CliffSimonReview2

that Cliff was annoyed with the fact that all of us - including myself - prefferred to perv rather than to enjoy Cliff’s acting ability. Egoli is a soap-opera so the chance for meaty roles is not great because of the limited time of the show.

But, here in Stargate-SG1 Cliff’s acting abilities really shine! Now I don’t want to give away too much because M-NET is currently screening Stargate-SG1 on the Action-X channel. He appears in the episodes Summit & Final Stand which are superb in their visible extra budget (I think the budget really increased from Series 4 on - Stargate SG-1 is currently at zenith with Season 9

being the best ever I have heard) special effects! Outstanding is a word that comes to mind. We get to see all those nasty Goa’ulds like Baal and the mesmerising Osiris. It is with this show that the producers of the show seem to allow development of the characters. Cliff Simon’s Baal is a triumph of fine acting. Cliff we have read really enjoys playing the baddie Baal and it shows. This character has depth and substance something that Cliff brought to the show. When watching the others play Goa’ulds you get the impression that they are trying to make a grand thing of it but Cliff becomes the Goa’uld Baal!.

Baal is a nasty guy make no mistake and Cliff delivers! But, at the same time he keeps the character interesting by providing a glint of his humour revealed in his most beautiful eyes which Cliff makes quite dark and black looking for the role - truly menacing.

There is a fantastic scene where Lord Baal chows down on some of his fellow Goa’ulds - it makes you squirm as it is revolting. Yet I cannot help but wonder how many takes it took because there is a sense of humour about it all! Likewise when he is busy peppering MacGyver oops Colonel O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) with savage tenacity using daggers, you cannot help but wonder if Baal is really enjoying it! All in all I would say that Baal is one of the most enjoyable Goa’uld characters to watch next to Osiris. The others

including Anubis and especially Anubis come accross as rather effete - as one of my friends calls Anubis the moffie from outer space - because he is just so over the top drama queenish. I would - after watching his hand and wrist movements have to agree. I think many of these actors failed to understand their characters - perhaps sci-fi is not their genre but Cliff Simon excels in his interpretation of the role - without a doubt.

And, if you think I am wrong and waxing too lyrical about Cliff Simon, take a look at the web. Type Cliff Simon into google and you will see the accolades and acclaim he has and is winning. It just makes you wonder why no-one here made use of such talent! Cliff is a talented and gifted person which his bio reveals.

He was born a Vaalie (ag shame!) went to finishing school in London my dear and returned to be in - girls wait for it - our airforce!!! Sigh -thereafter at some point he was an international and Olympic qualifying swimmer and a national gymnast. Now you know why he has such a wonderful physique!

He worked in Europe for twelve years as a professional model and dancer, and performed for a year at the Moulin Rouge in Paris as an acrobat dancer and understudy to the principal singer.

He returned to South Africa in 1987