* Big Damn Fan *

Wednesday evening rambling...

Thu, 08 May 2008 02:40:02 GMT

Been almost two weeks since the last update - just haven't had or made the time to be more diligent here, but I'm trying.

And thus, I need to first give belated Happy Birthday! wishes to

apriljoiex, who celebrated on the 3rd (sorry for the late-ness), and I'll go ahead with two-day early wishes for empressvesica, whose day is the 9th. Here's giving you ladies only good thoughts for a prosperous and fortune-filled year to come.

So, what's worth mentioning?  Ah, yes - movies.

As I said a couple weeks ago, I thought Forgetting Sarah Marshall was just outstanding, and not just because of my (obvious) KBell infatuation. The overall quality of the Jason Segel-penned script, with the inclusion of realistically-developed and portrayed characters, made the whole story that much more memorable. I'm glad to see that other flist-ers have seen it and also approved. Though I do believe the final box-office will show its merit as a financial success (it's already cleared much more than its budget), it doesn't look to be matching the domestic totals of other Judd Apatow productions - The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, or Superbad. Which, really, is unfortunate, because I think FSM is probably the best well-rounded film of the bunch, in terms of balancing comedy and heart with great dialogue. Perhaps Jason Segel's full-frontal scenes scared dudes away from repeated viewings? Oh well - I'll probably see it again this weekend.

And easily the biggest movie of the year so far is Iron Man, and I also saw that on opening day. I'll add to what other flist-ers have said, and agree that it is definitely worth the price of admission. Director Jon Favreau has hit a home-run with his biggest project to date, and Marvel's first foray into financing their own movie (rather than selling the rights to an outside studio) has paid off. Iron Man manages to combine an enjoyable script (a little sarcasm and satire cleverly mixed in with the humor, not taking itself too seriously) with an A+ cast and superb visual effects (courtesy of Lucasfilm's Industrial Light & Magic). I'm not an Iron Man comic die-hard by any means, but I am a little familiar with Tony Stark's background, the type of person he's supposed to be, and with the characters that surround him. And from what I took away from the moves, the entire cast is just about perfect for their roles. Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, and Terrence Howard are pitch-perfect in their respective supporting takes on the well-written script. And of course, Robert Downey, Jr. just nails Tony Stark. The attitude and physicality are dead-on for what was really necessary for the character, and he just seems to really be having a ball as a big-budget action-star.

I'll have to see it again to be completely fair, but I'd say Iron Man ranks right up there in my top-5 of modern-era "comic book" movies. It's easily better than any of the Spider-Man films, and the Fantastic Four jokes. I think I'd even put it past the first X-Men, and possibly on par with X2. It's still below Superman Returns and Batman Begins on my personal list, but those two are Warner/DC masterpieces that I really almost look at as heavy dramas about comic characters, rather than just comic-based action flicks, which is pretty much where all the others lie. But as an eye-candy-filled, entertaining-as-hell introduction/origin story that isn't leveled-down for the kiddies (Spider-Man and FF, I'm looking at you), Iron Man is top notch. Go see it. Oh, and stay 'till the end of the credits - especially if you're a Marvel-'verse comic reader. There's a bit of a nice tease.

I've already got my ticket to see Speed Racer this Friday in IMAX. And it's not that I was highly-anticipating this flick as a "must see right away" type of thing, but just watching the teaser ads the last couple of weeks in HD on my 60" TV made my jaw drop a bit, so I'm anxious to see the next evolutions in visual effects the Wachowski brothers can come up with. Oddly enough, I recently re-watched all the bonus material from The Complete Matrix Collection - all the behind the scenes documentaries and featurettes about the stunt work and filmmaking technologies developed for the first film, Reloaded, and Revolutions, as well as the shorts from The Animatrix. All of that reminded me that Larry and Andy Wachowski have some seriously ballsy imaginations, so my interest in Speed Racer - where the sets and locations are almost entirely virtual - is definitely piqued. Also, my boy Matthew Fox plays Racer X. So that's another plus.

Speaking of Foxy, last week's episode of Lost: 4.10 - "Something Nice Back Home" - became one of my all-time personal classics, and probably my second favorite of the season (behind 4.05 - "The Constant").

And this is primarily because of the outstanding story of this ep's flash-forwards. _cinjudes_ is well aware that, at heart, I will always be a Jater - a fan of the Jack and Kate 'ship. Yeah, I know Jack episodes are sometimes viewed by a section of the fanbase as less interesting than those of other characters, and I know plenty of the ladies love the Skate 'ship - Sawyer and Kate. But I'm an unabashed defender of the "good guy" who usually does the morally right thing, even when it's tough or "uncool". I latched onto the closeness that TPTB chose to develop between Jack and Kate in the first season - and think Matthew and Evangeline Lilly have great chemistry. I don't deny that Evi also has good chemistry with Josh Holloway, and the Skaters got quite a bit of what they wanted toward the end of season two and throughout season three. It was just nice to have this episode show that my hope for the characters since the pilot was not in vain. Of course, we also saw that Jack's descent into his own personal hell of addiction and paranoia began to show itself at the end of the ep, but seeing that he and Kate were seriously happy for a moment - and trying to make a life together - was fulfilling. If I were less manly, I'd daresay it was "squee-worthy". But I'm macho so I won't. ;)

But seriously, just like the previous week's Ben-centric episode, we got some great story movement among the characters. In "current time" on the island:
--- At the beach, Daniel is trying to earn some trust back with the group, while Charlotte is still deceptive (she speaks Korean!).
--- Jack's stubbornness and desperate desire to maintain control keeps his illness downplayed until it becomes a crisis.
--- Juliet and Kate come to an understanding that they both have heavy feelings for the doc, and it appears that Juliet is resigned to the fact - and admits so to her competition - that any feelings he has for her are dwarfed by what he feels for Kate.
--- And perhaps Kate is finally admitting some reciprocation of those feelings to herself (even though everyone else has already known how she feels since week one).
--- Jin is willing to do anything to ensure that Sun and their unborn child make it off the island.
--- Away from the beach, we see Sawyer in an uber-protective mode over Claire and Aaron, while still keeping up the quips ("Ugh.. it's too early for Chinese.")
--- Frank manages to warn the three that Keamy's men are on the trail (and not all dead from Smokey's wrath, apparently) in a very butt-clench worthy moment, as they hide from certain machine-gunned death.
--- And in the final scenes, Claire sees CHRISTIAN (DAD!) HOLDING AARON! And Sawyer awakes to find her gone, with Aaron left under a tree! Spooky!

The flash-forwards were also chock-full of plotty goodness.
--- The Jate. I know it's not important to some, but it is to me. And they're hot. Jack got handfuls of Kate-ass. They're raising Aaron together. Jack gives her a RING. Kate assures him that he can be a good father. It was all goodness. At least, the first two-thirds, anyway.
--- Hurley's craziness is deepening, since his visit from undead? Charlie. He tells Jack that the Oceanic Six are all dead - demonstrating Jack as living his own "heaven" as proof. And we get the mention that Aaron shoud not be raised by Jack (or perhaps anyone other than Claire?). And Hurley tells Jack he'll get his own visitor soon.
--- And on cue, undead? Christian shows up to Jack at his office. Jack's sanity starts its slippage.
--- Said control is further degraded by paranoia over Kate keeping a Sawyer-requested secret. So much for the happily-ever after, as wee see the beginnings of Jack's alcoholism and addiction. Perhaps his past with Sarah and his father has irrevocably damaged his ability to trust?
--- Jack's derision to Kate that she's "not even related" to Aaron brings up the intentionally-vague possibility that perhaps he knows of his relation to Claire by this point?

Anyway, lots of good stuff that answers some questions while raising others, as is par for the course with Lost. This week (4.11 - "Cabin Fever") deals with Locke (and Jacob!), so here's hoping for some more mind-trippy happenings.

I see that a couple of other flist-ers have recently started the show, which is awesome. Again I advise anyone that doesn't watch, but is curious about doing so - either borrow or rent the DVDs, or download all the eps from the beginning. You won't be sorry, and will easily become a more intelligent and quality-discriminating television viewer just by watching.

Battlestar Galactica has also been excellent, but IMO is almost in a plot-limbo right now, as the characters are scattered around - or away from - the fleet. The acting is still top-shelf as always, but I think we're in the midst of a build-up toward the race for Earth. Seeing the varying reactions by Tori, Col. Tigh, Tyrol and Anders to their respective newly-found identities as Cylons is interesting as hell, though. Lee's beginning to see that having and enforcing the morally-righteous high-ground isn't necessarily what may be best for the populace, politcally, as Baltar's prophet/messiah status builds. And Kara's facing mutiny along her desperation to "feel" her way to Earth. Classic.

Smallville's still a jumbled mess (and it's gonna drag on for an eighth season - fuck me), but I will say that last week's Tom Welling-directed episode was his best work of the three episodes where he's been behind the camera. Story was hole-filled and preposterous at points (as usual), but his blocking and camera placement was much improved.

Supernatural is still the only critical-acclaim-worthy show on The CW, and is still fun as hell. The faux-reality satire of "Ghostfacers" had me LMAO for an hour - among the appropriately creepy traditional haunted-house standbys. Tweaking the suspense/horror genre is something this show does consistently well - IMO, on par with Buffy the Vampire Slayer in that regard. I'm really looking forward to seeing how in the hell Dean's soul-to-Hell pact will be dealt with, now that we've got a fourth season to look forward to.

I guess that's about all I've got. Plus, I'm tired of typing - doing all this tonight since there was no new TV to watch. Tomorrow's another full Thursday night lineup, including the last episode (of a stike-shortened season) of Scrubs to air on NBC. It's almost a sure thing that ABC will pick it up for an eighth and final season, since it's an ABC Studio show. So hopefully we'll get at least 13-17 more episodes to see it sent off properly - one of the funniest shows to ever air, IMO.

Off to bed in a bit, probably. Peace out.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

Thursday TV in full swing

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:41:41 GMT

Random TV talk, among other things....

So this is the first Thursday night in quite a while - months, at least - where everything I watch on this night of the week is brand-spankin' new.

First, and most importantly, Lost is back from its five-week, strike-imposed catch-up period with the first of 6 straight new eps to finish out season four. "Kick-ass" #1.

Closely following in excitement, Supernatural is also back from its strike-lengthened hiatus with new stuff. "Kick-ass" #2.

In addition, NBC's lineup is all-new, all of which I watch: My Name is Earl, Scrubs ("Kick-ass" #3), The Office ("Kick-ass" #4), 30 Rock, and ER.  Prior to Lost on ABC, Grey's Anatomy is back with new stuff. And before SPN, The CW has another new Smallville. Both Grey's and SV have become little more than tiresome chores to keep watching, but I'm multiple seasons into my show-obligation, and can't stop myself now. *sigh*

Oh, and if all of that were not enough, my hometown Orlando Magic are trying to go up 3 games to none against the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the NBA playoffs.The Magic are my second-favorite team (behind my beloved and awesome San Antonio Spurs), so I'd like to see some of that, too. Perhaps both VCRs will be working tonight, in addition to the dual tuner DVR.

Lastly, I didn't want to forget the Happy Birthday! thoughts for my flisters gracejen and candlewaxdreams, as they both have birthdays today and tomorrow, respectively. Hope the last year has treated you well, ladies, and that the next one is even better!

Also trying to decide if I want to see Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay this weekend. I didn't see White Castle until it was on DVD for quite a while, but loved its absurdity - especially the part of NPH. I'm really tempted to see this one in the theaters, stupid though I know it will be. It's like I need something to see this weekend while anticipating next week for Iron Man - which looks loads of fun, btw.

That's all I've got.  May not get to update tomorrow, so I hope everyone's weekend goes swimmingly.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

Cindy!

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:23:00 GMT

It's getting sorta late in the day, but I did not forget, and just had to post to give super-fantastic Happy Birthday! wishes to my girl _cinjudes_. Today is her day (I'll be a gentlemen and won't mention the number of days she's had), and I hope it's not entirely stressful, being a workday and all. Hope Ben and the life-enders are treating you well today, Cin. And of course, the vacation time was great fun, and went by way too fast.

Lots of hugs and smooches!

*snoogins*

Oh, and just throwing it out there that I saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall on Friday (of course), and it is great. Not just laugh-out-loud funny, but a very well done story with heart, and well-developed characters, too. Kudos to Jason Segel for the script - and for his... *ahem*... bravery in the performance.

That is all.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

Yet more birthdays...

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:38:27 GMT

It seems this is the only reason I try and post here lately. Just haven't had the time and/or motivation to ramble about much else, but I still stick around to read the flist when I can.

Anyway, I need to give some belated happy wishes to

lalam, who's day was on the 10th. I was in the middle of vegging-out time with _cinjudes_, so I was hardly online at all last week. I hope the big one wasn't too bad, Laura ;)

Also, in celebrity-world, belated wishes to Nicholas Brendon (and his twin brother Kelly Donovan), who turned 37 on the 12th, and - yay! on-time! - wishes today, the 14th, to my girl Sarah Michelle Gellar. Mrs. Prinze is the big 3-1. Hard to believe. And as I did last year, I will commemorate the two-days-apart birthdays of the actors who played their roles in my uber-'ship with a few pics. Cut below for the non-B/X-ers (pretty much all but me):

And just because, some old-school SMG as Buffy:

That's all I've got for now. Hope everyone's weekend was good.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

Happy Birthdays all around

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:40:58 GMT

Kind of in a weird mood, but I just wanted to make a super-quick pop-in to give "Happy Birthday" celebrity shouts today, March 27th, to Nathan Fillion - my respect for whom and admiration of needs no real explanation to anyone reading this; Elizabeth Mitchell - she has impressed me more than I can say as Dr. Juliet Burke on Lost; and Mariah Carey. Yes, Mariah - I know what some may think, and shut up.

I was a fan of hers waaaay back in the day when she first arrived as a seven-octave-ranged vocal-phenom - I'm talking middle-school days for me. I mean, I was obsessed, and there was no bigger fan/purchaser of her albums and singles than me. She's had her well-publicized ups and downs and weird idiosyncracies on full diisplay for awhile now, but she's still got the chops - I've seen her live three times, so I know.

Anyway, also wanted to add a big CONGRATULATIONS to houses7177 and her husband, who welcomed their first bundle of joy into the world on Saturday, just before Easter. I heard through _cinjudes_ that everything went fairly smoothly, so I was glad to hear that her pregnancy burden was finally lifted. Now she just has a new person to raise! ;)

That's about it - pretty boring right now. Oh - but less than 8 days until _cinjudes_arrives here in O-Town for vacation! Sweet!

Kristen Bell is awesome.

MegaCon 2008; other stuff

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:26:29 GMT

Well, it seems my first March entry comes in halfway through the month. So goes the nature of my professional/personal time the last several weeks.

I won't get into a whole rant or venting spiel, but will just say that work is on an ever-descending shit-spiral, that seems to be picking up speed the last few months. Essentially, the workload combined with the kind of work my job entials day in and day out is pushing me to the end of my tolerance levels. The new job/career path search is officially underway, because this current work is making me too old (and too bitter) way too fast. And the zero down-time at work has joined forces with fairly busy evenings (and simply being too exhausted for Interweb play) the last month or so, thus my severe lack of updating and/or keeping up with regular commenting on my flist. For that I apologize and will try to do better.

Anyway... aside from that crap, I've been meaning to post all week about last weekend's MegaCon 2008 here in Orlando. I actually got too busy to remember to buy my advance pass online, prior to the week before (when advance ordering closed), so I had to get a ticket at the gate. I only wanted a one-day ticket for this one, as it was half the price of the three day pass, and I figured I could get what I wanted to get done in one day, and reduce the two added days of temptation to spend more $$$ on fandom stuff I really don't need. It worked out okay for my day spent there on Saturday, but the waiting lines were horrendous. A fairly brief summation (compared to FX, anyway) under the cut:

The regular admission began at 10:00 AM on Saturday, and I wanted to get there before 11 if possible, but I was up too late Friday night, and managed to not get my ass in gear timely on Saturday. Arrived at the Orange County Convention Center around 11:15-11:20, and was stunned to see that the line for the non-advance ticket purchasing booths stretched for a good 500-600 yards, at least. I figure this was the length, because I eye-balled the approximate length of a football field from the end of the line until the first turn, and the line turned about 5 times before getting to the front stretch. The progression was fairly steady - I never was in one spot more than a minute or so, but I still didn't get through the gate until almost 1:00 PM. My advice for any future Con attendees would be to never miss the advance ordering - even for a one-day ticket.

Once inside, the crowd was pretty formidable - more so than I think I'd seen for any of the other three shows I've been to - FX this year and last, and last year's MegaCon. The isles among the dealer booths were pretty much packed shoulder to shoulder with people everywhere, and I decided to accomplish what I wanted to get done, make a pass or two around all the booths, and then get the hell out.

I first headed to the celebrity photo-op booth, to see the schedule for the day, and saw that Erica Durance's session was just after Adrian Pasdar's. I believe his ran from about 1:15 - 2:00, and hers was from 2:00 - 2:40. I briefly thought about paying for both of them, but decided to just go with Erica (after posing with Laura Vandervoort at FX - figured this was necessary). At this point shortly after 1:00, Adrian was headed to the photo booth, and Erica had not yet gotten back from lunch. These two were pretty much the only guests I had a goal of signing anything, so I ended up making my way around the dealers for the next 30 minutes, and then headed to wait in line for Erica's photo-op.

As chance would have it, I was fairly close to the front - probably 20-25 people back, in a line that turned out to be 150-175 people long - but ended up behind a few late-teens and early-twenty-somethings who still manage to enjoy Smallville. I pretty much kept my mouth shut and just listened to them talk (two guys who knew each other and two girls who were there together), adding or commenting only occasionally. Turns out one of the girls is an admin/moderator for the Devoted to Smallville section of the Devoted Fans Network, a site of which I am still technically a member, but have not visted in well over three years. I got the vibe that most of them knew little about the Superman mythos prior to the show, and liked the teen-melodrama aspect of what it has become, so I really had to bite my tongue in order not to start my own lecture and get too hot and bothered prior to my celebrity meets.

I managed to make it to my turn after a 30-40 minute wait or so (we first had to wait for Adrian's session to finish), and the expediting of the line was fast-paced. I stepped up, said "Hi, I'm Jeff." She smiled, said "nice to meet you", and then we posed. Froggy the photo guy has been the same photographer at all the shows so far, but this picture was my own weakest, I think. He snapped the shot just as I was starting to smile, so I almost appear to be smirking, and he zoomed-in/cropped too much, so the pic seems too close-up. But I guess it's not too terrible, and ended up looking like THIS.

Immediately after leaving the photo booth, I made it back to Adrian Pasdar's autograph line, which was adjacent to Erica's, and both booths had large sign-age that mandated NO photos of any kind, and there were a couple of Con staffers in each line to enforce this. Anyone whipping out cameras for snapshots - not even for posed photos, but just simple candids - were scolded and told to put the cameras away. Additionally, MegaCon still has not adopted the more efficient method of queue-ing that FX has mastered. There is still no rolling ticket-numbering system in order to reduce standing-around time, but rather each line has to queue up like a theme park attraction: first-come are first-served. It's frustrating. Fortunately, I was only a dozen or so people back in Adrian's line, and he made it back to start signing within 20 minutes or so after I got in line.

Adrian was pretty laid back and seemed comfortable with everyone, but had what appeared to be his manager/agent/publicist right next to him the whole time, and that dude intensely scanned/perused every person and item that came to the table. It was odd. But Adrian was nice enough - though he seemed smaller in person than I expected - and didn't rush people off too soon. I got up to the table and introduced myself, shaking his hand, and he made sure the pic was to be made out to me. I had to be the dumb-question asker, mainly for conversation's sake, and said "Nathan's not really dead, right?" He smirked and replied, "Well, you never know, but I will be filming episodes this season." I realized that I couldn't really expound upon the various small problems that bother me as a viewer and hinder Heroes' development into a really quality show for me - that I probably should just play the fan. So I told him that Nathan had become one of the more interesting characters, due to his big change in character arc from the pilot up to the end of last season. He appreciated that and said "well, that's great to hear, and if you enjoy that aspect, wait until you see where things are headed this season coming up." So that was pretty much confirmation that Nathan will be around in some capacity for season 3. His signed pic is THIS ONE. I shook his hand again and thanked him, then immediately hopped over to Erica's booth right next door.

I was in the first 10 or so for her line, since she had yet to return from her photo session, but still only had to wait around 30 minutes for her to show up. She was very warm to all the fans - plenty of whom had various Superman/Lois Lane-related memorabilia and gifts to give to her. And just like Laura Vandervoort, I think Erica's even prettier in person than she appears in photos or on TV - she actually looks a bit younger. At my turn, she recognized me, but couldn't remember my name. I introduced myself again, and she made sure that the photo was for me and - oddly enough - confirmed the spelling: "Is that the British spelling, or the normal version?" I chuckled and told her the normal way. I guess she must know some Geoffs or Geoffreys. Again, I could have made an idiot of myself by getting into all the ways that Smallville has devolved since it began, and how it often makes a mockery of the Superman mythos and the iconic characters it tries to portray. No, I pretty much buttered her up after explaining my inner fanboy. I told her that I've been a Superman die-hard since I was old enough to start reading, and that when I heard Lois Lane was being added to the show - a show about Clark Kent's formative years, long before Metropolis - I was totally against it and really had reservations about what they wanted to do with it. But I said that her portrayal of this Lois has steadily grwon on me - I was very wary and sometimes critical at first, but managed to mellow into her character and appreciate what she's been able to bring to the role, making it enjoyable to watch (not the show, just the character, but I didn't say that). She seemed genuinely tickled by that and sincerely explained that those kinds of fans - the ones that had hard-to-overcome biases against the character or parts of the show - are the ones she appreciates the most, knowing that they were turned onto something they initially were against. Her signed pic is THIS ONE. We both thanked each other for coming and I shook her hand and said goodbye.

At this point, it was probably around 3:00 PM or so, and I was about ready to leave, but I had to wait for the print of my photo with Erica. I made one or two more laps around the dealers, and decided to not spend any more money. No more t-shirts or action figures or swords or other art pieces this time around. The only $$$ that left my pocket was for the photo and the autographs.

While waiting for the photo to print (which was further delayed by Adrian's long-running session prior to Erica's), I briefly wandered around the smaller celebrity meet-and-greet booths, and met Leah Cairns from Battlestar Galactica - she plays the Raptor pilot Racetrack. It was a bit awkward, as I didn't get anything signed, but told her that I'm a fan, and hope Racetrack sticks around for the rest of the show, and that I'm also catching up with Kyle XY (which she's also in season 2, I believe - I haven't gotten past season 1 yet). She was also very cute in person and thanked me for the support. Stupidly, I left without getting a candid pic of her.

I then headed straight across the floor to Mark Sheppard's booth. Sci-fi fans should know him as Badger from Firefly and as Baltar's attorney Romo Lampkin on BSG. I managed to get him posing for a group photo with a bunch of female BSG fans - all in costume - snapshots HERE and HERE. Again I felt a bit awkward for not getting anything signed, but he was so laid back and eagerly talking with various people coming up - there was no real line - that it was cool. I told him that he'll always be awesomely remembered as Badger - and he commented that even if he weren't in it, he just loved watching Firefly, and wished he had gotten a chance to be a bigger part of it, had it gone on longer. I also complemented him for the memorable turn as Lampkin, and asked if he could divulge whether he would be appearing again, now that BSG has just the final season left. He said that he had not yet filmed anything for this season, but was told that his character was left wide-open on purpose, so that if they choose to have a reason for his reappearance out of the fleet they could - and that he would love to do more. He was getting to the next handful of fans so I thanked him for coming and headed back to the photo booth. No mention was made of the shameful Bionic Woman.

After standing around there for another 10 minutes, the photo finally came out, and I had accomplished what I wanted. I ended up heading out around 4:15 - 4:20 PM, and had not sat down since getting out of the car shortly after 11:00 AM. Needless to say, I was whipped, and glad to be heading home. I think for any future in-town shows - FX or MegaCon or anything else - the one-day ticket (ordered in advance, of course) may be the more economical way for me to go - especially if everyone I want to meet is there on one day. Saves me travel time and expense, as well as monetary temptation for stuff I just don't need. I'll be on the lookout for who appears here next year.

Other than the above show stuff, the only other babbling I've got is that Lost is continuing to be sock-knocking-off fantastic this season. I won't get plot-spoilery for already-aired episodes, but I just feel pity for anyone that will never realize the monumental nature of what this series is - how original and groundbreaking it is as a "genre" drama - and am continually impressed with the turns the story takes. We have been getting some substantial answers to questions that have been lingering for a couple of seasons now, as well as being given new questions and puzzles that we had no idea could be introduced prior to this season. I anticipate the weekly installments of this show more than anything else I have ever watched. No lie.

Also, the best TV-related news since the strike ended must be the respective renewals of Supernatural and Friday Night Lights. The CW must know by now that SPN is by far the best thing they have on their schedule, quality-wise, and I'm sure the stellar ratings numbers (highest of the season, if not of the series) of the last pre-strike filmed episode helped with the decision. And I don't care what kind of episode-sharing deal has to be made with NBC and Direct TV (or any other network), as long as FNL is back in some capacity. In terms of genuine overall-quality - from writing to acting to directing and overall production value - the series is THE best show since the 2004 season brought us Lost, Veronica Mars and Battlestar Galactica.

And finally, this month's Paley Center for Media's Television Festival makes me temporarily wish I lived near L.A. The annual event has an awe-worthy lineup of show panels this year, the first notable of which was yesterday for Pushing Daisies. The event's entire lineup can be found at the official page, but I'll also c/p the list panels I'd be there for in a heartbeat, if money and distance were no object:

March 15 | Saturday | 7:00 pm
Pushing Daisies

In Person:

Kristin Chenoweth, "Olive Snook" Bruce Cohen, Exec. Prod. Anna Friel, "Chuck" Bryan Fuller, Creator/Exec. Prod. Ellen Greene, "Vivian Charles"	Dan Jinks, Exec. Prod. Swoosie Kurtz, "Lily Charles" Chi McBride, “Emerson Cod” Peter Ocko, Coexec. Prod. Lee Pace, "Ned"
Additional panelists to be announced.

March 17 | Monday | 7:00 pm
The Comedy World of Judd Apatow & Friends

In Person:

Judd Apatow Tom Arnold Andy Dick Paul Feig Jonah Hill Busy Phillips Jason Segal
Additional panelists to be announced.

March 18 | Tuesday | 7:00 pm
Chuck

In Person:

Adam Baldwin, "John Casey" Chris Fedak, Cocreator/Exec. Prod. Joshua Gomez, "Morgan Grimes" Scott Krinsky, "Jeff" Sarah Lancaster, "Ellie Bartowski" Mark Christopher Lawrence, "Big Mike" Zachary Levi, "Chuck Bartowski"	Julia Ling, "Anna" McG, Exec. Prod. Ryan McPartlin, "Captain Awesome" Vik Sahay, "Lester" Josh Schwartz, Cocreator/Exec. Prod. Yvonne Strahovski, "Sarah Walker"
Damon Lindelof (exec. prod., Lost) will moderate this evening's discussion.

March 19 | Wednesday | 7:00 pm
Friday Night Lights

In Person:

Connie Britton, "Tami Taylor" Kyle Chandler, "Eric Taylor" Zach Gilford, "Matt Saracen" Jason Katims, Exec. Prod. Adrianne Palicki, "Tyra Collette"	Jesse Plemons, "Landry Clarke" Scott Porter, "Jason Street" Jeffrey Reiner, Exec. Prod. Aimee Teegarden, "Julie Taylor"
Additional panelists to be announced.

March 20 | Thursday | 7:00 pm
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Reunion

In Person:

Amber Benson, "Tara Maclay" Nicholas Brendon, "Xander Harris" Charisma Carpenter, "Cordelia Chase" Emma Caulfield, "Anya" Eliza Dushku, "Faith" Sarah Michelle Gellar, "Buffy Summers" Seth Green, "Oz"	David Greenwalt, Exec. Prod. Alyson Hannigan, "Willow Rosenberg" James Marsters, "Spike" Marti Noxon, Executive Producer Michelle Trachtenberg, "Dawn Summers" Joss Whedon, Creator
Additional panelists to be announced.

March 24 | Monday | 7:00 pm
Damages

In Person:

Noah Bean, "David Connor" Rose Byrne, "Ellen Parsons" Glenn Close, "Patty Hewes" Ted Danson, "Arthur Frobisher" Tate Donovan, "Tom Shayes"	Anastasia Griffith, "Katie Connor" Zeljko Ivanek, "Ray Fiske" Glenn Kessler, Cocreator/Exec. Prod. Todd A. Kessler, Cocreator/Exec. Prod. Daniel Zelman, Cocreator/Exec. Prod.

March 26 | Wednesday | 7:00 pm
The X-Files

In Person:

Chris Carter, Creator/Exec. Prod. Frank Spotnitz, Exec. Prod.

March 27 | Thursday | 7:00 pm
Mad Men

In Person:

Jon Hamm, "Don Draper" Christina Hendricks, "Joan Holloway" Vincent Kartheiser, "Pete Campbell" Elisabeth Moss, "Peggy Olson"	Rich Sommer, "Harry Crane" Aaron Staton, "Ken Cosgrove" Matthew Weiner, Creator/Exec. Prod.

I mean, really - the Buffy reunion is worth the drooling alone - almost the entire friggin' cast, plus Joss! - but to be there for talk about Daisies, Judd Apatow's insane entourage, Chuck (moderated by Lost's exec. Damon Lindelof!), Friday Night Lights, Damages (best FX drama since The Shield), The X-Files (new film being made - awesome), and Mad Men - a show I want to get into, hearing only good things about - all of those are a TV enthusiast's dream. I look forward to reading/hearing/seeing details about what went on during each, and will be insanely envious of anyone who gets to actually be there.

I guess that's about it for now. Hopefully I won't go a few more weeks between posts again. Oh, and since I may not be online tomorrow, early Happy St. Patrick's Day to all. It's the honorary Irish day, and I'll at least have a beer or two to celebrate. Too bad it's not on a weekend this year. Oh well.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

Leap Day!

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:39:15 GMT

I know the day's almost over, but it's still the 29th here, so the day's just an excuse to have an entry. And, it's worth noting a date that comes around only once every four years.

Plus, you know, I wanted to make a post to prove that I do still exist. I've barely been able to check my email regularly the last few weeks, so updating and commenting here have been virtually impossible. BUT - I have been scrambling to read my flist every few days, so I have been keeping up with all the wonderful ramblings my fascinating flist has to offer, I just can't seem to comment or reply nearly as often as I'd like.

Oh, and I also need to wish a very belated Happy Birthday! to blackmamba2517. I'm not sure if she's even been on LJ in ages - no updates for over a year - but her birthday was the 23rd, she's still got an LJ page, and I knew her prior to the world of LJ and flists. So if you eventually see this Hallie, I didn't forget, I just got busy!

I have no time to even get into it now, but for anyone who keeps up with Lost, I sure hope you are enjoying the ride as much as I am. This season is just redefining the nature of how to blow one's mind with serial television. Especially last night's episode, 4.05 - "The Constant". A seriously whacked-out hour of TV, in absolutely the best way possible.

Will be driving down to West Palm Beach tomorrow, for a wedding on Sunday afternoon - the wedding for which I went to Las Vegas two weeks ago for the groom's bachelor party - so another weekend of trying to catch up on the interwebs will be shot. Oh well. Having a life of some sort is not too bad, I suppose.

On that note, I'm off to do some laundry. Hope everyone's weekend is swell.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

Four nights in Vegas are about all one's sanity can take...

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:10:27 GMT

Just got back from a Friday-through-Monday bachelor party weekend in Las Vegas.

To say that fun was had would be an understatement. Not sure I was ever 100% sober from the first hour we arrived until about 12:00 AM PST this morning (when our flight left). And amazingly, I think I almost broke-even on the gambling front for the weekend. I consider that a success.

And that's about all I can disclose... you know the expression.

Now I'm on the harsh come-down, trying to recover for work tomorrow. And I've got some Friday-Monday TV with which to catch up. Will also try to flist-read some, and sort through gobs of email.

But since I've been awake for about 28 hours straight, I think I'm off to go nap for a bit.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

Meeting Captain Tightpants, 'The Heart', and Sean Blumberg, among others...

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:04:31 GMT

I haven't been intentionally procrastinating with updating, just haven't had the free time. I know I'm over a week late getting to this, but I had to finally get around to putting in a brief account of the 2008 FX Show from the weekend before last - Jan. 25th-27th - with some pictures, while all the memories are still fresh. I'm trying not to match the essay-length of my post from last year's event, but it may still be quite long. I'll cut, of course, for those not interested, and to mercifully spare flist reading.

I ended up purchasing a three day pass for myself, and a Sunday-only ticket for my dad, because he also wanted to meet Nathan, but didn't want to deal with all the walking and standing for three days. I had to work Friday, but ended up leaving at 11AM to make it to the Orange County Convention Center before noon. My main goal for Friday was to try and meet Nicholas Brendon and Laura Vandervoort, since they were supposed to be there all three days. Greg Grunberg was on a tight schedule and would only be there Saturday, and Nathan Fillion was listed for Saturday and Sunday.

And Cindy - I know I gave you a brief rundown of the days when we spoke on the phone, but after sitting down to type all of this, I think I left some things out in our conversation, so most of the details should be here.

Friday:

My first impression was that this event was a degree or two smaller in size and scope than last year's FX Show. The venue at the OCCC was swapped to a smaller meeting hall than where it was held last year, and there was still plenty of spreading-out space for all the booths and vendors. There may have been about a third less total vendors/sellers than last year, even though the celebrity lineup was just as good overall, IMO. The doors opened for three-day pass holders at 11:00, and noon for everyone else. I got there around 11:30, and was able to stroll right in, past a line of about 200 people or so. Still, that line was much smaller than last year's. Although, to be fair, I do think the organization was handled much better than last year's as far as moving people in and out, arranging the photo sessions with the celebs, and the handling of the meet-and-greet lines. Perhaps that improved organization and order made it seem like there were less people than there actually were *shrug*.

After making it inside the hall, I first checked the booths were the guests were signing to see who all was there, or would be there before the afternoon was over. Then I made it over to the photo session booth, to check the schedule to see when Nick and Laura might be up. Neither had arrived, so I managed to wander around all the booths for a couple of hours, seeing some familiar faces from last years events, as well as some new people. Unfortunately, artist Jason Palmer was unable to attend this year, so I wasn't able to see him or Yelena. He had actually replied to an email inquiry I wrote (about the status of his Serenity character portraits), wanting my opinion as to whether or not he should come this year. The pros and cons were: if he did come, he'd have to delay work on those prints even further - which are already way behind his time-table goal of having all 11 finished by last fall), but he'd do the program art again (FX people wanted him to, of course), and would have maybe one one more of the Serenity prints finished - and could give me mine personally. (*sidenote* - I bought the whole set, and have already received River, Mal, Zoe, Kaylee and Book - Wash is the next one up, with Jayne, Inara, Simon, The Operative and Serenity herself still coming). If he didn't come, he'd be able to finish up a couple more, probably. I told him that either way, whatever he decided to do would be fine, but perhaps nudged him to come. While walking around Friday afternoon, I spoke with a vendor who was selling some of his prints, along with other Browncoat stuff, and she learned that he had arranged to come since Nathan was confirmed to be there, but at the last minute Lucasfilm needed some more work on stuff Jason's doing for Indiana Jones (after he's already done a bunch of Star Wars stuff for Lucasfilm in general, and especially for Celebration IV last summer). So, since Jason couldn't make it, the program cover last year that looked like THIS, the print of which I also bought and got signed, ended up looking like THIS. Jason's presence was sorely missed, to say the least.

Anyway, after a couple of hours, Nick arrived - apparently straight off the plane and from the airport, because he looked a bit disheveled and a little tired. Now, to the average fanboy or fangirl, Nicholas Brendon may not be much of a big deal, as his only really notable work has been on Buffy. However, that resume item alone is enough to cement his iconic status in my book, since Xander Harris is about my favorite fictional character ever, thanks to Nick's portrayal. So I was a bit nervous, but managed to be pretty normal - especially once I met him. There were a handful of people in line, so there was barely a wait to see him, and he seemed really congenial and cheerful to everyone who came up to the table. When I got there, I shook his hand and intoduced myself, and first told him that I really loved Kitchen Confidential, bought the DVD set, and thought it got unfairly shafted - and he agreed with a smile. Of course, I then had to mention my love of Xander as a character - my favorite from the show, and from most all shows. He thanked me and appeared genuinely appreciative of that and ended up signing the picture I had of Xander, circa season four. The only downer was the bitch of a handler he had that day. She didn't whip out the silver sharpie for him to use until he had started signing the picture in black, then she said "oh, wait, here's a silver one for that dark photo". He gave her a bit of an annoyed look, and held onto the picture, saying "here, Jeff, let me go over what I wrote with this one, so it's a little easier to see". And apparently, the woman was also enforcing a $5 fee per-candid shot, so I couldn't get a snapshot of him just signing the photo. I had already paid for the photo session later, but she was still frustrating. But he re-signed, I thanked him, and told him I'd see him later. The scan of his signed photo is HERE. A couple of crappy distance shots I got of him at his booth are HERE and HERE.

I went to go see if Laura Vandervoort was around yet, but found out she missed her flight, and wouldn't be around until Saturday. Since it was nearing time for Nick's photo session, I made it to the booth with about 10-12 others in line, and managed to get my picture with him. He remembered me from just a few minutes earlier, and said "I like your shirt". Even though he seemed to be dressing like an old man all weekend, the picture came out decent, and Nick was great to meet.

There wasn't a whole lot else to do or see, and I wanted to save some money to last until Sunday, so I took off after picking up the above picture once it was printed, preparing for a busier day Saturday.

Saturday:

The pass-holders' admission began at 10AM on Saturday, but I arrived around 11:15. I had the schedule of who was going to be there, and when, so I was in no real rush. I did bring a backpack with me, though, to carry my folder of pics to get signed, store any others that were printed, and to carry a change of shirts, since I knew I'd be taking three different photos this day, and wanted something fan-related for each person.

I made it to Greg Grunberg's line around 11:30, and there were only about 10-15 people there at that time, so it moved quickly. And it must be noted that Greg seems to be just as fun and good-natured in person as he comes across in the various behind-the-scenes stuff I've seen of him. I had my Lost numbers shirt on, and he immediately said "the numbers!" I shook his hand and introduced myself and told him I've been a fan of his work ever since he was Sean Blumberg. He exclaimed "I remember Smoothaise! I loved that character." I also made sure to inform him I appreciated Eric Weiss as well, and he made the remark of always wanting the show to end with him going bad, or having been working with Sloane all along. He followed up by saying that's why he's intrigued with where Matt Parkman is going, since he's right at a crossroads with what he can choose to do with his powers - the gray area is fun to play. He made sure the photo was for me, and as he signed I said, "I know you really can't say much, but I heard it floating around that you could show up in Lost again this season." He grinned and sort of shrugged his shoulders and said "With that show, you never really know" - while also giving me a subtle wink at the same time. So, he's either throwing nosey fans off completely, or kind of confirming that the pilot of Flight 815 could reappear somewhere. Also of note, the handler with him didn't really care who took photots, so I got him in THIS one. Before I left, I threw it out there that I saw Kristen Bell, Hayden Panettiere, and Zachary Quinto here last year, and that Kristen was just awesome to meet in person. He agreed with "she IS totally cool, and super funny - she's a big kid just like me." He thanked me for coming, I shook his hand again and thanked him, and I told him I'd see him later for the photo, and then headed over to the main stage, where the Heroes panel was going to be at noon, and I wanted a decent seat.

The Heroes panel consisted of Greg (Matt Parkman), George Takei (Kaito Nakamura) and Stephen Tobolowski (Bob Bishop), and was basically a good 35 minutes of questions from fans and humorous anecdotal answers from the three guys. Very entertaining and worth seeing. I tried to get some snapshots, but the lighting above the stage sucked, and my flash was no good from the distance I was sitting. I managed to get lucky and capture a shot as someone else flashed, and got THIS. A few others HERE, HERE, and HERE.

After the panel, I booked it back to the photo booth, as Greg's session immediately followed, and there probably ended up being a good 30-40 people in line. He rembered me as I walked up - "Jeff, right?" - and as we posed he said "smoothaise!" That photo is HERE. I thanked him again and left, deciding to see if I could quickly meet Laura Vandervoort, since her line was pretty manageable.

I was able to almost walk right up to her line, since there was only one person there at the moment, after there had been about 15-20 just a few minutes earlier. I introduced myself and she seemed very sweet to everyone who came up, making sure the photo was for me before she signed. That shot I was also able to snag, HERE. She almost seemed a little overwhelmed by the attention, but she was never rude or curt to anyone - perhaps a little quiet, but after meeting the outgoing Greg, that was to be expected by comparison. I told her that I've been a Superman nut since I was old enough to read, and that by association, I've watched Smallville from its beginning. However, I left out the parts about how many times the show has jumped the shark since season three, and what a disaster the show has become with writing that is some of the most wildly uneven and at times most unexplainable in all of TV. No, I just told her that I was a little wary of the writers introducing Clark's cousin, this far into the series, but that I've been pleased with how she's been able to handle Kara - that she eased the worries I had for that character. She seemed to really appreciate the thoughts and thanked me for coming. And IMO, I think Laura is prettier in person than she is on the show. A little smaller than I thought she would be, but still gorgeous. After this, I was off to make another lap around a few of the aisles of vendors. By this time it was around 1:00, and though Nathan had arrived and had been signing, he was away for lunch until 1:30 or so.

I went to a bathroom and changed into my Browncoat shirt, knowing I'd have my photo with Nathan next. By this point, the rotating-ticket system for the meet-and-greet was being used for Nathan's line, so people didn't have to stand in line for an hour or more waiting their turn. A numbered ticket was given by the FX handler, and a list was marked down for the progress of the line. Any numbers at or below XXX could get in line - usually no more than 20 at a time. Once that line dwindled, the listed number would be bumped up by 20 or so, and then anyone with that number or below could come up. The system works pretty smoothly, but I must confess that I cut this line. I mainly did it because no one was really paying attention to how it was working (the ticket system), and with about 15 minutes to go before Nathan came back from lunch, there were only 4 people hanging around for his line, specifically. Everyone else was kinda rubber-necking to see who's booth it was, but walked away when they saw it empty. Now mind you, I had a ticket, but it was a good 100 or so higher than where the current number was, so it would be another hour or two before I could come back, and I wanted to try to meet him and get some stuff signed before the photo session.

Just before Nathan came back, I paid for the four items I had with me to get signed, and got the item ticket to give to the handler next to Nathan when my turn came. Just as Nathan sat down, the FX guy with the tickets started collecting them, and I told him 'I must have dropped mine by accident', and couldn't find it. I know - I lied. He had seen me standing there for the last 15-20 minutes, though, with the four others ahead of me, and I told him I had just paid for my items. He did remember giving me a ticket (just not which number), so he had no issue letting me stay where I was. Honestly, there were still only about 25-30 people behind me at that point, so I didn't feel too bad about my white lie. If that makes me a bad person, oh well.

To get to it, though - meeting Nathan Fillion is pretty much how you would hope any celebrity encounter would go. Very similar to how sweet and gracious Kristen Bell was last year, Nathan seemed genuinely appreciative of each person that came up to him, and that he was thrilled to be there himself. He made sure to get each person's name and looked them in the eye with real interest in what they had to say. The line only got longer as the day went on, so they kept things limited - no posed candids with him, and no flash photos, since he had so many things to see and sign, and the lights were bothersome after so many. All of which was understandable, IMO. The guy just ahead of me must have been a collector-for-profit type, or had his own online collectible business, because he had dozens of items to get signed - photos, Serenity ornaments, replica Blue Sun money, the Serenity ship's blueprints, etc. At least 50-60 items were out, so I stood there for a few minutes with my stuff out and tabled, ready to be signed - my two photos, the Firefly DVD set, and Jason Palmer's print of Mal.

As soon it was my turn, Nathan looked up and I shook his hand, introducing myself. He said (seeing my shirt) "A Browncoat! It's great to meet you, Jeff. Thanks for coming." He slid over the first photo, and I told him about _cinjudes_ : "This one's for Cindy. She's a friend of mine who lives in Mississippi, and she's dying over not being able to be here to meet you. She's one of your biggest fans - both personally and professionally. I turned her onto the show with the DVDs, and she's been hooked as a Browncoat ever since." He had a big grin and signed the photo to her, and said "I appreciate that very much. And you turned her onto the show? Well, that's doing the Lord's work right there, so thanks for that." My photo was next, and after he signed it he said "I put the exclamation there, since shouting a name may help me remember it better - Jeff!" We both chuckled, and as he slid over the DVD set to sign, I told him I had watched the show from the beginning, even as FOX aired the episodes out of order - and that I bought the DVDs the day they came out. He replied "An original Browncoat. That's great to hear." Lastly, he slid over the print of Mal, and he immediately recognized it: "Jason Palmer! I love this guy. He gets the likenesses just right." He pointed out the thumb on Mal in the picture, and commented: "See, he even gets my thumb right. When I hold my hand just like this -" and he demonstrated for me, "- that's exactly how it looks, so he got it just right. I'll sign right here just above that thumb." Then I shook his hand again and thanked him. He thanked me and I told him I'd see him later for the photo session. As I walked away, I caught more than a few stares at the signed artwork - people no doubt wanting a Palmer print of their own.

I immediately went back to the photo booth, since Nathan's session was coming up. To say that his line was the longest of the weekend is an understatement. They allotted about 35 minutes for his session, but he must have been taking pictues for an hour and a half. Easily 200 people in line for Saturday, if not more. I stood in line for about 40 minutes to get mine, and when I got there, he did remember me: "Jeff the Browncoat!" And since Nathan is tall - about 6'2" - he had been putting his arm on the shoulders of everyone he was posing with. When I stood next to him, he started to do the same, then said "well, you're the bigger man here, so you go high, I'll go low"- so my arm was higher than his - it was another chuckle. That photo is THIS one. We both thanked each other again, and I was off to take the signed print back to the car, as well as change shirts again.

I was almost done for the day, save for the photo session with Laura. And being the fanboy that I am I had changed into my traditional Superman shirt for this last photo. Her session was right after Nathan's, so I had an hour to make that change after a trip to the car, and grabbed a quick lunch (bottled water and a soy meal replacement bar - yum! - or, you know - not). I ended up about 30th in line out of about 70-80 for Laura, and again things moved pretty quickly. When it was my turn, I wasn't sure if she remembered me (I was wearing my Lost numbers shirt when I saw her earlier), but I think she did. As luck would have it, we ended up standing there, posed, for almost a minute, as Froggy the photo guy was having camera issues. I don't think I said anything witty during that wait, but I remember her hand kep moving up and down my back, changing positions a few times. Not to say she was copping a feel - her boyfriend-type dude who was with her all weekend (who is in an upcoming episode of Smallville) was always close by - just that it was pleasantly distracting, LOL. We both thanked each other and then I was done for the day. That picture is THIS one. I checked the table where the printed photos were coming out, and my shot with Greg was there, but Nathan and Laura's would be a long while, since his session lasted so long. I double checked with the woman who was taking the photo-tickets (who remembered my name by this point, herself), and made sure I could pick up those other two photos on Sunday. Then I was off.

Sunday:

This last day for me was pretty laid back, as I'd met everyone I wanted to, and taken all my photos. I was mainly doing some final browsing for collectibles and stuff i might buy, while my dad was with me to get his photo with Nathan.

But we also both wanted to see the Whedonverse panel that started at noon. Similar to the Q&A of the Heroes panel on Saturday, this one involved Nathan (Malcolm Reynolds on Firefly), Nick (Xander Harris on BtVS) and Elisabeth Rohm (Kate Lockley on Angel). Rather than taking photos, I was able to MPEG video the whole 30+ minute session with my camera, with pretty decent results. As pretty much expected, Nathan immediately took charge a bit, relishing being the center of attention with all the wit and humor any Browncoat has come to expect from his fan encounters. After a slow start Nick and Elisabeth also got in some good answers - Nick did the Snoopy dance upon request - and everyone learned that Elisabeth is almost 7 months pregnant. My only problem now is in sharing the large file size(s). Because my first set of batteries expired around the 27 minute mark, I had to quickly change them and start recording again, for another 5 minutes or so. Now I have two large files - one 2 GB in size and another over 400MB is size - that comprise the panel. I've looked at the free uploading from You Send It, Sendspace, Mega Upload, etc., and none of them seem to allow anything over 500MB in size for free download or upload. Any suggestions as to where I might be able to host this publicly would be appreciated.

Immediately after the panel, Nathan had his Sunday photo session, so dad and I headed straight to that booth. I was able to pick up my printed photos with Nathan and Laura from Saturday, and I stood in line with dad for the 20 minutes or so we had to wait - the line was long again, but probably ended up being half of what it was Saturday. I didn't see dad's pose with Nathan (the booth is sectioned-off with privacy screens), but right after he came out he told me that Nathan remembered me from yesterday once he described me ("Jeff, right?"), and also let him know he had watched the show from the beginning and was also a big fan. Dad was impressed.

After that, we walked around a bit and I bought a few of the various items that I had been keeping an eye on all weekend - a bunch of Buffy and Angel figures - all different ones I didn't have, which were cheap - some 3 for $10. Also found the series 1 of the Battlestar Galactica figures, as well as a 1/6 scale reproduction of the Cylon centurion. It's pretty badass. The one big item I bought was a licensed replica of Leonidas's Spartan sword from 300. It can go with my other two swords - a replica of King Arthur's Excalibur and William Wallace's claymore from Braveheart. After a trip to the car (while dad sat and rested) to drop off all the loot, we made it back for Nathan's line, which was manageble without needing a ticket.

And the main reason I was back in line for Nathan was due to the phone chat I had with Cindy ( _cinjudes_) Saturday night. She mentioned getting the movie poster for Serenity signed - one that already has Joss Whedon's signature on it. It's an item I won in an auction for Equality Now, Joss's charity of choice. After that mention - which I honestly had not thought of before - I just HAD to get Nathan to sign it, so Sunday saw me back in his line. Also, funny anecdote: The two guys right ahead of us asked Nathan about his appearance on Lost. They asked him which episode it was, by name, since apparently they didn't know. Nathan concentrated hard for a moment, describing what his character was about in the episode, and then playfully looked to the line and asked if anyone remembered which Lost episode he was in. I chimed in with "I Do. I Do." The guys ahead of me looked to me expectantly for the answer, as did Nathan, and I repeated, "I Do. That's the name of the episode - number six from season three. You played Kate's husband, Kevin, a Miami-Dade police officer, who thought her name was Monica." Nathan grinned and said to the guys while pointing at me - "see, there you go - a fan." This time, Nathan remembered both of us - dad from the photo session just a short while previously, and he still had my name from yesterday. We got up to the table - Nathan thanked me for the Lost assistance - and I introduced my dad, and ended up having Nathan sign a photo for him, and then brought up the poster. As I had unrolled it in line, a few people ahead of and behind me were a little envious, already seeing Joss had autographed it. Nathan commented "ooh - you have Joss here, too. I love his signature - it just looks cool." So he signed next to Mal's face on the poster, and I was able to get a no-flash snapshot of him signing, HERE. We both shook his hand one last time, and dad thanked him for coming out and being so great for all the fans. Nathan replied, "Fans like you are why I look forward to these events. Seeing the audience appreciate the characters and the work as much as I do makes it worthwhile, so you guys are easy to please." He thanked us, and we were off. And I had more envious looks my way as I rolled up the poster signed by Nathan and Joss. Heeeee.

From that point, dad's photo with Nathan was printed within the next 20 minutes, so we were able to pick it up, and head out.

All in all, a very memorable FX Show weekend once again. I'm pleased to say that all of my various celebrity encounters have been nothing but great so far for the last couple of years. Hope that trend continues.

And now I need to get some grub. Perhaps a post on the mind-blowing-ness of Lost later in the week, if I get time.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

Season 4 Is Here!

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:24:26 GMT

LOST is back!

The best show on television - possibly of all time - finally returns to kick off its fouth season tonight. Strike-shortened season notwithstanding, I'm still way more than ready to get more story. To say I'm excited would be an understatement. If anyone has yet to jump on board for this series, I'd highly recommend a marathon of the S1-3 DVDs. Totally worth your time.

That is all.

Another update this weekend, probably - for an FX Show briefing.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

work's a beast; 2008 FX Show this weekend!

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:13:02 GMT

So... yeah.

Work's been a bitch and a half the last few weeks - more so than usual - since I've been back from the holiday time off. That's essentially the main reason for lack of posting and my general all-around M.I.A.-ness with flist stuff. I'm still not caught up from that time off, but frankly, none of us here in the office ever will be.

For those on my flist who aren't aware, I work for the U.S. federal government in civil service, specifically with the Social Security Administration as a claims representative/disability insurance specialist. (Most of) my duties involve the taking of new claims and processing of post-entitlement cases through appointments and unscheduled walk-ins, and adjudicating medically approved claims, in order to get clients into regular pay of federally approved disability benefits - both for those based on financial need, and for those insured through qualifying quarters of coverage on their work record, based on taxes paid into Social Security. And as a federal employee, I take issue with the often-thought stereotype that government employees get paid for sitting on their collective asses. My reasoning is as follows:

The Orlando SSA office used to be the largest in the nation, in terms of staffing, and in the top 5 in volume of visitors served daily/weekly/monthly. The reason for that is Orlando was/is the only major city in the nation with no branch offices to go with the main district office. Other cities like Atlanta, Miami, L.A., Chicago, New York, etc. all have a half-dozen or more field offices each, to cover the metropolitan areas they service. Orlando's never had that. Three years ago, another field office opened in Kissimmee, which is about 30 minutes south of Orlando, but our office's traffic was hardly affected. There was an ever-so-slight downturn for about three months, as newly-zoned clients found heir ways to Kissimmee, but then the numbers just crept back up - and up, and up.

Compounding the difficulty of ever-increasing public traffic, the staffing issues are becoming critical. Retirement, transfer to smaller areas, and general resignation across the board has led to nationwide shortfalls in staff replacement. For about 4-5 years now, there has been NO replacement of lost bodies, and the budget for fiscal year 2008 MAY allow a ratio of 1 hire for every 2 people lost - but who knows how long that may last, or which areas will get help the most. Basically, that largest-in-the-country staff we used to have: about 130 total employees 4 years ago - including claims reps, service reps, clericals, supervisors, and other management - has dwindled to around 60-65 now. Advances in systems automation has helped to streamline some workloads for greater efficiency - individuals can do more processing in the same time - but not nearly enough to offset a reduction in employees by half. More shit is just being thrown at everyone, with no real time to catch up on any backlogs. Treading water and putting out the most severe and immediate fires are about the only ways to cope and maintain some sense of organization. Going on vacation or taking any kind of extended leave almost punishes you, for the mountain of crap one has to face upon returning - because nobody is going to sift through your mess while your gone, when they can't even conquer their own.

And to top off the chaos, the Orlando office is being relocated to a new building about 10 miles east of where we are now. After over two years of planning and development, construction is finally complete, and the official "moved-in" opening date is supposed to be February 12th. And the office will not be closed for a single day to help with organization, because "the public must be served". So the movers physically breaking down workstations and employees packing shit up - while differentiating what's personal and what is still needed for daily pending work - has to be done in the midst of still taking claims and dealing with walk-in traffic - and that means 600-700 people served, on average, per day. So when I say I have no down time, it is absolutely in the most literal sense. When I take a moment to even briefly update here, I'm neglecting something else.

Anyway... I kinda just wanted to get that out of my brain. Sorry to bore those who are completely disinterested (everyone, probably).

In better news, though, the 2008 FX Show is finally here this weekend, and I'm ready be there all three days. As of right now, I've already made plans for pics with Nick, Nathan, and Greg. I may be a typical male and see Laura Vandervoort, too. Depends on my cash flow. There's supposed to be a short panel on Sunday at noon with the Whedonverse people - Nicholas Brendon, Nathan Fillion, and Elisabeth Rohm. Looking forward to that, along with scoping out deals on any fandom-related collectibles too good to pass up (as if I need any more geek-worthy crap).

Since this is a new year, I'm also gonna try harder to keep up with birthdays on my flist from now on. Very belated wishes to wsasianboyand tdog0105, both on the 5th, wrthy2bluvdon the 7th, and mari_guerraon the 12th. I hope your respective days were good ones, and I'll try to remember in a more timely fashion next year.

And I have taken way too much time as it is, brain-spewing all of this. Back to work.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

yep... still alive

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:30:59 GMT

I was actually offline - as in not on the interwebs at all - for over a week. A WEEK. Not even email. I think that may be the longest drought for me ever - or at least, since college, when the Internet actually found its legs and began its addictive ways.

I've spent some of today and yesterday - the first time I got online since a week ago Saturday - trying to sift through the gobs and gobs of mail in various accounts, sorting out what's worthy of reading and deleting spammish crap. It's a chore, I tell ya. And I'm not close to done yet.

There was no real reason for my online hiatus, save for the fact I got totally immersed in re-watching Lost over my last three days off of work for the holidays before I had to go back. From last Sunday through this past Saturday, I marathoned all three seasons' worth of episodes, plus the special features - and that's including working two of those days. Essentially I watched 72 hours of episodes and maybe 10 hours of bonus material in about 4 days. Lost-age was oozing from my pores. I guess I'm just a tad excited for the season four premiere on Jan. 31st. Can you tell?

I really don't have time for much else, but I just wanted to pop in and give a "hey, I'm still here", since I've been a shitty f-lister - I will be trying to play catch up by this weekend. Now I need to go watch the second hour of The Sarah Connor Chronicles - the first episode of which aired last night, and was pretty bad-ass all around. Summer Glau is made of win in her role as Cameron.

I'll leave with one thing I did glean from the flist, ganked from gypsy_sally. And I swear I didn't cheat:

Which Battlestar Galactica Character Are You?

Created by BuddyTV

Except for Lee's family baggage, I can see it.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

FX Show - 2008; Happy New Year!

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 02:01:09 GMT

I've been meaning to post about this for the last few days, but have been a little busy. Since I actually went online today and bought a 3-day pass for myself and a 1-day ticket for my dad, I figured I should get around to confirming that I'll be going to the 2008 FX Show, after I had an amazing time there this past January - including my best day ever.

Last week, I had already decided to go when I learned that Nicholas Brendon was signed on as a guest. Seeing as how Xander Harris is tops in last summer's list of my 20 favorite TV characters of all time, I could not miss the chance to meet the man himself. Plus, I've heard he's great to (and grateful to) his fans, so getting a signed pic - and possibly a portrait with - would be sweet.

A list of the whole lineup for the weekend - January 25-27 at the Orange County Convention Center, here in Orlando - as well as the link for ticket-purchasing, can be found from the FX International home page, HERE. Other guests listed that are possibly potential draws for me include Greg Grunberg, George Takei, Stephen Tobolowski, Laura Vandervoort, Helen Slater, and Elisabeth Rohm.

However, the guest-list was made infinitely more geek-gasm worthy with the addition of NATHAN-fucking-FILLION. That's right, Captain Malcolm Reynolds himself will be there - also on my fav. characters list, of course. Apparently there was an inadvertant scheduling mix-up, since Nathan had a verbal agreement to be at some other charity event scheduled for the same weekend in Phoenix, but the FX Show was a signed contract that he had lined up first. It was confirmed at Whedonesque on Friday that he's gonna be here in Orlando that weekend. Needless to say, this is HUGE for fanboys and fangirls alike, especially with how awesome he always is to his fans. While not quite as excitedly nervous as I was for Kristen Bell last year (c'mon, it's KBell - whaddya expect from me?), I'm definitely stoked. My dad's going to be out of town most of the weekend, but still requested the one-day pass for Sunday - when he should be back in town - in order to hopefully meet Nathan, too. So even my dad has his fanboy moments.

I'll bring along my camera like I did last year, but won't get my hopes up, since the FX staff were pretty rigid overall about enforcing the 'no photo' rule, in order to sell the professional studio portraits with the celebs. But we'll see.

And I know some of my flisters had brief rundowns of the loot they scored for Christmas this year. Since I didn't ask for a whole lot (I pretty much buy all the crap I want myself), I'll just mention that my favorite gift came from my parents, as they actually got me The Complete Calvin and Hobbes collection that I had been eyeing for the last couple of months. I actually didn't expect this from them at all, planning on probably getting it myself sometime in January, so this was a nice surprise. Oh, and _cinjudes_ came through with an offical 'Panther Football' team practice shirt from Friday Night Lights - also totally unexpected - so *smooches* to her for that, as well.

And that's about all that may be even remotely interesting I've got right now. No big plans for new year's celebrations this year - will probably stay with the folks since my mom's birthday is the 1st. For everyone else that does have a life, have fun and be safe - and may 2008 bring even more good stuff than 2007.

Happy New Year!

Kristen Bell is awesome.

Happy Holidays!

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:00:01 GMT

Due to real-life being hectic as usual this time of year, I've been a little MIA the last couple of weeks - and may continue to be scarce for a bit.

But I just wanted to pop in very briefly to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and/or happy holiday of your choice. Hope everyone gets a little bit of something they really want this year ('cause you can't get everything you want), and that your ringing in of 2008 is fun and safe.

And I'll leave you with the same image I posted last year - and what may become a tradition - simply because the whole photo shoot was made of win:

Merry Christmakwaanzukkah!

Kristen Bell is awesome.

KBell pickets; Fanboys release pushed... again; Sarah Marshall renamed?

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:46:55 GMT

Mostly a KBell news-related only entry. Apologies.

Just wanted to link the small headline that Kristen made her way to the WGA picket line outside of NBC-Universal, to show her support for the writers. Now that all of the thus-far scripted eps have been filmed and aired, I think more cast members from Heroes and various other shows may be doing what they can to be more visible and/or vocal in all of this.

Some online posters have griped over these "delayed" supporting actors, who continued to cross the picket lines to finish filming episodes for the first couple of weeks the strike was on. Personally, I don't begrudge them for fulfilling their SAG contractual obligations, since they actually prolonged the work for the shows' crew members who are being hit hardest financially by this strike. And IMO, delayed or not, any future appearances by actors along the strike lines are good, as their overall visibility helps the regular viewing public - who may not be internet-informed to all the details - know more about the importance of the WGA and AMPTA issues and why the work stoppage is happening.

Short interview with Kristen over at IGN, found HERE, and I'll c/p the text, too:

Heroes: Kristen Bell on the Strike

Joining her writers, the actress talks to IGN from the picket line.

by Eric Goldman

December 11, 2007 - Outside the main entrance to Universal Studios today the writing staff of Heroes were joined by fans from the show, as they walked the picket line during the ongoing Writers Guild strike. Also there to show support and walk with her writers was Kristen Bell, who plays the villainous and troubled Elle on the series.

Bell may have only joined the series a few months ago, but she clearly has made a strong and highly positive impression on her colleagues, as Heroes creator/executive producer/writer Tim Kring and co-executive producer/writer Jeph Loeb greeted her warmly before they walked the picket line together with the fans. Loeb even joked that later that afternoon, he and Bell were going to get married.

During her time joining the picket line I spoke to Bell about the strike, its affect on Heroes and her thoughts on the situation.

- IGN

Kristen Bell and Heroes writer Jeph Loeb on the picket line outside Universal Studios

IGN TV: You've got fans out here today walking with you. In general, have you found that they are very understanding about why the strike is happening at this point?

Kristen Bell: I think people are trying to understand. I mean it's a little confusing to everybody when anybody goes on strike. They always think they're making inappropriate demands, but I think in this case word has gotten out enough that the writers are just looking for some fairness.

IGN TV: Did you have many conversations with the writers on Heroes as the possibility of the strike grew more likely?

Bell: Oh my gosh, yeah. It was like anxiety 24/7. We were all just sad, because we knew it was coming and it was the lesser of two evils. It was nerve-wracking for everyone. Nobody wanted it to happen; nobody wanted it.

IGN TV: What was it like when the strike began and you were still filming?

Bell: Obviously we were all very much in support of the strike, so there was a little bit of anxiety when you had to cross the line. But we looked at it like it was written prior to this and we were simply honoring our commitment to what they had already written. And then after that, I think we've all stayed pretty strong with the fact that everybody's now going to be supporting the writers… Because we have no scripts!

IGN TV: Do you hope days like this -- where the writers, fans and actors like yourself are all here together -- is helping send a message to the studios?

Bell: Oh, absolutely. I think the more people they see out here and the more consistent it is, the better. It died down for a minute when they went back to the [negotiating] table, but I think the stronger everybody's attitudes are kept up that it just has to be acknowledged that this needs to be settled and soon. Because I think what a lot of people don't realize is how many people take a hit with this. I one-hundred percent support the writers and support the directors and obviously support SAG, but what no one's really acknowledging is that none of the crew can work, and they're not even in a place where they would be able to request residuals. So to be in an argument over residuals, which are deserved…

I'm in support, but my heart really goes out to the crew members who haven't had work for two months before Christmas. It's a different situation that I don't think is really being acknowledged. So just even for that alone I hope that we can all come to a settlement soon where everybody gets their just desserts, you know?

- NBC

Kristen Bell as Elle on Heroes

IGN TV: You're having some in-person reunions today, but have you been in contact with the writers as this has been going on?

Bell: I have, yeah. It's a very tight nit family which is lovely I think. And actually, Jeph and Tim have been very supportive and I've gotten a couple of messages from Tim just of moral support saying "We're still all here and waiting to get back to work and I hope you're doing well." They check in. They don't just sort of abandon you and I think that's a reason the show is successful, because they do run it like a family.

IGN TV: I assume the experience of having just joined the show has been an odd one, because of the strike happening in the midst of it too.

Bell: Obviously I would have loved to have not been interrupted by the strike, but it is what it is. I've been happy to be involved in the show and I hope I continue to be.

And again, I'll refer anyone who wants to see real actor/fan devotion to this cause to Whedonesque and that site's links to last Friday's Mutant Enemy Day - just look in the archives for November and December. Regardless of the once-again stalled negotiations this weekend, having so many notable actors showing up in support of the writers - with fans (actual viewers the networks need) showing up, too - only helps to increase the awareness, especially when more news media outlets pick up the story.

In other news, it appears that the theatrical release date of Fanboys has once again been pushed back. The future date is as-yet unspecified, even though IMDB still shows it incorrectly as 1/14/08. The previous date was actually 1/18/08 - the same weekend that the J.J. Abrams-produced and Matt Reeves-directed thriller Cloverfield comes out.

Apparently The Weinstein Company has little faith in Fanboys to turn a profit, and keeps bumping it out of the way of other genre-blockbuster releases. However, it may also mean that the company is waiting for the release of the Judd Apatow-produced, Jason Segel-written comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall, which may have been renamed to Dumped, based on short interviews with Russell Brand, and recently with Kristen Bell - backstage at the Spike TV 2007 Video Game Awards - referring to the title as such. Not sure Dumped as the new title works for me. It may fall in line with the other Apatow produced and directed stuff, but it seems... baser. The former sounds more indicative of the plot, rather than a screwball comedy. *shrug*

Anyway, I'm guessing Weinstein Co. is banking on the still-rolling Apatow train to bring in some good publicity for KBell, that could ripple into a positive opening and returns for Fanboys around the same time framethat Dumped opens - Memorial Day 2008. But then - that's right back into the start of the summer movie season, which is what delayed Fanboys the first time around, back in August 2006, when it was originally supposed to be released. *sigh* I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I really hope this gets the theatrical release, though, and not just some DVD-only brush-off. The 10-minute clip I saw back in January at the FX Show, with the cast and crew panel, was laugh-out-loud hysterical.

*ETA: IESB has added a new still from the film along with their article on the release-delay. It's another shot of Kristen in the Leia gold bikini slave outfit. Not much else to be said, other than 'mmmm... yummy'. Direct-linked due to large size.

Geek-chic has never been hotter.

Lastly, it seems ABC is going to be releasing a strike-adjusted spring schedule later today, according to Michael Ausiello at TV Guide online. Only thing I really care about with that is whether or not the 8 filmed episodes of Lost S4 will be on it - and if so, when. February was the plan, but now I'm hearing April, if at all. *grumble*

Back to work...

Kristen Bell is awesome.

I guess I have some Christmas spirit...

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 03:21:40 GMT

So I broke down and decided to put up some exterior lights on my house this year.

The year before last, I had some displayed on two windows inside, and even put up my feeble 6 ft. pre-lit Christmas tree - but I skipped everything last year. Just didn't feel like it was worth the hassle, since I spent Christmas Eve at my uncle's place in Clermont with a bunch of cousins and extended family, and then was over at my folks' house all Christmas Day.

This year I bought some of the hanging icicle-style white lights, and added to the windows on the front of my townhouse. For posterity, I decided it was picture worthy, so here you go:

And here are a couple of the tree. Only extras I added to the pre-lit branches were some silver and gold metallic ornaments. I may get a small star for it, too. Keep it simple, I say - makes for faster and easier cleanup later.

That's probably the extent of my decorating, since, again, I'll be with other family during the actual celebrating and gifting and stuff. But hey - at least it's something. And I don't feel like such a grinch.

And one of these days - soon, probably after Christmas - I'm gonna get some good snapshots of all the fandom-related posters, prints, and other art that adorn all the walls and shelves of my house, and make an entry just for those. Believe me when I say the volume of "stuff" I've accumulated, geek-wise, scares even me sometimes.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

Higher-quality Complex pics... and more of them!

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:29:01 GMT

I can't help myself.  If this is a sickness, I don't care.

I know most of my flisters who actually care about this will probably already know and have these, but whatever. The actual interview with Kristen from the December 2007/January 2008 issue of Complex is online, found HERE. And that page also has several more outtakes from the shoot in the mag.

I snapped them up faster than you can say "schwiiiing!!", and will direct-link them here. For internet-beautification purposes, of course.

Pic #1     Pic #2     Pic #3     Pic #4     Pic #5    Pic #6     Pic #7

Pic #8     Pic #9     Pic #10     Pic #11     Pic #12     Pic #13     Pic #14

Ummm... yeah. Ask me if - and how - I'm supposed to do work now.

As if.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

well, you can call me Captain Tightpants...

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:45:39 GMT

... Seriously. Thinly-veiled innuendo be-damned.  You've been warned - unapologetic testosterone-fueled post ahead.

Just because I wanna: actual scans from KBell's Complex magazine article, dual covers of which I posted last week, issue on shelves Dec. 11th. These are okay in quality, but I haven't altered-cropped at all, since I'm doing this from work - these are the pages with pics inside the mag. Thanks to immamarshmallow for sharing these at kristenbellfans .

I'm posting one of them (under the cut), just because it is absolutely glorious, and will direct-link a few others.

I'd trust her, damn the quote...

Lucky sofa...

KB is mirror-friendly...

I would post the rest of the scans with the whole text of the interview, but I'm pushing my time-wasting-luck here at work as it is - plus, I'm lazy. Go buy the issue when it comes out - I'll have multiples myself... and that also sounded kinda dirty.

I am so hot for her, it's ridiculous.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

"I, Malcolm" by Nathan Fillion

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:35:13 GMT

Another mention-worthy heads-up, courtesy of Whedonesque, that I felt compelled to post.

This is an essay from the collection of such found in Jane Espenson's book, Serenity Found: More Unauthorized Essays on Joss Whedon's Firefly Universe - which is actually a second volume of essay collections, following the first Finding Serenity release of essay collections.

This excerpt is the one written by Nathan Fillion, linked from an article in USA Today. If you ever saw yourself as even a mild Firefly fan - and especially if you consider yourself a true Browncoat - then you'll be hard-pressed to not get at least a little misty-eyed with this piece. For a non-screenwriting actor, Nathan has a real way with words, and his passion for the show and the entire 'verse is awe-inspiring. And even his mom is funny. Click the USA Today link above, or look under the cut for a c/p of the text:

"I, Malcolm"

By Nathan Fillion

Sometimes it’s hard to separate an actor from the character he plays, if for no other reason than the fact that they have a tendency to look so much alike. Sometimes actors come to resent this association with a character, and they struggle to carve out a space for themselves separate from the character, but sometimes they feel about it exactly as we all hope they would. Listen here to Nathan’s voice ... the humor, the authority. Isn’t it a little ... I mean ... isn’t it a little Mal? And isn’t that fantastic?

Somebody once asked me what it was like to be Malcolm Reynolds. Usually I get, “Why was Firefly cancelled?” and “Is there going to be another season/sequel?” But what was it like? Specifically, to be Mal? I wasn’t quite ready for it. I mean, sure, it was great. Boots. Coat. Gun. Ride horses. Shoot guns. Shoot guns at horses. Stinks like awesome. But what was it like? It was so long ago it pieces together like childhood memories, complete with those moments of clarity that suddenly strike you with, “Oh, yeah! I remember that!” and a lot more moments of, “Really? We did that? Was I drunk?” But like those childhood memories there are images and feelings that are indelible.

Getting the job was stressful. I’m convinced the process of auditioning is designed to weed out the weak. Yet somehow, I still got it. There was the other actor up for the role, of whom I’m a huge fan. There was the fact I had to do the audition four or five times. There was the huge stack of contracts in triplicate to sign, potentially spelling out how I was going to spend the next seven years—or eight months, whatever the case may be. The stakes continue to rise throughout the process. Actors get knocked out of the mix, narrowing the choices. More and more faces show up to watch you pretend to be a spaceman. The offices get bigger and there’s a special room for the audition. Meetings are held afterward while you wait outside. Trying to keep your cool during this traumatic affair is down to the individual, because there isn’t anything that anybody can say to make it any easier. You are on your own. But I wanted this part badly. All the things we love about Mal were staring me in the face. The humour (spelled that way on purpose for Canadians), the questionable morality, the darkness, the anger, the almost imperceptible softness. It was all just out of reach like some toy in a window at Christmas, with Tiny Tim on the cold side, fogging up the glass. Or a brand new crutch or something. A gold crutch. No, a cure. Anyhow, it’s safe to say the part was all I wanted.

So, there I was. Going to get a tour from Joss of the not-yet-finished ship. I met him at the Firefly production office (which weren’t the offices we eventually wound up in) with the show logo on the door (which wasn’t the logo we eventually used). The sound stages were huge, and we had three. The ship was enormous and incomplete. Strange, how it first struck me as so bizarre and unreal, and then later became a home. Know this: I had never been on an hour-long, single-camera show. The entire process, the scope alone was new to me and very impressive. They had built an entirely new world, made up of scraps from the past and future. There were a lot of people who put a lot of work into making the quality of that show what it was. As the show went on, I quickly understood how much I depended on those motivated, creative, hard-working ladies and bastards (typed with love, you bastards). Certainly, I was a small cog in a smooth-running (almost all the time) machine that produced product. Bottled sunshine? White lightning? Liquid gold? Red kryptonite? Call it what you will, it was great, it had kick, and would probably take ten years off Superman’s life.

The first scene we shot was up on the catwalks in the cargo bay. It was me and Sean. This was it. The ship was ready. The lights were moody and the camera was running. Nobody really knew anybody yet. I knew my lines, but I didn’t have the handle on Mal that I have now. I was about to work with Joss. All the questions I had asked myself—“Will everyone get along? What will they be like to work with? Will I get along with Joss? Will people like it?” -- were about to be answered. Then there are the questions you never think to ask that get answered. You learn these things as you go. It wasn’t ’till “Our Mrs. Reynolds” that I knew Mal was a rancher. Yet it wasn’t two days before I knew I could go to the little lunch camper out back and build a sandwich that would embarrass Dagwood. These things come with time. Until you experience them, the best you can do is smooth the gaps between the transitions, or bring lunch from home.

Certainly, there are a lot of technical considerations when acting on camera versus on stage. Three years of working with talented, seasoned professionals on daytime taught me how to ignore, or work with, the distraction of the technical. (Thanks, all of you at OLTL.) Past that, I got to live a self-centered kind of fantasy. As the captain, I got to be the center of my own universe. I got to be closed off, angry, bitter, and enraged. I fought my demons in bars, punished myself in fights I couldn’t win, trying to feel something. In my daily life, I don’t get the opportunity to swing myself onto a horse and feed my murderous energy into the animal for a primal burst of speeding revenge. Yet how many countless hours of my life did I spend daydreaming of heroic exploits? I needed that in my real life. I think maybe we all do, and sadly, few get the chance. When I played Mal, I wasn’t playing me, I was playing me if I had been through what Mal had been through. I don’t think of myself as a hard man, or closed-off, but I know this: Mal and I have a very similar sense of justice. I think comic books gave that to me, along with an over-developed sense of vengeance. I felt Malcolm was crusty, yes, but on the right track. More important than believing Mal was right, was knowing that Mal believes he is right.

I remember feeling like I owned the ship. When I was in costume and could find a moment on one of her two sets (lunch was the best time), I’d walk Serenity and just be Mal. I’d take in all her details. Nothing would escape my attention. It was just like the feeling I had for my 1975 Cadillac Eldorado, if the Caddy had somehow saved my life. I remember Serenity’s switches, lights, cables, and wires. I would try to fix things that were broken (try). I had a place at the head of the table. Either end, too. Other people could sit there, but it was understood that it was my place. ’Least in my mind. I had a rocker. I’d sit in it and space out in Mal’s head. Very cathartic. The ship had a smell. Dusty garage and bitter metal, like a penny. As for what she tasted like, you’d have to ask Richard Brooks.

The cast ... I can’t say enough. The rest of the cast played a huge role in how I played Mal. By virtue of my role, I got to work with everyone. Sometimes all together, but mostly just one or a few at a time. What satisfied, and impressed, me most was the process of discovery. Putting a scene together with actors who could find the real life, the moments that define characters and the relationships that live between the lines. I didn’t just watch; I was living it. Right there. Though for only moments at a time, I could be Mal. I couldn’t help it. You’ve got everyone dressed up, in the cargo bay, looking at, talking to, and treating me like I’m the captain. There were strange moments, weird suspended seconds when I bought it all. If you have ever watched an episode and felt a connection with a character, felt he was speaking to you, or for a moment were somehow transported and felt you were on the ship listening to the conversation beside you -- that’s the feeling. Those instants that take you away, pull you in. I WAS THERE. I lived those moments. I got my ass saved by Zoe so many times. I mooned over Inara. I hit Jayne with a wrench. There were moments I could believe it. You’d have believed it, too, thanks to Joss. Looking at Kaylee, I could tell what kind of man Mal was. Speaking to Zoe, I could tell what kind of leader Mal was. Arguing with Wash and Jayne, I knew the limits of Mal’s patience. They made me Mal. Looking back, I know now that everyone in the cast was, in essence, his or her character. What makes Jayne so Jayne, is that Adam is a Jayne. Jewel is a free spirit who was cast as a free spirit. Alan is a clever smart ass who questions authority. Ron once gave me the shirt off his back (true story -- still a favorite of mine), Gina is alluring and powerful, Morena is elegant, Summer is grace, Sean owes me money. Off camera, I was able to spend my days with these people, and on camera, with their characters. I got to have them as friends twice. And I have been accused of being the leader when we were just hanging around. I’ve thought long and hard about this, because I feel it makes me sound pretty cool, but I want to be accurate. It is true that occasions arose when we wanted to spend some time together as a family -- both cast and crew -- be it a lunch date or a more serious shindig over the weekend. Sometimes I would watch as folks tried to agree on a time and a place, maybe an activity. As it can sometimes be when trying to organize ten or more people, it would get a little complicated, or no decision would be made at all. I remember taking the helm a little bit as far as saying, “We’re going to this restaurant at this time.” Or, “My house, Saturday.” But that was the extent of it, really. So, it wasn’t so much that the captain-y thing rolled over into my real life. More so, I simply had the desire to be with these people outside of work. I just wanted to continue connecting. I just wanted to be with my friends. I wanted them around me. I wanted to be around them. You’ve seen them. Can you blame me?

So, we’ve established it was great for me. The whole thing, heartbreak included. Super duper, really. (Realizing now I haven’t the words to adequately describe the experience in a sentence, so: super duper.) I’ve also seen how the show has affected others. At unexpected times and strange places people reach out to me. They speak of Firefly with reverence, as a dear departed friend we had in common who did so much for them and died far too young. More than any other work I’ve done, I’ve seen that people are touched by Firefly. There is something in those characters that people identify with. I see it in people’s faces when they try to convey to me why or how it hit home for them. A specific episode, a moment, or a line that was particularly truthsome to them. Others have trouble putting their finger on it, but I see in their eyes a little Firefly burning. I understand, my friend. You ask me? It’s family. A group of people who, though flawed, would cross through hell for each other. For you. You’re feeling what I was feeling. I understand. I was the captain.

It was only a short time, but Firefly changed me. It changed my whole life. Rotten it’s over? Sure. Regrets? No. No way. What happened, happened. Anything bitter made everything else all the sweeter. I fought the good fight. I was a part of something that resonated with people, and still does. I made lifelong friends who have improved the quality of my life. So, what was it like to be Mal? I don’t know. ... I guess, imagine wanting, all your life, to be able to fly. Daydreaming about it, fantasizing about it. Imagine that flying was all you ever wanted. Then, for a few months, somebody gave you wings.
... Ooo. That’s good. I’m going to write that down.

Nathan Fillion has permission to participate in your book, and is allowed to go on any field trips that may be included with promoting it. We are so happy that his university education was not for naught. He has had so much fun with that show and we can’t believe how it just keeps popping up again and again! Let us know if there is anything else you need, and please make sure Nathan eats the apple we put in his lunch and don’t let him lose his mittens.
-- Cookie Fillion

Excerpted with permission from Serenity Found: More Unauthorized Essays on Joss Whedon's Firefly Universe edited by Jane Espenson (Benbella, $17.95).

I know when I first read this last night, I found myself welling-up just a bit. Reading his experience makes me proud to have been there as a fan from the very beginning.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

KBell in Complex Magazine

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:42:33 GMT

Holy God.

Honestly, I don't think I've even heard of this publication, let alone ever picked one up. But I will now. Kristen's apparently gotten herself on two variant covers for the December 2007/January 2008 issue, as the mag's "Woman of Next Year".

Appreciation for the heads-up on this goes to kristenbellfans, but I also wanted to post the two pics here, just because. I mean, really - wow. Peek under the cuts.

A little speechless right now. And I need to work.

**Edited** just because after a few minutes of starin--uh ... drool--er... observing the first pic, something just seemed off, and then I realized the image was backward. So I wanted to stick in the 1st cover in the picture's original image. It seems the editors mirror-flipped the shot to fit the copy for the page, but this is actually what my girl should look like on that cover. I guess I'm just anal that way.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

First Voice Post, meme

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 05:08:25 GMT

So, the voice post finally showed up about two hours after I called it in. Here's the text of the meme, as I mentioned in my previous entry:

Voice posts are fun, right? You get to hear funny accents if your friends are from far, far away. All we really want is to hear your voice, we don't care what you're saying. So here's a list of typical meme questions that would otherwise be boring, but when communicated aloud - well, it's entertaining. Answer these questions in your post,and encourage others with voice-posting abilities to do the same.

1) What's your name?
2) How old are you?
3) Where are you from? Are you living there right now?
4) Is it cold where you are?
5) What's the time?
6) What are you wearing?
7) What was the last thing you listened to?
8) What was the last thing you ate?
9) What was the last thing you watched on tv?
10) What's your favorite tv show? Why?
11) Quick! Find a book, or something with text on it! Flip to a random page and read some of it! GO!
12) What was the last movie you saw? How was it?
13) Do YOU think you have an accent? Talk about that.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

"Follow the yellow thick hose."

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 03:09:25 GMT

I'm not sure if there's a cap on how much enjoyment I get out of Pushing Daisies. Each episode has just been chock-full of smile-worthy moments and tons of quotable dialogue - some of the most quotable material since Veronica Mars and all of its rapid-fire pop-culture references.

Last week's episode "Bitches" (hilarious episode title) and last night's "Smell of Success" continued the so-far excellence of this series, and my near love-affair with its quality. Stand-out lines, in addition to the entry title above:

"Satisfaction through olfaction."

"Get a load of Muggy McHambone."

"Don't make me cut a bitch."

'Jews for Cheese' (on a shirt)

"'Ned!' 'Chuck!' 'Oscar.' 'Napoleon.' ... ... 'Hi, Emerson.' 'Hey. Olive.'" (expressions were priceless)

And the cuteness of the cup-pies and hilarity of Emerson's 'Knit-Wit Magazine' also made me grin.

Will also mention what many others have said, that Heroes continued its great upswing on Monday, with 2.09 - "Cautionary Tales". Just as good as "Four Months Ago", IMO, and made even better by the bad-assery of Noah Bennet and the slow-reveal of backstory for Elle. Seeing the reasoning as to why she's slightly insane makes her not quite so evil, and has me even more curious of her future path. Also liked the parallel to last season's moment with Claire waking up on the autopsy table, as Noah comes to after eye-regeneration with the "Holy Sh--!" moment. Good stuff.

Oh, and Kristen in a bikini. With oodles of attention given to her legs. Yum. 'Nuff said.

And in checking the flist, I found a simple meme from candlewaxdreams, and decided to make a voice post of my own like she did. It lets the flisters know what you may sound like, and is an easy enough way for a first time voice post. However, I sent the call through to post it almost 15 minutes ago, and it still hasn't shown up, so if it does ever appear after this entry, then I'll get to see if it's actually audible and makes sense.

Lastly, though it's a little belated since the day is almost over, Happy Thanksgiving to all. Some days may seem quite shitty in each and every one of our lives from time to time, but just the simple fact we have a luxury like LJ to actually vent and interact is proof that there are many things for which we can be thankful. At least, I know I am, in spite of any bitching from day to day.

And since I'm actually caught up on new TV from this week, other than what's on tonight, I need to go watch some football. USC/Arizona St. is actually a decent game right now, and there's still some NFL on, too.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

Q&A with Heroes hotties; a meme; WGA strike stuff

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:36:17 GMT

Was out of town to Tallahassee again this weekend, so I've got a few pages to scroll back through on the flist, as well as catching up with everything else online in my various fandoms.

And I just haven't had any goof-off time at work at all any more, so my posting and commenting is showing serious neglect. I'm actually sacrificing time here at work (okay, procrastinating) just to do this, but the job is driving me batshit, so I just needed a break.

Other flisters have already posted or linked this, but I also wanted a reference her for my own, after I read the O&A with Kristen Bell and Hayden Panettiere at TV Guide online this morning. It pertains to tonight's Heroes episode - 2.09 - "Cautionary Tales" - but also diverges into some cuteness too funny to pass up. I never was ga-ga over the then-jailbait Hayden that so many fanboys seemed to be during season one. She just seemed to be a decent person, and was sweet enough when I met her - and I find her much cooler just by association with Kristen. KBell's influence can only be a good thing. Link to the page is HERE, and a c/p of the text under the cut:

Preview: Heroes' Blonde Babes Have an Unconventional Meet-and-Greet
by Michael Logan

Kristen Bell and Hayden Panettiere, Heroes

This is our kinda hostage crisis! Heroes went on location to the beach at San Pedro, California, to shoot a scene (airing tonight, 9 pm/ET, on NBC) in which Company men Mohinder (Sendhil Ramamurthy) and Bob (Stephen Tobolosky) plan to swap Claire (Hayden Panettiere) for Bob’s daughter Elle (Kristen Bell), who is being held by Claire’s pop HRG. (Jack Coleman). Got that? The chick exchange will lead to a deadly climax — one prophesied in an Isaac Mendez painting — but right now Panettiere and Bell just wanna have fun. We sat down with these two real-life pals for a seaside chitchat.

TVGuide.com: This is the first time Claire and Elle are in a scene together — the meeting of the hot blonde babes!
Kristen Bell: Yes, it’s the highly anticipated standoff millions are waiting to see! I dressed for the occasion.
Hayden Panettiere: And I — what else is new? — am in my cheerleading outfit. It really disappointed me because Kristen’s in heels and a cool designer outfit. They dress you nice at the Company.
Bell: This is what I wear to the office to kill people. But I wish I was in the cheerleader outfit.
Panettiere: Would they notice if we swapped? It could be like Parent Trap! But Kristen’s not too coordinated. She keeps zapping people and falling over.
Bell: That’s because they’ve got me zapping people in high heels! I look like I’m in a comedy sketch!
Panettiere: Save it, honey. Last season, I had to do a dive out of a window and then do a tuck 'n’ roll — all in 4-inch-heels, OK? It was easy.

TVGuide.com: Divas, please! You’re both wonderful. Now, tell us about the scene.
Panettiere: Elle knows all about Claire, but Claire has no idea who Elle is. All she knows is that HRG is holding Elle hostage for a reason and that Elle is giving her an evil look — so I give her one right back. I’m looking her up and down like “Who are you, bitch?” And she’s like, “You don’t know me but I know you, bitch!”
Bell: The whole idea is that Elle and Claire are two sides of the same coin.
Panettiere: Yeah, HRG didn’t turn Claire into the Company because he knew they’d experiment on her. He knew what they’d turn her into. But Elle’s dad didn’t protect her that way.
Bell: Bodies are not able to take that much electricity and pain, and so Elle’s psychologically a little off her rocker.
Panettiere: We’re like the yin…
Bell: … and the yang.
Panettiere: And now Elle is Claire gone bad.… We don’t technically meet in this scene since we don’t have lines. I do my nasty glare and, trust me, it didn’t require much acting.
Bell: That’s OK. There’s a scene later where I get to zap the hell out of her with my lightning bolts.
Panettiere: [Rolling her eyes] Puh-leeze. She misses me and hits West [Nick D’Agosto].
Bell: I thought I hit you.
Panettiere: No, you hit him. Then he passes out on top of me and crushes me. What a gentleman.
Bell: Men! [Both squeal with laughter]

TVGuide.com: Obviously, Miss Kristen Bell didn’t read the script.
Sendhil Ramamurthy: [Strolling by and overhearing] She doesn’t bother worrying about which of us she electrocutes. She doesn’t care. That’s the real Kristen Bell. Put that in your interview! [He laughs and wanders off]
Panettiere: Our characters are going to have a very interesting relationship. We relate to each other; we get each other.
Bell: Yeah, we’re definitely connected. Our dynamic will change over the course of the next few episodes. Just wait. You’ll find out that Elle holds the key to Claire’s future. I have a past with Peter and a past with Claire’s dad and a future with Claire.
Panettiere: No, you have a past with my dad and a present with Peter.
Bell: No, I have a future with Peter… no wait... [Exasperated]. I do need to read the script.

TVGuide.com: Forget the future, let’s discuss the past. You both knew each other as young actors in New York, right?
Panettiere: She used to change my diapers.
Bell: I did not change Hayden’s diapers!
Panettiere: We met when I was 8.
Bell: And I was… [Hesitates]… well, I don’t want to say how old I was. [Laughs] We were both with the same agency. Hayden doesn’t remember this but I happened to be in the office the day she booked Remember the Titans and she came in with her mom to celebrate. I was there having a meeting and all the agents were saying, ‘We knew it, Hayden! We knew you’d get the movie!” She had these long beautiful blonde curls.
Panettiere: [Grimacing] I know, I know…. Don’t rub it in.
Bell: She was adorable.
Panettiere: And I went to see Kristen on Broadway in Tom Sawyer. I remember that very clearly.
Bell: Did you want to grow up to be me? Do you still want to?
[Panettiere pretends she didn’t hear the question] No, the truth is, Hayden was a very big deal already back then. She was also on Guiding Light at that point. I was just doing Broadway Schmroadway.

TVGuide.com: [To Bell] Did you ever want to get on a soap opera?
Bell: No. Musical theater was my be-all-end-all. That was my ultimate dream.
Panettiere: And then her dream was crushed — now she’s only on Heroes.
Bell: Maybe Elle could sing.
Panettiere: I have always said there should be a musical episode: There is a lot of singing on the set.
Bell: Everybody would try to outdo each other! It would be a total catfight. Jack Coleman sings all day long. Sendhil sings. One day in the car, Masi Oka [Hiro], Zach Quinto [Sylar] and I decided to start a band. It could be like the Heroes all put on a talent show! You know, Hayden and I have been saying for a long time that we wanted to work together, so it’s kinda fun that we now get to be rough and tough because we’re not friends.
Panettiere: Not friends on the show, she means. We’re such good friends in real life that we carpooled to the set today.
Bell: I drove and we got so lost we wound up in a Lowe’s parking lot somewhere.
Panettiere: Yeah, and she wanted to drop me off there.
Bell: I said, “OK, Hayden, you’re here, get out!”
Panettiere: I was like, “Kristen, we’re supposed to be shooting at San Pedro beach today, not Santa Monica beach!”
Bell: I had us in the wrong place. We had like 10 minutes to get to the set and we were still 45 minutes away.
Panettiere: Now it turns out she’s working here till sundown and I’m out after just a couple more shots. So I’m stuck here for hours with no way to get home. I didn’t even bring a book. This wasn’t the best plan.
Bell: I’m sure everyone would love to think I sabotaged her, but it ain’t the truth. But we do enjoy sabotaging each other on screen, if we can keep a straight face.
Panettiere: Our scene today was so hard. I was trying not to laugh. At least Kristen gets to have a smirk on her face. But I have to restrain myself.

TVGuide.com: Unlike what you did on Live with Regis and Kelly a while back.
Bell: Whaaat? What did you do?
Panettiere: I said the F-word. And it was all over the Internet. I was outside the studio and the paparazzi were pushing this little kid to get to me.
Bell: I would have straight-up knocked somebody out if they were pushing a kid.
Panettiere: I just blurted it out, it wasn’t even intentional.
Bell: [Riveted] Ooh, what did you say… like “WTF”?
Panettiere: I think so, very quickly, and somebody managed to catch it.

TVGuide.com: But you came off like a true superhero — protecting a little kid in jeopardy!
Panettiere: Honestly, did they need to report about that? There’s nothing else going on in the world except an 18-year-old — a legal adult — saying the F-word?
Bell: Hayden has the most level head of any 18-year-old I’ve ever met. She’s handling her fame with real grace, isn’t she? I couldn’t do what she does.
Panettiere: Oh, thanks. I had you as a role model. [She reaches over and caresses Bell’s face tenderly and they laugh like crazy]

TVGuide.com: Kristen, how long are you signed with Heroes?
Panettiere: [Perking up] Yeah, how long?
Bell: Hayden just wants to know because she likes to cradle my face.
Panettiere: That’s an inside a joke.

TVGuide.com: About…?
Panettiere: About, uh, something interesting….
Bell: We can’t say. [They are called to return to the set]
Panettiere: Did we actually do an interview here?
Bell: It was more like a non-interview. I feel like we should have been telling information about the show as opposed to revealing that we cradle each other’s faces.
Panettiere: I’ll leave you with this. I’d like to keep Kristen around. I enjoy her. I have fun with her. She’s talented. She’s wonderful. I’m just never going to carpool with her again!

Catch up on all the Heroes with our Online Video Guide.

The special double issue of TV Guide now on newsstands features our exclusive in-depth guide to Dancing with the Stars' remaining contenders. Try four risk-free issues of TV Guide now!

Send your comments on this Q&A to online_insider@tvguide.com.

Also found another personal-info-related meme of minor interest, snagged from amaleka_crone, who got it from candlewaxdreams:

Changing Times Meme

--------------------------8 years ago - 1999-------------------------------

1.) How old were you? turned 20 in January
2.) Where did you go to school? Florida State University
3.) Where did you work? Part-time as a server at Cooker Bar and Grill
4.) Where did you live? An apartment in Tallahasee, with two roommates
5.) Where did you hang out? Various bars along Tennessee St., football games at Doak, Bennigans until 2AM
6.) Did you wear glasses? No
7.) Who was your best friend? Didn't really have one
8.) How many tattoos? None
9.) How many piercing did you have? None
10.) Did you have a car? Yes - 1995 Ford Mustang GT
11.) Had you been to a real party? Oh, fuck yes
12.) Had You had your heart broken? I think so
13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? single
14.) Any Kids? Nope

---------------------------4 years ago - 2003-------------------------------

1.) How old were you? turned 24 in January
2.) Where did you go to school? the school of Life - graduated FSU in April 2001
3.) Where did you work? The Federal Gov't - I'd tell you specifics, but then I'd have to kill you
4.) Where did you live? Orlando
5.) Where did you hang out? a few clubs/bars downtown on Church St. - but only occasionally - usually at the movies or home watching the tube
6.) Did you wear glasses? No
7.) Who were your best friends? probably Dan and Brian
8.) How many tattoos? still none
9.) How many piercings did you have? Zero
10.) What car did you drive? 2002 Ford Mustang GT - I traded up
11.) Had your heart broken? kind of, but looking back it was rather minor
12.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? single
13.) Any Kids? Nope

-------------------------------------Today - 2007------------------------------------

1.) How old are you? turned 28 in January - God, 30 is just around the fucking corner!
2.) Where did you go to school? still the schools of Life and Hard Knocks - no post-grad stuff yet
3.) Where do you work? still with the gov't - and I still can't tell you, for your own sake
4.) Where do you live? still in O-town
5.) Do you wear glasses? Nope - still 20/20 (20/15?)
6.) Who is your best friend? probably Dan, but in the fandom world, Cindy
7.) Do you talk to your old friends? a handful of us keep in touch
8.) How many piercing do you have? still none
9.) How many tattoos? still zero - but I've been tempted
10.) What kind of car do you have? still the same '02 Stang - her name is Lana
11.) Has your heart been broken? only sports-related (I bleed garnet and gold)
12.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? still single, and it's getting kinda tired
13.) Any Kids? None that I know of

In addition, I guess it should be taken as good news that the studios and network honchos have agreed to come back to the negotiating table this weekend after the Thanksgiving holiday. It doesn't guarantee a damn thing, of course, as far as ending the WGA strike is concerned - nothing may actually be achieved yet - but at least it's a step in the right direction.

And mainly because I wanted a singular grouping of links to Joss-talk (the man can be hilarious in his ranting and snarking), I wanted to highlight that Joss Whedon has been pretty active with his own commentary and blogging over at Whedonesque the last couple of weeks, with his own updates HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE, with commentary in a few others (may need to be registered to view - not sure). He's also linked the the United Hollywood page several times, and informed fans that the "Pencils 2 Media Moguls" campaign could be massive. All the information on this is at the UH support page, HERE. I went and donated a few boxes of #2s, just because this is something that really matters for the future of network television entertainment, and anything that can impress upon the studios and network executives that the fans actually do give a shit about the content being produced, I'm all for it.

Lastly, I'll also include what has also been mentioned elsewhere that Ronald D. Moore has posted a blurb about Battlestar Galactica production being wrapped indefinitely, found HERE. Episode 13 of season four just completed filming, and that's all they've got scripts for. Until the WGA gets a new deal, the planned-ending for the series in those final 7 episodes remains unshot. NBC-Universal, which produces the show and owns Sci-Fi Channel, has already sent out suspension/termination letters to cast members now that production is in limbo - a scan of which is HERE. Also, a c/p of the text from Moore's blog under the cut (formatting got a little wonky again - apologies):

Galactica wraps

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Galactica wraps
Saturday, November 17, 2007

Production wrapped on episode 413 late last night, and there’s no certain date to resume shooting. No more scripts exist. My office staff has been laid off. My cast has been suspended, without pay.

I refuse to believe that we won’t finish, that we won’t be back to film our final stories, but I know and accept there is that possibility. The strike will be a seminal event for many of us in this business as it’s put literally everything we care about in the balance (if only for a short time so far) for something we all believe is important.

Writers talk a lot about the strike, about the reasons we’re out on the picket lines and our feelings and experiences in the business. It’s been an interesting three weeks. I’ve connected with more scribes in the last few weeks than in many months before and I come away from it to date with a sense of optimism about the solidarity of the membership and admiration for my peers.

Galactica’s coming back, I frakking promise you that. But I am ready to put the rest of the story on the table and take the risk that I’ll never be able to tell it, in support of this strike.

Like Adama says, you make your choices and then you live with them.

Still.

A helluva gamble.

God, talk about angst. I want the writers to get their fair deal as much as anyone, but the mass devastation being wrought upon the TV landscape is slowly starting to mount and show in the production stoppages. Fucking networks. Greedy sonsabitches.

Kristen Bell is awesome.

Heroes: 2.08 - "Four Months Ago"

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 03:41:41 GMT

Just getting on here super-quick because, for me, this was one of the best episodes of the entire series so far - for obvious reasons (Kristen is haaaaaht!) - and for the overall quality of actual character movement and story, for everyone involved. This one easily sits up there with my previous favorite of the series, "Company Man" from season one.

And really, for me to get online right after the episode ends is kind of a big deal, because this show runs so hot and cold with me. _cinjudes_and schrutefanknow that I've continually questioned the 'potential versus execution' with this show, and tonight was one of those episodes that actually came through on the promise of thrilling storytelling the show can manage. It's the woeful consistency that always makes me question why it's such a cult favorite. I don't xpect much anymore in the way of great development, dialogue, and continuity (like I do with Lost), so I guess when Heroes manages to once in a while exceed those lowered expectations by leaps and bounds, it really stands out. This is short, but I'll stil cut it to avoid being spoilery.

In brief, Kristen was fan-fucking-tastic, really getting to dig into more of the sociopath (clinically diagnosed, too!) that is Elle. My God, the sexiness combined with the insanity had me seriously hot and bothered. Elle comes off as childlike with an air of vague innocence, but then turns on a dime with that twisted look in her eye and you know she could kill you just as easily as grope you. Props to my girl for fleshing-out the so-so dialogue she was given with a wicked demeanor and physicality that carries across the danger the character possesses.

Everyone else was also interesting - even Niki and D.L., who usually drag down most of the episodes they're in. Seeing what actually happened between them and with D.L.'s fate, made me appreciate that part of the story a bit more, so that's cool. And David Anders as Adam has me almost as intrigued as Elle, and that's saying something. The banter and wishy-washy lines with Hiro in the past were getting tired, so I'm glad we'll get to work through more of his story in the present.

All in all, good stuff. And kudos to the wardrobe/costume department responsible for Elle's outfits. Not too trashy, but revealing and *ahem* supportive in all the right places. Brav-fucking-O!

Kristen Bell is awesome.

WGA confirms strike will happen

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:21:26 GMT

Just thought I'd briefly mention that the looming November 1st deadline has come and gone, for the Writer's Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to reach a deal regarding new contract negotiations. No deal has been reached, so the WGA is in lockdown mode, with the actual strike expected to begin Monday, unless some ultra-last-second concessions are made this weekend.

A link to some of the names supporting the strike can be found at the WGA site, HERE, but I'll also c/p a list of those names on that page, under the cut (sorry if the fornatting gets all wonky):

Robert Carlock
Tina Fey
(30 Rock)

Warren Bell
(According to Jim)

Tim Doyle
(Aliens in America)

Rich Appel
Mike Barker
Matt Weitzman
(American Dad)

Dee Johnson
(Army Wives)

Steven Levitan
Christopher Lloyd
(Back To You)

Ronald D. Moore
(Battlestar Galactica)

Mark Olsen
Will Scheffer
(Big Love)

Jason Cahill
(Bionic Woman)

Hart Hanson
Stephen Nathan
(Bones)

David E. Kelley
(Boston Legal)

Mark Perry
(Brothers & Sisters)

Greg Berlanti
(Brothers & Sisters, Eli Stone, Dirty Sexy Money)

Matt Nix
(Burn Notice)

Walon Green
(Canterbury's Law)

Marsh McCall
(Carpoolers)

Bill Martin
Mike Schiff
(Cavemen)

Josh Schwartz
(Chuck, Gossip Girl)

James Duff
(The Closer)

Meredith Stiehm
Veena Sud
(Cold Case)

Dennis Rinsler
Marc Warren
(Cory in the House)

Edward Allen Bernero
(Criminal Minds)

Carol Mendelsohn
Naren Shankar
(CSI: Crime Scene
Investigation)

Pamela Veasey
(CSI: New York)

Marc Cherry
(Desperate Housewives)

Daniel Cerone
(Dexter)

Matthew Carnahan
Joel Fields
(Dirt)

Josh Reims
Craig Wright
(Dirty Sexy Money)

Marc Guggenheim
(Eli Stone)

John Wells
David Zabel
(ER)

Charlie Craig
Jaime Paglia
Thania St. John
(Eureka)

Ali LeRoi
(Everybody Hates Chris)

David A. Goodman
Seth MacFarlane
Chris Sheridan
(Family Guy)

John F. Bowman
(Frank TV)

Jason Katims
(Friday Night Lights)

Stephanie Savage
(Gossip Girl)

Anne Kenney
(Greek)

Krista Vernoff
(Grey's Anatomy)

Shonda Rhimes
(Grey's Anatomy,
Private Practice)

Steven Peterman
Michael Poryes
(Hannah Montana)

Tim Kring
(Heroes)

David Shore
(House)

Carter Bays
Craig Thomas
(How I Met Your Mother)

Rob McElhenney
(It's Always Sunny in
Philadelphia)

Carol Barbee
(Jericho, Swingtown)

Kevin Falls
(Journeyman)

Warren Hutcherson
Alison Taylor
(Just Jordan)

John Altschuler
Dave Krinsky
(King of the Hill)

Jonathan Lisco
Craig Silverstein
(K-Ville)

Eric Tuchman
(Kyle XY)

Rene Balcer
(Law & Order)

Warren Leight
(Law & Order:
Criminal Intent)

Neal Baer
(Law & Order: SVU)

Kathleen McGhee-
Anderson
(Lincoln Heights)

Carlton Cuse
Damon Lindelof
(Lost)

Matt Weiner
(Mad Men)

Jenny Bicks
(Men In Trees)

Mark Hudis
(Miss/Guided)

Andy Breckman
(Monk)

Tom Fontana
(M.O.N.Y.,
The Philanthropist)

Chip Johannessen
(Moonlight)

Betsy Thomas
(My Boys)

Bobby Bowman
Gregory Garcia
(My Name is Earl)

Shane Brennan
(NCIS)

Kari Lizer
(The New Adventures of
Old Christine)

David Manson
(New Amsterdam)

Stacy Traub
(Notes from the Underbelly)

Greg Daniels
(The Office)

Eric Kaplan
(Out of Jimmy's Head)

Marti Noxon
(Private Practice)

Tara Butters
Michele Fazekas
Tom Spezialy
(Reaper)

Dmitry Lipkin
Dawn Prestwich
Nicole Yorkin
(The Riches)

Tom Hertz
(Rules of Engagement)

Donald Todd
(Samantha Who?)

Dan Sterling
(The Sarah Silverman
Program)

Ian Biederman
Ed Redlich
(Shark)

Shawn Ryan
(The Shield, The Unit,
The Oaks)

James L. Brooks
Matt Groening
Al Jean
(The Simpsons)

Al Gough
Miles Millar
(Smallville)

Tom Lynch
(South of Nowhere)

Danny Kallis
(Suite Life on Deck)

Josh Friedman
Toni Graphia
John Wirth
(Terminator: The Sarah
Conner Chronicles)

Josh Goldsmith
Tim Hobert
Cathy Yuspa
('Til Death)

Joe Medeiros
(The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno)

Alan Ball
(True Blood)

Silvio Horta
Marco Pennette
(Ugly Betty)

Chuck Lorre
(Two and a Half Men,
The Big Bang Theory)

David Simon
(The Wire)

Peter Murrieta
(Wizards of Waverly Place)

Elizabeth Craft
Sarah Fain
R. Scott Gemmill
(Women's Murder Club)

In Solidarity
Tyler Bensinger
Steven Bochco
Jim Leonard
Phil Rosenthal
Robin Schiff

I really just wanted to highlight this because if you are one who watches scripted television of any kind, any night of the week, this could very well affect you and your viewing. Another article on the reasons as to why this is happening can be found at the L.A. Times page, HERE.

I, for one, can understand the rationale behind this, as the writers just want their fair share of the obscene amounts of revenue that stand to be made from DVD residuals and the brand-new medium of online and downloadable content. I just hope the resolution comes sooner rather than later, since the overall landscape of network and cable television will be more and more drastically affected the longer this goes on - and because serial scripted television is a huge chunk of what makes me happy, entertainment-wise. I'm just sayin'.

Plus, the longer this goes on, the potential for actual motion pictures to really be affected - probably by next summer and fall - becomes a big issue, too.

Kristen Bell is awesome.