Mailbag!

You have questions?  I have answers!

Unending One writes: “Any rumblings on the Stargate front? I saw at the ComicCon panel they said the “wheels are turning”.”

Answer: Oh, I’m sure the wheels are turning and there are definitive plans to bring Stargate back for a fourth series.  What form said series will take remains to be seen.  Alas, I’m on the outside looking in on this one.  I get the sense that MGM has no plans to collaborate with the former writer-producers of the television franchise.

Jenny Blood writes: “Say you’re with a channel and your show gets renewed for another year. Since many times it’s just year to year, do you ever write an alternative ending for the season finale in the event the show doesn’t get picked up for an additional season?”

Answer: I suppose it depends on the show.  Dark Matter was very much a serialized series designed with cliffhangers in mind (we’d often do two to end an episode).  If, say, the show hadn’t been performing as well as most of the rest of the syfy slate, I would have considered not ending on a cliffhanger but, as I’ve pointed out, it was one of the network’s most watched shows at the time of its cancellation and I figured they’d either be stupid or petty to cancel us.

maggiemayday writes: “So, margaritas and pina coladas, rocks or blended?”

Answer: Rocks.

BoltBait writes: “Joe, have you ever gotten in trouble for blogging? Or, I don’t know, had a deal fall through because of your blog? Do TPTB know you blog?  Or, is your blogging viewed as a positive thing by the networks?”

Answer: I’ve always positioned this blog as an opportunity to highlight and publicize, draw attention to upcoming projects and keep attention on ongoing productions.  There’s a difference between teasers and spoilers and I’m always mindful of that fine line.  But, in answer to your question, no, never “gotten in trouble”.  On the other hand, there have been times when some have expressed displeasure with something I’ve written.  There have even been times when people have been upset with what I have conspicuously NOT written.  For the most part, however, productions view the blog as a positive in this social media age.

Matt writes: “Hi Joe, long time reader first-time question answerer. You have alluded many times you didn’t intend to lose one during dark matter. Can you explain what happened? Was there a scheduling conflict or did the actor find a new role?”

Answer: Neither.  I was asked to kill off the character to “shake things up”.  At the time, I was waging creative war on multiple fronts and that was one battle I realized I would have a difficult time winning.  Ultimately, I agreed because I saw some creative opportunity there and felt that, unlike the other characters, ONE’s death could still, foreseeably, keep actor Marc Bendavid (who I love) in play as Jace Corso.

arcticgoddess writes: “I’m curious as to why you have chosen pugs as your pet of choice? What is it about the little furries that so appeals? Also, how do you choose a new family member? Uh, I don’t mean Akemi.”

Answer: My ex had a thing for pugs and after getting our first, Jelly, well – they’re like peanuts; you can’t just stop at one.  They’re delightfully lazy and needy and hungry and love nothing better than to snuggle with you and just chill.  What more could you ask for?

arcticgoddess writes: “Oh, also, to my comment on Twitter the other day, when you said you are not a celebrity… A celebrity is a person who is well known. I’m not well known, but you are. So… why, Joe, why are you not a celebrity?”

Answer: When I think of celebrities, I think of bigger than life individuals who gravitate to the spotlight.  That is definitely not me.  Given the choice of attending a star-laden gala or staying home and reading a book, I’m staying home.  It’s not even close.

Stargate writes: “Is there any news on any new Stargate TV shows, movies, or web series? If so, are they talking about a continuation of the original movie, the TV show(s), another prequel, or a reboot?”

Answer: As I said above, I’m out of the loop, haven’t heard any updates.  But, when the time comes, I’ll be very surprised if they go with a reboot because, if they do, they risk alienating a significant portion of the fanbase.  Also, I am personally not a fan of prequels.

Savannah writes: “You’ve had lots of dogs, but have you ever had or considered getting a cat?”

Answer: Love cats too, but I just prefer doggy personalities.

Tam Dixon writes: “Do you have to take precautions while cooking those hot sauces? The fumes must be asthma-inducing and a huge eye irritant. I hope you wear goggles and gloves!”

Answer: No precautions outside of a good fan.  I’m tough.  I can take it!

Larry Desemone writes: “You sample many dishes around the globe. Ever had full on, scary food poisoning? Or do the peppers kill everything?”

Answer: I was once so sick that I lose 15 lbs in a week!  The lesson = never order the snake soup at the Hong Kong airport.

klb9037 writes: “It’s very impressive how your able to have so many projects in play at the same time. As I follow along via your blog, I think I get an idea of the amount of work that goes into one of your show proposals. Are you able to recycle some of your ideas? I keep thinking about all that work and how fickle television seems to be…. Are you ever concerned that one of your proposals will be pirated? A few details changed here and there, but your basic premise shows up under another persons name?”

Answer: No idea is ever really dead…unless, of course, someone else does it.  At which point it’s dead…for a few years until another producer decides to do something only slightly different.  So, yes, I do keep those various ideas stored away for future fodder if they don’t fly the first time around.  And, sure, the possibility of someone appropriating your ideas is always in the back of any freelancer’s mind.

rissreader writes: “Have you ever had brocolette from Earthbound Farm?”

Answer: I haven’t.  Good?

BoltBait writes: “Do you prefer graphic novels?”

Answer: I don’t prefer graphic novels but I certainly don’t consider them of lesser worth than novels.  Of the 235 books I’ve read to date this year, roughly 25% are graphic novels – some great ones, some bad ones, and mostly in between.  My batting average with other books is about the same.

“Which style of graphic novel do you prefer, American style or Japanese style of storytelling? Long form or short form?”

Answer: I prefer trade paperbacks, 1-6 issue collections of single issues.  I like manga but prefer North American comic books.  I want to make it a point to read more European comics as well.

“Have you ever read the book Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud?”

Answer: I have.  Ages ago.

“Have you ever had one of your works critiqued by one of the authors you’ve reviewed?”

Answer: Sure.  I try to maintain a regular online presence, especially on Twitter and have been fortunate enough to connect with various writers, more than a few of who were familiar with my work as well.  A surprising number of Stargate fans aligned in the SG-1/Atlantis or Universe camps.  Also, quite a few fans of Dark Matter, some very honest about what worked for them and what didn’t.  As always, I appreciate the time they took to watch the show and comment.