Today in Star Wars History Now Available!
Hey hey, Star Wars friends,
Richard Woloski of Skywalking Through Neverland has published Today in Star Wars History: Part 1–January to June. Yes, every date on the calendar has had a significant occurrence in Star Wars history, from the release of the films, TV shows, awards, books and comic books, and Richard has commemorated them in copious detail, including anecdotes and other behind-the-scenes tidbits.
For more details and a link to order, go here.
Part 2, July through December, will be available November 25, 2022 at LOSCON at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport Hotel–and of course, through the Skywalking Through Neverland site.
Tom Cruise: Why Won’t This Fella Age?
With the release of Top Gun: Maverick, comedian Sean Hayes has posted a video that asks the vital question, Why doesn’t Tom Cruise age?
Click here for the video.
The return of JANE AND THE DRAGON
When we last thrilled to the adventures of Jane Turnkey of Kippernia Castle, she was well on her way to become the world’s first female knight. But did she make it? Alas, Jane and the Dragon ceased production after 26 episodes. We never learned what happened to her and her dragon named Dragon, and their associates at the castle.
Until now.
Now, some seventeen years later, author/creator/illustrator Martin Baynton is writing new stories about our 10th-century friends. The setting is five years after the show ended, their time. Squire Jane and her rival, Squire Gunther, have indeed become Knights of the Royal Guard, serving two years in that position. Jane is now age 17. Dragon is still hanging around snoozing on the castle battlements. Jester, Rake the gardener and Pepper the castle cook are still employed. Sir Theodore and Sir Ivon are still active in their knightly duties.
While the TV series raised numerous questions as to the fate of these characters, Baynton is planting new dramatic time bombs in these new stories.
Kippernia is in debt to the surrounding kingdoms; will it default on its loans? Jane has promised Dragon to help find others of his kind after she became a knight. It’s been two years since that has happened. Will they soon leave, thereby making the castle vulnerable? Sir Theodore is entering retirement age; will Sir Ivon take command of the Royal Guard? Why did Dragon sequester himself in his cave during an earlier visit by Theodore’s colleague, Haroldus? Will Jester engage in courtship with Jane? Is the Wizard still alive?
Find out at https://janeandherdragon.com/, where Martin Baynton has been posting the new adventure, Dragonblade, one chapter a week. The second chapter has been posted as of this writing. Once again you can share in the wit, whimsy, even thought-provoking themes that Baynton raises in his delightful prose. And where else would you read about a clumsy, socially-awkward, cheeky dragon who’s full of himself, yet has a heart of gold beneath the scales?
So rejoin Jane and her friends. Enjoy their adventures. Let yourself feel young again.
The Demand for JANE AND THE DRAGON
It was October 5, 2005 when Jane and the Dragon premiered in Canada on YTV, and September 2, 2006 when it was first broadcast in the United States on NBC.
Based on the trilogy of children’s books by Martin Baynton, Jane and the Dragon told the story of 12-year-old Jane Turnkey who trained in secret to become a knight in the southeast England kingdom of Kippernia. Her best friend was a 300-year-old fire-breathing talking dragon, named Dragon, who promised to help in exchange for her helping find others of his kind. More often than not, Dragon’s clumsy help made matters more difficult for Jane, but she would rise to the occasion and ultimately succeed.
Weta Workshop of New Zealand and Nelvana Ltd. of Canada made 26 episodes of whimsical fun, adventure, and challenges that provoked the audience as well as the characters. Is there a Tooth Fairy? What are the consequences of gossip? What does loyalty really mean, and are there sacrifices involved? How do you deal with someone as obnoxious as Dragon?
Alas, we never saw Jane achieve her knighthood, though it was likely she would. We never saw Dragon find others of his kind, assuming other dragons existed.
In the meantime, fans hoped the stories would continue at some point. Here are some reactions from a YouTube posting of the episode “Rune,” uploaded by KnifeInTheCrayonBox:
Susan Soltau
3 years ago
I’m glad to see after all this time, there still is a reasonably sized fanbase for this highly underrated show. I first discovered it when I was in early high school so thank you for uploading the remaining episodes even after 12 years. I still enjoy looking back on them once and a while.
Susan Soltau
3 years ago
I do love how Jane is just a little out of breath complaining how out of shape she is. Jane you do realize you just ran up a mountain thousands of feet above ground level in like a unrealistically short amount of time right? I wish I was in half as good of shape as she is.
Mads the Ghost
3 years ago
I used to tune my tv’s antenna all morning just to watch this program. I miss it and I wish it could be resurrected by someone who loves it and would keep the tone and art the same.
HiddenTalent
2 years ago
“Integrity is a banner we must each carry every day…” This hit really hard. Always some great lessons sprinkled throughout this series.
mariem labbaoui
2 years ago
jane’s voice is actually pretty cool in the intro i don’t know why she said she can’t sing
Jade Kitchen
3 years ago
I love how the castle staff like Gardner, jester etc… are like 11-13 years old
Giuly Salvati
2 years ago
I remember watching this as a Child and I loved it, now at the age of 17 I still love it…and I can explain now why I so much love Dragon stories.
IrmaTheSperma
8 months ago
I would kill for a reboot of this show with everyone being older. It could have a more serious narrative and go into more depth about Dragon’s story. Also it could focus on more mature themes and relate to an older audience since most of us who remember watching it are older now. It would be kick ASS
Amelia Rizk
2 years ago
I feel bad about jane actually, she always tryin to please everyone
Emma Grainger
3 years ago
don’t mess with pepper’s pies or she’ll throw a wooden spoon at you
little Red
3 years ago
Every episode has a life lessons dose anyone else see that?
Destiny Miller
4 months ago
This is one show from my childhood I would support of reboot of. Our advancements in animation tech would make this show next level. Also, we could finally get a proper ending to the show
XDanW
2 years ago
I’m glad Gunther came through in the end, I guess he’s not such a bad guy after all.
Fernando Garcia
1 year ago
It wasn’t until now that I realized that Gunther isn’t even that bad. He is pushed to by his dad which is messed up. He is just lazy and childish but thats nothing tok bad… oh and Pepper is pretty bad 🥵😭
Good news, Jane fans.
Martin Baynton is writing new stories about Jane and the Dragon. Click on the link and enjoy.
More in the next post.
Guy Fleegman from Galaxy Quest joins the crew of the Enterprise!
Major Grin has discovered Guy Fleegman, the Security Chief from Galaxy Quest, has joined the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise as Sam Kirk on Strange New Worlds. See for yourself:
Uploaded May 8, 2022.
An extended clip, uploaded May 12, 2022. Guy goes on an away mission!
Comment from No Answer:
Wait… “Get his helmet off” That’s the response to him being blasted by a “dangerous buildup of energy?” Really? If it’s so safe to take off Redshirt McPornstache’s helmet, why are you all wearing yours? Seriously, do those suits not have at least a basic way of gauging the occupant’s condition? It has to know how much oxygen he’s consuming, and it probably knows his pulse. You don’t have to extra-contaminate the poor guy.
Downton Abbey Fireside Chats
In a four-part series, Downton Abbey writer/creator Julian Fellowes speaks to some of the stars to promote the latest film, Downton Abbey: A New Era.
Enjoy:
Episode #1: Hugh Bonneville and the origins of the Downton Abbey series
Episode #2: Leslie Nicol on portraying real historical events
Episode #3: Allen Leech, the glitz and glamour of a bygone era
Episode #4: Julian Fellowes answers fan questions, plus a clip
A Fun Tripp!
Meet Harvey Tripp, a man striving to prove himself as an agent of the Planetary Partnership Diplomatic Service. But there are problems. For all his good intentions, he’s a walking jinx, thereby living up to his last name.
Mark Mayerson, creator of Monster By Mistake, presents a humorous interstellar odyssey as Tripp has to deal with negotiating with sentient rodents, hostile dinosaurs, a malfunctioning spaceship, charges of treason, and making a living while on the run from his own government.
Tripp’s misadventures can be found in a series of online graphic novels at Mayerson’s website, beginning with “Tripp to the Stars.” Click here.
“Return Tripp” is next. Click here.
The current story is “Tripp to Prosperity,” which you can read when you click here.
You’re in for a treat!
All volumes © copyright Mark Mayerson and Kim Davidson.
Scrat Finally Eats the Acorn!
As a tribute to Blue Sky Studios, now shut down due to Disney’s acquisition of Fox (Blue Sky was a subsidiary), this footage was animated of Scrat finally achieving his heart’s desire.
Uploaded by Unlisted on April 13, 2022 with the statement, “In the final days of Blue Sky Studios, a small team of artists came together to do one final shot. This shot is a farewell, a send-off on our own terms.”
Bill Maher Explains Jokes to Idiots
Comedian and producer Bill Maher finds it necessary to pontificate about a societal problem on his show, Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO:
On April 10, multi-talented voicemaster Bob Bergen added his observations on Facebook. With his kind permission, I pass this along:
I am reposting this video which I first saw on my buddy Gregg Berger’s page. Since seeing it there, it has been reposted and reposted, and it needs to continue to be shared, and shared and shared!
As I commented on Gregg’s page, this video is pure brilliance. Humor gets us through anything. Many in my family who survived The Holocaust found it was humor, and often self deprecating humor which kept them going. Taking a joke, laughing at ourselves, our differences, our similarities, even our frailties, rather than play the offended victim is what choosing happiness is all about. And happiness is indeed a choice, as victimhood is as well. If 2 people are told the same joke, one finds it hysterical and one is offended, the one missing out is the one who chooses to be offended. But this is also the kind of person who wakes up every day seeking to be offended by…..something. What a sad existence. What a waste of this precious thing called life.
Funny is subjective. All have the ability to ignore anything….well, except perhaps a slap in the face. But no words, and especially from a comic should ever be censored. Between Maher’s commentary here, as well as the overwhelming support for Chris Rock, I think we can finally see this cancel culture pendulum swinging the other way.
