"Grey's Anatomy" Star Sent To Re-Education Camp "Treatment Facility"For using an "anti-gay remark" in referring to one of his co-stars.
According to an insider, Isaiah [Washington], who issued an apology for his statements on Jan. 18, agreed to undergo a psychological assessment after talks with ABC executives.
The married 43-year-old father of three was spotted entering the facility at 9 a.m. today (Jan. 24).
Hoo-kay.
Can't he just pay a visit to the "Museum of Tolerance"?
Probably NSFW
"Dude, tolerance kicks ASS!"
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Everything I've Learned About Life, I Learned From Watching "24"
Lesson One:
DO NOT JERK JACK BAUER'S CHAIN! EVER!
...even if you're his brother. Just don't. If you do, you've brought it on yourself.
Also, memo to Joel Surnow and company - don't kill Chloe. I have no idea if Chloe is on the Season Six "hit list". But I do know you like to show that in this dangerous world, people we love die. Okay, we get that.
Let me repeat this. Don't kill Chloe. Seriously. You can almost kill her. You can put her in mortal danger. That's cool. But please do not kill Chloe. The show is better with Chloe.
Are we clear here? Let me quote Jackie Gleason from "Smokey And The Bandit": "You can think about it. But don't do it."
Why I Don't Get "American Idol"
OK, I'll admit that I've come late to the table for successful shows in the past and ended up kicking myself for not signing on sooner. The best example of this is "24", where this season is the first one I've actually watched as it's first being broadcast.
But I have to say that I really don't understand why so many viewers are compelled to tune into "American Idol" week after week to watch what - IMO - is nothing more than a version of "The Gong Show" that actually takes itself seriously.
It almost seems that there are two kind of TV viewers in the world - those who enjoy watching other people being embarrassed and humiliated and those (like myself) who not only take little pleasure in this but actually feel a certain level of discomfort in watching things that have such a high degree of "the wince factor".
To me, that's what "American Idol" is all about. And I really don't get people who like this sort of thing. Yes, in the end there is an excitement about the competition of the finalists and the eventual winner. Viewers seem to pick contestants like horses and root for them for as long as they're in the race. But if that's the really satisfying part, why not just start with the finalists - those who clearly have the talent to make the final cut? Why show the ones who by any objective standards have absolutely no qualifications to be in this competition. Just to torture them on national television? Do the people who select them to audition for Cowell and Co. have a streak of sadism in them that borders on the sociopathic?
Newsweek online has some observations from a correspondent that just earned the "AI" assignment who had never really watched it before. Here is part of his assessment:
'I was stunned by the show’s casual cruelty, and I’m not talking about Simon Cowell’s famous tongue-lashings. Obvious rejects—the sad, deluded, tone-deaf dreamers—were permitted to hang themselves for a full, painful minute or two, even though their awfulness stopped being funny after about 20 seconds. The first featured auditioner of the night, a sweet-looking blonde girl from Minnesota named Heather, who wasn’t awful—just ordinarily untalented—crumbled to her knees after the judges sent her packing and began begging, “Oh, please, please…,” then walked away sobbing. Watching her, I felt physically uncomfortable, like an uninvited guest in her house, invading her privacy. I kept thinking, “Which part of this is supposed to be fun?”'
He goes on to describe how rejected contestants are often shown trying to unsuccessfully push through the wrong door to escape this humiliation, as if to confirm the person's ineptitude. Sounds pretty awful to me.
Look, I don't mean to criticize the fans of the show. But for a while I was beginning to wonder whether or not I was being too harsh on "AI", not having really watched all that much of it. But the piece above kind of reinforces what I had suspected about the show - that the bulk of this phenomenon is centered on taking an hour out of one's week to stop and watch the talent show equivalent of a nasty car-wreck.
I'll continue to pass on this.
UPDATE 1/19/06:
Lorie Byrd offers another perspective on the early smackdowns:
"[Simon] Cowell is sometimes incredibly rude, but what makes him really different from most on television is that he tells people the hard truth as he sees it, without apology. Today childrenÂ’s sports are often played without keeping score, lest one team have to lose. In a world where it is not uncommon for each and every child on a sports team to get a trophy so that no one is made to feel left out, Cowell provides a breath of politically incorrect air. He reminds viewers that not only can everyone not win, but that everyone does not deserve to win."
Point taken. However, it doesn't make it any easier for me to watch.
1
Well, the audition rounds aren't representative of the show, nor are they the reason anybody I know of watches. Having said that, I was extremely annoyed with last season's show -- particularly after Carrie Underwood. If the final contestants aren't a great deal better, this will be the last season I watch.
And just for the record, I'm with Cowell. There's nothing cruel about telling some idiot who doesn't even sound human that they can't sing and to hang it up. Every year watching the auditions, I wonder where these peoples' friends and parents are, and how they ever were allowed to get the impression they were talented.
Good for Simon Cowell.
Posted by: rightwingprof at January 19, 2007 11:06 AM (o7KrD)
2
They need The Unknown Comic or Gene Gene the Dance Machine.
Posted by: GroovyVic at January 19, 2007 11:17 AM (GKKlf)
Here's Irony For Ya...
I was out today much, much longer than I expected to be. Racing home with law-breaking speed I pulled into my driveway at exactly 8:01pm.
Just in time to see the "Previously, on 24..." clip.
And today is Talk Like Jack Bauer Day.
You can bet your bottom dollar I was talking like Jack Bauer from 7:30 on.
Sheesh!
And for what it's worth, the writers of "24" just reaffirmed what I always knew about the show: NOTHING is off the table.
1
In honor of your talk like Jack post, I wrote my "recap" as jack tonight...
Posted by: JimK at January 16, 2007 12:32 AM (IoJDV)
2
Poor Curtis....I wonder if he's going to be like the ghost of Banquo for the rest of the "day" haunting Jack...I did like the look on the liberal dude's face when the guy was reaching for the switch, though, something along the lines of "Gee, I just went and brought these guys the triggering device for a nuke, didn't call the cops or nothing, but somehow this must all be Bush's fault, right?"
Posted by: Steve the LLamabutcher at January 16, 2007 10:08 AM (iLKgG)
3
Love that conversation with his wife (on a pay phone no less) "but honey, don't you think that once you deliver the package that he just kill junior anyway?"
"yes, dear. but we can't take the chance. if we just do as he says, everthing will be fine. We have to keep telling ourselves that he has no reason to kill him."
Wrong answer, dude.
The minute he left the house he should have run down to his local sporting goods store and bought a cross bow. Could have nailed Kumar in the head right through the window.
Posted by: Gary at January 16, 2007 01:28 PM (PLHs9)
Talk Like Jack Bauer Day
The following takes place between 10:00am and 10:05am.
I'm off from work, it's raining outside and the wife and kids are nagging for something to do. My name is Gary the Ex-Donkey. And this will be the longest day of my life.
You probably think I can't go a whole post talking like Jack Bauer. Well, you're wrong.
This morning I awoke to find orange juice on floor in front of the fridge. I immediately headed to the living room and tied my six-year old to one of the easy chairs with duct tape. I looked him in the eye and told him, "You're going to tell me what I want to know about that orange juice. It's just a matter of how much you want it to hurt."
No response.
"Tell me who you work for!" I yelled.
No response. It was then that I noticed that the Wiggles were on the television just over my shoulder. He hadn't heard a word I said.
My wife asked me what the hell I was doing. "Dammit, I don't have time for this", I screamed. "We need paper towels - NOW. Tell me where they are!"
She told me they were somewhere under the sink. I instructed her to upload the information to my PDA immediately. She just rolled her eyes and began peeling the duct tape off my son.
"Gary," she said. "Listen to me, we have to get these kids out of the house today or they'll drive us crazy."
"You think I don't know that?!?" I shot back. "Look, I think we should head over to the Maritime Center in Norwalk this afternoon. I know that the kids like sea creatures, so that should pacify them. I'm not sure if they're open today because of the holiday so I'm going to need you to hack into their mainframe and find out what their hours are. We don't have a lot of time. Do it NOW!"
I tended to the orange juice spill while she went logged onto her work station.
"Well?", I called to her. "Are they open?"
No response.
I raced into the computer room. "Dammit, tell me if they're open!"
"Yes, they're open. Normal hours." she said.
"You better pray that this information is correct. There are thousands of lives at stake. Not the least of which are yours and mine."
"Whatever, Gary." she said, "I'll start getting the kids ready".
"Do it fast!" I yelled, "We're running out of time!"
1
24...never seen a minute of it. By and large TV is what was once and now is a vast wasteland. However it doesn't touch what Rap has done to what we use to call music.
Posted by: McQueen at January 13, 2007 03:51 PM (YadGF)
Posted by: Linoge at January 14, 2007 10:27 PM (zBx9m)
3
I hope that watching 24 makes you feel less afraid, Jack will take care of you
Posted by: John Ryan at January 15, 2007 06:39 PM (CARNi)
4
Um, no. Actually I feel entertained. It's a TV show, dude.
I couldn't possibly feel safer now that Democrats control the purse strings of our national defense.
I'll keep my finger crossed, though.
Posted by: Gary at January 15, 2007 09:29 PM (LEKoX)
Set Your VCRs/DVRs Alert
This might be hard for some to find on their local cable systems because I have no idea how widespread the "Sundance Channel" is. But John Hinderaker from Powerline gives us a heads up that there will be a documentary called "Blog Wars" airing on that channel tomorrow (Thursday, the 28th). My cable system has it listed for 10pm but yours may be different so check tvguide.com.
It's basically an account of the role that blogs played in the CT Senate race between Ned Lamont and Joe Lieberman. The focus is the primary race and John says that it's presented in a fairly neutral way. This is the quote, however, that piqued my interest:
Others, no doubt, will draw different lessons from Blog Wars, but for me, the film was an expose of the liberal bloggers, who come across as vapid and remarkably vulgar. I repeatedly found myself wondering why on earth they had permitted Rogan to film a particular scene, or why, knowing that his camera was filming, they behaved as they did. I think part of the explanation is that James is such a nice, unthreatening guy that his subjects are somewhat disarmed.
I plan on DVRing it and after I watch it I'll post a review.
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BSG Mid-Season Finale Tonight
"Mid-season finale" sounds like an oxymoron, I know. But it looks like the show will take its holiday break after tonight and pick up with the second half of the season in January.
They did this last year with "Pegasus", only that was a much longer break. It would be another FIFTEEN weeks before we would get to "Resurrection Ship: Part One". Sheesh.
Being as tonight's episode is number 11 of Season Three, I'm hoping this means we're in for another 11 episodes starting January 21st (which is the new night, Sunday).
To tide you over a fairly well-done Lee & Kara Viper battle montage set to Yello's "Oh Yeah". (you know, the "ow, ow...ch..chiketa..chik...ahhh...ow...ow" song from the closing credits of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"):
So get ready: Cylons and Humans rumble over what may be a newly-discovered secret about how to find Earth.
1
A small detail on tonightÂ’s episode irked me ....Why was GalacticaÂ’s version of Radar OÂ’Reilly (Dee) in charge of planning a critical military mission? There were three experienced operators - Lee, Anders and Kara - on the planet. What exactly does Dee bring to the table besides cell phone dialing experience? I was struck that Kara was not planning the op...What is the deal?
Posted by: Skye at December 16, 2006 12:12 AM (S4Z0M)
2
The Sci-Fi Channel has always broken their show seasons in two. BSG, however, is the first of their shows to coincide with the regular season.
Posted by: rightwingprof at December 16, 2006 07:47 AM (o7KrD)
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skye,
stuff like that has long annoyed me; like in star trek, where the cast is always used for every mission assignment and on every away team (well...'cept for the guys in red who are expendable on away missions).
Posted by: wordsmith at December 17, 2006 02:46 AM (WpT+h)
4
Haven't had BSG for 1 month, just watched the virus eps.
Did they even canibalize the Cylon fighters?
They were all just waiting for them to take them, convert or use them. And did they download anything from the battleship?
Easy pickins.
Posted by: Sandy P at December 17, 2006 02:06 PM (P7TI9)
Jack Bauer is a hero in the oldest and truest sense: He believes in something bigger than himself and is willing to die for it. He believes in America, our government, and the office of the President. HeÂ’s not some reluctant figure pushed to heroism. He enters the breach willingly. He is a patriot and heaven help those who are not.
And that's so damn refreshing in a world of crappy, narcissistic, politically-correct "entertainment".
34 more days until the premiere of Season Six.
But who's counting?
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"I missed you, Lee."
"I missed you too, Kara."
"Sorry about kicking your ass in that boxing ring."
"Um, if memory serves, Starbuck, I believe I kicked your ass."
"Yeah, in your dreams."
"Shut-up and look serious for the camera."
"Wuss."
1
Poor Kat...I'm gonna miss her crazy stim-antics
Oh...looks like Anders confronts Lee in next week's episode...PREVIEW
Posted by: Skye at December 08, 2006 10:01 PM (WSppo)
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How much you wanna bet Kat "resurrects" as a Cylon? I was waiting for that tonight.....
Posted by: Georgia Girl at December 08, 2006 11:28 PM (t/eS0)
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Btw, it's 26 frakking degrees outside here in "Hotlanta." Will get down to 16 tonight. Not to worry, though: a high of 58 Sunday and 61 Monday. Ahhh.
Gary, you know I'm not wishing for a white Christmas up in CT. Little Southern girl here figured out that those really can happen once you get north of the Mason-Dixon line. Mid-40s up there would be nice. See if you can arrange that...
Posted by: Georgia Girl at December 08, 2006 11:35 PM (t/eS0)
BSG Is Back
After a one-week hiatus that felt like a month. And it looks like this one was worth waiting for.
At the end of the last episode of Season Two, the time line jumped ahead one year from the settlement of "New Caprica" to the invasion of the Cylons.
So what happened during all that time? Apparently, LOTS. In particular there was a little horizontal hootchie-cootchie between Lee "Apollo" Adama and Kara "Starbuck" Thrace. And it also looks like there's some unresolved anger issues between the two. We'll get some good stuff through flashback.
Skye at Midnight Blue has a spoiler clip. Go on. You know you want to. There's also a Jamie Bamber beefcake shot for you ladies. And in other news, starting in January the show moves to Sunday nights at 10pm.
Tonight's episode is "Unfinished Business" - 9pm on Sci-Fi. Be there!
Posted by: Skye at December 01, 2006 10:02 PM (GMTJc)
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Is this closure? Do we finally get closer on the whole "New Caprica" story arc? I remember how pissed a lot of fans were at the end of last season.
I think we've got closure here. It's time to move on (pardon the moonbat reference). No more "Iraqtica", no more "U.S. = Cylons" B.S.
Let's transition to the next phase, the second half of season three - the race for Earth.
One unanswered question. Did the Old Man and Roslin bump uglies or was that just a canabis-induced cuddle? Inquiring minds want to know? :wink:
BTW, hope that Chadonnay was good. Myself, a nice Rioja from Spain. 100% tempranillo. Very berryish on the nose with a hint of lemon on the finish (the acidity). Made my mouth water. Yum.
Posted by: Gary at December 01, 2006 10:21 PM (BrG6H)
7
I developed a taste for Rioja while particpating in an english-immersion course in Madrid last year. Haven't been able to find a good bottle of Rioja over in the States.
This episode was definitely needed to answer some of the lingering questions left over from season 2's time jump. The fleet is reunited, and the interrupted seach for Earth can continue. I am curious to see how the political commentary undercurrent will play out in the upcoming episodes.
It was good to see my favorite couple working out their differences in the boxing ring. The flashbacks were..ahem..illuminating.
Loved the scene between Tigh and Ellen when he asks when was the last time he told Ellen he loved her.
Ahh..Adama and Roslin...I hope those two did more than cuddle!
Posted by: Skye at December 02, 2006 11:13 AM (GMTJc)
8
*Bangs head on desk. Repeatedly.*
I just *had* to go out with my co-workers last night... I just *had* to believe their estimate of a return time... I just *had* to order my TiVo at the beginning of the week, with the normal shipping option...
DAMNIT.
When is this thing being re-shown?
Posted by: Linoge at December 02, 2006 06:26 PM (oOpAy)
BSG Geeks Demand Better Episodes
Actually, I didn't have a problem with last week's show they way so many others seemed to. It seems ever since the new season premiered with the whole New Caprica/Iraqtica controversy a lot of fans are getting paranoid that Ronald D. Moore and Co. are taking a turn to the Left in their storylines. I disagree.
The writers are bringing controversial issues into the show (i.e. arguments for and against a Cylon genocide in "A Measure Of Salvation"). But when have they not? I don't see these as Liberal versus Conservative arguments at all. They're issues relating to humanity. And they're designed (IMO) to simply make you think as well as entertain.
Remember when Luke Skywalker asked Yoda what was in the "haunted" tree on Dagobah? Yoda answered, "Only what you take with you." I think Liberals and Conservatives alike would enjoy the show more if they put some of their preconceived ideas aside for one hour. Anyway, it works for me. If you have iTunes, I highly recommend downloading the podcasts and listen to Moore's commentary as he sucks back double-malt scotch.
Enjoy tonight's show:
"Hero"
9pm on Sci-Fi
UPDATE:
Not too shabby. In two weeks: Lee and Kara take out some pent-up sexual energy in the boxing ring. Snootchie-bootchie!
UPDATE DEUX:
Quote from RDM's commentary from last week (on the topic of genocide):
"It's not about giving the answers, it's about asking the questions."
The scene with the debate over Cylon genocide reflected an actual debate among the writers. Some of the writers were like "well, why wouldn't they release this virus? Duh!" Others raised the question, "well are they really people? Are they beings? Would it actually be genocide?"
Me: Those who feel strongly about a culture of life should think about it. Humans gave life to the Cylons. Are they life? They're machines but they're partially organic. They possess living cells, but do they qualify as sentient beings? Could they possibly have souls? It blows the mind, really. Something to ponder. For what it's worth...
Posted by: rightwingprof at November 17, 2006 04:06 PM (o7KrD)
2
Meh. I found tonight's episode to be almost painfully predictable, something I enjoyed not being stricken with for most of this series. Next week's looks interesting, though...
Posted by: Linoge at November 18, 2006 12:18 AM (zBx9m)
3
Eradicating the Cylons would have been the ultimate in "jumping the shark" in the BSG-TV land. So being, it invalidates any debate in this show regarding genocide in the real world.
I don't need a TV show to spark questions about genocide...all I need to do is listen to any speech by Ahmednejad. Too bad Ronald Moore isn't questioning hitler, jr.
No one seems to have picked up on the veiled indictment of organized religion during the 'baltar being tortured scene' on A Measure of Salvation.
As for Hero:
A menage-a-tois on a basestar - a common practice of cylons, no doubt. When will this storyline end???
Why did Kara run to Tigh with her discovery of Bulldog's way too easy escape? Why not take this to Bill? Hmmm..
Interesting chat between Laura and Bill when he hands his resignation letter: Laura speculates the Admiralty may have set Adama up to provoke a war they wanted....where have I heard this before?
Laura was quick to follow up this statement by channeling Susan Sontag in order to impress Bill with this gem:
We did a thousand things good and bad everyday for 40 years to pave the way for this attack.
Call me crazy, I still blame the Cylons for this attack - not the humans.
Finally...Finally, Bill asks Tigh about what really went down with Ellen. I have high hopes for these knuckleheads!
Two weeks till 'Unfinished Business'...two long weeks...
Posted by: Skye at November 18, 2006 06:21 PM (vl9k5)
4
Not having cable, and not having seen this particular episode yet, I know only what I've read on the BSG blogs. As far as the "Baltar tortured" episode goes, with the debate about genocide, I stole this quote from another blog and it's apropos here:
“To draw an analogy from metallurgy and apply it to morality --pure morals may be more valuable,
but alloys are more useful.”
So my advice would be to follow the instructions of the Dark Lord of the Sith in Episode 1: "Wipe them out. All of them."
Posted by: Darren at November 25, 2006 02:29 AM (8sBNZ)
5
oh.my.gods....
Having trouble breathing...
Lee Adama shouts out that he loves Kara Thrace...
CPR..anyone????
Posted by: Skye at November 25, 2006 11:27 PM (vl9k5)
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Well, obviously, that aforementioned "love" did not go quite as far as they thought it would... This two-week gap is going to kill me!
Posted by: Linoge at November 26, 2006 11:22 PM (HoGA+)
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Lee and Kara's encounter on New Caprica and the fallout of this tryst cement the belief that Dee is Lee's consolation prize - he can't have Kara so he settles with nearest warm body.
I've read script sides for several of the upcoming episodes - I can tell you all is not well in the Lee/Dee universe.
Posted by: Skye at November 27, 2006 09:27 PM (vl9k5)
1
That reminds me...I set up a blogroll at Blogrolling.com called "BSG Bloggers." I have a paid account so it won't go away and should load from the faster servers...
If you could spread the word? Anyone who wants to join, just send an email to stark23x+bsg at gmail dot com with your blog URL and I'll add you and send you the code to add the blogroll to your own blog...
Posted by: JimK at November 03, 2006 04:55 PM (/O5Iq)
2
Okay, this has to be said...
Lee and Kara, even pissed off at one another, have volcanic chemistry.
RDM...Please more Lee and Kara, oh an airlock DEE!!
Posted by: Skye at November 03, 2006 09:23 PM (2NAoV)
3
Hey, Dee is fine. No airlocking fine BSG babes unless it's already known that they will resurrect in just-as-fine new Cylon bodies.
Posted by: JimK at November 04, 2006 02:04 PM (/O5Iq)
4
So....who will be "The Final Five???"
Like my new haircut, btw? I was so sick of being called Goldilocks.
Posted by: Starbuck at November 04, 2006 10:48 PM (t/eS0)
5
Just a little nit-pick with the series. Where the frak are all the hunky cylons? Hmmmm? The girls might be babes, but the guys are complete dorks.
Not that I'm complaining too much....Lee has definitely brought sexy back - thank the gods!!
My picks for the 'Final Five' are:
Dee
Gaeta
Racetrack
Ellen Tigh
Tom Zarek
alt: Gaius Baltar
Posted by: Skyebuck at November 05, 2006 06:39 PM (2NAoV)
"Exodus, Pt. II": Will Admiral Adama get his people of "Iraqtica"? Will Sharon find her still-alive baby? Will President Balter give Caprica Six some well-deserved "cuddling".
Tune in tonight!
UPDATE:
Podcast notes and quotes: (SPOILERS!!!!!)
1
I am curious to see how well my spoiler sourced info on this episode matches with the aired episode.
Posted by: Skye at October 20, 2006 06:51 PM (tvnBd)
2
I have to say this....
That was one hell of a passion-less kiss! I've seen more heat between two colliding icebergs...
Posted by: Skye at October 20, 2006 08:07 PM (tvnBd)
3
Frakkin' "A"! That was an awesome episode. I was wondering what would ultimately become of the Pegasus. I mean, it's Battlestar Galactica after all.
So Skye, how about them spoilers? :wink:
Posted by: Gary at October 20, 2006 09:05 PM (Z0vta)
Posted by: Gary at October 20, 2006 09:07 PM (Z0vta)
5
This episode blew the bar off the chart! I really can't wait till next week!!
The spoiler sources were close, Gary...as spoiler sources go.
They were right about the Pegasus, Ellen, and close on Casey. Although, I strongly suspected that Casey was not Kara's. The scene in the hangar bay of Galactica tore my heart out.
Loved Baltar and Three's conversation about hate and civilization teaching their children.
Posted by: skye at October 20, 2006 09:27 PM (tvnBd)
6
Way O/T but I met and had the chance to chat with Dennis Prager and Hugh Hewitt this past Tuesday at a Townhall.com meeting in Philly.
Have pics to prove my O/T comment.
Posted by: Skye at October 20, 2006 09:31 PM (tvnBd)
7
THAT was FRAKKING AWESOME!!!
"We're falling like a rock!" then "poof!"
And the Pegasus - Gods rest her soul - taking out not one, but two (maybe more!) base stars - very poignant ending for a great battlestar.
Fantastic episode, especially with the special effects on those ships. Thank you to the writers!!! Thank you to the whole frakking show!!!
Posted by: Starbuck at October 20, 2006 10:16 PM (EvFfn)
1
Yes, I normally find flashbacks annoying (like in Cold Case). But the flashbacks in Lost give us as much valuable information as the rest of the show, so they don't annoy me.
Posted by: rightwingprof at October 19, 2006 09:37 AM (o7KrD)
2
After you see “Invasion”, “Lost” is just a hoax.
Posted by: Flowers England at October 19, 2006 10:54 AM (vcUSw)
3
I love Lost!! And I think flashbacks are usually annoying but I enjoy them in Lost.
4
Invasion ... I had to look that up on imdb. That cheesy sea monster show? Are you kidding?
I haven't been impresssed with Lost so far this season, I must say. This week's episode with the sweat lodge, sorry, that was silly. I'm also pretty impatient with the whole Others thing. If Sawyer knew Juliet would have shot Kate, why didn't he shoot her? And if the writers are trying to make us sympathetic to the Others, they're not doing a very good job of it.
I just hope it doesn't degrade into silly New Age nonsense.
Posted by: rightwingprof at October 20, 2006 08:04 AM (o7KrD)
Holiday Hack-Job
John Podhoretz at The Corner dropped a major bomb: There will be a live-action version of "The Year Without A Santa Claus". I looked it up and...argh...it's true.
And check out the cast:
Santa Claus: John Goodman
Ms. Claus: Delta Burke
Heat Miser: Harvey Fierstein
Snow Miser: Michael McKean
Mother Nature: Carol Kane
I have only one thing to say.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Oh, when I say I'm on fire, I mean I'm really en fuego!
1
Boo, hiss! Why mess with a classic? Will this be a more PC version, I wonder?
Posted by: Pam at October 13, 2006 10:25 AM (H9/uI)
2
Can't be worse than the live action Grinch, can it?
Decent cast, anyway. I disapprove of remaking classics as a rule, but I guess I'll reserve judgement on this one. Claymation was never really a satisfying medium fer me.
Posted by: Tuning Spork at October 15, 2006 06:49 PM (j0IzW)
BSG Controversy - Open Thread
Hmmm. Thought I'd start a new thread for this since it's generating such strong opinion.
There are a couple of different points of view as to whether or not there is an "Iraq Metaphor" going on with Battlestar Galactica. You can see some of the comments from the last post: here.
My own impressions are that the writers left it open to interpretation. If you see the similarities, then they're there. However, I tend to agree with RightWingProf that the Cylon occupation is more analogous to occupied France during WWII. If there is any analogy at all. My own opinion is the Ronald D. Moore and Co. have been fairly even-handed to date and I'm willing to give them the benefit of the date.
At most, I think they are addressing issues that people can relate to - many of them are controversial. This drives ratings and makes it a much more interesting show. But I don't detect a particular bias promoting one point of view or the other. It's more of a glimpse into the overall human condition.
If I find opinion on the web, I'll post it here as an update.
UPDATE:
That was quick. Jonah Goldberg of National Review plans a column on the subject or at least some commentary at The Corner within the next twenty-four hours.
UPDATE II:
I listened to the Ron Moore podcast of Friday's episode on iTunes.
Here's the skinny:
Moore (and his wife who is a co-writer) commented on the setting of occupied New Caprica. While they acknowledged that there are elements of Iraq in the storyline they also said that they are mixed in with parallels of other occupations - such as France in WWII, the West Bank, colonial America. All of the writers, he said, are very familiar with many aspects of human history - not just recent history.
He said he's been asked quite a bit about Iraq and he explained that he was not intending to make any political statements about current events, rather he was drawing on many different elements to create situations within which the characters react to in different ways. For example, what would Chief Tyrol do here or how would Tigh respond to this or Laura Roslin, etc. etc.
As to the inclusion of a "suicide mission", they are trying to "ratchet up" the events on New Caprica because they are leading to a major clash that will coincide with the return of Galactica. The Cylons reaction to it is important in pushing them and the humans on a sort of "collision course".
Essentially, next week's episode is a major event and these two episodes combined are meant for the audience to fully absorb the situation that leads up to it.
There was other stuff but the only other item of note regarding the New Caprica Police graduation ceremony and Duck's suicide bombing is to show that shocking things like that really happen. And rather than just hearing about it on the news, Moore wanted to present the grisly details and horrific aftermath of such an act. He was nervous that the network (Sci-Fi, which is owned by NBC) would object to showing it so graphically but he said they were actually very supportive.
Could Moore be full of crap about all this? Sure, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt here.
UPDATE IV:
Was reminded by a comment on a thread at HotAir.com that this isn't the first time we've seen a suicide bombing on BSG. In season one, one of the Doral Cylons blew himself up on Galactica killing three people. Not as devastating as the one from this season, but still...
Interesting. The episode was titled "Litmus". Cylons as insurgents, maybe? I don't remember the Left get all huffy over that one.
1
I did a little something on the whole flare-up...
I think that anyone who claims the show, or either side within the show, are all one thing or another is blind to the basic building block of BSG since the first moment of the first miniseries; Shades of grey. It's all shades of grey. There is no good and bad in this world, there is only bad and how the individual (human or cylon) reacts to it.
Posted by: JimK at October 09, 2006 01:00 PM (f9+5H)
2
I will have to read your BSG posts after we watch the premiere tonight, Gary. Couldn't watch it last night. Can't wait!
Posted by: Starbuck at October 09, 2006 03:40 PM (ZMwFa)
3
For writers that are well-versed in many aspects of human history - I found it quite telling that several of the Cylons and leading Colonial characters spoke lines that were rippped from the drama that is Iraq.
For example:
Brother Cavil noted that the colonials didn't welcome the Cylons arrriving in New Caprica with open arms...how many times have libs used the same argument about the Iraqi's welcoming the troops into Baghdad.
Brother Cavil also mentions "lets instill fear in the hearts and minds" of the NC settlers. Gee..I wonder were the writers got that verse from??
In LDYB2: President Baltar comments that there hasn't been a Cylon attack on his watch - right before the Cylons do attack NC...
Oh yes, I could go on and on with other examples of the course of this series. However, I think I made my point with these examples.
There has always been a subtle undertone of political commentary on the show - but this new season 3 opener has taken that undertone to a new level.
I have to give credit to Ron Moore for crafting this show to be so very layered, it certainly makes for interesting commentary, and blog posts.
I will continue to watch the show, as long as the don't kill off Kara. Someone has to comfort Lee after he divorces dee....
Posted by: Skye at October 09, 2006 08:52 PM (6vZ0D)
4
I'm getting this huge spike in readers, so I looked at my stats to see where they're coming from. Jonah Goldberg linked to my article in his National Review article on BSG.
Wow. I feel like I've arrived.
Posted by: rightwingprof at October 10, 2006 12:25 PM (o7KrD)
Posted by: Gary at October 10, 2006 12:31 PM (QoxB+)
6He said he's been asked quite a bit about Iraq and he explained that he was not intending to make any political statements about current events, rather he was drawing on many different elements to create situations within which the characters react to in different ways.
I don't really doubt that (much); but I find it similar to how liberals in general can never seem to see their own biases creep in. Like liberal journalists who think that what they are saying is objective, absent of colored partisanship.
I do think that they are not making any clear-cut stance on the real-world war in Iraq. Just trying to place their characters in similar situations, and make the audience think. But I think you can see the subtle undertone, of how the writers might think about actual events in Iraq.
That said, I can still enjoy the show. Because even if it was clearly fueled by a liberal paradigm for Iraq, in the BSG world, it works. Because they've fabricated the reality, so the response to dealing with that reality- or in pointing out what the right course of action should be, even when not taken, makes sense. It's like Star Trek, where in their universe, their moral choices make sense. You appreciate it on its own terms.
I hope I'm making sense.
Skyebuck...you'd be frakkin' awesome if you could find that Ron Moore quote where his liberal bent is clearly visible. And spot-on for the lines you pointed out.
Posted by: wordsmith at October 10, 2006 12:58 PM (nrGCx)
7I do think that they are not making any clear-cut stance on the real-world war in Iraq.
Take out "not" from that sentence. It happens when you don't proof-read.
Posted by: wordsmith at October 10, 2006 01:07 PM (nrGCx)
8
Sloppy, sloppy. I always suspected you were just an "apprentice" Wordsmith.
Posted by: Gary at October 10, 2006 02:15 PM (QoxB+)
9
I've seen the first two hours twice now, and on the second viewing, I've noticed more WW2 references. I think a closer comparion would be the Warsaw Ghetto.
Posted by: Barry Johnson at October 10, 2006 04:32 PM (S2Ldc)
10David Eick, executive producer, assures the fanbase that the political undertones will remain unchanged: "We're trying to mirror a more grounded reality, not a heightened reality," Eick says. "I think there's a political savvy to this show, an unflinching approach to the issues of the day and an unapologetic irreverence."
This quote from David Eik can be found and my old, old blog Midnightblue
Found it, Word: Midnightblue
And I quote:
"I certainly have my own political views and it would be disingenuous at best to say that there's some kind of firewall between my beliefs and those portrayed on the show. I'm the head writer -- my views and thoughts are on life are on display every week, including my political predilections. However, I don't see the show as a platform to advance my political belief system or my own views on morality.
These are the debates that I hope you have among yourselves, your families, your friends. I want the show to provoke you into thinking about the times you live in and the choices that are being made all around you every day. In a time when the President of the United States actually asserts that he has the power to arrest without warrant and detain indefinitely without charge or appeal, any citizen (indeed any person on the face of the Earth) simply by designating them as an "illegal combatant," we should all be engaged in a vigorous and energetic debate about who we are as a people and as human beings and exactly how we do intend to respond to the very real threat posed to this nation and to the foundations of liberal democracy posed by people capable of, and willing to, fly airplanes into buildings.
I hope this show makes you think. I hope this show makes you question the moral choices that are being made in your name and by your representatives. "
Posted by: Skye at October 10, 2006 10:16 PM (/qf75)
11Sloppy, sloppy. I always suspected you were just an "apprentice" Wordsmith.
Well, I still have much to learn, Blogfather.
In a time when the President of the United States actually asserts that he has the power to arrest without warrant and detain indefinitely without charge or appeal, any citizen (indeed any person on the face of the Earth) simply by designating them as an "illegal combatant,"
Thanks skyebuck!
Posted by: wordsmith at October 10, 2006 11:41 PM (nrGCx)
BSG Is BACK!
Man, it seems like forever since the end of last season when the series went in a completely different direction (that was back in March!). At first, I shared a lot of the concerns about this plotline that were voiced by other fans. But having reflected on it for seven months, I'm stoked about it!
Battlestar Galactica, Season Three premieres tonight at 9pm
on Sci-fi Channel (2 hr episode)
Let's go, ladies!
UPDATE:
Wow. Very intense. Before people get all pissy about the suicide bomber thing, keep in mind they didn't glorify it. In fact, I didn't pick up on any particular value judgements. The scene with Roslin confronting Tigh over it was interesting. I found the overall take very neutral.
They did a LOT in this episode (or episodes depending on how you look at it).
I remain impressed. And looking forward eagerly to next week.
1
TONIGHT, and it's a two-hour premiere!
Let the resistance begin! Blow those toasters away!
Posted by: rightwingprof at October 06, 2006 02:40 PM (hj1Wx)
2
That central character, is that Laura Linney? Personally, I think the one to the right is the most gorgeous one (best set of t*ts). The Asian type is rather skinny, but fairly hot nevertheless. Just my opinion of course. Keep 'em photos coming!
Posted by: Outlaw Mike at October 06, 2006 06:21 PM (m4v1l)
3
Bring on the Cylons...hehehe!!
Oh and let's get Lee to Jenny Craig ASAP!!!
Posted by: Skye at October 06, 2006 07:48 PM (6vZ0D)
4
So..Gary...what are your rules regarding spoilery posts???
Posted by: Skye at October 06, 2006 07:51 PM (6vZ0D)
Posted by: Skye at October 06, 2006 08:40 PM (6vZ0D)
7
Yeah!!! Lee and dee really suck in the chemistry department Yeah!!!
Posted by: Skye at October 06, 2006 08:49 PM (6vZ0D)
8
Geez, Skye. Didn't know you were live blogging tonight. :wink:
Posted by: Gary at October 06, 2006 10:04 PM (Z0vta)
9
Live Drunk blogging...the official drink has quite a kick!
Posted by: Skye at October 06, 2006 10:33 PM (6vZ0D)
10
The execution scene was straight out of "The Great Escape." Good cinema, but I hate it when I can see it coming.
Posted by: Bret at October 07, 2006 08:28 AM (1026D)
11
I'm thirty minutes into it, but that scene with Starbuck, especially after she picks the knife back up and sits down to eat, can anybody doubt that Starbuck kicks serious *ss?
Posted by: rightwingprof at October 07, 2006 11:19 AM (hj1Wx)
Posted by: Skye at October 07, 2006 12:18 PM (6vZ0D)
13
And didn't we all suspect that Balthar was a cylon? I mean, how else could he have survived the nuclear attack on Caprica?
Posted by: rightwingprof at October 07, 2006 12:25 PM (hj1Wx)
14
His imaginary Cylon girlfriend saved him...
Duh!
Anyway...Gauis Baltar is now in the BSG universe the most. hated. president. EVER. Is it any coincidence that his initials (GB) are similar to our own President?
Posted by: Skye at October 07, 2006 12:48 PM (6vZ0D)
15
Given that Baltar is the weasely, weak, panty-waisted, appeasenik anti-Bush, I'd say the initials are coincidental.
Posted by: rightwingprof at October 08, 2006 06:52 AM (o7KrD)
Posted by: rightwingprof at October 08, 2006 12:59 PM (o7KrD)
17
Well seeing as though the Battlestar universe was created in the 70's (including Baltar) I'd find it quite impossible that they had any foresight in making his initials the same.
Posted by: Digger at October 08, 2006 09:34 PM (/bJzI)
18
Consider the fact that in the orignal series Gauis Baltar was NEVER elected president of the remaining colonists scattered about the fleet.
In this modern reimagining of the series, not only is he elected president, he quotes lines from our current administration in regards to terrorist attacts on America.(LDYB2)
I think is was absolutely planned by the writers.
Posted by: SkyeBuck at October 08, 2006 10:07 PM (6vZ0D)
19
Prof,
In thie opening episode the Cylons control the human puppet government. As many libs believe the US controls the newly formed Iraqi government.
Many of the main characters have joined an 'insurgency.' Reminds me of the oft used phrase by the left: "homegrown terrorists"
This 'insurgency' sends people to engage in "heroic" suicide bombings that kill innocent humans as well as Cylons. Shrugging off the casualties as part of the war they're fighting. How many times have we been shown images of civilians being attacked by terrorist bombers in Iraq?
The New Caprica 'insurgency' murder humans who collaborate with the Cylons. How many Iraqi police officers have been killed this year? I just read a report of hundreds falling ill after a meal in a training facility.
The New Caprica occupation plotline is obviously meant to imitate and excuse the rhetoric and tactics used by the terrorists fighting our troops in Iraq. This is not kool aid, this is liberal reality.
Posted by: SkyeBuck at October 08, 2006 10:19 PM (6vZ0D)
20
You're completely full of horse manure. Completely. And "liberal reality" is an oxymoron.
By the way, if you want to comment on my post, do it on my blog, not here, kool-aid drinker.
Posted by: rightwingprof at October 09, 2006 09:09 AM (o7KrD)
21
What are you twelve, Prof? If you don't like the game, take you marbles and leave the sandbox.
----------------------------------------
By the way, if you want to comment on my post, do it on my blog, not here, kool-aid drinker.
Posted by: Skye at October 09, 2006 08:35 PM (6vZ0D)
22
"What are you twelve, Prof?"
Do you always make self-referential juvenile responses?
And I'm pointing out a basic rule of blog etiquette. Respond to the post.
Posted by: rightwingprof at October 10, 2006 06:51 AM (o7KrD)
23
OK, kids. Knock it off.
I'm starting to feel like a 2nd grade teacher here.
Posted by: Gary at October 10, 2006 08:58 AM (QoxB+)
I couldn't agree more!! Don't mess with Jack and I'm still mad they killed of David Palmer and Tony.
I couldn't possibly feel safer now that Democrats control the purse strings of our national defense.
I'll keep my finger crossed, though.
Oh...looks like Anders confronts Lee in next week's episode...
It was good to see my favorite couple working out their differences in the boxing ring. The flashbacks were..ahem..illuminating.
Loved the scene between Tigh and Ellen when he asks when was the last time he told Ellen he loved her.
Ahh..Adama and Roslin...I hope those two did more than cuddle!
