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Michael Melnikoff writes...
My question relates to the video game "Kingdom Hearts" made by Disney and Square-Enix. For those who haven't played it, the game features worlds, plots, and characters from Disney's many movies and cartoons, even going so far as to get many of the original voice actors to voice the characters. Disney/Square are currently making the sequel Kingdom Hearts 2, and if that game does as well as the first, possibly even a Kingdom Hearts 3. It may be entirely possible that the Gargoyles could be added into one of these two games. Would Disney even consider doing something like this? If it happened, would Disney contact you about a possible plotline for the Gargoyles section of the game? Thanks a bunch.
Greg responds...
I think it would be great, but I have no idea how to make it happen. Don't even know whom to talk to about it. If Disney or Square or whomever decided to include Gargoyles, I would hope they'd come to me. But I can't be sure they would.
Sam writes...
What kind of buildings were gargoyles found on originally?
Greg responds...
In which culture?
In western culture, mostly cathedrals and castles. But there are a ton of gargoyles on less impressive buildings as well.
GargFan1995-Present writes...
#2
I have some questions about Gargoyle TV viewership.
1. Did the Gargoyles watch American Idol?
a. If they did, who were they cheering for in each season?
2. What feelings, if any, did the Gargoyles have about the finale of "Friends"?
I would like to thank you so much for answering our questions.
My guess on when you answer this - June 2006!
Greg responds...
How'd December 2005?
But I'm sorry, but I just have no opinion on this stuff.
Fraternal Cross-Promotion!
I am pleased to announce the release of "The Best of Dodger Thoughts," a
325-page book featuring the top selections from my brother's Dodger Thoughts website (www.dodgerthoughts.com). Since 2002, Dodger Thoughts has been the leading independent source online for information and insights on the Los Angeles
Dodgers. Now, the best pieces have been compiled in print, with sections on:
--The 2002-2005 seasons
--Dodger history
--Key Dodger players
--Dodger atmosphere: the stadium, the fans, the broadcasters
--Coaching and managing
--Ownership
--The GM's Office
--Baseball and writing
--Plus, a foreword by longtime Dodger broadcaster Ross Porter
Besides providing immediate enjoyment this offseason, "The Best of
Dodger Thoughts" will have long-term worth as a historical resource: a
you-are-there record of an important chapter in Dodger history, as well as
the first printed compendium of blog coverage of the Dodgers. For longtime
readers of the website as well as those who have never seen it, "The Best of
Dodger Thoughts" will be well worth owning.
"The Best of Dodger Thoughts" can be ordered though this link at Lulu.com -
http://www.lulu.com/content/164688 - or by visiting the Dodger Thoughts
website.
Thanks ...
Emperor Auladarr I writes...
Not really a question but a bit of info:
Mr. Weisman,
You said you wished to know what had happened to the elves at Helm's Deep in LOTR: The Two Towers. It is my belief (if I'm reading Tolkien's original work correctly) that the elves there all "died." The quotation marks are used because on Middle-earth, the elves are immortal. If they are killed, they are re-born, so to speak, some time later with full memories of their past experiences.
Just thought I'd share that...although, by the time you read this, I'm sure you'll have sated your curiosity.
Greg responds...
It's been years and years since I read Tolkien, and it may be true that in the book the elves all died. But I see NO indication of that in the movie. So when I comment on the movie version of Return of the King, I think it's fair to ask the question what happened to the elves from the movie version of TT.
Now of course, we very dramatically see one elf die. The guy we've met before, whose name escapes me at the moment. But I saw no indication that either he was the last one left and/or that all the others died after him.
Given how the movie presents the elves as SO much better fighters than anyone else we meet, I likewise find it hard to believe that so many humans survived and not one elf.
Keep in mind, though, that I DO love these movies.
Todd Jensen writes...
This is probably going to reach you such a long time from now that the "freshness" will have most likely gone out of it by the time that you read it, but:
You raised the question as to what happened to the Elves who fought at Helm's Deep in the movie version of "The Return of the King". My own impression from the "Two Towers" movie was that they were all slain during the battle(except for Legolas), of course. Admittedly, they didn't refer to it in the dialogue for the "Return of the King".
Greg responds...
I've seen that movie at least three times now, and I NEVER got the impression that ALL were slain. Perhaps after the battle, they all headed for the coast. But there was never any indication that they were massacred down to the last elf. And it's tough to buy.
I love the trilogy, but if I have one complaint, I would have liked to have seen more elves and dwarves beyond just Legolas and Gimli fighting at the Gates of Sauron.
Battle Beast writes...
Greg;
Do you still watch "All My Children?"
What do you think it CURRENTLY?
Thanks.
Greg responds...
I rarely get to actually see it. But I do religiously read the synopsis every day.
Di isn't Dixie. That's all I have to say.
rikki writes...
can i use some of the pictures for ideas for my corsework in art
Greg responds...
Some of what pictures?
Siren writes...
Okay, one more question for now...
I am a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series. And the more I have read the behind-the-scenes on it, the more I see Joss Whedon, the creator has done a lot more then I thought and I apparentlty have been watching his works longer then I thought. As I have with you as well. I was wondering if you ever worked with him on anything? I know he has jumped around studios for years, even wrote Toy Story and whatnot, so he has been with Disney as well.
Also, have you watched either Buffy or Angel? And if so, what do you think of them?
Greg responds...
I've never worked with or met Joss Whedon, though I'd love to. I'm a HUGE fan.
I'm also a HUGE FAN of Buffy, Angel and Firefly. By now many of you know that I'm working on this strange anal project calculating the top 40 most important characters in the Buffyverse.
And I can't wait to see SERENITY. I'd see it the day it comes out, except that I'll be camping with my son on Catalina Island. So I probably won't see it for a week.
Don Ferguson (rodimus@mindspring.com) writes...
Mr.Weisman-
My name is Don and I wanted to ask if you could share some of your memories of working with the cast and crew on Talespin. Up until Gargoyles came along, Talespin was one of the most in-depth shows Disney had done to date, and had a noticably darker tone (such as Kit Cloudkicker episodes) compared to their earlier shows like Rescue Rangers. Any thoughts or comments from your time -and about Ed Gilbert who brought Baloo the bear to life-would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance!
Greg responds...
Let me start with Ed, who was great as Baloo. I never met him. Not back in the Talespin days. I only went to some Talespin pick-up sessions, and we had no lines for Ed to pick up.
Of course, I later met Ed working on Gargoyles, where he played the Captain of the Guard at Castle Wyvern. He was terrific. I can't say I got to know him as a person, but I was very impressed with his abilities as an actor.
Anyway, the Talespin days...
When I started at Disney in 1989, production on Talespin was already underway. The big mucky-mucks on that show were Jymn Magon & Mark Zaslove. And I'm afraid I didn't really get to know either of them all that well. I later worked a bit more with both of them, but my job at the time was to give notes (both creative notes and S&P) directly to the individual story editors. I do recall having great sit-down conversations with Story Editor Karl Geurs. Karl really welcomed me to Disney... and we'd sit in his office and talk about the scripts, about animation, about storytelling for ... well... for longer than we probably needed to.
I thought/think that Talespin was a great fun idea. I think some of the episodes are just amazing. There's some really gorgeous stuff there. And I loved Shere Khan. I suppose to Jungle Book purists, it might have been problematic, but if you see the Disney characters evolving into actors, for me it was fun to see them playing different roles.
Anti-Fllay Allster writes...
1. In Gargoyles, is the Bermuda Triangle:
a) A natural phenomenon, just like some scientists explained (no mystery, but a scientific rational explanation) ?
b) Something interesting, with a background story, that you came you with ?
2. In any case, will the Bermuda Triangle be part of one of your stories?
Greg responds...
1. All things are true.
2. Eventually -- given enough opportunities -- we'd cover everything.
Abby writes...
In your August 1, 2003, response to F7 Addict regarding the dates and names of the various full moons, you asked about information regarding the origins of these names. As an amateur astronomer, I may be able to help. Various cultures, such as Europeans and various Native American tribes, named all the full and new moons of the year. Specifically, the Harvest and Hunter Moon titles come from Europe and colonial America. The names came from the behavior of the full moon at that time of the year. Normally, the moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night (and up to 80 minutes later each night in the spring). The geometry of the moon's orbit in September and October means it rises only about 30 minutes later each night (in the Northern Hemispere), and this extra light was helpful for farmers at harvest time (especially in the days before motorized farm machinery and electric lights). The full moon in October also provided early-evening light and coincided with the fall hunting season, so it was called the Hunters Moon.
Incidentally, the definition generally accepted by astronomers is that the Harvest Moon is the full moon nearest the September Equinox, and Hunters Moon is the next one after that.
I enjoy "Gargoyles" very much, and consider myself fortunate to have most of the episodes on tape. I am looking forward to the DVD release. Thanks for creating a show in which the characters grow as a result of the consequences of their actions, and with such complexity of plot.
Greg responds...
You're welcome. And thanks for the info...
Audra writes...
Hey Greg, you know how Goliath and the rest of the clan always wanted to see daylight? Well, since the Gargoyles have a TV, when they watch a movie, a TV show and/or the news, don't they see daylight on the TV? Of course it's not the same as being out in the sunlight in person, but they see what it's like. Didn't they ever see what it's like during the day on TV?
Greg responds...
Yes, but as you pointed out, it's not exactly the same, is it?
Anonymous writes...
I found information on the Internet about teleplay writing contests. The prizes consist of money and the submission of you script to an agent. I was wondering if these were for real, or just a scam? Also, if they are real, which ones would you recommend, if any?
Greg responds...
I have no idea about any of this.
A Big Gargs Fan writes...
I've a question when did Goliath say the opening monologue?
For that matter when did the guys for Dark Ages and Future Tense: 2198 say theirs?
Greg responds...
I'm a bit unclear. Keith David recorded the opening monologue for Gargoyles between the first and second seasons.
To ask specifically when "Goliath" spoke something that at best can be regarded as symbolic is something I've never considered. But if you want to be literal about it, I guess he "recorded" it sometime after waking up in Manhattan.
As for Dark Ages and Gargoyles 2198... I don't know what you're talking about.
XanaToast writes...
Hey, its me again. You seem to be more than a year behind. or maybe you just gave up on answering our questions. well I won't worry about it. I have a question concerning international rights.
Has Gargoyles been released to countries outside North America. Such as foriegn non-english speaking countries? if so, then have they beed dubbed or fansubbed? or did they just leave it as it is. and if it's being dubbed globally, then can you please tell me what continents and major countries have purchased dubbing rights to the series.
thanks.
Greg responds...
I don't have access to all that information, but I do know that the series was released internationally and was dubbed into multiple foreign languages.
Gwen vs. Mary-Jane
Okay, I haven't seen the second Spider-Man movie yet, so this is mostly based on the first (and commercials for the second).
But am I the only guy out here who thinks Kirsten Dunst is a perfect Gwen Stacy?
I think she's wonderful in the first film. Bu I mean, aside from the hair color (which, from other movies, we know is artificial), her persona is totally Gwen. Yeah, yeah, she's an actress, but she's got nothing of that John Romita tigress that is Mary-Jane Watson.
She's Gwen Stacy.
Right?
Forliya writes...
hello agen, If you could most dearly tell me the script to the final episode I would be abliged if you could help.
toodles gargoyle frends!
Greg responds...
The title of the final episode of the first season was "Reawakening".
The title of the final episode of the second season was "Hunter's Moon, Part Three".
The title of my final episode was "The Journey".
The title of the final episode of the Goliath Chronicles was something like "Angels of the Night". But I'm not sure.
Trenchcoat Spook writes...
What IS with leaders having long hair?
^_~
Greg responds...
Some do and some don't.
Anonymous writes...
I have just finished reading the original book 'Magic' by William Goldman, which was made into the movie starring Anthony Hopkins. I have not seen the movie in many years, but I recall most of it quite well except for the final freeze-framed scene after what happens to Corky. What was the final scene of that movie?
Greg responds...
I loved that movie, but I haven't seen it in years either, and I have no specific memory of the final scene. Sorry.
Bigduo writes...
This is in line with Balrog's questions. Anyway did you have plans to add the Silent Knight, the Black Knight, the Shining Knight or the Demon Etrigan into Gargoyles?
Greg responds...
Those characters are owned by Marvel & DC Comics. So obviously, the answer is NO.
Babs writes...
To go with my other question I forgot to throw in, even though they are immortal, they can still be killed correct?.
and they still do age, so what is thier age rate?
Gargoyles Forever !
Greg responds...
Uh, what other question? Who are we talking about?
Heather Haskett writes...
Are you happy how The Gargoyles Saga is turning out?
Greg responds...
I've never seen it. I have no opinion on how it turned out and mixed feelings about it existing, which I've spoken to before.
KRysten kastberg writes...
What is the name of the Happy Gargoyle and where can i find history on him?
Greg responds...
I honestly don't know who you're referring to. Sorry.
Rob writes...
Hi Greg, I have an idea for a show that will redefine American animation. I need your help. Just hear me out. My email is vegetassj21@yahoo.com.
Greg responds...
Hey Rob,
So not going there. Good luck though.
Anne Marie writes...
I have been looking for 4 days and i can'tget an answer si I'm hoppen that you can help me please All I want to know is what place is 800 miles east of Montreal Canada And what place is 800 miles weast of Montreal
I hope you can answer this for me Greg
Maybe it's not a very inporten question but it is to me
I Don't know if u need my email to send me an anser but i'm going to give it to youn
cause I would be great ful to u if u would send me a answer please Tank you so much Yours Turly Anne Marie
Greg responds...
Anne Marie,
This is not a general information site. For the most part it's designed to answer questions about the GARGOYLES animated series, and other related topics. General geography is not one of my specialties.
As to your question, I have no idea of the answers off the top of my head, and assuming TWO YEARS LATER that -- as unlikely as it sounds, you are still interested...
Well, kiddo, you can check a map as easily as I can.
Spacebabie writes...
For a while I was a fan of the Files..so I have to ask this.
1.Does the clan like the X-Files?
2.If so what did they think of the gargoyle episode?
3.What does Matt think of Mulder?
Sorry if this has been asked before, but I did skim through the archives and I never found anything simular.
Greg responds...
1. Opinions vary.
2. Opinions vary.
3. I have this notion that Matt might not consciously see any parallels between himself and Mulder, and he might find Mulder annoying. Or maybe the reverse.
Sparky Genocide writes...
Have you ever watched the cartoon show "X-Men: Evolution?" If so, did you know that your old pal, Frank Paur, works as a director and story-board artist for the show? Has he ever offered you a job as a writer for the show?
Greg responds...
I've seen one or two eps of X-Men: Evolution. I knew Frank worked on the show, but he's not the story editor and is hardly in a position to offer me writing work.
Star Sighting &tc...
I just saw wecently wed Wesley & Willow walking arm-in-arm down Wittle Santa Monica Blvd. It was pretty cute...
Have I mentioned this before?:
I think one (though certainly not the only) visceral appeals of the E-Street Band is its archetypal relationship to Robin Hood & his Merry Men.
Bruce Springsteen = Robin Hood (complete with a "rob-from-the-rich-and-give-to-the-poor" mentality)
Miami Steve Van Zandt = Will Scarlett
Max Weinberg = Friar Tuck
Patti Scialfa = Maid Marion
and of course
The Big Man, Clarence Clemons = Little John
I'm not sure which of the following is Alan a Dale...
Garry Tallent, Roy Bittan, Danny Federici or Nils Lofgren.
(The truth is Bruce/Robin is his own Alan, I guess.)
When it comes down to it, I don't know the names of enough Merry Men to make every parallel work. But I'm sure you can see the connections.
Discuss.
Marcus Palmer writes...
OKay, First of all, Vulcan is the Roman God of what?
Please Answer ASAP..
Greg responds...
The Forge.
And that's ASAP. Less than two years. Worth the wait?
Ian Salter writes...
Dear Greg,
My name is Ian,and like most kids,I want to be an actor,and was wondering,do you know of any way I could into the High School of Performing Arts?
Greg responds...
Do MOST kids really want to be actors?
Man, that's depressing.
And no, I don't have a clue.
I don't even know WHICH High School of the Performing Arts you're talking about. The famous one from FAME in N.Y.?
Most major cities have one. I know L.A. does.
Anyway, try asking a guidance councilor, I guess.
OSCAR NOMINATIONS
This is an interesting exercise for me. One which mostly demonstrates how few movies I get to see.
The Oscar Noms came out and are in today's paper. So I'm going to list my choices.
But here's the main rule. I can only choose from movies I've actually seen. The result is that there are entire categories (including at least one major category) that I can't vote in at all:
Supporting Actress
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Documentary Short
Animated Short
Of course, I reserve the right to make changes later if I see more movies. Also, these are NOT predictions. I'm not trying to guess who the Academy will chose. I'm simply stating my preferences...
PICTURE: THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
Haven't seen Mystic River or Seabiscuit. Didn't care for the tiresome Master & Commander. I enjoyed Lost in Translation, a movie which snuck up on everyone, but I don't think it was quite as good as everyone said. I'm sorry that The Cooler didn't get nominated, but in any case it's hard not to vote for LOTR: Return of the King over either Master or Translation. I think that both of the first two movies were better than the third, but as I've stated, this isn't a Return of the Jedi scenario. This is an amazing movie on every level. The bar was set incredibly high by Jackson's first two films. And he still made it over by any reckoning.
ACTRESS: Keisha Castle-Hughes, WHALE RIDER
Well, I haven't seen In America, 21 Grams, Monster or Something's Gotta Give. So Keisha was my only option. But that's okay. I wasn't too wild about the 2-D movie, but the kid was great. Doubt she'll win, but, hey, I'm routing for her.
ACTOR: Johnny Depp, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL
Haven't seen Mystic River, Cold Mountain or House of Sand and Fog. That leaves Depp in Pirates and Murray in Translation, both terrrific comic performances. I'm choosing Depp, the more obvioulsy comic turn, because (a) comedy is rarely rewarded by the Academy and like to break that barrier and (b) as good as Murray is, he's kinda playing himself. But this was a VERY tough choice for me.
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Alec Baldwin, THE COOLER
Haven't seen 21 Grams, In America, Mystic River or the Last Samurai so all that leaves is Alec in Cooler. But even more than Keisha above, I'm thrilled to have Alec as my choice. I saw The Cooler this past Saturday and REALLY loved it. William H. Macy and Maria Bello are also brilliant in it, but I'm not at all surprised that Baldwin was nominated. He's a great actor.
DIRECTOR: Peter Jackson, RINGS: KING
Haven't seen Mystic River or City of God. Didn't care for Master & Commander. Liked Lost in Translation, but Jackson's efforts on Return of the King are stunning.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Walsh, Boyens, Jackson, LOTR: ROTK
Havent's seen American Splendor, City of God, Mystic River or Seabiscuit, leaving Rings my only option. But again, I like the screenplay so it's a fine choice. Looking forward to the extended version though.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Coppola, LOST IN TRANSLATION
Haven't seen Barbarian Invasions or Dirty Pretty Things or In America, which leaves me a choice between Lost and Finding Nemo. No contest. Nemo is a cute little movie, but it's far from being my favorite Pixar script. Translation is fascinating.
ART DIRECTION: Hennah, Lee, LOTR: ROTK
Haven't seen Girl with a Pearl Earing, Last Samurai or Seabiscuit. Which leaves me with a contest between LOTR and M&Commander. This was actually a tougher call. I didn't care much for M&C, but it looked damn good. But I think LOTR was a greater overall achievement.
ANIMATED FEATURE: FINDING NEMO.
Haven't seen Brother Bear or Triplets of Belleville. So that leaves Nemo only. Again, not a brilliant film, but it has some brilliant stuff in it, so I can vote this way with a vaguely clear conscious.
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Boyd, MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
Haven't seen City of God, Cold Mountain, Girl with a Pearl Earing or Seabiscuit, which leaves only M&C, which again looked great. So, fine.
SOUND MIXING: Boyes, Semanick, Hedges, Peek, LOTR: ROTK
Haven't seen Samurai or Seabiscuit, but it leaves three great choices, M&C, ROTK and Pirates. I'm gonna give the edge to ROTK. I seem to be sweeping with them. Can't help it. Note that Christopher Boyes is up for bother Pirates and Rings. That's pretty good odds, but an even bigger bummer, I'd imagine, if he loses.
SOUND EDITING: Boyes, Waters, PIRATES
Boyes is looking good for some award. Sound editing on Nemo, Pirates and M&C were probably all great. But I have a softer spot for the fun of Pirates. One of the few categories where I HAVE seen all of the nominees.
ORIGINAL SCORE: Shore, LOTR: ROTK
Haven't seen Big Fish, Cold Mountain or House of Sand & Fog, which leaves Howard Shore's brilliant ROTK work and Nemo, which was just okay.
ORIGINAL SONG: "Into the West", Walsh, Shore, Lennox, LOTR:ROTK
Well, I'm a big Annie Lennox fan to begin with, and the song was very moving to me, so this is an obvious choice. Throw in the fact that I haven't seen Mighty Wind, Cold Mountain, Cold Mountain or Triplets and it was also my only option. The good news is that so far, there hasn't been a category where I have declined to pick a winner because I only had one option. So far, even in categories with only one option, I've genuinely liked that one option.
COSTUME DESIGN: Dickson, Taylor, LOTR: ROTK
Haven't seen Girl with Pearl, Samurai or Seabiscuit, which again leaves M&C and LOTR. Went with LOTR for cause. Great costumes across the board.
FILM EDITING: Selkirk, LOTR: ROTK
Haven't seen City of God, Cold Mountain or Seabiscuit, leaving YET again M&C and LOTR. No brainer. Half the time in the M&C battle scenes I couldn't keep basic track of who was doing what.
MAKEUP: Taylor, King: LOTR:ROTK
Another of the categories where I have seen all the nominees. Pirates had great make-up, truly. And I came very close to giving this one to Pirates. But just that one Orc was so damn good, and he was just the tip of the iceberg. M&C is also in the running, but why?
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM: "Two Soldiers"
I haven't seen the other four options, but I have seen Two Soldiers, based on a William Faulkner short story that just happens to be my all time favorite short story ever. I made a point of seeing this short and was not disappointed. It's really great.
VISUAL EFFECTS: Rygiel, Letteri, Cook, Funke, LOTR: ROTK
And the last of three categories where I've seen all the nominees. Any other year and Pirates (but not M&C) would have challenged for this award. But ROTK, right?
So what's the final tally...
11 for LOTR: ROTK, including picture, director, song, score, screenplay and a half-dozen tech and craft awards. I think that's a clean-sweep. And I'm not generally a sweepy kinda guy. But the true geek in me has been awakened by this trilogy.
2 for Pirates, including Depp's brilliant performanceand a tech award.
1 for WHALE RIDER's kid actress.
1 for THE COOLER's Alec Baldwin.
1 for LOST IN TRANSLATION's keen screenplay by Sofia Coppola.
1 for FINDING NEMO. Best animated feature, won perhaps by default, though I liked the movie.
1 for MASTER & COMMANDER for cinematography, another default win perhaps, though it certainly looked gorgeous.
1 for "Two Soldiers", a personal favorite that may be the award I'm most routing to be right about.
And then five categories where I couldn't vote at all.
That's it.
Bye.
Anonymous writes...
You know how in most comic books that super-villains end up in mental hospitals for the criminally insane instead of prison? Two examples are Arkham Asylum in the DC comics and Ravencroft in Marvel Comics. Out of all of the Gargoyles' enemies, who would most likely end up in an insane asylum? Fans have to admit that villains like Demona, Dr. Sevarious, Castaway, Thailog, Hyena, Jackal, Proteus and Coldsteel are all nuts! Plus, Wolf and Fang seem to have some issues.
Greg responds...
I don't think that either Wolf, Fang, Sevarius, Thailog or Coldsteel are "criminally insane" by its legal definition. I think it's a stretch for Demona, Jackal, Castaway and Proteus as well. That is, all these characters know right from wrong.
Of the characters you named, Hyena and Proteus are the most psychopathic. But I think Proteus knows what he's doing. He just revels in his evil. Hyena, frankly, isn't that bright. She has no control at all, beyond some semi-affection for her brother, i.e. her anchor.
Clearly, many of these characters COULD wind up in someplace Arkhamesque. But that would depend on lawyers and judges and juries. Obviously, the one trial we know that Hyena faced landed her in a regular prison cell right beside Fox. So even for her, a legal argument could obviously be made that she was criminally sane.
Sam writes...
Would we maybe see Jesus in an episode?
Greg responds...
It isn't likely.
Art Carney (1918 - 2003)
Growing up and living most of one's life in Southern California makes having a number of so-called "Brushes with Greatness" inevitable.
Sunday, I saw Tony Shaloub in Larchmont Village, but since I had recently seen him at Los Angeles International Airport AND spoken with him at Logan International Airport, I refrained from accosting him again, lest he think I was stalking him or something.
And just yesterday, I rode up an elevator with Florence Henderson, who looks great, by the way.
So the fact that I once met Art Carney is, in and of itself, not particularly remarkable. But his passing seems an appropriate time to relate this story.
In the mid-seventies, I was in Junior High. I read a LOT. I had somewhat eclectic, and geek-leaning tastes, but most of what I read were mystery novels, especially mystery novels that were part of on-going series. One such series was Harry Kemelman's Rabbi David Small mysteries. (This is a series that I highly recommend. The more recent books aren't quite as strong, but the original seven are terrific.) Each book's title began with the day of the week. And the first mystery was called, "Friday the Rabbi Slept Late."
One day, I came home from school and found that my street was, as they say, "bustling with activity". An army of humans and trailers and equipment had descended on Queen Florence Lane. In the seventies, in the San Fernando Valley, this was still something of a rarity. But in any event, I was fascinated. They were filming a movie in and around the house directly across the street from ours.
Soon, I discovered that the movie was a telefilm called, "Lanigan's Rabbi". It was an adaptation of "Friday the Rabbi Slept Late." I'm not sure how I managed this, other than persistance and the chutzpah that comes with not knowing anything at all, but I kept telling people that I had read the book that the movie was based on. At some point someone grabbed me and introduced me to the director. I have no idea if he was humoring me or truly interested, but he asked me a number of questions about the original novel, claiming that he -- and that in fact NO ONE on the set -- had actually read the thing. There were, I was told, certain things in the script that weren't tracking for him. So I answered his questions and told him how the mystery played out in the book. He took it all in and seemed grateful for the insight.
In any case, he then did something fairly astounding. He let me hang out. That's it. But I was allowed to watch filming. I was allowed to get food from the catering truck. I was allowed to sit with the actors and talk with them. Now, this couldn't have gone on for very long. It's not like I was employed by the movie company or anything. I didn't follow the shoot to its next location. But they spent at least three or four days in the cul-de-sac where I lived. They gave me a copy of the shooting script, which I then had autographed by the movie's two leads.
One of those leads was Stuart Margolin, who's probably most famous for playing "Angel" on THE ROCKFORD FILES. "Lanigan's Rabbi" wound up spinning off into an on-going series, and for some reason Margolin didn't end up playing Rabbi Small in the series. But he was terrific in the movie. And he was an extremely nice guy, who didn't seem to mind chatting with a thirteen-year-old, who was hanging around the set.
But the part of Police Chief Lanigan was played by Art Carney. Now Art Carney is a certified genius. Emmy winner. Oscar winner. Of course his performance as "Ed Norton" in THE HONEYMOONERS is nothing short of brilliant. His on-screen teaming with Jackie Gleason, a match-made in sitcom heaven. Among other things, Ed Norton was the clear inspiration for any number of cartoon characters, ESPECIALLY "Barney Rubble". People often forget, however, what a wonderful dramatic actor Carney was. How he brought a touch of humanity to every role he played. Rod Serling knew this. Art is unforgettable as a drunken department store Santa in "The Night of the Meek" episode of THE TWILIGHT ZONE. A part that Serling wrote especially for Carney. He is also truly wonderful in a number of movies: "Harry & Tonto" and "The Late Show", among others.
I knew almost none of this at the time. I didn't even know Ed Norton. In New York, the Honeymooners has probably NEVER been off the air, but Los Angeles was and is an I LOVE LUCY town. It would be nearly a decade before I would move to New York and learn to appreciate Ralph and Ed and Alice and Trixie.
What I knew at the time, all I knew at the time, was that this was a big time star -- in the middle of shooting a movie -- who spent time with me. Time by the catering truck. Time on the set. He explained how things worked. He explained why things were done the way they were done. He was just so damn nice -- nice enough that as ignorant as I was -- I didn't take it for granted. It impressed me even then.
A few days later, they were gone. Stuart, Art, all of them. The movie finished shooting in my neighborhood and moved on. Some time later, the movie went on the air. We didn't have a VCR back in those days, so I don't have a copy. I followed along on my shooting script and took note of all the little changes in it. It seemed to me (though I might have been seriously kidding myself) that the final version of the film leaned a bit closer to the original novel than the shooting script in my hand. I was certainly kidding myself when I took credit for that somewhat dubious conclusion. And without a doubt the coolest moment was watching Rabbi Small and Chief Lanigan (Stuart and Art, as I called them) walking down the hill of my street and turning a corner and suddenly being at the Rabbi's Temple. There was no temple around the corner from Queen Florence Lane, but the transition was so seamless, it seemed miraculous. A true bit of movie magic before I understood movie magic. Before I was even vaguely jaded.
I just now spent a half hour looking for that shooting script. I couldn't find it. I hope it turns up eventually. I'm sure I wouldn't have thrown it out, but there's a good chance it was in one of my boxes that was in my parents' basement, part of my past which was destroyed by a flood caused by the Northridge Earthquake. I hope not. I haven't thought about any of this in years, but now it's something I'd like to revisit in more detail.
I wrote about Bob Hope a couple of months ago, when he passed, and I suppose this is a very similar kind of tribute. Others will, I'm sure, write more important, more personal and more informed things about Art Carney in the next few days. But I wanted to add my bit.
Not just for the incredibly talented performer, a loss we should all feel, though not too intensely as he has achieved a meta-Xanatosian immortality through the many great performances we will always have to rewatch time and again. And not for the friend and/or family member, because he was none of these things to me, and I was none of these things to him.
But oddly, I wanted to write a tribute to the stranger. To the nice man, who was patient with a dopey know-it-all kid. He was warm and funny and made me feel welcome.
And for that I am truly grateful. Thanks, Chief.
The Cat writes...
Hey Greg,
How are you?
I'm well, as of today.
I was checking out web sites that had anything to do with Gargoyles and I found one that actually said that Gargoyles is a show that promotes demonology! I'm thinking, 'Whoa! Hold on there.' So, I figured I'd invite this boy/girl or whatever to one of the Gatherings or flame him/her/whatever.
But in all do respect I didn't flame them. I couldn't find the e-mail address. Apparently, I wasn't the only one that wanted to flame them.
Anyway, question, Why did you create Gargoyles? I'm pretty sure that it was not to promote demonology.
See ya, The Cat.
Greg responds...
I'm well, as of today too.
Safe bet that anyone who thought that about the series never watched it. I don't actually know much about demonology. Or anything other than the obvious linguistic fact that it's the study of demons.
Aaron writes...
If this gets through in time, great, if not, Todd can just delete it.
It's Oscar time again, and so it's time to Ask Greg... for his picks.
Best Actor
• Russell Crowe in 'A Beautiful Mind'
• Will Smith in 'Ali'
• Denzel Washington in 'Training Day'
• Tom Wilkinson in 'In the Bedroom'
• Sean Penn in 'I Am Sam'
Best Actress
• Halle Berry in 'Monster's Ball'
• Judi Dench in 'Iris'
• Nicole Kidman in 'Moulin Rouge'
• Sissy Spacek in 'In the Bedroom'
• Reneé Zellweger in 'Bridget Jones's Diary'
Best Supporting Actor
• Jim Broadbent in 'Moulin Rouge'
• Jon Voight in 'Ali'
• Ethan Hawke in 'Training Day'
• Ian McKellen in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'
• Ben Kingsley in 'Sexy Beast'
Best Supporting Actress
• Jennifer Connelly in 'A Beautiful Mind'
• Hellen Mirren in 'Gosford Park'
• Maggie Smith in 'Gosford Park'
• Marisa Tomei in 'In the Bedroom'
• Kate Winslet in 'Iris'
Best Picture
• 'A Beautiful Mind'
• 'In the Bedroom'
• 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'
• 'Moulin Rouge'
• 'Gosford Park'
Best Director
• Robert Altman for 'Gosford Park'
• Ron Howard for 'A Beautiful Mind'
• Baz Luhrmann for 'Moulin Rouge'
• David Lynch for 'Mulholland Drive'
• Ridley Scott for 'Black Hawk Down'
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
• 'A Beautiful Mind'
• 'Ghost World'
• 'In the Bedroom'
• 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'
• 'Shrek'
Writing (Original Screenplay)
• 'Amelié'
• 'Gosford Park'
• 'Memento'
• 'Monster's Ball'
• 'The Royal Tennenbaums'
Animated Feature Film
• 'Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius'
• 'Monsters, Inc.'
• 'Shrek
(What do you think of the creation of this awards category? Is animation finally getting the recognition it deserves in America, or is it that now that they've solidified their position as the only game in town, Disney wants some Oscars to bolster box office?)
That's all the major races, so... Pick 'em. Tell us who should and/or will be in those envelopes. :)
Greg responds...
Well, stretching my memory (and I don't pretend to remember who won)...
Best Actor: The only performance I saw was Crowe's. I thought he was good in a movie that wasn't.
Best Actress: The only performance I saw was Berry's. I thought she was great.
Supporting Actor: Only performance I saw was McKellan's. He was great.
Supporting Actress: The only performance I saw was Connelly's. And again, I thought she was good in a very flawed film.
Best Picture: Only saw Beautiful Mind and Lord of the Rings. And between those I'd have given it to Rings in a heartbeat. Instantly.
Director: Only saw Beautiful Mind and Mulhulland Drive. Liked Mulhulland Drive a LOT more, but I can't say I'd be eager to give the award to either Howard or Lynch. It wasn't either man's best work by a long shot and both pictures were very flawed in my opinion. For very different reasons.
Adapted Writing: Only saw Beautiful Mind, Rings and Shrek. Once again, Rings takes my vote by a landslide.
Original Writing: Only saw Memento and Monster's Ball. I only saw Memento once, but I still suspect that at a second viewing I'd confirm my suspicion that clever as it was, the plot doesn't quite hold up to scrutiny. So I think I'd go with Monster's Ball.
Animated Feature Film: Saw all three of these. (The dis/advantage of having small kids is that you see all kids movies and very few grown up movies.) I actually liked all three of these but didn't love any of them. I think at the time I'd have gone with Shrek, which had the most sheer enjoyment. But having seen them all again more often than I'd care to, I think Monsters, Inc. is the one that holds up the best.
As to the category itself, I find it a mixed blessing. A guarantee of some recognition for a tremendous art form. And yet a ghettoization of that same art form. Disney may have supported the creation of the category for obvious prestige and monetary reasons, but that has little to do with my mixed feelings about it.
Zurist@aol.com writes...
How can a person locate and join a fan clun in Maryland?
Greg responds...
I have no idea. The internet?
Greg Stones writes...
Have you ever considered working for Warner Bros. animation? You could no doubt do amazing things for a poorly written show such as Justice League.
Greg responds...
I would love to work for Warners, but so far no one there has wanted to hire me. But I wouldn't agree with your assessment of Justice League. Admittedly, I've only seen one and a half episodes, but they seemed fun to me.
John writes...
Hi Greg,
Havn't looked at the site since december, and now, I've just detected, that all my posts got deleted by Gorebash. Well, doesnt matter.
I just wanted you to ask, what where your top ten and top-garbage movies of 2001.
Hope there comes a new contest soon (by the time you'll probably read this, there surely was one:-).
CU, John
Greg responds...
John,
I'm afraid I don't have a clear memory of what I saw in 2001.
I know I loved Fellowship of the Rings. What else came out that year?
F7 Addict writes...
Creamy writes...
1. Is Hunter's Moon a specific day or week of the year?
2. If so could you give us the date(s)?
Greg responds...
In 1996, Hunter's Moon was on Saturday, October 26th. I doubt it's on the same night every year, since we operate on a solar, rather than a lunar calender. Anyone else know how this works?
recorded on 01-15-02
The Name of the moons are based on 12 lunar cycles per year, first is Jan or Wolf; 2 Feb or Storm; 3 Chaste; 4 Seed; 5 Hare; 6 Lover's; 7 Mead; 8 Wyrt; 9 Harvest; 10 Oct Blood or Hunter's moon; 11 Snow; 12 Oak. And on the odd chance of two full moons in a month, the second is called the blue moon.
Greg responds...
So, if I'm getting you right the Hunter's Moon (a.k.a. the Blood Moon) is the first full moon of October. (Or the only full moon of October, most years.) Right?
Thanks. That's very helpful and useful. I'm writing this down.
So a couple more questions...
Do you know the origin(s) behind these names? And if so, what are they?
And what is a Wyrt?
Vanity writes...
Elvis is not just "a king" like a Macbeth, Duncan, Arthur, or an Oberan, but is THE KING. Will we see him in the future of Gargoyles?
Greg responds...
I don't think Elvis is public domain. I think his estate is very protective of his image. So I'd guess, if this is a serious question, that the answer is no.
Vanity writes...
Is Elvis Presley still alive?
Greg responds...
In my opinion, no.
But his clone is.
Anonymous writes...
Is the Santa Clause of the GU based on the one in pop culture?
Greg responds...
As opposed to what?
All are based on a core truth, and as we know, "All things are true."
Friendly Fan writes...
Why havent they shown all of the goliath chronicles episodes on toon disney? (such as future tense)
Greg responds...
"Future Tense" wasn't Goliath Chronicles. It was second season "Gargoyles"... And I'm quite sure they have shown it more than once.
As for Chronicles episodes, I'm surprised they haven't. But since you were wrong about the above, I'm not sure it's true.
Anonymous writes...
Mind telling us what your plans for Santa Clause were?
Greg responds...
Yes. Certainly not to an anomymous poster.
julio writes...
hey greg are you looking for some laughs go to www.madblast
.com IT has funny osama bin laden video clips
Greg responds...
Nothing sounds less appealing.
puck<40> writes...
Back when someone asked you a question in reference to dragons. You responded....
Greg responds...
Who said there are dragons in the gargoyle universe?
heres my question.
Aren't All Things True? :)
Greg responds...
Yes. But that doesn't answer my question, which was "Who said?"
matt writes...
this may or may not be a tough question:
if you were given a choice to either run a Gargoyles series again exactly how you wanted to or given $100,000, which would you choose?
Greg responds...
Are we assuming I get paid to do the Gargoyles series or does this preposterous hypothetical assume I have to work for free?
If the latter, than I'm afraid I'd HAVE to take the money.
If the former, well, then I'd wind up doing okay financially, and I'd much rather do the series.
Aaron writes...
In a similar vein to the question about Back to the Future 2, how do you feel about movies where, via the magic of makeup, Eddie Murphy plays something like half the cast?
Greg responds...
Well, I haven't seen most of those Eddie Murphy movies where he does that, so it's not really fair for me to comment. A lot depends on tone. But it seems to me that there's a certain amount of winking at the audience implied at the very least. A certain complicity.
Aaron writes...
Artemis writes: "They can't flip people off either!"
Sure they can! Not having a ring or pinkie talon (consensus differs as to which gargs don't have) doesn't mean you don't have a middle talon, and thus, still have the ability to flip people the bird. (Yes Greg, we have sat around and debated this)
Greg responds...
No argument.
Aaron writes...
Greg writes: "Reboot is fun."
Hmm, of course, it'll be in reruns by the time you see this, but has anybody told you about the 4th season starting on Cartoon Network this year?
http//:strangecandy.keenspace.com
Greg responds...
Nope. Of course, I haven't seen many episodes total. Just a handful. But I enjoyed what I saw, especially the X-Files parody episode.
Aaron writes...
Greg writes: "I read the entire L.A. Times Comic section everyday -- even the ones I hate -- out of habit and compulsion."
That sounds familiar. It's taken me years just to stop reading The Family Circus. But what the heck is Get Fuzzy? (Obviously it's a comic strip, albeit not one syndicated in my area) What's it about?
Next step, get Greg hooked on webcomics...
http://www.sluggy.com
Greg responds...
It's about a guy named Rob and his two pets, a sweet dog named Satchel and a semi-psychotic cat named Bucky. Animals talk in the "Get Fuzzy" world, though otherwise the human pet dynamic is pretty much what you'd expect.
The strip is often laugh-out-loud funny.
Aaron writes...
Greg writes: "Dead Again. Is that the Branaugh/Thompson movie?"
Yep. It also has Derek Jacobi, Andy Garcia, and an uncredited Robin Williams. Nifty little bit of film noir. Also interesting in being the only Branaugh/Thompson project I can think of that's not written by The Bard. I recommend it highly.
Greg responds...
I've seen it. Back when it first came out.
Daphne writes...
you said that eventually the Gargoyles would attend night classes at colleges. would high schools or younger hold night courses for young gargoyles, or would they be generally homeschooled? and how would the schools adapt for the difference in aging rate?
Greg responds...
I won't pretend I've thought out all these details. Any change would be gradual at best. Homeschooling would predominate at first, certainly. Age would fundamentally have little to do with aptitude, I would think. But that might be controversial. It would be fun to explore, given the opportunity.
Azrial writes...
I want to join a Gargoyle mush do you know where i can go to hook up? Who so i talk to about making a character etc?
Greg responds...
What's a Gargoyle mush?
Galvatron writes...
Tell me something interesting about gargoyles! (insert smart-ass response)
Greg responds...
Let me guess. On October 20th, 2001, you were procrastinating or killing time, right? And decided to kill it here.
Todd Jensen writes...
You mentioned having seen one episode of "X-Men: Evolution". Just out of curiosity, which one was it, and what did you think of it?
Greg responds...
That was a while ago now. It's very vague in my memory. There was a lot of back and forth with Quicksilver -- who winds up in charge of the bad guys, I believe.
There was an attempt by the bad guys to break into a prison transport truck. Rogue and Sprite (Shadowcat?), I believe, try to stop it. The humans have an opportunity at the end to attack the heroines, but one of the humans recognizes the fact that Rogue and Sprite were trying to help.
Or something like that.
It didn't really stick in my head too well.
I'm also a bit vague on the set-up. The kids go to normal school and mutant school?
Anyway, there's a lot to recommend, but the truth is I burnt out on X-titles a long time ago.
Drew Thomas writes...
Hello, Sir.
I'm sorry to disturb you, Mr. Wiseman, but what I meant to ask was, how many floors does the Eyrie Building have?
I'm curious because my friend, Andy Morrison, wanted to make certain he had the right number in his tale about the Eyrie Building.
Thank you for your precious time. I can imagine that these questions are pestilential, but some good does come from answering them, I promise you.
Greg responds...
I'm afraid I don't know the answer.
And I wouldn't use the word "pestilential" to refer to these questions. Even if that was a word.
Sapphire writes...
Dear Greg
1)I just wanted to know what is the status of the Islamic religion in the gargoyles universe?
2)Also in the gargoyles universe do muslims have to live with the stereotype of being terrorists and oppressors of Woman?
Greg responds...
1. I don't have a clue what you mean by "status". Perhaps the best answer I can come up with is that it's no different both in its strength and exceptional abuses than it is in the real world.
2. Again, no real difference between Garg Universe and our universe here.
The Cat writes...
Hey Greg,
Ok, this might be a bit of a wake up call to the rest of fandom, but I don't think that it is even a possibility to get Gargoyles back. I mean with there about to be a war and all. It is hard to tell. Perhaps later, but I don't think so.
If so, will The World Trade Center be in the show or not?
And, what would the gargoyles think about one of New york's buildings getting smashed to rubble?
Ok, Bye
Greg responds...
Well, with months of hindsight since you wrote your question, let me start by saying, obviously, that the two factors have little connection if any.
As to the WTC, it's presence would appear in any flashbacks dating before 9 Sept 2001. And would not appear in anything dated after that.
As for the gargs reactions, I think they'd be pretty obvious. With the exception of Demona, our cast would feel helpless and horrified. Angry, etc. Everything that the rest of us felt, I imagine.
The Cat writes...
Hello Greg,
Ok, stupid human technology! Sorry, had to get that out off my chest. The computer is going really slow and I'm trying not to look at the screen because I'll type the same word about a thousand times before it'll come up. So anyway a question.
In the future (if there is any for Gargoyles) will the computers be just as slow as they are now or will humans finally catch up with the rest of the universe and stop all these annoying problems? Thank You.
Greg responds...
Uh... there are always improvements. And with most improvements come glitches that create problems that must be solved by improvements, etc.
Audra writes...
Was Gargoyles animated in the widescreen version? I know Gargoyles is a TV show, so it was meant to be seen in standard version on a standard TV, but I know movies like The Lion King II Simba's Pride was direct to video, and never shown in theaters, but there is a widescreen version of the movie. Thanks, I just was curious.
P.S. What do you think of both Lion King movies?
Greg responds...
No. Gargoyle's aspect ratio was strictly designed for the tv set.
I thought the first Lion King was wonderful. (Not perfect, but wonderful.) And the opening still gives me chills, despite the fact that at one NATPE, I must have seen it five hundred times in one day.
As for the second one, I've never seen the whole thing. Just glimpses here and there, so it's not fair for me to comment.
Galvatron writes...
Would we have seen the World Trade Center if you revive gargoyles?
Greg responds...
It depends, obviously, on WHEN the episodes were set. GARGOYLES: THE DARK AGES would probably not include the WTC.
Monzo writes...
All Batman (animated) questions:
1.What are your favorite episodes in "Batman: The Animated Series"?
2.a)What do think of the episodes in "The New Adventures Of Batman And Robin" compared to TAS?
2.b)What do you think of the change from Robin to Nightwing and the arrival of Robin II?
2.c)What do you think of the design (look, costume, voice cast, etc) changes in mostly all the characters compared to the 'TAS'?
3.What do you think of the episodes in "Batman Beyond" compared to the two previous series?
4.a)Have you seen any Batman animated movies "Mask of the Phantasm", "Sub-Zero", "World's Finest" and "Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker"?
4.b)Any favorites among them? What's your opinion?
5.What do you think of Harley Quinn (I think she was first introduced in the Batman universe through the animated series)?
6.What do think of Mark Hamill's performance as the Joker?
Greg responds...
1. God, it's been SO long. And there were so many in those first 65, particularly after Alan Burnette took over as Producer. It was great stuff though. And I loved Mask of the Phantasm.
2a. I don't think I saw any of those.
2b. Didn't see how they handled it. Never loved it so much in the comics.
2c. See above. I didn't see them.
3. I've only seen a few Batman Beyond. And while I think it's well-made I don't quite love it. I guess the new Batman reminds me too much of Spider-Man. I like Spider-Man, but I don't really want to see Batman acting like Spider-Man.
4a. I've seen the first and the uncut version of the last.
b. I liked them both, actually. But Mask blew me away.
5. She's fun.
6. Amazing.
Aris Katsaris writes...
Do Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and Neverland exist in the gargoyles universe? (I think their copyright has expired and they've become public domain, btw)
If so, did you have any plans for them which were more specific than "Eventually, everything."? ;-)
Greg responds...
I'd have to WELL CONFIRM the public domainyness of the property before I would dare to answer this question in print.
Random Mook writes...
Do you think you're better than Rob Leifeld?
Greg responds...
At what?
Vorath writes...
Questions about dragons in Gargoyles...
1.Are they able to speak English (or any known human/gargoyle language)?
2.Do they have individual names?
3.What are they anyway? Animals? Sentinent beings like the gargoyles and the New Olympians?
4.Beside fire, can they breathe something else?
5.Does multi-headed dragons exists?
Thanks.
Greg responds...
Who said there are dragons in the gargoyle universe?
DragonWolf writes...
I noticed something during a viewing of Vendettas. In the background, there's a building with a sign on it reading 'ELEXEM'.
Hmmm... Elexem. El-ex-em. L-X-M. LXM.
Now, what could that stand for? Lexington-Xanatos Matrix, perhaps? A hint, could it be, for the future? ;)
Greg responds...
ELEXEM STEEL CORPORATION. I'm aware of it. ;)
Ricky writes...
Subject Atlantis: Serious Real-Life
My question is, do you believe the lost city (or island) of Atlantis once existed, as written in the writings of Plato?
Greg responds...
I tend to believe in everything, but if you're confronting me, my answer is "I don't know."
Steven L writes...
You said a while ago that you found Back To The Future 2 "masturbatory". I was just curious why that was. (Not asking in any hostile way. Just genuinely curious.)
Greg responds...
I enjoyed the first film. I even loved the ending and was looking forward to the sequel.
But the sequel was disappointing. It's been awhile, so my full grasp of my specific gripes are vague, but...
The way that Elizabeth Shue (MJF's recast girlfriend) is shunted aside suggested that they weren't interested in really expanding on the previous movies' situation but were really just interested in doing a CRAZIER version of the first film.
MJF plays his character's own kids. Why? He didn't play his own parents in the first movie. What's the point of casting him as his own son AND DAUGHTER, except to mess with our suspension of disbelief for the sake of showing us just how undeniably talented MJF is.
All the intercutting with the first film was interesting at first, but ultimately served to undercut the first film in my memory.
All this struck me as masturbatory. The film-makers (particularly Zemekis and Fox) having their own good time at the expense of what could have been a really fun movie.
Just my opinion, of course.
Anonymous writes...
Do you know who Hob Gadling is?
Greg responds...
Is that the character from Sandman?
Anonymous writes...
Does Sherlock Holmes exist in the GU since he was mentioned several times in the series?
Greg responds...
One way or another, yes.
Anonymous writes...
What do you think of the DC Captain Marvel?
Greg responds...
I've always been semi-fond of the character. Why?
Anonymous writes...
Have you ever read the Lensman books by doc smith?
Greg responds...
Nope.
Anonymous writes...
What do you think of Simon Furman(Roswell Conspiracies, Transformers UK comic, Beast Wars and X-Men Evolution)?
Greg responds...
I'm unfamiliar with the name.
And aside from one episode of X-Men Evolution, I'm unfamiliar with all the properties you named.
Well, obviously, I have some familiarity with Roswell Conspiracies, but I've never seen the version that aired on television. Only the work I did.
Anonymous writes...
Have you seen Batman Beyond?
What do you think of it?
I've been told that the design of Terry McGinnis from BB is similar to that of Terry Chung of the NO any truth to that?
Greg responds...
Yes.
I think it's very well made. And I like certain things about it. But it just feels more Spider-Manish to me than Batman.
Well, there's no final model for Terry Chung, but from what I've seen, no. For starters, Terry Chung is Chinese-American. Terry McGinnis isn't. And Terry Chung wears contemporary clothes. Terry McGinnis wears... well... clothes from beyond.
Anonymous writes...
Have you ever watched Reboot, Beast Wars or War Planets? What did you think of them?
Greg responds...
Reboot is fun.
Haven't seen the other two. (Well, I've seen a clip here and there, but never an entire episode.)
Anonymous writes...
What do you think of the work of John Ostrander(Spectre, Firestorm and Hawkman), Walt Simonson(Orion and Thor), John Byrne the King of Retcons, J. Michael Straczynski(Babylon 5, Ghostbusters the cartoon and Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future) and Harlan Ellison
Greg responds...
Keep in mind, I haven't read comics since 1996.
John's work I generally love. Loved his Grimjack especially. Liked his Spectre. Didn't much care for his Firestorm. Hawkman seemed to have potential, but... The one thing of his that I really disliked was the issues of Captain Atom he did right after I left. I really feel he didn't get the character. But of course, I'm biased.
LOVED Walt Simonson's Thor. Loved it. Don't think I saw his take on Orion.
Byrne -- Loved his work on Fantastic Four. Didn't care for his Superman at all.
Straczynski (is that spelled right?) - I didn't care for the original pilot of Babylon 5. So I didn't watch that show. By the time people mentioned that it was great and I tuned in, I'm afraid I couldn't make heads or tails of what was going on. Didn't see the other things you've mentioned.
Harlan - is a master.
Justin writes...
Greg
You have mentioned that you are color blind. I believe you said you are red-green deficient. So my question is,
What colors do you see the gargoyles as?
Brooklyn?
Hudson?
Lexington?
Broadway?
Kai?
Because you said you thought Goliath was blue, when he really was purple.
Thanks
Greg responds...
See, now this sounds like...
All right.
Brooklyn looks kinda burnt red to me.
Hudson... I don't know. Brown maybe.
Lex... Brown or green.
Broadway... green/blue.
Kai... hell, I don't remember. Blue or purple?
Laura Ackerman writes...
A few weeks back you posted an explanation for Goliath and crew speaking modern English that you had seen and liked. It involved Demonia casting a spell before they awoke. There are a few problems with that theory, (sorry, I seem to live for nitpicking).
The most notable problem is how to extend it past the original seven that woke up in Manhattan. Excluding modern World Tour characters, who, it can be argued might have spoken English and were being polite to the Avalonauts by using it, (a stretch, but not the worse one to make, especially after hearing how Bushido orriginally started;), most everyone else had some connection to Avalon. I would find it easy to argue that the magic of Avalon made different languages moot, but only while on Avalon. Though I have been raised a Trekkie, a Universal Translator without explanation doesn't really fit into the Gargoyle world (IMHO).
Also, if there was a magic that acted on the Island (maybe extending to the skiff on the way to and from) there could have been fun effects of Angela suddenly being heard in a Medieval Scottish French blend, which Goliath doesn't realize is incomprehesible to Elisa. If I wanted to get fancy I would say that the Avalon clan was raised by a noble and would then have french and germanic languages, as well as possibly Latin, and thus made modern English less difficult to pick up- but there would still be a time of confusion.
Basically, I wonder if there is a way to explain the language problem away, or is it best left as a known element of suspension of disbelief? [Sorta like the scale in the Cloisters in Temptation :)]
Greg responds...
Michael Reaves idea, which I only heard second hand, is pretty new to me. So I don't pretend to have fully thought it out. I feel like there's something in it. But I just haven't dedicated the time to doing that mindwork yet.
Andy Morrison writes...
How many stories is the Eyrie Building? (I hope I have the spelling right.)
Was there an episode that mentioned how many stories or is it a figment of my imagination?
If there was an episode, which one is it please?
Thanks for your help.
Greg responds...
You do have the spelling right.
I don't recall us ever establishing the exact amount of stories in the buidling.
Of course we told 66 stories, but they weren't all set there.
Patricia writes...
Hi Greg!
In response to the Tootsie Pop commercial: I've seen it within the past year on TV, so.. it's still making its rounds on TV. And yes, I know the commercial, but.. I'm an early 80s baby (born in the early 80s). And that response fit with the question, very much so.
I'm running out of things to say.. whee.. ahem...
Oh! I found a quote or a poem or something about the "Hobgoblin of Little Minds," but I've forgotten where I put the paper that has it.. hmmm Maybe (hopefully) when I find it, I'll remember to type it up for you.. and see if that's what you're talking about.
Ok, general question that isn't really on Gargoyles or any of your other projects, but you might know.
What's the plural form of series? Is it series or seria? Or none of these? If it's not one of these, then what is it?
Thanks.
P.S. I can't wait for the next Contest to begin ;) Though I respect if you take a break, I just want to see how well I think I can do in them.. hehe... Umm.. yeah. Boy this covered alot of ground...
Greg responds...
The quotation I'm thinking of is by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
As far as I know, it's one series. Many series.
Yeah, I'll start the next contest soon. Heck. Maybe tonight.
Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky writes...
Greg responds...
The world may never know.
(That smart-ass response was a reference to an old tootsie-pop commercial. Anyone old enough to remember it has my sympathy.)
If it makes you feel any better, I'm going to be 20 in August, and I remember it.
Greg responds...
That's nice.
Although, I just saw that commercial (from the dark ages) redone with monsters in CGI. It was freaky and weird and vaguely distasteful.
Kelly L Creighton/Kya White Sapphire writes...
"The world may never know.
(That smart-ass response was a reference to an old tootsie-pop commercial. Anyone old enough to remember it has my sympathy.) "
Its not that old. Im 21 and I get it.
Greg responds...
Well, then that commercial must have been running forever. Because I remember it from when I was VERY young. Like before you were born young.
Ricky writes...
Do you believe in Psychic Powers? I do! I believe when one becomes a powerful psychic he/her is known as a Psi-Lord. The definition of a Psi-Lord is: One who is all powerful, God-Like! What's your take on psychic powers?
Greg responds...
All things are true.
But let me clarify -- you believe that when one becomes a powerful psychic he or she becomes known as a Psi-Lord?
That's automatic?
What if he or she wants to be called a psi-Lady or a psi-warrior? Is there any choice? Who enforces these rules?
Lord Sloth writes...
1) Was their a reason in your mind why Goliath and his friends are destened to descover all (or a lot) of the earth's secrets? Such as the fae, loch monsters, golems and magic of all sorts, which most people will discount as ficton or rumours?
2)could you tell, or give some sort of hint of what the reason is and who is behind it(if anyone is)?
Greg responds...
1. I never said THEY were going to discover this stuff, I said WE were.
2. I like to be inclusive.
matt writes...
i sent you this quote from St. Thomas Aquinas cuz of its implications in the gargoyle universe:
"Angels transcend every religion, every philosophy, every creed.
In fact angels have no religion as we know it...
their existence precedes every religious system that has ever existed on earth."
-St. Thomas Aquinas
and you asked if i had the dates of the quote, and as hard as i searched i couldn't find any, but i did some very interesting reading on him. Thomas Aquinas was an Italian philosopher and theologian who worked at various colleges in the Mediterranean world. he was probably born in 1225, and died in 1274, so most likely the quote was said between those two dates, LOL. hope thats helpful...
Greg responds...
It's cool anyway. I love this kind of stuff.
Gabriel writes...
In your latest Random Stuff, you said you thought Michael Reeves' thing about Demona casting a spell on the gargoyles the night before they woke up would make them switch to modern English...that doesn't work:
They were speaking and reading modern English syntaxicly (is that a word, syntatically) and verbally in the 10th century when they should have been speaking and reading Middle English. The familiar form of you (thou) wansn't even close to being uttered.
However, it could just be that "Awakenings" was just made into modern English so we could understand it; sort of like if an American wrote a novel about Russians, the characters' dialogue would be in English, but we're just supposed to know that it is really Russian. Get it? Is that what we were supposd to assume what was going on?
I just had trouble accepting the rambling as a concrete reason behind the Gargoyles' language.
Greg responds...
If you buy into Michael's explanation, then yes, I think you have to assume that the tenth century sections were translations for the viewers' benefit. I haven't STUDIED Michael's idea or thought about it's ramifications. So I'm not saying that the idea is canon (there's that word again) in my head yet. But I think it has promise.
As I've mentioned before, originally it was a cheat that we thought we could live with artistically.
Anonymous writes...
Have you seen the Final Fantasy movie? If so what do you seek of it?
Greg responds...
I haven't seen it yet.
Johnner writes...
While reading a book of "Unsolved Mysteries" today I came across the case where two English girls back in the early years of the 20th century made hoax photos of "fairies" supposedly living in Cottingley.
Many decades later they made an odd confession about how the photos were faked but they (at least one of them) *had* seen fairies...and the other had recently had some kind of supernatural experience so she believed her...and faked the photos so adults would take it seriously...anyway *realizes I'm rambling*...I was just wondering if in the "Gargoyles" series this would've ever turned up eventually...as the show seemed to draw on such supposed real-life strange events in addition to the legends & myths.
As I recall Conan Doyle was one of the believers in the photos...which brought up another question in my mind...did you ever have plans to integrate literary characters like Sherlock Holmes into the Gargoyles series?
Greg responds...
Characters NOT in the public domain were obviously off limits.
Characters IN the public domain would have been handled on a case-by-case basis. Some might have remained fictional. Others would most certainly have been as real as Arthur Pendragon.
I'm personally not convinced those kids did fake those fairy photos. I think they were pressured into saying that they had. (They're names were never supposed to be revealed to the press. When they were, a huge amount of publicity made their lives VERY difficult.)
Sapphire writes...
Dear Mr.Weisman
Certain minor things tend to really tick people off like me singing oprah in in shower which really annoys my father to people on this question server asking questions that already have been answered which proberly annoys you.
My question is what minor things could really annoy the following characters
Goliath
Hudson
Demona
Angela
Lexington
Brooklyn
Broadway
Oberon
Titania
David Xanatos
Fox Xanatos
Puck
Princess Katherine
Guardian
Gabrial
Ophilia
Talon
Maggie Reid
Fang
Elisa Maza
Taurus
Anansi
Coyote (Fay)
Yama
Kai
King Author
Griff
Una
Leo
Greg responds...
Did perhaps it occur to you that posting a laundry list of characters for me to list a laundry list of their peeves, might perhaps annoy me, perhaps?
Shan writes...
The "Lighthouse in the Sea of Time" episode just finished and I realized there might be an error in how Jeffrey Robbins' dog is portrayed. I did temp work for a while at the Braille Institute here in Los Angeles (about six weeks in three departments) and I seem to recall that you're not supposed to get friendly with/pet the dogs, and likewise guide dogs are trained not to do so with humans (at least outside of their owner). It distracts them from doing their duty. While Jeffrey's dog might have reacted favorably upon seeing Hudson the second time, the dog actually licking Hudson I believe is not correct. Do you know if any research was done into this aspect of the episode that could prove me wrong? It's been several years since I worked at the Braille Institute, though of course it's been a few years since the show too...
Greg responds...
There may have been research done. I can't recall. Or I may not have been aware in the first place. But by the time a script goes through board artists and animators etc, whatever research is done may not still be reflected in the visuals.
Having said that, I'm not trying to blame the artists or the writers. I'm not even sure IF we made a mistake. But if we did -- whoever made it, I'll take responsibility for it.
Jim R. writes...
Will any gargs attempt to participate in the government or general politics?
Greg responds...
Ever?
Jim R. writes...
OK, in the near future when humans finally take action to consider gargs as equal, sentient beings, would gargs (mainly Goliath's clan) be liable to pay taxes considering they are now citizens living in the U.S.?
Greg responds...
Near future? Dream on.
JEB writes...
Ever read anything by T.S. Eliot? If so, what do you think of his work?
Greg responds...
I've read many of his poems. I think his work is brilliant, and some of it touches me deeply. And yet, he's not a favorite of mine. Not sure why.
matt writes...
suddenly all these people started coming out of the closet in the Comment Room, and i thought of a question:
you've said there are gay gargoyles, and there are certaintly gay humans, so if S & P had not been around or had approved it do you think you would have ever made on episode based on homosexuality?
are any known characters gay in "Gargoyles"?
Greg responds...
I'm not going to answer the last question at this time.
I try not to do episodes ON things. I know, I know, you'll point to THE GREEN or LIGHTHOUSE or DEADLY FORCE, but these are stories first and foremost. OUTFOXED was in many ways more about "Integrity" than Deadly Force was about gun safety.
Having logged that whole caveat, I think we would have eventually introduced the existence of homosexuality in the context of a need to tolerate differences and diversity in humans and gargoyles alike (at a minimum -- as I've mentioned before, I find tolerance by itself insufficient).
Is that clear as mud or does that make sense?
Sapphire writes...
Dear Mr. Weisman
In reference to earlier questions on the god of the Torah, Bible, and the Koran you said that there is a sepreme god in the gargoyles universe but he/she/it is not the god defined by the narrow views of the Abrahamic faiths who is in reality a god of one nation. my questions are
1) What is the personality of the sepreme god of the universe in the the gargoyles universe is he/she/it mean, kind,or neutral.
2) If the god described in the Torah, Bible, and Koran is not the god of the universe then is he a make believe deity or was he a fay in disguise playing tricks on the ancient Israelites before Oberon ordered his children not to directly interfere in the lives of mortals at large?
Greg responds...
1. I'm not going to define GOD for you. Not even in the Gargoyles Universe.
2. An interpretation of the whole.
The Souldier writes...
When a gargoyle walks across a hard wood floor do they leave claw marks in it?
Greg responds...
I have no more funny answers to this question.
Anonymous writes...
Have you ever seen Babylon 5? It's quite good and could give Gargoyles a run for the money.
Greg responds...
I saw the pilot and didn't care for it. Later, people I respected told me the series was great. So I tried a couple more times to watch. But I just couldn't make heads or tails of what was going on.
It's a concern I have for Gargoyles as well. Tried to make each (non-multi-part) episode stand alone. But maybe people had trouble coming into the middle of our stuff too.
All I know is that I had no luck finding an entry point on Babylon Five. And no way to go back and start over. That doesn't mean the series wasn't great. Just that I missed the boat at the beginning and couldn't find my way aboard later.
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