In honor of my buddy Errol who was in town for two nights only (Book now to avoid disappointment!) we had dinner at Kamei Royale on West Broadway. All in all, not a bad meal – although Fondy may disagree as she started feeling ill on the way home. I don’t know if it was anything she ate because we shared the same dishes with the exception of the yakitori mayo which she skipped (that, in retrospect, may well have contained the antidote). We had an alright cod roe and kimchi noodle dish and a very good Rapture Roll that proved both spicy and tasty. There was a grilled beef tongue dish with green onions that I really enjoyed, and various overcooked robata selections. For dessert, Fondy had the matcha parfait which was made up of green tea ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce and cornflakes (?!) in an inventive though not wholly successful dish. I went with the Kamakura sundae – vanilla and coconut ice cream with coconut shavings and chocolate sauce. As we were heading out the door, we were offered the opportunity to win a random door prize. Fondy scored a free order of edamame. Quick, time to buy a lottery ticket while our luck is still hot!
Spent the day spinning – Alan’s story which is looking more like a third part to the mid-season two-parter. Another revelation in a season full of surprises, an unlikely alliance, and things develop for Teyla. We also discussed Carl’s new story which we’ll probably break next week – potential for a lot of nice character moments in this one. And for those of you asking – after much heated discussion, it was decided that the story Joe Flanigan pitched had elements that were too similar to stories already in the works. As a result, this story will be pushed to season five.
A few more pics to wrap things up: Kerry McDowall from post shows off her enormous Stargate watch, Martin Gero puts on the suave, and the playback ladies gear up for the meeting.
Questions –
Stacy Donaldson writes: “She’ll be too busy working on The Seer and the big midseason two-parter to be available for SG-1. Any words to allay my fears?”
Answer: Sure. Don’t worry. She’ll be doing both.
Jason writes: “Just in time for your Chocolate party. A controversy about Chocolate.”
Answer: Not really an issue so far as I’m concerned because I’d stick to the real thing.
JJ writes: “So, what do you do when you hit up a friend’s place for supper and the food isn’t as great as the wonderful dishes you have shown to us?”
Answer: I try to focus on the positive – like that beautiful throw pillow in the vestibule!
M writes: “So those cool watches – was Martin the only one who got them?”
Answer: Nope. We got ours today.
Anonymous #1 writes: “There was no attempt on my part to summarily dismiss your opinions as worthless or not “worthy of respect”.”
Answer: Oh. It’s just that when you wrote “Eh, it may take me a minute to get going, Joe. I’m still a bit dizzy from all the spinning going on.”, I erroneously assumed it was an in-context criticism of my opinion rather than a literal reference to the fact that you were actually spinning – arms out, twirling round and round like a whirling dervish.
Anonymous #1 also writes: “Your contention, however, that the first half season numbers for Atlantis and SG-1 aren’t useful as an indicator or future basis for ratings comparisons is a bit beyond the pale.”
Answer: I didn’t say they weren’t useful. I simply disagree with your belief that they are the best indication of where the series numbers will head.
Anonymous #1 also writes: “Yes, it is quite possible that the first half numbers for both shows are indeed anomolies representing a one-time or limited lag in ratings. That being said, the debut ratings for the second half premiers are in keeping with the drop off that was seen at the beginning of the seasons.”
Answer: True. They matched those numbers despite the fact that the episodes have aired everywhere else in the world and have been available online for months. I think this is a significant factor to consider as well.
Anonymous #1 writes: “But to effectively slaughter the Stargate franchise all at once would have created a stigma for Scifi that no amount of good PR would ever overcome.”
Answer: Really? You actually believe that the network would have been better off PR-wise risking two fan-uprisings rather than weathering one?
Anonymous #1 writes: “Yeah, there’s a sizable difference between shows averaging 1.3’s and 1.6’s. But my previous point is that that gap is closed somewhat by the money NBC Universal makes back on DVD sales, itunes downloads, various licensing and marketing avenues, and the like from shows they own outright. Also, the vertical integration of those productions is a boon to the network.”
Answer: All true. Which begs the question “what is the magic money formula when it comes to said gap?”. Only the network knows for sure.
Anonymous #2 writes: “Will there be any Atlantis-based episodes in season 4?”
Answer: Yup.
Anonymous #3 writes: “What do you think, script-wise; is it better to write something you are passionate about/know intimately, or just try and get your stuff noticed?”
Answer: Always write about something you’re passionate about. Like spindly grey aliens.
Zannah writes: “Chocolate protein powder? What kind/brand do you use?”
Answer: ISO 100.
Anonymous #3 ecrit: “ Vous n’avez pas de problème de crise de foie avec tous ces chocolats que vous mangez ???”
Reponse: Nous verrons Dimanche matin.
TLF ecrit: “Qui choisit les voix de doublage de SG1 et SGA ? les auteurs, les producteurs ont-ils leurs mots à dire ?
Answer: Je ne sais pas. Il me semble qu’il serait la responsabilite du diffuseur.
Steven Goldman writes: “…my fiancee and I are going to be honeymooning in Vancouver and Vancouver Island this June… any particularly great and/or romantic recommendations you could make for dining/sightseeing?”
Answer: I’d probably hit Stanley Park, Steveston Village, and have dinner at the Seven Sails.
Anonymous #4 writes: “Are the actors allowed to ad-lib or change a line here and there, or do they strictly adhere to the script?”
Answer: Sure, they’re allowed to ad-lib, but it rarely happens.
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