Well, two weeks to go until hiatus and the pace has definitely quickened. Robert is headed into production on Prototype, the first script by Alan, our new writer. Guest Robert Picardo dropped by my office today and we talked food. Bob apparently makes a wicked spinach pizza. Brad, meanwhile, headed into prep on Epiphany and, no doubt, spent most of the concept meeting explaining the "time dilation effect" to half the department heads. Paul and I started prep on Collaterol Damage. Given the production demands of the past couple of years, Paul and I have taken to writing scripts separately. In the case of Collaterol Damage, I wrote the outline and he went on to write a terrific script in which, besides the cool SF premise, we are treated to a glimpse into Mitchell's childhood. While Damian works on Ethon (Quick! Grab your handy mythology enclopedias!), Carl works on Critical Mass (I love whodunits) and Martin works on Grace Under Pressure (Sound familiar? Its intentional). I, meanwhile, am putting the finishing touches on Ripple Effect (formerly Merge, formerly Echoes, formerly Convergence which apparently sounded too much like the Atlantis episode Conversion we shot this year). I haven't felt this good about a script since I completed The Ties That Bind and, maybe, that's cause for concern. There's a lot in this episode for the diehard Stargate fan to enjoy including a couple of interesting guest stars.
With less than two weeks and counting, we have to break some stories to ensure that none of us enjoy a restful 3 weeks. Robert and Brad will be working on rewrites. Alan will probably be working on Off the Grid once he completes his rewrite of Stronghold. I'll be writing the "off-world ambassadors" story provided I get the outline done which I can certainly do provided I finish my rewrite of Ripple Effect in time. Paul will be working on the "sister city" script. Martin has the "Genii story" lined up and Carl will probably tackle "Charlie". Provided Damian completes Ethon in the next week, and provided things fall into place, he'll be writing the episode in which "that character" returns.
By the way - the ice creams were a resounding success. So much so that I picked up a commercial ice cream maker this past weekend and made a batch of Peanut Butter Cookies and Cream with Peanut Butter Chips and Reese Pieces Bits, and the more low-key Cinnamon and Brown Sugar. The Asparagus/Wild Mushroom/Barbecued Duck risotto also went off without a hitch. By the way, I am seriously envious of everyone on the east coast who has access to the Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Chunk. Seriously.
Watched some unmemorable movies, t.v. shows and anime over the past week or so. Nothing really stood out with the exception of Kung Fu Hustle. I'm a big Steven Chow fan and have loved most of his stuff (Shaolin Soccer and Love on Delivery are two of my favorites). On the anime front, it's Samurai 7, Chobits, and Those Who Hunt Elves. Just started them, so I'll let you know how they pan out.
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. 
Nice, rippled with spoilers. Certainly looking forward to those.
Your blog is definetely in viewers' relation with the producers/bosses. I wonder when our shows will start to copy?
Keep it up - both the 2 Stargate shows and the blog!
We may not have access to Ben and Jerry's here in the (not-so-sunny) land of Oz, but we do have our own little bundle of Joy. That is the Connoisseur Chocolate Honey Nougat.
There's the soft and sweet, and the crunchy. Mmm Heaven!
Try it next time you're down under.
Your blog is fascinating for me because of the insider's look at the production of a show and your day to day life. I'm a grant writer and your job is strangely similar (deadlines, meetings, juggling a lot)but a more glamorous.
Do they keep asking for more! more! more!, too?
Hatusu
Believe it or not, you can actually order Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Chunk from their website for home deliver. It costs an arm and a leg but damn is it worth the price of admission ;)
You should try Cold Stones, they have the best ice cream. I always take my nieces & nephews there. They ove it, and they sing when you tip.
You seem to give anything a try You must give the home theatre system the ULTIMATE experience and go for a traditional Bollywood epic.
If you can get hold of it, take a look at the BBC's new series of Dr. Who. I think it's finally a step in the right direction for British sci-fi series (which , let's face it, are fairly non-existent...). Give it a couple of years or so and I think you guys might have some serious competition! Muh ha ha ha!
Forget getting hold of the new Who, Joe. Yell at the Scifi suits to pick it up - the Yanks don't know what they're missing!
Definately stick to Ben and Jerry's...take it from a Vermonter, it's the only way to go. Try out the new DMB Magic Brownie, it's a keeper.
Surprised that you watch any anime, i really enjoyed chobits..awesome character development. I recommend Last Exile , my over personal favorite.
Never knew you were such a stephen chow fan! :D he's one of the greatest. i'm sure you've catch his earlier movies, "Fight Back to School" and "God of Cookery" are my favorite.
Friends of mine worked on Samurai 7 and Those Who Hunt Elves. I hear the former was pretty kickass. :)
Though if you get a bit picky with your anime, and are looking for something that mixes comedy with a really cool action story, I'd suggest hitting up Full Metal Panic! [http://www.full-metal-panic.com/intelligence/intelligence.php] (I also, uh, helped work on it, but that's a whole another thing. It's one of the first shows I've really liked since Bebop.)
Also, I thought Kung-Fu Hustle was great. Something was very touching about the ending. I thought it kinda bounced about the weird silly cartoonyness with emotion really well.
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
Please please please don't move too quickly into the childhood, or other background, of the new characters.
Look at the worst episodes of DS9's 7th season - when we found out way too much about their new character. Similar complaints can be made about new characters on shows like Third Watch...
please, tread carefully
"Grace Under Pressure" better not be a cruel taunt. :)
savejanetfraiser.com!
I'm curious if some time you'd talk about the 'evolution' of a script and an episode. Maybe after "Ripple Effect" airs, could you talk about the changes that happened to the script before shooting, during shooting and then in the edits up to the finished and aired episode? It would be interesting to see what decisions and choices get made along the way to what we see finally on screen. Or it'd be interesting to hear a podcast commentary like that for an episode some time... hint...
Oh, and if you want something to watch this summer - the 4400 and The Closer just started and seem to have potential. The Inside is on my TiVo waiting to get checked out. And TiVo always has The Family Guy ready when there's nothing else around.
Thanks for the blogs!
I'ts great to read your blogs as they ad another dimension to a show which has been running for such a long time now. Not one to usually watch a series past 3 to 4 years, SG1 has become my first real obsession!!! I'm sure it's the internet and just the slight hint of things to come i.e. spoilers, which keeps the interest alive. Here in Australia, it can be quite some time between seasons!
And the A/WM/BD Risotto sounds fantastic!!! Bit of a Risotto fan myself.
Samurai 7 is an excellent choice. I've almost finished it myself and have yet to find anything at fault with it. I'm curious as to which samurai you'll 'pick,' since everybody seems to have a favorite.
If you're a Kurosawa fan I'd say check out Kaze no Yojimbo. They updated the classic Yojimbo story into a 20th century semi-rural town. Bandai released it a while back but took their good sweet time doing it.
Not a big fan of Chobits. I thought it lacked enough of a solid story until the very very very end when you get hit with everything at once. Too much set-up and not enough closure. 'Course, that's just me. I'm sure men enjoy it for different reasons...
chobits is a pretty good series. dont stop watching it in the middle because it does slow down quite a bit and gets a touch repetitive but picks up again later. if you're wanting something totally nuts, i suggest dragon half *i think is the title*. its an older series but tons of fun!
-eri
from Wandering Tamer
chobits is pretty good, although, I would read the manga if you get the chance. Samurai 7 is an anime version of the classic japanese black and white movie 7, where a village hires 7 samurai to protect their village. "Those who hunt elves".... is not up my alley but I hear it's good. if you want something good to watch, check out Gankutsuou, an amazing remake of the Count of Monte Cristo.
and, if you're in the mood for some scifi, check out Macross. No, not robotech, I mean Macross, including 2, Plus, 7, Zero, and the movies.
dude i have to say you have the worst taste in ice cream. I so envy all you people that have whole space channels with never ending stargate!!!! here it only plays once a week (believe me thats not good withdrawl!!!) and they are always re runs that i've only 2zillion times and i've only watched the preview more than a million times. any way enough of this babble.
DUDES YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB I LOVE STARGATE!!