June 7, 2009: I Approach Schnitzel Brink. Foie Gras Protesters Sell More Foie Gras. Patrick Gilmore and Mark Burgess Check Out the New Script. Madwelshboy Gets Knighted. And the Mailbag. - Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog

Patrick Gilmore (Volker) checks out the latest script.

His incredulous reaction draws the attention of a passing Mark Burgess (Franklin).

Oh no they di’int!

Oh, yeah, they – uh – di’id.

Mark assures Patrick he’ll make a wonderful alien drag queen. On the outside, Patrick is smiling. On the inside, he’s already calling his agent.

Geez. Between Carl at work and my wife on the home front, I’m headed for a massive schnitzel overload. Tonight will make the sixth time in two weeks I’ve eaten at Danube, the restaurant formerly known as Budapest and presently located just a two minute drive from the studio. So, if we’re not ordering it in for lunch at the office, I’m driving down to have it for dinner. Tonight, I was just polishing off the last of my meal when I received a text message from the gang at Fuel. It read “Foie protesters at DB on their way to Fuel! Cheers!”. Sigh. I was stuffed (yes, like a goose), but nevertheless jumped into my car and drove down to show my support. The dozen or so protesters, most of their faces concealed behind bandanas in keeping with their faux-rebel personas, shouted and waved their placards. “Shame! Shame!”one of them shouted with Hitler Youthish gusto.

I grabbed a seat at the bar, last one right by the window, so I could have a front row seat of the action. Understand, I don’t have a problem with their opinion (which is erroneous by the way), but their grandstanding, myopic theatrics intended to bully anyone who doesn’t see things their way. Of course they’ll argue that ducks are being mistreated (although I’d guess none of them have ever visited a foie gras farm in their lives whereas those I know who have gone reported the ducks were not mistreated and actually lined up to be fed), and cite their handy pictures and videos as proof (which is akin to showing pictures and a video of a policeman beating a citizen and thereby extrapolating that all policemen beat citizens). You could try to counter their hysterics with logic, but a reasoned discussion is the last thing they want, so utterly wrapped up as they are in the downy soft and soundproof ethical purity of their opinions. Truth be told, protesting does nothing to help their cause and actually does the opposite as sales of foie gras actually increase significantly when these food bullies come out on parade. They’re well aware of the fact but, at the end of the day, they don’t care. They don’t demonstrate for ducks. They demonstrate for the glorious attention.

Anyway, I sat at the bar and was soon joined by a fellow foodie who is also, apparently, on the foie gras protester hotline. He had the panseared foie while I enjoyed the foie gras pate. As I ate, the protest leader, an adorably sickly-looking fellow eyed me (Or it might have been my pate. Yes, it was that good.) through the window. I looked back. He glared. I stared. He blew me a kiss. I snatched the invisible kiss out of the air and slipped it into my back pocket for safe keeping. Eventually, the shouting and placard-waving petered out (Hey, they’re vegans. They have to nap a lot.) and they headed off. But not before one of the badanda-sporting greasy-haired young ladies flipped me the bird and yelled “Pervert!”. Pervert? Well, I guess in retrospect I could be accused of being a very lascivious eater. I tend to lick my lips along between bites. I wonder if that’s what she meant.

I paid the bill and headed out, disappointed that they’d left so soon. I was meaning to ask them whether they’d be back tomorrow night so I could plan accordingly. Don‘t want to fill up too much if I‘m headed back for another round of foie.

Oh, hey, we have a winner! Congratulations to Madwelshboy who correctly guessed the three upcoming titles: Lucid, Lost, and Sabotage. The episode numbers and titles are subject to change, so nobody get too attached. Meanwhile, Madwelshboy, I knight thee Sir Mizo, Guesser of Titles!

Everybody finish up Elric: The Stealer of Souls yet? That’s okay. Plenty of time. You have until tomorrow when I post by thoughts on the book, then open things up to your questions and comments for author Michael Moorcock who will be dropping by to answer your queries regarding everyone’s favorite sword-toting albino.

Today’s photos: Actors Patrick Gilmore and Mark Burgess react to the latest script. You can practically chart the five stages of grief in their reactions: shock, denial, bargaining, fear, anger, despair, acceptance, and Smirnoff.

Today’s blog entry is dedicated to – who else? – Madwelshboy, Sir Mizo, Guesser of Titles.

Today’s mailbag:

Daniel Willis writes: “Do you think there will be a chance you will be able to show the opening credits, or in the very least, the theme for SGU? Or do you think we’ll have to wait patiently for it?”

Answer: It’s not my call but I would hope they release the opening credit sequence we watched the other day prior to the premiere. It’s amazing.

Nadine writes: “Have you ever been to West?”

Answer: Yep. Great restaurant. I used to go for the oxtail back when it was spelled Ouest.

Sealurk writes: “…is SGU somewhat made up of the “wish list” from doing SG-1 and SGA, or was it more a case of setting out to do something new and different from the start?”

Answer: “The latter. Brad and Robert are very proud of both SG-1 and Atlantis but wanted to strike out in a different direction with Universe. That said, and as I’ve said more than once, fans of the franchise will find many familiar elements in the new series, from the thrill of exploration and discovery to the strong bonds between the characters to the sense of humor that typified the previous two shows.

Colonel Swede writes: “When you answer the mailbag where do you get the questions from? From these comments or from your E-Mail?”

Answer: From right here on this blog.

Quade1 writes: “SGU has been referred to as an “ensemble” cast several times. When I think “ensemble”, shows come to mind like ER, and Third Watch. Where there was 6+ main characters who shared the screen time in each episode. I once heard Atlantis be referred to as an “ensemble” show. Sure it had 5-6 main characters and several supporting roles, but it nevered seemed that more than 3 of them to be heavily involved in the episode, barring premieres, two parters and finales. Will this also be the case in SGU, or will we be seeing more major players per episode? Can you specify on average how many main characters take part in the episodes?”

Answer: SGU will definitely be showcasing more players, both major and minor. Characters like Rush, Young, Scott, Greer, Eli, Chloe, T.J., and Wray will drive the stories, sometimes individually but more often than not alongside their fellow crew members.

EH-T writes: “ Stargate sure seems to luck out when it comes to having genuinely nice cast members or is it something that is actually taken into account in the casting process?”

Answer: This is definitely something that every producer takes into account when casting. We look for talent, but we also want individuals who have proven themselves professional and easy to work with in the past. In this business, reputations precede you and if there’s ever any uncertainty, a call to a former producer is all it takes.

Randomness writes: “ Maybe you both could work together and write both episodes together before branching off and improving a certain episodes script?

I think you should do episode 20, because you’re a better writer.”

Answer: I disagree. I’m certainly faster, but a more emotional writer while Paul is very meticulous I his approach, addressing every issue before sitting down to write. As a result, his scripts tend to be much tighter.

Riley writes: “While you’re in a question-answering mood (or did you use it all up with the above efforts?) – my flatmate will be house-sitting next month, and she’ll be looking after a pug named Mr Darcy. Do you have any words of advice for her, as PugMeister Extraordinaire?”

Answer: Limber up those massage fingers. They’ll be busy.