SciFifty

The BBC has been having a spot of trouble lately with what is perceived as prurient content.

A few weeks ago Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross went way over the line on their show.  They left lewd messages on the phone of 78 year old actor Andrew Sachs.  A joke about bestiality caused a ruckus because it was aired in the family hour.
 
Now we have the case of John Barrowman "exposing" himself on BBC one. Just how do you "expose" yourself on the radio?  I listened to the show in question last night. "Switch" with co-hosts Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw, presents itself as the place to go for whats new and exciting. The show was pleasant with little talk, unless a guest was present, and a variety of pop music.
 
Enter John Barrowman, and almost the first words spoken to him where "We understand you are famous for  taking your willy out in public, is this going to happen today?" A more conservative show might have asked about his new single or Torchwood Series3... but when the opening salvo involves the word "willy," I don't think they were expecting anything else.        
 
The studio was maned by adults who seemed to be having a great time. Mr. Barrowman is famous for his love of life and people and fun. Maybe it went a little too far, but he immediately apologized. Subject closed.
 
The BBC on the other hand gets one or two complaints and issues a public apology. Why?  For not backing up their people, creating a tempest in a teapot, or now seeing smut lurking behind every joke?
 
I had the pleasure of briefly meeting Mr. Barrowman at Comic-Con in San Diego this year and watched him interact with hundreds of fans. He was pleasant, welcoming and charming to one and all, old and young, male and female.

He might still have a lot of the little boy still in his soul, but isn't that a gift from God?

Posted by webninny at 09:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's a head's-up for those of you planning to go to Comic-Con 2009: The Hilton San Diego Bayfront, which is adjacent to the "H" end of the convention center is opening in December. However, they're already taking reservations - including July of next year.

One of the bars in the hotel will have the FOX imprint so may well be the anchor for many activities. The surrounding hotels are already blocked, so this is just a word to the wise.

Posted by webninny at 03:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

On the plane home from Comic-Con, my daughter and I had a discussion about the possibility that we had been exposed to too many of our ilk and would not want to ever go again… riiiight.
 
I really shouldn’t make long-term plans because while visiting a gypsy camp last night, an old woman named Maleva read my palm and said she saw a pentagram, and by the way, I should stay away from a guy named Larry Talbot. Wait a second I have to stop watching videos at 4 A.M.

To make a long story short we have already made our hotel reservations for next July. Next year we will fine-tune our schedule so expertly, we will see twice as much and be twice as exhausted. And bring twice as many people with us to help load our haul!

Posted by webninny at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Gareth David-Lloyd was a proper gentleman at Comic-Con. He was just lovely, signing autographs for three days and taking the occasional photo upon request. Meeting him was truly a pleasure.

Posted by webninny at 05:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

By the time Sunday rolled around even the kids in the crowd were beginning to show wear and tear. A group of twenty-somethings were behind us on the escalator discussing their horror at the fact that they were too tired Saturday night to go out for drinks. I was lucky I had the strength to dial room service.
 
Our final choices for the convention were Smallville and Supernatural.
 
We saw an extended coming attraction for Smallville, then the some of the cast were introduced including Allison Mack, Justin Hartley who is a regular this year, and new villain Sam Witwer (late of Battlestar Galliticia). Sam's character will have an ability that other protagonists did not have – he can kill Superman, who will be further growing into the hero we know from the comics.
 
The Supernatural panel was just plain fun. Eric Kripke, Ben Edlund and Peter Johnson and stars Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki were conducting a very boisterous discussion, when to cap everything off, the Ghost Facers arrived on the scene in-character and out of their minds. It was a fabulous ending to a supernatural event.
 
All that remained was to drag ourselves back to the hotel and UPS clothes home because we needed a suitcase to hold all the swag and the "collectables" we bought; my daughter’s favorite is a Jason Voorhees doll about twelve inches tall with a blood spattered machete, and a large canvas Supernatural bag. Mine are my Torchwood trading cards and Torchwood magazines that John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd signed. Of course I'm also partial to all the Dr. Who stuff and my Hell Boy doll.

Posted by webninny at 07:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Saturday morning we joined approximately 6,500 other fans to see the Heroes panel and we were rewarded with a viewing of the fist episode of next season. It is very exciting and takes the story in a very different direction with new and unexpected people having super powers. After the showing there was a lively panel discussion with the entire cast and the writer/producers Tim Kring and Tim Sale.
 
Lost was next with creator/exec. producer Damon Lindelof and exec. producer Carlton Cuse, leading a discussion of the show and their plans for the end-game. All hell broke out when Mathew Fox showed up to join in the question and answer session.

Next up was Terminator Salvation, staring Christian Bale. We saw an extended coming attraction and then had a panel and question and answers with McG and some of the cast including Bryce Dallas Howard, Moon Bloodgood and Anton Yelchin. The movie looks very exciting and Christian makes a terrific John Conner.
 
A remake of Death Race 2000 was the next offering with Sam Raimi and his cast including Jeremy Statham, Ian McShane, Joan Allen and Tyrese Gibson. Also very exciting.

Side note: This was the third panel we attended where the director or producer said they had tried to get the great Bruce Campbell for their project, but couldn't, because he is tied up in Miami with Burn Notice.
 
The final offering of the day for us was The Mummy: Tomb Of the Dragon Emperor. This coming attraction was great and the panel was unbelievable/ We had not only Brendan Fraser and Maria Bello and John Hannah, but legends Michelle Yeoh and wait for it… Jet Li. The fans – all 6,500 –went crazy and all questions were answered in good humor.
 
My only regret for the day was that we hade to pass up the wonderful Mad magazine cartoonists Sergio Arragones, Al Feldstein, and Al Jaffe.

Posted by webninny at 05:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

First we had Stargate Continuum the new movie out on DVD. The panel was composed of Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, Christopher Judge, Ben Browder and Beau Bridges. The fan reaction was amazing; the discussion was lively as they talked about actually filming in the Artic. Amanda Tapping and Ben Browder spoke of being so excited they made snow angels. Hilarity ensued when they discussed the need for "bathroom buddies" because going out alone could be fatal.

Ben Browder complained that he was the only one not to appear on Stargate Atlantis, if fan reaction is monitored, he will soon.

 
The next panel was Stargate Atlantis, with Joe Flanigan, Robert Picardo and Jewel Staite, Besides discussion about the show, Robert Picardo spoke about his role as the hologram doctor on Star Trek Voyager AND Jewel spoke about Firefly. The panels were both followed by questions from the fans. In order to see these panels we had to miss The Hobbit and Watchmen. The whole weekend revolved around what to choose and what to pass.
 
Moving to another room we saw first Ghost Hunters, which was represented by the International group. A presentation on X-Box which was interesting, but sometimes we sat through a program because they don't empty the rooms between panels… Next up was Adult Swim's Robot Chicken which had a large panel led by Seth Green and Mathew Senreich, Tom Root and Doug Goldstein and Breckin Meyer. It was chaos and hilarious.
 
Our final show of the day was Mystery Science Theater 3000, a 20th anniversary reunion with the whole cast and crew including Crow and Tom Servo. They discussed the movies chosen and why, movies they would like to have done, and the issue of a new DVD in September. It was wonderful to see and catch up with everyone.

All that remained for the day was to battle the other 125K people to get out of the convention center.

Posted by webninny at 08:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

“If it means the death of one person to save thousands... then boom, gone.”
- John Barrowman on the heroism of Captain Jack Harkness (view video)

Posted by webninny at 09:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The first panel we saw today was Stan Lee and Grant Morrison. Can you believe it? An actual living legend in the flesh. There was some very amusing banter between the two - Morrison is reimagining some of Stan Lee's characters.

The next panel was Doctor Who. They don't empty the hall between panels, so by the time Doctor Who started, there were approximately 4,500 people screaming. The panel was composed of Julie Gardner and Steven Maffat. He is going to do a fantastic job on Doctor Who. Besides writing some of the scariest stuff ever, e.g. Blink, Maffat has a fantastic sense of humor. His anecdote about his interaction with Customs was hysterical. We also saw an extended coming attraction for the Christmas special.

Maffat left and John Barrowman leapt up on stage, onto a chair, and attempted to show us his bum. Closely followed by Gareth David-Lloyd and Naoko Mori. Don't worry about the show, folks. Julie Gardner is very enthusiastic about series three, saying it will be packed with action, put our friends in dangers they have never faced before, show us even more of Ianto, and amaze and surprise us us in general.

The question and answer period was great fun, with John misbehaving, Gareth keeping up quite nicely, and Naoko receiving a great response because of her character's death. But of course nothing is permanent in Torchwood. All of this was topped by John and Naoko singing a duet from Miss Saigon, in which they performed together years ago.

Posted by webninny at 09:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As Comic-Con comes to a close today, I can begin catching up with my blog. I've got enough fodder for days and days starting with recaps of each day.

Wednesday - Preview Day

We landed very nicely and checked into our hotel, which went very smoothly considering it was only 10:30 a.m. Then as relaxing was impossible, we walked down to the convention center. Now I normally wouldn't say that being disabled is in any way a plus, but Comic-Con is so well organized and oriented to special needs, that we were able to register immediately and receive premiere seating at all events due to my mobility issues. By the way folks, pretending to be gimpy would be really low.

We decided to forego orientation and went to the exhibit hall for some conservative shopping. Three hours later, we were carrying Comic-Con exclusive Joker and Batman figures, Doctor Who action figures, a Tardis which doubles as a USB port, Jay & Silent T-shirts, Arkam Asylum T-shirts, and a plush Jason Vorhees.

The giveaways were also fantastic, posters, buttons, trading cards, lunch boxes, dog tags, and shopping bags from every TV show and movie you can imagine.

Back to the hotel because tomorrow is TORCHWOOD and DOCTOR WHO.

Posted by webninny at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I am writing this 38,000 feet higher than I belong. If it gets posted we will all know that we landed with body and soul intact.

We are looking over the six pages of events we want to see. This has already been whittled in half from the complete list. Whatever your interests may be – broad as in comics, horror, fantasy, or a more specific niche, such as writing, cartooning, publishing, directing, and classes in business – all are here.

Stars, directors and writers from the most popular shows on TV – Lost, Dexter, Battlestar Gallatica Big Bang Theory, or Smallville. Then we have the movies – Twilight, Red Sonja with Robert Rodriguez, The Hobbit, with Guillermo del Toro, or The Day the Earth Stood Still with Keanu – Woah!

The icons have all come out to play and not just of comic fandom, or sci-fi, but pop-culture itself. Peter Jackson, Kevin Smith, Ray Bradbury, dean Koontz, Allan Ball, and Robert Smigel (I poop on you!).

And last but not least, the latest British invasion – Torchwood and Doctor Who. Carrying the banner will be Julie Gardner, and Steven Moffat, on the writers/producer/director end, and John Barrowman, Gareth David-Lloyd and Naoko Mori who bring their characters to life.

Sunday evening closes with the demigod of all media, Joss Whedon, presenting Once More With Feeling the Buffy musical. It’s going to feel like a midnight show of Rocky Horror – sweet.

Posted by webninny at 07:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Comic-Con is fast approaching; we are going on Wednesday morning so it's almost down to the wire. Besides being overwhelmed by the amount of choices to be made once we arrive, I am also wrestling with the fact that I hate to fly. My passion for road trips has more to do with staying on terra firma than exploring strange and unusual places.
 
I am handling my anxiety in the age-old way of mature adults: I'm refusing to discuss my concerns with anyone and thinking of what might help me relax onboard.

Clearly, the only solution is uplifting and life-affirming music so… a mix for my ipod:
1.  Howie Day, Collide
2.  Once soundtrack, Falling Slowly    
3.  Chris Issak, Only the Lonely
4.  Snow Patrol, Chasing Cars
5.  Marc Cohn, Walking in Memphis
6.  Sia, Breath Me
7.  Rufus Wainwright, Cowboy Song
8.  Eric Clapton, Running on Faith (unplugged)
9.  Gavin deGraw, More Than Anyone
10. Coldplay, Vida La Vida  
11. Leonard Cohen with U2,  Tower Of Song
12. Dropkick Murphys, Forever 
13; Annie Lennox, Bridge Over Troubled Water
14. Jeff Buckley, Hallelujah
15. David Cook, Music of the Night 
16. Gavin Rossdale; Mind Games 
17. Rufus Wainwright; Everybody Knows.
 
Looking back on my list, I realize I don't have any uplifting and life affirming music on my I-Pod at all. Perhaps after listening to this lot a little shuddering from the engines will cheer me up.

Posted by webninny at 08:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Dante Hicks, Holden McNeil and the Apostle Rufus: What sick mind could conceive of them? Oh, sure, Kevin Smith… bingo!
 
A not-so Silent Bob, Kevin is a writer of books and comics and a writer/director of movies. His body of work includes Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma and, well, even Jersey Girl, which by the way had a very good performance by George Carlin as the father of Ben Affleck’s character,
 
Kevin is a Jersey Boy and very proud of it. His first film Clerks was filmed at the convenience store where he worked and was financed by the sale of his comic book collection. It is therefore totally fitting that he is one of the hottest tickets at Comic-Con 2008 this month.

The Comic-Con event is Entertainment Weekly's panel, "The Visionaries: Filmmakers" Friday, July 24th in Hall H. A word to the wise: The venues are not emptied out between events, so get there early to claim your seat.

Comic-Con rules!

Posted by webninny at 06:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With the help of a friend, I recently began collecting Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic books. These are very nicely written, beautifully illustrated and follow the Buffyverse canon. But to me, these are not really comic books. Superman, Action, and Batman are the real comics.
 
When I was a kid, my Mom’s sister who lived in America long ahead of us, returned to Ireland to visit. She came bearing gifts for all -- clothes, perfume, jewelry. But smart woman that she was, she brought me a box of comics and chewing gum. And after returning home, every few months I would receive a box the size of the Manhattan phone book filled with comics and packs of gum. My friends were the most Americanized kids in Ireland; chewing gum at all of the inappropriate times and places. But the comics, which also included Archie and Betty and Veronica, I hoarded.

Eventually, I was stupid enough to write my Aunt and say I really wasn’t interested in comics anymore and the care packages stopped.  However, when we moved to America, those I had were carefully packaged and brought with me despite my parents' complaints about the extra costs.

Now flash forward to me setting up house with my new husband and the boxes of comics again come to light. He, who had never been a nascent geek, looked at the boxes and said, “boy, these would make some kid really happy.” And me, blinded by love or brain-baked due to our lack of air conditioning in July, agreed. But, I kept a careful list of all the issues we gave away to reminisce one in a while.

Over time, my husband would read articles about the rising value of comics – especially the ones we’d given away. He would gulp, and cough, but I never said a word. About five years later, my husband bought himself a brand-new car. Soon after, coming home at night, I slid down our icy driveway in my own car, and smashed the entire driver’s side of his new car. He was apoplectic. But the next morning, I quietly put my carefully folded comic book list beside his coffee. Snap! Once again, Batman, Superman and the Justice League of America saved the day.

I suppose I'm coming full circle now as I look forward to Comic-Con next month – my geeky nirvana.

Posted by webninny at 12:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Oh the time has come, the walrus said, to talk of many things; Of shoes and ships and sealing wax and cabbages and kings – and conventions.

Most of my adult life I have been attending conventions and annual meetings for one reason or another. When my daughter was school aged, it was P.T.A and Girl Scouts which segued into business gatherings and for the last ten or twelve years, political conventions.

All of these gatherings required study and preparation to gain awareness of the issues involved. Truth be told, political conventions were probably the only events that provided any entertainment (intentional or not).

I now find myself actually eagerly awaiting a convention -- Comic-Con in San Diego. The name of the blog indicates my genre of choice, and of late I find myself enjoying all things Torchwood. Planning to attend, my daughter read that John Barrowman would be attending and had one of those eureka moments, what a great birthday gift for Mom!

As we live on the East Coast this is a costly venture, What if he doesn't show up, you ask? Have you looked at the guest list? Where else would you have consolation prizes of people such as Ray Bradbury, whose Fahrenheit 451 is one of my all time favorites? or Dean Koontz and his Odd series, or cartoonists Al Jaffe and Sergio Aragones? Or Jim Butcher of the Dresden Files?

It will be very nice if Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd are there, but if they don't show, my only problem will be deciding whom among the other fabulous guests to line up for first.

Posted by webninny at 09:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)