How STARGATE Found Rick, Amanda, Michael, and Chris (Dial the Gate)

IN 1997 STARGATE SG-1 broke onto the small screen with an amazing cast of characters. Taking on the movie roles of Colonel Jack O'Neill and Dr. Daniel Jackson were Richard Dean Anderson and Michael Shanks - one known globally as the adventure hero "MacGyver" and the other a rising Canadian star. Joining them on the main cast were Amanda Tapping as Captain Samantha Carter, Christopher Judge as Teal'c, and Don S. Davis as General George Hammond.
In this very special conversation with "Dial the Gate," SG-1 co-creator and executive producer Jonathan Glassner remembers how each member of this amazing cast was discovered. Glassner worked alongside co-creator Brad Wright in adapting STARGATE to television for Showtime. (He later left the show after three seasons.)
PREVIEW! This clip is from Dial the Gate's full-length interview with Jonathan Glassner, which is streaming live on Saturday, February 19, 2022 (12 p.m. Pacific time). Tune in for the full conversation at: • 119: Jonathan Glassner...
RELATED ►
★ SG-1 Season 1: www.gateworld.net/sg1/s1/
★ Jack O'Neill (Omnipedia): www.gateworld.net/wiki/
★ Daniel Jackson (Omnipedia): www.gateworld.net/wiki/
★ Samantha Carter (Omnipedia): www.gateworld.net/wiki/
★ Teal'c (Omnipedia): www.gateworld.net/wiki/
★ www.DialtheGate.com/
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"Stargate" and all related materials are owned by MGM Studios and MGM Television. The "Dial the Gate" theme is composed by Neal Acree.
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DIAL THE GATE is also on Twitter: @dial_the_gate

[@GateWorldDotNet]

THANK YOU for watching! We're excited for Jonathan Glassner's full interview with "Dial the Gate," which is streaming this Saturday, February 19, starting at 12 p.m. (Pacific time). Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4i4aJ6JYr12g9E

[@jeffdavis5723]

*Thanks **#Darren_Sumner**.*

[@jeffdavis5723]

*Got my reminder set now **#Darren_Sumner**. Thanks again buddy.*

[@SheldonAdama17]

The original SG1 cast had amazing chemistry together that has never truly been equaled since. Truly lightning in a bottle!

[@MrRickkramer]

Indeed

[@parisbeech2180]

100% agreed

[@CoryZuspan]

I love SG-1 more than most, but I do have to add Firefly to the conversation as far as cast chemistry. SG-1 is phenomenal and is among my favorite TV series, but Firefly cast is next level in terms of chemistry given the number of episodes they got.

[@nzer19]

Yeah nothing like the crew since Star Trek TNG.

[@emdee8840]

I have to agree. I didn't like Vala and the Ori and I avoid all those episodes. Stargate Atlantis did NOT appeal to me, (hated Rodney McKay), and liked SGU, but it didn't last long enough. Sidebar to the host: regarding Jack's son, it wasn't"t suicide which is a choice and deliberate act. The child's death was presented as Jack not having secured his gun at home and the boy accidentally killed himself with it.

[@eledhwenmare2403]

SG1 politely stepped away from the movie and began its own journey. Just so cool and such a testament to the hard work done by everyone in both productions.

[@frederalbacon]

Christopher Judge should have emmys with his name on them for his portrayal of Teal'c. Just amazing depth.

[@WOTArtyNoobs]

Indeed!

[@gammafoxlore2981]

His depth is immaterial to this conversation.

[@WOTArtyNoobs]

What I love is the amount of improvisation by the cast. I don't know if it was Rick hamming it or that he forgot his lines, but you could tell when the other actors were expecting a different line and they were desperately trying not to laugh. This is a very special chemistry that works. Chris and his deadpan delivery is also so special. Much like Spock, Data or T'Pol, keeping a straight face is so difficult.

[@ParanoidMarvinMk2]

Also, his consistent deadpan delivery that slowly evolves throughout the series is just... there, such that you never consciously notice it. Until he gets called upon to switch it up (like switching bodies with O'Neill), and he nails the mannerisms and vocal style of the other character so perfectly.

[@adrianvanleeuwen]

SG1 extremely well cast, and I thought so of Atlantis also. In SG1 it is interesting how the characters evolve over the seasons, especially Teal'c who has a bigger speaking role in the final seasons. Some cast changes in last 2 seasons of SG1 plus new villains of the Ori made the stories fresh again.

[@MrRickkramer]

Indeed

[@MsRedsphere]

They were genius casting the characters. I so wish I could experience the show for the first time again. I have all of the episodes but, anticipating a new show every week was something that is mostly lost now. Thank you for letting us hear how they went about the process.

[@MarieLineGabriele]

I love this cast so much, they are family RDA is just sos O'Neill, he's perhaps my favorite tv character ever

[@suzrad6643]

Love Daniel’s character. That’s what made me love Stargate is the archaeology side of it first then just loved the whole crew. Like Sam said once; no one knows what we mean to each other. You picked the best actors. Thank you!

[@vm2561]

It will be great for all of original crew there, especially Don S Davis. I wish that Don still be alive and coming back along with them. I love all coming back to do different opportunities due to their ages. Plus maybe few new sg-1 along with them. I can't wait for that.

[@jeffdavis5723]

*Yeah that’ll be good.*

[@judiththomas2294]

The SG1 storyline had such a good complex and great development over the years.

[@GuitarBard96]

one of my favorite shows since i was a kid, i started watching after school every day in middle school. thanks so much, these interviews and the host are great and give awesome insight

[@jeffdavis5723]

*Indeed they do.*

[@martinl2509]

Hey, I just wanted to thank you guys for creating such high quality content and that you keep the stargate universe alive. I really enjoy the interviews, because they give so much additional information about the show, that we all love. They really did an amazing job and influenced a lot of people in a positive way. For example, as a teenager I watched the show and I especially loved Samantha Carter and Daniel Jackson, because they are smart and solved a lot of problems because of this and I wanted to be like that! They really made me interested in history and natural sciences. Thats one of the reasons I am a medical engineer now, because I want to understand the things around me and I want to help people with this knowledge. It would be very interesting for me to know if they are aware of that, that they had an serious positive impact of the real life of some people like me and I am sure that I am not the only one. Keep up the good work! Greetings from Germany

[@GateWorldDotNet]

Thank you for watching, Martin!

[@lynnejohn6690]

@@GateWorldDotNet i

[@CharlieSolis]

For real lol I don’t know how else I would get my Stargate fix 💉 if it wasn’t for Gateworld. I’m an addict. Does anyone know of a Stargate Anonymous I can join? Asking for a friend lmao I basically NEVER nerd out this hard on a show or movie series but Idk… i just can’t get enough Stargate. Expanse has been about the only thing close that can scratch the same itch. And even that show went “supergate” lol half the episodes are almost the same “story” or “dramatic theme” but with different actors and other slight differences.

[@ImmortalInflames]

When you realise you're now older than your childhood heroes when they started their voyage..!! 😱😱

[@Lieutenant-Dan]

Probably the best cast and characters in anything I've ever watched.

[@alterbr33d]

6:30 There was a time she researched something in the script and found the script to be wrong, she asked if she could change it, and they said she should.

[@Frosty-1313]

Great interview. I appreciate these behind the scenes stories.

[@MrRickkramer]

Indeed

[@laborincana4490]

" The best science fiction asks those questions" . He nailed it. I loved this show, now and then.

[@henrypuyi5485]

I have always enjoyed watching shows with ensemble casts who actually like each other and are friends and are part of each others lives. SG1, SGA, ST TNG. Makes for better entertainment in my view.

[@kerenton5897]

thank you for these interviews

[@greengun8340]

Another quality contribution. Thank you.

[@papadocsamedi2544]

What can I say - you created an awesome show.

[@Jordy120]

I really enjoyed this and then it ended. More please.

[@Thohean]

I've watched SG-1 several times through, but only sen the movie a couple times. When you said Daniel was not played by the same actor, I was blown away. All this time I thought he was played by the same actor.

[@billhinkle5344]

Christopher Judge was on an episode of McGuyer with Richard Dean Anderson.

[@henrikgerken6972]

Great video!

[@Picklescape]

These interviews are so good, thank you!

[@GateWorldDotNet]

Thanks for watching, Nicola!

[@mlt6322]

@@GateWorldDotNet I just re-watched this video after about a year. Something you said near the end reminded me of a book I read years ago. I believe it was Larry Niven's "Footfall" 1985 but I may be wrong. Earth was under attack by aliens who shot down anything launched and destroyed all missiles. They called in Sci-Fi writers to devise an attack and put a dome under a battleship and launched nukes like depth charges under it and blasted it into orbit. One of the Generals told the President "Necessity wasn't the mother of invention, the Sci-Fi writer was"

[@heathb4319]

Finding characters seemed easy...You got 4 from MacGyver. Richard Dean Anderson Don S Davis Daniel Shea(Sgt. Siler) was his stand in on MacGyver Christopher Judge from an episode of MacGyver(Live & Learn) You didn't have to look to hard ;))

[@heathb4319]

We need a channel like this for Firefly. God i miss both these shows.

[@henrikgerken6972]

Great video

[@changbeerbeer]

Can't wait for new StarGate content once the Amazon deal is complete! Hope there are some announcements coming soon! Great Episode Guy's, ALWAYS Great To Get More Background Info On The Original Series! 👌

[@jeffdavis5723]

*Hey **#Bruce_Dog**, did someone place a comment below yours❓*

[@changbeerbeer]

@@jeffdavis5723 not sure what you mean??

[@jeffdavis5723]

@@changbeerbeer *It was showing a comment before I posted mine but when I looked I thought some how I was blocked. Thanks*

[@pedrovargas2181]

NOOOOO Looking at the horrors Amazon has perpetrated against "Wheel of Time", "Lord of the Rings" and others, they better not touch Stargate.

[@changbeerbeer]

@@pedrovargas2181 it should be a bit different than that, as they are assembling the original team of writers and cast where possible, plus StarGate has a very established format and long running story which helps! Amanda Tapping is directing, that’s massive, as she knows how things were done back in the day, there are so many reasons why it should be successful. The worst case scenario is they make nothing!

[@heathb4319]

Ohhh how i do miss shows that used to be well written and loved by their team. Very little on tv now is worth watching

[@leverman7517]

I'd like to hear about the change from Jessica Steen (as Dr. Weir) at the end of season 7 to Torri Higginson in Season 8. Why the change and how did the different players feel about it

[@aliengranpa]

If I remember correctly the original weir didn't want to sign on for a recurring role

[@changbeerbeer]

There has already been an episode to explain that, not sure what it’s called but if you have a bit of a search through this channel’s content you should find it!

[@GateWorldDotNet]

Here is a clip of Jessica explaining what happened: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWeQYa2jd6akaas

[@jeffdavis5723]

@@GateWorldDotNet *Yeah I remember that **#Darren_Sumner**, thanks.*

[@suzrad6643]

I love Torri in her role as Dr Weir; great job! Inspiring to women who aren’t sure if there up to the task as a leader.

[@venomrogue1]

Christopher Judge was in an episode of Macgyver..as was Don S Davis, Bill Dow and Dan Shea..

[@jeffdavis5723]

*Am glad you showed this **#Darren_Sumner**, I honestly can’t remember watching it on the other channel.* #Dial_the_Gate

[@GateWorldDotNet]

This one is an early preview, Jeff! Streaming on DTG this coming Saturday.

[@jeffdavis5723]

@@GateWorldDotNet *Thanks **#Darren_Sumner**.*

[@IcoKirov]

I also thought It was the same actor who played Dr. Daniel Jackson for years. I watched Stargate the movie on TV and some time ago SG1 was aired as well. and i'm like, oh they changed Jack O'Neill, Thank god they kept Daniel and Skaara...

[@hokiturmix]

That episode with the cadets and the genius girl with Carter.... I can give her a reason to graduate with flying colors... O'Neill got the biggest purpose there is..... :D

[@pyrotempestwing]

10:30 Of course Teal’c would voice a Video Game slayer of gods.

[@rainman1242]

Mr Glassner: "smart and sexy... that was very, very hard to find'

[@jefferyyoung2580]

Doctor Jackson is the best 👌

[@paulbrickler]

Sam was a bad-butt, but no Mary Sue. They made you know that she earned every aspect of that role with hard work and a lot of study, and deserved that formidable presence and respect. Really good writing, and casting, and acting.

[@TheRealMirCat]

Woah, I always thought the death of Jack's son was an accident. The the kid was playing with it.

[@GateWorldDotNet]

It was. I think what David meant here was *accidental death*, which was obviously self-inflicted in the story.

[@eledhwenmare2403]

The conversation was about Jack’s suicidal tendencies and I think the word hitchhiked into the part about Charlie’s death.

[@JeremyWamhoff]

"The best Science Fiction, makes the audiance ask questions" - The entire reason why New Star Gate will crush current Star Trek. Along with, entertain the audiance first.

[@NakedUnderMyClothes]

I feel like Kurt Russell's Jack shouldn't necessarily be downplayed though. Yes, he was suicidal in the movie but it worked for that and I always looked at it like the whole experience he goes through made him change. Yeah, my kid killed himself and the world is profoundly depressing but, also, I traveled through a Stargate and blew up an Egyptian God, so life is also profoundly ridiculous. So to me it always seemed like the change from movie Jack to TV O'Neill (two L's), while slightly jarring due to the way the show had to get up and running quickly, was pretty organic and followed a through-line that didn't deny any of the original. O'Neill is pretty devil-may-care anyway, which I always thought of as non-committal suicidal tendencies.

[@TheBryanScout]

He’s also been out of the military for a year at the time the show starts so it’s possible to say Jack could seek treatment/counseling without worrying about career retribution anymore. He’ll never be truly whole again but he’s had time to reflect and process his loss in a healthy way.

[@johnsmith-de3tl]

@@TheBryanScout allways felt that he used humor to deal with the loss, and just got realy good at it and just kept it going.

[@stevenmayer8528]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@philosopher1a]

RDA and Chris had already worked together before

[@Elphaba1952]

RDA also stated he would NOT do the Kurt Russell buzz-cut look...LOL

[@aliengranpa]

Where can I find this comedy bit from Amanda tapping?? I had no idea she started out in comedy

[@GateWorldDotNet]

I know she was a founder of an improv comedy troupe called "Random Acts." I wonder if maybe TPTB saw tape of one of those performances.

[@sonnieslim5973]

My daughters first name is Carter 🥰

[@F1rstWorldNomaD]

It is a pretty perfect cast. Amanda in particular. I have no idea why she's never mentioned in the "strong, female character" discussion. She is up there with Sarah Connor and Elen Ripley. She also has the perfect look for the role. She looks like she could actually be a military personal. She looks tough, confident and strong. BUT she is still very feminine and beautiful.

[@F1rstWorldNomaD]

Haha just as I wrote this comment this guy says exactly that was what they was going for. 🤣 Good job casting team.

[@erikahammer4337]

I'm surprised that Chris's past history with Richard in MacGyver wasn't brought up.

[@GateWorldDotNet]

Honestly FWIW I think Chris's one guest spot on MacGyver wasn't a factor in his being cast on Stargate.

[@erikahammer4337]

@@GateWorldDotNet Still would have been fun to bring up. I always watch that episode just before I restart the series of SG1

[@betchface752]

From a time when directors picked casts the audience could actually relate too. Nowadays tv series only insult my intelligence. All flash and no substance. As intelligent individual i do appreciate quality entertainment more than just flash and flare. Miss me some good old star-gate.

[@CharlieSolis]

Seriously for far longer than I want to admit I thought they got the same actor from the movie for daniel Jackson… Srry James spader lol

[@FastDuDeJiunn]

the first few episodes of carter were hard to watch. she was way to standoffish of a character imo. But of course that went away. And it helped dialing her role down to more believe bale part. She was a jack of all trades at the start. yes i would imagine casting for any show is hard. Getting the right look, personality etc.

[@FastDuDeJiunn]

The funniest people are the saddest.

[@Sdewebb]

Christopher Judge and Michael Shanks were both on MacGyver so I'm not sure if I believe the casting stories. Awfully coincidental.

[@GateWorldDotNet]

Michael wasn't on MacGyver, and FWIW Chris had a small role in one episode as a kid. Not exactly at the top of the call sheet. MacGyver employed a LOT of people in one way, shape, or form over the years.

[@ThatBetchEllie]

I thought it was the same actor at first too until my husband said no it’s not

[@itsrogue2]

jack son didn't commit suicide, i was an accidental shooting

[@GateWorldDotNet]

Yes, I think David misspoke in this one. He meant self-inflicted, not suicide.

[@KaptifLaDistillerie]

Kurt Russel is one of the GOAT but he could never have achieved RDA's level of humor and sarcasm

[@fr9714]

A lot of shows don't work today because of quick casting with cringey dialogs. Gone is the chemistry between characters, subtlety in dialogs making us think on our own and agenda less situations. Today the directors and others feel they need to shove and smear something in your face like a cake because you're too stupid to get it. This is the Reddit crowd making the shows because they are too insecure, stupid and ignorant and think the whole world besides them are dumb and don't get it unless it is smeared on them. Hence why shows are terrible now. I hope get a new Stargate with great cast and chemistry and dialogs that are good and believable.

[@johncollier4795]

It wasn’t a child suicide. It was an accident.

[@GateWorldDotNet]

Yes, I think what David meant there was "accidental death." It was self-inflicted, but not suicide.

[@sarasorensen2650]

Accidental suicide is a yerm used by mental health experts.

[@johncollier4795]

@@sarasorensen2650 funny you say that. Since I’m a mental health therapist. So you say there are no accidents? No suicides? Explain.

[@HansCent]

Glad Showtime execs didn't choose their Amanda Carter.

[@masonteague679]

Why did you refer to Jack's son as a child suicide? Everyone knows it wasn't suicide!

[@GateWorldDotNet]

I think when he misspoke David meant to try and specify that Charlie's accidental death was self-inflicted. Definitely not suicide.

[@sarasorensen2650]

Accidental suicide is one of the terms used by mental health experts.

[@getreal2977]

Stargate vs SG-1 is for me a prime example how a spin off series can COMPLETELY outshine the original. Emmerich might have a talent to make in organizing them and having some good general ideas. But one area he ALWAYS sucked in all his movies was casting and character creations. He makes popcorn movies with hard to swallow, over the edge character which are much thinner then a leave. Stargate fascinated me for the story idea but the acting was terrible. Spader unbearable theatrical in his dialogs, Russel's O'Neil cold as a fish and the military characters were just embarrassing G.I. Joe caricatures who behaved like fools and not professionals. But what catapulted SG-1 so through the roof was the excellent casting and modeling of the main team into a likeable, well chemistry team which left the actors from the original movie way behind in the dust. And I know it was not the fault of the actors bu their terrible scripts/dialogs and Emmerich's lousy way of his comic book characters which you find in every films of his. So a HUGE thank you for the absolutely fantastic casting and character designs for the SG-1 show which combined the original great idea with actual likable characters which appeared not as wooden as the ones in the original movie.