Had a terrific dinner last night with the lovely April McIntyre of Monsters & Critics, her good friend and San Diego diva Monique Marvez, and Monique’s cousin, a charming Alabama native considering the move out west. We went to George’s at the Cove in La Jolla where I enjoyed some delicate ricotta ravioli with porcini mushrooms, peas, and shaved asparagus, chorizo-crusted seabass, and a warm chocolate tart with chocolate-espresso ice cream.
I got back to the hotel a little after 10:00 p.m. to find Amanda and Ben kicking back in the lobby. Apparently, their flights were late and they had just got in. Rob Cooper, who had flown in with them, had tried checking in only to be told the hotel had been overbooked and they didn’t have a room for him. Fortunately, they were able to sort things out and Rob eventually did get a room and avoided the possibility of having to bunk on my comfy-looking windowsill.
Well, today was the big day. I skipped the scheduled breakfast events to sleep in, get in a work-out, and then head downstairs to the lobby where I met Jewel, her husband Matt. and MGM’s Priscilla Pesci after which we all caught a ride to the convention center.
Alas, I don’t have time to go into detail (that will have to wait until tomorrow’s blog) but both panels went well. Not all that much in the way of hard-hitting questions with the exception of one that went Rob Cooper’s way: “Why do you hate doctors?” His response “I don’t hate doctors, just Scottish people” was met with a healthy chorus of boos. When it came time for the Atlantis panel, I made it a point to inform the gathering: “I’d just like to go on record and say I love Scottish people.” Cheers. “To all you Scots, please direct all hate mail to Robert Cooper. My inbox is full.
We hung around in the green room for a while, saw Rob Zombie (born Roberto Zombinski) who was there promoting his Halloween remake, and spoke to the press. As we were being walked out, a fan walked up to David and requested a pic. He kindly stopped for the snap. Then another fan hailed down Jewel and asked her for a pic op. She was gracious enough to make the time. “Now someone is going to stop me,”I joked. No sooner had I spoken these words than a fan asked me to sign his program. “Sure,”I said, and signed. He glanced down at my signature, then glanced up at me, clearly bewildered, and asked: “What’s your name again?” David Hewlett, loser!
While everyone else settled down to sign autographs, I cut out to head downstairs only to run into a bunch of fans. This group DID recognize me. I stopped to chat, pose for pics, and sign their autograph books with personalized messages like: “Sheila, the radish cake was delicious” and “Nevik, I can’t find the car” sincerely, Joseph Mallozzi.
I walked around the convention floor for a while, met comic book writer Joe Kelly and said hi (loved his run on Deadpool), snapped some pics, then joined Martin Wood and Ben Browder to make an impromptu appearance at the Stargate Offworld Fandom get-together, a small fan gathering.
It’s back to the hotel for an hour to type up what I can, and then off to the Sci Fi dinner at a restaurant called Candelas (seriously, how DO you pronounce it?).
Tomorrow, I’ll have more time for an update. In the meantime, I never had to check my List of Things Not to Talk About at Comic Con, so those particular spoilers remain safe and sound. But for the hell of it, I reprint my list here. Don’t tell anyone:
1. Sheppard battles evil Sheppard and gets his ass kicked all over the gate room – DO NOT DISCUSS
2. The big live-action Space Invaders sequence – DO NO REVEAL
3. The hidden replicator sub-routine, taking it to “the next step”, Teal’c and Ronon face off – DO NOT MAKE PUBLIC
4. The Return of Carson Beckett – SUPER TOP SECRET
Pics: Highlights of last night’s meal, riding in the style with Jewel, Matt, and MGM’s Priscilla Pesci, Rob Cooper raring to go, Martin Wood and Gary Jones kicking back before the panel, chatting to the press about SG-1, Ben and Chris, Claire from Sci Fi wearing the wrong t-shirt, Amanda and Chris on the big screen, waiting around for the Atlantis panel to start, the crowd!
Whew!!!! Exuberantly exhausted just reading it! Enjoy dinner!
Thank you for the pictures. It sounds like you are having a great time. I know that you’re not answering questions right now, but I thought Michael Shanks was suppose to be on the panel too. What happened to Michael?
So, do you hang aroun the con or now that the Stargate stuff is done, it’s back to Vancouver?
Thanks for the photos. Looking forward to more, and perhaps, one of more than just Joe Flanigan’s eyes and nose 😉
Heard some details on the panels but would like to know more about the season 4 trailer. Will SciFi actually put it on their site? Some publicity for the show would be great!
I wish I was there! That would be the only reason I would ever go back to Cali. What can I say, I’m an East Coast Girl.
Remember, DO NOT revel the Ronon and Teal’c scuffle!
If today was your rushed post, and tomorrow is your detailed one… I can’t wait! Love the list of what not to talk about. Indeed, those topics should stay quiet!
Hope the rest of the weekend is exciting!
You forgot to mention someone making you talk on a cellphone to this insane chick from South Carolina who couldn’t make it out to see you in person.
How did you like the Stargate Offworld Fandom gathering? That was our D*Con track director, Marcia Patterson, heading that up. 🙂
Desi
Glad you had a safe trip and things are going well. Thanks for keeping up the blog this week. I’m looking forward to your other entries and the arrival of Lulu.
Silver
hey Joe,
thanks for sharing and I hope you did have a good time 🙂
I guess Candelas is pronounced Quand-des-lasse 🙂 (sorry but it’s much easier with french sonority than english !!)
have fun in San Diego !
Joe,
As much as I love the pictures, I’m sooo disappointed that Michael didn’t make it. I was really looking forward to pictures of Amanda, Michael and Chris together. The few people that have talked about todays panel said that they don’t know why Michael wasn’t there. Without getting too personal, could you just reassure us that Michael is O.K.?
Thanks
Wow did all of you grow your hair out? Looks good 😀 Hope it went well and our fellow fans didn’t shred you to pieces… or blind you with those flashes :S
It’s crazy, trying to find time to blog during Comic Con.
Thanks for talking with me Joe! And answering my questions. And signing my poster tube! I will hold you to what you wrote!
We found a great place to eat by the way – the New Leaf Restaurant that’s part of the Hilton Hotel. Nice place to chill out after a long day.
That crowd!
My goodness… the heat and the noise must have been incredible!
Was there any point when (blinded by camera-flashes) you thought of panicking and breaking for the door?
All the best from a wet and bitterly cold Cape Town.
tropp de la chance!! profiter grave car nous en france on a rien de cela!!
joe, pour vous, qu’elle était la question la plus genante?
Sounds like you had a great time and we’re eager for more pics since those of us who can’t be there will just live through you..lol
From what I can tell from some LJ sites, you guys didn’ get ‘hard hitting questions’ b/c they were screened. Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.
Bonjour, est-ce que un jour nous pourront voir un personnage français dans Stargate Atlantis ?
I saw where the room for the Stargate panel seated 4,000. Nice turn out there. Hopefully the folks at Sci-Fi paid attention to that… 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing pictures with those of us who couldn’t make the trip!
So have you sampled these room service cookies yet? Curious to hear your verdict… 😉
What a crowd!
You’d do well not to meddle in the affairs of Scots, for they are subtle and quick to anger… or was that wizards??
Glad you’re enjoying yourself, and that you’ve found some good restaurants… I was worried!
Mary
Did Joe Flanigan show up?
If so, WHERE ARE THE PICS OF TEH PRETTY???
No arguements here, Joe Kelly’s run on Deadpool was the definitely the best!! Especially that issue where ‘Pool and Blind Al traveled to the past and pretended to be Peter Parker and Aunt May! So cool that you got to meet him!
My friend told me she got the pic signed, and that you were very sweet. Arigato gozaimasu!! Have an awesome weekend!
What scores of lucky people were there in San Diego. I envy them. (Unfortunately I’m in Europe at the moment.) Lovely pictures, thanks! Especially Christopher, I hardly recognized him, he looks really great! Also thanks for the spoilers. Just one question: will Michael the wraith return in Season 4?
Thank you so much for this! It is truly appreciated!
Looks like you having a blast so far at ComiCon… Only wish I was there.
I watched almost all of season 10’s episodic commentaries and want to say you were insightful as always and funny!!
Thanks for the deleted scences.
My only question today which you may not be able to anwser is: why there was no commentary or other info for “Bad Guys”. This is my guess and you can correct me if I’m wrong but is it because that was the episode everyone learned about the “non-renewel” or “cancellation”?
Enjoy Comic-con! I can’t be there, but have a fantastic time!
Hey Joe! Great pics! It looks like you’re having a super time.
Thought you might be amused by this… here’s a little “turnabout is fair play” for ya. 😉
http://www.flickr.com/photos/malkoff/925146384/in/set-72157601050494538/
Cheers,
Mary Beth 😀
PS…The food pics look interesting…and I mean that in a good way. What are they of exactly?
“1. Sheppard battles evil Sheppard and gets his ass kicked all over the gate room – DO NOT DISCUSS
3. The hidden replicator sub-routine, taking it to “the next step”, Teal’c and Ronon face off – DO NOT MAKE PUBLIC”
Ok Sheppard battles evil Sheppard and Teal’c and Ronon face off!!!!
Well that sounds fab but come on, you have to be pulling my leg, right?
You said Joe F. was attending. How about some photos, please?
Anonymous said…
Sounds like you had a great time and we’re eager for more pics since those of us who can’t be there will just live through you..lol
From what I can tell from some LJ sites, you guys didn’ get ‘hard hitting questions’ b/c they were screened. Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.
July 28, 2007 3:16:00 AM PDT
HAHA! Why doesn’t that surprise me? worried about people telling you what they really think of Torri and Paul being dumped and the SG golden girl Amanda Tapping being moved in?
I know I would be if I was you. It’s NOT the popular decision you’d have people believe
Maybe Shanks has been grounded? He did say recently that his wife was going to kick his ass if he didn’t spend some time at home with the family this summer.
Joe-lunch today was fantastic and Balboa park was a visual feast in itself-Monique, Melissa and I had the best time, and should have hijacked you to Hamlisch-what a great night!
Have a read and don’t eat all that chocolat at once! mon dieu…
http://smallscreen.monstersandcritics.com/features/article_1336049.php
April MacIntyre
Anonymouses said
” From what I can tell from some LJ sites, you guys didn’ get ‘hard hitting questions’ b/c they were screened. Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.
..
HAHA! Why doesn’t that surprise me? worried about people telling you what they really think of Torri and Paul being dumped and the SG golden girl Amanda Tapping being moved in? “
LOL . Joe is so afraid of dissenting opions. He regularly publishes and responds to it. But it gets tiresome , even to the reader, to deal with the same rants day after day.
“I know I would be if I was you. It’s NOT the popular decision you’d have people believe. “
And it’s not as unpopular as you want to believe. The majority of watchers don’t care one way or another. Those of us who frequent fan forums , much less attend conventions, are a minority of the audience. If the stories and visuals are good : most of the cast could be replaced & John Q. Public would still watch.
The Q&A time is for people to ask questions, not give their opinions. People travel to hear the panel, not the audience. It’s not the appropriate place to complain, nor to rattle on about what you like. Asking questions is fine, but what hasn’t been asked about this situation ? You don’t like the answer.
**4. The Return of Carson Beckett – SUPER TOP SECRET
You do mean, “The guaranteed, permanent, regular Return of Carson Beckett – SUPER TOP SECRET”, right? 😉
Great reading the blogs. I wish I could have been there myself. Gonna have to go check YouTube for that Atlantis trailer…
Cheers!
Emerald
Amanda Tapping looks amazing with long hair. Is is an excellent move.
Love the show and congratulations for so many years of incredible work.