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« Michael's 24 & Stargate SG-1 Blog
Tough Noogies
Whatever….
Sorry. I realized over the weekend that there were a few things I had forgotten to do before I started this blog. The first was to introduce myself to the people who aren't already familiar with me:
Hello. My name is Michael Shanks. I am an actor.
I am an extremely sarcastic person. Meaning, that everything I say should be taken with a large grain — if not a huge boulder — of salt. I realize that sarcasm doesn't necessarily translate to the written word as well as it does the spoken. Such is life. Tough noogies. I am also an incredibly self-deprecating person. So much so in fact, that if you never hear me praise anything I do, it is because I regard most of what I do as un-praiseworthy. Meaning, I regard what I do as crap, for the most part, and not worth dissecting. I, of course, am not referring to the projects as a whole, because that is a commentary on others; I am referring to my role and worth within those projects.
On the other hand, I am blessed with a wonderful life, career, friends and work relationships that constantly have to deal with me as I struggle to find the worth that will allow me to contribute something positive in a collaborative way. Bless the people that have to deal with my crap. At the same time, the standard that I hold myself to I also hold to the world around me. Which means, it's all subject to my opinion and/or my standard, which is also my benchmark for the world around me. Basically, what I'm saying is that I am colossally flawed, so if you don't like my opinions, exercise your freedoms and disagree. Or, quite frankly, don't read any further, as that is also your right.
All that being said up front, now here are a few of my opinions on the week of television that I have been privy to in TV land (this is what this is about, after all):
Episode 22 of 24 was pretty damn good. My story line was, quite frankly, miniscule relative to the entire show. I watched it as a viewer, basically thinking that I wish I had been more involved in the action-based story line that was (in my opinion) for more compelling and defining than what was happening back at Mark Bishop's apartment. What we were doing in that story line was a bit distracting to the overall drama that people were tuning in to the show for. At the same time, I had a wonderful time with both cast and crew filming those scenes that I have rarely experienced. I remain incredibly grateful for the time spent in that world. Great crew, great cast, great people.
As for the Stargate SG-1 episode that airs on Friday: wow, not so good. The people involved — cast, crew, writers, etc — as always, fantastic. The episode… not one of my favorites. Shooting it was great, as one of the highlights was actually working (for a change) with my costar, Ben Browder. We often joke that for some reason, since he joined the show, we haven't been allowed in the same room, let alone the same scene together. We enjoy working with each other, and this is one of the few times we have been allowed to interact on any level. This moment, unfortunately, proved fleeting, because in the movies we are shooting, more of the same. Don't ask me the reason why, because we are both at a loss. Maybe it's because the TPTB feel that the audience will become confused: I'm the one wearing the glasses; he's got the southern drawl (although, he's apparently from Kansas). Go figure.
Anyhow, I do know that there is something like 22 extra minutes of the episode that ended up on the cutting-room floor. That's amazing, given a 44-minute delivery time. However, in my opinion, it weakens the overall impact of the episode. It seems to vacillate between being serious and/or comedic in a very strange way. And, for the first time in a while, I can honestly say that it renders my performance appalling. Note that when Daniel goes off the deep end to the hostages — something completely out of his character and purposely meant as such — there is a missing scene in between there that helped make the outburst a little more sensible. I'm not making any apologies or passing blame, but the inclusion of that would have made it all jive more. Such is the nature of episodic television, in which sometimes you just have to put it out there and, as Andy Mikita says, "just see what falls off the truck." Not overall one of our stronger offerings, but such is life.
On a separate note, this was also the episode we were filming when we found out the series had been cancelled. Who knows if that affected the overall focus of the human beings involved?! Again, not making excuses, but ya catch my drift? Tough noogies.
Wow, that was incredibly earnest and responsible of me. I'll have to remember to be more irreverent and sarcastic in the future. I blame it on my being between movies, at home and playing "daddy day care." My lovely wife is off filming the Lifetime Channel movie Killer Eyes on Vancouver Island, which puts me home alone with the kids.
Love her. Come home soon! Then we can both get back to being more irreverent and self-deprecating than this chapter seems to demonstrate.
As always, mean what you say, and (damn it!) say what you mean. I promise to get back to that next week.
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May 17, 2007 6:02 PM
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I'm very self-deprecating too, but then I haven't spent the last 10+ years on one of the best shows on tv 
Although I agree, more scenes with Ben would not go amiss.
Managed to catch you on 24 and I applaud you for a fantastic performance.
And I hear Paris Hilton (boo, hiss) is getting a reduced sentence. Oh the joy...
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May 17, 2007 6:13 PM
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Well, what to say... As you admitted, you weren't sarcastic enough. I needed more laughs.
You can be as tough as you want on yourself, I still think you are one of the best, if not the best, actors on television. I know I'll enjoy the SG-1 episode just because you are on it.
I'm glad you enjoyed your work on 24. I'm looking forward to seeing you guest star on other shows while I'm waiting for the SG-1 movies and "Rage of Angels". Here's hoping it gets picked up by a network.
All the best,
Angela
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May 17, 2007 6:16 PM
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Michael,
Firstly nice intro about yourself; I take everything you have with a grain of salt and love reading every minute of what you have to say; you leave me laughing. And enjoy that after crazy day of work.
You are blessed; enjoy watching your work; and hope to see more of you on tv or movie screen.
For me I would have like to have seen Mark out of his apartment; enjoyed your role though on "24" and you going all psycho on Lisa was great.
This is a person with stunned look; can't believe you found out while filming 'Bad Guys'the show was cancelled; I like that eps alot and the outburst you had is great and hopefully we will see the deleted scene. And always wondered why you and Ben never had scenes together.
Congrats to Lexa on her job in Lifetime movie. Can't wait to see it.
Thanks again for another great blog and the title 'tough noogies'!
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May 17, 2007 6:16 PM
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I wish you wouldn't be so hard on yourself, but if that's what it takes to make your performances so damn good, well, so be it  Glad you have such a wonderful support group and I love the sarcasm. Comes from being Canadian, eh?
I'll be watching Bad Guys tonight so will keep in mind what you said.
Another great blog and I hope your wife comes home soon, although it is lovely here on the Island!
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May 17, 2007 6:26 PM
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Great introduction of your good self.
Flawed or not, sarcastic or not, I like that you are brutally honest about all apsects of your life but at the same time have a great out look on life.
Thanks for the behind the scenes commentaries for both 24 and Stargate SG1. Any chance of us seeing the missing scenes?
Have fun with the kids.
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May 17, 2007 6:43 PM
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My personal theory regarding the lack of Cam/Danny interaction is that the writers have realized they've pigeonholed the Cam character into a O'Neil/Crichton hybrid and don't want it too be too obvious so they've kept Cam and Danny from having any meaningful interaction in order to throw the fans off the scent. Not that it's worked!
Great blog! If you're taking suggestions for future blogs, some of us would love to hear more stuff about your interactions with Claudia Black.
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May 17, 2007 6:50 PM
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Nice introduction, belated though it was. Not that I imagine there were too many around here wondering "who *is* this guy"?
Great to hear that it is Lexa's turn for a gig--it sounds like Lifetime is keeping your family employed. As long as she doesn't play the killer in "Killer Eyes" (or get killed) as you did in "Judicial Indiscretion" I guess it will be fine.
Keep on being honest and more than that keep on having fun with what you do!
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May 17, 2007 6:56 PM
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Well, hello, Michael Shanks the actor. My name is Amber.
It seems to vacillate between being serious and/or comedic in a very strange way.
I thought the episode was goofy. Whether or not it was intended to convey that, I enjoyed it.
Comes from being Canadian, eh?
Sorry to put a damper on your national pride there, purdy, but I'm afraid Canadians don't hold a monopoly on sarcasm.
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May 17, 2007 7:13 PM
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You previous blog entries were very funny, please more of that!
I have already seen Bad Guys and in context or not, your delivery of that line to the fighting hostages was hilarious! Just the hand gestures and tone of voice, well I 'got' it anyway lol
I would enjoy seeing Daniel and Cam interact more, there was a great rythem between you guys in the Forth Horseman (mid season 9 two parter). Maybe the next movies? (fingers crossed).
Do you think you might be visiting the UK in October for Collectormania? 
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May 17, 2007 7:16 PM
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Thank you for making me laugh yet again at your blog entries. Personally I'm a huge fan of sarcasm and use it regularly, so please don't stop!
You're an amazing actor Michael, wish you wouldn't be so hard on yourself. Your fantastic acting on Stargate is a BIG part of what kept me watching all these years!
Hope to hear more about "Rage of Angels" and fingers crossed that it gets picked up by a network. It sounds like a great show! It will be... refreshing to see you as the ultimate bad guy hehe
Have fun with your kids. Or should I say good luck!
I have a question that I hope you can answer... are you doing any commentaries for the season 10 DVD's this year? I would love to hear yours and Claudias comments on Unending especially
Diana
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May 17, 2007 7:20 PM
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Aw, I actually liked Bad Guys. Thought Daniel's rant was hillarious, although it did seem a little out of character, so what you said about additional scenes that made things clearer makes sense. Maybe the extra scenes will make it onto the DVDs? I hear season 10 will be the first box set that contains deleted scenes.
I'm glad to hear Lexa is doing a movie. I like her performances and was wondering if/when we'd see her next.
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May 17, 2007 7:22 PM
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Hi Michael,
Thanks for another great blog entry. I appreciate your openness and honesty, as well as your humor (sarcastic or otherwise). Your intelligence and thoughtfulness shows through in your writing. Please keep it up and never feel you need to change it.
You are not alone, of course, in the realm of "being your own worst critic." Perhaps in some ways that will serve you as a kind of safety net in your line of work - to help keep you grounded, keep your priorities straight, and not believing your own press, as I think the saying goes?
If that makes no sense at all, please forgive me and blame it on the overabundance of caffeine I have had today! In the meantime, as always, I wish you and your family the best and look forward to your next projects (including the two SG movies) and your next blog entry!
Warmly,
Jennie
P.S. Haven't seen SG-1 yet this week; it's on tomorrow night. Thanks for the insight; now I know what to watch for!
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May 17, 2007 7:37 PM
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*waves hello* Very nice introduction, though you may have guessed that there are a LOT of people out here that know your work.
I am an extremely sarcastic person.
Ditto. Love your sense of humour. Nothin' like a little snark to get you through the day.
what was happening back at Mark Bishop's apartment
I can see why you said something about "bruises on bruises" at one of the cons earlier this year. Your character, although only onscreen briefly, was very well done and intriguing enough that most of us are wishing for more of that storyline.
As for the Stargate SG-1 episode that airs on Friday...one of the highlights was actually working (for a change) with my co-star, Ben Browder.
I enjoy watching Daniel & Mitchell interact. This was a fun episode overall. A friend is flying in from out of the country tomorrow, and we're going to try to hurry back to my house in time to see the first showing.
he's got the southern drawl (although, he's apparently from Kansas).
That puzzled the heck out of me. Do the writers even know where Kansas is, much less how very much the people from there DON'T sound like Mitchell?
there is something like 22 extra minutes of the episode that ended up on the cutting room floor
I cannot emphasize enough how very very very very (and did I mention VERY?) much I would love to have deleted scenes on my fancy Season Box Set DVDs.
My lovely wife is off filming the Lifetime Channel movie Killer Eyes on Vancouver Island
*makes a note of the title* I'll be sure to look for that when it airs.
As always, mean what you say, and (damn it!) say what you mean.
*sigh* Well, I wasn't planning on it, but if you're going to insist...
I promise to get back to that next week.
I'll be reading. Thanks for another interesting entry.
Cats
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May 17, 2007 7:38 PM
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"I am an extremely sarcastic person"...That show us that you are a smart person. I have always think that an intelligent smart person has to have sarcasm, even dark sarcasm, irony and a lot of sense of humor...it's the best way to face the life!
"Shooting it was great, as one of the highlights was actually working (for a change) with my co-star, Ben Browder. We often joke that for some reason, since he joined the show, we haven't been allowed in the same room, let alone the same scene together. We enjoy working with each other, and this is one of the few times we have..." Have you read a certain BB forum? I hope you didn't....they are so childish and mean...BB doesn't deserve a fans like them.
In your next blog can you tell us something more about Rage of Angels? Oh, and I still thinking that you have to blog more than once a week...
And about Bad Guys...don't worry you have been funny, but I know that Sg1 save the best of you for last
CIAO!
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May 17, 2007 8:06 PM
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