another new media sighting

[ceallaighq]

In Canada's Globe and Mail...

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/TGAM/20030207/RVDOYL/Arts/thearts/thearts_temp/5/5/20/


"Farscape (tonight, Space, 9 p.m.) is a big deal, I am informed. A sci-fi show with a small but fanatical following (there are 19 Web sites devoted to it), it starts its fourth and final season tonight. The announcement that this was the final season brought mail from people who wanted my support to keep it going. Alas, I wasn't what you'd call intimate with it.

It's the darndest thing, actually. This astronaut fella Crichton (Ben Browder) accidentally moseyed through a wormhole, as so often happens. He found himself at the far end of the galaxy, in the middle of a war between factions of funny-looking people. He has many adventures.

Now, you probably know that all of these lost-in-space shows have a babe. (The Canadian show Lexx relied entirely on the boobs of a female character to generate interest and keep geeks watching.) Well, Farscape has three babes -- a blonde, a brunette and a redhead. Thus it has all the bases covered for keeping geeks enthralled. The blonde, a character named Chiana (the charmingly named Gigi Edgley), is the star. Oh, there are guys with three eyes, but Chiana is still the star. Farscape is idiotic, but if you've got a taste for sci-fi silliness, you should know about it. "

Chi's a blond?

[Shipscat]

Chi's the star? This guy needs some educating.

And i count over eighty Farscape web site links at my site, Farscapeweb.

and if it's Canadian, why is he talking like a redneck?

[Has]

Perhaps because he is One

[Roland]

I think the Farscape babe died in ep304, and she didn't have any hair!

:cry2: I love you "blue assed bitch!"

[Shipscat]

that's right- he doesn't know Farscape babes came in blonde, brunette, red-headed and bald!

[NebariNookiee]

According to the "Best of Farscape" web ring, there's over 100 sites dedicated to Farscape.

Farscape idiotic??? I'm insulted.:grr:

[Roland]

A Star Wars quote (Obi-One)

"Who's the idiot? The idiot or the idiot that follows him"

:jedi:

[NebariNookiee]

It's "Who's the more foolish: The fool, or the fool who follows him?"

Oops! Sorry - I'm a Star Wars geek.:D

[Roland]

OK, you got me NN! :O

[Scapekid]

I think he probably meant that Chi's the star as in, she's the hottest.

I have a friend who is also convinced that she's the best thing on the show purely because of her err...good looks. Yeah. Good looks.

So I think he was telling the geeks which girl to look out for.

I also think he's talking like a redneck in a weird attempt to sound 'cool' and 'hip' and 'not bothered'. You know. They do that sometimes. I find it mildly funny.

Well, I'll see all you cool cats and bodacious babes later, gator.

Scape'

:jedi:

I have problems when I start using sarcastic slang...

[Shipscat]

Mail sent- with a list of awards, and quotes from critics, and some stats on websites.

Go get'em, guys!

[Shipscat]

Hmm..I thought he was talking like that to poke fun at Americans.

[Roland]

Sounds to me that he doesn't like women much.

Not thoose with boobs and hair anyway!

But hey, Rygel don't have boobs or very much hair on his head, and he isn't even female! And he is defenetly a BABE!
So there is something even for the Canadien Writer in Farscape!

Welcome to the Farscape universe Mr writer.

[Crankygrrl]

On behalf of Canadian Farscape fans, I want to apologize for Mr. Doyle...*sigh* we had such high hopes in him.

Not to mention that he thought he'd "met loony online love" for Farscape before...just wait 'til the rest of the gang reads his review...beware the wrath of the internet saavy.

Cranky

[Crankygrrl]

Originally posted by Shipscat
Hmm..I thought he was talking like that to poke fun at Americans.

Probably...*sigh* not like that's <i>not</i> kinda our favourite national sport (after hockey and baseball) but I would have hoped that he would be a little more creative.

Making fun of John's southerisms is rather beneath the quality of Mr. Doyle's usual level of commentary.

Cranky

PS - for what it's worth, the Season Four preem was also mentioned in the 'on TV tonight' sections of The National Post (the other Canadian National) and the Toronto Star (biggest daily in the country.)

[Shipscat]

Don't apologize, cranky, any press is good..and he will certainly find out what's what soon. :)

[JA_Shipper]

Well, it's nice to know that some of our Canadian publications are *finally* writing something about Farscape, but this guy from the Globe is kind of embarrassing. Heh - maybe I should write and let him know that he's now embarrassed himself internationally!! (Not like he won't realize that after he gets flooded with email from other countries. :D )

Suse
who also wants to apologise for this dope - we're not all like that, really! ;)

[trubador]

Originally posted by ceallaighq
In Canada's Globe and Mail...
"...Oh, there are guys with three eyes,..."

WOWWWW!!!!!!!!!! Noranti's a GUY????????????????
Now THAT'S a plot twist!!!!!!!!!!!!
:rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin: :rollin:

[Shipscat]

Well, trubador, you never know...

[Scifigirl]

Have at him guys! But don't be loony!

Jdoyle@GlobeAndMail.ca

[waltersgirl]

i thought he was kinda funny...for a 10 year old.

[ceallaighq]

Somebody's already said this but it's worth repeating... there is no bad press. This guy devoted 3 paragraphs of his column to Farscape! He could have said it sucked (as if) and people would tune in just to see how bad it sucked. It may not have been flowery praise, but who knows how many people will read the column and watch because of it. He deserves our thanks.

[B Sharp]

OK, first I have to say that I like almost every Canadian I've met, including all the Canadian Scapers, so please don't get mad at me for saying this......Really, I've never met a Canadian I didn't like until now. I lived there for a year, and I even fell in love with a Canadian babe and and married her....but, well, it's the darndest thing-

this article made me think of when I had to mosey up to Canada again for a while in the middle of winter, and about how I'm told about this great sport the Canadians have up there, it's a really big deal, and it's where they push these big stones along the ice and people drink beer and watch it and cheer (they have a lot of that kinda stuff there...ice, stones...beer....) and then, when they push on the stone, two people run along in front with brooms to clear the path so the rock keeps sliding. or something like that.

Now, you probly know that every sport needs a way to keep score, and I'm thinkin that it seems like what they need is a really big wormhole at the end of the ice path, that'd make things a lot more 'xcitin when it comes to scorin' dontcha think?

And then mebbe Mr. Doyle could try out that there sport, and mebbe he'd hold on too long to the little handle on the rock, and then he's a-gonna fall in and meet some of these here babes he's talkin' 'bout. And then mebbe he's a-gonna like our show a whole lot more...but I guess then it'd be too late, since he probly doesn't know how to find another wormhole to get back. Now that'd be just the darndest thing!



Now, bein that I'm a peace-lovin' man, I'll refrain from pushin' Mr. Doyle in one of them wormholes, but I'm sorely, sorely tempted. Yessir, I am.

[Kurt_eh]

Does that mean Rygel would play in the Little-Rocks? :D

And "Men with Brooms" although 'about' said sport, really had to nothing to do with the sport (well, except for the Spirit of the Game, and the sliding of the rocks, and the drinking of the beer, but other than that :D )

[Hmpf]

Amazing. (How did he manage to squeeze that much stupidity in so little space?!)

Hey, we're doing pretty well for a fandom that has only 19 websites, don't you think?

ROFLOL

[JA_Shipper]

B Sharp, I'd really love to see that! ;) (That there feller goin' through the wormhole, that is)

Suse

[B Sharp]

Thanks, Suse... I was worried for a sec that you'd want to send me along with him. I loved the Space channel when I lived in Toronto, and I actually watched my first FS ep ever when there-

[Shipscat]

Are y'all trying to tell me that's a real sport?

[B Sharp]

Shipscat, are ya pullin ma leg, podner?

Yes, it's a real sport. It's called curling. and some Canadians are deadly serious about it. And there really are people that slide along in these little socks thingies with a broom in front of the stone. No kiddin'.

And - this is purely empirical data, but I speculate that the ratings for televised curling is higher than most of the Space channel's lineup on any day of the week.

Or as I'd say it down home: Damn, Shipscat, them folks are curlin' agin. Jes look at 'em curl. Wow. You wan' 'nother of these fine Canadian beers?

[Shipscat]

Hee..hee..I had heard of curling (didn't it make it to the olympics?) but I didn't know that's what it was....

I guess I imagined something else...

Evidently snooker does better in Britain, too..

So how come I'm from redneck country and I cain't speak it as well as y'all?

[ElectricLandlady]

John, John, John. I thought better of you, I really did. :grr: Here's what I sent:

Dear Mr. Doyle:

First, let me thank you for mentioning Farscape in your column. As you may know, Season 4 begins showing tonight on Space (U.S. viewers are further ahead) and there is a large campaign to save the show, so the attention this brings to the show is very welcome.

However, I was sorry to see that you seem to have formed such a poor opinion of Farscape based on what must have been a very small number (one? half? a trailer?) of episodes. Your dismissive take on it gives a very misleading impression of a show that has earned critical acclaim and devoted viewers as much for its writing and its performances as for its production values and attractive stars.

You mentioned that "Farscape has three babes -- a blonde, a brunette and a redhead. Thus it has all the bases covered for keeping geeks enthralled." Without going into any depth about who is, in fact, the star of the show (hint: it's not Chiana), I will just mention that this description makes Farscape sounds awfully like The West Wing. I'm sorry to confound your evident fondness for stereotyping, but I'm a 29-year-old woman; I'm a project manager for a multimedia company that makes medical training programs; and I don't watch the show because I'm a hormonally challenged geek with no life -- I watch it because it's smart, because it's funny, because it's exciting, because it's well-written, because it's sexy and because it's better than just about anything else out there.

I am very sorry to see a columnist whose opinion I respect falling into the trap of assuming that if a show features aliens, it must therefore have no brains. I urge you to learn more, either at the Save Farscape Canada site (http://www.savefarscapecanada.com) or at the campaign's online press kit (http://www.scaperoute.com/savefarscape/onlinekit/onlinemain.html). Then watch a couple more episodes (I'll be happy to suggest some). Then write another column. I'm pretty sure that after doing some research, you'll have changed your mind about Farscape. If not, it really is your loss.

Sincerely,

(me)

One can but hope.

:grr:

[B Sharp]

awesome!

[ElectricLandlady]

thanks B!

Incidentally, my faith in our TV critics was somewhat restored by this part of Basem Boshra's Remote Control column in the Montreal Gazette:

What else is on? Regular readers will know that science fiction isn't really my bag, but fans of the genre swear by Farscape (Space, 9 to 10 p.m.), a series that follows the escapades of a lost American astronaut (Ben Browder) as he lives on a spaceship with aliens in a galaxy far, far away and does battle with the Human-appearing Peacekeepers while he tries to figure out a way home. (The series features expensive-looking F/X and creatures designed by the Oscar-winning The Jim Henson Company, which needs no introduction.)

Problem is, Farscape -- which originates out of the Sci-Fi channel in the U.S. -- is slated for cancellation following this, its fourth season, which kicks off on Space tonight. Sci-fi fans are a hearty bunch though, and Farscape fans -- they call themselves "Scapers" -- around the world have launched far-reaching campaigns to save their favourite show. Check out www.farscape.com to track their progress.

:D

Now there's a nice reasonable friendly column. If anyone cares to toss a few roses his way, email bboshra@thegazette.southam.ca

[DZ_Crasher]

I sent Basem Boshra an email.

I'm not canadian... in fact I don't even live in North America. I am in fact, in Israelie, and I got your article from the message board at www.watchfarscape.com . I'm emailing you to thank you. Your article was informative and fair and though short, very nicely written. So Thank You.
When we save Farscape, it will be in part due to you. :D

My Real Name


and got this reply,



My Name.

I hope it helps.
Good luck.

Basem

Well that was nice. :D

[Crankygrrl]

It's a sad day for Canadian journalism when The Gazette is more far-minded than the Globe...thank's for posting your letter, ELL. Go get'em!!

Oh and B Sharp, just FYI if you want to try curling, there is a San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club (www.bayareacurling.com). I would post the address as a link, but they're server doesn't seem to be working right now.

But if you get the chance, you really need to try curling: it'a blast. And the best thing? You can take your beer down to the ice with you...and IT STAYS COLD!

B Sharp will tell you: cold beer--very important to Canadian curlers.

=] Cranky

[trubador]

Think of it as oversized shuffleboard on ice, with a touch of bocci ball thrown in for good measure!

[akimbo]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeep!

"Men with Brooms" yee ha!

[Stargate2077]

I was so thrilled that I got a reply from Basem, but I just noticed that I made a typo in my e-mail...I feel sort of embarassed. But he called me Mister so that's good!


Mr. <My Name Here>

Your point is well-taken.

Regards,

Basem

> ----------
> From: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Reply To: xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Saturday, February 8, 2003 4:58 PM
> To: bboshra@thegazette.southam.ca
> Subject: One little problem with the recent column about Farscape
>
> Dear Basem Boshra,
> In order to track the campaign's progress, you need to go to
> www.savefarscape.com, not www.farscape.com, whixh is the official henson
> website for Farscape. Other than that, the column was excellent and well
> researched. Thank you for your help and I hope you will continue to write
> about Farscape.
>
> Sincerely,
> <My Real Name>
> Germantown, TN
>
> Online Press Kit:
> http://www.scaperoute.com/savefarscape/onlinekit/campaign/sfmain.html
>