Since my father was a diabetic, the prospect that the disease ran in my family was something that would give me pause now and again. Never during dinner of course, and certainly not while I was eating my double desserts, but lying in bed some nights I would wonder. Could I develop it? Was I at risk? Did I already have it? It had been more than a few years since my last full physical and if I did have it, I certainly wouldn’t know it. Unless I was failing to notice the symptoms. Well, I had been feeling a little rundown of late. Was that a sign of low blood sugar? Or was it a sign that my body was feeling the effects of my waking up at 6:00 a.m. every morning in order to do a high-intensity cardio and weight work-out? What about my occasions of blurred vision? Was that a sign that the disease was damaging my retinas? Or was it a sign that I just woke up and hadn’t yet rubbed the sleep out of my eyes? Or what about my frequent trips to the bathroom? Was it a sign that my kidneys had been affected? Or was it a sign that maybe drinking 4 litres of water (roughly 100 fluid ounces)a day was overdoing it? Well, there was only one way to know for sure and, sometime last month, Fondy picked up one of those take-home test-yourself blood-glucose meters. A normal reading is in the 4 to 7 range and I know a friend whose initial result, at a little over 20, sent him to emergency. I was anxious to say the least. Anxious, yes, but not altogether eager to know. And certainly not with my chocolate party looming. I mean, seriously. Could you think of a bigger downer? And so, the chocolate party came and went and that blood-glucose meter sat in Fondy’s drawer, gathering dust. And as time went on, I grew increasingly worried. Again, worried enough to worry, but really not worried enough to bring myself to test my blood and either a) put my mind at ease or b) confront a potential health problem. It was always “Not yet! Not yet! I’ve special-ordered chocolates!”. Or “Not yet! Not yet! I have to finish the truffles before they go bad!” Finally, the other night, Fondy had had enough. She tested herself first. 5. As I said, a blood sugar level reading of 4-7 is normal. “Okay, your turn,”she announced. “Not yet! Not yet!”I protested. It had been a multiple dessert night and I was sure that would skew the readings. It was almost midnight and if it was bad news it would keep me up all night. Plus, I was squeamish and didn’t want to bleed! She practically had to sit on me to get the blood from my finger. “Don’t worry,”she assured me. “I won’t tell you until tomorrow.” She slipped the chip into the reader and seconds later – beep – got the result. She was stonefaced. “What’s it at?”I asked, wanting to know but not really. “Do you really want to know?”she asked. “Yes!” She turned the reader around. 4.1 I had to take another look just to be sure it wasn’t 41. Yup. 4.1 I was normal. Nutella shots for everyone!
So, okay, maybe it shouldn’t have been all that surprising. After all, even though we do eat out every night and I do enjoy a dessert (sometimes two) on occasion, I pursue a fairly healthy lifestyle: working out every day, starting each morning with a bowl of low-fat yogurt, All-bran, protein powder, and fruit, avoiding most bad carbs. Still, I’m a bit of a hypochondriac so I suppose I need something new to worry about. High blood-pressure?! No. I checked mine while I was in Montreal. Perfectly normal. High cholesterol?! No, again, last time I checked that was normal too. Hmmm. Hey, what about Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses? Can anyone give me the symptoms?
Can anyone even pronounce it?
By the way, I’d like to take a moment to welcome the slew of Hungarian fans who seem to have discovered my blog the other day. Isten hozott!
Pics: Bam Bam makes a very important call, my buddy Crispy sporting his shades on a stake-out, David Nykl incognito, and a basket of tasty deep-fried garlic chicken cartilage from Zakkushi.
Q&A –
PG15 writes: “Joe, would you say you are the most snarktastic producer working on the Stargates?”
Answer: Truth be told, we’re all pretty snarky. In fact, I think both Rob and Marty G. outdo me.
Wraithkeeper writes: “When you’re writing the scripts, how do you choose names for alien technology or speech? For instance, the Goa’uld have the word Mik’ta – I’ve always been curious if that’s a play on director Andy Mikita’s name?”
Answer: Probably the worst thing about our job is having to come up with those alien names. Often, it’s just easier to bastardize a familiar name like, say, Mikita. Hey, anyone remember the Mallozian Mines from Serpent’s Grasp?
Anonymous #1 writes: “Joe, have you ever had or heard of Mountain Oysters, otherwise known as Rocky Mountain Oysters?”
Answer: Are they the same thing as Prairie Oysters? They were on the menu when I went to Pied de Cochon in Montreal but, alas, were unavailable. I believe they were out of season. Is that even possible?
Anonymous #2 writes: “Will we see the Genii in season 4?”
Answer: Possibly.
Johnny E. writes: “1. Do you have a favorite episode? 2. What was with the longer break this winter/spring?”
Answers: 1. Of the finished episodes I’ve written – Ripple Effect. Let’s see how Reunion turns out. 2. I believe it’s part of SciFi’s strategy to provide viewers with year-round original programming.
Suzotchka writes: “ You should be getting a package from the Save Elizabeth Weir campaign any day now. So be on the lookout.”
Answer: I’ll have Martin Gero open it.
Anonymous #3 writes: “Joe, there are some of us over at Gateworld who are wondering if the transparent displays used on the Atlantis sets are real or props. Could you please clarify the issue?”
Answer: I’m not sure what you’re referring to.
Lizzie a ecrit: “Est-ce que vous vous interessez aux audiences de Stargate dans les autres pays comme en france?”
Reponse: Bien sur. Si je n’etais pas interesse, je ne repondrais pas a vos questions.
Anonymous #4 writes: “Are we going to see a more vunerable or less in control shep this season?”
Answer: Some.
Linzi writes: “Thanks for answering my question and explaining that This Mortal Coil was the most challenging script for you to write. Are you pleased with the end product? Has it been a labour of love, or a thorn in your side?”
Answer: I think the script is pretty solid now and I’m really liking what Will has shot so far.
Anonymous #5 writes: “What episode of Atlantis is Zac Selwyn going to be in and did he make the final cut?”
Answer: Yes, Zach made the cut. He was actually very good. He’ll be appearing in Tabula Rasa.
Anonymous #6 writes: “I hope holding Amanda to her contract is worth it to the show…”
Answer: There was no “holding to” any contract. We simply exercised her option meaning we already had a deal in place that would allow her to continue working on Stargate – IF she wanted to. Which she did.
Crazymom writes: “Do you ever have a day when you just do not want to deal with the blog?”
Answer: Yeah. Roughly every second day.
Promogirl writes: “Do you think the internet has helped or hurt the Stargate franchises?”
Answer: I don’t know if it’s helped, but it certainly hasn’t hurt.
Herbert writes: “Michael Beach be returning in this episode as well?”
Answer: Yup. Both Michael and Mitch and their respective ships will be putting in an appearance.
I am not a ‘foodie’ and do not fully appreciate the delicacies that you consume. Some of it looks good but when you actually name the dish it sounds gross.
Is there any part of any animal that you would not consume?
Leaving out dogs and cats – I hope that you don’t consider them a food source.
Are any of the Pugs exceptionally naughty? Are they cat lovers or cat chasers?
*waves*
Why do I get the feeling that you’ve been writing a lot of McKay dialogue today? hehehe
Glad you’re ok, I wonder what your blog would have been like if you weren’t able to tell us all about the chocolate treats, lol. But, on the plus side, I hear there’s lots of good diabetic chocolates about. 😀
*hugs* Because i’m feeling in a huggy mood.
In The Road Not Taken, Major Lorne was the leader of that AU’s SG1. Was there any other people under consideration for this role or was Kavan Smith always your first choice?
“Answer: There was no “holding to” any contract. We simply exercised her option meaning we already had a deal in place that would allow her to continue working on Stargate – IF she wanted to. Which she did.”
That’s not exactly the way things seem to have gone down. Sure, that’s the company line now, but there were some pretty honest comments made about the situation last year. Supposedly you had to “sell” her on the idea, and even then she was shocked that you wanted such a huge committment. Ms. Tapping’s initial impression was that she would be appearing in a few episodes, something around three or four. And the notion of her being held to her contract came from Ms. Tapping, not the fans’ imagination. It was a totally honest statement that revealed a bit too much of the behind the scenes wrangling that had to happen last year. I doubt she was lying or being disingenuous. You’ve since been trying to whitewash that one ribald, honest statement with the usual hearts and flowers rhetoric. There were a lot of fans at GABIT that spoke to Amanda about Sam’s future. She was surprised and very worried about the Atlantis move. Seeing the response, it seems her instincts were a bit more on the ball than the producers’ have been.
C’mon, cheeky, good diabetic chocolates? That’s like good diet Pepsi–good only if you’re banned from the real stuff and need to pretend!
I finally got to watch “The Ark” today. Jason Momoa completely cracked me up with his first line: “No.” Such heartfelt emotion there–thank heaven there are people willing to be actors so I can sit on the couch with my blackberry wine and laugh! There were lots of other good lines, too. My husband, who is an athletic trainer, laughed hardest at Sheppard’s comment on Ronon’s shoulder repair: “That was disturbing,” having helped someone do that in the past.
When the scenes for “Sunday” came on, GeekBoy yelped, “Two weeks??” We’ll have to make sure we have something good from Netflix next weekend.
Anonymous #3 writes: “Joe, there are some of us over at Gateworld who are wondering if the transparent displays used on the Atlantis sets are real or props. Could you please clarify the issue?”
I believe these are screens with projecters, showing the Atlantis raw data feed, i think it’s been said that a projecter can be seen in either the behind the scenes things or one of the episodes (there was a thread on the gateworld forum a while back on this topic.)
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses? Can anyone give me the symptoms?
Can anyone even pronounce it?
I’ll give it a try!
pneu·mo·no·ul·tra·mi·cro·scop·ic·sil·i·co·vol·ca·no·co·ni·o·sis
dictionary calls it a lung disease.
As for you, glad you’re glucose level is ok. My grandpa was diabetic, so there’s a possiblity of it being in my family…
If you did have high glucose…it could always be Colonel Mustard…in the kitchen…with the chocolate stick – i mean, candlestick.
I have one word for you joe. aequeosalinocalcalinoceraceoaluminosocupreovitriolic
My doctor said I was borderline diabetic at 6.1 Happily, watching my diet and losing weight helped bring that back to normal.
I just finished watching the second season DVD of “Deadwood” and all its extras. I know you said you liked that show, but didn’t like to watch the commentaries on anything. You might want to give a few minutes look at the writing of the show with David Milch. Being a screenwriter myself, I’m awed that he can write the show by lying on the floor and just dictating with the entire writing staff in the room listening to him, and that those words of his come tripping off his tongue. Granted, he doesn’t get it as he wants the first time — who does? — but still…
And now I’m off to watch one of my favorite buddy movie DVDs which I got for my birthday last month, “Tombstone” with Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell.
It has one of my all-time favorite buddy scenes. It’s when Wyatt Earp is planning his almost suicidal showdown and his posse of friends leave him so as not to get killed themselves. The last one to leave asks Doc Holiday why he is staying and Doc says simply, “Wyatt is my friend.”
The guy answers, “Hell, I’ve gotta lot of friends.”
Doc answers, “I don’t.”
Simply written, simply acted, but carrying a wallop of emotion that has stayed in my mind and heart since I first saw the movie. I have watched many a repeat to hear those two words, and now I’m off to watch the DVD.
hi, joe,
alex levine said this in his blog: […] “Anyways, the reason I was here was because a scheduling conflict came up and Sam Carter had to be taken out of some scenes in an upcoming episode called “Be All My Sins Remember’d.”
can you go into more of what brought this on, joe? was sam being in ‘continuum’ the scheduling conflict, and how much sam scenes were cut from ‘be all my sins remember’d’?
sally 🙂
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses? Can anyone give me the symptoms?
Can anyone even pronounce it?
Yes! It’s also known as silicosis. (That part I didn’t have to google. Thanks Waldo!) Major symptoms are dry cough and shortness of breath.
And yes, I can pronounce it, but I’m not quite sure how to demonstrate that on a blog…
Oh! Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses!
You are, like, the third person I have ever heard (or rather, read in this case) use that word!! Golly… I can’t even remember what it is anymore–some kind of cancer, isn’t it?–but I can pronounce, I believe.
Please reassure me that Atlantis isn’t going to become ‘The Sam Carter Show’! I’m always worried when a regular from one series moves to another that that character will become the focus of the show (for example: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine became ‘The Worf Show’ after he joined the cast from TNG).
The Great Mallozzi Blog Stargate Puzzle Riddle of 2007 (GMBSPR07)
I know we have some very intelligent people who visit here, but you may need a bit of help to start out. So, here are two hints: 1. Every letter and word and spelling is intentional; 2. Think of what number responds to the clue “All the chevrons lock.” Here’s the entire puzzle again:
The Challenge:
To solve this next puzzle
Three numbers you’ll need
The clues are quite vague
Deciphering will take patience, not speed.
————————————
The Clues:
All the chevrons lock
It’s a Race through the gate
In a full season of episodes
We may learn of sumone’s fate.
————————————
The Puzzle:
Now comes the hard part-
To make it all fit.
Many will try and fewer succeed
It takes a calling and a strong killer need
For a fan keeps an eye
On this show SGA
And enjoys it at night
Each and ev’ry week on Sci-Fi Friday.
————————————-
If you figure it out, please don’t spoil it for the one or two others who might actually try. You can either email me your solution at mallozziblogeval@aol.com, or simply rest in the knowledge that you were first to decipher it. The solution, along with a list of the winning decipher-ers will be disclosed to the general public at a later date.
Again, the only prize awarded is that of complete bragging rights. That and acknowledgment of your overwhelming mental superiority.
Happy Puzzling!
Dear Joseph,
I apologize about the joke question I had ask you today. Guess I sucked at grammar more than Worth sucked at rap. But, still, I need some advice on writing a TV episode. I just need to know how to write and how to sell the completed script. That’s all.
Sorry about my incompetent humor,
“Forrest”
Do you like fan videos?
Hey you have made it pretty clear about the lower ratings but what are you doing to address the issue of ratings and when/where they air?
CARTER ROCKS!!!!!!!!
Oh, that sounds like a fun writers room! I wonder what it feels like to be a fly on the wall in there.
Any chance of a future DVD release where we get an uncensored “a day in the writers’ room” extra?
Oh, almost forgot. Have you seen your recent interview with “Sequential Tart” that was published? It has a pretty, um, bad-a** pic of you as a supervillain:
http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=512
Szia Joe!
I write from Hungary. Thank you very much the greeting, this is very nice from you. We really enjoy your blog everyday. Keep up the good work and don’t be sad because of the negative opinions!
Platschu
Sorry Joe for my second comment. I made a little news about Ark of Truth on our Hungarian website to promote the film. I wrote to the fans th they can watch photos from the set on your blog, so this the reason why the number of the Hungarian IPs became bigger in the last 2-3 day. 😀
Did you learn some Hungarian words from Martin Gero, Ivan Bartok or Amanda’s husband? Martin wrote that Dr. Biro was named after his Hungarian relative, but she is American. Is there any chance to make her an offical Hungarian character in the Atlantis expedition too? 😀
What I liked about Stargate Atlantis season 1, was the impending arrival of the Wraith fleet which occured in The Siege trilogy – which btw were one of the best episodes to date. While season 1 focussed on getting the ZPM to power the shields when the Wraith arrive, season two seemed to be more about exploring and protecting their secret. I haven’t seen all of season 3, but it seems to be about the same like with season 2. Is season 4 going to be similar like season 1 or something completly different?
Any idea on when Stargate sg-1 season 10 and Stargate Atlantis season 3 dvd’s will be released in Europe? Any news on who’s going to be part of the cast of the third Stargate series?
If you could write yourself is as anyone on the show, who would you be and why? Also if the stargate was real, would you go through it? And what happened to Sora? Will we ever get to see her again?
c est vraiment super que vous parler Francais…car mon anglais est trés mauvais..^^!
Quel est votre plat francais préféré??
Moi j adore les huître,le foix gras,le magret de canard..les canelets..c est plat son trés courant dans ma région le Sud Ouest de la France..
Bon bah salut et merci
Actually, I’m more surprised you don’t have any teeth problem from all the chocolate/sugar you get to have.
Ah some people have all the luck. 🙂
Hallo, Joe,
Catching up on the last few days of your blog, and I have to say, I’m enjoying and appreciating all the pictures! I always do. 🙂
A couple posts back, you mentioned Student Bodies. I can’t believe that was ten years ago! And how cool is it that Ross Hull is now an anchor on the Weather Network? 🙂
Loved the commercial-tv-spinoffs, VERY funny. 😛
Anyways, take care!
Ayla McKay
Nova Scotia
To the person who accused people of bashing Carter/Tapping over at GW.. you must have a pretty short memory, because there were plenty of Carter fans screaming blue murder when Vala was brought in, and saying some pretty bad things about the character and the actress.
Bit of a double standard to go off about fans being angry over Carter when so many people put on a disgusting Anti-Claudia display when she first started.
At least this time it’s known that Torri doesn’t want to leave. If she did she would have just walked.
That’s a lot different to Amanda taking time off to have a baby.
I’d also like to clarify a popular misconception: if you look in the Anti-Carter in Season 4 thread at GW, you’ll find about 50 percent of the posters aren’t Weir fans. There are some who actively hate Weir. They just hate the idea of Carter joining the cast more.
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses… honestly, one of my all time favourite diseases. Why? Because of the way the body respond to the silica. The silica is small enough to go deep into your lungs and stay there. But of course in your lungs you have these cool little cells called macrophages. The macrophages likes to eat (phagocytize) things that doesnt belong in the lungs and therefore clean up the whole system. But the silica is bigger than the macrophage, so it can’t be phagocytized! And here is why I like this disease: What do the macrophage do? They do something called a frustrated phagocytizes, meaning that they blow themselves up all over the silica in hope of damaging the silica. Does the silica get hurt? No. Do the lungs get hurt? Yes. The frustrated phagocytozis is what causes the disease. It leads to fibrosis in the lungs. Which is a restictiv lungdisease, which means it gets difficult to breathe in. It may get difficult to breathe out too because of adheranses in the lungs. Your lungcapacity gets worse and worse over some years. Some people also get cough, and some other rare people cough up bloody mucus. And of course in the end you end up with cor pulmonale and then you die of heart failure, if you don’t die of lungcancer first since the disease increases the risk of that. Lesson: Don’t work in mines, don’t breathe in stonedust and don’t breathe in volcanodust. Lovely disease!
Joe,
I was wondering.. You said you didn’t like ‘Irresponsible’ because it didn’t turn out the way it was supposed to with the desired sets not being available and all. But what about Kolya? Do you think it was a justified end to his storyline? If not, is there a chance we’ll see him again in Season 4?
Is it just that the chicken isn’t very photogenic or did it taste as minging as it looks?
Crystal said…
And now I’m off to watch one of my favorite buddy movie DVDs which I got for my birthday last month, “Tombstone” with Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell.
One of my favourite lines in that movie is when a drunken Doc Holliday walks out of the saloon to weigh in on the fight going on outside and one of the bad guys sneers at him that he’s “so drunk you’re probably seeing double”, to which Doc calmly replies, “I have two guns – one for each of you.” 😀 😀
Good to hear Mitch is coming back. I didn’t know how I felt about him at first, but he certainly grew on me. I’m quite fond of him now. As for Michael Beach’s character…I know some don’t like him, but I think he’s looking to be a pretty great character, too. Not terribly likeable, granted, but certainly a good foil for the main characters, and he’s definitely brought out the team-ness of them (loved that part where McKay defended Weir’s authority as if it was not even a question).
hi Joe is there any plan on having a wraith queen appearing in season 4
Hi Joe. Thanks for the blogging – we appreciate it. I don’t know where you find the time, between the eating (and food reviewing) and movie/tv watching, book reading, and that nasty full time job you’ve got.
Anyway, I don’t know if you’ve already talked about this, but will we see the character Michael at all during during Atlantis Season 4? It’s been hinted at previously, but nothing definitively yet.
Also, I went to law school with a Mallozzi and she had a brother named Joe. You’re not doing driveway construction on the side, are you? I sang at her wedding and Joe was in the bridal party, so maybe we’ve met!
Marsha
Hi Joe!
Well it is difficult for me, to talk about diabetes in few lines, also excuse me about my english language I’m from Barcelona (Spain) and my english it is not correct yet… but I will try to make me understand…
I am diabetic since I was 10 years, (actually I am 32) … My diabetes is Type I , and I need insulin 4 times a day. This kind of diabetes generally appears in “kids” or in adolescense (like mine). My last sugar blood range was 5,7. My boyfriend is also diabetic Type I he is since he was 19 years.
I don’t know if your father is a “soon diabetic” or “later diabetic”, but I supose beeing your father he has diabetes Type II, this kind of diabetes generally has older people. But always are exceptions… The type II it is worst to detect it, and it is better that once a year you make a check, but I don’t believe that you become diabetic.
I have a cousin that she loves sweets and candys and she isn’t diabetic… Once my doctor told me that diabetes is a genetic illness, and it jumps of generation, I dear to say, (I put an example but it doesn’t means it can be) for example your father is diabetic, it is probably the diabetes jumps to your sons or daughters generation, or perhaps jumps to your grandsons generation. If you have brothers or sisters perhaps the diabetes gene jumps to they… it is difficult to know it. You can consult to your doctor and to ask him about your family genetic.
I don’t know if you understand me… It is difficult for me explain it in english language.
Another example, my diabetes comes by my mother’s family (my grandmother and the mother of my grandfather). And my cousins they aren’t diabetics. It is like the prize of the lottery.
I understand all your worry questions about diabetes. Don’t worry and live your life. You only must be careful eating sweet food you can eat it but few… and to eat a variety healthy foods diet like fruits, vegetables they are very good I love vegetables but I eat meat, chicken, fish too… And it is better to eat few and often.
Food pyramid: http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210621/food_pyramid.gif
I can eat all kind of food but respecting my “doctor’s diet”. I don’t eat sweet foods, only some when I am in hypoglucemy. When I am in “hypo” I drink a glass of orange or peach juice, or water + sugar… When you are in “hypo” it is better to drink some sweet drink than to eat!
But in the case you are diabetic (I don’t wish it) the trik is respect the “foods timetable” your diet and the medical treatment, also it is much better if you can practise some kind of sport. Or if you don’t like sports, walking an hour by day it is enough. To rise and to lower stairs. And you don’t think about your worry questions!!! 😉
I think scientists must investigate more with cells mother I believe diabetes wouldn’t existis…
If you want to talk about diabetes, you can contact me here: andreavictirx@yahoo.es
And don’t worry Joe! You rock!
That Puzzle is very interesting, although I’m not quite sure what to do with the numbers once I have them ^^;
Ha ha. Thanks for throwing in a pic of David for us. I wish I had a hat like that. Are the infamous blue shirts cotton or a blend?
And how many versions of Ronon’s gun are there, material-wise (plastic, rubber, etc)?
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses are you kidding? I don’t recall you ever working in mining or were you near a volcanic eruption that we didn’t hear about? By the way it is
pneumono-ultra-microscopic-siloco-vlocanocon-ioses.
Your symptoms do smack of hypercondriasis or perhaps pigbel, and the possibility of thalassemia exists in someone of Mediterranean descent.
Would it be alright for me to use some of the pictures from your blog for a project I’m working on? I could credit them to your blog if you like.
First, I’d like to say a big thanks for posting pictures from production sets. It’s a lot of fun to get inside peeks. Second, I know it’s Sci-Fi that sets the schedules but do you know if the plan is to go another 6-7 month stretch between episode 10 and 11 of season 4, or will they try to shorten that this time like they did with Battlestar Galactica this past year, with about a 6 week break between the mid-season episodes? And, sneaking in a third question, any idea when we’ll get a premiere date to look forward to?
It’s been a while JM. Sak passe?!
I have one question, any chance of us getting Teyla speaking in ‘techno-babble’ terminology? I loved watching her argue with McKay in Phantoms and understand what he was talking about and doing. Not to mention Aurora—great fun ep with her and Caldwell. Any chance of more?!
Maybe a glimpse into finding out who’s been teaching Teyla science, or she pulling a Malcolm X and reading a massive science text from front to back?!
In the span of three-and-a-half years, you will have dispatched one-half of SGA’s original main cast and relegated them to “recurring” roles. I haven’t yet seen/heard a really clear explanation of why it was necessary to get rid of either Beckett or Weir. However, with Carter in charge of Atlantis, are she and Sheppard to spend their screen time going head-to-head as was originally intended with Weir and Sheppard? Please, say it isn’t so. And if Amanda Tapping is only staying on for the remaining year of her contract, what/who then happens? (I really hope that SGA does have 5th season — and beyond.)
This is actually in response to something you had mentioned a few days ago. Are you still going to watch Veronica Mars? Despite the sad news of it’s cancellation I still think that it is definitely worth watching, and that once you’re a few episodes into the first season you will be HOOKED. Also, do you watch another of my favorite cancelled-way-too-soon series, Arrested Development?
Is a 3rd series still in the works?
And if you had an unlimited budget and complete freedom and the oportunity to do a few more spin-offs, what are some ideas you’d like to explore?
Who would you like (if you could have anyone) to see guest star? Not particularly a “popular” or well known actor/actress but talented and somone you’d like to work with.
Yes, I’m sure I’ll be seeing a few snarky remarks and bad ideas here.
Ever eaten turnip greens or collards, Joe?
Crazymom says: C’mon, cheeky, good diabetic chocolates? That’s like good diet Pepsi–good only if you’re banned from the real stuff and need to pretend!
Lol, I don’t like chocolate; Diabetic or normal, it all tastes like crap to me…sorry joe. I’d be no good at your chocolate parties, lol. Give me a plate of cheese and crackers anyday.
So, Joe, while i’m here and have not been cheeky in some time :o) When you say that Shep may lose control a lil bit. Does that mean he’ll have to be tied up… or restrained? *tries to keep her thoughts PG* ;)And maybe as they’re trying to restrain him, his shirt accidently on purpose rips? *puts on her most innocent face*
oooh you know the whumping crew would love that. :o)
Thank you Mr M, you’re a very wise and kind man.
Anonymous said…
In the span of three-and-a-half years, you will have dispatched one-half of SGA’s original main cast and relegated them to “recurring” roles. I haven’t yet seen/heard a really clear explanation of why it was necessary to get rid of either Beckett or Weir.
It should be clear, as they say, to the most casual observer.
After three years of following SG1 and in part preceding BG, Atlantis has not been able to get its ratings on average above SG1 (which was canceled). It doesn’t draw new viewers and with season four it will probably be by itself and won’t get the SG1 lead-in. If the season 4 ratings don’t increase I doubt there will be a season 5. Minor changes won’t fix the problem.
Wier is not a leader figure onscreen. She is more like a project manager who reacts to things happening around her. As she wanders through the episode you can’t tell if she runs the place or is just one of the nice technicians. Viewers tune in and see the problem of the week solved by others, say that’s nice but don’t add Atlantis to their “must see” list. It would seem that the thing that holds the most interest to the hard core fans is who is (or might be or could be) involved with who. Great for a soap operas but not good for a sci-fi action series.
I am sure the program managers saw this problem and came up with a way to correct it. Joe said they were out interviewing at least two other Wier replacements before they gave the nod to AT.
If you think I jest about onscreen leadership that viewers react to, go watch an episode of “The Closer” staring Kyra Sedgwick . Ms Sedgwick took that program from a brand new summer show to one of the top cable shows winning a Golden Globe award in the process.
I am content to watch and see how Joe and the others do the changes because I think they have to do it right or lose the show. Should prove interesting.
The one thing I am curious to see is how they write Carter. If they bring Carter over as the Carter we know and love from SG1 then Atlantis will fail. If she comes over a little more like “replicator” Carter (harder in attitude), sends the team to do the work and then evaluates their performance afterwards then I think the show has a great chance for a season 5.
My own choice for Weirs replacement would have been Michelle Forbes (better known to BG fans as Admiral Helena Cain) but I bet BG has her busy.
Hi from Austria!
I spent an enjoyable hour or so skipping through your blog entries…wow…chocolate parties!!!!! Maybe you want to add austrian chocolate next time? – I recommend: http://www.zotter.at/chocolate-gallery.html
If you do, please tell how you liked it.
And….have you ever considered fasting to increase the food experience afterwards?!
Liebe Grüße,
Regina
allison said…
“That Puzzle is very interesting, although I’m not quite sure what to do with the numbers once I have them ^^;”
Allison, the puzzle has multiple layers. If you have determined all 3 numbers, then take a look at the last line of “The Clues” as your next step.
I’m curious, is anyone else giving this a try? crazymom? alipeeps? caroline? cheeky? arcticgoddess? anonymous? joe? C’mon…I know you’re intrigued…
It is great that you have this blog and tease us with pictures and little bits from the shooting of episodes. It has helped to keep interset up while waiting for season 4. My question today is as showrunner, have you or Brad or Rob ever had to take an actor to the side and metaphorically slap them on the wrist for giving out any spoiler info? With blogs and other internet sites today, is it that much harder to keep stuff secret? Have you ever fired crew or not hired back guest actors because of info leaked?
Thanks for your time!
Are we ever going to find out more about Sheppard’s ex-wife?
Okay… I gotta ask… What is McKay’s IQ?
Joe – if Mitch Pileggi and Michael Beach are in “their respective ships” which ship does Carter come to Atlantis in? Is it: (a) one of the existing ships or (b) a new ship and, if you can answer, is Carter in command of the ship at the time? Thank you.
glad you are ok!
After you post about the kids who came to the office and terrorized you, a random question popped into my mind: Have you seen this video? What this little girl would do to a Monster if she saw it
Hope you get a good chuckle out of it.
Congrats on the test.
Answer: Yup. Both Michael and Mitch and their respective ships will be putting in an appearance.
Very good news indeed.
EC
Anonymous said…
To the person who accused people of bashing Carter/Tapping over at GW.. you must have a pretty short memory, because there were plenty of Carter fans screaming blue murder when Vala was brought in, and saying some pretty bad things about the character and the actress.
Bit of a double standard to go off about fans being angry over Carter when so many people put on a disgusting Anti-Claudia display when she first started.
~~~
i was/am part of the huge amanda/sam group from gateworld, and NOT once did my group put down claudia black. yes, we had issues with vala, but not claudia. NOT CLAUDIA.
there is a difference between a character and the performer playing the character. one can dislike a character without it having anything to do with the performer.
sally 🙂
Major Sal:
You said you had issues with Vala. But the fact of the matter was that she was brought in to fill a gap while Amanda was off having a baby
I mean how dare she actually want to have a life and have a child, right? You were well within your rights to bitch about the replacement character, because Amanda was so hard done by that TPTB accommodated her pregnancy, as they’re currently doing with Rachel / end sarcasm..
My point is this:
Amanda chose to (understandably and reasonably) take time off to have a baby. There was going to be a need to put a female character in there to fill her spot, otherwise the show would have been pretty much 100% male. What would you have them do in that situation?
The Torri situation is an entirely different one, in that she DIDN’T WANT TO GO. This is obvious to anyone who’s read the latest interview with her.
You’re failing to see that clear distinction.
The same can be said about Daniel. I can’t believe the things I’ve heard about actors/fans yelling out “NO!!!” when someone at a con asks if Jonas is going to come back. He was brought in after Shanks DECIDED to leave. How is it his fault that he was the actor chosen?
Again, in this situation, it’s different. NEITHER PAUL NOR TORRI WANTED TO GO.
It’s a huge double standard to say it’s okay to moan and bitch about Vala/Jonas if you’re a Sam/Daniel fan, but not to be angry about Carter if you’re a Weir fan.
And again, take a look at the anti Carter and anti season 4 threads. There are people in there who are not Beckett or Weir fans at all, but would much rather have them in the lineup than Princess Samantha Carter.
A lot of people (some of them SG1 fans) find the character to be the most irritating in the entire franchise because she’s so goddamned perfect, she’s smarter than everyonen (including McKay and Zelenka… how’s that going to work for them??) She’s a better soldier than anyone (poor Shep, Lorne and Caldwell.. second, third and fourth best to the great Carter) and she is, of course prettier than any of them (sorry Teyla, you’re probably going to stay in the background)
This is why so many fans are annoyed. We’re losing wonderful, albeit sometimes flawed characters for the great and perfect (and annoying as hell) Samantha Carter. You don’t have to be a weir fan to be pissed off about that.
Anonymous said…
Major Sal:
You said you had issues with Vala. But the fact of the matter was that she was brought in to fill a gap while Amanda was off having a baby
I mean how dare she actually want to have a life and have a child, right? You were well within your rights to bitch about the replacement character, because Amanda was so hard done by that TPTB accommodated her pregnancy, as they’re currently doing with Rachel / end sarcasm..
(snip)
It’s a huge double standard to say it’s okay to moan and bitch about Vala/Jonas if you’re a Sam/Daniel fan, but not to be angry about Carter if you’re a Weir fan.
(snip)
This is why so many fans are annoyed. We’re losing wonderful, albeit sometimes flawed characters for the great and perfect (and annoying as hell) Samantha Carter. You don’t have to be a weir fan to be pissed off about that.
~~~
your arguments are all over the place. you’re connecting things that aren’t even the same.
i’m not going to debate this with you unless you pick one subject and *know* this one thing. brining in the sam vrs vala debate won’t work here, and if i have to explain why, then you’re already miles away. apples and oranges.
sally 🙂
Dear fellow fans,
Would be too much to ask to please keep the GW discussions at GW’s forum? I stopped going to that forum because I got fed up of fans bashing the show I love. There’s no need to spread the “Gateworld love” beyond their forum.
Thanks!
“Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses? Can anyone give me the symptoms?
Can anyone even pronounce it?”
I know what that is, surprisingly enough. Its the disease you get when you inhale volcanic ash and it basically turns to liquid cement in your lungs. Pleasant isn’t it? As for pronouncing it… Uhhhhh.
A dedicated Stargate fan, I just discovered your blog site. I was reading back through some when one caught my eye. Loved your play on words with the StarGameCock Con. From a tried and true Southern Belle AND alumni of USC (and for those on the west coast, that is University of South Carolina)! Will keep reading. Have found it very hilarious, somewhat informative, and believe you may have been a food critic in another life. Have a great day!