FROM THE VALHALLA SECTOR
Issue 23 - July 27, 2003
========================

1. Editor's Corner
2. Season Two News
3. Jeremiah Cast News
4. Showtime Speaks
5. Rumors Squashed
6. New At The Abyss
7. Win Something at THE ABYSS
8. Mediawatch
9. JMS Speaks
10. Coming Attractions
11. Conclusion


EDITOR'S CORNER
===============

Just in case you didn't check out the announcement sent out by Monica last
week, here's the biggest news of all: Jeremiah, Season II premieres on
Friday, September 19th at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. They will also air the pilot
that day at 8:30.

Echoing many fans' wonderment that the pilot is being shown before the
Season II premiere and not Things Left Unsaid, Monica fired off a letter
to Showtime and received the response that's now posted in our Showtime
Speaks section below.

Canadians looking forward to seeing Season II can thank TM Operative
Heather, who asked The Movie Channel about it. She says they responded
with a big YES and mentioned that they'll start showing it around early
September.

The British aren't so lucky. TM Operative Kezia tells us that SKY has
nothing on their schedule -- and that SKY lackeys told her "sometime next
year..."

At the San Diego Comic-Con, JMS announced that he'll not be involved with
Jeremiah for a third season, citing unspecified problems with MGM Studios.
The fan reaction has been pretty severe. Most people we've seen don't like
the idea of Jeremiah being run by anyone else than Mr. Straczynski; a
minority say they'll be all right with a new showrunner as long as it
isn't Sam Egan.

Those of you interested in the situation should check the Rumor-Bashing
section, where we give you some links and commentary about the whole thing
as well as some news from our anonymous industry sources. It's all very
delicious.

Emma Wall of Stargate-Alpha is interviewing Peter Stebbings (Markus). Got
a question? Since Emma is having some email issues due to a computer
crash, send it to us and we will pass it on for you.

One of our operatives sent us a tip-off about a new ice cream product that
might, of all things, shed some light on Jeremiah plot information. Click
the following link to get to Valhalla Ice Cream's website, which details
the names of the Norse gods and the signification of Valhalla within Norse
mythology. You won't be sorry. (And our operative says that the chocolate
is the best.)
http://www.valhallaicecream.com/

Next issue, we'll have a little crash course in Norse mythology, I
think...

--Channe--


SEASON TWO NEWS
===============

Can you believe it? It is on Showtime's Jeremiah site as well as their
forums so it looks like they could be tired of listening to us complain or
simply that they are not as ignorant as they seem.

"Season 2 of Jeremiah Premieres on Friday, September 19th at 10:00pm
ET/PT. The Pilot Episode for Season 1 of Jeremiah will air immediately
before at 8:30pm ET/PT."

Source: http://www.sho.com/jeremiah/

We don't think it is conflicting with any other show right now since Dead
Like Me (Showtime) looks like it will end at the end of August and Monk
(USA) ends their current season about the same time. The fall season
lineups that have been announced thus far haven't had anything scheduled
for that day and time but not all of the networks have announced their
schedules either.

Anyway, now that the date's announced, we should start seeing promotions
towards the end of August. If you eagle-eyes do see an advertisement, in
print or on TV, drop us a line -- we'd like to see how our much-maligned
stepchild of a show ranks up in advertising importance against its
competition.

****

From our Anonymous Industry source who pulled this from some industry news
site like Variety or Hollywood Reporter.

'Jeremiah' Season Two Set for September

Pay channel Showtime has announced the start date for the long awaited
second season of its drama series "Jeremiah." The network will kick off
its new season on Friday, September 19 at 10:00/9:00c. The news marks the
end of a 14 month drought between seasons for the series. Showtime's
official web site posted the news on Thursday. The network also plans to
air the 90-minute pilot of the series that same night at 8:30/7:30c.
Meanwhile fans of the series can look forward to a DVD release of the
drama. MGM Home Video will reportedly release the series on the format on
January 20 of next year.


JEREMIAH CAST NEWS
==================

Enid-Raye Adams (Gina) has some more photos documenting her time on the
set of Jeremiah at her official site, and this time Jeremiah's looking all
unshaven again.
http://www.enid-rayeadams.com/

****

There is also a new photo of Mister Smith up on Sean Astin's official site
as well as some photos with other Fellowship members from the Lord of the
Rings autograph session:
http://www.seanastin.com/

****

Alex Zahara (Ezekiel) dropped by the B5TV boards to say hello and to also
let us know that his mother made a cameo appearance in the episode
FIREWALL. This is what he had to say:

"My Mom appears in the one with all the flashbacks with the big death
getting into Thunder Mountain, with Michael Rooker guest starring. The
scene is Michael is addressing the people about isolating the Mountain,
and she is a short lady in glasses standing between and slightly behind
the young Markus and his Father."

You can see her in our screen shot of that scene here:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/gfx/covers/jtv/lg/ep/s1/109-lockdown-lg.jpg

If you want to read his posts on the B5TV board and find out what he has
been up to, visit:
http://forums.b5tv.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB11&Number=212583
http://forums.b5tv.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=b5cast&Number=210663

****

Rock band Solarcade, whose lead singer's voice can be heard on Jeremiah's
new opening song, "Looking at Forever," tells us they've been reviewed in
July's issue of the New Music Reporter as giving "hints of Bowie without
the multiple personalities and Coldplay with style." Join their mailing
list at 1348 14th, Santa Monica, CA 90404 and receive a free single.

Bandmember Tony also gave us this delicious snippet:

"Songwriter Tim Truman said that 6 million are watching the reruns right
now."

Since we're not in reruns in the States, we take this to mean that six
million people are watching Jeremiah everywhere else.


SHOWTIME SPEAKS
===============

Or, they don't speak.

Here's a transcript of Monica's conversation, or lack thereof, with
Showtime reps:

Customer (Monica Hubinette) 07/21/2003 03:02 PM
Why are you going to air the season one pilot episode before the season
two premiere? It would make a lot more sense to air the season one two
part finale (Things Left Unsaid) than the pilot as it would make a nicer
transition to season two.

Also, I strongly urge you to re-air the season one episodes. I have a list
of ten episodes that are key to catching anyone up and are the highest
rated episodes on my site.

Thank you!

Response (Tony) 07/22/2003 05:36 AM
JEREMIAH is scheduled to return September 2003.

Title: How many episodes of Soul Food are in a season?
http://showtime.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/showtime.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=75&p_created=1013650134

Title: When do episodes of Street Time air?
http://showtime.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/showtime.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=195&p_created=1024700078

Title: When do episodes of Odyssey-5 air?
http://showtime.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/showtime.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=194&p_created=1024699424

Title: When do episodes of Soul Food air?
http://showtime.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/showtime.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=78&p_created=1013650486

Title: When do episodes of Queer As Folk air?
http://showtime.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/showtime.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=64&p_created=1013560736

Customer (Monica Hubinette) 07/22/2003 06:56 PM
Do you guys ever really read our comments at all or is it some automated
thing that searches for certain keywords? Thanks for not reading my
comment and giving me an answer to something I never asked for plus a
bunch of links which are useless.

Please air the season one season finale instead of the pilot.

Please re-air the entire season one episodes or at least 5-10 key episodes
to catch people up.

It has been over half a year since any Jeremiah episodes aired and there
is a clear series arc that is important to the enjoyment of watching
season two.

Response (Tony) - 07/23/2003 06:23 AM
I am forwarding your email to the programming department, as they should
be aware of the strong viewer support of this show.

****

While highlighting their new upcoming series (including Dead Like Me) in a
short promo, Showtime included a few frames of Luke Perry looking clean,
shaven and skeptical, wearing a button-down shirt. Personally, I prefer
tight leather pants, myself.

Take a look at the screenshot in THE ABYSS Gallery which is mentioned in
the New at the Abyss section below.

****

If you'd like to write to Showtime, here are some addresses:

SHOWTIME
East Coast
Showtime Networks
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 1 212-708-1600
Fax: 1 212-708-1217

Mathew C Blank (Chairman, CEO)
Frank Pintauro (Sr VP, Creative Director, Original Programming)

West Coast
Showtime Networks
10880 Wilshire Blvd. Stes. 1500 & 1600
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone 310-234-5200
Fax: 310-234-5393

Matthew Blank, CEO & Chairman, Showtime Networks
Jerry Offsay, President, Programming, Showtime Networks


RUMORS SQUASHED
===============

The biggest rumor this week isn't really a rumor at all: it's truth. We'd
been wondering for a while why we hadn't been seeing much support for
Jeremiah, and now JMS shed a bit of light on the subject.

"However, even though the article totally misstated the sentence so it
didn't make any sense, the last phrase is correct, in that I have zero
desire to return to a third season of Jeremiah."

This could lead to a number of problems for the apocalyptic drama -- it
could shut down with the departure of its showrunner. We'll have more on
this situation as it develops, but until then, here are some prescient
links and con reports:

Scott's con report on the moderated newsgroups:
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=3F1B3663.6000405%40charter.net

Q & A posted by THE PULSE which JMS said they didn't quite get right:
http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=36&t=001223

This comment is from Lee Whiteside of http://www.sftv.org/ :

"Jeremiah - Straczynski acknowledged DVD and Showtime debut dates. The
info came from the web, not from Showtime. Joe commented on lack of
support from MGM and Showtime (he followed the packed SG-1 panel, which
handed out promo DVDs and some goodie bags and did some giveaways and he
had nothing to hand out...)"

Finally, when we asked Lazlor from the B5TV.com boards about his report at
the convention, he replied:

"Lyta... bad news about Jeremiah... ( I can't believe I forgot to say
this...) IF there is a third season, JMS won't be attached. Seems he's
having a bit o' problems with MGM, which leads him to the 'life's too
short' argument...."

We'll have more on this topic soon.

****

We've heard some neat rumors about Jeremiah coming out on DVD, which is
fantastic for collectors, fans, and those of you who have to watch the show
in, um, slightly less legal ways. Conventional wisdom has the street date at
January 20th, 2004 -- but follow these links and check for yourself:

DVD at Comics Continuum:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0307/16/index.htm

DVD at TV Shows On DVD:
http://tvshowsondvd.com/showinfo.cfm?ShowID=5387

DVD at Futon Critic:
http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/gofuton.cgi?action=newswire&id=6076

****

We got a lovely email from an anonymous source on the Jeremiah set recently
who shall be know as "Alan" for now. He reported being on the set for the last
day of shooting for second season and said:

"Anyway, at lunch, I got to talking to a few of the higher-ups on the show I
normally don't cross paths with, and asked what the prospects for renewal were.
'It doesn't look good' was the answer, so when I read the Vancouver Province's
piece echoing both that sentiment and a few things I'd read elsewhere, I'd
pretty much figured it was toast."

All hope was not lost on him since he heard some positive news about the show
from other people in the industry but couldn't substantiate any of it. However,
he added:

"On the plus side, I did hear that Malcolm Jamal-Warner had sufficient faith
in its renewal to make sure he could have the same cast driver in the fall
that he had this season just past."

He ended his email with a report about his time on Jeremiah which seems to be
a common feeling that people are reporting after working on the set:

"It's a fun show to work on. One of the best I've ever been on. We do long
days in the pouring rain (as any Vancouver shot series must), but most times
the cast and crew's sense of humour remains intact. Sean Astin and Luke Perry
at least can be damn hilarious when they want, and keep it fun."


NEW AT THE ABYSS
================

New gallery photos! If you have any troubles accessing the photos on Enid-Raye
and Sean's site, then you can view them in our gallery. We also included the
glimpse of Jeremiah during Showtime's promotion of their original series as
well:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/gallery/jim.pike?key=new

****

Updated the character photo for Mister Smith with the one we found on Sean Astin's web site:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/cast/main.html#smith

****

Updated air dates for season two even though we only know the premiere date.
If they run the entire season straight through without interruption, then the
season finale will be sometime around the end of December 2003:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s2.html

****

The military bears are still on sale in our CafePress shop:

"Big J Logo" Military Bear (Save $4!)
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/shop/gfx/covers/jtv/shop/5511203.jpg
http://www.cafeshops.com/cp/prod.aspx?p=abyss_logos.5511203

****

In other ABYSS web site news, we have recently moved the comics section from
the B5 area to it's own top level section since it was really getting to be
more about JMS than Babylon 5:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/comics/

We also took the time to convert our other two sections into THE ABYSS' new
design so it is all one big happy family now. If you like Toad the Wet
Sprocket and Banana Yoshimoto like I do, then please visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/toad/
http://abyss.hubbe.net/banana/


WIN SOMETHING AT THE ABYSS
==========================

There are only a few days left in our promotion and we are happy to report
that we will be giving away at least four of the potential 12-14 prizes that
we had reserved. We really wouldn't mind giving them all away and entering is
quite easy to do. Let Monica know if you are having any problems!

1. Register (http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/profile.php?mode=register) or
log in (http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/login.php) to our forums.
2. Post on our forums (http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/) at least once between
June.15.2003 and Jul.31.2003

For more details and images of the prizes, please visit our Jeremiah
Promotions page:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/excl/promos.html


MEDIAWATCH
==========

Up for conventions? London's Alternate Universe convention, going live
November 14-16, boasts Jeremiah actor J.R. Bourne. Con director Kezia tells
us that she'll be hosting an auction there, which will include promotionals,
signed props and scripts, and other goodies. Head off to this link for more
information:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/L3conventions/

****

Dragon*Con 2003 is America's largest annual convention for fans of science
fiction, fantasy and horror, comics and art, games and computers, animation,
science, music, television and films, will be held Friday through Monday,
August 29th - Sept. 1st, 2003 in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Here are just some of the Babylon 5 and Jeremiah guests attending:

Bruce Boxleitner (Sheridan)
Julie Caitlin Brown (Na'Toth)
Peter David (writer)
Mira Furlan (Delenn)
Stephen Furst (Vir Cotto)
Walter Koenig (Bester)
Bill Mumy (Lennier)
Luke Perry (Jeremiah)
Peter Woodward (Galen)

For more information, visit:
http://www.dragoncon.org/

****

Jul.2.2003
Jeremiah Mention in MGM's Newsletter

We just got MGM's newsletter in our Inbox and there was finally a little blurb
about our favorite show. It still doesn't say anything specific but there was
a link to their official site. The only thing that looks new is the front page
which is now sporting photos of Jeremiah, Smith and Kurdy.

"'Jeremiah' returns this summer for its second season on Showtime. Luke Perry
and Malcolm-Jamal Warner star as two drifters living in a post-apocalyptic
world. Joining the cast for the new season is Sean Astin ('The Lord of the
Rings') playing Mr. Smith, a man with a very unique gift."

Click here for the official site:
http://newsletter.mgm.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eRck0D8rlk0G4S0rIo0AC


****

In joyful, happy, and generally jubilant domestic news -- "From The Valhalla
Sector" received Website Of The Month status from the MGM Sci-Fi Newsletter.
To see for yourself, visit their Top Picks page:

http://www.mgm.com/scifi/03june/toppicks.html

Many thanks to our loyal readers who must have put a good word in for us.

****

TV Zone Issue #164
Summer 2003
http://www.visimag.com/tvzone/t164_display.htm

Babylon 5: Creator J Michael Straczynski concludes his look at Season Two.

****

TV Zone Issue #163
June 2003
Order Page (USA):
http://www.visimag.com/acatalog/VI_DIRECT_Catalog_TV_Zone_2003_162.html#aT163
Order Page (UK):
http://www.visimag.com/uk/acatalog/VI_Direct_Catalogue_TV_Zone_2003_163.html#aT163

Babylon 5: Creator J Michael Straczynski continues to tell us in his own words
about the series, now moving on to Season Two.

****

Cult Times Issue #92
May 2003
http://www.visimag.com/culttimes/c92_display.htm

Jeremiah
Luke who's in this issue! Yes, Jeremiah himself, Luke Perry, stops his
wanderings for a few moments in order to provide some tantalizing hints about
what's in store in the second season of the post-apocalyptic drama.


JMS SPEAKS
==========

Monica has archived many of JMS' older, more mysterious posts about Jeremiah.
If anyone's interested in those posts and the discussion around them, join in
here:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?t=280

Also, there are some lengthy and somewhat heated discussions with JMS about
copyright, TV writing, Crusade, a touching story about a kitten, comics, B5
DVDs, Comic-Con and more over at JMS News:
http://www.jmsnews.com/

****

Jul.25.2003
-----------
A couple of purely selfish questions, if I may... Did MGM's intrusiveness
affect the Jeremiah story the way that TNT tried to affect Crusade?

No, but not through lack of trying.

Did/does/will the second season end with a cliffhanger?

Yes and no.

Why, when they've got somebody who's proven that he can tell a whopping good
story _and_ handle their money responsibly, can't the studios just leave him
alone to *do* it???

It's not something I understand either.

Jul.25.2003
-----------
Joe, could there even *be* a third season of "Jeremiah" without you? I don't
know how this works--i.e., whether MGM owns the show and could conceivably
bring in someone else to keep it going.

Sure, they could definitely do so. At the end of their day, it's their show,
and if there should be a season three, they would have no choice but to bring
someone else in.

As an aside...none of this should be taken as a diss of the coming season. I
honestly think that the second season is miles better than our first season.
It's more consistent, takes more chances, it's really a very strong season.

Thing of it is, you look at the quality of the work, and the amount of blood
on the floor in getting to that point, and have to decide if the one is worth
the other. The process is hard enough without others making it even harder
than it has to be.

And there we are.

Jul.24.2003
-----------
There was a lot in that article on the Pulse that was really badly reported,
things were misphrased, two different sentences were put into one, sections
are wholly incomprehensible...it's just a train wreck of a piece.

However, even though the article totally misstated the sentence so it didn't
make any sense, the last phrase is correct, in that I have zero desire to
return to a third season of Jeremiah. Showtime was great, no mistake, but MGM
has overall been the most heinous, difficult and intrusive studio I've ever
worked for. I've worked for, and had great relations with, Viacom, Universal,
Warner Bros., and a bunch more. But I will never, ever, work for the present
administration at MGM.

I didn't know why so many other writers had a problem there and never wanted
to go back. Now I do.

Jul.24.2003
-----------
OK, it looks like B5 is gonna go the distance(all 5 seasons) on DVD, crusade
is still in "being considered" limbo, and rumors are flying thick & fast on
Jeremiah.

It's my understanding that if the sales continue as they have for B5, they
will indeed release Crusade on DVD.

I read on the net -- was never informed by MGM -- that Jeremiah will be coming
to DVD in January or February of next year, and season 2 begins September 19th
on Showtime.

Jun.27.2003
-----------
I was wondering how TV shows do the writing/planning for the next season.

Ninety-percent or so of all TV shows work season to season, with a general
sense of where it might go if the show should be renewed. You keep it at arm's
length for the same reason you don't name a baby seal until you know it's
gonna live.


COMING ATTRACTIONS
==================

USA: Showtime
-------------
We don't see any episodes airing on Showtime's main channel or SHOWTIME BEYOND
for either July or August.

For more information, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/sch_us.html

CANADA: Adrenaline Drive
------------------------
It does not look like Adrenaline Drive will be repeating Jeremiah after the
season one finale on Jul.7.2003.

For more information, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/sch_ca.html#ad

CANADA: The Movie Network
-------------------------
These guys are really showing the heck out of Jeremiah by airing it multiple
times a week. Also, it looks like they might be wrapping up season one early
so they can be ready to premiere season two in September!

Jul.28.2003 @ 9:00 PM (ET)
#10: Journeys End in Lovers Meeting

Aug.4.2003 @ 9:00 PM (ET)
#17: Out of the Ashes

Aug.11.2003 @ 9:00 PM (ET)
#18: A Means to an End

Aug.18.2003 @ 9:00 PM (ET)
#19: Things Left Unsaid (Part 1)

Aug.25.2003 @ 9:00 PM (ET)
#20: Things Left Unsaid (Part 2)

For more information, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/sch_ca.html#tmn

FRANCE: CineFaz
---------------
Tom Hobbes from B5TV told us that there are no repeats on CineFaz' schedule
after the season one finale.

For more information, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/sch_fr.html

NEW ZEALAND: Sky Network
------------------------
It does not look like Sky Network will be repeating Jeremiah after the season
one finale on Mar.23.2003.

For more information, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/sch_nz.html

UNITED KINGDOM: Sky One
-----------------------
It does not look like Sky One will be repeating Jeremiah after the season one
finale on May.10.2003. We highly encourage you to contact SkyOne to let them
know that enjoy watching this series and please inform them that season two is
going to air in the States on September 19th, 2003.

There is still no word on when season two will air in the UK but let us know
if you hear anything!

For more information, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/sch_uk.html

SOUTH AFRICA: SABC3
-------------------
We don't have this schedule confirmed after June 20th so if you can confirm it
for us, do drop us a line. The season one finale should have aired recently so
let us know what you think!

For more information, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/sch_za.html

ISRAEL: ICP Channel 3
---------------------
You guys are in the home stretch for the best episodes of season one!

Jul.26.2003 @ 11:30 PM (IDT)
#14: Tripwire

Aug.2.2003 @ 11:30 PM (IDT)
#15: Ring of Truth

Aug.9.2003 @ 11:30 PM (IDT)
#16: Moon in Gemini

Aug.16.2003 @ 11:30 PM (IDT)
#17: Out of the Ashes

Aug.23.2003 @ 11:30 PM (IDT)
#18: A Means to an End

Aug.30.2003 @ 11:30 PM (IDT)
#19: Things Left Unsaid (Part 1)

Sep.6.2003 @ 11:30 PM (IDT)
#20: Things Left Unsaid (Part 2)

For more information, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/sch_il.html


CONCLUSION
==========

I just wanted to thank everyone who inquired about my health and sent me many
warm wishes on my recovery. I am doing much better now and life will return to
a somewhat normal state soon. It will be a long road to full recovery but I am
on the downward climb.

Also, thank you to everyone who gave us feedback and comments on the
newsletter. It really is appreciated and helps us improve future ones!

Monica & Channe
---------------

To reach Monica, ABYSS guru and all-around fantastic gal, write to
abyss@...

Newsletter editor Channe, who is not worthy to tie her sandals but you can
write to her channethewriter@...