Well, here I am, unfashionably early as I wanted to make sure we got a good table. Ready to chow down!
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Just going to take a sneak peek at the dessert selections. Ooooh. Warm pear beignet!
EMILY said…
Ok, I’m here! A minute late, by my clock. Sorry, the traffic is horrible. 😉
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
No problem. You look lovely. New outfit?
EMILY said…
Why yes. I purchased it just for the occasion. You look quite dashing yourself, I might add.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Oh, I’m alright dashing.
So, what do you feel like starting with? Soup, salad, or risotto?
EMILY said…
Let’s hope the soup’s not borscht, eh? Hmm, let’s go with the risotto.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
So, what’s up? What’s new? What’s on your mind?
EMILY said…
I’ve always wondered, do you get a god-like sense of power when deciding whose “mail bag” questions to answer?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Not so much god-like as demi-god like.
EMILY said…
Ok, here’s a big question for you: Do you/the SGA writers have a basic idea for each of the episodes for S5 (if not, about how many do you have an idea for)? Care to share any of the tentative/working titles of any of these said episodes to tease us with? You know, if there’re any that don’t give away much (if any) of the episode plot, of course.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Ah, right to it then? Well, back in early November, we did come up with a bunch of jumping off points, fleshed out notions, and lame episode titles. We put them up on the white board and, at last count, had 14. As you may or may not have guessed, the title of our premiere (which I cryptically referred to as S&R) is Search and Rescue. Who’s searching and who’s in need of rescue? Tune into the season 4 finale to find out.
EMILY said…
How’s Monkey in the Control Room/Dingo in the Mess Hall coming about?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
As for Monkey in the Control Room – it’s in progress. It’s a stand-alone, so it’s free-floating in the production schedule right now.
EMILY said…
Yeah, no beating around the bush here. I’m intent upon making this the most uncomfortable, interrogative virtual dinner you’ll ever have.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Hey, your Jeruselam Artichoke risotto and my corn soup have arrived!
EMILY said…
Ok, it has to be asked. You mentioned something about exciting news coming up for a character in S5. Would this announcement have anything to do with Carson Beckett? If you don’t want to give anything away, just say “Maybe, maybe not.” Then again, if it DOESN’T involve him, feel free to just say “no.”
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
To answer your question…maaaaybe. The deal has yet to be closed.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
So, what will you be having for your main course? Beef, fish, or pork?
EMILY said…
Ahh, the risotto is delicious. How’s the soup?
I think I’ll try the beef, thanks.
JOSEPH MALLOZI said…
Excellent. I ordered a double-portion. Which beef dish are you going with? The tenderloin, the beef shin with the weathervane scallops, or do you want to share the cote de boeuf?
EMILY said…
Let’s share the the cote de boeuf, since I have no idea what it is.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Done. Are you an adventurous eater? What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? I believe you must have sampled some interesting delicacies in Korea perhaps? The baby squid?
EMILY said…
Weirdest thing I’ve ever eaten…Hmmm. I never tried dog while in Korea (although I lived practically next door to a dog restaurant). Never had the live squid, either. Honestly, I don’t know what I was eating half the time in Korea. But the weirdest thing I’ve ever eaten that I can identify is bone marrow. But that wasn’t in Korea.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
That’s what my dogs had last night.
EMILY said…
Good to know I eat the same meals as dogs…
EMILY said…
Ok, I admit it: I’m a Daniel fangirl. Is it seeming pretty likely that he’ll make an appearance next season? And if you could have him get wet, take off his shirt, or perform in a male revue, that’d be great. (As you can tell, I’m a very deep person) I’m sure with enough spinning you guys could crank something out involving any or all of these ideas. Go ahead. Impress me. I dare you.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Hmmm. I’ll see what we can do but no promises on the shirtless front. We have a bare-bones idea for the Daniel story but it still needs much fleshing out.
EMILY said…
I won’t comment on your use of the word, “fleshing”…
EMILY said…
Where all have you traveled?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Italy when I was very young. Also spent time in Jersey visiting relatives. My first vacation with Fondy was a trip to San Fran and we loved it. We also love Vegas. Next year, we’ll probably head back to Hong Kong and Tokyo, to cities we truly love. Good eating there.
EMILY said…
I’ve been to Japan, but didn’t make it to Tokyo (I was only there 7 days…more in the south). I enjoyed Japan thoroughly. Ever been to Thailand? There’s a place with great food!
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
My wife mentioned Thailand this morning as one of the places she wants to visit.
EMILY said…
Well, I highly recommend it.
EMILY said…
I once played Golden Tee in a bar for a full 5 minutes before realizing I wasn’t really playing—the computer was. Turns out, I hadn’t put in any money. Also turns out, I had too much to drink. Anyway, my question is: which one of you guys holds the high score on Golden Tee?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Re: Golden Tee. I have no idea as I am the only one in the writing department who doesn’t play. Even Marty G. who doesn’t golf plays!
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
So how are you enjoying season four so far? High points? Low points?
EMILY said…
I’m really enjoying it. I’m one of those people in the “I’m doing perfectly fine with the cast changes” department, so that helps.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Ah, the cote de boeuf has arrived. It looks delicious. Try the golden fries. They’re to die for.
EMILY said…
Well, I see why it’s a shared course!
Looks good…
EMILY said…
I generally don’t think in terms of faves or least faves, but Tabula Rasa really stands out for me.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Yeah, Tabula Rasa is probably my favorite of the first half. It really came together well in terms of, well, everything. The two distinct looks of the past and present and the jumping back and forth was a lot of fun. I also enjoy the occasional episode when our characters are not “quite themselves”.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Overall, I’m very pleased with season four. Which is a good new bad new thing because that means we’re going to have to find a way to top ourselves.
EMILY said…
I have confidence in you, Joe. And the entire writing team, of course. You know what would REALLY boosts ratings, though? Bringing back Torri!!!!!! Ok, I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist. For the record everyone, THAT WAS A JOKE.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Hey, I like Torri.
EMILY said…
I never said I didn’t. DON’T PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH, JOE.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
I meant to say: “WE love Torri!”
EMILY said…
What was your favorite candy as a kid?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
I loved a chocolate bar called Butter Rum that was s sort of like Caramilk but had a butter rum filling. Unfortunately, whenever I visited my grandmother, it was either those cloying fruit jellies or the chocolate-covered whipped marshmallow cookies. Hated those.
EMILY said…
Hey, I liked those chocolate-covered whipped marshmallow cookies! I hated circus peanuts. Ugh.
I always liked Milky Ways.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Milky Way = too chewy.
EMILY said…
I suppose you didn’t like Charleston Chews then, eh?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Never tried it.
EMILY said…
Did you have to make any changes to the S4 finale when you learned that you’d been picked up for another season?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
No. Our season finale was set in stone long before the decision was made regarding the show’s fifth season. We always intended to end it on a cliffhanger – our reasoning being that even if the show did not get picked up, we would find a way to end the story for fans of the show.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Oooh, I’m getting stuffed. Did you try the Bearnaise sauce?
EMILY said…
Interesting.
Who is your favorite SG1 and SGA character? And please don’t say, “I like them all.” NOTE: This question has nothing to do with the individual actors/actresses themselves.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
On SGA, my inner nerd connects with McKay. On SG-1, it was smart-ass Jack O’Neill and, later, the roguish Vala. At the end of the day, they’re all a lot of fun to write for but if I had to choose…
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Okay, one more slice of beef and I’m done.
EMILY said…
That’s all you can eat?? You’re being out-eaten by a girl, you know…
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
I’m saving room for dessert.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Speaking of which, what would you like?
Creme brulee? The Manjari chocolate terrine? The pear beignet? Or the roast dulce de leche pound cake?
EMILY said…
I’ll go with the the pear beignet, since you seemed so excited about it when I arrived.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Okay. Two pear beignets. If you don’t mind, I’ll wrap up the leftover beef for the dogs. They thank you in advance.
EMILY said…
If I had a dog, I’d fight you for it. But alas, no pets. L
EMILY said…
You’d choose Chuck the technician?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Choose Chuck? For what? I’d have no personal use for him although, come to think of it, it would be kind of cool to have him operate my remote garage door opener.
“Open the garage door!”
“Opening the garage door, sir!”
EMILY said…
Hahaha!!! Maybe he could operate all your electronic appliances.
EMILY said…
I’ve asked this before on your blog and you didn’t answer it. Maybe that’s telling me it’s a dumb question, but I really am curious about this: There are loads of computers on [the set of] Atlantis. Are these all actually functioning computers? Do people utilize them when filming isn’t going on? Are they connected to the internet, etc?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
They’re functioning computers insofar as you can turn them on and off. And you can hook up a feed if you ever want to shoot a live back and forth off-world report-in.
EMILY said…
Ever been to New Orleans? They have good beignets there.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
I have been to New Orleans. Way back when! Talk about a great eating city! We went to Arnaud’s and Antoine’s and that place with the $50 eggs benedict every which way. We would have brunch at the Court of Two Sisters.
EMILY said…
Yeah, I was there way back in the day, too. I think I was 15, or something. I definitely wasn’t eating $50 eggs benedict, I’ll tell you that much!
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
I’d love to go back.
EMILY said…
Do the writers ever throw in little exchanges/scenes because they know they’ll get a particular fan group buzzing? Like, “Hey, how about if Sheppard gets punched in this scene? The Sheppard whump advocates will love that!”
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Oh, occasionally we may throw in a fun reference or little exchange as a tip of the hat to the fans.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Hey, desserts here. Awesome. It comes with ice cream!
EMILY said…
Yummers (in regards to the dessert, that is).
Which color paper do you find most soothing on the eyes in terms of script phase? Goldenrod? Salmon? Sea-foam green? Plain ol’ white?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
The more colors, the more changes so I love the look of a mostly white script. Apparently, someone once sent in a spec on multi-colored pages becase that’s the way they assumed a shooting script looked like.
EMILY said…
And it’s more purdy that way.
EMILY said…
you should come to Wisconsin. We’ve got…cheese.
EMILY said…
Do any of the cast members read your blog?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
There are tons of places in the U.S. I would love to visit.
As for actors reading my blog – don’t think so.
EMILY said…
What was the worst job you ever had?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Worst job? I’m not sure. There are plenty of worst moments in various jobs. If I had to pick one, I’d go with that summer my friend and I were hired to clean a candy warehouse on weekends. We would spend the morning hosing down hardened syrup with high-pressure hoses, then spend the afternoon eating flakies.
EMILY said…
That really doesn’t sound so bad…
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Yours?
EMILY said…
Hmmm. Cashier at Target, not a high point. I hate dealing with customers (oh, I’m sorry–“guests”). But for guests, they were pretty damn rude.
I also did inventory for NAPA Auto Parts. Which was a laugh, since I don’t know ANYTHING about car parts.
But I have to say, substitute teaching isn’t a walk in the park, either.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Ooh, substitute teaching. Ouch.
EMILY said…
Yeah. Ouch.
EMILY said…
As a warning, I’m going to keep asking questions until you cut me off!
Who are your favorite villains? Goa’uld? Ori? Wraith? Replicators? Other?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
I’ve always preferred villains with personalities, so I’d have to go with goa’uld, system lords in particular, Baal and Yu even more precisely.
EMILY said…
Ba’al was great. Probably one of my favorites, as well.
EMILY said…
What is your least favorite part of the writing process? Titles? Outlines? How about names? Do you have a hard time thinking of names to give your one-episode characters, or is that easy for you? How do you decide on names?
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
I usually just make them up. As for the hardest part of the process – starting a script. That is always very difficult and in my head I always think “the worst is over” and I suppose it sort of is – but starting the next scene is almost as bad. Writing can be a painful process a lot of the time and I don’t think you’d find a professional writer who would say otherwise.
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Uh oh, looks like that couple at the vestibule may need the table. They keep giving us the eye.
EMILY said…
Ok, FINE. If you need to go get ready for your “real” dinner with your “real” friends, then I suppose we can call it a night.
EMILY said…
Thanks so much for the dinner. You’re paying, right? (Hey, I’m a substitute teacher) Do you ever tip the kitchen staff (sorry, for another question!)?
And thanks for answering all of my inane questions.
Much appreciated!
JOSEPH MALLOZZI said…
Yes, I’ll pay and tip generously. Thanks for coming out. Don’t forget to say goodbye to Chef Belcham and the gang on your way out.
EMILY said…
Will do. Many compliments to the chefs!
Enjoy your actual dinner, and say hi to Fondy for me! (since I know she’ll be waiting for my hello)
T-minus 1 hour 45 minutes until the new episode SGA. 🙂