Ida Says HEY
Nov 11You all know how I feel about The Middleman. Many of you also know how I feel about approaching nerdlebrities in the wild. Could it be that these two topics are about to meet in the most satisfying of ways? Read on!
A couple weeks ago, I spotted Mary Pat Gleason at a screening. Definitely, definitely her. If you haven’t seen The Middleman, she plays the delightfully cranky android Ida — a formidable foil for Wendy Watson.
She asked me if that was my coat on that seat over there, was I saving it for someone? Oh, um…what? No! All yours, Mary Pat Gleason! At the time, I was Twittering away on my phone, refreshing relentlessly and following a scintillating debate between Kim and Caroline about the merits of Jean Grey. I giddily posted an updated about “the HEYDAR” being in the same room as me…should I go talk to her? Kim helpfully reminded me that Ida is not actually the HEYDAR, but operates the HEYDAR, and I should absolutely go talk to her!
I don’t think I would have done it, were it not for this bit of Twit-encouragement.
Anyway, after the movie, I was standing out in the lobby and saw her exiting the bathroom. I darted after her, tapped her on the shoulder and said something like, “Excuse me, I just wanted to tell you that I love you on The Middleman!”
“Oh!” she said. “I loved working on that show and I love you for saying that!”
I noted the troubling past tense in the first love declaration. “Is it…is it coming back?” I asked hopefully.
“We don’t think so,” she said.
I must have looked rather instantly devastated. “I know,” she said, patting my arm comfortingly. “I’m sad, too.”
Apparently, there is hope, but it sounds like the thin, desperate kind of hope that drives some people to spend the rest of their lives writing steamy, slashy series finale fanfic, all in the name of gaining closure on the likes of Wendy Watson and Co.
Dollhouse: Probably DOA
Nov 06Herc over at Ain’t It Cool has what can only be called the pre-mortem post-mortem on Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse, which has already been doomed to certain failure by a Friday night time slot, the same night where Firefly rotted and died a quick death.
X-Files was the first thing I thought of too, and Herc has the date–1993. Do the shitholes at Fox seriously think they can turn Friday into some kind of sci-fi night again in the tradition of a move they made fifteen years ago? A move that has meaning only to about twenty people, most of which work for Fox? It’s not like when NBC owned sitcoms on Thursday; no one reminisces about “Must-See Friday” over on Fox when Mulder and Scully ruled the roost.
I can’t honestly believe that Fox wants Dollhouse to fail; I just don’t think they give a shit either way. What they probably hope for is another Firefly–drop a little cash on a token first half-season, sell a shitload of DVDs, make a cheap feature film that will probably make its money back and maybe a little profit, sell some comic books and toys and T-shirts to the nerds.
Grok the Vote: The All-Important Dairy Farmer Vote
Nov 04Moreso than last week’s seminal “The Jackal” this is my favorite bit of pie-in-the-sky West Wing super-idealism ever. We’ll never hear this speech from a real candidate, and that’s a damn shame.
Loki Groks
Nov 04
It’s a crazy day, so let’s all take a moment to breathe. Why not chill alongside my friend Ellen’s cat, Loki, as he curls up with issue #2 of Grok? Loki really digs this essay by Jeff. Loki is very concerned about all the kitty-friendly geek establishments that have closed down in recent years. Loki feels Jeff’s pain and also wants to know if Jeff has ever tried this thing Loki loves, this thing where you stare at the wall and wait for shadows and light to appear and then stare at it some more? It’s very soothing. Loki thinks you ALL should try it, not just Jeff.
OK. Loki says you can go back to stressing out now. But, Loki reminds you, don’t forget to Grok the Vote!
Grok The Vote: A For Reals Public Service Announcement
Nov 04I realize this has nothing to do with nerditry, and I probably don’t have to say the following to the good people who read this blog, but just so that it’s said, if only to make me feel better:
1) VOTE.
2) Be patient. Record turnouts, long lines, occasional malfunctions…anticipate these things. Expect them. Bring a book, as Chris already suggested, and relax. What you’re doing is important. It’s worth doing right.
3) Be kind. Those who work on Election Day at polling places are to me nearly saints. They have to put up with buckets of bullshit all to help us lazy fools who don’t volunteer so that the sausage gets made. Say “thank you,” a lot, and smile, and be warm and grateful. They deserve it.
That’s it.
