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Reprinting the issue with what was definitely the saddest news ever to go into the newsletter... the Day The Show Was Cancelled.


Warning: You may sit down before reading this issue of the Krypton Club Newsletter. Either that, or be sure you are far away from sharp objects. However, you may want to have your Jamie Tarses Dartboard handy. This is *not* an April Fool's joke.

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KRYPTON CLUB NEWSLETTER**ISSUE #164**MAY 22, 1997
***THE ONLINE "LOIS & CLARK" NEWSLETTER***
"NO, IT'S AN HISTORIC DAY. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO
HUNDRED NINETEEN YEARS THERE WILL BE NO
EDITION OF THE DAILY PLANET."
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Inside This Issue: It's Our Second Anniversary Issue * Features The Winner Of "Assignment: Daily Planet" #3 * A New "Assignment: DP" * Trivia * A Blast From The Past * "What's Up With That?!?" * And Some Bad News =^(
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TWO YEARS AGO....
...On May 22, 1995, Dan "Superman92" Patterson and I sent out our very first "Krypton Club Newsletter." We created the Krypton Club because we felt it would be fun for fans to receive daily updates on our favorite television show, "Lois & Clark."

Lois & Clark Withdrawal Syndrome (LCWS) was really bad that summer. The Krypton Club began one day after the episode "And The Answer Is..." aired, and L&C fans all across the globe wanted to know the answers to all of their questions. Did Lois know the truth about Clark? Would she say yes to his proposal? Will Perry and Jimmy ever do more than just have supporting roles? We wondered all summer, and we were rewarded with "We Have A Lot To Talk About" at the end of the tunnel.

Now, two years later, we have some really bad news: It's official. "Lois & Clark" executive producer Brad Buckner posted on the ABC Lois & Clark message board yesterday that ABC has successfully worked its way OUT of the deal made with Warner Bros. to ensure a fifth season of "Lois & Clark." Things don't sound positive or probable that the show will go through those foreign-production deals we had hoped for; for all intents and purposes, "Lois & Clark" production is over.

That of course, still leaves us with many questions that will remain unanswered now that "Lois & Clark" is gone. Did Jack ever really know Clark was Superman? Or what about Perry? Guess we'll never find out... Clark-2 will never get to find his Lois... Tempus will never get in his last "duh"... Lex won't return from the grave. Jimmy will never get a promotion, instead he'll be a copyboy eternally... Even if we do find out in the "Family Hour" that Lois is pregnant (and we're not telling ;^) ) they will never see the fruits of their relationship. Did that snake have to do with Baron Sunday? We don't know.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, things are okay. Miranda is still spraying people with her pheromones; Linda King is finally filming the "Lois Lane Story." Jack Olsen's in D.C. now, waiting for his son to visit. Perry White and his wife Alice are enjoying reconciliation over a nice long-awaited vacation to Hawaii. Tempus has travelled back in time to annoy people besides Lois and Clark. Mr. Mxyzptlk will be dropping by in a few days, and Lois and Clark have no idea that Lex's former personal assistant Ms. Cox is coming to town. Sure, these stories may never happen on television, but they can happen for me, and they can happen for you... the life of "L&C" on TV may be over, except for reruns, but the characters, as played by Dean Cain, Teri Hatcher, Justin Whalin (and for that matter Michael Landes), Lane Smith, Eddie Jones, K Callan, Tracy Scoggins, Lane Davies, and John Shea, still live on in our minds, in our hearts. We FoLCs are a creative bunch. And there are still some things to look forward to. Besides the three episodes still yet to air here in the United States, we'll get to meet Lois, Clark and the rest all over again in September, when the show begins airing every night on TNT. And then, in 1998, we'll get to see new interpretations of our favorite characters as Superman returns to the big screen, in a movie that may star Nicolas Cage as Clark/Superman and Sandra Bullock as Lois.

Two years after that first newsletter was sent out, as we enter our third year, we know that unfortunately we only have three more hours of "Lois & Clark" left to enjoy on television. Unfortunately, there won't be a light at the end of this tunnel, but the ride was a fun one.

Several people have asked whether or not the Krypton Club will continue even though the show has ended; my question is, "Why not?" Shows like "Starsky and Hutch" and the "Dukes of Hazzard" have online publications and they've been off the air for years! As long as we have support and fans who care we'll still stick around for a while. We may not be around as often, but we'll still be here for the time being. The only main obstacle that may come up is that my father is very ill right now, and if something happens to him I may want to suspend publication for a little while because my heart just won't be in writing.

I apologize if this issue of the newsletter is a downer; we had a lot of fun plans for our 2nd Anniversary Week but they all fell by the wayside when the news broke. Because of this we won't be printing reviews of "Voice from the Past" (but hopefully you all won't care, since it has been so long since the episode's aired anyway). For our anniversary week we had originally planned to go daily for a week, just like the old days. If time permits, and we get enough response, I'd still like to do that, but I need the help of all of you.

For at least the next five newsletters, I'd like to hear from all of you about what made "Lois & Clark" special to you. Also put in how you took the news, but also to keep things somewhat happy talk about why you watch and return every week. I think it would be a fitting tribute to the show and the people involved in creating it. Send your thoughts our way, and we'll put in as many as we can. Thanks ever so much.

I'd like to thank everyone involved with "L&C" for bringing it to us every week. I may have been overcritical of several episodes but that's just the way I am. I'd like to thank all the members of the Krypton Club for subscribing; especially those who have participated in past issues of the newsletter. You are greatly appreciated. I'd like to thank Jacob/CoolAVoo, Jeff/ClarkXX, Kat Picson, and Craig-2/Gravy9 for the patience in having the delay on "guest editors" week (more on that later). I'd like to thank Dan Patterson for co-creating this darn thing, for the good times and the bad. I'd like to thank Leigh Raglan for all of her hours of hard work to also spread the word to L&C fans with her L&C Metropolis Club, which has recently ended (but you will be able to find L&C news at the club's old website, soon to be retitled "Metropolis Place." We'll print the url once everything is set up).... a thankless job at many times, we know (speaking from experience), but she stuck with it for three years, producing huge monthly newsletters that are beyond anything we could have done. I'd like to thank everyone who does regular features for the newsletter as well (Russ, Adam, Karin, etc... you all know who you are). Most of all I'd like to thank Matt Combes for putting up with me through the last year and a half of "Lois & Clark"'s run and beyond, no matter how annoying I may be. And remember, if all goes right, we'll be getting a new episode on May 31st! Talk to you soon.

Craig Byrne--President of the L&C Krypton Club
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IT'S ALL OVER.

Thank you, ABC.

In one of the most hypocritical moves in all of TV history, ABC negotiated its way out of a 5th season of L&C, despite the fact that back in November of 1996, it was stated that a full 22-episode season of L&C would be in order, and in January of 1997 even Ms. President-of-ABC herself, Jamie Tarses, said, and I quote, "The show *will* be returning, so we need to figure out what the best time-period is to advantage the show."

Oh yes, thanks for keeping your word, oh wise and wonderful Tarses.

I'm not so mad at the fact we don't get a 5th season as I am at the fact that ABC and Tarses *promised* us a 5th season of L&C, even had a *contract* stating that they would do a 5th season, and then didn't abide by their own rules. Well I say that Tarses can just stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

There's no getting our show back on track and in production this summer, so we don't need to worry about trying to "fight" for it anymore, and that's unfortunate, because that's what FoLCs did best. However, it's time to give ABC its due and let others know of their backsliding ways. Write letters to Tarses bugging her about her choice. Write letters to shows and people in the entertainment biz explaining the hypocrisy of ABC's and Tarses' ways. There are things in the works on a grander scale, and hopefully those will do something.

But now we're with out a show. We're stuck with three episodes left to air, and probably without much closure. This is what we get for being determined to fight for our show and sticking up for it and helping it out (even promoting it ourselves). We get shafted.

I'll miss L&C like crazy, but there's nothing more I can do.

Screw you, ABC.

Matt Combes--Vice-President of the Lois & Clark Krypton Club
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CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to Christie Gardner, whose essay for the last "Assignment: Daily Planet" (#3) received the most votes and will win the copy of the British "Infinity" magazine! Christie, if you're reading, send PerWhite@aol.com your address and we'll get the magazine to you as soon as we can.
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ASSIGNMENT: DAILY PLANET: ASSIGNMENT #4!

"Lois & Clark" is soon ending, and thanks to A Buttheaded Company--err, ABC, "L&C" will never get the proper sendoff enjoyed by many shows of yesteryear. There won't be a final scene in the office where old friends return (like "The Mary Tyler Moore Show.") No one will be getting married in the final episode, so we can't have that. There's nowhere to return home to, so the "M*A*S*H" ending wouldn't work for the series. We'll never get a chance for Lois to wake up in bed at the end of the final episode only to find out that every episode since "Tempus, Anyone?" was a horrible dream. Heck, no jinx named Cousin Oliver even showed up to warn us that the show was soon about to meet its doom. But that's not good enough for us... we're the FoLCs... we deserve better!

Many of you have also been writing in asking when we're going to start sending fanfiction again. Well, it's coming... and this fourth Assignment will be what encourages it (we hope)!

What we want for you is, in fanfic format, to write the final episode of "Lois & Clark." How you'd do it, what characters would be in it, etc. It can be as short or as long as you want; it doesn't matter (but, the shorter the better). The only request is that you send it in the form of an e-mail rather than as an attached file, and send your entries in. You have until June 30 to respond, so that's plenty of time. If we get a good enough response, we'll send one fanfic per week over the next several weeks and at the end of the run we'll ask you to vote on which one you liked best.

And what kind of prize will be given to the winner? We're actually not sure yet. ;^) Keep reading and we'll find out for you.
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INTERESTING NEWS....
Fans may find interesting that, even though ABC didn't seem to care, folks (and FoLCs) on the Net found "Lois & Clark" to be the show they most wanted to see return from the brinks of cancellation on ABC next year, beating out shows such as "Grace Under Fire." Guess H.G. Wells was right when he said people can be blind... especially those with mouse ears.
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BLAST FROM THE PAST: TWO YEARS AGO....
Two years ago, when the very first Krypton Club Newsletter was sent out (5/22/95), things were obviously much more happy and upbeat than things are today. Our first issue featured nothing more than an introduction and a review of "And The Answer Is," the second season finale of "L&C." For nostalgia's sake, sit back, relax, and enjoy this "day after" review by Krypton Club co-founder and doofus Dan Patterson.... see that our reviews nitpicked even back then <G>... and remember a time when most all "L&C" news was positive.

REVIEW: "AND THE ANSWER IS...."
BY SUPERMAN92

While this episode had many positives, there were quite a few negatives as well. I'll
start with the bad stuff. Two words-----NO REVELATION! Clark did not get to actually tell Lois he was superman, that was very frustrating. The phone ringing thing was especially annoying. There were also plot holes in the episode(I won't go into detail). The cliffhanger was frustrating because now we have to wait until next season for the answer! Also, I felt that the way Supe got out of the chamber was very tacky. Why would there be a vent in a gas chamber when the purpose of the chamber is to keep gas in?

Also, as Whyt Ravyn put it, gas sinks, it doesn't rise. I guess it was just a way to get rid of Kryptonite. Now for the positives. The romance in the episode was superb. Not only did Lois and Clark have romantic scenes, but so did his parents. The typical TV plot of "if something happens to me tell so and so I love him/her" was romantic also. Lois also finally told Supe that she loves CK. Lois did start to figure out that CK=Superman. The stroke across the face obviously shot some sense into her. (It's about time!) And of course the proposal and a kiss was a big plus! It looks like my wishes may come true next season with Lois getting a clue!

Romantic, yet Frustrating!

OVERALL RATING(1-10, 10 being best, and decimals allowed)
===8.9===
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WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?!? RESPONSE!
By Russ Dimino

"What's Up With That?!" is the column where we find very obvious L&C mistakes and ask, "What's up with that?!?" and we see if you all can come up with solutions to these "mistakes" to prove why they aren't really mistakes. Way back in newsletter #161 we asked "In AKA Superman, Lois tries to get Clark to his surprise party with an invitation to appear, as Superman, at a charity function. But Clark would have shown up as Superman! Duh! What's up with that?!?"

This week's first response came from Debby: "Lois didn't have time to tell Clark that she suspected that the charity was an evil plot to trap Superman, and that she wanted Clark and herself to investigate it first. She had actually planned the party for an hour earlier than the "charity function" was supposedly scheduled for, and
she planned to have her little investigation with her partner occur then...
surprise!"

And, from Zohar Gilboa: "All of the world knows Clark is Superman! And Lois knows that the world knows. Clark doesn't know that the others know. In this party they were going to tell him that they know, and after that they would give him a special combined present - 10 meetings with a shrink to talk about double-personalities!" (All I can say is, the world really *ought* to have caught on by now!! I wonder if Dr. Katz has an opening...--Russ)

From Sleepy85: "I believe that if I know Clark well enough, he would show up as himself first, just to look innocent. When he gets there, he'll be dressed up as Clark. And the whole Dailey Planet staff would be ready for him, not suspecting anything about a charity function. Either that, or he could show up as Superman, and Lois, sneakily, would innocently ask where Clark was. Superman, thoroughly embarassed, would then leave, stuttering that he would find him. He would change into Clark and come back. And still, everybody would be there, impatiently waiting."

"What's Up With That?!?" will return once the dust settles from all this mess, and after we're finished with our daily run.
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THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA!
Here is "L&C" trivia question for this week...

What two other DC Comics super-heroes have been referred to on "Lois & Clark?"

The answer to #163's trivia: Three named owners of the Daily Planet throughout the run of "Lois & Clark" have been Franklin Stern, Lex Luthor, and Leslie Luckabee. However, for bonus points many pointed out that Jimmy Olsen, too, was a DP owner, in the alternate universe seen in "Tempus, Anyone."
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NEXT ISSUE....
Fans reminisce about the great show that was "Lois & Clark." See you TOMORROW!

Craig Byrne--President of the L&C Krypton Club
Matt Combes--Vice-President of the L&C Krypton Club
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The Krypton Club Newsletter is copyright (c) 1997 The Lois & Clark Krypton Club. All rights reserved. Any material within is property of the Krypton Club and/or respective individuals unless otherwise noted as coming from elsewhere. Any opinions within belong solely to the individuals who express them. Copying or any unauthorized publication of material from this newsletter without permission is illegal. This week's quote came from "Barbarians at the Planet," and while the Krypton Club Newsletter will still be going on, it's a shame to know that the "Family Hour" is the last we'll see of our sexy supercouple.
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