JMS Promise?

[Delenn_of_Mir]

I read a post on the Zocolo FB page where someone mentioned JMS keeping a promise in his Panel on Friday. And I thought the poster said it was a B5 promise, but of course I may have been hallucinating.

Can anyone confirm that JMS has something B5 related to say?

Also has he ever made any promises regarding the show that anyone can remember?

Could the news have something to do with the behind the scenes picture book?

[Jan]

This is what the schedule says:

J. Michael Straczynski: A Special Babylon 5 Panel
Friday: 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Location: 121ABC

JMS asks all Babylon 5 fans to attend this panel to help him keep a very important promise he made nineteen years ago. He can't say anything else other than this one is really kind of important and that you should be there.

No telling what this is about but the tone of the request makes it sound rather serious. Anybody who's followed JMS for a long time knows that he takes promises *very* seriously. I've seen JMS post that there were big announcements before but nothing like this at all.

Jan

[Ubik]

This is what the schedule says:

No telling what this is about but the tone of the request makes it sound rather serious. Anybody who's followed JMS for a long time knows that he takes promises *very* seriously. I've seen JMS post that there were big announcements before but nothing like this at all.

Jan

Very interesting! I have just about zero inclination as to what that announcement might be. More B5 seems unlikely. B5 Blu Rays definitely isnÆt going to happen.

Hmm, anyone care to hazard a guess? If itÆs a promise made long ago, I guess it might relate to B5 as a whole?

Guess weÆll have to wait and see.

[Looney]

Seriously people . . . .

Now I am supposed to deal with the fact that by not going to Phoenix I'M letting JMS down. COME ON! Seriously, I can't make it. Please stop rubbing it in. This isn't fair! Now, who is going to call me and hold up their phone so I can hear what he is going to say to about this promise?

[NotSoWize]

I've seen some speculation that it has to do with Michael O'Hare's departure from the series based on the "19 years" and Mr. O'Hare's recent passing.

I believe JMS made a statement regarding this panel that it does NOT have anything to do with new B5 projects.

[Delenn_of_Mir]

I am 99.9% sure that B5 is dead, so don't expect any new stories from that universe ever ......


But I'm still very curious, esp since JMS' announcement seems important to him.

Can't make it to the con, of course, but I'm sure somebody somewhere will mention what he says. I was just curious if anyone could remember him making a B5 related promise that he hadn't met yet, but since no one seems to remember it must be something pretty obscure.

Hmmmmm something to do with Michael O'Hare?

Ideas:

1. some kind of memorial about Sinclaire


2. A new comic or novel about his character

(We already have City of Sorrows telling his story - and I'm not sure JMS is allowed to tell any new B5 stories anyway unless he writes a fanfiction and doesn't sell it - maybe he asks for donations to a charity supported by Michael O'Hare or to donate to his family? Do they have fanfic comic books?

I know there is a lovely little booklet about G'Kar and Stephen, so maybe something like that could be done.

2. A behind the scenes book about the actor

3. Selling something to give to a charity in Michael O'Hares name

Can't think of anything else at the moment ........

[Jan]

JMS can't write anything in the B5 universe (except a feature film) without Warner Bros. permission - whether he sells it or not.

I'm not even going to speculate. It seems to be important to JMS and I'm sure we'll be reporting back after the panel.

Jan

[Looney]

It is nice to have something to speculate about. I hope it is some sort of nice tribute to Michael O'Hare.

[Jan]

Lee has said that there will be a tribute to all of the departed cast at the big reunion panel. Particularly nice since that's the one being filmed.

Jan

[sftv]

This is a panel Joe specifically asked to be scheduled. I hope I can get away from things to be there.

Lee

[JoeD80]

I've seen some speculation that it has to do with Michael O'Hare's departure from the series based on the "19 years" and Mr. O'Hare's recent passing.

Hmmmmm something to do with Michael O'Hare?

Not sure what more he'd say about Michael that he hasn't said many many times before.

[Sinclair's Fan]

I don't suppose someone's taking a mobile digital device with them? That way they can post HERE what's happening as soon as 'the cat is out of the bag' for those of us who simply can't make it to the actual event....

[Ubik]

I don't suppose someone's taking a mobile digital device with them? That way they can post HERE what's happening as soon as 'the cat is out of the bag' for those of us who simply can't make it to the actual event....

'As it happens' updates would definitely be gratefully received!

[Jan]

With all the best intentions in the world, I don't want to give y'all any hope of 'as it happens'. The internet at the convention sucks as does phone service. Most people are texting because phones either don't ring or are on mute during panels.

Today is huge with the first conflicts. Walter Koenig and Claudia Christian both have their solo panels-I have to miss Claudia becase I'm panelist on a 'Points of Departure' (differences between planned and actual) panel. The 'promise' panel will be at 1:30. Then there's B5- Legacies, Joe's Comics and 'A Day in the Stife' where I'm a panelist again. Then finally tonight is the B5 Themed party.

Whew! Someplace in there I need to see about getting some autographs for myself and a couple of others.

Okay, that's more than I meant to put here - just wanted to let you know that we'll try to report in as soon as we can.

Jan

[Jan]

Probably going to post this both here and in the Phoenix thread. This is important.

The first part of the panel was...stupid. A mod who wasn't a fan asked JMS a few generic questions and then let fans ask questions (that wasn't stupid, just the firt guy) for a while.

For the second half of the panel, JMS shooed to 'moderator' off and talked about Rick, Andreas, Jeffrey and Michael. It was a true tribute to their courage and grace in the way that inspired him. I'll go into more detail on what he said about the others, but the promise he'd made was to Michael O'hare..

Toward the last third of season one, JMS and Michael realized that he had a problem of increasingly delusional episodes, typified by paranoia. This can be helped with medication but that takes time and there really wasnt time while the show was shooting. JMS was even willing to shut down production for Michael to be able to get the help he needed but Michael didn't want to be responsible for the show shutting down and asked JMS to let him try to complete shooting. JMS did, and admired Michael was he struggled.

After shooting was done, they all knew that Michael couldn't carry on so JMS let him know that when the time came, Michael could come back to complete Sinclair's arc. Thanks to friends, JMS knew when Michael was able to come back and perform in "War Without End". Afterward, JMS promised Michael that he'd 'keep the secret to his grave' but Michael asked him to keep the secret to *his* (Michael's) grave instead. And so...JMS told the story of Michael's struggle today. And he told us how there were times when the fans really helped Michael keep. going.

JMS' admiration for the courage that each man showed was obviously deeply felt and sincere and the entire room (which was full to capacity) gave him a standing ovation and thanked him for what he'd said. It was an amazing experience.

Jan