ISN News: The Zocalo Today
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The Zocalo Today
Welcome and thank you for dropping by. Take your shoes off, get comfortable and stay a while.
There is a LOT of information here and you won't want to miss any of it.
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experiences and interests. Babylon 5 brought many of us together -- and it remains with us, despite the
fact that is no longer in production. Don't be shy. Join us today!
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Again, WELCOME!
TODAY'S NEWS
Saturday, October 2, 2004:
WEBSITE UPDATES: I will be away from the area for a couple of weeks -- of to Europe to teach
some classes. I won't have access to the internet on a regular basis, so updates to the website probably
won't occur until my return on October 18.
LOST: Reuters news service reports that LOST, the new castaway drama from ALIAS creator
J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof has become one of the highest-rated new shows of the fall television
season. The show about plane-crash survivors marooned on a mysterious tropical island drew 17 million
viewers in its second week, easily dominating its 8 o'clock hour and ranking as the most watched show
all night after CSI: NY. It was number one among teens and men aged 18-49. The second airing of LOST
retained 91 percent of the 18.7 million viewers who tuned in to the show's premiere last week and 96
percent of its debut 18-49 audience. Last week's LOST premiere was the first ABC drama to enter the
Nielsen top 10 in 18-49 ratings since THE PRACTICE in 2001. LOST airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
ALEXANDER: Set to premiere in theaters on November 24, you can get your first look at thisWarner
Bros. epic at http://alexanderthemovie.warnerbros.com/.
The film is directed by Oliver Stone and stars Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer and Anthony Hopkins.
ALEXANDER is based on the true story of one of history's most luminous and influential leaders, Alexander
the Great (Farrell) - a man who had conquered 90% of the known world by the age of 27. Alexander led his
virtually invincible Greek and Macedonian armies through 22,000 miles of sieges and conquests in just eight
years, and by the time of his death at the age of 32 had forged an empire unlike any the world had ever seen.
The film chronicles Alexander's path to becoming a living legend, from a youth fueled by dreams of myth, glory
and adventure to his lonely death as a ruler of a vast Empire. Alexander is the incredible story of a life that united
the Known World and proved, if nothing else, fortune favors the bold.
ON TV TONIGHT:
"Smallville Backstage Special"
8:00pm - 9:00pm ET on ABC Family
Fans and new viewers can see the hit series from the beginning with season one when "Smallville" premieres on
ABC Family Monday, Oct 4 at 7PM ET/PT. Saturday afternoon, the cable network airs the 2-hour series pilot and
several top episodes beginning at 2PM before the special, which features interviews with the cast and series clips.
"Lost"
8:00pm - 10:00pm ET on ABC
The first two hours of this top-notch, thrilling series from "Alias" creator J.J. Abrams are broadcast again. It is the
best thing on television tonight. Survivors of a mid-Pacific plane crash have landed on an island of harsh terrain,
cruel weather and dark secrets, including a frightful creature that stalks the jungle. Strangers all, even those related
by blood, the survivors' pasts - their ethics, religions, politics and attitudes - threaten to jeopardize the group's ability
to endure. Will the calm leadership offered by one of the group bring comfort or pain? That question will be answered
as the show plays out this year. Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, Ian Somerhalder and Dominic Monaghan star.
INSIDE SCI-FI THIS WEEK:
Friday, October 1, 2004: TOP SF NETWORK SHOWS:
Charmed 3.4
Joan of Arcadia 3.0
Smallville 1.8
Enterprise 1.0
Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 9/6/04 - 9/12/04.
THE 4400: The first season of THE 4400 is scheduled for release on December 21. The two-disc set collects
the two-hour pilot and five episodes from the show's first season and is guesstimated to cost you about $26.99.
Paramount hasn't released final specs for the DVD set yet. THE 4400 follows the investigations of two FBI agents
assigned to research the return of thousands of alien abductees to Earth. While some of the returned have been
gone for only a short time, such as a few years or less, others were abducted decades ago but haven't aged a day.
With no memory of what happened to them while they were away, the 4400 individuals try to pick up the pieces of
their former lives. During their investigation the agents also discover that each of the abductees seem to have a
strange power or ability that they are just starting to discover. The show was aired this past summer on the USA
Network and took in high ratings. CINESCAPE reports that 13 new episodes of THE 4400 have been ordered by
the cable network constiuting the show's second season. Filming will commence next month in Vancouver, B.C.
X3: The Hollywood Reporter reports that 20th Century Fox and Marvel Studios have hired scribe Simon
Kinberg to pen the script for "X3". Kinberg wrote two projects for Fox and Fox partner Regency Enterprises: the
actioner "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and a rewrite of the Jennifer Garner starrer
"Elektra," also a Marvel property. He also turned in a rewrite on another big-budget Fox/Marvel project, "Fantastic
Four," which is in production under the direction of Tim Story. Kinberg said the story line for "X3" is still being
hammered out. "I'm a religious reader of the ('X-Men') comics, and I loved the first two movies," Kinberg said.
CASANOVA: According to Sky News, Peter O'Toole has signed up to play legendary love machine
CASANOVA in a BBC drama. This new take on "Casanova" is the brainchild of "Queer As Folk" and "Doctor
Who" writer Russell T Davies who describes him as "a wonderful, barmy, inventive man, and what a fraud.
He wasn't born an aristocrat, he lied his way into jobs and positions of power with charm and cheek".
Casanova's bed-hopping adventures will be told in flashback with O'Toole as the ageing Lothario and
David Tennant as his younger self.
STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE: Rumors continue to fly about William Shatner as a guest star in several
upcoming episodes of the series. It appears talks are now going well and we may just see Captain Kirk in
the near future.
SHARK TALE: According to CNN, SHARK TALE is a fine kettle of fish that should be irresistible to
anyone who loves movies, while also offering some interesting subtext giving the feature an extra little bite.
The film stars -- albeit only vocally -- Will Smith, Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Renee Zellweger, Robert De Niro
and Martin Scorsese (the latter in a rare acting gig), all of whom do a fine job. Excluding a creepy scene in
"Taxi Driver," De Niro and Scorsese -- who have teamed on nine films to date -- have never acted together
before. For "Shark Tale," they were actually in the recording studio at the same time, allowing them to ad-lib
many of their lines. The same was true of Smith and Black. Actors actually meeting each other, let alone
performing together, is a rarity during the long process of making an animated film, which makes this project
a true piece of animated film history. The result is a delightful, delicious and fresh pop culture comedy.
Thursday, September 30, 2004: TOP SF DVD SALES:
1. Star Wars trilogy
2. The Prisoner of Azkaban
3. Aladdin
4. Shrek 2
5. Eternal Sunshine
6. Spider-Man 2
7. Buffy season seven
8. THX 1138
9. Roswell season two
10. Passion of the Christ
Source: Amazon.com, top-selling genre DVDs, 9/24/04
FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: The 20th Century Fox remake of FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX is set to open in
theaters on December 22. Apple is hosting a trailer for the remake of the 1965 film starring Dennis Quaid as
the captain of a small commercial flight that crashlands in a remote part of the Mongolian desert, thousands of
miles off-course and with practically zero chance of rescue. Faced with certain death, one of the plane's passengers,
a structural engineer, comes up with a plan to make a new plane from the working pieces of the crashed aircraft.
Can the survivors come together and build the aircraft before their supplies run out? Download the trailer at
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/flightofthephoenix/.
JAMES BOND: The Hollywood Reporter reports that plans for "Bond 21" have been put on hold. While MGM,
which is in the process of being sold to a group headed by Sony Corp., has insisted on a business-as-usual stance, the
studio confirmed Wednesday that it has put the development of a new installment of its most important franchise on
hold. As a result, the movie, which had been billed simply as "Bond 21" and was scheduled for release Nov. 21, 2005,
will not be hitting theaters in its traditional November slot as originally planned. According to an MGM spokesperson,
the studio made the decision because it has not yet found a director for the film. Sources familiar with the situation said
that the producers plan to meet next month to decide whether to aim for a summer 2006 or November 2006 release date.
SLANTED AND ENCHANTED: According to the Hollywood Reporter, Chris Columbus has closed a deal with
Warner Bros. Pictures to develop and direct SLANTED AND ENCHANTED, based on a script by Ben Queen. Described
as a dramedy about a recovered pathological liar who must return home and interact with his parents in order to unravel
the mystery of his sister's illness, things spiral out of control as he falls into self-destructive patterns. The project is said
to have some magical elements at the center of the story, similar to the ones Columbus explored in directorial outings
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."
ROBOTS: The first trailer for 20th Century Fox's CG-animated ROBOTS is now online at
Yahoo! Movies. ICE AGE co-directors Carlos
Saldanha and Chris Wedge are bringing the sci-fi comedy, featuring the voices of Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry, Mel
Brooks, Greg Kinnear, Drew Carey, Jim Broadbent, Amanda Bynes, and Robin Williams, to theaters on March 11.
Set on a world populated entirely by robots, this is the story of a young genius, Rodney (McGregor), who wants to make
robots capable of making the world a better place, but he finds his dream challenged by a corporate tyrant and a master
inventor, Big Weld (Brooks), while also being seduced by a sexy corporate robot, Cappy (Berry).
Wednesday, September 29, 2004: TOP SF SYNDICATED SHOWS:
Stargate SG-1 1.6
Andromeda 1.4
She Spies 1.4
The X-Files 1.4
Buffy 1.3
Mutant X 1.3
Angel 1.2
The Outer Limits 1.1
The Twilight Zone 1.1
Beastmaster 1.0
Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 9/6/04 - 9/12/04
ANDROMEDA: There's a new cast member this year aboard ANDROMEDA. Brandy Ledford makes
her debut as the powerful and sexy android Doyle in the episode "Phear Phactor Phenom," set to air
Oct. 8 on the SCI FI Channel. In this episode, quote a lot happens. In a recent interview, Ledford
said, "Harper [Gordon Michael Woolvett] is reintroduced. The first two episodes were sort of a
mystery, and the third one is where we start to see a couple of the old crew from the last season."
"So Dylan [Kevin Sorbo] and Rhade [Steven Bacic] are exploring this new planet that they happen to
be on, and they run into Harper, and they meet me. I'm not very distinguishable in the first episode,
because Dylan has a lot going on. But I help out. I think that the whole feel of the new season is
for everyone to try to become a crew again. And I'm going to be integrated into that, but slowly.
It's not like I'm going to get thrown into anyone's face." New episodes of ANDROMEDA air on
SCIFI Fridays at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
STARSHIP DAVE: Paramount Pictures has bought writers Rob Greenberg and Bill Corbett comedy
screenplay STARSHIP DAVE, a neat spin on alien visitation yarns. The movie begins when a giant
fireball impacts in New York City's Central Park, leaving behind a massive crater and a seemingly
unfazed man. It turns out that the stranger is really an alien spaceship being run by 100 quarter-inch
tall human-looking space people living inside their "ship". They've come to Earth to try and find a
way to save their planet, but things get twisted when the ship's commander starts to fall in love
with a human woman. The movie will be produced by Guy Walks Into A Bar Productions and Deep River
Productions. So far no actors have been attached to the project.
PET SEMATARY Screenwriter Dave Kajganich will become the latest writer to tackle the big-screen
adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel PET SEMATARY. Just this past March Kajganich was hired to pen
a remake of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS for Warner Bros.
JOSIAH'S CANON: According to Variety, Sean Connery has abruptly withdrawn from 20th Century
Fox's JOSIAH'S CANON. The studio and director Brett Ratner are in the process of trying to replace
Connery to keep the film on track. The movie was ready to begin shooting in Prague in February.
CANON is a dramatic heist story about a Holocaust survivor who leads the world's foremost team
of bank robbers. The criminal mastermind sets his sights on an supposedly impenetrable bank in
Switzerland, which holds special appeal: It purportedly houses gelt deposited by Jews prior to
the Holocaust. Connery spokesman told the trade that the actor withdrew from the project (despite
the reported $17.5m salary) because he decided to give his full attention to writing his
autobiography for HarperCollins U.K.
ROSEMARY'S BABY: Variety reports that ABC has made a deal to turn Ira Levin's horror classic
ROSEMARY'S BABY into a four-hour miniseries for 2005. The potential pact gives the network rights to
use the famed book along with a lesser-known sequel novel, Son of Rosemary. Lieberman expects to
secure a writer shortly and said most of the mini will be a fairly faithful retelling of Rosemary's
Baby but will likely pick up the story years later, when Rosemary's son becomes a teenager.
The 1968 Paramount original, directed by Roman Polanski, starred Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes.
CONVENTIONS: Got a couple of new listings this morning from Ranger Moyra. Chiller Theatre
looks terrific -- with Pat, Bill, Walter and Brad as guests. There are a lot of guests going to that
convention -- so folks on the East Coast might want to give it a look. Website and more information
is below in the calendar section.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004: TOP SELLING SF BOOKS:
1. The Dark Tower (Dark Tower 7)
2. The Grim Grotto (Lemony Snicket 11)
3. Incubus Dreams (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter)
4. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
5. The Da Vinci Code
6. The System of the World (Baroque Cycle 3)
7. Angels & Demons
8. Moon Shadows
9. Song of Susannah (Dark Tower 6)
10. The Time Traveler's Wife
Source: Amazon.com, 9/24/04
LORD OF THE RINGS: According to Variety, the extended-edition DVD of THE LORD OF THE RINGS:
THE RETURN OF THE KING will debut on Dec. 14, with 50 minutes of footage added. The 4-hour, 10-minute
extended-edition DVD will cost $39.99; a collector's gift set, which includes a fifth DVD with a 52-minute
program about the music in the franchise, will cost $79.92. As with the extended editions of the previous
two Rings films, the expanded King will include new score music written by Oscar-winning composer Howard Shore,
as well as 300 new special-effects shots. The four-disc extended edition also includes multiple audio commentaries
by director Peter Jackson and more than 30 members of the cast and crew, as well as hours of programs on the
making of the movie and other bonus features.
JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED: SMALLVILLE's Lex Luthor, Michael Rosenbaum is reprising his role of Ghoul
for the season finale of Cartoon Network's Justice League Unlimited. Voice director Andrea Romano said, "It's
basically his impression of Christopher Walken." Rosenbaum is a cast regular as the voice of The Flash and also
provided the voice of Deadshot in a first-season episode. Other familiar voices involved with JUSTICE LEAGUE
UNLIMITED include Adam Baldwin (FIREFLY) providing the voice for Bonk in the second part of "The Once and
Future Thing."
FARSCAPE: SCI FI Channel will air every episode of FARSCAPE, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET/PT Oct. 1-15,
in advance of its upcoming four-hour miniseries FARSCAPE: THE PEACEKEEPER WARS, which premieres at 9 p.m.
Oct. 17. That should help people get back in touch with the characters and pick up the story where it left off.
HEXX: The Hollywood Reports that O.C. star Mischa Barton has signed on to topline HEXX, a voodoo-themed
supernatural horror movie for Sony's MGM Pictures.
Monday, September 27, 2004: TOP SCIFI CHANNEL SHOWS:
Stargate Atlantis 1.7
Stargate SG-1 1.7
Resident Evil 1.5
The Phantom 1.4
Dark Waters 1.2
Shark Attack 3 1.1
Shark Attack 2 1.0
Merlin, Part 1 0.9
Merlin, Part 2 0.9
Deep Shock 0.9
Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 9/6/04 - 9/12/04.
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: Sony's THE FORGOTTEN was the only memorable event at the box office this weekend.
The supernatural thriller from Revolution Studios debuted in the top spot with an impressive estimate of $22 million,
significantly higher than predicted. Last weekend's top film, Paramount's SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW
landed in the second spot with an estimated $6.7 million, plummeting a steep 57% from its opening. The groundbreaking
film, starring Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow, has generated an estimated $25.6 million in its first 10 days. Buena Vista's
MR. 3000 generated an estimated $5 million, down 42% from its opening. After 10 days, the Bernie Mac starrer has scored
roughly $15.4 million. 20th Century Fox's FIRST DAUGHTER from Regency Enterprises, which tied Screen Gems' RESIDENT
EVIL: APOCALYPSE for the fourth slot. The romantic comedy, starring Katie Holmes and helmed by Forest Whitaker, joined
the list of underperforming U.S. president's daughter-themed films as it debuted with an unpromising estimate of $4 million
from 2,259 theaters.
ATLANTIS RISING: The Hollywood Reporter reports that Gale Anne Hurd and comic book specialists Platinum
Studios are joining forces to produce the feature film ATLANTIS RISING. Platinum also is partnering with Icarus Studios
to develop a massively multiplayer online game in tandem with the film. Based on a Platinum Studios graphic novel,
ATLANTIS is a political sci-fi thriller about an underwater kingdom and the surface world coming to the brink of war, with
both civilizations hanging in the balance. ATLANTIS was created by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg and written by Scott O.
Brown. Check out http://www.platinumstudios.com/icarus/
for more information.
SCIFI CHANNEL SCHEDULE CHANGES: The SCIFI Channel has added BEASTMASTER to it's daily schedule.
You can now watch Dar and friends at 5:00pm. Tomorrow, ANDROMEDA starts a run on Tuesday nights -- with episodes
from the first season beginning at 7:00pm. The network also has daily series running from 8:00am to 3:00pm. Today
watch BUCK ROGERS AND THE 25TH CENTURY. Tomorrow, its BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. On Wednesday, watch KOLCHAK:
THE NIGHT STALKER. Thursday you'll find the original STAR TREK series and Friday it will be FARSCAPE.
Sunday, September 26, 2004: THE EXORCISM OF ANELIESE MICHEL According to Variety, Laura Linney and Tom Wilkinson are set
to star in THE EXORCISM OF ANNELIESE MICHELE, a supernatural movie inspired by true events. Scott
Derrickson will direct for Screen Gems. Derrickson wrote the script with Paul Boardman. Linney will
play an attorney who defends a Catholic priest (Wilkinson), who has been charged with the negligent
homicide of a 19-year-old girl whose exorcism he presided over. The case reawakens faith in the
lawyer. Shooting begins in November in Vancouver, B.C.
HIS DARK MATERIALS: HIS DARK MATERIALS writer and director Chris Weitz is taking Philip
Pullman's children's fantasy book trilogy to the big screen at New Line. The trilogy - "The Golden
Compass," "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass" - revolves around two children who live in
parallel worlds surrounded by a cast of shape-shifting creatures. Described as darker in tone than
the "Harry Potter" books, the series tackles themes of childhood, innocence and sin, and combines
magic, science and theology.
X-MEN 3: While at the Metro Toronto Convention Center yesterday, Patrick Stewart was asked
about the status of X-MEN 3. Mr. Stewart stated that X-Men 3 will go into production next June 2005
in Vancouver, however nobody knows which cast members will return since there is no script and director.
BLACK VAULT RADIO: If you missed Patty Tallman yesterday, please check out Black Vault Radio at
http://www.bvalphaserver.com/article9689.html.
Go to the Black Vault Radio Network and pull up the archives. You'll find a number of interesting entries
there, including one with Jeffrey Willerth (Kosh).
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR TIM CHOATE
Tim Choate (Zathras) died Friday after being struck by a car while riding his motorcycle on his way to a play rehearsal.
He was 49.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 11 at 11:00am until 1:30pm at the Egyptian Theatre in
Hollywood, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., between Las Palmas and McCadden Blvd., East of Highland and north of
Selma and Sunset.
The family is having a private funeral, but all are welcome to the memorial service.
Information regarding a fund for Tim's son, Flynn, will be available at the memorial. Pat Tallman will pass that
information on as soon as she has it.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
I know a lot of Zocalo readers are avid science fiction readers as well. What novel would you like
to see become a movie – either big screen or TV – and why?
Send in your thoughts and comments to sgbruckner@aol.com. I post them on the
Discussion Page for everyone to share and enjoy. See what has come in so far. If you see an old topic
you want to respond to, go right ahead. We enjoy hearing from you.
CRUSADE DVD - COMING DECEMBER 7
Warner Bros Home Video has announced that the Babylon 5 spinoff, Crusade will hit DVD on
December 7. The series stars Peter Woodward, Gary Cole, Marjean Holden, Tracy Scoggins,
Daniel Dae Kim, David Allen Brooks and Carrie Dobro. This 13 episode series (576 mins)
will be released in a 4 disc set, and carries a suggested price of $59.98 US. It'll contain
an English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track, along with English, French and Spanish subtitles.
The video will be presented in the original aspect ratio: 1.33:1. We have little information
on the special features, just that there will be audio commentaries and a documentary.
For those of you not familiar with CRUSADE, here is a synopsis of the plot:
In 2267 the Earth is quarantined, having been infected with a deadly plague by an attacking
alien force. Scientists estimate that it will kill every inhabitant within 5 years, not nearly
enough time for a cure to be developed. So the planet's only hope lies with the Excalibur, an
advanced prototype starship sent out to search ancient alien ruins for their former inhabitant's
secrets, hoping that somewhere out there a cure can be found.
BABYLON 5 MOVIES -- AVAILABLE NOW
While there are a lot of places where you can pick up the new DVD of BABYLON 5: THE MOVIES, my favorite
is CostCo. The price is hard to beat! They have a terrific on-line catalog as well.
Today, Warner Bros Home Video releases the "Babylon 5: The Movies," on DVD. This 5 disc set will
contain all 5 movies as well as special features. The set will carry a $59.98 SRP and will be available in
stores and online August 17th. "The Gathering" will be presented in 4:3 (original aspect ratio) while the
other movies will be 16:9 anamorphic widescreen; all movies will feature Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks. The sets
will be closed captioned and be subtitled in English, Spanish and French.
Each movie will contain commentary from the creator (J. Michael Straczynski), cast and crew, as well as an
introduction for each movie by JMS. Rounding out the special features is the featurette, "Creating the
Future - How Science Fiction and the show influenced each other."
For more information on Babylon 5 DVDs, go to Babylon 5 DVDs.
REMEMBERING RICHARD BIGGS
BIGGS AND CARTER EXPERIENCES DVD
Copies of the BIGGS AND CARTER EXPERIENCES DVD are no available at
http://www.pipetap.com/dvd.htm. All proceeds from the sale of this DVD (which includes a personalized autograph
from Jason Carter) will be donated to the RJ & Hunter Biggs Educational Trust Fund.
Additional items have been donated to the fund raising efforts, please visit
http://www.biggsandcarter.com for new additions.
Jason and Donna would also like to thank everyone for their support and donations for the RJ & Hunter
Biggs Educational Trust Fund at this year's DragonCon event.
Ranger Jan has come up with a wonderful way for raising funds for the Richard Biggs Memorial. Read on
and decide which package you want to bid on!
The latest phase of my fund raising for Richard Biggs children is ready to unveil. So many people
have donated so many wonderful things that I've put together six Prize Packages that I'll be raffling
off. Simon from www.starstuff.co.uk/ has put up a *really* nice
website at http://rbiggsmemorial.starstuff.co.uk
so that anybody anywhere can buy chances to win the prize packages I've put together.
The drawing will be held on November 15 which should give me time to get items to the winners in time
for Christmas.
Chances will be priced $5 each, 3 chances for $10, 6 chances for $20 or 10 chances for $30. Each
chance can be designated for whichever drawing the buyer wants.
For years, Pat Tallman has been involved with the Penny Lane Organization.
The provide social services for abused children. On October 23 at 6:00pm, VOICES OF OUR CHILDREN, takes place
at the Center at Cathedral Plaza, L.A. This year's honorees include Marg Helgenberger and Alan Rosenberg. This is an
event where celebrated Film and Television Actors gather to read poems and diary entries from the lives of abused ,
abandoned and neglected children served by Penny Lane. Tickets are $125/person; $1,200/table of 10. Visit the
Penny Lane website for more info.
Patty will be gearing up for her BE A SANTA program in October, so get ready. Pat wants to again make sure that
each child at the PENNY LANE facilities has a Christmas gift. More details will follow.
Patricia Tallman is looking for any recordings of her speaking appearances at conventions. She will reimburse anyone
who can send in a video or DVD of Pat telling stories at a convention. She will also send along a new autographed photo
(one that no one has yet) and will pay postage and the cost of the vide tape. Here is an address you can use to contact
Pat:
Patricia Tallman
6433 Topanga Canyon Blvd. #207
Canoga Park, CA 91303
CRUISIN' WITH BABYLON 5
STEPHEN AUSTIN: Stephen Austin (B-5's "Pak'Ma'Ra Ambassador") along with comedy legends Vic Dunlop
and Bruce Baum, Stephen will be cruising the Caribbean and he wants YOU to join the fun!!! Here are the
details:
Departing March 6-13, 2005
The Carnival V a lor
Sailing roundtrip from Miami Florida
visiting Belize, Isla Roatan, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel
http://www.cruiseevents.net/dunlop/index.htm.
CRUISE WITH PETER WOODWARD
Peter Woodward sent along a reminder about his cruise: "Just wanted to say hello to my fans and friends out there, and tell you the latest on my
Caribbean Cruise plans, January 9-16 of 2005. I will be giving live teaching sessions with
medieval weapons from the Conquest series, and we'll be talking about B5/Crusade and the Sci-fi
universe, and uncensored stuff about Egypt. Booking is going well, and we are sailing on
Holland America's Westerdam, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau, St Marteen, Tortola, and
Half-Moon Cay."
For more information,
go to http://www.cruiseevents.net/celebrity.htm
and then press Peter's photo. Space is limited! Don't delay, call today! 800-695- 5253 or
e-mail: Susan@CruiseEvents.net.
JERRY DOYLE RADIO SHOW
Here's the latest from Jerry: For the radio show, Talk Radio Network is building a new site and will have jerrydoyle.com up
and running soon. It will tie into the talkradionetwork.com site as well.
The M-F show launches this coming Monday(5th), 7-10P PST. The call in number is 800/449-8255.
Spread the word and give a call if you've got something to plug. I'll still be doing the Saturday show,
8-11P PST. Same phone number for that too. All the best.
All the best.
JD
BABYLON 5 BIRTHDAYS
Pat Tallman - September 4
Cinzia Zanetti - September 5
Robin Atkin Downes - September 6
Mira Furlan - September 7
Walter Koenig - September 14
Paul Williams - September 19
Robert Rusler - September 20
Gary Cole - September 20
Bear Burge - September 23
Jason Carter - September 23
Manny Case - September 23
Have I missed anyone? If you know the birthday of someone connected with Babylon 5,
pass the information along. We want to include everyone in our Happy Birthday Wishes.
STARGATE SG-1
Season 7 of STARGATE SG-1 will be released on DVD October 19, 2004. The set can be pre-ordered at places
like Amazon.com.
SCIENCE FICTION PUBLICATIONS
Cult Times #109: SIX FEE UNDER, gets the cover story. In its fourth season, star Peter Krause, who
plays Nate Fisher, talks about the troubles to afflict his family this year. Also inside this issue, Dominic Keating,
security chief Malcolm Reed from STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE, looks back over the year and forward to the exciting
changes planned for Season Four. SMALLVILLE's Lex Luthor, Michael Rosenbaum, talks about his dark side and
the season ahead.
Starburst #316: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Cylon Tricia Helfer talks about becoming Number Six
in the new Sci-Fi series. DEAD LIKE ME's Laura Harris talks to us about life and life-after-life as the dead
attractive Daisy Adair in this hit series and STAR TREK's George Takei talks about the recent reunion with
the original cast.
Time Zone Special #181: SPOOKS: In this issue, you'll get the inside scoop as BBC1’s hit
Spy-Fi series, SPOOKS, returns for its third run, star David Oyelowo braves the strictures of the
Official Secrets Act to drop a few hints about what’s to come. Also in this issue, David Hewlett talks
about is Dr. Rodney McKay character in STARGATE ATLANTIS and Connor Trinneer (Trip on ENTERPRISE)
looks ahead at the fourth season of the series and why he thinks the series is ready for the big time.
TV Zone Special #59: This issue devotes a lot of time to CHARMED. The 132 pages provides an
overview the first six seasons and looks ahead to a seventh season where old loyalties are breaking down.
Interviews include: Brian Krause on the trials and tribulations of marrying a witch; Julian McMahon on
making the shift from conflicted demon Cole to Nip/Tuck’s egotistical Christian, Drew Fuller on his year
as Piper and Leo’s son from the future, Chris and Executive Producer Brad Karn overviews the first six
years, and gives us a sneak preview of Season Seven.
Cult Times Special #31: STARGATE: This issue looks like a keeper for STARGATE fans. There are
interviews with Richard Dean Anderson, Michael Shanks, Brad Wright, Stargate Atlantis cast and crew as well.
JEREMIAH's Scott Rosenberg talks about season two and what is ahead.
Starburst #315: Heroes: This 116 page issue focus on heroes! Scott Bakula talks about his role as Captain
Archer on Star Trek: Enterprise and the new season ahead. You'll also get a look at some new series ahead --LOST,
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and DR. WHO 2005! B5/CRUSADE's Carrie Dobro also looks back on her time in these two
fine shows, as well as pondering why Sci-Fi produces strong female characters.
Starburst Special #65: This issue has a lot of information about the new THUNDERBIRDS movie. You go
behind the scenes with Director Jonathan (Star Trek) Frakes, young stars Brady Corbet, Vanessa Anne Hudgens and
Soren Fultobn who play Alan, Tin Tin and Fermat and Sir Ben Kingsley, aka ‘The Hood’ and Sophia (Lady Penelope)
Myles and Ron (Parker)Cook. The magazine looks at the the CGI effects and the costume designs as well. You'll
also find articles on STARGATE ATLANTIS as Producer Peter Deluise talks about working on the series, and actors
Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell and Rainbow Sun Francks chat about their roles on the new Stargate team.
Expose #88: In this issue, HARRY POTTER, Daniel Radcliffe, talks about working with new directors and growing up as he
looks ahead to The Prisoner of Azkaban, and beyond. Also, Ian Spelling catches up with Hagrid, alias Robbie Coltrane.
Smallville Issue #3: In Smallville Magazine this month we are joined by everyone's favorite girl next door, Lana Lang!
Actress Kristin Kreuk will be telling us all about life, love, and Smallville. In the latest edition of The Torch we'll be
keeping you up-to-date with the most up-to-the-minute Smallville news. We'll be unearthing the dark secrets of LuthorCorp
and John Glover reveals how Lionel Luthor is coping with life behind bars! Plus there's a free, gorgeous Lana Lang poster!
(Titan) (CAUT: 4)
Stargate Issue #1: This is the launch of Stargate SG-1 the official magazine! Follow the missions, exploits, and
adventures of the U.S. Air Force special operations team SG-1. In the first issue we'll have exclusive interviews
with cast and crew, tour the set, and learn the secrets behind the special effects! Plus, get the inside story on
Season 8 and meet the Stargate: Atlantis team! (Titan) (CAUT: 4)
Magazine, 68pgs, FC..........$6.99
Doctor Who Magazine reaches its 350th issue, and celebrates with a free reprint of "Doctor Who Weekly" issue #1
from 1979! The magazine is still the only official source for news, features, interviews and full-color comic strip
action devoted to BBC Television's immortal traveller in time and space ... In this issue, all the latest from the
new BBC One series, with exclusive reports and interviews! Meanwhile, Alan Barnes takes a look back to the
story that was shown exactly 25 years ago, as The Fact of Fiction examines "City of Death"! Doctor Who Magazine
speaks to the writers of the new series about the task of reinventing the Doctor for the 21st century! Gareth
Roberts and Tat Wood return with the answers to more intriguing Doctor Who mysteries! The Time Team
continue their quest to watch every single "Doctor Who" adventure, as they face "The Seeds of Doom"!
There's yet more hints and news from Executive Producer Russell T Davies as he documents the making
of the new series in his "Production Notes" column! And there's the fifth part of the epic comic strip, "The
Flood" by Scott Gray, Martin Geraghty, and Adrian Salmon! (Panini Publishing Ltd) (CAUT: 4)
Magazine, FC..........$6.80
AMAZING STORIES: An old favorite is returning to newstands! Amazing Stories returns
with a September 2004 issue. Amazing Stories is one of the most beloved magazines in the
history of science fiction. Launched in 1926 under the watchful eye of legendary editor
Hugo Gernsback, Amazing Stories introduced generations of fans to exciting adventure and
equally exciting cover art. The magazine was published regularly (as a monthly, bimonthly
or quarterly) all the way up to 1995. It was revived briefly as a quarterly by Wizards of
the Coast (WotC) in 1998 but couldn't make it past the summer of 2000. Now WotC and Paizo
Publishing have revived Amazing Stories yet again with the "first issue of the 21st century!" -
issue #603 (September 2004), a slick magazine-sized monthly that hit newsstands on August 3,
2004. This new Amazing promises a much wider range of subject matter than its previous
incarnations. This isssue includes 20 pages of original fiction from luminaries such as
Harlan Ellison, Gene Wolfe and Bruce Sterling, it is also packs in news, reviews and
interviews covering feature films, DVDs, books, comics - even genre-related music CDs.
BABYLON 5 MERCHANDISE
Are you looking for Babylon 5 merchandise? Would you like to possess some of the wonderful patches or
pins sold by the B5 Fan Club? Do you want to put in an order for the latest DVD? Bruce at Uncomyn Gifts
still has one of the best collections around. Check out www.uncomyngifts.com.
You may just find the magazine or t-shirt or patch you are looking for.
BABYLON 5 INTERVIEWS ON VIDEO
Ranger Mark was Dragon-Con's OFFICIAL videographer for 1998 and 1999. He has pulled together a series
of interviews from various conventions over the past 10 years available and they are now available on e-bay.
This includes footage from Dragon-Con with Peter Jurasik hosting the Dawn Look a Like Contest , and 2 panels
of the B5ers, one all women the other the men. There is now a 2-hour tape devoted to BABYLON 5 cast members,
including two interviews with the late Richard Biggs.
For those of us who have enjoyed going to DragonCon over the last few years, these tapes will be especially
enjoyable. They will bring back memories -- that can be shared.
NEW ON THE BOOK SHELVES
For fans of PN Elrod and Nigel Bennet, you'll be happy to know that the third book in the trilogy
will be out in the next few weeks. The title is "Siege Perilous" by BAEN Books. It has a wonderful
cover by Jamie Murray.
Titan Books has announced a September release for the first in a series of Smallville companion books, the first of
which focuses on Season 1.
The book's author is Paul Simpson, with a foreword by executive producers Al Gough and Miles Millar.
The Season 2 Companion will be released in early 2005, with Seasons 3 and 4 to follow before the end of the year.
BABYLON 5 NOVELS
DelRey is reprinting the original Babylon 5 novels.
They started with #7 - Jeanne Cavelos' THE SHADOW WITHIN. Here's one I've been waiting for -- Kathryn
Drennan's TO DREAM IN THE CITY OF SORROWS. The release date is scheduled for July 29, 2003. I love
the new cover art! It can be pre-ordered from
www.amazon.com. For those of you who love Babylon 5, this one reads just like an episode from the series. You just can't
put it down.
CITY OF DREAMS
For those of you who have just joined us here at The Zocalo Today, you may want to check out
The City of Dreams over at the SciFi Channel website. J. Michael Straczynski, the creator of Babylon 5, worked with
Seeing Ear Theatre at SciFi to bring an exclusive, all-new audio drama anthology series featuring tales of dreamers, madmen
and fanatics. If you haven't listened to the stories, you'll not want to miss them. If you haven't listened in a while, you
will want to go back and listen again.
BOOK REVIEWS
Here is a new feature for your enjoyment. I received some new book reviews that I've posted on a
separate Book Review Page. Let me know if you enjoy this new
feature -- and we'll continue to offer them as they are received. Agree with the review? Disagree? We
can post those as well.
Other science fiction material, outside of the B5 environment can be found on the
Materials Page.
COMIC BOOKS
RISING STARS RETURNS
RISING STARS #22
by J. Michael Straczynski & Brent Anderson
"Phoenix In Ascension” Pt. 1 of 3. J. Michael Straczynski's superhero tour-de-force returns and speeds toward its whipsaw
conclusion! The superpowered "Specials" set out to change the world. Now that one of the Specials is elected President
of the United States, the world will change...whether it wants to or not!
FC, 32pg..........$2.99
Amazing Spider-Man #512 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by J.Michael
Straczynski, with art and cover by Mike Deodato.
Here's how Marvel describes the issue:
"'Sins Part,' part 4 of 5. The worst defeat that Peter Parker ever endured a moment frozen in the minds of Spider-Man
fans everywhere -- was supposed to be far in his past. But now, two villains ripped, perhaps, directly from that very
moment -- have emerged and they threaten to destroy everything that he holds dear."
Amazing Spider-Man #512 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #513
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, pencils and art by Mike Deodato Jr.
"Sins Past," part 5 of 5. The worst defeat that Peter Parker ever endured -- a moment frozen in the
minds of Spider-Man fans everywhere -- was supposed to be far in his past. But now, two villains --
ripped, perhaps, directly from that very moment -- have emerged, and they threaten to destroy everything
that he holds dear.
32 pages, $2.25, in stores on Oct. 27.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #514
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, art and cover by Mike Deodato.
"Sins Past," part 6 of 6. All is revealed in the pulse-pounding conclusion to "Sins Past"!
32 pages, $2.25, in stores on Nov. 24.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #515
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, penciled by Mike Deodato, Jr. and Mark Brooks, cover by Gary Frank.
"Skin Deep," part 1 of 4. When a former classmate of Peter Parker botches an ambitious scientific experiment,
it's Peter Parker who just might pay the ultimate price, and learn a valuable lesson about great power and
great responsibility... Sound familiar? Don't bet on it.
32 pages, $2.25, in stores on Dec. 29.
SUPREME POWER
SUPREME POWER #14
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, pencils and cover by Gary Frank.
"The Squadron" part 2 of 6. It's high noon as Hyperion, Nighthawk and The Blur have a long-overdue showdown
with the super-powered serial killer that has been terrorizing the nation. Find out here if the newly formed
squadron makes it out of this fight alive.
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Dec. 8.
SUPREME POWER #13
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, art and cover by Gary Frank.
"The Squadron," part 1 of 6. In their first adventure as a team, Hyperion, Blur and Nighthawk -- the newly
formed Squadron -- encounter a super-powered serial killer! But will they live long enough to stop him?
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 27.
STRANGE - AVAILABLE NOW
Strange #1 will arrive in stores on Sept. 15 from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by J. Michael Straczynski
and Samm Barnes, with art and cover by Brandon Peterson.
Here's how Marvel describes the issue:
" The master of the mystic arts is back -- as only J. Michael Straczynski and superstar artist Brandon Peterson could
envision him. Brash young surgeon Dr. Stephen Strange is on a collision course with destiny -- a journey that will
force him to search the deepest corners of his own heartŠand the outer reaches of the cosmos."
Strange #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $3.50.
STRANGE #2
Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Samm Barnes, art and cover by Brandon Peterson.
Brash young surgeon Dr. Stephen Strange is on a collision course with destiny -- a journey that
will force him to search the deepest corners of his own heart...and the outer reaches of the cosmos.
The adventures of the Master of the Mystic Arts in the year's most highly anticipated origin story.
32 pages, $3.50, in stores on Oct. 13.
Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Samm Barnes, art and cover by Brandon Peterson.
Part 3 of 6. Brash young surgeon Dr. Stephen Strange is on a collision course with destiny -- a journey that
will force him to search the deepest corners of his own heart...and the outer reaches of the cosmos.
32 pages, $3.50, in stores on Dec. 1.
DOCTOR SPECTRUM
DOCTOR SPECTRUM #3
Written by Samm Barnes, art by Travel Foreman, cover by Dale Keown, creative consultant J. Michael Straczynski.
Part 3 of 6. From the pages of Supremere Power, the limited series that reveals the dark secrets of Joe Ledger¹s
past. And while figures from Dr. Spectrum¹s past continue to haunt him, the government searches for a way to solve
the Hyperion problem.
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 13.
TV SCHEDULE ON SCIFI CHANNEL
BABYLON 5 and CRUSADE are not currently listed on any SCIFI schedule.
STARGATE SCHEDULE:
10/01/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 BANE
10/01/2004 08:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 SMALL VICTORIES
10/01/2004 09:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (SEASON 8) NEW ORDER - PT 2
10/01/2004 11:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (SEASON 8) NEW ORDER - PT 2
10/04/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 SPIRITS
10/04/2004 07:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 THE RITE OF PASSAGE
10/04/2004 08:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 BEAST OF BURDEN
10/04/2004 09:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 THE TOMB
10/04/2004 10:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 BETWEEN TWO FIRES
10/05/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 THE TOK'RA, PT. 1
10/06/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 THE TOK'RA, PT. 2
10/07/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 TOUCHSTONE
10/08/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 THE FIFTH RACE
10/08/2004 08:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 THE OTHER SIDE
10/08/2004 09:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (SEASON 8) LOCKDOWN
10/08/2004 11:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (SEASON 8) LOCKDOWN
10/11/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 A MATTER OF TIME (STARGATE)
10/11/2004 07:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 2001
10/11/2004 08:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 DESPERATE MEASURES
10/11/2004 09:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 WORMHOLE X-TREME!
10/11/2004 10:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 PROVING GROUND
10/12/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 HOLIDAY
10/13/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 SERPENT'S SONG
10/14/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 ONE FALSE STEP
10/15/2004 06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 SHOW AND TELL
10/15/2004 08:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 UPGRADES
10/15/2004 09:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (SEASON 8) ZERO HOUR
10/15/2004 11:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (SEASON 8) ZERO HOUR
STARGATE ATLANTIS SCHEDULE:
10/01/2004 10:00 PM STARGATE ATLANTIS RISING - PT 2
10/01/2004 12:00 AM STARGATE ATLANTIS RISING - PT 2
10/08/2004 10:00 PM STARGATE ATLANTIS HIDE AND SEEK
10/08/2004 12:00 AM STARGATE ATLANTIS HIDE AND SEEK
10/15/2004 10:00 PM STARGATE ATLANTIS SUSPICION
10/15/2004 12:00 AM STARGATE ATLANTIS SUSPICION
10/22/2004 10:00 PM STARGATE ATLANTIS CHILDHOOD'S END
10/22/2004 12:00 AM STARGATE ATLANTIS CHILDHOOD'S END
10/29/2004 10:00 PM STARGATE ATLANTIS POISONING THE WELL
10/29/2004 12:00 AM STARGATE ATLANTIS POISONING THE WELL
FARSCAPE SCHEDULE:
10/01/2004 08:00 AM FARSCAPE PREMIERE (FARSCAPE)
10/01/2004 09:00 AM FARSCAPE BACK & BACK TO THE FUTURE
10/01/2004 10:00 AM FARSCAPE EXODUS FROM GENESIS
10/01/2004 11:00 AM FARSCAPE THRONE FOR A LOSS
10/01/2004 12:00 PM FARSCAPE PK TEK GIRL
10/01/2004 01:00 PM FARSCAPE THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY AGAIN
10/01/2004 02:00 PM FARSCAPE I, E.T.
10/01/2004 03:00 PM FARSCAPE THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC
10/03/2004 01:00 AM FARSCAPE PICTURE IF YOU WILL
10/04/2004 08:00 AM FARSCAPE DNA MAD SCIENTIST
10/04/2004 09:00 AM FARSCAPE THEY'VE GOT A SECRET
10/04/2004 10:00 AM FARSCAPE TILL THE BLOOD RUNS CLEAR
10/04/2004 11:00 AM FARSCAPE A BUG'S LIFE
10/04/2004 12:00 PM FARSCAPE RHAPSODY IN BLUE
10/04/2004 01:00 PM FARSCAPE THE FLAX
10/04/2004 02:00 PM FARSCAPE JEREMIAH CRICHTON
10/04/2004 03:00 PM FARSCAPE DURKA RETURNS
10/05/2004 08:00 AM FARSCAPE A HUMAN REACTION
10/05/2004 09:00 AM FARSCAPE NERVE
10/05/2004 10:00 AM FARSCAPE THE HIDDEN MEMORY
10/05/2004 11:00 AM FARSCAPE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
10/05/2004 12:00 PM FARSCAPE BONE TO BE WILD
10/05/2004 01:00 PM FARSCAPE FAMILY TIES
10/05/2004 02:00 PM FARSCAPE DREAM A LITTLE DREAM
10/05/2004 03:00 PM FARSCAPE MIND THE BABY
10/06/2004 08:00 AM FARSCAPE VITAS MORTIS
10/06/2004 09:00 AM FARSCAPE TAKING THE STONE
10/06/2004 10:00 AM FARSCAPE CRACKERS DON'T MATTER
10/06/2004 11:00 AM FARSCAPE PICTURE IF YOU WILL
10/06/2004 12:00 PM FARSCAPE THE WAY WE WEREN'T
10/06/2004 01:00 PM FARSCAPE HOME ON THE REMAINS
10/06/2004 02:00 PM FARSCAPE OUT OF THEIR MINDS
10/06/2004 03:00 PM FARSCAPE LOOK AT THE PRINCESS PT 1: A KISS IS BUT A KISS
BABYLON 5/CRUSADE PHOTOSHOP PHOTOS
Peter Woodward has sent along a new photo -- a rather dreadful one -- from his appearance on CHARMED. It will
be added to the collection of photos available from Peter, including additional copies of the Crusade poster in
photo format. Both are autographed by Peter.
You do NOT have to pay the prices asked for over at e-bay! Here are photos of B5 and Crusade cast members at
fantastic prices. Check out Photo Shop. Ordering is easy -- and you can't
beat the prices! Just let me know which photos you want and I'll check to make sure they are still in stock.
BABYLON 5 TOONS
John Cook has a wonderful collection of cartoons -- many are take-offs from Babylon 5. Here's just
one of them.
He has a cartoon caption contest going on as well. Try your hand at a punch line.
While catching up on my e-mail yesterday morning, I got an instant message from LFMOA along with
a nice goodie that I can share with readers. Thanks for sending along your version of Pinky and the B5 Brain.
Tye Bourdony's latest Lighter Side of Sci-Fi satire can be seen here and at Tye's website
www.thelightersideofscifi.com.
FAN CLUBS
Intergalactic Consortium
To anyone who lives in and or in the area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada I
would like to invite you to attend or Join the Intergalactic Consortium.
The I.C. is a new science fiction / fantasy group. We generally meet on the
last Saturday of every month and generally do not collect any dues. WE are
always looking for new members. If you have any questions, need more
information or anything else please feel free to e-mail torsf@yahoo.ca or
visit our yahoo group at http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Intergalactic-Consortium/
Hope to hear from some of you.
United Federated Planets
The Babylon 5 Sector of United Federated Planets
The Babylon 5 Sector is a chartered branch of United Federated Planets (UFP); a not-for-profit
fan club for all fans of Star Trek, science fiction and fantasy. We've been part of UFP almost
from the time the series first went on the air. We welcome all fans of Babylon 5--from the series &
TV movies, to "Crusade" & "Legend of the Rangers," to the literary works in between.
Our parent organization, UFP, has its roots in Star Trek & the late Gene Roddenberry's vision of
the future; which includes community service along with social & fan-related activities. Our sector
takes those ideas and puts them into the Babylon 5 universe that J. Michael Straczynski created.
We're here for fellowship, good times, service and, in a way, living the fantasy that is Babylon 5.
To that end, we enjoy role-play via the written word & live action; costuming; discussions; literary
works; and anything else that we can imagine. No matter what you're interested in, we can accomodate
you. We have positions currently available on the sector staff--EarthDome, EarthForce and the Alliance;
chapter opportunities limited only by your imagination; and ways for you to live out your Babylon 5
fantasy. You can even be part of the B5 station staff! Our sector staff is available to answer your
questions about what we do, how to join, how to start a B5 chapter, and more. To contact us, visit
www.ufphq.com/chain_of_command.htm. In addition, we also put out a newsletter called "Voice of the
Alliance." This newsletter--available in electronic & hard copy formats--informs our sector members
with staff reports, upcoming events, available staff positions, chapter activities and more. For a
sample copy of "Voice of the Alliance" contact our editor, Anne Zecca, via our website
www.ufphq.com/babylon5sec.htm ("Chain of Command").
Membership in United Federated Planets is required to join UFP's Babylon 5 Sector. For information
on joining UFP, contact:
Mike Ferguson, President/CEO
United Federated Planets
300 W. Oak Street
Midwest City, OK 73110 USA
E-Mail: mikeferg1@yahoo.com
Organization Website: www.ufphq.com
SubSpace Newsletter (on-line): www.ufphq.com/current.htm
Application: www.ufphq.com/application.htm (on-line version available)
Chapter Application: www.ufphq.com/chapterApp.htm (on-line version available)
Ranger Andres dropped a note to say that a new club has been formed -- Star Trek Club
Venezuela. It is small right now, but they are ready for recomendations, opinions, and/or
any other comments.
This is the last update of our 1st Expo in November 2004. This event will take place in the Best Western Hotel
CCCT Caracas. Visit their site at www.trekvenezuela.net for
more information.
We have a number of Fan Clubs listed here at the Zocalo. They are those associated with a
particular actor -- and there are those devoted to Babylon 5 or science fiction. Be sure to
check out the Clubs Page to see if there is an organization
near you.
CONVENTION CALENDAR
October 1-3, 2004
Sunnydale Central 3 - a Buffy/Angel/Firefly event
Place: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Guests: Clare Kramer "Glory" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Jonathan M. Woodward "Tracey" from Firefly"
("Holden" from BtVS, and Knox" from Angel), and assistant costume designer from "Angel", Carrie Grace.
For more information, check out their website at www.primedia.ca/sunnydale.
October 22-24 2004
Slanted Fedora
Place: Salt Lake City, UT
B5 Guests: Mary Kay Adams, Jason Carter
Other Guests: Garrett Wang, Robin Curtis, Robert O'Reilly, J.G. Hertzler, Max Grodenchik,
Aron Eisenberg, Casey Biggs, Tony Amendola, Julie Benz, Greg Evigan, Dee Wallace Stone
For more information, visit their website at
http://sfedora.com/salt_lake_city.htm.
October 29-31 2004
Vulkon
Place: Sheraton Nashville Downtown
Guests: Kate Mulgrew, George Takei, Garrett Wang
For more information, visit their website at
http://www.vulkon.com/nashvillescifi2004/. October 29-31, 2004
Chiller Theatre
Place: Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel
Location: E. Rutherford, N. J.
B5 Guests: Mira Furlan, Pat Tallman, Bill Mumy, Walter Koenig, Brad Dourif
For more information, visit their website at
http://www.chillertheatre.com/. November 2, 2004
Stargate - Scotland
Place: Quality Central Hotel
Guests: Teryl Rothery and Ronny Cox
For more information, visit www.wolfevents.com
November 5-7, 2004
United Fan Con XIV
Place: Springfield Marriott, Springfield, MA
Guests: Gates McFadden, Tony Amendola
For more information, go to their website at http://www.unitedfancon.com/
November 5-7, 2004
Wolf SG-8 - Equinox Equalibria
Place: Thistle London Heathrow, England
Guests: Michael Shanks, Chris Judge, Teryl Rothery, Jacqueline Samuda
For more information, go to http://www.wolfevents.com/
November 13-14, 2004
Concept 2440: Montreal's Annual Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Place: Day's Inn 1005 Guy Street
Guests: Peter Williams, Douglas Arthurs -- and more
For more information, visit their website at
http://www.conceptsff.ca/. . November 19-21, 2004
Vulkon
Place: Orlando North Hilton
Altamonte Springs, FL
B5 Guest: Peter Jurasik, Malachi Throne (Centauri Prime Minister)
Other Guests: Leonard Nimoy, Don S. Davis, Gary Lockwood, Keir Dullea
For more information, visit their website at
http://www.vulkon.com/orlandoscifi2004/. November 19-21, 2004
Best of Both Worlds 23
Place: The Chifley On Northbourne, Canberra, Australia
Guests: LOTR - Bruce Hopkins, David Weatherley, Brett Beattie, Jed Brophy, Stephen Ure, John Howe, Ben Wootten
For more information, contact alc@bobw.com.au or visit http://www.bobw.com.au/.
November 26-28, 2004
Slanted Fedora
Place: Indianapolis, IN
Site: Indianapolis Omni North
B5 Guests: Mary Kay Adams
Other Guests: Garrett Wang, Robin Curtis, Robert O'Reilly, J.G. Hertzler, Max Grodenchik, Dwight Schultz,
Aron Eisenberg, Casey Biggs, Tony Amendola, Julie Benz, Greg Evigan, Dee Wallace Stone
For more information, visit their website at
http://sfedora.com/rochester,_ny.htm. February 18-20, 2005
VisionCon 2005
Place: Springfield, Missouri
B5 Guest: Mira Furlan
For more information, visit their website at
http://www.visioncon.net/Welcome.htm.
Be sure to visit the referenced sites to see if there have been changes in dates/guests attending. Visit our
Convention Calendar for a full listing of upcoming conventions.
MAIL FOR CAST AND CREW
Here's a recent note from JMS on the subject:
Just an FYI to those who've been using the Ventura Blvd. mail drop for fan mail
to actors....
As mentioned before, we're phasing out the forwarding of fan mail because we a)
don't have the resources, complicated by b) the actors have scattered to the
four winds, and it makes it very difficult to get everything to everybody in a
timely fashion.
So, having provided prior notice...fan mail to actors coming to the Ventura
Blvd. mail drop will be sent back. Mail to actors should be sent via their
official fan clubs. I will still be taking mail there, since it's my mailbox,
but that's it.
Just so's y'all know and save a few bucks on postage and returns.
WARNER BROS:
Warner Bros. Address:
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522
Warner Home Video:
Mr. Douglas Wadleigh
VP for Marketing and Special Features
Warner Bros.
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522
SCIFI:
Mr. Thomas Vitale
Senior VP of Acquisitions, Scheduling & Program-Planning
Sci-Fi Channel
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY. 10020-1513
BACK ISSUES OF THE ZOCALO TODAY
The front page of the The Zocalo Today changes daily, so be sure to check the
back issues to make sure that you haven't missed anything IMPORTANT! I don't want the front page getting too
long so I shift information periodically into the archives. So if you aren't a regular visitor to The Zocalo Today, be sure
to check out the back issues. Just use the button above!
Take care and I look forward to hearing from you. Sandra Bruckner (sgbruckner@aol.com)
Editor/Publisher
The Zocalo Today
http://www.isnnews.net
Copyright - SBruckner, 1999-2004
THE 4400: The first season of THE 4400 is scheduled for release on December 21. The two-disc set collects
the two-hour pilot and five episodes from the show's first season and is guesstimated to cost you about $26.99.
Paramount hasn't released final specs for the DVD set yet. THE 4400 follows the investigations of two FBI agents
assigned to research the return of thousands of alien abductees to Earth. While some of the returned have been
gone for only a short time, such as a few years or less, others were abducted decades ago but haven't aged a day.
With no memory of what happened to them while they were away, the 4400 individuals try to pick up the pieces of
their former lives. During their investigation the agents also discover that each of the abductees seem to have a
strange power or ability that they are just starting to discover. The show was aired this past summer on the USA
Network and took in high ratings. CINESCAPE reports that 13 new episodes of THE 4400 have been ordered by
the cable network constiuting the show's second season. Filming will commence next month in Vancouver, B.C. 
ATLANTIS RISING: The Hollywood Reporter reports that Gale Anne Hurd and comic book specialists Platinum
Studios are joining forces to produce the feature film ATLANTIS RISING. Platinum also is partnering with Icarus Studios
to develop a massively multiplayer online game in tandem with the film. Based on a Platinum Studios graphic novel,
ATLANTIS is a political sci-fi thriller about an underwater kingdom and the surface world coming to the brink of war, with
both civilizations hanging in the balance. ATLANTIS was created by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg and written by Scott O.
Brown. Check out 
Tim Choate (Zathras) died Friday after being struck by a car while riding his motorcycle on his way to a play rehearsal.
He was 49. 
Warner Bros Home Video has announced that the Babylon 5 spinoff, Crusade will hit DVD on
December 7. The series stars Peter Woodward, Gary Cole, Marjean Holden, Tracy Scoggins,
Daniel Dae Kim, David Allen Brooks and Carrie Dobro. This 13 episode series (576 mins)
will be released in a 4 disc set, and carries a suggested price of $59.98 US. It'll contain
an English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track, along with English, French and Spanish subtitles.
The video will be presented in the original aspect ratio: 1.33:1. We have little information
on the special features, just that there will be audio commentaries and a documentary.
While there are a lot of places where you can pick up the new DVD of BABYLON 5: THE MOVIES, my favorite
is CostCo. The price is hard to beat! They have a terrific on-line catalog as well.
BIGGS AND CARTER EXPERIENCES DVD
Peter Woodward sent along a reminder about his cruise:
Here's the latest from Jerry:
Pat Tallman - September 4
Season 7 of STARGATE SG-1 will be released on DVD October 19, 2004. The set can be pre-ordered at places
like Amazon.com.
Cult Times #109: SIX FEE UNDER, gets the cover story. In its fourth season, star Peter Krause, who
plays Nate Fisher, talks about the troubles to afflict his family this year. Also inside this issue, Dominic Keating,
security chief Malcolm Reed from STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE, looks back over the year and forward to the exciting
changes planned for Season Four. SMALLVILLE's Lex Luthor, Michael Rosenbaum, talks about his dark side and
the season ahead.
Starburst #316: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Cylon Tricia Helfer talks about becoming Number Six
in the new Sci-Fi series. DEAD LIKE ME's Laura Harris talks to us about life and life-after-life as the dead
attractive Daisy Adair in this hit series and STAR TREK's George Takei talks about the recent reunion with
the original cast.
Time Zone Special #181: SPOOKS: In this issue, you'll get the inside scoop as BBC1’s hit
Spy-Fi series, SPOOKS, returns for its third run, star David Oyelowo braves the strictures of the
Official Secrets Act to drop a few hints about what’s to come. Also in this issue, David Hewlett talks
about is Dr. Rodney McKay character in STARGATE ATLANTIS and Connor Trinneer (Trip on ENTERPRISE)
looks ahead at the fourth season of the series and why he thinks the series is ready for the big time.
TV Zone Special #59: This issue devotes a lot of time to CHARMED. The 132 pages provides an
overview the first six seasons and looks ahead to a seventh season where old loyalties are breaking down.
Interviews include: Brian Krause on the trials and tribulations of marrying a witch; Julian McMahon on
making the shift from conflicted demon Cole to Nip/Tuck’s egotistical Christian, Drew Fuller on his year
as Piper and Leo’s son from the future, Chris and Executive Producer Brad Karn overviews the first six
years, and gives us a sneak preview of Season Seven.
Cult Times Special #31: STARGATE: This issue looks like a keeper for STARGATE fans. There are
interviews with Richard Dean Anderson, Michael Shanks, Brad Wright, Stargate Atlantis cast and crew as well.
JEREMIAH's Scott Rosenberg talks about season two and what is ahead.
Starburst #315: Heroes: This 116 page issue focus on heroes! Scott Bakula talks about his role as Captain
Archer on Star Trek: Enterprise and the new season ahead. You'll also get a look at some new series ahead --LOST,
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and DR. WHO 2005! B5/CRUSADE's Carrie Dobro also looks back on her time in these two
fine shows, as well as pondering why Sci-Fi produces strong female characters.
Starburst Special #65: This issue has a lot of information about the new THUNDERBIRDS movie. You go
behind the scenes with Director Jonathan (Star Trek) Frakes, young stars Brady Corbet, Vanessa Anne Hudgens and
Soren Fultobn who play Alan, Tin Tin and Fermat and Sir Ben Kingsley, aka ‘The Hood’ and Sophia (Lady Penelope)
Myles and Ron (Parker)Cook. The magazine looks at the the CGI effects and the costume designs as well. You'll
also find articles on STARGATE ATLANTIS as Producer Peter Deluise talks about working on the series, and actors
Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell and Rainbow Sun Francks chat about their roles on the new Stargate team.
Expose #88: In this issue, HARRY POTTER, Daniel Radcliffe, talks about working with new directors and growing up as he
looks ahead to The Prisoner of Azkaban, and beyond. Also, Ian Spelling catches up with Hagrid, alias Robbie Coltrane. 
Smallville Issue #3: In Smallville Magazine this month we are joined by everyone's favorite girl next door, Lana Lang!
Actress Kristin Kreuk will be telling us all about life, love, and Smallville. In the latest edition of The Torch we'll be
keeping you up-to-date with the most up-to-the-minute Smallville news. We'll be unearthing the dark secrets of LuthorCorp
and John Glover reveals how Lionel Luthor is coping with life behind bars! Plus there's a free, gorgeous Lana Lang poster!
(Titan) (CAUT: 4)
Stargate Issue #1: This is the launch of Stargate SG-1 the official magazine! Follow the missions, exploits, and
adventures of the U.S. Air Force special operations team SG-1. In the first issue we'll have exclusive interviews
with cast and crew, tour the set, and learn the secrets behind the special effects! Plus, get the inside story on
Season 8 and meet the Stargate: Atlantis team! (Titan) (CAUT: 4)
Doctor Who Magazine reaches its 350th issue, and celebrates with a free reprint of "Doctor Who Weekly" issue #1
from 1979! The magazine is still the only official source for news, features, interviews and full-color comic strip
action devoted to BBC Television's immortal traveller in time and space ... In this issue, all the latest from the
new BBC One series, with exclusive reports and interviews! Meanwhile, Alan Barnes takes a look back to the
story that was shown exactly 25 years ago, as The Fact of Fiction examines "City of Death"! Doctor Who Magazine
speaks to the writers of the new series about the task of reinventing the Doctor for the 21st century! Gareth
Roberts and Tat Wood return with the answers to more intriguing Doctor Who mysteries! The Time Team
continue their quest to watch every single "Doctor Who" adventure, as they face "The Seeds of Doom"!
There's yet more hints and news from Executive Producer Russell T Davies as he documents the making
of the new series in his "Production Notes" column! And there's the fifth part of the epic comic strip, "The
Flood" by Scott Gray, Martin Geraghty, and Adrian Salmon! (Panini Publishing Ltd) (CAUT: 4)
AMAZING STORIES: An old favorite is returning to newstands! Amazing Stories returns
with a September 2004 issue. Amazing Stories is one of the most beloved magazines in the
history of science fiction. Launched in 1926 under the watchful eye of legendary editor
Hugo Gernsback, Amazing Stories introduced generations of fans to exciting adventure and
equally exciting cover art. The magazine was published regularly (as a monthly, bimonthly
or quarterly) all the way up to 1995. It was revived briefly as a quarterly by Wizards of
the Coast (WotC) in 1998 but couldn't make it past the summer of 2000. Now WotC and Paizo
Publishing have revived Amazing Stories yet again with the "first issue of the 21st century!" -
issue #603 (September 2004), a slick magazine-sized monthly that hit newsstands on August 3,
2004. This new Amazing promises a much wider range of subject matter than its previous
incarnations. This isssue includes 20 pages of original fiction from luminaries such as
Harlan Ellison, Gene Wolfe and Bruce Sterling, it is also packs in news, reviews and
interviews covering feature films, DVDs, books, comics - even genre-related music CDs. 
For fans of PN Elrod and Nigel Bennet, you'll be happy to know that the third book in the trilogy
will be out in the next few weeks. The title is "Siege Perilous" by BAEN Books. It has a wonderful
cover by Jamie Murray. 
Titan Books has announced a September release for the first in a series of Smallville companion books, the first of
which focuses on Season 1. 
RISING STARS #22 
Amazing Spider-Man #512 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by J.Michael
Straczynski, with art and cover by Mike Deodato. 
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #513 
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #514 
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, penciled by Mike Deodato, Jr. and Mark Brooks, cover by Gary Frank.
"Skin Deep," part 1 of 4. When a former classmate of Peter Parker botches an ambitious scientific experiment,
it's Peter Parker who just might pay the ultimate price, and learn a valuable lesson about great power and
great responsibility... Sound familiar? Don't bet on it.
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, pencils and cover by Gary Frank.
Strange #1 will arrive in stores on Sept. 15 from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by J. Michael Straczynski
and Samm Barnes, with art and cover by Brandon Peterson. 
STRANGE #2 
Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Samm Barnes, art and cover by Brandon Peterson.
While catching up on my e-mail yesterday morning, I got an instant message from LFMOA along with
a nice goodie that I can share with readers. Thanks for sending along your version of Pinky and the B5 Brain.
Tye Bourdony's latest Lighter Side of Sci-Fi satire can be seen here and at Tye's website
www.thelightersideofscifi.com.
