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Bionic Woman vs Katee Sackhoff, redux

November

OK, so a few folks took me to task on my posting the other day about Katee Sackhoff’s supposed comments at the Battlestar Galactica convention about the possible end of her run on Bionic Woman.

I was a bit taken aback at the vehemence, because I considered the post to be more about how bad Bionic Woman (the show, not the actress who portrays her) has gotten rather than what Katee may or may not have said about Michelle Ryan, who portrays the new Jaime Sommers.

Most who read the post saw it more as a slam against Sackhoff, for whom I have the utmost respect and think is an awesome actress (which anyone who regularly reads this blog could attest to).

So I figured I’d set the record straight today.

One of the commenters on my previous post was so kind as to provide a transcript of Katee’s comments (having not been there myself, I cannot vouch for its accuracy, but it seems to make sense):

Bionic Woman on the other hand, (clapping) um, thank you, um I don’t know what’s gonna happen with that one. I’m not even really like on the show anymore. I’m having a sit down with one of the new show runners in a couple of weeks or something like that to discuss future on the show. I don’t know what’s gonna happen with that you know. Battlestar has such a following that it does make sense for them to finish it. Bionic Woman on the other hand is such an expensive show and the ratings are (Katee makes a raspberry noise).

That was one of my questions (trivia) ‘Who knows why Bionic Woman isn’t doing well’ (audience shouts lots of diff things, I heard ‘no Katee’) she shrugs I didn’t say that. I don’t know what will happen.

The point is, Katee pretty much confirms Sarah Corvus isn’t on the show anymore and admits the ratings have been craptacular (not that anyone could admit anything other than that anyhow!). And my point was, and still is, that Bionic Woman is lame and a complete disappointment to those of us who so anxiously awaited its premiere this fall. (Related: check out this post from SyFy Portal.)

Could Katee have saved Bionic? I don’t think so. The problems ran far deeper than acting. I didn’t even have any particular problem with anyone’s acting (Ryan’s gotten a lot of flak about her acting, but I think she was fine; her character as written has been flat. How can your delivery be anything but, given that?). It’s just that the show kept seeming to change its mind as to what it was about.

As many have pointed out (most recently in the aforementioned SyFy Portal post), on Alias, Sydney Bristow had something she was fighting for and about. Jaime Sommers has nothing. And her sibling relationship, the one thing that could give her something to fight for, is one of the lamest parts of the show.

There’s a lot of good actors; just nothing much for them to do with their skills.

And that, my friends, is a damn shame.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 23rd, 2007 at 11:22 am by Amy Vernon.
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4 Responses to “Bionic Woman vs Katee Sackhoff, redux”

Allison November 28th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Thank you so much for posting this update! It’s just that this story has gotten out of control and blogs all over the internet are focusing on the “diva catfight” angle, which is frustrating because as those who were there can verify, and Roadrunnerdm herself admits, Michelle Ryan was never mentioned and Katee herself has always stuck up for her whenever she’s been asked.

Thanks again!
Amy Vernon November 28th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Thank you, Allison, for pointing me toward that transcript, and for coming back.

Honestly, I felt really badly that my original blog post contributed to the whole catfight issue. As I said, I really wanted to focus on the problems with BW, not any disputes between stars, real or imagined!

I think it’s such a damn shame that BW has turned out to be so poor, given the excellent cast and the minds behind it. Sigh.

Maybe next time.

Meanwhile, I can’t wait to buy the Razor DVD and for April!
Victor December 3rd, 2007 at 12:16 pm
I love Katee Sackhoff! She is doing a great work in Bionic Woman and shouldn’t quit the show.. It’s one of my favorite series now.
Have you seen her interview on TV Guide’s?
weshow.com/r/us/p/25755/interview_with_bionic_womans_katee_sackhoff
Let’s make a petition online!
Amy Vernon December 3rd, 2007 at 12:18 pm
It’s a nice thought, Victor, but it seems doubtful that “Bionic Woman” is going to survive the strike. Its ratings dropped hugely each week and all pre-strike episodes have aired already.

I love Katee, too, and anxiously await Season 4 of “BSG.”

Thanks for stopping by and come back anytime!

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