Going over my last blog entry, I realized (to my horror) that I hadn't said anything that could potentially enrage/offend someone. So allow me to remedy that right off the bat by making the following potentially insulting statement: "People who don't like animals are jerks at best, serial killers at worst." Do your worst.
On to ice cream. I made the carrot cake ice cream, but the blueberry pie didn't pan out because I wasn't able to get my hands on a good blueberry pie. Instead, I opted for peach/pear/apple pie vanilla ice cream (which is mixing as we speak). I decided to get creative for the chocolate base and made a Double Dark Milk Chocolate Capuccino Biscotti Crunch. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Speaking of crunch time, things are getting pretty crazy at work. Just found out today that Athur's Mantle, which was scheduled to prep September 8th, has been moved up a couple of days...to April 29th! In other words, we have 3, not 12, days to do a pass on the script. On the bright side, getting it done early means we'll have almost two weeks to script the big season finale, Camelot. Its times like these I'm glad I have a writing partner. Although, in reality, we're more producing partners because we haven't really written a script together in two years. This year, we've been alternating scripts and duties. Paul wrote Intruder, then I wrote Ties That Bind, Paul did the rewrite on Instinct and shouldered most of the producing duties on that episode while I wrote Ex Deus Machina. While I wrote Fourth Horseman II, he moved on to Collateral Damage, then I wrote Ripple Effect, and he wrote The Tower, and I wrote The Scourge...and now here we are. I was beating out the story for Camelot and doing the script changes for The Scourge, while he was in editing all day today cutting The Tower. Its been a busy year. No wonder its gone by so fast.
Carl put out his latest Inferno outline and is hard at work - office door ajar, head bowed in deep concentration. Rob sequestered himself this morning to work on Crusade which, apparently, is going very well. He has already hit Act III. We were in the writer's room today discussing the Atlantis season finale, Allies, which Martin will be writing. Big, BIG things coming your way this season.
By the way, I spend a lot of time sounding off on a variety of topics, but I have to, occasionally, give credit where credit is due. Over the course of my writing career, I've been on the receiving end of some mighty annoying network notes. More often than not, they'll take the form of three general, all-encompassing criticisms: 1) The hero needs to be more pro-active, 2) We need more jeopardy, and 3) There has to be more of a ticking clock. For many years, I was convinced that all network executives attended the same "How to Criticize a Script" seminar. In time, I realize how silly a notion this was and so dismissed it in favor of the very real possibility that they all owned the same trademark dartboard sporting three distinct shaded areas for each of the afore-mentioned criticisms. All they'd have to do is toss a dart at the board and, voila, instant critique. And then, there were times in my pre-Stargate days when dealt with notes so mystifying, so inherently bizarre, so unintentionally hilarious that I would seriously wonder whether I was the victim of a practical joke. That said, I have to admit, its been a pleasure dealing with Nora O'Brien from SciFi Channel. Her notes are always specific, well thought-out, and well-argued. Hey, I may not agree with her all of the time, but I'll always know exactly what she's arguing for and why. She's courteous and professional - but firm in her belief that the changes she is suggesting will make the episode that much better. And she's usually right. There are even times when I don't think she's right and I'll go back to the script, re-read it with her note in mind and realize "Damn! She's right!" I hate that! Nora oversees SG-1 while Tony Optican (also a very nice guy with some good ideas) oversees Atlantis. In the future, if you guys get tired of quizzing the guy who played Jaffa #3 in episode 45, you may want to consider inviting them to a con. I'm sure they're just chock full of great insider/behind-the-scenes tales, and stories revolving around the insane writers/producers they've had to deal with over the years.
Okay. Heard a lot of good things about Boomtown and decided to check it out. Interesting format but, after two episodes, I think I'll be switching over to something else. A lot of you are recommending 24 and I have to say I checked out the first season on DVD. My wife and I were hooked - up until late in the season when the show hit a little, er, bump, that had my wife wash her hands of the series. It was a five minute sequence in which the mother and daughter drive away from a safe house, being followed by the bad guys. They apparently give the baddies the slip but, rather than motor off, the mother parks the car and heads back on foot to make sure the bad guys are nowhere in sight. Unfortunately, she has parked her car too close to a ravine and, while she's hiking back to make sure the carload of bad guys are in fact gone, her car rolls down the ravine, presumably killing her daughter. She realizes what has happened and faints. When she wakes up, she has amnesia. I remember my wife getting up in that instant and just silently leaving the t.v. room. Ah well. On the bright side, am looking forward to checking out HBO's Rome. Halfway through Alias season 2. On the movie front, on deck: Seance on a Wet Afternoon, Bully, Steamboy, Dumplings: Three, Ping Pong, and All About Lily Chou Chou. By the way, to whoever suggested it, I've already seen Shiri. And loved it.
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Ignore the troll.
Hi Joe, I see how crazy things are right now for you and you are still blogging. That's great! But we are all angsting about the Ask Joe thread. Hope you get to it soon. We need our fix! LOL
The pie ice cream sounds wonderful! I don't think I can go without it now.
Sorry that part of 24 got to your wife. There are certain unbelievable in every show as you know, that get to me too. However, the show is very good over all. Believe me I get up and walk out sometimes too but the overall stories bring me back. It's like when Daniel died or Ford went away, you get mad and you get over it because the overall show is great!
I know this might be against your religion but I saw Wedding Crashers and laughed pretty good! It is a bit raunchy though!
Your kind words for the network execs were a nice read!
Have fun with the writing for the rest of the season!
OMG, I can't believe I forgot the animal comment! You took a big risk, well, maybe not, I don't know anyone who doesn't like animals. I have six, hehe. And I kiss my dogs on the lips, lol...
So it's been recommended before - but I'm not sure if the film has been? Or whether you even have time for going out to the movies -
Whatever the case, I just saw the preview for the Firefly film "Serenity". And I am doing my duty as Preview Watcher and spreading the great word about our Master, Joss. (without spoilers of course, because that would just be silly)
Despite Conventional Hollywood Wisdom, stating that there is yet to be a film made that would not be improved by the addition of ninjas, and/or Monkeys, this film breaks the mould.
While it could be seen, and thoroughly enjoyed, without having seen the series, the character development is a lot more enjoyable in the film if you know them from the series.
Go forth, and watch fellow underling. And kneel before our Master
:-p
I'm a big fan of 24 (sure, Kiefer Sutherland might have some part of that... but what does that matter?! *grin*), there are some unnecessary moments, but on the whole, it is a great tv series! In my opinion, their only downfall is the lack of character continuity over the seasons.. but that's for another time.
Movie recommendation: "Look Both Ways", a newly released aussie film that is simply fantastic! It's up there with "Lantana". A great story that utilises an intriguing addition of animation and photographic montage. Not to mention the great acting - William McInnes is always great!.
imdb.com says that it will be shown at the Toronto film festival in september, so I urge all that can to go see this great new aussie film! :D
I'd be curious to know what people overseas think of it..
Hi Joe,
I am not sure if this has been posted before but here it goes. I have noticed that certain websites come out with spoilers before gateworld does. Since gateworld has actual people dealing with SG visiting it regularly...How does these other sites come up with spoilers?
LOL@Purple you too well my dog IS my baby and he thinks he's a person too, of course he has short man's syndrome {he's a chuiuaha}
On the animal thing, don't get me started, I am SO sick of hearing about these pitbull attacks, I had a beautiful brindle pitbull once and the only thing she ever bit was the house siding. Most times it's that the kid is smacking/beating on the dog and the dog fights back....why don't we ever say "Put down the owner for being an ass"
Rant over :)
Double dark chocolate YUMM
and please let us know how Seance on a Wet Afternoon is I wanted to see that but have been too busy to even watch SG-1 lately LOL
Joe have you heard of the recent dog kidnappings in south east London. it's true though they arn't high profile dog-nppings. i don't know what they do with 'em, maybe they sell their kidneys. LOL.
No, they dognap the dog {at least in the US} because they can sell the dog to the local university for research and get 200-1000 dollars per dog.
So always watch your dog, even in your own yard.
Dognappers!?! Disturbing.
With all that crunch time work to do, thanks for pausing to procrastinate a moment and update your blog. :D Ah, feedback! I was trained feedback should be clear, specific and timely. That’s generally the kind I find useful too. Nora sounds like a person Gateworld should interview sometime.
Too bad one dumb plot/character move on 24 turned you away. 24 does one or two ‘yell at the TV’ moments each season. But there’s at least one “woah - surprised me in a good way” moment. It's just how that show goes. Read the Televison Without Pity recaps sometime for 24. I love the Jack Bauer character enough to overlook the dumb/unbelievable things. Jack is the real deal. Jack will succeed in his mission no matter what. Loved the Dennis Haysbert character too. But don’t get me started on how they wrote Kim (aka ‘Spawn’). Season 4 was pretty good. I'm psyched for what David Fury brings to next season. I loved his "Locke" episode on Lost.
Looking for a good movie on DVD? Heavenly Creatures, Hope and Glory, The Sweet Hereafter, Lipstick (French w/subtitles)
Good luck with your deadline!
I know I'm a little late on this, but Beachhead was an awesome episode. The Priors are really scaring me now. Didn't like how cocky Mckay was at the end of Trinity, but that's him I guess.
I loved hearing about Nora O'Brien. It's nice to hear about the different people who contribute to the show in ways we don't see. That's why I like reading the articles in the Stargate Magazine. They interview people who work with costumes, special effects, stunts, and other areas. I find it very intriguing.
I have to say, I can understand your wife's frustration with 24. I thought the first season was the best one. It was downhill from there in my opinion. Maybe it's because it takes place over 24 hours, but I found it really hard to suspend my disbelief, especially in the last season (and this in itself as shocking, as I am a scifi fan, so I'm used to unbelievable things). But it seemed like too much happened, and in season 4 it became very melodramatic. I also found myself strongly disliking the Jack character in the last season. Anyway, have you considered making pumpkin pie ice cream? That might be nice for fall. And that was an interesting inflamatory comment of the week, though I've never met anyone who doesn't like some kind of animal or my dog, :D Again, I can't wait for more episodes! The rest of the season sounds like it's going to be great! Is there going to be a 10th season of Stargate? If not, the last episode won't be a cliffhanger, right? That would be far to cruel. I'm really excited about Atlantis too. I've been getting more into this one in the second season.
-Sarah
I had a fanzine editor like Nora once, back in my Quantum Leap fanfic writing days. People like that are both infuriating and wonderful at the same time because they don't let you get away with anything. I know my editor would call me on every attept at laziness on my part, and made me a better writer for it!
BTW, Joe, where's that oatmeal raisin ice cream recipe? Please? I wasn't kidding! taupecat@gmail.com
Joe, August comes before September yet you accidentally wrote April, so you might want to fix that up.
I know this is late, but I must say that I personally felt you missed the mark with "The Ties That Bind" sinc I don't like that kind of humour. I think you do the more serious episodes much better (such as Descent, for example).
Great blog, please update more often. It's great to hear your thoughts.
Yeah, I saw the first two seasons of 24 (only after I could get them for free from the library) and I thought the first one was great, but the second was pretty disappointing. In the first season, some of the characters, especially the wife and daughter, did occasionally do things that had me yelling at the screen, but on the whole it was a good show. The second season tried to be good, but every single "twist" was nothing anyone who's ever watched TV (especially the first season of 24) couldn't have seen coming. So yeah, I haven't seen the latest seasons, but it doesn't really seem to be worth watching after the first season.
Joe,
How do you do it? Watch all of these shows, movies, make ice cream, and write some great stories? I wish I had your stamina. Thanks, by the way, for this blog, I am really enjoying them.
With that I'm off, gotta get ready for tonights episodes.:-)
yah, start posting the details for the ice cream you make SG:Creamery (lol) what do you start with, how do you do it...
on to my next question where do you come up with the ideas for the show... and do you check back to make sure something your planning doesnt paradox something you did...
Dog-nappings are bad, but there was someone over on Cape Cod who was murdering Golden Retrievers. I dunno which is more bizarre, the fact that someone hated dogs enough to kill them or the fact that they singled out retrievers.
Oh and Joe, I'd feel sorry about your workload except that you still seem to find time to make outlandish ice creams, watch heaps of stuff on DVDs and update your blog semi-regularly. Obviously, you aren't busy enough. ;)
Either that or your masochistic tendencies are showing again. :)
I haven't read the comments much, so if it's been mentioned before, sorry. Series recommendation: La Femme Nikita.
Kind of like the predacessor to Alias, Very good. There's 8 seasons total (I think) and 3 of them are on DVD currently.
Following up on my own comment, want another reason to watch La Femme Nikita? Rainbow Sun Franck's dad is in it!
So my good, if far removed, friend Jafana and I were at a loss for something to watch last night. She lives on the other side of the country and we have this very odd little ritual where we watch new episodes of SG/A together on the computer via audio chat on Skype.
Anyway, we had spare time (finally) but nothing to watch, so we returned to some vintage SG...ie, Mushroom Men (aka One False Step). And my god...the ep is a personal favourite & all, but have times changed or what?? It seemed like half of the last two acts were people giving long, belated expository explanations of the plot (even Hammond!)
I'm happy to say that (usually) SG & Atlantis are a lot more subtle these days about informing us that plot point A lead to plot point B for solution D after solution C failed.
And I'm going to assume somebody has already recommended Black Books to you. Otherwise, you should definitely check it out.
As for the animals...people that are cruel to animals are probably cruel to everyone and everything.
Oh I forgot to mention a new show on FX, "Always Sunny in Philedelphia" is weird but funny.
I guess when you're fed up with all this so called reality television you'll watch anything, as much reality tv as I want is to watch "The Price is Right"...
I know how bout an SG-1 Reality Show...Since what's his name stayed on earth and he works in television that could be his new tv show :)
Martin, that's his name
sorry was a spaz
Ok, I finally remembered SG-1 was on and saw this 10 sec opening OMG it sucks big time...I hope SciFi is making the big bucks by cutting it down...at least I have the CD with the original opening music....
OK, I also have to say bravo Joe for "Ex Deus Machina" excellent now get out of my head ;)
Just kidding not sure you guys ever read other people's blogs but check mine out and you'll see what I mean when I say get out of my head !!
ROTFLMAO
Excellent Excellent, glad I remembered SG-1 was on tonight. I'm extreamly happy with how you wrote this episode, for my own personal reasons of course.
If you choose to read my blog PLEASE scroll down like the note says and start at the begining...it's worth it...or so I'm told and what I said above will make sense :)
Again, great work thank you
Ex Deus Machina was BRILLIANT!
I'm having ice cream while watching Atlantis... mmmm my good ole' Chunky Monkey.
24 gets a little funky the end of the first season. Jack's wife gets ANNOYING. Season two and three are AWESOME. I started with season two first... it helps.
There are so many things to do with Ba'al now. Man, I am sooo glad he's not really dead!
Ex Deus Machina was excellent! Baal in shorts, Baal eating chinese, and Baal complaining about TV. Truly brilliant.
I stopped watching 24 after season 2 because of the daughter's storylines alone. So beware, they'll either make you laugh your head off because of the insanity of them, or throw up.
Hi Joe! Thanks for Ex Deus Machina! The only small thing that I have to ask about is: wasn't there any way to work in Baal without his shirt? For even a second? ;)
Have you checked out Firefly btw? I'm in love with that show and I bet you and your wife would like it.
Shipperahoy
Perhaps there is something about the sci fi fan's willingness to accept that there might be extra terrestrial intelligent life that makes them more appreciative of the other forms of the intelligent life on this planet that we take so much for granted.
I'd like to think so.
Talia
"Dogs are my favourite people"
"Ex Deus Machina" was great! I loved it. As I said in my previous comment, I think you've been doing some really great episodes on both SG-1 and Atlantis.
Have to comment on the 24 part as well, of course. I'd recommend you finish watching the first season; the season finale will end with a HUGE twist. Two twists actually; but they're related to another. I personally think Season One is pretty good; but I also think it's nothing compared to Season Two. S2 kind of took the real time concept to a whole new level, which is understandable, since the writers were starting to get more familiar with it.
What I like about S1 is that you can kind of tell that initially the network had only ordered 13 episodes. So there's the big showdown in episodes 12 and 13, and after that the storyline goes in a bit of a different direction.
Yeah, that part with the car you mentioned is...well, I can't remember actually why the mother had parked the car (I'll be getting to that episode soon, as I'm rewatching S1 right now).
Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the S1 finale. I always felt that ended up setting the tone for the rest of the series, because it established that ANYTHING can happen on the show; and I really mean anything! That's one of the things I really like about it; S1 kind of played with that, but it wasn't before S2 that it really took off.
OMG I love Alias!! *cough*
Oh and me and my friend were thinking that you HAVE to try making Tim Tam icecream...only problem = no Tim Tams in Canada...
Would u mind if we sent some over from Australia??
No Tim Tams in canada...that's weird I can get them at the british shop here in San Diego...can't believe there wouldn't be a british shop in vancouver that wouldn't import them ;)
could u ship me some of ur icecream to texas plz anything with choclate is good with me.
oh yeah check out Earth:final conflict i used to watch that show along time ago with my dad if u want details ask martin if u dont know by now he directed Earth:final conflict.
oh ive also got a website for ya joe its called tv.com it has a long list of different television shows so u have a huge selection to choose from.
Just a quick word: if anyone tries to nick off with my dog, there'll be serious trouble *eyes evil dog nappers*.
Anyhoo.
Joe, loved EDM - Garrick's character is proving to be incredibly interesting. I'm loving the fact that the Jaffa and Tau'ri aren't merrily skipping through the meadows of alliance hand in hand. Great conflict.
The season's really hotting up and I'm loving it.
Kudos,
jxh.
Thanks for contributing your thoughts via this blog...clearly, your schedule is one of the more insane ones I've seen! Much appreciation here...
If I have reason to rant in your general direction, it's for your derned ice cream recipes/ideas. I am holding you personally responsible for the extra poundage I've recently acquired. Curse you, Red Baron. Grr.
I should also like to take this opportunity to congratulate you (or whoever else might be responsible) for the ep title "Ex Deus Machina" - this is The Most Brilliant Episode Title Ever - particularly after having seen the end of the ep. On about six different levels. Evil, evil punnage. Wickedly brilliant. :D
Hey thanks anonumous right above me, I made some Tabasco ice cream, it's meant to be an appetizer not a dessert so.... and it was awesome I think I'll call it Red Baron Ice Cream just b/c it has a nice smooth spicy kick that hits you right at the back of your tounge....
recipe was:
Make your regular vanilla ice cream but add 1/4 cup plain tabasco {brand} sauce near the end of the process and enjoy.
I prefer 'Without A Trace' to '24' and 'Boomtown'. Try it - A whole different kind of adventure with Jack(the boss), Sam(the one with all the tension) and Danny(the orphan). No Teal'c though - Pity!
Jay.
HOUSE hits DVD tuesday check it out
More thanks & kudos, Joe: Friday nights continue to rock! You guys are doing a Herculean job, producing 40 hours of quality stuff in such a short space of time, & in case we haven't thanked you lately for all your efforts, I'll take the liberty: a heartfelt Thank You!
I've enjoyed the past few 'we're not always perfect' episodes of both SG-1 & Atlantis. 'Beachhead' seemed to be the answer to Martin Wood's long-maintained desire to do a story where The Good Guys can't fix what they screw up, & there were similar hints in 'Instinct' with Beckett's retrovirus. Fallible heroes are believable heroes: thanks for that, too.
I see from this & the previous blog that you're still in fine form with the Ice Cream Torture: Bread Pudding? Apple/Pear/Peach Pie? Groan! Where do I sign up???
DVD recommendations -- if you want some fabulous British comedy, check out 'Blackadder.' Wicked funny verbal comedy from Rowan Atkinson, Ben Elton, & Richard Curtis. (And if you see Hugh Laurie's turn in 'Blackadder' alongside his current brilliance in 'House,' you'll be amazed that it's the same actor!)
Oh I have one that I got rather addicted to while living in London, Red Dwarf...FUNNY
When it was on the air, I wasn't too impressed by the early episodes of Boomtown either (innovative storytelling, but the same old cop stories). But I stuck with it, and by the end of the season, it had become one of my favorites.
(And then they brought it back for a handful of weak second season episodes, which you can just ignore.)
Hey, Joe. Thanks for this blog and for all the great shows this season! There is too much week between Fridays around here of late.
Shows: Beyond SciFi Friday's line-up, we do "Monk" and "Numb3rs" around here.
Ice Cream: We have a guy in our local SF club whose specialty is key lime-habanero pepper cheese cake. Sounds weird, I know, but it's to die for. First you taste just the creamy cheesecake goodness, then the lime, and then, just when you're saying "There's supposed to be peppers in this?" the burn hits. Somehow the flavours just work well together. Anyhow, it occurred to me that it might make an interesting ice cream.
Something you said awhile back: You were talking about doing a C plot with Zelenka. I, personally, would love this. Heck, I'd love a B plot with Zelenka. He's an interesting character because a) he has the brains and the cajones to stand up to McKay, b) from "Letters from Pegasus" (if one can get a translation of the Czech), you know he's left someone dear back home and I'd be curious to find out more, and c) he's such a cute guy in his own rumpled way. And who can argue with hearing that accent or that language? I love accents and languages. Mmhm! Anyhow, yeah, I'm a bit of Zelenka fan. So, I vote to give the geek with the Einstein hairdo some more background.
Okay, you want a recommendation, I'll suggest "Sports Night." A great dialogue and buddy show that was cancelled way before it's time. ABC smothered it in its sleep with a lame and unnecessary laugh track and bad advertising, but it lives forever on in DVD.
Sorkin is so good at dialogue...it's like, I dunno...music. Well, not quite so dramatic, but you get the point.
Joe,
Thanks for your Blog, thanks for Ex Deus Machina, I just loved the ending, the last scene was just to much and it was brilliant I never would have expected anything like that in Stargate and it blew me off...
Bread Pudding Ice Cream, just sounds to much... what does a girl have to do to get some...Hmmm... but Hey, maybe you can sell some of your ice cream next year in Vancouver's Convention... think charity and you could bring so much money in...
You will LOVE S2 of Alias believe me... it just gets better and better and the ending is one of my top OMG moment on TV... priceless
I also have to say that Atlantis has grown so much from last year and it is such a good show, every ep I watch is like, OMG, how good is this, the stories, the characters, the production, WOW...
Keep having fun and we miss you in the JM Q & A thread :p
Carolina
PS: Thanks for Sam's line... "Not Exactly" ;)
Just discovered blogs. Need to spend more time with them.
So is everything right in your world again Joe? The right fans are praising your episode and the bad naughty fans in Other Places are criticisng it. It must be like getting your blue blanket back, huh?
I really liked "Ex Deus Machina", not as much an adventure as the previous episodes, but good in it's own right. The team seemed to be a "team" again, doing what needs to be done, and taking care of business. Having Baa'l on there sorta made up for the lack of Vala, so we still got a guest star that's great looking, with lots of style and charisma. You should do an episode with the both of them, that would be a hoot!
I had to suspend belief a few times in the course of the story, but, hey! It's sci-fi, and that's the fun of it.
If you see anyone on the Atlantis production staff, tell them for me that "Instinct" was great! The sets and atmosphere set it up so well even before the story began, and the surprise twists at the end were done superbly!
Love the new guy Ronan, and also Mitchell on SG1, you made some great decisions in the casting for this year, and can't wait for some stories that let us know who these new people are.
There is so much happening in all these great new stories you've got going, you defintely need a few more years of SG1 to come close to concluding anything.
Thanks for givng me such an evening of entertainment as you do every Friday. Keep up the great work!
Maybe if the fans who were critical of the show could manage to express their opinions without attacking Joe and/or being vulgar about it then they wouldn't have their posts deleted. But if you're going to scream like a spoiled infant and swear like a drunken sailor, well, Joe's not the only one who doesn't need to see that garbage.
Me, I thought Ex Deus Machina was almost completely unoriginal, that it destroyed the integrity of the Jaffa AND Baal and that of all the cop-outs they could have taken, the one at the end of the ep was one of the saddest.
The "humanizing" of nearly every alien species on the show is one of the reasons I lost interest. Eventually everyone winds up being bureaucratic, arrogant, and devious with little to no variation to keep it fresh. The Baal stuff was fun in Machina, but it also reduced him to just another petty, scheming human (albeit with a funny voice).
And I, for one, didn't miss Vala. But then, I've only seen one other ep this season so I'm not as emotionally determined to keep her on the show at all costs as some others are. ;)
Regardless of my feelings about the show, though, I still like Joe as a person, I still think he's funny and interesting and I still like seeing what he has to say. And I can complain/critique without making it a personal attack.
joe, you know I love you, right? and because I do, I feel like I should say that this Carter's personal life stuff is killing me, but not in a good way. Yup, Jack's off in DC, which is fine, I'm down with that, but after the lack of resolution from Moebius and now this "not exactly". It's just aggrevating at this point, not tragic or heroic or whatever. I've gone from hard core shipper to enough!already.
And please sir, may I have a Ba'al for myself? You have four, would you really miss one THAT much?
It never hurts to ask...
You should have a 'crazy-credit' every episode saying which wild ice-cream flavour the episode was bought to us by.
Have to agree with Jafana about Serenity - I was lucky enough to get hold of a ticket for one of the showings at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Well worth a watch if you get the opportunity.
Also Paul Schrader's Dominion - the *REAL* prequel to the Exorcist. A shame this will probably never be released :(
BTW, how's the B5 watching going?
Joe, maybe in one of your blog entires you can tell us how you come up with the titles for these scripts.
Just wanted to mention that I really love the cleverness of the title "Ex Deus Machina". Most episode titles are so straight forward. This was a welcome and joy-inducing change. Also, I agree with others here that it was very cool seeing Baal in a different setting and Earthling garb.
Joe,
thanks for suggesting the SciFi executives! Have just emailed my contacts at SciFi promo dept. in NYC to ask how to contact Ms. O'Brien and Mr. Optican.
Gilder
(thinking ahead for ChimaeraCon2006)
You should watch Kung Fu Hustle. My brother convinced me to go watch that and I didn't regret it.
By the by, reading your bit on ice cream on this extremely hot San Diego day is just cruel. lol
see...my dad always thought the perfect thing o'neill could say one day in the SGC talking to a ba'al hologram was "this guy...he just cracks me up!"
anyway my fiance and i watched a korean movie entitled "H" a few days ago. it was swell! also the movie i mentioned a while back, 3-iron is coming out on dvd soon
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423866/
Maury Chaykin / Nerus is a deliciously evil character and a terrific actor.
Please make him a regular!
I must have more chicken, er, I mean Nerus!
More Arthur ridiculousness, Vala returning, Sam not in command for any apparent reason other than to stroke Browder's ego, and no RDA this season or mention of where he is--you've really not given Stargate fans much to be excited about at all. There is a tremendous amount of uncharacteristically poor decision making going on with you guys anymore. If you wanted a new show you should have made one, not scammed your long-time, loyal fans into watching this drivel.
And I don't hate everything, the Ori are great and so is the Jaffa High Council. But you're alienating your fanbase by basically minimizing the four original leads of SG-1 and their achievments. Why?
I'm sad to say that I agree with much of what the person above has said. Eight episodes for Vala is really a good way to piss off most SG-1 fans. At this point I think you guys see SG-1 as more of a crutch for Atlantis than anything else. Any other eps you could rip off or homage? Carryover plotlines? Hell, why not just give em carter for an ep or two? I'm sure SG-1 doesn't need her any wya. After all, they've apparently got Vala.
Hiya Joe:
Just want to commend you guys for everything you're doing this year. Ben Browder was an excellent addition to the cast, along with Beau Bridges and Lexa Doig. Everyone seems to just "fit in" and the show is so compelling each week, I can't wait for the next. Vala was a perfect "spark of energy" to energize the show. Would love to see her as a recurring character next year.
I was glad to see Carter wasn't bumped over Mitchell and made leader of SG1, as she voluntarily left her position as leader of SG1 to go to Area 51, so why should she just jump back into a team that already has an assigned leader. I always thought she was much more interesting as second-in-command,anyway, especially being the technology expert, she's certainly the leader in that.
From the "teasers" I've read, the rest of the season sounds fantastic, my family and I are waiting to see how everything evolves. Thanks for the great job all of you are doing!
More Vala=More Bad Stargate
"HOUSE" A definite must see! If you can overlook the sometimes, ridiculous medical plots, you'll see why Huge Laurie and House has been nominated for 5 emmys! And like someone stated above, season one comes out on DVD Tuesday! And did I happen to mention Huge's gorgeous blue eyes? ;-)
As for your statement about animals -- while not the biggest animal lover around, I found myself completely saddened by the news footage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, of dogs being left on rooftops to die, while their owners were being whisked away in rescue boats. I realize that they're just animals, but it bothered me non the less, and it makes me realize just how blessed I am.
As far as Stargate goes -- keep up the great work! With another couple of Hurricanes in the works, those of us in Florida need all the escape from reality that we can get! ;-) And a pint of that ice cream wouldn't hurt either.;-)
Thanks for the interesting reading!
Oops, make that HUGH Laurie...NOT Huge! Geesh, another reason to proofread your work!
Y r u guys doing vala again? we've had enough alreay
No we haven't. Vala rocks. She's the most interesting female guest character on the show ever, IMO.
Arrgh! You didn't hire my friend Yuji Okumoto for the part of Volnek! Ok, so I don't know that it was you or anything... I just want to see him on my favorite show. ;) I think I had actually gotten him interested in SG when I showed him 'Emancipation' which had his friends Cary and Soon-Tek in it. All that said, my wife and I are both loving Season 9 and hope there will definitely be a Season 10!
Let me start off by saying I love animals. I have had many over the years, all different kinds. I enjoyed playing with whoever's dog those were while I was up there. I hope we didn't scare them too much while we were blowing stuff up with the SFX guys. You all should put up pictures of yourselves with your animals. I think that would be very cool!
Do you need an assistant, or someone to clean your home perhaps? Maybe someone to laugh at all your jokes and tell you how great you are on a daily basis? I'll work for ice cream! (Seriously) If you compaired Stargate to an ice cream flavor, what would that flavor be? (Odd question, I know)
I am so looking forward to more episodes. I missed a couple because of hurricane Katrina. (Not that that really compairs to what other people are going through.) I can't wait to get the box sets when they come out.
Big, big things...why do I feel like that's an understatement?
Thanks again for doing the blog!
Thanks for the latest (hilarious) blog entry - ROFLMAO :D
vALA IS A HORRIBLE ADDITION
NO VALA IN SEASNO TEN
Seeing as all kinds of people recommend things for you to watch here, I figured I would join in the fun!
When the DVD's come out for Veronica Mars season 1, I suggest you check it out. Despite what you may have heard, this isn't isn't a teen drama wrapped in fairly floss where everything is all nice and perfect. This truly is an original piece of television.
Joss Whedon (of Buffy/Angel/Firefly) has become a huge fan and is handing out praise for the show left and right. I even got my TV hating siblings into the show.
Definately a must see.
Well, Joss Whedon has been overated for years by that class of folk who like to consider themselves "well read". They think that just because they've managed to pick up and finish a few novels that they're suddenly experts on what consititutes good writing. If Whedon were any good it would be his shows, not himself, that deserved the high praise. Yet they struggle to maintain an audience and to remain ont he air. They undergo huge changes in cast and direction as Whedon bows under network pressure. Marketing yourself like he and Ronald Moore do is a great way to stay employed, that's it. Whedon is a master of camp, orgiastic sensationalism, and little else.
Hmm, you know, I agree about Whedon. He's way more famous than his shows are. Buffy and Angel both lost their way during the course of the seasons. Too much of the story being based on year to year, not overall plot. And it also became clear that Joss shoved his characters to the background for new ones when they became boring. I don't know, the shows had some success, but I too have always thought them overrated. They're decent, but neither groundbreaking nor innovative.
And, in a massive attempt to stay on topic: My two cents when it comes to Vala, less is more. Please no in season 10.
DVD Recommendations:
Ultraviolet - A British series, from the makers of Spooks, about a government department formed to fight against Vampires.
Peep Show - A British comedy about "two very ordinary weirdos". (The first season comes out on DVD in the US September 13th.)
Dead Like Me - An excellent series (IMO)that was axed by Showtime after only two seasons.
Jeeves & Wooster - Starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry, as master and servant, this very English comedy is based upon the novels by P G Wodehouse. (Apparently the American DVD releases contain edited down versions of the episodes, so you may be better off with British imports.)
Hi Joe,
Have you seen these:
http://www.joking.com/videos.asp?vid...videoclips.swf
http://www.joking.com/videos.asp?video=stargate.swf
Possible future episodes ??? :)
Mr. Mallozzi, hi, I'm Michael Mejos and one many fans of both shows. And I must they are great in different respects. I know this is kinda out of place to ask this. Because, I didn't know where to ask for it. But could that virtual spin-off series, "Stargate:Horizon" (With your help) Become an great tv show like the other two? The creator and producer, Mr Rubit, have made something worth watching at on Friday nights. In my opinion, it's "Star Trek:DS9" with a stargate twist to it. I just heard about it today and already I'm hooked. It has it all. Great characters and development, stories and of course the humor. No stargate would be one w/o the humor. I see it as a like a page turner of a book you can't seem to put down. I'm already half way through season one. And can't wait for season two. Anyways, I know I'm bragging alot. But is that a possibility in the future? Thank you for you time and attention.
Yeah, well regardless of how well done the Horizon thing is or isn't, I can't see it as anything other than a complete rip off. To just steal the concepts, ideas, and characters without their creators permission and then pass it off as something salable is disgusting. Sure, I get that it's fans showing their love for Stargate, but how about doing it in a way that doesn't belittle the work that's gone into the actual shows. The belief among fans that anybody with a pen and a whole whack of time on their hands can do just as well is insulting. I've got the same problem with fan fiction, which is all Horizon is--glorified fan fic. That gateworld has decided to support Horizon, and thus add some level of credibility to the endeavor, is a poor choice and does a disservice to the real Stargates, their creators, makers, and actors.
I can't agree more with the post above. Stargate Horizon is an abominable rip off of the Stargate franchise. That MGM and now Sony allow this to continue unabated is unfathomable. If fan films aren't to be tolerated (and they're not), then I see no reason why Stargate Horizon should be. Seeing as this is Mr. Mallozzi's blog, I have to believe that he and the other producers are aware of the existence of Stargate Horizon. And, while I'm certain that they're not allowed to read any fanfiction, I hope it doesn't stop them from pushing Sony to force Stargate Horizon and its creators from trading on the Stargate name.
"Going over my last blog entry, I realized (to my horror) that I hadn't said anything that could potentially enrage/offend someone. So allow me to remedy that right off the bat by making the following potentially insulting statement: "People who don't like animals are jerks at best, serial killers at worst." Do your worst. "
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Joe, I think you're having waaaaay too much fun with all of this. (LOL!)
-Sela :)
Joe, do not let Vala join the cast for season ten. If that happens, I'm done with the show, and I've loved it since Children of the Gods. It's enough to make me leave, and I'm not alone. There are many of us who are giving you guys the benefit of the doubt given the tough circumstances around season nine. Vala, however, is the line we won't cross. And you probably should have stuck with the three man team too. Mitch in command over Carter is just wrong on so many levels that I'm ashamed for you. Misogynistic doesn't begin to cover it. That'll teach her to have a kid, eh?
I dont' think they're puninishing AT for having a kid,but I do think it really, really looks that way. Shanks got to leave and return unpunished. In fact, his billing even increased upon his return. Tapping has been demoted in the credits and on the team. Way to go guys.
Cheers to the three man team. Mitch is fine as Carter's subordinate, but to have him "lead" the team is an even bigger joke than Ben Browder as "lead" of SG-1. Not too classy a move there, fellas.
Ah yes the Horizon thing, *coughs* ripoff, or at least someone trying to get it the attention of the shows producers so they might make thier show. Although if that happens I won't watch it, I have given up on SG-1 at S9 it just seems to be missing something {and just not Jack}. I mean come on you KNOW the shows producers/writers say they don't read fanfic ect...but I know the producers/writers for ST:TNG did and often found ways of using it without giving credit where it was due, hell they rarely gave credit even to those who signed paramount release forms....after Gene Roddenberry passed, I've heard that this isn't the only fansite the producers/writer/actors visit so...
Hey Joe! Ex Deus Machina was a whoot! I love the Ba'al twist... it seems like he's being his own Ra/Apophis/Anubis, and that I totally dig!!
As for TV suggestions, someone already said La Femme Nikita so I'm gonna say Star Trek:TNG (3hrs of reruns on SpikeTV rock!) or Seven Days. Or Rome that's on The Movie Network (I think).
Or re-watch Mork and Mindy if you haven't already done so. The classics are the best.
Movie-wise... Go for Romeo is Bleeding with Lena Olin. :D If you like Irina Derevko then you'd love Lena's character in RiB.
Can't wait for the big Atlantis finale! Tell Martin that Weir needs some action, not just worrying about her people while stuck on Atlantis. I know she's the leader and all but Gen. Hammond and O'Neill both got adventures so it's only fair that Weir gets some too!
P.S. Good luck on all that script writing. :)
LOL
Men writing a "Women in Jeopardy" storyline...yeah ok...they have no female staff writers to write any good action for Weir or AT for that matter...ya ever notice Carter and Weir's "action" usually revolves around the guys who are getting all of it..."back-up"
Sorry can't comment on anything on the shows this week as I spent the entire weekend from thursday to like abut an hour ago in Cabo San Lucas Mexico so...I'll have to wait for the re-runs :)
But I heard it was a pretty good epi
hi first time respond. try a melon mix ice cream. love atlantis nevergot into sg1. try making wraith more human. dark elements. also clocks by coldlay is awesome
hi joe first time blog
i thinkthat tim tam ice cream would be awsome. in australia we get about 6 diferent veriaties so if you can get your hands on them try mixes.
i agree with the above blog make the wraith take dark human characteristics it will give them more depth and also make them more scary.
another idea slowly transform the regulars' mannerisms into ancient mannerisms until they eventually have changed so much that they are atlantians not earthlings.
try season one of lost. i think you will like it.
one last thin with lt ford have him destroying hybernating wraith hive ships.
good ideas keep comming
have war break out on earth between two countries or europe and asia but major
Joe,no vala plz.
Well if you ask me, Gateworld isn't quite what it used to be either. I wish so many of TPTB would stop posting here, as it's about hte only thing keeping the site afloat.
Since TPTB are legally prohibited from reading fanfics, I would say that Joe isn't going to have anything to do with SG: Horizon. Not if he wants to keep his "real" job as ice cream maker. I mean, as exec producer of Stargate. ;)
I remember being massively underwhelmed by the initial concepts for Horizon and the casting aggravates the heck out of me, so I'm going to give it a pass. I wouldn't say it's a rip-off, though, no more so than the billions of other fanfics out there or the virtual seasons or the Mary/Marty Sue/Original Character fics. *shrug*
I'm not quite sure why Gateworld is standing so thoroughly behind the project, but they seem to be trying to "branch out" into a lot of strange areas lately. Maybe this is just another of their experiments. :) In terms of "success" I can guarantee that even with all of Gateworld's help it will never even come close to approaching the success of the real Stargate shows. It can do well as a fic series, but that's about it. The audience is SEVERELY limited, highly specific and it is, after all, only on virtual paper. Once you enter into fan films, or once you start trying to make money off of it, you enter into much more dangerous legal territory than a simple fanfic. My opinions, anyway.
I'm going to wave another flag for Veronica Mars - it's funny, compelling and the characterisations are wonderful. I can but hope the second season can be as good. Oh, and it's got a great theme tune.
Lost, too, is excellent, and I'm only 6 episodes in!
With this Horizon thing going on. Both(Atlantis/Horizon) were brought up by the nostalgia of the movie and SG-1(i.e. Star Trek and its long line of shows). Correct me if I'm wrong?
Nowadays it isn't just television, look at movies. From the past, certain ones(ex. "The Dukes of Hazzard", "The Longest Yard") are brought up and revamped to todays standards. Honestly, there are some that are better than the original. I look at it this way. If it looks and sounds promising. Then what's the hurt to giving it a shot. There is always that potential it can become great.
I'm still wondering what makes this Horizon thing anymore special or better then any other fanfic out there that it deserves this special honoring at Gateworld. I read it, it makes no sense and like the books, take for example the next one out soon. Come on SG-10 were in a black hole, they died so now there is a book that takes a look at what happened....didn't the show deal with that....BORING come up with something ORIGINAL !!
Horizon is a joke, and Gateworld is even more of a joke for endorsing it the way it has. Plagerism is crap, and Horizon stinks to high heaven.
Well, like I said I don't think MGM would allow them to put this stuff up if the shows producers ect haven't read it and approved it SO in that respect they have read "some" fanfic.
If you read the requirements for submitting a manuscript for one of the books, it says the manuscripts go thru not only the publisher but MGM and the shows producers. So, again this Horizon stuff must be getting condoned by not only GateWorld but those with the show....who knows.
Hey Joe, what's your opinion on Horizon? Good? Bad? Laughable? Insulting? Thanks, but no thanks? Does it irk you that your participation here at Gateworld now opens you up to greater criticism and potential legal action with the inclusion and implied endorsement of Stargate Horizon? Where do you as a writer feel that fanfic crosses the line between harmless fun and copyright infringement? And how do you feel about Gateworld's greater support of Horizon relative to other fanfics?
Oh yeah..that's right GateWorld has now put the producers ect in quite the position as I'm sure they all click around the site and read the forums and stuff.
I mean sure they can not read them but how many of us go Hmmmmmm I wonder what that really is and click on it not fully knowing, read half then figure out what it is. OOooops my bad
I don't think it's plagiaristic any more than any other fanfic series. And I really doubt that any of TPTB have looked over it and/or given it their seal of approval. I'd be heavily surprised if they did.
Gateworld is NOT the official site for Stargate, it's just a very popular fansite with a lot of good contacts. I don't think they need to get anyone's approval for the content they put up, except possibly the interviews. And maybe the spoilers. But only because they have direct impact on the actors/show. But a fic series?? Who cares??
Gateworld is just trying to keep up with the times. They're getting fluffier, that's all. First the advice column, now the virtual series... I'm almost afraid what they'll think up next. ;) But hey, for every person that complains, there are probably three more who think it's utterly brilliant, and I doubt people will stop visiting the site just because they think ONE part of it is kinda cheesy. It's STILL one of the most popular fansites out there and it's STILL a great resource and if they wanna "experiment" a little, let 'em. It's THEIR site after all, even if they cater to the unruly lot of us. ;)
Hope you post a new entry soon, Joe. We need something more relevant to scream about. :)
Horizon...all I can think is what an utter waste of time that is. People have positions, they have meetings, they apparently spend as much time on it as one would with a real series...but it's not a real series. They don't get paid. It's just an utter waste of time. I started reading the first episode and I couldn't even force myself past the first paragraph. I mean, do these people even know how to write a teleplay? Apparently not. But they want us to think they do. Please. It's just fanfic (which I have no problem with), but they're trying to get us to think it's something more special than that.
Just checking my hundred comments theory.
Theory blown. ;)
If someone wanted to start a thread on the forum about Horizon and whether or not it's a good idea (or just an open invite for opinions) I'd be very curious to see the reaction. I also think it'd be a courtesy to Joe since we keep monopolizing his blogspace with comments about it. ;)
Bread pudding ice cream. I don't know if I should be envious or horrified. Maybe if I could taste some I'd be able to decide...
Hey, Joe. I've just finished Alias Season 2 and Spy!Mommy totally became my favorite character. The show I've been reccing to people recently a) isn't out on DVD yet, and b), pulled a "Heroes" on me at the end of the season, so I've stopped reccing it *g* Without a Trace rocks.
Still loving both shows, absolutely outstanding job! Keep it up!
McK
Comment for those saying AT is being punished for having a baby. . um. . .it's called easing back into it? I sure as hell wouldn't want to work straight 14 hours days right after having a baby. Lighten up.
According to AT in an interview she is back full time, which means 14 to 16 hour days. Although the lack of screen time and stories involving her has AT fans, like me worried! Will the writers forget about her character like they have done Teal'c so many times before? I desperately hope not, but the spoilers seem to indicate they are. :(
WILL the writers forget her? You sure they haven't done so already? ;) And given how most of her major plot arcs of late center around her love life, are you sure you want them to remember her again? LOL! Sorry, pardon my cynicism.
Personally, and given the spoilers for Covenant, I forsee a future where Vala will be a full-time member of SG-1 and Sam will retire to "not exactly". Which will be brilliant good fun for all of Vala's rabid supporters and another stroke of bad luck for everyone else. *sigh*
Gosh, is that a fat lady I see singing? ;)
Hmm... Sorry if the above bit seemed spoilery. Guess I wasn't paying attention. But is the "spoiler" supposed about Vala? Or about Sam's fate? I didn't actually say she WAS leaving, ya know, but I can't say I'd blame Amanda for wanting to spend more time with her kidlet. :)
Maybe Sam's "not exactly" will end up with her and Jack "fishing" :)
Joe, buddy, Crusade. You've got to be kidding. That's the saddest thing I've ever heard. Immaculate conception? You've totally lost it, and SG-1 is crap now b/c of it.
Yeah, me again, shoot me if you want. :P
About the whole Horizon thing, I think it's neat. It's not just a whole bunch of fanfics smushed together, there's actually a consistency which is much better than most of my old fav TV shows. coughAliasseason3&4&5cough
It's a lot of hard work to keep a consistency within a series and people slip up at times. It's also a lot of hard work to write fanfics while having a so-called "real" job, a life, and a whole bunch of other responsibilities.
I mean, I've written a series of fanfics for another TV show on top of school, extra-curricular activities, Saturday school, housework, job, etc. etc. So when I say it's hard work, I know. I'm not just taking someone's word for it.
So, seriously, back off on the creators/writers of Horizon. They've got a good thing here. All you complainers should try to do what they do. I'm willing to bet you'd fail miserably.
OK, I'm done ranting for now. And yes, Joe, I'd like to hear your opinion on Horizon too, and perhaps the other Stargate fanfics that are floating around the Web.
Ok, right, I (and everyone) should try to steal others work and toil so that I (and everyone) get a sense of self worth and accomplishment. Either that, or if I'm really bored and lonely, it's apparently something to do, eh? And I'll bet it's hard coming up with stories too, what with SG-1 and Atlantis putting out new stuff each week. Way to go Horizon, way to go.