THE ZOCALO TODAY – November 11, 2006

BABYLON 5: THE LOST TALES UPDATE

Here are some details from the BC Film Commission on the B5 Lost
Tales project

BABYLON 5 - THE LOST TALES
Lost Tales Productions Inc.
Exec. Prods: Douglas Netter and J. Michael Straczynski
Producer: Samm Barnes
Line Producer: Lisa Towers
Director: J. Michael Straczynski
DOP: Karl Herrmann
PD: Jill Scott
PM: Lynne Bespflug
PC: Fawn McDonald
Cast: Bruce Boxleitner, Tracy Scoggins, Peter Woodward
Casting: Candice Elzinga
Sched: Nov 13 - Nov 24/06

Hopefully JMS will have time to give us a little more information in the days
ahead. Production is scheduled to begin on Monday.

Babylon Podcast #40
by Summer —
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Interview: Claudia Christian ("Commander Susan Ivanova")
Warning: Harsh Language contained in this episode
Claudia Christian is only in the US for a short time, and we are
giddy that she joins us for a time!

She talks to us about her fond memories of the show, of the mutual on-
set fondling, of working with Bill Mumy for various music projects,
and much more. "Geometry of Shadows" is still her favorite episode,
and she talks about how her appreciation for the show now is so much
deeper now that she's had the time to sit and watch the series.
Yes, she's lived in the UK so long she's picked up a British accent.
It's cool, huh? So go help promote the trailer for her new project,
STARHYKE.

Listener Feedback: Jarsto's voicemail comments on distinguishing
between good guy and bad guy signoffs; Dan from Honolulu comments on
the talents we've lost from the series; Trampas from The Signal on
the positive addition of Bruce Boxleitner, and the comparisons
between B5 and Firefly.

Tim reads an email from Steve in Singapore about impersonating the
Vorlon god Boojee; and one from Matt in Michigan on possibilities
for "The Lost Tales"… and yes, I know we got the ep wrong…
it's "Legacies", not "Quality of Mercy".

Shameless plug: Summer contributed an essay to the essay collection,
So Say We All: An Unauthorized Collection of Thoughts and Opinions on
Battlestar Galactica, now available at your local bookstore and at
Amazon.com.

She’s also really hoping to convince the publisher*, Smart Pop Books, to
eventually do a collection on Babylon 5. If you’d be interested in buying one if
they did do a B5 collection, let Summer know, either here in comments, or over
in the Babylon Podcast forums at <http://www.babylonpodcast.com>.

We are still considering doing a separate B5 Fan Tales segment in the future, so
send us those favorite anecdotes of yours.

*Ben Bella Books is publisher of the Smart Pop Books series, a smart and funny
series of pop culture topic analyses. For more information on Smart Pop books,
go to http://www.smartpopbooks.com/.

Babylon Podcast: Show #39
by Summer —
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Interview: Peter Jurasik ("Ambassador Londo Mollari")

Jeffrey's back in sunny California after his search for snow came up
a little short, but all travel pains are easily forgotten during our
chat with Peter Jurasik.

Peter regales us with tales of auditioning for the role, of the
evolution of the Centauri hair styling, the costuming and more. He
also shares his memories of Andreas' performances as G'Kar, and the
in-costume smoke breaks, and the fun he had in seeing Londo's
prosthetic genitalia paraded around the set for comment and feedback.
Too bad he missed out on being able to take any memorabilia home
after the show was done. He also talks about Being Londo Mollari,
teaching theatre, about marrying Jeffrey and Patricia, and much much
more.

It's not easy to come up with questions when you're laughing so hard!
Also, if you can find it in your hearts, please, help us find a cure
for Jeffrey's puns.

Listener Feedback: Next, Tim and Summer discuss some listener emails:
Gabriel ponders that the new Battlestar Galactica isn't really as
deep as Babylon 5 in terms of character and story depth. Summer waves
the flag in defense of BSG, as does Tim.

BABYLON 5 DISCUSSION TOPIC:
While I know we would all love to talk about BABYLON 5: THE LOST
TALES -- let's instead talk about the Babylon 5 we know. Of all the
characters in the universe of Babylon 5, who was your favorite and
why? I know, this is not an easy one, so give it some thought and
then send your comments along to sgbruckner@.... I'll post them
for everyone to read on the Discussion Page.

KEEPING UP WITH CAST AND CREW

BILL MUMY IN CONCERT
Date: Sataurday, November 11, 2006
Place: Rusty's Surf Ranch on Santa Monica Pier

Band Members:
BILL MUMY: LEAD VOCALS, GUITAR, HARMONICA
STEPHEN PATT: HARMONY VOCAL, ELECTRIC GUITAR, PEDAL STEEL GUITAR
CHRIS ROSS: DRUMS
WILLIAM WASSON: BASS
CHRIS VAROSY: HARMONY VOCAL, KEYBOARDS
One Set Only - 9:15 sharp
Call for reservations (310) 393-7437

Date: Saturday, November 18, 2006 Place: Genghis Cohen
FOR SOME LIVE UNPLUGGED ALTERNATIVE FOLK MUSIC
ONE SET ONLY 8:15 SHARP
Address: 740 N. FAIRFAX AVE., LOS ANGELES, 90046
CALL 323-653-0640

WALTER KOENIG:
On November 19, 2006 9 pm EST, Walter Koenig (Bester) will be
participating in a live video chat on TVLand.com to celebrate the
network's "Space Week" and kick off it's showing of "The First
Generation" Star Trek episodes.

RANGER REPORT - BABYLON 5 IN FRANCE

Our Ranger friend in Frence reports that Babylon 5 - In the beginning
and Thirdspace are on the air in France. It will be on NRJ12 (a
national channel) at prime time 8:50PM , the 9th and 16th of
November. Babylon 5 - The series is scheduled later on another
national channel (W9). More news on the schedule later ...
<http://www.allocine.fr/series/fichenews_gen_carticle=18392329.html>

NEW BOOKS:

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: The Official Companion
by David Bassom

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - Companion Two
by David Bassom

These are definitely for the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA fan who wants to
know more! Companion books are usually a wonderful way to really
learn about a show -- from what you have seen on screen -- and what
goes on behind it as well. Here are two books by David Bassom that do
just that.

NEW SCIENCE FICTION PUBLICATIONS

TV Zone #209: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: Star Edward James Olmos tells us
how Admiral Adama's been changed by being forced to leave his charges
under Cylon occupation, why he's ready to accept a suicide mission,
and about getting back behind the camera as a director. TORCHWOOD -
Eve Myles, aka PC Gwen Cooper, explains how she's come to love doing
night shoots with a rain machine while making BBC3's ratings record-
setting show. Stargate SG-1 - Director of Photography Jim Menard
reveals the tricks of the trade that allow him to create breathtaking
vistas of alien worlds onscreen.

TV ZONE SPECIAL #73: YEARBOOK 2006-2007: Doctor Who - the team behind
the animated recreation of lost episodes from the 1968 Second Doctor
story "The Invasion" talk about how they went about bringing it back
to life… BUFFY's Anthony Stewart Head takes a look back on his creepy
role in the episode School Reunion, and his upcoming projects. THE
STATE WITHIN - Jason Isaacs from HARRY POTTER explains why he's
enjoying playing a hero, as a British ambassador battling to save
democracy in the new political thriller. CSI's Marg Helgenberger
reveals the traumatic events that befall her character Catherine
Meadows at the start of the hit show's seventh season.

THE WORKS #11: BOND: In this issue, we get a look back to the
beginning and presents a tougher, more fearless 007. As expectant
audiences gear up for what should be a thrilling installment to the
franchise, the question is whether Daniel Craig can cut it as the new
007 and you will need to decide what factors create a really great
Bond. THE STATE WITHIN - Jason Isaacs chats about why he was
compelled to return to the small screen to star in the BBC's
political thriller.

WHAT'S NEW IN SCIENCE FICTION AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:

BOURNE ULTIMATUM
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Venezuelan thespian Edgar
Ramirez has been hired to play a character described as
a "superkiller" the the next Bourne installment. The "Ultimatum" plot
finds Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) looking for answers about his past,
which brings the aforementioned superkiller into play. Joan Allen and
Julia Stiles are returning, along with "Bourne Supremacy" director
Paul Greengrass. New additions to the gang include David Strathairn
and Paddy Considine.

ELI STONE
Loretta Devine, seen occasionally on "Grey's Anatomy" as the Chief's
estranged wife, has signed on to ABC's pilot ELI STONE, where she'll
star opposite Jonny Lee Miller ("Smith"). ELI STONE, which was co-
created by Greg Berlanti ("Everwood," "Brothers & Sisters") and
his "Jack & Bobby" colleague Marc Guggenheim, is about a lawyer
(Miller) who starts to believe he's a prophet. Devine will play his
no-nonsense assistant.

JAMES BOND - CASINO ROYALE
With the new movie set to open next weekend, the hype is building. If
you are like me, you can't wait to see the latest James Bond film to
see the latest James Bond, portrayed by Daniel Craig. For a number of
trailers from the new movie, go to
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808476050/trailer. Reviews are very
good -- so we should be in for a good ride on this one.

SPIDER-MAN 3
The latest SPIDER-MAN 3 trailer is out! For a fantastic look at the
new film, go to http://www.ifilm.com/presents/spiderman3/

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN
According to Variety, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
helped boost Disney's fourth-quarter profits to $782 million from
$379 million and shoot up revenue 14 percent, to $8.78 billion in the
three months from July to September.

A SPELL FOR CHAMELEON
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Chris Palmer is attached to direct
A SPELL FOR CHAMELEON, a fantasy movie for Warner Brothers, with
Wolfgang Petersen producing via his Radiant Productions banner along
with David Benioff. CHAMELEON is based on the Piers Anthony novel
that kicked off his incredibly popular and long-running Xanth novel
series. The story is set in the kingdom of Xanth, where everyone has
magical powers, and centers on a young man who is exiled for having
none. He later returns to reveal his true gift when the kingdom needs
saving.

MEDIUM
When MEDIUM returns for the third season, the two-hour
premiere, "Four Dreams," incorporates animation (by Johnny Bravo
creator Van Partible) representing the dreams of Bridgette (Maria
Lark), the young daughter of psychic Allison Dubois (Patricia
Arquette). Done as traditional 2-D hand-drawn animation, the cartoon
dreams start out as light comedic bits, but gradually turn darker as
they represent Bridgette's premonitions of death. "The more I talked
about [animation], the more I was convinced there was a show in it,"
said creator Glenn Gordon Caron. "The cartoon thing was to me
also, ... I thought, frankly, ... so much of what we deal in is
death. And when I met [the real] Allison Dubois, the thing that
struck me and touched me so deeply when she sits down and tells you
her stories, you think, 'My, God, this woman has Radio Death going on
in her head all the time.' She sees ghosts, and most of the ghosts
that come to her don't come to her because they've had a good life
and a sweet death. They come to her because something awful and
violent has happened. She sees a very, very dark vision of the
world. ... You're always looking for other ways to ... communicate
this. How do I keep it fresh, and, frankly, how do I shock you?
Because part of it is I have to shock you in order to impress you
with just how awful things are, and you realize at a certain point
you can do that with a cartoon, and in some ways, it's more
unsettling. You can get away with things in a cartoon, because
cartoons are inherently violent." MEDIUM returns to NBC at 9 p.m.
ET/PT on Nov. 15 before moving into its regular Wednesday 10 p.m.
timeslot the following week.

DRESDEN FILES
Production has started in Toronto on THE DRESDEN FILES, SCI FI
Channel's upcoming original series based on Jim Butcher's series of
best-selling fantasy novels, with Terrence Mann joining the cast, SCI
FI announced. The 12-episode supernatural detective series premieres
in January 2007 and stars Paul Blackthorne (24, Deadwood) as Harry
Dresden, a Chicago-based private detective with extraordinary
abilities. Mann will play Dresden's trusted confidant, Bob. Where
others see typical crimes of assault, kidnapping and murder, Harry
Dresden sees otherworldly forces at work. Dresden may be the only
wizard listed in the Chicago yellow pages, but he's also a human
being. Whether consulting for the police on inexplicable crimes or
following his own cases, Dresden does battle with the forces of
darkness, always maintaining a wry sense of humor and a unique
perspective on our world. THE DRESDEN FILES also stars Valerie Cruz
as police Lt. Murphy and Conrad Coats as Morgan. The Lionsgate-
produced one-hour drama is executive-produced by David Simkins (Dark
Angel, Charmed) and Robert Wolfe (The 4400, Star Trek: Deep Space
Nine), with Nicolas Cage and Norm Golightly of Saturn Films.

THEM
Variety reports that BATTLESTAR GALACTICA executive producer David
Eick is teaming up with director Jonathan Mostow and writer John
McNamara to develop THEM an SF alien-invasion series for the Fox
network. The hour- long drama will also be executive-produced by
Circle of Confusion's David Engel and David Alpert via CBS Paramount
Network Television. The project is based on the graphic novel SIX,
written by Michael Oeming and Daniel Berman. Eick and McNamara
(Profit) are writing the script for the TV take and are executive-
producing with Mostow (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines). Mostow is
also attached to direct in his first major foray into television. The
basic premise of THEM involves a sleeper cell of extraterrestrial
terrorists who take the shape of humans. Their mission is compromised
when they start experiencing human emotions, which act like a drug on
the aliens.

TRICK 'R TREAT
According to Variety, Brian Cox, Anna Paquin, Dylan Baker and Leslie
Bibb are set to star in the horror movie TRICK 'R TREAT, which Bryan
Singer is producing for Legendary Pictures and Warner Brothers
through his Bad Hat Harry Productions. Michael Dougherty, who co-
wrote Singer's SUPERMAN RETURNS and X2, penned the screenplay for
TRICK and will helm in his directorial debut. Shooting begins next
week in Vancouver, B.C. Singer, intrigued by Dougherty's script,
signed onto the project and will be on the set throughout production.
The story is set on Halloween night in a town where those who break
the rules of the holiday do so at their own peril. The project
reunites Singer with two of his X-MEN stars, Cox and Paquin.

THE AMATEUR
Variety reports that Hugh Jackman's Seed Prods. has made a Fox 2000
deal to turn the Robert Littell spy novel "The Amateur" into an
action vehicle for Jackman. "24" executive producer Evan Katz will
write the script and Jackman will produce with partner John Palermo.
Jackman will play a CIA cryptographer whose fiancee is killed in a
suspicious plane crash. When he discovers that the plane was brought
down by terrorists, he finds the leverage that forces his bosses to
train him to exact revenge. Littell's novel, which was set during the
Cold War, was previously turned into a 1981 film. New pic isn't a
remake, but a different version using the book as source material.
Katz will contemporize the tale with the goal of launching a
character in the vein of Jack Ryan or Jason Bourne.

DAVID DUCHOVNY ON SHOWTIME
David Duchovny is returning to primetime television, teaming with
Showtime on a pair of series projects. He is finalizing a deal to
topline and exec produce the cable network's untitled drama pilot
about a novelist trying to raise a kid on his own while battling an
addiction to sex and drugs. If the project is picked up to series, it
will be Duchovny's first regular TV role since "The X-Files" wrapped
in 2000. In the untitled drama, Duchovny will star as Hank Moody, a
charming but self-destructive writer and father of one, whose
obsession with women and honesty both enriches and harms his life and
work. Tom Kapinos ("Dawson's Creek") created the show. He'll exec
produce with Duchovny and helmer Stephen Hopkins ("24"). Latter also
is attached to direct the pilot.

SMITH
SMITH may not be on the CBS line-up any longer, but CBS and producer
Warner Bros. TV are giving the John Wells drama a big online push.
CBS added the four remaining unaired episodes to its Innertube
broadband service, along with the three segments that aired on the
net. The segments will stream for free over the next month, with CBS
selling a few commercials in each episode. WBTV, meanwhile, is
selling all seven episodes online via iTunes, AOL and Amazon.com.
Fans of "Smith" wondering just how things would turn out can also
access detailed episode notes on CBS.com. Story outlines explain what
would have happened through episode 13. NBC is now streaming a new
episode of "Kidnapped" on NBC.com every week.

SPECIES 4
"Star Trek: Enterprise" star Dominic Keating (Lt. Malcolm Reed) is
returning to the world of science fiction: only for something a
little less family friendly. The actor has joined the cast of the
titillating but terrorizing "Species 4" for MGM. The 44-year-old
actor will play a villain in the film, co-starring Ben Cross
("Chariots of Fire") and newcomer Helena Mattson to be filmed in
Mexico City. The Nick Lyon directed "Species IV", which this time
centres on university professor who is actually an alien hybrid
created by her "uncle", is going to be released direct to DVD next
year.

JERICHO TO SPLIT SEASON
CBS announced that it will split the first season of its nuclear-
holocaust drama JERICHO into two half-seasons of all-original
episodes, following a similar programming strategy by ABC's LOST. The
Hollywood Reporter said that the first half of JERICHO's freshman
season will end Nov. 29 with a cliffhanger finale. The series,
starring Skeet Ulrich, will return Feb. 14, 2007, with a recap of the
first 11 episodes, followed by a new episode every Wednesday for the
rest of the season. The split is designed to avoid repeating
episodes, a la LOST, which ended the first half of its season on Nov.
8 and will disappear from the airwaves before returning in February.
The pattern also mirrors the fall/spring season scheduling for Fox's
PRISON BREAK, which was introduced last year. During JERICHO's 10-
week hiatus, CBS will continue the show's first 11 episodes on the
network's broadband channel, Innertube, where JERICHO has been the
most-streamed CBS program.

HARRY POTTER
Daniel Radcliffe, who reprises his boy-wizard role in the upcoming
fifth HARRY POTTER movie, THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, thinks ending the
franchise with Harry's death makes sense. Asked if he'll be playing a
death in the expected seventh and final film in the series, Radcliffe
said: "That's a very good question. ... I like to think that I
will. ... I think, personally, ... that's the only way [author J.K.
Rowling] could ever halt any call for her to keep writing [Potter
books], because, I mean, if Harry survives, she'll just be getting
plagued by requests to write an eighth book for the rest of her
life." Radcliffe, speaking in a conference call from London with
journalists on Nov. 6, also drew a parallel between his character's
relationship with Harry's nemesis, the evil Lord Voldemort, and the
one between Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty, both of whom had to perish
at Reichenbach Falls in order for the villain to be vanquished. "I
think it will be something to do with the fact that ... maybe the
only way Voldemort can be killed is if Harry is killed as well," the
17-year-old actor said. He added: "My friend sort of compared it to
both [Homes and Moriarty] dying at the same time. But, obviously, he
hasn't read the sequel [in which Holmes was revived]. So, yes, but
that's the thing that I would sort of like to see coming." Rowling is
currently writing the upcoming seventh and final Potter book, for
which no release date has yet been announced. Harry Potter and the
Order of the Phoenix, based on the fifth of Rowling's books, opens
July 13, 2007.

THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
According to Variety, Lena Headey (Imagine Me & You) has landed the
title role in the Fox pilot THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, which is
based on the mythology of the TERMINATOR films. In the Warner
Brothers TV project, Headey will play Sarah Connor, who, with her
son, John, fights attackers from the future in present-day Los
Angeles. Headey takes over the role made famous by Linda Hamilton in
the first two Terminator films. Josh Friedman will write and David
Nutter is set to direct the Sarah Connor pilot.

I KNOW WHO KILLED ME
Variety reports that Lindsay Lohan has set the supernatural thriller
I KNOW WHO KILLED ME as her next movie, with production set to start
next month. Chris Sivertson is directing from a screenplay by Jeff
Hammond; 360 Pictures president Frank Mancuso produces, and TriStar
Pictures will distribute in the United States. Lohan will play Aubrey
Jordan, who is abducted and tortured by a serial killer. Once it's
thought she's been rescued, she claims she is a different person and
tries to convince everyone that Aubrey is still in danger.

SPACE 3001
According to the Hollywood Reporter , Producers Roger Corman and John
Davison will make SPACE 3001, a $20 million SF action picture, with
Irish government subsidies. The deal, announced at the American Film
Market, will see Corman and Davison finance the production through
their respective companies, New Horizons and Cowboy Outfit Llc., in
conjunction with the Dublin-based Merlin Film Fund headed by Kieran
Corrigan. Davison got his start in the industry at Corman's previous
company, New World Pictures, where he produced Grand Theft Auto. With
a screenplay by Sam Straider, SPACE 3001 will start production in the
spring at Corman's Irish studio Concorde Anois.

THE BURNING TIME Actress Ashley Judd has bought the rights to Robin
Morgan's novel The Burning Time with plans to adapt it into a
screenplay. The novel is about an Irish priestess named Alice
Kyteler, who refuses to give up her land or faith when the
Inquisition arrives in Ireland during the 14th Century, putting her
into a battle of wits with the bishop. "I might fail spectacularly or
succeed modestly," Judd said in an interview for her new movie, COME
EARLY MORNING. "But I'm going to give it a go and probably reach out
to other people who are writers to godmother or mentor me through the
process. I'm going to spend some time doing that this winter and
going to India* and stuff like that." Judd's new film, , written and
directed by Joey Lauren Adams, comes out in New York and Los Angeles
on Friday.

GIDEON'S GIFT
Christian Slater and Elle Fanning are set to star in a feature
adaptation of Karen Kingsbury's novel GIDEON'S GIFT. One long-ago
Christmas, Big Earl Gibson (Slater) lost the two things most precious
to him-his wife and daughter. Angry and heartbroken, he abandoned his
belief in God and is now living on the street. Gideon Mercer
(Fanning) is an eight-year- old leukemia patient determined to reach
out to this lonely and hurting man. And Earl is just as determined to
rebuff her. It is only through a miracle that Earl finally comes to
understand the true meaning of Christmas. And it's only then that he
can return the favor with a precious gift of his own. Shooting will
start early February in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

DRAGONFLY
Universal Pictures has preemptively acquired an untitled pitch by
screenwriters Brandon Camp and Mike Thompson (Dragonfly). Variety
says the supernatural thriller is about a woman who moves to a small
town and has to deal with her past. The film will be produced by
Scott Stuber and Mary Parent through their Universal-based
Stuber/Parent. Camp and Thompson will executive produce. Stuber and
Parent had the inside track on the material because they are working
with the writers on TRAVELING, a picture Camp will direct, with
Thompson producing along with Stuber and Parent. TRAVELING is about a
Dr. Phil-like self- improvement guru who can't escape the rut he's
been in since his wife's death.

That's about all the news for now. I hope that you will all take a
moment to remember our brave men and women in the service of every
country today, this Veteran's Day in the United States.

I hope that you'll have time to visit the website
http://www.isnnews.net often to keep up on the latest news for
Babylon 5 and other projects of interest.

Have a terrific weekend.
Be safe.
Sandy

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