Interesting response from EJ Olmos!

Here's what I wrote:

Dear Mr.Olmos,

First of all I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your work in the Miami Vice series. I was always a big fan of Miami Vice. But also being a loyal fan of the original Battlestar Galactica series, I am disturbed with your recent decision to take on this role.
Many of us loyal to the original series have sent endless letters, faxes, e-mails for 25 years. Only know to be slapped in the face by those who purport to bring back the series in their own image. For 25 years we have asked for a continuation of the original series with the original cast/premise. We have largely been ignored, and feel as though we have been spit on by the writers of this new “vision,” who have constantly put us down and blatantly insulted us for wanting a continuation of the original series. The existing fan base for this show is not being embraced, but instead is being alienated.
In many of your responses to other fans that have written you, you speak of being an honorable person. Believe, there is no honor in this, as we now feel you are spitting on us as well. A re-imagining is the only version of Battlestar Galactica that we absolutely did not want. We had hoped for the character of Adama played by Lorne Green to have passed away just as he has, and Richard Hatch as Apollo promoted to take his father’s place. We have no wish or interest to see you cast in this role. Although, we certainly would not mind if you were to take on an equally prominent role, as a new character, perhaps a member of the Council of Twelve, or the President, etc.
Another reason this disturbs me is because of my loyalty as a fan of Miami Vice, another show I would dearly love to see again as a big screen continuation with the original cast/characters/storyline. How would you feel if some hotshot writer came in and decided to start it over from scratch as a WB/90210 Vice Squad? And castrated your character into the spicy hard-hitting Lieutenant Martina “Babe” Castillo? I can only wonder.
I fully intend to not only boycott the advertisers of this re-imaging, but the show as well. In fact I will make an extra special point of watching my copy of the 1978 pilot at the exact same time this re-imagining premiers. Many of us will resort to creating and watching fan flicks as opposed to this new production, as a way of filling the void, that this new production will never, could never, be able to do. I also fear, that I would have to boycott any production or cause that you associate your self with in the future, as many of us will. This pains me because this would also include any future production of Miami Vice. But I do feel that strongly. I want to see what happened to my childhood heroes. I have no interest in this new production, which in all honesty is Battlestar Galactica only in name. It really has no relevancy or connection with the story I would like to see completed. In the same way that a re-imagining of Miami Vice would have no relevancy or connection with the storyline that I would like to see continued.
I hope you will at least take the time to view some of the opinions of the legion of fans that feel as I do:

Visit the official BSG boycott website where your production company may one day be listed:
https://www.bsgboycott.cjb.net/

Visit the online petition to bring back the original cast/characters/premise with over 16,000 signatures.
https://www.petitiononline.com/bsg2001a/petition.html

Read the online petition where we call for the change in Sci Fi Channel management over this issue and many others:
https://www.petitiononline.com/eulogy/petition.html

And lastly visit the bulletin boards where you can read our ongoing thoughts on the subject:
https://bboard.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/531

https://www.3dgladiators.com/forums/f...s=&forumid=336

https://www.battlestargalacticaclub.c...p?s=0&&CODE=00

Please pass this on to your fellow cast and crew mates in the new production. Thank you for your time.

Kind Regards,
Jaeson K. Jrakman

From: MBeve10258@aol.com | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 01:10:21 EST
Subject: Re: New Battlestar Galactic Production
To: jjrakman@yahoo.com




Dear Jaeson -

My name is MaryAnn, and I handle Edward's email through the web site. Therefore, when I read your comment below, I became concerned.

<< In many of your responses to other fans that have written you, you speak of

being an honorable person. Believe, there is no honor in this, as we now feel you are spitting on us as well. >>


Edward did not say he was an honorable man, I did. I clearly signed my emails with my name. I have known him a long time, and I assure you, I state that he is an honorable man from first hand knowledge and experience. He is no way "spitting on" anyone. All I have told the others is what I will also tell you; I will forward your email in its entirety to his office. You cannot hold him responsible for something I said. Since he is out of the country at the moment, it would be difficult for me to reach him and find out exactly what he would want to say regarding this whole controversy. Everything that was said it the emails I sent were my words based on what I know of him, and every email carried my name, not his. If anyone has represented it otherwise, they are misleading you. If you can correct this misperception, I would appreciate it.

Eddie does care about what people think. He respects the right of everyone to disagree with him on any topic. Should you choose to boycott the show, he would respect that as well. If you choose to boycott his other movies, that is certainly your right, and he would be the first to defend it.

If there was going to be a recast of Adama because he is too essential to the show to be left out, Eddie is a perfect choice. He has in real life the qualities the character displayed in the series. This isn't to say I do not understand your objections; I do. I am also a "Miami Vice" fan, and I can't imagine Castillo as a "babe." I probably would not to see a "Vice" movie that recreated the character that way, but neither would I blame the actor/actress who took the role the way it was written. Actors are just people doing their jobs like everyone else.

I understand your anger and frustration with the powers-that-be who have ignored and discounted your desires and opinions. Please, take you anger out on them where it belongs.

Again, I must state that the three or four letters I have answered regarding this matter were exactly that - my responses. I'm not even sure he even knows about all this controversy yet. I will send him your email with all the links so that he can read more about it at his convenience.

Sincerely,
MaryAnn


"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." (Plato)
Edward James Olmos: Official Site
https://hometown.aol.com/mbeve10258/EddieOlmos.html
Edward James Olmos
"After despair, many hopes flourish, just as after darkness, thousands of suns open and start to shine." (Rumi)
Ahmed Shah Massoud:
https://hometown.aol.com/mbeve10258/Massoud.html
Ahmed Shah Massoud

Thank you so very much for responding so quickly. It is clear that Mr. Olmos hires a staff, which is responsible, sensitive and intelligent. While I would not change any of the words in my e-mail to you, I would like to clarify some things to diffuse any animosity. Regarding Mr.Olmos being honorable, I know that you never said that but I believe you did state that he would portray the role honorably. And I would never hold him responsible for something you said, only trying to express my feeling towards this new production, perhaps too strongly, but that’s how I and many others feel. As far as the essentiality of Adama, it’s essential that the character remain intact. We would have no problem if he were cast as an equally prominent role in a continuation, or even a prequel, or a sequel. His capabilities as an actor are not at question, but none of us want a replacement, not in the least. I am relieved to see that you cannot imagine Castillo as a “babe.” Because you then can understand how many of us feel towards the re-imagining of the character Starbuck, who in all honesty, Dirk Benedict owns. I also understand that actors are just doing their jobs like everyone else, but also like everyone else doing their jobs, they should also be open to critism. We have taken our anger and frustration to the powers that be, for 25 years, and been ignored and insulted by them. It was never my intention to direct anger and frustration towards Mr.Olmos, but instead, to let him know how I many others feel regarding this production so he may make an educated decision regarding this matter, perhaps too late. I realize that you may have only received three or four letters regarding this. But know, that is only because many of the fans are growing tire of having to repeated send the same message over and over and over again over the last 25 years only to be ignored and insulted. If I offended you in any way it was not my intention, I only feel so strongly about my childhood hero’s and do not wish to see them destroyed. Thank you for your time.

At least his staff seems receptive, and who knows...

[lonerwulff]

do u have nuthing better to do then bother this guy?if u dont like the new show idea s here an idea dont watch it cause frankly u annoy the hell otta me wth your whining

lonerwulff

Your annoyance with my "whining" is confirmation that I am on the right track. Please give me more inspiration to continue.

[LordStarFyre]

Talk about an annoying whine, Geez!

Lonerwulff, here's some clues how to be less annoying, than you already are.

1: Learn to SPELL (Yer spelin suks Dud)

2: Go back to Milty's Playground

3: Apologize to JJ before you leave.

4: Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[Hito]

Originally posted by LordStarFyre
Talk about an annoying whine, Geez!

Lonerwulff, here's some clues how to be less annoying, than you already are.

1: Learn to SPELL (Yer spelin suks Dud)

2: Go back to Milty's Playground

3: Apologize to JJ before you leave.

4: Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

It pains me but I have to agree with LSF.
Take the personal attacks over to Sci Fi or 2 brains new rant forum.

But dont worry about the spelling.
That is why god gave us spell checkers.

[LordStarFyre]

...But even a blind squirrel finds his nuts at least once...

[Hito]

I try to keep them within arms reach...

[Afan2]

Just a thought:

jjrakman, did you ask for permission to post these e-mails in a public forum? Maybe you should, if you haven't already.

[lonerwulff]

lol

[kingfish]

I asked if he watched the show to prepare for the role but his assistant didn't know.

[lonerwulff]

whats funny is u guys think what your doin is gonna change anything.your attemps are admirable but a waste of time.telling potential sponsors that u will not use their products is a joke and in the end will serve no purpose except that u will not have those products.

lonerwulff

[Micheleh]

Lonerwulf- repect the forum and the members. Any more derogatory comments will be deleted, and I will be in touch.

[BST]

jjrakman

Your annoyance with my "whining" is confirmation that I am on the right track. Please give me more inspiration to continue.

Your heart and mind are in the right place, keep up the good work, buddy!!

*********

LSF

...But even a blind squirrel finds his nuts at least once...

A GEM!!!

*********

lonerwulff

telling potential sponsors that u will not use their products is a joke and in the end will serve no purpose except that u will not have those products.

And THEY won't have OUR MONEY!!

You have to understand the relationship between Action and Reaction!

Now, go back to your litterbox and see if the kitty cats left you any love letters.


BST


P.S. "Chell-Speck" iz a wunnrfool ting!!

[BST]

Lonerwulff,

If you want your opinion to be respected, you need to return the same kindness to others.


It is not for you to decide who is "wasting" who's time.

BTW, He did get a response. Seems like they had a few extra moments to spare.


Lonerwullf, I'll end any possible escalation right here.. I'm sorry for the comment.

Please try to keep in mind my first sentence, above.

Thanks,

BST

[lonerwulff]

but i still think your wasting your time but i guess its your time to waste.

lonerwulff

[Micheleh]

That's enough. Time out for a talk.

[Micheleh]

Ok, carry on. You were talking about Mr. Olmos' letter?

[Hito]

Like i was sayin...

Olmos is a class act and i respect him.
If he thinks BSG03 is a good move for him than i have higher hopes that it will be a pretty good production.

[jewels]

I respect Mr. Olmos. I suspect he only read his character's scenes though (as in that's what he was given and only that). Without knowing BSG it would look OK as a part. I think there are those that could give him an even better script if they had the opportunity.