That's what Mark Sheppard, the guy who's in every TV show these days, called himself at the Serenity Salute. In fact, he had a tough time trying to think of which shows he never worked in. Well, there's Cold Case, but I came up with that after the weekend was over. Still, you have to admit he's "better than", being in shows from Firefly to Medium, Leverage to White Collar and Supernatural, and even The Middleman. He really liked being in that show, especially being in the table read for the episode ABC Family never made. That happened last Summer during Comic-Con.
He also talked about how difficult kissing an old man can be. He did that in Supernatural where he played a demon, and that he'll be reprising that role soon. Still, kissing a guy...that took six hours. He also revealed he "broke" the Colt that the Winchester boys use to kill demons. It was apparently tough to fix, too.
He was also part of Battlestar Galactica, and revealed he got the job because he was able to fix a computer problem that Ron Moore had. This was also great because Mark was a big BSG fan. He also talked about being in a first-season episode of X-Files where he played a firestarter. He even revealed that he was stunned to learn he had to actually be on fire at one point. Talk about hazard pay. Still, it was the first time a show gained viewers in reruns, and a sign that the show was on its way.
Of course, he also talk about being on Firefly, as the guy who's "better than", Badger. He hinted that maybe Badger liked River, and if the show had lasted longer we could have seen more.
Thanks to my inexperience with handling LAX, I wound up missing Adam Baldwin. I am sure he was very entertaining. However, I did come just in time for two of the best known writers who didn't write a musical about a mad scientist and a gal who slays.
Tim Minear and Jane Espenson are well-known for the scripts they make, especially for Joss Whedon. They both recently write for Dollhouse, and revealed their writing secrets to the crowd at the Marriott LAX.
For example, Jane said that she likes to write a script in order, building to the scenes that matter. Tim prefers to start with the main scenes. Both agree that writing the first scene is always the hardest. Also, she said that when she write dialogue, she sometimes makes grammatical errors, but keep them in the script. She thinks it's better to have a character speak more naturally, rather than profound speeches. Also, when you want to write for a show, they said you should really look at how a script is put together before you put forth a spec script. They also suggest that budding writers don't write scripts that are really fan fiction.
Then the fans had their questions. One fan asked if it was easier to write "Briar Rose" and "Omega" when they knew Alan Tudyk would be the main villain. Tim said yes and that "we all have Alan Tudyk living in the castle of our minds." Jayne would have preferred Nathan Fillion, since he is Castle.
Jane was also asked what it's like to create a show, then not write for it. The show, of course, is Warehouse 13, and she only wrote the pilot. She still got the credit for creating the Syfy hit, which means a little cash her way. Tim, though, wishes he were Dick Wolf, Mr. Law and Order.
Getting back to scripts, Jane says that while she prefers character to speak even with bad grammar, she is sometimes reminded she write characters that aren't supposed to speak less-than-perfect English, like Roslin from BSG. They also agree that cable TV is the real place to see TV shows are are good and different from the very stale network fare. They even wish Joss would give it a try. After Fox was a bit too eager to say Dollhouse wouldn't get a third season, maybe he could.
As for the future, Jane Espenson is involved in the new BSG prequel called Caprica, while Tim Minear hopes to revive the Alien Nation series. Since "V' is starting to catch on, why not a "rebuttal" to the idea of aliens coming here pretending to be friendly when they aren't?
However, if you prefer to see the whole thing, QmX has taped it for you. It's at http://bit.ly/7GAl0T
Now that I finally have enough time to talk about how the Serenity Salute last weekend was like, I will start with this shiny gal named Jewel Staite. While she's known as Kaylee, she's been spending a lot of time at Stargate: Atlantis, and will soon be in a movie called Mothman. First off, she actually admitted she didn't like that classic dress from "Shindig" because it was tough to get around it. We fans sure liked it, though. She also had an update about a new house she and her husband just bought. It's the one that she claimed in Twitter that it was luring her inside. Well, it worked. Now she and her husband are making new furniture inside the place because it's too tough to movie the old stuff inside. She mentioned it had an odd staircase. She also revealed something juicy about Morena Baccarin: she has quite the foul mouth although she looks so elegant on the show. Actually, Morena already proved that the night before. We'll get to that later. She also revealed they're planning to watch the winter finale of "V" together. Despite the way they kid each other, it's clear she and Morena are very close.
Jewel also admitted that she is not quite like Kaylee, and the character became a little more like Jewel as the show went on. She also talked about trying to act to a "green screen". In the scene in Serenity when the crew is passing through a sea of Reaver ships, and they all had to react, she said Adam Baldwin actually breathed heavily, like a grizzly. Since Jayne is spooked by Reavers on the show, that would make sense...even if it sounds strange.
As for TV shows, and people, Jewel likes Christina Hendricks and her show, Mad Men. Jewel's also a big fan of So You Think You Can Dance, even going to tapings, Castle (for Nathan, of course), Lost, Chuck...but didn't mention Dollhouse. But she's a fan of TV!
Jewel has been on Twitter for a while, and she gets some interesting responses. Some have including comments about what she eats. She likes food, guys! She as also asked if she could "swap bodies", she'd swap with Zoe because she's a tough character. She also had a funny story about meeting Matthew Fox from Lost, and how the big moment wasn't as big as she had hoped. Oh, and there are pictures. On the other hand, David Hewlett from SGA was thrilled when he learned Jewel was on the show because he's a Firefly fan.
Also, she says being Kaylee has led to be being defined as a "type", but she likes to do all types of roles. Remember, she was that mean girlfriend that kept Jaye away from the guy she liked in Wonderfalls. She also talked about having "Vegas shows", and so many shoes in general they could be found under her bed.
Finally, she hopes she'll be able to work with Joss again, as do we.
One thing you can say about Joss Whedon shows is that they inspire a lot of music. This is especially true of Firefly and Serenity. The Big Damn Heroes have been immortalized in song by several musicians, from the Bedlam Bards to Marian Call. The latest group to add to the Browncoats Hit Parade is a band out of St. Louis called he Browncoats. Three of its members, and a crew member, visited the Serenity Salute recently in Los Angeles. They allowed people to sample its first CD, Space Age Loser. It also includes a DVD of its first video, a cover of "Hero of Canton" that has been popular on YouTube and MySpace. The video won an award at the Serenity Salute.
Co-Pilot Gary Miller and Air Marshall Buckley Roberts had been in an industrial rock band for years before they decided to perform songs based on Firefly. Their version of "Hero of Canton" was the first song. "We just gave the mp3 away, and just spread it to as many people as we knew," Miller said. "Later, we decided, hey, let's just do a whole album out of this and create an entire band." They were joined by lead singer and Captain Paul Moerke, and bass player Dominic Anthony. Moerke was also a pilot, and played a big part in the music video. It premiered last September during DragonCon in Atlanta. Amy Jordan also appeared in the video, but is also a lighting engineer, and helps promote the CD.
Both Miller and Roberts admitted they were late bloomers as Firefly fans, but they were hooked when they first saw the show. "When I saw Firefly," Miller says, "I was like 'oh, my God, how could I have not seen this? How could I not know this existed?' I come to realize when we started selling this record that the majority of the people that at least know Firefly that are buying the record are also late bloomers. Bought the DVDs later on"
The band is also influenced by people close to them. "Trans-Siberian Railroad," for example, was written for Gary's wife, while "Amelia" was written for Paul's daughter.
They have done some gigs in the St. Louis area, and plan more in the next few months. Their shows are different from typical rock concerts. Their opening acts are actually comedy groups like "Clown-vis", which is Elvis as a clown, and an improv group led by Bill Cott, who appeared on Saturday Night Live.
They've also been able to give their CDs to Adam Baldwin, and Rafael and Yan Feldman. They've also using social media websites including Facebook and Twitter. "We just want to keep the train rolling and the keep the variety up," Miller says. "We want to give people a package that doesn't just give them a rock album, gives them a lot to soak in."
They also want to do another CD next year. Before that, they plan an EP that includes bluegass versions of their songs and new songs. They also hope to make more videos, including a planned spoof of Star Wars. t will also produce a song for the "Browncoats: Redemption" fan film.
More information about the band is available at thebrowncoats.org, including links to MySpace, Twitter and iTunes.
I feel so bored not having to write about cool television, especially Dollhouse, which will re-open on December..... What? The Hollywood Reporter says the show is cancelled? Why now? The show is supposed to come back in three weeks with Summer Glau, the return of Senator Wesley, er, Perrin, and the guy who used to be Satan on Reaper. You mean the fact reruns of Bones and House on November 6th got a 1.2 rating shows that people would rather see that than a sci-fi show about life-sized dolls struggling with their own identity, especially a girl named Echo? If that is what Fox thinks....then it explains why Breaking Bad and Mad Men are on AMC, not ABC.
This is cruel. That's what I am saying. It's like Fox programmers are killing off shows the way Joss kills off beloved characters. Because they are. This is worse than ABC letting Pushing Daisies wilt and die because of neglect last year. I had dreamed of tossing a 200 foot pie at the ABC offices for this. Thankfully, the Emmys beat me to it, thanks to four Emmys for the show.
Fox goes through all the trouble of telling people it will be back on the fourth, and emphasizes the return of fan favorite Summer Glau (especially for fans of Firefly, Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles and maybe Big Bang Theory). We see two cool viral web sites from Rossum and a neo-Luddite group who claims we should mistrust technology. Fans are promoting the heck out of the show, basically doing Fox's job to keep the buzz going. Now, after two weeks of House and Bones reruns, Fox decides that people prefer leftovers on Fridays, not freshly made drama? Look, that may work for weekend on NBC or the CW anytime, but not on Fox, guys.
Well, as I'm typing this, I am happy to learn the show will be back in three weeks, but at the end of January, that will be the end. Also, Joss is making episode eleven. Can you partially wrap up a show in two weeks? Well, he had said he's ready for this possibility. Hopefully we'll go back to Los Angeles 2019, and see how Mag, Zone and MiniEcho are doing in their search for SafeHaven(tm). One person is proposing maybe a movie to close out the show, as Serenity partially did. You know, the ironic thing is that AMC is airing a six-hour version of the classic 1960's show The Prisoner. It won't be like the old version. It will have the same themes about freedom, individuality and security. I'd like to think it's the same idea "improved" after 42 years by the unknown group who made the old version. Little cable networks are willing to pay to make TV shows that are not spinoffs of existing shows, dance contests, or reality shows. The networks would rather make something they know will be popular, even if it starts out moldy and stale...and then they wonder why people turn to Netflix or HBO for their TV needs. Fox had that chance to air a show about identity and freedom, with a dig to massive companies who are trying to define what we are and what we're supposed to like. Taking a risk can pay off sometimes. Try it sometime....like when you brought back Family Guy and it became bigger than ever!!!!
Well, I have two t-shirts protesting what Fox is doing to Dollhouse. They may have something to do with Firefly, and I'll try that at the costume contest at next week's con in LAX. I may not win over another guy who's dressed as a Reaver, but if I make my point loud and clear, then that's good.
Just one more thing.... is that book of essays about Dollhouse still going to be published by Smart Pop Books? I have a great idea for an essay, and I should still write it.
ETA: Joss responds to our response, in his usual way..
Hmm. Apparently my news is not news.
I don't have a lot to say. I'm extremely proud of the people I've worked with: my star, my staff, my cast, my crew. I feel the show is getting better pretty much every week, and I think you'll agree in the coming months. I'm grateful that we got to put it on, and then come back and put it on again.
I'm off to pursue internet ventures/binge drinking. Possibly that relaxation thing I've read so much about. By the time the last episode airs, you'll know what my next project is. But for now there's a lot of work still to be done, and disappointment to bear.
Thank you all for your support, your patience, your excellent adverts. See you again. -j.
We got a long look at the dark side of the Dollhouse's mission in "Belonging". Our tour guide is a girl named Priya, who meets a man on a beach, and winds up being his personal plaything. She also shows us two staff members who take a good hard look at what they really do, and can no longer turn away. She also shows us an Active who is determined to be a wake-up call when the storm arrives. It's too bad the wake-up call doesn't apply to viewers, because they are missing one very interesting season. Those who do know are also upset. They have to wait five weeks to see what happens next.
It begins with a blurry picture of someone saying "I was just trying to help her". It's Topher, but what is he talking about? One year ago, we see an Australian girl named Priya selling trinkets at Venice Beach with another girl. We learn she's there without a work visa (quick, call Lou Dobbs!). They see a guy named Nolan who is very interested in her. He likes her paintings, and her. So, he arranges a show for her. It's great, but she doesn't like who's there. Then she meets...Echo? What kind of art show is this? Actually, it's a seduction arranged by Rossum, makers of Dollhouses. Nolan is an important man in Rossum because of his medical skills. He talks to Harding, who's even more important. Aside from being there to enjoy Echo, he talks about Priya, and mostly about how Nolan wants her all to himself. Meanwhile, Echo tells Priya there may be money in this room, but she says art, like Priya's, is power because these guys can't make it. That's why they like girls like her. "Let them think they have the power," she says. "Our time will come." Let's hope so. Nolan then introduces Priya to Luca, who's really Victor. He and Priya hit it off, a lot more than with Nolan. When Nolan tries to grad Priya back, she leaves. She says there's no way she'll ever love Nolan. One year later, he's found a way...by making her an Active. Actually, we've seen Nolan before in "Needs". He put her in the Dollhouse because she said "no" to him...and he admits it. He also says he's certain she'll come back to him with love and affection because she'll be programmed that way. In fact, he can make her anything he wants. He's got money, and a willing accomplice in the company he works for...Rossum.
Back at the Dollhouse, Echo sees Sierra painting a bird, and a big black splotch. She says she uses black because it's always there. Echo gives the painting to Topher, who's busy trying to perfect a remote wipe as Alpha did. She says "Sierra hates the bad man", but he dismisses her. After all, Actives are pets. "You're not looking hard enough. You never do," Echo says as she leaves. This gets Topher thinking. He asks about Nolan, who we learn from Boyd that he's a big wig at Rossum, and has made advances in investigating mental illnesses. We also find out Sierra was a paranoid schizophrenic when she first came. Checking Dr. Saunders' files, Topher finds out Sierra has made a lot of paintings with black splotches. Her report says that may be due to her mental state before she came here, or rage aimed towards...Topher. But he says he's not the bad man. As Victor and Echo get rid of the bad paints, and she says he's taking charge, Topher finds out other things. For one, Priya/Sierra's mental state was really caused by drugs given to her at the mental facility...owned by Nolan. Also, Adelle didn't pick this up, but she has now. However, Nolan is not worried. Even if Adelle does call him "a raping scumbag, one tick shy of a murderer" while also asking him if he takes sugar in his tea, he reminds her she works for Rossum...HE outranks her. So, he'll just take Sierra home with him, thank you. He also thanks her for the tea, although she wishes she gave him a more appropriate liquid.
Later, Harding tells Adelle to give Sierra to Nolan. Although the Actives are there to fulfill the needs of clients, she says they are not slave merchants. He says Sierra will have a great life as Nolan's wife. Besides, he knows about her and Victor from last April, but that's not the worst of her indiscretions. "If feeling you're somehow decent and moral helps you get through your day, that's your business," he says. "This house, however, is our business." So, Nolan gets Sierra or Adelle's going into "early retirement." The one Dominic got, we're thinking. Sierra finds Victor in the shower, getting rid of the evil black paints. She has a better use, painting his face, and then her own. She says he looks like an Indian chief...but it sets off a bad memory of war. It was something that got him to the Dollhouse. He collapses and says he doesn't want to take charge. Neither does Adelle, considering the choice she has to make. Topher, now with Ethics (tm), also doesn't want to turn Sierra over to Nolan. He says Dr. Saunders wouldn't allow it. Which one, Adelle asks? The avuncular doctor that Alpha killed, or the one formerly known as Whiskey? Well, both would say no, but Adelle can't. The staff is there because their morals have been compromised, except for Topher because he has no morals. "You have always thought of people as playthings," she says (while looking at him as the son she never had). However, that is changing. Just as Angelus and Spike changed when souls were shoved into them, Topher has more than a soul in him. He has ethics. What will he do with them?
Meanwhile, Boyd has been shadowing Echo ever since the painting. He sees her read a book with big words, and that it's hidden in her bed. He doesn't notice the "notes" she's etched on the cover. He is told by Adelle to take sure Topher does what he's told, and keep the Dolls in their place.
Flash back again to a year ago, because Adelle's there with a much better hairdo. This takes place after the previous Sierra had her last engagement. As Topher complains about Hearn (another man who took advantage of the next Sierra), she tells him about a woman who is a paranoid schizophrenic. It's, of course, Priya, loaded up with drugs thanks to Nolan. She tries to tell Topher but he doesn't notice. We see scenes of her happily leaving the Dollhouse to be with Nolan, interspersed with scenes of her dragged into the Dollhouse. According to Johnathan Frakes, former Star Fleet Commander and director of this episode, it's the same thing. How true, Number One. There is a great exchange when she says she's in Hell. "You're in Los Angeles," Topher says. "I can understand the mix-up." That may be true in so many levels. Topher tells Adelle it's done. She says if he's developing pangs of conscience, remember that he didn't have a choice. He agrees, and we soon see why. Sierra is all set to be whatever Nolan wants to be. She asks if she should be aggressive, or innocent, or a mute. She grabs him by the neck...and angrily asks which one? Nolan sees he didn't get Sierra. He got Priya....drug-free. Topher, you are a man.
Back at the Dollhouse, Boyd confronts Echo over her actions. She plays dumb, but he's not fooled. He warns her that "some people are not ready to wake up". Echo disagrees. "Something bad is coming, like a storm," she says, "and I want everyone to survive it." He says she may bring the storm upon herself, but maybe she's looking for a steel-belted umbrella for that. Priya then confronts Nolan for how she made her his Doll, then says she does love someone wh thrills her, and makes her happy. She doesn't remember meeting him, but she knows she loves him. It's Victor, of course. This makes Nolan angry, and she beats her up. In fact, he's getting a thrill out of it. As he's about to stab her, she grabs the knife and kills him. It's classic self-defense, but it will ruin Adelle at the next Rossum employee evaluation. Topher arrives, probably after Priya calls him. He finds her covered in blood, and suggests they leave quickly. Boyd arrives, and he has a plan. In fact, we get the feeling he's done this before. He gets Topher to cut up Nolan's body and dunk it in sulphuric acid, while coming up with a story about how Nolan planned to leave the country with Sierra, but left her behind. Topher is shocked by Boyd's efficiency, and disgusted by the smells of what he has to do. "I was just trying to help her," Topher says, "Now she's ruined." "You had a moral dilemma, your first," Boyd says, and it didn't go well." "She does not belong in the Dollhouse," Topher says. Boyd says she does now. For the record, Adelle seems to believe part of Boyd's story, but knows Rossum will believe all of it....maybe.
The final scene between Priya and Topher is tragic, but important in the development for both characters. People should see this stuff rather than waste their time with dancing celebrities. Anyway, Priya reflects on what she has done, and wonders why Topher didn't help her. He says he was fooled. He does offer her a beer. She asks if he and she are happy here. After some stammering, he says, "I have no idea." "This secret we have," she asks. "Can you keep it?' "I can keep it," he says, "but I don't know if I can live with it." "I know I can't," she says, "but then I don't have to." She's the lucky one. She then recognize Victor, and says she loves him...right? Topher says her love is real, and so is Victor's. One treatment later, and she's back to normal. She's forgotten what she has done. Topher wishes he could also forget. So does Adelle. Boyd is fine, though. Finally, we see Echo receive something "for the storm": a get out of Dollhouse free card. Better than a steel-belted umbrella. We also see Victor and Sierra, together in the same pod.
Is this the best Dollhouse episode, period? It may be, but it is also the most important. The "certainty" of the mission, to help people and give them what they need, expressed by Topher and Adelle so many times, is starting to crumble. They see the dark side of what they are doing, and the company they work for. Adelle knows that what happened to Dominic could happen to her if she doesn't look out. Topher now sees that people aren't playthings, and that he could be someone else's plaything, too. Ironically, he mentioned this possibility at the end of the original pilot: "We live in the Dollhouse, which makes us dolls, and the people playing with us little children. Children break their toys, Boyd." Nearly a year later, he understands this even more. Despite all this, would they be strong enough to rebel, and join Echo's wish to give Rossum a wake-up call? Probably not, judging from "Epitaph One," because they can't handle the consequences. Let's hope they at least try.
Let's also notice who wasn't there...Paul Ballard. Tahmoh Pentikett took the night off while Adelle and Topher were having their moral struggles. You have to wonder what Paul would be thinking about all this if he were there. Maybe he'll suspect he doesn't have to take down the Dollhouse because it will crumble before he finishes the job.
Because Fox wants to win November sweeps thanks to some help from the World Series, and reruns that seem to attract a bigger audience, Dollhouse is taking a five-week break. The show pulled in a 0.9/3 rating, and pulled in 2.1 million viewers. This was well ahead of the CW, and higher than Fox's Friday night sitcoms, but half of the audience of Ugly Betty. Actually, Friday's not a popular night for network TV shows. Fox hopes absence, and back-to-back episodes, will make the heart grow fonder. Until then, spread the word by getting people to catch up through Hulu or Fox on Demand. Also go to www.activatedollhouse.com, www.whyIwatch.com or on Twitter at @whyIwatch, @echoalert or @LADollhouse. We are lost, but we are not gone...and we're not gonna get ignored like ABC ignored the Pie Hole, either. Spend November telling people about Dollhouse December.
It figures. Two weeks ago, Fox tells viewers that Summer Glau is coming to the Dollhouse on October 30h. Oops, make that December 4th. It suddenly decides you'd rather see reruns of House and Bones because it admits it airs these shows as much as possible. Dollhouse, not so much....since affiliates apparently prefer to plug their local news rather than show promos for that show. No wonder Fox decided to close the Dollhouse for November. I'm getting flashbacks of ABC last year, and what they did to Pushing Daisies. It only aired the last three episodes because the Paley Center beat them to it by three months. However, Joss isn't worried about this. He posted on Whedonesque after a column by the TV Addict suggested he should take the Felicia Day approach: make a show and use the internet as your network. Makes sense, since DSL and broadband knows nothing about sweeps months, and web hits are the true measure of an audience. Besides, it sure worked for Dr. Horrible.
Well, Joss is a traditional man, and realistic, actually...
Hi guys. Lot going on.
First off, TV addict not dumb. (But you gotta get clean, man. We love you and you HAVE A PROBLEM. I'm just saying, try a book. A book about TV! Not cold turkey.)
Directing Glee. This is not a diabolical Fox scheme. This is me going "can I can I?" Did you see last night? Best cut-to-opening-credits moment since the halcyon days of BSG.
Howzabout that schedule? Well, I'm not as depressed as everyone else. We weren't about to rock sweeps anyway, and though there's a chilly November, December is CRAZY. It's like an Advent calendar of episodes! We get November to try to spread the word (which I'll be leaning on Fox to do, though it's hard to imagine them doing as good a job as the WhyIWatch guy) and then December is pure gluttony. Plus the episodes line up extremely well in these pairs, and we'll have an absurdly appropriate lead-in.
Back to breaking Tim's episode. Keep the faith, peeps. I'll bring you news (and hopefully a little humor, I mean would it kill me to punch these up a little?) when I can. -j
He's got a point, but the Dollhouse should not be treated like a pie shop, especially one run by a guy and his no-longer-dead girlfriend. Fans have been waiting MONTHS (or seems that way) for more Summer Glau, and wondering if the future of "Epitaph One" is inevitable, avoidable or really existed. After "Belle Chose", "inevitable" is taking an early lead. Fox ordered this show, hoping to make Friday night a must-see night, as ABC is trying to do with Ugly Betty, and CBS with Ghost Whisperer and Medium. The difference is you can see promos for those shows. Dollhouse is a different matter. Need we remind you of "Friday Night Fights"? OK, Fox, we'll give "Dollhouse Night at the Movies" a chance. Just tell people, PLEASE? We certainly will, at least.
That being said, some fans think charging a buck or two to watch a Dollhouse episode sounds possible. Some people watch pro wrestling or off-market sports that way now, rent movies or buy episodes for iPod after the first airing. It may be three to five years before we pay for original dramas that way, if it's good enough. If anyone's going that route, Joss could be the first....unless Felicia beats him to it.
Until then, support Dollhouse through Why I Watch at http://www.whyiwatch.com , activatedollhouse.com or on Twitter at @whyIwatch
