General update

[shadowkat]

1. Well, I managed to fall back into Buffy. I'm reading the Season 10 comics now. Skipped over S9, because I despise George Jeanty's art and prefer Rebekka Issacs. All Jeanty's women characters look exactly the same, and as if they are eighteen years of age. I couldn't tell them apart. Also didn't like the Story in 8 or 9. I may go back and pick up 9 at some point if required, but it appears it's not required at the moment, since the first issue of 10 sort of summarizes a little what happened in 9. (They got magic back by creating a new seed. Went to the Deeper Well, etc. And all the slayers on the team went their separate ways after the fact. So we have a smaller group now. Which makes the story easier to follow.)

I'm not reading it as part of the fandom. Mainly because I've begun to realize that I do not have the tolerance for people in fandom fighting with me over characters I happen to dislike or love. Frigging hell. Let me dislike or love whatever fictional character I choose. It's just a fictional character, folks, it's not your relative, best friend, or enemy.

This tendency to fight over character likes/dislikes is not limited to one fandom either. It's all fandoms.

2. Good news, sinus headache from hell is gone. Finally. Bad news -- had to take an antihistimine to get rid of it. This does not bode well for the next five days, in which I have to be off them in order to get an accurate allergy check on Saturday. Ugh.

And next week is going to be tough. Have a site tour of tunnel hatchways. I'm not going down into those tunnels. I'll die. I'm highly allergic to mold. Also not just one, but three doctor appointments. Still debating cancelling one of them -- because she only sees folks on Fridays between 11 -4 pm. Which is not the best time frame.

3. Completed over 101,455 words on book -- well typed them in. I've actually written more than that in long-hand. I'm writing on my commute instead of reading. So I basically write about three hours a day. And yesterday wrote about six hours.

Have to cram it in with a full time job, plus life.

That's about 220 some pages to date. This thing looks like it might get to 400, which may not work, not certain. I'm liking the story. Whether I do anything with it is another issue. I'm not sure the publishers, etc would like it. It's highly subversive in some ways, and comments on various things. Also I make up stuff.

4. Watched four more television series yesterday and cancelled another one.

Did away with the Unsolved Mystery of Tupak and B.I.G. I have too many television series to watch and no time to watch most of them. And not a lot of interest in anything at the moment. Nothing's grabbing me.

I scrolled through movies last night -- and found nothing I really wanted to see. The Post, Molly's Game...didn't grab me. I may rent Justice League though.

Shows watched:

* Grey's Anatomy -- sigh, the writers are getting "issue" oriented. Each episode of this series and the episode arcs seem to be about some social issue that the writers want to explore from another angle. Shonda Rhimes is starting to resemble Aaron Sorkin, David E. Kelly and Joss Whedon now that she's gotten successful. Writers? The audience isn't interested in being preached to. Tell the story, don't get up on a soap box and preach.

That said, it's still mainly character driven, so it continues to hold my interest for the most part.
I'm just getting tired of the message of the week.

* Station 19 -- more character driven, less issue driven, thankfully. And I'm enjoying it for the most part. I can sort of see where they are going with it. The lead or main character is going to get raked through the coals for a bit.

* Rise -- eh, still struggling to find its footing. It's a bit preachy in places. And I'm having troubles really getting into any of the characters. Love the music though. Just doesn't have the same pull that FNL did for some reason. It may be me, I may just not be in the mood for this type of drama? I don't know. I like it well enough, just not feeling the love that I expected.

* Scandal -- series finale. It was okay. Looked for a while like it was going to throw all the characters off the proverbial cliff with only David Rosen coming out intact, instead did the exact opposite. David Rosen got killed, Jake went to prison for life for all the crimes, a deservedly guilt ridden Cyrus Been stepped aside and resigned, Olivia rode off into the sunset with Fitz, Mellie got to be President, Quinn and Charlie and baby rode off into the sunset, Darby mourned Rosen...that was about it. Considering the horrible things every single character did -- they got off a bit easy. But at least they chose to stop doing all those horrible things.

I'd stopped watching about ten episodes back. I got tired of the show. And what is happening nationally made it difficult for me to watch it. I feel like I'm surrounded by government corruption on a state, local, and federal level. There's no escape. The last thing I want to do is watch a fictional television show or non-fictional one about it. This may explain why The Post and Molly's Game didn't grab me.

Comments

[mefisto]

Well, if you're diving back in...

I plan to attend Whedon Con (May 18-20). The featured guest is JM. If you have any question you'd like to ask him, I'd be happy to ask it if I get the chance.

[shadowkat]

Eh, I can't think of anything. He's pretty much answered every question on the planet. Also he doesn't know that much or remember all that much about filming Buffy and Angel. He's been asked less questions about Angel than Buffy though.

Always been curious what his contractual deal was exactly on Angel, but he's not going to tell us that. That's confidential. But I'd love to have to seen that contract. Also been curious if he's started putting certain riders in his contracts about what he will and won't do. I know SMG had the no nudity clause in hers, as does Lena Headly and various others. (That's why a lot of them have body doubles or no nudity.) I wonder if Marsters now has a "not playing a rapist" and "no complete nude scenes", and "no bleaching hair" in his? But I don't think I could ever ask him that.

Do report back on it, please. I'm always curious -- even though the idea of attending a convention is my idea of hell. I can't stand crowds, particularly in small spaces.

The best Q&A that I've seen of his, was with him, Julie Benze, Claire Krammer, Mercedes McNabe, Eliza Dusku, and Nick Brendan. Actually anything with Nick Brendan and James Marsters together is worth watching. Both are incredibly informative and Nick is currently writing the comics with Chris Gage. (They are better at than Whedon was.)

[mefisto]

If you think of a question before the Con, just let me know. I'm trying to think of a good one too. I have plenty I'd ask the writers, but it's harder for the actors.

I'm with you on the crowds. This'll be the first one I've attended, but Passion of the Nerd is the MC and he's an online buddy so I told him I'd be there.

[shadowkat]

Passion of the Nerd is the MC and he's an online buddy so I told him I'd be there.

Ah, that's very nice of you.

I did sort of do once for a friend -- it was a James Marsters rock concert -- and that's as far as I've gone. (And.. never again.)

I have plenty I'd ask the writers, but it's harder for the actors.

Feel the same way. I'd rather talk to the people who wrote it. They know where they were going with it, actors are really hard. You don't have to ask a question. Or you can ask him something about theater and he'll go off on it. Like the difference between producing a theaterical production and producing a film or webseries. He's done both. I don't think anyone asked him that. Or what is involved in producing a television series and acting in one.

[shadowkat]

Did think of a few questions..

1. How has his acting style changed since Buffy and Angel? What does he do to prepare for roles now? And how is it different? I know he was a method actor, but I don't think he is now. I can tell.

2. Of the mediums he's performed in - theater, film, television, web -- which is his favorite and why?

3. What if any direction, editing, instruction did he receive when he was writing the Spike comic? Did he have free reign? And did he pick the artist? (Note the most recent Spike comic, not the Drusilla/Spike one.)

4. Name two of his favorite roles that he played. How would he perform them differently now, if at all?

5. Which musical would he want to perform on stage, and which role in it?

6. Which writer or actor informed his work the most and why?

I think that gives you some ideas. If you get the chance.

Oh and...

7. Would you encourage your children to go into theater or acting? Why or why not.

Don't ask personal questions. I know he says he's shameless, but I find those cringe-inducing. And not that interesting. Stick to what they do for a living if at all possible.

Oh...if you want to...

8. Is he still on the Paeolo Diet and how'd he get into it?

9. Favorite film version of Macbeth?

10. What book or play would he adapt to the screen outside of Macbeth, and which role that he has not played would he love to tackle that isn't Macbeth?

[mefisto]

Ok, these are all good. I probably won't get to choose more than 1 (if that), so put them in order if you can.

Here's one I was thinking of:

You have a strong background in theater. Can you explain the differences between theater and television, and how those affected the way you handled the role of Spike (if they did)?

[shadowkat]

Oh that's a really good one. He can have fun with that one.

Mine are already in order of importance. My first one is similar to yours. I like that one.

People ask the stupidest questions at these things -- such as :

* Who was the best kisser? Seriously how is he supposed to answer that?

* What was the best scene you ever did? No actor can answer that.

* What was the worst scene you ever did? The Bathroom Scene in Seeing Red. (Honestly, I really wish people would stop asking the poor actor about that episode, it sent him into therapy. It's not fair to the actor. He didn't choose to do it or come up with it.)

* Who is the best actress you worked with? Seriously?

* Did you pick up any mannerisms from you character? Honestly it is their mannerisms. What the hell. And they swipe from other actors.
Or they mimic, so no.

One of the better questions?

What was in the blood bags and cups of blood you drank as Spike? Strawberry Quick Syrup. Terrible Stuff.

[mefisto]

Ok, those are really stupid questions. I promise not to ask any of those. I'll go with some combination of your #1 and mine, unless one of us gets inspired in the meantime.

[yourlibrarian]

I feel the same about Jeanty's art. It certainly didn't help me stay with the comics.

I feel like I'm surrounded by government corruption on a state, local, and federal level. There's no escape. The last thing I want to do is watch a fictional television show or non-fictional one about it. This may explain why The Post and Molly's Game didn't grab me.

I have both those on my queue though probably won't be seeing them for some months. But I definitely get the feeling -- it may be one reason I'm particularly looking for lighter fare. Unfortunately other than in cases like The Good Place, lighter often seems to go along with "underdeveloped."

[shadowkat]

Yep, I'm insanely picky about art in comics. Also, I found it slightly disturbing that Whedon liked Jeanty's art because he felt that Jeanty drew women as they actually looked. Turned me off of both. LOL!

Now, that Gage, Issacs and Brendan are writing them -- I like them a bit more. Also they broke up Dawn and Xander, which ...thank you. And got away from the zompires. Also thank you.

Buffy and Willow actually look more like the actresses who actually performed them and at the ages they are at.

But I definitely get the feeling -- it may be one reason I'm particularly looking for lighter fare. Unfortunately other than in cases like The Good Place, lighter often seems to go along with "underdeveloped."

Yep. I keep trying and keep getting disappointed. I haven't made it through a new sitcom yet. And I've lost interest in Big Bang, which began to get on my nerves. (I'm not a fan of broad humor or blatant sexual humor...it gets on my nerves.)

I don't want to think that hard...but also be entertained.

[wendelah1]

"This tendency to fight over character likes/dislikes is not limited to one fandom either. It's all fandoms."

Tell me about it.

We also though Rise was preachy. My husband, who is a retired public high school English teacher, thinks the conflict between the drama department's instructors and the football coach is silly and contrived. We both think the dialogue is stupid. Who makes a speech and walks out of the room without giving someone a chance to respond in real life? Who talks like that in the first place? The music is good.

Grey's Anatomy is in, what, its 14th season? I don't think you can blame bad writing on Rhimes' success. That's not new. Maybe they're running out of ideas.

[shadowkat]

I agree with you on both Rise and Grey's Anatomy.

We also though Rise was preachy. My husband, who is a retired public high school English teacher, thinks the conflict between the drama department's instructors and the football coach is silly and contrived. We both think the dialogue is stupid. Who makes a speech and walks out of the room without giving someone a chance to respond in real life?

You've managed to articulate fairly well why it's not working for me. It's too preachy. And overly sentimental -- at times manipulative in its sentimentality.
(I mean the whole lets build our own set scene was silly. I've seen Spring Awakening, you don't require a fancy set, it's better to be minimalist.)

And the conflict between the football team and the theater group is contrived and doesn't work. For one thing, a football player, who is lead quarterback, would never audition for a school play. And if he did, it shouldn't conflict to that degree -- it's only four weeks. Friday Night Lights never went there -- which is why it was better. It also had Peter Berg behind it, and Berg most likely reigned Jason Katims in. I've watched Parenthood and it was also preachy and sentimental, and melodramatic at various points -- which was Katims without Berg.

Although, regarding making a speech then walking out of a room without giving someone a chance to respond? That happens a lot. I admit I've seen people do that including myself. My Dad has a tendency to explode in anger then stalk off. A bad habit that I inherited from him and am fighting against. It's not a good thing to do. But people do it. Unfortunately.

Grey's Anatomy is in, what, its 14th season? I don't think you can blame bad writing on Rhimes' success. That's not new. Maybe they're running out of ideas.

Well, true, but ...here's the thing about prolific successful writers, they get burned out and start to get preachy. See Katims, Kelly, Whedon, Sorkin...it's not so much success but realizing hey, I got a huge soap box, I'm going to use it.

Weirdly, I'm not seeing it in Station 19 as much, but she's not writing that one. It is present in For the People, unfortunately, but legal show. All legal shows, except possibly the Good Wife are unnecessarily preachy.

Grey's is in its 14th Season, and yep, I think they are running out ideas.
Shows should end sooner.