PeterDavid.net

Okay, I’m confused. I mean, first I thought “Deep Throat” was Linda Lovelace. Then I found out, no, it’s a guy, and he’s Hal Holbrook. And now it turns out, of all things, that he’s a former FBI bigwig named Mark Felt who is not a woman and doesn’t look a thing like Hal Holbrook (although whenever Hal Holbrook turned up on “West Wing,” I kept wondering if he was later spilling secrets about Bartlet to the Washington Post.)

I find it interesting that he’s felt conflicted all this time, wondering if he was an American hero or an American traitor. Me, I’d say hero. But I can’t help but wonder how the current White House would view him…and, for that matter, if they would prosecute him if they could.

PAD

I extend my respects to anyone reading these words who is in the armed services, or has family who has served or is serving.

Ariel marched in a Memorial Day parade along with her school band. She played the bells, which–believe it or not–is one of the heaviest instruments to lug. Savvy of “Hitchhiker,” she made sure she knew where her towel was: Slung around her shoulders to serve as a cushion for the bell straps. Several of the kids in her band made snide comments about, until they’d finished marching a couple miles in the heat with their instruments. There they were having sweated through their clothes while Ariel was calmly dabbing away whatever perspiration she’d generated, courtesy of her towel. Suddenly they weren’t so snide anymore.

We then went down to the playground where Caroline ran around like a little nut. After that, we went bowling. Caroline has actually become proficient in Bumper Bowling. She takes a six pound ball, sprints toward the foul line, stops right where she should stop and flings the ball out onto the lane. The major mishap occurred when she raised a very vocal protest over having to return the bowling shoes, which she’d become quite enamored of.

PAD

The following was reported at Indystar.com (the full link is posted below):

“An Indianapolis father is appealing a Marion County judge’s unusual order that prohibits him and his ex-wife from exposing their child to “non-mainstream religious beliefs and rituals.”

The parents practice Wicca, a contemporary pagan religion that emphasizes a balance in nature and reverence for the earth.

Cale J. Bradford, chief judge of the Marion Superior Court, kept the unusual provision in the couple’s divorce decree last year over their fierce objections, court records show. The order does not define a mainstream religion.

Bradford refused to remove the provision after the 9-year-old boy’s outraged parents, Thomas E. Jones Jr. and his ex-wife, Tammie U. Bristol, protested last fall.”

This is a real new one on me. We don’t have a case of one parent complaining to a judge that the other parent is raising their child in a religious faith that they themselves object to, and it’s part of a custody dispute. This is a judge who unilaterally didn’t like the faith in which a child was being raised and endeavored to take action. The article goes on to say:

“The parents’ Wiccan beliefs came to Bradford’s attention in a confidential report prepared by the Domestic Relations Counseling Bureau, which provides recommendations to the court on child custody and visitation rights.”

Understand, there’s no Satanic rituals here. They don’t even practice skyclad. Nor is there the slightest indication that the child is being harmed.

I have little doubt that this ludicrous decision will be overturned, but the notion that it occurs at all…I mean, is there any more pure travesty of the First Amendment than the courts telling two parents in what faith they can and cannot raise their child? Maybe the parents should reconsider the whole divorce thing; if this is how they want to raise their child, they’re going to be a lot stronger together than separately.

Me, I’m wondering if Tom DeLay is going to be speaking up in outrage over this clear abuse of power by an activist judge. Unless, of course, he’s too busy whining about being ill-used on “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.”

PAD

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050526/NEWS01/505260481

In the June/July issue of the “Buffy the Vampire Magazine,” the news section talks up the “Spike” comic book, stating that the one-shot is being produced by “respected writer Peter David.”

And here I thought I was the Rodney Dangerfield of comics.

PAD

Had lunch with the Tom Brevoort/Andy Schmidt editorial office today. Discussed the approach and general parameters for the new Spidey title which, by the way, is definitely going to be called “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.” It’s a long-standing way of referring to him, and nicely captures the sense of fun we want to try to bring to this title. Is there a danger that some people may think it’s a kid’s book? I guess. So it’ll be up to us to educate them otherwise.

PAD

I was standing at the far end of the aisle, with my dad and brother there and Harlan as my best man, and I felt like Indiana Jones standing at the lion’s head, clutching at his heart and looking at an abyss beneath him as he was preparing to make a leap of faith.

Backing out was neither an option nor an issue. Still, I felt the sort of nervousness to be expected of someone embarking upon an endeavor for a second time when it crashed and burned the first time.

And then I saw Kathleen coming toward me, resplendent in her wedding dress (which, in accordance with tradition, I hadn’t seen her in), her parents escorting her, and I calmed right down. Everything came together for me at that instant and I knew it was all going to turn out fine.

And now we have a motorized little speed demon named Caroline, and she continues to be a great mom to our little one, a great stepmom to Ariel, Shana and Gwen (I can’t tell you the number of times Shana and Gwen have called with some problem and said, “Hi, dad, is Kath there?”) and a wonderful wife to me.

We’re not doing anything especially elaborate; just going out to dinner tonight. But just being together is more than enough.

PAD

The conclusion of “Tempest Fugit.” Whad’ja think?

PAD

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is running an auction on ebay to help raise funds for the legal battle we’re currently waging in Rome, Georgia. You can find the specifics at:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZcbldf

For those interested in a full update as to what’s currently going on with the prosecution of Gordon Lee, I’ve included the latest CBLDF press release below.

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Watched three finale episodes in the past week: Veronica Mars, Desperate Housewives, and Charmed. (Smallville I’ve taped, haven’t watched yet) and liked what I’ve seen in all three. Spoilers follow…

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Naturally we watched it with an eye towards seeing how much everything matched up with Episode III.

The answer is, surprisingly well. And the main reason, I think, can be summarized in two words: Alec Guiness (or, if you prefer three words, Sir Alec Guiness).

Understand, I don’t believe for a second that Lucas had already decided at the time that Leia and Luke were siblings, that Obi Wan was present at their birth. I’m even 50/50 that he’d decided Vader was Luke and Leia’s father, or even Luke’s father.

Most of the “mismatches” are centered around Obi-Wan, and thanks to Guiness’ performance–and I chalk it up to Sir Alec since Lucas is notoriously “not there” for actors–it is VERY easy to read it that he is either lying or playing things very close to the vest. Not only does he greet RD as “my little friend,” but when Luke IS conscious and R2 is beeping at him, Obi Wan fires R2 a look that could be taken, with no difficulty, as “Shut up. You’ve already said too much.” And when he’s explaining bits of his history to Luke, you can see the wheels turning as he’s doing so. He alternates between looks of craftiness and being avuncular. These shadings that Guiness brought to the role left Lucas a ton of leeway in subsequent films.

Not Sir Alec-related, but I’m surprised how much the offhand bit about 3PO getting his memory wiped actually works. Because in episode 4, when Luke is asking him about past encounters with the Empire, 3PO says hesitantly, “We’ve been in several battles…I think.” He sounds confused. If his memories had been wiped, it would make sense that there might be some memory bits still floating around in there–random flashes of images and such–that would cause him to vaguely recall that they’d seen action, but unclear as to the when or where.

And finally, for all those who complained that Anakin seemed to whine way too much…jeez, y’know, Mark Hamill is a dear friend, but sheesh, Luke whined as much as his dad. Listening to Anakin bitch about not being made a Master is evocative of Luke crabbing about not being able to go get power converters. Like father, like son.

PAD

I didn’t see the ending coming at ALL! Did you guys SEE what happened to Anakin? They put him in that whole black armor thing, and suddenly he sounded like Simba’s dad!

And–whoa! Twins! Padme had twins! Not crazy about the names she chose, but they’re not bad, I guess.

My question is…what now?! I mean, that’s how they END it? With so much left dangling? What happens to Yoda? And Obi Wan? And the kids? The bad guys just WIN in the end? What the hell kind of ending is THAT? What a downer.

Has anyone heard if there’s gonna be a chapter 4? I’m dying to see what happens next!

Spoilers follow:

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People are sending me e-mails saying they liked the novelization of the FF film, so I think it’s safe to assume it’s in the stores. So that’s an FYI. Or an FFYI.

PAD

I let my cat out to wander last night at about 3 AM. We found her early this morning under the porch, frightened. Her hindquarters were not functioning. The entire back of her body felt cold.

I rushed her to the vet, who suspected heart problems were the cause, and he in turn referred us to a nearby specialty animal hospital. I brought her there straightaway, and after running her through a variety of tests including an echocardiogram, she was diagnosed as having developed a thromboembolic disease as a result of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In english, she had blockage in her heart, some of which had broken off and deadened her from the waist down. She was checked in to the hospital, placed in an oxygen cage, and they were going to work to revive her hindquarters and maybe–maybe–reduce or eliminate the blockage in her heart.

She passed away four hours later.

I can’t tell you the number of times she would curl up in my lap while I was writing. She was my constant companion in my office.

I will miss her terribly.

PAD

For those interested, there’s an interview with me over on Newsarama about the new Spider-Man title, featuring some nice art by Mike. Also, aintitcoolnews.com has a nice review of the latest issue of “Fallen Angel.”

PAD

Sigh. One of these years, Peter’s going to figure out how to put links in his posts — GH

Basically, the last episode of “Star Trek” consists of a guy in a Starfleet outfit sitting around watching a rerun of “Star Trek,” and even creating his own fanfic by writing himself into the story and making himself a wise, wonderfully intelligent individual who all the crewmembers unburden themselves to.

Not exactly the way *I* would have gone for a last episode, although it can certainly be considered a final commentary on Trek fandom. Then again, my ideal episode would have involved Sam Beckett leaping out of the body of Jonathan Archer and to his next adventure, so…

My assumption is that there were various Trek personnel sitting in the cheap seats at the end. Anyone have a tally of who was there?

PAD

A new magazine called “Radar” is working on beating drums for itself by running an article that profiles how college students working for Disney party hardy in their dorms after hours, blowing off steam after a long day of steaming inside their hot Mickey and Minnie costumes.

I will be making sure to avoid this magazine.

I mean, how in the world does this qualify as news? College students are horny and act on their impulses in seclusion after hours. This is NEWS? This rates an article ANYWHERE, much less in the New York Daily News and CBS Evening news?

First off, the fact that Disney employees blow off steam after hours is something I found out twenty years ago, when someone slipped me a brilliantly satirical video filmed on the fly in the Park tunnels after hours. Called “Captain Eeyore,” it was a shot-for-shot parody of “Captain EO” except featuring Disney costumed characters. You have not lived until you’ve seen Eeyore moonwalking. So a new concept this is not.

So we’ve got over-18 Park employees, on their own time, in the privacy of their secluded dorm, doing whatever the hell they want, and it doesn’t impact on their interaction with tourists during the day. So flipping what? The author of the magazine claims that there are “legends” of character actors mixing with the public while still stoned or hungover. Okay. “Legends.” Trot out the proof that it’s ever happened, and/or that it’s a pervasive problem, or shut the hell up.

Understand, I don’t view Disney through rose-colored Mickey glasses. I’m busy reading “Disney War.” I have no illusions. But this…this is just crap journalism. It’s sensationalistic twaddle, and the NY Daily News (which, by the way, cops to the fact that its chairman and publisher is co-chairman of “Radar”) and any other news venue which picks this up should be ashamed of themselves.

PAD

Rachel Weisz. That’s who I’d like to see playing Diana.

She’s got the acting chops, she’s a hard body (as anyone who saw her in “The Mummy Returns” will attest) and she’s got a knack for carrying herself well in crazy movie situations that would serve her well in the role.

Is she especially tall? Not at 5′ 7″. But anyone who thinks that’s a major problem simply doesn’t have a clue as to “movie magic.” Camera angles, apple boxes, trenches, stunt doubles…guys, if the six-foot-plus Hugh Jackman could play that runt, Wolverine, and Peter Jackson could knock about two feet of height off John Rhys-Davies, I don’t think it’s that much of a trick to add four inches of height to an actress.

Plus I think she’d look good visually with Lynda Carter as her mom.

So that’s my vote.

PAD

Curiously, I find a question so burning that it consumed the cover of “Wizard” holds no curiosity for me at all. I absolutely don’t care who plays Wonder Woman in the scheduled Joss Whedon film…

…as long as Lynda Carter plays Hippolyta.

Seriously. If they cast her as Diana’s mom, then I’ll take whoever handles the title role in stride.

PAD

Tony nominations are out, and “Spamalot” did extremely well. But horrifically missing from the nominations (including acting noms for Tim Curry as Arthur and Hank Azaria as Lancelot) was David Hyde-Pierce as Sir Robin.

I have to wonder what the hell goes on with the New York theater community and the cast of “Frasier.” When Kelsey Grammer trod the boards in the Scottish play, he was lacerated by critics. We attended a quarter filled house during his truncated run, and he was great. A quality performance, wholly unacknowledged by anyone “in the know.” Now his TV kid brother, while not getting negative reviews at least, is ignored while his co-stars bask in the Tony limelight. I’m almost wondering if–and I hate to say it–there were individuals in the decision-making process who were (best Queen Victoria voice here) “not amused” by Hyde-Pierce’s major solo number (Azaria, though he sang a bit and was the focus of one particular large number, really didn’t have anything comparable to Hyde-Pierce’s showcase). The name of Sir Robin’s song? “You Need a Jew,” a hilarious ditty explaining why it’s impossible to succeed on Broadway unless you have Jews in the show. It was hysterical, with laceratingly funny lyrics and choreography that culminated in a send-up of “Fiddler’s” bottle dance with Sir Robin and company balancing grails on their heads. Now I’m wondering if the political uncorrectness of the song cost Hyde-Pierce a deserved nomination.

PAD

Orson Scott Card recently heaped some abuse on “Star Trek” in the LA Times, vigorously trashing everything about original “Star Trek,” although generously conceding:

“The later spinoffs were much better performed, but the content continued to be stuck in Roddenberry’s rut. So why did the Trekkies throw themselves into this poorly imagined, weakly written, badly acted television series with such commitment and dedication? Why did it last so long?”

Well, I can answer that: They, and I, did NOT see it as poorly imagined, weakly written, or badly acted. Opinions are merely opinions, and not absolutes. That, and the growth of “Trek” conventions made it more than a canceled TV show, but instead a solid socialization experience for many people–including me–who had no social life to speak of.

“Here’s what I think: Most people weren’t reading all that brilliant science fiction. Most people weren’t reading at all. So when they saw “Star Trek,” primitive as it was, it was their first glimpse of science fiction. It was grade school for those who had let the whole science fiction revolution pass them by.”

I wouldn’t disagree. But that’s not the point. Rather than gleefully heaping dirt on Trek’s ostensible grave, as Card does, he might stop to consider that a considerable number of those “grade school” fans went on to high school and college. The first time I saw the name “Harlan Ellison” was on the credits of “City.” Granted, the aired version didn’t represent his vision. Didn’t matter. It led me like an arrow to other works of his that most certainly DID represent his vision. Nor was I alone in that respect. I was already reading SF when “Trek” came along, but others weren’t, and “Trek” created a new wave of SF fans whose interest spread from “Trek” to Ellison, Asimov, Clarke, Bradbury, Gerrold, and even some guy named Card.

To say nothing of the fact that “Trek” fandom had a huge female population (no, not a population of huge females, although yeah, there was a bit of that.). Maggie Thompson recounted how she was at a WorldCon where a roomful of fans were bitching about this influx of *yuckickypoo* Trek fans to their beloved WorldCon. And Maggie pointed out, “Guys? You’ve been crabbing for years how there’s hardly any women attending these conventions. Look around the room; I’m the only female here. Have ANY of you noticed that the vast majority of the Trek fans are female?” The guys looked at each other; they hadn’t noticed, because they’d been so busy excoriating the TV show that brought them there.

“Trek” got me into conventions, and I met both my wives at conventions (at different times). Four kids were the cumulative result, all of whom have attended conventions. “Star Trek,” if NOTHING else, may well be the single greatest contributor to the perpetuation of SF fandom in general.

So, Mr. Card…how about a little goddamn respect, okay?

PAD