Within: Some Episode VII and Expanded Universe chatter, that whole Wookieepedia thing, some nerfs, and ponderings of all sorts.
Continue reading “Sound effects: Best #StarWars and #EpisodeVII tweets for March 30-April 13”
Yes, Wookieepedia still has that breast page
Alas, change does not happen overnight, at least not when you’re going up against some spectacularly stubborn fanboys. The page’s existence is still up for a vote and a complaint about Darth Culator’s behavior in light of our piece seems to be more or less ignored.
While several of us had some objections with Mike Cooper’s orignal follow-up on the piece, he does have some suggestions today on ways to ‘contribute’ to Wookieepedia’s much-touted attention to pointless detail. I’m not sure it’ll actually do any good in the long run, but it can’t exactly hurt.
In conclusion, a few points from the 2007 vote that ended in an ‘insufficient consensus’ to delete.
…Keeping this article just plays to the worst sort of fanboy stereotype and I don’t think it’s worth the hassles. – Valin Kenobi
Wookieepedia is primarily a resource for people to find out information about Star Wars, yes? If I was thinking “hmmm, who is this Baron Fel guy that everyone keeps talking about?” I could look him up on Wookieepedia. I could read the links in his article and learn all about him, what he’s associated with, and the books he appeared in. Would I ever, though, think to myself “Hmm, what are breasts? To Wookieepedia!” ? Never. – GrandAdmiralJello
As an outsider, if I came across this article, I would basically interpret this article as being evidence of this community’s lack of professionalism and um, ogling fanboyish fanwankery by some members. I can see this now popping up on Chee’s forum over at SW.com “Mr. Chee do breasts have an entry in the Holocron? Because they have an article on Wookieepedia (link).” The eyes would be rolling for the next decade or so. – Atarumaster88
Why the Wookieepedia article on breasts is a big deal
To be honest, I hadn’t planned to write more about Wookieepedia’s page on breasts. I’m already on record as disapproving, twice. Outrage fatigue happens even to the outraged, and quite honestly I don’t have the temperament or patience to continue to explain Feminism 101 to this fandom.
But the page and one of the responses ended up on Tumblr – one of those areas of fandom where you do actually see female majorities in many circles – and I remembered why it’s important that we keep speaking out.
Continue reading “Why the Wookieepedia article on breasts is a big deal”
Wookieepedia makes a statement about their breast page, still misses the point
Not long ago, Wookieepedia released an official statement regarding the breast article I wrote about earlier today.
Although Brian at Tosche Station has already written a great response to the statement, and I agree with him wholeheartedly, I still feel I should address it personally.
Continue reading “Wookieepedia makes a statement about their breast page, still misses the point”
Roundup: Star Wars April Fools pranks thin on the ground
No April Fools’ Day is complete without a fake Star Wars product or two, and this year we saw Force Paint from The Fowndry and a crossover My Little Pony tv show (presumbably with lots of matching merchandise) from Star Wars Underworld.
Alas, April 1 MVPs ThinkGeek didn’t do anything Star Wars this year, but they do have Rosetta Stone for Klingon and a Flux Capacitor Car Charger.
Wookieepedia’s main prank was actually somewhat clever – a ‘Wookieepedia Pro’ subscription service. Less clever? Making their breast page (circa ’07) a featured article. (The talk page is super charming. Be sure to visit the archives!) The twelve-year-old is strong in this one.
There were refreshingly few Episode VII-themed pranks – mostly so blatantly unsuccessful that I won’t even bother linking them. Tor claimed that Lena Dunham is consulting on the script, which is somewhat left field even with the Adam Driver connection. Elsewhere, the the ForceCast took a whack at some ‘rumors’… And Eleven-ThirtyEight did look at what Star Wars can learn from Glee.
The comic licensees got spoofed – Bleeding Cool took on Dark Horse while Star Wars Union set up a comic ‘news’ site previewing Marvel’s first Rebels comic. And lest we forget the books, Jedi-Bibliothek has a bloody Jar Jar revenge novel from Joe Schreiber.
Overall? Maybe I’m just grumpy (okay, I’m totally grumpy) but the pranks this year just seem… Lacking. Have we finally reached critical mass on April’s best holiday?
Better luck with the next princess: Best #StarWars and #EpisodeVII tweets for March 24-30
And also Indiana Jones for some reason!
TV recap pioneer Television Without Pity shutting down
Television Without Pity, one of, if not the internet’s first television recap sites, is being shut down on April 4. Founded as Dawson’s Wrap in the late 90’s (and later Mighty Big TV) by Tara Ariano, Sarah D. Bunting, and David T. Cole, the site was sold to Bravo in 2007.
TWoP, along with since-shuttered sister sites Hissyfit and Fametracker and their respective forums, were hugely influential in creating the snarky tone that characterizes much pop culture coverage today. (Including, yeah, me.)
Often controversial, particularly in regards the forums, TWoP was nonetheless a huge force in various TV fandoms. (An infamous Sorkin incident actually inspired a b-plot on The West Wing.)
Ariano, Bunting and Cole are currently running Previously.TV Other alumni include Pamela Ribon and the ladies at Go Fug Yourself.
Serious space opera franchise is serious: Best #StarWars, #SWEU and #EpisodeVII tweets for Feb. 3 – March 23
https://twitter.com/kenlowery/status/447036099647766528
Tweets are back, and spoiling for a fight! Or not. Whatever.
Onward!
Rodarte designers on their Star Wars gowns
“These images have impacted us greatly both as young women and as adults.” Laura and Kate Mulleavy, the masterminds behind Rodarte, talk about Star Wars and their Star Wars gowns on the StarWars.com blog today..
Report: Disney keeping Expanded Universe characters out of Star Wars Weekends parade?
Word on the streets (well, the message boards) is that Disney has told the 501st and Rebel Legions that certain Expanded Universe characters are “not being allowed to march” in the Star Wars Weekend Motorcade. The only character we know for sure at this time is Mara Jade, but it’s easy to guess at several others from there. Nanci Tosche Station has thoughts.
One big question: Would this apply to characters from other eras who haven’t crossed over into tv or movies, like the Old Republic, or does it only affect post-Return of the Jedi characters who may in the path of the sequels?
Although this means certain costumers (including quite a few women) will no longer be able to march in the official parade, certain means of quiet protest have been suggested: Attendees can still dress in costumes or don EU character shirts.
UPDATE: TFN’s Eric Geller reached out the Lucasfilm on this, and they told him “that neither Disney nor LFL ordered a prohibition on EU characters in the SW Weekends parade.” Tosche Station maintains they’ve heard otherwise from 501st members, although no one is yet sure how high at Disney the orders may come from.
UPDATE #2: More explanation…