$5 COUPON FOR JEREMIAH Here's a great value for you. Download this $5 coupon that can
be applied to your purchase of the season one DVD set of JEREMIAH. Here's a link to the file. Jeremiah coupon.
For information on the season one DVD of JEREMIAH, read the Season One Press Release which describes the DVD set in detail. You will also find links to clips from the DVD here.
NEW PORTAL PAGE FOR JEREMIAH:
For new information on JEREMIAH, visit the JEREMIAH PORTAL .
You'll find a lot of new information for the series, including a photo gallery, wallpaper, links to other JEREMIAH
sites and much more.
For all that is new with JEREMIAH, go to JEREMIAH page.
Showtime does not have the show on it's schedule right now. Fans are putting pen to paper and
writing to voice their support for the series and their desire to have it back on the airwaves. Check
out how you can help.
Nothing official, but I read somewhere that Showtime will return JEREMIAH to their schedule in March
of 2004. Hopefully we will get a date on that soon.
JEREMIAH NEWS: SEAN ASTIN SPEAKS OUT
PRESS RELEASE
SEAN ASTIN SPEAKS OUT
Jeremiah Star Amazed at Fan Uproar Over TV Show
Further Information:
James Tuverson
Platinum Studios
(310) 276-3900
james@platinumstudios.com
Beverly Hills, CA -- November 8, 2003 -- Fans of the Showtime sci-fi series
Jeremiah want what's been promised to them by the cable network. They're making
themselves heard, with thousands of letters, faxes and emails. Upon hearing
about and being amazed by the international efforts by fans, Jeremiah star Sean
Astin (Lord of the Rings) contacted Jeremiah Executive Producer Scott Mitchell
Rosenberg via telephone to give his views on the situation and get his message
out to the show's millions of fans. Astin, who had just finished a 3-mile hike
up Table Mountain in South Africa, said: "The power of the fans can have real
impact. I certainly hope this isn.t the end of Jeremiah and want to keep it
going."
Last week, Showtime announced in its weekly newsletter that November is the
finale of Jeremiah's second season. The season's final two episodes, being aired
several times, will be on Showtime Too the next two Saturdays at 9 p.m. (11/15
and 11/22.) Confused by what seemed like a shortened season and no mention of
anything to come, fans quickly realized that eight more episodes--enough for
another season--had already been produced, and had even been described
extensively online. Additionally, ratings have risen every week since the season
began (according to IGN.com.) Showtime has not yet given word about when these
remaining episodes--labeled by fans as "The Missing 8"--will be aired, leaving
fans wanting an explanation, as well as assurance from Showtime that their
favorite TV show will continue. According to Astin, "I certainly hope this isn't
the end of Jeremiah and want it to keep going."
Jeremiah fans immediately joined forces via the Internet, distributing contact
information for executives at Showtime, MGM (the show's world-wide distributor)
and Platinum Studios, the comic book entertainment and production company which
adapted Jeremiah from the award-winning graphic novel series. The companies have
received phone calls, faxes and emails from fans, urging key executives
responsible for the show to air the "Missing 8" episodes and make the show an
ongoing series with additional seasons.
Webmasters of Jeremiah websites and message boards are collaborating with others
who maintain fan-sites for the show's stars, Sean Astin and Luke Perry. Says
Monica Hübinette, webmaster of the leading website
(http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/excl/buzz.html) dedicated to Jeremiah, "We each
are focusing on reaching a segment of the viewers who care about the show--
Sci-Fi fans, Sean Astin fans, Luke Perry fans and people who love thoughtful and
intelligent TV. Then we give them what they need to act--the reason and the
means. The fans have instantly risen to the occasion--literally organizing in
days and working non-stop to make a difference. We believe time is of the
essence."
Looking for a friend, many of the fans have directed their messages to Platinum
Studios. Chairman (and Jeremiah Executive Producer) Scott Mitchell Rosenberg
because of his long history of being fan-friendly and responding personally to
mail. Rosenberg is seen as "getting it", as he also founded and created Malibu
Comics (which he later sold to Marvel) and produced a popular line of comic
books, including developing the Men in Black comic and signing it with Sony to
become a billion-dollar film and television franchise. "I'm a geek, so I know
all about passion for characters," said Rosenberg. "The amount of mainstream
support the show has received from fans young and old, male and female, shows me
that Jeremiah is clearly not just another sci-fi series. It's a realistic "what
if" series about the collapse and rebuilding of society after a devastating
virus wiped out everyone over the age of puberty. It's a show of hope,
inspiration and the un-crushable human spirit."
According to Rak, webmaster of www.jeremiah.sean-astin.net, "I've had fans send
me letters saying that they were incredulous that Rosenberg had been personally
responding to them. That's a rarity in letter writing campaigns and shows his
commitment to the show." Actor Sean Astin agreed with Rosenberg about the
viability of Jeremiah during a telephone call he made to Platinum Studios this
morning. "I am tickled that the fans took it upon themselves to influence the
future of the show," said Sean during the phone call. "I'm amazed at how quickly
they were able to organize and synchronize their efforts. It shows they believe
in what we're doing, just like I do." Sean continued, "I would be extremely
disappointed if those remaining second season shows weren't aired. I directed
the 13th episode myself, and it's a pivotal episode in the overall story."
Indeed, the episode he directed goes to the genesis of a terrible threat to what
should be a free world: an aggressively expanding organization led by an
enigmatic figure named Daniel, with no regard for human rights, acting to take
over North America by offering captured peoples the choice of servitude or
death.
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."
Jeremiah follows the adventures of Sean Astin, Luke Perry, and Malcolm
Jamal-Warner fifteen years after all of the adults were wiped out in the year
2006 by a virus called the Big Death, leaving only the world's children to fend
for themselves. In addition to Sean Astin who has joined the cast as of this
season and stars as Mister Smith, Luke Perry (Beverly Hills 90210) plays
Jeremiah and Malcolm-Jamal Warner (The Cosby Show) plays Kurdy. Astin plays a
mysterious prophet who seems to know the future, both the good and the
bad. Executive Producers are J. Michael Straczynski, Luke Perry, Ervin
Rustemagic, Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, Joe Dante and Mike Finnel, co-executive
produced by Grant Rosenberg and produced by George Horie. Created for television
by Hugo award-winning writer/producer J. Michael Straczynski (creator of Babylon
5), Jeremiah is comic book entertainment company Platinum Studios' comic-to-film
adaptation based on the award-winning graphic novels by Hermann Huppen,
published for 20 years in over 20 languages by Strip Art Features.
# # #
Platinum Studios (http://www.platinumstudios.com/about/index.php) home to a
growing library of over 1,000 international and domestic comic book characters,
is an entertainment and production company focusing on comic book-to-film
adaptations. The company was formed by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg following a
successful high-profile career in the comic book industry as head and founder of
Malibu Comics, which was bought by Marvel Comics. During his tenure at Malibu
Comics, Rosenberg discovered and published the property "Men In Black," which he
then developed for feature film and television.
Out on the B5 moderated newsgroup, JMS responded to the perceived cancellation of the series. Here
is his response:
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.
To show your support of the show and to let Showtime know we are behind the series, drop over to
http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/excl/buzz.html. You
will find sample letters and all the information you need to write Showtime in support of JEREMIAH.
The B5 community knows all about letter-writing campaigns, so sharpen your pencils and get writing.
SPOILER WARNING:
A new episode of Jeremiah, "Letters From the Other Side: Part Two," premieres Friday at 10 p.m. (ET) on Showtime.
Here's how Showtime describes the episode:
"Kurdy meets the mysterious Mister Smith. Reluctantly, they join others from Thunder Mountain in Lee Chen's danger-ridden plan to rescue Jeremiah, Marcus, and Erin from Valhalla Sector."
The episode was written by J. Michael Straczynski an directed by Martin Wood.
"The plot lines built up through the past season all converge in part two of the Jeremiah season premiere," executive producer Scott Rosenberg of Platinum Studios said. "Jeremiah has finally learned the secret of the mysterious Valhalla Sector, the place his father was trying to reach when they were separated 15 years ago in the final days of the Big Death. He's discovered the connection between Valhalla and the 'Burners' who've clashed with the forces of Thunder Mountain and... he's finally learned the fate of his father. Now he, Marcus, and Erin are captives, pawns in Valhalla Sector's plans to assert their control over the remnants of society.
"To free Jeremiah and the others, Thunder Mountain security chief Lee Chen -- whose loyalty has been suspect -- actually releases the Big Death Virus in a desperate attack against Valhalla Sector. Remember, the only other time it was released wiped out 6 billion people in a few months!
"Fighting to save his friends, Kurdy is aided by an unusual ally, the mysterious Mister Smith, who once again comes to Kurdy's rescue, still claiming that everything he does is moved by the word of God. If you haven't seen Jeremiah, this is a great place to start: this episode is the climax of everything that's come before, and its shattering finale changes the world of Jeremiah and the direction of the series forever."
SEASON TWO TWO-PART OPENER- OCTOBER 10 at 10PM
Showtime has released additional images from the upcoming "Strange Attraction" episode of Jeremiah and you can see them
at http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0309/30/index.htm.
"Strange Attraction" is scheduled to air on Friday, Oct. 24. The second season of Jeremiah begins on Friday, Oct. 10.
Over at http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0309/26/index.htm you can see the photos released by Showtime of the second season of JEREMIAH. There are two cast photos and seven episodic photos. The cast photos show Luke Perry as Jeremiah, Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Kurdy and new cast member Sean Astin as Mister Smith. The episodic photos are from the second episode, "Letters From the Other Side, Pt. 2," which is scheduled to premiere on Friday, Oct. 2.
Here is a description of what awaits in the second season:
"While Valhalla Sector prepares to exchange Markus (Peter Stebbings) and Erin (Indrid Kavelaars), Lee Chen (Byron Lawson) and Kurdy convince a group of dubious Thunder Mountain volunteers to undertake a mission to attack Valhalla Sector. Although they still do not trust Lee, the group has faith in Kurdy and agrees to the mission.
"The leaders take Devon (Robert Wisden) prisoner and place him in the cell next to Jeremiah. Father and son know the leaders are exchanging Markus and Erin but they cannot imagine what Thunder Mountain is offering in exchange -- except that it must provide a key to the Big Death.
"When the exchange takes place, Markus sees Meaghan (Suzy Joachim) but is unable to stop her from carrying out her part in the drama. Meanwhile, the Thunder Mountain forces launch their attack on Valhalla Sector. Mister Smith makes his way to the battle just in time to save Kurdy from a sleeper agent within the attack team as the Valhalla Sector leaders return to the base and lock it down with Jeremiah, Devon, Libby (Joanne Kelly) and Meaghan inside. As the Big Death spreads through Valhalla Sector, Libby's quick thinking provides a way for Jeremiah and Devon to try attempt survival amidst the turmoil."
The episode was written by J. Michael Straczynski and directed by Martin Wood.
Ranger Monica has been capturing promo clips from Showtime for JEREMIAH and has them listed at http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/gallery/clips_s2.html.
JEREMIAH AND JMS FOR SEASON THREE
Here is a note from the B5 moderated newsgroup related to JMS continuing with JEREMIAH into season three:
"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."
In another posting, he mentioned:
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.
** Follow this link to The Pulse article referred to above.
There are a couple of places where you can find information on JEREMIAH. Monica has a very up-to-date site at http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/. She has a newsletter that you can sign
up for as well so that information comes into your mailbox on a regular basis. The "official" website is located at http://sho.com/jeremiah/. It isn't terribly timely, but it does have background
about the show if you need it.
SPECIAL UPDATE FROM JMS
Today we finished mixing the last of the Jeremiah two-parter. It's killer.
Year one is finished; now we await word on year two.
For those who might want to take a look...I did a small piece for the San Diego
Comic Convention website about, well, SDCC. It's a short but fun piece that
should be up in the next day or so at www.comic-con.org
Also did an introduction to Fiona Avery's newest graphic novel, WITCHBLADE:
OBAKEMONO, which hits comics stores soon. The novel is some of her best work
to date, and the intro "Of Samurai, Bulldogs and Applied Mathematics" is just
for fun.
If you haven't gotten in your story/email/message/whatever on a favorite B5
quote (what it is, why it resonated, what it or the show in general meant, what
meaning can be derived from it) for the upcoming quote book -- "But In Purple
I'm Stunning, Quotations from Babylon 5," the door on submissions will be
closing soon. Notes can be sent to b5quotes@yahoo.ca
Finally, I'm writing an intro for the B5 DVDs, which are proceeding along well
and this should prove to be a very nice little package.
(Okay, I lied, one last-last thing...after the 12th of July or so there will
likely be a small announcement from WB that's B5 related. Can't comment more
than that, and it isn't anything major a la a new series or a movie or the
like, but I suspect a certain sub-set of B5 fandom will be most pleased by the
information.)
As of this coming February 22nd, it'll be ten years since "The Gathering"
aired. Boy, that damned tempus just keeps on fugiting, doesn't it?
jms
08/02/02
Jeremiah: Man Of Iron, Woman Under Glass
Here's a note from JMS regarding Jeremiah:
Okay, so here's the deal. There are now three episodes remaining of Jeremiah's
first season, "A Means to an End," by Sara Barnes, and the two part "Things
Left Unsaid" by yr obdnt srvnt.
The first is a quieter, more personal story but also sets up what's going to
happen in the two-parter, and the latter (directed by Mike Vejar, our good luck
charm on B5 who did our best episodes) is pretty much nonstop intensity and
action and character stuff end to end.
Though we're already doing well, it would be great to go out on a real bang
ratings wise, so I'm going to try an experiement. If every B5 viewer who sees
this can get the word to every other viewer who gets Showtime normally (I
wouldn't sign up just for this, that's fiscally imprudent) to watch the next
three episodes, that would be terrific. I think that would be sufficient to
kick us over the edge into a sure renewal for year two.
And they're fun episodes on their own rights, even if you haven't seen the show
before. Though "Means" is, again, a quieter episode, there's one scene in it
that will have just about any SF fan worth his/her salt rolling on the floor.
I can pretty much guarantee you it's something you haven't seen before.
As for "Things Left Unsaid," of all the things I've written and produced, this
may be the best thing I've ever been involved with, from a production
standpoint and much of the writing. We kind of got pulled back a bit after the
events of 9/11 put a damper on the television business in terms of the kinds of
stories one can tell, but we really got this puppy back up on the rails again
with the two parter, which is emblematic of what we'll do in a second year.
Anyway...just a call out from here to B5 fandom, to see if it's still there, so
we can get together one more time on a biggie.
Thanks.
jms
April 24, 2002
From the B5 moderated newsgroup:
1) Do you have the series timeline written in stone or is it much more open than say B5 or Crusade?
And do you have a foreseen ending to the series, assuming it gets the run length you desire?
A: It's not as elaborate as the B5 arc, because there I had 5 years to work on it,
but there's a timeline, yeah...and there is an ending.
2) What exactly has Mr. Dante's contribution been? When you first mentioned Jeremiah you mentioned
you'd be teaming with him and that you always admired his work. But it doesn't sound like he has much
of anything to do with its production/writing.
A: Joe Dante was involved with the early development of the project. Once I wrote
the pilot, he was on tap to direct, and his deal, based on his early
involvement, called for certain fees and titles. When it came time for the
pilot, he was not available, but the deal remains the same. He has not been
involved in the show since then. I don't think anyone in the company has even
heard from him since.
3) The one thing I've been expecting to see was some "western style justice". Jeremiah and the rest have
run across some pretty bad folks.
A: There are moments and flashes of it... certainly Jeremiah initially tries to
off the guys who assaulted the woman in "City of Roses," and probably would
have succeeded if Kurdy hadn't interceded; similarly, Markus would almost
certainly have taken out Major Quantrell had Ezekiel not removed that decision
from him. The characters are kind of on the razor's edge of what's right and
wrong, constantly fighting to do the right thing.
March 27, 2002
Here is a brief synopsis of this week's episode of Jeremiah:
A new episode of Jeremiah, "To Sail Beyond the Stars," is scheduled to air this Friday on Showtime at 10:45 p.m.
Here's how the episode is described:
"Jeremiah faces a deadly renegade group called the 'Burners' while falling in love with Claire, a woman who dreams of sailing across the ocean. Meanwhile, Kurdy befriends a pregnant woman and delivers her baby."
The episode was written by J. Michael Straczynski and directed by Neill Fearnley.
For a couple of reviews of the show, go to
http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=11656.
March 20, 2002
When asked about the ratings for Jeremiah, JMS had the following to say:
"It aired on a Sunday night when the SF audience generally isn't around, according to Showtime, which given that scenario was actually quite encouraged that we did that well...and most important, we built in audience every quarter hour. The real test would be the hour series itself....
And both Showtime and MGM called to offer congratulations on our first ep. Stargate, airing a brand new episode right before us, with an established audience, pulled a 2.9 and a 5 share, excellent by pay cable standards.
Our first real ep out of the box *also* got a 2.9 and a 5 share, AND it also grew by quarter hours, ending up at a 3.1 for the last quarter hour, indicating again that we hold viewers and add as we go, a very good thing.
So everybody's happy."
February 25, 2002
JMS post:
Q: Are you the main show running on Jeremiah?
Yes. There are a number of EPs on the show but I'm the designated show runner.
All the bucks stop at my desk.
Q: Did you hire the staff working on Jeremiah or were they selected by others?
Yes, I hired all the crew (many of which came with their own people). It's
shooting in Vancouver, so it's a Vancouver crew.
Q: Is Chris Franke doing the music?
No, Tim Truman is doing the music. It's just a different kind of show. You
don't use the same composer for everything you do.
Q: Will any of the B5 directors turn up on Jeremiah?
Mike's directing our two part season finale, "Things Left Unsaid."
Q: With Earth in total disarray after the Big Death, what on Earth did people do for food,
medicine and most supplies!?!
Exactly the point we explore.
Q: Since the story begins 15 years after the Big Death, when everyone over 13 died, most
of the utilities we know would no longer be functioning. That complicates matters because
there would be no electricity, no refrigeration, etc.
Another point we explore. The power went out a long time ago and, with some
recent exceptions, has stayed out. The info needed to get power plants up and
running, and repair lines, is there, but you have to know all the stuff leading
*up* to that information to make it work. I wouldn't know the first thing
about how to get a power plant up and running at 13. Nor would I know much
about crop rotation. The cities would empty pretty fast once the water stopped
coming in.
Q: What about canned goods and medicine?
Some canned goods might last the full 15 years, though not in the best of
shape. It depends on the type of food and the type of canning. Medicines,
yeah, they're pretty much gone.
Q: If we stipulate that puberty would begin at 13 on average, by the time those
kids make it to 20, there's really not much left for them to scavenge except
clothing and shelter, is there? Even shelter could be marginal in a lot of
areas.
Which is exactly the point we're going for. They've been able to ride the
ashes of the old world until now, but things are now pretty much exhausted.
Either they continue the decline, or they start to rebuild the world and take
responsibility for the shape of that world.
JEREMIAH DEPOT SITE
A new webmaster depot at www.jeremiahdepot.com will provide webmasters with banners
and photos to integrate into their site. If your site drives the most traffic, you will have a chance of winning a MP3 player or one of 3
Game Cubes.
If you are interested in the contest to win a cameo role on the show: www.asskickingcontest.com.
MORE ON JEREMIAH FROM JMS
Here is a post from JMS of 2/17/02. It will catch us all up on how Jeremiah is coming together:
I haven't talked a lot about Jeremiah here because, basically, I haven't had
time to put my thoughts together due to the rigors of actually *making* the
thing. But we're now closing in on the premiere, and I figured this might be a
good time to start laying out some of the information. (This will, however, be
kinda brief because I'm fighting a bit of a fever and intend to go lay down
after this.)
The Showtime series tracks the aftermath of the Big Death, which wiped out
roughly six billion people, anyone over the age of puberty. It's now 15 years
later, and people have been ridinng on the ashes of the old world for the most
part, the available resources slowly declining and running out. It's a moment
of transition: either the decline continues, or now that they are adults,
people start to rebuild a new world out of the ashes of the old one. The
question is what shape will that world take, and who gets to choose?
Our lead character, Jeremiah (Luke Perry) is a wanderer, trying to find out
what happened to his father, who disappeared during the last days of the Big
Death while en route to a locale specified only as Valhalla Sector. He wants
to find out the end of the story. Along the way, he encounters our other lead,
Kurdy (Malcolm Jamal-Warner), also a drifter, and the two are thrown together
by circumstance into a duo. The two-hour premiere follows their lives, the
dangers they encounter, establishes the world of our series, and sets the stage
for a new dawn.
Basically, I wanted to do a post-apocalyptic series that wasn't all darkness
and grimness...I wanted to tell a story about hope, that this isn't about
endings, it's about beginnings. When the Black Death hit, lots of people
thought it was the end of the world. It wasn't. What followed the Black Death
was the Renaissance, a new beginning, as our characters face a new beginning.
Here's the airdate schedule for the first batch of episodes that appear on
Showtime, with writing credits. (se is sam egan, jms is, well, if you don't
know by now....)
3/3 "The Long Road" (two-hour pilot, introducing the world and our
characters, jms)
3/15 "Man of Iron, Woman Under Glass" (a somewhat fanciful tale of a guy who
grew up after the Big Death believing that some day the super heroes he read
about as a kid would come back and fix things...and a tale of a most unusual
romance between another of our main characters -- Marcus Alexander, head of
what was once the NORAD Thunder Mountain complex -- and a woman whose existence
has been kept secret from everyone for years. jms)
3/22 "And the Ground, Sown with Salt" (what happens when, after the Big D, a
group moved into an abandoned Air Force base and decided to use those resources
for their own destructive aims. a very intense episode guest starring Jason
Priestley. jms)
3/29 "To Sail Among the Stars" (a young woman has been stealing whatever gas
can be found here and there because she intends to be the first one to sail
(with backup gas engines) beyond the horizon since the Big D to find out what
happened on the other side of the world. Guest starring Melissa Creider. jms)
4/5 "The Bag" (the son of a medical doctor has set up what may turn out to
be a dubious medical practice of his own, traveling with his brother from town
to town and exploiting people...and finds that his past catches up with him.
Guest starring Jake Busey. se)
4/12 "City of Roses" (jeremiah and kurdy travel in search of more information
on the Big Death and Valhalla Sector, and along the way discover some
potentially dark secrets about the fate of Kurdy's parents in the last days of
the Big D. se)
4/19 "Firewall" (a mid-season turning point for our characters as we learn
something of vital importance about Valhalla Sector, and Markus has to make a
decision that could lead to any number of deaths. Guest starring Michael
Rooker. jms)
The goal is to run the show straight through without reruns. The remaining
titles to this point, not yet organized by airdate, are:
The Red Kiss (se)
Journeys End in Lovers Meeting (jms)
Tripwire (jms)
Thieves Honor (se)
Mother of Invention (sara barnes/al katz)
Ring of Truth (se)
Things Left Unsaid, Part One (jms)*
Things Left Unsaid, Part Two (jms)*
The remaining episodes haven't been titled yet.
(Our two-part season finale which we're shooting early to allow for post work.)
The show is often a bit of a romance, there's lots of humor, lots of action,
there's an overarching mystery and an arc to it...it is, at times, oddly a show
about small victories and gemstones found amid gravel. I can't think of any
other series quite like it in tone and attitude and look and design. It's
allowed me to do some things, and write some stories, I could never get on
broadcast TV in a million years, particularly "And the Ground, Sown with Salt."
I'm quite proud and pleased with it, and I think it's worth checking out.
You can keep up with information at:
www.jeremiah.tv
and at:
http://www.mgm.com/scifi/index2.html
(The latter has the transcript of a relatively nutso appearance done by Luke,
Malcolm and me for the Television Critics Association meeting held in Pasadena
a few weeks back.)
Anyway, that's all for now. More later....
jms
JEREMIAH TO PREMIERE IN MARCH
Here is an excerpt from the latest MGM newsletter:
Jeremiah, the new series from acclaimed writer/creator J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5), will premiere in March of 2002 on Showtime. The series, which stars Luke Perry (Jeremiah), Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Kurdy) and Peter Stebbings (Markus Alexander), is currently in production in Vancouver, BC. Jeremiah is set in a future post-apocalyptic world where, almost a decade before, a deadly virus wiped out the world's adult population, sparing only those who hadn't reached puberty. Now in their 20s, the oldest survivors of the pandemic include Jeremiah (Perry) and his good-natured but cynical pal Kurdy (Warner). Jeremiah is on a personal quest to relocate a mysterious place called Valhalla, which his father claimed might hold some hope for the survivors.
View the exclusive new images from MGM Jeremiah site. Also, keep your eyes on the MGM Sci-Fi Newsletter for up-to-the-minute news and interviews from the set of this exciting new series…
A new website has been opened for the show at www.jeremiah.tv
JMS ON JEREMIAH
There hasn't been a lot of new information about JMS' new "Jeremiah" series for Showtime. The show was originally to premiere in January, but has been delayed until spring or early summer. Here's a post from the newsgroup to whett your appetite a little. It gives some of the episode titles Joe has written already.
Have to do this from memory of titles since the files are up north....
The pilot 2 hour (counts as two episodes)
To Sail Beyond the Stars
Man of Iron, Woman Under Glass
And the Ground Sown with Salt
Firewall
Journeys End in Lovers Meeting
Tripwire (now being written)
So basically 8 hours so far out of 20. I'll do about 3 more after this, for a total of 11. All but one of the rest are being written by Sam Egan.
December 10, 2001
JEREMIAH DELAYED ON SHOWTIME
JMS responded to a note regarding the air date for his new series on Showtime, Jeremiah:
Date: 12/4/2001 7:18 PM Eastern Standard Time
The situation we've encountered is the same encountered by a number of TV
series and movies post -September 11th. The show deals with a post-apocalyptic
environment after a virus has wiped out about six billion people...which may
(or may not) be a sensitive issue in the eyes of potential viewers. So the
powers that be are gauging when it might be safe to go forward with it; we
expect to know something in the next couple of weeks since they have to start
making up their schedules soon.
When one reader responded with a negative comment about post-apocalyptic shows,
JMS responded and I think it tells you a bit more about the show.
Just two things...it already is in being, we're shooting 20 hours. Second
thing... this show isn't about endings. It's about beginnings. It's about
building a new world out of the ashes of the old, and who gets to decide what
that world looks like, and what our responsibilities are toward that world.
It was designed specifically to be a show about hope, set after what could have
been the end, because humans persevere.
Don't judge it until you've seen it.
October 20, 2001
The latest version of the MGM Online Newsletter has a section on Jeremiah. There is some wonderful background information about the upcoming series,
including profiles for each of the major characters in the series. Go to http://www.mgm.com/scifi/01sept/jeremiah.html
for more information.
Friday July 27, 8:26 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
New MGM Sci-Fi Series JEREMIAH Coming to SHOWTIME in 2002
Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner to Star
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 27, 2001-- Showtime
Networks has greenlit its latest series from MGM, a new Sci-Fi
series, JEREMIAH, starring Luke Perry (``Beverly Hills, 90210'') and
Malcolm-Jamal Warner (``Malcolm & Eddie''), it was announced by Hank
Cohen, President of MGM Television Entertainment. Created for
television by sci-fi icon J. Michael Straczynski (Creator & Executive
Producer of ``Babylon 5''), JEREMIAH is based on Platinum Studios'
award-winning graphic novel series by Belgian author Hermann Huppen.
In his long anticipated return to series television, Perry will play
the lead role of Jeremiah. Warner, formerly of the critically
acclaimed ``Cosby Show'' also makes his return to series television.
Stated Cohen, ``We're thrilled to bring together such a powerful
talent roster that expands our strength as a leading provider of
quality Sci-Fi programming.''
Based on a European comic book, whose characters have achieved cult
status in the U.S and Europe, the 20-episode series is slated to
debut in early 2002. JEREMIAH is being produced by Jeremiah
Productions Inc. in association with Lion's Gate Television and
Platinum Studios and will be distributed by MGM Worldwide Television
Distribution. This new series marks a continuing partnership between
MGM and SHOWTIME on such highly successful sci-fi series as
``Stargate SG-1'' and ``The Outer Limits,'' as well as the much
anticipated ``Leap Years'' which debuts on July 29th on SHOWTIME.
Straczynski will serve as showrunner and executive producer,
alongside Sam Egan, who has produced and written for ``The Outer
Limits'' and ``Northern Exposure.'' Russell Mulcahy (SHOWTIME's
``Queer As Folk'') will direct the two-hour premiere. The executive
producers also include Luke Perry, Joe Dante (``Small Soldiers,''
``Innerspace,'' ``The Howling,'' ``The Burbs,'' ``Twilight Zone: The
Movie''), Michael Finnell (``Teaching Mrs. Tingle,'' ``Small
Soldiers,'' ``Twilight Zone: The Movie,'' ``The Howling''), Scott
Mitchell Rosenberg, who developed the hit film ``Men In Black,''
Ervin Rustemagic and Gregory Noveck, who are both co-producing
several upcoming live-action features for Platinum Studios with
Rosenberg. The creative executives for Showtime are John Vasey and
Randy Runkle. For MGM the creative executive is Craig Roessler.
JEREMIAH is set in a future post-apocalyptic world where, almost a
decade before, a deadly virus wiped out the world's adult population
sparing only those who haven't reached puberty. Now in their 20s, the
oldest survivors of the pandemic include Jeremiah and the colorful
but cynical Kurdy. Jeremiah is on a personal quest to relocate a
mysterious place called Valhalla, which his father claimed might hold
some hope for the survivors. As Jeremiah falls into a reluctant
partnership with Kurdy, both explore new areas and encounter other
groups of young adults who are divided into rival social groups. In
the course of the season opener, Jeremiah's smaller personal quest is
redirected when he discovers a group of highly organized survivors
who want to enlist him to orchestrate peace among the warring
factions and to try and prevent the killer virus from returning.
MGM Television Entertainment handles television development and
production for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE: MGM - news). Its
series lineup includes the forthcoming ``Leap Years,'' slated to
debut in July, ``Stargate SG-1,'' ``The Outer Limits,'' and
``Poltergeist: The Legacy,'' as well as original made-for-television
movies such as the upcoming ``Oooph!,'' starring Paul Reiser, Joe
Mantegna, and Christine Lahti and ``In The Time Of The Butterflies,''
with Salma Hayek and Edward James Olmos.
Platinum Studios, home to a growing library of over 1,000
international and domestic comic book characters, is an entertainment
and production company focusing on comic book-to-film adaptations.
The company was recently formed by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg following
a successful high-profile career in the comic book industry as head
and founder of Malibu Comics, which was bought by Marvel Comics.
During his Malibu Comics tenure, Rosenberg discovered and published
the property ``Men In Black,'' which he then developed for feature
film and television. The feature grossed nearly $600 million
worldwide for Columbia, with ``MIB2'' now in production. Platinum has
a slate of live action feature film projects, which Rosenberg will
produce along with video game tie-ins and soundtracks, at many
studios including DreamWorks, Miramax/Dimension and New Line. The
company is represented by the William Morris Agency and Ovitz's
Artists Management Group.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE
CHANNEL and FLIX, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME TOO,
SHOWTIME SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME, SHOWTIME BEYOND, SHOWTIME NEXT,
SHOWTIME WOMEN, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE and TMC xtra. SNI operates and
manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL, which is
owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. SNI markets and
distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to
subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SET (Showtime Event
Television) Pay Per View. Additionally, the advertiser-supported
television network SHOWTIME EXTREME is available in Spain through
ajoint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported
television network. SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint
venture with U.K.-based Zone Vision.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Showtime has ordered 20 episodes of Jeremiah, an SF series from Babylon 5
creator J. Michael Straczynski, based on the comic book series of the same name by Belgian writer Hermann Huppen.
Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner will star in the series, produced by MGM and Lions Gate Television.
JEREMIAH is set in a future post-apocalyptic world where, nearly a decade before, a deadly virus wiped out the world's
adult population sparing only those who haven't reached puberty. Now in their 20s, the oldest survivors of the pandemic
include Jeremiah (Perry) and the colorful but cynical Kurdy (Warner). Jeremiah is on a personal quest to relocate a
mysterious place called Valhalla, which his father claimed might hold some hope for the survivors. As Jeremiah falls
into a reluctant partnership with Kurdy, both explore new areas and encounter other groups of young adults who are
divided into rival social groups. In the course of the season opener, Jeremiah's smaller personal quest is redirected when
he discovers a group of highly organized survivors who want to enlist him to orchestrate peace among the warring factions
and to try and prevent the killer virus from returning.
Straczynski will serve as executive producer alongside Sam Egan (The Outer Limits). Perry, Sam Egan, Joe Dante,
Michael Finnell, Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, Ervin Rustemagic and Gregory Noveck will also executive produce.
Production is set to begin Sept. 4 in Vancouver, B.C.
Here's a post from JMS with an update on the Jeremiah series:
Well, the moratorium on information is over now that MGM has announce the info
at San Diego Comic Con (which, sadly, I can't attend due to the press of work).
It was previously announced that I was writing the pilot 2-hour opener for a
series entitled JEREMIAH. What was not known, though speculated about, was the
show going to series. We got the go ahead right around the end of the year,
though I've had to be kinda quiet about it until now.
In brief: it's an order for 20 hours (the opening 2 hour movie and 18 hours to
follow) for the Showtime Network. We start formal prep next Wednesday, and
start shooting September 4th; after finishing the movie we then go right into
shooting the series. We've hired all our crew, we're in the very last stages
of casting (with several name actors up for various roles), and we're just
about ready to rock.
This is going to be a heavily dramatic series, character-oriented, with a
measure of action and humor as well. Because this is pay cable, they've taken
off the usual broadcast TV handcuffs and told me to take it to the wall
creatively, no restrictions, so I plan to do just that.
The series will debut on Showtime in January with a huge PR campaign. I still
kinda have to wait for Showtime before I can talk specifics about others
involved (writers, directors, cast, and so on). But in my view it's a terrific
team, and it's going to be a fun show.
Syndication?
Yes, it will eventually be syndicated, but not for about 2 years.
Joe Dante is not involved due to other commitments, but another well known
feature film director is now attached to direct the pilot movie. (Again, I
can't give specifics on crew or cast until Showtime comes out with that
first...but I can say that there is a rather impressive pedigree of people both
in front of and behind the camera).
It will air in prime-time, on the Showtime network, and we have a heck of a lot
more money to play with than on B5...it's going to be a huge show.
What is the show about?
Right around now in our timeline, a virus wipes out everyone on the planet over
the age of puberty (figure around 12-13).
It is now about 15 years later. Those who were once children have now grown up
and are in their late 20s on down. For 15 years, they have been living on the
scraps of the old world; now they must either continue the downward slide, or
begin to rebuild the world, taking responsibility for themselves and the world
and each other.
It is, oddly enough, a post-apocalyptic series about *beginnings* rather than
endings, about hope rather then despair. It is about the new world rising out
of the ashes of the old world, what shape that world will take, and who will
get to decide that shape.
Out on the B5 moderated newsgroup, JMS responded to the perceived cancellation of the series. Here
is his response:
SPOILER WARNING:
SEASON TWO TWO-PART OPENER- OCTOBER 10 at 10PM
Showtime has released additional images from the upcoming "Strange Attraction" episode of Jeremiah and you can see them
at 
