Editing Jack O'Neill (section)

===Conception===
[[File:Richard Dean Anderson 2004.jpg|thumb|200px|upright|Anderson at the 2004 [[Air Force Association]] dinner where he was recognized for the show's continuous positive depiction of the [[United States Air Force]].]]
John Symes approached Michael Greenburg and [[Richard Dean Anderson]] of ''[[MacGyver (1985 TV series)|MacGyver]]'' fame.<ref name="timeline">{{cite video |people=[[Brad Wright|Wright, Brad]]; [[Jonathan Glassner|Glassner, Jonathan]]; Greenburg, Michael; [[Richard Dean Anderson|Anderson, Richard Dean]]; [[Michael Shanks|Shanks, Michael]]; [[Amanda Tapping|Tapping, Amanda]] |date=2001 |title=Stargate SG-1: Season 3 &ndash; Timeline To The Future &ndash; Part 1-3 | medium = DVD |publisher=[[MGM Home Entertainment]]}}</ref> Although Anderson was never a real fan of the [[science fiction]] genre, he believed the original [[feature film]] to be a good vehicle for a series.<ref name=dailybruin>{{cite news |last=Harwin |first=A.J |url=http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/archives/id/14227/ |title='Stargate SG-1' teleports into second season of production |newspaper=[[Daily Bruin|The Daily Bruin]] |date=December 2, 1998 |access-date=October 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003011458/http://www.dailybruin.com/404.html |archive-date=October 3, 2012 }}</ref> Anderson agreed to become involved with the project if his character was allowed significantly more comedic leeway than [[Kurt Russell]]'s character in the feature film, shown especially Anderson's flippant and utter disregard for appropriate military protocol and decorum over the series, which contrasted Russell's "by the book" adherence to protocol. He also requested ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' to be more of an [[Ensemble cast|ensemble show]], so that he would not be carrying the plot alone as on ''[[MacGyver (1985 TV series)|MacGyver]]''.<ref name=tvzones46_4>{{cite journal |last=Eramo |first=Steven | title=Richard Dean Anderson &ndash; Mr Anderson &ndash; Colonel O'Neill |journal=[[TV Zone]] |issue=Special 46 |pages=4&ndash;9 |date=July 2002}}</ref> Anderson was part of the main cast from season 1 through 8 and played a recurring role in several episodes each season thereafter. He was influential in the development of O'Neill's character and personality from the beginning. While he praised the work done by Russell in the ''Stargate'' film, he said he couldn't be that serious all the time and worked with the writers and directors to give his O'Neill a more lighthearted tone while maintaining the sense of importance the role required. Additionally, he joked that he would never be able to get his hair to stay like Russell's.<ref name="timeline"/> This "double personality" was also joked in the second season, when Jack introduced himself as: "It's 'O'Neill,' with two 'L's. There's another Colonel O'Neil with only one L, and he has no sense of humor at all." Fans have speculated that the transition is due to Russell's O'Neill still being deeply traumatised by the recent death of his son, while Anderson's has overcome the worst of his issues even if he makes it clear he will never forget his loss.