Reply
from Tormé
Date: 9/29/99
From: QBall79
Well, folks, Tracy Tormé called me today (you read right... the creator of Sliders picked up his phone, dialed my number, and talked to ME!!!). He was a great guy, and he let us know how much he appreciates our letters and support.
He also confirmed what TemporalFlux had been saying before Season Five, that Jason Gaffney was set to do four episodes this season; everyone wanted to do it, but for some reason it just didn't happen. I can guess what that reason is... it starts with a "P" and ends in "eckinpah".
Unfortunately, I think that as far as saving Sliders, Tracy is out. If you want to write him, I can still forward your letters to him (and now e-mail). He is more than happy to receive them and even respond at times (I'm living proof of that!). As far as Sliders goes, though, he told me it's not his show anymore. He says that the show has gone so far away from what it was and what he wanted it to be that he hardly recognizes it anymore. He mentioned how hard he had fought at Fox, and how it continued when the show came to Sci-Fi (yes, Sci-Fi shafted him too). When they asked him the one thing that would make him happy about Season Five, he told them to bring back Gaffney... we all know what happened there.
So what does this mean for SSN? Well, I have to make some contacts first, one of which is to Bob Weiss (who is rumored to have an idea for a Sliders movie) and see if he will confirm what Gregslider said.
I'm thinking of re-focusing the campaign (if we can get enough support). I know it may sound superfluous and redundant, but I am thinking maybe we should turn our focus back to Sci-Fi. They own the rights to the show. They received a huge response from the cancellation, and if the fans start demanding a closing movie or mini series (and perhaps threat a boycott to boot), they may hear our cries. If Sci-Fi finished Sliders with dignity, I could make my peace with them, and no boycott would be necessary.
I would like your input on this subject, please. Give me your thoughts and ideas. And if you plan on discouraging the campaign, don't bother replying.
Q-Ball79
http://go.to/SSN
It's
really sad.
Date: 9/29/99
From: Brand_S
I think it's really really sad that Torme keeps getting shafted, despite the fact that Sliders is his own show. Does he still watch the current episodes?
S
Yeah...
Date: 9/29/99
From: TemporalFlux
I knew he was notorious for responding...especially to people who exhibited a passion. ;-) That's sad to hear about how he feels...but I doubt you can find a person who would blame him for feeling that way. I don't think the man could have been screwed over worse if the networks had been doing it on purpose. I mean...come on. They have the gaul to *ask* him what one thing would make him happy...he tells them...then they *don't* do it?!? That goes beyond cruelty...because no body made them ask in the first place. It makes me ill just thinking about it. I still wish I knew exactly what made the Gaffney deal fall through...my best guess would be it came down to a money issue. Sci-Fi checked the budget and skinflinted on flying him down.
Also, I knew about his fight with Sci-Fi/Universal. It also came down to money issues...Peck was contracted for two seasons up front (season three and four), and it was cheaper to just keep him on the project per his contract. And of course, Torme' refused to work with Peck (and rightfully so)...so he got Executive Consultant status as a booby prize in season four...and then faded to nothing in season five as far as Sliders was concerned. JRD was ready to ride Torme's coat tails back into Sliders season four as well...but the Peck virus couldn't be eradicated...so the cancer just kept eating away at the show...
I would still like a wrap up though...the show deserves one. And I hate to say it, but Sci-Fi is the best bet as long as they hold the license (which if memory serves, they will hold it until 2002 - unless the length is extended at some point between now and then). Bob Weiss also needs to let us know what to do to help (if he's in a talking mood). He can direct us where we need to be talking if he truly does have a plan...it needs to be stressed that he has an army ready to help make this finale to the Sliders saga a reality. But I don't believe we should drop writing letters to the old cast members...and I think it should be stressed to Bob how we want as much of the old cast as possible (preferably all) to appear in the final movie or mini series.
Anyway, just a few quick notes...congrats man! You earned it! ;-)
Tf
temporalflux@hotmail.com
http://www.dimensionofcontinuity.com
He
doesn't watch
Date: 9/29/99
From: QBall79
The last two eps he caught were The Exodus Part 2, and some Kromagg ep in Season 4. He mentioned his disappointment with how they handled the Kromaggs, and how badly they had treated Rhys-Davies and Sabrina. It seems that Sliders history is one full of misfortune and adversity, and I think it's amazing how it has stood up through it all.
He did also mention that he watched "Into The Mystic" the other day, and reminisced about how he had to force the cliffhanger payoff with Fox. Man, he was put through so much with this show!
Q-Ball79
http://go.to/SSN
Wow.
Date: 9/29/99
From: sleepingtiger
I would've dropped the phone. Too cool for words. It is too bad he's been shafted in such a way.
Just had to come out of the woodwork to tell you how cool it is.
st
He..called...you?
Date: 9/29/99
From: buffyboy
Wow. pretty cool.
So, what EXACTLY did he say? Did he mention peck? Did he specifically say he didn't want to return to sliders or anything?
Inquiring minds NEED to know:)
BB=:~)
Email
Date: 9/29/99
From: SlidersBoy
You said you knew Tracy Tomre's email? If you do can you let me get it I would like to email him. Also can you give me his address so I can write him too if you can help me I would be most thankfull. Thanks.
BB
and SB
Date: 9/29/99
From: QBall79
Tracy didn't seem overly eager to take the reigns of Sliders at all. And who can blame him? It's his show, and yet nobody will let him do anything he wants on it. He has been screwed over so many times, that he probably thinks it would happen again. Not to mention that the show has gone through so many changes. It's not what he wanted, and he doesn't really keep up with it anymore. But that doesn't mean that he would never come back. People's moods change, and their minds change. I think if he would work together with Bob Weiss and Marc Scott Zicree, he could get an idea of where the show has gone, and what needs to come next. After all, MSZ was there for Season 4, and has an idea of what happens in Season 5. And Weiss owns the production company; has since the beginning. So if you want to know if it's still possible that Tormé would come back for a finale, I would say theoretically yes, but I wouldn't bet on it.
SlidersBoy, I have decided not to give out his snail-mail or e-mail address, for various reasons. If you want to send him a message, you can use one of the addresses at SSN for snail-mail, or you can e-mail me a message to him, and I will see that he gets it.
Take care,
Q-Ball79
http://go.to/SSN
I
think
Date: 9/29/99
From: jersey_slider
...we should try to convince Weiss do to a proper finale in any way possible, if it is movie or a mini series. It probably couldn't hurt to continue to get Sci Fi's attention. We can't give up hope, or stop trying.
One question: Does Torme know about the petition? If you want, I can send it to him. Maybe he just needs to think about it. You never know, he may change his mind.
Talk to you soon,
:)
Wow...
Date: 9/30/99
From: lastslider
congrats on the call! Like one other replier said, I know I would have dropped the phone too...but not before screaming in surprise first! :)
It really is sad, how Tracy has tried to do so much for the show *he* created, and yet no one has let him. He obviously cares about it more than anybody (especially those FOX/Sci-Fi execs), and yet he's not allowed to do anything to change the show from the disaster it has become into the wonderful series we all grew to love in the first place. Granted, seasons four & five had their great, outstanding moments, and produced some pretty darn good episodes (s4's Slide Cage, Alternateville Horror, Asylum, California Reich, Just Say Yes, Way Out West; s5's Strangers & Comrades, Java Jive, A 1000 Deaths, and of course Requiem -- I haven't seen many of the other s5 eps but I have heard most are good)...but they are nowhere near the quality of seasons one, two, and about half of three. The acting, the stories, the writing, the sets, the direction, the atmosphere, the chemistry between the characters -- it's nothing like it used to be. I just wish Torme could have done something about it.
I suppose though, that it is not too late...I have written a couple of letters to SF & the cast members to let them know that Sliders is a terrific show with lots of potential...they just need to give it one more chance. I think I'll get on writing some more letters now, after reading your post. Torme was the best, and Sliders could be the best once again, with his help.
Thanks, I enjoyed reading your post. :)
~ls
He
called you? Big deal....
Date: 9/30/99
From: Sliding_Cpt_Bridger
I'm serious, what's the big deal? I talk to big name hot shots all the time on the telephone. Why just recently, I called a man named Jerry O'Connell. We talk all the time! Here's how it went...
COC: Hello?
SCB: Jerry?
COC: No, this is Charlie.
SCB: Oh! Hey, Chuck. Is Jerry there?
COC: ....yeah. Hang on just a sec.
JOC: Hello?
SCB: Is this Jerry?
JOC: Yes, who is this?
SCB: Jerry O'Connell?
JOC: Yes...
SCB: The guy that played "Quinn" on SLIDERS?
JOC: Yeah, that's me. Who is this?
SCB: .....
JOC: Hold on just a sec...I know who this is.
SCB: .....
JOC: You're that guy that keeps calling over here all the, aren't you!
SCB: Hehehe..
JOC: I knew it! Who the hell is this, and why do you keep calling over here!?
SCB: Is your refrigerator running?
JOC: Oh, brother...
COC in the background: Huh?
JOC to COC: Not you..
SCB: Well, you'd better go catch it!
JOC: Listen, I'm going to have the police trace my calls if you don't stop calling over here.
COC in the background: What about my calls?
JOC to COC: You don't get any calls.
COC in the background: Oh yeah...
SCB: Hey Jerry, do you keep Prince Albert in a can?
JOC: Prince Albert in a can? God, I'm really getting sick of this..
SCB: Quick, Jerry! Go let him out!!!
JOC: That's it. I'm calling the cops.
SCB: Set him free!
COC in the background: Brother.....DO we keep Prince Albert in a can?
JOC to COC: Yeah, I think ma gave me some a while back. Check the pantry..
COC in the background: Quickly, brother! We must set him free!!
SCB: Jerry, seriously; one quick question.
JOC: .......(sighs)...what is it?
SCB: Do you think you'll ever come back and do a SLIDERS movie for Sci-fi?
JOC: What? And work for that @#$&ing @#@$, Peckinpah? Forget that.
SCB: ....can't say that I blame you. Hey, Jerry?
JOC: What?
SCB: Is your refrigerator running?
JOC: You did that one already...
SCB: Oh yeah...
It continued like that for a while. I'm kidding. I did NOT call Jerry O'Connell, and I honestly didn't mean to make Charlie sound as stupid as I did; I think he's great, and he did a great job as Colin (well, I did. Don't like it? Too damn bad.)
QBall79...congrats on getting a call from the MAN himself. If he had have called me, I'd have probably wet myself right on the spot....and then I would have been spellbound during the entire call. Way to go!!
"A story of a love that can never be, and a hatred that always was..."
Sliding Captain Bridger
You
lucky guy!
Date: 9/30/99
From: mallory_83
Oh my god, you spoke to Tracy Torme. I admire you mate. It's unfortunate that he's finished with Sliders, but there is always Rob Weiss, and don't forget the original cast.
QBall,
i'm already boycotting... (cont.)
Date: 9/30/99
From: mars2003
and any true SLIDERS Fan would do so also
I
have a question??
Date: 9/30/99
From: SlidersBoy
Don't worry it's not about email or anything i'm just wondering how you and other people has all these contacts? I would love to have these comtacts like all you people so if you can let me in or your secret to tell me how to get all these SLIDERS contacts i would be most thankfull. So if you can help me please do. Thanks.
Original URL http://www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/545/12714
Nominated by Blinker
