The Talon

[Brainiac 8]

Sounds like you had a good time!

 

[AgentPat]

Okay, what the heck happened to the Random Rant thread? There was a great discussion going on there ABOUT SV, and it's gone now? Yet the Supernatural thread is still here. There's also at least three threads 1, 2, and 3 specific to Braniac that could be merged if a mod feels like collapsing threads or something. Color me frustrated.

I was in the process of responding to a post in the now gone Rant thread, so I guess I'll just post it here. Gah!

...my only rant is against people who blindly enjoy everything about the show because its a reinterpretation.

A valid gripe. Who here blindly enjoys *everything* about SV though, regardless of the reason? Even the most hard core fans [raises hand] have issues with the show. I think I've even thrown a few barbs at TW. Utterly shocking, I know. But I have. LOL

Theres something called being objective

I like to think most folks are. Well, most *try* to be, anyway.

reinterpretations can be good or bad.

Oh, no doubt. I still prefer the original Planet of the Apes over the Burton retread...

Anyways I have high hopes for season 5...

 

[triplet]

Here's an interesting article from Backstage on the current state of episodic TV for actors who risk getting voted off of the island even when a series regular;

Why it might interest Smallville fans is that Al Gough was interviewed for the article, he had some especially interesting things to say about the fates of Pete and Jason.

I'll just post the first part, I've highlighted the first bit from Gough from this article, but he has more statements below these. You might be interested in reading what he said about Pete and Jason and on working outside the show...

Click the link above for the rest of the article.

Written Off
You've done great work on your series. Why would they say goodbye?

by Sarah Kuhn

As he was preparing to shoot a new episode of The Practice, Jason Kravits got a phone call. Series creator David E. Kelley was on the other end of the line with bad news. "[He] said, 'I'm sorry, your character is going to die next week,'" remembers Kravits, who played assistant district attorney Richard Bay on the show. "Then he said, 'It's not your work,' which of course made me think, 'It's gotta be my work.' He said, 'I just didn't know what to do with the character.' I thought to myself, 'Well, I've got a few ideas.' And I started saying [that], but it came out more, like, 'Yeah, well, hey....' That was my big rejoinder."

Kravits chuckles as he recalls the experience, but he wasn't feeling so hot at the time. "I have to say, it was very surprising," he says. "I was pretty shocked that it happened, because, as opposed to a show like Oz or The Sopranos or Lost, this is a show about the legal system in a state that doesn't even have the death penalty."

Kravits' story reflects one of the hard truths of working in series television: Even when you've landed a gig, nothing is guaranteed. "Finding the cast for a network show is a tricky job," says Tony Martinez, an agent with the GVA Talent Agency. "You can hire five very talented actors, but when you put them together, they don't always create the right ensemble."

When this happens, characters--and the actors who play them--may get the boot. The idea of axing regular characters seems to be increasingly prevalent with the current trend toward high-stakes, risk-taking television. Two of the most popular, buzz-generating new series last year were ABC's genre-bending Lost and Desperate Housewives; before the season was up, each had offed a regular character. "Nowadays with television and the nature of shows, just because you're on a show, [it] doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be on the show for the entire run," says Alfred Gough, co-creator and executive producer of the WB's Smallville.

"One thing you need to do to keep a series fresh is be able to introduce new characters and lose old ones, so audiences stay intrigued in the show. You look at ER: There's not one actor on that show that was there at the beginning. Quite frankly that gives writers a lot of flexibility to flesh out a series and take things in different directions, because you're not so committed to one actor in particular. And then you're on a show where certain actors pop, and you can write story lines to those characters. You just have to know--and I give writers the same advice, too--you're never safe. You always have to be prepared for the fact that your character might be written off or killed off, and it's [about] how you take the momentum you got from that show and use it to get your next job."

As most actors can attest, there will be a next job. Being written off of a series can be a blow, but it's not the end of the world--and it may only be the beginning of your career.

 

[avidreader]

That was an interesting article. Gough's thoughts on Pete not having chemistry with the other actors in order to play out a love triangle I found particularly interesting. Bad casting decision?

 

[triplet]

That was an interesting article. Gough's thoughts on Pete not having chemistry with the other actors in order to play out a love triangle I found particularly interesting. Bad casting decision?

Yeah, I think that's basically what he was saying... Sam Jones is a good actor but I'm not sure Pete was a good part for him.

I guess we'll see whether he gets added to ER now that Danny Glover has been added as a recurring character. He played Glover's son, Mehki Pfeiffer's half-brother, in last season's finale but he doesn't appear to have been added to the cast list for this season.

I guess we'll see.

I really liked all the nice things that Gough had to say about John Glover, by the way.

 

[avidreader]

He's certainly getting out and about at the moment. Is that usual for this time of the year. I wondered if he was out there doing more promoting due to the fact that the WB seem to be pouring so much attention into the Supernatural.

 

[triplet]

He's certainly getting out and about at the moment. Is that usual for this time of the year. I wondered if he was out there doing more promoting due to the fact that the WB seem to be pouring so much attention into the Supernatural.

Yeah, I think Gough gave several interviews last year about this time....

 

[avidreader]

Ah, ok. I just read something the other day about him saying that he thinks the WB will start to advertise their other shows once Supernatural airs. Reading between the lines I thought he was trying to make up for their lack.

 

[RakuMon]

Didn't know where else to post this. Anyway, AICN has some descriptions of upcoming "Justice League" episodes. For those of you who don't know, Michael Rosenbaum voices the Flash. With that in mind, check out what is likely to be a really cool JL episode:

THE GREAT BRAIN ROBBERY (TBA) With perhaps a nod to Michael Rosenbaum’s role on “Smallville,” Wally and Lex switch brains.

 

[RakuMon]

Interesting bit from SHP's monthly chat w/ Superman editor Eddie Berganza

Russ Green ([email protected]) asks:
Since Jeph Loeb is leaving the "Smallville" TV series, is anyone from DC Comics replacing him as envoy to the mythos?

Eddie: Those guys know their stuff, even with Jeph gone, you'll note in the promos the appearance of the Fortress plus a major baddie from Superman's rogues will also be on hand. Hey, it's why I hired Mark Veirheiden to come do SUPERMAN.

 

[RakuMon]

Cool upcoming Smallville merchandise:
http://www.inkworks.com/products/smallville/smallville4/smallville4newprod1.html
Smallville: Season Four
Premium Trading Cards
Coming October 26, 2005!

Inkworks announces the next installment of the fan-favorite Smallville trading card collection, based on the the fourth season of the hit WB series, Smallville: Smallville Season Four Premium Trading cards.

The Season Four release features a comprehensive 90-card set based on Clark's senior year at Smallville High, plus an amazing selection of bonus cards:

*

AUTOGRAPH CARDS - ONE PER BOX! Nine different autographed cards inserted approximately 1:36 packs:
o

Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor)
o

Erica Durance (Lois Lane)
o

Margot Kidder (Bridgett Crosby & Lois Lane in the Superman films!)
o

Sarah Carter (Alicia Baker)
o

Peyton List (Lucy Lane)
o

Jonathan Bennett (Kevin Grady)
o

Rob Freeman (Coach Quigley)
o

Kyle Gallner (Bart Allen & Kid Flash for Superman fans!)
o

Trent Ford (Mikhail Mxyzptlk - Future Superman foe!)
*

PIECEWORKS® CARDS - ONE PER BOX! Seven different cards featuring show-worn costumes. Inserted approximately 1:36 packs:
o

Clark (Tom Welling) - Shirt
o

Lana (Kristin Kreuk) - Skirt
o

Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) - Shirt
o

Lois (Erica Durance) - T-Shirt
o

Jason (Jensen Ackles) - T-Shirt
o

Genevieve (Jayne Seymour) - Jacket
o

Bridgette (Margot Kidder) - Suit Pants
*

"LOIS AND CLARK" - A nine-card foil and embossed puzzle. Inserted approximately 1:11 packs.
*

"SWITCHCRAFT" - Six foil cards inserted approximately 1:17 packs.
*

PLUS - Three Box Loader Cards and a Special Case Loader Card!



SMALLVILLE SEASON 4 PREMIUM TRADING CARDS
FROM INKWORKS

RELEASE: OCTOBER 26, 2005

PRODUCT CONFIGURATION:
7 CARDS PER PACK
36 PACKS PER BOX
10 BOXES PER CASE
SRP: $2.29 PER PACK

SMALLVILLE SEASON 4 UNCUT MINI-PRESS SHEET "LOIS AND CLARK"
ONLY 199 NINE-CARD UNCUT AND SEQUENTIALLY-NUMBERED MINI-PRESS SHEETS ARE AVAILABLE.
SRP: $69.95 each

SMALLVILLE SEASON FOUR COLLECTOR ALBUM
SRP: $19.95 per album

If you have any questions, comments or want to find out where you can order Smallville Premium Trading Cards, please contact us at [email protected].

 

[Serene]

Yet another vid that I really enjoyed. It's a Clark and Lana vid, but in light of the upcoming season it seems very fitting, esp. since it's mostly season 4 clips. The song is amazing, I'm going to have to look that one up.
It's by Superwoman08.

(avid, I think you've seen this one already)

http://s48.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3OZVK0WDXNBD132DK7P5C299J4

 

[avidreader]

Yet another vid that I really enjoyed. It's a Clark and Lana vid, but in light of the upcoming season it seems very fitting, esp. since it's mostly season 4 clips. The song is amazing, I'm going to have to look that one up.
It's by Superwoman08.

(avid, I think you've seen this one already)

I have seen it before, and thank you again, after watching the Clana clip from Ksite then watching that again, its getting me right ready for the season. I hope they keep them going for a while. They are so beautiful together.

 

[triplet]

Great interview with Joss Whedon over on Time.com.... Also they talked to the guy who wrote Sandman, Neil Gaiman.

I highly recommend this read:

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1109313-1,00.html

These guys are a hoot in this interview, here's something that is mildly related to this forum and *ahem* others...

JW: I think there's a possibility that comic book movies are getting a tiny bit better on the one hand because they're no longer made by executives, who are, you know, ninety-year-old bald tailors with cigars, going, the kids love this! But even executives and producers and people who aren't necessarily creative who are involved in it did actually grow up with these characters, so there is some measure of respect. Although we still occasionally get League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and you really can't explain that.

NG: Or Cat Woman.

JW: Oh my God.



That cracked me up...

 

[Serene]

Great interview with Joss Whedon over on Time.com.... Also they talked to the guy who wrote Sandman, Neil Gaiman.

Two of my absolute favorite writing guys. I heard about this interview.. thanks for the link, trip.

Just a reminder.. Everyone should go see Serenity this weekend. Really.

 

[KikiDee]

Okay, I'm done playing with my new smiley's. I guess I really should give some intelligent responses eventually right? Last night's epi was orgasmic...lot's of things blew up and it moved along at a nice pace. Not enough Kryptonian action, but what can you do with only 40 some odd minutes?

I put this post here because I can't resist just one more........

Meet

Super Smiley! For some reason he feels the need to mask his identity. I guess he doesn't want a fan war.

 

[Serene]

I have to plug the new movie, Serenity. I loved this movie so much I want a sequel.. so everyone needs to go see it, please.

I laughed, I cried.. it did everything a movie should do. I can't wait to see it again, and I rarely see movies more than once in the theater.

NO, you don't have to have watched the tv series, Firefly, to enjoy the movie.

So go already.

 

[C. Lee]

My wife and I loved Serenity also. It's a must see.


On a Smallville note....I recently picked up season 4 on DVD (we don't get WB on our cable system...so it's the only way I can see it)....I will now have to pre screen all episodes before my son watches anymore.....they have seemed to go heavy on the sex in this season....fine for adults, but he's a little young to see his hero humping cheerleaders in the weight room.

 

[Zing79]

My wife and I loved Serenity also. It's a must see.


On a Smallville note....I recently picked up season 4 on DVD (we don't get WB on our cable system...so it's the only way I can see it)....I will now have to pre screen all episodes before my son watches anymore.....they have seemed to go heavy on the sex in this season....fine for adults, but he's a little young to see his hero humping cheerleaders in the weight room.

Not that I am endorsing the use of downloading copyrighted material. But I -- um -- I mean my FRIEND doesn't have cable either. My FRIEND is also a Smallville nut, so he's been known to use Bit Torrent as a personal TiVo to get his fix.

Just a thought. In case you need a Smallville fix as bad as I---MY FRIEND--does.

 

[Bad Superman]

My wife and I loved Serenity also. It's a must see.


On a Smallville note....I recently picked up season 4 on DVD (we don't get WB on our cable system...so it's the only way I can see it)....I will now have to pre screen all episodes before my son watches anymore.....they have seemed to go heavy on the sex in this season....fine for adults, but he's a little young to see his hero humping cheerleaders in the weight room.

I agree. I think the sex scenes overdone through Season 4. They should tone it down. There are kids watching.

Watch out for next week's episode. From what I saw on the previews it had at least one steamy scene with Clark and Lana.

 

[C. Lee]

Not that I am endorsing the use of downloading copyrighted material. But I -- um -- I mean my FRIEND doesn't have cable either. My FRIEND is also a Smallville nut, so he's been known to use Bit Torrent as a personal TiVo to get his fix.

Just a thought. In case you need a Smallville fix as bad as I---MY FRIEND--does.

I have cable...but it doesn't carry the WB network.

I personally am opposed to downloading copyrighted material...and will not do it.

 

[C. Lee]

I agree. I think the sex scenes overdone through Season 4. They should tone it down. There are kids watching.

I spent last night scanning through the DVDs on fast forward. Up until episode 14 there was a little risque stuff in all episodes (and a couple that were way over the top - Clark's Vegas wedding for example - that I won't show him at all)....after that, there is no overtly sexual material for the rest of the season. They must have recieved a bunch of complaints during the making of that season and decided to tone it down. My son loves the show....and it's a shame that they had to go that far into "sexyville" so that he won't be able to see some of it for a few more years.

Watch out for next week's episode. From what I saw on the previews it had at least one steamy scene with Clark and Lana.

Like I said...I don't get the WB, so I must wait for it to come to DVD to watch it. But thanks for the heads up anyway.

 

[mellyM]

My friend had the same issue with watching it with her kids, she suddenly had to start screening, but neither of us are complaining about the sex, it sucks for the kids of course, but Unsafe and Pariah were two of my favorite eps for the season. I did notice they were both rated TV-14, when Smallville on average is rated TV-PG.

I guess as the characters get older, the situations will become more mature.

 

[triplet]

My kids are old enough I let them watch the episodes, but was glad I knew what to expect...

Unsafe did spark some discussion about what a virgin was but I think they're old enough to talk about it, so I welcomed the chance to talk to them about it in a non-confrontational way.

I think it helped them to understand the pros and cons better because they could talk about it in reference to characters they knew instead of trying to discuss it from a more abstract viewpoint in reference to themselves....

Does that make sense?

 

[avidreader]

My kids are old enough I let them watch the episodes, but was glad I knew what to expect...

Unsafe did spark some discussion about what a virgin was but I think they're old enough to talk about it, so I welcomed the chance to talk to them about it in a non-confrontational way.

I think it helped them to understand the pros and cons better because they could talk about it in reference to characters they knew instead of trying to discuss it from a more abstract viewpoint in reference to themselves....

Does that make sense?

It does to me. I'm in a similar situation with my 11 year old, my other two are way old enough to understand. He usually gets a little embarrassed and puts the pillow in front of his face.