JMS Commentary to be removed from “Crusade”

As some of you may have heard, JMS was more than a little irritated by the DVD release of Crusade. It seems that he had agreed to record a commentary for one of the episodes on the condition that it be left intact, since he planned to tell the fans why the show got cancelled. Well, Warner edited those comments out and left the rest intact. After much conversation, (to quote JMS when I asked him about this via e-mail last December: “We’re talking. Loudly.”) it has been decided that future pressings of Crusade will not include his commentary. The deal was an “all or nothing” type of deal, so they’ve agreed on the “nothing” bit. Existing copies, such as those available here, still have that commentary track. I’ll keep an eye for a new pressing when I’m doing the weekly DVD column, and let you know when the commentary-free
batch is available. I’d suggest getting this version; I’ve listened to the commentary, and even though it’s not complete, it is interesting and informative.

14 replies on “JMS Commentary to be removed from “Crusade””

  1. rally behind The Man

    Poor JMS gets bent over by every media monster in the country. Wondering why “Rising Stars” still isn’t finished? Scroll down to “Rise and Fall” in this article.

    It’s a shame (though not a surprise) that people with *REAL* talent (like JMS and Whedon) get the shaft even after producing brilliant, original, excellent material. Where is my future of on-demand television and a la carte cable? FUCK HOLLYWOOD.

    • Re: rally behind The Man

      Where is my future of on-demand television and a la carte cable? FUCK HOLLYWOOD.

      Bittorrent. ;) I say the studios are missing a great opportunity here. If they released good quality copies of their shows a day after they air, with the commercials intact, they could still get a good chunk of audience.

      Does anyone know what JMS said on the Crusade DVD? I did get a copy of the DVD on BT, but couldn’t watch it. Whoever ripped it shouldn’t be allowed near a computer for a while.

      Ethier that or I’ll have to wait for the collection to arrive ;)

      • Re: rally behind The Man

        Where is my future of on-demand television and a la carte cable? FUCK HOLLYWOOD.

        Bittorrent. ;) I say the studios are missing a great opportunity here. If they released good quality copies of their shows a day after they air, with the commercials intact, they could still get a good chunk of audience.

        Does anyone know what JMS said on the Crusade DVD? I did get a copy of the DVD on BT, but couldn’t watch it. Whoever ripped it shouldn’t be allowed near a computer for a while.

        Ethier that or I’ll have to wait for the collection to arrive ;)

        I have no hard information but based on JMS comments included in Lurker’s Guide to BR\5 (http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/us/eplist.html) episdoe summaries for Crusdade, the network, either WB or TNT became his hemaroid. He doesn’t explicitly flame them… but if you read between the lines, there is a lot he doesn’t actually say.

        Like the space ameoba that “gets fresh” with the Excalibur is JMS’s response to the network’s demand for sex on the show. At least that is my interpretation.

        • Re: rally behind The Man
          Took me a little while to find the reference, check out http://crusade.isnnews.net/news/280599.shtml for snippets from an interview JMS gave post-Crusade. This is the big one, what TNT wanted changed at the end of the episode “The Well of Forever”:

          —–

          “Gideon arranges for Dureena to seduce the investigator. She entices him to use his power to “seduce” her, which is a serious violation of the Telepath Laws. The stakes are high. However she must keep her focus on the seduction. If he reads her mind, he will expose her goal. He will kill her. Gideon catches him with his pants down and blackmails him.”

          JMS said, “What you’re saying is Gideon arranges for Dureena to be “assaulted” by this guy so they can catch him in the act. Is that what you’re saying? And they said yes. ‘This is what you want the captain of this ship to do to one of his crew? Are you out of your mind?”

          —–

    • Re: rally behind The Man

      Wondering why “Rising Stars” still isn’t finished? Scroll down to “Rise and Fall” in this article.

      Thankfully, these have started coming out again. There is now one issue left in the series, which should be coming out soon.

  2. Not

    I’d suggest getting this version; I’ve listened to the commentary, and even though it’s not complete, it is interesting and informative.

    I’d suggest not. Respect the creator and don’t buy a DVD set that was produced in contradiction to his wishes and as the result of a lie from Warner Bros.

    • Re: Not

      I’d suggest not. Respect the creator and don’t buy a DVD set that was produced in contradiction to his wishes and as the result of a lie from Warner Bros.

      Just as soon as he posts his commentary online for me to listen to with the episodes. But, since he won’t do that, buy the current version, while you have the chance.

      • Re: Not

        Well, I guess it comes down to which you prefer: a commentary from JMS (which I was looking forward to myself) or that WB (and, ultimately, all the studios) treat creators with the respect they deserve.

        I vote for the latter. Why should these talented individuals continue to create for studios that don’t respect them? If we can show WB and others that the way they treat the creators is important to the consumers, perhaps they’ll change the way they operate. It will probably take a while for them to get the message, but in my opinion it’s worth it.

        And I, for one, would rather have no JMS commentary at all than one that was neutered through studio interference.

        They could always take a page from the South Park playbook and remove the commentary but offer the unexpurgated version as a separate CD.

    • Re: Not

      I’d suggest not. Respect the creator and don’t buy a DVD set that was produced in contradiction to his wishes and as the result of a lie from Warner Bros.

      I agree. The only way we’re going to win this–the only way to get Them to listen–is to vote with our wallets.

      • Re: Not

        I’d suggest not. Respect the creator and don’t buy a
        DVD set that was produced in contradiction to his wishes
        and as the result of a lie from Warner Bros.

        I agree. The only way we’re going to win this–the
        only way to get Them to listen–is to vote with our
        wallets.

        But Crusade was ultimately crap. JMS’ best, highly
        refined, top quality crap, but crap nonetheless. I am
        tempted to get the commentary, but since I honestly didn’t
        really like the series, I can’t say a “limited edition”
        will make it more attractive.

        I just felt the whole thing was a step in the wrong
        direction. Maybe he could have fixed it without so much
        interference, but it felt like Crusade was the lame B5
        Season 5 rejects to me. Sorry folks.

        • Re: Not
          Maybe he could have fixed it without so much interference, but it felt like
          Crusade was the lame B5 Season 5 rejects to me. Sorry folks.

          Why are you sorry? Did you write for the show?

          • Re: Not

            Maybe he could have fixed it without so much interference, but it felt like
            Crusade was the lame B5 Season 5 rejects to me. Sorry folks.

            Why are you sorry? Did you write for the show?

            In JMS’ defense, the badness of Season 5 wasn’t totally his fault, and the fact that it continued at all with any merit is a testament to his writing and planning. When CC left, the show tailspinned a bit, but recovered by the second half of the season.

        • Re: Not

          But Crusade was ultimately crap. JMS’ best, highly
          refined, top quality crap, but crap nonetheless. I am
          tempted to get the commentary, but since I honestly didn’t
          really like the series, I can’t say a “limited edition”
          will make it more attractive.

          I’ve always thought of Crusade as an attempt at subversion by JMS. He never wanted a B5 franchise, and I think he might have made Crusade to tank (intentionally or subconciously), just so TNT would leave him alone.

      • Re: Not

        I agree. The only way we’re going to win this–the only way to get Them
        to listen–is to vote with our wallets.

        Except that there are those of us who saw it coming out months ago, pre
        ordered it, and got it months before this article saw the light of day.

        Burning it or throwing it away now woulnd’t tell WB anything so I’m watching
        it & keeping it.

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