lurkers-guide/ftp/CompuServe/cs97-02

JMS CompuServe messages for February 1997.  Collected by John Hardin
<jhardin@wolfenet.com>.



Date: 01 Feb 1997 00:06:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All 
Subject: Scotty Fired

      Don't know if anyone's mentioned it yet, but since it's been in
the trades I thought people might want to know...apparently Paramount
was unhappy with Jimmy Doohan doing a part on Homeboys from Outer Space
(I think that's the title) that had a scottish accent and a mustache
and was kind of a parody of Scotty...and they pressured the production
company to terminate his contract.  And now he's off the show.

      It's hard enough for actors to find work on the best of days. 
But this sort of thing is just appalling.  If there are fans of Jimmy
Doohan's work who are less than thrilled with this heavy-handed
treatment (which has many folks in the Industry out here annoyed as
well; Bill Mumy was nearly speechless when he heard it) and who want to
note this with the studio, you're certainly free to do so.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01 Feb 1997 00:23:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: New Supporter

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks for passing that along...it's great to hear.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01 Feb 1997 00:23:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Not Photogenic?

 Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does that mean you look like Peirce Brosnan in person?

      On very rare occasions you may get a shot where I look
relatively human, but they're few and far between.  The camera loves
Harlan, on the other hand, who always looks great in shots.  Me, every
time my photo comes out somewhere, America's Most Wanted gets calls....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01 Feb 1997 00:23:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Martin Toggweiler <74041.2400@compuserve.com>
Subject: Episodes per season

 Martin Toggweiler <74041.2400@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is it true that each B5 season was planned for 26 eps instead of
> 22 in case one of the major networks picked it up? Are there
> "lost" B5 eps that may surface some time in the misty future like
> some long lost Beatles tracks?

"Is it true that each B5 season was planned for 26 eps instead of 22
in case one of the major networks picked it up?  A friend told me that
he heard this was the case and that there are a number of entire eps
that were written and filmed, but have never aired with no plan to air
them anytime soon.  Are there "lost" B5 eps that may surface some time
in the misty future like some long lost Beatles tracks?"

      Nope, nope, and nope.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01 Feb 1997 00:23:34 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Personal Tibits

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks...those parts are what makes the show come alive.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01 Feb 1997 00:23:36 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com>
Subject: TLN

 Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> asks:
> 4) Promos - did you see the airing?
> but such are the vaguaries of TV executives, right?

      Certainly I would never have made a big deal about the Ericsson
thing, because then it *does* set up certain expectations.  I didn't
hear about the promo until you did.

      There actually *was* a Lorien scene in that episode, but it got
slid a bit when we ran out of time in that ep.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 01 Feb 1997 15:49:50 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bruce Probst <71154.3171@compuserve.com>
Subject: Deep Bass

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks; we put in a LOT of time in the music and sound design of
the show, more than most shows.  I'm glad it shows.

      Ironically, though, the company doing the satellite uplink was
changed recently (we have no control over this) and they're now
uplinking the show in *analog* rather than digital, so there's some
frazzing now that limits the dynamic range just a tad.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01 Feb 1997 15:49:52 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Sanjiv S. Purba <102735.1770@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season 5 Cancelled?

{original post had no questions}

      It's really little to do with popularity or ratings...it's the
reality of PTEN no longer existing, and contracts being tied up in a
corporate tangle, and them trying to decide if they want the headache
of doing all this again. We still don't know anything for certain,
though, so all we can do is wait.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01 Feb 1997 15:49:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: A Matter of Case

{original post had no questions}

      ...sigh....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01 Feb 1997 22:08:59 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Quick Requests from JMS

{original post unavailable}

      Certainly there are some thematic carryovers, yes....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01 Feb 1997 22:09:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Long Night

{original post unavailable}

      Nothing about it was at all accidental...he had to go pick it
up, turn, move to Cartagia, stick it in, and then pull the trigger. 
Nothing accidental about it.  But if we'd shown him doing all the prep,
the shock wouldn't have been as substantial.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01 Feb 1997 22:09:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Long Night

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks...I think a lot of it there has to do also with the
performance of the actor playing Ericsson.  He brought a real sense of
presence to the job.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02 Feb 1997 03:00:38 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: If people didn't leave..

{original post unavailable}

      Sinclair was never intended to go to Z'ha'dum.

      And it wouldn't have worked for Sakai to be the one who awoke
the shadows and "died" at Z'ha'dum because *they were already awake* in
the first season.  People who try to lay the one line atop the other
tend to forget this.  We also get Garibaldi's mention of crawling out
of the Martian desert in the very first episode...which tied into the
whole Messages From Earth thread, putting the shadows at work for at
least 2-3 years.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02 Feb 1997 03:03:42 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Long Night

{original post unavailable}

      Consider yourself the recipient of a cybernoogie.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 02 Feb 1997 21:27:58 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SUSAN F. KIRN <76262.2013@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Long Night

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...yeah, it's great to know you can write *anything*, and
this cast can pull it off.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02 Feb 1997 21:28:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Claire Nollet <71232.2556@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Long Night

 Claire Nollet <71232.2556@compuserve.com> asks:
> just how many hearts does the average Centauri have?
> Also, I liked Cartagia's comment about humor "being subjective"
> -- but isn't a mime a terrible thing to "waste"?

      Re: heart/hearts...I figured that the two collectively are a
whole from an emotional or spiritual perspective.  We say "a pair of
pants" even though it's just the one, as a related example.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02 Feb 1997 21:28:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: TLN Sound

{original post had no questions}

      Part of the problem is that they've switched satellite uplink
services, so that now it's being uploaded in analog instead of digital,
and if it isn't absolutely calibrated, there's some left/right
frazzing.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02 Feb 1997 21:28:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Death & Rebirth

 (blocked) asks:
> How would you respond to that?

      When characters die, they stay dead.  The one and only sorta
exception to this is Sheridan, and only for a) reasons that make sense,
b) reasons that are essential to a mythic structure, and c) really are
just a postponement; he's been reanimated and can last another 20
years, but that's the max.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02 Feb 1997 21:28:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: A Gamut of Hard Things

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> Since he has rejected the easy sole leadership, what position can
> he create for himself in the face of woefully uncomprehending
> followers?

      Thanks...that's a lot to keep in play at the same time, and I'm
glad the themes all come across.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03 Feb 1997 01:16:15 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Long Night

 Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> asks:
> I'm probably going to write to you about this episode in a few
> days because there are some things I wanted to bring up and talk
> about a little, but just where did you get Wortham Krimmer from
> anyway?

      Wortham came in to audition, same as everybody else...and we
thought he was great.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03 Feb 1997 01:16:17 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Great Job (as usual)<<

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  One of the things about the way events come to a head
and finish in ITF is that it's very unnerving...okay, *now* what?  The
ongoing conflict has become something you could count on, you knew the
rough shape of what might be coming along.  Now all that's kicked over,
and you have to get on with the next aspect: making a new life.

      What interests me, what I wanted to do with making this show,
was in large measure to examine the issues and emotions and events that
precede a war, precipitate a war, the effects of the war itself, the
end of the war and the aftermath of the war.  The war is hardware; the
people are at the center of the story.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 03 Feb 1997 16:26:57 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Great Job (as usual)<<

{original post had no questions}

       No, Sheridan's view of the future, the moment he saw, is still
very valid, and will happen as written, once he took the step of taking
B4 into the past.  That future is now set.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 04 Feb 1997 14:52:15 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Scarpa <73672.2136@compuserve.com>
Subject: TLN: Great Job as Usual

 David Scarpa <73672.2136@compuserve.com> asks:
> I know we've been caught upin the shadow war, but I'm surprised
> there has'nt been some attempt to rest control away form
> Sheridan, or is Clark that afraid of the Minbari? Now that the War
> is winding down ( As may be the series(I hope not) ) Will this be
> explored ?

       Earth takes up a big portion of the latter third of this
season.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 15:19:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Derek Linden <73322.2517@compuserve.com>
Subject: TLN:Eye That Cannnot See

 Derek Linden <73322.2517@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this a correct assessment, or have we missed something?

       Certainly Londo would like to avoid his fate, and Lady Morella
prophesied certain ways of doing this...and he's had some chances, and
blown them.  As you say, he's creating the very future he'd hoped to
avoid.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 15:19:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Death & Rebirth

{original post had no questions}

       We'll have to see....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 15:19:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com>
Subject: TLN:Gamut of Hard Things

 Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com> asks:
> This reminds me to ask you - did Londo's men switch the chains
> back, or did G'Kar break them anyway because he was so
> determined?

       That was one determined Narn.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 15:19:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Into the Fire<<

 T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> I still don't quite understand what "beyond the rim" is; is it
> actually a different dimension, sort of like hypserspace but
> different? ??

       Thanks...it definitely clears the decks a bit....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 15:19:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mark Honeyborne <106531.647@compuserve.com>
Subject: From jms re: yr 4/5

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks, and I hope you're right, and the show endures.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 15:19:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Long Night

{original post unavailable}

       Oh, I got back Andreas bigtime...but I'll save that story for
the next convention.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 15:19:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Into The Fire

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks...it's a beautiful ep....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 15:19:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: TLN: Great Job as Usual

 Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
> I mean, the aftermath doesn't look very rosy at all now, does it?

       It will have its ups and downs...but things do have a tendency
to work out sometimes.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 15:19:16 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chris Croughton (UK) <100014.3217@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 CD #2 is Available!

 Chris Croughton (UK) <100014.3217@compuserve.com> asks:
> My system has been losing messages, could you please repost the
> info on the new CD?

       A mistake is a mistake, where's the mileage in saying it didn't
happen? In what parallel universe did it not happen?

       You can find info on the sountrack at www.sonicimages.com.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 15:19:18 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Into The Fire

 (blocked) asks:
> Had you always intended to try to get the same actor to play the
> Inquisitor and Lorien, or was it serendipity?

       Yeah, well, there's only so much you can do on TV and expect
stations to still broadcast it.

       We always knew only Wayne could do Lorien; no question, no one
else auditioned.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 17:53:22 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Sanford Meisner

 (blocked) asks:
> That got my attention, but what really sent a shiver down my back
> (and now I understand what the word "frisson" means) was when he
> said that Meisner instructed his students to approach a character
> by asking the questions "Who are you? What do you want?
> Why are you here?"

       The man was obviously a Vorlon plant....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 17:53:23 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Midwest JMS

 Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
> I've heard that you often appear in LA but I can't travel there
> (afraid of turning into a pillar of salt, don't you know), and
> wondered if you are planning to make any appearances in or near
> the (wholesome, inexpensive and friendly!) midwest this year? I've
> been checking the Zocalo and everything else I can find, but hope
> I might have missed something?

       Nothing in the midwest...Columbus Ohio, Orlando Florida,
Tauntaun Mass, Long Island NY, Seattle, WA...wanted to do Chicago
ComicCon this year, but the timetable doesn't work out, and Westercon
got there first for Seattle as GoH.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 17:54:15 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Day of Reckoning

 (blocked) asks:
> What is he referring to ?
> and why?

       Well, the reckoning in the next life for his actions in this
one, would be the best way of putting it.  That's what he expects.

       (My B5 mug is sitting on my mug rug right now, on my desk at
the stage. It gets many comments.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 17:54:16 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Derek Linden <73322.2517@compuserve.com>
Subject: TLN:Eye That Cannnot See

 Derek Linden <73322.2517@compuserve.com> asks:
> And is Sheridan also creating the future he wants to avoid?

       Life's funny that way, ain't it?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04 Feb 1997 17:54:17 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: S J NICHOLSON <76574.1663@compuserve.com>
Subject: Into The Fire

{original post had no questions}

       He'll get there.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05 Feb 1997 00:43:38 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Midwest JMS

 (blocked) asks:
> When are you going to be in Tampa or St.Petersburg Florida again
> ?

      I'll be in Orlando for Megacon the weekend of March 14th.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05 Feb 1997 00:43:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Midwest JMS

 Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
> When will you be in Columbus?

      I'll be in Columbus the weekend of May 9th.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05 Feb 1997 00:43:42 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Derek Linden <73322.2517@compuserve.com>
Subject: TLN:Eye That Cannnot See

 Derek Linden <73322.2517@compuserve.com> asks:
> But does Ivanova go down in mortal terror, wanting desparately to
> live? But maybe I don't fully understand her--perhaps fear has
> always been a major part of her life after all...either that, or
> maybe she escapes the C&C? Does it?
> Or can Sinclair, by his goodness, prevent such things as he
> determined to do in "War w/o End"?

      Guess we'll just have to wait and see....

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 05 Feb 1997 18:41:51 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Derek Linden <73322.2517@compuserve.com>
Subject: TLN: Great Job as Usual

 Derek Linden <73322.2517@compuserve.com> asks:
> If he had not gone as Delenn warned, could Sheridan have avoided
> that future? Or was it already set in stone, as you seem to
> suggest? I find that amazing...why do you do it, if you don't mind
> my asking?

       Had he not gohne to Z'ha'dum, he would've avoided that fate,
but caused another.  And yeah, I answer most questions that require a
response.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05 Feb 1997 18:41:52 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Scarpa <73672.2136@compuserve.com>
Subject: Into The Fire

{original post had no questions}

       Some stations show the rating, some don't.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05 Feb 1997 18:41:53 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Scarpa <73672.2136@compuserve.com>
Subject: Into The Fire

 David Scarpa <73672.2136@compuserve.com> asks:
> Only 3 things nawed at me while I watched "ITF" where was
> Garibaldi and G'kar during all of this?

       All will become clear in time....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05 Feb 1997 18:41:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Alan Mulvie <100566.1444@compuserve.com>
Subject: Hawking..3 ages??

 Alan Mulvie <100566.1444@compuserve.com> asks:
> I was wondering if anything here relates to Stephen Hawking the
> Cosmologist? Any comments, did Hawkings theory provide any ideas
> etc???

       It's a good corrolary, yeah...that wasn't the intent going in,
but it ain't bad.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05 Feb 1997 18:41:56 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: ITF:<Take Us In>

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are we to believe that these two ancient enemies, who would fight
> and slaughter for millions of years, would just give up after
> talking to Sheridan and Delenn for a few minutes? Was there just
> one Shadow there?

       I think that, for me, what mitigates against that is that a) it
wasn't just Delenn and Sheridan, it was with virtually every other
major civilization around backing their play, and adding their support,
their voice, even being williing to die for the sake of this
confrontation.  If it were just the two of them...they'd be scragged. 
The two forces needed to be shown that the others had turned against
them, and that their true faces had been exposed.

       b) The other key for me is that neither the Vorlons nor the
Shadows saw themselves as conquerers or adversaries...both believed
they were doing what was right for us.  And like any possesive parent,
they'll keep on believing that until the kid is strong enough to stand
up and say, "No, this is what *I* want."

       Most wars tend to end with one singular even...sometimes it's a
big bomb, or a series of big bombs...and sometimes it comes with a
negotiation. The two sides meet in a room, sometimes with
representatives of other nations, and together they hammer out a truce,
or a peace.  There's the Nagasaki solution on the one hand, and the
"let's meet in a room and talk about this" of Jimmy Carter, Anwar Sadat
and Minister Begin.

       Both work.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05 Feb 1997 18:42:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Day of Reckoning

 (blocked) asks:
> Please let me know if anyone else there wants one and Ill make
> more and send them to you......or do you want to be the only kid
> on the block with one?

       Well, I gotta have *something* just for me....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06 Feb 1997 00:25:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: HOUR 25

 Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are there any tapes or transcripts out there to be had?

      No, there are neither tapes nor transcripts; eventually I'll
gather it all together in book form, though.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 06 Feb 1997 23:39:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Long Night

{original post had no questions}

      He asked if Ericsson was married because, if he was, that was a
call that Sheridan would have to make, over Stellarcom or in person, to
notify her that her husband was dead.  And, for Sheridan, I suppose
there was a tinge of relief, knowing that at least he wouldn't be
creating a widow as well as ordering Ericsson to do what was necessary.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06 Feb 1997 23:39:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Knives b-ball field

 Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
> The field looked so real, inviting and wide open-- how'd you do
> that? And is that B5 baseball hat he's wearing the one he had
> Ivanova pick up in the now-defunct B5 gift shop "for his sister"?

      The whole set was a virtual set, except for a few feet of
dressing. All done in computer.

      The Agamemnon cap is something we may be offering soon via the
fan club.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06 Feb 1997 23:39:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Into the Fire<<

 (blocked) asks:
> Joe: In the final scene where we see an image of both the Vorlon
> and the Shadows, why did you not show us the Vorlon in its true
> form without the encounter suit?

      Because we'd still be rendering it.  There are 114 EFX shots in
that episode, and as it was we just barely made the satellite uplink. 
If it wasn't absolutely necessary, better to do it more simply.  As it
was, we were rendering the shadow form too.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07 Feb 1997 00:27:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
Subject: Not Photogenic?

{original post had no questions}

"Yes, there are photos of Joe in the SF Library."

      In *spite* of the petitions....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07 Feb 1997 03:10:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: Harlan on Snyder

{original post had no questions}

      Someone once said that writing involves constantly proving you
have talent to those who have none.  But some suits don't want to admit
that, and figure, if they can hold a pencil, they can write.  Because
they have no respect for writers or the written word.  So they screw
with it. Constantly. Which is why I consider myself very lucky with B5,
in that they have left me alone and not interfered.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07 Feb 1997 03:16:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Bovenmyer <73567.1341@compuserve.com>
Subject: ITF

 John Bovenmyer <73567.1341@compuserve.com> asks:
> What did the latter call Delenn?
> Is this important?
> Was the rock that bumped the White Star and thus Lorien, letting
> the Vorlons and Shadows know they were being 'tapped,' part of
> the plan or just fate that worked out ok? Could Londo asking Vir
> to kill him to save Centauri Prime one of his chances for
> redemption and a successful chance?! What was the 6th?
> Now that all 6 have left, and presumably won't appear again,
> could you tell us the names of those races (assuming you've given
> them any) and which ships belong to each race? Is Ironheart
> already "beyond the rim?"

      I don't think the shadows speaking through Lyta referred to
Delenn by name; they said only, "And you they have left for us."

      The jostling from the asteroid was an accident, though the
others would've figured out what was going on soon enough.

      Thanks again.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 07 Feb 1997 11:42:18 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Derek Linden <73322.2517@compuserve.com>
Subject: TLN: Great Job as Usual

 Derek Linden <73322.2517@compuserve.com> asks:
> Intriguing...now I'm really curious...what would have been his
> (and the universe's) fate had Sheridan not gone to Z'ha'dum?

       That's one of those great questions to which the universe would
rather we not know the answer....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07 Feb 1997 11:52:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com>
Subject: VTTBOTS

 Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com> asks:
> Having grown up on Irwin Allen SF, and having noticed hommages to
> various other SF shows on B5 in the past (Most noteably the
> Prisoner), I was wondering if this was intentional, entirely my
> imagination, or perhaps just a case of form follows function?

       It's your imagination.  And form follows function.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07 Feb 1997 11:52:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Stuart C. Hellinger <70402.1371@compuserve.com>
Subject: TLN - End Music

 Stuart C. Hellinger <70402.1371@compuserve.com> asks:
> I apologize in advance if you were already asked this (I haven't
> had the time to log on this week), but was it deliberate that the
> end credit music for the "The Long Night" went back to the third
> season theme?

       It was an error...but as with many errors on the show, it
worked to our benefit.  It's the ABA principle....Art By Accident.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07 Feb 1997 11:52:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dave Vincent <75460.1133@compuserve.com>
Subject: New episode...

{original post had no questions}

       Everybody was in fear of Cartagia.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 07 Feb 1997 17:48:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Thanks for a Few

{original post had no questions}

       We vary it depending on what's going on...in general, it's best
over the black, I think.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07 Feb 1997 17:48:32 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com>
Subject: ITF

 Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> asks:
> Morden - What are you going to do, blow up the island?

       Thanks...that's a favorite moment of mine as well.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07 Feb 1997 17:48:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com>
Subject: Into the Fire

 Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was it?

       Thanks for the kind words.

       No, no relation to Ivanova's outfit.  I just wanted a sense of
something that was both ancient and ageless, frozen, formal, distant.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07 Feb 1997 23:03:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Andrew Diseker <70714.105@compuserve.com>
Subject: Into The Fire

 Andrew Diseker <70714.105@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was it your intention for the Vorlon and Shadow reps that
> appeared on White Star #2's bridge to sound, well, plaintive,
> when they were talking to Lorien? Will the loss of the First Ones
> be equally traumatic, in the story that comes after? Will some of
> the characters begin to realize just what it means to really be
> in charge, now?

      Thanks.  There is a definite parent/child/parent dynamic going
on there, in that Lorien is, in a way, in that role to the Vorlons and
the Shadows, they're in that role to us, and we're in that role to
those who will follow. It's the endless cycle.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07 Feb 1997 23:03:50 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Into the Fire<<

 SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> BTW, what was that entity that Ivanova saw in "Voices Of
> Authority" and the "Hour Of The Wolf" (I think)? Was it the Papa
> Shadow?

      The Sigma 957 ship was one of the First One ships, yeah.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 08 Feb 1997 21:16:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Babylon 5

{original post unavailable}

      There are bloopers, but we save those to show at conventions. 
There are some illegal copies floating around, but they're always poor
quality and we discourage people from buying them.

      The 2nd CD is great, I agree.  I think the first couple of
tracks are my favorite, particularly the extended season 1 theme at the
top.  I'll sometimes just let that one replay several times on its
own....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08 Feb 1997 21:28:58 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mark Honeyborne <106531.647@compuserve.com>
Subject: Babylon 5

 Mark Honeyborne <106531.647@compuserve.com> asks:
> If they are not is there any chance of them being put onto a CD
> single perhaps with Vir and Londo's rendishion of a Centari song
> that they sung on KNIVES?

      There was never any alternate version of "War," only my notes.

      The songs will surface somewhere, eventually, I'm sure.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08 Feb 1997 21:29:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Video & LDs in the US

{original post unavailable}

      Won't make any difference.  WB Video doesn't release *any* TV
series on tape or disk; that it would make money, it seems, doesn't
matter...they only want to be involved with the high-visiblity
big-budget sure-hit movies, not piddly TV shows.  So all the letters in
the world -- and they've received a lot of them -- apparently won't
make any difference to these people.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08 Feb 1997 21:29:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com>
Subject: Into the Fire

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  So far the general reaction has been, "But...but...what
NOW?" which is *exactly* the reaction I was hoping for.

      Everybody keeps commenting, "This is the sort of episode you
have at the end, not 6 eps into your season."  Yep.

      We're funny that way....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08 Feb 1997 21:29:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Into the Fire<<

{original post unavailable}

      No, that's not a ship.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08 Feb 1997 21:29:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Space Imagery

 (blocked) asks:
> Why was the being enclosed in a transparency?

      The woman was in ice as a symbol of their ridigity, their
inflexibility, "frozen in time," as the shadows say.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08 Feb 1997 21:29:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com>
Subject: Into The Fire- Draal

 Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are they yet to come?

      Epsilon 3 will come up in various ways and places, and
Draal...but in places where you won't expect.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09 Feb 1997 01:37:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Scotty Fired

{original post unavailable}

"BTW, it is VERY enheartening that you speak out for the actors--good
show!"

      I think you *have* to.  The reality is that these individuals
were the core of the ST phenomenon.  It wasn't the EFX, good as they
were...it was the characters, and the capacity of viewers to care about
those characters, as portrayed and given life by these actors.  They
deserve recognition for creating something that has endured for 25
years, and to be rudely treated by the studio seems to me vastly
inappropriate.  (Did you know that until just recently, when the bulk
of the original ST actors took action against the studio, they had
individually received as little as $16,000 total as their share of the
25 year multi-billion dollar ST franchise?)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09 Feb 1997 01:37:48 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Into the Fire

 (blocked) asks:
> Was he referring to Lyta's contact with the "eye" above Z'hadum?
> Was the "eye" a part of the Shadow's consiousness?
> If not, will we ever find out what it was?
> Although I have some reservations about both the Shadows and
> Vorlons suddenly reverting into whiney, frightened 3-year olds
> (You're not going to leave us all alone are you?

      You may not find out who built the Great Machine in the series,
but that will be one of the features of one of the planned TNT movies. 
And there will be more on the Valen/Sinclair transformation as well.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09 Feb 1997 01:37:50 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mark K. Smith <74014.1534@compuserve.com>
Subject: Into the Fire

 Mark K. Smith <74014.1534@compuserve.com> asks:
> When you got the idea for B5, did your wife have to lead you out
> of the shower?

      Didn't require leading out of the shower, but I didn't much come
out of my office for a very long time thereafter....

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 10 Feb 1997 01:31:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mark Honeyborne <106531.647@compuserve.com>
Subject: Babylon 5

 Mark Honeyborne <106531.647@compuserve.com> asks:
> Oh I thought the script was origanally longer from what I
> gathered from TV ZONE but could there be a novel based on you
> notes?

"could there be a novel based on you notes?"

      Several.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 01:31:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Writing

 Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have you ever used a pen name?

      Nope.  Don't believe in it, at least for me.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 01:31:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: Future Theo?

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> Will you be including Brother Theo and the Boys in any future
> episodes?

      It's kinda hard to work them in...I'm trying....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 01:31:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Long Night

{original post had no questions}

      We're definitely keeping him in mind.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 01:31:16 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Into the Fire

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...I'm kinda proud of that line.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 01:31:19 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Epiphanies<<

 Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is he going to regret having spoken to and threatened her the way
> he did?

      Thanks...yeah, the rest of the season will actually continue to
increase in intensity, not decrease.  "Epiphanies" for me is an episode
where I can feel the gears changing between war and post-war just a
bit, but overall it's not bad.  And there's some *mean* stuff coming up
very soon.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 01:31:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dana Wright <72627.531@compuserve.com>
Subject: ITF:Feeling

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...the sense of wonder and awe is something that's missing
from so much contemporary SF, I'm glad we could restore a little of it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 01:31:24 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<ITF>> Frying Pan...

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  You pick up on a lot of good stuff.  I've suggested the
use of a minor chords version of the theme music to Chris on several
occasions, where it seemed right, here, Signs and Portents, and in
others.  The change from minor to major chords does signal an emotional
transition, and it works well.

      The director initially didn't want to do the Londo rage scene in
one take; it was something I felt very strongly about, and I think it
works well.

      BTW, there's another example of a long single take coming up
soon, on Epsilon 3, which is all I'll specify.  I kinda wanted the
scene to play itself out, without cutting, and to show just how
amazingly capable some of our actors can be.  We're talking here almost
4 minutes of footage, not one cut in the whole thing, very fast
dialogue, and not a single muffed line, with the performances working
wonderfully.  You'll know it when you see it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 01:31:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com>
Subject: ITF: The Right Ending

 Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com> asks:
> On the first viewing, like Marcus, I was thinking, "Was that it?"
> But how can they still ask for that, when we discovered how
> all-powerful the desire to be proven right was for each of the
> Old Ones? The last scene, when the Shadow asked Lorien if he would
> come with them, and when the Vorlon said, "Then we will not be
> alone?" You have so many tragic figures in this story--Londo,
> G'Kar, Sheridan, Garibaldi--leave us some room for joy before you
> wrap, will you?

      Thanks.  You definitely hit a lot of the symbolism right on the
head. One could almost argue for the whole scene as a classic
"intervention" out of psychotherapy or group counseling.

      Very early on, John Copeland asked me, "Okay, bottom line it for
me, what's the war about?"  I said, "It's about killing your parents." 
And his eyes went wide, and I explained, "No, not literally...but at
some point you have to step outside the control of your parents and
create your own life, your own destiny.  That process is
inevitable...and if there are indeed older races, and they're
interfering, that puts them smack in the middle of that same process."

      It's not about who has the biggest gun, because there's *always*
somebody else with a bigger gun...it's about *understanding* your way
out of a problem.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 10 Feb 1997 22:14:39 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com>
Subject: Into The Fire

[Reply to message #647046, which is no longer available]

      Thanks, I appreciate it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 22:32:28 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Scotty Fired

 (blocked) asks:
> Do we ask the EFX to sign autographs?
> Do we go to conventions for laser light shows and things
> exploding? And HE didn't get fired, did he?
> Do you know what the latest of this is, from "inside"?
> Are any of Doohan's buddies sticking up for him?
> Is he protesting this?
> Is Paramount getting truckloads of mail in protest?

      There's nothing more new on this in the trades, which is all I
know about it...everybody rolled over, apparently, and that's that.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 22:32:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Russ Herschler <76300.1071@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Video & LDs in the US

 Russ Herschler <76300.1071@compuserve.com> asks:
> From a legal standpoint, is there any possibility of them
> licenceing Babylon 5 to another video company for release
> (Columbia House or some such company...)?

      We've been after them to do this, but so far it's "Well, no, we
don't want to do them, but we don't want anyone else to do them either
because it's our territory and if anyone should do them it's us, we
just don't want do do them."

      Nothing new there..."People will do what they will do even
though you should burst."  Marcus Aurelieus

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 22:32:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com>
Subject: Into The Fire

 Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com> asks:
> What can I say that hasn't been already said?
> Susan's comeback also echoed my uneasy feeling of "did it REALLY
> just happen?" but, from you?
> The decadence of dealing with "subjective humor", the paraded
> G'kar telling the -other- Narn to "be strong", Ericson's suicide
> mission, "what had G'Kar sacrified?" were those Narn's blind???
> desperate?
> Where will you take us from here?

      Thanks...and there are definitely more transitions to come....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 22:32:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Epiphanies<<

{original post had no questions}

      Yeah...Sheridan's taking a different tone with a lot of people
these days.  I guess being dead for a while does that to you....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 22:32:38 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<ITF>> Frying Pan...

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> As if there weren't enough stuff (acting, story, CGI) to
> anticipate...(And it takes place on Epsilon 3?!!

      RE: actors and producers...it's a mixed bag.  Some producers
prefer to have as little as possible to do with the cast.  And
relations can be *very* strained, which leads to a lack of appreciation
of the cast.  On B5, the cast and I hang out, we go to dinner, do
conventions together, and I learn more about what they can do.  It
creates an atmosphere where you want to reward them and show what they
can do.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 22:32:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: ITF-Preview within ep

{original post unavailable}

      It's nothing to do with me, keed...I gots nothing to do with
that.  I can only shake my head with everybody else.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 22:32:42 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: Epiphanies

 T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> I'm confused about what was happening at the table; was Bester
> doing a very light scan? know?

      He tried to scan, but she kept blocking him.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 22:32:44 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: 407: Afflatus?

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Question: Was there more to that scene that had to be cut for
> time? Or am I just seeing things?
> I take it that if there was, the dialogue wasn't terribly
> important to the story, but do you happen to recall what was
> said?

      You got it right...there was more in that scene, but we were
about 4 minutes over on that episode, and I was chasing about another
minute at that stage in the editing...and it went.  Weren't nothin'
terribly important, just this part that explained the ethical structure
of the universe and the true meaning of life, but heck, everybody knows
THAT one....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10 Feb 1997 22:32:46 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: ITF: Questions...

 Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> 1) Now that the first ones are gone, what happened to the Eye at
> Z'ha'dum? 2) What's to prevent someone from going to the Vorlon
> homeworld, and if they did, what would they find? 3) How
> widespread is the knowledge of the victory? Does the Earth
> government know what happened? And what about the people of Earth,
> do they know? 4) NOW WHAT!?!

      Oddly enough, every one of those questions is addressed in
upcoming episodes, some as early as next week...so I'll let the show
speak for itself.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11 Feb 1997 15:31:52 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Remington Steele <73370.3260@compuserve.com>
Subject: Into the Fire

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11 Feb 1997 15:31:53 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Epiphanies<<

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks, yeah, it's one of those great opportunities when you
get to play to the fact that the audience knows more than the
characters know about something.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11 Feb 1997 15:31:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jeremy Bloom <73124.3263@compuserve.com>
Subject: Midwest JMS

 Jeremy Bloom <73124.3263@compuserve.com> asks:
> And do you plan on attending Worldcon '98 in Baltimore, to pick
> up your Hugo for "Into the Fire"?

       Well, we'll see....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11 Feb 1997 15:31:55 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com>
Subject: The big pic (itf etc)

 Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> asks:
> 1) Level of Vorlon impact on the known races - can we assume that
> Londo's inability to see Kosh in TFON was a reflection of the
> fact that the Vorlons _never_ interfered with the development of
> the Centauri people? Was this intentional - natural abilities
> exceed what the Vorlons seemed to be handing out?

       It's a combination of elements, Londo's fall, and yes, the
Vorlons had a very minimal affect on the Centauri, they never were able
to get a really strong foothold there.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11 Feb 1997 18:42:44 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: ITF: Questions...

 Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> The other siblings of the newlyweds (Psi Corp, IPX, etc) do,
> what??? Have I got this dynamic straight?
> And if so, does this have any resemblance to your family?
> And finally, is the rest of the series about the Newlyweds
> starting off, or are their some other of the underlying themes
> you've hit on that are going to be explored?

       There is such a thing as too much analysis....

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 12 Feb 1997 12:28:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<ITF>> Frying Pan...

 Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are you ever going to tell us how you got revenge for Andreas'
> practical joke?

       I'm saving that story for the next big convention....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12 Feb 1997 12:28:50 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Wrath of Nuts

{original post had no questions}

       You'll have to catch me first....

                                                               jms

------------------------------

Date: 12 Feb 1997 12:28:51 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 videos in the USA

{original post unavailable}

       I've dragged my feet on general merchandise, yeah, but never on
tapes. B5online is confusing the issues.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12 Feb 1997 16:57:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Kathryn Drennan

 Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are there any other Kathryn Drennan books available?
> Does she have an Email address for fan mail?

       While she has written prose for Twilight Zone magazine, and
other national publications, and is a Clarion graduate, this will mark
her first novel.  It's quite good (having read most of it now),
tracking Sinclair's journey from B5 to Minbar, taking up the role of
Ambassador, then transitioning to head of the Rangers.

       This book stands to be the first one (closely followed by
Jeanne Cavelos' forthcoming B5 book) that's 100% canon...to be
considered a true chapter in the B5 storyline.

       What's fun about it is that it ties all the books and comics
together with the show, and puts it all in chronological order, and
weaves in and out of events in the second season.  I think this is
going to be a fan favorite. The Cavelos book follows Anna Sheridan as
she comes to join the crew of the Icarus, and the details of their fate
at Z'ha'dum.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12 Feb 1997 16:57:22 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Wrath of Nuts

{original post had no questions}

       "We're working on a plan."

       And where you intend to get a chicken that large is beyond me.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12 Feb 1997 16:57:23 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: 407: <Escorts?>

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> How come he's got no guards on B5?

       Because Londo wouldn't abide that for more than five minutes;
it'd cramp his style.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12 Feb 1997 16:57:23 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com>
Subject: The big pic (itf etc)

 Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> asks:
> But I'm curious, shouldn't he have been looking for Sinclair?

       No, Valen was a done deal, as far as the Vorlons were
concerned; they knew that that happened/would happen.  It was Sheridan
and Delenn who had to go through this...and in Delenn's case, more for
her benefit, in some ways.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12 Feb 1997 16:57:24 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Epiphanies<<

 (blocked) asks:
> My boss seemed to think it has something to do with something
> that happened in this episode, but I have no clue what he's
> talking about, do you?

       Ah...well, that explains the angry phone calls and late-night
hangups, then....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12 Feb 1997 23:30:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Kathryn Drennan

{original post unavailable}

      I think the first one out, the Cavelos book, should be out next
month.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12 Feb 1997 23:30:37 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Kathryn Drennan

{original post unavailable}

      The other books...in broad strokes, I accept they happened, but
in the details, and how they're treated, and some incidentals...they
haven't hit all the right cylinders.  This time, with this batch, I got
more directly involved and I think they're definitely improved...though
the Cavelos novel had the least need for input, since she *really* knew
the show.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12 Feb 1997 23:30:39 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<ITF>> Frying Pan...

 SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you want a reminder on Sunday?

      Reminder about what?

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 14 Feb 1997 15:50:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Fred Miller <76042.3474@compuserve.com>
Subject: Kathryn Drennan

{original post had no questions}

       That's certainly what I want....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14 Feb 1997 15:51:19 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<ITF>> Frying Pan...

{original post had no questions}

       Yeah, but I think I want to hold that for a big con...my
problem is, once I tell a story ANYwhere, it's on the nets in 50
seconds, and I can't tell it anywhere else without boring my audience
to tears.  So I'm looking for ways to spread stuff around.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14 Feb 1997 15:51:20 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Babylon 5 Soundtrack II

 (blocked) asks:
> Is the Babylon 5 Volume 2 soundtrack out in stores and on the
> shelves yet?

       Yeah, it's out (though you may need to have your local store
special order it for you), and you can get it online via
www.sonicimages.com.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14 Feb 1997 15:51:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Colin Glassey <104224.2227@compuserve.com>
Subject: Epi - Lyta & Sheridan

 Colin Glassey <104224.2227@compuserve.com> asks:
> First, the jump seems huge, how could he think that she had
> anything to do with it? I've done so many things for you, and what
> have you done for me? You aren't my commanding officer."?

       No, Lyta doesn't officially work for Sheridan, but she has
nowhere else to go, and is beholden to him just for everyday survival
and protection against the Corps.  That makes her answerable to him.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14 Feb 1997 15:51:22 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Epiphanies

 (blocked) asks:
> BTW, does the Regent have a name now?

       Actually, though the tougher Delenn is in flashbacks in 2
weeks, the foreground/contemporary story has her very tough, and very
smart. Basically, the next mini-arc sequence focuses a LOT on
Delenn...she has many facets, and while part of that is the
relationship, there's steel there as well, and we're going to explore
that.  As she at one point comments to Sheridan, "I appreciate that you
have come to care for what I have become... but never forget who I am,
or what I can do."

       After this arc of hers, nobody's ever going to make that
mistake.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14 Feb 1997 15:51:23 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com>
Subject: Just What I Wanted

 David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> asks:
> She was quite relieved, although she had the reaction you
> apparently wanted from your avid viewership: "Oh s**t, what now?"

       That's great to hear, on all fronts...thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14 Feb 1997 15:51:24 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Into The Fire

{original post unavailable}

       Nope, the events of WWE *cemented* the events that are to come.
What we saw in that flash-forward will now happen precisely because of
what has been done.  That future will take place.

       As for the story being over...not by a long sight.  Frankly,
some of what's coming in the latter part of this season is more intense
than anything we've done previously.  We really focus in on the
characters and the after-shocks of the war, in ways usually ignored.

       After all, we all know how nice and calm and civilized Europe
was after the War To End All Wars came to an end...we hardly heard a
peep from that part of the world thereafter....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14 Feb 1997 15:51:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jim De Vico <72662.2765@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Epiph.> Throw away line

{original post had no questions}

       Give 'em time, and they'll try to buy a planet.  It's
inevitable.

       With Earth now in the present, that'd make two.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 14 Feb 1997 22:19:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Writing

 Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
> I was just wondering what sort of software you use to write
> scripts, and if you use something different for novels?

      I use Movie Master for scripts; it's a formatting program only. 
It's quirky and buggy as hell, but it's what I learned to use at
Universal, and it's functional.  I use Wordstar for regular prose.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14 Feb 1997 22:19:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<ITF>> Frying Pan...

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> So......is I-Con considered the next big con??

      Megacon in Florida would be the next biggie.  I'll be at that
one in Orlando March 15th and 16th.

      BTW, here's one of those little things that make you go
"hmmmmm...."

      That Starlog has an anti-B5 bias has always been evident, and
has covered us only reluctantly covered us.  There is a convention
listing page in the current issue.  It mentions the Gallifrey
Convention happening this weekend here in LA, lists the guests...but
omits my name.  So you figure, "Okay, it's an oversight."

      Then there's a listing for MegaCon in Orlando.  Now, understand
that MegaCon *advertises* in Starlog.  Three pages earlier, there's a
huge half page ad for MegaCon with my name in huge letters as the
primary guest.  But in the convention listing for MegaCon, all the
others are listed *except* me.

      One you figure could be an oversight...two, in the very same
magazine that has a huge ad for one of the conventions, starts to look
like a deliberate snub.

      Or, more succinctly, "Hmmmm....."


------------------------------



Date: 15 Feb 1997 19:42:34 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Scotty Fired

{original post unavailable}

      Your understanding of the situation is correct.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15 Feb 1997 19:42:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Goodies

{original post had no questions}

      The 2nd soundtrack is out and available right now.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 16 Feb 1997 19:48:56 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Writing

{original post unavailable}

      I think a lot of SF writers stayed with it because of
familiarity.  SF writers, and folks like me (still not entirely sure if
I belong in that category), were invariably the first ones on our block
to have personal computers...back when that meant a Kaypro II with 64K
ram and 128K floppies and NO internal hard drive, and an 8" green
monitor.  (I still have mine, incidentally, I'm too sentimental to
throw it away.)

      Back then, Wordstar was pretty much the way to go.  That's what
I learned on, and that's why I use it.  I like the WYSIWYG approach,
and it does feel like a typewriter.

      The WS for Windows was a nightmare, and I deleted it instantly. 
Is there any indication that they're going to be trying again any time
soon? I'd like to use the capability that comes with windows, but I'm
too short on time to afford the learning curve for another software
system.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16 Feb 1997 19:48:58 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Nick Murray <70003.1112@compuserve.com>
Subject: Babylon 5 Soundtrack II

 Nick Murray <70003.1112@compuserve.com> asks:
> But when I played the "Severed Dreams" track on the new CD it
> doesn't sound like the same cue at all?? Someone had a breakdown
> of the tracks on USENET and from what I understand the track
> titled "Severed Dreams" is actually mostly music is from
> "Messages from Earth"? I guess I don't understand why the tracks
> are titled the way they are when they don't contain the music
> from that particular episode?

      I think that music appears elsewhere on the disk, in
pieces...I'm not sure why he entitled stuff the way he did.  There's
more "Z'ha'dum" stuff in the "Severed" track than anything else.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16 Feb 1997 19:49:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Epiphanies - good...

{original post unavailable}

      The G'Kar/Londo dynamic isn't quite over yet...there's more to
come, and that relationship is going to continue having its ups and
downs.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16 Feb 1997 20:01:50 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Kathryn Drennan

{original post unavailable}

      The broad strokes of previous books are generally incorporated
into canon, but henceforth the books will be *based on* canon, which
will help take care of a lot of trouble.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16 Feb 1997 20:01:52 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Timmorn <104444.3110@compuserve.com>
Subject: Paramount praise?

 Timmorn <104444.3110@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this correct?
> close?

      It probably refers to Majel Roddenberry, who supported the show
by coming out and acting on it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16 Feb 1997 20:01:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>IofT great/frightening

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...yeah, it's a *very* subversive episode in that way. 
Which is way cool.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16 Feb 1997 20:01:56 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Epiphanies> All Round

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> Garibaldi's shaving scene is a visually eerie thing
> (foreshadowing?

      Thanks...and as always, good thoughts on all this material.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 17 Feb 1997 21:43:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Writing

{original post unavailable}

      I use WS 7.0.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17 Feb 1997 21:43:34 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Slip Slidin' Away

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> What do you say?
> Maybe after the series is over?

      We'll see....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17 Feb 1997 21:43:36 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Epiphanies> curious ?

 (blocked) asks:
> My one, quick, curious question is, was the "big band" style
> music used in the beginning something written specifically for
> this episode? Or was it something else?

      Yeah, Chris wrote the music for us, in Big Band style.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17 Feb 1997 21:43:38 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: First Ones Motives

{original post unavailable}

      The main motive for going beyond the rim...there's a heck of a
big Taco Bell out there....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17 Feb 1997 21:43:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: 408: Timeline

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Can you clarify the timeline for the first eight episodes?
> Does that mean that 407 ("Epiphanies") happened sometime in Feb,
> March or April?

      There are always some time jumps in the show, since there's only
22 weeks worth of shows, and they cover 52 weeks of a year.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 18 Feb 1997 01:07:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>IofT great/frightening

 (blocked) asks:
> I assume they were the names of real directors, writers, and
> actors who were blacklisted?

      Yes, they're based on the real names of writers who were
blacklisted, Dalton Trumbo and Paul Jarrico.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 18 Feb 1997 01:07:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Epiph & prior eps

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.  RE: the regent...well, if you want to do something
really nasty, you want to do it to somebody everybody kinda likes, so
you feel for the situation.

      Ah likes doing that sorta thing...dropping anvils on characters
to see what pattern splat they make....

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 18 Feb 1997 12:42:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rage'sThots:Epiphanies

 Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
> * I think it's about time our Minister / Regent got a name, don't
> you? After the Great Bab5 Computer Reboot (starring Sparky the
> Wonder Computer), was the SPIDER IN THE WEB Control erased from
> Bab5's files? Wasn't / Isn't Mars owned by a company, kinda?
> Maybe he had tasted what the two of them could do when they
> worked together instead of at each other's throat? Boy, he got
> shut down hard a couple few times by Lyta, didn't he? A taste of
> Martyrdom? Maybe her and Alfie, y'know, "wink-wink, nudge-nudge,
> say no more"? I seemingly recall a mention somewhere by Pat
> Tallman that Lyta was a lesbian, or bisexual? Is that canon, or
> just something Pat said at a convention? And ObObviousQuestion:
> How *much* has she been modified? A telepath would be real handy
> for removing that stuff, don'tcha think? How immortal (for 20 yrs)
> is he? More importantly, how immortal does he feel?
> Rage Ranger of Washingdome "I assume my usual quarters in the
> brig are available?

       The only thing I'd quibble with there is calling Garibaldi's
trust of Jack in season 1 a massive screwup...he had no way of knowing
what was going on, nobody did, viewers included, until it happened.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 18 Feb 1997 12:42:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com>
Subject: John Schuck-Draal

 Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> asks:
> How will this effect his part as Draal and B5's shooting
> schedule?

       It's been an ongoing series of complications relative to
Draal's character and John's schedule.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 18 Feb 1997 12:42:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Blacklist

{original post unavailable}

       Thanks...it's a period too few people really know much about,
and it never hurts to point to the past in order to warn about the
future.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 18 Feb 1997 12:42:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: What hpned to L Welch?

{original post unavailable}

       The actor wanted to do other things.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 19 Feb 1997 20:31:55 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Barometer

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> How's the production coming along?
> What script are you up to in writing and which are they currently
> filming? And, most importantly, how are *you* doing thesedays?

      Production's coming along spiffily.  We're currently working
with our guest star Efram Zimbalist Jr., who is going to be in 2
episodes.

      I'm getting along as well as can be expected under the
circumstances, and a few thousand pressures....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 19 Feb 1997 20:31:57 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard M. Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<ITF>> Frying Pan...

 Richard M. Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com> asks:
> On a related note, have you seen the latest issue of Sci-Fi
> Invasion? Needless to say this caught my eye, so I read the entire
> article so I could get it in the right context, I mean no one
> would be that bold, right?

      So by Hans logic, any series of novels, like the Dune books or
anything else, is "limited by the imagination" of the person
responsible, and thus flawed...or Herbert was just full of it...same
for Tolkein, Clarke, Asimov, Smith and others.

      I think this is what's called a classic case of projection.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 20 Feb 1997 12:20:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Darran Williams <100563.322@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crusade

 Darran Williams <100563.322@compuserve.com> asks:
> I note that you say the virus has an incubation period of 5 years
> so is this an indication that the series is intended to run for 5
> years like B5.? On a side note will TNT be exclusively showing the
> two Babylon 5 movies or do they intend to make a deal with other
> TV companies around the world so that the likes of us in the UK
> will be able to see them ?

       I imagine that the TNT movies will be made available
internationally, as that's how they'll make money off them.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 20 Feb 1997 21:29:26 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Cherns Major <75026.3723@compuserve.com>
Subject: IoT: co-conspirators

{original post had no questions}

      Parks (the person who's naming names) was also named after one
of those who testified before HUAC.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 21 Feb 1997 11:46:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com>
Subject: The doctor's eyes

 Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this what was intended?

       Actually, no, he wasn't reading off a teleprompter at all.  His
eyes may have been moving, but there was no reading involved.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 21 Feb 1997 22:33:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: colin heaps <100622.3610@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Backlash

 colin heaps <100622.3610@compuserve.com> asks:
> What say you all???

      a) One letter writer does not a backlash make.

      b) How can we have a backlash when we've never even had a
frontlash?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21 Feb 1997 22:36:53 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jose Cabanillas <71020.3316@compuserve.com>
Subject: IoT: co-conspirators

 Jose Cabanillas <71020.3316@compuserve.com> asks:
> Who came up with that perspective, and was this change of tone
> set totally in the writing or did it get enhanced on the set? Had
> he done any directing before?

      Stephen has directed before, yes, though he hasn't done that
much episodic TV work.

      The final shot was strictly described in the script; the monitor
POV, the relative positions of everyone, the slight fisheye look and
the absolute silence.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 22 Feb 1997 17:12:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>A Couple of Questions<

 Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
> How many folks on Earth even know about the Shadow/Vorlon threat,
> the assembled fleet, its success and the repercussions? Is this so
> and, if so, when will we begin getting a clearer idea of what
> that agenda might include?

      For now, just the one...no, not everyone back home even knows
there *was* a war.  Which our characters will find rather annoying....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 22 Feb 1997 17:18:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Not the One?

{original post unavailable}

      Yes, Entil-zha is the One, the specific head of the Rangers
(known in the Minbari language as Anla-shok, meaning the application of
force, as will be noted in one of the novels).

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 23 Feb 1997 01:41:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Frank J. Furfaro <74031.1005@compuserve.com>
Subject: TV Bloopers show

 Frank J. Furfaro <74031.1005@compuserve.com> asks:
> Were you aware that these were going to be on and chose them, or
> did WB just include them in the show?

      NUTS!  I missed it!  I knew it was coming, but didn't know it
was tonight.  NUTS!

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 01:41:30 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Illusion of Truth

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks....we try.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 01:41:32 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com>
Subject: Cindy LOVED Demon Night

 David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any word yet on renewal or the follow on series?

      Thanks on all counts...and no word yet on the rest of it.

      They're pretty good books.

      But the next one will be better.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 01:41:34 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: He Did What?!

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> At first, I thought, "Hey, this is a new show, I wonder if
> they'll have any B5 bloopers?"

      Sigh...and I missed it...oh, well....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 01:41:36 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Phyllis Schmulenson <72447.224@compuserve.com>
Subject: IoT: co-conspirators

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks, that's one of the things we try to do with this show.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 01:41:39 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Personal Revelations

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...yeah, a number of folks have come around to that. 
That's one more reason why I wanted to get the war out of the
way...because too many people were focusing in on the show as being
about the war.  It ain't.  It's about the changes that happen before,
during, and *after* a war.  And what's coming up is in some ways
stronger because it's more personal.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 01:41:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Illusion of Truth

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...it's a good and creepy episode.  I like it when things
get creepy.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 23 Feb 1997 22:44:39 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Lessons of 'Epiphanies'

{original post unavailable}

"1. Sure the witch-hunt was probably a bad thing but let's all
remember that Hollywood was indeed full of Commies."

      Sigh...

      Darwin was wrong.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 23:16:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: Cindy LOVED Demon Night

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> I'm just curious, is this because the here-and-now is too
> confining for the stories you want to tell, or SF allows you to
> play with what we know in the here-and-now more effectively,
> or...?

      I tend to lean toward SF because that's what gets caught in my
filter. I'm an SF fan.  Always have been.  I like other genres, and
tend to play with them from time to time, but SF remains my first and
foremost love.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 23:16:37 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Cindy LOVED Demon Night

 Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does the next one have a title or expected publication date yet?

      Title, yeah, but I'm holding that for now; no pub date, I want
to finish it first, then auction it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 23:16:39 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: He Did What?!

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...lemme check around here first, in case we can get an
aircheck from the studio first.  If not, I'll take you up on the offer,
thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 23:16:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 in MacUser

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks...yeah, I saw it.  Nice article.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 23:16:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Illusion of Truth

{original post unavailable}

"FWIW, that was your most courageous episode yet, IMHO."

      I appreciate the sentiment, so don't take this as lack of
gratitude on my part; I'm happy you perceive it that way.

      But courageous?  No.

      Courageous as an apellation belongs to the South American
writers who insist on telling the truth about their governments, who
risk death on a daily basis for doing so...and to other writers doing
similar work in other countries.

      Yeah, it was kind of a shot to the midsection for some groups,
with a certain element of biting the hand that feeds you, but the truth
is, ain't nobody gonna come to my door in the middle of the night with
death squads, take me away, and torture me.  If you want to hear about
real courage, join PEN International, or Amnesty International.  They
can always use the help.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 23:16:46 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Lessons of 'Epiphanies'

{original post had no questions}

      Actually, being a communist wasn't illegal back in the McCarthy
period, either...they just destroyed you for it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 23:16:48 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <TIoT> Ill-/De-/Coll-

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> Can what Garibaldi says be counted as illusion or truth, these
> days?

      Thanks...your reaction is about on a par with most folks...that
this ep is one that'll be discussed a lot, but not rewatched a lot,
because it's just really hard to watch, knowing what's coming.  It
really does tend to upset people.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 23:16:50 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: IoT--cryo-cameos

{original post unavailable}

      I'll probably be there sooner or later....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23 Feb 1997 23:46:50 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com>
Subject: Cindy LOVED Demon Night

 David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com> asks:
> The next novel?
> You mean there is something coming after Othersyde?

      Yeah, I started my next novel...it's going to be a slow haul,
because I still have to give B5 my primary concern, but I've been going
batty not doing some prose work, and I decided I finally had to start
it, just for my own soul.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 24 Feb 1997 17:32:25 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Cindy LOVED Demon Night

 Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
> I don't suppose you'd give us a little hint of what it's about?

       Fraid not.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24 Feb 1997 17:32:26 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: <TIoT> Ill-/De-/Coll-

 Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> It beggs the question "Who watches the Watchmen?"
> Is Garibaldi's comments to Dan Randall what you had in mind?

       That's certainly the beginning of it, yeah.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24 Feb 1997 22:32:26 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Phyllis Schmulenson <72447.224@compuserve.com>
Subject: Cindy LOVED Demon Night

 Phyllis Schmulenson <72447.224@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you plan to put Babylon5 into prose form (three novels I would
> think) or do you think trying to translate into another media
> from TV film would basterize it?

      My feeling is, if I'd wanted to do 'em as books, I'd've done 'em
as books.  The story was designed for TV, and that's probably the best
place to leave it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24 Feb 1997 22:32:28 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Cindy LOVED Demon Night

 (blocked) asks:
> What's the next one going to be?

      No, the next novel has nothing to do with B5, anymore than did
my first two.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24 Feb 1997 22:32:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Atonement

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24 Feb 1997 22:32:32 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com>
Subject: Truth, the Media, and B5

 Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are we supposed to think that you believe all reporters are
> slime, or is it just the slant that they've been given in B5
> episodes? So I guess my main questions are these: What is your
> attitude on the press? And will you ever portray reporters in a
> good light?

      No, I don't make any blanket condemnations of journalists.  For
one thing, there's a difference between portraying journalism in a
relatively free society, and one that's operating under a dictatorship,
a la President Clark. It's the difference between journalism and
propaganda.

      In "Midnight on the Firing Line," we had a reporter there doing
a straight-ahead story; in "Point of No Return" we had the Good
Journalists fighting to reveal the truth even as Clark was shutting
them down.

      There have been favorable portrayals; it's just that under the
current regime, they don't have access to the media.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24 Feb 1997 22:32:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>The Truth in IofT<<

 (blocked) asks:
> Is there no wear and tear on space suits and space ships?
> Don't people and equipment bump into things in space and scratch
> letters and bend things that aren't worth repairing? Is this
> intentional? What does the print say on the top?
> Any of these available on the market yet?
> Is not Sheridan bothered a little bit by the fact that the
> reporter may be right? Who really is telling the truth just a
> little, Delenn or ISN?

      The Hubble looks pretty new and gleaming, until you get right up
close to it.  You don't allow wear in a space suit because it'll kill
you.  And the stuff at B5 is at *most* 4 years old, and only outside
when needed.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24 Feb 1997 23:47:22 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: JMS's new book

{original post had no questions}

      Didn't say it to you 'cause I'd already said it, and didn't want
to repeat myself.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 25 Feb 1997 16:53:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>The Truth in IofT<<

 (blocked) asks:
> No rust in space, but no dust also?

       You don't want to get dust into your space suit or it'll screw
up the works and you'll die, which is a definite design flaw.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 25 Feb 1997 22:24:53 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: WB vs. Drop Dead?

 Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you have a feeling yet whether WB/PTEN will be willing to give
> you an answer on renewal and/or the sequel after this week's
> numbers come out and get digested? If not, do you know this year's
> 'drop dead' date on renewal?

      The renewal dates for the actors is the same every year, around
late June/early July.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25 Feb 1997 22:24:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: more praise

{original post unavailable}

      That's great, thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25 Feb 1997 22:24:57 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kristi Ferebee <75361.1615@compuserve.com>
Subject: Time loop?

{original post had no questions}

      I could answer this, but if I expand the time paradox loop any
further, I would end up not answering it because I'd already answered
it, which means it wouldn't get answered, requiring me to answer it
now, and pretty soon the universe implodes, and I don't want that on my
conscience.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25 Feb 1997 22:24:59 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: ><The Long Night>>

 Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was it my drug-induced haze, or was the voice of the shadow
> creature done by Ed Wasser?

      Yeah, that was Ed's voice.  Seemed appropos.

      Definitely didn't want it to end in a big explosion.  We've seen
many of those; how many more can you see?  One is the same as the other
after a while. And if we destroyed everything, how would that show we'd
grown enough to create the new age?  It's a matter of evolution, not
destruction.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26 Feb 1997 01:40:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com>
Subject: Cindy LOVED Demon Night

 David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is it horror, SF, or something else?

      It's SF.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 26 Feb 1997 13:52:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Will Caraway <73671.2434@compuserve.com>
Subject: Greatest 10 Seconds

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks...it was fun....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26 Feb 1997 14:07:36 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com>
Subject: Conspiracy of Light Conv

 Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are these guys for real?
> Did I miss the description of what facility they are talking
> about? make a reservation, but is this legit?
> thing out?
> crew, JMS, etc?
> What do you know of this?

       My knowledge and association is at some distance.  I met with
some of the people putting this together while I was in Florida, and
they include a number of folks who have been long-time online
supporters of B5, who apparently have a good background running
conventions.  I know that they are making a honest effort of this, and
are doing all they can to make it a good convention.  Beyond that, I
can't say that we're actively involved in it. It has all the earmarks
of something that would work out, but I have no way of knowing that,
any more than any other first-time convention...except to know the
intentions of the people, which are good, and their experience, which 
seems to be solid.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26 Feb 1997 14:07:38 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: pen names

       I just chose not to go the pen name route for myself, it's not
meant as a general statement for others.  I figure if I do all the work
creating something, it's not unreasonable to expect people to work
their way through pronouncing Straczynski....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26 Feb 1997 14:07:38 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: Epiphanies

 Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> asks:
> When Garibaldi spoke to Zach about his hiring him, were you
> harkening back at all to when you hired Jeff for the role when
> you wrote that particular scene?

       Jeff has certainly had his share of rough breaks, and we were
very happy to give him a home here on B5.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26 Feb 1997 14:07:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: 409: Shades of Red

{original post had no questions}

       I'll have to verify what you report, but if it's there, my
guess is that it's an artifact of the blue-screen that was behind her
for the second shot.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26 Feb 1997 14:07:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Bovenmyer <73567.1341@compuserve.com>
Subject: Atonements

 John Bovenmyer <73567.1341@compuserve.com> asks:
> Am I correct that Dukhat is the first Minbari we've seen with
> facial hair? Is that important?
> Did Sinclair/Valen ever realize Delenn's heritage?
> Might this newly mentioned mystery about Valen's end foreshadow
> it's resolution in future episodes? Did I hear correctly that
> Calenn is Delenn's brother and they had other brothers die along
> with Dukhat?

       No, Calenn was not Delenn's brother; the grey councilor speaks
of brothers in the generic sense.

       Draal, in his first appearance, also had a small beard.

       And thanks....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26 Feb 1997 14:11:25 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: Official: No year 5

       No, the Netter release DOES NOT specifically state that there
will not be a season 5.  It talks about the current 88 episodes in the
can, which TNT wants to go with asap, but we've been told by WB that a
concurrent airing of season 5 and the TNT reruns is a possibility, so
it's still in the discussion process.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26 Feb 1997 18:12:59 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Colin Knowles <72152.201@compuserve.com>
Subject: Official: No year 5

 Colin Knowles <72152.201@compuserve.com> asks:
> Isn't this pretty much completely against what you've intended
> from day one about B5? Also, could you give us any tantilizing
> hints about "Babylon 5: In the Beginning"?

       Re: "programming franchises"...I agree.  I went and yelled on
Doug today, because this came out of the offices of the financial guys
in his company, and their only goal is to make everything big and
productive sounding for their stockholders, and that's the kind of
language they love. I didn't even see the thing until I logged on
today...and created several new orifices for him in the area of "these
things never go out unless I see them first!" Financial people and
creative people have different concerns and different priorities. 
(Which is why there were no quotes from me in this, I didn't know it
was going out.)

       So people have been yelled at on this one.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26 Feb 1997 18:13:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Cindy LOVED Demon Night

 (blocked) asks:
> What about that paragraph about "the one" or something from
> Othersyde? Is a novel about Sinclair/Zathras or G'Quon and G'Lan
> still possible?

       The new version of the B5 comic will have more info on
Valen/Zathras.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26 Feb 1997 18:13:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: 409: Shades of Red

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you have any idea why bluescreen would do that sort of thing
> to some colors? And, is there anything that can be done to avoid
> it?

       I think they had to tweak the color in the transfer to avoid
the problem of blue against blue, and having the virtual set bleed
through.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 27 Feb 1997 01:01:47 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Image of a Vorlon

{original post unavailable}

      Because it takes concentration to pull it off, and Kosh2 was
kinda distracted....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 27 Feb 1997 01:01:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
Subject: Epiphanies

 Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com> asks:
> ....have you ever considered the fact that between Jeff Conaway,
> Stephen Furst, and several others, you've made B5 into a haven
> where unappreciated and typecast actors have been able to shine
> with their respective skills while flipping a thespian finger at
> all those who've ignored them?

      That sometimes occurs to me....

      They're all fine actors who've been vastly underappreciated,
under utilized, and typecast.  We don't cater to that.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 27 Feb 1997 02:37:37 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All 
Subject: To Sysops from jms

      Some recent rumors have come to my attention over the last few
days, which I hope, in this forum, to put to rest.

      The rumors concern messages, posted here, which may have used
the occasional reference -- largely allowed on television, in
magazines, on the radio and elsewhere -- words such as "pissed off" or
"ass," that have been deleted or moved out of public view.  That is to
say...censored.

      Understand that those words are good enough for the Bible, which
tells us that god will "cut off from His presence he who pisseth
against the wall," and refers to the "jawbone of an ass."  Now, if such
language is good enough for the Bible, then it seems to me that such
terms should be good enough for Compuserve.

      Now, I say "rumors" because I'm sure that the sysops will now
come forth and explain that this was a terrible misunderstanding, that
no such thing ever happened, and will not happen in future.

      Granted, obviously, there are certain words and phrases that
have no place in a forum such as this...the really Tough Words. 
"Pissed off" and "ass" are not tough words...they are not even
firecrackers in the world of harsh language, nowhere near the
occasional cannon or howitzer that is out there.

      Further, more disturbing, are the rumors that messages inquiring
about these censored messages, which do not in and of themselves
contain any such language, have THEMSELVES been deleted or moved out of
public view (essentially the same thing).  That it is now inappropriate
and unallowable to even ASK about such things, regardless of language
used.  And that such heavy handedness has caused the resignation of a
number of forum members here.

      I say rumors, and I say unfounded rumors, because surely even
Compuserve would not actually take such action, and I'm confident will
now step forward to say otherwise.  Why do I believe this?

      Because Compuserve has a public image to maintain, and the
information that it was driving off users and deleting messages for
asking questions about censored messages would cause a furor of
substantial proportions.

      Because I will be sure to post many colorful quotes from the
Bible in this space, and when they are removed, inform the National
Council of Churches that Compuserve is deleting material from the Bible
on the grounds that people should not see it.  In sum, censoring the
Bible.  This should go over extremely well in the press.

      Because Compuserve and the sysops must know that if such rumors
*were* true that I would be forced to resign from this area myself,
rather than tacitly endorse such heavy handedness.  I would publicly
announce that this area is not conducive to the open discussion of this
show, and that users should apply elsewhere.

      Because on a daily basis, I give interviews to major newspapers,
magazines, television shows, radio shows, internet publications and
other venues in which I am asked about the online discussions of
Babylon 5; I speak at conventions across the country where these
matters are also discussed. And if this really *were* the situation
here on CIS, then in all of these interviews I would have no other
choice than to talk about messages censored simply for asking about
policies on censorship and their rationalization, let alone for
essentially innocuous words.  I would talk about it *at length*, and 
ensure that every newspaper and magazine and TV show and radio show
and internet publication and convention I spoke to printed or discussed
this information at length.

      I would obtain the name of the CEO of Compuserve, and pass along
that information to journalists so that they could verify this for
themselves, since the idea is, as stated above, utterly
ludicrous...that any reasonably sane person could behave in such a
capricious and brutish manner.  If this policy were in fact being
enforced, then I should imagine that the CEO of Compuserve would only
be *thrilled* to defend its practice to journalists at all hours of the
day.

      Compuserve would surely know that such behavior can exist only
in the shadows, and that nothing so illuminates the corners of such a
discussion as a few well-aimed journalists...and where the average
person might not have a means of getting the word out...I do.  And I
have an obligation to the many B5 fans using this service to maintain
the *reasonable and justifiable* limits of language that have always
been used here in the past, and that a show which encourages the asking
of questions will support those of its fans who choose to ask questions
of others, including "Why was that deleted?" without having to fear
that inquiry being itself deleted or otherwise obscured.

      I expect now that the messages inquiring about deleted or
"disappeared" messages will be restored, and reasonable discussion be
permitted here, and this whole silly rumor discounted once and for all.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 27 Feb 1997 12:56:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Epiphanies

{original post unavailable}

       Dunno...the ways of actors are like unto god, and transcend all
understanding.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 27 Feb 1997 12:56:36 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com>
Subject: Illusion of Truth

 Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com> asks:
> Just how painful was this for you as a writer to write about?
> Have you or someone you cared about been treated this way?

       It was most definitely difficult and painful for me to write. 
I am as much involved with these characters as anyone else, and doing
this kind of thing to them is hard.  And you have to put yourself in
the minds of those doing this, and that's a dark place to be.

       And yeah, I know people who were harmed in the blacklist, and
I've seen others, and myself, sometimes harmed by those who like to
twist things around to their own benefit.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 27 Feb 1997 12:56:37 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John F Davis <73455.43@compuserve.com>
Subject: pen names

{original post had no questions}

       I was hired by WB to write the 4 hour miniseries that never got
produced, to revive the show, because it would've been too costly for
syndication.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 27 Feb 1997 12:56:39 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Yuen <72466.1621@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms

{original post had no questions}

       It ain't just you...it's also Tom Knudsen and Stephen Smith and
others who have had this difficulty lately.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28 Feb 1997 02:03:25 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: WizOp Wes Meier <76703.747@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms

 WizOp Wes Meier <76703.747@compuserve.com> asks:
> Perhaps it isn't an exact parallel, but wouldn't you do something
> similar to avoid Babylon 5 becoming rated "R"? As an example, in
> your role as sole producer/creator of Babylon 5, would you
> tolerate the viewers of your program voicing their opinions of
> its direction while you were producing it?

||Pictures or text exposing extreme cruelty, physical or emotional
acts against any animal or person which are primarily intended to hurt
or inflict pain.  Obscene words, phrases, and profanity defined as text
that uses, but not limited to, George Carlin's 7 censored words more
often than once every 50 messages (newsgroups) or once a page (web
sites).||

      Well, then you have an immediate probelm here, Wes.  The
deletion in question seemed to occur after only ONE appearance.  The
rule stipulates "more often than once every 50 messsages."  If you are
strictly adhering to this rule, then it stands to reason that you have
the statistics to back it up. Otherwise how can you enforce it?

      So it is incumbent upon you to demonstrate that the use of one
word occured more than once in every 50 messsages.  Please show me the
stats you used to verify this position.  Otherwise it is random,
capricious, and in direct violation of the rules you say you are
following.  Because by inference, removing messages that contain words
such as the one you note LESS than every 50 messages is a VIOLATION of
CIS rules...and since only you have the access to the full stats on
this system, it is now incumbent upon you to demonstrate whether or not
you are in adherence to, or violation of, CIS rules.

"As you can see, Joe, we really have NO CHOICE but to adhere to the
"Carlin's 7" list of forbidden words (and "but not limited to")."

      Except, of course, that Carlin's list of Words You Can't Say On
Television is no longer applicable, because many of the words he said
you couldn't say back in the 1960s and 70s *can* be said NOW on TV.  So
the rule itself is irrelevant.  Even Carlin himself has said so...I was
watching one of his HBO specials yesterday, and he his own self noted
that the list was no longer accurate, and he had to revise it upward to
include new and more interesting words (which he enumerated at great
length).

      Since CIS seems to be looking to a comedian to define its rules
on language -- odd since I can't ever remember a Supreme Court decision
favoring the Comedian Rule in examining issues of censorship -- then if
Carlin himself has stated that the rule no longer applies, then why
does CIS not recognize this?  If Carlin's word was good enough to make
the rule, why is it not good enough to UNmake the rule?

      Additionally, the argument falls apart on the basic principles
of language itself.  The word Carlin offered, another word for urine,
is not the same word as "pissed.  The latter refers to anger, and has
nothing whatsoever to do with bodily fluids of any form.  It's spelled
the same, but IT'S NOT THE SAME WORD, WES.  It's like *heat* and
*heat*.  They're both spelled the same, but one is a unit of
temperature, and the other is a term used in racing for a match between
several cars.  So you're in the unlikely position of deleting a message
for using a word that LOOKS like a word you supposedly can't say, but 
ISN'T the same word, wasn't intended as the same word, and doesn't
mean the same thing within context.

      From a simple, grammatical perspective, it isn't ON Carlin's
(now defunct) list because it isn't one of those words.

"You don't like it.  We don't like it. Perhaps it isn't an exact
parallel, but wouldn't you do something similar to avoid Babylon 5
becoming rated "R"?"

      I used language that I knew would get us a more restrictive TV
rating just two weeks ago.  Also, there is no R rating in TV.  The
highest you can go is TV-M.  Which was the category under which
Schindler's List was just broadcast...which received praise from
members of Congress (all but one), and was upheld by every conceivable
standard even though it featured full frontal nudity.  If I felt it had
sufficient merit, I'd be willing to go for a TV-M. If it's good enough
for Spielberg and Congress, sure, it's good enough for me.

"Members of these forums are welcome to ask about our policies and,
even, to question them.  However, such messages are considered to be
between the sender and the senior staff of this forum and are not
subject to open debate."

      So in other words, the discussions people would need to
determine what they should and should not say are closed off from the
people so that they cannot see those discussions and thus cannot know
when they offend, or why, or what recourse they may have.  "not subject
to open debate" is another way of saying "not subject to open
*dissemination*."  Sure, you can't do an offensive thing if everybody
knows about it...so you make sure the discussions of it all take place
in utter privacy.

      Every user here is DIRECTLY AND PERSONALLY affected by CIS's
policies on language and message content.  So how, then, can
discussions of these policies be excluded from the users?  Logically,
you *want* users here to know what the rules are, so that they
understand them, and thus you don't have to enforce policies that seem
arbitrary and blindside people.  Therefore the logic of "not subject to
open debate" falls apart on the face of it; the line stems from the
corporate arrogance that says, "We cannot be questioned, and we will 
not be held accountable.  Only YOU can be held accountable."

"As an example, in your role as sole producer/creator of Babylon 5,
would you tolerate the viewers of your program voicing their opinions
of its direction while you were producing it?  Such would be
distracting to the cast and crew and would be something best held in
privacy between those concerned and yourself."

      Well, in point of fact, every day I'm online, I hear from the
thousands of people online who express their opinions of the direction
of B5 while we're making it.  That's kinda why I'm HERE.

      Secondarily, the purpose of message boards is DISCUSSION.  The
purpose of a TV studio is to make a show.  Two different creatures. 
Which puts you in the position of, "The message boards are for the
purpose of users expressing their opinions EXCEPT when the messages are
ABOUT expressing their opinions, in which case they cannot express
their opinions."

      Every argument you have presented is either fallacious,
unprovable, involve mass exercises in paralogia, or come down to the
basic bottom line, "Because I *said* so, that's why!"

      It doesn't hold up, Wes.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28 Feb 1997 02:03:28 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: To Sysops from jms

{original post had no questions}

      You may want to check my response to Wes, just posted in this
thread, and add that to the collection.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28 Feb 1997 02:22:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: WizOp Wes Meier <76703.747@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms

 WizOp Wes Meier <76703.747@compuserve.com> asks:
> Perhaps it isn't an exact parallel, but wouldn't you do something
> similar to avoid Babylon 5 becoming rated "R"? As an example, in
> your role as sole producer/creator of Babylon 5, would you
> tolerate the viewers of your program voicing their opinions of
> its direction while you were producing it?

      Oh, I forgot this one....

"But if it is our goal to stay off the Parental Control list and
therefore allow children to access discussions relating to topics in
this forum, then we must make every effort to adhere to its
restrictions."

      So to avoid restricting children, we will restrict the adults. 
In a forum where intelligent discourse is the goal, I'm not sure I
perceive the wisdom in this.

      And if the discussions are hobbled, what benefit is there in
guaranteeing access to conversations that are inhibited?

      How many children -- and define children here -- use this forum?
I very, very rarely see them here.  Are you restricting several
thousand adults for the benefit of 3 children?

      All of which is, of course, secondary to issue raised
before...are you actually keeping to the letter of the rules by
numerical content, or are you not?  If you are, then please show us
your math.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28 Feb 1997 02:22:15 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Hero Games (Sue) <75162.372@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms

{original post had no questions}

      Actually, the FCC does not define foul language in the fashion
you indicate, not in over 20 years.  And it does allow the broadcasting
of ALL the words on Carlin's "list" under certain circumstances.  (This
from my having worked for 5 years at a Pacificia radio station, which
kept us apprised of such rules.)  They don't tell you any longer what
words not to say...they just wait until an accumulation hits.  And
there is the 12:00 midnighr rule, which allows virtually everything and
anything to be said, as was the rule at many Pacifica stations.

      So, basically, it should be okay to read messages here with
language in them after midnight....

                                                                  jms


------------------------------



Date: 28 Feb 1997 12:41:58 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
Subject: Clarion

 Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
> What do you and Kathryn think of the Clarion workshops?
> Useful?
> Traumatic?
> Both?
> Would she do it again?

       I didn't go through Clarion, so I really can't comment, and
would not presume to characterize another's opinions.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28 Feb 1997 12:48:57 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: TNT Movies Prod Question

 (blocked) asks:
> Does this, in any way, affect your and the rest of the cast's
> attendance at any of the summer cons (particularly, Wolf 359: The
> Alliance)?

       No, it doesn't affect the Wolf con, as we'll be finished
shooting by June 30th.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28 Feb 1997 17:22:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dan T. Davis <71121.1254@compuserve.com>
Subject: Number of B5 Episodes?

 Dan T. Davis <71121.1254@compuserve.com> asks:
> I don't want to make assumptions about season 5, but isn't the
> statement "entire 88 episodes" incorrect EVEN IF there are only
> four seasons? Or is TNT not going to show the premiere after the
> "Prequel"? Finally, if it IS 88+2 (or 110+2) episodes, will the
> premiere be broken up into two one hour pieces to become part of
> the overall set?

       We haven't been told anything official yet.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28 Feb 1997 17:22:30 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tina Whitecotton <71620.2013@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms

 Tina Whitecotton <71620.2013@compuserve.com> asks:
> So where's the problem here????

     "I have NEVER ONCE seen the forum participants WIN."

     Then it's about time, no?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28 Feb 1997 17:22:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: WizOp Wes Meier <76703.747@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms

{original post had no questions}

       Wes, you have still not replied to the main point of my
message.

       You say you are following the CIS rules, which will determine
whether or not sfmedone is placed on the Parental Control List.  But
the rules you quoted indicate that in fact this sort of language is
PERMITTED, provided that it does not happen more than once every 50
messages.

       You have still not shown to me that this was the case here.  On
what basis do you decide that it happened in 49 messages or 51
messages?  You have completely ignored my request for you to show me
the figures you used to make this determination...figures without which
you could not have made that determination...unless you just did it
arbitrarily.  Which is it?

       As for the quotes...every first year journalist understands
what Fair Use is, and what constitutes Fair Use.  Surely CIS can afford
one lawyer to consult for one hour to tell you what every journalist
knows...that to a large degree it's a matter of the extent of the
material quoted, its proportion to the original material, and whether
or not proper attribution is made.  If a book is at issue, quoting
several paragraphs certainly falls into fair use...while quoting
several paragraphs of a one-page poem would not, again due to the
proportions involved.

       I'm still waiting for you to show me the basis on which you
made your decision.  If you cannot provide it, you leave only the
impression that it was made arbitrarily, and that you *yourself* stand
in violation of CIS rules, and should be reported as such.

       However, that you are "rethinking" the policy is certainly a
good thing...in a way, it's not so much the policy as the *method of
implementing* that policy, and the extremes used, that may be most in
need of attention.

       BTW, I was interviewed just this afternoon by a reporter from
SciFi Entertainment on the online world, and went into this at some
length; it will likely show up in the next column there.  I'll be sure
to update her on further developments.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28 Feb 1997 17:28:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: To Sysops from jms

{original post had no questions}

       Here's the ultimate irony...this began in part because a word
was used just once...and the furor has led to the word being used far,
far more times than would have been the case if the situation had been
left alone by the sysops.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28 Feb 1997 17:28:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: WizOp Wes Meier <76703.747@compuserve.com>
Subject: To Sysops from jms

{original post had no questions}

       PS...you also did not respond to the point that "pissed off" is
NOT on the Carlin list, and is not even the same WORD as what Carlin
cites, does not have the same meaning.  It's not nitpicking, it's NOT
THE SAME WORD, so the Carlin "rule" does not apply to it.

       One word means bodily fluids, one means a state of anger.  You
can say they're the same to your heart's content, but words mean what
they mean, not what you want them to mean.  You're shooting at the
wrong target.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------