T.L. Foreman and James McLean, two masterminds of Back to Frank Black -- the dedicated campaign to resurrect Chris Carter's Millennium -- have just posted the 20th Millennium Group Session Podcast at their site.And --yep! -- it's an in-depth audio interview with yours truly, me! Click here to listen to the full hour.
This the first part of a two-part conversation. The topics range from my writing career to my opinion of the social value of the horror genre. We discuss Millennium, the ways beloved TV series age and change over the years. And there's also some talk about my officially licensed Space:1999 novel (The Forsaken)...and more.
Coming up in Part 2 next week there's more Millennium talk as well as a detailed look back at my independent web series, The House Between.
Anyway, I'd like to thank James and Troy for doing such a great job hosting the show and for including me in their impressive Podcast series. I hope you'll take a listen...
John,
ReplyDeleteThe pleasure was all on our end. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. We definitely could have gone on for a couple more hours! We definitely need to have you back on in the near future. Keep up the excellent work on your blog and thanks so much for your support of Millennium and our campaign!
What a fantastic interview.
ReplyDeleteI'd also put Farscape, Star Trek and Babylon 5 in the list of shows that should be re-watched.
You should do more interviews John. You're a great guest.
Hey Pete,
ReplyDeleteI also love Star Trek and Farscape, but despite the sincere recommendations of people I admire deeply (Howard Margolin, Mateo Latosa and yourself), I have just never been able to get into Babylon 5. Believe me, I've tried!!! I don't know what's wrong with me...
Thank you for your kind words about me being a great guest, Pete -- much appreciated! Part 2 should be just as much fun, I hope.
best,
JKM
Great interview, John. You and your hosts had a fantastic rapport going. Can't wait for part 2. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteIt was a blast. It was almost frustrating it was loosely based on Millennium as I would loved to have talked Farscape, Babylon 5 et al. Just not enough interview minutes in the day!
ReplyDeleteFantastic interview, I'm looking forward to part two.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
BBFB
I also really dug the interview (part one). One thing you said got me thinking, and I'm going to throw this out there. You stated that (I paraphrase) "we didn't get a (genre) show that refelcted the times in the (first half of) the 2000s" (wow, I REALLY was paraphrasing there). I would suggest that "24" is that series. Very arguably genre, but it clearly is "near future" and makes use of not-yet-available technology ("Chloe, can you zoom in around that corner?" "Jeez, give me a second, Jack.") so I would say it's as much genre as "Strange Days". Launched pre-9/11 (well, sort of) it managed to both capture and predict the tone of the next decade in the same way that Millenium did. (Hmm, both were on Fox...)
ReplyDeleteDLR:
ReplyDeleteI think you are right, and I was likely over-generalizing when I made that statement.
I was seeking a more overt -- let's say "speculative"/"futuristic" show (Harsh Realm -- inside a virtual reality world; or Firefly -- the distant future) -- but both 24 and J.J. Abrams' Alias (which I have been screening here recently for a cult tv flashback...) very clearly speak to the post-2001 American culture; and predict matters as grim as Abu Ghraib, torture, and the total politicization of fighting "terror."
You're right that there is some advanced tech there too that qualifies (however slightly, perhaps) as futuristic.
I think I blindly wrote both shows off as being more in the action/espionage mode than in the "futuristic" mode I was seeking; but they clearly predicted the path of the 2000s (torture, an African-American president, a corrupt Vice-President, sleeper cell threats in the U.S., competition between covert intel groups in and out of government, etc...)
Good comment!
best,
JKM
I'm hear to back you up on Babylon 5 John. I completely understand why you haven't been able to fall in love with Babylon 5. I've watched it in its entirety recently and there are times it feels like you're watching a John Sayles film. It's very wordy. It's also very intensive in creating its intergalactic world of alien politics. This can be tedious.
ReplyDeleteThe highlights in the series are some of the characters, in particular G'Kar and Londo, and some wonderful acting that delivers on an emotional level by Andreas Katsulas and Peter Jurasik after all of the investment in getting there. Season 2-4 are the best. I've met some wonderful Babylon 5 fans while covering it on my blog for the last three years. It was an investment I tell ya. : )
With regard to Millennium, I have those box sets and bought them not too long ago. I will have to investigate them soon. Joining the conversation late on that subject but what is the status of a Millennium relaunch? Just curious.
I'm thoroughly enjoying your site. I'm like the proverbial kid in a candy store. Fortunately my wife was out all day. Superbowl and JKM's blog, highlights of the day. I need to get back to work soon. :)