THE ZOCALO TODAY – June 16, 2006

WHAT'S NEW

Hey there. Getting ready to take a few days off and thought I'd
catch up everyone on some of the latest news – and send out the new
discussion topics that I think we can all have fun with. Be sure to
send in your favorites to share with readers here at The Zocalo
Today.

Also, don't forget to catch up on the Babylon Podcasts. I had the
distinct pleasure of being a guest on the last one and had a
marvelous time with Summer and Tim. Talking about experiences with
cast and crew – as well as with fans who love Babylon 5 is always an
enjoyable experience.

NEW SUMMER DISCUSSION TOPICS
With the coming of summer, some of you may have time on your hands.
What better way to use that time than to re-watch Babylon 5 -- and
talk about favorite moments, favorite characters, etc. Let's start
with season one and work our way forward. What is your favorite
season one episode? Who is your favorite season one character? Of
all the wonderful moments in that first season, which one(s) are the
most memorable to you?

For those of you who are reading the Babylon 5 Scripts -- what
material have you liked the most so far? The introductions by JMS,
reading through deleted scenes, the photos? Every other week, we
will move forward with another season of episodes. So get out your
VCRs and DVDs. Babylon 5 is coming to the discussion topic area.

JUNE BIRTHDAYS:

Jeffrey Willerth (Kosh) - June 5
Donovan Brown (Optic Nerve) - June 6
Ann Bruice Aling (Costumes)- June 8
Mark Walters (Art Department)- June 10
Susan Norkin (Post) - June 10
Adrienne Barbeau (Amanda Carter) - June 11
Enid-Raye Adams (Crusade)- June 16
Mike Vejar (Director)- June 25

If there is anyone we have missed, be sure to drop me a note so that
I can add them to our Cast and Crew Birthday Listing. We want to
include everyone in our Happy Birthday Wishes.

BABYLON 5 PODCASTS

Babylon Podcast: Show #20
by Summer —
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Welcome to Show #20!
Guest: Sandra Bruckner, ISN News

Tim and Summer find themselves flying without Jeffrey, and Sandra
Bruckner joins them for a chat.

Sandra runs the indepth and informative online resource ISN News:
The Zocalo Today, currently keeping Babylon 5 fans updated on where
their favorite B5 cast and crew members can be found in current
projects.

She tells us all about how she became involved with B5, starting
from the hard copy fan letters through the news updates on the
website today. Sandra also relates her times spent on the B5 sets
over the years, covering B5 cast appearances at conventions, keeping
track of the B5 fan club sales, being an extra in "Objects at Rest",
and much, much more.

Next, Tim, Summer and Sandra engage in a roundtable discussion about
where they feel Babylon 5 ranks all-time in SF television, past and
present, and discuss how much B5 may have influenced current
television projects.

Listener Feedback: Tim and Summer dive into emails: Susan puts forth
a theory on how Marcus may have been a 30-year-old virgin; Chris
tells us about the DVD for the Biggs/Carter Experience that used to
be available from Pipetap Productions, the proceeds of which benefit
Richard Biggs' children.

This week's voicemails include messages from Alejandro comments
on "A Late Delivery from Avalon", and wants to know why Delenn was
portrayed as the Lady of the Lake; Alan in Dublin sends in an almost
unintelligible message thanking us for producing the show; Ed from
NJ sends his appreciation for the production values of the show, and
wants a comment on Jerry Doyle's pay-per-play podcast of his radio
show.

Go to <http://www.babylonpodcast.com>Babylon Podcast to listen.

BABYLON PODCAST #19
by Summer —
Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Welcome to Show #19!
Interview: David J. Eagle (Director)
Tim, Summer and Jeff chat with David J. Eagle, director of 13
episodes from Seasons 2-5, including the Hugo Award winning "Severed
Dreams".

David talks about how he came to Babylon 5, the tendency of his
episodes to be the high-impact ones, the joy of getting a complete
script to work with from JMS weeks before shooting started, a little
bit about his friendship with Isaac Asimov, and touches on some of
his current projects.

Next, Tim and Summer discuss "Survivors", one of the first set-up
episodes that has major repercussions throughout the rest of the
series. We have varying opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of
the episode.

Listener Feedback: Tim, Summer and Jeffrey dive into emails from
Brian asking whether B5 will show up on TV again; Michael corrects
himself on talking about longer "trailers" instead of the "gag
reels"; Jason Rennie of The SciPhi Show on alternate audio tracks in
files available for download; and David comments on the realism of
the Ranger's pike.

Babylon Podcast: Show #18
by Summer —
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Welcome to Show #18!
Interview: Jason Carter ("Marcus Cole")
Tim and Summer continue the extended edition of the chat with Jason
Carter. Here in part two, Jason talks about being a convention
whore, his time at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts,
the acting workshops he runs in various parts of the country, and
The Pirates of Penzance.

And just another reminder: Jason will be teaching two acting
workshops in June, "Fundamentals of Acting" at FanOdyssey on June 9
in Los Angeles, and a Freeplay Acting class at the Synergy Ensemble
Theatre Company on June 24, in Islip, NY.

Next, Tim, Summer and Jeffrey dive into listener feedback: Andrew
comments on "Deathwalker", and Chaz compares the theme
in "Deathwalker" to "Quality of Mercy" via email. John in KC shares
an anecdote about Walter Koenig, and John from Dispatches from
Tuzenor with comments on "Deathwalker" via voicemail.
Episode discussion will continue next week with "Survivors".

WHAT'S NEW IN SCIENCE FICTION:

TOP SF&F NETWORK SHOWS:
Lost 10.3
Medium 6.8
Alias 4.5
Ghost Whisperer 4.0
Smallville 1.5
Charmed 1.2
Supernatural 1.2
Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report, 5/22/06 - 5/28/06.

DOCTOR WHO
Fans of the series will be sad to hear that Billie Piper (Rose
Tyler) in the very popular DOCTOR WHO series will be leaving at the
end of season two. The BBC officially confirmed rumors about this
that have been circulating for months. DOCTOR WHO is currently
airing in the United Kingdom and on the SciFi Channel (season one. A
June 15 press release on the BBC's official Web site announced that
Piper would exit the show "in a nail-biting [season] -two finale."

30 DAYS OF NIGHT
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Josh Hartnett is in
negotiations to star in 30 DAYS OF NIGHT for Columbia Pictures. The
script, written by Stuart Beattie and Brian Nelson, follows a local
sheriff (Hartnett) and his wife who is also a sheriff. It is set in
Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost town in the U.S. where the sun does
not appear for more than 30 days during the dead of winter. An evil
force emerges from the darkness, striking terror into the town. The
husband and wife sheriffs are forced to choose between saving
themselves and helping the town survive until daylight returns. The
film is based on the comic book by the same name and will be
directed by David Slade.

CONVENTION ALERT
HEROESCON
Ranger Van sent along information about HeroesCon (June 30-July 2 in
Charlotte, NC). J. Michael Straczynski will be one of the guest --
along with a ton of comic book writers, artists. Details are on the
convention calendar.

TT20
Ranger Stephen has send along information about TT20 (July 7-9).
Mira Furlan and Julie Caitlin Brown have joined the guest list. See
more information on the calendar below.

SHORE LEAVE
One of the best (if not the best) fan-run conventions around! Shore
Leave has guests from Stargate SG-1, Enterprise, Battlestar
Galactica – and more. Be sure to check out the calendar for more
details or stop over at http://www.shore-leave.com. Dates: July 7-
9, 2006

SAN DIEGO COMICON
For those of you on the mailing list, it was great to get the new
update for the San Diego ComiCon coming in July. In the latest
issue, J. Michael Straczynski has a 3-page interview. He answers
questions about his comicbook work and talks about Babylon 5.
Dates: July 20-23, 2006

There is lots more news for you over at The Zocalo Today
(http://www.isnnews.net), so be sure to drop over and catch up.

Have a great weekend.
Be safe.
Sandy

Sandra Bruckner
Editor/Publisher
ISN News: The Zocalo Today
http://www.isnnews.net