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Orlando MegaCon Comic Book Convention: Notes from Convention he

© Robert Smithers

Excert form the talk by J. Micheal Stryvinski (Joe), author and executive producer of Babylon 5

Micheal spent about an hour on stage at Megacon, but the actual time he spent talking and asking questions were very short. Micheal spent about 30 minutes expalining what happened to him (a joke played by B5 cast members at another convention), and how, months later, he got back at these cast members through an elabotate "pseudo-script" that he gave to these same cast members and convinced him the scrit was the real thing. Three people from the audience were selected to read the script as Micheal narrated the story of the practial joke played on him, and how he felt, and about the pseudo-script (Micheal "I'm a busy man I don't have time to write scripts we aren't gioing to use on the show.") and how the cast felt about the pseudo-script. This gag is very elaborate and for the sake of brevity, and maintaining a "G" rating, I will pass on the descritption. This is a gag that is very dark-humoruous in going through it, but does not translate well into a retelling.

Micheal spend another 15 - 20 minutes showing a blooper reels (definitley R-reated) and in his remainining few minutes took questions form the audience.

Micheal.... [This is the 4th season of B5] Babylon 5 was originally intended as a 5 season series. Warner is punching the numbers on wether to do a fifth year or not. [Some of the large market TV stations are unsure of whether or not to carry it, or if they make morte money with local programing] Some comments received for these station include 'Babylon 5, no one watchs that, do they?'

Audience question.. What's next for Babylon 5 [storyline]

Micheal... The later half of this season will be more intense than the first half. [Currently] I will leave out story elements that continue [into year 5] and attached scenes to go for an ending in year 4. I am also spending time writing for year 5.

Audience question... Is that jacket available?

Micheal... {Walking through the audience displaying a beautiful black jacket with 'Babylon 5' written on the back} Who wants a B5 jacket? [everyone in audience raises hand] Well... you CAN'T have one. I'm not particularily big on merchadising. We do have coming out some Fleer cards.

Audience questoion... Harlan Ellison is listed as a consultant on this show. What does he do?