TV Zone Stargate SG-1 Special. August, 2000
By Steven Eramo

[Selections from the complete article, used with permission.] On the set of Stargate SG-1, Richard Dean Anderson talked with Steven Eramo about how fatherhood has given him a new perspective both off the set and on.

"When Wylie came along the reality of that just slapped me right up the side of the head. It made things a lot clearer. If it's not being too blunt, I finally realized that, although I enjoy acting, it's just a business. As much as I love working and the social atmosphere that a job like this gives me, my greatest audience and my greatest focus and love is this child. She's bringing things out in me that have either been dormant or never been seeded and/or watered and allowed to flower. For those of you with children you know there is nothing like the sound of your little one chasing after you saying, 'Daddy, daddy!'"

"It's made me happier, I'll say that. I think of how lucky I am that, before coming to work, I have the joy of my little girl hugging me and giving me a big kiss as I leave the house. That certainly sets the tone for the day and, hence, affects my energy level in a positive way. So I feel a lot better about things in general and that helps me in my performance. I don't think, though, that I've tapped into my father/child feelings when it comes to my character on the show.

"Of course, viewers don't see half of what we do in front of the cameras, and thankfully so. Sometimes I think our rehearsals are what we should be taping," laughs the actor. "To some degree, I'd say Michael Shanks (Dr. Daniel Jackson) and I probably have the most fun in banter scenes. I think this is built partially out of a mutual respect of the theatre of the absurd and the fact that we have a ball working together. Michael's also a very fine actor and one of the most tolerant people when it comes to my wacky behaviour. All the characters are starting to have more fun, though, and that's good to see."

As most regular viewers of Stargate SG-1 know, Jack O'Neill's humour can at times be very subtle. Are you familiar with the old adage, 'A picture can say a thousand words?' Well, the colonel can put a heck of a lot of meaning into one word, but it depends on how closely you are listening as to whether or not you catch his drift. "It would be great if the writers could get everything into a script but it's impossible," says the actor. "I'll often think of things I want to do or say on the day of filming, but most of these little nuances are meant to grab the ears of those who are really listening. If you catch one of these 'Jackisms' that's great, just as long as it doesn't get in the way of telling the story.

As of July, filming on Stargate SG-l's fourth season was already more than halfway completed. MGM and Showtime have given the show the green light for a fifth year, which means Anderson's adventures through the Stargate will continue for quite a while. Despite the daily grind and hectic schedule, the actor remains as committed as ever to the programme and his character of Jack O'Neill.

To read more of this article, visit TV Zone.

____________________
Eramo, Steven. "Family Man." TV Zone Stargate SG-1 Special. August, 2000: p.22-26.