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The Zocalo Today

Welcome! I am REALLY glad you dropped by. Take your shoes off, get comfortable and stay a while. There is a LOT of information here for you to share.

The Zocalo Today is an interactive newsletter. We encourage interaction with our readers and like suggestions. So send them along. The Zocalo Today is as much YOUR newsletter as it is mine! I'm just pulling together things for you! Join our weekly discussion topic. It is just one way you can interact with other Z readers. Send along letters, sightings of B5 cast and crew in other projects, convention reports, photos, etc. Don't miss our back issues. As I said, there is a LOT of information contained there and you'll not want to miss anything.

If you have questions, drop me a line at sgbruckner@aol.com or b5web@aol.com. If you would like to join the mailing list for our bi-weekly newsletter, send me a note and I'll include you on the list. Or you can use the subscription block at the left.

Again, WELCOME!

What's New Today

May 3:

BABYLON 5 MOVIES: Legend of the Rangers and all the other Babylon 5 movies will be shown on SCIFI June 2. From 1pm through 9pm, you'll see IN THE BEGINNING, THIRDSPACE, RIVER OF SOULS, CALL TO ARMS and LEGEND OF THE RANGERS. So mark your calendar now.

SPIDERMAN: There is a nice combined interview with Sam Raimi, Tobey McGuire and Kirsten Durst over at http://www.scifi.com/sfw/advance/29_interview.html you might want to check out.

William Dafoe who portrays the GREEN GOBLIN in SPIDERMAN is interviewed over at http://www.prevuemagazine.com/Articles/Powerprofile.

STAR WARS: John Williams' ATTACK OF THE CLONES soundtrack is reviewed over at http://www.scifi.com/sfw/advance/02_sound.html. With the small clips offered at the StarWars website, I can only imagine what the entire collection sound like!

PLAYING HOOKY: Will you be one of the expected 2.6 million people who will play hooky from work on May 16 to catch the premiere of Star Wars: Episode II--Attack of the Clones? A Chicago-based outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas told the Reuters news service that based their estimate on the 5.7 million moviegoers who turned up to see Star Wars: Episode I in 1999 on its first day at the box office. This would represent more than $319 million in lost wages for U.S. business, with technology and computer companies taking a particularly large hit.

RATINGS: Top 10 SF Network Series: Alias 6.7; Touched by an Angel 5.3; The X-Files 5.2; Enterprise 3.4; Dark Angel 3.2; Futurama 3.0; Smallville 2.9; Buffy 2.0; Sabrina 2.0, and Charmed 1.8. Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 4/1/02 - 4/7/02.

THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW: Competition is tough -- the bidding war is fierce. Universal, Fox and Paramount are the all frontrunners for "The Day After Tomorrow," a spec script for a big-budget, high-concept sci-fi film in which the world is ravaged by global warming. Variety says the film will be directed by Roland Emmerich, who nearly destroyed the world once already, with aliens in "Independence Day." It appears likely that Emmerich will have a greenlight for a fall start.

THE HULK: There is a mini-trailer for THE HULK up at http://www.thehulk.com/. Not much to look at yet, but I'm sure as we approach the 2003 release, that will change.

THIS WEEK IN SCI-FI:

May 2:

CHARITY ITEM: Pat Tallman and other B5, Crusade and Star Trek cast members wanted to do something special for the victims of the September 11 tragedy -- and other charities that help those most in need. They have created a unique photo that will be a terrific addition to your collection of memorable items -- see below for more details.

JEFF CONAWAY: Jeff is the latest cast member to join The Galactic Gateway, a website created by Pat Tallman and Jeffrey Willerth for B5 fans! Be sure to visit the site at http://www.thegalacticgateway.com.

JMS AND MARVEL: Last week Marvel announced an exclusive contract they were cutting with JMS and Kevin Smith. Ranger John dropped a link that gives a lot more detail on the arrangements made. Go to http://news.wizardworld.com/Comics/CB042902-S&S.asp to read all about it.

ROSWELL: Only two more episodes of Roswell remain to be shown (May 7 and 14). Executive Producer, Jason Katims talked to SCI FI Wire about his regrets about the show. "We were always trying to find the right balance between the science fiction and relationship aspects of the show," Katims said. "But sometimes I felt like the show got off too much into too complicated of a sort of mythology ... and became too serialized, particularly in the second season. ... It just got out of hand." Read more of this interview over at www.scifi.com.

STAR WARS: Wired magazine reports that only 19 movie theaters in the United States will be screening Star Wars: Episode II--Attack of the Clones. Why? They lack the new digital projection systems required. Director George Lucas has already put theater owners on notice that no movie houses will be allowed to screen the third prequel, Episode III, unless they have installed digital projection systems. Seven of the 19 theaters are located in California.

X-FILES: The next issue of Cinescape will be a definite keeper for X-Files fans. Robert Patrick, Gillian Anderson and Executive Producer Frank Spotnitz all talk about the close of the series.

SAG & GLOBAL RULE ONE: According to the Hollywood Reporter, SAG is reinforcing its commitment to henceforth hold its members accountable to work exclusively under a SAG contract while abroad, despite recent protestations from the AMPTP that could lead to litigation. "It starts today -- no traveling without a SAG contract anywhere in this world," SAG president Melissa Gilbert said.

POWERS: With Spiderman ready to hit theaters this weekend, another superheroes comic book property titled "Powers" is being sought after. Frank Oz is in negotiations to direct the project, based on the Image Comics book of the same name, for studio-based producer Mace Neufeld. "Powers" is set in a city that is populated by superheroes, villains and the like. It focuses on a homicide detective named Christian Walker who solves crimes that are superpower-related. He leads an investigation into a killer who has been killing, one by one, the band of superheroes that had been securing peace and enforcing good will in the country. No production date has been set.

JAMES DOOHAN: James Doohan, best known as Star Trek's Scotty, has been hospitalized with a second bout of pneumonia. Walter Koenig passed along the news. According to reports, Doohan is recovering from his recent illness, and is expected to return home soon.

SPIDERMAN: Box office analysts are predicting that Friday's release of Spider-Man could see ticket sales of $75 million before the weekend is over. The advance opening in Kuala Lumpur this weekend, packed 'em in. A theater in the Malaysian capital started running the film at midnight. AP reported that several hours before showtime, fewer than 100 tickets out of 1,300 that went on sale for the late-night screening remained to be sold.

BABY ANGEL: Congratulations goes out to "Angel" star DAVID BOREANAZ and his wife, actress JAIME BERGMAN. New Angel JADEN RAYNE BOREANAZ was born Wednesday morning at 12:59 a.m. at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, weighing 8 pounds, 9 ounces.

HALLE BERRY: According to TVNow.com, Berry just signed a two picture deal with MGM that includes one of her favorite projects, a re-make of the Pam Grier 1974 hit Foxy Brown. The story centers around a woman out to avenge her boyfriend's murder at the hands of ruthless gangsters. MGM executive Chris McGurk announced that Berry will produce "Foxy" as well as star in the title role.

May 1:

RATINGS: Top 10 SF Syndicated Series: The X-Files 2.8; Stargate SG-1 2.4; Andromeda 2.2; Buffy 2.2; John Edward 2.1; 3rd Rock 2.0; Beastmaster 1.9; Mutant X 1.9; Sabrina 1.7, and Earth: Final Conflict 1.6. Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 4/1/02 - 4/7/02.

STARGATE: While there has been talk about another series, a big-screen movie, to follow-on the original Stargate series, it appears that the first new project out of the gate will be an animated seriesm called Stargate: Infinity. According to Gateworld, Fox will air the series on Saturday mornings, starting in the fall. Impact magazine reported that MGM has ordered 26 episodes of the series. Infinity will be produced by DIC Entertainment (Inspector Gadget, Captain Planet) and will take place about 20 years after the events of the original Stargate movie.

LOST VOYAGE: On May 11 at 9pm, SCIFI will air an LOST VOYAGE starring Judd Nelson, Janet Gunn and Lance Henriksen. Lost Voyage is the tale of cruise ship that suddenly re-appears 25 years after vanishing in the Bermuda Triangle. Janet Gunn portrays TV reporter Dana Elway who investigates the empty ship and offers parapsychologist Aaron Roberts (Judd Nelson) a chance to find out what happened to his parents, who are among the missing passengers.

UNDERWORLD: According to the Hollywood Reporter, Kate Beckinsale will star in UNDERWORLD -- described as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story between a vampire and a werewolf. This Lakeshore Entertainment movie will begin production in early September in Eastern Europe with Len Wiseman directing his first feature.

STAR TREK: NEMESIS: Rick Berman told STAR TREK COMMUNICATOR that NEMESIS could be ready for release as soon as Labor Day. "On previous movies, there was no way they were ready to be released before Thanksgiving or Christmas but this one could be released earlier,” Berman said. While no official date for release had been set, the unofficial date had been December.

LIVING WITH THE DEAD: CBS and Ted Danson are VERY happy with the ratings for the first segment of his mini-series. The show easily won its Sunday timeslot with nearly 16 million viewers. The conclusion airs tonight.

NEVERLAND: Variety reports that Kate Winslet is in negotiations to star opposite Johnny Depp in Miramax Films' "Neverland," to be directed by Marc Forster ("Monster's Ball"). Production on the film will start mid-June in London. "Neverland," adapted by David Magee from Allan Knee's play "The Man Who Was Peter Pan," follows how "Peter Pan" grew out of author James M. Barrie's relationship with four fatherless boys and their mother in late-1900s London and became a stage production.

April 30:
MEN IN BLACK 2: Want to see a REALLY cool clip? Go to www.apple.com and have a look at the trailer for Men in Black 2. It's terrific!

STAR WARS: EPISODE II: I know you are going to be VERY upset, but there will be NO food tie-ins for EPISODE II of Star Wars! Yes, no cups and figures and whatever from Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC. Why? According to producer Rick McCallum, Lucasfilm decided not to have a fast-food or soda tie-in because of the darker tone the movie takes.

LION IN WINTER: Showtime has announced that they will produce a remake of "The Lion in Winter" that will star Glenn Close and Patrick Stewart. Based on the 1968 Academy Award-winning screenplay by James Goldman about King Henry II of England and Queen Eleanor of Acquitane, the film is being co-produced by Hallmark Entertainment and Flying Freehold Prods. Production will start in early 2003 in Hungary, with a tentative late 2003 premiere date. In addition to acting in the lead role, Stewart will executive produce with Wendy Neuss Stewart, Robert Halmi Sr. and Robert Poll. Vicki Letizia is creative executive for Showtime.

WITCHBLADE: Showtimes for the season two premiere are now up at http://www.tnt.tv/Title/View4/0,5878,342634|526|559~,00.html. If you miss the two-hour premiere at 8pm on June 16, you'll have chance to catch it at 11pm. Regular episodes begin June 17 at 9pm.

SPIDERMAN: Over at www.ebay.com, you'll find some interesting Spiderman items -- including the original outfit worn by Tobey McGuire in the movie! Starting yesterday, many items from the film will go to the highest bidder. Some of the collectibles expected bring a pretty penny include mounted and framed pieces of an authentic Spider-Man costume worn by Maguire with a certificate of authenticity signed by Maguire and director Sam Raimi; Mary Jane Watson's dress from Unity Day worn by Kirsten Dunst and director chairs signed by Maguire, Raimi and Dunst.

Tobey McGuire is profiled this week over at http://www.prevuemagazine.com/Articles/Powerprofile.

STAN LEE: According to Variety, MGM and Cheyenne Enterprises have signed a first-look deal for new movie and TV projects from comicbook king Stan Lee's new company, POW! 'Femizons,' 'Double Man,' 'Nightbird' already on slate.

April 29:
CRUSADE CHARITY AUCTION: Tim & Heather are auctioning off a set of six signed Crusade buttons at ebay. Proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders -- an organization that provides medical relief worldwide. For more information on the organization, go to http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org. For a look at the auction item, go to http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1095734054&r=0&t=0&showTutorial=0&ed=1020222956&indexURL=0&rd=1. The auction closes in less than 2 days, so get your bids in now!

RATINGS: Top 10 SF Channel Shows: Farscape 1.3; Farscape Undressed 1.1; Quicksilver Highway 1.0; Project Metalbeast 1.0; Tales From Hood 0.9; Twilight Zone 0.9; 976-Evil 2 0.9; Army of Darkness 0.8; Twilight Zone Movie 0.8, and Lexx 0.7. Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 4/1/02 - 4/7/02.

ENTERPRISE: More staff changes for this new series. Over at SyFyPortal, we find that executive story editor Stephen Beck has departed and Andre Bormanis has been promoted to story editor. Bormanis has been on the writing staff since the series began, and is credited with writing "Silent Enemy" and the upcoming episode "Desert Crossing" based off a story developed with executive producers Rick Berman and Brannon Braga. At the start of season two, former supervising producer Chris Black will be promoted to co-executive producer, and will be joined by former "X-Files" writer John Shiban. Currently "Enterprise's" writing staff includes: Berman and Braga, Black, consulting producer Fred Dekker, executive story editors Phyllis Strong and Mike Sussman, story editors Maria and Andre Jacquemetton, and Bormanis.

As part of May Sweeps, "Enterprise" will be airing two new episodes back to back. "Fallen Hero" and "Desert Crossings" will be shown on May 8th.

BOX OFFICE: The Scorpion King beat off competition to stay in the #1 position for the weekend, bringing in an additional $17.6 million. So far the film has gathered in $60.8 million. Ben Affleck's new film CHANGING LANES came in #2 with a respectable $9 million. In third place, Fox's PG-13 rated Life or Something Like It, starring Angelina Jolie as a flipped out newscaster and Ed Burns as her smitten suitor, earned just $6.6 million at 2,608 sites--its per-screen average a mere $2,552. In fourth place, New Line's R-rated Jason X, the tenth outing of the Friday the 13th slasher, scaring up a $6.5 million total.

MUTANT X: Information about the season finale is now available over at http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0204/29/index.htm. Executive Story Consultant, Howard Chaykin, wrote "A Breed Apart," the season finale of Mutant X set to air in syndication the week of May 13. The episode introduces Gabriel Ashlocke, the most powerful of all mutants who is also known as Patient Zero and is played by Michael Easton. "He's an interesting new character and a lot of fun," Chaykin said. "He's a seductive, dark character who is a one-man match for all of Mutant X."

MICHAEL SHANKS: Michael Shanks may have left Stargate, but he's been quite busy with other projects -- namely two made-for-TV movies. The first is "All Around Town" starring Natassja Kinski as "a travel agent and jealous wife who is devastated when a twenty-one-year-old student becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her husband." Shanks plays Justin Donnelly, a psychiatrist who helps one of the film's characters unlock memories of kidnapping and abuse. The film premieres Saturday, May 18 at 9 p.m. Eastern/Pacific on PAX-TV. The second project is over at TNT. Shanks is set to appear in the original movie "Door to Door," starring William H. Macy as a door-to-door salesman born with cerebral palsy. Shanks plays the Mormon husband of actress Kyra Sedgwick's character. "Door to Door" premieres Sunday, July 14 at 8 p.m. Eastern / Pacific on TNT.

ANDROMEDA: A couple of familiar faces in this week's episode of Andromeda -- Stargate's Christopher Judge plays the android avatar of the Commonwealth battleship Wrath of Achilles -- sister ship of the Balance of Judgment in "The Knight, Death and the Devil. Also appearing in this episode is Michael Hurst, who co-starred with Andromeda lead Kevin Sorbo in Hercules.

SCIFI CHANNEL: SCIFI has begun advertising the coming of Stargate to the network on June 7. A new 15-second commercial for the new seasons of Stargate and Farscape, which share Friday nights beginning in June. The ad focuses on Colonel Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) and Commander John Crichton (Ben Browder), and promotes the shows with the voiceover, "Two Heroes, One Heroic Night". Sounds a bit like Stargate and Jeremiah -- over on Showtime.

April 28:
SPIDERMAN: Although the movie doesn't reach theaters until Friday, work has already begun on a sequel to Spiderman. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Kirsten Dunst, who plays Mary Jane Watson in the movie, said that the expected sequel may feature Doctor Octopus and the Lizard as possible villains. "They were thinking of two in the next one, which is a good idea." Durst had earlier hinted that the sequel might feature the Marvel Comic series character Black Cat. Dunst, Spidey star Tobey Maguire and director Sam Raimi are all signed on for at least two more Spider-Man movies. Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, who created The WB's Superman series, Smallville, will write the script for Spidey 2.

SATURN AWARDS: Over at www.cinescape.com you'll find the listing for this year's Saturn Award nominees. It's a great line-up of talent in every category. The 28th Award ceremony will take place this summer.

GHOSTLY NIGHT: For me, Sunday is usually a "ghastly" night for TV watching. Tonight Ted Danson's new miniseries looks interesting. He plays a guy who has the ability to communicate with the dead. He puts that aside when he starts hearing from murder victims whose killer was never captured.

SIGNS/SIXTH SENSE: "The Sixth Sense", nominated for six Oscars when it was released in 1999, will air on ABC tonight at 8pm ET. It will include the premiere of a full-length trailer for director M. Night Shyamalan's next movie SIGNS. Starring Mel Gibson, SIGNS is about a Pennsylvania farmer whose fields are suddenly marked by mysterious crop circles. As he investigates how they got there, he begins to wonder whether they're just a prank or whether someone or something put them there for a reason. The movie opens Aug. 2.

UNIQUE CHARITY ITEM

Ten popular science fiction actors have donated their time, images and autographs for an exclusive photograph, the proceeds of which will go to charity. For sale through the actors themselves and at , the limited-edition photo is in color, edged in white and ready to place in an 11X14 frame, and handsigned. Each of the 1,000 limited edition photos comes embossed with a seal of authenticity and numbered. The photograph is now available for a pre-sale price of $100. After Sept 11, 2002, the price will go up to at least $125.00. Among the charities to benefit will be the Penny Lane home for abused children in Los Angeles, and various September 11 funds. The actors hope to raise more than $100,000 through the charity project. The Penny Lane Home is a residential facility for children who have been severely abused, physically, emotionally and sexually. Many have "fallen through the cracks" of the social service outreach programs, and Penny Lane is their last chance at escaping the abuse.

Actors in the photo include: Patricia Tallman, known best for her roles as Lyta Alexander in Babylon 5 and Barbara in Night of the Living Dead (1990) Vaughn Armstrong, who has portrayed more guest star aliens on Star Trek:TNG, DS9 and Voyager than any other actor in Star Trek history. Currently, he holds the recurring role of Admiral Maxwell Forrest on Enterprise, as well as at least eight other Guest Starring roles on board the new Trek series to date. Stephen Austin portrayed many bizarre alien creatures on Babylon 5. His most notable was the lovable Pak'ma'ra Ambassador. David Brooks is an accomplished artist as well as actor. He is best known to the sci fi community as Max Eilerson on the Babylon 5 spin off, Crusade. Jeffrey Willerth portrayed Ambassador Kosh and was Associate Producer of Babylon 5 Robin Atkin Downes, best known for his role of Byron in Babylon 5 Carrie Dobro, Dureena Nafeel in Crusade. Tim Choate was extremely popular on B5 as Zathras (and his brothers, all named Zathras). He also portrayed Pollack on Crusade. Beata Pozniak appeared as Babylon 5's Earth Alliance President Luchenko. Ed Wasser, the evil Mr. Morden on Babylon 5.

As a special promotion, the first 100 orders will receive a special gift: former Star Trek stunt coordinator, Dennis Madalone, has donated 100 copies of his single, "America, We Stand As One," to say thank you to the science fiction fans who purchase the charity photograph. To order the photo online, go to http://www.thegalacticgateway.com, click on shop, and search on the word charity.

FAN FILM -- VOTE NOW!

John Hudgens -- the guy who put together the most marvelous music videos for Babylon 5 -- has been dabbling in other areas. Here is something for you to watch -- and vote for!

Over at www.AtomFilms.com you will find first-ever FanFilm contest that's actually sponsored by Lucasfilm...

Here's the news! John and Lowell Cunningham wrote DARTH VADER'S PSYCHIC HOTLINE, AND it is one of the top three entries. You can see this film at:

http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/af/content/darth_vaders_psychic
http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/af/spotlights/starwars/

John describes it:
It's a spoof of all the Miss Cleo and assorted television infomercial psychics, but with Darth Vader giving the readings to various Star Wars characters. It stars Bob "Vaderpainter" Bean as Darth Vader (John's voice), and Heather Harris as The Announcer, plus we threw Robert Alley, Denny Humbard, and Sandy Clark in there as well... And taking a page from FRASIER, I also managed to get a few celebrities to play our "guest callers" - so listen in to hear bestselling authors Kevin J. Anderson and Peter David, animation legend Mike Jittlov, and Babylon 5's Claudia Christian...

VOTE! It does make a difference. Watch the film and then vote. For the next two weeks they're polling the viewers to give an Audience Award for favorite film... and we would like to win:)

The cool thing is that the grand prize is being picked by George Lucas himself as his favorite fanfilm... and all the winners of this contest will be broadcast on a special hosted by Kevin Smith on the SciFi Channel May 12th... so we'd like to end up on that as well... :)

So please, watch and hopefully enjoy DARTH VADER'S PSYCHIC HOTLINE... we all had a blast making it... and keep an eye on the backgrounds... there's all kinds of stuff hidden throughout them...

JEREMIAH ON SHOWTIME - FRIDAY AT 10:45PM

This Friday's episode of Jeremiah is entitled "Journeys End In Lovers Meeting". Showtime's description of the episode: "Jeremiah and Kurdy join a group of pilgrims heading west to the ocean, where they believe a miracle will occur, but Kurdy has trouble adhering to the sect's vow of non-violence when he discovers hidden danger." The episode is written by J. Michael Straczynski and directed by Martin Wood (Stargate).

Just picked up this comment from JMS on this episode:
As I'd mentioned in an earlier note, the episode of Jeremiah that airs this Friday the 3rd of May, "Journeys End in Lovers Meeting," is one of my favorites to date. For those who know my work it's kind of a different sort of creature than I've done before...it's almost fanciful or fairy tale in feeling, but with teeth behind the softness and an ending that I think will lead to a lot of heated debate.
One of the things I like best about this episode is the look of it. We were knee deep in snow when we shot this thing, and the pure white landscape gives the whole episode an almost unreal quality. It also has one of the best performances to date from Malcolm Jamal-Warner, whose role is very important in this episode.
Anyway, it's a good one, and I highly recommend it.
For an update on where JMS is going with Jeremiah, visit the Jeremiah Page here at The Zocalo.

For those of you who want to keep up on what is going on with Jeremiah, Ranger Monica has started up a Jeremiah newsletter. Please go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jeremiah-news/ and subscribe. Monica also has a very nice Jeremiah site so don't forget to bookmark that as well.

BABYLON 5/CRUSADE CAST ON THE TUBE SOON

DANIEL DAE KIM: Daniel continues to turn up on Angel.

MELISSA GILBERT: Melissa will be featured on this week's episode of Providence "Smoke and Mirrors". Friday, May 3 8:00 PM EST NBC .

JASON CARTER: I'm told that Jason has an uncredited role in this week's VIP episode entitled "Sunshine Girls". See if you can spot him! Sunday, April 28 12:00 PM EST Fox and Sunday, May 5 12:00 AM EST Fox

RICHARD BIGGS: Richard will be on tonight's episode of Touched by an Angel entitled "The Impossible Dream". In the story, a man (Luther Vandross) learns that his family interfered with his pursuit of a music career by withholding key information for more than 20 years that may have made his dream come true. Martin: Joe Morton. Aunt Charlotte: Lee Chamberlin. Eleanor: Penny Johnson Jerald. Winston: Thom Gossom. Gause: Sly Smith. Advon: Chris Clark. George: Richard Biggs. Saturday, May 4, 9:00 PM EST CBS

STEPHEN FURST: This week's episode of Scrubs, "My Sacrificial Clam" features Stephen Furst. Fear plagues J.D. after being pricked by a used syringe; a new beau (Scott Foley) busies Elliot; athletic competitions pit Turk vs. Cox. ?St. Elsewhere? regulars with cameos as doctor-patients include William Daniels, Ed Begley Jr., Stephen Furst and Eric Laneuville. Tuesday, April 30 9:30 PM EST NBC

BEATA POZNIAK ( President Susanna Luchenko ): Beata is on Drew Carey, What Women Don't Want this week. Wednesday, May 1 9:00 PM EST ABC

PETER WOODWARD: Ranger Dave says that the May Dish Network program guide lists Peter's 'Egypt Beyond the Pyramids' series on the History Channel for May 6-10 at 6a.m. EST.

KEEPING UP WITH CAST AND CREW

BRUCE McGILL: Bruce McGill has lanced a very choice role as the Nation Security Advisor in "The Sum of All Fears", the next Tom Clancy movie revolving around CIA analyst Jack Ryan, to be released in May. The stars are Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman.

ROBIN DOWNES: Good news for Robin fans. He has been cast in Arliss on HBO! He portrays a gay English Rock Star. Yes, he'll be singing in this one! It should air sometime in July. Robin has also been pretty busy. He has been doing a good bit of voiceover work. He recently wrapped work on an independent film with William Devane, Richard Kind and Michael Bolton entitled High Voltage.

MARJEAN HOLDEN: Don't forget to watch Marjean on Beastmaster each week. She has been getting more and more involved in the story -- and that translates into more on-screen time.

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

Are special effects important to YOU in a movie? Or is it the story? Or does it have to have both -- effects and affects?

Send in your ideas to TheZocalo@aol.com or B5web@aol.com.

LEGEND OF THE RANGERS UPDATE

Here is a note from JMS on the future of "Legend of the Rangers":

The SciFi Channel has indicated that it's moving away from space shows, with all the hardware/alien stuff that goes with it. (This as per its recent announcement about upcoming shows.)

So it looks like Rangers isn't going to go ahead. They haven't said it directly, but networks never do.

NEW PUBLICATIONS

WRITE NOW! From the publishers of Draw! Magazine -- Write Now!. Ever wonder what I takes to be a comics writer, what qualities are necessary to sell writing, and what editors are looking for? Veteran Marvel Comics Editor Danny Fingeroth takes you behind the scenes, into both the creative and business sides of writing narrative fiction, and you will hear from the pros on both sides of the desk about what it takes to write the stories that readers – and editors – want! In the premiere issue, you'll get tips and insights from interviews with top professional writers discussing the practical aspects of their craft: Brian Michael Bendis (writer of Ultimate Spider-Man, Alias, and Powers), Joe Quesada (Marvel Editor-in-Chief and writer of Iron Man), Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Fray), and J.M. DeMatteis (writer of Spider-Man, The Spectre, Man-Thing, and Moonshadow)! Plus, Mark Bagley (penciller of Ultimate Spider-Man, New Warriors, and Amazing Spider-Man) provides our cover, featuring those two zany comics creators William Shakespeare & Leonardo DaVinci, and explains what he likes, and doesn't like, in scripts he draws from! And if that's not enough, how about an interview like you've never read before with Stan "The Man" Lee! 'Nuff said! (TwoMorrows Publishing) Magazine, 8x11, 80+pg, b&w..........$5.95

CORALINE: A new novel by Neil Gaiman. London native Coraline resides in a middle-class flat with her mother and father, and eccentric old neighbors nearby. This seemingly ordinary young girl has been keeping quite an extraordinary secret: there's a door hidden in her home which leads to a nightmare mirror image of her house, neighborhood, and family. Unfortunately, it’s governed by a cruel presence which has set its hungry gaze on Coraline! Neil Gaiman weaves this haunting, otherworldly children’s tale, complemented with bone-chilling interior illustrations rendered by Dave McKean. Also introduced in a special edition format limited to a print run of 4,000 copies. (Harper Collins Publishers)

FARSCAPE<

Ranger Paul reports that the Farscape Illustrated Season 3 Companion by Paul Simpson and Ruth Thomas is now available for pre-order from Amazon.co.uk. This edition focuses on the third season, including an eight page colour section of never previously seen photos...

JMS AT AMAZON:

Ranger Graham sent along a note about JMS material available at Amazon.com:

Amazing Spider-Man: Coming Home - Graphic Novel Now shipping
Delicate Creatures - Now shipping
Rising Stars Vol 1 - Graphic Novel Now shipping
Rising Stars Vol 2 - Graphic Novel Shipping soon

SCI FI PUBLICATIONS

Cult Times #80: Alias has finally started to get some exposure. This excellent series makes the cover this month and series creator J.J. Abrams talks about his creation -- and Felicity, his other work. Also in this issue, Michael Rosenbaum talks about his Lex Luthor character in Smallville and James Marsters fills you in on his hopes for the future -- and his relationship with Buffy. Lexa Doig gets a chance to speak about her dual role in Andromeda as well.

TV Zone #45 TV Zone Special #45: This special issue focus on TV Heroes! They talked to a LOT of personalities, asking: Why are you fans of television; What shows captivated you as an adult or as a child? What makes them seem magical? JMS talks about Rod Serling and Twilight Zone; Enid-Raye Smith - The Flintstones and Maggie Egan on Star Trek.

Expose 64 Expose #64: With the end of X-Files approaching, more and more magazines will focus on the closing scenes and this month Xpose interviews Annabeth Gish and Robert Patrick. They discuss what season nine has been like and what they might have wished for had the series run longer. Also in this issue -- Ted Danson talks about his miniseries and Lost World's Will Snow talks about his dashing Lord Roxton.

TV Zone #150: David Boreanaz and Producer David Greenwalt chat about what lies ahead for "Angel". Also in this issue: Ira Steven Behr talks about Deep Space Nine; Elisabeth Sladen talks about her role on Dr. Who and Brian Krause gives us some insight into his "Leo" on Charmed.

Starburst #285: Spiderman will be upon us soon -- and it wouldn't surprise me if the character adorns most of the covers for SF magazines in the next month! In this issue, the magazine takes a long look at Spiderman, from the early days at Marvel Comics and TV -- with a preview of the film as well. Don't miss other features on Men in Black 2; Episode II of Starwars and the retrospective on George Lucas.

SCI-FI SCHEDULE

BABYLON 5's Schedule:

07-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) SOUL MATES
08-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) A RACE THROUGH DARK PLACES
09-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) THE COMING OF SHADOWS
13-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) GROPOS
14-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) ALL ALONE IN THE DARK
15-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) ACTS OF SACRIFICE
16-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) HUNTER, PREY
21-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) THERE ALL THE HONOR LIES
22-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) AND NOW FOR A WORD
23-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) IN THE SHADOW OF Z'HA'DUM
28-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) KNIVES
29-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) CONFESSIONS AND LAMENTATIONS
30-MAY-02 5:00 PM BABYLON 5 (LBX) DIVIDED LOYALTIES

BABYLON 5 MOVIES

SCIFI has given me a FANTASTIC birthday present! An afternoon of B5 movies. How much better can it get!

June 2:
1:00 PM IN THE BEGINNING
3:00 PM THIRDSPACE
5:00 PM RIVER OF SOULS
7:00 PM BABYLON 5: A CALL TO ARMS
9:00 PM LEGEND OF THE RANGERS

BABYLON 5 IN THE UK

Ranger Stephen reports that Babylon 5 has moved to Bravo (Sky Digital channel 124, selected cable companies), where I think they'll be showing it at 8pm.

BABYLON 5/CRUSADE PHOTOSHOP
NEW PHOTOS

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.

COMIC BOOKS

AMAZING SPIDERMAN: Amazing Spider-Man #44 will arrive in stores on Aug. 14. The issue is written by J. Michael Straczynski, with art by John Romita Jr. and Scott Hanna.

NEW BABYLON 5 TOONS

John Cook has a new cartoon contest going. Try your hand at a punch line.

READER DIRECTORY

Sometimes you just can't find the e-mail address for someone you know you have -- it's someone who responded to a discussion topic or you met in one of the chat rooms. You'd like to send a personal note, but .... No address!!!!

We've started a White Pages of Zocalo Readers! It's a handy way of keeping track of people -- and putting together a birthday/greeting card list as well. If you would like to be part of the listing, just send me your name, state, e-mail address and (if you'd like to have it listed) birthday (without year) to sgbruckner@aol.com. Check out the Directory of Readers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Here are some of our readers who are having birthdays this month:

Name: John T. Hill
Birthday: May 8

Name: Kevenn T. Smith
Birthday: May 17

Name: Sally Smith
Birthday: May 28

Name: Laurraine Tutihasi
Birthday: May 18

BABYLON 5 REFERENCE PAGES

The Official Babylon 5 Magazine is indexed here as well. With the closure of the magazine in May, you'll want to see which magazines you have -- and which ones you will want to collect. The index may help you make a decision on which ones to choose. The Fan Club has many of the issues at thestation.com , making it very easy to complete your collection.

Universe Today -- the Babylon 5 Fan Club quarterly can also be found here. The index gives you a rundown of what articles were presented, what interviews published.

If you have magazines that have featured Babylon 5 or Crusade that are not listed, send along their issue number and a note to indicate what the article was about. It would be nice to have a fairly comprehensive listing of Babylon 5 publications here.

I have added a listing of all the Babylon 5 novels and now the B5 comic books to the reference page. If there are other items that you feel should be included, let me know.

MAILING LISTS

REDEMPTION: Ranger Steve reports that a new discussion group has been created for the upcoming REDEMPTION convention. Redemption 03, 21-23 February 2003, Ashford, Kent, Celebrating 25 years of Blake's 7 and 10 years of Babylon 5. www.smof.com/redemption.

NW-B5

NW-B5 is a mailing list devoted to bringing critical information to the Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland, and Northern Washington areas. More specifically, anyone north of Seattle. B5 is broadcast on SPACE:TIS in Canada, and Sci-Fi channel in the US. By subscribing to nw-b5, you'll be able to know info bringing you up to date on the current scheduling and events happening in the community related to B5. You'll also be subscribed to the list itself, which means that you'll receive email when there is a scheduling change or critical information needs to go out to you (for example, if we need to start another mailing campaign).

For further information, see http://www.nw-b5.com
John Francis
Webmaster, Listowner, and Co-Moderator
mailto:nw-b5@iname.com

Reports of "The Gathering" are beginning to turn up on the list. John posted a mini-report, with photos, over at http://www.geocities.com/jnf.geo/nw-b5/gathered.htm#0501. You may want to check it out. It was a terrific event in which JMS showed clips from "Legend of the Rangers". Most of the cast was in attendance -- a great group of individuals.

BABYLON 5 DISCUSSION LIST

The Babylon 5 discussion mailing list is for any and all discussions and/or news pertaining to or related to Babylon 5 and/or Crusade. The list has been in existence for the past three years now, and has recently moved. The new location is http://lists.apparition.org/cgi-bin/lyris.pl, and you can subscribe by sending a blank e-mail message to join-babylon_5-l@lists.apparition.org.

THE GALACTIC GATEWAY

Here's a unique site for you! Jeffrey Willerth, Patricia Tallman, Mira Furlan, Claudia Christian, Robin Atkin Downes, Rick Biggs, Jerry Doyle, Bruce Boxleitner, Melissa Gilbert, Peter Jurasik, Bill Mumy and Carrie Dobro are under it's umbrella. Actors from other shows have joined the Gateway. Ted Raimi and Robert Trebor from Xena and Hercules are now at GG. To subscribe to a mailing list for GG, send a blank note to thegalacticgateway-subscribe@egroups.com.

GATEWAY CHATTERS

There is never enough time to keep in touch with friends! To help out, a mailing list has been started for chatters over at the Galactic Gateway. If you are interested in joining, send a blank note to gateway-chatter-subscribe@egroups.com.

GATEWAY TRADER

Are you looking for a particular Babylon 5 collectible? Do you have some items you'd like to trade? Then this is the list for you. To join, send a blank note to gateway-trader-subscribe@egroups.com.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS

The Art Gallery at The Zocalo Today is open. There are SO MANY talented people in our Babylon 5 community. We have enjoyed works by Todd Brugman and Tye Bourdony on our toons page, but there are a host of others who enjoy drawing, painting, sketching their favorite characters. Here are a few works that have been received. I have some others that will be added soon.

If you would like to share your work with us at The Zocalo Today, please send along a digital photo of your work and I'll begin putting the gallery together. If you do not have your work in digital format, drop me a note and we'll see what we can work out.

CALLING ALL CLUBS

There are a number of fabulous Babylon 5/Crusade Clubs around the world. I'd like to begin listing them here on The Zocalo Today. Eric dropped me a note the other day providing information about a Club in France. I know there are other clubs in Brazil, Germany, Russia -- and who knows how many here in the US. Let's get a listing together. Perhaps we can share resources, even get together as we travel around. Drop the information about your Club to me at sgbruckner@aol.com or bruckner@isnnews.net. That information will be added to the new B5 Fan Club Listing.

BABYLON 5 FAN CLUB

Netter Digital filed for bankruptcy in July of 2000 and all their worldly posessions were auctioned off on December 7. The B5 Fan Club site, Thestation.com and it's store, the Emporium, has been closed.

BABYLON 5 NEWSLETTERS

If you have a newsletter you'd like to have listed at The Zocalo Today, send the information along. It will be posted on the B5 Fan Club/Newsletter page.

Ranger Shane in North Carolina sent in the following note about their "Jumpgate" newsletter.

Hey Sandy! Just wanted to give you an update on the NC B5 group's newsletter, Jumpgate. There's now a dedicated EMail address for submissions - jumpgatemag@bellsouth.net - and any submissions, solicited or un-, can be sent to this address. Also, issues are available for free download at the URL at the bottom of this message.

Jumpgate - The Newsletter of the North Carolina Babylon 5 Fan Club
Shane Killian, Editor

HELP WANTED

A new HELP WANTED section has been added to the Z. If you need help finding a comic book, getting a special item, etc. here's the place to post a note. Just send whatever help you need to thezocalo@aol.com.

BABYLON 5/CRUSADE CONVENTIONS

CONVENTION CALENDAR

London Expo
May 18-19, 2002, London, England
Place: ExCeL Convention Centre Royal Victoria Dock
B5 Guest: Walter Koenig
For more information, visit their website at http://scifishows.com/londonexpo/.

Motor City Comic Con
May 17-19, 2002, Detroit, Michigan
Place: Novi Expo Center
B5 Guests: Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Carrie Dobro, Marjorie Monaghan, Stephen Austin
For more information, visit their website at http://www.motorcityconventions.com/motor_city_comic_con/index.html.

STICCON XVI
May 18-19, 2002, Bellaria (Rimini) - Italy
Place: Centro Congressi Europeo
B5 Guest: Julie Caitlin Brown, Peter David (B5 author)
For more information, visit their website at http://www.stic.it/sticcon/.

London Expo
May 18-19, 2002, London, England
Place: ExCel Convention Centre Royal Victoria Dock
B5 Guest: Walter Koenig
For more information, visit their website at http://www.scifishows.com/londonexpo.

Vulkon, Atlanta
May 24-26, 2002
Place: Marriot Century Center
Atlanta, GA
Guests: Bruce Boxleitner - Saturday only. Other guests: James Doohan, Bruce Campbell, John Billingsley, Barry Morse
For more information, visit their website at http://www.vulkon.com/atlanta/a-hotel.html.

Strong Women of Sci-Fi
May 25-26, 2002
Place: Orlando, FL
Hotel: HOLIDAY INN INTERNATIONAL RESORT
B5 Guests: Claudia Christian, Carrie Dobro
For more information, visit their website at http://www.creationent.com.

Star Trek Convention - New York
June 1-2, 2002
Place: Meadowlands Crowne Plaza Hotel
East Rutherford, NJ
B5 Guest: Stephen Austin
For more information, visit their website at http://www.creationent.com.

Slanted Fedora, Boston Area
June 7-9, 2002
Place: Sheraton Framingham - Tara
Framingham, MA
B5 Guest: Stephen Austin
For more information, visit their website at http://www.sfedora.com.

Be sure to visit our Convention Calendar for a full listing of upcoming conventions featuring Babylon 5, Crusade and Legend of the Rangers cast members as guests.

ZOCALO TRADING POST

Do you have extra copies of B5, Amazing Spiderman, Midnight Nation or Rising Stars comics you'd like to trade? How about those extra trading cards or B5 magazines? There are a lot of fans looking for these items -- and the Trading Post can help you buy or sell them. To see what's available, just use this link to the Trading Post. To have items included in The Trading Post, send a note to The Zocalo. Please put Trading Post in the subject line.

Pen Pals

If you are looking for someone to talk about Babylon 5 and Crusade with, the Pen Pal section is for you! Check it out! Drop a note to someone who is feeling B5 withdrawal -- BIG TIME!

People thought a Pen Pal page was a good idea. If you would like to meet people who you could chat with or share your opinions of the show with, send along your e-mail or snail-mail address The Zocalo. It will be incorporated on the new Pen Page Page.

BABYLON 5 BIRTHDAYS

Theodore Bikel - May 2
Michael O'Hare - May 6
Stephen Furst - May 8
Melissa Gilbert-Boxleitner - May 8
Bruce Boxleitner - May 12
Andreas Katsulas - May 18
Doug Wise - May 21
Douglas Netter - May 23
Paul Winfield - May 22
Roy Dotrice - May 26
Harlan Ellison - May 27

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.

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.

JMS' mail can be sent to:

14431 Ventura Boulevard, PMB 260
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

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

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, 2002