Attention Deficit Delirium

Ron Moore refuses to "tech the tech" anymore. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

As keynote speaker for the recent New York Television Festival “Development Day,” Battlestar Galactica and Caprica creator Ronald D. Moore addressed many different aspects of creating and sculpting the new incarnation of BSG. He also discussed how he broke into the business and the eight years he spent working as a writer and producer on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. The best and funniest moment during the 55-minute discussion emerged when one fan asked Moore why the decision was made in Battlestar to use technology that was similar to, and in some cases behind, our own. His response to the question was illuminating not only in that the audience learned how good the esteemed writer was at doing impersonations, but also how ridiculous sci-fi gets when it becomes diluted by Hollywood formula and how it inspired him to build a better show.

Ron Moore on the reason to not let technology overshadow the characters on Battlestar Galactica:
“That was in the original inception of the show, and that was really a reaction against Star Trek. It’s easy for me to bash Star Trek because I lived and breathed it so long, but I loved it, so let’s make that clear. I don’t hate Star Trek by any means, but I got very frustrated with the amount of technobabble I had to write on it. It became the solution to so many stories and plotlines. You would just be writing these endless pages… It was so mechanical that we had science consultants who would just come up with the words for us. If you look at those scripts you’ll see that.

"We're tired of you teching around. Write a script with a good ending."

Picard would say: ‘Commander La Forge, tech the tech to the warp drive.’

Geordi: ‘Captain, the tech is over teching!’

‘Well, the auxiliary tech to the tech, Mr. La Forge.’

‘No, Captain, I’ve tried to tech the tech, but it won’t work!’

And then Data pops in and says: ‘Captain, there is a theory that if you tech the other tech…’

It’s a rhythm and it works anyplace. It’s not about anything except going through this dance of how they tech their way out of it. It became so frustrating and so annoying, I just swore I was never going to write those scenes anymore. I just decided from the outset [of Battlestar] that I wanted a phone to look like a phone and wanted a retro technology. I justified it in the story because they had this back story with the Cylons — the technology had rebelled and they had gone backwards. I thought it was interesting to go that route and make the technology relatable in the same way that their coats and ties were relatable as well.”

"Hey, I was making a living. What the tech else was I supposed to do?" (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Anticipation builds before the envelopes are opened. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

The closing night awards ceremony of the fifth annual New York Television Festival (held on Saturday, September 26, 2009) showcased not only an array of winners but a sense of camaraderie among the competitors and the organization itself. In fact, the two people who got big standing ovations were not award winners but festival founder Terence Gray and artist liaison Mary Taber. I offer NYTVF my own applause for serving up two awards to a pilot called My Pal Satan. You’ll probably never see that on the Emmys!

On top of the usual accolades the festival handed out to new and unseen pilots that have a shot at being picked up by a network or cable station, NYTVF presented three special awards: the Fox Television Studios “FtvS 15 Gigs of Fame” award (including a development deal with 15 Gigs, a division of Fox TV), the FOX-PGP-NYTVF Comedy Script Contest award (with a $25,000 prize and Fox development deal) and a special People Choice’s Award for the second year running. (NYTVF became the first forum outside of the actual People’s Choice Awards ceremony to present one.) Further, a new contest was announced — Act I: The ION Television Movie Contest, with the prize being a $40,000 development deal with ION Television. The ION contest deadline is November 30, 2009.

Here are some highlights from the event. For a full list of winners and projects from NYTVF 2009, click here.

NYTVF Festival Director Ned Canty addresses the audience, whose members often chanted "Zuuuune!" Every award winner received a free Zune HD media player. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Kaily Smith feels honored to win Best Actress for "MERRIme.com". (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Greg Burke enjoys his photo-op for Best Actor in "Blog Of A Pool Boy," which he co-created with AJ Morales and Lou Perez and which also won for Best Comedy Pilot. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Adam Morgan, winner of the FOX-PGP-NYTVF Comedy Script Contest for "Liberal Arts". (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Dennis Heaton won Best Web Series Pilot and Best Theme Song for "My Pal Satan". But is he really tight with Beezlebub? (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

"Yes, this is a real People's Choice Award." (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Al Thompson is elated to win the People's Choice Award for "Johnny B. Homeless". (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Bayou Bennett and Daniel Lir, whose pilot "Around The Block" won for Best Nonscripted Host or Star (Lea Michele). (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Jeremy Redleaf, winner of the "FtvS 15 Gigs Of Fame" award for "Odd Jobs". (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Walk into the light... (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Closing night revelry. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Bowen on the red carpet at the opening night festivities of NYTVF 2009. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

This feels like Julie Bowen’s big television moment. Obviously she’s a star already — audiences have been loving the actress for years through her recurring roles on shows like Boston Legal, Lost and Weeds and in major movie roles opposite Adam Sandler and Tim Allen. She was also the co-star of NBC’s Ed — which ran for four seasons and was a modest hit — but now she has signed aboard a new series that looks ready to soar with her at the helm with an engaging character that further showcases her comic skills. Bowen co-stars as a beleaguered mother of three on the new ABC sitcom Modern Family, which debuts tonight at 9 PM and has deservedly generated major buzz prior to its airing. The series focuses on three families: Bowen’s somewhat normal but harried clan; a cross-generational unit with an older husband, younger wife and her preteen son from another marriage; and a gay couple who have adopted a child. The comic possibilities are rich for everyone involved, including Bowen, whose character Claire Dunphy strives to be an understanding, caring parent without obsessing over the idea that her kids will exhibit the same naughty behavior she did as a teenager.

ADD caught up with Bowen on the red carpet of the New York Television Festival this week to chat about the show and her thoughts on being a real-life and fictional mother. (For an interview with her Modern Family co-star Ty Burrell, click here.)



How have your experiences as a real-life mom played into developing your character, and how much do you think the show accurately reflects parenthood?
Let me tell you, getting out of my house in the morning in my real life means I get up at 4 o’clock in the morning. I pump, I feed my twins and make lunch for my two year-old, and then I get to work by 6 AM. So I don’t really need to do any preparation. I just need to get to work, and I’m completely haggard and ready to go. I’m the mom of three on TV. I have two families. I have my TV husband and my real husband.

Bowen's on-screen clan.

How does the fatigue affect you? Do you ever accidentally confuse your husband Scott and your co-star/TV husband Ty Burrell?
You know, I’m lucky. My husband is fantastic and very funny and dry, and so is Ty Burrell. They actually do have quite a few similarities, but one I don’t go home with at night and one I do. If I confuse them it’s not a bad thing.

You were eight and a half months pregnant when you shot the pilot, so you hid behind a lot of laundry.
Once you know I’m pregnant, you can’t not see it, but I think they did a pretty good job of hiding it. There’s a lot of folding and carrying of large objects, and my middle [TV] child Luke is the exact belly height. And the laundry has actually become symbolic of how she is trying to create order out of chaos.

Do you think Ty will get some good parenting experiences from this in case he ever wants to be a dad?
We talk about parenting a lot because of the show and also because I have so many kids right now. I hope I keep them all. I’m not trying to get rid of any of my kids. Ty will be a great parent because he’s a good person, and I think that’s really just the key. You can have all the theories and philosophies you want, and we joke that his character is trying to be a good dad. His character is a good dad ultimately because he’s a good person. He’s dorky and makes mistakes, but we all do that. Ultimately these are people who love their kids and want to do right by them.

Bowen and co-star Ty Burrell speaking this week at the New York Television Festival. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

While every generation is defined as being 25 years, I feel like pop culture generations are only five years.
They’re quite close together, aren’t they?

Do you find it harder to keep up with kids today because technology is changing so quickly?
It’s so much fun though. I subscribe to people’s Twitters on the show, like Sarah Hyland, who plays my daughter, because I love her and I’m interested in the culture. I’m watching from the outside. It’s totally different from when we were kids. It’s totally different because everything is moving so fast. But did you think we would be emailing each other? Please. Two generations ago the thought of living together before you got married was crazy. Every generation has got to have its thing.

Burrell relaxed on the red carpet at NYTVF 2009. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Portraying well meaning but bumbling patriarch Phil Dunphy on ABC’s hot new sitcom Modern Family (which debuts tonight at 9 PM Eastern), the funny Ty Burrell gets to ham it up every week as a delusional dad who thinks he’s as hip and current as his kids. But as we learn, particularly during his awful attempt at recreating a High School Musical number, he’s not. (And knowing what OMG and LOL mean doesn’t mean you’re down, homes. Err, see what I mean? Why The Face?)

Modern Family focuses on three families: Burrell’s somewhat normal but harried clan; a cross-generational unit with an older husband, younger wife and her preteen son from another marriage; and a gay couple who have adopted a child. Burrell’s parental situation is part of a larger comic tapestry woven from a wide range of hilarious  shenanigans. For the veteran actor, who has appeared in a range of movies (Dawn of the Dead, The Incredible Hulk and National Treasure: Book of Secrets) and television series (Out Of Practice and Back To You), the role is new and challenging.

ADD caught up with Ty Burrell at the New York Television Festival this week and asked him about his new role and how it breaks the mold for him. His current comedic character could be the one to take his career to the next level. (For an interview with his Modern Family co-star Julie Bowen, click here.)



Are you a father in real life?
I’m not.

So what kind of research have you been doing for this role?
I have no experience with children, but I have a huge amount of experience with being oblivious and deluded about myself. This part is not a stretch for me. I’m an idiot every day. I just get to put on different clothes and do it at work.

That doesn’t look very good on a resume, does it?
Nope. My resume, although it’s a thick resume of idiocy, is just not beneficial. Luckily I’m not burdened with any other skill set either. Keeps it simple.

Burrell and his TV wife and brood on "Modern Family".

How did you get involved with the show, and is this the character you really wanted to play?
This is absolutely the character I wanted. This is my third show with [co-creator/writer] Chris Lloyd and my second with [co-creator/writer] Steve Levitan. As soon as I heard about the show I was excited about it. I haven’t ever played anybody this well intended in my life. I’ve played a lot of guys who were mean and/or bitter, and this is one of the few times that I’ve gotten to play somebody who is a really well intended guy. He really means well even though he’s making a mess out of everything. It’s a great character to play. It’s amazingly fun and refreshing to play somebody who’s endlessly positive. In the episode we shot last week, he’s trying to help his son to become the best at something – it’s baseball. Phil is unflappably positive, even as things are going wrong. He’s constantly thinking the next one is going to be the strike.

Where did the inspiration for the air gun shooting scene come from?
Believe it or not, that comes from a true story. And the kid died. Seriously, Steve Levitan [wrote it] almost word for word. He videotaped it, and both he and his son were laughing so hard. His son was wearing all that stuff and loaded up because he made a promise that if he were to shoot any living thing then he was going to be shot, and his [Steve's] wife held him to it. That kid had safety goggles and all that stuff.

Following the air gun incident, have you been inspired to come up with any more unusual punishments for your son on the show?
Nothing new yet. I think once you’ve been shot with an air gun you probably stay in line for a while.

Burrell makes a point while his co-star Julie Bowen (l) and "Cougar Town" co-star Busy Philipps (r) listen during a New York Television Festival panel. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

This is a groundbreaking show in some ways, particularly the fact that it features the first network representation of a gay couple with a child. How do you think the public is going to react to it?
I hope what they’ll notice is that the situations are universal, and that’s what’s been funny from the beginning. The writing is good, and the performing is incredible. Their situations aren’t any different than ours, and I think it’s a great thing for television. To this date I haven’t seen a monogamous [gay] couple [on television], especially with a child, and I think it’s going to be really good for all of us to see that their lives are no different. They’re dealing with being new parents – that’s really the main thrust of the hilarity. All three [family] storylines are really funny in all of the episodes so far.

So if you ever become a father, hopefully you’ll have learned some valuable parenting lessons here?
Yeah, exactly. This will be a corrective show for me.