What's Going On?

I'm watching the news, and my head hurts. I am thankful that the expulsion of the Simpson juror was not the top story, although it was on before the first commercial. This news team, Channel 4, continually informs viewers that they are on VerdictWatch and will deliver the verdict live. Thanks; I was worried I wouldn't be able to find out what the verdict was on any news station.

Another story that involved the "graphic" and "disturbing" (and "oft-repeated") video footage of Marines getting "gold-winged" by their comrades. Their Marine pins pinned directly on to their flesh and then jammed in, again and again. Blood and screaming everywhere. Wait -- is this story news because it implies that the military is cruel, uncaring, and juvenile? I'm shocked. Shocked, I tell you.

They're also going to do a lengthy and in-depth story on the people who lined up for hours to see the re-release of Star Wars. And the story of Oprah's ex-boyfriend suing her. I guess he just heard that she's famous and worth some money.

I'm too cynical. It's a defense reflex.

Yesterday I went to see three houses. I know that realtors are supposed to do this, but we started at the most expensive and went to the least expensive. In the broker's defense, I liked everything I saw. Each one had various problems and definite pluses. I'm going to see a few more tomorrow.

After houses I sped over to USC for Script Analysis. We watched the last two-thirds of Notorious. Cary Grant was one of the first actors I've ever really taken note of because of how he looked. I don't usually care much about physical appearance -- today's factoid: Brad Pitt and Keanu Reeves do nothing for me. But Cary Grant...I must have watched The Bishop's Wife a million times when I was little. Every time I saw it I had to ask my parents how come a bishop could be married; I think this is how I came to the conclusion that Anglicans were Catholic-wannabes.

Anyhow. Grant was the ultimate in urbane, debonair, dashing, comic, smoldering. I know, he wasn't any of these things. I don't care. He's one of the few celebrities that I haven't changed my opinion of despite having found out all the deep, dark secrets about him. Still adore him. Sigh.

Today I worked at Babylonian. Pretty active day. One thing I really like about working there is not only being privy to intimate secrets of what's happening in the future -- I know what's happening in the next 12 episodes! hahahahahaha! -- but the people I work with. I really like working with Jeffrey. Not only do I learn a lot from seeing all the things he has to do, but he's fun to talk to.

He evidently likes me too: he brings my name up to John, he-who-runs-things. This is important, especially considering that he puts me forward as someone he has confidence in. Today John asked me about what I'm doing: "You're a USC student? Graduate, undergraduate?"

John, you kidder, don't stop, keep it up, ask me again if I'm an undergraduate. It was like getting carded.

"I'm a graduate student, studying Film...screenwriting."

He raises his eyebrows. "Screenwriting?" He was about to ask me something else, but then he got another phone call. Damn. But he asked; this is a good sign.

By the way, I don't know about being the producer of a TV show. John and Jeffrey are on the show all the time. Sometimes I'm amazed I can get an word in edgewise when Jeffrey is taking calls continually. And they don't have voicemail. Trust me, if you had this job, you'd want voicemail.

I spent today working on computers. Here, there, and everywhere. Everyone had computer questions; they knew to come to me. Something horrible happened to one of the IBM machines; I finally got to say, "I don't do Windows."

Some Babylon 5 backstage factoids:

• Scott Adams, Mr. Dilbert, and his girlfriend are coming to the set Monday to do a guest shot on the show currently being filmed. Entertainment Tonight and 48 Hours are coming by to film this historic event. Two or three film crews around filming the Babylon 5 crew...this is affectionately known around the office as the "Scott Adams media circus." But they are really, really excited to have him there.

  I'm wondering whether to mention that Ceej contributed a letter to one of his management books about poor management practice, and Darin was prominently featured in the letter (as someone annoyed by the poor management, not as a practitioner thereof). Like I'll get to talk to Scott Adams. Like I'll get near him, with all those damn cameras around.

• Every Monday night in the month of February, there are Babylon 5 chats on AOL. Of course, I have to be at class Monday nights. Sigh. Anyhow, the first one is on Monday night and I believe it's Bruce and Claudia. Listen to me: like I know Bruce and Claudia. Mira Furlan has smiled at me a few times and that's it.

• February is sweeps month, which is why you're going to get lots of important segments on your local news about hookers at the Superbowl. Okay, maybe not your news, but some local news are doing that in-depth investigation. Anyhow, sweeps month is very, very important for the networks and production companies, in which ratings determine many important things about their programs.

  Write your local Babylon 5 provider and tell them how much you love the show. Tell them your demographics. Get all of your friends to write. Don't bother with trying to do it by e-mail -- it's gotta be a letter on paper delivered by your Post Office. Check for the address of your local B5 provider on The Lurker's Guide. This is really, really important. Do it.

Tomorrow morning I go see three more houses. We'll see if I continue to be as satisfied with what I see.

I also rewrite the outline for a feature and begin sketching out the other one I've been thinking about, the romantic comedy that would, in a perfect world, star Cary Grant.