Remember, the more information I receive, the better this publication becomes. Write TimKBear on AOL or Tim.K@vircomm.com on the 'net with any news you might be able to offer.
Cartoon critters come to live action
Ted Turner announced recently that The Jetsons and Scooby Doo will be the subjects of some upcoming live-action films. The movies will probably be on TBS with a video berth not far later. The Jetsons is planned for 1997 and Scooby Doo is set for 1998. Casting is wide open at this time, but don't be surprised to see Jane Fonda reprise her "9 to 5" role as Dangerprone Daphne in the Scooby Doo flick! (That's only a joke.)
Is William Shatner the Anti-Christ?
From what his ex-co-stars say, the answer remains open to debate. Here's a juicy tidbit I got from Robertp361 (our Bab 5 expert). He said he was watching A Current Affair with Majel Barrett Roddenberry and George Takei where they were "taking shots" at William Shatner. Majel claims Shatner's book ought to be classified as fiction under the Dewey Decimal System--he even got Gene Roddenberry's cause of death wrong. Takei brought up the now famous "William Shatner wouldn't shoot a scene in II that made Sulu a captain" story. None of this comes to me as a surprise. What surprises me is that Patrick Stewart and William Shatner (both having rather sizeable egos) were able to "share" the screen in Generations without coming to blows.
Robert Zemeckis invites Humphrey Bogart to co-star in new "Tales from the Crypt"
Some say that this could be the last season of HBO's "Tales from the Crypt" so it is not surprising to see Robert Zemeckis return to shoot the season finale, for it could very well be the series finale. He, after all, was one of the series' founders, directing one of the premire episodes back in '89. Zemeckis plans to use some of his "Forrest Gump" effects to include Humphrey Bogart in on the action. (Heck, he sells Coca-Cola pretty good. It's time for a come back in a dramatic role for him.) This 80th episode will also have John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini and Sherilyn Fenn in on the action.
Earth 2 is Worth Your Sunday
If you haven't yet watched Earth 2, you are in for a great time! This show proves Amblin can make quality SF for television (something many of us would never have believed with just SeaQuest to judge by). This show isn't simply another Irwin Allen rip-off, this time of Lost in Space but it has all the elements of a great miniseries as well. Developing storylines in this pioneer saga point more to the human than the monsterous creatures they meet. In the early episodes, I've taken great joy watching regulars Clancy Brown (of Highlander fame) and Deborah Farentino. Outstanding guest stars Tim Curry and Terry O'Quinn have also enlivened some of the early shows. The growth potential here is enormous, so I hope they live up to the exciting and intriguing story that they have begun.
January 15 is a BIG Day for SF Fans
January 15 will, in most cities, be the premire of UPN (The United Paramount Network) which will have Star Trek:Voyager as its (excuse the pun) flagship program. Also starting that day will be the new Hercules series which is yet another off-shoot of the Action Pack. Honestly, I'm more excited about the latter, but one thing is certain: syndication giants have learned that quality SF packs a pretty good financial gain. Rysher, who makes RoboCop and Highlander, has certainly proved that as well as the incredibly popular Paramount perennial, Star Trek: The Next Generation. I believe that the success of these programs will vastly effect what you see on television next season. If SF continues to fare well, expect the big three to add more SF to their line. Fox may give Dr. Who a go-ahead if this continues, as well. January 15, will indeed, be a pilot program to see how much syndicated SF the market will allow.
Red Planet comes to Fox
Tune in Saturday, January 7 to Fox for the morning cartoons. They will be showing a special cartoon adaption of Heinlein's Red Planet. In the immortal words of Inspector Gadget: "Wowsers!"
