The actress behind the Jaffa Ka’lel sheds her symbiote to take us back to the days of “Birthright” and the Jaffa high council chamber in Stargate SG-1 — and to update us on her new YouTube Channel!

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Timecodes
0:00 – Splash Screen
0:18 – Opening Credits
0:47 – Welcome and Episode Outline
01:17 – Call to Action
02:20 – Guest Introduction
04:15 – Talking to Plants
05:11 – Simone’s YouTube show!
06:13 – Becoming a host and building out a community
11:40 – Getting Started in Acting
17:00 – Getting cast in Stargate SG-1
18:05 – Ka’lel (7×10 Birthright)
22:18 – Working with Christopher Judge
22:56 – What’s extraordinary about working on Stargate?
24:59 – Double booking on set (Dan Shea)
26:03 – Costumes
27:17 – From Leather to Council Robes
28:35 – Jaffa Freedom was a Big Deal
29:53 – Simone was on board Destiny (SGU)
31:35 – Meeting Fans
33:22 – Stargate painting?
35:28 – Jaffa Name Similar to Kryptonian
36:44 – Innate Love of Sci-Fi
39:03 – Do you speak French?
39:34 – Upcoming Projects
42:25 – Collab Episode!
43:53 – Amanda Tapping’s directing
45:15 – Avocado trees and Homemade Ramen
46:01 – Stargate role-playing session
47:26 – Post-Interview Housekeeping
51:11 – End Credits

***

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TRANSCRIPT
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David Read:
Welcome to Dial the Gate, everyone. My name is David Read: Thanks for tuning in to, I believe, are we at Episode 59? We’re at Episode 59 now – one away from 60. Simone Bailly, one of my dear peeps from Stargate, is going to be joining us in just a moment here. I hope you’re having a great weekend. Before we bring Simone in and really get the show going, if you like Stargate and you want to see more content like this on YouTube, it would mean a great deal to me if you click the like button. It really makes a difference with YouTube’s algorithm and will definitely help the show grow its audience. Please also consider sharing the video with a Stargate friend, and if you want to get notified about future episodes, click the subscribe icon. Giving the bell icon a click will notify you the moment a new video drops and you’ll get my notifications of any last-minute guest changes. This is key if you plan on watching live. Clips from this live stream will be released over the course of the next several days on GateWorld.net. So with this episode, as is with most episodes, I am going to be asking Simone some questions. Then, over on YouTube.com/DialtheGate, the moderators during that time will be fielding questions from you, the audience. If you want to ask Simone a question, that’s where you’re going to want to do it. And then, after the show, I have some artwork featuring Simone that I will be revealing that I found over at DeviantArt. Without further ado, Simone Bailly. Ka’lel, welcome to the show.

Simone Bailly:
Hi!

David Read:
Welcome back, I should say.

Simone Bailly: Yes! Thank you so much for having me. I’m excited to talk to you.

David Read:
It was a pleasure to have you on for our game last time. I know you’ve been really busy, and it’s like, “Oh, we’re going to get her this month. OK, next year. OK, this month!” Now this month I’ve got you. How are things going?

Simone Bailly:
Really great! Today is a beautiful sunny day, and I’ve taken it upon myself… I’ve become a bit of a home gardener.

David Read:
Really?

Simone Bailly:
Yeah, I’m really into propagating vegetables. The array of vegetables that I…

David Read:
“Propagating vegetables!”

Simone Bailly:
I think it was because I wasn’t sure if we were going to be experiencing the apocalypse – and that’s kind of how it started, but it’s also really fun. I get so much life myself just from watching all of my plants grow.

David Read:
It really does something to you, you know, giving these little things life and then getting to eat them.

Simone Bailly:
Yeah.

David Read:
What are you growing?

Simone Bailly:
I am growing an avocado tree, romaine lettuce, mint, green onions, sweet potatoes, celery, just so many… carrots…

David Read:
This isn’t a patio garden!

Simone Bailly:
Bok choy!

David Read:
Wow! You’ve got a full-fledged garden going!

Simone Bailly:
Yes!

David Read:
Wow, good for you!

David Read:
It’s really fun, and every morning I go out and check on how everyone’s doing, change their water…

David Read:
Give them encouragement.

Simone Bailly:
They’re my babies.

Simone Bailly:
Do you talk to your plants?

Simone Bailly:
I do, I do. And I’ve got flowers as well. So, those are my babies because I don’t have children.

David Read:
Is there any legitimacy to the claims that talking to your plants helps the plants?

Simone Bailly:
I think so.

David Read:
It’s really good for us. It’s certainly good for our mental health to be able to verbalize things. Some people would disagree, but I certainly think it is. [We] talk to our pets, and everything else.

Simone Bailly:
There is some science behind that with things that are water-based or have water in them. Anyway, I think with a little bit of love, everything grows better, us included.

David Read:
That’s certainly true, absolutely. That’s fantastic. All right. My audience, I’ve been lucky to have Suanne Braun on. She has a YouTube show. You do as well.

Simone Bailly: Yes, I do. I have “The Simone Bailly: Show” on my YouTube channel, and yesterday I just finished Episode 12. I’ve also been releasing some videos of my paintings and meditation because I don’t know if a lot of people know this, but I am a certified yoga instructor. I have taught meditation and yoga and things like that, so I’m hoping to drop some more videos as time goes on. I have a lot of videos that I’m still editing and finalizing before they’re released.

David Read:
So, what’s the link? It’s youtube.com/SimoneBailly.

Simone Bailly:
Yeah.

David Read:
Simone, S-I-M-O-N-E-B-A-I-L-L-Y, like it is on the screen?

Simone Bailly:
Yes.

David Read:
Go check it out; we’ll be linking [it] at the end of the show.

Simone Bailly:
My spelling of “Bailly” is not the Irish cream alcohol version; it is a French spelling. So, I think back in the day it would be pronounced [differently], but I just pronounce it Bailly. You can find me there.

David Read: What has it been like – I can certainly relate to this – becoming the host of your own programme and beginning to build out a community… because both of our shows are still really young – we’ve gotta catch up with Suanne Braun; she’s been going for a lot longer. It’s such a satisfying experience to share other people with a fan base. Share the people who have influenced you, the people who have motivated you or that you just like as people. Sharing them with others.

Simone Bailly:
Right. For me, it started as a dare, actually. What had happened was I had always wanted to do my own show and be a content creator online, but I think for me, I just didn’t know how to technically do it. So, what had happened: I was invited to do a Stargate interview on another channel, and the host of that channel and I became friends. He would contact me and said, “You know what, Simone, you should really do your own show. I think fans would love it. It’d be great.” He goes, “What’s to stop you to maybe do it on Wednesday?” I was like, “That’s like two days away!” He goes, “Yeah, just do it.” He phoned me and would teach me all the tech. What an amazing gift; he’s like my YouTube angel. I learned how to do all this stuff, and what is so cool is producing my own show and curating the talent. Already, I’ve interviewed tons of actors from Stargate, Dark Matter, Battlestar Galactica, and all these other amazing shows. As a Canadian who now lives in the U.S., one of my sleeper things I’m doing is showcasing a lot of Vancouver talent that has crossed over onto these bigger American projects. I really want to celebrate that talent and promote them because I’m so proud of everyone. We have such an amazing group of really strong, talented actors and wonderful people, so I always want to celebrate all those people.

David Read: You guys built an industry up there with those sci-fi shows. We just had James Bamford on, and he’s doing Superman and Lois now. It’s like the third or fourth generation of a lot of these sci-fi projects, many of which were launched with Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, and Smallville, and – that ilk. It’s a lot to be proud of. We’re in an age where we’re doing a lot of self-reflection, and a lot of us have a lot of time on our hands and time to watch content like this or listen to it on the road. You don’t even have to have it on the screen; you can just listen to it.

Simone Bailly: It’s a lot of fun, and I’ve had so many amazing comments from all of the fans all over the world. My most recent shows have over… I asked the audience, “Where are you guys tuning in from?” I had over 25 countries. I cannot believe that the reach from my living room all the way everywhere is just so awesome, and it makes me feel really connected. I’m so grateful to provide that entertainment for people, and I learn something every time I do it as well.

David Read: Yeah, I do as well and oftentimes learn… “Oh, don’t push that button…”

Simone Bailly:
Oh, technically. Yeah.

David Read:
Yeah, yeah. Not conversationally. Although, sometimes… you can put you foot in your mouth.

Simone Bailly: Yesterday, I had a really big stream with a very well-known gaming streamer in the video game world, and I realized within minute two that my tech wasn’t working. I had all of these photos I was ready to show, and I learned very quickly, I was like “O! “that’s not working today!” You just can’t be precious about stuff; you just have to be like, “OK, I’m in the moment, I’m just gonna move on.”

David Read:
The live shows are tricky. There’s a spontaneity to them, but they lack polish to a degree. I love this open broadcast software that’s available for free. It took a while to get used to, but I’ve got my numeric keypad to run it.

Simone Bailly:
Oh!

David Read:
Yeah; just left hand, I go back and forth between me, us, and you.

Simone Bailly: You’re like Minority Report doing [gestures].

David Read:
Almost! Where’s my little wooden ball to catch? We’re creative people, and it’s so wonderful to have tools like this to provide free content to people who have loved the work that you guys have produced. So, it’s terrific for sure.

Simone Bailly:
And most of us aren’t going to the movie theater, so…

David Read:
I know! Exactly, There’s so very little new content in that regard. Absolutely.

Simone Bailly:
Right. Yeah.

David Read:
How did you get started in your… I don’t… what’s… my words escape me! How did you get started in your craft? How far does this go back?

Simone Bailly:
Oh! oh, it goes back to me as a wee little girl

David Read:
Little Simone.

Simone Bailly:
Little wee, me. I was born in Calgary, and I had a grandpa who was a well-known jazz musician in Calgary. So I was introduced to show business just as a viewer quite early on. And he would take me to shows because, basically, my grandparents raised me as babysitters while my parents were working, so that was really cool. And then I started in plays at school, in elementary school. I remember I had a crush on this boy in third grade named CJ, right? And he and I got cast opposite each other in this school play, and I played his aunt. But in the play, I had to kiss him, well, as an aunt to a nephew. But to me, it was like, “oh, I get to kiss CJ in front of everyone, and I have to do it!” So that was really exciting for me. And then, of course, I got into plays in high school. I was really active in high school in dance, athletics, singing – I was in the vocal jazz choir. I played piano. I was also on the championship teams for softball and volleyball and all these things…

David Read:
Athletics!

Simone Bailly:
Yeah, and musical theater and all these things. And I knew very early on that I wanted to be an actor from the moment I saw the movie “Grease” with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. As a young kid, when I saw that movie, it was so much fun and lively, and the singing and dancing numbers were just so exciting. And I would play it over and over again, and I would do all the moves and sing along and all that. I absolutely loved playing dress-up, so dress-up was a huge gateway for me. I then, out of school, auditioned to get into one of the top acting programs in Canada at the time, where they have over 150 people apply and audition, and they only take 12. And I made it, and I was so excited!I trained there for my first year, but then I started missing home because that was out in the Toronto area. So then I moved back to Vancouver, where my parents were, and I did the same thing: I auditioned for the program at UBC, the University of British Columbia, which Stargate fans will be interested [in]; is where Michael Shanks and Alex Zahara also trained. They went through the same program as I did, but different years because they’re older than me. And I was one of 12 to be accepted into this program. A bunch of people got cut by the end. I was one of three women to graduate [from] my class. I got to study with the Shakespeare guru of Canada [Neil Freeman]. And from university, I flew to Toronto for an audition for a Shakespeare company. My buddy was so convinced that I would get the lead role if I just took the chance and flew for the audition. And I said, “that’s a big deal for me to fly to Toronto to audition,” you know, all across the country for just an audition that I might not get. He goes, “no, I’m telling you, you’re so good, you should do this.” And I did, and I booked it

David Read:
Wow!

Simone Bailly:
Yeah. So then I got to act with the Shakespeare company and tour with them for five months. So we did two different Shakespeare shows in rep, which means like you do one one night, then you do the other the other night.

David Read:
Switch back and forth.

Simone Bailly:
So it’s a lot to have all that Stargate…. I mean, not “Stargate”…

David Read:
That’s true!

Simone Bailly:
…in your head, right? And then, in addition to that, I was understudying one of the other lead roles. So, it was really cool. And then, yeah, I sang with a band for a while, and I toured and recorded with those guys, singing and playing keyboards. And then, yeah, also got into film, and here I am. No turning back! Yeah.

David Read:
Absolutely. Has it been worth it?

Simone Bailly:
So worth it. So much fun.

David Read:
It’s not easy, is it? It’s a lot of ebbing and flowing.

Simone Bailly:
It isn’t easy. Yeah. But you know, that comes with the territory. And I think it’s just really nice to have something new and fresh all the time, and also get the opportunity to collaborate and work with so many extraordinary people, and also talented individuals from all different walks of life and countries. I just think it’s magical.

David Read:
Tell us about getting cast in Stargate SG-1.

Simone Bailly: It just makes me giddy thinking about it because I just love Stargate so much. I went in for an audition and at the time, I believed it was just a one-episode part, and I had not actually watched the show much because that was, you know, before the days of streaming. It was before a lot of internet, you know, YouTube videos.

David Read:
Hubbub.

Simone Bailly:
Yeah. It was more challenging to watch shows like that. Plus, I was already so active with other productions that sometimes you just don’t have the time to really watch full seasons of a show. But, obviously, I’d heard of it. I knew it was a huge property, and it was very exciting to me. I went in for the audition and I booked it.It was just the coolest thing ever to show up on set and be part of that world.

David Read:
Birthright, Season Seven. Amazonian Jaffa. This was Christopher Judge’s script, and they were talking about wanting to introduce the Amazonian women mythology into Stargate with a Stargate mythological twist to it. It was a group of female Jaffa warriors who had rebelled against their god and were basically protecting as many women from being killed as babies as they could from the Goa’uld Moloc.

Simone Bailly:
Yes, he was committing femicide. So, we were protecting women.

David Read: Tell us about Kal’el. Who was she, and who did she evolve to become?

Simone Bailly: It was a really exciting role for me because when I joined as Kal’el, created by Christopher Judge, that in itself was exciting. I initially started as part of the tribe lower in the ranks, and our tribe was led by Ishta, played by actress Jolene Blalock. She was from Star Trek Enterprise. So, it was really wild for me as an actor. I typically try to endow whoever I’m acting opposite in a bit of the role that they have, so I really, as an actor, looked up to her as my leader.

David Read: Right, yeah! Ishta… Ka’lel would have been a student.

Simone Bailly: Right. Yeah. And me as the actor, I thought it was just a one-episode part, and then they invited me back for Season Eight, and that was fantastic. Then, I was back in Season Nine as well. This one-episode part ended up becoming a recurring role, and that was exciting for me. In the beginning episodes, I was leather-clad on this planet, and then, in the later episodes, I joined the High Council on Dakara. So, that added layer and bonus to my character, which made the whole journey of Ka’lel very dynamic because I went from very low in the ranks to representing my entire planet… for my people. Yeah, which was really exciting.

David Read: Absolutely. What was one of the great things about the show was they would reward the viewer with references to previous episodes through story development, character development, and satellite guest stars. They provided continuity to show that these, or at least make the attempt to say, that these people do continue to exist throughout this reality we are creating in the show. When you were introduced, it was at a pivot point in the Jaffa story where they were, in Season Eight, they were really becoming their own nation and finally getting out from the oppression of the Goa’ulds. There was a lot to do! And as viewers at the time, we were like, “OK, where is this gonna go next? If we’re going to have a Season Nine, they set up a nation, and what does that look like, and who are these people? What are their values?” They’re not necessarily going to be like us. They’re a warrior race, and they have honor and they have their own values, and this is who they are.

Simone Bailly:
Yeah.

David Read:
It was good stuff.

Simone Bailly:
Really good stuff.

David Read:
How about working with Chris?

Simone Bailly:
I love working with Chris. He is so awesome. Actually, he is one of the cast members that.. we still keep in touch. He’ll text me out of the blue, and he actually took me for sushi before the pandemic hit. He’s wonderful to work with. I think he loves when I, as Kal’el, would come on because – I didn’t know this – but every time… if you create a character as a writer, you get a little kickback every time that character plays. But he and I also just personally get along. I think what’s so extraordinary about working on Stargate is the insane level of talent and professionalism, but off camera, it’s just like pure hilarity. We’re constantly joking, and then when the cameras roll, everyone is, like, “indeed.” That was really fun for me.

David Read: There has to be levity. Stargate was pretty good about not going too late into the night. They wanted it to be like a Monday-Friday, kind of 9 to 5, as best as you could in that industry. Though, sometimes there are 18-hour days, there just are. When the cameras are rolling, be professional and get the work done, but when it’s not, you’ve got to have levity.

Simone Bailly: Yeah, and also, here’s something the fans might not know – at least when I was working – you would get maybe one take, maybe three takes to do your stuff on camera, and then they would move on. I had come from theater where you just practice and practice, so I was always like, “are you sure you got it?” But that was really fun. The interesting thing about working on Stargate was, a lot of people don’t know, I was doing two shows, different productions, in the same day. So, I was acting on Stargate, then I’d have to rush over, well, actually vice versa. I would be filming a video game at a whole other studio, and a totally different look for that. And other times I was doing Stargate I was working on another TV series working as a uniformed cop, doing this really tough action role. It was really wild… such a dynamic time for me. I was very fortunate at that time.

David Read: Wow! I wondered about that, because we had talked with Dan Shea, a few weeks ago, who played Siler and was the stunt coordinator on SG1, about how he was double-booked for a day or two, and it caused problems. I didn’t know that was a thing where you could actually do that. I thought that when you’re booked, you’re booked for a whole day. You can actually be booked for half a day?

Simone Bailly: Well, the producers have to work it out.

David Read:
Ah! I was gonna say!

Simone Bailly:
Yeah. They have to be willing to share you and figure out what their day looks like and what they need from you that day. The producers were very kind about working it out with each other, thankfully, so I could do both. God forbid I’d have to say no to a part. That would be unfortunate.

David Read: Well, the industry, like a lot of us who are not in a regular paying field, it ebbs and flows. You got to catch it when you can. So the people who help you do that, you never forget them.

Simone Bailly: Yep.

David Read: How were the costumes?

Simone Bailly: Oh man!

David Read:
That first one! Right!

Simone Bailly:
Firstly, getting cast and going in for a fitting, a lot of my tribe was leather-clad. If you look at photos of what I was wearing, I was in leather pants, leather outfit, leather arm guards, chain mail here and here, and I had a Moloc tattoo on my forehead. I was just blown away walking into the warehouse, the Stargate costume warehouse, seeing the craftsmanship and the detail on every single thing. This isn’t just school glue. It’s really high caliber. Big shout-out to all the teams that worked on all aspects, from the props to the weapons. Everything on Stargate was really top-notch.

David Read: It stands to explain why the show, the franchise, lasted 17 seasons. You’ve got a machine going where everyone knows what it is that they’re doing. They’re not afraid to try something new. By Season Seven, Eight, and Nine, they’re still creating brand new content that is unexpected in so many different ways. And then moving from that leather into council robes, something a little more flowing.

Simone Bailly: Yes! Well, not just that. They were very heavy and weighted, and they had this this giant cow – the necklace that you wear, and I still had the leather armbands and chain mail. You still get a hint of Kal’el’s… old, former wardrobe into this new…

David Read:
It was her identity. It’s who she was.

Simone Bailly:
Yeah.

David Read:
You never know, you may need to go into combat.

Simone Bailly:
That’s true. You gotta be ready at all times.

David Read:
It’s amazing how a costume informs a character, isn’t it?

Simone Bailly:
Yes!

David Read:
Especially with the weight of even something [as] simple [as] council robes. You get the regal authority, like, how significant this is. Did you know going in, was it made clear to you through the script or by talking with Chris and talking with the producers how big a deal it was by Season Nine that the Jaffa had managed to secure their freedom? That was a big deal.

Simone Bailly:
I think I was just so excited to be back that, like, that was the big deal for me – [it] was just who I get to play with, like act with, and the awesome list of actors they kept bringing in for additional guest stars. Just the fact that I got to always work with the SGC team, I just felt so blessed the whole time. It was incredible.

David Read:
I was always hoping that Christopher’s Jaffa story that he wanted to do was going to get off the ground. I’m still hopeful at some point we’ll be able to do something like that, because I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a place for Ka’lel in that story.

Simone Bailly:
Of course there is! I’m here for it! I am ready! I got my Zat gun ready. I’m good to go!

David Read:
And, if you’re paying close attention, in Stargate Universe – listeners, watchers – you may see Simone in the background, depending on how close you’re paying attention. You were actually on board Destiny.

Simone Bailly:
Yes, I was. So that was really just an excuse for me to hang out with everybody. I popped in once in a while as [Sgt.] Lincoln, and it was great.

David Read:
What a set! What a great caliber of people. I was so blown away with that ship. It was something out of H.G. Wells. It was so cool. They put so much money into that thing. It’s just a shame that it got cancelled when it did.

Simone Bailly:
Yeah, well, all the Stargate sets, I mean, just even being in the gate room for SG-1 and seeing the gate really spin and the chevrons really lock, and just everything… it was just so much fun! It was just so awesome!

David Read:
And the whole 10 years that thing ran, it never missed an address. Every time. That gear underneath that thing hit its mark every single time until the day it was decommissioned. That is just nuts!

Simone Bailly:
Yup, it’s the ultimate Uber. No, I’m just kidding!… Never misses its address!

David Read:
That’s funny. You have had a fair amount of interaction with Stargate fans. You and I met at Gatecon 2018… Wow, it’s been that long!

Simone Bailly:
Oh, that was so much fun.

David Read:
I know! What is it like meeting the fan community and seeing their passion for these different series, this franchise, and continuing to want to be involved in your life and creative process and everything else? It’s evergreen – it doesn’t lose its significance.

Simone Bailly:
Yeah, and the conventions, and Stargate in itself, is the gift that keeps on giving. Meeting the fans is such a pleasure, and it lifts me up to meet them and to hear their stories. Just the fact that it is a world-renowned show, and to this day – globally – and there I could be at that convention with you in Vancouver, Canada, and people have flown in from Europe…

David Read:
All over.

Simone Bailly:
All over the world! Just really getting a chance to connect with people and hear that; oh yeah, they watch Stargate, their kids watch Stargate, and their parents watch… so, it’s a whole generational…

David Read:
It’s a whole thing.

Simone Bailly:
Yeah. Some people have talked about how the show really saved them and brought levity into their life when they personally felt a lot of darkness, and being able to watch that show… how helpful it was for them and how much it meant. When people are excited to meet me, I’m just always so surprised, but it’s such a joy. And the fact that they still connect with me… and I’ve made some life-long friends, including you, so I’m really grateful.

David Read:
Wasn’t there a painting or a portrait you had done?

Simone Bailly:
I have done a series of Stargate-inspired paintings. One of which is really fun, and I love it. It’s somewhere out there in the world. I am a huge fan of the episode from Stargate SG-1, “Window of Opportunity.”

David Read:
Yes! It’s a little obscure show that no-one ever talks about.

Simone Bailly:
So, I just loved that ketchup and mustard on the plate. So, I did, as a joke, which was kind of paying homage, I did a painting of that happy face that was initially in ketchup and mustard. Of course, I used paint, not ketchup and mustard. I sold a few paintings…

David Read:
On plates?

Simone Bailly:
No! Not on plates! On canvas. And I’m gearing up to do a series of Stargate paintings and making those available.

David Read:
Well, keep us in the loop on that. I absolutely want to publicize that.

Simone Bailly:
Yeah! I know you also celebrate Stargate-inspired art, so that’s cool.

David Read:
Yes, very much so. Gary Jones has come on and shown some of his work. So, I’d love to have you back and show some of yours off when you have it ready to go. I’d like to do some kind of gallery of it, especially if it’s available to fans because I know some of them will be interested.

Simone Bailly:
Yes, and when fans purchase art from me – it is one of a kind – I always inscribe a personal note to them or whoever they’re gifting it to on the back, so it kind of makes it even more special because it’s kind of getting an autograph and a special note in addition to the art.

David Read:
Yeah; this is for you! That’s exactly right.

Simone Bailly:
Yeah.

David Read:
Very cool. I have some fan questions for you. William Arends: “Do you know why your character was given a name so similar to a Kryptonian, or is that just a coincidence?”

Simone Bailly:
I don’t know, but, you know what, that’s a great question. I was also amazed that they could clear that name because typically every character name or place or… everything needs to be cleared [legally]. The fact that Ka’lel is the name of Superman is crazy!

David Read:
Yeah. Exactly.

Simone Bailly:
But, you know what, I feel like a super woman, like a wonder woman, so I’m all good with it. But I don’t know why. Chris [Judge] never explained that to me. I don’t know if that was something subconscious with him, because surely he must have known.

David Read:
I suspect he had some kind of… I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a deliberate nod to Superman there.

Simone Bailly:
I’ll have to ask him next time we talk.

David Read:
Absolutely. It would certainly make sense, with Amazonian Jaffa, you know. They are sper strength. Teresa [asks], “Do you have an innate love of sci-fi, or was this something you fell in love with when you started doing the work?”

Simone Bailly:
I had an innate love, primarily with movies first. I’m a huge fan of the original trilogy of Star Wars… “Return of the Jedi,” “Empire Strikes Back” – love, love love!. I love “Children of Men,” “District 9,” and…

David Read:
They’re doing another one. They finally announced it.

Simone Bailly:
A new “District 9”?

David Read:
Uh-huh! “District 10.”

Simone Bailly:
That’s gonna be exciting!

David Read:
I know! I can’t wait!

Simone Bailly:
And “[The] Planet of the Apes” movies [are] amazing. My gateway to sci-fi television was actually “Battlestar Galactica.”

David Read:
The new one or the old one?

Simone Bailly:
The newer one.

David Read:
I love Ronald Moore’s Galactica. You’re in it!

Simone Bailly:
…Which I ended up being in the two-part show finale. That was extraordinary for me because I was such a fan of the show, and then to be on the show! I was like, [scream].

David Read:
That’s great sci-fi!

Simone Bailly:
Yeah. Right now, I’m watching “WandaVision,” which is so much fun.

David Read:
I haven’t seen it yet, but I heard a few people say it takes a few episodes to get going.

Simone Bailly:
Not for me! It is so much fun and it is such an unexpected surprise. I really recommend everyone give it a shot. I love “The Mandalorian,” and “Stranger Things,” and “Dark Matter.” So, yeah, I do love sci-fi.

David Read:
Awesome. There’s so much of what’s good “TV” right now streaming is coming out of sci-fi. It’s almost impossible to keep up with – even in pandemic circumstances!

Simone Bailly:
Yeah. I know! We need to clone ourselves just so we can watch everything.

David Read:
Absolutely! GapStargate said; “I just want to have someone mention what Simone means to her fans. She’s a great person.” So, hey, there ya go.

Simone Bailly:
Single tear. Thank you. I appreciate it.

David Read:
Cam Wells [asks]; the spelling of your name is French. Do you speak French?

Simone Bailly:
I was taught French in school because, in Canada, French is our second language.I do not consider myself fully fluent. Although, when traveling in Vietnam one year, I shocked myself that I actually could hold a conversation in French with a man there. I couldn’t believe it. I was like, “who’s this person?”

David Read:
It came back.

Simone Bailly:
Yeah, it came back to me.

David Read:
Any projects we should be on the lookout [for], in addition to your show and your Stargate art? Anything in the popper?

Simone Bailly:
It’s interesting, well, because I did have a feature film documentary that I was going to star in. Right before the pandemic I was supposed to fly to China – my mother is Chinese – and a documentarian wanted to fly my parents and me back to her village and kind of see me go back to where her roots are from.

David Read:
Have you been to where she’s from?

Simone Bailly:
I have not.

David Read:
You have not. OK.

Simone Bailly:
No, my mom and dad and her brother went on a voyage to go see what it’s like, and it was quite a wild story. She moved from there very young, so their house was left completely intact, and they just locked the door and closed it. When she went back from being a little girl to now, you know, she’s in her mid-70s, the place was still the exact same, and the neighbor – oddly – recognized her…

David Read:
Oh my god!

Simone Bailly:
Her face, and was like, “I still have the key.” They went, did a whole tea ceremony, and blessed the place. I guess we have this property, well they have, in China.

David Read:
Wow. Holy cow!

Simone Bailly:
That’s a cool story.

David Read:
Any chance that could still happen?

Simone Bailly:
It’s tricky because of the politics. Anyway, not getting too much into that, but there are a lot of complicated things, so I’m not sure that’s going to happen. But that was supposed to happen. Then, of course, I had conventions lined up that I was supposed to go. I was supposed to go to the UK for “Not Just Another Sci-Fi Con” and also Gatecon. I mean, when it’s clear, I will be doing more conventions live. I’ve been auditioning for some pretty big projects, so we’ll see how everything pans out with that. As for my show, I’ve got a show coming on next Saturday.

David Read:
Next Saturday?

Simone Bailly:
Yeah!

David Read:
OK.

Simone Bailly:
If you see me on social media, I will hype all that.

David Read:
Absolutely. We’ll help promote it as well.

Simone Bailly:
Thank you.

David Read:
That’s terrific! I think we need to have an episode at some point with you, me, and Suanne Braun. Get all the hosts together, field questions, and maybe do some kind of episode rewatch or something of that sort.

Simone Bailly:
You know what’s funny is she was the very first guest I approached. I said, “Suanne, I’d like to invite you to be my first guest,” and she said, “Oh, darling, I can’t. I’m doing my own show. I’ve got people booked all the way into the fall.” I was like, “Wow, you are so much further ahead of me.” She’d just lined up all of her guests, and I… But yes… I think she’s doing some great stuff. You too! It’s really been a joy to watch all of us grow our channels.

David Read:
And securing guests is like herding cats. Everyone has the best intentions, but securing everybody and making schedules work and everything else is not the easiest thing in the world. It’s the hardest part about this, in my opinion.

Simone Bailly:
One of my shows took two and a half months to secure the group panel I was trying to coordinate because everyone is so busy.

David Read:
Yeah, exactly. What they’re dealing with, they’re managing to make it work. It’s nice to see so many of these talent[s] working again through this whole situation. Despite it. Canada’s… they’ve figured it out. People like Amanda Tapping, it’s catch-as-catch-can with Amanda. We’ve been trying to get her since September and she just keeps on going and going. And we’re like, “good for you! This is great!”

Simone Bailly:
I think it’s so fantastic that she’s become the director that she has as well. I remember back in the day she wanted to direct “Stargate,” and I think that was a really challenging thing for her at first. There was a bit of reluctance handing the keys to the car over to somebody. I’m just so impressed and inspired by her constantly. She’s just an amazing actress as-is…

David Read:
She’s a force.

Simone Bailly:
Yeah, but just to see what she’s done. I, too, have been dipping my toes into directing, and I would love to see that happen for me as well. She’s inspiring.

David Read:
She is indeed. Anything else we can bring to light or get fans to look forward to before we let you go? So, you’ve got your next show this coming Saturday, right?

Simone Bailly:
I will keep you updated as to how my avocado tree growing.

David Read:
Yes, please! I want to see some pictures.

Simone Bailly:
I’ve been cooking a lot, really pushing the corners on what I can cook. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been killing it in the homemade ramen game because… I don’t always get to go to all the restaurants I want to eat at. I thought, “OK, metaphorically teach myself how to fish – learn how to cook those things I wish I could get from a restaurant.” And also, you know, just, it’s fun. I love learning things.

David Read:
I appreciate you coming on. It’s been a pleasure to have you. We’ve got to do something where we get a bunch of you back. I want to do another… and I have been talking with the guys over at Wyvern about it… of doing another Stargate role-playing session. That other one was just so much fun.

Simone Bailly:
That was such a blast. I loved that!

David Read:
It was a blast!

Simone Bailly:
It was so great. I would definitely be down for that.

David Read:
Well, I’ll put you down then. I’ll let you know as soon as we get a date. We’re going to put it around toward when the product comes out. So, hopefully not too long from now.

Simone Bailly:
I hope those guys can send me some of those sweet Stargate dice.

David Read:
Yes! Exactly. They’re so cool! We will make that happen. It’s been a pleasure to have you. It’s good to see you again.

Simone Bailly:
You too. It’s always a pleasure to speak with you, and my love to all of the fans. Thank you so much for all of your support, now and through the years. I’m just really grateful for everyone.

David Read:
Absolutely. And be sure to check the link below a few minutes after recording this for “The Simone Bailly: Show” or just type “Simone Bailly:” into YouTube, and you’ll get there as well. Simone, thank you so much.

Simone Bailly:
Thank you.

David Read:
I appreciate your time, and we’ll be in touch very soon. OK?

Simone Bailly:
Yes! Everyone take care. You too.

David Read:
Bye-bye now.

Simone Bailly:
All right, bye!

David Read:
Simone Bailly, Ka’lel in Stargate SG-1 – great human being. I think the world of her. Bumped into her at Gatecon 2018 and became fast friends. So, all right, I do have some artwork, and this is from Elser, I believe the name is correct. This is a portrait of Simone, best known for her role as the Jaffa warrior Ka’lel in the series Stargate SG-1, but also for the role of Grace in the TV series “The L Word,” and Shona in “Battlestar Galactica.” You know, the DeviantArt website is such a well of absolutely beautiful, beautiful art of all different mediums, all different styles, you know, and this was really cool when I came across this. So, I absolutely had to share it. Today is your last day to own a piece of the Pegasus Dial Home Device for the month of February. Dial the Gate is partnering with Empire Movie Props to give away this piece of the DHD from the Atlantis episode “Phantoms.” To enter to win, you need to use a desktop or a laptop computer and visit DialtheGate.com, scroll down to submit trivia questions. Your trivia may be used in a future episode of Dial the Gate, either for our monthly trivia night or for a special guest to ask me in a round of trivia. Please note: the submission form does not currently work for mobile devices. Please get your trivia in before Eastern Time, midnight March 1st. If you’re the lucky winner, I’ll be notifying you via your email to get your address, and big thanks to Empire Movie Props for making this item available to our audience. Dial the Gate is brought to you every week for free, and we do appreciate you watching. But if you want to support the show further, buy yourself some of our themed swag. We’re now offering t-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts, and hoodies for all ages and a variety of sizes and colors at Redbubble. We currently offer four themed designs and hope to add more in the future. The word cloud designs have both a solid background or a transparent background option, so you have some flexibility when choosing a light or dark color – do keep that in mind when you’re making your selection. Checkout is fast and easy, and you can even use your Amazon or PayPal account. Just visit DialtheGate.redbubble.com, and thank you for your support. I do have, Bernd Backhaus wanted to know: can we please do a crossover with Sueanne? Yes. Sueanne and I were talking about that as well. I’d love to do something with all the YouTube hosts at some point too. Thanks so much to Sommer, Tracy, Keith, Jeremy, Rhys, Linda (Gate Gabber) Furey, and Jennifer Kirby – you guys are making the show happen, and I appreciate everyone for tuning in. Next weekend, before I let you guys go, we do have Saul Rubinek joining us on March 7th at 11 a.m. Pacific Time. He’s going to be taking us back to Stargate SG-1’s “Heroes” with Emmett Bregman, and then at 1 p.m., two hours later, Vaitiare Hirshon, Sha’re, and Amaunet from Stargate SG-1 as well. She’s going to be joining us. Those are March 7th, which is next Sunday, here on Dial the Gate. Thanks so much for tuning in, everyone. I really do appreciate your time, and I’m glad that you’re enjoying the show. Please give us a thumbs up if you are indeed liking the show, consider subscribing, and letting your fellow Stargate fans know about it. Thanks so much for tuning in. My name is David Read for Dial the Gate. See you on the other side.