February 11, 2008

WE’RE BACK.

When the writer’s strike started fourteen weeks ago, Executive Producer John Wirth and I decided to cease performing our Executive Producer duties. I won’t speak for John but as for me, this was a painful choice. I could have continued doing the non-writing aspects of my job. But I was and am a writer first so I chose to leave.

In doing so, John and I left James Middleton, our tireless friend and consulting producer, to balance an elephant on his nose without the aid of a peanut. (By the way, consulting producer suggests he has had someone to consult with since the strike began, or that others might be consulting with him. Truth is, we have left him completely alone. James has been the ONLY producer of this show for the entire strike.)

James oversaw the editing, mixing, effects, and music of every episode after the pilot. He has done every interview, confronted every problem, placed and answered every phone call, gotten up early and stayed up late. He has done a job that was previously being handled by three of us, and as far as I’m concerned he has done it better.

If you love the show, say a special thank you to James. If you don’t love the show, it’s all my fault. John and I love the show. So we’ll say a special thank you to James:

A special thank you to James.

I have assiduously avoided promoting this show during the strike but I want all of you to know it is not for lack of interest or passion. I have been lurking on your chatrooms, bookmarking your websites, reading your reviews, and otherwise acting like a dad spying on his kid during freshman orientation week at college. Not that my dad did that (as far as I know) and not that I will do that (as far as you know).

As anyone who knows me can attest, my self-imposed silent treatment has been extremely painful; it is VERY DIFFICULT for me to keep my mouth shut.

Please be assured that I am VERY familiar with the rules of time travel as explained by Kyle Reese in the first movie. When Cromartie’s head goes through the time bubble, THERE IS FLESH ON IT. If you can’t see it, that’s because a) it’s burning off very quickly and b) certain people don’t like it when we show burning flesh, cyborg or not.

(Historical note: The first person to ask me this head/bubble question was Jared in Props--a year ago while we were shooting the pilot.)

I would also like to mention that anyone who thinks Lena Headey isn’t big enough or tough enough to play Sarah Connor has not had the unpleasant surprise of been punched by her. I have—and I can only hope that someday each and every one of her doubters can experience her qualifications in this very clear and personal way.

This week’s episode is called “Queen’s Gambit.” It was written by Natalie Chaidez, a refugee from Heroes who, despite her small stature, is definitely the writer on our staff whom I would least want to get into a fistfight with. When we began shooting this episode Natalie expressed a great dissatisfaction for the number of times in previous episodes Sarah Connor had been seen in her trademark tank top. I think we make up for it in this one.

This episode includes what may be my favorite Cameron moment to date. I won’t say what it is but it’s freaking big…

As tempting as it is to download everything I’ve been pondering the last four months, I think I’ll wrap up this first Joshblog now. On behalf of all of the writers, I’d like to thank everybody for watching the show—we know that we’re caretakers of a franchise that many of you love and we’re trying to handle it with all the passion and geekness that you would if it was you.

We’d also like to thank you for your support these last fourteen weeks—many of you came out and walked picket lines with us, or sent us emails, or just bitched online about how much you missed your shows. It meant a lot to us. The ability to broadcast on the public airways is a superpower that should only be used for the good of the people. Thanks for reminding our industry of that.

Take Back the Future.

Josh Friedman

I would also like to mention that anyone who thinks Lena Headey isn’t big enough or tough enough to play Sarah Connor has not had the unpleasant surprise of been punched by her. I have—and I can only hope that someday each and every one of her doubters can experience her qualifications in this very clear and personal way.