Contrary to the opinion of some, I don’t disallow posts to this blog simply because I disagree with their content. A quick glance at the various comments sections will reveal a fairly wide range of opinions on numerous aspects of the show, some positive, some negative. I don’t censor posts because I disagree with them. But I do censor those I find obnoxious, rude, or just plain annoying. Every once in a while, I’ll approve one of the least egregious of the offensive comments because I’ll feel the need to respond and set the record straight. And, as a result, these obnoxious yahoos are occasionally singled out as representative of a certain part of fandom. But the truth is every section and sub-section of fandom has their shining stars, their silent supporters, and their embarrassing cousin Emersons who always show up at the dinner parties without their pants. Take the case of the Torri/Weir fans. You get all kinds and everything in between. At one end of the spectrum, you have that consistently shrill doofus from Virginia whose comments have degenerated from hilarious in their invective meanderings to disappointingly dull and a little sad. And, on the other hand, you have Erika who presents an incredibly eloquent and thoughtful defense of her feelings regarding the Weir character. If you haven’t read Erika’s post yet, I urge you check it out in the February 7th comments section.
Now, given the time Erika put into her post and, quite frankly the timing as well, I thought it best to inform Weir fans of recent developments. Last year, after we shot that final surprise scene in BAMSR, I stopped by Torri’s trailer to congratulate her on a job well done and, also, to assure her that the door was left wide open for Weir‘s possible return (in some form, be it repli-Weir or other) the following season. Torri was excited by the prospect and, in particular, had great things to say about her new leather outfit (props to Val). As season four wrapped, Carl and Paul got to spinning and came up with a terrific storyline that picked up where that last scene of BAMSR left off. We had a story in place for one episode, the starting point of a potentially bigger arc. The script was written and we eventually contacted Torri who, after much consideration, turned down the offer to reprise the role of Elizabeth Weir for the episode. We are, of course, disappointed, but nevertheless respect Torri’s decision and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
Well, another day, another awesome book shipment. This one from the gang at Pyr. Included in the assortment: Ian MacDonald’s River of Gods and Brasyl (the latter nominated for best scifi novel of 2007 by the British Science Fiction Association), Keeping It Real and Selling Out by UK author Justina Robson who is at the forefront of the hard SF scene, and the prolific Alan Dean Foster’s latest, Sagramanda. Potential book of the month club nominees all.
I found some time during lunch to step out and pick up a few anime dvd’s (pictured above). I’ll definitely be checking out Paprika this weekend. Any anime aficionados out there familiar with any of the other titles? Anything I should immediately jump on?
So, what’s happening with that Fuel dinner? Marty G. and I are in. Are we aiming for April 1st? Or will it be April 3rd? And what time is good for everyone?
Best birthday wishes to mom and Alex Levine, and early best birthday wishes to firefly827347.
Today’s mailbag -
Suekay writes: “Would the actress in mind for Porter happen to be Leela Savasta or am I totally wrong?”
Answer: Porter’s out. Vega’s in. And, yes, Leela Savasta has been cast.
Nigel RAF writes: “What does the Magic Eight Ball say about a Jack O’niell guest spot in season five?”
Magic 8 Ball says: Outlook not so good.
Sally writes: “…speaking of ‘trio’; you said to the fans that as soon as the ep aired, you’d write out the unedited version of the ‘not-so-subtle sj/ship reference’ that ended up on the cutting room floor. will you still do that?”
Answer: Sure, but it will have to wait until Monday when I’m back in the office and can get my hands on the script.
Benny writes: “1. will there be an Ori related episode in season 5 Atlantis?
2. will we see the Tria in season ?
3. Is the brotherhood of Dagan episode gonna be revisited for the missing ZPM in season 5?”
Answers: 1. No. 2. Possibly. 3. Possibly.
Amy Taylor writes: “If I remember right you are watching Lost? What do you think of the new episodes?”
Answer: We stopped watching about a third of the way into season 3. However, Fondy has expressed an interest in catching up, so I picked it up on dvd and am dvr’ing season 4.
AscendedTauri writes: “At this point, how many episodes for Season 5 are set in stone?”
Answer: I’d say we have over half the season mapped out.
Alli Snow writes: “Re: Comic Con, make sure you swing by the Mile High Comics table and say hi to Lisa, our official SJHW representative.”
Answer: Will do!
Remus123 writes: “Since the Porter idea got the axe, will the new character/actress follow along the same lines as what had been originally intended for Porter(i.e. new addition to military contingent and participating in “Search and Rescue”) or will she make a later debut?”
Answer: The character in Search and Rescue has been changed to Captain Alicia Vega. Now DOCTOR Allison Porter will be making her debut in Whispers.
Flyingdog147 writes: “Did you ever get a chance to read Good Omens?”
Answer: I didn’t. It’s still on my To-Read list.
Pam writes: “One thing I have noticed at both Stargate & Star Trek conventions is that other actors (and others associated with the shows) are always full of praise for the attitude of both Amanda Tapping and Robert Picardo to their work: knowing their lines, being on time, respect for other actors, etc. Is this one of the factors that led to both being on the shortlist for the position of base commander in the run up to Season 4?”
Answer: Fans can say what they like about their respective characters but, on a personal level, you’ll be hard-pressed to find two more hard-working and pleasant individuals. In an industry where productions are often saddled with jerks and self-centered whiners, actors like these two are a delight to work with.
Kamilla writes: “Why was Rachel not happy?”
Answer: I never implied she wasn’t happy. Quite the opposite in fact. I said she was very happy with some of the early creative decisions we’ve made regarding her character.
Heightmeyer’s Lemming writes: “What happened to the militarization of Atlantis which seemed so hellbend in season 4?”
Answer: Tune into season 5 and find out.
Marla writes: “Joe F. had done two episodes of Women’s Murder Club while on hiatus. Once the writer’s strike gets settled, will Joe be able to continue his role on there, since you guys will be in production by then?”
Answer: Once production begins, Joe will be very busy on Atlantis. This season is going to be very tight schedule-wise.
RG25 writes: “Have the writers ever scrapped a story idea early on because it seemed like it’d be too expensive, daunting, or too much of a hassle to do?”
Answer: We came very close to scrapping Midway when it looked like it was going to be too expensive to produce - but ultimately found a way to make it happen. Good thing too. It’s an excellent episode.
Elisa writes: “I was curious about something. Since you average over a hundred comments on your blog, do you really read them all or do you randomly just pick and choose which ones to read and answer?”
Answer: I read every comment prior to approving them, then pick whichever comments/questions interest me for the mailbag.
Wolfenm writes: “Do you just not want to go to Dragon?”
Answer: No, I’d love to go. Unfortunately, it falls smack-dab in the middle of production and while the actors may be able to get away for the weekend, I’ll no doubt be hammering away at a script while the event is taking place.
Kdvb1 writes: “Is April 1st a typo or are you playing an early April Fools joke on us?”
Answer: I wasn’t the one who suggested the April 1st date. And, no, I’m not joking.
Kdvb1 also writes: “Who is older, John or Dave Sheppard?”
Answer: I imagined John being the big brother.
Jen writes: “Just started watching Trio and I’ve got to ask… was Rodney’s comment about Shape magazine compliments of an adlib or the writers?”
Answer: That was pure Marty G.
Taz writes: “I thought Ronon and Keller were dating since Quarantine.”
Answer: There has been no development on the Ronon-Keller front since the events of Quarantine. She’s still single.
Monday, March 10, 2008
February 7, 2008
Hey, look at what arrived in the mail today. Books - and lots of ‘em. In addition to my shipment from amazon.com, I also received a couple of titles from D. Rose, and a few more from Sulien. AND a chocolate assortment compliments of Amy Lynn. Thanks to everyone. Sulien, if you remember to remind me, I’ll make the Butcher book one of the nominees in our next fantasy BOTM vote. D., I have to admit to date I’ve started two Turtledove books I never got around to finishing. Hopefully, third time’s the charm. Amy - the Spicy Maya was a pleasant surprise, but that Noir au Grue de Cacao rocks! The hot sauces were great as well.
Another reminder that this month’s book of the month discussions will commence on February 18th when we will kick things off with the scifi selection, Fast Forward 1: Future Fiction from the Cutting Edge. Editor Lou Anders has kindly agreed to swing on by and field our questions so, as my old grade two teacher Mrs. Vowels (I shit you not) used to say: “Put your thinking caps on!”. We’ll follow the next week with Neil Gaiman’s Smoke and Mirrors which I just started last night and was unable to put down until way past my bedtime. I’m a little over halfway through and should finish up tonight.
As I mentioned yesterday, prep is finally underway on episode #1, Search and Rescue. Construction has already started in the VFX stage, and the baby pictures are making the rounds. We’ve pulled the trigger on Porter - who may well be in for yet another name change - casting an actress who had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-her part back in season 3’s Tao of Rodney but did a bang-up job and caught our attention. “We should bring that actress back,”I suggested at the time. And now we have. Rachel dropped by the production offices and we had a little chat about what’s in store for Teyla this year. She was not only happy but, admittedly, quite relieved with the creative route we’re taking.
To those of you asking about the Fan Fuel dinner - the only reason I’m reluctant to organize the event is because the restaurant is fairly upscale and may well be out of the price range of many fans. That said, if there are some of you who do have your hearts set on dining there the night of April 1st, then I’m sure Marty G. and I could make ourselves available.
Today’s pics: Books and chocolates and behind-the-scenes pics from this Friday night’s episode, Midway. For more behind-the-scenes pic, follow the link -
http://josephmallozzi.blogspot.com/2007/08/august-26-2007.html
Today’s video: At Fondy’s request, I’ve uploaded yet another vid of Lulu in action. Either scroll down or click on the link -
http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee164/BaronDestructo/?action=view¤t=SnowLulu3.flv
Today’s blog is dedicated to RachelCooper and birthday boy bugguy.
Today’s mailbag -
Jon K. writes: “Any Chance we will be seeing the Travelers in season 5, most notably Larrin?”
Answer: Yep.
NCC-72452 writes: “When you say “story in place” regarding Weir, does this mean 1 episode? 2.71828 episodes? 3.14159 episodes? Also, did Robert Picardo and Jewel Staite’s relative star power in the world of sci-fi influence your decision to bring them on?”
Answers: Story in place refers to 1 episode. While their crossover appeal is nice, the reason Bob and Jewel are on the show is because they are immensely talented individuals.
Flyingdog147 writes: “ Is there a difference between “Special Guest Star” and “Special Guest”?”
Answer: Nope.
Elizabeth writes: “Have you ever seen the Disney movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire?”
Answer: I haven’t.
Enzo Aquarius writes: “Very random question, do you like funnel cake?”
Answer: I don’t know. If I had to guess, I’d say - yes.
Sarah writes: “My husband did not like the original Battlestar Galactica series, he says it annoyed him. Do you think he would like the new series? Would you recommend any other scifi series for him?”
Answer: I have no idea what your husband would like so I’m reluctant to make any recommendations. Although I haven’t watched the new BSG, I’ve heard good things about it. Be warned though. It’s apparently very grim. I watched Farscape with Fondy and we both found it fun and very inventive. Of course, your enjoyment may depend on your willingness to embrace its various puppet characters. I was a little leery at first but, about six shows in, one of the puppets - Rygel - became my favorite character.
Narellefromaus writes: “How’s the state of the house with Fondy away?”
Answer: It’s actually a little tidier now as I’ve been able to put the extra free time toward filing and general organizing. This weekend, I plan to shampoo the rug and sort the recycling. If I have time, I may even take down the Christmas tree.
Rachel writes: “Todd is my best friend’s absolute favorite character (he’s a close second to McKay for me); will we be seeing him again at all in Season 5?”
Answer: Yes, Todd will be making an appearance in season 5.
Breeze writes: “Have you guys started think about SGA 100th episode?”
Answer: We have an idea.
Susanthetartanturtle writes: “Any chance that you will be at Dragon.con this year?”
Answer: Alas, no. But I will be hitting Comic Con in July.
Jean writes: “ Happy Chinese New Year! Here are some interesting if extraneous tidbits about the Chinese Lunar Cycle…”
Answer: Very cool. I’m going to have to share these with Fondy. She’s a tiger.
Thefamousseccles writes: “If all five episodes have been written, and a sixth brilliant idea comes up, is there any possibility of more than five Beckett episodes?”
Answer: Of course.
Emily writes: “My favorite was when I was shopping in the shoe department at Macy’s wearing clothing that in no way resembled a uniform of any kind and had a purse, etc. A lady came up to me and rudely asked me to get her a particular size of the shoe she was holding. She then got all pissed off when I told her I didn’t work there. That was weird.”
Answer: And there was the time I was hanging around the appliance section of my local department store when a middle-aged woman walked up to me and asked about a certain washing machine. I told her I couldn’t help her because I didn’t work there. She walked off, muttering “Then what are you doing standing there?” I wanted to reply “Waiting for my wife, ma‘am.” but she was already gone.
Yazid writes: “Why take Dr Keller in Sheppard’s team and not Major Lorne?”
Answer: There are no plans to put Dr. Keller on Sheppard’s team.
CheekylilDevil writes: “Okay Mr M, would you say the chances of bringing back Kolya are slim to none, or better with bribery?”
Answer: As I’ve often said - This is scifi. Anything is possible.
Dovil writes: “How does it feel to commit television genocide? Washing the nonexistant blood of fictional people from your hands? Hearing the silent screams of those that don’t exist as they are written out of existance?”
Answer: It feels alright I guess. Paul was the one who noticed as we were reviewing season 4 - Holy crap, we killed a lot of people last season! I think we broke the standing record and it’s going to be very hard to beat it this year. But we’ll give it our best shot.
Dovil also writes: “ How do you live with yourself making choices that I might not agree with? Did you not once think to consult me? Did you think for some delusional reason that your creative decisions might hold more weight than mine do?”
Answer: Actually, I had intended to get you to sign off on the creative decisions, but I think I only have your old email address and by the time I got around to realizing it was, unfortunately, too late. There is still, however, time to choose a cake for the big Zelenka birthday episode. So, what’ll it be? Sacher Torte or Black Forest?
Dovil also writes: “After all at the end of the day you’re just the Executive Producer and writer for the show, I on the other hand spend 45 minutes a week slumped on the couch with a bag of potato chips watching this. If anyone knows how to run things around here, it’s me.”
Answer: Point taken. While we’re at it, there are a couple of people working on the show who are on the bubble (ie. Antonio the potlight wrangler’s drive and determination have waned over the course of last season. And I know you’ve already gone on record as expressing some displeasure with his insistence on wearing those clunky, lurid blue plastic sandals.). I’m sending the names your way. Just weigh in with a yay or nay. You sure you don’t write comedy?
Asmoothlie writes: “Also, based on the beginning of BAMSR, is it correct to say that there are still nanite particles floating around in space from the attacks Caldwell and Ellis made, waiting to be re-activated?”
Answer: No, that is incorrect.
Another reminder that this month’s book of the month discussions will commence on February 18th when we will kick things off with the scifi selection, Fast Forward 1: Future Fiction from the Cutting Edge. Editor Lou Anders has kindly agreed to swing on by and field our questions so, as my old grade two teacher Mrs. Vowels (I shit you not) used to say: “Put your thinking caps on!”. We’ll follow the next week with Neil Gaiman’s Smoke and Mirrors which I just started last night and was unable to put down until way past my bedtime. I’m a little over halfway through and should finish up tonight.
As I mentioned yesterday, prep is finally underway on episode #1, Search and Rescue. Construction has already started in the VFX stage, and the baby pictures are making the rounds. We’ve pulled the trigger on Porter - who may well be in for yet another name change - casting an actress who had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-her part back in season 3’s Tao of Rodney but did a bang-up job and caught our attention. “We should bring that actress back,”I suggested at the time. And now we have. Rachel dropped by the production offices and we had a little chat about what’s in store for Teyla this year. She was not only happy but, admittedly, quite relieved with the creative route we’re taking.
To those of you asking about the Fan Fuel dinner - the only reason I’m reluctant to organize the event is because the restaurant is fairly upscale and may well be out of the price range of many fans. That said, if there are some of you who do have your hearts set on dining there the night of April 1st, then I’m sure Marty G. and I could make ourselves available.
Today’s pics: Books and chocolates and behind-the-scenes pics from this Friday night’s episode, Midway. For more behind-the-scenes pic, follow the link -
http://josephmallozzi.blogspot.com/2007/08/august-26-2007.html
Today’s video: At Fondy’s request, I’ve uploaded yet another vid of Lulu in action. Either scroll down or click on the link -
http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee164/BaronDestructo/?action=view¤t=SnowLulu3.flv
Today’s blog is dedicated to RachelCooper and birthday boy bugguy.
Today’s mailbag -
Jon K. writes: “Any Chance we will be seeing the Travelers in season 5, most notably Larrin?”
Answer: Yep.
NCC-72452 writes: “When you say “story in place” regarding Weir, does this mean 1 episode? 2.71828 episodes? 3.14159 episodes? Also, did Robert Picardo and Jewel Staite’s relative star power in the world of sci-fi influence your decision to bring them on?”
Answers: Story in place refers to 1 episode. While their crossover appeal is nice, the reason Bob and Jewel are on the show is because they are immensely talented individuals.
Flyingdog147 writes: “ Is there a difference between “Special Guest Star” and “Special Guest”?”
Answer: Nope.
Elizabeth writes: “Have you ever seen the Disney movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire?”
Answer: I haven’t.
Enzo Aquarius writes: “Very random question, do you like funnel cake?”
Answer: I don’t know. If I had to guess, I’d say - yes.
Sarah writes: “My husband did not like the original Battlestar Galactica series, he says it annoyed him. Do you think he would like the new series? Would you recommend any other scifi series for him?”
Answer: I have no idea what your husband would like so I’m reluctant to make any recommendations. Although I haven’t watched the new BSG, I’ve heard good things about it. Be warned though. It’s apparently very grim. I watched Farscape with Fondy and we both found it fun and very inventive. Of course, your enjoyment may depend on your willingness to embrace its various puppet characters. I was a little leery at first but, about six shows in, one of the puppets - Rygel - became my favorite character.
Narellefromaus writes: “How’s the state of the house with Fondy away?”
Answer: It’s actually a little tidier now as I’ve been able to put the extra free time toward filing and general organizing. This weekend, I plan to shampoo the rug and sort the recycling. If I have time, I may even take down the Christmas tree.
Rachel writes: “Todd is my best friend’s absolute favorite character (he’s a close second to McKay for me); will we be seeing him again at all in Season 5?”
Answer: Yes, Todd will be making an appearance in season 5.
Breeze writes: “Have you guys started think about SGA 100th episode?”
Answer: We have an idea.
Susanthetartanturtle writes: “Any chance that you will be at Dragon.con this year?”
Answer: Alas, no. But I will be hitting Comic Con in July.
Jean writes: “ Happy Chinese New Year! Here are some interesting if extraneous tidbits about the Chinese Lunar Cycle…”
Answer: Very cool. I’m going to have to share these with Fondy. She’s a tiger.
Thefamousseccles writes: “If all five episodes have been written, and a sixth brilliant idea comes up, is there any possibility of more than five Beckett episodes?”
Answer: Of course.
Emily writes: “My favorite was when I was shopping in the shoe department at Macy’s wearing clothing that in no way resembled a uniform of any kind and had a purse, etc. A lady came up to me and rudely asked me to get her a particular size of the shoe she was holding. She then got all pissed off when I told her I didn’t work there. That was weird.”
Answer: And there was the time I was hanging around the appliance section of my local department store when a middle-aged woman walked up to me and asked about a certain washing machine. I told her I couldn’t help her because I didn’t work there. She walked off, muttering “Then what are you doing standing there?” I wanted to reply “Waiting for my wife, ma‘am.” but she was already gone.
Yazid writes: “Why take Dr Keller in Sheppard’s team and not Major Lorne?”
Answer: There are no plans to put Dr. Keller on Sheppard’s team.
CheekylilDevil writes: “Okay Mr M, would you say the chances of bringing back Kolya are slim to none, or better with bribery?”
Answer: As I’ve often said - This is scifi. Anything is possible.
Dovil writes: “How does it feel to commit television genocide? Washing the nonexistant blood of fictional people from your hands? Hearing the silent screams of those that don’t exist as they are written out of existance?”
Answer: It feels alright I guess. Paul was the one who noticed as we were reviewing season 4 - Holy crap, we killed a lot of people last season! I think we broke the standing record and it’s going to be very hard to beat it this year. But we’ll give it our best shot.
Dovil also writes: “ How do you live with yourself making choices that I might not agree with? Did you not once think to consult me? Did you think for some delusional reason that your creative decisions might hold more weight than mine do?”
Answer: Actually, I had intended to get you to sign off on the creative decisions, but I think I only have your old email address and by the time I got around to realizing it was, unfortunately, too late. There is still, however, time to choose a cake for the big Zelenka birthday episode. So, what’ll it be? Sacher Torte or Black Forest?
Dovil also writes: “After all at the end of the day you’re just the Executive Producer and writer for the show, I on the other hand spend 45 minutes a week slumped on the couch with a bag of potato chips watching this. If anyone knows how to run things around here, it’s me.”
Answer: Point taken. While we’re at it, there are a couple of people working on the show who are on the bubble (ie. Antonio the potlight wrangler’s drive and determination have waned over the course of last season. And I know you’ve already gone on record as expressing some displeasure with his insistence on wearing those clunky, lurid blue plastic sandals.). I’m sending the names your way. Just weigh in with a yay or nay. You sure you don’t write comedy?
Asmoothlie writes: “Also, based on the beginning of BAMSR, is it correct to say that there are still nanite particles floating around in space from the attacks Caldwell and Ellis made, waiting to be re-activated?”
Answer: No, that is incorrect.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
February 6, 2008
With prep finally underway for the show’s fifth season, my focus has shifted from this blog to the production. That said, I’m well aware that many of you check in here on a regular basis fully expecting a daily entry. Well, rather than disappoint anyone, it’s at times like these when I call on my friends to help pick up the slack. In this case, Cookie Monster and Baron Destruto who have been kind enough to drop in today and offer some dvd and movie reviews. But be warned - spoilers abound!
SNAKES ON A PLANE
Reviewed by Cookie Monster
Snakes on a Plane be good, old-fashioned fun popcorn movie. Minus fun. And not very good. Or old-fashioned. Also, no popcorn. Still, for movie dat make hardly any sense, it move along at brisk pace. What little story dere is about guy who taking flight from Hawaii to Los Anjelees to testify against mobster. But mobster find easy way to keep him from to testify. He put crateful of crazy poisonous snakes on plane! So simple, Cookie Monster surprised we don’t see dis happen more often. Airport security always checking shoes, but never checking innocent-looking crate of snakes. Something to tink about.
Anyway, halfway through flight door on snake crate blow open. At dis point, Cookie Monster tink “Hey, wait minute. If able to sneak bomb on board for to blow up crate door, why not just sneak bigger bomb on board for to blow up plane?” But Cookie Monster not film producer, so not have answer. Snakes get loose. Lots of people get bited. Some unlucky and die right away. Some lucky (aka - bigger stars) and hang around for a while. Snakes not only angry, but very spiteful. Sometimes bite, sometimes climb into people’s eyes and mouths, sometimes slither by in foreground of shot and wink at camera. People in business class more lucky because no snakes upstairs in deir section, but not so lucky later when riffraff finally reckon dey be better off not flying coach. Figuring dat out easy part. Figuring out how to climb stairs much, much harder. Staircase collapse and everyone fall down onto waiting snakes, making great case for why some people not cut out for first class travel. Luckily, FBI agent Samuel L. Jackson on board and he get in touch with “hardcore” snake expert played by actor who either make decision to play character sleepy-drunk or not bother to learn lines so look like he read dem off back of car headrest. Expert get anti-venom ready. Sam tell everyone to buckle up, den shoot out window. Plane decompress and snakes all sucked out (and presoomably land on unlucky picnickers and sunbathers). Sammy J. land plane. Phew! Nightmare over. Or is it? No because now dey make Snakes on a Train.
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
Reviewed by Baron Destructo
Has anyone else happened to notice the growing divide between critics and the general movie-going public? While the great unwashed make box office hits of the likes of Meet the Spartans and Enchanted, movie critics are heaping praise on cryptic and increasingly inaccessible films like There Will Be Blood and Michael Clayton. What has caused this increasingly widening rift? Is the general movie-going public really that much stupider than they were, oh, ten years ago? Baron Destructo would argue yes, yes they are. On the other hand, have the endless movie-watching demands of their jobs rendered critics so jaded and cynical that they’ll laud any movie for the mere act of breaking established filmic convention? Again, Baron Destructo would argue yes, yes they have.
No Country for Old Men is a brilliant three-quarters of a movie. Beautifully shot and wonderfully acted, it had me and the rest of the League of Aliens and Mutants for Evil on the edge of our Corinthian leather recliners. Javier Bardem’s portrayal of the dispassionately ruthless killer Anton Chigurh is chilling and more than a little reminiscent of a young Count Sinister. Yet, for some reason, the film ultimately eschews its taut, suspenseful narrative to - a) kill off the protagonist off-screen, and b) continue along matter-of-factly some twenty minutes past it’s dramatically satisfying conclusion. The Baron would argue that there is a good reason the three-act structure has become so entrenched as a way of telling a story on the big screen. BECAUSE IT WORKS! While the Baron won’t go so far as to say it’s a hard and fast rule that should never be broken, he will argue that there should be a good reason for doing so. And the breaking of tradition for the simple sake of being different is not so much a statement as it is an affected FU to the audience.
Of course, like most associations, the League of Aliens and Mutants for Evil boasts its fair share of pseudo-intellecti and preening cognoscenti, and they have been quick to disagree with the Baron…
“But the Josh Brolin character wasn’t the protagonist,”argues the Malevolater. “The Sheriff played by Tommy Lee Jones shares in this role, so the decision to dispatch of Josh’s character off-screen and about a half an hour before the final credits is a sound one.”
- “Your cervo implants must be messing up your synaptic plasticity,”the Baron counters. “A film’s protagonist is it’s hero, the character driving the action. The Tommy Lee Jones character, on the other hand, was a passive entity, a commentator/philosopher more akin to Ancient Greek drama’s Chorus. To suggest otherwise is ridiculous.”
“But that’s the way it happened in the book!”argues the Malevolater.
- “So what?”is the Baron’s response. “Perhaps the most important aspect of adapting a book to the big screen is in translating the written word to the visual medium, giving the source material life within the filmic framework. The book and the movie are separate entities and should be appreciated as such. ”
In the end, the Baron doesn’t mind the odd artistic peculiarities. In truth, he has attended more of Glaxnor the Miscreant’s performance art shows than he would care to admit to. But, again, it must make sense within the framework of the movie. Take the Sheriff’s post-shooting visit to the motel room. He stands outside, anxious, perhaps a little fearful. We cut inside to reveal the Chigurh character inside, seemingly waiting for him. Eventually, the Sheriff heads inside and - Chigurh is not there. What happened? Did he dislocate his skeletal structure and slip out through the air conditioning vent like the Purple Lamprey escaping the clutches of Justice Incorporated as Princess Arcana suggested? No. According to the actor who played Chigurh, his character was never in the room. “It was a manifestation of the Sheriff’s fear,”explained the Malevolater. To which the Baron counters: “Is your adreno-serum screwing with your basal ganglia? How the hell can he possibly imagine someone he has never met before?”
What made this experience so frustrating for the Baron was the fact that No Country for Old Men IS a truly great movie up to a certain point, and then it seemingly ceases to care - about its characters, its audience, and what has come before. The Baron is reminded of the incredibly unsatisfying conclusion to The Sopranos and how faux wunderkinds tripped all over one another to celebrate its out-of-the-box finale, meticulously deciphering supposed clues in the narrative - hidden symbols, turns of the phrase - that, in their minds, presented irrefutable evidence that Tony Sopranos had been killed off at series’ end. Painstakingly conceived theories that were, in the end, completely upended when show creator/finale writer David Chase revealed that - No, Tony Sopranos was, in fact, not dead.
Fie! The Baron yearns for the day when the broad chasm between the cinema dilettante and the masses of mouth-breathers is finally bridged. When we can all unite in our adoration of movies like Braveheart and The Silence of the Lambs. When he can spend a peaceful movie night with his fellow megalomaniacal mates without having to resort to his fire gauntlets to get the Malevolater to shut the hell up! Is it really so much to ask?
Today’s entry is dedicated to Rachel and our friends in the Southern U.S.
Today’s mailbag -
Narellefromaus writes: “I’ve decided to read another Iain Banks novel. You recommend both The Player of Games and Use of Weapons. Do you have a preference of one over the other?”
Answer: They’re both excellent - but I would lean toward Player of Games.
Thornyrose writes: “You’ve indicated McGillion is onboard for 5 episodes. Do you already have outlines for those stories, or are you planning to write the scripts now that you know you have the character?”
Answer: One of Beckett’s appearances has already been scripted. Another two have been outlined and about to be written. And, at this point, we have a vague idea for two more.
Karen writes: “Can you reassure us that Zelenka will be back?”
Answer: Yes, rest assured Zelenka will be back for the show‘s fifth season. As will Lorne.
JoJoB writes: “Oh, and another point about Keller, not everyone who skips grades and graduates early has a miserable childhood. I skipped two grades and graduated high school at 16 1/2. I had no “fitting in” problems. I went to dances, to my prom, was in the marching band, the chorus, played sports and was a normal high schooler. The only problem I had was that I was the only senior who had to take the bus to school since the driving age in New Jersey is 17. I had to live on campus my freshman year of college since I still wasn’t old enough to drive. My experiences didn’t ostracize me. I married my college sweetheart, we have a beautiful daughter and just celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. I have a successful career, too.”
Answer: Congratulations to you. However, I’m sure it’s remotely possible that others have had very different experiences.
Kate writes: “Only letting through the good stuff, hey Joe?”
Answer: Actually, if you’d bothered to read through the preceding comments, you would have noticed there’s a good mix of opinion here. I just have zero tolerance for obnoxious posters. But I’ll make an exception in your case.
Kate also writes: “…you got rid of Elizabeth because she wasn’t leadership material because Atlantis was at war, right, and you needed someone military.”
Answer: I believe you’re confusing the behind-the-scenes decision on the character and the ensuing in-show explanation for the change.
Kate also writes: “You may as well rename the show “Stargate: Crybabies”.”
Answer: I think that would be a far more appropriate title for your comment.
Kate also writes: “The decisons to get rid of Beckett and Weir, the decisions to switch to Carter and Keller, and now the decision to bring in Woolsey as a leader — […] — will go down in scifi history as some of the dumbest things ever done.”
Answer: I don’t know. It’s gonna be tough to up-end those ewoks from the top spot.
Kate also writes: “You need your head read.”
Answer: You mean like phrenology? Please. I don’t buy into that antiquated mumbo jumbo, preferring instead the far more grounded practices of galvanism and moxibustion.
Kate also writes: “If you haven’t even spoken to Torri, or decided how many episodes you want her for, isn’t it a little presumptuous to be telling fans she’ll be back?”
Answer: Not necessarily.
Ascended Tauri writes: “Will we see the Wraith worshiper that escaped at the end of ‘Reunion’ return this season, or in Season 5?”
Answer: We’ll be seeing Tyre (played by Mark Dacascos) in season 5’s Broken Ties.
Jenn writes: “ Will the focus of the show still be on the team (i.e. Sheppard, Teyla, Ronon and McKay) in season 5?”
Answer: Yes, both as a team and as individuals.
Kamilla writes: “I was wondering who wrote these last episodes of season four?”
Answer: Midway - Carl Binder, Trio - Martin Gero, Kindred I - Joseph Mallozzi, Kindred II - Alan McCullough, The Last Man - Paul Mullie.
Fargate writes: “Do you consider Mrs Claudia Black to play Porter’s character?”
Answer: Nope.
Khyrra writes: “In regards to Sheppard knowing McKay’s password in “Quarantine”: did we ever actually see Rodney tell John the code? It seems like I remember such a scene, but no one on the SciFi Channel board can find it(several of us have been scanning transcripts). Are we all crazy, or did it happen offscreen?”
Answer: I’m sorry to say that, yes, you are crazy.
Ernie writes: “I have a question as I was watching some of SG-1 Seasons. I noticed a lot of the episodes are labeled with the actors as Executive Producers or writers. Like RDA as Executive Producer and Christopher Judge as writer. Is this something that the actors wanted to do to help their career or something fun for them?”
Answer: Rick started on the show as an executive producer. As for Chris, he always expressed an interest in writing an episode and eventually did - The Changeling. He went on to write several more and is presently shopping a pilot he wrote - Rage of Angels. I think writing is definitely something Chris enjoys, although I think you’d have to ask him for the details.
SNAKES ON A PLANE
Reviewed by Cookie Monster
Snakes on a Plane be good, old-fashioned fun popcorn movie. Minus fun. And not very good. Or old-fashioned. Also, no popcorn. Still, for movie dat make hardly any sense, it move along at brisk pace. What little story dere is about guy who taking flight from Hawaii to Los Anjelees to testify against mobster. But mobster find easy way to keep him from to testify. He put crateful of crazy poisonous snakes on plane! So simple, Cookie Monster surprised we don’t see dis happen more often. Airport security always checking shoes, but never checking innocent-looking crate of snakes. Something to tink about.
Anyway, halfway through flight door on snake crate blow open. At dis point, Cookie Monster tink “Hey, wait minute. If able to sneak bomb on board for to blow up crate door, why not just sneak bigger bomb on board for to blow up plane?” But Cookie Monster not film producer, so not have answer. Snakes get loose. Lots of people get bited. Some unlucky and die right away. Some lucky (aka - bigger stars) and hang around for a while. Snakes not only angry, but very spiteful. Sometimes bite, sometimes climb into people’s eyes and mouths, sometimes slither by in foreground of shot and wink at camera. People in business class more lucky because no snakes upstairs in deir section, but not so lucky later when riffraff finally reckon dey be better off not flying coach. Figuring dat out easy part. Figuring out how to climb stairs much, much harder. Staircase collapse and everyone fall down onto waiting snakes, making great case for why some people not cut out for first class travel. Luckily, FBI agent Samuel L. Jackson on board and he get in touch with “hardcore” snake expert played by actor who either make decision to play character sleepy-drunk or not bother to learn lines so look like he read dem off back of car headrest. Expert get anti-venom ready. Sam tell everyone to buckle up, den shoot out window. Plane decompress and snakes all sucked out (and presoomably land on unlucky picnickers and sunbathers). Sammy J. land plane. Phew! Nightmare over. Or is it? No because now dey make Snakes on a Train.
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
Reviewed by Baron Destructo
Has anyone else happened to notice the growing divide between critics and the general movie-going public? While the great unwashed make box office hits of the likes of Meet the Spartans and Enchanted, movie critics are heaping praise on cryptic and increasingly inaccessible films like There Will Be Blood and Michael Clayton. What has caused this increasingly widening rift? Is the general movie-going public really that much stupider than they were, oh, ten years ago? Baron Destructo would argue yes, yes they are. On the other hand, have the endless movie-watching demands of their jobs rendered critics so jaded and cynical that they’ll laud any movie for the mere act of breaking established filmic convention? Again, Baron Destructo would argue yes, yes they have.
No Country for Old Men is a brilliant three-quarters of a movie. Beautifully shot and wonderfully acted, it had me and the rest of the League of Aliens and Mutants for Evil on the edge of our Corinthian leather recliners. Javier Bardem’s portrayal of the dispassionately ruthless killer Anton Chigurh is chilling and more than a little reminiscent of a young Count Sinister. Yet, for some reason, the film ultimately eschews its taut, suspenseful narrative to - a) kill off the protagonist off-screen, and b) continue along matter-of-factly some twenty minutes past it’s dramatically satisfying conclusion. The Baron would argue that there is a good reason the three-act structure has become so entrenched as a way of telling a story on the big screen. BECAUSE IT WORKS! While the Baron won’t go so far as to say it’s a hard and fast rule that should never be broken, he will argue that there should be a good reason for doing so. And the breaking of tradition for the simple sake of being different is not so much a statement as it is an affected FU to the audience.
Of course, like most associations, the League of Aliens and Mutants for Evil boasts its fair share of pseudo-intellecti and preening cognoscenti, and they have been quick to disagree with the Baron…
“But the Josh Brolin character wasn’t the protagonist,”argues the Malevolater. “The Sheriff played by Tommy Lee Jones shares in this role, so the decision to dispatch of Josh’s character off-screen and about a half an hour before the final credits is a sound one.”
- “Your cervo implants must be messing up your synaptic plasticity,”the Baron counters. “A film’s protagonist is it’s hero, the character driving the action. The Tommy Lee Jones character, on the other hand, was a passive entity, a commentator/philosopher more akin to Ancient Greek drama’s Chorus. To suggest otherwise is ridiculous.”
“But that’s the way it happened in the book!”argues the Malevolater.
- “So what?”is the Baron’s response. “Perhaps the most important aspect of adapting a book to the big screen is in translating the written word to the visual medium, giving the source material life within the filmic framework. The book and the movie are separate entities and should be appreciated as such. ”
In the end, the Baron doesn’t mind the odd artistic peculiarities. In truth, he has attended more of Glaxnor the Miscreant’s performance art shows than he would care to admit to. But, again, it must make sense within the framework of the movie. Take the Sheriff’s post-shooting visit to the motel room. He stands outside, anxious, perhaps a little fearful. We cut inside to reveal the Chigurh character inside, seemingly waiting for him. Eventually, the Sheriff heads inside and - Chigurh is not there. What happened? Did he dislocate his skeletal structure and slip out through the air conditioning vent like the Purple Lamprey escaping the clutches of Justice Incorporated as Princess Arcana suggested? No. According to the actor who played Chigurh, his character was never in the room. “It was a manifestation of the Sheriff’s fear,”explained the Malevolater. To which the Baron counters: “Is your adreno-serum screwing with your basal ganglia? How the hell can he possibly imagine someone he has never met before?”
What made this experience so frustrating for the Baron was the fact that No Country for Old Men IS a truly great movie up to a certain point, and then it seemingly ceases to care - about its characters, its audience, and what has come before. The Baron is reminded of the incredibly unsatisfying conclusion to The Sopranos and how faux wunderkinds tripped all over one another to celebrate its out-of-the-box finale, meticulously deciphering supposed clues in the narrative - hidden symbols, turns of the phrase - that, in their minds, presented irrefutable evidence that Tony Sopranos had been killed off at series’ end. Painstakingly conceived theories that were, in the end, completely upended when show creator/finale writer David Chase revealed that - No, Tony Sopranos was, in fact, not dead.
Fie! The Baron yearns for the day when the broad chasm between the cinema dilettante and the masses of mouth-breathers is finally bridged. When we can all unite in our adoration of movies like Braveheart and The Silence of the Lambs. When he can spend a peaceful movie night with his fellow megalomaniacal mates without having to resort to his fire gauntlets to get the Malevolater to shut the hell up! Is it really so much to ask?
Today’s entry is dedicated to Rachel and our friends in the Southern U.S.
Today’s mailbag -
Narellefromaus writes: “I’ve decided to read another Iain Banks novel. You recommend both The Player of Games and Use of Weapons. Do you have a preference of one over the other?”
Answer: They’re both excellent - but I would lean toward Player of Games.
Thornyrose writes: “You’ve indicated McGillion is onboard for 5 episodes. Do you already have outlines for those stories, or are you planning to write the scripts now that you know you have the character?”
Answer: One of Beckett’s appearances has already been scripted. Another two have been outlined and about to be written. And, at this point, we have a vague idea for two more.
Karen writes: “Can you reassure us that Zelenka will be back?”
Answer: Yes, rest assured Zelenka will be back for the show‘s fifth season. As will Lorne.
JoJoB writes: “Oh, and another point about Keller, not everyone who skips grades and graduates early has a miserable childhood. I skipped two grades and graduated high school at 16 1/2. I had no “fitting in” problems. I went to dances, to my prom, was in the marching band, the chorus, played sports and was a normal high schooler. The only problem I had was that I was the only senior who had to take the bus to school since the driving age in New Jersey is 17. I had to live on campus my freshman year of college since I still wasn’t old enough to drive. My experiences didn’t ostracize me. I married my college sweetheart, we have a beautiful daughter and just celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. I have a successful career, too.”
Answer: Congratulations to you. However, I’m sure it’s remotely possible that others have had very different experiences.
Kate writes: “Only letting through the good stuff, hey Joe?”
Answer: Actually, if you’d bothered to read through the preceding comments, you would have noticed there’s a good mix of opinion here. I just have zero tolerance for obnoxious posters. But I’ll make an exception in your case.
Kate also writes: “…you got rid of Elizabeth because she wasn’t leadership material because Atlantis was at war, right, and you needed someone military.”
Answer: I believe you’re confusing the behind-the-scenes decision on the character and the ensuing in-show explanation for the change.
Kate also writes: “You may as well rename the show “Stargate: Crybabies”.”
Answer: I think that would be a far more appropriate title for your comment.
Kate also writes: “The decisons to get rid of Beckett and Weir, the decisions to switch to Carter and Keller, and now the decision to bring in Woolsey as a leader — […] — will go down in scifi history as some of the dumbest things ever done.”
Answer: I don’t know. It’s gonna be tough to up-end those ewoks from the top spot.
Kate also writes: “You need your head read.”
Answer: You mean like phrenology? Please. I don’t buy into that antiquated mumbo jumbo, preferring instead the far more grounded practices of galvanism and moxibustion.
Kate also writes: “If you haven’t even spoken to Torri, or decided how many episodes you want her for, isn’t it a little presumptuous to be telling fans she’ll be back?”
Answer: Not necessarily.
Ascended Tauri writes: “Will we see the Wraith worshiper that escaped at the end of ‘Reunion’ return this season, or in Season 5?”
Answer: We’ll be seeing Tyre (played by Mark Dacascos) in season 5’s Broken Ties.
Jenn writes: “ Will the focus of the show still be on the team (i.e. Sheppard, Teyla, Ronon and McKay) in season 5?”
Answer: Yes, both as a team and as individuals.
Kamilla writes: “I was wondering who wrote these last episodes of season four?”
Answer: Midway - Carl Binder, Trio - Martin Gero, Kindred I - Joseph Mallozzi, Kindred II - Alan McCullough, The Last Man - Paul Mullie.
Fargate writes: “Do you consider Mrs Claudia Black to play Porter’s character?”
Answer: Nope.
Khyrra writes: “In regards to Sheppard knowing McKay’s password in “Quarantine”: did we ever actually see Rodney tell John the code? It seems like I remember such a scene, but no one on the SciFi Channel board can find it(several of us have been scanning transcripts). Are we all crazy, or did it happen offscreen?”
Answer: I’m sorry to say that, yes, you are crazy.
Ernie writes: “I have a question as I was watching some of SG-1 Seasons. I noticed a lot of the episodes are labeled with the actors as Executive Producers or writers. Like RDA as Executive Producer and Christopher Judge as writer. Is this something that the actors wanted to do to help their career or something fun for them?”
Answer: Rick started on the show as an executive producer. As for Chris, he always expressed an interest in writing an episode and eventually did - The Changeling. He went on to write several more and is presently shopping a pilot he wrote - Rage of Angels. I think writing is definitely something Chris enjoys, although I think you’d have to ask him for the details.
February 5, 2008
In case you hadn’t noticed, that long-awaited Atlantis season 5 press release finally came out today (check it out here: http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=2&id=48051)
For those of you who just got back from the moon and may have missed it, here are the salient points -
1. Woolsey assumes command of the Atlantis expedition!
I’ve always admired Robert Picardo’s work in shows like China Beach and Star Trek: Voyager and we had been looking to cast him for a long time. Finally, the opportunity presented itself in SG-1’s Heroes I and II in which he played the button-down Trust attorney Richard Woolsey. He was a fun, albeit not all-that-likable character, and it wasn’t until his next appearance, in the episode Inauguration, that we caught a glimpse of the man beneath the officious façade. Despite being innately hard-nosed and by-the-book, Woolsey redeems himself at episode’s end by allowing his own moral compass to guide him rather than blindly follow the directions of his scheming employer, Vice President Kinsey. In ensuing appearances (Prototype, The Scourge, Return I and II, and the Seer), he proved himself at times obtrusive, fastidious, and, yes, a pain-in-the-ass, but also loyal, intelligent, and above all, principled.
Way back at the end of season three when we were considering a new commander, Woolsey was one of the first names that popped into my head. I thought he would be a great choice - an established player in the Stargate universe and an interesting character that could offer much in the way of potential conflict. It also didn’t hurt that Bob is a nice guy, and a wonderful actor who has hit it out of the park every time he’s appeared on the show. After much discussion though, it was decided at the time that Carter would be a better fit. And we had a great season with her. But with Amanda having made the difficult decision to commit herself to another project, the opportunity to bring in Woolsey presented itself once again. And, this time, we took it.
Of course, his appointment does beg certain questions, the chiefest being: If Carter was appointed commander of the Atlantis expedition as a military response to the ongoing replicator and wraith threat, what has changed between then and now? Good question. Tune into season 5 to find out.
2. The beloved Dr. Carson Beckett returns for five episodes!
It’s impossible to write “Dr. Carson Beckett” without using the term “beloved” I’ve noticed. Anyway, yes, it’s true, Paul McGillion will be back with us for 5 episodes. It was great having him back on set in season 4 and we all look forward to seeing significantly more of him this year. “How is this possible?”you ask. “I thought he was dead!”you say. Hey, now that you mention it, he WAS dead! How does that work? Well, tune in to the last few episode of season 4 to find out.
3. Daniel Jackson will be guesting in some episodes.
So far, we’ve got a terrific, BIG two-parter planned. I suspect that the page count in the Daniel/McKay scenes (featuring the two fastest-talking actors in show business) will have the scheduling gurus doing back-flips. Remember that new enemy I mentioned? Oh, and Marty G. will be doing the honors on this one.
4. Samantha Carter will appear in several episodes.
Given Amanda’s upcoming commitment, it’s impossible to offer an exact number of episodes. As I said, it really has everything to do with a) her schedule and b) the types of stories we come up with. However, I can say that, at present, we do have her locked in for two.
5. No mention of the Weir character
I’ve already stated our intention to pay off the storyline we hinted at in Be All My Sins Remember’d. We have the story in place and, once a deal is closed, you’ll be the first to hear about it.
For those of you asking about which line in the teaser poem refers to Outcast:
“Wallace’s research a menace let loose.”
Today’s blog is dedicated to birthday boyorgirl Konman72 and Sara who sent Lulu a practical yet fashionable E-Collar.
Let’s tackle the mailbag -
Aquarian writes: “ Is the Michael storyline going to be revisited at all in S5?”
Answer: Although we’ve yet to slot a story (or two) into the schedule, you can be sure we’ll see him pop up at some point in season 5.
PG-15 writes: “Was Bill Dow really sunburned, or was all of that makeup just to set up the joke that Dr. Lee got called in from vacation?”
Answer: No, he wasn’t really sunburned. That was scripted.
RaeveAva writes: “Where did you and the rest of the SGA writers, get your sense of humors?”
Answer: We were born with them. Except in the case of Marty G. His was genetically engineered.
Thornyrose writes: “When the decision was made to cast Hewlett, was there a lot of revising of scripts early on?”
Answer: Definitely. The McKay character is very different from the character Brad and Rob originally envisioned for the role.
MaryA writes: “I was wondering if you would be so willing as to confirm or deny Acastas Kolya’s reappearance in Season 5?”
Answer: Funny you should mention Kolya. I had a conversation with Robert Davi last week (coincidentally, a day after I spoke to Richard Kind, aka Lucius, concerning a chocolate article he came across recently). Although there are no stories in the works for either character - hey, this is scifi. Anything is possible.
Maren Sievert writes: “ I’ve herad that dogs like yours are prone to have breathing problem because of the way the nose is. Can you confirm that?
Answer: Confirmed. Jelly is particularly bad. She even snores when she’s awake.
Iamza writes: “have you read Susannah Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell yet?”
Answer: It’s sitting on my bookshelf. I’ll get around to it - eventually.
Marko writes: “I’m glad that he’s going to remain the team leader, but as for there being no discussion about promoting him… why on earth not? Carter made lieutenant colonel one year before he did; wouldn’t it then make sense for him to be promoted to full colonel one year after her, that is, in season 5?”
Answer: It would make sense if it was simply a matter of putting in the hours but, in fact, merit has a lot to do with it. Does Sheppard deserve to be made full bird Colonel? I guess you’d have to argue your case to the promotions selection committee.
Grace writes: “ You can say that Michael Shanks will ‘guest star’ in several episodes, but you can’t give the same statement for Torri.”
Answer: Yep, that’s about it. Michael Shanks will be in two episodes. So far.
Mark B writes: “Can you confirm if Jewel Staite will be regular or recurring next season?”
Answer: Jewel will be a regular next year.
Lea writes: “Woolsey’s so incredibly annoying…”
Answer: So was Dr. Rodney McKay the first time we met him in Redemption I and II.
Inpa writes: “The mysterious character Porter, was an announcement about her *not* included because the actress hasn’t been decided, because she won’t be *significant enough* in the show, or some other reason?”
Answer: She has yet to be cast and we have yet to see how significant a role she will play in season 5.
Inpa also writes: “Also how was the decision to bring Woolsey over made, I know the writers have said it was considered when thinking who would be in charge for season 4. Was it a quick obvious decision or did it require a lot of thought?”
Answer: It took us approximately three seconds.
Emily writes: “I finished reading Bright of the Sky. I was a little concerned about it since it kind of straddled the line between sci-fi and fantasy (imo) and I’m not a huge fan of fantasy, but overall I thought it was a good read. My least favorite storyline was actually Quinn’s…”
Answer: Funny you should say that. I was all onboard with the Quinn storyline until the narrative shifted to Sydney. At that point, Quinn’s quest became secondary to the far more interesting, character-driven Sydney storyline. Although there were interesting elements in Quinn’s drive to rescue his daughter, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in Sydney’s plight.
Farscapefan writes: “what the hell are you thinking sending Daniel to Atlantis WITHOUT Vala? You know very well that these two are totally incomplete without another around! And I swear, I’m gonna hate you forever if you make Daniel act like Vala doesn’t exist at all and there won’t be at least one mention of her.”
Answer: Done and done. I’ll cross you off my Christmas card list.
Mrs.B108 writes: “Will Season Five introduce new enemies alongside its new Atlantis personnel?”
Answer: Yep.
Amyfo writes: “Joe look what I found, I think you’ll enjoy this.
http://www.linein.org/media/screenclean.swf”
Answer: Yeah, that’s how I keep my monitors clean. Jelly can’t get enough.
For those of you who just got back from the moon and may have missed it, here are the salient points -
1. Woolsey assumes command of the Atlantis expedition!
I’ve always admired Robert Picardo’s work in shows like China Beach and Star Trek: Voyager and we had been looking to cast him for a long time. Finally, the opportunity presented itself in SG-1’s Heroes I and II in which he played the button-down Trust attorney Richard Woolsey. He was a fun, albeit not all-that-likable character, and it wasn’t until his next appearance, in the episode Inauguration, that we caught a glimpse of the man beneath the officious façade. Despite being innately hard-nosed and by-the-book, Woolsey redeems himself at episode’s end by allowing his own moral compass to guide him rather than blindly follow the directions of his scheming employer, Vice President Kinsey. In ensuing appearances (Prototype, The Scourge, Return I and II, and the Seer), he proved himself at times obtrusive, fastidious, and, yes, a pain-in-the-ass, but also loyal, intelligent, and above all, principled.
Way back at the end of season three when we were considering a new commander, Woolsey was one of the first names that popped into my head. I thought he would be a great choice - an established player in the Stargate universe and an interesting character that could offer much in the way of potential conflict. It also didn’t hurt that Bob is a nice guy, and a wonderful actor who has hit it out of the park every time he’s appeared on the show. After much discussion though, it was decided at the time that Carter would be a better fit. And we had a great season with her. But with Amanda having made the difficult decision to commit herself to another project, the opportunity to bring in Woolsey presented itself once again. And, this time, we took it.
Of course, his appointment does beg certain questions, the chiefest being: If Carter was appointed commander of the Atlantis expedition as a military response to the ongoing replicator and wraith threat, what has changed between then and now? Good question. Tune into season 5 to find out.
2. The beloved Dr. Carson Beckett returns for five episodes!
It’s impossible to write “Dr. Carson Beckett” without using the term “beloved” I’ve noticed. Anyway, yes, it’s true, Paul McGillion will be back with us for 5 episodes. It was great having him back on set in season 4 and we all look forward to seeing significantly more of him this year. “How is this possible?”you ask. “I thought he was dead!”you say. Hey, now that you mention it, he WAS dead! How does that work? Well, tune in to the last few episode of season 4 to find out.
3. Daniel Jackson will be guesting in some episodes.
So far, we’ve got a terrific, BIG two-parter planned. I suspect that the page count in the Daniel/McKay scenes (featuring the two fastest-talking actors in show business) will have the scheduling gurus doing back-flips. Remember that new enemy I mentioned? Oh, and Marty G. will be doing the honors on this one.
4. Samantha Carter will appear in several episodes.
Given Amanda’s upcoming commitment, it’s impossible to offer an exact number of episodes. As I said, it really has everything to do with a) her schedule and b) the types of stories we come up with. However, I can say that, at present, we do have her locked in for two.
5. No mention of the Weir character
I’ve already stated our intention to pay off the storyline we hinted at in Be All My Sins Remember’d. We have the story in place and, once a deal is closed, you’ll be the first to hear about it.
For those of you asking about which line in the teaser poem refers to Outcast:
“Wallace’s research a menace let loose.”
Today’s blog is dedicated to birthday boyorgirl Konman72 and Sara who sent Lulu a practical yet fashionable E-Collar.
Let’s tackle the mailbag -
Aquarian writes: “ Is the Michael storyline going to be revisited at all in S5?”
Answer: Although we’ve yet to slot a story (or two) into the schedule, you can be sure we’ll see him pop up at some point in season 5.
PG-15 writes: “Was Bill Dow really sunburned, or was all of that makeup just to set up the joke that Dr. Lee got called in from vacation?”
Answer: No, he wasn’t really sunburned. That was scripted.
RaeveAva writes: “Where did you and the rest of the SGA writers, get your sense of humors?”
Answer: We were born with them. Except in the case of Marty G. His was genetically engineered.
Thornyrose writes: “When the decision was made to cast Hewlett, was there a lot of revising of scripts early on?”
Answer: Definitely. The McKay character is very different from the character Brad and Rob originally envisioned for the role.
MaryA writes: “I was wondering if you would be so willing as to confirm or deny Acastas Kolya’s reappearance in Season 5?”
Answer: Funny you should mention Kolya. I had a conversation with Robert Davi last week (coincidentally, a day after I spoke to Richard Kind, aka Lucius, concerning a chocolate article he came across recently). Although there are no stories in the works for either character - hey, this is scifi. Anything is possible.
Maren Sievert writes: “ I’ve herad that dogs like yours are prone to have breathing problem because of the way the nose is. Can you confirm that?
Answer: Confirmed. Jelly is particularly bad. She even snores when she’s awake.
Iamza writes: “have you read Susannah Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell yet?”
Answer: It’s sitting on my bookshelf. I’ll get around to it - eventually.
Marko writes: “I’m glad that he’s going to remain the team leader, but as for there being no discussion about promoting him… why on earth not? Carter made lieutenant colonel one year before he did; wouldn’t it then make sense for him to be promoted to full colonel one year after her, that is, in season 5?”
Answer: It would make sense if it was simply a matter of putting in the hours but, in fact, merit has a lot to do with it. Does Sheppard deserve to be made full bird Colonel? I guess you’d have to argue your case to the promotions selection committee.
Grace writes: “ You can say that Michael Shanks will ‘guest star’ in several episodes, but you can’t give the same statement for Torri.”
Answer: Yep, that’s about it. Michael Shanks will be in two episodes. So far.
Mark B writes: “Can you confirm if Jewel Staite will be regular or recurring next season?”
Answer: Jewel will be a regular next year.
Lea writes: “Woolsey’s so incredibly annoying…”
Answer: So was Dr. Rodney McKay the first time we met him in Redemption I and II.
Inpa writes: “The mysterious character Porter, was an announcement about her *not* included because the actress hasn’t been decided, because she won’t be *significant enough* in the show, or some other reason?”
Answer: She has yet to be cast and we have yet to see how significant a role she will play in season 5.
Inpa also writes: “Also how was the decision to bring Woolsey over made, I know the writers have said it was considered when thinking who would be in charge for season 4. Was it a quick obvious decision or did it require a lot of thought?”
Answer: It took us approximately three seconds.
Emily writes: “I finished reading Bright of the Sky. I was a little concerned about it since it kind of straddled the line between sci-fi and fantasy (imo) and I’m not a huge fan of fantasy, but overall I thought it was a good read. My least favorite storyline was actually Quinn’s…”
Answer: Funny you should say that. I was all onboard with the Quinn storyline until the narrative shifted to Sydney. At that point, Quinn’s quest became secondary to the far more interesting, character-driven Sydney storyline. Although there were interesting elements in Quinn’s drive to rescue his daughter, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in Sydney’s plight.
Farscapefan writes: “what the hell are you thinking sending Daniel to Atlantis WITHOUT Vala? You know very well that these two are totally incomplete without another around! And I swear, I’m gonna hate you forever if you make Daniel act like Vala doesn’t exist at all and there won’t be at least one mention of her.”
Answer: Done and done. I’ll cross you off my Christmas card list.
Mrs.B108 writes: “Will Season Five introduce new enemies alongside its new Atlantis personnel?”
Answer: Yep.
Amyfo writes: “Joe look what I found, I think you’ll enjoy this.
http://www.linein.org/media/screenclean.swf”
Answer: Yeah, that’s how I keep my monitors clean. Jelly can’t get enough.
February 4, 2008
Last night, the transformation was almost completed. A Boston team came very close to becoming that which it has historially despised: the New York Yankees. But as it turned out, it was all for naught. I know, I know. Oh, ye of little faith. Cookie Monster was gloating all night. Despite my pessimism, those Giants came through. I couldn’t have asked for a better game. Or a better outcome. To go undefeated in the regular season, make it all the way to the Superbowl - and lose. How sweet it is! Probably the only ones happier than me, Cookie Monster, and fans of the New York Giants were the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins team. Oh, and my sister who doesn’t know anything about football and called me yesterday afternoon on her way to a Superbowl party. “Who should I bet on and what should I say to make it sound like I know what I’m talking about?“ “Bet on the Giants,“I advised. “And say they have the better pass rush.“ She ended up winning $60 in the party pick’em pool.
GREATEST. SUPERBOWL. EVER!
Also, a handful of great commercials. My Top 5 faves:
5. Bud Light - Ability to Fly
4. Bridgestone - Squirrel
3. Tide - Screaming Stain
2. Doritos - Mouse Trap
1. Doritos - Mouse Trap!!!
Check ‘em out here: http://sports.aol.com/nfl/superbowlads
The results are in for the next book of the month club discussions.
In the scifi category, it’ll be Timescape by Gregory Benford. Discussion will begin April 7th.
In the horror category, F. Paul Wilson’s The Keep gets the nod. Discussion on this book will begin April 14th.
Finally, in the fantasy category, Jeffrey Ford’s Empire of Ice Cream wins a hard-fought battle. Discussion on this book will begin April 21st.
Hopefully, that will give everyone plenty of time to read the selection(s) of their choice. Between now and then, I nevertheless intend to read the nominees that didn’t make the cut (Joe Hill’s Heart-Shaped Box, Neal Stephenson’s The Diamond Age, and Patrick Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind) and invite you to join me and weigh in with your comments.
Perusing the fan forums this past weekend, I noticed a significant amount of anxious speculation concerning the show’s fifth season. Some of the more outlandish assumptions seem to stem from a SliceofSciFi article that refers to various rumors surrounding Atlantis’s fifth season. Allow me to put some of those rumors to rest. According to the article:
“With the absence of Carter, Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) will pick up more leadership responsibilities. Rumor has it he may even be in for a promotion to Full Bird Colonel, however, nothing along those lines has been confirmed.”
There has never been any discussion about promoting Sheppard and his leadership responsibilities as team leader will remain unchanged.
“We may also be seeing a little less of Rachel Luttrell as Teyla, at least in the early goings of the new season. As every fan of the series knows Rachel spent most of Season 4 being pregnant for real. By the time Season 5 airs she will have delivered her baby and will be spending some quality time with her new addition to the family. She is expected to return in full capacity later in the season, however.”
Rachel remains a series regular and an important part of the team. Two of the first three episodes see some major developments for the character.
“There will be an addition to the Atlantis SG Team named Captain Alison Parker. She is military, tough and ready for action, but frustrated over Colonel Carter’s slowness in making her a permanent part of the team. That will change quickly after the first episode.”
The character’s name is Porter, not Parker, and there are no plans to put her on Sheppard’s team. So, to spell it out for everyone - Porter has NOT been brought in to replace Teyla on the team.
“One of sci-fi fans favorite actresses, Kari Wuhrer (”Sliders”) appeared in Season 4 in the episode “Outcast” (air date Feb. 1, 2008) as Homeland Security agent Nancy Sheppard (Lt. Col. John Sheppard’s ex-wife). It has been rumored that she may be back for a few episodes next season as well.”
Kari is a wonderful actress and we like the character a lot, but there are at present no plans to bring her back. That’s not to say it won’t happen - just not anytime soon.
“Michael, everybody’s favorite Wraith (Connor Trinnear of “Star Trek: Enterprise”), will have a very significant storyline in Season 5,”
A very significant storyline? That’s news to us in the writing department.
“The show will also get to see a lot more from recurring characters like Major Evan Lorne (Kavan Smith) and Dr. Katie Brown (Brenda James), Rodney McKay’s (David Hewlett) love interest.”
Half points on this one.
I’m posting early today to tell everyone to go back to bed. Apparently, Scifi has pushed the press release to tomorrow. Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Today’s entry is dedicated marielabbott who sent us two boxes of Midwestern chocolates and Giants wide receiver David Tyree who made the catch that sunk the Pats.
Today’s pics: Dogs and chocolate. Always a dangerous mix!
GREATEST. SUPERBOWL. EVER!
Also, a handful of great commercials. My Top 5 faves:
5. Bud Light - Ability to Fly
4. Bridgestone - Squirrel
3. Tide - Screaming Stain
2. Doritos - Mouse Trap
1. Doritos - Mouse Trap!!!
Check ‘em out here: http://sports.aol.com/nfl/superbowlads
The results are in for the next book of the month club discussions.
In the scifi category, it’ll be Timescape by Gregory Benford. Discussion will begin April 7th.
In the horror category, F. Paul Wilson’s The Keep gets the nod. Discussion on this book will begin April 14th.
Finally, in the fantasy category, Jeffrey Ford’s Empire of Ice Cream wins a hard-fought battle. Discussion on this book will begin April 21st.
Hopefully, that will give everyone plenty of time to read the selection(s) of their choice. Between now and then, I nevertheless intend to read the nominees that didn’t make the cut (Joe Hill’s Heart-Shaped Box, Neal Stephenson’s The Diamond Age, and Patrick Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind) and invite you to join me and weigh in with your comments.
Perusing the fan forums this past weekend, I noticed a significant amount of anxious speculation concerning the show’s fifth season. Some of the more outlandish assumptions seem to stem from a SliceofSciFi article that refers to various rumors surrounding Atlantis’s fifth season. Allow me to put some of those rumors to rest. According to the article:
“With the absence of Carter, Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) will pick up more leadership responsibilities. Rumor has it he may even be in for a promotion to Full Bird Colonel, however, nothing along those lines has been confirmed.”
There has never been any discussion about promoting Sheppard and his leadership responsibilities as team leader will remain unchanged.
“We may also be seeing a little less of Rachel Luttrell as Teyla, at least in the early goings of the new season. As every fan of the series knows Rachel spent most of Season 4 being pregnant for real. By the time Season 5 airs she will have delivered her baby and will be spending some quality time with her new addition to the family. She is expected to return in full capacity later in the season, however.”
Rachel remains a series regular and an important part of the team. Two of the first three episodes see some major developments for the character.
“There will be an addition to the Atlantis SG Team named Captain Alison Parker. She is military, tough and ready for action, but frustrated over Colonel Carter’s slowness in making her a permanent part of the team. That will change quickly after the first episode.”
The character’s name is Porter, not Parker, and there are no plans to put her on Sheppard’s team. So, to spell it out for everyone - Porter has NOT been brought in to replace Teyla on the team.
“One of sci-fi fans favorite actresses, Kari Wuhrer (”Sliders”) appeared in Season 4 in the episode “Outcast” (air date Feb. 1, 2008) as Homeland Security agent Nancy Sheppard (Lt. Col. John Sheppard’s ex-wife). It has been rumored that she may be back for a few episodes next season as well.”
Kari is a wonderful actress and we like the character a lot, but there are at present no plans to bring her back. That’s not to say it won’t happen - just not anytime soon.
“Michael, everybody’s favorite Wraith (Connor Trinnear of “Star Trek: Enterprise”), will have a very significant storyline in Season 5,”
A very significant storyline? That’s news to us in the writing department.
“The show will also get to see a lot more from recurring characters like Major Evan Lorne (Kavan Smith) and Dr. Katie Brown (Brenda James), Rodney McKay’s (David Hewlett) love interest.”
Half points on this one.
I’m posting early today to tell everyone to go back to bed. Apparently, Scifi has pushed the press release to tomorrow. Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Today’s entry is dedicated marielabbott who sent us two boxes of Midwestern chocolates and Giants wide receiver David Tyree who made the catch that sunk the Pats.
Today’s pics: Dogs and chocolate. Always a dangerous mix!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
February 3, 2008
Just a quick reminder that the voting for the next book of the month club selections ends at midnight tonight. So if you haven’t weighed in yet and are planning to take part in the discussions, pick a book - or two - or three. The nominees -
In the scifi category, it’s Gregory Benford’s Timescape vs. Neal Stephenson’s The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer.
In the fantasy category, it’s Jeffrey Ford’s The Empire of Ice Cream vs. Patrick Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind: The King-Killer Chronicle, Day 1.
In the horror category, it’s Joe Hill’s Heart-Shaped Box vs. F. Paul Wilson’s The Keep.
To those of you looking for a little information on the afore-mentioned titles, check out my January 30th, 2008 post -
http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/january-30-2008-and-the-big-news-iscoming-soon-plus-botm-nominees/
Well, it’s Superbowl Sunday and, unlike past seasons, this year I’m not all that interested in the big game. As much as I’d love to see the Giants pull the upset, and with all due respect to Cookie Monster, I think it’s highly unlikely. I expect it’ll be a yawner of a game. At around nine p.m. PST, New England will celebrate an undefeated season while every football fan outside of Boston moves on to far more interesting things like, oh, getting an early jump on sorting my wife’s mail prior to her March return. I’ll probably tune in for the first quarter and, provided the Patriots (or the refs - anyone remember the Seahawks getting jobbed in their last Superbowl appearance?) haven’t salted it away by then, may stick it out to half-time. I remember Paul telling me that when he was in Thailand many years ago, he and some friends stopped by a bar to catch the Superbowl. As the game progressed, every North American in the bar was glued to the t.v. while the locals chatted noisily amongst themselves, oblivious to the big game. When the game hit half-time, however, the North Americans kicked back and began to yak - while a reverent hush fell over the locals entranced by the half-time show. Well, I think this is one year that the Thai have it right.
Oh, and while I’m on the subject, here are the top three things someone can say in the weeks leading up to the Superbowl that will earn them a mid-knuckle crack to the forehead compliments of yours truly:
1. “I don’t care who wins, just so long as it’s a good game.”
2. “Football is for morons.” followed by - “Hey, did you watch last night’s Celebrity Apprentice?”
3. “I don’t follow football. But I’m rooting for the Patriots.”
Today’s video: Another behind-the-scenes vid of the replicator plunge. Scroll down or click on the link -
http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee164/BaronDestructo/?action=view¤t=ReplicatorplungeB.flv
In the scifi category, it’s Gregory Benford’s Timescape vs. Neal Stephenson’s The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer.
In the fantasy category, it’s Jeffrey Ford’s The Empire of Ice Cream vs. Patrick Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind: The King-Killer Chronicle, Day 1.
In the horror category, it’s Joe Hill’s Heart-Shaped Box vs. F. Paul Wilson’s The Keep.
To those of you looking for a little information on the afore-mentioned titles, check out my January 30th, 2008 post -
http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/january-30-2008-and-the-big-news-iscoming-soon-plus-botm-nominees/
Well, it’s Superbowl Sunday and, unlike past seasons, this year I’m not all that interested in the big game. As much as I’d love to see the Giants pull the upset, and with all due respect to Cookie Monster, I think it’s highly unlikely. I expect it’ll be a yawner of a game. At around nine p.m. PST, New England will celebrate an undefeated season while every football fan outside of Boston moves on to far more interesting things like, oh, getting an early jump on sorting my wife’s mail prior to her March return. I’ll probably tune in for the first quarter and, provided the Patriots (or the refs - anyone remember the Seahawks getting jobbed in their last Superbowl appearance?) haven’t salted it away by then, may stick it out to half-time. I remember Paul telling me that when he was in Thailand many years ago, he and some friends stopped by a bar to catch the Superbowl. As the game progressed, every North American in the bar was glued to the t.v. while the locals chatted noisily amongst themselves, oblivious to the big game. When the game hit half-time, however, the North Americans kicked back and began to yak - while a reverent hush fell over the locals entranced by the half-time show. Well, I think this is one year that the Thai have it right.
Oh, and while I’m on the subject, here are the top three things someone can say in the weeks leading up to the Superbowl that will earn them a mid-knuckle crack to the forehead compliments of yours truly:
1. “I don’t care who wins, just so long as it’s a good game.”
2. “Football is for morons.” followed by - “Hey, did you watch last night’s Celebrity Apprentice?”
3. “I don’t follow football. But I’m rooting for the Patriots.”
Today’s video: Another behind-the-scenes vid of the replicator plunge. Scroll down or click on the link -
http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee164/BaronDestructo/?action=view¤t=ReplicatorplungeB.flv
February 2, 2008
With the Superbowl only a day away, I temporarily turn this blog over to its resident football experts, Baron Destructo and Cookie Monster, for their peerless predictions on the big game.
MATCH-UP: NEW YORK GIANTS VS NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
(New England favored by 12)
Cookie Monster: On Sesame Street, only ting bigger den “Superbowl Sunday” be “Shave Snuffleupagus Saturday“. Both big annual events offer thrill of victory and agony of de feet (Smell of Snuffy furry clodhoppers indescrybabble. But Cookie Monster try anyway. You ever have when cleaning out fridge, find what Oscar the Grouch call Civil War cheese? All blue and grey? But you eat anyway and half hour later get sick and going to vomit - but don’t have time to reach toilet so use first ting handy and dat be four year old athletic sock dat fall between washer and dryer day after Cookie Monster run Boston Marathon but beaten by Grover who cheat and take rickshaw to finish line instead? And garbage day still tree days away so have to sneak out in middle of night and slip sock in crazy cat lady neighbor garbage can instead? But when pass by house, Mrs. Epstein spot Cookie Monster and invite him inside where she live with seventy-five indoor cats with no litter box because house BE giant litter box and Mrs. Epstein always keep windows closed to conserve heat even in summer time when dis always happen? And she disappear into kitchen and leave Cookie Monster in sealed hot room with seventy-five cats and four year old athletic sock holding gut scrub Civil War cheese? And den she come out and serve her grandma’s special pumpkin pie? Well, Snuffy feet smell exactly like dat pie. Sweet with just hint of cinamon. Feet smell terrific! But very painful when step on you.) Every year, Grover host big superbowl party. He buy big screen t.v. (and return it next day) and have good old fashioned burgers, hot dogs, and triple sec. Always fun except last year when Teletubbies crash. More like Terrotubbies, chaah! Little mofos lock themselves in Grover tatami room and smoke crystal meth. We kick dem out, but not before one use fruit bowl for toilet. Leave dump bigger den Tinky Winky head! We all very angry, very disgusted and very, very impressed.
Anyhoo, tomorrow de big game. Patriots favorites, undefeeted, better offense, better coach BUT Giants team of destiny like de 1968 Jets, 2005 Red Sox, and 2004 Rob and Amber. Giants win! Giants win! Giants win! FINAL SCORE: GIANTS 27 PATRIOTS 24
Baron Destructo: With Superbowl XLII finally upon us, the most excruciatingly boring NFL season in recent memory draws to its merciful and highly predictable conclusion. Nevertheless, tomorrow, all of the moonbase’s laser death ray targeting systems will be tuned into not Cleveland, Ohio, but the big game as we at the League of Aliens and Mutants for Evil will sit back and watch the New England Patriots steamroll the New York Giants like Dr. Disastro’s mechanical squid ran roughshod over that Big and Tall in Albuquerque last Spring. Evil genius Patriots coach Bill Belichick had two weeks to engineer the Giants’ defeat. Two weeks! It took ME only ten days to plot the successful downfall of Dijibouti! The Patriots shall destroy their opponent to the delight of Bostonians, the chagrin of New Yorkers, and the general apathy of everyone else. FINAL SCORE: Patriots 44 Giants 21.
Today’s video: Behind the scenes on Outcast. Shooting the replicator fall against green screen -
http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee164/BaronDestructo/?action=view¤t=Replicatorfree-fall.flv
Today’s mailbag:
Teslan writes: “In the original idea that Mr. Flanigan pitched out, did he go to Earth alone, or did Ronon or any other members of the team go with him? And which of the writers was responsible for the scene with Shep’s brother?”
Answer: Joe’s original pitch consisted of Sheppard tracking down a replicator on Earth. We filled in the blanks, coming up with the story and breaking it over the course of a day or two. With regard to the Shep scene, the writers came up with the beat in the room after which Alan wrote the scene.
PG-15 writes: “The many pineapples appearances, despite the fact that I was allergic to it, therefore an obvious attempt to mock me?”
Answer: Hey, I think I’m allergic to pineapple too! Also, yes, we were mocking you.
Squeakiep writes: “ With Martin Wood working on “Sanctuary”, does that mean we will not see him direct any Season 5 episodes??”
Answer: Like Amanda, Martin’s involvement in Atlantis’s fifth season will be dependent on his Sanctuary schedule. If all goes well, he should be swinging by to direct some episodes in the back half.
Sq2830 writes: “In short, could you confirm whether the new commander is or is not another character from SG-1?”
Answer: I cannot.
Inpa writes: “Will details like which writers and producers will return also be announced in Sci-Fi’s press release or will you just fill us in here?”
Answer: Last year’s writing/producing staff will return for the show’s fifth season including Carl Binder who will hopefully join us the second the WGA strike is settled. Also, look for scripts from both Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright.
Wraitfodder writes: “Was there a scene filmed with Sheppard and the horse?”
Answer: No, there wasn’t.
Sarah L. writes: “What is the most expensive thing that has been broken on set?”
Anwer: Clearly, the most precious thing ever broken on set was Carl’s heart the day the Asgard were wiped out.
MATCH-UP: NEW YORK GIANTS VS NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
(New England favored by 12)
Cookie Monster: On Sesame Street, only ting bigger den “Superbowl Sunday” be “Shave Snuffleupagus Saturday“. Both big annual events offer thrill of victory and agony of de feet (Smell of Snuffy furry clodhoppers indescrybabble. But Cookie Monster try anyway. You ever have when cleaning out fridge, find what Oscar the Grouch call Civil War cheese? All blue and grey? But you eat anyway and half hour later get sick and going to vomit - but don’t have time to reach toilet so use first ting handy and dat be four year old athletic sock dat fall between washer and dryer day after Cookie Monster run Boston Marathon but beaten by Grover who cheat and take rickshaw to finish line instead? And garbage day still tree days away so have to sneak out in middle of night and slip sock in crazy cat lady neighbor garbage can instead? But when pass by house, Mrs. Epstein spot Cookie Monster and invite him inside where she live with seventy-five indoor cats with no litter box because house BE giant litter box and Mrs. Epstein always keep windows closed to conserve heat even in summer time when dis always happen? And she disappear into kitchen and leave Cookie Monster in sealed hot room with seventy-five cats and four year old athletic sock holding gut scrub Civil War cheese? And den she come out and serve her grandma’s special pumpkin pie? Well, Snuffy feet smell exactly like dat pie. Sweet with just hint of cinamon. Feet smell terrific! But very painful when step on you.) Every year, Grover host big superbowl party. He buy big screen t.v. (and return it next day) and have good old fashioned burgers, hot dogs, and triple sec. Always fun except last year when Teletubbies crash. More like Terrotubbies, chaah! Little mofos lock themselves in Grover tatami room and smoke crystal meth. We kick dem out, but not before one use fruit bowl for toilet. Leave dump bigger den Tinky Winky head! We all very angry, very disgusted and very, very impressed.
Anyhoo, tomorrow de big game. Patriots favorites, undefeeted, better offense, better coach BUT Giants team of destiny like de 1968 Jets, 2005 Red Sox, and 2004 Rob and Amber. Giants win! Giants win! Giants win! FINAL SCORE: GIANTS 27 PATRIOTS 24
Baron Destructo: With Superbowl XLII finally upon us, the most excruciatingly boring NFL season in recent memory draws to its merciful and highly predictable conclusion. Nevertheless, tomorrow, all of the moonbase’s laser death ray targeting systems will be tuned into not Cleveland, Ohio, but the big game as we at the League of Aliens and Mutants for Evil will sit back and watch the New England Patriots steamroll the New York Giants like Dr. Disastro’s mechanical squid ran roughshod over that Big and Tall in Albuquerque last Spring. Evil genius Patriots coach Bill Belichick had two weeks to engineer the Giants’ defeat. Two weeks! It took ME only ten days to plot the successful downfall of Dijibouti! The Patriots shall destroy their opponent to the delight of Bostonians, the chagrin of New Yorkers, and the general apathy of everyone else. FINAL SCORE: Patriots 44 Giants 21.
Today’s video: Behind the scenes on Outcast. Shooting the replicator fall against green screen -
http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee164/BaronDestructo/?action=view¤t=Replicatorfree-fall.flv
Today’s mailbag:
Teslan writes: “In the original idea that Mr. Flanigan pitched out, did he go to Earth alone, or did Ronon or any other members of the team go with him? And which of the writers was responsible for the scene with Shep’s brother?”
Answer: Joe’s original pitch consisted of Sheppard tracking down a replicator on Earth. We filled in the blanks, coming up with the story and breaking it over the course of a day or two. With regard to the Shep scene, the writers came up with the beat in the room after which Alan wrote the scene.
PG-15 writes: “The many pineapples appearances, despite the fact that I was allergic to it, therefore an obvious attempt to mock me?”
Answer: Hey, I think I’m allergic to pineapple too! Also, yes, we were mocking you.
Squeakiep writes: “ With Martin Wood working on “Sanctuary”, does that mean we will not see him direct any Season 5 episodes??”
Answer: Like Amanda, Martin’s involvement in Atlantis’s fifth season will be dependent on his Sanctuary schedule. If all goes well, he should be swinging by to direct some episodes in the back half.
Sq2830 writes: “In short, could you confirm whether the new commander is or is not another character from SG-1?”
Answer: I cannot.
Inpa writes: “Will details like which writers and producers will return also be announced in Sci-Fi’s press release or will you just fill us in here?”
Answer: Last year’s writing/producing staff will return for the show’s fifth season including Carl Binder who will hopefully join us the second the WGA strike is settled. Also, look for scripts from both Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright.
Wraitfodder writes: “Was there a scene filmed with Sheppard and the horse?”
Answer: No, there wasn’t.
Sarah L. writes: “What is the most expensive thing that has been broken on set?”
Anwer: Clearly, the most precious thing ever broken on set was Carl’s heart the day the Asgard were wiped out.
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