The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5
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  1. JMS CompuServe messages for April 1997. Collected by John Hardin
  2. <jhardin@wolfenet.com>.
  3. Date: 01 Apr 1997 02:36:53 -0700
  4. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  5. To: (blocked)
  6. Subject: The Raven & the Dove
  7. {original post unavailable}
  8. Not a message as such, but more an image, a mood that gives
  9. subtext to some stuff that happens later.
  10. jms
  11. ------------------------------
  12. Date: 01 Apr 1997 02:36:56 -0700
  13. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  14. To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
  15. Subject: I-con: Time of Program?
  16. Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
  17. > 8:00-9:00pm Autographs in the Gym 9:30-10:30pm Panel: Home is the
  18. > Strangest Place of All at Javits 102, with Harlan, Nancy Kress,
  19. > and ??
  20. It's definitely going to be changed....
  21. jms
  22. ------------------------------
  23. Date: 01 Apr 1997 02:47:56 -0700
  24. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  25. To: Mark Sloan <100407.3462@compuserve.com>
  26. Subject: UK B5 FAN TO BE SUED!!
  27. {original post had no questions}
  28. Wearing a beard and glasses is not grounds for any kind of suit,
  29. or I would be in court forever.
  30. I've been warning people for some time now, particularly those
  31. who abuse the copyright, that WB is cracking down. Over two dozen
  32. *judgements* have been rendered in cases pursued by WB against pirates
  33. and hackers and others who've imperiled the copyright to B5. If this
  34. windows "help" file is what I think it is, it's filled with images and
  35. material owned by WB, and is being mass distributed. Whether for free
  36. or profit isn't the issue, it's the repackaging of material. The
  37. "bearded/glasses" thing sounds like smoke to me because the person got
  38. caught.
  39. On the one hand, we've gotten WB to be fairly relaxed about web
  40. sites and fan stuff, as long as the proper copyright info is
  41. appended...but at the same time, they're cracking down on those who are
  42. abusing the situation and unquestionably infringing on WB's copyright.
  43. (Note to dealers and con organizers: they've been seriously going after
  44. counterfeiters and pirates, and some cons have had to pay the price for
  45. not properly policing their dealer's rooms for counterfeit
  46. merchandise.) In most cases that I know of, the person is given a
  47. warning first...then hit when and if they choose to get stupid and
  48. ignore the warning. I don't know the situation with this one, but I
  49. would guess it's the same.
  50. WB owns B5, and WB has an obligation to protect it from falling
  51. into public domain, which *will happen* unless it vigorously goes after
  52. parties who infringe on that copyright. There is no corporation on the
  53. planet that acts otherwise.
  54. jms
  55. ------------------------------
  56. Date: 01 Apr 1997 12:24:23 -0700
  57. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  58. To: (blocked)
  59. Subject: UK B5 FAN TO BE SUED!!
  60. {original post had no questions}
  61. (sudden light goes on)
  62. I think I keel Meester Sloan now....
  63. jms
  64. ------------------------------
  65. Date: 01 Apr 1997 12:24:24 -0700
  66. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  67. To: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com>
  68. Subject: burrowing bombs
  69. Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> asks:
  70. > for your version that is used by the Vorlons, are they based on a
  71. > concept from another area of SF that I'm not familiar with? or did
  72. > you come up with them yourself? did you know that the US was
  73. > developing them?
  74. No, that's something that we came up with here...if this is
  75. true, it's an interesting concept.
  76. jms
  77. ------------------------------
  78. Date: 01 Apr 1997 22:41:20 -0700
  79. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  80. To: (blocked)
  81. Subject: Babylon 5 RPG...canon?
  82. {original post unavailable}
  83. Obviously there's a lot of wriggle room here because there's so
  84. much material covered, but at least the sense of it is canonical, and a
  85. lot of what they came up with was sufficiently good that I looked at it
  86. and said, "Okay, I can buy that."
  87. jms
  88. ------------------------------
  89. Date: 01 Apr 1997 22:41:22 -0700
  90. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  91. To: Craig M. Bobchin <102354.3246@compuserve.com>
  92. Subject: The Shadow Within/ITF
  93. Craig M. Bobchin <102354.3246@compuserve.com> asks:
  94. > What was the timing of the book/episode?
  95. > I know books require a bit of lead time so did the author see the
  96. > episode before it aired or was it something you added after the
  97. > book was in progress?
  98. It all just sorta came together at the same time.
  99. jms
  100. ------------------------------
  101. Date: 02 Apr 1997 03:20:26 -0700
  102. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  103. To: (blocked)
  104. Subject: I-Con Invitation
  105. {original post unavailable}
  106. So what was it like seeing 24 episodes in a row?
  107. jms
  108. ------------------------------
  109. Date: 02 Apr 1997 22:54:25 -0700
  110. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  111. To: (blocked)
  112. Subject: I-Con Invitation
  113. {original post unavailable}
  114. Actually, Claudia never played Ivanova with a Russian accent. I
  115. still can't figure out why people keep saying this. She was very
  116. formal, but there was never, ever any accent unless she was saying a
  117. Russian name, but that's all.
  118. jms
  119. ------------------------------
  120. Date: 08 Apr 1997 01:16:58 -0700
  121. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  122. To: Scott Belgarde <75347.2324@compuserve.com>
  123. Subject: Babylon 5 RPG...canon?
  124. Scott Belgarde <75347.2324@compuserve.com> asks:
  125. > I haven't played any RPGs in years, not since my college
  126. > days--ahhhh...I yearn for those long past halcyon days when I had
  127. > the time (Classes?
  128. "I'm just hoping the technical manual will be released, either in hard
  129. copy or on disc, it will make my task a great deal easier.":
  130. This will be coming out as the B5 Security Manual from Boxtree
  131. (likely to then be reprinted by Del Rey), and in the B5 informational
  132. CDrom now being finished.
  133. jms
  134. ------------------------------
  135. Date: 08 Apr 1997 01:48:01 -0700
  136. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  137. To: All
  138. Subject: Psi Phi Phony jms
  139. To anyone one the Psi Phi mailing list or web site: someone has
  140. been logging on to impersonate me over this past weekend. I have
  141. never, at any time, posted on this site, and any messages are to be
  142. discounted, deleted and ignored. If anyone knows the sysop of this
  143. system, please notify them and tell them to remove that account.
  144. There have been, and continue to be, impersonators using my name
  145. on other systems. If you see something that looks suspicious, or if I
  146. show up on an unfamiliar system, please send email to me asking if it's
  147. actually me or not. Generally the only places I post *ever* are
  148. Compuserve, GEnie, AOL, the usenet moderated group, and the B5 fan club
  149. site.
  150. To those considering this prank: understand that whereas other
  151. activities are fuzzy under the law when it comes to the cyberworld,
  152. falsy impersonating someone is *not*, and you will be arrested. Count
  153. on it.
  154. jms
  155. ------------------------------
  156. Date: 08 Apr 1997 01:48:05 -0700
  157. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  158. To: Kathleen . Keefe <102735.3416@compuserve.com>
  159. Subject: I-Con Invitation
  160. Kathleen . Keefe <102735.3416@compuserve.com> asks:
  161. > Who was it?
  162. I think it was just someone from our walla group.
  163. jms
  164. ------------------------------
  165. Date: 08 Apr 1997 01:48:07 -0700
  166. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  167. To: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com>
  168. Subject: holding over episodes
  169. {original post had no questions}
  170. Fall would be October; they'd use the last episodes to ramp up
  171. whatever comes next, us or something else, for the November sweeps.
  172. jms
  173. ------------------------------
  174. Date: 08 Apr 1997 01:48:12 -0700
  175. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  176. To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
  177. Subject: B5 Fans vs. Trekkies
  178. Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com> asks:
  179. > Where is the line drawn?
  180. > How do we stay 'healthy' fans, and avoid getting mentioned in the
  181. > next update of Harlan's Xenogenesis?
  182. Leaving aside the whole broader questions at work here -- and
  183. there are many -- I think that on balance, B5 fans would have a harder
  184. time falling for this sort of thing in general because B5 does not
  185. offer answers, only questions, and encourages viewers to think for
  186. themselves and question authority. This would not make them good
  187. candidates for cult recruitment drives.
  188. jms
  189. ------------------------------
  190. Date: 08 Apr 1997 01:48:14 -0700
  191. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  192. To: Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com>
  193. Subject: King Arthur and Delenn
  194. {original post had no questions}
  195. Had he actually known...it would've been even more apt.
  196. jms
  197. ------------------------------
  198. Date: 08 Apr 1997 01:48:15 -0700
  199. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  200. To: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com>
  201. Subject: B5 RPG comments
  202. Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com> asks:
  203. > What gives?
  204. They would be a *major* disruption in an environment such as B5,
  205. so their presence is discouraged in the sense of having an office
  206. there, though other teeps do pass through on occasion.
  207. jms
  208. ------------------------------
  209. Date: 08 Apr 1997 01:48:18 -0700
  210. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  211. To: (blocked)
  212. Subject: I-CON
  213. {original post had no questions}
  214. Thanks; you should've come up and said hi...every time someone
  215. asked me to sign a card to Sharon, I said, "...Foster?" Never worked
  216. out.
  217. The con was a lot of fun...hard work, but overall, fun.
  218. jms
  219. ------------------------------
  220. Date: 08 Apr 1997 01:48:20 -0700
  221. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  222. To: (blocked)
  223. Subject: More I-CON Musings....
  224. {original post had no questions}
  225. Thanks, good points...and yeah, I generally try to watch
  226. X-Files, though I've fallen a bit by the wayside lately due to a) work
  227. and b) the story getting kinda convoluted (yeah, like I should
  228. talk)....
  229. jms
  230. ------------------------------
  231. Date: 08 Apr 1997 02:05:56 -0700
  232. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  233. To: (blocked)
  234. Subject: I-CON
  235. {original post unavailable}
  236. No, I was not told that people had left the line and not been
  237. allowed in. At one point, a security person pointed to the end of the
  238. line and told me that now that we'd begun that would be the end of it,
  239. but that's all. (And I kept insisting that I'd sign more than one
  240. thing, I'm real fast that way.) I felt that they were a little
  241. ham-handed in this...but at the same time, particulary Sunday, I was on
  242. a *very* tight schedule, and that made things tough for everyone. But
  243. my policy holds: if someone's in line, they should get an autograph, no
  244. matter how long it takes.
  245. jms
  246. ------------------------------
  247. Date: 08 Apr 1997 12:33:57 -0700
  248. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  249. To: (blocked)
  250. Subject: Thanks, & some questions
  251. (blocked) asks:
  252. > Was it your idea to have Marcus singing "I am the Very Model of a
  253. > Moder Major General" at the end of the last episode, or was it
  254. > the actor who suggested the specific song? Why has no one begun to
  255. > put two and two together and think about the possibility that
  256. > Garibaldi's change in personality may be related to the fact that
  257. > he he and his ship were obviously abducted?
  258. The song was in the script; Jason then had to learn it. And
  259. Andreas came in and auditioned like others, and we responded to what we
  260. saw during his audition. Simple as that.
  261. And thanks....
  262. jms
  263. ------------------------------
  264. Date: 09 Apr 1997 01:12:19 -0700
  265. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  266. To: (blocked)
  267. Subject: I-CON
  268. {original post unavailable}
  269. They cut the line off *outside*, after people had been waiting?!
  270. I didn't know. Suffice to say I'm vastly disappointed and more
  271. than a tad annoyed by this.
  272. jms
  273. ------------------------------
  274. Date: 09 Apr 1997 12:31:16 -0700
  275. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  276. To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
  277. Subject: WesterCon 50
  278. Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks:
  279. > for WesterCon 50 worked-out your schedule and will you let us
  280. > know what it is when you do know?
  281. No, I don't believe anything's been finalized yet, though I'll
  282. be sure to mention when it is.
  283. jms
  284. ------------------------------
  285. Date: 09 Apr 1997 22:22:22 -0700
  286. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  287. To: All
  288. Subject: jms Note to German Fans
  289. I spoke to Bruce today, and apparently whatever problems may
  290. have existed have been worked out, and he, Richard Biggs and Jerry
  291. Doyle are now all confirmed for the German convention this summer.
  292. Now, that stated, an open letter to the German fan groups.
  293. Many on the B5 staff and I have been inundated with email from
  294. fans in Germany, and organizers of various fan groups, and fan
  295. counter-groups, and counter-counter groups, and insisting -- no,
  296. *demanding* -- that we get personally involved in the fan situation
  297. there, that so-and-so has no business working in X area of fandom, that
  298. this group over here isn't as right or proper as *that* group over
  299. there, insisting again and again that we issue statements condemning or
  300. repudiating one group or another....
  301. Stop it.
  302. For starters you're making my people crazy. And some of the
  303. cast. You do not endear yourselves with this behavior.
  304. Second: it is not our place to intervene in fan-vs-fan disputes.
  305. Not only *would* we not do so, it would be wrong for us to try, and it
  306. would be resented by the majority of fans, rightly so.
  307. Granted that there are always, and will always be, schisms and
  308. politics and back-alley metaphorical knifings between one fan group and
  309. another, that goes with the territory, and it happens in many
  310. countries. But the ferocity of this competition, and the blizzard of
  311. email to my staffers and others involved with the show from those
  312. involved in the current dispute has gone beyond the pale.
  313. If I know from personal experience or knowledge that a given
  314. convention is going to be trouble, I'll say so...but I (and we) have no
  315. direct knowledge of the situation in German fandom, and to ask us to
  316. condemn or recognize one faction or another when we are completely in
  317. the dark is simply wrong.
  318. (I should mention that it's primarily those who are actually
  319. involved in one group or another who are making life difficult for us
  320. here; we have received only wonderful support from German fans in
  321. general, who don't get involved in the politics of local fandom. We're
  322. very proud of how the show has been received in Germany, and are only
  323. appreciative of the great response and support and letters we've
  324. received. This is primarily addressed only to the specific groups
  325. involved.)
  326. The point of B5 is that hu jms
  327. ------------------------------
  328. Date: 08 Mar 1997 21:25:54 -0700
  329. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  330. To: JOHN GRAVES <102735.1124@compuserve.com>
  331. Subject: Who Killed JMS?
  332. JOHN GRAVES <102735.1124@compuserve.com> asks:
  333. > Just what the heck is going on?
  334. > What are you folks thinking of?
  335. As I noted in a message to you in another thread, everything has
  336. worked out fine, and the sysops have adjusted the structure to allow
  337. for greater flexibility, for which they are to be commended.
  338. So I'm still alive and well and here...the reports of my dearth
  339. are greatly exaggerated....
  340. jms
  341. ------------------------------
  342. Date: 08 Mar 1997 21:25:56 -0700
  343. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  344. To: (blocked)
  345. Subject: B5 Starfury model/drwgs
  346. {original post unavailable}
  347. The models advertised in the UK are pirate and inferior.
  348. Authorized models will be coming out from Revell/Monogram later
  349. this year.
  350. jms
  351. ------------------------------
  352. Date: 10 Apr 1997 11:51:04 -0700
  353. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  354. To: (blocked)
  355. Subject: I-CON
  356. {original post had no questions}
  357. Yeah, it seemed to us as well that he was having a bit of fun,
  358. being a renowned satirist, and we figured we'd play into it.
  359. jms
  360. ------------------------------
  361. Date: 11 Apr 1997 15:18:00 -0700
  362. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  363. To: Will Gearhart <102147.2670@compuserve.com>
  364. Subject: Timeline question
  365. Will Gearhart <102147.2670@compuserve.com> asks:
  366. > To that I would add, if the Minbari couldn't scan Sinclair, would
  367. > they have just finished earth off and made the whole question of
  368. > the battle scene, Babylon 5, 4 (all of them) moot? And what kind
  369. > of race would the Minbari be without Valen? And doesn't believing
  370. > in Mobius-like temporal paradoxes take a bit more faith than
  371. > believing in God?
  372. Sinclair went back because he would always go back and always
  373. went back; the "alternate" timeline phrase isn't quite correct...it's
  374. more like the moment when the two possible wave forms of
  375. *possibilities* must collapse into one probability or certainty, both
  376. tugging at the same time. For instance, you've got Shroedinger's cat,
  377. put into a box, with a 50/50 chance of a poison gas capsule opening and
  378. killing the cat. At the instant before you open the box, Shroedinger
  379. said, the cat is neither dead nor alive, but *both*, until you open the
  380. box and the two possibilities collapse into one. It isn't that the cat
  381. had two alternate timelines, only that there were two possibilities
  382. fighting it out to become the real one.
  383. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
  384. jms
  385. ------------------------------
  386. Date: 12 Apr 1997 01:33:16 -0700
  387. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  388. To: (blocked)
  389. Subject: jms Note to German Fans
  390. {original post unavailable}
  391. ....sigh...just what I need.
  392. Okay, somebody get me a fistful of theses, I'll get a nail....
  393. jms
  394. ------------------------------
  395. Date: 12 Apr 1997 01:33:18 -0700
  396. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  397. To: Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com>
  398. Subject: Timeline question
  399. {original post had no questions}
  400. Well, I figure...we saw it from the cat's point of view....
  401. jms
  402. ------------------------------
  403. Date: 12 Apr 1997 01:33:20 -0700
  404. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  405. To: Scott Belgarde <75347.2324@compuserve.com>
  406. Subject: Timeline question
  407. Scott Belgarde <75347.2324@compuserve.com> asks:
  408. > Speaking of Schroedinger's Cat, ever read any Rudy Rucker?
  409. Personally, I think they ought to leave the damn cat alone
  410. before he scratches somebody's eyes out....
  411. jms
  412. ------------------------------
  413. Date: 12 Apr 1997 01:33:22 -0700
  414. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  415. To: All
  416. Subject: ICON Postscript
  417. By the way...since I got the end of the story today in the
  418. paper, I thought I'd pass this along as a follow-up to the Icon
  419. coverage.
  420. On Sunday late afternoon, I finished my last presentation and
  421. got into the car to head back to the hotel to pack. Robert Kaiser,
  422. escort and driver assigned by the con, was driving the van and can
  423. verify what follows. We were about halfway to the hotel, on the
  424. freeway, when I heard this very loud engine right outside, like a big,
  425. loud motorcycle trying to pass. I looked to the left, nothing. Looked
  426. to the right and behind. Nothing.
  427. Then I looked forward...and saw two airplane wheels coming down
  428. over the edge of the window.
  429. In any international language you can name, this is the symbol
  430. for You Are Now In Serious Guano.
  431. A private plane was literally about five feet above the van.
  432. And coming down. Fast.
  433. It got a little ahead of us, because it was still moving fast,
  434. and it was obviously looking to try and put down on the freeway.
  435. Something was wrong. It was about three or so car lengths ahead now,
  436. but there wasn't room to put down, too many cars. It suddenly lurched
  437. down. "It's going to hit the deck right in front of us," I realized.
  438. Then it abruptly pitched up again, as a bridge appeared in front of us,
  439. and banked away to the right.
  440. The last I saw, it was banking and descending behind a line of
  441. trees, apparently looking for somewhere, anywhere to set down before
  442. the plane gave out.
  443. I didn't want to say anything until I knew the fate of whoever
  444. was flying it; happily, according to newspaper reports, the three
  445. passengers of the plane were injured when it crashed into the side of a
  446. nearby house, but not killed. They were taken to the nearby Medical
  447. Center at Stony Brook, there in Long Island, and are now recovering.
  448. Took us a while to calm down. After all the other adventures of
  449. the convention...they threw a plane at us. And almost got us...within
  450. five feet, to be precise. Had it gone down just roughly ninety seconds
  451. before it did, I would almost certainly not be here to write this.
  452. jms
  453. ------------------------------
  454. Date: 12 Apr 1997 15:54:06 -0700
  455. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  456. To: Eric Baker <76600.2605@compuserve.com>
  457. Subject: Women in the Sequel
  458. Eric Baker <76600.2605@compuserve.com> asks:
  459. > 8) What I'm curious about is if you have given any thought to the
  460. > male/female ratio on the new show? Have you given any thought to
  461. > it?
  462. I never ever give thought to ratios, or making a political
  463. statement, or anything other than the story. If that meant using 100%
  464. female cast in the movie, or 100% male cast, or some variation thereof,
  465. then that's what it'll be. I think the *instant* you start putting
  466. agendas ahead of the creative process, of saying "What is the story
  467. *about*?" then I think you're dead.
  468. jms
  469. ------------------------------
  470. Date: 13 Apr 1997 01:04:03 -0700
  471. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  472. To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
  473. Subject: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  474. Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
  475. > What sort of mutant keyboard is that?
  476. > Is it wireless?
  477. > Would you recommend this arrangement for those of us with the CTS
  478. > and sore neck blues?
  479. That's a Kinesis keyboard, which I've found very useful. It's
  480. cut back the discomfort quite a bit, and I recommend it, though it
  481. takes a bit to get used to it.
  482. I've also just ordered a Datahand, which is a very radically
  483. different design, though there's apparently an 8 week waiting list.
  484. I'll let folks know how that one works out.
  485. jms
  486. ------------------------------
  487. Date: 13 Apr 1997 17:28:44 -0700
  488. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  489. To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
  490. Subject: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  491. Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
  492. > What do you do for a mouse, though?
  493. > And how DO you handle the keyboard in your lap- do you have an
  494. > extra long cord, or a cordless adapter?
  495. I still have to use a standard mouse, though I hate a mousepad,
  496. so I usually just run it on the top of my leg.
  497. The keyboard cable is pretty standard, and should probably be
  498. longer. I just keep it in my lap, on a lap-cat (a keyboard cushion),
  499. and sit back and type my little brains out.
  500. jms
  501. ------------------------------
  502. Date: 13 Apr 1997 17:28:47 -0700
  503. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  504. To: Eric Baker <76600.2605@compuserve.com>
  505. Subject: Women in the Sequel
  506. Eric Baker <76600.2605@compuserve.com> asks:
  507. > If I recall correctly, didn't you change casting directors
  508. > between the first and second seasons and wasn't one of the
  509. > reasons an effort to get more "cultural diversity" into the
  510. > casting?
  511. Yes, there we noticed a lapse because the show was getting (and
  512. still tends to be) a little too white-bread for my tastes, though we've
  513. gotten a bit better lately.
  514. jms
  515. ------------------------------
  516. Date: 13 Apr 1997 17:28:48 -0700
  517. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  518. To: Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com>
  519. Subject: General
  520. Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com> asks:
  521. > What are the particulars for choosing the art for the books?
  522. > Who could she send her portfolio to?
  523. The book is being done in-house through WB publishing, so it'd
  524. have to go through that.
  525. And thanks...good to see you there.
  526. jms
  527. ------------------------------
  528. Date: 13 Apr 1997 23:11:44 -0700
  529. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  530. To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
  531. Subject: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  532. Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
  533. > though then what would my excuse for getting so little done be?
  534. BTW, before I forget, try checking out www.datahand.com for
  535. another kind of keyboard, the one I just ordered. Can't vouch for it
  536. yet, because I haven't tried it and am trying this on faith, but it's a
  537. completely radical new design that was initially made for the Post
  538. Office, and is now being sold commercially.
  539. jms
  540. ------------------------------
  541. Date: 13 Apr 1997 23:11:46 -0700
  542. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  543. To: Kirk R. Darling <73063.3115@compuserve.com>
  544. Subject: Women in the Sequel
  545. {original post had no questions}
  546. Okay, kids, stop fighting or I'll turn this car *right* around
  547. and we'll go home.
  548. jms
  549. ------------------------------
  550. Date: 13 Apr 1997 23:25:18 -0700
  551. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  552. To: Francis Rogers <73742.1613@compuserve.com>
  553. Subject: Illusions of Truth
  554. Francis Rogers <73742.1613@compuserve.com> asks:
  555. > BTW, do you know if Kitman was putting us on in his overlong
  556. > introduction? What are your actual feelins on the matter?
  557. > 4, Who played the "psychiatrist" in the episode, the one
  558. > interviewed by Randall?
  559. I am definitely *not* anti-reporter...I'm against the *control*
  560. of truth by any government or political agenda. We are made stronger
  561. by a multiplicity of voices, and the more those voices are allowed
  562. access to a level playing field, the more often the truth will come out
  563. to play.
  564. The third name was Jarrico, after Paul Jarrico, also
  565. blacklisted.
  566. jms
  567. ------------------------------
  568. Date: 14 Apr 1997 17:22:16 -0700
  569. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  570. To: (blocked)
  571. Subject: Earth Standard Time
  572. {original post unavailable}
  573. Basically, it's the time zone in Geneva, Switzerland, which is
  574. the seat of Earth government now, Earthdome, and since all major
  575. planetary councils, the Senate, the President and other official
  576. business goes through there, that's the area where EST is determined.
  577. jms
  578. ------------------------------
  579. Date: 16 Apr 1997 01:12:14 -0700
  580. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  581. To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
  582. Subject: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  583. Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
  584. > Not to belabor this line of questioning (she says as she
  585. > belabors), but where do you get one of these things?
  586. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I got it, and the label
  587. has long since fallen off, I only remember that it was called a LapCat.
  588. jms
  589. ------------------------------
  590. Date: 16 Apr 1997 01:12:15 -0700
  591. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  592. To: Eric Baker <76600.2605@compuserve.com>
  593. Subject: Women in the Sequel
  594. Eric Baker <76600.2605@compuserve.com> asks:
  595. > Can we stop at McDonalds now?
  596. Ask your mother.
  597. jms
  598. ------------------------------
  599. Date: 16 Apr 1997 01:12:17 -0700
  600. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  601. To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
  602. Subject: Personal Agendas?
  603. Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
  604. > So my question is: Is the placement of this story in error, or is
  605. > the characterization just really out of sync with the series? Or
  606. > is this criticism entirely unjustified from your point of view?
  607. No, I've said that while this one is okay, the characterization
  608. is off, and it tries 'way too hard to be funny, ignoring the notion
  609. that if everything is funny then *nothing* is funny. Unfortunately, I
  610. didn't get the actual manuscript until it was too late to do anything
  611. short of commissioning a full rewrite, which they wouldn't do.
  612. Anyway...as I said, it's okay. But for my money, the Anna
  613. Sheridan and Jeffrey Sinclair books are the two real gems of this
  614. batch.
  615. jms
  616. ------------------------------
  617. Date: 16 Apr 1997 01:17:09 -0700
  618. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  619. To: (blocked)
  620. Subject: New episodes??
  621. (blocked) asks:
  622. > When do we get out of the current batch of reruns and back into
  623. > the new episodes??
  624. Next week's TV Guide lists the first new episode back.
  625. jms
  626. ------------------------------
  627. Date: 16 Apr 1997 01:17:11 -0700
  628. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  629. To: (blocked)
  630. Subject: New episodes??
  631. {original post unavailable}
  632. Actually, it's got some pretty funny stuff in it...when it ain't
  633. being tense....
  634. jms
  635. ------------------------------
  636. Date: 16 Apr 1997 01:17:13 -0700
  637. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  638. To: Thomas Rackers <72047.1207@compuserve.com>
  639. Subject: ATTN JMS: Blacklists?
  640. Thomas Rackers <72047.1207@compuserve.com> asks:
  641. > Basically, were some actors who were blacklisted by the HUAC
  642. > proceedings able to find work afterwards under other names? Are
  643. > you aware if pseudonyms were used to get around the blacklists?
  644. Some writers were able to get around it, but not the actors,
  645. except by leaving the US and working in England or Paris. I think
  646. you're thinking of two different actors.
  647. jms
  648. ------------------------------
  649. Date: 16 Apr 1997 23:03:18 -0700
  650. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  651. To: (blocked)
  652. Subject: New episodes??
  653. (blocked) asks:
  654. > Is this the one with the cameo by Scott Adams?
  655. No, I don't believe it is.
  656. jms
  657. ------------------------------
  658. Date: 17 Apr 1997 12:45:22 -0700
  659. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  660. To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
  661. Subject: Illusions of Truth
  662. Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
  663. > One question this brings to mind, why do we never see anything
  664. > but ISN? How did ISN get a stranglehold on the news, and if it
  665. > didn't, then there are likely millions of potential news outlets
  666. > accessible to everyone, how does Clark keep them under control?
  667. ISN is the one network that can handle *interstellar*
  668. broadcasts, which reqire a massive amount of energy, logistics,
  669. setup...there are other, local, planetary networks around Earth, and a
  670. few specialized channels for military and some commercial use...but ISN
  671. is the biggest, and because of that is very much in Earthgov's pocket.
  672. jms
  673. ------------------------------
  674. Date: 17 Apr 1997 22:53:05 -0700
  675. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  676. To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
  677. Subject: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  678. {original post had no questions}
  679. No, I just figured that sooner or later you'd stumble onto the
  680. staple gun solution like the rest of us.
  681. jms
  682. ------------------------------
  683. Date: 17 Apr 1997 22:53:08 -0700
  684. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  685. To: Marcia Sampson <103127.1072@compuserve.com>
  686. Subject: Does all Earth use EST?
  687. Marcia Sampson <103127.1072@compuserve.com> asks:
  688. > That got me to wondering: is the entire planet Earth on Earth
  689. > Standard Time? If the whole Earth is on Earth Standard Time, does
  690. > this mean that in places well away from the EST meridian, most
  691. > people work at night and sleep/observe curfew during daylight?
  692. No, EST is mainly for the seat of government, to which most
  693. military outposts are synchronized.
  694. jms
  695. ------------------------------
  696. Date: 18 Apr 1997 23:56:25 -0700
  697. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  698. To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
  699. Subject: Hugo News?
  700. SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
  701. > So, have you any news to leak to us?
  702. Well, if there *were* anything to say, it would be with the
  703. understanding that the Hugo people want to make the announcements on
  704. nominations, so anything I have to say wouldn't actually exist until
  705. after then, so what I might have to say now doesn't exist, and what I
  706. may say in future can't be said, so theoretically what exists, doesn't,
  707. for the immediate future.
  708. jms
  709. ------------------------------
  710. Date: 19 Apr 1997 22:21:26 -0700
  711. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  712. To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
  713. Subject: Hugo News?
  714. Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
  715. > I want to memorize this (with adaptations according to
  716. > situations) just for the <disengage-brain> effect it would have,
  717. > sort of like, "Do you feel more like you do now than when you
  718. > came in?"
  719. Thanks...I think....
  720. Though certainly if I were to comment on any nominations, it
  721. would be an act severed from polite behavior, and one never even dreams
  722. of such things.
  723. Now let's all get out our Little Orphan Annie Decoder Rings....
  724. jms
  725. ------------------------------
  726. Date: 19 Apr 1997 22:21:27 -0700
  727. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  728. To: Don Berg <74147.1753@compuserve.com>
  729. Subject: JMS,HE on SF:Vortex
  730. Don Berg <74147.1753@compuserve.com> asks:
  731. > I heard that you and Harlan Ellison are scheduled to appear
  732. > together on Sci-Fi Vortex next week is that true?
  733. Yep, it's true.
  734. jms
  735. ------------------------------
  736. Date: 20 Apr 1997 14:29:12 -0700
  737. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  738. To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
  739. Subject: Mention of B5
  740. {original post had no questions}
  741. Well, what the heck does it *say*? I'm stuck at home writing
  742. and can't get to a store to find out.
  743. jms
  744. ------------------------------
  745. Date: 20 Apr 1997 18:09:18 -0700
  746. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  747. To: (blocked)
  748. Subject: Mention of B5
  749. {original post unavailable}
  750. Thanks, we try.
  751. jms
  752. ------------------------------
  753. Date: 20 Apr 1997 21:27:06 -0700
  754. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  755. To: (blocked)
  756. Subject: Modern Major Miracle
  757. {original post unavailable}
  758. Thank you. Now go to your room before the scansion police get
  759. here.
  760. jms
  761. ------------------------------
  762. Date: 21 Apr 1997 12:22:04 -0700
  763. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  764. To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
  765. Subject: John Leonard Quotes
  766. Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
  767. > Page 125 - "What did it mean--so many cowboys and Indians in
  768. > outer space, so many SWAT teams and drug-busters, and such a foam
  769. > and froth of humanoid diversity?
  770. Thanks for taking the time to transcribe all that. I figured
  771. just a synopsis, but you went far beyond the line of duty on that.
  772. Many thanks again.
  773. jms
  774. ------------------------------
  775. Date: 22 Apr 1997 20:34:19 -0700
  776. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  777. To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
  778. Subject: The Happy Couple
  779. Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
  780. > And why do I have the feeling that, in a society with a declining
  781. > population, one of the last rituals before marriage may well be a
  782. > test of fertility? But we'll have to wait and see, won't we?
  783. I like silly and unbecoming as long as it's believable...which
  784. is a fine line to walk. We all do silly things from time to time, and
  785. that's okay.
  786. jms
  787. ------------------------------
  788. Date: 23 Apr 1997 00:02:59 -0700
  789. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  790. To: Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com>
  791. Subject: spoiler- new ep
  792. Jean S McKnight <105513.130@compuserve.com> asks:
  793. > WHOO HOO?!
  794. > WHOO HOO?!?!?!?!
  795. "You, sir, are nothing but a big bearded tease!"
  796. Thankyew....
  797. jms
  798. ------------------------------
  799. Date: 23 Apr 1997 16:24:49 -0700
  800. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  801. To: John Bovenmyer <73567.1341@compuserve.com>
  802. Subject: spoiler- new ep
  803. {original post had no questions}
  804. Your spelling was correct. And yeah...amazing the kind of
  805. implications you can make just by chaning one little pronoun....
  806. jms
  807. ------------------------------
  808. Date: 24 Apr 1997 12:32:47 -0700
  809. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  810. To: colin heaps <100622.3610@compuserve.com>
  811. Subject: B5 S5 - A thought or two
  812. colin heaps <100622.3610@compuserve.com> asks:
  813. > If word of renewal is late, is it likely that the finale may have
  814. > to be filmed 'just in case' - and if so - how do the cast feel
  815. > about that? For once, knowing the outcome, how would it affect
  816. > their actions for the characters?
  817. > - Yeah I know - big stretch on my part, again, what do I know??
  818. > Last thing - my wife came up with a dandy idea - if there is no
  819. > season 5 - how about WB extending S4 so Joe has a couple of
  820. > episodes to tie things up - instead of condensing it into one ??
  821. > - Freeing him up for more "expression" - Good idea (if unlikely)
  822. > or wot (or not )?? Thoughts people ??
  823. > Please ??
  824. Ain't nobody gonna be disappointed. That much I feel sure
  825. about.
  826. jms
  827. ------------------------------
  828. Date: 24 Apr 1997 12:40:33 -0700
  829. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  830. To: David Gerrold <70307.544@compuserve.com>
  831. Subject: Hugo Ballot Announced!
  832. David Gerrold <70307.544@compuserve.com> asks:
  833. > Comments anyone?
  834. David...I agree with you completely. I find the cavalier
  835. treatment you've received on this to be appalling in the extreme.
  836. Everyone who saw that episode knows full well that it used massive
  837. amounts of your material: your writing, your lines, your ideas, your
  838. structure...it's all there. The new stuff is just interwoven into it.
  839. That you aren't listed as one of the writers, that they never even
  840. *paid* you for the use of your material is nothing short of hideous.
  841. jms
  842. ------------------------------
  843. Date: 24 Apr 1997 21:07:36 -0700
  844. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  845. To: David Gerrold <70307.544@compuserve.com>
  846. Subject: Hugo Ballot Announced!
  847. {original post had no questions}
  848. "I feel some proprietary interest."
  849. Yeah...nothing like having your firstborn kid sliced up for
  850. someone else's dinner and then denied even the claim of parenthood.
  851. jms
  852. ------------------------------
  853. Date: 25 Apr 1997 15:19:03 -0700
  854. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  855. To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
  856. Subject: >>Racing Mars<< worries
  857. Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
  858. > And to know how pervasive those icky shadow minions seem to be
  859. > (guess we'll learn more about them next week)...We saw the
  860. > episode on vacation and can you believe that at times I felt
  861. > anxious, wondering what could be bothering me, only to realize I
  862. > was worried about John, Delenn, Garibaldi and Babylon5?
  863. Thanks...unsettled is just the right reaction. And yeah,
  864. someone is going to start wondering soon enough about his behavior.
  865. jms
  866. ------------------------------
  867. Date: 25 Apr 1997 15:26:20 -0700
  868. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  869. To: David Gerrold <70307.544@compuserve.com>
  870. Subject: Hugo Ballot Announced!
  871. {original post had no questions}
  872. Obvious question, though, is...are you going to bring this up
  873. in the ST section as well as areas mainly visited by B5 folks? I don't
  874. think they know the situation among the ranks of ST fans, and they
  875. might be able to do more inside.
  876. jms
  877. ------------------------------
  878. Date: 26 Apr 1997 23:42:31 -0700
  879. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  880. To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
  881. Subject: >>Racing Mars<< worries
  882. SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
  883. > Did I hear the line "He's not the Pope, he doesn't even look like
  884. > HER!"?
  885. Yeah, you heard the "her" line. Got a fair amount of flack for
  886. that one, btw.
  887. And it's Woo Hoo.
  888. If Yahoo wants a reference they should call me....
  889. jms
  890. ------------------------------
  891. Date: 26 Apr 1997 23:59:27 -0700
  892. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  893. To: David Gerrold <70307.544@compuserve.com>
  894. Subject: Hugo Ballot Announced!
  895. {original post had no questions}
  896. Too bad no one's considered the idea that the Hugo here could be
  897. viewed in another way. That is...the DS9 episode was really a tribute
  898. to the original "Tribbles" episode. That was the whole reason they
  899. *did* it, and the plot ties directly into that original episode. If
  900. you take away the original "Tribbles" script...there's nothing *there*.
  901. They just weave in and out of your story.
  902. So if the DS9 episode is a tribute to your episode, then why
  903. couldn't the Hugo be given *to the original episode*? After all, it
  904. was good enough for DS9 to pay tribute to, and in essence, simply
  905. repackage it...why not follow in their footsteps and their intention?
  906. jms
  907. ------------------------------
  908. Date: 26 Apr 1997 23:59:31 -0700
  909. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  910. To: David Gerrold <70307.544@compuserve.com>
  911. Subject: Gerrold's conclusion
  912. {original post had no questions}
  913. "...asking Resnick about my integrity is like asking Heidi Fleiss
  914. about chastity."
  915. And not nearly as funny as asking Heidi Fleiss about Resnick....
  916. jms
  917. ------------------------------
  918. Date: 27 Apr 1997 01:27:42 -0700
  919. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  920. To: Richard L. Long <76562.2757@compuserve.com>
  921. Subject: GARIBALDI
  922. {original post had no questions}
  923. The character remains on the show.
  924. jms
  925. ------------------------------
  926. Date: 27 Apr 1997 15:26:44 -0700
  927. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  928. To: SUSAN F. KIRN <76262.2013@compuserve.com>
  929. Subject: >>Racing Mars<< worries
  930. {original post had no questions}
  931. Thanks...it's the ep that starts ramping things up again.
  932. jms
  933. ------------------------------
  934. Date: 27 Apr 1997 15:26:47 -0700
  935. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  936. To: (blocked)
  937. Subject: >>Racing Mars<< worries
  938. {original post unavailable}
  939. Suffice to say some have taken it *very* personally and have
  940. sent some me fairly abusive email. But that's showbidness.
  941. jms
  942. ------------------------------
  943. Date: 27 Apr 1997 15:26:48 -0700
  944. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  945. To: (blocked)
  946. Subject: sfVortex Appearance
  947. {original post unavailable}
  948. Thanks....
  949. And I'll fill you in on the Garibaldi line.
  950. In the show.
  951. jms
  952. ------------------------------
  953. Date: 27 Apr 1997 15:26:50 -0700
  954. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  955. To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
  956. Subject: <Racing Mars>/Dead Heat
  957. Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
  958. > Who is racing Mars?
  959. Sounds like you've got a Monopoly on the subtext here.
  960. jms
  961. ------------------------------
  962. Date: 27 Apr 1997 20:41:19 -0700
  963. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  964. To: (blocked)
  965. Subject: Battleground Earth ?
  966. {original post unavailable}
  967. It ain't a ST series, it's a different show entirely.
  968. Came out of Majel's vault, and apparently they're going to have
  969. to change the name to avoid any conflicts with Scientology and
  970. Battlefield Earth.
  971. They'd asked if I'd be interested in running it, but I declined.
  972. I think they've now got Rick Okie, from Renegade, on as
  973. show-runner/writer basing the series on the provided material.
  974. jms
  975. ------------------------------
  976. Date: 27 Apr 1997 20:47:33 -0700
  977. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  978. To: Kevin Wood <100337.272@compuserve.com>
  979. Subject: Query: Sheridan & Delenn
  980. Kevin Wood <100337.272@compuserve.com> asks:
  981. > epitomy when there is large quantities of destructive force in
  982. > play?
  983. "Why is it that the romance between Sheridan and Delenn always seems
  984. to reach it's... epitomy when there is large quantities of destructive
  985. force in play?"
  986. Maybe that's when we most need someone to hold....
  987. jms
  988. ------------------------------
  989. Date: 27 Apr 1997 20:47:35 -0700
  990. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  991. To: (blocked)
  992. Subject: >>Racing Mars<< worries
  993. {original post unavailable}
  994. No, but that (the vorlon question) is a philosophical issue.
  995. You hardly ever run into problems there...what kills you is doctrine,
  996. based on a belief. If it weren't for doctrine, a lot of the world's
  997. religions would get along a lot better, because the core roots of their
  998. beliefs aren't that dissimilar, it's the interpretation and the rules
  999. that grew up around them that seem to cause all the trouble.
  1000. jms
  1001. ------------------------------
  1002. Date: 27 Apr 1997 20:47:37 -0700
  1003. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1004. To: (blocked)
  1005. Subject: Sinclair--->Delenn
  1006. {original post had no questions}
  1007. Thanks. If you check the archives, when people said, "But what
  1008. about the relationship between Sinclair and Delenn we see?" (and this
  1009. is back a long time ago), I said that there is a relationship there,
  1010. yes, but it isn't what you think it is. Now we see what it was.
  1011. jms
  1012. ------------------------------
  1013. Date: 28 Apr 1997 00:52:04 -0700
  1014. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1015. To: All
  1016. Subject: B5 Fan Club Note (jms)
  1017. One of the most dangerous things in the world is a writer who
  1018. has finished writing for a while, has met his deadlines, and can now
  1019. address other issues.
  1020. One such issue that has been nibbling at the back of my
  1021. brainstem has been the Babylon 5 Fan Club. I've felt for some time
  1022. that it was not living up to its potential, and has been laying fallow
  1023. for some while. The Universe Today newsletter was okay, but it could
  1024. have been better. The club was okay, but could have been better.
  1025. Okay is never sufficient. We either move forward or we fall
  1026. back, there is no such thing as holding position. Especially with the
  1027. fan club, because as a fan myself, I have to feel that people are
  1028. getting their money's worth out of the club, and frankly, I'm not sure
  1029. they have been. Now that I have time to turn my attention to the
  1030. problem....
  1031. A number of changes have been made to improve the situation for
  1032. the current members, and for future members.
  1033. 1) We are going to substantially improve Universe Today and get
  1034. it out on schedule. To facilitate this, we are announcing that Mike
  1035. Zmuda, publisher of the Centaurian Sentinel, probably the best of the
  1036. B5 fanzines out there, has been made editor of the newsletter.
  1037. Sandra Bruckner, publisher of the Zocalo, has been named
  1038. co-editor. Both begin work effective May 1st.
  1039. Knowing the great work these two have performed individually, we
  1040. have every anticipation that their combined efforts on Universe Today
  1041. will make it the sort of publication we've always wanted it to be.
  1042. 2) Sandra has also agreed to take over as website administrator
  1043. for thestation.com, maintaining it and improving it and updating it as
  1044. circumstances warrant. The B5 Fan Club Web Site has also been
  1045. wandering a bit, and this will correct that problem.
  1046. 3) Jim Lockett, founding head of the B5 Fan Club, has moved on
  1047. to other projects, and we wish him all the best in his future
  1048. endeavors.
  1049. 4) A more assertive position will be taken in promoting the club
  1050. at conventions, in advertisements, and in developing merchandise
  1051. specific to the fan club.
  1052. 5) Finally, because of my sense that the members of the Fan Club
  1053. have not gotten all that they could have out of the club during its
  1054. debut, we are going to ROLL OVER ALL YEAR ONE MEMBERSHIPS to a second
  1055. year. If you joined prior to April 1, 1997, you are automatically
  1056. comp'd in as a member for a second year without charge. Doug and I
  1057. will personally swallow the expense of that.
  1058. It is our desire that the Official Babylon 5 Fan Club should be
  1059. the best entity of its kind ever created. Now that we have made some
  1060. mid-course corrections, we are back on track to becoming that. And we
  1061. think you will approve of our plans for improving and expanding the
  1062. operation as we move ahead over the rest of 1997.
  1063. jms
  1064. ------------------------------
  1065. Date: 29 Apr 1997 10:06:13 -0700
  1066. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1067. To: Brian Prothero <76711.663@compuserve.com>
  1068. Subject: Battleground Earth ?
  1069. Brian Prothero <76711.663@compuserve.com> asks:
  1070. > Do you know if BATTLEGROUND EARTH is based on the two Gene
  1071. > Roddenbury pilots GENESIS II and PLANET EARTH? BTW, any word on
  1072. > season 5 of B5 yet?
  1073. No, it's got nothing to do with either project.
  1074. jms
  1075. ------------------------------
  1076. Date: 29 Apr 1997 10:06:15 -0700
  1077. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1078. To: T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
  1079. Subject: Lines of Comm.
  1080. T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
  1081. > did you indicate that particular design?
  1082. Yeah, I indicated a flower-like design. With the lethalness
  1083. behind them, it seemed like a nice contrast.
  1084. jms
  1085. ------------------------------
  1086. Date: 29 Apr 1997 10:06:16 -0700
  1087. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1088. To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
  1089. Subject: Strong Signals
  1090. Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
  1091. > I wonder why that sounds like famous last words now, given the
  1092. > revelations of civil unrest back on Minbar?
  1093. Thanks, and good points.
  1094. jms
  1095. ------------------------------
  1096. Date: 29 Apr 1997 14:59:08 -0700
  1097. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1098. To: Brian Prothero <76711.663@compuserve.com>
  1099. Subject: Battleground Earth ?
  1100. Brian Prothero <76711.663@compuserve.com> asks:
  1101. > or were you just too busy with your current projects?
  1102. > Did the story idea for Battleground Earth sound promising?
  1103. Thanks. It was noted to me at the time that a
  1104. Roddenberry/Straczynski collaboration would be very commerical, but on
  1105. looking at the material, I just felt it wasn't strong enough; at least,
  1106. I couldn't see where it could go, and thus felt it better to leave it
  1107. to others who potentially would not be limited by that, and could find
  1108. ways to make it work.
  1109. jms
  1110. ------------------------------
  1111. Date: 29 Apr 1997 14:59:09 -0700
  1112. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1113. To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
  1114. Subject: Who's the Boss?
  1115. Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
  1116. > Well, your directorial debut should be over now, right?
  1117. > So, how did it go?
  1118. > Or how is it going, if you're still doing it?
  1119. > Any cute stories or other interesting happening (no spoilers,
  1120. > obviously)? And, above all, did everyone cry?
  1121. I'm only on day 2 so far...long way to go yet before I can
  1122. rest.
  1123. jms
  1124. ------------------------------
  1125. Date: 29 Apr 1997 14:59:10 -0700
  1126. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1127. To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
  1128. Subject: >>Racing Mars<< worries
  1129. {original post had no questions}
  1130. I find it vaguely frightening that you know all this that well,
  1131. though the scenario you paint is a good one, and I'll try to remember
  1132. all that (though it's sorta complex...the doctrinal version of long
  1133. division).
  1134. jms
  1135. ------------------------------
  1136. Date: 29 Apr 1997 19:27:59 -0700
  1137. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1138. To: David Gerrold <70307.544@compuserve.com>
  1139. Subject: Hugo Ballot Announced!
  1140. {original post had no questions}
  1141. Glyer's solution is workable unless you can determine if any of
  1142. the other writers involved are baser than you are....
  1143. jms
  1144. ------------------------------
  1145. Date: 29 Apr 1997 21:05:44 -0700
  1146. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1147. To: (blocked)
  1148. Subject: Season finale
  1149. {original post unavailable}
  1150. I'm shooting the season finale for year 5 right now, and
  1151. directing it. Assuming a 5th season, this would be aired as 522 instead
  1152. of 422, with 501 moved into the 422 spot.
  1153. jms
  1154. ------------------------------
  1155. Date: 29 Apr 1997 23:42:27 -0700
  1156. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1157. To: (blocked)
  1158. Subject: B5: A Soap Opera
  1159. {original post unavailable}
  1160. "...there's been a really startling lack of adultery, fornication,
  1161. kinky sex, overt blackmail and the sort of tangled family tree that
  1162. makes Sinclair/Valen/Delenn look absolutely pedestrian."
  1163. Damn, I knew I was forgetting *something*....
  1164. jms
  1165. ------------------------------
  1166. Date: 30 Apr 1997 11:13:31 -0700
  1167. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1168. To: Hugh Kennedy <70042.710@compuserve.com>
  1169. Subject: >>Racing Mars<< worries
  1170. Hugh Kennedy <70042.710@compuserve.com> asks:
  1171. > Why?
  1172. Joe: There is no rest.
  1173. jms
  1174. ------------------------------
  1175. Date: 30 Apr 1997 22:58:00 -0700
  1176. From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
  1177. To: (blocked)
  1178. Subject: B5 Fan Club Note (jms)
  1179. {original post unavailable}
  1180. I'll post the full info again when I feel we're ready to gear
  1181. up. And thanks....
  1182. jms