Get out the platforms and hang up the disco ball, we're talking Battlestar Galactica today. And oh yeah, Alec Guinness, Anakin Skywalker, and those insidious, evil demons, the Green Bay Packers.

September 10, 1999

What's black and white and read all over? Tobor's letters page. Ah, the 70s. Disco was in the air and Star Wars was on the big screen for the first time. A peanut farmer held the reigns of the world's most potent arsenal of intercontinental ballistic missiles and only three sports were popular: football, baseball, and driving faster than redneck sheriffs despite having an ugly monkey in your car and/or semitruck. And meanwhile on television, amidst such stirring fare as the Brady Bunch Variety Show and a stripped down Scooby Doo Mysteries (which, due to sharp cuts in the animation budget, now starred only Shaggie, Scooby, and Daphne), there was one brave little show that took science fiction to where it had never been before--a casino. That show was Battlestar Galactica and that preceding paragraph was just a roundabout way of saying today's letters are mostly about our big giant interview with Richard Hatch with a few others about Anakin Skywalker and some other non-Battlestar Galactica-related products. So, like the Dukes of Hazzard fired up on Uncle Jesse's corn licker, here come today's letters! --Tobor

The Bee-Gees are Back! Thoughts on our Battlestar Galactica interview We hear all this stuff about the trailer and you guys are doing a great job of keeping us updated BUT why not put the trailers on the site? Doesn't take a genius to figure that on out. Unless it's a copyright "thing". Thomas B!

No can do. Sophia LaPorte told us that due to an agreement with the Screen Actor's Guild, copies of the trailer cannot be sold or circulated. Secondly, Universal hasn't seen it. She and Hatch hope to Internet-ize the thing later down the road once the situation clears up, and we'll definitely mirror or post the trailer when it's available. --Tobor

My wife and I are both Battlestar Galactica fans. In fact, I just purchased the original movie on laser disc. It's a classic!! I would love to see a full feature film that would continue the original story. Sounds like Hatch has his head on straight. The article was great, thanx for the update. Paul. Excellent article! I would love to see a BG revival, it was one of my favorite shows as a kid. I've heard tidbits about Hatch's efforts before but nothing as in depth as your report. Great work and thanks! Frederick Great Article! I sincerely hope Hatch convinces the studio heads to go with him on this film endeavor. Lord knows if that other moron who made Wing Commander gets a hold of it he will crap it up like Taco Bell's bathroom. One can only pray at this point. John R. Hohman

Thanks John, especially for that appallingly graphic metaphor. Folks, don't forget part two of the interview goes up this afternoon. --Tobor

I loved your article! You allowed Hatch to describe a lot of his vision for the new Galactica. I'm certainly rooting for him over Glen Larson to reprise the show, in light of two things: First, Larson's plan to use the Pegasus instead of the Galactica, and second Larson's abysmal track record regarding stories in the first series. I mean c'mon, cowboys with pink aluminum cowboy hats? Hatch has seen the strengths of the Star Trek franchise and wants to apply the same concepts -- strong, character-driven stories, set in an internally consistent and challenging universe, using existing characters to springboard a new generation. I hope he gets the green light he needs! I also hope they can use the original theme music. It was the BEST. Barry Seymour I've seen Richard Hatch's trailer, I've heard him talk with passion about his vision for the future, and I've been lucky enough to meet him. I believe that he's the one to bring back the Battlestar Galactica that the fans want. As far as Todd Moyer's project, I wouldn't see that if it was playing for free! Richard Hatch has Battlestar Galactica's best interests at heart, and he has the support of all the fans that I know. With Richard Hatch in control, and with the original cast and ideas, Battlestar Galactica is going to be better than ever! Paula Kennedy I just read part one of the Richard Hatch interview and I have to say that Hatch seems to know exactly how to bring back Galactica and should be given full support by Universal and Glen Larson. His ideas are spot on. He has my vote of confidence! Jonithan Patrick Russell

Folks, we appreciate the letters, but if you really want to help Hatch and his efforts, send your letters to the studios, too. Go here to the official revival site and join in the letter-writing campaign, etc., if you are of such a mind. --Tobor

Anakin, Anakin, wherefore art thou Anakin? Hey scifi robot, You guys forgot that one guy! ya know...the one who played Anton in Idle Hands. He's got the same mop-top as little Lloyd and he looks kinda like him. I think that guy would be the best bet for the role. dont mock the monkey head, tom S.

Hey, letter writing guy! You forgot to address me by my proper name and official title, thus violating the basic rules of polite society. Hence I will mock your monkey head, to wit: "Ha, ha! Look at the louse-ridden coconut you call a monkey head! I've seen better monkey heads created by the BBC's special effects department! Your monkey head makes me laugh, as if it were bobbing at the end of a string in a humorous manner!" --Tobor

McCauley Caulkin--what better way to stun people with a "grown up" version of McCauley Caulkin since he's been in hiding for years now? Crich27177

I'd nearly forgotten the horror that was the Home Alone series. Nearly forgotten it, was sleeping better at night, was feeling okay about flying on airplanes again… and you had to go and bring it up. Thank you. Thank you ever so much. --Tobor

Attention casting agents! Here's Clint's picture of an actor. There is this young actor that I would like to see play the part of Anakin. His name is Jacob Young form the soap opera "Bold & the Beautiful" on CBS. I think He will play the part really well because he looks like an older Jake Lloyd and he has a lot of fire and anger to his acting style. Please if you read this email can you contact him or the Lucas casting staff to take a look at him? I appreciate it. Here's his picture attached Clint

Contact Lucas' casting staff? I'll get right on it… --Tobor

It [Anakin Skywalker] should be someone who has a devilish look about them. Someone you want to trust but would stab you in the back for a nickel. My choices: 1. The kid from Terminator 2 (cool attitude) 2. Anthony Michael Hall (with his career he would do it for a penny) 3. Sean Connery (too old but still oozes masculinity. And he pulled the sword fighting off in highlander) 4. Martin Short (made himself young in Martin. Could do it again. Uhm excuse me Mr. Obi but this light sabre...it's a little heavy. And do you have something in maybe a beige?) 5. Jet Li (who said Anakin had to stay European. The force works in mysterious ways) 6. Keaneau Reeves (Woah dude, this force thing is awesome) 7. Kurt Russell (King of cool action flicks. Need I say more?) 8. Howard Stern (the love scenes with the Queen wouldn't be so romantic as horrific) 9. Austin Powers (Light sabers, smashing baby. Say Queen, shall we shag now or shag later?) 10. Robert DeNiro (You talking to me? Listen here Sideous, I'll smash your f*&$ing head right though that wall) 11. Richard Hatch (Pity vote. He really wants to work) 12. William Shatner (His romancing the queen would be disgusting and just so right all at the same time) 13. Jenna Jamenson (Porn star. Would squash the neersayers who say SW is too kid-centric) 14. Robin Williams (Desperately wants another dramatic role. Plus his Mork from Ork resume is a foot in the door. NaaNoo NaaNoo Yoda) 15. Ice T (F&^% this sword sh$&. I'm gonna cap that mother) 16. Rodney Dangerfield (I get no respect. Last night my wife left me for a wookie) 17. Woody Harrelson (Hi there Dr Crane...I mean Yoda. Do you get the kiddy discounts at movies?) 18 Christopher Reeves (pssst...Hello again...pssst...Waddo. I want...pssst...my mother and...pssst...droid back) 19. Ron Jeremy (porn star. Has his own light sabre built in and would take star wars in to star whores!) 20. Hugh Grant (Uhm, pardon me. I don't want to be a bother, uhm, Mr. Waddo but you see...she is my mother. Therefore really I believe that the law is on my side) Oh to be a casting agent at Lucas Films... Doran

A bit of free time on your hands, there, Doran? Or did you rip that from some fan site? --Tobor

B.E.M. MIA? Hail the all powerful metal person! [proper way to greet a robot --ed.] Where has the BEM gone? It is now almost a month since his monstrousness has graced these hallowed pages with an update. Where for art though BEMeo? Tobor, have your minions captured the BEM and placed him in a holding cell while forcing him to watch the "DiCaprio Collection" over and over again while pumping the William Shatner album over the cell's loudspeakers? Please inform us as to his location. Spector

Would I force a colleague to watch the DiCaprio collection over and over until his many multi-pupiled eyes glazed over in pain? Yes. Would I force him to listen to the Shatner album repeatedly until he beat his tentacles against the bars, promising me his first born fingerlings if only I would 'make the Bad Man stop howling'? Yes! If I had a dollar for every clever witticism said by the BEM, I'd be frickin' bankrupt. But would I subject the BEM to both tortures at once? Never! I am not some inhuman monster. He is. So where is the BEM? Right now His Ghoulishness is assembling shelves. Why? To store his many, many rough drafts of his magnum opus, his life's work, his Great American Novel… ladies and gentlemen, I present you with the Bug-Eyed Monster's Warcraft the Movie. With the sudden announcement of Warcraft III, the BEM has been busy dusting off this old script and reworking it to account for the new gameplay elements and isometric perspective the new installment entails. Presumably he will return to answering your questions when the Muse, who is ever so capricious, once again alights on his shoulder and blows in his ear. --Tobor

The Sir Alec Guinness Fan Club I don't blame Mr. Guinness, (or Liam Neeson either.) for being bitter about Star Wars. How would you feel at the end of the day after thousands of fans stop you and ask stupid questions about the movie? He was probably fine back in the 70's, but as time went by, and more and more people stopped him in the streets, he got more and more grumpy about it. Oh well, that's my two cents. Zach Alec Mc Guiness SSSSSSSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUXXXXXXXXXXXX. That is the only thing i can say bout him.If he raelly didnt like Star Wars he shouldnt play in this Movie.... FL/LT Azazel/Aleth 2-1/Wing III/SSSD Sovereign [Iwats-XTT-mIRC/1] Tie Dfender - Dragon Fly Emperor"s Hammer org

It's quite sad how low the Imperial Navy's recruiting standards have fallen off of late. --Tobor

Star Trek Stamps and the Green Bay Packers I think it is great that Star Trek is getting recognition for what you said, since it only lasted 78 episodes. But why the Green Bay Packers? Why are they a pivotal team, they should have the entire NFL there. Kai Brubaker

Truer words may never have been spoken on this letters page--honoring the Green Bay Packers with postage stamps is an insult to any NFL fan not living in Green Bay, Wisconsin, that is to day 99.9% of us. Sure there were a lot of bandwagon cheeseheads a few years ago but those sad, unimaginative sacks seemed to have stored their head cheese wedge hats back in the closet next to their Chicago Bears rap albums and their Dallas Cowboy boots. Here's my picks for Week One: Buffalo stampedes Indianapolis Kansas City beats Chicago New Orleans upsets Caroline The Jets hold off the Pats Green Bay swallows up the Raiders who disappear without a trace Arizona uses Philadelphia as a spittoon Baltimore "surprises" the Rams The Titans christen their new stadium with Bengal blood Dallas Does Washington Eidos cancels Daikatana The Vikings pluck the Falcons Seattle defangs the Lions Jacksonville mauls Frisco The Bucs bust the Giants And the Browns tackle Pittsburgh --Tobor

Bring Back Kes! How can the producers call the large amount of Seven of Nine episodes an accident? They obviously made sure that Seven of Nine was a lead character last year. And I got really sick of it. Sure, Seven of Nine has a good body but her face just rots, and her character is ultra boring and 2-d. And the unfortunate thing is that they got rid of the best character (Neelix's ex-girlfriend) and left us with a bunch of un-interesting ones. Star Trek is drivin by its strong characters as showcased in every other ST series except for Voyager. Why is this series even still being aired. I am a casual Star Trek fan and Voyager has no place in Gene R's vision. Dave

You see people? This is how it works. You give a little, you get a little. Dave reminds us of our sweet, sweet, oh-so-sadly-fired assistant ship's cook Kes, and in return, he gets a link to a Kes Fan Guestbook. Now is that so hard? --Tobor

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