Al Gough's 2nd interview w/ TV Guide 10/18/07

[AgentPat]

I thought it might be a good idea to give this its own thread. These are some great questions... FINALLY!

We've yet to get a glimpse of Clark Kent, journalist, on this show. When are we going to welcome Clark to the bullpen? — shalimarfox80
Al Gough: Not this season, but Lois will be joining the "Planet" staff full time.

Superman's moral stance on killing is very clear in the comic books. Do you believe that there is more flexibility in Clark's moral code before he becomes Superman, or is there a philosophy you have developed for these circumstances? — SueB62
Gough: A great question. We were told up front by DC Comics that Clark couldn't kill anyone. Now I can hear the fans going, "But in that episode.... " The fact is we adopted a policy from the start that the villain had to fall on their own sword, or die by circumstances beyond Clark's control. I've heard lots of arguments in early episodes that Clark did "kill" someone, but the fact is he hasn't and he won't. Now, when it comes to aliens and Zoners and Zod (whom in the comics, Superman did kill with Kryptonite) the rules are a little fuzzier, but the tenet remains — Superman (and by extension, Clark) doesn't set out to kill anyone. Believe me, it makes for some very interesting discussions in the writers room.

What is the status of having Michael McKean back as Perry White? He was great! — prisonerofgod
Gough: We'd love to have him back, but he is an extremely busy actor!

Why did Season 5 end with the Chloe-Clark kiss in the "Daily Planet" if there were no plans to follow through? — frellingtralk
Gough: The world was ending, and Chloe didn't think she'd see him again. The fact is, she will always have feelings for Clark, even though she knows they will never be more than friends.

I know Allison [Mack, Chloe] will be directing an episode. Will either Michael [Rosenbaum] or Tom [Welling] be directing this season? — Misty
Gough: Allison is [directing an episode], and we are very excited. Tom will be directing again as well. Michael wanted to, but he recently had back surgery and opted out. [Executive producer] Miles [Millar] and I have always been supportive of the actors directing, and think both Tom and Michael have given us great episodes. We expect the streak to continue with Allison!

Why do you believe the Lex/Lana/Clark triangle was such a big success, even though it upset many fans? — duskwillow
Gough: Because people are so invested in these characters. That is the great thing about Smallville fans — they are passionate about the show and the characters. Miles and I take so much crap online for various decisions, and the fact is it makes me smile, because people still care. I think the fact that Lex and Lana divided so many people is a testament to that. It is the core triangle of the show, and the fact that it was on slow burn for five seasons just added to the furor.

Are we ever going to see [hard evidence] of Lex's genius-level intellect? — thevar
Gough: Good question. Hadn't really thought about it, but it is something to consider.

Will Lois and Kara become friends this season? — mcvs2104
Gough: Eventually they will; she is, after all, Clark's cousin, and Lois has a soft spot for the Kents (or the Els if she really knew where they were from!).

Is Erica Durance going to appear more this season? Her Lois Lane is the most faithful incarnation I have ever seen on screen and her appearing so little is starting to hurt the character's development. — medliana
Gough: Thanks, that is great to hear. I believe you will be seeing more of Lois this season, although she won't be in every episode.

I know about the romantic restrictions on Lois and Clark [being a couple on Smallville], but is there a restriction on one or the other starting to have nonplatonic feelings? Such as Clark starting to like Lois more but keeping it to himself? — Superman_Beyond
Gough: Shhhhhh! You're spoiling the end of the season!

Hi, I'm from Argentina. I love the show. It's my favorite! Well, I have a question/comment for you: Do you think Clark needs a change of clothes urgent[ly]? I think Tom Welling is the most beautiful man, but he always wears the same clothes. He can continue using the red and blue colors, but he can use different clothes, I think. – lulitasmv89
Gough: Seeing that you are from such a fashionable country, I completely understand where you are coming from. But the fact is, Clark is an organic farmer in Kansas who doesn't make that much money, so there isn't a lot of time devoted to fashion. That's what all of his evil alter egos (Kal, Bizzaro, Red Clark) focus on. Believe it or not, we get more inquiries on "Where can I get those red-and-blue jackets" than we get cast-autograph requests! The fact is, we bought them in bulk and had to dye them ourselves. (Well, not me personally, but our incredibly talented costume designer.)

http://www.tvguide.com/news/smallville-questions-answered/071018-01

 

[triplet]

Okay, I wonder if they're planning on doing an 8th season at this point...

WTF? about Clark not getting back into journalism *this* season?



*sigh*

I hope they turn next season into Birthright...

Bastards.

 

[04nbod]

since when is a new jacket breaking the bank?

 

[triplet]

since when is a new jacket breaking the bank?

That doesn't make sense because he had a new truck the last part of last season...

Not that he's been driving it anytime this season.

 

[AgentPat]

Hehehe... I'm laughing here 'cause I actually *liked* what Gough had to say this time.

Must be Opposite Day.

And yeah, it sure DOES look like an 8th season is a foregone conclusion. Since JL wouldn't unspool until after S8 ends, and SR isn't an issue anymore, I think *some* restrictions may be lifted going into S8, or possibly as early as this season. Also, if they know they're going one more, and they know that it's DONE at that point, the whole eighth season could hypothetically become the "launch sequence," which I think would be pissah!

And no, I didn't have happy juice for breakfast this morning. I just got some positive reinforcement, that's all. A little goes a long way with me and SV.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

they really need to bring McKean back, even if its just for part of an episode, to show him getting hired at the DP

 

[Prison Mike]

did he really mean about Clois at the end of the season? Or was he just pulling our legs? I hope he's serious.

 

[AgentPat]

they really need to bring McKean back, even if its just for part of an episode, to show him getting hired at the DP

Maybe they can work something out for next year? That would be great if they did.

 

[Captain_BluTac]

hmm

 

[AgentPat]

did he really mean about Clois at the end of the season? Or was he just pulling our legs? I hope he's serious.

Well, I interpreted it as a spoiler - sort of. It was just wrapped in Gough's normal habit of trying to make his comments funny. But YES, it makes sense given the story. And HALLELUJAH if it's true. Because that's one of the things I've been waiting to see - Clark's secret non-platonic interest in Lois - that will probably leave him flustered and confused because it's LOIS! I can't wait to see them get that ball rolling.

As to the red jacket - that's just Clark. It's as much a part of him now as the red cape will be to Superman later, so I have no problem with him continuing to wear it.

Gough said the jackets were bought in bulk and dyed - which we knew already. But I wonder how many they ordered? Or... better question, how many jackets have been retired and where is the graveyard?

 

[triplet]

Gough said the jackets were bought in bulk and dyed - which we knew already. But I wonder how many they ordered? Or... better question, how many jackets have been retired and where is the graveyard?

They'd bought a lot of them from Carrhardt (as you know) and had them dyed and turned the collars (to hide the courdoroy, I'm guessing) but they ran through them all so I read somewhere they're now making their own...

Actually, I think it was in the 4th Season Companion or maybe the Smallville Visual Guide, I forget which...

One of those things that Craig had done anyway.

 

[Captain_BluTac]

triplet are you a boy or girl

 

[AgentPat]

They'd bought a lot of them from Carrhardt (as you know) and had them dyed and turned the collars (to hide the courdoroy, I'm guessing) but they ran through them all so I read somewhere they're now making their own...

Actually, I think it was in the 4th Season Companion or maybe the Smallville Visual Guide, I forget which...

One of those things that Craig had done anyway.

Yeah, I had read all that. It was also mentioned on the S5 DVD extras about the making of the 100th episode. I'm just curious to know how many they actually bought. Useless trivia, and all that jazz.

 

[avidreader]

First of all, thank you Pat for bringing those Q & A's over. I'm a terrible surfer at the internet, so I appreciate it when everything is right at my fingertips.

Okay, I wonder if they're planning on doing an 8th season at this point...

WTF? about Clark not getting back into journalism *this* season?

Well the fact that he mentioned "this season" to me felt like he was saying, but he will next season, which really starts to open the door for a Birthright storyline. Here's hoping.

they really need to bring McKean back, even if its just for part of an episode, to show him getting hired at the DP

They've already shown us that Perry White works at the Daily Planet. He wrote the article on Lionel Luthor being sent to prison for the episode Gone.

I liked those set of questions as well, although I'm a little worried as to where that leaves Clark and Lana's relationship if Clark starts to see Lois in a different light. Maybe, he'll just have more effection for her, if not full on romantic feelings.

 

[Captain_BluTac]

ignore my last message

 

[avidreader]

Yeah, I had read all that. It was also mentioned on the S5 DVD extras about the making of the 100th episode. I'm just curious to know how many they actually bought. Useless trivia, and all that jazz.

They actually said in the latest Season 4 Companion, that they bought the first batch from The Gap. Now they have them custom made.

 

[triplet]

triplet are you a boy or girl

ignore my last message

I'm a "girl"...

 

[Captain_BluTac]

now uve used the speech marks im wondering if you were born a girl if yes u is a little bit normal

 

[zerohour films]

That doesn't make sense because he had a new truck the last part of last season...

Not that he's been driving it anytime this season.

Clark gets new trucks all of the time because of sponsorships. (a little side business they don't discuss on the show)

Hey a farm boy's gotta eat!

 

[Captain_BluTac]

yep

 

[AgentPat]

First of all, thank you Pat for bringing those Q & A's over. I'm a terrible surfer at the internet, so I appreciate it when everything is right at my fingertips.

Oh, no problem. There were quite a few points brought up in that interview that I think would have gotten lost in the S7 spoilers thread, so I figured it would be better to have its own spotlight.

Well the fact that he mentioned "this season" to me felt like he was saying, but he will next season, which really starts to open the door for a Birthright storyline. Here's hoping.

I'd LOVE to see them go in the Birthright direction, if only to help set up a crossover to film later, but I don't think they'll do it. They won't change the name of the show in its last season, and it wouldn't be Smallville any more if Clark was traveling the world. Hell, it wouldn't even be "Metropolis."

They've already shown us that Perry White works at the Daily Planet. He wrote the article on Lionel Luthor being sent to prison for the episode Gone.

Yes, but that was three years ago, and it was something you had to pause playback to read LOL. Plus we know what their attention to continuity is for the small details. Prodigy was a whole episode that revolved around Chloe's interaction and history with her mom, yet they made quite a few continuity errors from previous episodes.

Would they do it again? I hope not. But I'm not putting anything past them. That said, out of sight out of mind. If they want to tell more stories about life at the Daily Planet, you'd *think* Perry's name would come up in passing once in a while. Oliver's name still comes up. All viewers know right now is Grant, and I'm not sure how long he will be around.

I liked those set of questions as well, although I'm a little worried as to where that leaves Clark and Lana's relationship if Clark starts to see Lois in a different light. Maybe, he'll just have more affection for her, if not full on romantic feelings.

I don't know how they will finally end it, but they obviously will have to as some point this season. I really don't think the writers are stupid enough to give Clark non-platonic feelings about Lois while he's still dating Lana. OMG... can you imagine the boards? LMAO!!! So if it's true, and Clark does start to have these feelings at the end of S7, it's probably safe to assume things will be over between him and Lana by that point, because they're not going to pull a Clana seesaw again once Clark starts seeing Lois in a new light.

 

[Captain_BluTac]

hmm

 

[AgentPat]

hmm

hmm

^ Okay, please stop doing this.

 

[triplet]

now uve used the speech marks im wondering if you were born a girl if yes u is a little bit normal

LOL!!



I used the "speech marks" because I stopped being a girl a very long time ago, I'm probably old enough to be your mom, not because I had an operation...



You crack me up.

 

[Captain_BluTac]

ooh but itsmy way of spacing before i can tthink of how to put my oppinionso ;p hmmm