When Paul and I became show runners on Atlantis’s fourth season, one of my first executive decisions was to place a moratorium on hats. I vowed that, under my watch, neither series lead nor supporting player nor lowly extra would be made to parade around in one of those silly, scene-stealing, scalp-warmers. Back in the day, Director Peter DeLuise was particularly vociferous about the offending headpieces. “Now it’s a scene about a hat!”he’d cry out in outrage while watching the dailies. And he was right. I mean, how can you take someone seriously when they’re delivering dialogue looking like –
I have to admit, my hatred of headwear extends far beyond the show. I am of the firm opinion that, with few exceptions, people look like complete dorks when they’re wearing hats. Baseball caps are inoffensive insofar as I don’t really classify them as hats, while cowboy hats are perfectly acceptable – so long as you’re an actual cowboy (ie. have ridden a horse and wear chaps for non-recreational purposes). Of course, there are rare exceptions such as –
People in uniform or who are required to wear regulation headgear as part of their profession – like policemen, firemen, the gals at my local doughnut shop, or individuals who pilot dust croppers – are exempt, unless said headgear is part of some stage performance. Otherwise, please refrain from wearing any of the following:
1) Ascot caps, boaters, bowlers, deerstalkers – unless you’re sixty-five or older and/or motor about in a vintage convertible you’ve christened with a female named and make use of words like “toodles” or “corking” as part of daily conversation.
2) Bucket hats – unless you’re six or younger, either physically or mentally. OR, you’re the first mate on the S.S. Minnow.
3) Chullo and various other wool hats – unless you’re Chilean or braving a a blustery winter and desperately need to keep your ears warm.
4) Fedora – unless you honestly believe it’s sixty years ago. Trust me, it doesn’t make you look cool. It just makes you look like someone who thinks they look cool.
5) Pork pie – unless…no. No unless. Just don’t.
As for those hats I’ve failed to mention – don’t wear them either.
Now, I know that many of you think I’m being inordinately harsh here, but anyone with an ounce of sense would agree. You can take your average good looking fellow, slap a hat on him, and he’ll end up looking like a total dork.
Don’t believe me?
Yeah, I think I’ve made my point.
Got my script notes on Resurgence today. Some great input. Sadly, I had to lose the Megatron gag. 🙁
Mailbag:
Bryan M. White writes: “By the way, any news on the movie?”
Answer: Nope.
crayonbaby writes: “Are they going to make you bake some cookies too?”
Answer: I lost a bet and will have to make ice cream. Ashleigh requested something simple, like vanilla, so I’ll probably make a batch over the weekend.
belouchi writes: “1. Will it be revealed how fast Destiny travels ?
2.how many galaxies its traveled prior to the arrival of the icarus team?”
Answers: 1. No plans to do so. 2. We haven’t said and will remain vague on this.
Chevron 7 writes: “Now it may be a stupid question but how did they get the sand in the corridor..some sort of blower? Was wondering how they got no footprints on it…it looks undisturbed.”
Answer: They trucked it in, shoveled it over, then touched it up between takes to ensure it look undisturbed.
Chevron7 writes: “Congrats on the early reviews of your first draft…were you worried?”
Answer: I don’t know if I’d go so far as to call it worry, but I certainly want to do a good job and thereby make everyone else’s life a whole lot easier.
dasNdanger writes: “I’ve come to the conclusion that you suffer from a persecution complex, influenced by a negative anima complex, with overtones of a martyr complex verging on masochism.”
Answer: Is there a pill I can take?
Shirt ‘n Tie writes: “Updates on your Mother? How is she?
Also any news on *cough cough* DVD commentaries?
Oh, and girls here asked…Did Felix win that photo competition we all voted for, some months back?”
Answers: Mom is doing much better and has her last physio session this week. What news on the DVD commentaries? And, sadly, Felix didn’t win. He’s presently in search of a new dog-in-funny-outfit contest.
paceofnature writes: “Do you guys still feel like you’re getting a lot of criticism for the different feel of SGU compared to SG1/SGA or has all that bile kind of simmered down?”
Answer: Fans are passionate, SF fans even more so, so it’s not at all surprising to have certain factions raise the hue and cry whenever a change is made or a creative decision taken that they don’t agree with. Fan criticism, infighting, and occasional belligerency have been a part of this franchise as long as I can remember.
Deni writes: “How did the laxative taste with the peanut butter and chocolate?”
Answer: Don’t think I didn’t consider the possibility.
JulieAloha writes: “We never get Ashleigh’s side of things – does she read your blog or are you counting on the fact that she doesn’t?”
Answer: Oh, she reads it alright.
Chevron7 writes: “…that Stargate plate – where is it now?”
Answer: It was carved ice so I imagine it’s long-since dissipated.
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