In my family, we like our Christmas trees like we like our dinners: eclectic, colorful, and of occasional dubious taste. Check out this year’s artistic evergreen – all angels and ice skates and sparkly gold violins, decked out like David Arquette hitting the town. Nothing says Christmas like a brightly festooned pine – with the exception, of course, of a creepy automated gift-giving granny (located right beside it). We stayed up late last night decorating, then woke up early this morning to keep Lulu from opening all of the presents.
Well, a short entry today as I prepare for tonight’s festivities. Fondy is off running errands, my mother is making cannelloni, and my sister is distracting the dogs while I write this entry. So…
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all of you from all of us –
Joe, Aloysius P. Hazzencockle, Percival H. Lintmuffin, Edward Witney, Abigail Wazznucklegrant, Merton Castrati, Doogie Chapadapalapolous, Norman Shuttlecock Jr., Alphonso Rubello, Helena Krumpett-Fullbottom, Margaret Quibble, Fortescu Strickland Von Letterdam Junior, Florence Shezzledap, Melvin’s Kidnappers, Agent Wexler, Cookie Monster, and Baron Destructo.
Cc: Calamitous Jane, Glaxnor the Miscreant, Sinderella Washington, Xxxaptak’qul, Dr. Catastro, Dr. Disastro, Dr. Quinn Meddlesome Woman, Ray Mephistopheles, Archfiend Animus, Brutus Badly, the Plague Zombies, Vorzik the Planet Squisher, the Malevolater, Count Sinister, Kugal Baruth, Death Knell, Star Father Celestio, Shatterdam, Princess Arcana, the Mystifier, the Procrastinator, the Soul Emancipator, Quickstrike, Professor Frosty, Flamer the Flaming Man, the Pummeler, the Purple Lamprey, and John Tesh.
Today’s mailbag –
Jam writes: “Do you know of any good vegetarian restaurants in Vancouver?”
Answer: Hell no. But, just for you, I did a little research and came up with the following: Annapurna (1812 West 4th) and The Naam (2724 West 4th). Let me know how it goes.
Aelfgyu writes: “I saw your mention of getting a show’s bible to write for it; are there SG-1 and SGA bibles?”
Answer: No, there aren’t.
Serendipity writes: “Do you remember what the storyline was for your Seinfeld spec and feature?”
Answer: Something to do with macaroons, a speeding ticket, and a Peruvian soccer team Kramer is billeting.
Boo writes: “is that jelly with lulu?”
Answer: Nope. That’s Bubba (or Bubbuba as my mother calls him).
Royal Nonesuch writes: “Have you ever considered adding a military chaplain, or some such other character to bring htose topics in a little more?”
Answer: To be honest, it is something we have yet to seriously consider.
Majorsal writes: “if you were thinking about doing anymore exploring of the city?”
Answer: It was a topic we discussed back in November.
Kdvb1 writes: “Did you actually consider killing off MCKAY??”
Answer: This is how rumors get started. To answer your question – no.
Pauline writes: “What made you approach animation studios in particular?”
Answer: They’re more receptive to first-time writers and tend to have a bigger production turnover. Also, animation scripting is a great way to hone your craft. Good luck!
Thunder writes: “Is the first picture of Jelly and the rest are of Bubba?”
Answer: Both Jelly and Bubba thank you for correctly identifying them.
Wams352 writes: “Can you explain if DirectTV (or other satellite) ratings/viewers really don’t count?”
Answer: It’s not that they don’t count but SciFi, which pays the licensing fee for our show, is understandably more focused on the numbers pulled in on their network.
Kathleen writes: “Have you read any of Jim Butcher’s “Codex Alera” series?”
Answer: I haven’t.
Susiekew writes: “The two dishes that really stood out for me were a devine melt in your mouth veal dish a and butternut squash soup that was to die for.”
Answer: I love butternut squash soup with a touch of white truffle oil.
Anne Teldy writes: “Student Bodies. The horror film spoof?????”
Answer: No, the teen sitcom.
Georgia writes: “Can you recommend a respectable nanny/pet sitting agency in Vancouver?”
Answer: Unfortunately, our dog nanny went into business with my wife and now works full-time at the pet boutique. I did some research for someone else but don’t have the information handy. I’ll email you.
Susiekew also writes: “In your video of several days ago, who was playing king (or queen) of the cushion that Lulu was so determined to have?”
Answer: That would be Maximus.
Paloosa writes: “As digital product slowly replaces physical product, the problem will become even more acute.”
Answer: Interesting insights and very true. Instead of playing catch-up, all the industries effected need to come up with a better game plan to deal with the constantly evolving technology.
Old Timer writes: “ But it’s been a long time in the making. I don’t mean the betrayal, I mean the leak. I’ve been a long, long fan of your show, from before you and Paul were even on staff. Those were the blissful days, when I knew I could come be a part of fandom online with my “Gate” friends and not have to worry about spoilers. […] You will of course think that this is our responsibility, not yours. You’re wrong. It’s on you. Don’t say we can just avoid them. They’re too pervasive, too common. To do that, we’d have to forsake our friends, both online and off.”
Answer: You’re comparing your t.v.-viewing experience of today to that of ten years ago and, in all fairness, a lot has changed. For starters, the role of the internet has grown considerably in the decade since the show premiered. There are many, many more fans online now with many, many more resources to choose from, official and fan-driven sites dedicated to the multitude of fans clamoring for information about the show. The popularity of the Stargate franchise has also grown considerably in ten years and, as a result, so have the marketing prospects open to it. The ever-increasing number of genre magazines, newspapers, and E.T.-style shows looking for a new story, a different angle, a scoop, force us to walk a very fine line between balancing opportunities to promote the show and maintaining the show’s integrity. To that end, we’ve always strived to make the distinction between teasers (tidbits concerning upcoming episodes designed to whet a fan’s appetite without spoiling the episode for them) and spoilers (which, essentially, ruin the surprises in store). Furthermore, while you may think it’s only a simple matter of keeping spoilers under wraps, that’s easier said than done. We can ask fan sites not to reveal upcoming storylines, request that the network not give away major plot twists in their promos, try our best to hide casting and script developments from prying eyes, but let’s just say it doesn’t always work out the way we’d like it to.
I do, however, take exception to your equating the information revealed in promos and interviews (and even this blog) to the theft and illegal uploading of an unfinished movie. The former involves teasers, and certainly in some cases spoilers, that have either been released by the production to help promote the show, or acquired through public resources. The latter involves someone breaking the law. There’s a huge difference.
Finally, while I find your defeatest attitude regarding your experience somewhat puzzling. You say you don’t like to be spoiled, yet are clearly unwilling to avoid the potential for being spoiled by frequenting forums where said spoilers are being discussed. Granted, you don’t want to cut yourself off from your online friends but most every Stargate forum I’ve visited offers plenty of spoiler-free threads for discussion. It’s just a matter of exercising self-control and not wading into threads where you know spoilers will be discussed.
A. writes: “Is it standard practice for US networks to send unfinished copies of shows to reviewers?”
Answer: No, it isn’t. Finished copies were supposed to go out but somebody screwed up and sent out the wrong version. This was quickly rectified when the mistake was discovered and new versions sent out – but, by that time, the unfinished versions had already found their way online.
Lysambre writes: “I’ve searched for “workout” in your blog, and found only 3 entries mentionning said workout”
Answer: Also try searching for “work-out” and “work out”. I wake up every morning and work out for about an hour. I alternate, one day weights, the next day cardio. My weights program is now comprised of a full body circuit training work-out (I complete work out all the muscle groups, completing one uninterrupted circuit [one set of each exercise] – then rest a couple of minutes and repeat. Twice.). My cardio is comprised of about fifteen minutes each of a light treadmill run, a brisk treadmill walk with varied elevations, the traditional elliptical, a reverse elliptical. If I’ve done weights, I’ll usually have a protein shake immediately after my work-out. If I’ve done cardio, I’ll usually wait an hour before having a well-balanced breakfast.
Anais a ecrit: “ alors que je vous pose des questions sans réponse, et quand un anglais vous pose la même pour lui répondé!!!”
Reponse: Si c’est la même question, je répondrai à celui en anglais alors que tout le monde puisse comprendre.
The more of less translation – If I’m asked the same question in both French and English, I’ll answer to the question in English so that most of the other fans will be able to understand.
Valkyrie writes: “Is it easier or more difficult to script for animation as opposed to the live action of a TV show?”
Answer: It really has more to do with the writer and the show you’re writing for.
Gennifer wrote: “ SQ2839, learn to do your research. If you did, you might find this comment: “Raoul: In retrospect, how do you feel about the decision to go in a different direction with the Weir character? JM: Personally, I feel good because I was in on the decision-making process there….”
Answer: Hey, here’s an idea: instead of reprimanding someone else on doing proper research, maybe you should take your own advice and be a little more thorough in interpreting my words. The question I was asked was: “In retrospect, how do you feel about the decision to go in a different direction with the Weir character?” It wasn’t “Are you happy that you got rid of Weir?” or “Are you glad you replaced Weir?”. It was, very clearly, a response to a question about the creative direction of her character. So, in the future, either be a little more honest in your interpretation. Or, failing that, do a much better job of taking my words out of context.
Jennie in Oregon writes: “I also want to thank you again for the great restaurant recommendation that made my birthday dinner in Vancouver in July very fun and special!”
Answer: Where’d you go while you were in town?
A writes: “Oh, look, here’s a link to the article where JM says he feels good about the decision to remove Weir […] Now how about you stop accusing people of lying to suit their own agendas?”
Answer: That’s kind of hard to do when individuals such as yourself are doing just that. “Joe says he’s happy he got rid of Torri!”is the one I hear repeated which, pretty clearly (and thanks for the link that helps me prove this point) misrepresents what I actually said – that I felt good about the creative direction we were going with her character.
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