JMS CompuServe messages for July 1997. Collected by John Hardin . Date: 30 Jun 1997 11:58:30 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Delenn`s background {original post unavailable} "Considering how they refer to "The Children of VALEN" and don't bother to mention the name of the WIFE of Valen, I'd say patriarchal." Or they pick the more well-known of the two. We often say "Mick Jagger's kid" because he's the more well known of the pair. Or they could be rather subtly ignoring what they might consider just a bit of scandal.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jun 1997 11:58:32 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Vadim Naroditsky <72133.1175@compuserve.com> Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? Vadim Naroditsky <72133.1175@compuserve.com> asks: > Will you now have to rewrite/refilm the last 4 episodes? "Will you now have to rewrite/refilm the last 4 episodes? I assume they were ending the arc and now you have another year." No, there's just the replacement for 422, that's all. There's a difference between *ending the arc* and providing a *sense of resolution.* By the end of 421, things had been settled in a lot of areas...but far more were made very clear as being Out There. You could view it as an epilog, or a set-up for more down the road, depending on whether or not there was a fifth season. Hell, there's a great big fat setup for season 5 right smack in the middle of the Franklin/Lyta scene on Mars in "The Face of the Enemy." This isn't directed at you so much, Vadim, as in general...some days I wonder what the hell I'm doing on the nets. We busted our butts to get year 5, same as we do every year (though moreso this year), because it would be *the most satisfactory way to end the story*. It *could* end in year 4, I was prepared to do that if necessary, but it wouldn't be as satisfactory to all concerned as year 5. So now we have year five. And right out of the woodwork come people -- such as a particularly twit-like message forwarded to me from one of the usenet groups -- saying that the fifth season was going to be just filler now, that the story was over, used up, it's all tied up, there's nothing but "dumb old personal stories." No more arc. And I would love nothing more than to just thump them. I sometimes wonder if they think I was walking down the street one day, and I came across this Arc laying in the road. And it's a finite package, and once it's used up, it's used up. People, I THOUGHT THIS STUFF UP. You watch it, but I make it...and I'm not doing this for my health, I didn't fight this hard to do a season of filler. Where's the common sense here? My vested interest in making this a solid story is a hell of a lot higher than ANY viewer could POSSIBLY bring to the table. But again and again, not to you Vadim but in general, it's "Oh, it's all done now, it's just filler." Yes, I fought and bled to get a season 5 so I could do filler, instead of going back to a network show where they'll pay me double what I get on B5. Absolutely. That makes a LOT of sense. I dunno...maybe I'm over-reacting...hell, I probably *am* over-reacting, but it seems like they never let you rest. The end of the Shadow War came, and folks said, "Oh, the arc is over now, nothing interesting can happen now," and I said there was MORE interesting stuff even than that coming up, and sure enough that happened, and it's "Oh...okay," and this happens time and time again, and now we have a fifth year, and it's "Oh, the arc is over, nothing interesting can happen now." You'd think that by now we would've proven the point...but every year it seems like we have to prove ourselves again and again and again. The confetti has barely hit the ground and they move in the funeral draping. I just get tired of it some days. Jerks. (Not you, Vadim, a very nice man, just venting.) jms ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jun 1997 16:11:14 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? {original post had no questions} I know, I know, I know...I think it's just the way we're all hard wired. You can get 100 plaudits, but it's the one meroon who busts your chops for something you didn't even *do* that sticks in your mind. Never met anyone yet that was different. Ah, well...onward. jms ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jun 1997 16:11:14 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: B5 - tnt and WB {original post had no questions} Yes, TNT is definitely a better home. For one thing, B5 would get lost on the SciFi channel among all the other shows; here, TNT will treat it as something special. jms ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jun 1997 16:11:16 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> Subject: You the man Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks: > Will you be writting all of season 5, or is the remarkable streak > soon to end? No, I have no intention of writing all of S5...I'll probably do about what I did in S1-2, writing 11-15, with the rest being assigned out of the arc. And Neil Gaiman has said he's now in a place where he can tackle one, so I hope to work out something with him, a story worth his doing, to make that happen at last. jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 02:15:34 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Richard M. Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com> Subject: Guest Editorial Richard M. Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com> asks: > There are generally two questions I get that are on this level: > "Why do you like *that* stuff?" (after answering "yes" to "You > really like that stuff, don't you?") and "Why are you involved > with Boy Scouts?" On a somwhat related note, did you happen to get > the Kingdom Come limited edition slipcover? Whose will be done? Exactly. And the question is phrased to put you on the defensive when there is *nothing* one needs to be defensive about...it's "how long have you been beating your wife?" You have to redefine the question to something a tad closer to reality. Re: the Kingdom Come ltd. edition...no, I didn't know about that. Will definitely go out and pick it up next chance I get; that was one of the few series I read this year, and I liked it a lot. jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 02:15:36 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: You the man {original post unavailable} I was planning to speak to both those folks. jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 02:15:38 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? {original post unavailable} "I say do that same thing you did when you first had this idea-write for yourself. Focus on what you want to express. Develop those ideas you deem important." That's the only way I can do this; only way I ever have or ever will. "And if you ever need a break, drop by Vegas and share some Corona's, limes, and a can of salt with me. We can laugh at the world together in the summer sun, watch some showgirls, and throw some bucks at the blackjack table." I don't drink, don't smoke, don't do drugs, don't gamble...I write. Sad, innit? "I'll steer you away from any Tyson boxing matches, though." I'm just *waiting* for him to get mad at somebody, and have that person reel back saying, "Hey, sorry, jeez, don't bite my head off, man." jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 02:15:41 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Paul McElligott <70007.3154@compuserve.com> Subject: Warners... Paul McElligott <70007.3154@compuserve.com> asks: > Actually, the show didn't REALLY change hands, did it? > This was more of a lateral than a punt....true? Not really, no...because the two organizations are *affiliated* but they continue to operate as wholly different companies, and neither side takes orders from the other. TNT *actively pursued* both the reruns (before the companies merged) and the fifth season. And they fought like hell to make the deal work. jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 02:15:43 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Paul McElligott <70007.3154@compuserve.com> Subject: B5 on TNT Paul McElligott <70007.3154@compuserve.com> asks: > In hindsight, do you think that a deal like you've got now with > TNT would have helped the show if you'd gone that route in 93/94? > Or is that, like, a totally stupid question? "In hindsight, do you think that a deal like you've got now with TNT would have helped the show if you'd gone that route in 93/94?" Oh...probably, but only about 200%. jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 12:43:51 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? {original post had no questions} I hadn't noticed that in the article...well, interesting.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 12:43:52 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: John Vickery in future? (blocked) asks: > Couldn't you have John Vickery portray a nephew or cousin or even > a son of Neroon, who also became a ranger? We'll keep our eyes out for a way to bring him around again, same as with Wayne. jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 12:43:52 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> Subject: B5 on TNT Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks: > Could you have gotten a TNT like deal back then? Since TNT wasn't making those kinds of deals back then, the point is moot. jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 12:43:53 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Vadim Naroditsky <72133.1175@compuserve.com> Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? Vadim Naroditsky <72133.1175@compuserve.com> asks: > Joe, do you or did you write anything besides science fiction or > consider to write it? I think you would write excellent "global > adventure", I mean something like Frederik Forsait (sp? Yeah, I've often done non-SF stuff...comedy, cop shows, mystery shows, historical stuff, horror, essays, articles...a little of everything. jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 12:43:58 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> Subject: makeup in new movies Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> asks: > My question: For the move In The Beginning, which is then to be > followed immediately by The Gathering on TNT in January, how will > you be handling the makeup? Will it be some kind of blend between > the pilot and the series? Closer to the series and forget that it > looks different from the pilot? No, we're using the series makeup, rather than add one more permutation. jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 12:44:00 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? {original post unavailable} I'm cutting back on salt, I never see the sun anyway, and the showgirls can take care of themselves. jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 12:44:01 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: B5 *only* on cable now?? {original post unavailable} It'll only be on cable, that's correct. jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 22:40:51 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? Waitaminnit...just looked at the name again...is this *the* James Morrow? As in the writer? jms ------------------------------ Date: 01 Jul 1997 22:40:53 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com> Subject: The 5th Season {original post had no questions} Thanks...not too bad for a day's work.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 02 Jul 1997 13:44:58 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Alan Mulvie <100566.1444@compuserve.com> Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? Alan Mulvie <100566.1444@compuserve.com> asks: > Whats the score with Mr Garibaldi? > Ditto Valen/Sinclair - his descendants? > How did Babylon 5 get destroyed? > (from flash forwards) Who/what was on the ship escaping? > Will the Narn and Centari find peace? > Who where the enemys referred to in War without End (Delann in > the future) Does Sheridan Die (in 20 years) or evolve Like > Lionheart? Whats the score with Lionheart? > Did the Vorlons genetically engineer Telepaths? > What else did they genetically engineer? > Will Clark get booted out? > What happens to Centari Prime (in the future - war without end) > What will Sheridans Son be like- Do? If Lyta can be "enhanced2 by > the Vorlons, what did the shadows do to their servants? How does > the army of Light cope with that? If "Mankind" has some of that > technology, what will we do with it? Whats "The Rim" and whats > beyond it? Why wont there be a Babylon 6? > Will Mars become independent or unify with earth? > Now the big boys have gone, are the children gonna fight? > Will JMS let someone else write a script? > And their are plenty of other loose ends if I take time to think > about it, so the question isnt if you will have a season 5 of > fillers, but will you have enough episodes to wrap up everything > by the end of season 5? At least a third of those are resolved in the next batch; and a bulk of the rest in the fifth season, plus a lot of other threads you missed. jms ------------------------------ Date: 02 Jul 1997 13:44:59 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Vadim Naroditsky <72133.1175@compuserve.com> Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? {original post had no questions} No big books, though I've had two medium-sizednovels published so far. jms ------------------------------ Date: 02 Jul 1997 21:36:22 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: B5 *only* on cable now?? {original post unavailable} I don't know the Canadian situation yet, but can't imagine that they would let that market go by the boards for long. jms ------------------------------ Date: 02 Jul 1997 21:36:25 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com> Subject: Now this is Scary... Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com> asks: > And I didn't think the father that rabid of a fan?!? > Remember the Pinky & the Brain's Beany & Cecil spoof? > What are you REALLY creating here??? Give me them until they're 10 and they're mine for life...insert evil cackle here.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 02 Jul 1997 21:36:27 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com> Subject: Honor the achievement {original post had no questions} Thanks...y'know, someone else said that the other day, a reporter during an interview, that there were now two paradigms of the best SF ever prouduced in this country: ST and B5. That's a weighty compliment, and my first reaction was to get really, really tired...but bottom line, we did what we set out to do, kept every promise we made, and nothing can ever take that away. We went the distance. jms ------------------------------ Date: 02 Jul 1997 21:36:30 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> Subject: What might be different? Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> asks: > This has been bugging me a bit every since the great news about > the fifth season got reported, and I can't help but wonder ....if > you had been assured of a fifth season going into season four, > are there many things you would have done differently? Is season > five a mixed blessing for you, coupled with any regret about > having had to expedite the arc to end by season four, a year > ahead of your predetermined five year game plan? "...coupled with any regret about having had to expedite the arc to end by season four, a year ahead of your predetermined five year game plan?" This is, again, a misnomer. The arc didn't *end* in year 4, nor did I end it. Which becomes utterly evident once you see the final episodes. All I did was to more or less isolate the incidents in year 5 from the preceding year, so we could go into them or not. What you have to do, which I've noted before, is to step back for a moment and look at the series as a whole. Every season, we do basically the same thing: we end on a cliffhanger, then the first 4-5 episodes of the next season resolve the threads and the cliffhanger from the prior season, and then we're off onto the next thread. They overlap by about 4-5 episodes. So what I did was to pull those 4 episodes from the start of season 5 into season 4, which would otherwise have ended at 418 as the cliffhanger. So there wasn't really that much crammed into 4, and everything that was going to be in 5 is still there, with room for about 3-4 standalones, which will be a nice break. jms ------------------------------ Date: 03 Jul 1997 03:20:54 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: The 5th Season {original post unavailable} "When you look back and reflect on what you've accomplished down the road, I hope the reality matches the vision you had when you were pitching the idea lo those many years ago." A few glitches notwithstanding...it *exceeds* the vision. I'm happy. It's the main piece that I will end up putting on the mantle to remind folks I was here. "Now, when you're done, could you please do a fantasy series, so I can find a job for the troll in the well at the bottom of the hill near my barn? He's irritating the hoses and I think he'll work for scale. . ." ^^^^^ Irritating the hoses? May I suggest, rather than fantasy, perhaps a version of "Enema Mine." jms ------------------------------ Date: 03 Jul 1997 03:20:57 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> Subject: makeup in new movies Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> asks: > In that case, for the newbies, will there be some explanation of > why Delenn changes looks from In the Beginning to The Gathering > and then back for the episodes? Well, I could run a crawl on the bottom of the screen...or insert a commercial explaining it...otherwise, I think just letting it go would be best. jms ------------------------------ Date: 03 Jul 1997 03:20:59 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: B5 *only* on cable now?? {original post unavailable} Columbia House will be releasing the show on cassette via mail-order this Fall, I believe. jms ------------------------------ Date: 03 Jul 1997 03:21:01 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: B5 finally on Video.DVD? {original post unavailable} We're *talking* to the DVD folks, and things look positive, but that's still a long bit down the road. jms ------------------------------ Date: 03 Jul 1997 03:21:04 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Tapes and DVD {original post unavailable} Yes, Columbia House has called to get graphics, so I would suggest that it's confirmed on tapes. Don't know the status on the movies, but I would imagine they'd be included...DVD is still in discussions. jms ------------------------------ Date: 03 Jul 1997 13:36:54 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: O. C. Alexander <72623.3472@compuserve.com> Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? {original post had no questions} Thanks...there's an awful lot in those characters and situations. I've tried, as best I can, to create a living, breathing universe, with stories you follow in any direction and find something interesting. jms ------------------------------ Date: 03 Jul 1997 13:36:56 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com> Subject: General Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com> asks: > Why? > You don't drink, do drugs, etc? "I know that season 5 won't be filler, because that's not what a Master of his craft does. You wouldn't tolerate it from anyone else, so you surely will not do it yourself." Bingo. Sometimes when I try to describe what's happening on my side of things, I don't find the right words. Thanks for doing so. "You don't drink, do drugs, etc?" Also don't smoke or gamble. "Wow, talk about the clean cut, all american boy! No vices, eh?" Two: Chocolate and coffee. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 02:49:07 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: John F Davis <73455.43@compuserve.com> Subject: Season 5 John F Davis <73455.43@compuserve.com> asks: > Is season 5 going to be broadcast where I can see it or am I > going to have to break down and buy cable? If you're in the US, it's only available on TNT. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 02:49:09 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Congratulations & Thanks {original post unavailable} Thanks.... "And I notice that one episode made the TV Guide list of the top 100 shows ever." No...don't think so, though it's a great idea. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 02:49:11 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? {original post unavailable} Thanks. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 02:49:13 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? {original post had no questions} Yeah, but if it were easy, I guess everybody'd do it. Thanks. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 02:49:15 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: B5 *only* on cable now?? (blocked) asks: > Will they still be aired by the syndicated stations or will TNT > show them? No, the final 4 of S4 will show in October, on regular stations. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 02:49:17 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> Subject: B5 *only* on cable now?? SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks: > Will this be something like Columbia House's special collector > subscriptions? For example, you sign up and get a B5 tape every > four weeks? Or would they offer the tapes individually or each > season as a boxed set? Dunno. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 02:49:19 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: B5 *only* on cable now?? {original post unavailable} Insofar as I know, yes. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 02:49:21 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Renegade??? (blocked) asks: > Did you write the episode of Renegade that aired (well...cabled) > tonight on USA? Or did my ears deceive me? I don't write for Renegade, and thus have no information on this other than what you just told me. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 02:49:23 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: colin heaps <100622.3610@compuserve.com> Subject: S5 in the UK? colin heaps <100622.3610@compuserve.com> asks: > Do you think it likely that TNT will be showing S5 in the UK? I haven't been apprised of the UK situation in full yet, but imagine that it'll go through WB as before, not TNT. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 02:49:25 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> Subject: Script Smart Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks: > This was a technical manual, wasn't it? Thanks...I'm very proud of that book. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 02:49:28 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com> Subject: General Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com> asks: > Do you do the gourmet coffee? > Joe, any chance that you'll be at the big B5 convention in > Pasadena in November? No one's talked to me yet about a B5 con in Pasadena in October, so I dunno. And yeah, I do the gourmet coffee thing. Big on Arabian Mocha Sanani, and Silewesi, and Sumatran. It's the one "trendy" thing I allow myself. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 03:03:25 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com> Subject: Updates from jms {original post had no questions} "Basically, Warner Bros. was not willnig to fund a fifth season of B5 for syndication." Incorrect. Not just incorrect but *massively* incorrect. In the past, the PTEN deal had WB and the indie stations putting up the money for B5. For year 5, TNT *and* WB are both footing the bill for the fifth season. WB *wanted* to do the show, but was finding trouble in the current syndicated marketplace with more and more stations, and timeslots, being committed to other programs and networks like UPN. TNT provided a window, and WB went through it. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 03:03:27 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: season5 cast (rumor) {original post unavailable} Jerry Doyle will be in season 5 of B5. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 20:45:06 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Vadim Naroditsky <72133.1175@compuserve.com> Subject: Last 4 - have to redo? {original post had no questions} The two novels are currently out of print. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 20:45:07 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> Subject: Even more congrats Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> asks: > 1) Do you envision writing the entire 5th season? > 2) Whose idea is that "AOL Keyword" stuff at the end of the > show?? No, no desire whatsoever to write all of S5, nor is there a need to. And the difference is that AOL has set aside an entire *area* just for B5, so they get the notation. It would be as if they renamed the sfmedone section the B5 section, there's a massive difference in commitment. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 20:45:09 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Mars Pathfinder {original post had no questions} There's nothing I can say about the current Mars mission that cannot be summed up in the word "cool." jms ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jul 1997 20:45:11 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com> Subject: General {original post had no questions} Creation counter-programed Loscon? That bites. jms ------------------------------ Date: 08 Jul 1997 02:10:02 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com> Subject: San Diego Con plans? Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com> asks: > What's the difference between the Saturday show and the > Friday/Sunday ones? And is anyone else from the show scheduled to > be at the con? I don't actually know what the difference is, except that I think the Friday/Sunday presentations involve the videos, and the Saturday one *may* just be me running my mouth. (I just sent a note asking about this, btw.) I think they've learned what other cons have learned: that it's best to take extraordinary measures to deal with B5 presentations. People show up. LOTS of people. And a cuter and more inherently spiffy bunch I can't imagine. jms ------------------------------ Date: 16 Jul 1997 21:10:29 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: All Subject: jms in san diego Just a quick note to let folks know that I'll be in San Diego this coming weekend for ComicCon, at the convention center downtown. I'll be doing two (fairly identical) major B5 presentations Friday and Sunday at 11 a.m., and a "spotlight on jms" presentation (whatever the hell that is) Saturday at 1:30. A word to the wise: in the past, these have always been the largest events held at ComicCon, which has about 25,000 guests on average. The room they set aside for B5 stuff tends to hold about 2400 people, so seating is kind of at a premium. Translation: try and get there early. I'll be bringing the season 4 bloopers, clips from upcoming shows, some nifty videos, and trailers for the two new B5 TV movies for TNT. Also, the official B5 fan club will be making its debut at a table in the dealer's room this weekend at SDCC, selling some nifty stuff including bunches of the Agamemnon cap worn by Sheridan in "Knives." It's identical to the prop in just about every way. See you there. jms ------------------------------ Date: 16 Jul 1997 21:50:50 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Updates from jms (blocked) asks: > How can I sign up to the fan club? > Also, how can I get one of these boxes signed by someone going by > the handle "jms?" You can get info on the boxes, and the fan club, at www.thestation.com. jms ------------------------------ Date: 16 Jul 1997 21:50:52 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> Subject: Congratulations & Thanks {original post had no questions} Yeah, I know all about the project...they'd asked me to write it, and I read the material, but finally had to pass. jms ------------------------------ Date: 16 Jul 1997 21:50:53 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> Subject: Internet World Article Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> asks: > Is the story they have true? Yeah, it happened. I haven't seen the article, but apparently they chide me for not using a virus checker...but what did the most damage was the trojan horse program that use deltree to systematically start deleting my hard drive, and no checker can find those. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20 Jul 1997 21:10:50 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: jms in san diego {original post had no questions} It's okay, I know what date they hit the place, so I can be out of town when it happens. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20 Jul 1997 21:10:53 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: jms in san diego {original post unavailable} Thanks. I don't do any convention with a direct link to Trek in its name, so that would leave Toronto Trek out, despite many friendly talks with the con organizers. Bottom line, I get gigged by ST fans for "poaching," and it just ain't worth the grief I get. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20 Jul 1997 21:10:56 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Shawn D. Ratner <73753.175@compuserve.com> Subject: Babylon 5 Credit Card Shawn D. Ratner <73753.175@compuserve.com> asks: > Is that true? It's been discussed with other ideas, but nothing more. The Agamemnon caps made their debut at San Diego Comic Con, and were a huge hit. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20 Jul 1997 21:11:00 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com> Subject: Babylon 5 - The Cult {original post had no questions} Hmmm...I don't know. I'll have to check. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20 Jul 1997 21:11:04 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post unavailable} You must understand that Claudia is one of 10 or so actors on the show. The other actors understood and understand that we cannot renegotiate contracts in mid-stream, and they are *supportive of the show*, and gave us extensions on their contracts so that WB could have time to make the TNT deal work. They are all, to a man and woman, on board otherwise. Claudia opted to not give the extension, where the other cast did, and now wants (or says she wants to) renegotiate, now that all the other cast members are locked down. To do so in her case, when she did not give us the extension, and deliberately embarrassed WB by having an article appear in the trades saying she was out and looking for other work, would be an insult to all the other cast members who have worked with us to date. Further, yes, she's right, in that the contract could not be changed so that she could go out and do movies at a moment's notice. By contract, we must have first call on an actor's services. That is a requirement of ANY TV contract with an actor who is a series regular. That cannot be changed for ANY actor, ANYwhere. That said...I already *told* Claudia that, even though we couldn't put it in the contract, I would be happy to work with her *informally* on this, and that if she said she needed to be gone from X-date to Y-date, I would write her out of those episodes so that she could do the movies. SHE ALREADY GOT FROM ME THAT PROMISE. I've already done similar things for her and other cast members on the show, which is how many of them have appeared in other projects. So this is, for me, a non-issue. No, from my standpoint, she wanted off the show, and I have no idea why she is running up the fans like this unless she wants to avoid responsibility for this. Again, this isn't a case of my word against hers. EVERY SINGLE CAST MEMBER was there when this went down, and MANY of them tried to talk her out of walking off the show. If you don't want to take my word for it, ask any one of them who was there, especially Bruce or Jeff. I would suggest the fans *not* get into this, because a) you're not getting solid or reliable information from Claudia, and b) it is simply too late. She opted to pass on season 5, whether she wants to admit this or not, whether she's running from responsibility from that, I don't know...but it was her choice. I sat with her on Thursday night at Midnight and told her, flat out, that I would accommodate her request on a personal basis, and that she *had* to either contact WB herself or have her agent do so the next day, or she was off the show, because we HAD to get the show going. The train was leaving, and she could be on it or not as she chose. She chose not to get on board. What you also don't understand is that we start shooting season 5 in less than one month. We're in the process of writing scripts *right now*, and have been since we got the production order right about the time we went to Blackpool. You can't whipsaw the writing back and forth -- is she in, isn't she in, maybe she is, maybe she isn't -- and hope to have anything in shape to shoot. That was why we had to know at that date. Normally we have a longer lead time; this time we didn't, and this has already put the scripts back a bit. The script with the new character is written and in; if I take it out now I have to replace it, and there isn't *time*. Claudia knew this. WB knew this. We were up against it. She had to choose to be in, or out. She chose out. It's no longer our responsibility, and it's flatly too late to bring her back. The door is closed on season 5. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20 Jul 1997 21:11:09 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post had no questions} I answered this in the other thread. Once you read it, you may think differently. As for your tone, please take it elsewhere. I have no interest in hearing it. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20 Jul 1997 21:35:00 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: C Christian in Season 5? {original post unavailable} I personally told Claudia that we would work out the time for her to do a film project prior to the deadline coming for her decision. Other cast members knew this, and confirmed it to her. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20 Jul 1997 21:35:01 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Alan L. Ravitch <73627.3126@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia sez this.. Alan L. Ravitch <73627.3126@compuserve.com> asks: > Ask yourself this: why would I have done the TNT promos for the > 5th season if I did not want to be involved? This fax was received > on Friday, so what kind of game was being played by giving me > false hopes throughout the weekend in England? 1) This confirms what I said in my note to Brian, that I personally assured Claudia of the chance for time off (so Kevin, bugger off). 2) Neither I nor anyone else in B5 told her that she had until Monday. I sat with her Midnight Thursday and said she had to talk to her agent and get this to WB *the very next day*, Friday, or that was it. Jeff took it upon himself to try and talk Claudia into trying to work it out on Monday, out of his concern and a hope that this could be saved. 3) Her agent was notified several days prior to the deadline that it was in place by WB business affairs. 4) As noted in my other message, there wasn't time to sit down leisurely after Blackpool and discuss this. The first script had to be in on July 6th. The second on July 12th. The third one on July 18th. Those are the hard and fast deadlines in order to meet production requirements for season 5. It is not July 20th. By the time anyone could "sit down" we'd be deep into episode 5 or 6, and then what do we do? Rewrite all 5 or 6 at the last minute? It's an unfortunate situation. Nobody's denying that. But what happened, happened. jms ------------------------------ Date: 22 Jul 1997 01:54:32 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> Subject: Script Smart Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks: > It's hell being popular, ain't it? Finally I'm popular.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 22 Jul 1997 01:54:35 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post unavailable} "I do have a question though. Why did you opt for a new character, instead of simply promoting Corwin? Was this simply to save changing Corwin's role in S5 or is there another reason?" It involves some things that happen later this season that require a certain grade officer in place in S5, and would require Corwin to jump several ranks. He's too young and inexperienced for that job. jms ------------------------------ Date: 22 Jul 1997 01:54:39 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post had no questions} The information on residuals is not correct. NO ONE was aske to give up residuals on season 5 forever. That simply never took place. To explain: There are different residuals formulas for the various forms of TV. The best one is for network, where the fee paid per rerun is quite high; then you have syndication, which starts at a much lower level; then there is the basic cable residual, which is lowest of all. In year 5, B5 is going from syndication to basic cable. That means it must now use the basic cable residuals formula. But the cast had to be informed of this, and agree to it, otherwise there could not BE a fifth season. The basic cable deal is spelled out very clearly in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) agreement, which is standard for all parts of the Industry. The rule is that the amount paid to an actor over double-scale is *credited against* residuals. Once that amount is earned out, the residuals come again. That is standard for basic cable. (The closest parallel would be a print author, who is paid an advance against royalties; once that advance is earned out, the royalties come to the author.) So to make it clearer: let's say for the sake of argument that scale is $5,000 per episode. (It isn't that exact figure, but I don't have the SAG book in front of me; still, that's close.) Double scale would be $10,000 per episode. So if an actor is paid, let's say, $12,000 per episode, then $2,000 over double scale per episode is credited against residuals, for a total of $44,000. That amount would get burned through pretty fast, and then the actor would again start getting residuals. That was the situation explained to *all* the actors. NO ONE was asked to permanently give up S5 residuals. That simply never happened, and *could not* happen under SAG rules. And the rule as specified above can be verified in the SAG agreement. BTW...it was stated to Claudia's people that WB *could* drop her down to 18 episodes if she wanted to be paid for only those 18 episodes, but her reps demanded that she should be paid for all 22 regardless, and didn't take that deal. You must understand that this sort of thing is common. For instance, when Stephen Furst wanted to do fewer episodes so that he could appear as a regular in the sitcom "Misery Loves Company," he said, "Look, I really want to do this, so if you could cut me down to, say, 8 episodes, and just pay me for those 8 instead of the contracted 13, that'd be great." And that deal was made, and made quickly. If an actor wants to be reduced in the number of episodes, but still be paid for the full number, that makes things difficult for a studio to go along with. And as of now, it's a moot point. The boat has left the pier. This is no longer an issue that can be altered. She opted out, for her own reasons. Heck, that was announced in the trades long before we knew what was going on. We have had no choice but to move on. jms ------------------------------ Date: 22 Jul 1997 17:15:25 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Troy Starr <74752.3172@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post had no questions} "In the back of my mind, I wonder why Claudia, her agent, Joe, and the WB/TNT folks couldn't sit down together (or conference call, or whatever) and talk with each other on that final day." I did. That Thursday night, I sat with her for half an hour, urging her to call her agent, and have her agent call WB. Didn't happen. We never even heard anything from her or her people until literally 1 week after the deadline for scripts to start coming in. jms ------------------------------ Date: 22 Jul 1997 17:51:09 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Paul McElligott <70007.3154@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia C fired! Paul McElligott <70007.3154@compuserve.com> asks: > Are the actors who played Major Ryan or Captain McDougal being > considered to replace Claudia? Or would that be telling? I'd prefer to put a female in that position, to keep the cast relatively balanced. I've actually come up with some very interesting ideas on this, which are kinda fun...a way to put a lot more conflict into the inner circle, if you will. jms ------------------------------ Date: 22 Jul 1997 17:51:12 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Brian Meloche <75570.2732@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post had no questions} Actually, this would be much simpler if it *were* a communication breakdown. But it ain't. Onward. jms ------------------------------ Date: 22 Jul 1997 17:51:14 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com> Subject: Clauduia Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com> asks: > If, in the past, you've given your word to someone regarding > something specifc, and you've kept it, why all of a sudden is > your word not good? How many in your profession would extend that > courtesy? Thanks. Yeah...ask any cast member, and they'll tell you that when I make a promise, it's kept, no matter what it takes. On the reaction...it goes with the territory. What's been difficult have been the emails that have come in suggesting that I "watch my back" at the next few conventions I attend. Disagreement or discussion is one thing; threats are another. jms ------------------------------ Date: 22 Jul 1997 21:46:03 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Troy Starr <74752.3172@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post had no questions} There was no pay cut for the fifth season for the cast. And the residulas formula is standard for basic cable. jms ------------------------------ Date: 22 Jul 1997 21:46:04 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Clauduia {original post unavailable} "Joe could write sa character out of an episode or 4, yet the suits could insist that the actor be present on the set anyway (or be in breach of contract)!" Nope. Wouldn't happen. Has never happened. Would never happen. WB has not even given us a creative *note* in almost 2 years. This one's a non-starter. That would simply not happen. If you're not in the script, there's no need for you to be there. jms ------------------------------ Date: 23 Jul 1997 20:47:27 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Steven K. Andeweg <72143.674@compuserve.com> Subject: jms in san diego Steven K. Andeweg <72143.674@compuserve.com> asks: > When will they be available through the club via mail order? Yes, the caps can be purchased through the fan club, and thestation.com. jms ------------------------------ Date: 23 Jul 1997 20:47:31 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post had no questions} One of the problems not just in this, but in general, is that there is so much mythology about how TV is done, and so much bad information. Any time that can be cleared up, the better. jms ------------------------------ Date: 23 Jul 1997 20:47:32 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com> Subject: Clauduia Roseann M. Caputo <103510.1542@compuserve.com> asks: > I'm just as disappointed as everyone else, but it happens, yes? > Why can't everyone just appreaciate you for the sick, twisted, > lovable, demented, tortured, bizarre, clever, witty, devious, > genius that you are? PS: Being as I'm only 5'2", it will be > difficult for me to watch you're back and see what's coming also, > perhaps my 6'5" boyfriend will help? "Why can't everyone just appreaciate you for the sick, twisted, lovable, demented, tortured, bizarre, clever, witty, devious, genius that you are?" Kill me...just kill me now and get it over with.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:00 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Steven K. Andeweg <72143.674@compuserve.com> Subject: jms in san diego Steven K. Andeweg <72143.674@compuserve.com> asks: > When will they be available through the club via mail order? They're probably available right now. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:02 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Bancroft Gracey <100532.1747@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS Bancroft Gracey <100532.1747@compuserve.com> asks: > -bpg- Uncle-at-Large "....'Great Maker', huh?" "They wouldn't like it, but they had to let a certain Mrs Roddenberry set a precedent..." 1) Majel isn't a series regular, with the contract requirements thereof. 2) Nobody messes with the Roddenberrys. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:05 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Ron Chusid <74756.3150@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post had no questions} There is nothing amiss with an actor seeing work as a contingency if the current show is not renewed. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:08 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Hero Games (Sue) <75162.372@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS Hero Games (Sue) <75162.372@compuserve.com> asks: > If that's the case, then why wouldn't/couldn't he put it into > writing? "If that's the case, then why wouldn't/couldn't he put it into writing? So far as I can tell, that's because although he can do everything in his power to keep Ivanova out of four episodes, there are higher powers within WB/TNT who could say otherwise. They're the ones who hold CCs contract, not JMS." Every studio holds the contract on its actors; that's the same for every show. Nothing could be put into writing in the form of a renegotiation because all of the actors are on a favored nation basis...if one renegotiates in his/her favor, they all get to renegotiate. Any of our cast can take fewer episodes if they agree to be paid for fewer episodes since that favors WB. Or they can come to me and we'll do it unofficially, as has been done with every single cast member for 4+ years now. Peter wanted to do "The Late Shift," I wrote him out for a couple of episodes to accommodate that; Andreas wants to do a movie, he asks, and I write him out. This has never, ever been a problem. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:11 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Hero Games (Sue) <75162.372@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post had no questions} "Again, I'm not saying that JMS did anything wrong, but if the studio can supercede Joe (i.e. Joe can verbally say 'I'll do it', but the studio still has the right to say 'no'), then I can't blame CC for wanting something in writing " Any studio can supercede the authority of an executive producer. The question, though, is one of logic. If Character X is not in an episode, is not written in an episode, there is no grounds on earth for a studio to force the actor to hang around the studio for that episode. Never been done to my knowledge on ANY show, anywhere, at any time. Nor would there be any reason to do so here. And WB doesn't write the scripts. I do. And they don't bother us on that one. We haven't had a creative note since year 2, episode 2, and that was mainly on a scene they wanted clarified. In the past, with every actor on the show, I have said, "Come to me, and we'll work out unofficially time for you to get away." There are some occasions when I say, "Look, I *need* your character for this episode, I can't do "Severed Dreams" without Sheridan," but that doesn't happen too often. We have never had a problem with WB over this. And never once have I given my word to an actor about being available, and not had it work out. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:14 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Hero Games (Sue) <75162.372@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post had no questions} "In her message, CC has quoted Copeland as saying that if TNT/WB want her to do the 22 episodes, there's nothing that can be done about it." What John said was that if she wanted to be paid the full amount (the 22 episode fee) she had to be in all 22. "However, there still seems to be a question as to whether or not she was informed of the correct deadlines or if WB/TNT withdrew whatever offer was on the table before that deadline arose." She was. They didn't. On the Thursday before the final Friday deadline, I sat in the bar of the DeVere Hotel in Blackpool with Claudia and said, "Claudia, the press has announced your departure from the show. WB takes it seriously, and I have to start writing *yesterday*. We have to know if you're in or out, and we have to know by mid-day (noon) tomorrow. If we don't get an indication from your agent that you're in, the offer will be withdrawn." The offer was withdrawn at mid-day Friday, as indicated. Because to wait any longer would damage the show, and our chances of getting going without missing airdates. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:18 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Hero Games (Sue) <75162.372@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post had no questions} "CC trusts that JMS will do what he can, but feels that things might be out of his hands and puts the question to Copeland who tells her (via her agent) that what JMS offered is "Not possible." It is not possible only if one wishes to be paid for all 22. "5. A deadline is set for CC to get in touch with WB to confirm S5. According to CC, she was told this by Conaway and not informed via normal channels (i.e. via agent, manager, WB). She tries to contact her agent regarding this but they miss each other over the weekend." Ken Parks of WB Business Affairs informed her agent. I personally informed her as well. "JMS says she had a Friday deadline. CC says she was told Monday by Conaway and that neither her agent or manager were informed of this deadline." After the Friday deadline passed, Jeff took it upon himself to try and convince her to go back to the show. He went to her and said that if she or her agent contacted WB on Monday, there might be a chance to patch things up. That was the full extent of it. Jeff does not represent the show, and was not asked to convey this to Claudia, and was acting on his own good will to try and help her out. It had nothing to do with deadlines. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:20 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Hero Games (Sue) <75162.372@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post had no questions} Nothing was said about any of this online until Claudia began talking about it at a convention Toronto and indicating that she had been fired, which was not the case. She passed. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:22 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post had no questions} We'll probably start casting in the next 7 days. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:25 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Vadim Naroditsky <72133.1175@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia C fired! Vadim Naroditsky <72133.1175@compuserve.com> asks: > The only 3 women that come to mind are: Lyta (unlikely but we can > expect anything from you, can't we? I assume that the idea of > keeping this affair to humans is still in effect, isn't it? Nothing to do with being "politically correct," this is the least PC show on record. I just like to have a mix of male and female characters, and when it tilts too much in o, including Claudia, who has three or four web sites devoted to her. She's not exactly out in the cold here. Her comments at the convention were here instantly, the Variety and Reuters articles were here very quickly, and her online note showed up within hours. I don't exactly see that as only one side being presented. Second, your observation is cynical and untrue. I've been online at CIS since 1984-85; I was one of the first people on CIS on my block. I've been here for going on 13 years. I got on here to hang out with fellow fans, and talk about shows, and meet people. I'm still here now for the same reasons. You can speak to events and specifics all you want, but stay out of my motives unless and until you can hire a teep to probe around in my cerebellum. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:33 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post unavailable} "I merely wanted to point out that JMS has seemed to USE this forum to put over a very onesided point of view." You're right. I put across one side. Mine. You put across yours. How many people are supposed to inhabit my body? It's not my place to speak for Claudia or you or anybody else. I have not used words in the same way you have used them, either; unlike you, I have not characterized the people here. You have called me arrogant without a) any meaning of the word, or b) anything to back that up other than bile and spirit messages. I have not called anyone in this stupid, or malicious, or arrogant. In reviewing your messages here, however, I'm nearly prepared to make an exception to the rule. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:35 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post unavailable} "I do not have to sound like I'm in control ALL THE TIME." I don't think you will find anyone in this forum who feels, on reading your messages, that you're in control. Mission objective achieved. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:38 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> Subject: The Couch Critic-Jeff Ja Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks: > There's a compliment in there somewhere...but for whom? I think it's the closest he will ever come to speaking well of the show. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:40 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com> Subject: Script Deadlines John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com> asks: > Why then, was the deadline for Claudia to make up her mind left > so short? Is the problem the lack of reruns (meaning you have to > get further ahead in case you fall behind without the planned > holds in the countdown)? (Also, will Claudia appear in 501 aring > as 422, and how does she get paid for 422, since that whole > residual problem raises its ugly head? "With the exception of 501 (airing in the 422 slot), you should have about 2 extra months to get the episodes in the can. They won't, after all, air until January, when they previously aired in November. Why then, was the deadline for Claudia to make up her mind left so short?" Because you can't just come in and shoot one episode, then tell everyone, "Okay, we're taking a break for two months." The moment you begin shooting, the clock is ticking. SAG regulates the span of time you have the actors, equipment is rented...on and on. We had to come back in time to shoot 501/422, and it's going to be close as it is. It takes 52 days of post to finish an episode once it's filmed, so with 501/422 shooting August 18th, just do the math to see how close this is going to be. And once we pull the trigger on 501, we have to go immediately into 502. And on and on. Even if this were not an issue with the 422 business, we would *still* have to start shooting in August because of the schedule of holidays, and TNT's desire to run S5 *straight through* without reruns or breaks. That means you have to start early and be finished with a lot of shows, and vault them, to be able to then run through them all sequentially in 22 weeks. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:44 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Clauduia {original post unavailable} "Even if Claudia had no doubt that Joe could steer her around any trouble with the suits, the verbal agreement wouldn't carry any weight in the outside world." Y'know, up until this very moment, the whole 4-eps-in-writing thing hadn't made sense to me, I couldn't get my brain around it. I don't know if that's it, but it's a helluvan interesting thought. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:46 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: Clauduia {original post had no questions} Yeah, it's another chance to make the show even more interesting. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 00:52:48 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: New Character {original post had no questions} Thanks...it'll be an interesting addition to the mix, given what happens in the latter part of the season. And no, she won't be "dead and gone forever." There's the third TNT movie, and a possible feature film, and if she wants to approach us about those projects, we'll be more than happy to have the discussion. That's precisely why I'm not recasting the role. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 20:42:21 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post unavailable} "all I was really saying is that he should keep the business side of the show off of this forum." Then you miss two important points. 1) This came up at Claudia's convention appearance, and the result has led people to ask questions. As in, "What the hell's going on?" 2) The whole reason I'm *here* is not publicity, but to create and maintain a dialogue about How Television Is Done and Why Things Are Done The Way They're Done. The business side of it has comprised about 60% of the discussion from day one. To answer questions about all the other business aspects, but pointedly *not* answer them here, goes against the reason I'm here, and would imply there's something to hide. Besides, last I heard, you didn't define the range of what can be discussed here, that's up to the sysops. If it's jake by them, it's jake by me. The problem is yours. jms ------------------------------ Date: 24 Jul 1997 20:42:23 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: New Character {original post had no questions} The Sisters of Zathras...now *there's* a convent worth joining. jms ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jul 1997 14:30:28 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Hero Games (Sue) <75162.372@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS Hero Games (Sue) <75162.372@compuserve.com> asks: > My question then is, what about the supposed conversation between > CCs agent and Copeland? Did this never take place? > is the agent lying? The conversation was not fully reported. If an actor wants to be paid for 22 episodes, then yes, it is impossible for ANY studio to put in writing that they will pay for 22 while getting only 16 or 18. None of them will ever do that. Now, if an actor wants to 16-18 and be paid for only 16-18, then that's another issue. But the former is not possible, and that was what John was addressing. He's kind of gotten a bad rap in this, without cause. jms ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jul 1997 14:30:31 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Hero Games (Sue) <75162.372@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post had no questions} I have little to quarrel with in any of that, though I will make the point that there isn't really *that* much dissimilarity in our reports, as others have pointed out...it's the behind the scenes stuff and conversations and dates that get jumbled up in some of the reports. It's also a matter of perception...here you perceive that my "side" of it, if you want to call it that, is getting more support. But on other nets, I've gotten a hideous amount of hate mail, and some threats, disguised and outright. So it's a matter of what you see, vs. what is. (Kinda like the overall situation.) Finally...as you say, you have no reason to give more weight to one side or another in this. But there is one aspect of this to bear in mind. People can argue after the fact about how a tossed coin came down, can debate whose coin it was, whether it was a dime or a quarter, who said what about the ground it came to rest upon...and no one down the road may have any reason to believe one report or another...but it *did* come down, and it *did* come down either heads, or tails. jms ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jul 1997 14:30:34 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Hero Games (Sue) <75162.372@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post had no questions} "No offense, but it's your word against hers, and my point is that we don't have any reason to believe either one of you over the other." Actually, that's not quite correct. There were approximately 10 actors there in Blackpool when all this went down...and they can all verify the account that I have described in all this. jms ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jul 1997 14:30:41 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Tim's Apology {original post unavailable} "I am still of the opinion that this business side of the show should be kept under wraps and that a simple request for such, on this forum, by yourself would have dealt with this matter more swiftly." (sound effect: hysterical laughter) New to the nets, ain'tcha? jms ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jul 1997 14:30:43 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post had no questions} Thanks...I'll try. jms ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jul 1997 14:30:45 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Claudia C fired! (blocked) asks: > Every character but Ivanova has undergone great changes, I > presume that her's were to come now with the challenges and > stresses of the battle with Psi Corp/Earth and her assumption of > Army of Light command? Will the new character be used, more or > less, to complete Ivanova's development or will her thread be > dropped? Will the new character only have a lifespan of nine > years? Could he be assistant king/commander? Whatever you're drinking, you're either not drinking enough of it or too much of it. jms ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jul 1997 14:30:48 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Hugh Kennedy <70042.710@compuserve.com> Subject: Pathfinder pix? Hugh Kennedy <70042.710@compuserve.com> asks: > I seem to remember that your CGI people were able to work in some > hubble shots as backcloths for some of the earlier scenes? Is > there any chance of featuring a certain well known piece of Mars > territory? Its just nice to tell sci-fi averse people, ok - its > just a story but how can it be purely sci-fi when the backdrops > are real? We do get lots of Mars shots from the Space folks, and those have been used in the establishing shots this season. jms ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jul 1997 14:30:50 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> Subject: Scripts; 501/422 T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks: > JMS, 1) will 501/422 have season 4 or 5 title screens? > 2) since you're shooting S5 straight through, is it going to cost > less money? "1) will 501/422 have season 4 or 5 title screens?" It will be a season 4 title sequence. "2) since you're shooting S5 straight through, is it going to cost less money?" No, we're not shooting any differently than we ever do. We always start in the Summer, usually July, then have a one week hiatus midway toward Christmas, then there's the Christmas break, then we come back in January, and shoot through to the conclusion with one more one-week hiatus, which are given to keep from burning out the crew. TNT will be airing them straight through, without breaks for reruns, so we're going to have everything done ASAP to meet those deadlines. jms ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jul 1997 14:30:53 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Tom Boon <100334.657@compuserve.com> Subject: Hour of the Wolf Tom Boon <100334.657@compuserve.com> asks: > Were any publicity shots taken of G'Kar wearing Garibaldi's hat? "Were any publicity shots taken of G'Kar wearing Garibaldi's hat?" None that I know of. jms ------------------------------ Date: 25 Jul 1997 14:30:55 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Bruce "Firestorm" S. <72571.1722@compuserve.com> Subject: Clauduia Bruce "Firestorm" S. <72571.1722@compuserve.com> asks: > Is a creative note kind of like a warning or an order? A creative note is often, "Can you clarify this scene a little so that new viewers will get it?" That was, I believe, the last creative note we got, back in episode 2 of year 2. They're mainly in the form of story suggestions, rarely if ever a Do It Like This situation. jms ------------------------------ Date: 26 Jul 1997 15:22:11 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: O. C. Alexander <72623.3472@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post had no questions} No, it's almost impossible for an actor to be a regular on two shows at the same time; to make the Stephen Furst thing work, for instance, allowing him to be a regular on "Misery Loves Company," we had to support his request, and we were happy to do that. Most producers would rather not. In terms of guest stars, though, it's pretty wide open. Armin has even auditioned for B5 on one occasion. And some of our regulars, like Pat, have done work on ST, as well as Andreas, who reprised his character there. jms ------------------------------ Date: 26 Jul 1997 15:22:14 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: John F Davis <73455.43@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post had no questions} "JMS was simply not at that fatful alledged meeting between Claudis and managment (or at least I've never seen him claim to be there) so he only knows what others have told him about that meeting." There was no such meeting. "Now Claudia was alledgely present at that alledged meeting where they are alledged to have told her to find another job." Again, there was no such meeting. Claudia was in the UK, at the same convention I was attending, when all this went down. And *I* was the one who told her that she had to have her agent contact WB to tell them she was in, or they'd withdraw the offer. Kinda sticks a pin in that particular balloon.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 26 Jul 1997 15:22:17 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post unavailable} "case in point - Claudia's cut-of date was last week - yet Joe claimed that he had written stories that would have to be re-fitted around claudia and he didn't have time... but if thats so then he never had any intention of writing her in - so there is a whole there." No, the date is incorrect. This all happened at Blackpool, which was over the weekend of July 10th-13th. The Friday deadline that we have been discussing was July 11th. The weekend of the 17th I was in San Diego, which is when Claudia started talking about this at a convention elsewhere. I could not have been sitting in a hotel pub with her on Thursday night in Blackpool if I was in San Diego at the time. All this went down while we were in the UK. jms ------------------------------ Date: 26 Jul 1997 15:22:19 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com> Subject: Ok, how about this... Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com> asks: > CC has 2 major plot threads hanging over her, right? > Is it plausible? > Is it paranoid? > Is it likely? > Is it totaly stupid and inane? Gone off the Prozac again, I see.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 27 Jul 1997 00:57:24 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Ian & Kathy Taylor <100331.2651@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post had no questions} "reminds me very much of what I was told by someone with good reason to know about the loss of Michael O'Hare from the show i.e. that the people in charge of the purse-strings basically made the decision." See, here's what kills me about all this. When the Michael situation took place, I came out very openly and I said, "No, this was my decision, working with Michael," and very few held *me* accountable, they tried to blame WB...here, I came out openly and said I tried everything I could to keep Claudia on the show, and that her eventual departure was not my decision, it was hers, and I'm being given the rap for it. I didn't get it when I *did* make the decision (with Michael), and I'm getting it now when I *didn't* make the decision. Some days it's enough to make me lose my hair. Waitaminnit.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 27 Jul 1997 00:57:27 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Friel <100647.753@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia C fired! Philip Friel <100647.753@compuserve.com> asks: > And the coupla guys that I notice giving you a load of crap > around here - I don't ever recall seeing you give *them* any crap > (if you had, it might've been different, 'cos then it's > *personal* - guns at fifty paces, and all that ), so just > what *is* their problem? "I won't say that there won't ever be an SF show as good as B5, as you've now set the yardstick, and the rest have something to aim at. Maybe, someday, someone will reach or pass it" I'm looking forward to that. I'll be the first one to stand up and cheer when it happens. "I'll say one thing about Trekkies, even though B5 fans often beat up on them - if Gene Roddenberry were alive today, and were active online, I just couldn't see him taking even a fraction of the flack from online Trekkies as you do from these excuses for B5 fans" Noooo...I don't think so...ask Majel about some of this sometime. Believe me, if Gene were online, he'd get the same thing. It's the medium, not the person, that's the problem. jms ------------------------------ Date: 27 Jul 1997 00:57:29 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Tim's Apology {original post unavailable} Yep, that's what precipitated the discussion. jms ------------------------------ Date: 27 Jul 1997 00:57:31 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Tim's Apology {original post unavailable} What smug? You said that if I asked people not to talk about it, they would automatically stop. I've been on the nets a long time, and that sort of thing is so unlikely as to engender the response I noted. Hence my question. As if my saying, "Now, stop that" would work. How much power do you think I have? The problem isn't what I'm saying, it's your sensitivity over it. jms ------------------------------ Date: 27 Jul 1997 00:57:34 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> Subject: Third TNT film??? Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> asks: > Is this true? Yes, that's correct. jms ------------------------------ Date: 27 Jul 1997 22:54:21 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> Subject: An Open Letter {original post had no questions} Thanks, to everyone on the J&D mailing list. There's been quite a bit of positive feedback lately, which has certainly helped. I'm considering strongly pulling back from the nets for a while. What a number of people don't seem to understand is that amidst all this, with all the name-calling and dead-catting and tar-and-feathering, I have to launch the fifth season. I have to write these first 5-6 episodes, and make them not just as good as year 4, but better. The only way I can write is to push away all the other voices until I can hear the small, still voice at the back of my head that speaks in the place of the characters. There has been so much going on (see above) that this has become difficult at best. Come January, if the shows are crap, from crap scripts, and people yell, "How come the stories suck?" it does no good for me to yell back, "BECAUSE EVERYBODY WAS YELLING AT ME!" That is a pretty silly excuse. The bottom line is: angry email is ephemeral; the shows will be on the air for a lot longer. And that is where I have to put my emphasis right now. So I'm not yanking the modem out of the wall, but my presence will be somewhat reduced over the next little bit, because I've fallen *desperately* behind due to all the turmoil over this. If people think they're upset over Claudia leaving, and the grief this has caused, the truth is they have no idea what those words mean until they've sat behind my keyboard and tried to push through it to find the words. And then to get yelled at for things I'm not responsible for...I can either read it, and get angry, or take a break and get the show in place. Even the positive email, welcome as that's been, and there's been a lot, has been a reminder of the whole situation, so I basically just have to pull back for a bit. I'll be here...but quietly, until I'm caught up. Similarly, with regrets (and as soon as I can find the darned email address for them), I'm going to have to cancel out on RebelCon in Massachusetts in order to try and catch up. I can't justify the time away when we're so close to the bone. jms ------------------------------ Date: 28 Jul 1997 00:14:22 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: DS9 = Babylon 5 {original post unavailable} "But then I never watched B 5 even if Chekov was on it. I always thought of it as a copy of DS9 because DS9 was in the works longer." Just to correct: DS9 was not developed until about 1991/1992 (I'll have to go check which one for sure)...B5 was being shown around town in full pilot-script and artwork form dating back to 1987. jms ------------------------------ Date: 28 Jul 1997 00:14:25 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post unavailable} Re: Turhan...yeah, everybody on the set yelled at me when we had to kill off Turhan's character. He was one of the genuinely sweetest and nicest persons to come work on the show, and they all fell in love with him. If there's EVER a way I can figure out how to bring him back, I'm up for it. jms ------------------------------ Date: 28 Jul 1997 00:14:28 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: John F Davis <73455.43@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS John F Davis <73455.43@compuserve.com> asks: > how did the British rags figure out what she was GOING to say > while she was still saying "I'll be there"? No...let me stress this again: there was never any meeting here. The meeting you *might* be thinking of was the one where we brought in the actors to explain to them the differences in syndication vs. cable residuals formula. That took place some weeks before. If it helps, let me break down the dates for you a bit: July 9th: the Variety and Reuters pieces appear saying Claudia's has left the show. WB wants to know where Claudia stands, and we need to know because at this point I've finished writing the new 422, and am about to start on 502 (actually the first S5 episode). I hear about this when Claudia, I and the rest of the cast are in the UK at Blackpool. The WB need for urgent clarification is conveyed to Claudia's agent. July 10th: I reinforce to Claudia, at the pub in the DeVere hotel, that unless she confirms through her agent by noon Friday, the 11th, that she wants to be on the show, the offer will be withdrawn, that she will have, to all intents and purposes, passed on the offer. July 11th: there was no "final comment," no meeting...again, we are still in the UK. For there to be a final comment, she or her agent would have had to actually *speak* to someone. But no call came from either Claudia or her agent. There was NO response at all. Thus, the offer was finally and reluctantly withdrawn because we were simply out of time, and having been told that silence = a pass on the offer, there was no longer any reason to maintain the offer. She passed. July 12th: Jeff goes to Claudia and on his own, tries to convince her to try and work this out on Monday, that if her agent makes contact first thing, maybe this can be worked out. This is not a position that I told him to advance to her, he did this entirely on his own, hoping that she could still come back from her decision. Bruce and other cast members also try to talk to her about this, concerned about her decision. July 14th (Monday): Claudia leaves the convention mid-day, announcing that she is going to go to a photo shoot. The weekend of July 19th-20th: I'm at ComicCon in San Diego, where I learn that Claudia, at another convention, has announced that she was fired from B5. And that, to paraphrase, is where the blitz hit the fans. I know you keep trying to find some way that maybe I wasn't there, perhaps to save me from the situation...but I was there for every bit of it; having the room 4 doors down from Claudia at the time, I couldn't be *more* in the thick of it unless I slept on the floor of her room. jms ------------------------------ Date: 28 Jul 1997 00:14:32 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Claudia Opts Out-JMS {original post unavailable} Ray: extremely, extremely well said. Better than I could have said it, and probably better than I *have* said it. You really ought to give this writing thing a shot sometime, y'know...? jms ------------------------------ Date: 28 Jul 1997 00:14:34 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Ron Chusid <74756.3150@compuserve.com> Subject: Claudia C fired! {original post had no questions} "Before coming to this forum today I was reading through a ST newsgroup on the internet. John Ordover was busy defending himself against criticism for things like ignoring rude messages. I'm sure you don't find this at all surprising." Yeah, well, John also announced *definitively* (and with considerable joy, I suspect) on AOL that B5 had been canceled, and there would be no fifth season, so I'm probably the last person to ask about this.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 28 Jul 1997 00:14:39 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Tim's Apology {original post unavailable} "Surely you have the power to not reply to certain messages?" Of course I do. And I do frequently. The problem is that the nets are best able to spread complete misinformation even faster than they can spread real information. If something is stated once in error -- like the person who thought the deadline was the 19th rather than the 11th -- others pick it up and within a matter of a day or two, there are 10,000 people all with the same wrong information, and if you go back to them to correct it later, they say, "Well, no, that's not what I heard," even though they may not be able to remember where they got that info from. On the nets, the line between "speculation" and "fact" is very blurry on the best of days. My feeling has always been that in that kind of situation, you put out the facts as best you can, on the theory that the folks interested in the discussion are sharp enough to suss out the truth, and those not interested in it wil simply not bother to read the threads. Also, bear in mind that there was a request put out to email bomb me by people concerned about Claudia's situation. A request put out *by* Claudia and her people. Now, I can either spend ten thousand hours a day responding to each one of those in email, or by public messages put a lot of those concerns to rest and save a fair amount of hassle when I'm *trying* to put on a show here. jms ------------------------------ Date: 28 Jul 1997 00:14:42 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: Your Pasadena payback {original post unavailable} Well, certainly the more folks retell the story at cons, the less I can tell it, so there's that...but the joke has gone about as far as it's going to. Until I can think of something better. jms ------------------------------ Date: 28 Jul 1997 00:14:45 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Richard P. Manny <70762.141@compuserve.com> Subject: Onward and upward Richard P. Manny <70762.141@compuserve.com> asks: > Cavellos' book (I certainly didn't find anything that jumped out > at me as contrary to the tv series)? I'd say that the Cavelos book is pretty canonical, yes...I didn't work with the author as closely as with #9, but I agree with just about all of the major strokes there. jms ------------------------------ Date: 29 Jul 1997 20:51:10 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: DS9 = Babylon 5 {original post unavailable} Yes, that would be me...and the finale's been filmed, so it's out of my encrypted file at last. Look for it at the end of season 5. jms ------------------------------ Date: 29 Jul 1997 20:51:11 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: (blocked) Subject: DS9 = Babylon 5 {original post unavailable} The show starts the weekend of January 4th on TNT, first with a newly filmed prequel, "In the Beginning," then the original pilot, then the next day, Monday, it starts from the very first episode of season one and goes straight through, Monday through Friday, 5 nights a week, at 7 p.m. Eastern. The fifth season starts mid-January. With the new airings on TNT, we will run through the entire first 4 years in 18 week cycles, so everyone will have a chance to catch up and see the whole thing. But this thread more properly belongs in the B5 section, so any further questions should probably go there. jms ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jul 1997 00:57:30 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> Subject: but Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks: > Boy shaves his head.") Is there any way for me to strengthen this > authorial muscle? Advice? > Hints? Basic approach: if you know your characters, then find out what they want, how far they will go to get it, and how far someone else will go to stop them. From this comes structure, and from this comes plot. Put them in *motion*. As someone noted, "The king died and then the queen died" is not a story; "The king died and then the queen died of grief" is a story. Cause and effect. jms ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jul 1997 00:57:33 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Alan L. Ravitch <73627.3126@compuserve.com> Subject: Bailing on Rebelcon? Alan L. Ravitch <73627.3126@compuserve.com> asks: > Joe...is that a definite that you're now NOT going to do > Rebelcon? Yeah...I notified the con people the other day. I'm *really* distressed by this, because it's the first time I've ever had to bail on a con due to work commitments (or any OTHER reason, there's never been one before this). But given the distance, the work involved, the deadlines looming up ahead of me, and all the rest...I can't justify doing it. The show has to come first. And I'm *really* bummed because it's John Flinn's first convention, and I really wanted to be there to see his reaction. jms ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jul 1997 19:37:29 -0700 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> Subject: but Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks: > Out of curiousity, what do you think of Dibell's PLOT? "Out of curiousity, what do you think of Dibell's PLOT?" Dunno, never read it. Don't read books on sex, either. Some things you have to learn on instinct. jms ------------------------------