World Watch OnLine: The UnOfficial Buckaroo Banzai Mailing List
# 138 (18 June 2000)
Submissions: WWatchOne@aol.com
Editor: WWatchOne@aol.com
Homepage: http://www.worldwatchonline.com
Calendar: http://members.aol.com/wwatchone/web/2000cal.htm
FAQ: http://www.figmentfly.com/bb/bbindex.shtml
Official BB site: http://www.banzai-institute.com

Number of subscribers: 511
(NOTE: anyone who doesn't have an "@something" behind their name 
is from 'aol.com.')

Contents:
Greetings
Re: 'at the auctions'
Re: At The Auctions
Re: World Watch OnLine 137 - 11 June 2000
Buckaroo Banzai - faster than light speed
Re: World Watch OnLine 137 - 11 June 2000
Buckaroo on DVD
Re: The Byronic Man
Hey Check ut this Ain't It Cool News - View Article
At The Auctions
Dragon Tales

HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88

Greetings,

Ah...interesting ish this time. And some interesting
news/rumors herein also.

Semi off topic: Finally caught "Free Enterprise" on
cable. I gladly add my voice to those singing its
praises. Watch it, possibly several times to get
all the jokes. And keep watching right through the
end of the credits. Best ones since "Airplane."

Little further off topic: Another film that's gotten
some mentions in these parts, "Six String Samurai" is
going to be on...Showtime I think, this week. Haven't
seen that one either, so I hope you guys were right
about it. 


Later...
ArcLight

HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88

Subj:	 Re: 'at the auctions'
Date:	6/11/00 9:43:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:	staylor@mindspring.com

I really wish you guys would give it a rest with the auction bit. If you want
to start your own mailing list where you make fun of ebay auctions, go for
it, but it's the same stuff over and over and it's getting stale. Yes, people
pay too much for collectibles, but many of them have the disposable income
and would rather shell out than spend the time on comparison shopping. Yes,
some dealers probably exaggerate to drive up demand, but others are probably
just repeating what somebody said to convince them to buy the item in the
first place. Still others are probably innocently copying the info from other
auction descriptions, assuming the other seller knows more about the item.
And finally, no seller can 'overcharge' for an item on Ebay, since the buyers
desire to compete for an item is what makes a particular item expensive. I'm
also a little ashamed that people representing themselves as Buckaroo Banzai
fans are going around smugly and gleefully harassing people on a public 
forum like ebay. I really don't understand why it's anybody's business - high
priced collectibles are generally thought of as a sign of prestige for a
film, while belligerent and obsessive fans are generally thought the
opposite. No offense, I'd just like the content of the WW1 to be BB and not
Ebay.

HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88

Subj:	 Re: At The Auctions
Date:	6/11/00 7:32:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:	zeeterman@yahoo.com (Xander Zeeterman)

Greetings!
First off, I'd like to say how much I've really 
enjoyed the At The Auctions articles every week.
I've been holding my breath waiting until you got
around to the Jey Car Illusion Toy. I'm the regular
seller of these at Yahoo Auctions that you referred
to. No need to remove my name. Just wanted to comment
about these little toys. I too bought a full box back
in the 80's. My problem is that I'm a terrible packrat
who hates to part with my booty. A bigger house never
helps the situation as we are prone to fill it up too
in record time. Anyway, when I decided to part with
some of these, I had to ask myself some questions.
Mainly, how common are these. Frankly, other than the
original source, I ve never seen these at conventions,
in catalogs, or online (except a couple times on ebay
where they went for alot more than I ask for). Another
fact is that there just aren't that many officially
licensed items that were made. This toy, the
viewmasters, the video, and the t-shirts are the only
non-paper items I'm aware of. It's all supply &
demand, baby! And finally, what price could I ask that
would negate any regrets after they're all gone? I've
had these up probably close to a year and have sold I
think 3. Most I think were single bid winners (which I
like). Everyone's been happy. Not too long ago, I
added a trade offer for the toy (2 bandanas, or a
press kit, posters, or whatever). So far, no takers.
What I find ridiculous at the auctions are the
bandanas going for $20 or more. These were origianlly
free for gosh sakes! At least I paid for the toys. The
bandanas are VERY common in comparison. So there, I've
threw in my 2. My trade offer still stands. Find the
Banzai toy on my auction page and make me a trade
offer I can't refuse.
http://page.auctions.yahoo.com/booth/zeeterman

Keep up the great work and 
get yer hand off my overthruster!

Zeeterman

HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88

Subj:	Re: World Watch OnLine 137 - 11 June 2000
Date:	6/12/00 3:37:16 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From:	

<<  This does not really give the BBIs,
 the Hong Kong Cavilers or BB, 'super hero' status. Personally I find the
 appeal of Team Banzai is this ideal of being good citizens, personal
 improvement, helping when we can, dedication to a cause, respect for
 others and decorum. >>

Just good Americans like yourself, protecting the constitution against all
enemies foreign and domestic.

<< Crazy Horse: I see that there are a lot of TABB videos again this week.
 Everyone should be able to have one soon if this trend keeps going. >>

I almost bought one at a convention once, or should I abriviate, CON, since
on closer examination it was just a copy with a color laser jacket in the
box.  I could make one myself by putting my cable copy in the work print
cover!  Not that all the ones on eBay are boots, but buyer beware.

Laredo

HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88

Subj:	 Buckaroo Banzai - faster than light speed
Date:	6/12/00 12:22:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From:	staylor@mindspring.com

While Doctor Banzai obviously preferred to remain nameless, results of his
latest experiments on faster than light motion can be found at... 
http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/06/04/stifgnusa01007.html 

HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88

Subj:	Re: World Watch OnLine 137 - 11 June 2000
Date:	6/12/00 12:21:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From:	BanzaiSGI

Team BanzaiSGI has moved from Pensacola to Cape Coral FL for another year.
The VA finally approved my reeducation training, so in about another year, I
will be a certified Microsoft Systems Engineer type geek.....then it's off to
infiltrate Yoyodyne......

Ok, what does 'slightly letterboxed' mean? Is that like 'slightly pregnant'?
What is amazing is that people will buy things at all...come on...common
sense three o clock, break right..............
Sometimes those ads sound like something out of the Space Ghost tv show......
When will we ever learn? Or is it Yoyodyne at work
again............lol..........

Jim/BanzaiSGI

HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88

Subj:	 Buckaroo on DVD
Date:	6/15/00 12:52:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:	ryenna@world.std.com (Lady Blue)

Hallo out there to anyone else who has been waiting for this:
www.thedigitalbits.com has announced in their Rumor Mill that Universal
Studios has confirmed that they are working on Buckaroo Banzai on DVD,
tentatively scheduled for 2001.
I know _I'm_ excited.

-Ryenna

HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88

Subj:	Re: The Byronic Man
Date:	6/15/00 10:07:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From:	Tonkatron

In the last WWONE, BBI "The Kid"  writes:
> In regards to BBI Tonkatron's question (Is a Byronic hero like a Bionic
>  hero?), a Byronic or Romantic hero is defined .......

Very interesting info... But it was a joke. I was joking. Bionic. Byronic.
Get it? Anyone? But I guess if a bad pun can give us a paragraph of research,
it was well made.

Johnny Fedora

HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88

Subj:	 Hey Check ut this Ain't It Cool News - View Article
Date:	6/18/00 1:01:51 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From:	fan327@bellsouth.net (Patrick O. Shaffer)

hey read this! right after BGC: Tokyo 2040 is metioned look what makes news!
WOO HOO !!!!!!!
 http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=6237

HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88

Subj:	 At The Auctions
Date:	6/18/00 12:32:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:	alandsmith@uswest.net (BBI Dragon (Alan Smith))

At The Auctions
By BBIs Dragon & Crazy Horse

Kind of a slow week at the BB auctions.
Off the top Crazy Horse and Dragon wish to thank the fan who wrote,
"...give it a rest with the auction bit." for the opinion and we look
forward to thier future contributions to the WWO.
We also wish to thank BBI Downtown from 'downunder' for the very
complimentary private email. Here is a quote from it that I don't think
he'd mind if we share;
"Must say I really enjoy the At The Auctions reviews that you both do.
Love the commentary and comments regarding the merit/morality of some of
the listings that it's a bit of an eye opener to someone who doesn't
(yet) dabble in Ebay... My favorite story/posting is the Banzai watch,
with the posting of the origin of it."
Thank you BBI Downtown!

From last week:
The Buckaroo Banzai LORD JOHN WHORFIN Watch did NOT sell at auction even
at $9.99, broken band and all. This one's for you BBI Downtown! I wonder
if it will ever sell. Maybe the seller should get the band fixed, they
can be replaced for around $15 and then it just might catch $25 or so in
their pocket. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money.

TABB VHS Video auctions
Dragon: Well I guess we haven't seen the old 'supply and demand' hit in
favor of the fans yet! This last week the vhs video is still hovering
with an average auction selling price of $21.75 swinging from $16 to
$36. I am amazed.

Crazy Horse: The amount of Tabb videos seems to be growing. But as
Dragon has pointed out, the price does not seem to be dropping much.
There must be a lot more TABB fans out there than we are aware of, which
is good. I actually own 2 Video tapes of the movie, 1 VHS and 1 BETA.
The BETA is supposed to have better quality. If only I had a BETA
player.

**** I can't speak for the 'TABB' BETA tape in particular, but it
is in general a higher quality format. Then again, a lousy transfer
is a lousy transfer, no matter what medium it's on. - ArcLight ****

-------

Comic Book

Dragon: The two part Marvel comics . Specifically Buckaroo Banzai #1
penciled by Mark Texeira, in very fine condition. Also you will get #1
and 2 from his Union project put out through image comics. #1 is signed
by the artist. Kind of cool to have the comic book autographed by the
pencil artist. Catch up with Peter Weller and get his and you'd have an
even nicer collectable!

Crazy Horse:  Now this is an item worth having. And getting the
autographs of the TABB stars would make it one of the best TABB
collectibles around!! This is definitely an item with the potential to
get only better. I give this one a thumbs up!!!

-------

T-shirt #1

Dragon: Well this item caught my eye, it is described as:
"You are bidding on a The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai T-shirt. Front
Says: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai.. Across The 8th Dimension..
1984 10 Years 1994. Back Says: It's Not My Damn Planet Monkey Boy. A
must have for any Buckaroo Banzai fan. Great Looking Shirt. Size XXL. In
excellent condition."

I thought I'd recognized it from Starland's stock. Sure enough for
$16.95 Med. - LG. or $18.95 XXL you can get it. So at a starting bid of
$9.99 the collector could save some cash if they watched this auction.
It doesn't state that this is a new T-shirt, one point to make.

Crazy Horse: Yet another "must have for any BB fan" from Starland. Yes,
this item may be cheaper than buying it new, but buying a new shirt
comes with it's own guarantee. And it hasn't been sweat in.

-------

T-shirt #2

Dragon: Now here is one on this BBI, a gray T-shirt with a red
Instituted logo. Opening bid is steep at $19.99 and the reserve is
higher. The description states that it looks like a medium but the tag
is missing and a seem has come out. Could this be a really faded black
T-shirt? Hum.... and this is odd but the pictures look like this is a
V-neck too.

Crazy Horse: I have only one thing against this item. I don't mind the
tear in the sleeve, as I am quite adept at sewing. It's just that this
seller has auctioned some items that fall into the category of
"questionable." Not that he has not had some good ones, just that I,
personally, avoid such sellers. As for the color, maybe he accidentally
washed it with bleach? I've got a lot of "formerly black" T-shirts that
somehow snuck into the bleached whites!

**** Saw this myself. Red logo on grey? Don't remember that one
myself. - ArcLight ****

-------

Work Print Video

Dragon: Another bootleg of the Director's cut, looks like a brand new
seller name too. But the starting bid is in "GBP 6.62 (approx. $10.03)",
sounds VERY familiar doesn't it!!!

What I found interesting and unique about this seller is that they've
actually gone to the trouble to list the added footage to the
description, including the timing of where the extras are in the tape.
Kind of cool. It includes my favorites: 00:18:56 - 00:19:23  Arnie's
Backstage. Dirty picture in viewer, 00:41:15 - 00:41:25 Lectroids in
Van. "gimme a fix" and 01:04:35 - 01:05:06 Buckaroo and Penny discuss
Hanoi Xan. This statement is also nice, "Due to the rarity print quality
is not going to be at its best it's fair and very watchable, about 6 out
of 10." The last two similar copies of this to sell at auction went for
$35 and $18.70.

Crazy Horse: This is now a common item. It seems only that the quality
varies. I would have no objection to buying one, as long as it was not a
copy of a copy of a copy, etc. I know that an original is still not of
the best quality, but too many copies of copies will ruin the gene pool.
It also looks like the seller got most of his info off the Banzai FAQ's.

Closing statement:

Crazy Horse: In closing, I would like to say that no matter the
originality or actual quality of an item, most sellers are good about
shipping there items. Even obvious bootleggers will make sure to send
you the item you bought. However, even people with a high positive
feedback can nail you. I'm still waiting for a item that was supposedly
sent out on June 8th by Priority Mail. Good luck and good bidding!!!

HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88

Subj:	 Dragon Tales
Date:	6/18/00 1:08:16 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:	alandsmith@uswest.net (BBI Dragon (Alan Smith))

Greetings,

This week's topic will be: (who's got the drum roll?)
THE STATE OF BB FANDOM JUNE 2000
Facts and observations from a BBI

The motive for this week's soapbox essay is two-fold, to inspire and to
address an issue that pops up from time to time. In this BB newsletter
there have been comments that can be paraphrased with, "BB only...
what's this other stuff doing here!?" It also happens on occasion in the
BB egroup.

When I read comments like this I agree for the most part, but hesitate
to define what 'is' and what 'is not' BB.
Let us look at what resources we have for BB content. I'm going to put
what I can come up with into categories.

The Past Resources - One 103 minute film (plus some added footage in the
Director's cut) and one 223 page novel. Both are over 15 years old.
The Present Resources - A TV series in 'proposal hell' for the last year
and a half. A neglected 'Official' web site (no disrespect) and I'll
include the cast's current achievements.
The Fan Resource - This newsletter (WWO), a small assortment of fan
sites and some fan fiction.
Miscellaneous Resources - BB auctions and merchandise, airing of TABB on
TV, occasional rumors or the very rare 'official' statements.
The Future Resources (maybe) - DVD and CD releases, TV series, more
novels, aliens from Planet 10, oh how did that slip in?

In my point of view, it looking bleak. Let me explain why I say this.

The fan web sites have occasional updates, like ArcLight putting the old
paper WW1s online. There are a few who bring topics to the WWO, some fan
fictions (including the Bunk House wall's round robin stories) and the
auctions, the rare rumor about the Fox TV series, otherwise BB fandom
would be lifeless.
Most of the previously mentioned resources are tapped or dried up with
occasional exceptions. The Past Resources have been kicked around for
over 15 years. The novel is still rare enough that there is good
material in it. Sometimes a fan brings up or rehashes a fun topic for
discussion. There isn't much to say about the TV proposal, except, DO
IT! How many times can we complain about the editing of TABB on TV. As
for the original cast of TABB, sometimes there is news and commentary.
Fan fiction has it's up's and downs. The auctions are something that is
current, this includes 'education' about what BB memorabilia there is
out there, but the auctions can become repetitious. I've run out now.
There is a real deficiency in good, fresh, BB resources.

Okay time for inspiration.
What can we do? Flush out what there is, broaden our definition of what
'is' BB. The fans are the true resource in my opinion. But few are
tapping their potential. Wither out of fear of ridicule & disapproval, a
lack of time or ambition or maybe they lack the need to contribute. The
state of BB fandom June 2000 is what we make of it. If it wasn't for the
occasional stirring of the waters by a few ambitious fans, BB fandom
would go stagnant. Considering we have one movie and one hard to get
novel, BB fandom has come a long way.
We have reason to be proud.

Now, I ask a question. What do you do to stir the waters?

Rokit Files
This week marks one month with our new companion. With the full moon
Rokit has been particularly unruly in the evenings and has had to take
several 'time outs' to settle down. Next week we start obedience
training, officially anyway, but we've been working with him since day
one. Rokit did a good one on me this week. While online I heard a
familiar 'pop' from my modem which usually means I've lost my
connection, a bad habit of my server and this old machine. As I was
trying to reestablish my connection I heard Rokit diligently chewing on
something just out of sight a few feet away. I got up to check on him to
find the phone cord in four pieces! Rawhide was not good enough for him
I guess! LOL! I think Rokit was saying, "Hello, get off the computer and
pay attention to ME!"

Well, have a good week all, hope to catch some new faces at the twice
weekly GABBs (chats) for the BB fans. The usual info is below.

Always True Blue,
BBI Dragon

Random Novel quote: Reno talks about B. Banzai:
"Buckaroo, like most true geniuses, was utterly without arrogance, a
simple man in the best sense of the word. Decency toward others was not
something he had to work at; with him it was as involuntary as
breathing. On the other hand, I have seen him an hour after killing a
man and found him to be perfectly composed. To the Occidental mind this
may seem a contradiction; but to the soul of the Mongol, that atavistic
side of B. Banzai whose blood flows in a straight line from the Khans,
mortal combat is the prime rule of nature. We in the West have largely
forgotten this. The Mongol has not."

The Humane Society of The United States: http://www.hsus.org/
Team Banzai Chat server: http://www.team-banzai.net/Chat/chat.shtml
Gabbs are scheduled twice weekly
Weds. & Suns. 6 PM PDT/9 PM EDT.
Team Banzai.net is at: http://www.team-banzai.net/
B. Banzai e-mail list: http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/BuckarooBanzai

HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88
HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88HB88