I was reading Christopher Moore’s Fool while shooting on location last week and had about a dozen crew members walk up and say “Hey, if you like Fool, you should check out…[insert the title of any of Christopher’s Moore’s many books here]”. Well, I liked Fool. I liked it a lot. And I said so in a previous blog entry, which led a few of you to suggest I make one of Moore’s books a Book of the Month Club pick, which led me to contact Christopher Moore and ask him whether he’d be interested in doing a Q&A for this blog, which in turn led to his speedy response, which in turn led to this:
November’s Book of the Month Club selection is…
Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story, by Christopher Moore
From the publisher: “Jody never asked to become a vampire. But when she wakes up under an alley Dumpster with a badly burned arm, an aching back, superhuman strength, and a distinctly Nosferatuan thirst, she realizes the decision has been made for her.
Making the transition from the nine-to-five grind to an eternity of nocturnal prowlings is going to take some doing, however, and that’s where C. Thomas Flood fits in. A would-be Kerouac from Incontinence, Indiana, Tommy (to his friends) is biding his time night-clerking and frozen-turkey bowling in a San Francisco Safeway. But all that changes when a beautiful undead redhead walks through the door…and proceeds to rock Tommy’s life — and afterlife — in ways he never thought possible.”
From Amazon.com: “Between scenes of punks bowling frozen turkeys on the graveyard shift in a supermarket, or snapping turtles loose in a loft and gnawing on designer shoes, this novel has comic charm to spare.”
From Library Journal: “Filled with oddball characters, clever dialog, and hilarious situations that are Moore’s (Coyote Blue, LJ 1/94) trademarks, this delightful tale deserves a spot on all popular fiction shelves. Highly recommended.”
From The New York Times Book Review: “”Deft and funny.”
Discussion the week of November 8th with author Christopher Moore.
Hey, speaking of books, look at what arrived to today…
Special Features Producer Ivon Bartok and my copy of The Tiger by John Vaillant. It sounds like Jaws in Siberia, the fact-based account of a tiger that exacts its revenge on a village after it’s wounded by a poacher. Scary stuff.
Yes, the ratings are in for the premiere. And, yes, they’re lower than I expected. Hopefully we’ll bounce back next week as more viewers become aware of our move to Tuesday night and Caprica returns for its back half run.
Pics from the set –
Awesome selection for the Book of the Month discussion. I actually just finished reading the third part of Moore’s vampire trilogy, Bite Me.
How did you like “Fool”? I thought it was quite enjoyable, though it took me a while to get used to it as it (naturally) didn’t have any of Moore’s usual recurring supporting characters (the Emperor of San Francisco for example) that inhabit most of his recent novels.
Heard via Twitter Tia Carrere came to visit you today!
I’d like to comment about the ratings but won’t.
Hope Akemi didn’t have any more encounters with the stalker dude.
Wonderful episode, “Intervention”. Lots of stuff happening. And to add my 2 cents to yesterday’s comments, I think Brody saw or recognized something of Franklin in the monitor. Yes? No?
Very creative way of handling the baby situation. I had been trying to decide if a youngster would be a regular or the show or not. Now I know. Tearful moments there, especially when T.J. was cradling Carmen.
Eli had some good lines and I am amazed about what’s happening with Chloe. Will this be a Shepard-Wraith bug-like transformation Joe? I suppose you can’t say at this point.
Really enjoyed the premiere though and I was a “live viewer” (last time I checked).
Update about my old guy from the vet: he made it through the procedure very well, so far, no ill effects from the anesthesia. Now we wait for the lab reports to discover what the heck is going on with him.
Hope the ratings and fan-buzz keeps SGU going strong. Right now it is the best thing on the boob tube. Wow, that expression dates me.
g’night all,
2cats
Where can you go to find the ratings for season 2?
I really enjoyed the SGU season 2 premiere last night. It was great all around. I even liked the storyline with TJ and the baby in the episode. I was not a fan of TJ being pregnant even though I did understand that it was because Alaina Huffman was pregnant. I was kinda worried about how that would go down and I was pleasantly surprised by what did happen in Intervention. It was a totally cool ep and I’m excited about the rest of the season. I hope the ratings pick up so we can get more seasons of SGU.
Seconding 2cats comment on the quality of the episode. I think everyone would agree that Tygh Runyan better known as Dr Caine had an amazing performance in the episode, the way he came accross as calm, collective and didn’t show the slightest sense of fear when it came to the unknown really shines through. He made each scene with TJ so natural.
Would of posted this earlier. Got caught up in the doom and gloom I guess.
Hi Joe!
Is it Luciene Alliance or Lucian Alliance?
(It’s spelled “Luciene” in that image of that prop from “Blockade”.)
Thanks! 🙂
Sean D.
“Light casual Syfy shows like Eureka/W13 seem to excel, the viewerbase loves these. Ghost Hunters too”
Here’s my thing from that observation if the base of SyFy fandom now (since at least 2007 or 2006) likes its scifi lite on the drama and heavier on the comedy why did they (as NBCU) and the studio (MGM) pushed to end SGA which had the right mix of comedy and drama plus SGA had very good following/viewers (2+ in the rating).
Again over the last 2+ years its been pushed that BW and RC were the ones who ended SGA which was how they were making their living to take up SGU, it was not them it was the studio.
@Nathan one place is Gateworld:
http://www.gateworld.net/index.shtml
Jim
Shame about the ratings, but it doesn’t surprise me at all. Up against NCIS:LA and Dancing with the Stars – and a new night, to boot. I hope things pick up, but with the bad economy and housing market, the ongoing war overseas, and people just being plain miserable about their life and their government, I think ‘fluff’ shows have a better chance right now.
Anyways…
Joe, any news about the comic book project?
Also, I think I asked you this before, but I’d like to ask Akemi because I trust her judgment more. 🙂
@ Akemi – Is it proper to eat sushi (specifically makizushi) with your fingers, or should one use hashi?
Arigatō gozaimasu.
das
oh hey another question –
Is “Blockade” episode 18 or 19 of SGU’s 2nd season?
(that prop drawing lists it as episode 18 but I think it’s listed otherwise as episode 19.)
Thanks!
Sean D.
Downloaded Bloodsucking Fiends this morning after seeing some people recommend. When I saw a review compare the humour to The Daily Show I took it as a sign.
Okay one more question 😉
Is there need to be concerned about the lower ratings, perhaps now as a result of the show being on Tuesdays, and their potentially having a negative impact on the renewal of SGU for season 3?
Thanks!
Sean D.
Sorry, typo in last question, well grammar I guess, I can’t edit it, let me fix that here –
Is there a need for concern regarding the lower ratings and those ratings potentially having a negative impact on the renewal of SGU for season 3?
Although only one episode of the new season has aired so far, do you think that the lower ratings might be a result of the show moving to Tuesdays?
Do you know why the show moved to Tuesdays?
(Okay I turned that into more questions. lol)
(We’re only in the beginning of season 2 now but I think it’s safe to say that *many* people are hoping for a season 3.) 🙂
Sean D.
no comment from you Joe ? did you gain weight ?
you didn’t even wish me a good birthday ? No wonder I less and less on your blog …
Very upset about the ratings. I thought moving against the NCIS block was daunting, to say the least. I really hope the coming weeks see a rally in the ratings, or a rethinking on the time slot, and most of all, I hope SyFy doesn’t simply pull the plug before it has a chance to work.
I am really hooked on SGU and I want it to continue.
Unless you are part of a rating system, they don’t know when you watch… I’d love to be counted but …. I do watch when it’s on. I loved the episode though felt a bit rushed to get all that in. So glad to have it back.
The stalker guy is very frightening. Tell her to take the jerk’s picture. And be safe.
Eric, grow up. I begged Joe 2x to wish my daughter happy birthday. It would have been nice, she loves his blog and he has turned her on to pugs. But if you only read here for a bd wish… well, you should have quit reading long ago. The level of personal input we get from him is fantastic and I appreciate it, bd wish or not. Maybe you didn’t notice he was on location and busy as heck?
I really hadn’t thought about the NCIS block competition, but then I dvr so I can do both. Not good timing. 🙁 Most of my SG fan friends also love NCIS. Hope those counted will remember NCIS is safe and watch SGU live.
Hi Joe. LOVED the premier episode!
Mailbag questions:
1. Does the IOA have a logo, like homeworld command, atlantis expedition etc and if so are there any plans to see it?
2. Someone mentioned somewhere that the Destiny will soon play home to a bunch of alien gazelles (for food) is this true?
i didn’t get to see the whole episode because i was at school that night but i did hear the TJ lost her baby and i was excited about that. so sad
I thought it was a wrong decision to move to tuesday and go against NCIS and NCIS LA. What they (SyFy and Mgm) should have done is move to Wednesday no competition. L&O Svu thats it. But then again the decision to move to Tues was probably done by the same individuals who gave the go ahead to stop SGA and SG-1.
But the ones getting hits is Joe M and BW
Oh, another thing… Today, I saw an article that astronomers may have discovered the first inhabitable exoplanet:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100929170503.htm
The details; circling a red dwarf, relatively short orbital radius, tidally locked… They strongly reminded me of Dr Park’s Kino video in “Darkness.”
Reading yesterday’s comments, I think reports of SGU’s prognosis are premature. Right, Joe?
SGU is not “Lone Star”, after all. (New series about a bigamist and con artist,, cancelled this week after two eps.)
OMG Joe Penny Arcade wrote a thing about Stargate Universe. I didn’t expect that at all… but there it is.
http://www.penny-arcade.com/2010/9/29/
Cody
>potentially having a negative impact on the renewal of SGU for season 3?
No potentially about it Sean. If SGU has these figures for the remaining 19 episodes, it simply won’t be renewed.
On a positive note, episode 19 dipped to 1.178 million viewers before returning to 1.469 million the following week for the finale. While those aren’t amazing figures in Season 1. If SGU can regain the 1.469 million viewers and maybe build on it, you could pretty much rest easy on the renewal front.
I’m going to Seattle tomorrow. Coming back Friday Night. Gonna try to go to 7 places, as well as the Market. 😀
Good episode. Dammit, you made me cry. Poor TJ. Can’t wait to see her interactions with Young now.
I once bought one of Moore’s audiobooks to listen to on a trip. There were lots of good reviews, so I thought I’d give it a try. What I didn’t realize was some of the content of his books (well, this one at least). I had my two sons in the car with me listening. They were indeed too young to listen to this particular book, but they absolutely loved it. Ooops, bad mom.
I just might have to pick the Book of the Month selection up.
Excellent, excellent episode. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
Coucou !!
ça va bien ? Moi oui en ce moment je suis en pleine période Harry Potter, je me suis même acheter le Jeux video version Lego lol!
Merci pour les photos =)
Je suis impatiente de voir le 1er épisode de la saison 2, je viendrai vous dire ce que j’en pense!
Gros bisou, bonne journée!
I believe the numbers will uptick. There are people who didn’t know about SGU’s move to Tuesday. I don’t think it got promoted enough.
Then again, I’m just a fan who knows next to nothing about the show biz. A fan, who doesn’t want to see her fav show getting canned.
@Akemi – First thing you need to get girl is a can of pepper spray, or a taser, second of all if/when you see this guy again and he approaches you in a public place tell him as loud as you can to leave you alone, should attract some attention from people(you might need witnesses) if he doesn’t back off, let the s.o.b have it. DON’T let him see how scared you are, it gives him power, try and turn your fear to anger, it worked for me. Keep strong and keep safe:)
Hi Joe 🙂 yep I’m still lurking.
I’m one of the evil, horrible people who doesn’t have cable and thus although I am a total fan I will never count as a live audience. I wish I could help but I love Hulu and not having cable (which is a racket in my area — no option less than $70/month, with the average at $100) is the line between having groceries and not having groceries in my household.
I wish ratings counted online Hulu views and Netflix. I bet the SGU ratings would be significantly higher if they did.
Don’t say I didn’t told you so about the rating for SGU. It’s competing against serious competitors on Tuesday night.
One might even suspect that Skiffy (AKA Syfy) is putting both SGU & Caprica out to pasture by airing them together on Tuesday night.
A clearer picture of the viewership will be gauge on the Friday Space channel broadcast and the SD+7 ratings Skiffy (AKA SyFY).
I expect the Space channel ratings is going to do quite well. Maybe Bell Globe Media should just take over the Stargate franchise from MGM And sells it to Skiffy (AKA Syfy) and others globally.
I really liked the new episode, and Universe better not get cancelled, i need my dose of stargate. Btw was that a mumford and sons song at the end of the episode? And will joel goldsmith release a soundtrack of his music for sgu for seasons 1 and 2?
The first episode of season 2 was amazing!!!! I do hope the franchise continues in this direction as season 1 became too bogged downed in the sexual escapades of the characters. I do feel those that left will return once the word gets out. Please let us see more of the Greer character, a more stable Scott and a more admirable military in general. Were are the black female characters? Less social commentary and more “awe” and this show is a winner!
I downloaded Christopher Moore’s book yesterday. The recommendations by people here, sold me. I’m hoping to start it soon. Crazy day(s).
When do you find out about DVR ratings?
So pepper spray/mace is illegal there? You can’t have guns either! Maybe, Canada is not the place for me 😉 .
Seriously, you could ask Bam-bam to show Akemi some simple techniques to defend herself. Just enough so she could surprise the attacker and get away/yell for help. It would probably take him all of ten minutes to instruct her. Then Akemi could practice on you. 😀
Have a good one everybody!
Whoot! Awesome book choice!
As for SGU, I’m liking the new characters.
I love the new LA weaponry 🙂
Cool, A book of the month selection that I have already read. I might surprise you and actually participate in this one. : )
I am patiently waiting for SGU to air in CANADA. I have heard alot of great comments.
I saw Alaina Huffman at Dragon*con. I told her I was worried about what was going to happpen to her and her baby. She said that you guys handled it beautifully. Now I don’t know if that means it will have a happy or tragic conclusion but I am not feeling too optimistic on this.
I could watch it earlier but I am trying to be patient and watch it live. I just wish it wasn’t on so late here (11 AST).
Hey Joe, sorry didnt see SGU yet, busy week but hopefully I will this weekend. But im saddened by the ratings news. Whats your view on this? Honestly, you guys are top-notch and I’m a harsh critic. So its a matter of continuing a 15 year old show that very few are familiar with, including the people who first created the concept in 1994. And audiences have gotten enough from LOST and BSG that they are unwilling to accept a contender right now. Had SGU started next year, it mightve been a different story. And I have no respect for the fans that abandoned SGU.
The trailer was pretty good, probably one of the best for a TV show. But there was a great lack of promotion for the show. Its as though Syfy wants it to fail. Word of mouth doesnt seem to work because stargate fans are loners lol. What do you think needs to be done to improve ratings?
@E
I feel the same way. SGU is a genius show, with the best writers, the best cast, and the best everything on TV.
I have a feeling SGU will get a Season 3. I believe it only needs around a 1.4 – 1.8 mill viewerbase to get a renewal, even if it deeps below to perhaps 1.3 it’s all good.
Season 4 will probably be a mercy thing more than anything, i.e Syfy and MGM giving the francise one last push, this will be the season everyone needs to get behind the show for. Proving it works Season 5 would be a sure enough thing.
If SGU gets cancelled after Season 5 then it’s all good. 5 Seasons is enough for any show.
Speaking of which dioxholster. I think SGU should be paired with Eureka or Warehouse 13.
I’ve not received a blog entry in my email since the 26th. I had to come here to leave this comment. Is there something I need to do to make sure it still comes to my email? Thanks.
Oh, and the episode was pretty good the other night.
Great book choice!
Just curious, I’ve heard mixed rumors about Stargate: Extinction. A lot of sites say it’s been canceled, others say it’ll be released in late 2011, etc… What’s actually happening with it? Do you know when it might be finished or put into production?
Thanks so much!
oh and sam carter and daniel as well as mitchell saying no to SGU here kinda is bad mojo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S-ZcRpOJGE
did you guys ever regret doing that scene in retrospect?
@SGA-24
There was a Stargate Extinction script written awhile back by Mr M thats probably consigned to the dust bins of history now. The movie wasn’t green lighted by MGM before their financial collapse and the evaporation of the direct to DVD market. The film’s status is currently in indefinite deferment.
IMO the new management at MGM (Spyglass Entertainment) will decide the future course of the Stargate franchise in both movies and TV series. However they would be quite willing to pass the franchise to someone else for cash to reduce the MGM debt IMO.
We should get some news about the Stargate franchise in about a month after the control of MGM is settled.
*looks at watch*
Beauty sleep, Joey…I really need my beauty sleep. So, ya know…speed it the hell up! 😀
das
Hello!
ça va bien? moi oui =)!
Merci pour ces photos de sgu! Et la photo de vous <3!
J'ai jamais essayer de lire une BD us, à vrai dire ici il faut aller dans un magasin spécialisé pour en trouver.
Je voulais savoir, quand allez vous chez votre soeur?
Aller bisou,
je vous adore!
“Are there any plans to return to the classic Stargate formula fans WANT?”
Answer: Actually, you mean the formula you and your friends want? No. SGU is a different show. For what it’s worth, I’m still thinking positive thoughts about the SG-1 movie.
***
In light of the diminishing ratings for SGU, why do you keep insisting that that the fans who don’t appreciate and watch SGU are an insignificant, ignorant, dumb, juvenile fringe minority??? When in fact that “fringe juvenile minority” have supported SG-1 and SGA and made those shows a success?
Also, I don’t understand your blaming low SGU ratings on DVRs and downloads – other shows, such as Chuck, Castle, House M.D. (all in seasons 3 or beyond) have very high and respectable ratings without having to compensate for these new technologies “diminishing” numbers of their live viewers.
I liked SGA and I like SGU, does that put me in the minority? Don’t get me wrong I was sad to see SGA go, but SGU has a special spot on my DVR. I would watch live but alas, I have class that night.