Well, hoowee! I just checked my blog stats and discovered that my traffic has jumped by a whopping 40%. What gives? Strangely, nothing out of the ordinary in the referrers or incoming links. And then I noticed the 2800+ visitors who came to this blog via a search engine. And the search term used? Stargate:…
October 16, 2009: Birthday Festivities! Just What I Didn’t Want! Darkness!
Despite suggestions to the contrary, I actually did make it into the office today. As I strolled in, Ashleigh and Lawren came out of their offices and started singing Happy Birthday - which led me to sidestep immediately into Carl's vacant office and shut the door the behind me. The singing immediately died down. A…
October 14, 2009: Computer Problems Part Deux! Birthday Festivities! And Key Demos Revealed!
This morning, my laptop was really zipping along, operating like a brand new purchase unencumbered by personal files, pics, and software. Unfortunately, that was because it was unencumbered by personal files, pics, and software. For some reason it failed to load my personal settings despite multiple reboots. This may be just the latest in a…
October 10, 2009: Mom Gives Me the SGU Scoop! Mailbag! Carl and Greyhound = Separated At Birth?
I called up my mother today and caught her at the worst possible moment - while she was watching the opening credits of Stargate: Universe. In instances like these, real conversation is impossible. Today’s discussion went something like this: Mom: Stargate Universe. It’s the new show? Me: That’s right. Mom: Brian J. Smith. Elyse Levesque. …
October 9, 2009: An SGU-heavy mailbag!
To coincide with the North American premiere of Air III - what’s I’m calling Drama in the Desert - today’s entry will be Almost All Mailbag as I field some of your SGU-related questions… Rednor writes: “I hope they are able to turn on some lights at some point. I hate this trend to do…
October 5, 2009: Carl Gets Notes II! Robert Cooper’s Return Displaces the Peruvians!
Keep those comments coming! Like most producers, there’s nothing I enjoy more than a little constructive criticism be it from the viewers, the network, or members of our terrific cast. I’ve often referred to the “open door” policy at the production offices that invites actor input on anything from individual scripts to general character direction. …
October 3, 2009: Holy Shuttle!
Many of you have questions about the Stargate: Universe season premiere. Well, I fully intend to wade in and field them, but not until Wednesday after the show has premiered in the U.K. In the meantime, your input is much appreciated. For those who haven’t seen Air I and II yet and want to remain…
October 1st, 2009: Only 1 Day to the Stargate: Universe Premiere! A Handy SGU Cast Primer! The Mailbag!
Only one day to the explosive SGU premiere! And, in advance of the big event, I offer you this handy visual guide to our extensive cast of characters: Whew! Mailbag: Christine writes: ““If it’s successful do you think it could restart Stargate Atlantis? “No – that’s done, I can tell you one thousand percent!” Any…
September 28, 2009: Only Four Days to the Stargate: Universe Premiere! Lou Diamond Philips! The Return of the Mailbag!
That's right! Only four more days until the SGU premiere! And, as we count down toward Friday night, we have not one but two big cast Q&A's coming your way. Buckle in! We're headed for the finish line! Hey, you know who's on Stargate: Universe? Lou Diamond Phillips! Oh, you aready knew that? Well,…
September 26, 2009: Six Days to the Stargate: Universe Premiere! A Sneak Peek for the Cast and Crew!
Yep, only six days until the world premiere of Stargate: Universe! Have you told everyone? And I mean EVERYONE? Your pharmacist? That ex-girlfriend you dumped in college? The Hungarian woman in Accounts Receivable from your last job? No?!!! Well, what‘re you waiting for! We’re not waiting. For October 2nd that is. Today, we held a…
September 25, 2009: Only 7 Days to the Stargate: Universe Premiere! Production Goings-On (or Not Goings-On)! Firing Up the DVR!
To think that this same time next week, many of you will be manning the phones, making that last minute push to lobby friends, former high school classmates, and local prisons to tune into the premiere of Stargate: Universe. And I can guarantee they will not be disappointed. Especially not the prisoners. I bet they’re…
September 24, 2009: Eight Days to the Stargate: Universe Premiere! Production Update! Dinner with Rob, Carl, and Ming-Na!
Only eight days to the world premiere of Stargate: Universe! Make plans to be home next Friday night, October 2nd, at 9:00 p.m. If you already have plans, break ‘em. If your friends, family members, co-workers, or acquaintances have plans, break ‘em as well (“Hi, I’m calling on behalf of Sheila. I’m afraid she wont’…
September 23, 2009: 9 Days To The Stargate: Universe Premiere!
Have you told your friends? Your family? Their friends and family? Neighbors? Co-workers? Casual acquaintances? People you ride the bus with? No?! Well getting moving! Only nine days until SGU premieres! The excitement is certainly mounting on set and in the offices, often finding expression in a colorful lunacy that has gripped certain individuals involved…
September 22, 2009: 10 Days and Counting to the Stargate: Universe Premiere! Actress Ming-Na! No Fan Left Behind!
Late last year, before we’d even started the casting process, when all we had were those first few scripts and a general idea of where we wanted to go, there was one character that really stood out for me from among the many amazing characters Brad and Rob had created - a fascinating player with…
September 20, 2009: Dinner at Cobre! Actor Haig Sutherland!
Went out for dinner the other night. It had been a while since my last visit to Cobre, the self-styled “Nuevo Latino Cuisine” resto located in one of the city’s more colorful (read: skeevy) quarters. In fact, I believe that the last time I was in, I was with fellow producer Carl Binder, enjoying a…