We had a surprise birthday party for Martin Gero the other night. I’m pleased to report that he was, indeed, surprised – partly because his girlfriend Stephanie did such a good job of organizing the secret event, and mostly because his actual birthday isn’t for another month. In attendance – lotsa people including: Fondy and I, Rob and his wife, Alan and his wife, Carl and his wife, Ivon flying solo, and sundry others. I sat beside Martin’s brother, a marine biologist who has been studying whale cultures and is about to publish some breakthrough research on whale pups. He’s an interesting and affable guy, someone who’ll know doubt make a significant contribution to our society. I couldn’t believe he was related Martin.

There were about twenty of us at Cru, one of Martin’s fave restaurants, and we all ordered from a set menu. I started with an excellent beef carpaccio with white truffle oil. My main – a beef tenderloin – was fine. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever had a tenderloin that has blown me away, preferring the unctuous marbling of a nice ribeye. Fondy enjoyed her halibut while Ivon, who went with the tuna special, complained bitterly about his main (“Fishy!”was his one-word review). For dessert, my bitter chocolate torte was delightfully intense while Fondy gave her crème brulee two big thumbs up.

Not sure what he received from anyone else, but I know that Carl gifted him with the second season DV D of Punky Brewster (which included Carl’s very first produced episode – Love Thy Neighbor – a subtly understated yet powerful tale of ageist intolerance, redemption, and a dog sporting a tweed hat. I know this because Martin made us watch the episode at lunch today). Meanwhile I got Martin his favorite chocolates – the Bananas Foster from Wen Chocolates. And, since I was already placing an order, I figured “What the hell” and got something for the other writers as well.

And it turned out to be a good call. We needed the energy as we finally finished breaking Rise of the Googlions Part I today. I’ll be doing the honors, which means I get to work on the outline this weekend. Alan will be tackling Rise of the Googlions Part II which we’ll start spinning next week along with Martin’s next episode. Carl has finished revising Quarantine and already has an outline in place for Midway. Then comes Joe F.’s story, still in play, and Paul’s season finale. Send in the Clones is toast.

Just finished reading Leigh Brackett’s “The Long Tomorrow”, an excellent book about a post-apocalyptic world run by Mennonites (I kid you not). Best known for her pulp scifi and fantasy, the author also had a number of notable screenplays to her credit including The Big Sleep, The Long Goodbye, and The Empire Strikes Back (although her contribution to the final shooting script is uncertain). I’ve moved on to “The Best Time Travel Stories of the 20th Century” (my favorite, so far, being Henry Kuttner’s “Time Locker” – Kuttner, by the way, wrote a short story titled “Mimsy were the Borogoves” which was turned into the movie “The Last Mimsy”) and have David Wingrove’s “The Middle Kingdom” on deck (the first book of the Chung Kuo series, a Martin Wood recommendation).

Pics: The birthday toasts…himself, Alan McCullough (doing his best James Bond) and wife Teresa, Martin and Alan pretending to discuss work but secretly talking about me, party people, energy the writing department needs to get this damn story broken, Carl’s thoughtful gift.

Q&A –

Gate Geek writes: “So..what type of pics are your favorite? Galaxies? Planets? Nebulaes?”

Answer: I’m definitely a nebula man.

M writes: “By the way, who’s the other man in the photo with you and Carl?”

Answer: That is writer-producer Alan McCullough. Carl owes him twenty bucks, so he stayed by his fellow-writer’s bedside all day. Then got hungry at a little after 6:00 p.m. and took his shoes as partial payment.

PG 15 writes: “Am I right to say that all episode spots in the latter half of Season 4 have been filled?”

Answer: There is one slot open.

SMB Books writes: “Have you watched any of the “Planet Earth” series?”

Answer: I haven’t.

Rebecca writes: “Oh my God! You killed Carl Binder! Won’t that mean more work for you now?”

Answer: Good news! According to Carl, when he flatlined, he suddenly found himself in an impossibly long tunnel with a beautiful light at the end. An angelic voice called out his name “Caaaarl! Caaaaarl!” He was so excited that he raced down the tunnel, each footfall filling him with the warmth and happiness of supreme cosmic understanding, finally stepped into the light, and found himself in a Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits Restaurant in LaFayette, Louisiana. He just got back this morning.

Watcher 652 writes: “Would you try scrapple? […] Have you tried/would you try rumaki?”

Answer: Pork scraps and cornmeal? Chicken livers with bacon and chestnuts? Sign me up!

Kristine writes: “Is there any food that isn’t junk food that will help me gain weight?”

Answer: Sure. Macadamia nuts and bulgar.

Paula writes: “Are you going back to the market tonight in hopes of finding good food again?”

Answer: No. I’m done with the Night Market. I think Fondy wants to hit the Seoul House for some Korean barbecue tonight.

Scifan writes: “Did you get a chance to watch Spiderman 3 or Ghost Rider, or are you waiting for the DVDs? Are you going to watch Fantastic Four 2 and are you or any of the writers fans of Fantastic Four?”

Answer: Haven’t seen any of them although I will check out FF2 since I had dinner with the writer the last time he was in town.

Kristine writes: “How come you changed your shirt? Do you often change your shirt in the middle of the day?”

Answer: My religious beliefs necessitate I change my entire wardrobe every two and half hours. This isn’t so bad during the day, but hell at night.

Elodie writes: “Any plans to bring ben and claudia in season 4?”

Answer: No, sorry.

Anonymous #1 writes: “ Do you think it would be at all effective to contact SGAs sponsors and tell them how much we love their products and the fact that they support our favourite show?”

Answer: An interesting and novel approach.

77 thoughts on “June 8, 2007

  1. Dear Mr. Mallozzi,

    Sorry to repeat myself but:

    1: Since the Rainbow was on the enzyme, what happens if he was injected with the retrovirus?
    2: About Ronon’s rank of Specialist, is it a commissioned rank or not, and is there a Earth equivalent?
    3: When was the last time Jason went to NZ?

    I’m Sorry,

    Forrest

  2. *waves*

    Either the release of the S4 trailer vid was perfect timing or you’re a miracle worker. You have restored my ‘squee’in record time. ;o)

    *huggles*

    *keeping everything crossed for S5 and high ratings*

    Squeee for S4 :o)

    Wish Martin a happy… um…pre-birthday for me.

    As for the Rise of the Googlions… Hmmm, is that the ep where you… *wracks brain for twenty minutes* Nope, i’ve got nothing, lol. Any hints?

  3. Anonymous #1 writes: “ Do you think it would be at all effective to contact SGAs sponsors and tell them how much we love their products and the fact that they support our favourite show?”

    Answer: An interesting and novel approach.

    My two dinars worth: It may be an interesting and novel approach to you, but it’s not new to me. Before I moved to Hollywood, I used to do it for favorite shows… usually told them something along the lines of because they had shown good taste in selecting to advertise on an excellent program I always watch, I figured their product must be good and so I tried it, and it lived up…. yadda yadda.

    I got the idea because the Bible Belt was always quick to send letters to sponsors and tell them they were going to hell and they were the devil and they were going to stop using their products and tell all their friends to help stamp out evil. That often caused sponsors to shiver in their shoes and pull out of programming, so I figured the reverse couldn’t hurt.

    I don’t know if it saved any programming, but I received pleased answers from all the sponsors. Course, that was before the Internet became such a force… and real letters where you went to the library and looked up CEO’s and addresses carried a lot of weight. I think they had a formula that one letter sent represented x number of people who agreed but didn’t put pen to paper.

    So I’d say to Anonymous, go ahead. It can’t hurt and who knows, you might change the world. I’ve written letters for other things as well, and it’s always amazed me at who will take the time to respond back to positive letters.

  4. Hey Joe, MGM’s website has published Part 1 of the interview they had with you and Paul Mullie. I’ve got to tell you, it’s definately raised my anticipation for Season 4 even more! I don’t think I can stand the wait to Fall! Gah!

    Anyway, in your opinion, how different would Seasons 2 and 3 of Atlantis be if SG1 ended at the end of Season 8 (and Stargate Command never started)?

  5. Joe

    YOU ARE SOOO BAD!! To insinuate that Martin is not making a significant contribution to society. You are terrible… How do you convince them to speak to you again? But I have to say I love your sense of humor. The powers that be should develope a show from the antics that YOU instigate in the writing and production room ..

    Take Care and try to be good although I know that must be very difficult..

    Dori

  6. So I’ve heard all about the season four trailer vid.

    A Sheyla hug? Reason for me not to watch.

    The fact you’ve raved about Amanda and made NO reference to Torri? Another reason not to watch. That’s disrespectful to her, her characters and her fans.

    The ‘casual’ viewers you care so much about will now know that Torri’s out and Amanda’s in. Wait for them to react the same way as the internet fans.

    I can’t bring myself to watch my season 2 DVDs. I know there’s some wonderful stuff with Torri and Paul in there, but thinking about it just reminds me of how much you’re screwing up this show.

    The complete lack of reference to Elizabeth just proves what her fans knew all along. You’re doing a Ford on her. Four episodes and then she’ll be gone, never to be seen again.

    People are boycotting. That’s part of the reason your ratings are so low.

  7. Hey Joe,

    Since you have confirmed that we won’t see Ben or Claudia in season 4 could you tell us if Michael Shanks will be making a guest appearance in season 4?

  8. I see champagne! Have you ever had a chance to try cava, a Catalonia sparkling wine?

  9. Rise of the Googlions? You’re kidding right? That’s just a “working title”? PLEASE?? I can’t imagine how this could be anything but ridiculous.

  10. *wheezes* Punky Brewster! That colourful, plucky scamp. She’s just like Martin Gero.

    I know you have nothing at all to do with the Sci-Fi Channel, but seriously, are they terminally stupid? You can’t expect to delay a show for six months and a) not have the fans go elsewhere for episodes or b) the less hooked viewers to lose interest. They’re excellent at killing their own ratings, and then assuming those ratings are an accurate reflection of viewership. *mutters imprecations*

    Lastly: the photo sequence with Carl Binder post-cupcake? Comedy gold, my friend. Comedy. Gold.

  11. Well… a review of your 6/7 post just proves Carl should have had the old one bronzed. Looks like you all had a gas, though. (Sorry, I guess I could have resisted but where’s the fun in that?)

    Have you read any books by Barry Hughart? (Bridge of Birds, The Story of Stone, and Eight Skilled Gentlemen?)

  12. “Rise of the Googlions”? Sounds like a chapter from one of the newer Star Wars films.

    So, do you intend to, as usual, end the season on a cliffhanger? (Personally, I really wish shows would stop with the cliffhangers unless they knew the second part would air the next week and we wouldn’t have to wait months and months. It’s not proven all that effective in making sure the audience comes back, if I read the latest ratings info right. It does, however, serve to frustrate. I liked Buffy’s approach: wrap up the season arc and when the next season starts, begin another one.)

  13. Dear John, Here’s me crossing my finger for a response. I just saw you interview that mgm posted for Atlantis season 4,by the way myself and many on the GW forum are excited. Any way. There is a clip of John and Teyla together. Could you let me know what ep that’s from and maybe why.(I don’t want to give details on what the scene was for the people that don’t like spoilers. So I’ll say it here so you can omit it.) They were hugging or should I say she was hugging him. Was this because her people missing or does it have to do with what the Seer says about her being pregnant? Thank you and my fingers are still crossed.

  14. Hey Joe! Does the episode “Midway” have anything to do with the plans for the Gatebridge/Midway station?

  15. I have two questions. First, Do you know if any of the actors are doing commentaries for season 3? Second, while I plan to watch the airings of SGA regardless, how does that help the ratings? Aren’t the rating based on Nielsen families rather than the general public?

  16. Dear John, Oh by the way I loved your Mysterio(sp?) and Rhino on your bookcase in the interview. I’m hoping to see FF2 as well. I saw some trailers and some parts look very funny. I hope you like it.

  17. I enjoyed both of tonight’s episodes very much–they were definitely a nice reward for day of slogging through dictation. Unfortunately, I’m only about halfway through the “day’s” work. TGIF! Tomorrow still counts as today, so to speak.

    It’s been a long time since we saw Siler bruised and battered. I’ve missed him! It was a fun episode all around. I enjoyed “Submersion” too, and as a matter of fact, I’m heading back downstairs to watch it a second time right now. I was going to do some more typing, but I can’t remember where I left my elbow brace, which means it must be time for a break, you know?

  18. Hap-pre birthday to Martin! He looks possessed in that first picture. =)

    I read The Long Tomorrow upon a rec by our town’s librarian. I started it and was kind of “eh” over it, but by the end I was impressed. That rec also led me to Jeff Long’s “The Descent” and my if-I-could-marry-a-book-it-would-be-this-one read, “Year Zero”. I think if you liked The Long Tomorrow you’d enjoy those as well. =)

  19. anonymous said: “A Sheyla hug? Reason for me not to watch.”

    Did we watch the same video? Are you implying that just because John and Teyla hugged it was a shippy scene? I guess then you see Ronon and Rodney hug in Tao of Rodney equally as ship (or slash in this case)? So people who has gone through a lot together such as John, Teyla, Ronon and Rodney can’t hug each other just because they are such close friends? Everytime any of them touches or hugs the other has to have a romantic meaning?
    Do you (general you) have close friends in real life of the opossite sex? Have you ever hugged your friend?

    *scratches head*

  20. Anonymous said… So I’ve heard all about the season four trailer vid.

    A Sheyla hug? Reason for me not to watch.

    The fact you’ve raved about Amanda and made NO reference to Torri? Another reason not to watch. That’s disrespectful to her, her characters and her fans.

    A beautiful hug between John and Teyla- two people who care deeply for one another? Yup, it’s got me watching S4!

    And uh… last I checked, Torri is only recurring in about 4 eps next season and Amanda in 14 so, why are you suprised that she wasn’t in the clip? You Weir fans need to get over the fact that she’s not going to be around much. Us casual fans will enjoy the show without you.

  21. I was watching tonight’s Atlantis episode and it made me think of a question. Why is it that no one on Atlantis carries zats? I would think it’d be useful to carry stun weapons but the only one we’ve seen is Ronon’s gun which can double as a stunner. Is it because there was an effort to separate Atlantis from SG1 or is there some other reason?

  22. whats the format for writing a sript/screenplay for SGA/SG1?
    could you give a brief example?

  23. Are you actually serious about ‘googlions’. The ominous hint about season four is something that sounds like it came from a corrupt Barney show? I hope you are joking(although it will be incredibly entertaining if you are not).

  24. Ah…Punky Brewster. I certainly did watch this show in my much younger years. I remember one season when there was a contest for submitting story ideas to the show. I was convinced I had the best idea EVER, so I mailed it off to the given address.

    Alas, no episode was ever made involving Punky and her friends finding treasure in the hollow of a tree trunk. But oh, how original I thought I was at the time!

  25. Elodie writes: “Any plans to bring ben and claudia in season 4?”
    How about Jack/RDA ?

  26. In the season 4 video from MGM they show Sheppard and Larrin kissing and they look so hot together. Is this a start to an affair because it would be great to get them together? Jill Wagner looks great with Flanigan.

  27. Will we be seeing any ascended beings in action or talking in any of the stargate movies or the atlantis series if so which movie or episode will we hope to see them?

  28. What does bulgar mean? (Forgive a little Norwegian for not knowing your language well enough, but bulgar isnt even in my dictionary…)

    And to that anonymous Weir-fan whining over here: “Seriously? Grow up!” People like that makes me feel so discouraged and annoyed! Hey, I called the one american I know and got him to watch atlantis (or so he said), best thing I can do, but at least I got you one more viewer… Wish I could help the ratings myself. 🙂

  29. Sanssong, have a nice time watching when Rachel takes maternity leave, as I’m sure she will. I bet you won’t watch at all without her.

    That’s when the viewing audience will improve. The average IQ points might go up, too.

  30. Salut Joe,

    Les photos d’hier sont trés marrantes, bravo pour la mise en scène (pauvre Carl).
    En se moment, il y a la saison 3 qui passe en France, et pour l’instant je la trouve trés bien, mieux que la saison précedente. J’attend avec impatience “the return” qui va passer dans quelque semaines, il parait que c’est un super épisode, surtout avec le retour de RDA sur Atlantis et les anciens qui viennent reprendre leur cité.

    J’ai quelque questions à vous poser:

    1°) Est-ce que vous pensez que la série va battre le record de SG1 qui est de 10 saisons?
    2°) Est ce que Elisabeth Weir va faire son grand retour dans la saison 5?

    Voilà, j’espere que vous allez me répondre, passer une bonne journée et… Happy birthday Martin.

  31. Joe,

    I enjoyed Family ties, especially Teal’c at the Vagina Monologues. I’m surprised, but pleased, it made the final cut. I liked the bit about the packing peanuts too.
    I was wondering how much fun the set designers had furnishing Vala’s father’s apartment. The props are so different from the usual SG-1. I guess they don’t have much chance to be whimsical.
    I loved the photos of the cupcake session. Especially the last one with the cap. I used to work at a small film processing lab. The employees of all the stores would frequently make similar photo essays & send them to each other.
    Somewhere I have a box of photos I must explain to the children before I die.
    I enjoy your blog & photos. It’s fun to get insight into the shows. I’m just getting into Atlantis & your blog has me excited about the new season. I’m surprised & amused at the grief you get for the simplest comments or an innocent picture.
    I especially like behind scene photos. The channels usually diminish the screen or cut to a commercial immediately after the final scene. I don’t even know who is in the credits. I’m lucky to catch the guest stars’ names. It’s nice to see names & faces in your blog of people that do the sets & costumes. etc.
    Thank you for answering my previous questions about your reading selections.

  32. Sheppard/Teyla hugging. Looked like pure friendship to me. Nothing shippy. So maybe the Sheyla fans need to take the “shippy glasses off” for a second and notice the fact that he couldn’t even touch her.
    I hope you guys were pushing friendship..because that “SHiP” showed signs of NO ROMANTIC CHEMISTRY a llooooonngggg time ago. lol. *Just being honest* Friendship all the way…Attempting to make it shippy is..not good. I know IT WAS SUPPOSE to be a ROMANCE to begging with..but come one.. no pushing something if there is nothing THERE.
    —————–
    NOT STOP TALKING ABOUT THE STUPID HUG.

    ahem..real question…

    Is Rodney’s character going to change in anyway now that Carter has joined the team?

  33. I hope that sci-fi takes into account the internet and long hiatus before reaching a decision on season 5.
    Very much looking forward to season 4, keep up the good work.

  34. Hi Joe,

    is it possible that Vala’s father didn’t know that his daughter was taken a host to Goau’ld? Where was he when that happened? And how long exactly Vala was the host to Qetesh?

  35. A request from one of the older members of your audience …

    I just watched “Submersion”.

    I tend to think of dark lighting as a spice. Used sparingly, it makes the food exciting and suspenseful. Too much and it makes things hard to swallow.

    I knew I was in trouble when they said said they lost 40% of the power and it was in the area where all the action was happening.

  36. I’ve got a question I’m not sure should be answered for various reasons (mainly either answer will cause a part of fandom to be upset).

    Rodney’s allergy to citrus – real and deathly, or part of his hypochondria and he only THINKS it’s a deathly allergy? Or maybe somewhere in the middle – he is allergic but it’s not as serious as he thinks it is.

    Part of the issue with this that this is something that seems to change depending on the need of the plot. In one episode he’ll be demanding to know what’s in something he’s been given to eat and in another he’ll eat something without questioning it. In one episode he’s running away from someone waving a lemon in his face in another he’s sitting RIGHT NEXT to someone eating an orange without really reacting.

    A lot of people are upset that everyone seems to making a joke out of a serious issue – food allergies … so maybe it’s time to think of just how you want to continue to portray Rodney’s allergy. (Not to mention the rest of his “issues”).

  37. found himself in a Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits Restaurant in LaFayette, Louisiana.

    Sounds like Heaven to me. You writer fellas have such interesting adventures.

  38. Do you write a bio when you create a character or do you decide on general characteristics and flesh out the rest as opportunity permits? For example, when the character of Ronon was conceived, did you plan from the beginning that he had a wife (or close enough) that died in the battle or was that added during the concept phase of Sateda?

  39. Good Morning Joe!

    I love surprise birthday parties. We are celebrating our daughter’s birthday today with lots of Cold Stone ice cream. If you have never had Cold Stone you are really missing out…LOVE IT!!

    After watching “Family Ties” last night I was curious if anyone on the set still confuses Michael and Ben? There use to be a thread on the Sci Fi board long before Ben was hired for Stargate about how much Ben and Michael looked the same. I have to admit that every once in awhile I do, mainly from the back or when Daniel isn’t wearing his glasses, but I’m also the one at first glance that thought your picture of Alex was Michael so…..

    Have a great ZATurday Joe!

  40. Joe –

    I enjoyed Submersion. Creepy plot line, great team interaction, more screen time devoted to Elizabeth and Teyla. Yay all around.

    I was faithful and watched, but I don’t know if I will count since I’m not one of the Nielsen group. I think you’ve explained this to us before, but I still don’t understand the ratings system. Can the network capture how many people watch the show beyond the Nielsen system?

    Oh and here’s a response to sanssong, who wrote:

    “And uh… last I checked, Torri is only recurring in about 4 eps next season and Amanda in 14 so, why are you suprised that she wasn’t in the clip? You Weir fans need to get over the fact that she’s not going to be around much. Us casual fans will enjoy the show without you. “

    I’d like to respond to the last two sentences. This Weir fan does not need to “get over the fact” the she’s not going to be around as much. And, I’m glad casual fans will enjoy the show. I hope they do. This fan is still enjoying the show and hoping I can be a part of a group of fans trying to demonstrate the value of the Weir character. Will we be successful? Maybe, maybe not. We sure as hell won’t be though, if we don’t even try.

    I can understand and respect your frustration with the persistance of the Weir fans, as much as I would hope you would understand their desire to support and lobby for the Weir character.

    Cheers!
    SMB_BOOKS

  41. Thanks for the info on whether letters to sponsors might work. I was the one behind that, and will be trying to coordinate a postcard-campaign to those sponsors we see weekly while watching the show. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find addresses and such.

    The whole thing about conservative nutjobs writing sponsors to get a show canceled (and their horrible track record of success) is exactly what motivated me to try this. I was also thinking we should alert the wonks at Sigh Fie that we’re doing this, hopefully to give them pause.

    Thanks for the input!

  42. Are you going to introduce some bathrooms and showers in the Wraith Hives?? And from where the Queens and the Keeper find these wonderful clothes?!

  43. When SG1 got cancelled, Sci-Fi Channel had wording in the contract to prevent selling season 11 to other television networks. (How unfair is that!) Is there a similar clause in Atlantis’s contract with Sci Fi Channel?
    – Anita

  44. You know, I work in computers, so one would think I could get this right – but I don’t believe my previous post worked (again). If this is duplicative, please delete one of the two posts – thanks!

    I wanted to say, as I read the myriad comments on this page, that I am terribly concerned about the direction of the show. I love SGA. But I am so worried that it’s going to become a sci-fi soap opera of who’s sleeping with whom. I think this is the mistake BSG has made (even though it’s still a cool show). In the past, the SG team has done a fine job of balancing the romance/sex stuff (Daniel/Sha’re, Sam/Peter, Daniel/Vala, Sam/Jack) with the urgent/dire situation we are supposed to believe these characters face on a daily basis. I hope you will approach the story arc surrounding Teyla’s pregnancy in the same manner. I think it was Joe Flanigan who said that to have have the characters constantly flirting and chasing each other around the city would be inappropriate given dangerous situation in which they have found themselves. I agree with him on this. For this reason, I think it would be best to avoid making a main character the father of Teyla’s child – because it would detract from what they face on a daily basis. It would also be unrealistic. For all intents and purposes, Sheppard is Teyla’s commanding officer and she and Ronon are expected to work together on the same team … it would be unethical for either to engage in a relationship with Teyla – and I won’t even think of the Rodney situation. He is so not Teyla’s type and vice versa. So, I beg of you all, please don’t fall into the soap opera trap. It’s a good show – don’t mess it up by making John, Ronon, Teyla or Rodney do something so completely out of character!

    Oh, and I forgot to say something before. I loved the post-modern, Wallace Stevens-esque story telling tool you used in Sunday! The episode was amazingly well done! You found a way to help us say goodbye to Carson in a way befitting to his character (with laughter and tears). Thank you for that.

  45. One question – I’m almost embarrassed to ask – does the expression “whump” refer to physical intimacy? (I’m so new to this, I wasn’t sure, but I keep seeing the term and am a tad bit confused). Please don’t laugh. I’m from a small Midwestern town – what do I know?

  46. Hi Joe,
    I have to say that I am glad that Ben will not be making a guest appearance on Atlantis. I’m afraid that if he was on Atlantis then some of his fans would be bashing Joe and David and I would hate to see that. I’ve been in fandom for along time and thought I had seen it all until I started reading comments made by some of his fans.

    Any actor that they consider his competition is literally ripped apart.

    Sorry Joe but I just got done reading some of the meanest and nastiest things by this small group of his fans *again* targeted at one of the other actors and all I could think was – How Sad.

  47. Never mind, I figured it out. It means getting their butt kicked. I found it on another blog. Boy, is my face red. Now I’m going to go hang blinds in my daughter’s room and quit blogging!

  48. I just saw a picture that was taken of the SG1 cast on the last day of filming. It’s a picture of Amanda, Michael, Chris, Ben and Claudia on the ramp by the stargate. It is sooo sad. You can tell by the picture that Amanda, Michael and Chris are crying. After 10 years of working together that had to be rough. I hope they realize all the enjoyment that they have brought so many fans over the past 10 years. *HUGS*

  49. Bonjour,

    Je viens de voir la vidéo promo pour la saison 4 et je dois avouer être un peu déçue de n’avoir rien appris sur le devenir d’Elizabeth.
    Ce n’est certainement pas une surprise qui attirera l’intérêt des fans car nous savons déjà qu’elle ne sera plus sur Atlantis, malheureusement.

  50. People read the posts. Who is pushing what? What JTers say on thread in GW is up to them and has nothing to with here.

    The impact of the hug is the fact that Teyla made the move.

    Secondly, I notice the people making the loudest exclamaitions and actually started some commentary about Shweir vs. JT, was by a shweir.

    So can people please, getting their information misconstrued. The mans blog is not a battle and I’m bloody tired of it. Because it’s always the same bloody people who start. Thank you Anonymous, you’re opinion always breaks out lively debate.

    Get over the scene. Some people are not happy with the hug, one that could mean anything with a 15 second time frame. If some people want to gush over it…get over yourself and allow it.

    Much like the many times I got tired of hearing Ronon/Teyla or Shep/Weir, I refrained and gave you people the respect to whinge and moan. Give it to others, you self righteous dolts.

    I’m bloody fed up with this non-sense because this shouldn’t even be here. If one person wants to ask him a ship question, leave it alone. I don’t get the whole whinge fest followed by comment on unrealistic or death of SGA.

    To the poster who said John is Teyla’s CO. 1) Teyla is not in the military, nor is she recognized as military personnel. 2) She is seen as a diplomat and chooses whether she will follow John’s order or not.

    I’m tired of this. Sorry, JM for contributing to the mess, you don’t need that crap really. But I really couldn’t stand the double-sided attacks. Which excite one sect to action and they get bashed as starting it. When it’s clear who’s really the percursors of all incidents and attacks on this thread.

    People need to get a life, and let others live their own.

  51. Joe will you please just answer the darn question about how long Vala was a damn host so she’ll stop asking – crikey it is so far beyond ridiculous.

  52. “Anonymous said…
    Sanssong, have a nice time watching when Rachel takes maternity leave, as I’m sure she will. I bet you won’t watch at all without her.

    That’s when the viewing audience will improve. The average IQ points might go up, too.”

    With all due respect you don’t know anything about me, or what I will and won’t watch. And it just proves my overall opinion of you sweirs that when you don’t get your way, you resort to insults. Sad, that you have nothing else to say.

    “Anonymous said…
    Sheppard/Teyla hugging. Looked like pure friendship to me. Nothing shippy. So maybe the Sheyla fans need to take the “shippy glasses off” for a second and notice the fact that he couldn’t even touch her.”

    *snip*

    You are entitled to your opinion. I don’t happen to share it. We don’t know that he didn’t touch her, the vid ended before we really saw his response. For all you know he could have kissed her in the very next frame.

    For me this hug on the vid represents the closeness that John and Teyla share. It says to me that Teyla will seek John out when they are hurting and that they comfort each other. Is that purely shippy? Maybe not, but what John and Teyla share in terms of friendship/relationship trumps any other male/female one on the show.

    *snip*
    “I hope you guys were pushing friendship..because that “SHiP” showed signs of NO ROMANTIC CHEMISTRY a llooooonngggg time ago. lol. *Just being honest* Friendship all the way…Attempting to make it shippy is..not good. I know IT WAS SUPPOSE to be a ROMANCE to begging with..but come one.. no pushing something if there is nothing THERE.”

    Well, you can keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better, but that’s just not the case at all. John and Teyla have awesome romantic chemistry on screen. They have gotten closer and closer as the show has progressed and it’s very obvious to most of us that they share more than just friendly feelings for one another.

    If you want people to stop pushing something that isn’t there, you might want to speak to the sweir fans out there who routinely make things up out of thin air.

    *snip*
    “—————–
    NOT STOP TALKING ABOUT THE STUPID HUG.”

    Uh…. last time I checked this was an open forum, and unless Joe puts the skids on conversation about S4, we’ll talk about this beautiful scene as much as we want. YOU need to take a chill pill.

  53. Just saw the season 4 interview video. Lookin’ good mate.

    What are the odds of, at any point in Stargate Atlantis’ history, Atlantis will have a sister cityship as a regular device and not for just one or two episodes? If so, would it be the same model as Atlantis, or a older or newer model?

    What’s the most miserable sacrifice you’ve ever had to make in regards to a plot element or effect you or a fellow writer has written that had to be given up?

    Have a good weekend.

  54. Can’t wait for season 4, Joe. Hoping for lots of good character development, especially for Teyla and Ronon, and the preview video just made me that much more anxious 🙂

    To the ‘you’re ruining the show’ whiners… *blows raspberry*

    Yes, I pride myself on my maturity.

    Alli Snow

  55. Joe, does Atlantis have a master-plan? Do you guys know now how you want Atlantis to eventually end, and is getting to that point just left open for you to introduce elements that hadn’t previously been thought of should they come up along the way. And if so, and if the worst should come to the worst and Atlantis doesn’t get a fifth season and there’s no chance of continuing the series in a movie format would you let the fans know what you guys had planned for how you wanted the series to be resolved?

  56. Joe –

    Whew – lots of drama on the blog today, eh?

    You know with all the mud-slinging, catfighting, and jabs going back and forth in the posts today, perhaps we could take a moment and find an underlying thread that could link all the various camps together?

    At some point, somewhere along the line, we all discovered SGA and really, really, liked it!

    Some still do. Some don’t. Some want to, but at the same time wish things could be different.

    I think if we could learn to express our own individual opinion politely and professionally, all the while refraining from assigning characteristics categorically to a group of people, things would go along smoother.

    Just my two cents.

    Cheers!
    SMB_BOOKS

  57. I have a potentially difficult question. Are there any plans, or even ideas thrown about, to look at the politics and sexuality in Pegasus?

  58. Rebekah ..
    Never mind, I figured it out. It means getting their butt kicked. I found it on another blog. Boy, is my face red. Now I’m going to go hang blinds in my daughter’s room and quit blogging!

    Don’t worry about it Rebekah.

    When I started watching SG1 in Season 7, I had the same question. After learning what it meant and seeing how many fan fiction pieces revolved around it, I began to wonder what a psychological profile of Gaters might reveal – and stopped reading fan fiction ;-).

  59. Where is this video of Teyla and Sheppard hugging. I don’t want to get involved in the arguments – I’m just curious since so many people have been talking about it. Can someone post a link?

  60. Alrighty Joe this is the one and only time I am going to say this; out of 10 seasons and 220+ shows Family Ties has got to be the absolute worst episode of TV I have ever seen. I am not sure what in God’s name even got into me to watch it after hearing all the negative stuff from when it first aired I guess maybe it was curiousity to see if it would be all that bad or if they were just overeacting and I’ve got to give it to everyone who said it – it was bad, very bad.

    What a waste to the end of the show, this, Bounty, Bad Guys, OMG wasted hours I want back. I maybe should have known better after reading about the end of Season 10 but I have learned my lesson after Family Ties though, it will be pretty darn hard for me to spend any of my money on those DVDs after these eps and really these past 2years. In closing I’ll just say YIKES!!!!

    Daryl Wigham (God I loved SG-1 and now I just shake my head in wonder.)

  61. Hi there Joe! Your Louisiana Culinary Correspondent reporting in again!

    I wish you and the SGA people tons of good luck in getting Season 5 and beyond. I don’t know how I’d feel if there were no Shep and Co. out there every week, and no Michael (go Connor!) The ratings thing is stupid beyond measure. It has no bearings whatsoever on how television is viewed in this day and age.

    Just thought I’d write when I saw the shout out to Popeye’s Fried Chicken and Biscuits. WOO HOO. We love our chicken from Popeye’s.

    My question……last night, once again I watched “Conversion” and was listening to Joe Flanigan, Hewlett and Martin Gero on the audio commentary. At one point, Joe says “we have to explore the city more. Just thought I’d get that on tape.” So…..any action on that suggestion from JF?

    How do you feel about “reality” television? Ever watch any of those programs? I’m asking since as I’m typing a commercial for “American Inventor” came on. (hint: I am NOT a fan).

    Take care!

  62. rebekah said…
    Where is this video of Teyla and Sheppard hugging. I don’t want to get involved in the arguments – I’m just curious since so many people have been talking about it. Can someone post a link?

    Here is the link Rebekah. http://stargate.mgm.com/video.php?id=62
    ——————————–
    JM, I’d like to apologize again, about my earlier rant. The double-standards and the continous attacks are just annoying. Especially on your blog which I find totally relaxing and fun…well most of the time. ^_^

  63. Rebekah, believe it or not, you can find the meaning of a lot of those kinds of sayings on Wikipedia. I’ve looked up my share, believe me!

  64. Sorry but have I entered the twilight zone? I may be new to this blog but I have watched Sci-fi programs for a good few years. Starting with the original series of Dr Who and Star Trek right up to the beginning of SG1 and SGA and hopefully beyond.
    But kids come on, as another very good writer once said ‘If you prick a Weir fan do they not bleed? If you tickle a Shep fan does he not laugh? If you poison a…well you get my meaning ’. Aren’t we all about the same thing the continuing survival of a series we all love to watch? Well that’s me done pontificating.
    best wishes Pauline

  65. Hi,

    Wow, what a bunch of whiny Stargate fans you have. My goodness.

    Anywhoo, I just wanted to say that I’ve been a casual viewer until season 3. I’ve always been more of a Battlestar fan, until recently.

    But I’ve been catching up on some of the Atlantis episodes and I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I have particularly enjoyed the 3rd season.

    Teyla and Sheppard have become fan favorites in our household. We are doubly excited to see more character development for Teyla, in particular, in season 4. We are also excited to see more of Ronon as well.

    Atlantis has been placed on my tivo permanently. Keep up the good work.

  66. Amidst all the angst in the house, I’d just like to note how utterly hot Alan McCullough is.

    That is all.

  67. Hi Joe,

    Might I trouble you by asking what clips you used in the Season 4 video, and will a second part be available shortly?

    Thank you

  68. Ahhh nothing like a bit of catagorising, stereotyping and presumptions. As if there isn’t enough of that in the world.
    I mean ‘ShWeirs’ ‘Weir fans’ ‘Sheylas’. Some of you are talking as if because one person has made a ranting post of there opinions that everyone else who falls into the fandom that person supports, automatically shares the same opinions. Very very sad.

    (For a start, there are a lot of Sparky shippers who are quite alright with the Sheyla hug. It looks like it could be a nice moment. Just like the scene at the end of Sunday that a lot of Sparkys found to be a nice scene. We have no problem with it. Afterall, it’s easy just to see as friendship because with stargate, ship is very much only existent in the eye of the shipper of that pairing anyway)

    But my point is it’s like saying everyone who listens to emo music sits in their bathroom and slits their wrists and cries all day.
    Honestly. The world doesn’t need this type of narrowmindedness.

    That’s what makes me angry. I can’t even enjoy the parts of fandom I love without getting labelled with the opinions of people who I would never agree with in a million years.

    Anyway, sorry Joe for gatecrashing. I do actually have a question.

    During a recent Trek Con, Connor Trinneer was apparently asked about if he was going to appear in SGA again. He said he’d been signed up for a couple more episodes.
    1) Is this true? Will we get a couple of Michael episodes in the back half of season 4?
    2) And could Michael’s reappearance have anything to do with Carsons return?

  69. Maybe not, but what John and Teyla share in terms of friendship/relationship trumps any other male/female one on the show.
    lol. Your entitled to your opinion too….from what I can see Ronon and Teyla have a pretty deep friendship.relationship and a lot of people would argue that THEY Are way closer.
    —————
    fans out there who routinely make things up out of thin air.
    Hopefully you realize that Sheyla shippers NOT ALL. I know a lot of them and actually LIKE a lot of them. But Sheyla shippers usually *From my experience* have made up more nonsense then any “Shweir”shipper…although there are plenty of Nutty Shwier shippers out there too.
    ——– —

  70. Joe,
    Thanks so much for the recommendation for Anton’s Pasta House – I was in town last week and ate there. However, next time please warn me about the size of the meals! The four of us could have shared one meal 🙂

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