Starbuck: Lost in Castration

[JohnAndersonHenry]

He has had a change of heart in the four years since he wrote that. While I’m not excusing what he said before, he has said that his opinion has changed over the years.

Wonder why a 4 year old rant was re-cycled?

Would like to know myself why a 4 year old internet rant by (at best) a hasbeen actor is treated as (then) current instant cyber news.

[Chuck]

Update: A little digging turned up a couple of interviews where he commented on the article indicating that it’s caused him some problems and lamenting the fact that his (admittedly interesting) ideas re: destruction of the family are lost. But I’m not buying this alone as “recanting.” If he stripped out the personal attacks and the unwarranted assumption that the BSG franchise was-and-should-always-be about sweetness and light, he’d have a point – and a damn interesting article – though I still couldn’t agree with him for a couple of reasons:

1. I don’t buy today’s environment as “unmanly.”

Am I less a man because I can envision women in strong roles? Of course not, and neither are the developers of BSG’s new incarnation. Here’s the beauty of equality: no one gives anything up for it – except notions of superiority.

2. Heterosexuality <> Womanizing.

I think this needs little explanation. I find it interesting that this argument seems to apply the same way to one of homophobes’ greatest fears: that homosexuals by default have no control over their sexual urges. (That is, of course, bulls—. The fact that a man goes for men or a woman goes for women – or anyone goes in for everyone – doesn’t mean that they think any differently about their relationships than heterosexuals.) 'Nuff said.

3. Womanizing <> Family.

Dirk represents the original Starbuck as “a loveable rogue…without an angry bone in his womanizing body.” That’s a very '50s view of womanizing, seeing it through a haze that ignores the emotional impacts of one’s actions. And it’s a very '70s TV view of the world – happy, go-lucky with little screen time for consequences. What are these consequences? Often the destrution of the family.

Does this mean that I want every show I watch to be “real” and “gritty?” Hell, no! There’s a place for each, and I’m personally glad to have options available to me – like, for example, watching the new or the old BSG.

[Solai]

Update: A little digging turned up a couple of interviews where he commented on the article indicating that it’s caused him some problems and lamenting the fact that his (admittedly interesting) ideas re: destruction of the family are lost. But I’m not buying this alone as “recanting.”

I agree and can make it very simple: If he “recanted” he would take the post down. It is his website, if he no longer agrees with something he wrote four years ago update it or take it down.

[sircastor]

I agree and can make it very simple: If he “recanted” he would take the post down. It is his website, if he no longer agrees with something he wrote four years ago update it or take it down.

I think the best kind of writer is a person who would write a follow-up piece, rather than throw out the old one. If he really felt this way, I suspect we’d see another article, not a re-write or replacement. At least that’s what I’d hope for.

[Old_Timer]

I think the best kind of writer is a person who would write a follow-up piece, rather than throw out the old one. If he really felt this way, I suspect we’d see another article, not a re-write or replacement. At least that’s what I’d hope for.

Well there is always this possibility - um - he’s not all that smart?

[Pike]

I think the best kind of writer is a person who would write a follow-up piece, rather than throw out the old one. If he really felt this way, I suspect we’d see another article, not a re-write or replacement. At least that’s what I’d hope for.

Yeah, I hate the memory-hole take on the web (bngbng had a rough episode a year ago about this very thing.) Revise and extend your remarks, sure, but own up to what you’ve said.

[ThotFullGuy]

What search term? (Or better yet, link please.) I’m a huge A-Team fan, and it’s killing me thinking of Face as a ranting asshole.

And to answer your questions:

I think the reason it came up here is pretty simple: Richard Hatch spoke about his past vs. recent experiences – specifically his changing thoughts about decisions he made when he was younger and his change of heart regarding the current series – which got everyone thinking about Benedict.

As far as the article being four years old, I can tell you how I found it. Everyone said “Dirk Benedict’s a dick” and I thought, “Why?” Then I found the article. This seems to happen a lot.

FWIW, when we talked to Richard Hatch we specifically nixed any idea of asking about his issues with SciFi and the new program. Why? He’s recanted and apologized a thousand times and we felt absolutely no need to put him in a position to do it again. (The fact that he brought it up and recanted again indicates to me that he’s just a solid dude about that. If anyone brings this up to me, I’ll defend the man. I live in a glass house; no stones for me.)

So, if Benedict is recanting, I’ll be first in line to say “give the man a break.” Looking forward to reading it.

Thanks for sharing that about Richard Hatch. He is a solid dude.

[Steve]

Maybe I mispoke when I said he had a change of heart. I just remember reading either here or another place that he had made amends with Katee. Maybe it was on another podcast that Dwight Schultz had had a talk with him and didn’t make it out to be like this article portrayed him. The articles I found was where he was trying to clarify his points although he still came across rather short.

Guess I was wrong. I admit it. I was going off things I had seen and heard since then and apparently all of those things must have been wrong.

So, in short, Dirk is opinionated and once again I screwed up.

[NothingButheRain]

Dirk Benedict isn’t evil, he is living within a construct of his own importance. Right or wrong, he believes he stood up for something when he made bold choices to smoke a stogie or flirt with women as Starbuck. He has defined himself by those choices and now lashes out at anything that disrupts the illusion of his reality. Look at his website, he has constructed a shrine to who he was at a point when he has some fame. It is like the high school quarterback who thirty years later can only talk about his glory days.

In the end it isn’t offensive as much as it is pathetic. He tries to paint a picture of how the world has changed for the worse and what he accomplishes is demonstrating how he has not changed at all.

The whole thing is an interesting compare&contrast when you consider Richard Hatch. Richard Hatch seems like a person driven to create more sci fi and he’s gone out and done it. And when presented with the opportunity to play a character on the new BSG, he stepped up and not only did it but did it with great commitment and skill. Combine the facts that (a) he (Hatch) was originally opposed to the re imagined version of BSG and (b) that Zarek is a pretty dark character on a lot of levels and it’s clear to me that Hatch is a person of great …I’m not sure of the proper word, but of great character I suppose. He had the elegance to put aside the past, and take a new look at things. Looks like Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict are light years apart in that way.

I agree. When all is said and done, the article is pathetic indeed. I’m almost embarrassed for him.

now in reality

Dirk Benidict as Starbuck = 21 episodes
Katie Sackhoff as Starbuck = 71 episodes

Conclusion…

Starbuck = Katie Sackhoff

Awesome THX1966 !!
Oh, and welcome to the Forum.

[Radio_Picon]

Maybe I mispoke when I said he had a change of heart. I just remember reading either here or another place that he had made amends with Katee.

I don’t know if he’s made amends or not. There is a video clip of him and Katee sitting in a coffee shop talking, but that might have been just before or after his op-ed or whatever that was.

Female roles in BSG are very different from many typical “strong woman” roles. The usual roles are often really just machismo wrapped up in a sexy new package so it will still appeal to men. How often do women play “strong” or “kickass” without using some hyped up, stereotyped sex appeal?

With the exception of Tricia Helfer, the women of BSG are strong without having to resort to sexuality. Katee Sackoff is sexy and has the most beautiful hair in the biz, but she doesn’t need to use an ounze of that sex appeal for her character. Starbuck is treated like anyone else, and if she isn’t it’s for reasons independent of her gender. She is NOT Angelina Jolie in space. If she were then I’d probably agree with Benedict.
This is one of the great things about BSG.

[NothingButheRain]

…I’m not sure why the article keeps popping back up. I was unaware of it until a couple of weeks ago when it was posted here.

Same here.

…FWIW, when we talked to Richard Hatch we specifically nixed any idea of asking about his issues with SciFi and the new program. Why? He’s recanted and apologized a thousand times and we felt absolutely no need to put him in a position to do it again. (The fact that he brought it up and recanted again indicates to me that he’s just a solid dude about that. If anyone brings this up to me, I’ll defend the man. I live in a glass house; no stones for me.)

That’s quality. That’s why I love you guys!

…Female roles in BSG are very different from many typical “strong woman” roles. The usual roles are often really just machismo wrapped up in a sexy new package so it will still appeal to men. How often do women play “strong” or “kickass” without using some hyped up, stereotyped sex appeal?

With the exception of Tricia Helfer, the women of BSG are strong without having to resort to sexuality. Katee Sackoff is sexy and has the most beautiful hair in the biz, but she doesn’t need to use an ounze of that sex appeal for her character. Starbuck is treated like anyone else, and if she isn’t it’s for reasons independent of her gender. She is NOT Angelina Jolie in space. If she were then I’d probably agree with Benedict.
This is one of the great things about BSG.

Thank you, thank you Radio Picon. You’ve put into words a very important and elusive element that makes both men and women love BSG.

I really enjoy Lara Croft, but I love Ellen Ripley and Starbuck.

…Unless all of this is a disinformation strategy to cover that he might play Kara’s father in the upcoming episodes (now THAT would be cool )

OMG, now that was funny.

[THX1966]

Awesome THX1966 !!
Oh, and welcome to the Forum.

thanks NothingbuttheRain… Boom Boom Boom…

[CodyfromOhio]

I want to welcome you too THX!

Thanks for finding the info Chuck.

I personaly could care less if that’s how he feels so be it…

The show has had a AWESOME run and I’m not going to get worked up over something 4 years old.

[THX1966]

I want to welcome you too THX!

Thanks CodyfromOhio , am I still welcome if I am from sixburgh, i mean pittsburgh?

[CodyfromOhio]

Why wouldn’t you be?

[Chuck]

Maybe I mispoke when I said he had a change of heart. I just remember reading either here or another place that he had made amends with Katee. Maybe it was on another podcast that Dwight Schultz had had a talk with him and didn’t make it out to be like this article portrayed him. The articles I found was where he was trying to clarify his points although he still came across rather short.

Guess I was wrong. I admit it. I was going off things I had seen and heard since then and apparently all of those things must have been wrong.

So, in short, Dirk is opinionated and once again I screwed up.

Definitely didn’t mean to point at you, man. I was hoping you’d found something I didn’t.

[THX1966]

Why wouldn’t you be?

well sometimes people who live in the Bengals, or Browns, don’t like people from the Steelers.

Thanks again…

[Cymbeline]

I do have a bit of problem with Hatch’s nudity on the reality show Survivor. Was that really necessary? :eek:

ROTFL!!! Uhhhh, wrong Hatch! That is just too funny. Took me quite some time to figure out the reference!

I always had some sympathy for Hatch’s rant – not that I think he was right, mind you. But he was involved in the post oiginal
BSG universe in a big way. Not only did he write a number of novels, but he spent many years trying to bring BSG back. He even spent his own money making a concept film. He was passionate about the project and, although hit with rejection time and again, he worked for years and spent much time and money trying to interest the studios in a remake. I have seen parts of his concept film and have read some of the ideas for a remake, and I am very glad the studio went the way it did. But that doesn’t stop the fact that Hatch himself must have felt just a teeny tiny bit fraked over when the project was green lit, money dropped from the heavens and the new producer/creator appeared not to even know the difference between Pyramid and Triad. Hatch was basically ignored. The fact that he got over bitter and has gone on to do such fantastic work says a lot about the man. (And no doubt also suggests Hatch is probably more astute, businesswise, than poor DB as well.)

DB’s main argument seems to amount to, “Look at me! Look at me! I did it better!”, which is a little sad. I had the biggest crush on him when he played Starbuck. I choose to remember him that way. (Though once I read his rant, many years ago, I knew he was never coming back. The powers that be were not about to touch him with a 10 foot pole. He screwed the pooch on that one.)

[CodyfromOhio]

Nah don’t worry about that THX I could care less.
I DID root for the Card’s though.

Definitely didn’t mean to point at you, man. I was hoping you’d found something I didn’t.

Please cheer up Chuck…

[SeelixSeesAll]

Guess I was wrong. I admit it. I was going off things I had seen and heard since then and apparently all of those things must have been wrong.

So, in short, Dirk is opinionated and once again I screwed up.

Hey Steve. Take it easy on yourself. Just because you can find something you have a foggy memory of makes you neither wrong nor a screwup. All it does it make Dirk a dick. Cheer up & remember where you are. This is GWC, baby! It’s all good.