This is the news for July 4 [typo] from Nan Dibble and Helpers' Network Hotline
for fans of Beauty and the Beast. To contact me by e-mail, post to
ndibble@fuse.net. To stop (or to begin) receiving updates as e-mail, notify
me at the above e-mail address. To reach me by phone (evenings/weekends),
call (513) 961-4813.The website is at http://home.fuse.net/helpnet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another splendid convention done. The ConCom deserve LOUD congratulations
for their efforts, and the result. As many of you will already know, there
were two special surprise appearances: Roy Dotrice, who dropped in from a
Mexican vacation, and Ron Perlman. Both dropped in briefly (but most
welcomly!) following the Saturday banquet. With him, Roy brought a copy of
the pilot of his new fall sitcom, "The Madigen Men," to give all the
con-goers an advance peek at his next project. Even your humble servant,
who doesn't particularly like sitcoms as a breed, was moved to smile from
time to time. I'm sure we all wish Roy well in this new enterprise.which
means his living in NYC while filming continues, so he'll be on THIS side
of the water for awhile. Naturally Ron was gracious, having many pictures
taken with fans before slipping discreetly into the night.

Like all con-goers, I had a wonderful time and was very thankful for the
opportunity to recharge batteries with the splendid and kind people of this
fandom, making new friends and gladly exchanging innumerable hugs with
"old" ones. The collection of costumes from the series (including THE
Vincent costume purchased by fandom at Great Expectations), only some of
which were auctioned, was wonderful to see, and our dear Jamie Murray was
presented with a genuine Vincent patchwork chamois/leather Vincent vest
from (I think) the Rest Is Silence. And I got a hug from Jamie while he was
wearing the vest. (Sigh.) The closest, I expect, I'll ever come to a
genuine Vincent hug. But Jamie's no slouch at hugging, either--he's
certainly had lots of practice!

For the whole scope of the news presented at the convention, you'll have to
get a con video from the redoubtable Phil and Julie Smith, who (as usual)
were in attendance, with their crew from NovTek, as official videographers.
I didn't take notes. I didn't even get the information on ordering con
videos, which usually come out sometime in October at a modest price. But
I'm sure if I ask politely, I'll be told the ordering information, which
I'll duly pass on to you all.

However, there were two cheering (and cheerable) items worth highlighting.
First, planning has begun on two additional cons beyond next year's in New
York City, in 2001 (the candle was officially passed to the new ConCom at
the closing ceremonies). Though I'm sure we're all looking forward to that
convention and scheming (at least *I* certainly am!) how to get there, the
fact that in 2002 there will be a B&B convention in Orlando, and in 2003,
we will gather somewhere in the San Francisco area, gives me the sense of
things opening out into the future again. I find this most welcome and
congratulate those other con committees for being willing to commit to all
the work they KNOW is involved in preparing for our fandom's annual bash.

The other item of interest is that Lee Holdridge, the composer of the B&B
theme music, is attempting to locate in the bureaucratic maze that is
Viacom the rights-holder to the Of Love and Hope recording. I'm not clear
on whether he's attempting to reissue it or perhaps launch a NEW one (a
dream that's been often announced, never accomplished). That he's even
trying is heartening, and I wish him patience.and success. If any
developments come about this, I'll hope to hear and relay to you.

Everyone who can possibly come-start thinking New York, next summer!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two small personal matters. First, at a discussion of Vincent's probable
delight in the possibilities inherent in chat rooms and e-mail, I was
discussing the role of the internet in general, and Helpers' Network in
particular, in helping to unite and sustain this international fandom. And
I said then, and believe now, that more important than anything I do, or
any news I convey, is the simple fact that this news service by and for the
Beauty and the Beast fandom is HERE. It's a place to touch base, trade
news, relay requests and offers, for the whole of the worldwide fandom. I
hope it continues to serve that purpose for many, many years to come.

Second, although I will try clearing up about a month's backup in filling
orders, it will be slow. Though I am glad to be able to say my health is
much improved, my difficulty before the convention was a heart attack, and
I've had to proceed slowly as I discover what I must, can, and will do to
prevent another. I didn't want to worry anybody unnecessarily before, since
there was nothing any of us could do; but now that I seem quite all right
again, I think it's only fair to let you know what's been happening. You
are all my friends, and friends tell friends that sort of thing, ne?
Working full-time as I do, with minimal necessary housework, grocery
shopping, visits to the vet, etc., added on, leaves limited time and energy
for doing much of anything else, so I'm slow at the best, as many of you
will understand, I'm sure. Despite that, I apologize for the
delays--whether avoidable or plain laziness--that have impeded my filling
the orders I already have. I'll try to make headway against the backlog and
beg your exasperated understanding a while longer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I discover, getting home, that the photo included on the Helpers' Network
website in the update for July 4 had a very exclusive audience: me. I could
see it, because it was linked to the file on my computer rather than to the
copy on the website. To everyone else, it was a mystifying little square
with no picture. But because I could see it fine, it took me awhile to
realize there was a problem. I've now corrected it (I think) and can add
the fact, supplied by Helper Judy Adams, that Ron's son is named Brandon
Avery Perlman. Thanks for the identification, Judy! If you care to check
out the photo on the website, in the previous update, I think you'll find
you can now see it. The problem with learning web design by trial and error
is that occasionally, errors predominate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a follow-up to a news item in the last update, Helper Judy Adams
confirms that the video of the Magnificent 7 pilot is indeed for sale.but
perhaps out of stock. Judy says, "It was available for purchase. Just
checked and it's not currently available, but maybe they didn't make
enough, 'cause I know many Mag7 Pards who bought it. I'll keep you updated,
but here's a link to where you'll be able to find it if it's re-released.
Other eps may follow, we were told by John Watson.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6305762511/catsclassicbeaut"

Thanks twice, Judy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here are the sightings from Helper/Correspondent Maxine Mayer:

Saturday, July 15
11:30 p Roy Dotrice in Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers (COM)
1 a Beauty and the Beast (ODY)

Sunday, July 16
11:30 p Roy Dotrice in Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers (COM)
12 n Roy Dotrice in The Lady Forgets (LIF)
1 p Lewis Smith (Diana's boyfriend, Mark) in The Heavenly Kid (MAX)
11 p Beauty and the Beast (ODY)

Monday, July 17
1 a Beauty and the Beast (ODY)

Tuesday, July 18
1 a Beauty and the Beast (ODY)

Wednesday, July 19
8 p Ron Perlman in Magnificent 7 (TNN)
1 a Beauty and the Beast (ODY)

Thursday, July 20
2:45 p Roy Dotrice in The Cutting Edge (SHO)
10 p Lance Henriksen (Snow, "Snow") in Color of Night (MAX)
1 a Beauty and the Beast (ODY)

Friday, July 21
1 a Beauty and the Beast (ODY)


If it's news and has to do with Beauty and the Beast, please think of the
Hotline and relay. We're all in this together, keeping the dream alive
however we can. Beast wishes, be well, and goodbye.


ndibble@fuse.net
http://home.fuse.net/helpnet