Oh dear oh dear oh dear.

I'm a little late with this news - I didn't get home from work until 9:15, and our Internet access was out at work all day, so I couldn't even sneak a peek at my friendslist - but terri_osborne posted this little gem this morning:

IESB.net leaks the plot of Star Trek XI

This was followed by some interesting posts at Unca Harlan's Art Deco Dining Pavilion.

Now, Paramount, take a letter. There are four things you JUST. DON'T. DO.:

1. You don't tug on Superman's cape;


2. You don't spit into the wind;


3. You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger;


4. You don't piss off Harlan Ellison.

Now, this was followed by this article at SyFyPortal, to which Harlan has responded by saying that they've vastly exaggerated his reaction (in fact, he calls himself an "enormous admirer" of J.J. Abrams), but hey, the man does have a reputation for flying off the handle somewhat. So while he may not be pissed off, item #4 above can be amended to include "Or aggravate him, or even mildly annoy or irritate him. You won't like it."

Those of you who have heard the story of my telephone conversations with Harlan are, no doubt, aware that I exaggerate one small part of the story for the purpose of humour - the bit about changing my underwear. However, nobody to whom I have told the story has ever disputed that I might have had to do that. There's a reason for that... it's plausible.

Off to have dinner now while I watch the circus come to town...