. If it’s a question that will give away spoiler, I won’t answer it. And, ultimately, if I’m short on time and there are other questions I find more interesting, I’ll answer those instead.
Anonymous #1 writes: “So why is the series' continuation dependent on the ratings in the US alone?”
Answer: While the international ratings are important, the first-run U.S. ratings take precedence because the licensing fee SciFi Channel contributes the lion’s share of the show’s production budget.
Horse N. Buggy writes: “Will we see at least one fun, non-arc story this season?”
Answer: We do have a few non-arc stories this season. As for a fun episode - definitely check out Harmony.
Anonymous #2 writes: “Joe, she's all over GW talking about her inside knowledge. Does that concern you, or are you happy to let her claim she has inside information?”
Answer: I’m thoroughly ambivalent. Keller and Ronon romantic scenes? Teyla and Sheppard ship? All I can say is tune to find out.
Padawan Aneiki writes: “How long does it usually take before you hear if you got the next season pickup?”
Answer: I’m hoping we’ll learn our fate within the next two weeks.
Andrew Timson writes: “Production-related question… how common is it for a shot to be flipped in post? It's probably not all that common on Atlantis, thanks to the uniforms and displays with text… but in "Adrift", the closeup of Sheppard playing with Zelenka's suit was rather obviously flipped thanks to the mirrored text.”
Answer: The shot was not flopped. The text is mirrored because a space-suited individual (say Zelenka in this case) would not be able to glance down and read the text on display. Rather, he would have to hold a mirror up to text and so, by making the text mirrored straight on, the text becomes un-mirrored once reflected back up for easy reading.
106 comments:
That old guy looks a lot like David.
Hey Joe,
Lovely pics as usual.
Meant to ask - did you get around to reading The Last Colony? Did you enjoy it?
I see the old dude is still around. And it really gets to me that he has so much hair... he's not a bad looking bloke for his age, I gotta say! What does he think he looks like - is he pretty impressed with his looks too?
Take care,
M
What's with the old McKay? Did he not get enough sleep or is he the 'Last Man' [like from the future or something] in The Last Man?
You cut a 'guy in washington scene'! Who is the guy in Washington? A boyfriend, O'Neill, the President, Barette, one of the guys named as boyfriend? Was that the not so subtle hint you were talking about? If that was, that's false advertising! Was that an semi-important/interesting scene? When is the season four DVVD coming out?[deleted scenes, anyone?]
I finally saw Adrift. Excellent, could use a bit more humor though.
Hey Joe,
Is there any reason you expect to see a pickup for the next season from scifi so early in the season. Another show on scifi "Eureka" just recently got its pickup for its next season and it had already aired all but 1 or 2 of its episodes. either was here's hoping for season 5!
Any chance of you doing a gallery of photographs "The dogs of Stargate"? You could make little calendars!
I hope that series 5 is commissioned. It is a high quality programme with good characters (even without wee Carson) and the writing and production is first rate.
Long may it all continue.
Susan
Are Teyla, Ronon, or Carter in The Last Man? From what I've seen so far, it looks as thouhg Shep and Mckay are stuck in Atlantis. Why is Mckay the only one who is old?
What were the ratings for Adrift?
if SG1 was suddenly allowed on SCI FI again how would you feel? would you desert atlantis and make a season 11 of SG1?
also if you can answer
if SG1s cancellation was due to money and ratings, do you ever blame MGM for not ferrying more of the production costs to keep the show alive?
i mean surely you gotta be pissed because its a show you worked on for years along with your friends
Can you reveal which "key demographics" did particularly well?
That Carter discussion got cut?
Aw shucks! I'm heartbroken.
Really.
Like someone else, I didn't realize the old guy in yesterday's pictures was Mr. Hewlett! Great prosthetic work. Dare I say it, I like it a lot better than the ones used in Unending.
Too bad about Carter's discussion on O'Neill is being cut. :( I was looking forward to that. *sigh*
Hey there, Joe.
First, let me say that I am a very new, but very obsessed Stargate Atlantis fan. Ha, new SciFi fan in general. But, it was 2am one morning and I was flipping through the local channels and saw Joe Flanigan and well.. I was hooked. And I ended up loving the show as well, so it all works out.
My main question for right now is what is Joe F. like in person? I mean, a lot of the others you can either get the basic idea of who they are (the amazingly funny David Hewlett) or from interviews and/or special features. The only ones I really don't know are Jason Momoa and Mr. Flanigan. I never really see Jason in interviews and as for Joe, he seems kind of... quiet and reserved.. but I don't know. Just wondering.
But thanks so much for your involvment this wonderful show, and here's to hoping for many more seasons. (I'm quite optimistic.)
are the ratings only influenced by viewers with nielsen boxes or could those of us that recorded the show on dvr improve its ratings by watching it a few more times?
So who is the Steadicam operator in the second shot? At first I thought he was playing a soldier and that he was holding a P-90 - then I realized it was a Steadicam without the camera attached! (at least I think it is...)
You mentioned the DVRs giving you guys a bump (a nice one, I'll bet). Do you believe SciFi is starting to take this into consideration a bit more? Especially since the times are a changing when it comes to Nielsen...
joe said: "Still, we did manage to squeeze in a viewing of Trio. Great, great episode. Unfortunately, the director’s cut was running long and certain things ended up not making the cut - the chiefest being Carter’s discussion about “that guy in Washington”. Nevertheless, the exchange will make the deleted footage compilation Ivon Bartok is in the process of putting together for the season four dvd release - or, perhaps, find its way into a future episode."
argh, joe, that almost made me cry! :(
but one way or another, that scene will make it somewhere. i'm hoping for a future ep more.
i'll try to look at the bright side of this (especially knowing who 'that washington guy' is :D).
but, quick, someone made me a margarita. served by rda. who just happens to be sans clothes.
thanks for the heads-up, joe. *always* appreciated.
sally :)
So, bottom line: the number we have will get a bump before becoming official later this week.
Then what we really should be doing is watching the first showing of SGA live, setting the DVR for the second showing, and watching that recording again in the next three days? Or are they only counting DVR for the first showing?
so how are you liking working with that crochety old man?
how is lulu doing? is the cone of shame gone?
"SciFi Channel is the most DVR-’d channel out there (curse you tech-savvy scifi fans)."
Yeah...that is a problem with us! LOL It only matters though if you are a Nielsen family or if you are lucky enough to be watching the show and they call you randomly and ask what you are viewing. (I worked in their call center briefly)
I called my cable company to ask if they compile any kind of data about what their customers are watching and they said no....darn them! I was hoping to influence the ratings in some way!!!
I think I will write the sponsers. I read that they count a written snail mail letter as representing 40,000 other people with the same views. Maybe that will peak their interest and generate $ for Stargatey advertising time.
Wow the Stargate crew really is amazing. I had no idea that was David Hewlett O.O
Best wishes on a 5 season five pick-up. I'm Nielsen-ing you all the way!
"Unfortunately, the director’s cut was running long and certain things ended up not making the cut - the chiefest being Carter’s discussion about 'that guy in Washington'. Nevertheless, the exchange will make the deleted footage compilation Ivon Bartok is in the process of putting together for the season four dvd release - or, perhaps, find its way into a future episode."
Joe, please say this isn't so. A lot of us Sam/Jack shippers have been very much looking forward to Trio for that "not-so-subtle hint" of their relationship. Couldn't just a brief sentence confirming their relationship be retained? This is extremely disappointing. Having it on the DVD as deleted footage isn't the same thing... it wouldn't be considered canon, since it did not appear in the episode. As well, there is no guarantee of it making into a future episode, since season 4 is already wrapped up, and season 5 is in question. Please, please include it in Trio -- we've been waiting for over 10 years!!
We're really not asking for much... one little sentence is just a crumb, really.
So now that the dust has settled from the wrap party, has there been any talk of comical anecdotes from or about any of the gang in attendance? The story from Gary about the autograph was hilarious.
Mandatory smartass comment: How 'bout that last picture? Someone needs to wipe their shoes before coming into the Ancient City, geez...
And... okay, intriguing, that the Sheppard character is normal-aged while the McKay character is... a geezer, God, it's hard to believe that's David! O_o
Hey, that 'bump' means the numbers are gonna go up, so, *crosses fingers* maybe we'll be seeing a much more reassuring set once that curve is in.
You guys and the fans often joke about the fact that "every planet looks like Vancouver". If you could go on location anywhere on Earth to be your alien landscape, what would you pick?
I didn't recognize that old guy at first, because I'm quite certain that over the course of time DH's hairline is heading for a more distant horizon.
Not that there's anything wrong with that! When people (usually lawyers) ask me & my husband if we had a pre-nup, we say, "Sure! it goes like this:
HE: I pledge to never grow the hair long on one side and comb it over the top.
SHE: I pledge to always think Picard is the sexiest."
Will Carter get angry and yell at anyone this season? I don't think we've ever really seen her like that before.
I have been wondering if season endings and season openers are filmed at the same time or is the season openers not yet written until the writers come off hiatus? Thanks,
I'm so disappointed Sam's scene won't make it into Trio! I was very excited about it and it was helping me hold out for the movies...;) But, thanks for perhaps putting it in a later ep, and at least putting it on the DVD extras.
Hi, Joe.
I'm posting a link to my blog:
http://morjana-subductionleadstoorogeny.blogspot.com/2007/10/stargate-atlantis-nbc-nightly-news-on.html
Where I've placed screencaps of a video clip from NBC Nightly News from Oct. 2. They had a report about the strength of the Canadian dollar -- and showed a clip of Martin directing a scene from SGA!
:)
Thank YOU for all the news, photos, video clips, and all your hard work and devotion to all things Stargate!
Best wishes, Morjana
Unfortunately, the director’s cut was running long and certain things ended up not making the cut - the chiefest being Carter’s discussion about “that guy in Washington”.
:(
Aww. I was REALLY looking forward to that too.
:(
Joe, Atlantis WILL be picked up for a 5th season. I know this because I want it to be so. And I almost always get what I want.
Also, the makeup job on 'that old guy' is truly impressive. Your team of people is very talented, though I'm certain you already knew as much.
Third, I challenge you and Martin Gero to write an "Atlantis meets West Side Story" episode. For my own amusement, of course.
Oh, huge congratulations to the makeup department - that is some of the *best* aging makeup I've ever seen! It so often looks awfully fake, but Codger Rodney looks fantastic! I'm very impressed.
Hi there!!
So, I'm heading off to Las Vegas on Saturday...yeah for dollar parity! Is there anywhere you recommend to eat that's not too expensive, and would appease the entire family?
And how about chocolate? I remember you posted something a while back about a store in the Forum Shops??
Wish me luck!!
PS..Thank you so much for the pics and now video.....I will miss checking up with you next week!!
Some friends and I were discussing the chain of command on Atlantis. We know Weir is first and Sheppard is second. We figured McKay is third...but after that we weren't sure. On one episode when Weir, Sheppard and McKay were gone(don't remember which one), we remembered Teyla as being in charge. I figured that must have been Weirs decision as I'm sure it wouldn't be proper chain of command (if there is one from Earth). Unless we just 'thought' Teyla was in command...and she really wasn't? Lorne and Zelenka were also mentioned for fourth in command. (no one mentioned Ronon..lol)
So this was long winded...sorry. The questions are:
1.What is the chain of command in Atlantis?
2.How far does it go?
Nevertheless, the exchange will make the deleted footage compilation Ivon Bartok is in the process of putting together for the season four dvd release - or, perhaps, find its way into a future episode.
Oh and while I'm whinging (might as well get as much out of my system in one sitting)...PLEASE do not add it as a deleted scene. At that point, it's not canon and there's no real point to it then. If you really cannot add it in Trio, please put it in some other episode.
Mary Beth
PS...Is there really no way to include it in Trio? No way to edit it down or trim other scenes to ensure this, a moment that some fans have been clamoring for for a long, LONG time, be included?
Toss us a tiny bone here, would ya?
*sulks*
"the chiefest being Carter’s discussion about 'that guy in Washington'. "
You know you're killing me...very slowly, don't you?
Oh, and we were looking forward to Trio so much! That not so subtle moment... Thanks for letting us know.
Heh, we are going to be examining every second of that episode thinking "was that really necessary? Could they have shaved half a second off that establishing shot?"
Yay!!!!! You answered my question!!! I applaud you! Thank you!!!!! That made me very happy!
Joe, oh please, please, could you include the entire directors cut with the Carter scene in it on the DVD instead of just in the "deleted scenes" segment? Think of it as "Trio--the Extended Edition" . Pretty please? Some of us are dying here...
That mound of sand in the Atlantis corridor is very interesting. Care to speculate?
Is there any chance AT ALL, that they wouldn't cut the Carter scene, “that guy in Washington” or is the decision already made?
I think alot of the fans on the Sam-Jack ship family discussion thread would be very upset, I think they deserve a little confirmation after 10 years to waiting, don't you think?
Joe, USA today already mentioned Atlantis and how many viewers you guys got friday night for the premiere. I won't say what it was but just thought that I would give you a heads up that it is already out there. Feel free not to post this if you don't want to.
I really hope that when they take everything into consideration that they raise enough to help you get a season 5. *Hugs*
1.)Will we see effects as good as in Adrift more often this season?
2.)Will there be a lot more deaths this season?
3.)Can you give us any hint on what the season finale will be about?
David Hewlett looks remarkably like Bob Newhart in that getup...
Joe-
At the SCB Rally in March Ivon and Martin were out there in full force filming and interviewing. Is any of that gonna be used for anything?
They have bigger fish to fry than Sam/Jack. Like making sure the episode flows smoothly for Atlantis. It would have been nice if there was time, but personal stuff is usually the first thing to go. So adios to a nod to Sam/Jack.
Joe, good luck on renewal. I'm pulling for you all. Not that I matter as I have neither a DVR or a Nielson box. But I'm sending hopeful thoughts your way.
How close are you guys to the end of principle photography? And how much time do you have editing what you need to to finish the season?
Hi Joe,
Why the personal scenes are the first to go when an episode over-shoots? For me they're the most interesting. Are you that confident of Season 5?
Sadly, STILL a Sam and Jack shipper...
On the bright side even though Aussies are probably not counted. The Sci Fi channel which only launched here over a year ago is doing a bang up job advertising the newly released S3 dvds all over the place. Even the free to air channels are getting in on the act and I even saw the boxset at the supermarket (previously unheard of to see anything SGA related so freely available). Too bad Sci Fi are only showing up to S2 here, encouraging us to buy dvds I take it.
Gateworld Forums is making me sad :(.
Well, at least the SGA season 4 forum. Most of us love season 4, but we leave the forum because there is a group that trashes it there. Since we've all left, that entire forum is anti-season 4. It's very, very disheartening. When the ratings were released, they were even laughing and saying things like "Is it wrong that I'm happy? Hee hee hee!".
Man. Some folks need to do fandom a favor and walk off the cliffs like the lemmings they are!!
Oh my. I too have a tendency to get carried away with conversation. WATCH OUT.
Some good news though. ALL of my friends DVR'd the premiere so here's hoping the ratings fly!
1.2 pour l'audience de "Adrift", j'ai bien peur qu'une saison 5 ne voit pas le jour, surtout si Itunes fait des bêtises.
Beaucoup de fan pense qu'Atlantis n'est qu'un "Copier-Coller" (ex : Doppelganger) de SG1 aux niveau Scénario. Un commentaire ?
Aww Joe,
My shipper heart is broken...I was truly looking forward to that "not so subtle hint" in "Trio." I've waited so so long for some kind of validation and now it's ended up on the cutting room floor. sigh.
Seeing it as part of the deleted scenes just won't be the same because it isn't really part of the story like everyone's been saying. It just wouldn't feel right.
I'm sorry to sound all depressed but it's been 10 years and counting..and I don't think my shipper heart can take anymore teasing.
Thanks Joe for having the good sense to know that yet another reference to Carter's way over done love life was a sensible cut to save time. It obviously doesn't move the story you are telling along and so many of us are just tired of hearing about it.
I'm SO disapointed abot that Trio scene being cut. I was really looking forward to maybe FINALLY getting confirmation that they got their act together/ found a way round the regs :) sigh...
Thanks for the advance warning though.
S'il vous plait Joe, n'y a-t-il vraiment aucune chance que la scène coupée de Carter apparaisse quand même dans Trio ou dans un autre épisode...pleaseeee!!
Gateworld is reporting that Adrift earned a 1.2 household rating, i that true? Isn't that exemly low for a season premier?
In my opinion it would be stupid of the Sci Fi channel to make a hasty decision on Atlantis, considering the overall quality of the show and that the best episodes are yet to come (this week's Lifeline for example). I can name a bunch of reasons that has nothing to do with the show why the premiere didn't do better- but I also agree that the main culprit is DVR- we watched it live AND DVRed it for repeat viewings so I hope that counts.
So I also hope SciFi waits until November before saying yea or nay. Since I've never been contacted by Nielsen I'm gonna start writing to the network now that I think it deserves a yea. DD
A old McKay and a normal-age Sheppard; Atlantis somehow buried in the sand?
Do I sense Time Travel and Global Warming???
Salut joseph =)
Sa va bien? Moi oui=)
Merci pour les photos et la video!
Aujourd'hui je vais essayer de poser des questions plus intéligente que d'habitude lol!:
Mes questions:
1)Si il y'a une saison 5, quand commencerez vous l'ecriture des épisodes?
2)Avez vous reçu mes cartes?
3)Vous n'avez jamais penser a ouvrir un restaurant?
jespert que ces questions vous conviendront =)
Bon, j'y vais, j'ai un controle d Anglais a réviser pour demain =D lol!
alors gros bisou!! je vous aime!!<3 a demain!! Bonne journée!!
Votre plus grande Fan<3<3
J-14.
Hey Joe,
Gateworld reported a 1.2 rating for "Adrift," yet USA Today reports 1.7. That's a .5 difference. Why would they report different numbers (I know USA gets theirs direct from Nielsen but don't about GW's #).
1)Will the Athosian's story have a tidy ending or will it continue to haunt?
2)Will the details of character history this season also be used to progress current storylines?
anonymous said: Gateworld reported a 1.2 rating for "Adrift," yet USA Today reports 1.7. That's a .5 difference.
USA Today reports 1.7 million viewers. Gateworld reports a 1.2 household rating, which I believe represents roughly 1.7 million viewers, so both are saying the same thing.
"Since we've all left, that entire forum is anti-season 4. It's very, very disheartening. When the ratings were released, they were even laughing and saying things like "Is it wrong that I'm happy? "
People are upset because season 4 SGA is not the SGA they've been watching for the last 3 years. Now we have SG1 people squeeing about how great Carter is, and good to see Lee, and when are Daniel and Jack coming to the show? Its not the same, and we miss the show we used to love, which will never be back, because 50% of the original cast is now gone.
Quote from Joe: Unfortunately, the director’s cut was running long and certain things ended up not making the cut - the chiefest being Carter’s discussion about “that guy in Washington”.
I am very disappointed that you are cutting this scene. Surely it can't have been that difficult to shave bits off of some other scenes to retain this one?
Why is it always the personal character moments that get cut?
Many Sam and Jack shippers who weren't Atlantis viewers were beginning to watch the season purely with the knowledge that we would be thrown a crumb.
How long do you think that the shippers will hang around for confirmation that Sam and Jack are together, before they give up and find another show to watch?
From: One very disappointed shipper.
anonymous said: "In my opinion it would be stupid of the Sci Fi channel to make a hasty decision on Atlantis, considering the overall quality of the show and that the best episodes are yet to come (this week's Lifeline for example)."
The quality doesn't matter nowadays. Sad but true. Whether they renew Atlantis or not will depend on whether they can still make money with the ratings they got AND the cost/benefit ratio. Atlantis is an expensive show and the ratings it's getting are not too far away of the ratings they can get with other shows/B-movies. If $$$-wise they can show reruns of old shows, B-movies and less expensive shows in general and get 0.8-1.2 ratings with them, why would they want to renew Atlantis? Quality doesn't matter if they get similar ratings with cheaper shows, no matter how crappy these might be.
Flash Gordon (yikes!) got 0.8 the other week. Like it or not, depending on how much money Flash Gordon costs, a 0.8 rating for that show could mean it's far more succesful than Atlantis for them. And then you have iTunes, Amazon Unbox, merchandise, etc. Sci Fi/NBC gets money from those sales in many cases, but NOT in Atlantis. Other shows might be even more profitable for Sci Fi because of the money they get from these sales, despite their lower ratings.
In short, shows that get 0.8-0.9 ratings could be more profitable for Sci Fi than shows that get a 1.2 ratings, depending on factors such as how much they cost, how much Sci Fi gets from DVD sales and legal downloads, etc. And if crappy shows #1, #2 and #3 are more profitable than Atlantis, the quality won't mean anything when the decision to renew comes.
Well, I'm sure Joe here will correct me if I'm wrong or I've said something stupid ^_^
E.
Hey Joe, did you catch Carmen Argenziano on House last night (10/2)?
LOL, are we back to tattling on Sansong on Joe's blog? You 'anons' freak out every time she posts. Btw, no one, not even Sansong, has claimed 'inside information'. She was talking about recent spoilers from a Jewel Staite interview. Stop making stuff up to to make someone else look bad. It's beyond pathetic.
Joe
Please get them to reconsider the Carter statement. I'm pretty sure it'll make shippers happy, the general viewers extremely curious, and the anti-shippers won't care because it doesn't take up any time. A lot of SG-1 fans will take notice. Please re-think this one.
This might be a stupid question, but what is DVR?
I have to say the "old" DH is very cute! If DH really ages like that, he'll age well... LOL
Thanks again for sharing the pics and love the vids!
I'm a DVR'er (in AZ), though I watched the premiere live in TX...I felt alot like drinking Disarrano Amaretto...and I'm really a beer kinda gal... hummm Here's to the upcoming season 5 pick up! (I'm optimistic too)
S
Hey Joe,
Gateworld reported a 1.2 rating for "Adrift," yet USA Today reports 1.7. That's a .5 difference. Why would they report different numbers (I know USA gets theirs direct from Nielsen but don't about GW's #).
If I may share my Friday sci-fi experience ... believe me, if Atlantis picked up 1.7 or 1.2, it is amazing.
I know this isn't your fault, or anything you can control, but the lead-in is a killer.
Sci-Fi has succeeded in teaching me, yes, it is possible to get sci-fi from a source other than their channel on Fridays. I feel bad for Flash Gordon, because I hate to kick something when it's down. I tried, I really did, to get through that show, sort of like pre-season training so I could be there for the night Stargate returned.
Can't do it. Couldn't do it. Love Dr Who, but if I hadn't turned the channel at 9:00 last Friday, and I did turn away, I would have ended up asleep.
Sorry for the whine, and there is a bright side.
I was up and alert to turn back to the Sci-Fi Channel. I saw Adrift. It was so nice and so well-done. I was very happy.
Later saw Doppleganger and am wondering what iTunes sales were like this past weekend as the word went out.
Your season opener and ep four gave me much sci-fi joy.
This season may make me remember to like 10:00 PM on Fridays. I may even get conditioned to pick up the remote at 9:55 PM, a full three minutes before the friggin timer goes off.
EC
the anti-shippers won't care because it doesn't take up any time
Sorry, this anti-shipper is damned glad there won't be any more time wasted on the eternal soap opera of 'Will Samantha Ever Shag Her Boss?' Is the concept of action adventure sci fi too hard for you whiners to understand? It's over. Get over it.
Thank you for cutting the scene that mentions that guy in Washington. That ship should be on SG1 where it belongs, not taking time away from Atlantis and its characters. Don't be swayed by the pleas and sad emoticons from the shippers.
noSJplease said...
Thank you for cutting the scene that mentions that guy in Washington. That ship should be on SG1 where it belongs, not taking time away from Atlantis and its characters. Don't be swayed by the pleas and sad emoticons from the shippers.
If there's no heart and soul to the characters, all the explosions and sfx in the world aren't going to matter a hill of beans. If there's nothing to endear us to the characters, then who cares what happens to them. No...it's not a soap opera, but there needs to be balance. That's what's made Stargate great in the past. It's what keeps us coming back for more.
Do character moments belong on a sci-fi show? Do these moments make a show soap-operaish? In my opinion, no. I think character development is extremely important to any show, regardless of genre. Yes, explosions and alien battle scenes are important, but those two things alone do not a show make. I find shows that lack character development to be extremely uninteresting and sterile. What bonds me to a show are the characters... are they interesting? Who are they? What's their story?
I do not believe that a brief moment involving Sam's "not-so-subtle hint" regarding her love life will at all detract from the rest of the show. The other 99.9% of the show will be about the aliens, battles, etc., anyway.
As for whether or not this should be discussed on SGA -- yes. Since it was not firmly resolved on SG-1, and Sam is now on Atlantis, and since character development is important to me, I feel that a brief sentence regarding her "guy in Washington" is completely appropriate.
I feel the same way about the other SGA characters, too. Some backstory about their life would flesh out their characters and would help make SGA a more engaging show to watch.
noSJplease said: "Thank you for cutting the scene that mentions that guy in Washington. That ship should be on SG1 where it belongs, not taking time away from Atlantis and its characters."
Exactly my thoughts.
I like AT and I don't mind Sam, but no matter what, she'll always be the "SG-1 character that is now in Atlantis". After playing the character for 10 years in SG-1, and having 3 years of Atlantis with its own characters already, you can't convince the viewers that she's part of Atlantis. She'll always be an SG-1 character, not an Atlantis one.
If the episode needed to be cut down, I'm glad they cut a scene with Sam and not a scene with the Atlantis characters.
I'm glad the Trio scene has hit the floor. It isn't part of SGA canon. Its SG1, and SG1 is GONE AND DEAD! SGA fans don't give a rip about SG1 Sam/Jack baggage!
"If there's no heart and soul to the characters, all the explosions and sfx in the world aren't going to matter a hill of beans. If there's nothing to endear us to the characters, then who cares what happens to them. No...it's not a soap opera, but there needs to be balance. That's what's made Stargate great in the past. It's what keeps us coming back for more."
Silly me, I thought that Atlantis had plenty of heart and soul before Sam and her ship showed up. This show is still Stargate: Atlantis, right? Not Stargate: Sam Carter? Leave her love life for the SG1 movies with Jack where they belong.
If there's no heart and soul to the characters, all the explosions and sfx in the world aren't going to matter a hill of beans. If there's nothing to endear us to the characters, then who cares what happens to them. No...it's not a soap opera, but there needs to be balance. That's what's made Stargate great in the past. It's what keeps us coming back for more.
What a load of drivel. Ori save us all from hormonal teenagers and bored housewives who believe that Twoo Wub is the only way characters can have a "heart and soul". There is plenty of "heart and soul" in the interactions of the characters in both SG and SGA without ever visiting their love lives. Do you people have no understanding of the love of friends, of brothers (or sisters) in arms, of admiration and even hero worship for a great leader or a fearless hero? Maybe it's time you widened your outlook and got past your Harlequin fantasies to appreciate the wonderful platonic relationships this franchise has given us instead of trying to threaten and cajole your own wish fulfilment from Joe.
Or more succinctly? Grow the hell up.
Silly me, I thought that Atlantis had plenty of heart and soul before Sam and her ship showed up. This show is still Stargate: Atlantis, right? Not Stargate: Sam Carter? Leave her love life for the SG1 movies with Jack where they belong.
Who said SGA didn't have a heart and soul? I've watched it from day 1, long before I ever watched a single episode of SG1, and I've loved it. But there are new characters and like it or not, Sam is part of the team now. She comes with history. Pretending its not there doesn't make it go away. Everybody has a backstory...why should we have to ignore hers?
And my apologies, Joe. This is your blog, it shouldn't be our combat zone. Obviously yesterday's news touched a nerve. Thanks for at least giving us a head's up and a hint at what we've missed. In some ways it makes it even harder, but at least we know.
I just wanted to say that I am a fan of the show and your blog.
So, I wish I didn't have to spend my valuable free time writing to you about how you are going to be mistreating the characters this season. (Teyla pregnant with Hermiod's baby! What's up with that?)
And how you are going to bring in that Carter and ruin everything. (Gee, how did SG-1 survive for 10 years with such a collection of 2-dimensional unlikeable characters.)
Not to mention the new super-villain race. We KNOW it is a Wraith-Ewok hybrid. I saw it on a website (somewhere), where (someone) said they saw clips, so there is no use hiding it anymore.
I can't wait to watch (grudgingly) all the shows , so that I can see how all my worst nightmares come true, and know that all my time spent griping was worthwhile. And how my vision for the show is better than yours (and everyone else who works on it). And that there will be 22 hours of my life I will never get back.
Thanks!
P.S. Give a pet to those cute dogs for me.
==> me revoila!
Simplement pour dire que jespert vraiment que les audiances vont augmenter! et que stargate atlantis va continuer!
Kiss josep <3
Stargate Forever.!
So, are we going to see the new uniforms in the episodes before say... Oct 31? Because the promo photos up on gateworld of Keller are great, but I still can't quite figure out how the stripes meet at the elbow? lol, ok, that was really nerdy, maybe I'll just request that you take a picture if you can? :D
Even though you get most of your budget from scifi you should be able to air a season five of atlantis on a different network like tbs?
WAHOUW adrift est un episode super!!!!
je voulais savoir qu'elle episode allait vous tourner cette semaine? Si c'est the last man, es ce que le personnage de weir sera là réellement ou techniquement?
Es ce que la première de SGA à bien marché côté audience?
ha oui, votre chienne va mieux?
Hi Joe,
can you (or Rob Cooper, or Brad Wright or whomever) promise us that once you're finished with S/J love life and give their shipers the frelling wedding, you're going to focus on Vala and Daniel, 'cause their chemistry is ten thousand much bigger than S/J and deserves much better treatment?
So, would creating an identity and commenting on Hey Nielsen help SGA's chances for a S5 pick-up? I'm a bit shy about giving out enough personal information to persons unknown in order to create an internet identity. (Although , after several weeks of thoroughly enjoying your blog Joe, I finally bit the bullet and signed up with google blogger. :-) )
But if you REALLY think Hey Nielsen will help, I... I... *gulp*... I'll do it.
*trembles fearfully*
Hello Mr. M. There is a word on some forums that Jason is cutting off his dreads? Any truth to that? Or rather, would that be allowed for Ronon? ;) Thanks.
not to be rude but excuse me? 50% of the original cast is gone? okay so a few people left. but i think 50% is a bit of an overstatement. though i do agree with you that the switchovers are getting a little bit out of control- unless, of course, that's just all we're hearing of spoilers and they don't really have that much to do with the storyline. who knows?
anyways i am so sad because i don't think i will be able to watch lifeline this friday and our not-so-tech-savvy family has yet to get dvr (and it's not my decision to get it because i, unlike apparently the majority of stargate viewers, am not an adult. and high school students don't usually have enough money to get dvr. much as i'd love to. ^_^) they do have replays or whatever though right? and maybe my friend will record it for me... *crosses fingers* :P
to laura: it's like tivo. it stands for... well actually im not quite sure, something like digital video recorder.
now my turn to ask a stupd question (not that yours was): is shippers short for worshippers or what? me confuzzled.
okay, here's my opinion on the cut, even tho u probably don't want it anyways- u need character moments, but love life has to take the background if you want a story that's worth watching. that doesnt mean u have to get rid of it altogether; after all, i probably would get sick of the show if it wasnt present at all. also, character stuff does not necessarily make it a soap opera, and if it does, well, not only do i hate soap operas but im not allowed to watch them, plus it would get so old so fast. so far sga has done pretty well with the balance (as far as i know... i've only seen, what, like 5 episodes? im new but totally addicted already.) anyways it doesnt matter because like it or not we all have to abide with the decisions made by the almighty directors and all those higher-up peeps! so if you don't like it, suck it up. :)
Hi Joe!
Great pics - again! I know I always say it, but it's always true and sincere! :)
Laura said...
This might be a stupid question, but what is DVR?
DVR = Digital Video Recorder. It's the new version of the VCR, but instead of recording on a tape or removable disk, it records on a harddrive, much like a computer. You'll hear a DVR referred to as Tivo, or in my case, ReplayTV.
The great thing (for viewers) is that we can schedule our DVRs to record our shows with built-in show guides and very easy setup, so recording a show daily or weekly is a snap. The bad thing (for channels and advertisers) is that it's very easy to totally skip over commercials. I've had my DVR for several years, and the only time I try to see commercials is when the new fall lineups are being announced.
Sorry Joe! Guess I'm one of those darn techno-savvy sci-fi fans, eh? But I do love SGA - that's gotta count for something, at least in your heart, right????
okay actingchick where did u get ur info from? and stop griping if you don't like it then that's fine (not everybody likes the same stuff, i know that plenty well) but seriously it sounds like you are pulling this stuff out of the wazoo (as my family puts it)
So... how about, since the part about sam's love life can't be put in the episode, you put the clip up somewhere online or something and let us watch it.
Wow, guys...with regards to the whole "guy in Washington" debacle, isn't it canon enough by virtue of being filmed? I'm thrilled that we'll get to see it at all! I may be one of those ten-year shippers, but I'm also of the opinion that Atlantis has just as much soul as SG-1 ever did -- if not more.
"Juniper Destructo said...
Gateworld Forums is making me sad :(.
Well, at least the SGA season 4 forum. Most of us love season 4, but we leave the forum because there is a group that trashes it there. Since we've all left, that entire forum is anti-season 4. It's very, very disheartening. When the ratings were released, they were even laughing and saying things like "Is it wrong that I'm happy? Hee hee hee!".
Man. Some folks need to do fandom a favor and walk off the cliffs like the lemmings they are!!"
Not all the forum's like that, just the odd few, who have got nothing better to do with themselves than wallow in misery, because they're unhappy they plan to TRY and do the same to everyone else. But by leaving you're giving them what they want, which is the power to control you and where you play. Don't let them. There are a large number of people who want the show to succeed. If you check that particular place out, you'll see it's literally about 6 people posting 'this sux' great arguments, don't you think? [/sarcasm] So, don't let them put you off talking or enjoying the show. Because let's face it, WHEN SGA gets renewed, who'll be smiling then? Don't let it get you down.
My...some people have nasty tempers... I loved SGA S1-3, I love season 4. I love Sam. I'm a shipper. I guess I'm just easy to please and don't see why some people are so hateful. A passing reference to Sam/Jack does not equal a soap opera. So we shippers are disappointed we didn't get that small nod. That doesn't mean we are all whiners or sit around reading Harlequin novels and pitifully wait for our ship to come in. It doesn't mean we don't care about any other aspect of the show. *sigh* Just sayin... Now I can deal with no ship in SGA, because I understand it's a different show...but the movies are coming up...;)
Disappointed to hear about Trio and I hope you reconsider on the cut. Regardless of any shippy context, it sounded like it was a great female bonding scene and we see so little of that on the show - just the odd scene here and there. I also appreciate you took the time to tell us.
bonjour/bonsoir
1)Vous sentez vous concernez sur d'éventuelle critique de stargate ?
2) Dans les livres on voit que les bouldogues, ronflent, rotent et pêtent ! en faites vous les frais avec Lulu ?
3) Pince mi et pince moi sont sur un bâteau ! pince mi tombe à l'eau il reste qui ?
4) vous allez répondre à mes questions ?
Bonne journée et agréable flatulance pour Lulu :)
Compared to the second half of Season Three (which aired between April and June, 2007), the season premiere did bring 7 percent more adults 18 to 49, 2 percent more adults 25 to 54, and 6 percent more total viewers to the Atlantis universe. The ten episodes from "The Return, Part 2" and "First Strike" averaged a 1.24 rating.
This bit from GW gives me hope that TPTB will see reason and give Atlantis another season. They must surely realize that SGA this year is premiering in the fall (which it has never done) against the established fall premieres of networks and older cable channels. That doesn't even address the snafus that allowed accidental and premature showings of episodes. Couple this with DVR statistics, and I feel sure that SGA hasn't lost significant viewership.
I've been wrong before, but it seems to me that SGA is a strong show for SciFi, one they shouldn't abandon for the vagaries of experiment (PKJ and Flash Gordon being two prime examples).
Couldn't you please put the 'guy in Washington' back in? It would only be an additional thirty or so seconds. You could cut something else instead. Everyone [shippers, non-shippers, don't care but enjoy watching the show] was waiting for the not so subtle hint. A one minute [out of a whole season] backstory for Carter wouldn't subtract from the original cast's storylines at all. Pretty please?
Thanks.
What would it take to get the 'washington' scene put back in? Thanks.
Anonymous said...
"okay actingchick where did u get ur info from? and stop griping if you don't like it then that's fine (not everybody likes the same stuff, i know that plenty well) but seriously it sounds like you are pulling this stuff out of the wazoo (as my family puts it>"
Just so U know, I get my information from my jar of psychic space monkeys, which I do indeed store in my wazoo (right next to the box of flying pigs).
I find it ironic that my parody of the whiners and complainers was a little too real.
It doesn't matter I suppose, now that the Hermiod and Teyla love scene has been deleted because the episode ran long. They are always sacrificing the character building stuff to save the exploding spaceship footage. (sigh) I have been waiting so long for the resolution to this love. Maybe they can put in the deleted scenes on the DVD. What do you think Joe? I mean Mr. Mallozzi, sir.
I know that you've finished shooting for Season Four so asking for the inclusion of more interpretive dance scenes is just not possible with the cast having sprinted off the lot, but in order to appease shippers you could do a special dvd feature entitled Stargate: The Sockpuppet Years. Not only could all the shippers fantasies finally be acted out with the use of a couple of sports socks with buttons sown on and Sam/Jack name badges, but there could also be a moving mass marriage ceremony where ALL the socks can finally be wed and all the shippers finally, finally satisfied. Except for the ways that they never would be.
Plus it'll give the writers something to do other than drinking and making paper airplanes during the break.
I know that it doesn't effect you nor do you probably care, but I would just like to go on record that I really, really, really, really, really, really, (did I mention really), DO NOT want any hints (whether they be big or small) of Sam and Jack's IMO non-existent love life to be included in the Continuum movie.
Please pass on to Brad that a lot of fans DON'T LIKE IT!!!!!
Don't make me have to gather up all of the anti-S/J ship polar bears Joe. It won't be pretty. I'm just saying.......
Btw, no one, not even Sansong, has claimed 'inside information'
Sansong gets copies of casting sides and thats where she gets her info. She used to post them on her website but got into legal trouble and now keeps her trap shut, saying only, "I heard this might happen".
As for 50% of the cast of SGa gone, well, season 1 had a cast of:
Joe Flanigan
Torri HIgginson
Rainbow Sun Franks
Rachel Luttrell
David Hewlett
Paul McGillion (promoted to reg from recurring).
That is 6 names. Three of them are now gone. That is TPTB firing 50% of the regular cast in three years. Not a good record.
Hi Joe, I sincerely hope that SGA is picked up again for Season 5. of all the scifi programs I have watched, the acting is great, the storylines are not too heavy with personal relationships stuff and most importantly the whole concept of the Stargate franchise is the most believeable of all the various franchises.
Two years ago, I studied a paper at uni call 'fantasy literature'. An the initial dicussion about what constitutes scifi, fantasy and science fantasy yeilded some interesting opinions of the lecturers and my fellow class mates (there was only 8 of us studying). The 'list' we compiled is: science fiction - long detail explanations of weapons and how they work; most of the action take splace in space; all sorts of wierd looking creatures are considered 'normal'. Science fantasy - some techo babble - but mostly adheres to known scientific stuff - just more developed; some 'space/interplanetary' travel, but all the worlds are similar to Earth; pracically no wierd looking creatures. Fantasy - all the worlds are like Earth ie grass is green, sky is blue etc; lots of magic.
So for me, I view the Stargate franchise as sci-fantasy (with the exception of those weird traders introduced in the first episode featuring Vala) and it is the total 'believability' factor of the actors, ie, that they make the words and actions so real that keeps me coming back.
Watching Joe F in each episode is just the icing on the cake.
((HUGS)), Marian
Thank you for the excellent start to season four. I was never really a loyal SGA viewer before, but I found that the episodes in the last half of season three and the premiere of season four.... really have me hooked now. The characters really seem to have found their homes and the amount of new energy being devoted to SGA now really pays off. So, thank you for giving me something to look forward to again. Thank you for Rodney being Rodney and for Shep being Shep.... thank you for letting the character of Beckett go out as a hero even though I miss him. Thank you for the added humour and for the angst. Thank you for the prospect of seeing Daniel visit. And thanks most of all for letting the Sam's Love Life comments fall to the cutting room floor. I'm really hoping to *like* the character of Sam again now that she's on SGA.
Newbie on this this. Not on SciFi, but this site.
Have to say I've been a fan of Stargate since the original movie and always thought it would make for a great storyline.
Now you've taken it to a whole new space in time and I thank you.
When one has a vision, it's so EnJoyable to see it played out.
I wish you all the best and I hope that you are granted another year and many more to tell your story and share your dreams.
If I may I REALLY REALLY WISH YOU HAD A BETTER LEAD IN THEN FLASH GORDAN but alas we work with what we have.
Take Care
Jean :~)
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