Subj: Jack the Ripper Section: Babylon 5 To: Wayne D. Zimmerman Tuesday, October 31, 1995 10:57:19 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389227 So, in other words, if a historical, real character has been used in some other venue, if the use of that same character in another, wholly different world/series/show/universe is absolutely, totally and completely the right thing for that story, one should instead do what's *wrong* for the story and leave it out? Sorry. Don't buy it. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Ray Pelzer, Tuesday, October 31, 1995 11:22:01 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389253 No, it was very much intentional; Sebastian learns quite a bit in the course of that encounter about himself...especially when she rubs it in his face as she does. jms Subj: B5 Fans Strike Again! Section: Babylon 5 To: Fred Miller, Tuesday, October 31, 1995 11:22:05 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389254 Unfortunately, no suggestions except to note that the more people in an area who keep after their stations, the more things gradually change. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Catherine Becic, Tuesday, October 31, 1995 11:22:06 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389255 Sacrificing oneself happens frequently...but for just one other person, AND in a situation where no one else would ever know about it. Bear in mind that he wasn't testing people randomly; only those who felt that they were chosen of god, fulfillers of prophecy...people who assumed that they were part of some grand scheme, and thus to whom an anonymous death is an intolerable thought. Also, most probably never *got* that far, unable to stand the real pain of being placed in this position. Everybody can talk the talk; very few can walk the walk. Most probably just yanked off the bracelets and split, on the theory that they weren't being sufficiently coddled or glorified...or because being a potential prophet isn't as much fun as they'd thought. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Daena Hinkelman Wednesday, November 01, 1995 7:23:13 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389981 "It doesn't fit in with the way the Vorlons have been portrayed. It bothered me." Good. That was the intended result. Part of the reason for the story was to grey up the Vorlons a little; one shouldn't fall too easily for what other people *say* they are. (One might also say much the same of the old testament god who would have Job so severely tested, btw.) One should always be cautious of taking *anyone* at face value on B5. "...you could consider them a force for good." Ah, but what *is* good? And whose *version* of good are we discussing? jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Michael Beemer Tuesday, October 31, 1995 11:22:08 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389256 Thanks. I think that, with so many races around, you couldn't go into holy wars or jihads at every occasion. In a way, what was seen was a validation for many...a moment they all came together, instead of coming apart. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Joel Hilke, Tuesday, October 31, 1995 11:22:11 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389257 Thank you. The emotions the show stirs up are, to me, central to the whole point of doing it. We can't afford to pull any punches, or the story falls by the wayside. It's an *incredibly* difficult show to do, on every level, from writing through acting to production and everything that follows. But when it works, and people notice, it's all worthwhile. Thanks again. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Al Mauroni Wednesday, November 01, 1995 7:32:02 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389987 Thanks...from your lips to the ears of the TV academy.... jms Subj: Fan club update? Section: Babylon 5 To: John M. Kahane, Tuesday, October 31, 1995 11:22:17 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389259 Re: "tennis wrists," or carpal tunnel syndrome...yes, I've got it in spades. I have to use the CTS gloves constantly or the arms ache badly within a matter of minutes; and even then they only slow down the speed with which they begin to hurt. As it is, there's a dull ache pretty much all day, and most of the night; and after enough writing, my ring fingers on either hand start curling in, and my forefingers get a bit numb. Toward the end of last season, the only way I could write was to write for 30 minutes, ice down my arms for 10 minutes, write for 30, ice for 10, and so on. No matter what precautions you take, when you write sometimes as much as 20 pages per day...it's gonna happen. (General note: I've seen virtually every article on CTS, I know about the vitamins, the wrist-rests, the exercises, all that; I do what I can with those things that help. So while advice is appreciated, it's not necessary in this case.) jms Subj: Fan club update? Section: Babylon 5 To: Esther Schindler [EXEC] Wednesday, November 01, 1995 1:26:24 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389649 Unfortunately, for some reason my brain's hard-wired for typing. I've tried dictating in the past, to a tape recorder, but nothing comes out as crisp or as *right* unless I'm at the keyboard and my fingers are thinking for me. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Chad Underkoffler, Wednesday, November 01, 1995 1:26:14 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389647 On the "Jack sucks" threads, phrased various ways...doesn't really bother me. I knew going in that some folks would react well to that, and some wouldn't, for an assortment of reasons, some valid, some less so. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Chad Underkoffler, Tuesday, October 31, 1995 11:46:06 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389271 Re: "...a Vir intensive script." Just finished one. Script for episode #13, "Sic Transit Vir." I think it's gonna be a hoot. jms Subj: B5 screensaver Section: Babylon 5 To: Steve Trease, Tuesday, October 31, 1995 11:46:07 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389272 It'll be out in time for Christmas from Sound Sources. jms Subj: B5 screensaver Section: Babylon 5 To: Steve Trease, Wednesday, November 01, 1995 7:23:05 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389980 Don't know yet the final release date. jms Subj: B5 screensaver Section: Babylon 5 To: Ruth Ballam, 100412,3457 Wednesday, November 01, 1995 1:26:00 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389651 Dunno.... jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: John Yuen, Wednesday, November 01, 1995 7:29:23 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389985 That's the irony, in a sense...what's inside Kosh's biomechanical encounter suit...is a *perceptual* encounter suit.... jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Rae Augenstein Wednesday, November 01, 1995 7:30:04 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389986 From a strictly logical standpoint, a president would not lower himself to deal with this personally. When MacArthur and Patton earned the disfavor of the president, it was intermediaries who pulled them aside and registered this. Also, gradually more authority if being vested in Nightwatch and the Ministry of Peace, as that's his arm, and so he'd be inclined to use that since he's in most direct control. (Just to explain why what was done was done.) jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Richard M. Perry, Wednesday, November 01, 1995 11:19:27 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390185 Alas, actual history courses put me to sleep; reading is fine, but to teach history...how bad would it be to see your own prof falling over dead asleep at his own lecture? jms Subj: CD differences Section: Babylon 5 To: Mark D. Smith, Wednesday, November 01, 1995 11:20:02 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390186 You caught me. In the limited, they used a photo that I absolutely *hate*, for what it does to Londo's hair. So when the general release was due to come out, they couldn't change the photo, too expensive, so I had them put a different head on it. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Timothy & Lisa Mitchell,Thursday, November 02, 1995 12:39:11 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390207 Re: the starfury drop...this has come up before, and some of the better high-IQ types have said we got it right. The fighters use centrifugal force to be propelled *away* from the station; yes, it's at a slight tangent, but the station is also rotating behind them, so it isn't that severe. The furies don't actually fire their engines until they're a bit away from the station, using the force of the drop. The vectors actually work out accurately. jms Subj: B5 as radio Section: Babylon 5 To: Sharon Foster, Thursday, November 02, 1995 12:39:12 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390208 I used to work in radio drama a lot, for ALIEN WORLDS and the MUTUAL RADIO THEATER, so sometimes that aspect comes out in my writing. I think it's a wonderful, and little used medium. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: peter stathis, Wednesday, November 01, 1995 1:26:28 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#389650 "it just didn't pay off in the long run." For you. For others it did. Let's not start getting grandiose. You feel this way, that's fine, but it's not the ultimate truth. Otherwise you're totally dismissing the opinions of others who liked it a lot. "Jack...has become a real cliche." So because others have used that figure in their work, well or poorly, no one should ever use this historical figure ever again in the next thousand years of human history. One should not do what one thinks is right for a story because of what someone else did in a different story. Sorry. I don't work that way. By your logic, I should not be using starships or hyperspace or aliens, either, because they've been used a LOT more than Jack. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Al Mauroni, Thursday, November 02, 1995 12:35:17 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390490 And the really great thing is...you're quite right about verifying orders from one arm of the government with another...as we'll see in the first third of the coming season. Good call. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Tom Knudsen, Thursday, November 02, 1995 10:55:07 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390895 It's good you've been thinking about this. 'Cause this is one of those questions I'd rather answer in the series than here. jms Subj: RPG? Section: Babylon 5 To: Robin L. Small, Thursday, November 02, 1995 10:55:31 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390892 No, not a gamer; I've only been dragooned into trying it a couple of times, but basically I prefer making up my own stories. Nonetheless, I know a lot of folks who do it, and they seem to have a great time doing it. jms Subj: B5 Episode List Section: Babylon 5 To: Kevin J. Goulding, Thursday, November 02, 1995 10:55:01 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390893 It's definitely at Hyperion. jms Subj: <> Section: Star Trek To: Eric Baker, Thursday, November 02, 1995 10:55:04 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390894 Well, I have a number of feelings about this. First, you'll note that it's always an alien that has something "different" than the ST normal male or female character...we had the aliens who were all unisexual in TNG, now this. And, of course, it wasn't *really* two women falling in love, it was someone who was once a male, now in a female body, carrying on with that relationship. So there are a lot of ways out of this. I also think they somewhat played it for the prurient interest factor; we just did it, by developing a relationship over time, and when it came to fruition, we didn't make a big deal about it, it's just normal and accepted. And it was between two *human* characters. It's personal taste, I suppose; I just prefered it the way we did it. Doesn't make it better or righter. We developed a growing relationship between Talia and Ivanova over two whole seasons; paid it off, and there will be ramifications down the road from this relationship. Because it *is* a relationship in that sense, not just done for one hour, for sensationalism, and then you drop it thereafter. jms Subj: Londo Talk From TLTS Section: Babylon 5 To: John M. Kahane, Thursday, November 02, 1995 10:55:12 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390897 It was your imagination. jms Subj: Keyboards and Pain Section: Babylon 5 To: John M. Kahane, Thursday, November 02, 1995 10:55:13 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390898 Wish I had some nifty secrets to share on the CTS; but it's just wear the wrist braces, take vitamins, do the exercises and try where possible to get away from the keyboard. So far, I'm systematic on 1.5 of those 4. jms Subj: Keyboards and Pain Section: Babylon 5 To: Marte Brengle, Friday, November 03, 1995 3:02:27 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390978 Actually, I'm using (at work) a Kinesis ergonomic keyboard, and that helps a bit (two recessed wells for the keys). jms Subj: Keyboards and Pain Section: Babylon 5 To: Mike Sisk, Friday, November 03, 1995 5:41:26 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#391371 The thing about the Kinesis is that for the first week I was using it, my arms and wrists *really* hurt. I thought, "This CAN'T be right." I looked in the manual, and found it said approximately "For the first week your wrists and arms will hurt." Oh. Then you get used to it. Overall, I've gotten quite proficient with it, and the typing speed hasn't diminished. There are a few things that could've been done better, but overall it's a definite improvement. (Main problem is that I have rather long, slender fingers, so I often over-shoot the keys unless I'm paying attention.) jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Pankaj Mangalik, Thursday, November 02, 1995 10:55:15 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390899 Liberty is *always* at peril; only the degree of the threat varies from day to day. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Pankaj Mangalik, Saturday, November 04, 1995 12:21:19 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#391585 Yes, the Shadows know that the Vorlons are still around, and that Kosh is there. That's never been any kind of secret. They're just hoping that the Vorlons and anyone who might believe them won't find out that they're out and about again until too jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: John M. Kahane, Thursday, November 02, 1995 11:11:11 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390919 I think I wasn't clear...the Lennier/Kosh scene *was* filmed; it just didn't make it into the final cut of the episode. In general, we leave 2-3 minutes per episode on the cutting room floor, for various reasons...pacing, structure, whatever. Usually it's just line cutting, sometimes it's a small, quick scene here and there. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net], Thursday, November 02, 1995 11:11:13 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390920 Yeah, this is the other structure that's kind of a favorite of mine. I used it also in "Coming of Shadows." It starts out kind of slow, it lulls you into a sense that this is going to be a fairly ordinary story, nothing major...allowing me to sneak up behind you in the story and just *whack* you real hard when you're not expecting it. jms Subj: Photo of Marcus Section: Babylon 5 To: All Friday, November 03, 1995 2:59:07 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390976 For those who've not noticed it...in the 5 library (B5) there is a gif image of Marcus Cole, our new recurring character, a resident Ranger assigned to Babylon 5. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Bancroft Gracey, Friday, November 03, 1995 3:02:26 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390977 Actually, I think I saw more *annoyance* at Jack being used from the UK folks than the US folks, that's the main difference, I think. Probably because it's a peaceful, wonderful country which is *still* paying off, in the public eye, one particularly nasty creature in their recent history. They're probably tired of hearing about him, and to some extent, correctly so. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Brian A. Thomas, Friday, November 03, 1995 3:07:05 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390979 "who are angelic like" Who says that's what they actually *are*? That's only how they want us to SEE them. There's a difference. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Rae Augenstein, Friday, November 03, 1995 1:00:24 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#391159 A little over a week has passed between the events of FoN and "Matters of Honor." The first part of the season is almost in real time. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Gerald Himmelein, Friday, November 03, 1995 5:33:04 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#391368 There's also a certain amount of McCarthyism inherent in the Nightwatch, the emphasis on revealing spies in our midst, enemies of the people. The problem with pointing to the Nazis or the Gestapo exclusively is that it allows us the safety of saying, "Well, it happened just there, and only once, *we* could never fall for that." Wrong. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Colin Glassey, Friday, November 03, 1995 5:41:22 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#391370 The interceptors line refers to the fact that there are so many incoming bursts that the interceptors are only knocking down 90% of them at this point, meaning that some of them (the incoming bursts) are getting through. Janet's busy working on the scriptwriting part of her career, so she's not available now, but hopefully she'll be available back to us come next year. And thanks. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot Saturday, November 04, 1995 12:21:22 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#391586 TOT, Time On Target, you launch everything you've got -- fighters at close range to the target, long-range weapons firing earlier -- so that they all arrive at the same spot at the same instant for maximum effect. jms Subj: Mass drivers Section: Babylon 5 To: Richard M. Perry, Saturday, November 04, 1995 12:21:18 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#391584 A mass driver is a device which accellerates asteroids and sends them hurtling down into the atmosphere where they arrive with the force of a nuclear blast. An ugly weapon. It has not otherwise been known to cause coughing, hay fever of diptheria. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: John M. Kahane, Saturday, November 04, 1995 12:32:10 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#391590 Bear in mind that Sheridan specifically states that the treaty had *not* been finalized yet between Earth and the Centauri, so the attack was not a violation of a treaty that hadn't been signed yet. (And very likely the Centauri captain was unaware of it *anyway*, just as Sheridan was taken by surprise by it all.) jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Mark D. Smith, Thursday, November 02, 1995 10:39:11 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#390878 Haven't seen Fall of Night yet, have you...? And there's claiming by inference as well, setting oneself up as a benign force on the side of good. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Daena Hinkelman, Friday, November 03, 1995 1:00:25 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#391160 Friendly disagreement is always great fun. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5 To: Daena Hinkelman, Saturday, November 04, 1995 12:22:00 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#391587 "Good is the absence of evil...." Is it? Is it the *absence* or the *opposite*? One might say (to take a christian pov for a moment) that god is the absence of evil. But is this the case? Is evil a thing, or is evil the potentiality to do acts of wanton destruction? At what point did evil come into the universe, from this pov? With the fall of Lucifer? But unless the *potential* for evil existed before this act of pride, it would be impossible for Lucifer to fall. The very tenet of free will is that there are choices to be made. If there are no choices, there is no free will, quid pro quo. Hence, in the garden, the *potential* for evil existed before an *act* later described as evil or rebellious. And, hence, the *potential* for evil existed before Lucifer fell. If it had not, he couldn't have fallen. (Also, if one takes the position that the fall *created* evil, then a fallen angel has creative potential, which puts it at an unacceptably high level of power.) It says in the book of Amos, "Is there evil in a city and the Lord hath not done it?" If the potential for evil was there from the dawn of creation -- and it *must* have been for the actions described later to have taken place -- then there must perforce be the potential for evil in its creator. (Unless one is willing to posit that in not having the potential for evil, god does not have free will, which means god is not omnipotent, and somehow gifted his creations with a capacity he himself was incapable of.) This doesn't mean, and shouldn't be taken to imply, that god *is* evil, or *has* evil, but rather that the *potential* is there, and has always existed. Thus, good is not the *absence* of evil, but the *opposition* to evil. To use Mark Twain's example in "The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg," you had an entire town that had never known temptation, and held itself up as righteous... until the first day when real temptation walked in the front door, and the whole place fell for it...after which the sign out front of the town was modified to read "Lead us INTO temptation," for only through temptation, through the exposure to evil, is faith and the good tested and made viable. jms #: 399450 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 16-Nov-95 23:12:50 Sb: Link&Log Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jon Wolf 76103,2541 (X) It's a floating (air-compression) vidrecorder. jms #: 399452 S5/Babylon 5: General 16-Nov-95 23:22:47 Sb: #B5 Magazine Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John M. Kahane 102664,773 (X) Yes, I generally reviewed most of the material; but I explicitly told them I don't want it to be a fluff magazine, so there's some hard stuff in there from time to time. I think the final schedule of forthcoming issues is being nailed down now. jms #: 399453 S5/Babylon 5: General 16-Nov-95 23:22:48 Sb: #DL Query Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John M. Kahane 102664,773 (X) Because the longer she was there, the more she'd discover (was about to enter into Sheridan's cell group in fact), and the more damage she'd be able to do. jms #: 399454 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 16-Nov-95 23:22:50 Sb: # Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John M. Kahane 102664,773 (X) Thanks; it came out very well, I think. jms #: 399455 S5/Babylon 5: General 16-Nov-95 23:22:54 Sb: Sinclair's Warning Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jimmy R. Kapesis 103156,1634 (X) Maybe a little of both.... jms #: 399489 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 17-Nov-95 00:52:30 Sb: #Four Cents: Convictions Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Michael Zitaglio 102545,641 (X) The question, of course, is...is a person 100% dark or light? Hitler was a monster. He was also a snappy dresser and, to quote The Producers, he could dance the pants off Churchill. Look at the war films from WW 2 behind the scenes...there's Goebbels and Goering and others having dinner, laughing, playing little jokes, listening to music.... The monster never sees a monster in a mirror. jms #: 399672 S5/Babylon 5: General 17-Nov-95 12:05:35 Sb: B5:The End???!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Michael Ogrinz 71573,3153 (X) Incorrect. Share *is* important on the local level. When you get the national ratings on a syndicated program, the final figure doesn't have a share, only a rating. Shares come in market by market, and since the show's future is determined market by market, that's crucial to our survival. So for our purposes, the share per market is *very much* the more important figure. jms #: 399673 S5/Babylon 5: General 17-Nov-95 12:05:37 Sb: B5:The End???!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Michael Ogrinz 71573,3153 Some stations are shifting to less terrific timeslots; other stations are giving us *better* timeslots. There's no one trend. The main problem is that each market only has maybe one or two indie stations max, and if that's a Fox or UPN station, you've only got 2 prime time hours per night available 8-10 (nearly all of these show their news programs at 10 p.m.). So first precedence for those 14 hours per week is given to Fox or UPN programs (or WB programs, depending), plus all the other syndicated shows out there, from talk shows to game shows and so on. The market for syndicated shows, and where you can squeeze them in, is getting increasingly smaller. Hence the growth of cable. jms #: 399674 S5/Babylon 5: General 17-Nov-95 12:05:39 Sb: #New Open! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Gerald Himmelein 100417,3703 (X) Yeah, and that quote got me in lots of trouble; my original statement was that we'd kick their ass, they'd kick ours, we'd kick back, and the ongoing competition would guarantee better shows for viewers. Unfortunately they chose to use only the first part of that...and thus was a huge fracas born. jms #: 399675 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 17-Nov-95 12:05:41 Sb: # Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Chad Underkoffler 102512,1310 (X) Londo and G'Kar no longer really have much to discuss; they're past that point, I figure. They hate each other. Re: the Drazi...yeah, I hear that a lot. The most frequent comment: "I like the Drazi; they're just nuts." Londo wasn't on Minbar; he was seeing someone off on a ship going to Centauri Prime. jms #: 399681 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 17-Nov-95 12:19:30 Sb: #399553-#Four Cents: Convictions Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Gerald Himmelein 100417,3703 (X) I dunno...I just kinda figured that invading Poland, invading the Sudetenland, invading France, invading Russia, bombing Britain, eradicating much of the population of jews and gypsies in Eastern Europe, that kind of stuff comes as close as I can think of to a definition of a human monster. Granted he fixed the economy, got Germany on a solid economic footing, ran a tightly organized Olympics, instituted new fashion sensibilities, and created some interesting architectural structures...and you couldn't beat his sense of theater and high drama...but I kinda think the former somewhat outweighs the latter. Perhaps we are working from different definitions of what a monster is. jms #: 399986 S5/Babylon 5: General 17-Nov-95 22:58:08 Sb: #399710-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Ruth Ballam 100412,3457 (X) Re: brewing ale...is that true? jms #: 399987 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 17-Nov-95 22:58:10 Sb: #399751-#Four Cents: Convictions Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Gerald Himmelein 100417,3703 (X) There can be no question that the conditions prevalent in Germany after WW I created the climate in which a Hitler could come into power. There was great resentment and anger festering over the onerous conditions placed upon the German government, the enconomy was in ruins, people were looking for someone to blame, and that creates the perfect condition for scapegoats, and someone who can take advantage of that. Hitler, however, was able to perceive that, galvanize it, shape it and form it. It was Hitler who organized the brownshirts and created the krystalnachts, who orchestrated his rise within the government until he was finally able to seize the reins of government, and he who was the primary architect of the atrocities of that period. Of course he didn't do it by himself; there were those who willingly, even happily collaborated; those who opposed and said nothing; those who were of no opinion one way or another; and those who resisted. If you're going to blame the first group, maybe the first two or three, you still have to recognize the fourth. People can be driven by the madness of the crowd, or intimidated by the government of the gun into silence. No one is looking to totally exonerate the citizenry; though one can make a compelling argument that anyone who spoke out was swiftly arrested, deported, or shot...which tends to discourage the free exchange of criticism. Would WW 2 have taken place without Hitler? Possibly; the conditions were right. Would it have taken the same shape? Probably not; almost certainly not. Thus the blame for *this* war, the way it happened *this* time, must be laid at his feet. jms #: 399988 S5/Babylon 5: General 17-Nov-95 22:58:13 Sb: #399797-Dr. Franklin's serum Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jimmy R. Kapesis 103156,1634 (X) I'd forget it for now. jms #: 399989 S5/Babylon 5: General 17-Nov-95 22:58:17 Sb: #399799-Bio-tech weapons Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jimmy R. Kapesis 103156,1634 (X) Could be. jms #: 399990 S5/Babylon 5: General 17-Nov-95 22:58:17 Sb: #399848-B5 Magazine Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Alan Katz 74260,3612 (X) I go over the text, yes, but I've advised those who do it to avoid turning it into a puff-piece. jms #: 399992 S5/Babylon 5: General 17-Nov-95 22:58:23 Sb: #399955-Book of G'Quon Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jimmy R. Kapesis 103156,1634 (X) The leaf shown is the G'Quon-eth, the plant featured in "By Any Means Necessary." jms #: 400289 S5/Babylon 5: General 18-Nov-95 14:55:56 Sb: #400146-#New Open! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jason Wong 73302,776 (X) It's my understanding that there'll be a B5 cover in Cinefantastique in the next few months. jms #: 400290 S5/Babylon 5: General 18-Nov-95 14:55:57 Sb: #400152-G'Quoneth Plant Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jimmy R. Kapesis 103156,1634 (X) Nope. jms #: 400291 S5/Babylon 5: General 18-Nov-95 14:56:00 Sb: #400251-JMS: Questions Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Marlyn Bumpus 75117,3014 (X) Vickery is a british actor, yes. jms #: 400527 S5/Babylon 5: General 18-Nov-95 21:54:23 Sb: #400299-#DL Query Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John M. Kahane 102664,773 (X) No, she didn't know who it was, but *whoever* the person was, the longer that person stayed where he/she was, the greater the risk. They didn't know it all along remember; several people died on Mars getting that information out...as soon as they had it, and knew there was a traitor aboard, they had to move on it. jms #: 400528 S5/Babylon 5: General 18-Nov-95 21:54:26 Sb: #400309-#Kosh Me This Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John M. Kahane 102664,773 (X) It's Screen Actors Guild rules; you can't have a character like this, who isn't actually an actor, in the opening credits. jms #: 400531 S5/Babylon 5: General 18-Nov-95 22:04:09 Sb: #400358-#B5 rerun schedule Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jimmy R. Kapesis 103156,1634 (X) That's been the traditional rerun schedule with us; during the christmas weeks, the logic goes, most folks are out, not watching TV. jms #: 400532 S5/Babylon 5: General 18-Nov-95 22:04:10 Sb: #400397-Quick Question Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Mike Aragona 73641,1353 (X) Yeah, it's fair to say that that's one of our themes. jms #: 400533 S5/Babylon 5: General 18-Nov-95 22:04:12 Sb: #400407-#Thanks for a Great show Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: David Schirmer 76774,3310 (X) Thank you. I don't think it's a case of hanging out with "the commoners" to use your term; I've been here since 1984 or so, and I enjoy the discussions, and I'll be darned if I'll change that just because my name appears on a TV screen somewhere. I'm basically just another fan of the genre.... jms #: 401026 S5/Babylon 5: General 19-Nov-95 20:57:23 Sb: #400665-B5 comic Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jimmy R. Kapesis 103156,1634 (X) Don't know the exact pub date yet; the issues should be regular sized. jms #: 401027 S5/Babylon 5: General 19-Nov-95 20:57:24 Sb: #400668-B5 Costumers win again Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Cynthia and Richard 71561,3255 (X) Thanks, and congrats. We've been in contact with the Air and Space people, and when they're ready to do a B5 exhibit, we're there; but we'd rather not include B5 props in an ST exhibition. jms #: 401028 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 19-Nov-95 20:57:27 Sb: #400690- Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Mark Pruett 74133,3406 (X) That's great to hear, thanks. jms #: 401029 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 19-Nov-95 20:57:30 Sb: #400691-Four Cents: Convictions Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Mark Pruett 74133,3406 (X) No, insofar as I know, it's an original, composed by Chris Franke. jms #: 401155 S5/Babylon 5: General 20-Nov-95 01:03:45 Sb: #401002-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Morris L. Gavant, M.D. 74027,264 (X) My sense is that if you're a german ambassador, and you're attacked and checked into Cedar Sinai Hospital, the chief of staff there takes care of you, rather than bringing in an outsider/german doctor. Franklin's well suited to his task. We could probably label the blood bags a little better. jms #: 401156 S5/Babylon 5: General 20-Nov-95 01:03:46 Sb: #400660-#B5:The End???!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: peter stathis 102477,3046 (X) "...that would mean that it would be near the bottom of the ratings of syndicated shows." People who don't know what they're talking about should avoid making comments like that. The overall breakdown of syndicated shows runs about 10 pages of very fine type; usually around 215 shows or more, ranked in order of average national ratings. Babylon 5 is always on the first page of that breakdown; usually the #4 or #5 dramatic series for that week, sometimes a bit higher, never less than #6. We consistently stay in the top ten of dramatic series. (You don't include game shows or talk shows in the mix; that's comparing apples and oranges.) If you *include* all those other shows, in one typical week, we came out as #38 overall, out of 215. That is extremely respectable. Most network shows that come in around the top 50 tend to stay around for a good long time. Look, Peter, do me a favor, and get off the ratings, okay? It's clear you don't understand them, and the bottom line is simply this: if our ratings weren't sufficiently high, we wouldn't be here. It's that simple. We're here, so we're getting the numbers. Warners is happy, and we're happy. jms #: 401157 S5/Babylon 5: General 20-Nov-95 01:03:49 Sb: #400700-#B5:The End???!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Sharon Foster 76360,301 (X) Local advertisments are bought by the local station, with matching funds from WB. If the show isn't being advertised in your local area, the problem is your local station. jms #: 401158 S5/Babylon 5: General 20-Nov-95 01:07:11 Sb: #401038-#Demon w\ Glass Hand Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jimmy R. Kapesis 103156,1634 (X) It's something we're still planning to do, in the fullness of time. jms #: 401616 S5/Babylon 5: General 20-Nov-95 16:53:51 Sb: #401471-2nd Babylon 5 CD? Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Eric D. Fether 74067,465 (X) The first CD came out and has done quite well; it's in most record stores (that can keep it in stock), so it can be ordered through your local Tower or Wherehouse, or you can order direct from Sonic Images via their web page, or the address given in the B5 library (#5 or #6). jms #: 401617 S5/Babylon 5: General 20-Nov-95 16:53:52 Sb: #401537-B5:The End???!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Sharon Foster 76360,301 (X) I probably should, but I'm a lousy organizer/filer; I know they're all in one place, but not indexed or anything. Probably no direct need to get a copy; accept the appreciation nonetheless. jms #: 401618 S5/Babylon 5: General 20-Nov-95 16:53:54 Sb: #401558-New TNT Info? Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: David Nedrow 70004,1273 (X) No, nothing new.... jms #: 401818 S5/Babylon 5: General 20-Nov-95 21:26:28 Sb: #401652-#B5 rerun schedule Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John M. Kahane 102664,773 (X) Yeah, I think those are the episodes covered in reruns, though at one point they're going to drop in "Hunter, Prey" one more time to set up the events to come in the next batch of new eps. jms #: 401819 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 20-Nov-95 21:26:29 Sb: #401744-#Italian Garibaldi Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Michael Zitaglio 102545,641 (X) Thanks.... jms #: 401820 S5/Babylon 5: General 20-Nov-95 21:26:30 Sb: #401786-B5 fan club Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jimmy R. Kapesis 103156,1634 (X) We've been working with WB on getting the paperwork finished, and it's nearly there, so the club should be on line in the next week or two. I'm directly involved in running/owning it, with my associate Doug Netter. It's not set up to be a big money machine, just doing a few things for the fans, and that sort of thing. jms #: 401821 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 20-Nov-95 21:26:33 Sb: #401790- Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jimmy R. Kapesis 103156,1634 (X) Because Delenn doesn't know that information offhand, any more than you or I would have casual access to detailed scientific information from our own world just off the top of our heads; she'd still have to go to her own homeworld for the info, as our characters did. And it's not that we didn't have it, it was just collating it all. And given how Kosh answers questions, would you really want to use his responses in this thing? jms #: 401830 S5/Babylon 5: General 20-Nov-95 21:38:28 Sb: #401708-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Bob Fischer 73727,1774 (X) My sense is that Delenn is not a godlike font of information; I don't think anyone, alien or human, at the station would just happen to know all the information required. How much would Delenn know about molecular biology, for instance? (And if you asked Kosh a question about the subject, he'd probably come back with "The heart does not sing with its parts." Not exactly useful.) Anyone there would have to go back to their own world for experts in the various fields...so you're back where you started. Earth *has* the info, it's just getting it, and getting it fast. If you add the overlay of going through another government, you're going to run out of time that much faster. Logically, a probe like this would be sent off looking for information on the very cusp of technology that could pose a threat. That's why it *didn't* go off when the probe presumed them to be a less developed civilization; it was looking for civilizations that *are* sufficiently advanced to pose a possible threat; Sheridan says exactly that as he walks across C&C. Interesting aside on this, btw, in the "where do you get your ideas?" department. The US House Science Sub-Committee held a series of hearings into the question of extraterrestrial contact during the 1970s, to determine what we should do in the event of contact. The most likely scenario, the scientists agreed, was a probe coming into our solar system. So what do we do in response to a message asking if anybody's home? Believe it or not, it was the consensus of the Subcommittee that we should not respond...in case it was a berserker, just as shown in the episode. That is our government's official policy on the subject. jms #: 401916 S5/Babylon 5: General 21-Nov-95 00:20:33 Sb: #401886-#Question for JMS Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Antonio Fuentes 103037,2550 (X) That's a lot of questions, but still.... I'll go along with little increases in merchandising along the way, but nothing major until after we're done. Then, when it can't contaminate the show, maybe more. Talia and Ivanova were linked/did have a relationship; and there was a camera edit that didn't quite match, two different issues. A book after the fact...will have to wait until I'm done for a decision. We hope the show will in time be out on tape/disk, and all of the major questions raised during the show should/must be answered during the show, you can't leave stuff hanging. jms #: 402169 S5/Babylon 5: General 21-Nov-95 11:52:16 Sb: #401933-Whitestar ?s (spoiler) Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Paul Sulkowski 75604,2156 (X) Had a Minbari been running that sensor, he would've nailed it instantly; but Ivanova had never actually encountered that ship before, and was running off the initial scan reports. (Also it was just phasing in at that point.) The White Star uses local drive engines based on magnetic and gravitational principles; in a sense, it doesn't so much push itself toward other worlds as *pull* itself or *repel* itself. One side effect of creating a powerful gravitational system is the ability to create artificial gravity. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. jms #: 402170 S5/Babylon 5: General 21-Nov-95 11:52:17 Sb: #402109-Question for JMS Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Eric D. Fether 74067,465 (X) That's when the story ends. You tell your tale and get off the stage. jms #: 402171 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 21-Nov-95 11:52:18 Sb: #402113- Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Bert Johnson 102476,201 (X) Probably not. jms #: 402587 S5/Babylon 5: General 21-Nov-95 21:32:32 Sb: #401882-#B5 Entertainment Utility Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Lori Eppright 75113,474 (X) Yep, that's the screensaver I was talking about; it's really nifty. jms #: 402594 S5/Babylon 5: General 21-Nov-95 21:42:33 Sb: #402212-#Kosh's lessons Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jimmy R. Kapesis 103156,1634 (X) Sheridan has fallen away from the lessons a bit; Kosh is going to have to have a word with him about that. jms #: 402595 S5/Babylon 5: General 21-Nov-95 21:42:35 Sb: #402330-#How much did Kosh know? Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John McAuley 100260,412 (X) Good question. Pity you'll have to wait for the answer.... jms #: 402596 S5/Babylon 5: General 21-Nov-95 21:42:38 Sb: # Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Tom Knudsen 72347,1626 (X) Two things on the upcoming episode ("Gethsemane").... 1) This is episode #5 in shooting order; I'd originally planned to end the first batch of new episodes with #4, "Voices of Authority," which is a major -- and I mean major -- wham episode. But the EFX requirements were pretty hideous (though not as bad as "Messages"), so I moved "Gethsemane" into that slot, which is a very strong episode, though not an arc'er. 2) On the story question...yes, this was the story that someone else (don't want to use names, no sense in blaming anyone) had accidentally suggested while I was working on it early in season two. So I had to scuttle the script for nearly a year. Finally, very chagrined over what happened, the individual gave me a notarized form explaining the situation. At that point, I was able to reactivate the story. So no, it's not any kind of "it's okay to do this" notion about story ideas; as it is, the story was tied up for about a year, and might never have seen the light of day had not the other person made great efforts to set the situation straight. jms #: 402598 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 21-Nov-95 21:42:45 Sb: #402418-Vichy Narn? Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Michael Zitaglio 102545,641 (X) It's any occupied government, really.... jms #: 402711 S5/Babylon 5: General 22-Nov-95 00:29:34 Sb: #402677- Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Michael Grabois 74737,2600 (X) I just went through my stuff trying to find it...there was a formal report published by the Government Printing Agency in around 1978 or so. I think it was entitled something like "Prospects for Contact by Extra- Terrestrial Intelligence," and went into the whole CETI issue at great length. (Back then, it was CETI, for Contact With Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, changed shortly after the House hearing on the subject to SETI, Search For Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence.) Any GPA office should have the report on file. jms #: 403072 S5/Babylon 5: General 22-Nov-95 13:28:21 Sb: #402823-#B5: Dear Joe Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: peter stathis 102477,3046 Of course it's your right to say it. You can say any foolish thing you choose. My point -- underlined by your own comments -- is that you have absolutely no understanding of how the ratings work, where they come from, how they are compiled, what they mean, or where we stand in those rankings. If you wish to continue putting out misinformation, botched figures, unnecessary panic, and foolish notions that have nothing whatsoever to do with reality, well, that's your right. And I'm going to call you on it and if your comments are sufficiently stupid or misinformed, get a little testy, because that's *my* right. I came back and posted the exact numbers that are made available. It's not playing the ratings game except in the sense that the ratings are always a game...a game whose rules you don't know or understand. For the week of 10/23 to 10/29, we were ranked #38 overall, out of a grand total of 220 syndicated television series, including game shows, talk shows, dramas, comedies, and everything else, and the 6th rated dramatic series for that week. And our demographics scores put us in around 2nd/3rd position. We did better than Highlander, Pointman, Kung Fu, the syndicated Tales from the Crypt, and other dramatic series. Outside dramatic series, we did better than the Jerry Springer Show, America's Most Wanted, Sightings, Martha Stewart Living, Rush Limbaugh, Siskel & Ebert, Richard Bey, and Donahue...all of which are considered successful series. Those are the cold, hard facts, the hard numbers as delivered the the A.C. Neilsen and Arbitron Companies. If I were currently worried about the show, if I thought the numbers were soft, I'd be the first person sounding the clarion call and asking people to write letters urging the show's continuance. I'm not doing that, because Warner Bros. is happy, PTEN is happy, and we're happy. No one -- *no one* -- is more concerned about this show's survival than I am, and if I'm relatively content with the situation, then we're in pretty good shape. You cite that some stations are moving the show into weird hours. That is correct. First, it's only a very few stations out of nearly 200 stations; those are, for the most part, Fox stations that have contractual commitments to run Fox shows in prime-time, which is 8-10 p.m. Mon-Sun (they generally run news 10-11). All that's left in those stations -- and many markets only *have* one or two independent stations -- is the non-prime time schedule. That means after 11 or before 7. You cite the Indianapolis station that dropped the show. Yes, because WB, feeling strongly about the show, pressured it for a better time slot, same as in Grand Rapids MI. They were locked in, couldn't give us anything better, so the show left...and has not been REPLACED in the Indianapolis market on WNDY. So once again your facts are incorrect by omission and inaccuracy...Indianapolis DOES have B5 back now, on better station in many ways, and we're in negotiations to bring it back to the two or three other markets where the same thing has happened. In all the major markets, our ratings are *significantly* up. In Charlotte we're up 186% over this same time last year; Cincinnati up 233%; Chicago up 133%; San Francisco up 135%...in Portland we blow the doors off altogether. In short, Peter, you are absolutely, incontravertibly, dead-ass wrong. "I am only doing a favor to those out there who like the show." No you're not. You're trying to whip up hysteria, get people upset, cause a crisis that exists nowhere but in your own mind, because that's what you enjoy doing. And you clearly think that while you can come on here and say any thing you want, if I come back and say you're wrong, somehow this is wrong, this is only wanting to hear from groupies...as opposed to the simple fact that you're *wrong*. You want to have one set of rules for yourself (anything goes), and one thing for me (shut up, bend over and take it without any backtalk). I checked my CIS agreement; that proviso isn't there. Anybody who comes on here and wants to express an opinion, negative or positive, about the show is free to do so. Anyone who comes on and offers what he thinks are facts, and those facts are wrong, is going to be corrected. There is this little club of people who think that they should be able to say anything they want, as addle-headed or inaccurate as may be, and that if they're called on it, that's wrong, and that's interfering in their right of expression. Well, pal, I have a right to expression too, and guess what? The facts are on my side of the argument, not yours. And they always come back with the same thing, "if it bothers you to hear it, well, that's just the way things are," and "I am not some groupie or some mindless fanatic," thereby denigrating everybody else, as if they are blind followers, and only you see the truth, which is I'm sure exactly what you would like to believe, and "you might not like to hear it, but I got a right to say it." Absolutely. You've got a right to be as asinine and incorrect and stupid and ill-informed and prejudicial and hysterical and wrong-headed as you wish. And I've got the right to correct you. Deal with it. jms #: 403073 S5/Babylon 5: General 22-Nov-95 13:28:25 Sb: #402871-#Thanks for a Great show Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Paul M. Zukowski 102522,131 Yep, they had computers back then; I used to log on on an old Kaypro, no hard drive, 64k memory and 128k floppies. Ah, those were the days.... jms #: 403074 S5/Babylon 5: General 22-Nov-95 13:28:27 Sb: #403002-B5:The End???!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Bob Danielson 73647,2247 (X) No, no reconciliation there. They want the numbers to improved in season three over season two. They are doing this. (Though we're gonna get killed tonight by the second half of the Beatles series.) jms #: 403076 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 22-Nov-95 13:28:30 Sb: #403020-#$0.04: Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: The Jawa / Jawa #2 76371,3057 Thanks...and Vir will return to the station from time to time, just as Londo said. jms #: 403077 S5/Babylon 5: General 22-Nov-95 13:28:33 Sb: #403024-Kosh's lessons Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 Oh, yes, I'd say so.... jms #: 403078 S5/Babylon 5: General 22-Nov-95 13:28:34 Sb: #403034-DL Query Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Alan Katz 74260,3612 There was no *proof* that it was her, just a good chance. And the Corps wouldn't allow her to be just shipped off. Pluse, she's still a citizen with all the rights attendent upon that; we can't just ship somebody off to Russia or Singapore if we don't like them. Real life is a lot more complicated, and this show is patterned after reality as much as possible. jms #: 403098 S5/Babylon 5: General 22-Nov-95 14:13:30 Sb: #403043-#Daily News Dis Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: MARK SMITH 102161,2223 (X) One person said, "Critics are paid to be unfair." This piece shows it. Too much emphasis on being cute and biting, rather than discussing the merits of the show. It's enlightening to see the dichotomy on the show on either side of the Atlantic...here the critics tend to dismiss the show, or get cutsie, or deride it...but in the UK, publications from Home Entertainment to Time Out to even the prestigious Radio Times have lauded the show, calling it some of the best SF of the last decade. jms #: 403418 S5/Babylon 5: General 22-Nov-95 22:33:05 Sb: #403193-#Fleer Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jimmy R. Kapesis 103156,1634 (X) The Fleer situation has been mutually pleasing. I think Fleer is going to close down or otherwise change, so the cards may end up in the hands of another company at some point. jms #: 403419 S5/Babylon 5: General 22-Nov-95 22:33:06 Sb: #403277-B5 rerun schedule Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John M. Kahane 102664,773 Not too much substantial in this batch...a few things, but to point them out would defeat the purpose. jms #: 403421 S5/Babylon 5: General 22-Nov-95 22:33:13 Sb: #403349-B5: Dear Joe Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Walter F. Hern 74201,2063 To have a Tie fighter come through B5 space would a) break the reality of the show, b) make us a pastiche or comedy, people would be too busy noticing and laughing at that to pay attention, and b) would be a case of copyright infringement, which would get us in a heap of legal trouble. Re: the ratings...you're quite correct. Also, what most folks forget was that TOS was considered a ratings flop on every level, and would've been canceled after its second year were it not for a huge campaign by fans. jms #: 403467 S5/Babylon 5: General 23-Nov-95 01:27:18 Sb: #403451-Explosive Decompression Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Kenneth Porter 76161,3013 We've shown one body after spacing, and discussed another; in each case, we hewed close to the facts. Dr. Franklin pointed out that, rather than eyes exploding or anything of that nature, they freeze, for instance. In any event...yes, point taken, and we won't do that, never intended to. jms #: 403468 S5/Babylon 5: General 23-Nov-95 01:27:19 Sb: B5 at LosCon Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: All Just a reminder...I'll be giving a Babylon 5 special presentation at LosCon this Sunday at the Burbank Airport Hilton from 1-3 p.m. As a caveat, the seats are usually gone very fast, almost always before the presentation begins, so you may want to come a little bit early, otherwise there might not be any available seats. The last several appearances have all been SRO. jms #: 403884 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 23-Nov-95 21:07:10 Sb: #403496-$0.04: Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Lolita . Maddalena 102701,3447 (X) Yeah...right back where we started.... jms #: 403885 S5/Babylon 5: General 23-Nov-95 21:07:13 Sb: #403520-#New Open! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Trent K. Johnson 71020,1052 "Why are starfuries firing on starfuries?" Noticed that, eh? Wait and see. jms #: 403993 S5/Babylon 5: General 24-Nov-95 03:19:59 Sb: #403915-DL Query Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 The EA was fairly easy going, but remember that people are used to a heavy governmental hand during the Earth/Minbari War. It's in a way similar to the situation we had post WW2; the only way we could make it past that war and survive was through strict discipline, following orders, going along with rationing, conserving, everything. And it was that positive attitude that those who came later would exploit in the McCarthy/Red Scare 1950s, and hit us sideways in the 60s. jms #: 404287 S5/Babylon 5: General 24-Nov-95 18:01:48 Sb: #404254-JMS: Babcom 96 Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Chris Gardiner 100701,3353 No, I don't believe I'm slated for Babcom 96, but I will be at the Encounter in the UK in April or so. (Details are in the library somewhere.) jms #: 404288 S5/Babylon 5: General 24-Nov-95 18:01:48 Sb: #404272-#B5 Blueprints/Models? Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Brian Deane 100121,26 (X) Nope, this is strictly illegal. Could you send me a copy of the magazine at the following address, so we can nail their heads to the wall? Babylon 5, 14431 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 260, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. (Send it to my attention.) Thanks. jms #: 404439 S5/Babylon 5: General 25-Nov-95 05:07:07 Sb: #404351-Pilot Episode Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: David Schirmer 76774,3310 (X) Londo does not specify Sinclair in his dialogue; that's the picture at that moment, but that doesn't lock us into it. A full explanation for what happened and why is uploaded in the library here; do a search in lib 5, I think, for Sinclair, and you'll find it. (Rather than recap the whole thing again here.) jms #: 404440 S5/Babylon 5: General 25-Nov-95 05:07:08 Sb: #404365-#B5 Blueprints/Models? Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Chad Underkoffler 102512,1310 (X) Rage needs rest. Rest, Rage, rest. jms #: 404441 S5/Babylon 5: General 25-Nov-95 05:07:08 Sb: #404366-#Rage's Thots: Rangers? Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Chad Underkoffler 102512,1310 (X) No, the Drazi was not a Ranger, only a supporter/collaborator (if I can use, or misuse that term.) At this stage, the Rangers are exclusively either human or minbari. jms #: 404442 S5/Babylon 5: General 25-Nov-95 05:07:11 Sb: #404413-#B5 at LosCon Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Larry Rosenblum 72122,1555 (X) No standing invitations to the area, but we'll see.... jms #: 404763 S5/Babylon 5: General 25-Nov-95 23:01:18 Sb: #404483-#B5: Dear Joe Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Rick Sharon 76416,2213 (X) BTW, you'll notice that young master stathis took a powder after dropping his offensive message here, so he wouldn't have to deal with any of the responses. Then after a while he'll come back and do it all again. Typical. jms #: 404765 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 25-Nov-95 23:01:23 Sb: #404542-#$0.04: Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: The Jawa / Jawa #2 76371,3057 (X) It was 24 hours. jms #: 404766 S5/Babylon 5: General 25-Nov-95 23:01:25 Sb: #404554-#B5 Magazine Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: The Jawa / Jawa #2 76371,3057 (X) It's my understanding that there will be more issues, yes. jms #: 404767 S5/Babylon 5: General 25-Nov-95 23:01:26 Sb: #404574-#Question for JMS Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Tapio K. Fransen 100731,1675 (X) Dunno...the plan for now, if B5 runs its full five years, is to get out of TV and go back to novels and plays. We'll see.... jms #: 404768 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 25-Nov-95 23:01:30 Sb: #404614-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Sharon Foster 76360,301 (X) Thanks. And for "pulling a Talia" on Sheridan, that's one of the major benefits in *doing* the Talia thing to begin with; it makes it very difficult to sit back and accept that any character is going to be the key out of this story. Agree on the new bumper; and the 5 fades in like a shadow vessel, making it even more ominous. jms #: 404769 S5/Babylon 5: General 25-Nov-95 23:01:31 Sb: #404637-#Explosive Decompression Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: William H. DiPaola 76521,1751 (X) Well, either buy it or burn it.... jms #: 404883 S5/Babylon 5: General 26-Nov-95 05:07:24 Sb: #404866-#Explosive Decompression Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: William H. DiPaola 76521,1751 (X) Look at the big, round section in the middle of the Cortez, that's the part that rotates. jms #: 405279 S5/Babylon 5: General 26-Nov-95 22:23:13 Sb: #404889-#Question for JMS Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Michael "GANDALF" Kalus 100265,3065 (X) Nope, no real interest in doing movies; it's really a director's medium, so I prefer either television or print, which is a writer's medium. What do I think about the end of SeaQuest? Well, it was kind of inevitable, wasn't it? If they had left it alone, in the hands of the people who first created it, like Rockne O'Bannon, and quit pulling on it in every possible direction, it could've been okay. Instead, the Suits got involved, and when the Suits get involved...you're dead. "How good are your quotes?" Don't know what this means. jms #: 405280 S5/Babylon 5: General 26-Nov-95 22:23:17 Sb: #404923-#John J.? Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Anne L. Warner 71513,1177 Eek! I had nothing to do with "Space Rangers," feh, feh, a pox, no. We went on with our pilots in similar periods, but no, I ain't had nothin' to do with that one ever. I have two options of what the J stands for; still trying to decide between historical reference and personal satisfaction. jms #: 405281 S5/Babylon 5: General 26-Nov-95 22:23:18 Sb: #404974-#B5: Dear Joe Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: peter stathis 102477,3046 "Either answer in a polite way, or don't answer at all." Peter, you came in here and started acting like a jerk. Everyone here feels exactly the same way about your behavior. I don't have to be polite if you're acting like a jerk; neither does anyone else here. Around here, you get what you give; if you are polite, and respectful, others will treat you the same way. If you come in here, guns blazing, acting like a ditz, then people are gonna call you a ditz. Polite ain't got nothin' to do with it. Take a little personal responsibility for your behavior. jms #: 405283 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 26-Nov-95 22:23:25 Sb: #405198-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: David E. McCloud 102441,2371 Thanks. That's really the intent; to get people to talk about the issues raised, and to examine the issues. We won't tell you what to think about an issue, because I don't have an answer myself...but if it made you stop and consider this stuff, and decide for yourself where you fall in the discussion, then it's done its job. jms #: 405345 S5/Babylon 5: General 27-Nov-95 00:41:24 Sb: #405288-#B5 Magazine Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Z. Michael Milutinovic 71532,2231 It's from Sendai; ask your local bookstore to order it. jms #: 405346 S5/Babylon 5: General 27-Nov-95 00:41:25 Sb: #405328-#John J.? Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: randall s. cavanaug 102134,760 (X) No, no cast email addresses. jms #: 405347 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 27-Nov-95 00:41:26 Sb: #405331-#Synopses/ Transcriptions Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Mike Fitzpatrick 73562,3437 (X) I do think that sometimes the synopses get *too* detailed, and where they transcribe verbatim dialogue, are, I think, legally problematic, yes. jms #: 405474 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 27-Nov-95 05:55:42 Sb: #405367- Choices Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Elyse M. Grasso 70302,3304 (X) Thanks. Yeah, "it's nothing personal" does echo the other theme; those who inflict great harm tend to shrug it off that way. jms #: 405475 S5/Babylon 5: General 27-Nov-95 05:55:43 Sb: #405380-#DL Query Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 (X) I'd like to not reply, as this is encroaching seriously into story territory. jms #: 405476 S5/Babylon 5: General 27-Nov-95 05:55:45 Sb: #Synopsis Query Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: All Fast question...I seem to recall seeing some synopses that began with a telling quote from the episode, then a 1-paragraph summation, followed by cast. Does this ring a bell with anybody else? jms #: 405477 S5/Babylon 5: General 27-Nov-95 06:01:03 Sb: #405390-Rage's Thots:USENET Rant Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Karen E. Bahnsen 102735,3557 (X) Keep that up and you're going to turn my head...in this case, as far as Linda Blair's in the Exorcist.... jms #: 405770 S5/Babylon 5: General 27-Nov-95 17:23:28 Sb: #405478-#Question for JMS Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Michael "GANDALF" Kalus 100265,3065 (X) Ah...what you call quotes we call ratings, and they have been very good. Viewer response really had zip to do with the Sinclair situation; you can find a detailed explanation in library 5 here. jms #: 405771 S5/Babylon 5: General 27-Nov-95 17:23:29 Sb: #405622-Rage's Thots: Manifesto Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Chad Underkoffler 102512,1310 (X) No, it's not currently available. jms #: 405772 S5/Babylon 5: General 27-Nov-95 17:23:30 Sb: #405630-#Synopsis Query Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Richard P. Manny 70762,141 (X) No, I checked, and it ain't the Hyperion guide; it's something else I've seen, and I just can't put my finger on it. jms #: 405773 S5/Babylon 5: General 27-Nov-95 17:23:33 Sb: #405742-#DL Query Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Alan Katz 74260,3612 (X) Oh, to be sure, they'd have preferred to have Talia accidentally fall out an airlock rather than turn her over to the Corps...but that's cold blooded murder, and if they go that route, then there's no difference between them and their opposite number. jms #: 406058 S5/Babylon 5: General 28-Nov-95 00:17:48 Sb: #405810-# Probe Query Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Wendy Shaffer 71201,2200 (X) No, it probably couldn't take out a planet, though it'd sure disrupt all communications in and out for a long time, maybe throw up a dust curtain to bring down the temperature quite a bit. Certainly it'd debilitate the planet long enough for additional probes to be sent in. If one can do the job, one does the job; if more are required, more are sent. jms #: 406059 S5/Babylon 5: General 28-Nov-95 00:17:49 Sb: #406016-Question for JMS Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Charles S. Tritt 70254,131 (X) Don't know what Rock's doing these days. jms #: 406619 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 28-Nov-95 21:08:00 Sb: #406267-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 (X) So, in essence, you liked it, then...? Re: Lyta...(evil smile).... jms #: 406621 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 28-Nov-95 21:08:06 Sb: #406404-Vichy Narn? Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Fitz Bushnell 76435,165 (X) Thanks...we try. jms #: 406622 S5/Babylon 5: General 28-Nov-95 21:08:09 Sb: #406579-Reactor Access Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Clinton Alvord 71470,3665 Going in the vacuum door was the fastest way to get a bunch of people in there, and presumably get a big object out again. Instead of riding transport tubes to the core shuttle, then the core shuttle to the far end, then tubes to the bottom...you jump out, get picked up and dumped at the far end. Takes 2 minutes rather than 10 or 15. Remember, this place is five miles long. jms #: 406727 S5/Babylon 5: General 29-Nov-95 00:45:09 Sb: #406702-#B5: Dear Joe Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Elizabeth 76202,563 (X) Thanks, and yeah, having served my time in and running creative writing classes, I've seen it too. Ah, well.... jms #: 406728 S5/Babylon 5: General 29-Nov-95 00:45:10 Sb: #406713-B5 books Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Mara K. Malovany 102750,1414 (X)