Stargate Universe: John Scalzi has been hired as creative consultant

[wraithfodder]

Looks like they're actually getting a real, honest-to-gosh writer to work on Stargate Universe. They've hired a book author John Scalzi as a creative consultant. See below snippet from his blog.

January 14 2009

http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/01/14/one-of-my-big-announcements-for-
january/

excerpt:

The reason I'm in Vancouver, aside from having dinner at Fuel last night with Joseph Mallozzi, can now be revealed: I have a new gig as Creative Consultant for the upcoming Stargate: Universe television series. I've been talking to the SGU folks about it informally for some time and flew out to meet the producers and writers, and talk about the ideas and directions of the new series. I also got the tour of the sets, which are still under construction, and which look pretty damn nifty so far. It all went very well, and I liked what they were doing with the show and the people involved, and equally importantly they seemed to like me too. So I was happy to say yes when they invited me onboard.

REST AT LINK ABOVE

His official site: http://scalzi.com/
His books: http://www.scalzi.com/books/
A YouTube interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZN6GA4JsOs
Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Scalzi

------------------

I've never read this guy's work, let alone heard of him (I avoid any book reviews on Mallozzi's blog as he gives away too much). I read mostly non-fiction books as theyr'e fascinating, and probably far too much Stargate Atlantis fan fiction, but there is good stuff out there so I read it! :) Too bad they couldn't have gotten some consultants in on SGA; might have avoided "Identity" then ;)

I see Scalzi's books are in my local library, so I'll go down and grab one when there's less snow and ice out there.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

I see people falling over like dominoes, with Brit Robert Carlyle and now the (better known in US circles) Scalzi. Tenor has changed a lot towards SGU!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Now if they can just bring back the SGA cast ;)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

We know that with one possible exception, they didn't want them. I only wish I had the power to get the truth out of them, one day, but I never will, why they didn't want to put their minds and money into what they had started.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Alas, not worth raising your blood pressure. It's done and over... but yeah, would love to know why they could ramp up SGA like they're doing with SGU.

[alyssa22.livejournal.com]

And get rid of Mallozzi...

[duffy-99.livejournal.com]

Gee, it would have been nice if they had tried a fraction of this hard with SGA. Hmmff.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

They do seem to be bending over backwards for THIS incarnationa of Stargate... don't they?

[a-pilgrim-soul.livejournal.com]

I read Scalzi's The Android's Dream when it was one of JM's BOTM choices. Both JM and David Hewlett had raved about it, I think JM said it restored his faith in Sci-Fi novels but I really couldn't see what was so amazing about it, it wasn't a bad book but it isn't something I'll ever read again and I've not been tempted to read any of his other work. There were some great ideas in there and if he's just going to be someone to bounce ideas off then he could prove a great asset to the franchise.

My main problem with the novel was that the main character was so overwhelmingly a Mary Sue: genius, heroic soldier, good looking and an all round great guy who saves the universe as we know it. The character was so flawless he just became unbearably generic and dull and I stopped caring and kept wanting to skip ahead to the chapters that dealt with the secondary characters some of whom were so much more interesting.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Flawless? nnnooooo, cannot have flawless heroes. Heroes must have flaws, challenges, etc. or else, well, it's just another day for them, saving the world...

[a-pilgrim-soul.livejournal.com]

Maybe his other books are better, I don't know. Like I said Mallozzi seems to adore his work but I just couldn't see what was so amazing, I kept feeling like I'd read the book before only then it had been better written. I guess its all down to personal taste *shrug*

There were some very good ideas but at times there was also a smugness about those ideas - just not the book for me I guess but any fresh blood on the ideas front - not entirely sure what a "creative consultant" is, isn't that what Mallozzi and Mullie are supposed to be for SGU? - can only be a good thing.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I gotta admit I think getting this guy on board will help. My lord, they've need fresh writing blood for years!

[ladyoflisquill.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.... interesting. I watched about 10 mins of the talk and he seems like an okay guy. Don't know his work thogh and the proof is always in the pudding.

I'm still on a 'wait and see' stance with SGU.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, on the fence myself.

[lysambre.livejournal.com]

I'm actually surprised at this news (read it this morning at Scalzi's blog).

Mostly because he's so much better than the whole team of writers put together (between him and Carlyle, I'm now thinking the other actors are going to have to pay to play a role... what kind of budget are they on ? Ten times what they had for SGA ?)

I like SG1 and I loved SGA, but let's be honest the writers are really not terrific. They leave massive plot holes everywhere, continuity is so far above them they hardly know the definition of it, and some of their characters are better written by the fans.

I've read three of Scalzi's books last year (actually they were the only "real paper" books I've read in a long time) and they were fantastic. Not one minute of being bored, great characters, and ideas that begin at A to finish at Z.

On one hand I'm glad they are making an effort after 13 years (no I'm still not interested in watching SGU though), on the other hand I'm thinking that the mix of utterly good and utterly bad might not produce the expected result (for tptb that is).
I don't know how much leeway Scalzi may have, but I can't really see him agree with the usual female = love interest for the male cast (so they look better), nor with the colored people = aliens, or the few dozens of other bad taste habits that haunts the SG franchise. But then he might have nothing to say about it, so...

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

The writers on Stargate have never been of Emmy-winning caliber. I do think Jeff King wrote some good stuff, but he left the SG1 show very early on. Mallozzi and Mullie churn out standard episodic fare, with yes, plenty of plotholes. I watched the show for how the actors brought the characters to life, evevn with so-so dialogue.

So, which Scalzi book would you recommend for someone to read who's never read his stuff?

[lysambre.livejournal.com]

I completely agree about watching the show for what the actors do with it. They are what made SGA so fantastic for me (and able for such a long time to ignore the "bad" because they were so good ;)).

As for Scalzi, I was given Old man's war by a friend, which I found original and entertaining.

The thing with books and I is that, as long as they are not badly written and keep me entertained enough not to want to put the book down, then they are winners.

After that I guess it's a matter of taste, for example I was too bored to read the wonderful but way too slow for me Lord of the Rings triology, The Da-Vinci code failed to hold my attention past ten pages, entirely due to the style of writing (I felt like I had ADD and epilepsy while reading, not due to me because I don't have ADD nor epilepsy).

I don't want to say that Scalzi is "the best writer ever", because that would be lying, but I do think he writes good and entertaining sci-fi.

After Old Man's War, instead of reading the next book in the series (Old man's war does have a an ending though), I decided to go for The Android's dream. I read it in a few hours and loved it. Unlike the commenter above me, it's a book that I will probably pick up again and re-read.

So either one of those two should be a nice introduction to Scalzi (or a terrible one if you end up not liking his style lol)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

Which of his books have you read? Someone further up said it was boring due to perfect hero. Not that I can afford them, but now I'm interested.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Actually, if you list the two best. I'm not buying as the library has some of 'em :)

[lysambre.livejournal.com]

I've read Old Man's War, The Android's Dream and one of his non-fiction books.

I wouldn't pretend to be able to judge what is "too perfect" for others though. All I know is that what I've read was entertaining enough that I didn't really want to put the books down (as is often the case when I read and get bored).

So yes, Scalzi's heroes are not the much hyped about anti-hero that people seem to appreciate so much these days, yes they probably have more qualities than bad habits, but I didn't feel disturbed nor threatened by it, he doesn't make it the sole focus of the story.
And, in my eyes, when the universe a writer creates is good enough that I'm interested in both the characters and the action, then it's a great book.

Mind you, I don't pretend to be a great critique or anything, I just like to be entertained when I read a book, especially sci-fi :).

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I just want entertainment when I read a book. I'm not into the bleak anti-heroes, but I don't like perfect heroes either. Even Superman had his flaws ;) Thanks!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

I think it really depends on what a person considers too good, mileage varies - I used to like the flawed ones but lately it seems those I like are considered normal heroes. Maybe I can read them one day.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I like flawed, as in normally flawed, if that makes any sense. I don't want them dragging along a steamertrunk full of "Oh, I was a vampire in a former life" baggage, but well, just normal stuff. but plan to check out the books.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

That is pretty much what I meant. I gave you Old Men below.

[inalaska2004.livejournal.com]

Androids Dream by Scalzi was one of the funniest stories i have read in a long time. i laughed out loud, alot. he has quite a sense of humor and doesnt take his stories dead serious. in that way, he makes a good fit and his stories dont seem pretensious or full of so much description of science that you start reading ahead. but it was funny.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Hmm, our library doesn't have it. starting with the first book and then shall see :)

[tavabean.livejournal.com]

I don't like to judge a book by it's cover, so to speak, but this guy "looks" like the rest of TPTB, middle-aged, white dude. He sounds like a talented writer, but where is the female or ethnic perspective that the show might possibly benefit from?

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I get the dreary feeling that no women are going to bust into that boys' club... :(

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

That was my first thought too *sighlaugh* down to the hair and clothes.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I'm truly hoping SGU can avoid the buxom women squashed into boob-popping tops...somehow, with guys in charge, don't think so...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

It's not just the women; my complaints are larger and more basic. But re. lookism: I've learned that in normal RL, the more attractive guys are less sexist and less nasty in their private remarks as well.

[parisindy.livejournal.com]

i read tons of sci fi... never heard of him

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

well, I read more non-fic than fic, but ditto, but will check out a book and see what he's about.

[parisindy.livejournal.com]

keep us informed :)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Will do ;)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Gonna have to check out his work.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

http://anonym.to/?/http://www.megaupload.com/de/?d=XJDOTL88

[iolandasblog.livejournal.com]

And another Whaaaaaaaaaat?

Sounds like they are really going to change something for SGU. And as other people said: They should have put that effort into SGA. The actors were worth it.

I tried to read "Androids Dream" but I haven't finished it yet. I don't want to blame the writing. Well, I DO want to blame the writing, but the reason is not that it's bad written, just too complex for me to read it in the evenings and I fear that I miss 90% of cultural references or in-jokes.

[tabby333.livejournal.com]

I'm not a fan of Scalzi's writing so this news doesn't make me any happier. For me, his writing still fits the mode/need of having SGU appeal to a younger male audience. And I don't necessarily believe that bringing in an author of books, no matter how popular or good, will have much impact on the quality of a tv series. *Shrugs* but that's just me.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.... gotta check out a book now for myself. must remember to go to library.

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

I know you sometimes read animal books with your non-fiction. Have you read Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien? It's the memoir of a biologist who raised an unreleasable barn owl from the age of 4 days old until it died 19 years later. She tells some great stories about the difficulties of living with a bird of prey in your bedroom.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Oh, no, hadn't heard of that book. Shall have to add it to my 'must read' list. Thx.

[flingslass.livejournal.com]

I've never heard of Scalzi.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I haven't either. Took "Old Man's War" out of the library. trying to read it but keep getting interrupted.