Posted: November 25th, 2011 | Author: ath389 | Filed under: News | Tags: Ben Browder, Creation Con, Farscape, john crichton, SG1 | 1 Comment »
More reflections on the end of an era. I was discussing this last con with a friend — telling her how utterly exhausted Ben appeared at the end of the day. Alot of genre actors get the con experience—-if done right it is a win-win event. Actors get surrouded by those that appreciate their work (wouldn’t we all love an ovation when we do something well?!) as well as compensation which is a factor in a profession where 5% or less are working at any given time. We the fans get to express our appreciation and maybe get something extra like behind the scenes stories. Ben has always gone beyond just being charming. Over 12 years he has become part of the Farscape family. He has embraced this and given his time and of himself. Selling a show or character is one thing but the eye to eye conversations with fans have to be hard—-so many faces and stories and he keeps them straight! One of the things that first struck me about Ben (and the other Farscape actors ) was the way the weighed each question about an episode or scene before answering. Sure sometime a funny answer is tossed back but then they return to the question. All interpersonal interaction takes something from us physically and mentally but to give alot of people a special time in a matter of a few moments …..I can’t even imagine! At the breakfast last Sunday Ben engaged in a pulse pistol fight with a young fan, sat with newbies and made their con experience, then went on stage teary-eyed and discussed the changes that have affected his family over the last twelve years, did a brief interview for an upcoming documentary where he discussed among other things the loss of a member of the Scaper family, did a meet and greet with some fans, did photo ops , and finally autographs. These are the things I know about! I was tired and I was just talking with friends and listening to Ben, Rockne, and Ricky! I was moved when I was at the autograph table with a friend and Ben looked up with exhausted, unfocused eyes. After twelve years he hasn’t become bored or jaded with the Farscape fandom—which I would have argued as impossible in 2000. Afterall he is a great actor I would have said but some things can’t be faked especially under the intense scrutiny we were giving!
Posted: November 24th, 2011 | Author: ath389 | Filed under: News | Tags: Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Farscape, SG1 | 6 Comments »
I don’t do con reports but I am going to reflect on 12 years of Ben at the LA area Farscape cons. 2000—no idea what to expect when I bought my ticket and coerced an X File friend(I was trying to scape her and she had “puppet” issues!). Living in southern California often makes one a bit jaded about the entertainment industry. Every guest came out and charmed us. All came across very genuine and proud of their work on Farscape INCLUDING the American star, Ben Browder. It was after this I decided to see if I could do a website for him as there weren’t any and the only one I found had already closed.
2001—prepared for the honeymoon with attending a fan con to be over. One of my favorite cons — my local Farscape group which met for potlucks monthly had shirts made and sat in the second row! This is significant because we had a few members who WERE in the industry! At the breakfast I got to meet Ben. He was doing the rounds and taking pictures when he saw Action John and ran over and got him! When he arrived at our table he spoke to me a few minutes then with our table. Ben appeared not just once but multiple times onstage —- the writers and producers were present as well. Still amazed at the pride he showed in Farscape and being a part of it.
2002 — sad year as word of cancellation was hanging over the con. Ben had had to remain in Sydney to finish his ADR(additional dialogue recording). However Claudia Black called him while she was onstage so he was there in spirit.
2003— my second favorite for purely selfish reasons. I had received an email from Ben shortly before the con saying he had just been filming Behind The Camera-The Unauthorized Story of Charlie’s Angels and confirming I would be at the con. Saturday afternoon Ben wandered through the auditorium when there was a lag(later was to be the talent show which he along with Francesca Buller and Ricky Manning were judging) . He came up to me and I told him BritAngie(who is shy and was sitting with friends) had brought me a copy of a recent magazine in which he was interviewed. He asked how he came off in it. I realized he had not seen it—so I told him what was on the cover(his picture wasn’t on the cover just “Ben Browder goes commando” ). He was laughing and blushing! We had a shirt for Ben so took the shirt and the magazine down and had the Creation person place them where Ben was supposed to sit. The Farscape cast never sit where they are supposed to 😉 and Ricky Manning sat there—his eyebrows raised as he looked at the magazine! He pushed it down to Ben who started laughing and blushing again! The next day on stage Ben called BritAngie, Elle, and I up to the stage and gave us posters of him as Lee Majors in The Six Million Dollar Man(from the Charlie’s Angel movie) —thanking us for our support. He signed them for us later—we were all three nervous and couldn’t recall much of what was said! This con (I think!) had Ben sitting at Claudia Black’s feet as she played the guitar and sang for us! 2004 – 2009 all fun and a blur! These included Ben as the Big Pink Bunny, thoughtful Ben, Ben the Inquisitor—No what is YOUR favorite episode? ! 2010 — Ben shockingly discussed projects not completed! Apparently a Farscape project(film??) was hours away from funding just the previous week and he discussed it which was startling. 2011 — a teary eyed Ben discussed the past year or so ad what he and his family have undergone. He then brought his children out showing how they had gone from children to teenagers(his son now taller than him!). He also told a poingnant story of helping his wife shave her head after her first round of chemo. It was a bittersweet ending to 12 years of these unique cons. Ben’s con appearances have become the standard by which I judge all other actors at cons.
Posted: November 24th, 2011 | Author: ath389 | Filed under: News | Tags: Ben Browder, Breast cancer research, Farscape, john crichton, SG1 | 1 Comment »
terrafirmascapers have graciously donated a Scaper Army throw blanket to be auctioned for Ben’s Birthday Fundraiser!
Check it out!
Posted: November 23rd, 2011 | Author: ath389 | Filed under: News | Tags: Ben Browder, Chuck, Farscape, john crichton, SG1 | 1 Comment »
I will give updates about the con but have news! Ben will be on Chuck—episode #511 ! It is tentatively scheduled to air 20 January 2012.
Posted: November 17th, 2011 | Author: ath389 | Filed under: News | Tags: Bad Kids Go To hell, Ben Browder, Breast cancer research, Farscape, john crichton, SG1 | No Comments »
Remember if you will be at the Farscape con this weekend in LA look for Action John and make a donation for Ben’s Birthday and Breast Cancer Research Foundation!
Posted: November 3rd, 2011 | Author: ath389 | Filed under: News | Tags: Bad Kids Go To hell, Ben Browder, comics, Comikaze Expo, Farscape, SG1 | No Comments »
Rumor is Ben will NOT be appearing at Comikaze this weekend. The benbrowderportal has it confirmed by Ben’s “people” but the site has no mention at this time.
*****UPDATE********* Confirmed with the Man himself –NO COMIKAZE but all is well !
Posted: October 31st, 2011 | Author: ath389 | Filed under: News | Tags: Bad Kids Go To hell, Ben Browder, comics, Comikaze Expo, Farscape, SG1 | 2 Comments »
Ben’s appearance at Chevron 7.7 in the UK has been cancelled(to be rescheduled in spring 2012) BUT that is good news for those attending the Comikaze Expo in LA. He will be there promoting Bad Kids Go To Hell.
Posted: October 15th, 2011 | Author: ath389 | Filed under: News | Tags: anderson cooper, Bad Kids Go To hell, Ben Browder, Farscape, scifi, SG1 | No Comments »
Anderson Cooper’s new show is asking :
Is there a TV show, celeb or movie you’d like to ask Anderson about? Ask here, your question may be on the show… http://andr.tv/qPKacS
I answered 🙂
Posted: October 11th, 2011 | Author: ath389 | Filed under: News | No Comments »
Happy Birthday Claudia Black!
Posted: October 10th, 2011 | Author: ath389 | Filed under: News | No Comments »
Reminder to save your coffee (or any beverage money!) once a week to make a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for Ben’s upcoming birthday! The minimum is $25 —- times are tight so join with someone or save up —you have until 12/11/11!!
Donate now!
