I have rediscovered something that I love, a hobby that I’ve neglected in lieu of new media and technology for the last several years…reading. Overcome by the desire to put down the remote and start turning the pages, it is one of the main reasons that I’ve been ignoring this blog (and you, by extension).
Obviously my main focus every week from January through May is the Lost blog, but when I’m not watching, researching or writing about the show, I’ve been turning off the television more and settling in with a graphic novel or book instead.
The stack currently residing on my nightstand accurately reflects many of my interests; music, sports, superheroes and even the afterlife (which I blame on my undyling love for Six Feet Under; pun absolutely intended)…
I am openly fascinated by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, so it was an easy choice to pick up a copy of Scar Tissue. Bonus: HBO is developing a series based on Anthony Kiedis’ childhood.
Moneyball remains a personal favorite, which is no surprise given that I’m a huge Oakland A’s fan. And I am looking forward to reading The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, because Michael Lewis explores football in the same analytical style that he examined baseball in Moneyball.
I know nothing about Captain Freedom, except that the cover and tagline grabbed me instantly: A superhero’s quest for truth, justice, and the celebrity he so richly deserves. Sounds right up my alley on many levels.
The X-Files. Dead Like Me. Pushing Daisies. Bones. True Blood. Just a few of the reasons that I’m enjoying Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. It also doesn’t hurt that my better half is a modern day Scully of sorts. : )
I read Brian K. Vaughan’s Ex Machina series last year, and am now enthralled with and absorbing his visionary Y: The Last Man graphic novels. Vaughan is actually a co-producer and writer on Lost (the 3rd issue of Y was featured as an Easter Egg this season; Hurley was reading it in Spanish at the airport).
Sticking with the post apocalyptic theme, I just finished Brian Wood’s chilling and prescient Channel Zero. It is an alternatingly exciting and frightening narrative.
So there you have it, an excuse which I don’t expect you to respond to. Every night I think about posting something on this site, and apologize for not doing so at least a few times per week. My non-Lost friends and readers deserve an extra virtual hug for being patient with me; I appreciate that you’re still here, and promise to post movie reviews and TV news again soon!
At WonderCon in San Francisco recently, I was thrilled to
find out that Jasika Nicole (Astrid Farnsworth on Fringe) was going to be there. She was
delightful, outgoing and warm; with an infectious laugh and very friendly
smile, I felt like we were old friends after only a few minutes of
conversation. Jasika was kind enough to answer a few questions for an interview, and I also obtained both an autographed photo and poster for two
of YOU to win (see details at the end of the post)!
1. In addition to Fringe, you caught my attention last year
when you were featured in the New York Times article “Out in Hollywood.” And then I was thrilled to discover your very sweet and
autobiographical comic (via a link on your blog). What has been the response to that
article and from fans in general?
Jasika: After the article came out, I got a few incredibly supportive
and sincere emails from some fans, but there wasn’t really an onslaught of
extra attention that I noticed. My comic High Yella Magic has inspired more
people to write to me and offer their opinions and encouragement than that
article did. I really enjoyed being a part of the Times piece, but, in regards
to my story, it was mostly factual and barely personal – it let the world know
that I was queer, out and proud withoutdelving very much beneath the surface. My comic offers a pretty personal
look into who I am and what my experiences have been, and I think that people
tend to connect with and respond to that in kind.
2. A few years ago, you had the opportunity to work with
the late Natasha Richardson (on The Mastersons of Manhattan). Did you share many scenes with her, and would you mind sharing
your memories of her?
Jasika: I did a sitcom pilot with Natasha Richardson in which I
played the seemingly sweet live-in nurse to her ailing father who was also
sleeping with her husband and her nephew. I had a couple of big scenes with
Natasha, but when I wasn’t on the set, I spent all my time just watching her
and Brian Benben and Molly Shannon create really dynamic comedy with each other
in rehearsal. James Burrows was the director for that show, and watching him
and Natasha work together, him coming up with an idea on the fly and her being
able to take that and give him something even better than he asked for – it was
just remarkable.
3. After the show The Return on Jezebel James was canceled,
were you looking for another television series?
Jasika: No, not at all. I just wanted to be working! After my Jezebel dreams were crushed, the effects of the Writers’ Strike hit full force.
There were hardly any auditions at all, so I tried to prepare myself for the
worst, which, in my head, was not screen testing or being cast in any projects
at all during pilot season. Fringe ended up being a complete shock
for everyone on my end.
4. How did the opportunity to audition for Fringe arise, and
what was that process like?
Jasika: I was submitted for the role of Astrid, and all I knew was
that she was supposed to be a young, tech-savvy FBI agent. I remember thinking
“uh uh, not with MY hair,” and I didn’t put very much energy into the
audition. I figured that it was such a long shot that I didn’t even need to get
my hopes up for her. I had about 3 callbacks before I screen-tested, and at
this point I still had not read a script or anything, so I was excited about
the prospect, but not sure exactly what I was excited about. My manager and
agent put me on a three-way phone call to tell me the news that I was cast,
where we all proceeded to scream in each other’s ears for several minutes, and
I was on a plane to Toronto to film the pilot a few weeks later.
5. Who makes you laugh on set; is there a practical jokester
among the cast?
Jasika: John (Noble) and Josh (Jackson)and I are always in fierce competition to make
each other laugh, but Josh probably wins since he is able to make himself laugh
as much as anyone else. We have such a natural, easy rapport with each other
that it’s almost impossible not to have a good time when we are in the lab. I
refer to them as “the Damn Bishops” and they call me “Agent
Funsworth.”
6. I’m sure you’ve heard or read about the frustration that
some Fringe fans have about the lack of action and story for Astrid…both in and
out of the lab. Will we see more of or about Astrid before the end of Season 1?
Jasika: Astrid gets out of the lab again in the second half of the
season! WOO HOOO! Hopefully the fans will feel validated…but if they don’t,
there’s always Season 2.
7. Given that you live in New York (where Season 1 was
filmed), how do you feel about the production move to Vancouver for Season 2?
Jasika: Initially I was very frustrated. I hated the thought that
this giant crew of people who put so much blood, sweat and tears into the show
was not going to be able to continue to build onto what they helped create.
It’s so hard to say goodbye because we have become a family over the past 10
months of working together. But eventually I had to realize that this is the
nature of the business and that I just needed to be happy that our hard work
had paid off. I’m still not looking forward to parting ways, but I plan on
adding all the friends I made from the Fringe crew to my Facebook.
8. I see that you’re still involved with the theater,
appearing in various charitable events such as the Our Time Theatre Company
gala next week. Do you foresee a return to Broadway someday, or in between
films and seasons of Fringe?
Jasika: I would absolutely LOVE to get back onstage again for a
show. I miss the theatre so much! I used to think that I preferred theatre over
film and TV, but eventually I realized that they are two completely separate
art forms, like apples and…bacon. I like them both for such different
reasons, but I have been away from theatre for a really long time and that’s
why I miss it so – I’ve forgotten what it’s like to stand on stage and sing to
people! It’s amazing – you become so aware of your body when you’re under those
stage lights that you start to notice how your breath reaches all the way down
to your feet!
9. What can you tell us about your next film, She’s
Out of My League?
Jasika: I hope my scenes didn’t get deleted.
I would like to thank Jasika for taking the time to answer these questions, and wish her an early Happy Birthday (April 10)! She is quite talented, as well as a personable and sweet human being. I look forward to more Astrid on the small screen, and new comics as well!
If you are a Fringe fan and would like to win a Jasika-autographed photo of her and Walter Bishop in the lab or an autographed small poster of the cast, simply leave a comment for Jasika below and your name will be entered! The winners will be announced on April 17.
On Saturday we spent the day in San Francisco at WonderCon with our good friend Brian, who shares my sci-fi and pop culture enthusiasm and then some. He is a great graphic artist (who created the logos for both of my blogs), and he took the excellent photos and video below. If you are an athlete, you must check out his blog, Pavement Runner.
We attended the Watchmen and Star Trek panels together, but Brian braved the entire weekend to also enjoy the Chuck, Pixar, Sarah Connor Chronicles and Terminator Salvation panels as well! He was kind enough to share pictures from all of them, and I will post those photos later this week.
WATCHMEN Guests: Director Zack Snyder, graphic novel illustrator Dave Gibbons, actors Malin Akerman (Laurie Jupiter/Silk Spectre II), Billy Crudup (Dr. Manhattan/Jon Osterman), Jackie Earle Hailey (Walter Kovacs/Rorschach), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Edward Blake/The Comedian) and Patrick Wilson (Dan Dreiberg/Nite Owl II).
They showed us just over 15 minutes from the film, which opens this Friday. Without giving much away, I will say that the opening title sequence is one of the most phenomenal and creative that I’ve ever seen. This is going to be an outstanding visual ride, and one that will successfully mirror the brilliance of the original graphic novel.
STAR TREK Guests: Director J.J. Abrams, executive producer Bryan Burk, screenwriter Roberto Orci, stars Chris Pine (Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Spock) & Zoe Saldana (Uhura)
Video of J.J. Abrams at Star Trek panel [note to Lost fans, it is 1:08 long]
I am not a Trekkie by any means, and The Wrath of Khan is my favorite among the many previous Star Trek films. Abrams treated us to a longer, unreleased trailer…and I watched it with wide eyes and goosebumps. He has more than reinvigorated the franchise. I look forward to this film more than just about any other this year.
I have a few small but very cool collectible items from both Watchmen and Star Trek that I’d love to give away to my readers. Interested? Simply leave a comment below, telling me why you’re a huge fan of either and what your expectations are for the films. I will put all of your names in a hat and pull random winners by March 15. Make sure to fill in your name and email so that I can contact you.
When I’m not busy neglecting this blog, I am either working or transforming into a larger geek than I ever thought possible. If you would have asked me or anyone in my family even ten years ago whether or not I would love and embrace new technology, sci-fi, graphic novels, etc. – we would have all laughed out loud at the very thought.
Here are a few examples of what I’ve been up to and am about embark upon.
1. Less than two weeks ago, we went on an all-day LOST tour on Oahu. Incredible is only one way to describe the overall experience. See for yourself here and here on my Lost blog.
2. Last weekend I had the opportunity to call in to the Sci-Fi Party Line podcast to discuss Lost and the tour with my new friend Cat (@FancyFembot on Twitter), as well as other TV shows like Bones, Dollhouse and True Blood. Click here to listen to the chat, or find it on iTunes!
3. Tomorrow we are heading into San Francisco for our very first WonderCon, which is a smaller version of San Diego’s Comic-Con (and yes, I’m going back there this year as well). If we get there early enough, we’re hoping to attend the Watchmen panel first, then brave the lines for the new Star Trek in the afternoon.
Besides that, I’ve been attempting to catch up on 3 weeks of shows…but have been disappointed in many. Right now I am only really enjoying Bones, Friday Night Lights, Fringe, House and Lost. And I need to finish Season 1 of Breaking Bad because the second season begins on March 8!
I have been absent and a shell of a blogger. Apologies.
Tomorrow we leave for Hawaii, and I have plans to post a few entries…when I’m not on the beach, at the pool, on the zip line or enjoying ridiculously fruity/girly cocktails.
We will be in Maui until next Sunday, and then in Oahu for a few days. We are primarily going to Oahu to take the all-day LOST tour. Seriously, and of course.
I have not had enough time to catch up on all of my TiVO’d shows, but here is a very quick report card:
30 Rock: A-
Bones: B-
Damages: B+
Friday Night Lights: A-
Grey’s: B+ (HUGE improvement)
Heroes: A- (HUGE improvement)
House: B
Flight of the Conchords: B
Lost: A
Nip/Tuck: C
The Office: B-
Private Practice: B
The United States of Tara: A-
Thank you for your patience and for checking in on occasion. You still complete me.
p.s. If you’re at all interested in our (mis)adventures in the 808, feel free to follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jopinionated.
See, I warned you about my lack of posts here once Lost started up again. I’m certainly not complaining, but watching every new episode 2- 3 times and then writing several entries about each per week is quite time-consuming (and is more than likely the culprit for this lingering headache I’m nursing).
In addition to Lost, I am also watching the following shows every week:
30 Rock
Bones
Brothers & Sisters
Damages
Flight of the Conchords
Friday Night Lights
Fringe
Grey’s Anatomy
House
Life on Mars
Nip/Tuck
The Office
Private Practice
Scrubs
Top Chef
The United States of Tara
…on top of catching up with Season 1 of How I Met Your Mother on DVD and Season 1 of Breaking Bad on my iPod, and attempting to finish last season’s Survivor online.
I’ve given up on The L Word and Ugly Betty. But in the next few weeks I will be adding these to my collection: The Amazing Race, Dollhouse, Heroes, Life, Medium and Samantha Who.
Why do I list these out and why should you care? Because I’m an over-sharer and like to keep you in the loop. I would also like to know which shows you’d like me to write about; I’m much more likely to discuss YOUR favorite series…if only I knew what they were. Do tell.
In the interest of over-disclosure/overexposure, I also wanted to let you know that I will be out of town next week on business and then in Hawaii for 10 days on vacation. Don’t hate me. So you may not hear as much from me in February, except for occasional pop culture related reports (i.e. after our 8 hour private Lost tour on Oahu)!
