THE KRYPTON CLUB NEWSLETTER**ISSUE #198**DEC. 19, 1999
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE LOIS & CLARK KRYPTON CLUB
"HELLO. LUCY? IT'S LOIS. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT INVITED TO MY CHRISTMAS DINNER TOMORROW NIGHT.... WELL, BECAUSE ALL OF THE FOOD IS MINE, AND I'M NOT SHARING."

-- Lois Lane, "Season's Greedings"

Dean Cain Ripley's Update
As reported in a recently sent out Krypton Club Flashes newsletter, Dean Cain will be hosting a new version of the TV series "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" on the TBS cable channel starting in January. Well, we've just learned that "Ripley's" is set to premiere on Wednesday, January 12, at 8:05 PM (ET). Set your VCR's!

It was also announced that Dean has a deal to appear in several more projects, so keep an eye out for more news!

Enjoy the newsletter!

-- Craig


Yup, Teri's in a commercial all right!
Special thanks goes to EVERYONE who was able to convey this news to me -- Teri Hatcher is indeed appearing in commercials for Radio Shack now, alongside Howie Long. There's some great banter between the two, which we're told is somewhat reminiscent of the first-season banter of Lois and Clark. In the commercials, Teri now has short curly hair. Thanks again to everyone for passing this along.


Bruce Wayne Series Update
by Craig Byrne

More information has surfaced about the proposed "Bruce Wayne" TV series which would deal with an 18-year-old Bruce Wayne before he becomes Batman. A production company -- has now also been attached to the project -- Tollin-Robbins ("Varsity Blues"). It might be fun to note that one of the founders of Tollin-Robbins is Brian Robbins who used to be on "Head of the Class" in the 1980's.

Writing for the series will be Tim McCanlies, who is said to be a huge fan of genre material such as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the Batman comics by Frank Miller. Tim's most recent writing project was the underrated animated feature "The Iron Giant." It's said that Warner Bros. is VERY happy with the script, and that the show will probably go onto either the WB Network or Fox for the fall 2000 lineup.

The show is rumored to be about Bruce Wayne's coming home to Gotham after his training around the world. It would probably lead into a new Batman feature film at the conclusion of the series.


What Are You Watching Now?
Two and a half years after the cancellation, there's surely *something* on TV that you're enjoying watching. In newsletter #197 we asked what you're watching, and here are the results that came in, along with a few (but not all of the) comments from readers.

The top five shows to come up were "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" which was tied with "Angel" for the most votes apiece; followed by "The X-Files," "Early Edition," "Roswell," and "Dawson's Creek." And here's what some of you had to say:

"I love the mythology of the X-Files - slowing finding out exactly what the truth is. The chemistry between Mulder & Scully is great - very similar to L&C in that they're partners and best-friends - they just haven't taken the next step beyond that." -- Claudy (CMASSIH)

"I am an avid fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I even met Tony Head recently). The show is about this strong girl who is the Chosen One to fight the evil of the world. I love the writing, Joss Whedon is a God, and I really the way the characters interact with one another. Buffy really gets to kick evil's butt and that's never a bad thing.
I also watch Angel. The show is one of my favorites. They really lightened his character up and gave Cordy something to do besides standing around and complaining, wait ... she still does that. I was so glad to see Tim Minear's name on the credits because I always liked him. He wrote last weeks episode in addition to producing it.
I watch Pretender and Profiler because they are good shows with interesting storylines.
I watch Sports Night because it reminds me of Lois and Clark. Casey and Dana are two very strong characters who fought their feelings for each other for a whole season and now can't be together because Dana wants Casey to date other people to get it out of his system. The supporting cast is stellar and the pace of the show is frantic. Aaron Sorkin is the creator and does most of the writing for the show (He is also a God). It is also in trouble because the network, ABC...big surprise, doesn't think it is performing as well as it should. Will they ever learn?" -- Jennifer Cunningham

"I have been watching Early Edition. That show is great. Kyle Chandler who plays Gary is like a Superman per say. He gets the paper one day early and runs around Chicago to save people's lives. It would be nice to see Dean Cane on TV again, but Kyle Chandler is not bad to look at and the show is really good. It has been on three seasons now, since L&C has been off." -- ClaudiaD73

"ROSWELL! It hadn't occurred to me, but I guess it is a little like L&C, in that it combines sci-fi and romance, and there's lots of chemistry between the actors and characters." -- LCiam

"My favorite show these days is Once and Again. Billy Campbell and Sela Ward are awesome! Great chemistry and onscreen romance. Just like Lois and Clark in that respect. I love the show because it seems like its very realistic. They deal with the troubles of life and their families and their reactions through their dating. Romance is hot and sizzling. I always watch the show." -- Eric Dooley

"Always on the lookout for a show that can capture the chemistry that Lois & Clark had, I've finally ended up this year watching Rick and Lily on Once and Again, Jesse and Diego flirt with each other on Jesse; and for a magical time, the Haliwell sisters on Charmed (they're the closest thing I can get to super powers ;)" -- Maryam

"Believe it or not Dawson's Creek has some of that same will they won't they feel with Dawson and Joey" -- Al/Superman74

"We enjoy shows that have a hero who has to go and save the day, and Early Edition fits that well enough. IIRC, it was one of the first episodes of Early Edition when someone asked the main character Gary if he thought he was Superman or something. Gary responded that he did except he didn't get the cape, get to fly, or get the girl (or something along those lines). Anyway, that's our two cents." -Pat and Becky Schone

"I haven't found anything to take the place of Lois and Clark. I regularly watch ER and am starting to get into Angel but that's about it (except for sitcoms)." -- KR/Hellrench

"There's a huge list, but the one that's my true obssession is The X-Files. Despite the fact that it started the same year, I never once watched it until the fall after Lois and Clark had ended. I watched the second episode of the fifth season and was immediatly hooked. The timing was just right, it filled the void left by Lois and Clark's cancelation, but also I just saw a similarity between Lois and Clark and The X-Files in the relationship of the characters. The X-Files quickly became as big an obssession as Lois and Clark. (I wonder if they're something in me that requires an obssession :) but I still revert back to weeks of watching Lois and Clark tapes every night." -- AlleyKat10

"While I don't sit and watch Lois & Clark much anymore and I think I've moved on. I haven't got into any new TV programme. Ally McBeal had something, she reminds me so much of Lois. But there's something missing from the series as a whole, so I don't watch it every week. X-Files. But again it hasn't caught my imagination like L&C. I tend to stick to factual programmes these days or one off dramas/films etc. LaneKent@aol.com"

"I have totally given up on any of the network stations, none of them have any thing worth watching any more!!" -- KC7750

"What I watch today I guess has a lot of the same aspects for me that Lois & Clark did. I have become an avid fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and it's newest incarnation, Angel. Both of these shows have what it takes to grab me and keep me hooked. It has the great fantasy/science fiction element. It has the forbidden/uncharted relationship, or it did before they took Angel away from Buffy (now don't get me started on that!) The dialogue is especially well written. And the cast of characters are both wacky and fun but also people you know could be your best friends too. If this show hadn't come around when it did I would still be moping around because I wouldn't have a show that gave me my "fix" of a great romance fantasy story." -- Jennifer Martin


Crossovers We'll Never See
In the last several years on television, one of the "hip" things to do is to have "crossover episodes." For example, Early Edition's Gary might show up in the Chicago Hope hospital; the King of Queens might go bowling with "Everybody Loves" Raymond. So what kind of crossovers would you like to see, if L&C was still on the air?

This feature was originally scheduled to appear in this issue, but it might be more fun if you all could send your responses. Tell us what you'd like to see L&C cross over with, and if you could, give an episode synopsis. Responses will be printed in issue #199. Send your responses to
PlanetKrypton@aol.com.


The Lois & Clark 10: #3
by Craig Byrne

The countdown continues and now we're in the Big Three! Who were the choices for #3 Best and Worst episodes, as chosen by the fans? Read and find out...

#3 Best Episode
"The Pilot"
Episode #1 * Written by Deborah Joy LeVine
Guest Starring: Kenneth Tigar, Mel Winkler, Kim Johnston Ulrich, Elizabeth Barondes, Persis Khambatta

It may be hard to imagine after you've seen the last two seasons of "Lois & Clark," but when the show started, the last thing Lois wanted was to spend time with Clark - let alone five minutes with him! Lois was independent, sassy... but brilliant. By the writing of Deborah Joy LeVine was Lois as she was her strongest... her own person with insecurites and foibles just like the rest of us. She'd been hurt too many times before and was on the defensive from it ever happening again.

Lois worked at the Daily Planet, the "greatest newspaper in the nation" and was their star reporter. Among her coworkers were young Jimmy, voluptuous Cat, and hard-nosed editor Perry White.

Clark Kent was a mild-mannered "farmboy" who had travelled the world and now wanted to write for the Planet. This episode deals with his coming to Metropolis and beginning to work at the Daily Planet, as well as the coming of Superman.

Before Superman, Lex Luthor "ruled" Metropolis. Lex was rich, powerful, and highly respected in the Metropolis community.

So what made this episode #3? For starters it had one of the strongest scripts the series had. An excellent cast of supporting characters were actually given dialogue, and the villains were NOT over the top. There was a sense of wonder about it all, especially when Superman flies Lois in through the window for the very first time. This episode also used more exterior locations than any other (presumably the budget was also higher). The banter between Lois and Clark was also top-notch. For a pilot episode of a TV series it effectively established everything -- and for a Superman project it was an excellent adaptation, and a sign of the greatness to come.

#3 Worst Episode
"I Now Pronounce You..."
Episode #58 * Written by Chris Ruppenthal
Guest Starring: Fred Willard, Beverly Garland, Harve Presnell, Brad Garrett, Wesley Mann, Oliver Muirhead, and Tony Curtis as "Dr. Mamba"

ABC and Warner Bros. played the old "bait and switch," and fans weren't happy.

We were promised a wedding on par with Charles and Di, Burt and Loni, and Michael and Lisa Marie. That should have been a hint. Most of the Internet fans already knew that Clark and Lois were actually *not* getting married in "I Now Pronounce You," but rather Clark would marry a frog-eating clone. Yes, you didn't read that incorrectly. Clark married a frog-eating clone.

Tony Curtis guest starred and proved to the world that he has lost all acting talent he possibly had. (Luckily, his daughter Jamie Lee is much better) It was great seeing Lois's parents again in this episode, though the explanation for Lucy's not being present was incredibly lame. Lois's cousin Cindy appeared instead, and the less said about her, the better.

The wedding itself was beautiful -- with a packed ceremony and a great dress for Lois -- or the clone as it turned out. The final scene seemed romantic, and then everything started to go downhill. Viewers left in droves. Which is probably why "I Now Pronounce You," while not totally BAD television, is #3 on the fans' "Worst" list.

The Favorites So Far:
#3 "The Pilot"
#4 "Pheromone, My Lovely"
#5 "And The Answer Is"
#6 "Whine, Whine, Whine"
#7 "We Have A Lot To Talk About"
#8 "Tempus, Anyone?"
#9 "Soul Mates"
#10 "Honeymoon in Metropolis"

The Least Favorites So Far:
#3 "I Now Pronounce You..."
#4 "Double Jeopardy"
#5 "Seconds"
#6 "Toy Story"
#7 "Forget Me Not"
#8 "Contact"
#9 "Never on Sunday"
#10 "Oedipus Wrecks"


Trivia!

What three former "Lois & Clark" villains appeared in apparel advertisements for Old Navy? Hint: It's not the Sister Sister girls, even if they are villains in their own way.

Send your answers to
CraigByrne@aol.com. Look for the answer in the next newsletter.

The answer to last issue's trivia: Denise Richards was the "wild thing" Bond girl who appeared in "Season's Greedings." One reader sent in this response: "Have you seen her in the World Is Not Enough? She couldn't act if her cup size depended on it." Ouch.


Next Issue...
The #2 favorites and least favorites and a look at "Those We Left Behind." Also, Crossovers We'll Never See (for real this time!)


STAFF
Editor/Krypton Club President: Craig "Bill Haverchuck" Byrne
Special Thanks To: Russ "Neal Schweiber" Dimino and EVERYONE who told me where Teri's commercial appeared!

Return to the Archives - Return Home


THE KRYPTON CLUB NEWSLETTER, Volume 1, Issue 198, December 19, 1999. Published online monthly (or something like that). Copyright (c) 2000 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. And yeah, I know you probably don't know who the two characters named above are. Which is why you should watch "Freaks and Geeks," soon to be on Mondays on NBC!! Prepare for trouble, Make it double! To protect the world from devastation. To unite all people within our nation. To denouce the evils of truth and love, to extend our reach to the stars above. Jesse! James! Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!!! Surrender now, or prepare to fight!!! Meowth!!, That's Right!!!