Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Oddly Funny

Former BSG co-exec producer Mark Verheiden says of these YouTube videos:

I'm not quite sure why these are being done, but they are oddly compelling...


I think I agree with him. I rather like this one the most:


Here are the full playlists by HighlandsTechno.

"Ron" discusses reactions to the finale:


"Ron" and "Dave" develop a new show about killer robots in space:

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

If it's purely a joke, fine, but if it's intended to convey that Moore and Eick are somehow pretentious and simply trying to obscure superficial motives, I'm really angered by these. Moore and Eick have been exceedingly humble about their show's groundbreaking complexity. It's so easy to shoot someone with any ambition down, but then the only safe folks are the cynicism of those who write J.J. Abrams projects and "Heroes". Thank God for BSG and now Caprica!

Logan Gawain said...

I don't get the sense that Mr. Verheiden is angered by these. As he says, they are oddly compelling.

I wouldn't be surprised if they are intended as critiques or attacks. But, that's fine. Whatever they are intended as, they are kind of funny.

I also think BSG fandom is certainly able to handle critical reactions, and to reflect on the show with an open mind. I don't think anyone would ever be able to say that BSG fandom is a blind fandom. I'd like to think that BSG has attracted an intelligent and probing fandom that likes having their views challenged and is able to consider all kinds of points of view.

As an example, even in the show we are asked to consider the Cylon point of view, or Admiral Cain's point of view. So, I think those that raise questions about BSG often have a point of view worth considering, as we all reflect on what the show means to us. Because as EJO noted the show is now in our hands, as we interpret and reinterpret it over the coming years.

So, I don't see any reason to get very angry over some comical cartoons on the internet.

ProgGrrl said...

These are both funny and disturbing. That first one Logan chose above (with Mo) is freaky on several levels for me -- but mainly because of the clown. The dancing clown. The video also presents a complex discussion that BSG fandom is quite familiar with: the endless metaphor-versus-facts debate.

These videos are part of the fandom digestive tract...a rarely seen bile duct or appendix...

Logan Gawain said...

"These videos are part of the fandom digestive tract...a rarely seen bile duct or appendix..."

That's for sure! :)

Raziel Anarki said...

i think they are extremely funny.
also it's the first time i ever tought of the three starbucks. ever.
she is the robot jesus!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I didn't think that the person doesn't have a right to express themselves, but, on that level, I don't think it's fair to basically insinuate that Eick and Moore were being purely exploitational, pretentious in their mission statement, or that Tricia is a moron.

There's so much superficiality on TV and so many who don't want to acknowledge the importance of exploring political issues, as BSG did, that too much of sci fi fandom thinks it's smarter to avoid such topics altogether and to aim for pure escapism without any designs on helping to educate the culture. It explains a lot of the hatred for Apollo-centered episodes among the sci fi community, which actually my favorite for exploring very interesting and probing matters.

I just don't think the critiques this person is making are valid and I think they're cheap in insinuating some abnormal level of sexuality on BSG, when it's actually far more respectful of women than the vast majority of shows.

They can be funny, though, especially the random dancing and jokes about vomiting. I also thought "fake Moore"'s reaction to the question about 3 Starbucks quite hilarious.

I'm surprised many fans don't seem to know that Olmos always prefers showing people's disgusting tendencies -- which are really quite human and not something to be ashamed of: from sitting on a toilet (which he had been pushing for on the show, had done in "American Me", and finally got to do in "Islanded") to vomiting and really showing the chunks; I was grossed out but it was kind of a neat contrast with his dreaming about flying among the stars.

Anonymous said...

I guess I'm reacting to a dumbing down of sci fi from what Michael Piller, Ron Moore and the great Ira Steven Behr tried and succeeded in doing with DS9 to J.J. Abrams' rubbish. I just get pissed when great art and artists are thrown by the wayside in favor of those cynically appealing to our baser desires, as J.J. (and stuff like "Heroes") has always done.

Neil Lavitt said...

I love this show, but these videos are simply fantastic. I am sure Ron Moore would laugh his socks off!

Logan Gawain said...

@ Neil, I agree, I'm sure Ron would have a great laugh at these too.

martel said...

The dancing Ron clown makes me think of Twin Peaks. These are great. It gives voice for those who were not read on the original Skiffy threads.

radii said...

pointed irony is just that

- sharp