On the one hand, I’m incredibly depressed that tonight is the finale of “Chuck.” On the other hand, I feel as if I should be grateful that we had the show for as long as we did. And the great thing about that is that it happened because fans took one of the favorite tactics of boycotters and censors, turned it around, and accomplished something positive with it.
Year: 2012
Space Cases: “Same Old, Same Old” Part 2
Originally published September 6, 1996, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1190
Last time, we presented Part 1 of Peter David and Bill Mumy’s unfilmed script for an episode of Space Cases. As we left the crew of the Christa, they were attempting to discover the source of a scene showing the ship’s (and presumably the crew’s) demise.
Space Cases: “Same Old, Same Old” Part 1
Originally published August 30, 1996, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1189
Gather round, kiddies—it’s another ripping installment of:
Useless Stories
As I write this, I’m in sunny Montreal, where Space Cases is being prepped for its second season (set to begin in October). In that spirit, I’ve decided to show you a script that was written for the first season but—for a variety of reasons—didn’t get used. Written by Space Cases co-creator Bill Mumy and me, it shows the crew of the Christa learning one of the oldest lessons around: that the saying “May you live in interesting times” is the deadliest curse in the universe.
The Big Fish
Originally published August 23, 1996, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1188
A great personal tragedy had just struck at the household of Bill Mumy.
Mumy and I were up in his office, working on a script for Space Cases, when Bill’s 6-year-old son, Seth, appeared at the door. Tears were rolling down his face as he sobbed out the heartrending news, “George the Third is dead and Ming ate him!”
Bill was promptly consoling. I, of course, said the same thing that you doubtless said upon being presented with that declaration. Namely: “Huh?”
What Convenient Moral Outrage
Newt Gingrich declared last night, when asked about his ex-wife’s recent interview, “I’m tired of the elite media protecting Barack Obama by attacking Republicans.”
Funny. He didn’t have any problem with the elite media dog-piling on Bill Clinton during the time that he, Gingrich, was involved with the impeachment.
PAD
Remember Mr. Mission Impossible?
The guy who walked into the showing of “The Artist” that Kath and I were attending, stood there for four minutes, and then asked in a loud voice, “Is this Mission Impossible?”
Well, it turns out there are people who are more oblivious than he was. I’m talking about the moviegoers who demanded their ticket money back because they went to see “The Artist” and were irate to discover it was a silent film.
No. I’m not kidding.
Perhaps any theater that has moviegoers wanting refunds for that reason should give them a complimentary DVD of “Clueless.”
PAD
Where I stand on SOPA
(The following is a very cut-down version of what will be a much longer “But I Digress” in an upcoming issue of “Comic Buyer’s Guide.)
The denizens of the Internet are, for the most part, screaming foul and bloody murder and (of course) shouting for boycotts of any and all who are in support of SOPA and PIPA. Because when you want to show that you’re a firm advocate of free expression and unimpeded distribution of information, naturally the best way to do that is to try and financially punish and shun anyone who disagrees with you.
Now I don’t pretend to understand all the ramifications of SOPA. I’ve read a lot about it. Read position papers on both sides. I’m fairly convinced that, yes, SOPA goes too far in its current language. It should not be passed in its present form, and–if it does go forward–will likely be scaled down to something more manageable.
But oddly enough, I can’t find it within me to work up much outrage over it. I suppose I should. I’m a freedom of expression guy.
And yet, here’s what I keep coming back to…
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