To view this newsletter in HTML, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?t=651

FROM THE VALHALLA SECTOR
Issue 26 - Jan 11, 2004
========================

1. Webmistress' Corner
2. Season Two News
3. Season One News
4. Jeremiah Cast News
5. For Sale At The Abyss
6. New At The Abyss
7. Mediawatch
8. JMS Speaks
9. Coming Attractions
10. Conclusion


WEBMISTRESS' CORNER
===================

Gosh, it has been a while since I sent out a full-fledged newsletter!
Sorry it has been so long in coming but things have been quite hectic
since we last spoke about all things Jeremiah.

As you probably know, we started a campaign to let the executives of
Showtime, MGM and Platinum Studios know how we feel about the show and
that we want it to continue with the high quality production we have all
come to love. I want to thank everyone who sent in an email, letter or
phone call as they have all made a difference. We did create quite the
buzz around the studios so I hope it was enough to actually get them to do
anything about it. Also, check out some of the winners announced below who
won something in our promotion to help generate buzz.

We have also been heavily involved with the new Jeremiah Portal that has
finally been released. They are looking for feedback and comments before
their official launch in February 2004 so read the MEDIAWATCH section
below for more information.

I don't have any news about when the rest of season two will air on
Showtime but the rumors have been saying "March 2004", "early 2004" and
"summer 2004" so who knows when it will actually be. Keep those letters
and emails coming and maybe we can pressure them into announcing a date
soon.

Okay, enough from me tonight so go on and enjoy the rest of this
newsletter!

--Monica--


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

Showtime keeps saying there will be "more new JEREMIAH episodes coming in
2004" and to "stay tuned for details" but the details have not been
forthcoming.

The folks over at the SciFi2k's web site reports this bit of information:

> Looks like Showtime will broadcast the remaining Jeremiah Season Two
> episodes beginning sometime in March 2004.

http://scifi2k.com/anews2187.html
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?p=15001#15001

Scott Rosenberg was quoted saying the following:

> According to Platinum Studios' Scott Rosenberg, Showtime will be airing
> another eight episodes of Jeremiah early next year.

http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/3984.html
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?p=15281#15281

Finally, Comics Continuum had this to say about the final season two
episodes:

> A representative of Showtime told The Continuum that the remaining
> episodes of Jeremiah will air "mid-2004."

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0312/23/
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?p=15697#15697

****

For those of you in the UK, there is some good news that SkyOne has
aquired the rights to air season two of Jeremiah. See the MEDIAWATCH
section for the full story but do email them or give them a call to make
sure they know people want to see it and when they will air the show.

****

Finally, more good news for any German folks out there waiting to see
Jeremiah -- you don't have to wait any longer! It premiered Friday,
Jan.9.2004 on Premiere in both dubbed and English versions. See the COMING
ATTRACTIONS section for more information.

http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?t=586


SEASON ONE NEWS
===============

We don't know what happened but the Canadian channel, Global, stopped
airing season one of Jeremiah after only half of the season was shown.
When people have contacted them to find out what was going on, they have
only gotten fairly vauge replies. Let us know if you find out any
information as well.

http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?p=15445#15445

****

More good news for the UK viewers as Channel 5 has recently aquired the
rights to air season one of Jeremiah. We have heard this from a number of
sources and if you want more information visit the thread on our forums
with all the nitty gritty details:

http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?t=550


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

Sean Astin (who plays Mister Smith) was recently nominated for Best
Supporting Actor in "LOTR: Return of the King" in the Online Film Critics
Society 2003 awards. Way to go Sean and good luck!

> Leading the way with 11 nominations is The Lord of the Rings: The Return
> of the King. Peter Jackson's epic treatment of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy
> received nods including Best Picture, Director and Adapted Screenplay.
> Both Sean Astin and Andy Serkis received recognition for Best Supporting
> Actor.

http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com/pages/awards/2003nominees

****

If you like Ingrid Kavelaars (plays Erin in Jeremiah) her last show that
she starred in is currently airing on a SciFi channel near you! It
premiered on Friday Jan.9.2004 so we hope you caught it. Set your
recording devices to check it out and we will be doing so as well.

> CODE NAME: ETERNITY (Sci Fi) - The cable channel has purchased all 26
> episodes of the short-lived U.K. series which tells the story of an alien
> creature that takes on human form in order to catch a rogue alien. Jeff
> King created the series, which originally ran in 2000 in the U.K. Dimitri
> Logothetis, James Margellos and Peter Mohan were the executive producers.

Source:
http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/gofuton.cgi?action=newswire&id=6266

For more information, visit:
http://www.scifi.com/eternity/
http://www.warnerbros.co.uk/television/codename_eternity/

****

Also, according to Ingrid's web site she was in Los Angeles recently,
filming her guest star on "The Handler", staring Joe Pantoliano.

The episode aired Friday Nov. 14th on CBS at 10pm ET/PT.

http://www.ingridkavelaars.com/links.html
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/fall_preview_2003/shows/handler.shtml

****

> Luke Perry To Star in Stage Version of 'When Harry Met Sally'
>
> TV hunk Luke Perry is stepping into Billy Crystal's shoes by starring in
> the stage version of hit movie When Harry Met Sally next year. The Beverly
> Hills, 90210 star will make his debut on London's West End stage when the
> play opens at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on February 20. Theatre bosses
> have yet to cast the role of Sally because they're holding out for the
> perfect girl. Producer James Tod says, "The chemistry is so important."
> The play is based on director Rob Reiner's hit 1989 film, which stars
> Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as a couple whose on/off friendship eventually
> materializes into love.

http://www.imdb.com/PeopleNews/2003/20031202
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?t=602

****

> "Theo" and "George" To Team Up
>
> Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Jason Alexander will play co-anchors on a
> cable-TV sports show in an upcoming comedy pilot for CBS, the Hollywood
> Reporter reported today (Friday).

http://us.imdb.com/SB?20031121#11


FOR SALE AT THE ABYSS
=====================

As you probably know, every sale from our web site shows your support and
helps keep it afloat. If you like the site and find it helpful in some
way, please consider purchasing something. Here are a few items that we
would like to recommend:

Jeremiah - Season 1 - DVD set
Released: Jan.20.2004

A stunning sci-fi epic that re-envisions the future of mankind, this
top-rated, action-packed original series is intriguing, fascinating and
deep and intense... Luke Perry stars as Jeremiah, one of the many young
survivors of the Big Death that claimed the lives of every adult in the
world 15 years ago. Now forging his way through a bleak wilderness fraught
with danger and conspiracy, Jeremiah and his most trusted friend, Kurdy
(Malcolm-Jamal Warner), are plunged into thrilling adventures that test
every facet of their humanity... and ultimately the fate of the human race
itself!

For more information including special feature details, a press release,
high resolution photos and more, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/shop/boxed.html

****

Jeremiah: Mercenaries (Vol. 2)
Author: Hermann Huppen -- Published: Dec 2003 -- Format: Hardcover TPB

"Jeremiah" is the first European graphic novel series to be turned into a
live action television series in the U.S. (for Showtime, starring Luke
Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner). Created by SAF's Belgian author Hermann,
"Jeremiah" has sold millions of copies in 24 languages since its inception
in 1976.

In this book, Mercenaries, Jeremiah and his pal Kurdy run into Angus
Greenspoon in a resurrected miners' town. But what are the miners after,
and who exactly is Angus Greenspoon? Julius may hold the key to the
mystery, but there's also a government agent, who is not yet fully
corrupt, to take into account... (48 pages, Full Color, 8.75" x 11.75")

For more information, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/shop/jeremiah.html#merc
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?t=191


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

There have been so many changes to the web site recently that it is going
to be hard to list them all. We will do our best to highlight the most
important changes but you will just have to visit us and see for
yourselves what is new.

****

There is a new style available on our forum that we made especially for
the Portal site which is a more streamlined version with colors that
compliment their site but hopefully, it still fits in with all the
graphics and smilies we use at THE ABYSS.

You can preview the template:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/index.php?s=Portal

To switch back to the default template after previewing:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/index.php?s=Abyss

You can also switch over to the new template as your default one by
selecting the "Portal" style in your profile:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/profile.php?mode=editprofile

****

New episode guide pages added and updated with new photos, questions
raised, episode quotes, JMS speaks and more:

2x01: "Letters from the Other Side (Part 1)"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s2/01.html

2x02: "Letters from the Other Side (Part 2)"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s2/02.html

2x03: "Strange Attractors"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s2/03.html

2x04: "Deus Ex Machina"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s2/04.html

2x05: "Rites of Passage"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s2/05.html

2x06: "The Mysterious Mister Smith"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s2/06.html

2x07: "Voices in the Dark"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s2/07.html

2x08: "Crossing Jordan"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s2/08.html

2x09: "Running on Empty"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s2/09.html

1x01 & 1x02: "The Long Road"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s1/00.html

1x03: "Man of Iron, Woman Under Glass"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s1/03.html

1x05: "To Sail Beyond the Stars"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s1/05.html

1x12: "The Touch"
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/s1/12.html


MEDIAWATCH
==========

You may have seen us talk about this before but it was in the making for
quite a number of months and then Monica got involved with helping out
with their content, images and becoming their official message board as
well. Check out the site before their official launch in February 2004 and
let them know what you think. This is a site for the fans so take
ownership!

http://www.jeremiahportal.com/

Also, if you are located outside the USA then you can help them be the
liason for the country you live in. You can help out with news,
translations, contests and more. As a reward, you will have exclusive
access to more Jeremiah content and other materials they choose to
distrubute first. Send us an email if you are interested and we will add
you to our list.

For more information and to discuss it on our forums, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?t=521

****

In addition to the Jeremiah Portal, the head of Platinum Studios, Scott
Mitchell Rosenberg, sent us a holiday card from his family that he posted
online. It was a lot of fun and nice to "meet" the Rosenberg family too.
In case you missed the link on the portal site, here is the link:

http://www.jeremiahportal.com/holiday_card_2003.php

****

Ryan McLelland who is helping out with the Jeremiah Portal wrote up this
little article about it and Jeremiah.

> I would say the greatest aspect of having this portal is that it is here
> for the fans of the show and that the fans. opinions truly matter here. If
> the fans desire something all they need to do is ask and those requests
> fall upon the ears of those who might be able to give them what they want:
> the producers.

http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?threadid=24727

****

Here is some news from the Oct/Nov issue of Cinescape which has been
posted on Platinum Studio's web site:

> While the future of the series itself is uncertain beyond this upcoming
> season, Rosenberg definitely has long-term goals in mind for Jeremiah and
> his world. In fact, if Rosenberg has his way, you could soon see a
> Jeremiah-based film in your local cineplex one day.
>
> "I want a feature to happen," says Rosenberg, who remains cagey about the
> plot for the possible movie but assures us that it would please fans as
> well as leaving the door open for newcomers to enjoy the film without any
> back-story. "I just have to make this happen."
>
> If fans of the series find themselves enthralled by season 2, they may
> help Rosenberg bring his vision to the big screen after all.

http://platinumstudios.com/press/press.php?press_number=101103
http://platinumstudios.com/images/press/cinescape1003.jpg
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?t=555

****

Frank Garcia sent us the link to his interview with Mr. Astin. It really
is a great interview and here is an excerpt to get you started:

> Yes, I'm having a really, really good time, I'd say this is the most fun
> time I've had in my career, in the post-Two-Towers, present-Jeremiah ...
> along with my wife and kids. I mean, my life is really, knock on wood, is
> really going well, and I'm enjoying it, and I'm really enjoying the
> professional experience. I'm really inspired by all the Canadian crew that
> I'm working with, and giving myself over completely to Joe Straczynski and
> his imaginative genius is easy to do, and the pace of television I find
> compelling.

Read the whole interview:
http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue342/interview2.html

Comments and disscusion:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?t=560

****

There is a comic book that will be based off the TV series according to
the press release issued on Nov.8.2003:

> Astin and Rosenberg also discussed scenes for an upcoming Jeremiah comic
> book featuring Astin's "Mister Smith" character, slated for national
> publication in early 2004. Astin is also very enthusiastic about his
> popular Mister Smith character being a part of Platinum's upcoming 50
> episode comic book (which will debut in February 2004 as a weekly strip on
> the web, then collected in print after each year's run.) "That's cool--I'm
> into being in the comic book and figuring out where my character should
> go. There are some interesting surprises coming", said Astin. "I think
> this will be Sean's first time acting on a comic book page," said
> Rosenberg. "Rather than specifically adapting the television episodes, the
> stories will be all new and bring new depth to the characters and world,
> as well as a planned springboard for an expansion of the world into text
> fiction, video games, television and features."

Read the press release:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/excl/pr-110803.txt

Comments and discussion:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?t=554

****

There have been a few articles in MGM's Sci-Fi Newsletter recently but
neither of them have much to say and it's apparent that they really don't
know what is going on. First, the November article talks about the second
season after the early "finale" aired and the December article talks about
Sean Astin being added to the cast. Well, duh.

http://www.mgm.com/scifi/03nov/jeremiah.html
http://www.mgm.com/scifi/03dec/sean.html

****

Here is a news story that is reporting that Jeremiah's season two will be
coming to the UK on the SkyOne channel:

> other acquisitions for BSkyB's flagship entertainment channel Sky1 include
> the second season of the comedy Dead Like Me, the eighth season of
> Stargate SG-1 and the second season of Luke Perry vehicle, Jeremiah.

http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=1&article=18481
http://abyss.hubbe.net/echo/viewtopic.php?t=550

****

Sean Astin tells TV Guide Online about his upcoming role in the Adam
Sandler-Drew Barrymore's comedy "50 First Dates" which is due out in
February.

http://www.tvguide.com/news/insider/040102c.asp

****

If you haven't checked out this web site, we recommend you do so.

The Thunder Mountain Files
--------------------------
This is a great start to a wonderful site that has taken an in-depth look
at each of the episodes from season one. They are working on doing the
same thing for season two so stay tuned. For each episode, it covers a
brief premise, the full credits, background information, characters,
quotes, references to the world today, notes, nitpicks and what the site
owner, Pete, thinks as well as a rating.

http://www.petergaley.com/tmf/

****

A new community has been created over at Live Journal and there are quite
a few interesting news bits and discussions going on over there:

http://www.livejournal.com/community/valhalla_sector/

****

Are you interested in Jeremiah fan fiction or more specifically -- Mister
Smith fan fiction? Well, there is a new web site dedicated to the subject
so head off and read it now:

http://caralil.slashdom.com/smithfic.html

****

Jim on the Web - Jeremiah
-------------------------
An even better source for the original comic book art as well as
translated titles and summaries from the German translation of this comic
series.

http://jim-on-the-web.bravepages.com/en/timeoff/comics/comic_j.html


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

Oct.31.2003
-----------
"JOE HELP.....LET US KNOW IF THESE RUMORS ARE TRUE ABOUT JEREMIAH GOING
OFF THE AIR AFTER EPISODE SEVEN????"

This is the first I've heard of it. But there's a message floating around
from Scott Rosenberg confirming it, that the 15 eps have been broken up in
half, with 7 through November 7th, and the rest picking up early (I'm
guessing January) 2004.

I haven't been told this by anyone directly (hardly surprising), but my
*guess* would be that they're moving them out of the holiday season
(Thanksgiving through Christmas). TV viewership goes way down during late
November through January 1, and cable goes down even more. So if I had to
hazard a guess at their reasoning, they're probably acting to protect
their investment, rather than air the show at a time when nobody is
watching, which would kill the ratings and the show.

Nov.11.2003
-----------
"He obviously had very bad feelings about how MGM was trying to change the
show, and with JMS gone, surely they WILL change the show however they
please. (And if JMS didn't like the notes they were giving him, I suspect
I will not like them either.)"

To be fair, there is truth to that. There's no question, to my mind, that
if a S3 is commissioned, they will put in someone more compliant with
notes and their preferred direction for the show, as they did with Dead
Like Me, which is why the second half of the season looks very different
from the first half. They took out one show runner, and put in another who
would do things as directed.

Dec.13.2003
-----------
1) For those who follow my prose stuff...I've written a new short story,
The Salvation of Lyman Terrell," which will be made available for reading for
free on amazon.com in the next few weeks (I'll try to remember to let
folks know when it goes up) as part of a series of such bonuses they're
offering to customers.

Dec.14.2003
-----------
"When a showrunner leaves, I assume that said shows owners hold all the
rights to any outlines/arcs/etc.. you may have provided to them or written
during your employment with them."

Yes and no. They own what they pay for, meaning scripts and, if
commissiond, a bible. Generally they don't pay for notes, memos, sketches,
that sort of thing...though on the other hand, one could make the argument
that it's all done during the term of employment. I don't know if this has
ever been tested. Either way, if they were to base a story on one's notes,
there would have to be separate story payments per WGA.

"And so do they have any info in regards to where you wanted to take the
show after season 2?"

No. Studios are remarkably short-sighted as a rule; they only want to see
what's in the pipeline for that season. In the case of Jeremiah, I did not
write any notes for after season 2, which is actually pretty much pro
forma, B5 being the exception to the rule. You have it in your head, but
that's it.

"Regardless of what's been left behind for them to try to work with, would
you have any interest or desire in letting the new showrunners in on any
of your ideas?"

No. Nor would I think they would want them. MGM would take the show in a
vastly different direction, such that any thoughts I would have had would
no longer apply.

Emblematic of some of the studio's notions is a call made by the studio to
my casting director, stating -- of the paucity of babes -- "I don't care
if she can act, I want her cute."

"Would you consider being hired on as a consultant to the show if asked?"

If there were a third season, the studio would have to pay me a
consultancy fee but there would be no requirement to actually consult.

Dec.15.2003
-----------
"Another Charlie Brown moment: Oh Good Grief! Isn't there some kind of
protocol, though, who the studio should be making calls to/giving notes?
I'd've thought that sort of direction should only be given to the Producer
level at the lowest?"

Yup. Therein lay the silhouette of the problem.

"Ignorant question here: Why? [regarding consulting on Jeremiah]"

A very well written contract.

"Must say, Joe, that this second season is just wonderful."

Thanks, I think it came out really well.

Jan.4.2004
----------
The short story I mentioned, "The Salvation of Lyman Terrell," is online
now at:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?P22812F07

One small problem...for whatever reason it came through the formatting
without breaks between sections to accommodate time or location changes,
so that can be confusing. Other than that, enjoy.


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

USA: Showtime
-------------
Encore showings of the first 7 episodes in season two are currently airing
on SHOWTIME BEYOND.

Jan.17.2004 @ 9:00 PM (ET/PT)
S2 #3: Strange Attractors

Jan.24.2004 @ 9:00 PM (ET/PT)
S2 #4: Deus Ex Machina

Jan.31.2004 @ 9:00 PM (ET/PT)
S2 #5: Rites of Passage

Feb.7.2004 @ 9:00 PM (ET/PT)
S2 #6: The Mysterious Mister Smith

Feb.14.2004 @ 9:00 PM (ET/PT)
S2 #7: Voices in the Dark

Feb.21.2004 @ 9:00 PM (ET/PT)
S2 #1: Letters from the Other Side (Part 1)

Feb.28.2004 @ 9:00 PM (ET/PT)
S2 #2: Letters from the Other Side (Part 2)

For more information, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/index.html#s2
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/sch_us.html


CANADA: Global Network
----------------------
They only aired half of season one and stopped airing the rest
inexplicably.

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


CANADA: Movie Central
---------------------
Season two airs on Monday's at 8:00pm (MT) with repeats on Tuesday's at
4:00am (MT). Look for more repeats every Thursday at 10:00pm (MT) on
Adrenaline Drive too.

Jan.12.2004 @ 8:00 PM (MT)
S2 #14: Interregnum (Part 2)

Jan.26.2004 @ 2:45 PM (ET)
S2 #1: Letters from the Other Side (Part 1)

Feb.2.2004 @ 8:00 PM (ET)
S2 #2: Letters from the Other Side (Part 2)

Feb.9.2004 @ 8:00 AM (ET)
S2 #3: Strange Attractors

Feb.16.2004 @ 8:00 PM (ET)
S2 #4: Deus Ex Machina

Feb.23.2004 @ 8:00 PM (ET)
S2 #5: Rites of Passage

For more information, visit:
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/eps/sch_ca.html#tmn2


GERMANY: Premiere
-----------------
Episodes air every Sunday at 7:15pm with reruns every Sunday, Wednesday
and Saturday as well.

Jan.11.2004 @ 7:15 PM (CET)
S1 #3: Man of Iron, Woman Under Glass

Jan.18.2004 @ 7:15 PM (CET)
S1 #4: ... And the Ground, Sown With Salt

Jan.25.2004 @ 7:15 PM (CET)
S1 #5: To Sail Beyond the Stars

Feb.1.2004 @ 7:15 PM (CET)
S1 #6: The Bag

Feb.8.2004 @ 7:15 PM (CET)
S1 #7: City of Roses

Feb.15.2004 @ 7:15 PM (CET)
S1 #8: Firewall

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


CONCLUSION
==========

In case you are wondering why we have been so far behind in updating the
site and sending out news bulletins -- it is because we have been both so
very busy. Channe as always is working hard and moved recently while
Monica has been involved with the Buzz Campaign, the holidays and working
more hours than any human should. Things should hopefully be getting
better so hang in there and do let us know if we are lagging behind too
much. Sometimes we just need a reminder since our to do lists are getting
quite lengthy.

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

To reach Monica, ABYSS slave and lover of all things Jeremiah, email
abyss@...

Newsletter editor Channe should really be called SuperChanne and email her
at channethewriter@...