Aikido

[Brokenmace]

Under my philosophy, that question is something of a nonstarter. But I won't vacillate with you.

It depends on the time and effort you assume I've put in. Since I haven't spent twenty years in the martial arts, I'd rather use what I've already learned. To break it down, it is a mix of Thai, Kali, Jujitsu, and Wing Chun. It is a mixed range curriculum which will take care of any of the ranges I find myself in.

Because I don't know the particulars of your hypothetical (i.e. location, time of day, number of opponents, etc.), this would be my answer, because it covers more of the spectrum.

Having said that, I still wouldn't pick on Steven Segal, even if Francis Fong did make a mockery of him. I'd rather walk away, thank you.

te-he-he.

[Guest]

Whats this about Francis Fong and Segal? I ain't heard anything?

[Szczepankiewicz]

Why must I....

...always have to correct your English, you twit!


The correct phrase is "I ain't heard nuthin'!"

[Brokenmace]

Like many martial artists, Dan Inosanto has worked with moviemakers for choreographic purposes.

Well, it turns out that he was on the set of some film (not clear on which film it was) and Segal was there too. They were working on some scene or another on a matt, trying to show some others how it would go.

Segal, being the kind of person he apparently is, treated Inosanto with a good measure of disrespect. Inosanto was up there in age already, and I think he's like 64 now or something. Anyway, Segal threw him pretty hard onto the matt, almost missing the matt entirely (as I hear it).

This hurt Sifu Dan's back, so he was forced to quite for the day, and Segal neither apologized for nor acknowledged his behavior or its consequences.

Apparently Francis Fong was on the set that day, and had words with Segal, him being a friend of Inosanto's. It went something like: "Why don't you try that one on me?"

Segal walked up to him, and the second he moved Fong slipped his move and slapped him hard across the face, causing a red welt to appear.

Apparently Segal left both of them alone after that.

That's the story.

[MrPoopy]

Dan was doing choreography for one of seagal's movies? or they just both happened to be there at the same time?

I wouldn't be suprised if Steven Seagal is a total ass.

[terry]

I'm surprised that the scene in which Gene LaBelle choked out Steven Segal on a movie set hasn't come up.

Terry

[Brokenmace]

Honestly I'm not sure which it was, MrPoopy. I never asked, as I'm usually totally disinterested in Steven Segal movies, save for the fight scenes. The plots and characters are laughable without fail.

But I do know that Steven Segal has worked on many movies he has not starred in. Maybe it was one of those.

I never heard that LaBelle story, Terry. Enlighten us.

[terry]

This episode wasn't shot on camera and wasn't part of the plot. Must be the real Steven Segal...

They take Gene LaBelle in to do one or two stunts a year, just enough to get his insurance through the screen actor's guild. Well, Gene is getting up there in years and is a pretty unassuming guy. Steven Segal starts throwing his weight around on the set, acting mean and threatening to the stunt men. Apparently, Gene LaBelle grabbed him and choked him into convulsions, such that he peed his pants. When Steven Segal woke up he was pretty mad. I guess he later tried--unsuccessfully--to use his influence in the movie industry to get Gene LaBelle blacklisted from doing further stunt work.

Heresay on my part, of course, but from a very reliable source. Also not out of character for either Gene LaBelle or Steven Segal.

Terry

[jee t]

I just want to say, if Segal did that to Bruce, it would be over. Im sure Bruce wouldnt be as kind as Dan and let that go, especially after what Bruce did to Bob Wall

[doubleouch]

I heard that Francis Fong story from one of his students who was there. Kind of funny. If you never saw Francis he is 5 foot nothing and Segal is what 6foot 3. Imagine that little guy bitch slapping him. Francis is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet but he is extremely loyal to his friends and not afraid to jump in to defend them when needed. Dan Innosanto's humility would never permit him to retaliate. Francis is also the only good argument for keeping wing chun in JKD that I have ever seen. That dude can shut you down like lightning.

[Guest]

We have an actor here in England called Michael Caine. He is exceptionally well known in our country, and has been in some classic british films. Even if you Americans don't know him by name I guarantee you will know his face.

Anyway, I was reading an interview with Segal about a film he had been in with Michael Caine (Caine fills his wallet working in shite films inbetween the classics).

Anyway, Seal was very rude about Caine's ability AS AN ACTOR! I couldn't believe it! It would be like someone taking a few Karate lessons and then trying to look down on Bruce Lee.

I always thought he must be a right arse-hole after that, and I have loved reading these things about Fong and LaBelle.

Thanks guys!

[Roland]

The really messed up thing about Steven Segal criticising Michael Caine's acting is that...Segal is possibly the WORST actor of all time and the film in which they appeared (I believe it was called "On Deadly Ground") was a bloated, self-important piece of poop. It did get kudos from me because of a great monologue by Lee Ermey in which he spends half an hour (it felt like half an hour) telling one of his underlings what a BAAAADDDD mo-fo Steven Segal's character is and how they are all in deep doo-doo for having messed with him (the monologue was no doubt penned by Steven Segal himself or some wacko whose bed-room is a shrine to the man).

[Brokenmace]

Most Americans I know that can place the name love Michael Caine. Did you see Austin Powers: Gold Member? He's a funny guy.

Well, I guess my Francis Fong story is borne out. That's funny.

But for those of us who think Wing Chun is a joke, it only goes to show that with proper dedication and training a great many martial arts that folks thumb their noses at might work!

Fong and Segal can play patticake all they want. I'm not getting in the middle just to get a gimp arm and some busted ribs for my trouble