Hello from Germany, new member here!

[Melli]

Hey folks,

new member here, not a new fan though. I’m Melli (or just Mel, short for Melanie) and I’m from Germany. Not only wanna say hello but also tell you a bit about why I joined… (that late). EARLY WARNING: This post could get a lil long…

Been a fan of Dirk even before I was a teen. The sci-fi bug stroke me very early in my life, thanks to my aunt who introduced my brother and me to the sci-fi world when my bro was 8 and I was 5. Everything sci-fi just had to be consumed, and so it was inevitable that I’d watch Battlestar Galactica and was totally hooked, with Starbuck (the one and only!) becoming my absolute favorite character at first sight.

When I really, really like an actor or actress in the very first role I spot them, I stick with them forever. Whenever there is a movie or tv show with one of those actors or actresses, I watch it no matter what. Even if it’s the 20th re-run. Dirk has been one of those actors (actually the first ever!) to me for what feels like to be my entire life, seeing as Battlestar Galactica was made when I was born and aired in Germany in the 80s when I was just barely old enough to understand at least a bit of what was going on.

A few weeks ago one of Dirk’s movies was on TV (Blue Tornado) and I – of course – watched it (even though I already knew it). At that time I wasn’t following his career closely though (nor any of the other actors or actresses I like a lot), in terms of searching everything about him in the internet or so.

But on that day it was different… for whatever reason I had some fond memories of my childhood, when my bro and I – albeit in all other things being like cat and dog – would sit together in the living room and watch the A-Team. I felt the urge to watch an episode (or two, or three) of the A-Team. Only problem was, even though the show has been on re-runs in Germany since I can think, it wasn’t at that very moment when I had that urge. So I thought… maybe Amazon prime has them (they don’t in Germany, boo). I spotted the DVD box-set instead. Tempting, tempting…

Ah well, why not? I ordered it. And while I was already at Amazon… what else could I snatch? Found a couple moves and ordered them, too. I already knew some of them like Sssssss, Body Slam, Blue Tornado, Goldene Zeiten or Alaska. Others I wasn’t aware of, like Ruckus (dang! What a movie).

As I kept scrolling through the Amazon pages I stumbled over a book. Wait, a book? Someone wrote about Dirk? No wait, Dirk wrote the book? *gasp* Wth, he actually wrote two books???? I just had to order them, too.

The DVD box-sets (yes plural, because when you get the A-Team you also have to get Battlestar Galactica, of course!) and the first movies arrived and I started my binge watching marathon. And surprise, I realized that in all these years I haven’t seen all episodes of the A-Team, some were indeed completely new to me! *gasp* Turns out I didn’t know (or remember?) most of the 5th season, not sure why. I was a bit shocked when I saw the episode where Faceman was shot down. I mean what the heck? Wasn’t the A-Team supposed to be a no blood show? They would fire the heaviest arms but nobody would get hurt, and now he’s shot down and so close to be 6 feet under. It felt so wrong (he played it so well though!). The whole 5th season felt different, but that’s another story.

There was another treat for me that came with all the DVDs. As I always watched Dirk’s movies or shows on TV only, I only got to see the dubbed versions. It took me that long (for real!) to hear his own voice for the first time. Thinking about it now I gotta slap myself. Why did I wait that long for that? Especially the A-Team felt so different when I heard the real voices. So much better. The German voice-over wasn’t that good lip-sync-wise (but very familiar as I grew up with that), and it made the characters appear somewhat unreal. The show got a whole new tone for me with the real voices, and felt more realistic.

Anyways, then the first book arrived (Kamikaze Cowboy). I took a break from binge watching and started reading. I literally plowed through the book, I couldn’t let go of it until I was through in just 2 days. Well, it is not entirely true that I plowed through it because I had to stop reading a couple times. At certain parts it was just too much for me and I had to let it all sink in.

I had no idea, I even feel guilty for having been so careless and ignorant. You see a cute fella on TV who can act, who is funny, self-ironic, yet manly and brave, who makes everything so much better for you at that very moment as you just enjoy the 45 minutes of dream world that makes you forget your own problems, at least for a while. And you never think about the person behind that character, because you are too busy with your own crap. I had no idea just what a wild life Dirk has had. He’s been given so many bitter lemons and so, so much rejection in his life, I have no idea how he can still be so positive. Kudos to him for that!

I gotta say I absolutely love, love, love how directly and honestly he voices his opinions and how he stands by them. So many folks, and especially the high billed Hollywood league, just beat around the bush and try to be as political correct as possible. But as soon as there is someone who has another opinion he has to be slapped down as if having different opinions is something that may not exist. It is really ironic considering how “tolerant” those people think they are. I love it how Dirk sticks to his guns come hell or high water. He’s a real guy, there’s nothing fake about him. As I realized when the book was written I felt that Dirk was way ahead of his time. A lot of things he predicted - luckily including his (risky) self-healing - came true. It’s just so sad that this caused so much rejection for him because people thought of him as a weirdo.

I still have to read his second book because it hasn’t been delivered yet. I gotta confess I am a bit scared to read it as I already heard what it’s all about.

I went back to my newly acquired DVDs and stumbled over the extras on the Battlestar Galactica box-set. Ohhhhhhh, Dirk does conventions??? Typical for me that I didn’t know that earlier and prolly missed my chance. But thanks to the modern world I discovered a bunch of Youtube videos. That guy… so witty, so very smart, so literate, such a free spirit, and he talks and talks and talks it’s just so damned cute. I was surprised that he revealed so much about himself. And I was flabbergasted when I discovered all the BB videos on Youtube. Now that I discovered those videos I dimly remember that it was mentioned in tabloid papers in Germany that Dirk would join BB. But I totally forgot about it as it never aired in Germany as far as I can remember (the UK version that is). I watched a bit of that, which made me adore him even more. But I had to stop watching because… ugh… never seen so many immature and spiteful people at once. But good for him he came out as 3rd winner. I think the people all over the world still love him (as opposed to the establishment) and I just don’t understand how anyone could not. He’s just an amazing guy. A Legend!

I know I’ve rambled a lot. And I know I am very late with showing my appreciation for Dirk. But I just had to share. If you have read thus far, thank for you for that. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to chat with you all more here.

Cheers!

[Cassiebsg]

Welcome Mel.

I think you'll fit just right in here. ;D

[Ludlum'sDaughter14]

Greetings, Melli!

I enjoyed reading your introductory post very much. I think most of us share your feelings about Dirk's work and writing and personality, and you articulated your thoughts very well! As Cassiebsg said, you'll fit right in here! This is the place to be at if you're looking for all the information and discussions about Dirk that you can't find in YouTube videos.

I hope you'll enjoy exploring the threads and you'll hop in on some discussions or start a few of your own. If you have any questions about how the forum works or finding anything (I've been on here a while and I still get confused sometimes), all you have to do is ask. You might enjoy one of the most recent threads that has a link to a podcast interview Dirk just did last month, and one of his little-known articles is also linked at the end of the thread: https://www.dirkbenedictcentral.com/f...ead.php?t=1607

Welcome to DBC!

All the best,
LD14

[Vballspieler]

Hi Mel,

I smiled as i read your post. Wilkommen. Deustchland ist sehr schon! (add umlaut - my computer doesn't offer that option).

The reason i smiled is that i think a bunch of us have felt the exact same way. Have no fear, Dirk likes Europe and usually does at least one convention over there a year. I have no reason to think that this year will be any different.

I liked his second book. I related to it more than the first and yes, he has a fantastic attitude for all of the obstacles that he has been through. I'm a little jealous. I get frustrated at my obstacles. I read the first from cover to cover without stopping. I read the second with a couple of breaks. Work just interrupted my reading time.

I binge-watched Ateam and BSG on netflix. I miss them not being there as I could watch episode after episode without getting up.

There are threads about his performances. You can read multiple reviews and add your own review to the thread.

[Melli]

Heyas!

Thanks for the nice welcome.

I still have a LOT of catching up to do, so your suggestions to check out certain threads are greatly appreciated. The interview was very interesting (and long!), the interviewer was great. One can tell that Dirk felt very comfortable. I might comment more about it later in the related thread.


But Youtube is sooooo evil! I watch one video and Youtube suggests another, and another, and another (and there are so many!). And so time flies and often I realize at around 2am or so that maybe, maybe I should get some sleep before work. I'm starting to get fatigue… and I haven't even gotten all DVDs yet and haven't started reading book no. 2. My poor soul is lost.

Hey one question about what you wrote… is there a way to find out when and where Dirk is going to attend a convention? Depending on where it will be it would require some planning on my end to be able to go there.

[elainesteel]

Welcome Melli! Nice to meet you! Enjoy your time here!

[Ludlum'sDaughter14]

Originally Posted by Melli

But Youtube is sooooo evil! I watch one video and Youtube suggests another, and another, and another (and there are so many!). And so time flies and often I realize at around 2am or so that maybe, maybe I should get some sleep before work. I'm starting to get fatigue… and I haven't even gotten all DVDs yet and haven't started reading book no. 2. My poor soul is lost.

Hey one question about what you wrote… is there a way to find out when and where Dirk is going to attend a convention? Depending on where it will be it would require some planning on my end to be able to go there.

I feel your pain. I was in the middle of my last year of college or thereabouts when I had the urge to watch all the Big Brother episodes on YouTube. I spent most of my two-day weekend just binge-watching episodes, until I realized I'd never finish them before Monday unless I started skipping bits. And yeah, I got to the end, but felt like a crazy woman. Thankfully, on YouTube you know the videos will still be there even if you don't watch them this minute. I've started saving a lot of videos (not just of Dirk, but everything) to my Watch Later playlist so they'll come up again. Also you can create your own playlist and save other people's videos to it, so you may like to do that with Dirk's interviews and panels.

For upcoming interviews and conventions, this forum is also the place to go. There's a list in the Cruises and Conventions category in a pinned thread called Upcoming Appearances. Every time Dirk confirms that he's going to a new event, John (the webmaster of DBC) will post the location and details in that thread. He also usually starts a separate thread just for that convention/appearance so we can discuss it or post pictures if we go.

[LittleMonkeyDog]

Warm welcome to you Melli! Read your post, loved it and it made me smile. I'm sure you'll have lots of fun on here. And we're looking forward to be chatting with you.

I've read both books cover to cover and still read them every now and then and I also love to watch episodes of either the A-team or BSG (I have both on DVD). I'm also trying to collect some more of his movies. Already have a couple ...

Found out myself not that long ago that Dirk does conventions (in Europe) and already met him three times in the mean time. He's a wonderful person and I sure hope he'll do another convention somewhere in Europe this year so we can meet up again.

Hope to hear from you again soon

[WelshPoppy30]

Hi Melli a very warm welcome to you, I really enjoyed reading your intro it's great!

I loved watching The A-Team when I was younger with my brother's over my grandparents house on a Saturday showing repeats but memories of some episodes were dwindling as I got older, which happens. So skipping 20 years or so listening to my partner's memories of watching the show, we decided to gradually get each season, and the episodes that were a dwindling memory came back Faceman and Murdock were/are my favourite Characters and have been a fan of Dirks ever since. Really enjoy Battlestar Galactica and was so pleased when I finally got the box set. Seen a segment of the remake, it's wasn't the same glad I saw the original first and that's how it will stay.
We have also read both books. Strangely I found out about ATWWF first (was engrossed immediately) and then saw he wrote a book previous to that but it was a good while before I purchased, it was in the back of my mind to get CKC and I actually got it I feel at the right time for us (again, engrossed and very eye opening). We met Dirk last year when he visited the UK and very kindly signed both books (can't believe it was almost a year ago!) Love his writing style and love the fact he speaks his mind, is not afraid to be himself and encourages people to be themselves. He certainly deserves more credit than he's been given for his acting and it's such a shame he hasn't been given more parts.
Hope you enjoy yourself here Melli everyone is so lovely I have felt so welcome here

[Melli]

Ty ty all, such a sweet welcome. I already feel home.

How do you quote in here from different posts? Just to make my answers appear a bit more sorted...

Thanks for pointing me to the conventions thread, I've bookmarked it. I'd love to see the goofball on stage one day (preferably together with Dwight Schultz, those two together are so funny) and having the books signed would be awesome, too.

The second one arrived this morning btw.... I'm so scared to read it, especially after I watched a bit of BB some days ago when everyone was ganging up on Dirk and he was so upset. BB is nothing against what I'm about to read though.. so scared.

As for him deserving more credit for his acting, I totally agree. But then again, his fans remember him to this day and also the media (at least over here) keeps remembering him and brings him up every now and then. I do not know anyone in my family or of my friends or even colleagues who does not know him and very much appreciates what he (and the others of course) did for us. Dirk must feel all the love on conventions and hopefully it makes him realize that while he was rejected by the establishment, his fans have always loved him.

Besides, you never know what everything was good for. He seems very content with his life despite all the setbacks. Whenever a door closes another one opens. And honestly I'm not sure I would have liked it if Hollywood had absorbed him entirely if he had become as big a star as the likes of Brad Pitt or Leo DiCaprio. I'm pretty sure if Dirk had played the Hollywood game and bent himself he could have been able to rise to such heights, but at what cost? He wouldn't be the same because he would have had to keep his mouth shut, hide his conservative stance and always talk politically correct. That and he'd have lost his privacy entirely because tabloids are evil. Add very successful to smoking hot and the chase is on, they would have been on his tail all the time in the hope to find anything which they can morph into a scandal. The way it is now is the right way, it is his way.

I rather see a real person who is down to earth than a fake uber celebrity who is unable to speak his mind.

[Wim]

Welcome Melli!
As Vballspieler said many of us have had similar experiences that brought us here. Reading yours is kind of like reading my own story ... (Except for me being a guy, so what his looks concerns I am not biased ... or maybe in another way )
(I wrote it down somewhere ... so if you browse this forum you might stumble upon it)

[Vballspieler]

Mel,

You will learn the tricks to posting. The regular group will be able to help you out. If you need some magic done, let Dawg (a.k.a John, a.k.a our fearless webmaster) know. He can move posts or make them look amazing.

I don't think Dirk has any regrets leaving Hollywood. He would much rather be who he is rather then pc and living in a mansion. Living in the country is so different than living in LA. Montana is also much colder than California, so maybe he misses the warmth when it's freezing cold outside.

[LittleMonkeyDog]

Originally Posted by Vballspieler

Mel,

You will learn the tricks to posting. The regular group will be able to help you out. If you need some magic done, let Dawg (a.k.a John, a.k.a our fearless webmaster) know. He can move posts or make them look amazing.

I don't think Dirk has any regrets leaving Hollywood. He would much rather be who he is rather then pc and living in a mansion. Living in the country is so different than living in LA. Montana is also much colder than California, so maybe he misses the warmth when it's freezing cold outside.

VBS is right! You'll get a hang of the tricks to posting soon and we're all here to help you if we can (but John is the one with the magic ).

And I also agree that I don't think Dirk regrets leaving Hollywood and is happy with the life he's leading.

[Flygirl]

Hi Melli!! Nice to "meet" you! 🙂