Science has shown that time slows down as one approaches faster than light velocity and then speeds up on weekends. Seriously, it felt like only hours ago I was jumping out of bed, ready to make the most of my Sunday. Flashforward eight hours and what do I have to show for my efforts? A basketful of clean laundry, some mailbag answers, and a written reminder to run a list of errands whenever I have some free time. Maybe next weekend.
Well, last night, not even the lure of women’s beach volleyball was enough to convince me to sit down and watch some of the unremitting Olympic coverage. While Fondy whooped and hollered at the t.v., criticizing every errant spike and flubbed serve, I was sitting on the neighboring couch reading Jeffrey Ford’s The Fantasy Writer’s Assistant and Other Stories. Despite the fact that it’s early in the month, I predict this collection will be making my Top 5 Reads of the Month – unless, of course, I happen to read another five books by Ford that end up bumping it out of contention.
Following the shocking news of Bernie Mac’s passing comes word that Issac Hayes has passed away. This one hits a little closer to home as Isaac actually guested on SG-1 during the show’s eighth season, returning to provide the voice for the Teal’c P.I. spot episode 200. His appearance came about as a genuine interest on his part. “Isaac Hayes is a fan of Stargate?”I remember asking. “How cool is that?” Yes, it was very cool – especially when he finally showed up on set and was politely mobbed by the cast and crew. We’ve had a number of notable guest stars over the franchise’s 10+ year run, but none have come close to provoking the giddy fanboy/fangirl reaction Hayes commanded the second he stepped onto that set. Though “commanded” is probably not the right word because he was anything but assuming. He was friendly, soft-spoken and, surprisingly, a little nervous at the prospect of tackling the role of Tolok. I can’t claim to have known the man but, simply judging from the way he handled himself on set, the countless autographs he signed, and kind words he exchanged with the delighted crewmembers, he struck me as a genuinely goodhearted soul. Like Don Davis before him, he passed far too young.
Today’s video: The Weird Food Purchase of the Day = Beef Tendon. Hey, I think it’s what Teyla and Keller ate in Missing!
Today’s mailbag:
Dignan50yp writes: “Joe a while back you told us that Vegas was a Sheppard episode. When did that change?”
Answer: It didn’t.
Squall78 writes: “I just don’t see how the odds have “not” gone up for a 6th season. Last 2 season renewal saw lower numbers.”
Answer: Our ratings, while certainly improved, are only part of the equation. Hey, I’d love to get a sixth season pick-up, but I know that for it to happen a lot of factors must come into play.
Steph writes: “Do the available choices mean that you will not have anything to do with the SG1 movie?”
Answer: Like The Ark of Truth and Continuum, I’ll probably provide script notes at some point. Last year, there was early talk of three SG-1 movies and I was looking forward to the possibility of writing for the old gang. Paul and I spent 7 years writing 50+ scripts for SG-1 so the prospect of writing an SG-1 feature appealed to us in a big way. Alas, we only ended up producing two features last year. Still, those two did so well that I’m fairly confident that there’ll be plenty more SG-1 features to come.
Isa writes: “who’s office is the one with the people choice award at the window??”
Answer: Why, that would be mine.
Jen writes: “ I would’nt judge Kellers character on an applause ‘o meter for Jewel and I can’t believe that you are even compairing one actors applause response to another.”
Answer: You missed the point. My response was to a poster who felt the anti-Keller sentiment may have been a disproportionate sampling given the forums she visited. I countered with the Comic Con example.
NCC-72452 writes: “Actually, I stopped by because I remembered hearing somewhere that you, Joe, created the character of Elizabeth Weir.”
Answer: You heard wrong. Stargate Atlantis and all of its main characters were created by Brad Wright and Robert Cooper.
Sebastian writes: “ Now, this looks like a fairly major damage to the city.
How does the city cope with this?”
Answer: There is a team on standby who are charged with the responsibility of effecting all structural repairs. They’ll be busy this year.
MysteryMadchen writes: “If Season six is a go will you guys put hexed back in other shows embellish on Sheppard’s past, i.e. what happened to his mother, why he had no contact with his family and as always a very healthy dose of whumpage?”
Answer: It’s more than likely that Hexed is D.O.A. even if we return for a sixth season. The episode was intended to be comedic, not a character piece. As for Sheppard’s mother – there was mention made in a late season 5 episode that, after some consideration, was cut at the script stage.
MysteryMadchen also writes: “ I was wondering would you guys ever consider doing an Atlantis movie while Atlantis is still running?”
Answer: It’s certainly possible, but highly unlikely.
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