>However, he says television is entering a recession and that there is
>no reason for Warner's to do more B5. Basically it sounds as if he
>thinks there'd be no money to be made.

Bruce is a fine actor, but he really doesn't understand the business part of
making and selling TV series. Of course there's money in it to be made, that's
why they keep making TV series of all stripes.

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2001 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)

Actors and writers get residuals each time an episode is aired. The amount of
that residual is not based on the ratings, so any actor can't tell how it's
doing based on that.

There are three different formulas used to compute ratings, one for network,
another for syndication, a third (and the crummiest) for cable. Crummiest in
that the amount of the residual is tied to the amount paid for the rights to
show the series. Consequently, many of the studios that own cable networks (as
Universal owns USA Network, for instance) sell the shows to themselves for the
smallest amount possible.

Hence, a residual that, for a third or fourth airing, might bring a couple
thousand bucks elsewhere, in that situation brings you literally about five
dollars.

This is one of the issues being addressed in the current pre-strike
negotiations.

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2001 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)

>> > They
>> > kept an offer open to Tracy because one of the higher ups went to school
>> with
>> > her and wanter her in the series.
>
>OMG!
>
>>
>> Just more proof that, in life, it's who you know that matters, more than
>> anything.
>
>Yes, and to Hell with what would be of most benefit to the series. This
>kind of stuff makes me sick.
>

One should be careful what one listens to on the rumor mill. The only problem
with the foregoing story is that it isn't true.

I had spoken with Tracy well in advance of Crusade about being involved with
that series. (At one point I'd even mentioned to her that we were considering
her for the role of captain of the Excalibur, though in the end we went for
Gary Cole.)

Her position on the show got whipsawed by the changing positions at TNT. At
first they wanted her there as well for purposes of continuity. Then they
decided that they wanted the show to be TOTALLY SEPARATE from B5, no
references, so we cut her appearances from the first episodes...then they said
they DID want her so we put her back in again.

But that's about it.


jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2001 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)