The other day, Marty G. and I took Carl out for dinner in celebration of his birthday, our friendship, and the outside chance that if the show is canceled Carl may be in a position to give us jobs next year. We went to Fuel of course and ordered the Chef’s Five-Course Tasting Menu, carefully outlining the birthday boy’s likes (the crispy-fried duck) and dislikes (foie gras and excess marbling) for our server. Minutes later, our affable host Tom swung by the table and gave us a peek at the cheat sheet the kitchen uses to remind them of their customer profiles. Ours, for instance, broke down as follows:
Guest #1 = Food Slut. Eats Anything. (Clearly Martin)
Guest #2 = No foie or too much fat. Loves the duck. (Obviously Carl)
Guest #3 = Has a Gatecon-like appetite. (Not sure).
We had a wonderful meal highlighted by Fuel’s signature fried duck dish that had Carl in utter alimentary ecstasy from the first bite of his portion to the last bite of Martin’s. We also enjoyed Chef Belcham’s version of English pea soup, heirloom tomatoes with Carnaroli Risotto, three types of gnocchi (including my favorite served with green beans and bacon), a foie-gras stuffed squab for Martin and I, and three different desserts which included something called a peanut butter and jelly (pictured above). Forget getting me on as a guest judge – I’m lobbying to land Chef Belcham a gig as one of the challengers on Iron Chef America. And the secret ingredient is…pork belly! Imagine them trying to make a dessert out of that!
Hmmmm. For reasons known only to them, VISA has sent me a new card to replace my old card that won’t expire for another year. And because the new card has a new number, I’ve to update my information with the various businesses that do an automatic monthly withdrawal from my account. Well, all except Rogers, my cell phone provider which, ironically, doesn’t supply a customer service number on any of their (But presumably, they’ll figure it out eventually.) And then there’s by cable provider. The nice lady who fielded my call today made the changes to my account and then offered me the “late night movie package” for only 25 cents. The price sounded right and yet… “Don’t you like movies?”she asked me. She had a point. I do like movies. Well, most movies.
Some movies.
Okay, rarely do I actually enjoy a movie, but that’s not a reason to deprive Fondy of the opportunity to view Will Ferrell’s bi-monthly efforts. So I got the package for a mere 25 cents a month (“…forthefirstmonth,”the lady quickly rattled off after I’d signed on. “Afterthatitssixteendollarsamonth. You’llbechargedunlessyoucallusandcancelthispackagewithinthenextthirtydays. Thankyougoodbye!”). About an hour later, I turn on the t.v and flip over to the new free channel only to discover that “late night movie package” = porn. Actually, porn preview. Not the actual movies but snippets from the movies. Now, as a writer, I tend to be hypercritical of a film’s script and story, so you can imagine how vexing it is to be presented with these bewildering contextless scenes. How did those candystripers get stranded on that deserted island? Why were those shirtless construction workers at that young woman’s birthday party? And aren’t there health and safety regulations in place that prohibit that sort of behavior in restaurant kitchens? Well, on the bright side, from a fan standpoint, these productions seem to be very accommodating to various shipper factions. Whether you ship milkmaid with gladiator, garage mechanic with amnesiac socialite, or pizza delivery guy with twins, you needn’t resort to fan fiction to get your fix.
Scroll down to the bottom of this entry for the Weird Food Purchase of the Day. Today, it’s smoked cod liver!
Catching up on the mailbag:
Patricia Lee writes: “I thought you said Brad Wright was writing Epi 100 and then you said Marty G was writing it… what gives Joe! Were you trying to keep it a secret so we would not pump you with questions???”
Answer: I don’t believe I ever said that Brad or Martin were writing #100.
Jessica writes: “ On that note did you go to a university/college and if so what course(s) did you do?”
Answer: I did. I have an undergraduate degree in History and Political Sciences, and a Masters Degree in English Literature.
PG15 writes: “1. MGM is releasing some schematics of Atlantis tech on their website, here. Are these things canon?
2. Is The Red Shirt Diaries as DOA as Hexed?”
Answers: 1. All seems in order. 2. Yes. We already have scripts for all 20 slots.
Norriski writes: “I finally watched Sunday for the first time since it’s originally airing […] but Martin G said that up until a couple days before filming there was an alternate ending, can you give us light of that that might have been…”
Answer: I don’t recall reading an alternate ending. This one’s a question for Martin.
Norriski also writes: “…but should there be a season 6 is there even the slimest possibility that we can get Carson back full time?”
Answer: Hey, right now we’re just trying to get the show back full time.
Neko writes: “Have you been practicing your mandarin?”
Answer: Wa boo shi Chung wen shaw.
Tenaya writes: “I was thinking about what you said about the crowd responding so enthusiastically to Jewel at Comic Con.”
Answer: Again, you miss my point. My Comic Con example was a response to someone who said that the forum they frequented was decidedly anti-Keller. I suppose it really depends where you hang out. I, for instance, hang out in the writers’ room a lot where we are all unabashedly pro-Keller.
Les Ferris writes: “ will the information Weir gave the team regarding new advanced civilisations lead to some fun new adventures?”
Answer: That’s a question for another season. Hopefully.
Joe Julians writes: “I was just wondering how you feel about the crticism the season had. Popuar UK magazines like SFX and Deathray made some very critical comments about season 4 and the direction the show took, particularly the “misuse” of Carter. Do opinions like this effect you, especially from popular magazines and do you ever take things like this onboard?”
Answer: Hey, if we took all the criticism to heart, we’d never get around to producing a show. Death Ray? Never heard of it? Is it a fanzine?
Amy Lynn writes: “With shooting in Vegas, does that still mean the season still wraps the 23rd of next month?”
Answer: No. The production schedule is ever-shifting. We could finish sooner, later, or even on time.
Maddog1995 writes: “Should I just go out and get that laptop and read your blog while eating my breakfast?”
Answer: That’s how I do it – first thing in the morning, approving comments over a cup of green tea. And good luck on your job hunt. Hope you bag a good one.
Marielabbott writes: “I understand now the comment on your blog awhile back that if you ask a different producer, you will likely get a different answer to the question of whether or not Weir was alive or dead. You tried to leave some of that ambiguity in the episode. Do you think Weir is alive or dead?”
Answer: To be honest, a year ago I held that the real Elizabeth Weir was still alive. Paul felt that the replicators would have had no reason to keep her around and insisted that Oberoth would have ordered her killed after Lifeline. I disagreed. Why kill her when you can keep her in stasis and possibly make use of her at a later date? Since the production of Ghost in the Machine however, I’ve come around to accept the logic of Paul’s argument.
Charlie’s Angel writes: “Why do we keep betraying the replicators who are sympathetic and/or acting “human”, and then wonder why they come back looking for retribution?”
Answer: At the end of the day, they simply couldn’t risk it. They chose caution over blind benevolence.
Angelus writes: “Just checked out the new episode and I noticed a graphics mistake in the Atlantis intro.”
Answer: Unfortunately, it’s too late to fix this now but, on the bright side, it’s not too late to pick a scapegoat and hold him accountable for this oversight. Thanks for pointing this out.
Carolina writes: “I’ve finally arrived in Vancouver! can’t wait for the next 10 days… I do plan on going to Fuel this week, but I would like to hear from you your recommendations, I will send you an email if you don’t mind.
I’m staying downtown and tomorrow I’m planning on being around Grandville island and 4th street during lunch time, where do you suggest we should stop for lunch?”
Answer: Welcome to Vancouver. Granville and 4th I assume? Hmmm. If you walk up the six blocks and hang a left on West Broadway, you’ll find Fortune Garden (fantastic peking duck and seafood), Vera’s Burger Shack, and The Memphis Barbecue House. All pretty good lunch bets.
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