The new Fall season kicked off for me last night with two new shows I‘d been meaning to check out: Kid Nation and Ramsay‘s Kitchen Nightmares. I made it approximately ten minutes into Kid Nation before it dawned on me – “Hey, why the hell am I watching this? I hate kids!”. Now, if the show had been run by Japanese producers, it would have definitely been something worth checking out because they would have done it right. Like that Haunted House show produced in Tokyo I’ve heard so much about. The basic premise had young tots working their way through a “haunted house” to retrieve a hidden prize. It sounds innocuous enough – but what made the show so great was that this haunted house was so freaking terrifying it was guaranteed to scare the living shit out of any sane adult, let alone an impressionable youngster. The show used a split screen to monitor: 1) the terror-stricken child’s progress and, 2) his/her laughing parents reactions to their hilarious/horrifying ordeal. It’s too bad North America couldn’t come up with their own version. Instead, we’re treated to precocious youngsters and their irritatingly upbeat can-do attitudes. So unless a future episode showcases one of the kids gets branded in an inspired twist on Wild West justice, I think I’m done. And as much as I adore the British version of Ramsay’s show, I found the U.S. version a little too stagey – particularly the final five minute turnaround that sees the annoying brother who has been such a pain in the ass and problem throughout the show suddenly:
Scene: Get confronted by Gordon Ramsay. Cut to:
Scene: Realize Gordon Ramsay is right and vows to change his ways. Cut to:
Scene: Demonstrates his commitment by trying to get the fridge fixed. Cut to:
Scene: Hosts a party for the neighborhood. Cut to:
End credits.
Wha-Wha-What happened? Seriously? If only life were that easy:
Scene: Confront shiftless co-worker and tell him he sucks. Cut to:
Scene: Co-worker realizes he is lame and vows to make amends. Cut to:
Scene: Demonstrates his commitment by returning his previous paycheck because he agrees his work was not up to par. Cut to:
Scene: Quits and leaves you his extra comfy office chair and the motorized pencil sharpener you have secretly coveted since he brought it back from his trip to Norway.
End credits.
Far more palatable was the chicken burger I had earlier that night at Vera’s Burger Shack. For one night only, we resurrected last year’s highly successful burger night. In attendance, most of the usual suspects: Marty G., Alan, Alex, Lawren, and Carl (who managed NOT to burn his mouth on the hot fries like he did the last time – twice).
Today’s pics: Tout la gang, my chicken burger, Carl shows no mercy, the new office temp, We’ve been working Hewlett too hard, Hey, where’s the guy whose job it is to carry the director’s chair between set-ups?
Today’s video: Click on the date for a sneak peek of tomorrow’s sneak peek of the lovely park scene shoot for Outcast. I woke up early for THIS?!
Let’s head over to the mailbag and anger a few fans –
Steph writes: “What is the funniest thing any of your dogs have ever done?”
Answer: There was the time they ate an entire bowl of Halloween chocolate while we were out. That was pretty funny. With the exception of the vomit and diarrhea. No, come to think of it, it wasn’t all that funny after all.
Redtwin writes: “Col. Ellis had said that he should be in command last year so will Shepherd resent someone new coming in and taking his command away?”
Answer: It’s not his command to be upset about – unless he wants it.
Royal-Nonesuch writes: “1) If either [Daniel or O’Neill)were to appear would it be ocurring on a post-Contiuum timeline or are you treating that as a seperate entity right now? 2) You mentioned some time ago (sorry been away for a while) that you and RDA were chatting about the Simpsons movie–what did you and, or he think of it?”
Answers: 1) Hadn’t really thought about it. 2) I can’t comment because I haven’t seen it.
Vvv0472 writes: “Do you come back to Montreal on a routine basis?”
Answer: Usually about once a year.
Sally writes: “Is replicarter dead for sure?”
Answer: Yes.
Mrs.B108 writes: “1)Would you classify any of the episodes as being “scary”? 2)Is there a long guest list for The Last Man?”
Answer: 1) I don’t scare easy, so I’ll have to say no. 2) Nope.
Anonymous #1 writes: “What kind of name is Lawren for a man?”
Answer: He got off easy. His brothers are Sandra are Lorelei.
NeekLove writes: “What kind of temprament do french bulldogs have?”
Answer: They’re incredibly affectionate, playful, and bossy.
Anonymous #2 writes: “Will we find out what happened to Tomin and Adria in one of the movies?”
Answer: Yup. Learn their respective fates in Ark of Truth.
Anonymous #3 writes: “What’s your kryptonite?”
Answer: Home Depot and any commercial with people dancing.
Amy-Lynn writes: “…am I ever going to get that autograph from you?”
Answer: Sorry. It’ll be on its way tomorrow.
Linzi writes: “I was wondering when Outcast is going to start shooting, this week, next week?”
Answer: Two days ago.
__Ghost writes: “We all need to do an interview and I was wondering if you would be willing to do an interview over the phone?
Answer: Sorry, I can’t commit to a phone interview. But I’d be happy to answer your questions via email.
Suekay writes: “Will there be any heartache or angst for McKay this season?”
Answer: Yes.
Stressed and Depressed writes: “Can you reasure a stressed out SGA fan that those coming over are vital to plot lines, please? I’m probably overreacting, but need some reasurrance from you.”
Answer: I’d suggest you watch the episodes in question to put your mind at ease.
Concerned Atlantis fan writes: “I love the show, and understand the need to shake things up, and have a ‘soft re-set’, but, please, please Joe, don’t make Atlantis into a playround for sundry SG1 characters.”
Answer: First of all, I have no idea what is meant by “a soft re-set”. Secondly, Atlantis and its characters will always be the main focus and driving force of the show. However, it makes sense for some crossover to occur because both shows exist within the same franchise, the same universe, the same timeframe. It’s not like we’re crossing The Sopranos with Two and a Half Men.
Mary Beth writes: “What kind of effect would a script writer strike have on SGA?”
Answer: None.
Anonymous #4 writes: “Any episodes with Colonel Caldwell this season?”
Answer: Yep.
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