Tomorrow is a travel day and that, of course, means a sleepless night spent tossing and turning, worrying about whether or not I’ve set my alarm properly. It’s an 11:30 flight so chances are, even if I do sleep in, I’ll be able to get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. I’m only gone for a week, so I’m traveling light. That means only the barest of essentials: socks and underwear, toiletries, back-up suit, and chocolate.
I’m actually looking forward to going to Toronto for a week (which, please note, is very different from moving there), seeing Rob and Fondy (and Brie and Stewie), checking out some of the city’s top restaurants, checking out my second home, and discussing the creative on the super-secret project. To all those who’ve offered guesses: no, no, no, and no. It’s not an existing series and I’ve only seen mention of its rumored development on a couple of websites about a month back. Other than that, it’s off the radar. For now. But I’m sure it’ll have plenty of buzz once things really start to come together.
Speaking of buzz – I exchanged emails with Brad today and he reports another major hurdle has been cleared. Almost there, Stargate fans. Again, this is show business, so even the most promising of scenarios can go sideways fast (and dead-end scenarios turn around just as quickly). Nothing is written in stone but things are looking MUCH better now than they did last week when things looked much better than they did the week before. Meetings are still ongoing and I, like most of you, am really beginning to feel antsy. Hopefully, by the time we head back into the office for the Day 1 Mix of Blockade, we’ll have something more substantial to discuss. 🙂
Recent things I’ve made:
If you’ve been tracking my Recent Reads in this blog’s right sidebar (and I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t be), you’ll have no doubt noticed that I’ve been on a Batman kick of late, working my way through a slew of dark knight-focused graphic novels. Read some good ones, some bad ones, and plenty in between. Last year, Lou Anders suggested I check out Batman: Year One Hundred which I did and greatly enjoyed (thanks, Lou). Any other fans of the Bat out there who would be able to recommend a title?
WOO! Now I’ve got more motivation to get SGUnite up for Stargate fans! 😀
That’s great to hear, let’s hope it stays that way.
I’m also starting to get antsy about this project you’re looking at. Do you know how annoying it is keeping us all in the dark? 😛
My ‘Bat’ book recommendations:
Batman and Globulin
Hucklebatty Finn
A Tale of Two Batties
To Kill a Mockingbat
Moby Bat
Anna Karbatina
I Know Why the Caged Bat Sings
I, Robat
The Hobbat
Rebatca of Sunnybrook Farm
Goodbat Moon
Pride and Batjudice
For Whom the Bat Tolls
Batcher in the Rye
does this mean there is a chance of stargate universe’s cancellation being removed and that the series might continue after season 2
Joe,
Am I thrilled to hear that so much positive progress has taken place with regards to SGU? It deserves at least 3 more seasons. I am keeping all my fingers crossed!
Maybe the ascended ancients can help out on this one.
Nick
Hey Joe
super-secret project hey only been mentioned on the net a month ago by a couple of web sites are you challenging us to look for it?
well in any case it sounds cool. can you answer this tho?
is it scifi?
Wait. Rob and Fondy…in the same sentence. Did I miss something??
Also, Joey, you MUST pick up the latest Secret Six trade – Cats in the Cradle. Afterwards, please, let me know your thoughts on butterflies. 😉
And I already know what the super secret project is, but I’ll keep mum about it, so no worries. 😉
das
Glad to hear more vague SGU progress.
Not really helpful but I’m currently working my way through the Arkham Asylum game.
Pack a pair of SLUSH worthy FOOTWEAR! And LongJohns!
Hi Joe,
I’ll take “cautiously optimistic”! Thanks for keeping us up-dated. Have a great trip to Toronto too…I hope things work out!
SBS
Personally, I don’t think Stargate Universe will come back. Don’t get me wrong, I would love it too more than anything but the lack of news doesn’t fill me with hope.
If this tweet from Dec 28 that Jamil(Jamil Walker Smith) made is anything to go by. He doesn’t either?
http://twitter.com/limajamil/status/19636982560849920
Sorry Dec 27 lol. Tiredness.
Anyway I haven’t heard of Kasu-Sake ice cream before, is it nice Joe?
Hi joe!
Any news about stargate is good with me.
Especially good news!
Hopefully you just have a few more “hurdles”to get through before it becomes a reality !
One thing I was wondering , is that if you are able to fijnd a joint canadian/british network to help pay for the project, then I wonder what the plans may be for the show to be seen in the US ?
It sure would stink if the show is on the air in several counties and not in the good ol’ USA.
Somehow I just dont think that will ever happen. But if it does I guess we will have to buy the episodes on I tunes ..
Also have a nice trip this week.
One more question.. what happens if you decide to take on the new project, then all of a sudden stargate becomes a reality and you have to start working on that right away ?
Will you have to decide on one or the other, or will you be able to do both at the same time ?
Take Care !
Haha, I love the Fritta. Although it s more like 2/3 1/3 ways.
Dumplings are my favourite thing, no matter which country they made in. They all good.
Also, Good to hear some positive news about SGU. hopefully it will be rewarded with the final three seasons of SGU. Please don’t rush the ending it would ruin the show.
On a side note tell MGM to hurry with re-releases of SG1 and SGA on BluRay, because SGU is absolutely amazing on it I don’t think I can go back to DVDs.
Thanks for the optimism on SGU, it made my day. 🙂
At least there’s some hope 🙂 I grew up for years with Stargate re-runs (I never had cable), and not having the show around seems weird. Even this really long wait for SGU to finish the rest of its episodes….
THIS IS WHAT I LIKE TO HEAR!
Have fun in Toronto and keep that “much better” SGU news coming!
P.S.
I think you should get an honorary spot on the Destiny (or my kitchen) as crew chef! looks scrumptious.
great to hear about SGU! When is the day 1 mix of blockade? lol
But my real question is about the “Stargate Atlantis: Legacy” book series. I know that all the books are canon from Fandemonium. But since these take place after SGA season 5 are these books based on the script you have written? Or are intertwined with the script you have written?
Toronto secret project guesses.
Vince Flynn related?
Sandman related?
I’d recommend “The Killing Joke”…..best use of the joker in comic book form.
Very encouraged about stargate’s future, fingers crossed.
I live in my own bat-themed world… Batshit Crazy.
Safe travels!
Hey Joe,
Have you had a chance to try my pasta recipe? regardless, hope you had a great weekend.
-Bryan.
@ Jenny Robin
My ‘Bat’ book recommendations:<<<<<
ROFLMAO, I thought they were serious, was scrolling and actually read them. Excellent… those I might read. 🙂
Get 3 alarms, have a friend call, get sleep before travel!
Enjoy the week out East. Looking at the map, you have about the same distance I do (opposite direction) from GA to my friend in Vancouver, WA.
Hi Joe,
I have two things two share with you…
First, a question. What is the current rank of Samantha Carter? Brigadier General?
And second, I want to show you this amazing video made by Stargate Universe fan about Making The Destiny. It’s AMAZING. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2tZx7cEXtE
For good Batman reads I recommend the following
Batman the Killing Joke
Batman Child of Dreams
Batman and Robin Deluxe Edition
Batman Year One
Batman Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader
Batman R.I.P
Batman the Man Who Laughs
and for a very interesting Batman reading experience I recommend the following both by Frank Miller
Batman the Dark Knight returns
The Dark Knight Strikes again
The list is a nice variety of authors and stories.
@ Jenny Robin – 😆 Love ’em!!
@ Narelle – – Yeah…me, too. 😛
@ Joe – I’m no good at Batman recommendations. Hubby has read several books – last one was Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, I believe. He liked it. My problem with Batman is this…
I loved the tv show as a kid. I loved Burton’s Batman. Somewhere in between Burton’s vision and the current Batman, I was lost.
I TRIED to like the new Batman, but I just cannot warm to Christian Bale…he doesn’t do anything to help me connect to the character. He’s just emotionally blank to me. I need SOMETHING! A nervous little smile (Depp kills me with that one), a change in vocal quality (Heyerdahl’s specialty), a tilt of the head (Goss – a.k.a. Prince Nuada – won me over with a simple head tilt), or that expression in the eyes when you get a glimpse into the character’s soul (all of the above).
But Bale? He’s always so wooden! Nothing worse than the wrong actor in a role, and that’s what has happened with Batman, and me. It was around the time Bale came in as Batman that I started reading comics, and because I didn’t like the new movie Batman, I never looked into comic book Batman. Sad thing is that Batman would probably fit right into the kind of characters and stories I like. He’s a little more grounded, too, more believable since he relies on gadgets and smarts rather than superpowers. I just wish we’d get a new Batman someday – big or small screen – someone who allows me to connect with the character the way I’d like to.
das
Great news about SGU, and you’re new, probably, maybe not, possible, show. House suggestion, rent. Rent your house out in Vancouver. Being bi-coastal is cool, plus you’ll always have a home in a city you’ve grown to love.
And if you ever need good employees while back east, I know of a few who just got laid off in Toronto. Our music company is in the throes of shedding dozens of people. We lost over 60 two weeks ago, and this last week my co-workers and friends in Toronto were hit. Over 15 people. Very sad, and I’m afraid only the beginning. It feels like our entire global company is being lined up against a wall. Someone points to a number on a piece of paper, and poof, you’re gone. I lost my night job two weeks ago, and now I’m concerned about losing my day job. Being the elder in a department of techno savy young people is daunting, and I’m afraid makes me a target. So I’m learning to live day by day, which is turning out to be a good thing.
And it’s great to see all the possibilities for you so far this year. Looking forward to seeing which path you end up taking. Have a safe and fun trip!
Got back from Women Of Sci-Fi convention in Plano, Texas and met the lovely Alaina Huffman along with many others. She had a great Q&A. Okay, well, maybe Sean (Scoobykoo on Twitter) and I tag-teamed her with lots of questions, but if anyone else wanted to come up and ask, we moved aside. Got to meet her handsome husband as well. Wish I had a better camera though. Pictures are on my Facebook page (will put on my WordPress blog soon).
Speaking of Batman, also had a Q&A with Yvonne Craig, who played Batgirl, and she is still a spitfire. Was amazed to learn that she did her own stunts back then.
Have a safe trip, Joe, and thanks for some potentially optimistic news about SGU.
@das – We must be neighbours! I spend half my time at the ‘I’m bats**t crazy’ house and the other half at the ‘People around me are trying to send me bats**t crazy’ house. I tend to spend more time at the ‘sending’ house which causes me to migrate towards the ‘I am’ house.
The capellini looks awesome. So do the dumplings. Sorry, not a huge fan of frittatas. Kasu-Sake ice cream? Pray tell.
@dasNdanger – That’s interesting, because I used to like Tim Burton’s Batman too but, as talented as he is, I find his visual style a bit too tiresome at times. I think being so relentlessly loyal to your own vision sometimes doesn’t really end up serving the material too well.
On the other hand I have no problem with Bale so Nolan’s Batman works for me just fine. But don’t worry. I’m sure there are loads of people waiting for Nolan’s Batman trilogy to end so they can re-re-re-boot. 🙂
Still keeping my fingers crossed for SGU! Glad to hear things are potentially moving in the right direction.
Hey Joe, was reading your blog just now and saw you made Kasu-Sake ice cream, was wondering if I could please have the recipe??
Cheers.
Thanks for making my Monday so much better!
Glad to hear there is some positive news on the SGU front. Will look forward to hearing more when you know something.
Have a good trip to Toronto.
“Speaking of buzz – I exchanged emails with Brad today and he reports another major hurdle has been cleared. Almost there, Stargate fans.”
Awesome. 🙂
Thank you very much for the continued updates. 🙂
Love the blog Joeseph. Thanks for the updates re the fate of SGU. Love that show. Please pass on my thanks and well wishes to Brad Wright too. Thanks and be well.
I think you should have an ice cream party. You are so creative with flavors, it would be an experience to taste them all. also you could serve other things to go along with it like macaroons, or some chocolate.
Would love to see some pics of Brie and Stewie. That brie is a cute dog.
@Dominik
I’m hoping we get to see SGU roll out at the length originally intended myself… the fact that they aren’t constantly rushing things is something I really enjoy about the show, and something that is so seldom a trait of these types of shows.
As for SG-1 on Blu-ray, if I’m not mistaken, only seasons 8-10 were shot in an HD quality format (all of Atlantis was, however). So I’d love to see those come out on Blu-ray, but chances are, if the earlier seasons of SG-1 are released on Blu-ray, you will not be able to tell much of a difference between the DVD and the BD. Of course, I’d like to be told I’m wrong and they can get us all the seasons in HD quality, but that seems unlikely.
@ Lev – Are you a guy? I’ve noticed that guys like Bale’s Batman a bit better than women, at least among those I’ve spoken with…and perhaps it has something to do with the level of emotion the character does – or does not – show. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want a ‘Twilight’esque Batman. I point instead to Eastwood and his Man With No Name character – not only no name, but also one of few words. And yet, he was able to get me to connect with the character through that icy glare that managed to convey more emotion and thought than any words ever could. Even something as simple as his delivery of the few lines he did have…he made each one so effective, so memorable:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgxTwmjWYSs
Yeah. If ‘Batman’ could just be THAT good, I’d be sold. 🙂
@ Narelle – Okay, I’m convinced. You truly ARE bats#!t crazy! 😀 And I love ya all the more for it. 🙂
das
Hi Joe,
Damned your blog is good those days.
Your SG1-SGA dream team : all good for me ” Should I start work on scripting their first adventure?” Yes as soon as Vala is ther, I shold ask to add Ben Browder as his boy friend !!
Ho! And whil you are in Toronto if you are going downtown, take a walk on Hazelton Avenue, number 12 to be precise, to see very good Labrie’s bronzes sculptures !
And about your project in Toronto I would die if it was Farscape related…but as I want to live a little bit longer, my guest it is not Farscape!
But, all in all, I’m very happy for you .
Ian Z. writes:
“But my real question is about the “Stargate Atlantis: Legacy” book series. I know that all the books are canon from Fandemonium. But since these take place after SGA season 5 are these books based on the script you have written? Or are intertwined with the script you have written?”
Judging by the author’s LJ (http://jo-graham.livejournal.com/102630.html), it appears the answer is no. I believe all these books are written as original concepts, based on the exisiting ‘verse. Also, rumour has it that the Legacy series will be making departures from canon, as it is obviously going beyond the 5 seasons of SGA.
Mr. M., your Frittata has some mold on it. Seriously, what did you put on the green side?
Have a safe trip!
Ah, Mysterious Joe, you know we crave those etched in stone commandments.
Thou shalt not end, alter, re-imagine, change, modify, delay, derail, finish, re-create, hinder, etc. …. our dearly beloved and most sacred Stargate.
Yeah, get on that, will ya?
Hey Joe,
Today I am happy to hear that plans for SGU have not completely gone off the rails yet. I wonder what tomorrow will bring. Are the sets STILL up at the studio?
Just watched a video where Brad walked a bunch of people through the set. Wow! That is simply amazing how one part of this set combined with this or that makes it a whole new room on the ship. The intricacies of the lights the mist makers and little details really make it quite the set. Looking at what we see on the TV screen and the illusion of the big ship… how much area really does the current set take up? How much space does it take up in relation to the studio itself too?
As if I didn’t have enough questions to ask you…. Here is one. My wife and I were watching season 3 of Stargate SG1-Foot Hold last night (yes we are making our way slowly through all the Stargate shows still). This question deals with the end of that show….
As the rest of the aliens are stopped from running back through the gate, the leader definitely stands up and gives a speech before he commits his suicide bomber scene. Do you think he said “give me five full seasons of Stargate Universe or give me death”? Or do you think he was telling the SG1 team something else? If so, what could be more important than that….?
I’m asking this question as a favor to my ex-wife. She was rather upset that quite often in her creative writing class she has frequent lapses of inpiration. Of course she asked me what she might do to get over those mental blockades. I suggested Irish whiskey and pickled herring sandwiches but she reminded me that is one of the many reasons we’re no longer married. Since I really don’t write very good. Very well. Anyway, you get the picture. Do you have any wisdom that you would care to share on the subject? I know it’s a sore spot for many writers to even suggest that they ever suffer from periodic bouts of writer’s block and I’m loathe to believe you have ever experienced anxiety inducing panic from such a circumstance. But you might know one or two of your lesser talented comrades in arms that has (have?) developed an effective methodology to overcome those embarassing lapses.
Hey Joe!
Great to hear things are looking up for both SG and SGU!
Hope you skipped Crank: High Voltage, District 9, Hot Tub Time Machine. Especially that last one.
My fave modern day Bat ended up being Kilmer in Batman Forever. I can’t stand Bale.
Ian Z: But my real question is about the “Stargate Atlantis: Legacy” book series. I know that all the books are canon from Fandemonium. But since these take place after SGA season 5 are these books based on the script you have written? Or are intertwined with the script you have written?
Ditto questions. MGM insists these books are official canon & Jo Graham went to town with the continuance.
Best wishes in Toronto & take hand warmers.
DD
Salut Joseph!
ça va bien? moi oui mon week end à la campagne c’est relativement bien passé :)**…j’ai bien mangé ;)…je vois que vous aussi 🙂
Tiens bonne nouvelle, SGU arrive le 11 Février à la tv française..je suis impatiente de connaitre les audiences, si ça marche aussi bien que les DVD ça serai vraiment cool..je vous tiens au courant 😉
Toronto est aussi jolie que Vancouver?
Aller gros bisous 🙂
↑ oula..désolé pour cette avalanche de Smile ↑
….. 😉
Hi Joe, about the books that you’ve read (or have been recommended)…
What would your list of top 5 or 10 superhero genre books look like?
Thanks!
Sean D.
Dear Mr. Mallozzi,
Once again wonderful images of the cuisine you prepare, Thank you! It makes me head to the kitchen.
On Batman I would suggest the original Detective Comics No. 27 (in which Batman first appeared). Also of interest Action Comics No. 1 in whcih superman made his comic book appearance. Both of these items sold for more than $1 million each.
I know these are not “books”, but If such rare reading materials were in your collection, you could auction them with Profiles in History (whom we write about and visit) for say $5 Million as a matched “first release” set! The proceeds could goto help finance SGU for season three!
Speaking of SGU, thank you for sharing that a hurdle has been overcome. WHR has every confidence that Stargate Universe will return. A note to the fans of Stargate. Such negotiations take time, a lot of time to complete.
To help demonstrate your love of Stargate, please do not forget a couple of thinsg:
1, Please send a Stargate Universe Valentine Day card to both MGM Studios and Bridge Studios. Valentines Day is just around the corner! If you are a person who did not support SGU, helping to lead to its cancellation, now is your opportunity to make amends by doing something nice with a Valentines Daty card AND the next item too!
2. Go buy the DVD and Blu-ray sets of Stargate Universe. In fact buy a few of them and give them to friends and family. Each purchase not only demonstrates your support of the Stargate franchise, the bottom line net proceeds goes directly to master copyright holder MGM Studios.
In closing, good luck in Toronto, have a safe trip with much success!
Best Regards,
Kenn of WHR
WormholeRiders News Agency
PS: More SGU Campaign fan support news soon. There is a growing groundswell of support for Stargate!
Joe, I’d recommend Batman: No Man’s Land. Gotham get annexed from the US and falls into anarchy…and Batman feels the need to stay and restore order.
You must take pics of Stewie and Brie and post for us. It’s been so long since we’ve seen them.
Good luck in Toronto. Hmmm. I see we’ve all been wrong. Good news about SGU though. Maybe we’ll at least have some closure if Brad gets a few more episodes made.
I loved the animated Batman from the 90’s with the cool soundtrack by The Edge. Plus it had Mark Hamill, Billy Zane, John Glover, Sela Ward and Adrienne Barbeau voicing the villains. Brie is all kinds of cute, pls take lots of pics of her all grown up!
PS Everything looks delicious; if I’m ever on death row I will ask for the sea urchin capellini and sake ice cream as my last meal.
😳 that green comment sounded bad. Sorry, gotta migraine today. I’m sure the Frittata was awesome!
Batman recommendations:
Batman and Son
Batman: Prey
Batman: Gothic
Joe,
The creme de la creme of Batman one-shots are (IMO) :
– Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth (Grant Morrison & Dave Mekean)
– The Dark Knight Returns (Frank Miller)
– The Killing Joke (Alan Moore & Brian Bolland)
– The Long Halloween (Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale)
– Year One (Frank Miller)
Great to hear that things are progressing on the Stargate front. Personally I’m *REALLY* hoping that that’s good news on the SGU front, but I’ll really take any Stargate with cackling glee 😀
Fingers crossed for good Stargate news, and for a good trip to Toronto Even if good news on both fronts might complicate things.
And on a mostly unrelated note:
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/01/31/repeat-after-me-apophis-is-not-a-danger/
Hah! As one commenter said, “Tell that to the members of the SG teams.”
– KB
P.S. Weighing in a bit late on this, but in response to Das’s (What is the possessive form of “Das”?) suggestion for a Stargate dream team with Todd as doctor, I’m thinking spinoff series: “Todd, M.D.” I’d watch. 😉
Joe,
I highly recommend Batman: Battle for the Cowl
Joe,
I must say that you are absolutly right about internet downloads taking away from your ratings. I cut the Cable cord about a year and half ago and have bought every single episode on amazon instead of watching on the syfy network. I’d hoped that by purchasing them I still got counted as a viewer. I guess that the networks have yet to take into account internet purchases though. On a show of this technical caliber they really aught to look into that as I am sure sgu was viewed/purchased on the net as much as it was purchased on the tv. please keep fighting to keep the sg franchise alive. I have been a huge fan since the very first movie and have watched every episode since.
Thanks
David Bates
drldeboer, re: the SGA “Legacy” novels:
“MGM insists these books are official canon & Jo Graham went to town with the continuance.”
Based on my reading of the first book, Graham and her co-authors are wiping out a lot of canon (particularly with regards to Teyla and her family) and basically doing a reboot to cater to one small segment of the fandom at the expense of the rest of us.
Joe, I sure hope you guys get to make the Atlantis movie, because these books are awful and you and the cast should be given the chance to wrap up the Atlantis story the way you envisioned it.
Do I get yoga credit for keeping all my fingers, toes, arms, legs, and eyes crossed?
Yes, I’m antsy!! Thank you for the updates on progress with SGU. I’m SO hoping to see the end of the story.
well done mr Mallozzi! we’re almost there!
Stargate Universe is the best show – not just Sci Fi – on tv, and I’m not just saying that! (and yes, that DOES include Atlantis…)
I’ve got my fingers crossed and me and my friends are waiting anxiously for some news!
Dear Mr. Mallozzi,
Those dumplings looked good! Also, I think that you should go for a pastry party… some have substance, some don’t, some are pretty, some works of art… all are delicious! (You could have some delivered from Paris. Just a thought.)
Also, I think that someone will start producing chocolate and fast, because A. The modern world can’t seem go without it, and B. If nobody else starts growing, there will be a lot of money in it. So, rest assured that the chocolate will keep coming!
Have a great day!
Maria
While not exactly about Batman, these are two good stories worth a read:
Arkham Asylum: Living Hell by Dan Slott
Joker by Brian Azzarello