Between writing and exec producing SG-1 and Atlantis, I've decided to pick up where I left off about a year ago. So, heads up. A new installment of my production diary will be coming your way (I believe we were heading into Prep Week) the last time I checked (out). Also, I'll be continuing my In the Making series in which I offer insights and anecdotes related to the behind-the-scenes happenings of the various episodes. And, finally, I'll be doing some blogging - time permitting.
Now, unlike the aforementioned articles, this blog will not focus exclusively on Stargate. Rather, I'll use this space to rant about/heap praise upon/ruminate on anything and everything that happens to capture my interest: television, film, literature, dining out, and, of course, work.
Pleased to hear that FOX is bringing back the best comedy on television for another season. I'm, of course, not referring to Stacked but Arrested Development, a wickedly funny series that has to build the audience it deserves. If you haven't checked it out yet, tune in - or, better yet, pick up the first season on DVD. And, while I'm recommeding t.v. on DVD, why not check out the first three seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Shield, and Six Feet Under, the first two seasons of Sealab 2021, and the short-lived but kick-ass Firefly (Heads up. The movie, Serenity, is coming soon). And, if you haven't watched The Office yet, go out and get it.
With my home theater finally up and running, I've been spending a lot of time catching up on my movies. Among the films I recently checked out: Maria Full of Grace (Amazing! Catalina Sandino Moreno was terrific!), Meet the Fockers (A far cry from Meet the Parents), the first 20 minutes of Dodgeball (There's a reason I could only watch the first 20 minutes), Darkness (Rosemary's Baby meets The Shining meets The Amityville Horror meets the end of the first Nightmare on Elm Street ). All this to say - pick up Maria Full of Grace.
Back on the work front - we're prepping the big mid-season SG-1 two-parter: The Fourth Horseman, to be directed by Andy Mikita. Tony Todd will be reprising his role as the Sodan leader Haikon (Sodan? Haikon? Check out Babylon), and the ever-gracious Tony Amendola will be back as Bratac. Damian Kindler wrote Part I (Robert Cooper did a pass on his script) and I wrote Part II. To be perfectly honest, this one was a real challenge given the different elements we needed to juggle over the course of this particular story. More on that in the "In the Making of" series but, suffice it to say, it was a frequently frustrating, occasionally dispiriting, ultimately rewarding experience.
We watched the Intruder mix on Friday afternoon and the episode looks (and sounds) great. Mitch is a wonderful addition to an already top-notch cast.
Next week, Paul and I will be finishing up prep on The Fourth Horseman AND cutting both Instinct (guest-starring Firefly's Jewel Staite who did an incredible job), and Ex Deus Machina (guest-starring - well, let's just call him a familiar face).
Well, that's all for now. Time to walk the dogs before dinner (off to my favorite Japanese restaurant in Vancouver: Yuji's), afterwhich we'll probably watch another movie.
Talk to you soon,
JM
Executive producer Joseph Mallozzi has been on the SG-1 writing
staff since Season Four. Along with writing partner Paul Mullie, Joe has
written such fan favorite episodes as "Window of Opportunity," "Summit,"
and "Lockdown." Joe lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. 
Can't wait for more "In the Making...," those are great! Season nine sounds like it is gonna be the bomb!
Hopefully the coveted trailer space before Star Wars will get the word out there just how fantastic Firefly really is.
The Serenity movie is going to be one of best things to grace the silver screen this year. :D
Looking forward to "In the Making..."
You should watch Boston Legal; William Shatner, James Spader and Candice Bergan are an absolute HOOT!
Any word on the release dates for the SG-1 Season 8 and Atlantis Season 1 DVD sets? I know it's all up to MGM, but was wondering if you'd heard anything?
If you are ever "down under" in the future, head into Melbourne...a new cafe with nothing but Anime EVERYWHERE has opened, comes with giant Astro Boy statue and plasma screen showing anime from open to close.
"Ex Deus Machina (guest-starring - well, let's just call him a familiar face)."
It's his sled. The familiar face is his sled. There, now you don't have to watch it.
(But you could watch Family Guy, hint, hint :P)
Jewel Staite in Instinct; does that mean what I think it might? (Another Marilyn?)Been wondering who she plays.
Hadn't even heard of Maria Full of Grace but always love film watching, may have to look out for that.
What's Yuji's like? I have a sad lack of any Japanese restaurants where I live. If I ever get to go to Vancouver though...
Nice to know it's not just me that watches about twenty films a week. The great thing is that all your viewing can be passed off as work...well, that's my excuse anyway.
Congratulations on the success of Atlantis. It's only had one season and it already kick ass. As an example of it's success, normally a series of Star Trek will take 3 or so seasons to get on it's feet and start to produce some decent character interactions and stories. I can't imagine what it's gonna be like in it's 3 or 4th season, absolute quality! Easily the best thing on TV last year (with Battlestar Galactica and SG-1 being close behind).
As you've changed the word order of 'Deus ex machina' to 'Ex deus machina', are we meant to translate it as 'the machine out of God'?
Thank you.
Best wishes,
Sue - wondering why we say 'deus ex machina' rather than 'theos ektos mekhane', given that the saying derives ultimately from Greek theatre. Any ideas?
--
You soooo gave away who the familiar face is gonna be. Haha!
Maria Full of Grace IS a great movie! I also recommend checking it out!
You have to be in the secret of God to know who 'Steve Higginson' is talking about... Or maybe I am too lazy to run a search, the hints are good...
For TV freakies, let's say it's always good to see I am not alone... more than 20 hours a week on my account... lol
This blog is a great nice idea. ty
Gotto agree with you about 'Six Feet Under'. I don't think it did too well here in the UK but I loved it. And I'm also with dana jeanne on 'Boston Legal'. So intelligently written and delivered by the top notch Spader, Shatner, Aubergenois and co. Really worth a look in.
Agree, Mr. Mallozzi, about Arrested Development and Firefly. Though, I would like to hear more about this problem you have with Dodgeball.
I just wonder who is the EX DEUS MACHINA guest star.
I'll definitely have to check out Yuji's as soon as I get to Vancouver. I didn't know you had dogs, by the way. I love dogs, and as soon as I have the time and money I'm planning to finally get one myself.
It's been mentioned in previous comments, but I'd also have to recommend Boston Legal as another great show out there. And 24 is definitely worth checking out. I can't wait for the two hour season finale on Monday.
I'm looking forward to "In the Making of". I have to say, when you were talking about how challenging it was to get the SG-1 mid-season two-parter to work, I felt so much reminded of my own experiances while working on the Stargate: Horizon season finale. I know you're not allowed to read it, because technically it's fan-fiction; although I'd be willing to sign a release form, and hand one of my episodes in as a spec script. I should have an agent soon; I'm currently in the process of sending out tons of querry letters. I was actually seriously wondering what kind of spec scripts from freelance writers and potential future staff-members you normally look for?
Well, I just felt so much reminded of my own experiances that I had to mention it. No matter how challenging things get, in the end it's always rewarding to see the finished product. Especially if you get to see it on screen, I can imagine.
Keep up the great work. And please give my regards to everyone who works on Stargate. :-)
~Alex~
I'm so excited about Jewel Staite on StarGate. She's really great and talented girl.
You mean you didn't stick it out to see if Steve the Pirate comes to terms with who he really is? For shame! Next you'll be bagging out The Anchorman...
"... and you ate the whole wheel of cheese?" (bark) "I'm not even
mad, that is amazing."
If you're looking for good things to watch, check out Eyes, if ABC regains its senses and starts running it again. Tim Daly is wonderful, as is the supporting case and writing. Right now, this looks like a terrific series that's about to be cancelled before it has a chance to gain viewers.
The signup process seems a bit confusing. I don't want to create a blog, just reply...
It's just cool what the SG writers are doing to get in touch with their fans. We've got the questions threads, and this blog. I love it!
We watched the Intruder mix on Friday afternoon and the episode looks (and sounds) great. Mitch is a wonderful addition to an already top-notch cast.
I'm so not surprised. If Atlantis uses Mitch Pileggi wisely, it'll be great synchronicity.I've been hoping for a good role for him for some time. When I heard he joined the Stargate universe, I had a sci-fi-gasm. :::naughty grin:::
Thanks for the update can't wait for more.
Awesome, can't wait to see Jewel Staite. She's so cute!
----end geek squeal----
We say "deus ex machina" because, while the phrase originates in Greek theatre, we get it from Roman culture. Hence the Latin.
Hope that helps!
Arrested Development is good, but Curb Your Enthusiasm is better.
6 Feet Under is great (overall) though season 3 was a bit of a wander...fingers crossed for season 4.
Anything by Joss Whedon will be great. Check out the work of others from his BtVS/Angel crew like any episode of Lost that David Fury wrote or exec produced while waiting for S9 to begin.
Other shows I'd recommend: the Kumars at No.42 on BBCA and MI-5 (on A&E?)
SG-1 related - love the blogging and Season 9 sounds promising.
HUGE fan of both Stargate series. Keep em coming Joe! :)
Gotta agree with one of the poster's above about 24. I didn't want to watch it, but I was forced to by my co-workers. I watched the first 10 minutes...I was HOOKED! Awesome show. The show gets better and better each season!
Also, you have to check out Trailer Park Boys.
Joe, keep up the good work on Atlantis and SG-1!
Good stuff, although I think you summed up why I don't often watch American films (and yet some of the tv is so good!?!). Tried 2046, Old Boy, Hero or Elling?
Anyway looking forward to season 9.
My husband and I were in Vancouver in '01 and fell in love with Il Giardino. Great Tuscan style food in a lovely romantic setting. A Kettle of Fish across the street also has great seafood.
I heard from some other website that you are a big Anime fan. I was watching my Robotech Dvd's and I made a weird Connection. The Two Aircraft Carriers that are integrated to the SD-F1 Are Called The Deadelus And the Prometheus. Which is also the name of the first Two Earth Battleships on Stargate Sg-1. Is this an Homage to Robotech that you influnced. Anyways hope you find some way of replying(maybe in your next update) thanks for listening to me and keep up the good work hope to enjoy reading your next update
I am a diehard Stargate/Atlantis fan that can’t get enough. Off season, I turned to Fanfic for my fix and discovered, much to my amazement, a rich treasure of wonderful stories. Some of these fan-authors have talents that match any of the “published” authors.
After marveling at this fact it occurred to me that the next evolution in story telling can come via the internet. There is an untapped reservoir of talent in the internet fanfic area. It would be very clever indeed to somehow tap this talent pool. It would provide new stories/authors and an interesting way to promote the series itself as the only series written by the fans. Contests, cash prizes – A Stargate IDOL TV show. Lots O fun for everyone.
Stargate Idol TV OR an all new Sci Fi soap..
"As the Gate Turns"
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