In a message dated 12/19/01 9:33:50 AM Eastern Standard Time, mistral@centurytel.net writes:

<< I would be considerably gentler if we were talking about a beginner instead of a supposed pro; but I've come around to the opinion that when one put's one's art in the public eye, one had darn well better be able to take criticism. And that goes quadruple when one is expecting the audience to pay money for it. The arts need to be subject to peer review in order to maintain credibility, just as science is. I suppose I think that honesty is kinder to everybody in the long run. For one thing, there is no way for the artist to correct problems that s/he isn't aware of; for another, the public shouldn't have to suffer incompetence if they have a chance to avoid it by being told the truth. >>

The internet has created some peculiar circumstances, in this respect. I know of a couple of instances where pro series scriptwriters are hanging around on fannish mailing lists, in search of egoboo and self-promotion. It gets sad when they inevitably collect a bunch of sycophant fans who try to shield these demi-celebrities from any possible critique of their work.

In the case of STARGATE SG-1, it's particularly sad. The 'good' writers departed about 3 years ago, to be replaced by a couple of untalented individuals who have actually confessed that they have trouble writing for 2 out of the 4 main characters. The upshot of their efforts is that one of those main characters has quit, a second isn't going to be on the show 1/3 of the time next year, and the fans are actually sorry the series has been renewed for a 6th season. The scriptwriters, unhappy at the fan feedback online, have actually taken to haunting the lists in the guise of anonymous fans, 'shilling' and praising their own work. It's very sad.

Leah