When I was a kid, I was a huge Star Wars fan. So much so that I must have seen the movie about twelve times during its first month in release. I also had a Star Wars scrapbook in which I collected all of the interviews, articles, and pictures I’d happened to come across. It was a big, fat green duotang replete with reflections and images of what I, at the time, considered to be the greatest movie ever made, and it still sits somewhere in my parents’ garage, no doubt sandwiched between my old handwritten short stories and my Adam and the Ants LP’s. Yes, at one time I was a fervent Star Wars fan. Fortunately, Return of the Jedi and the Ewoks came along to divest me of my obsessive passion. Still, in those early years, I would collect anything and everything related to Star Wars because I was that big a fan.
Nowadays, although I’m no longer driven by the same single-minded enthusiasm, I still consider myself a fan of certain shows, books, even authors. And while I won’t be scouring the various color publications for interesting photos to add to my Sopranos scrapbook, I still love coming across the occasional behind-the-scenes snippets that shed light on aspects of the creative process or offer up tiny but complimentary pieces to the ever-evolving puzzle that is the show/book/author.
In short, I can empathize with the fans. I often think to myself “If I was a fan of X, what would I like to see? What would I like to know about?” Well, a lot of the time, what I’d like to see and know about are things I know I’ll never be privy to. On the other hand, I’m always delighted whenever I come across an unexpected little tidbit that helps round out my overall appreciation for something.
Which is why, when it comes to this blog, I do try to include a variety of Stargate-related items for interested and obsessed. I try to mix it up – a few photos here, a few anecdotes there – always striving to reward the fans while ensuring they don’t become overwhelmed. I ask myself “If I was a fan of the show, what would I like to see?”
Well, how about a peek at the Art Department design package for Miller’s Crossing for starters? A look at the layouts for both Sheppard and McKay’s quarters perhaps? Yes? No? For all those itching to build their own Atlantis dioramas, here’s the goods.
Or how about a semi-regular Q&A section where fans can receive vague and often purposely confusing responses to their burning Stargate-related queries…
Dustin writes: “You forgot to post what we have to do to be submitted into the contest.”
Answer: Absolutely nothing. Everyone who drops by to say hi, compliment and/or complain is automatically entered. Winner will be announced in tomorrow’s blog entry.
Arctic Goddess writes: “If I ask a question and want to pursue more detail in your answer, or want to discuss, oh, say, film studies in universities, would you continue to answer that question in an over all discussion, or do you only want to answer one-off questions, like the lightning round in a game show?”
Answer: I’ll consider any and all questions, and try to answer most. As for the ones I skip, it’s usually because they’ve Already Been Answered (ABA), I Can’t Answer at the risk of releasing a major spoiler (CA), or simply Won’t Answer (WA) because although I may be a little wacky, but I‘m not outright insane. For example…
Anonymous #1 writes: “…since you’ve only mentioned the names of three eps for Torri, does that mean she’ll only be in three?”
Answer: ABA.
Anonymous #2 writes: “…will we see bloopers and outtakes on the season 3 dvds?”
Answer: ABA.
Anonymous #3 writes: “Hey Joe, ok Torri is in Adrift, Lifeline, This Mortal Coil…and which other, cause u said she was in four episodes.”
Answer: CA.
Anonymous #4 writes: “Can we expect some extra angsty sexual tension between Shep and Teyla this season?”
Answer: WA.
Anonymous #5 a ecrit: “Qui choisiriez vous shep/weir ou shep/teyla ou shep/mckay ou sheppard tout seul?”
Reponse: WA.
PG15 writes: “Has that last episode place in Season 4 been filled yet?”
Answer: No yet.
Ayla writes: “How’s hiatus treating you? Writing going well?”
Answer: Reading and writing. I’m into Act the Third of The Kindred Part I. So far, so good.
Desi writes: “…chocolate & amaretto cheesecake topped with chocolate sauce…”
Answer: I’m intrigued. I’m enjoying an Amaro con Ameretti chocolate as I write this.
Amy writes: “Is there anything we can do to let TPTB know season 5 will be a smart move for them?”
Answer: The show’s producers and studio already know a fifth season would be a smart move for us. It’s the network that will need the convincing. But I have a feeling they already know. Seriously. What’s not to love?
Jen Kirk writes: “You seem to really dislike the “It was all a dream” solution on bringing Bobby Ewing back on Dallas. Since it’s a non sci fi show (so there are some limitations) how would you have brought him back?”
Answer: He faked his own death. Granted, it’s a bit of a stretch, but at least they wouldn’t have had to discount an entire season. Hmmm. I wonder how that season sells on DVD?
Hannah writes: “If you were to introduce someone to SGA and SG-1, which episode(s) would you pick to get them hooked?”
Answer: SG-1 (2010, Heroes I and II, Window of Opportunity). Atlantis (Rising, Duet, Phantoms, Be All My Sins Remember‘d).
Imitation Tofu writes: “Downloading doesn’t explain why the ratings started at 1.5 and have dropped since then.”
Answer: But according to a recent study, Tivo and DVR use does account for the drop.
Anonymous #6 writes: “How much say do female Guest Stars have in their wardrobe? If they are uncomfortable in a revealing outfit, will the costume department make it more conservative? Or will TPTB say “we need that male 18 to 25 year old demographic,” get another actress?”
Answer: The costume department designs and makes the wardrobe for a given episode and will make whatever necessary alterations to ensure the actor or actress is comfortable. We have never made any costume decisions based on any desire to appeal to a certain demographic, nor have we ever replaced a performer for as silly a reason as you’ve suggested.
Jim from Jersey writes: “Are you a fan of hot or do you enjoy it mostly as an accompaniment?”
Answer: I love spicy foods. The entire first shelf of my refrigerator is dedicated to my hot sauce collection.
Alipeeps writes: “Dans le cas des contracts des acteurs, c’est parce qu’ils sont privés! Est-ce que vous aimieriez que votre chef discute les détails de votre contrat avec n’importe qui?”
Answer: What an impressive command of the French language! You put me to shame.
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