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************************************************************************** THE POWER RANGERS ZEO NEWSLETTER THE NEWSLETTER OF THE POWER RANGER CLUB ISSUE #62 -- MAY 8, 1996 "MAN, THEY'RE NEVER GONNA BELIEVE THIS ON THE INTERNET!" ********************************************************************* INDEX TO PRZ NEWSLETTER #62 1: ZEO UPDATES Updates on "Power Rangers Zeo". 2: TOP TEN LIST The top ten unanswered questions on Power Rangers. 3: NICE TO MEET YOU Owen Humphreys's profile. 4: TODAY'S REVIEW OF THE DAY Today's review is on "Power Rangers Zeo". 5: SABAN SIGHTINGS! Haven't I seen you somewhere? 6: SPACE CASE Walter Jones' new show is a smash! 7: DID YOU KNOW? Betcha didn't know this!!! 8: ASK MAX I answered six of your questions, with help from some of the members. 9: STRETCH Results and a new stretch! 10: MUSIC BOX Happy, happy birthday, Baby! 11: PRZ POLL #6 [RESULTS!!!] Your vote counts! And, a new poll! 12: THE PRZ BULLETIN BOARD Looking for some hard-to-get merchandise? Here's the place to look... 13: TODAY'S TRIVIA Do *you* know the answer? 14: POWER RANGER B-DAY ANNOUNCEMENTS! Happy, happy birthday, Baby! 15: WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK? Don't miss it! 16: NEXT ISSUE! A sneak peak at issue 63. ************************************************************************** **** ZEO UPDATES by Ray Calderon (zyuray@nyc.pipeline.com) Power Rangers Zeo: From Playthings, Feb.1996: "Power Rangers will undergo a total metamorphosis in 1996. Saban International will begin airing Power Rangers Zeo this Spring, in which the action adventure characters obtain their powers from gemstones, rather than by "morphing". Power Rangers Zeo will begin airing on the Fox Network in April. More new episodes will appear in the Fall." Brad Hawkins: From Totally Kids, Spring, 1996: "The last inside scoop is that someone (a blonde, hip, handsome teenager) from VR Troopers is going to leave that series and become a Power Ranger at the end of this coming summer. Stay tuned! You'll find out real soon!" The Machine Empire: From the Power Rangers Zeo toy packaging: "Ordinary teenagers have been chosen to save the world from the Evil Space Aliens of the Machine Empire. Using special Zeonizers, they transform into the incredible Zeo Rangers with the ability to summon the mighty Zeo Zords. When all else fails, the Zeo Zords join together to form even more powerful battle machines. Will they be strong enough to save us from Machine Queen?" Kenya: Aisha's replacement has been renamed Tanya. Perhaps "Kenya" was thought to be a little too ethnic. Billy: Apparently, Billy's "injury" was not crippling as previously suspected. It's possible that it may have originally been a crippling injury, changed because David Yost may have decided not to leave the show. Current speculation has it that Billy might become Zeo Ranger VI, the Gold Ranger. Fourth Season Color Combinations: With the impending departure of Jason David Frank, and the arrival of Brad Hawkins, as well as the introduction of the Gold Ranger, there are many possible combinations for the future of PRZ: A: Billy/Gold Ranger in command, Brad Hawkins/Red Ranger. (21) B: Billy/Red Ranger in command, Brad Hawkins/Gold Ranger. (2) C: Brad Hawkins/Gold Ranger in command, Billy/Red Ranger. D: Brad Hawkins/Red Ranger in command, Billy/Gold Ranger. (1) E: Brad Hawkins/Gold Ranger in command, Billy/Blue Ranger, Rocky/Red Ranger. (4) F: Rocky/Red Ranger in command, Billy/Blue Ranger, Brad Hawkins/Gold Ranger. (2) G: Brad Hawkins/Gold Ranger in command, with Billy remaining a non-Ranger. (1) H: Brad Hawkins/Red Ranger in command, with Billy remaining a non-Ranger. ************************************************************************** **** TOP TEN LIST by Dave (Rushnrulet@aol.com) Today's list is the top ten unanswered Power Ranger questions: 10. Are the Ranger's parents, who have only been seen for fleeting moments, related to the parents in the old Charlie Brown cartoons who are only shown from the calves down and just say "mwuh, mwuh, mwuh?" 9. The Rangers' last names are almost never stated. Why the mystery? Are they all in the Federal Witness Relocation Program or something? 8. Why is it that Rita has gotten so much better at mouthing her words? Did it have something to do with the makeover Finster gave her when she got back? 7. How were the Rangers able to go back to Angel Grove in Colonial Times (in the 1600's) when California wasn't even settled until the mid 19th century? 6. We know that Angel Grove is in a prime earthquake zone. Why then do all the buildings in the city seem to be made of cardboard which isn't exactly good at standing up to natural disasters? 5. Speaking of those buildings, exactly how many people have gone to that great Command Center in the sky from all the monsters knocking them down? 4. If Rita/Zedd/Mondo/Machina/Ivan Ooze want(ed) to conquer the world, why don't they attack Washington D.C. first instead of Angel Grove? 3. Does the Ranger's constant repetition of movements and words ("We need dinozord power now!" "Zeo Ranger 5, Red!" That funky thing they used to do while holding their morphers. Etc.) indicate that they have some form of obsessive-compulsive disorder? 2. While the Zords are joining together or the Zeo/Power Blaster is being formed, what exactly is the monster doing? Playing Solitaire? And, the number one unanswered question on "Power Rangers" is: Don't the Ranger's parents find it kind of weird that their kids only ask for clothes in one color? NOTE: In reply to #9, a lady from Saban named Jackie has given me the last names of all the Rangers and they can be found in "ASK MAX" ************************************************************************** **** NICE TO MEET YOU E-MAIL ADDRESS: EnsTomP@aol.com REAL NAME: Owen Humphreys BIRTHDATE: 5/28/85 CURRENT RESIDENCE: West Virginia FAVE EPISODE(s): The Zeo Quest mini-series. FAVE QUOTE(s): "Did you say something? I was asleep?" "Hate to say duh...but duh!!" ************************************************************************** **** TODAY'S REVIEW OF THE DAY by James Kerwin (Numbr007@aol.com) Today's review is on "Power Rangers Zeo". Well, the Rangers have returned to the airwaves, and the new episodes are curious, at the very least. I find it interesting to examine how our friends Haim and Shuki have elected to make the difficult transition between MMPR and PRZ while still retaining the most well-loved elements of the original ("It's morphin' time!" stays, thank goodness!) Saban, I think, wisely realized that characters like Goldar and Rito -- who lately provided a degree of "comic relief" to MMPR -- needed to remain. Teaming them with Bulk & Skull -- the series' other comedic characters -- should prove interesting. As for the questions about Bulk & Skull's living arrangements, I think it's been made clear many times in the series that the "set" we see is actually Skull's uncle's garage. We have to assume, I suppose, that that's where the monsters are staying. It's interesting to notice that the characters of Goldar and Rito haven't been utilized as much recently, and with good reason: The show, I think, runs the risk of becoming overly campy (I know, I know -- "overly campy" and "Power Rangers?" NEVER!) by playing off these characters too much. Holding onto Goldar and Rito as recurring elements will probably prove to be the writers' best bet. The manner in which the producers handled the Aisha-Tanya transition -- obviously a difficult and rather last-minute one for Saban -- is equally interesting. It is difficult to explain Tanya's sudden knowledge of contemporary American culture, given her background. However, we can assume that the Zeo Crystal managed to endow her with the necessary knowledge to function is today's society (much like the power coins endowed their owners with the complete knowledge of martial arts and Zord piloting). As far as Aisha is concerned, I seem to recall the show's dialogue establishing the fact that Aisha's decision to remain in Africa in the past significantly altered the course of her tribe's history, resulting in her immediate family never immigrating to the U.S. Thus, all traces of the Campbell family's existence as citizens of Angel Grove would consequently be erased from history -- and from people's minds. Also: Kudos on the new "entering the Zords" sequence. We finally get a chance to see just how the Rangers get from the Command Center (er, I mean the "Power Chamber") to their Zords. Unfortunately, however, this is one of those "Japanese" sequences which Saban has apparently elected to insert quite frequently into the episodes once again. We got to a point last year where virtually NO footage was culled from the old Japanese stuff. Once Zedd came on board the program, all the sequences in Rita's palace were shot stateside. Unfortunately for us, Saban (in a money-saving attempt, no doubt) has elected to pepper PRZ with Japanese footage. Thus, we have a return to the awfully-edited, "where the heck did that random clip come from?" look of the earlier, pre-Zedd MMPR episodes. Haim and Shuki, I read, have recently upped their TV programming special effects budget to something like $100 million per year. Let's just hope that, in return, the _quality_ of programming doesn't drop. Regarding the look and feel of the new show: The Power Chamber is obviously a vast improvement over the "filmed in somebody's garage" look of the Command Center. Thank goodness that David Yost had a last-minute change of heart and elected to remain with the series for a few more weeks. Stationing Billy in the Power Chamber was a brilliant move for the writers. David has matured quite well as an actor over the last three years. It is truly a shame that he will be departing from the program shortly. Something special will be lost when Billy -- the last remaining ORIGINAL Ranger -- leaves the series. He will be missed. At this point, Saban must be careful to continue to preserve the best of the "old" Rangers (cool Zords, morphing, martial arts, etc.) while hanging onto the more sophisticated story writing and character development which we started to see near the end of the 2nd season and the beginning of the 3rd. Amy Jo Johnson, the series' greatest asset as far as character development is concerned, is unfortunately gone (as we all know). But the developing motivation behind Katherine seems to be proving quite promising -- i.e., the episode "Every Dog Has His Day." Seeing Lt. Stone interact with our heroes -- especially Kat -- was a welcome change from his rapidly-getting-old slapstick shtick as Bulk & Skull's straight man. Even Adam and Rocky -- who both still have a long way to go in the characterization area -- are improving. Adam's interaction with Tanya, specifically, is something I'd like to see more of. It's also pleasant, incidentally, to see the Rangers (Tanya, Rocky) engaged in dating situations. As the show's audience continues to mature and change, Saban is obviously prepared to move with them. "Rangers in the Outfield" gave us something I've been waiting for a very, very long time - - a Power Rangers storyline with GENUINE character conflict. We were able to see Adam, Tanya, and her boyfriend break out into an actual (not Zedd-induced!) argument, providing the actors with a rare opportunity for some serious character development. As genuine character conflict is necessary (even central) to all good drama, let's hope we'll see more of this in the months to come. And, BTW: I'm glad to see that Shuki made the excellent decision (a first for him!) to hold off on the background music during this scene. It did wonders for the naturalism in that particular sequence. Remember, PRZ producers: You don't need incidental music ALL the time! Silence does wonders. There are still some difficult questions about PRZ -- such as the absence of Goldar's wings, as many have noted (ten-to-one this was purely a logistical decision in the art department!). Overall, however, cheers to Saban for executing a difficult transition in a relatively brief period of time. Faced with the challenge of pulling off sudden changes in sets, costumes, and characters, Power Rangers managed to do so in a surprisingly effective -- even believable -- manner. Hopefully, Zeo will survive and prosper in the months to come. If anything, look at it as our reward for having to sit through those AWFUL "Alien Ranger" stories! We never have to hear that White Alien Ranger yell "It's MORPHIN' TIME!!!!!!" ever again! Woo hoo! ************************************************************************** **** SABAN SIGHTINGS! -- Catherine Sutherland played Ginger, the rival cheerleader, on an episode of "Sweet Valley High" -- Crystal Mikoluff (c.mikoluff@genie.com) was having coffee with some friends in the food court of a shopping mall and happened to glance at the menu of a small establishment called "Partners Delicatessen". It turns out that they have an item on their menu called: "Rita's Pita". I'll have to go back, and actually try it! -- Graeme Revell, who did the score of "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie" is now doing the score to "The Craft" (the movie I'm obsessed with seeing). ************************************************************************** **** SPACE CASE by Rick Schindler From the May 4-10th issue of "TV Guide": "Danger, Will Robinson!" Bill Mumy may never escape that phrase from his days as a child actor on Lost in Space. Now 42, Mumy is still in orbit, as an actor on Babylon 5 and as co-creator of Nickelodeon's new sci-fi series, Space Cases. -- How much does Spaces Cases resemble Lost in Space? Lost in Space had a real campy feeling after the first 20 episodes. Our show is firmly rooted in science fiction, although it has comedy. -- Your five outer-space students are all misfits. Why? It's boring if they're Spock and Kirk and they're perfect and know everything right off the bat. It's not that they're stupid; maybe they're just socially inept. -- Your own children are 6 and 2. What do they watch? It's a Power Rangers world. Walter Jones, who plays one of the kids on Space Cases, was the Black Ranger for the first 90 or so episodes--that's like having a Beatle in your band. My daughter likes Barney. -- Would you let your kids be actors? My son has already appeared in film and on TV. If the youngster has the desire and the parents monitor each step of the way, I think it's fine. My parents didn't push me to get inside that TV set--I did. I found out later that there was all sorts of work they passed on because they thought it was too scary for me. ************************************************************************** **** DID YOU KNOW... .... that the "Power Rangers Zeo" page is at http://www.afn.org/\~afn45072/prz.htm .... that Austin St. John's home page is at http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/1277/austin.htm ************************************************************************** **** ASK MAX Q: What was the significance of the chemistry book on "Graduation Blues"? A: It was kind of a security blanket, according to Lunette339@aol.com, one of the members. That explains why he was clutching it and when he dropped it, it made it even sadder. I also believe that it could be a symbol of school. When he dropped the book, it was like his schoolwork was over. Q: I don't understand why Rito and Goldar lost their memories. Do you? A: I didn't, but Rushnrulet@aol.com might have figured out the solution. Remember when the villains had the Zeo Crystal and were going to use it to suck all of the evil out of Kat when Zedd and Rita tried to make her evil again. When Rito and Goldar grabbed it, it must have done the same thing to them. Since their entire identity was evil, they lost their memories. Confused, they dropped the crystal. Q: What are the Rangers' last names? -- Nemal935 A: Okay, this is a popular question. Here is what some producers have told me: Zack Taylor, Trini Kwan, Jason Lee (Scott), Kimberly Hart, Billy Cranston, Tommy Oliver, Rocky DeSantos, Adam Park, Aisha Campbell, Katherine Hillard, Tanya Sloan, Eugene "Skull" Skullovich, and Farkus "Bulk" Bulkmeier. Q: Is Billy leaving? -- Patri56297 A: No, he's going to remain on the show...possibly as the Gold Ranger. Q: What are Zeo Zords I and II and how do you pronounce the shape on Tanya's helmet? -- ALVarney A: Zeo Zord I is Easter Island Head, Zeo Zord II is the Earthen Doll, and Tanya's shape is called Balance. Q: What ever happened to those "Ninjetti.......the (weird-named animal)" at the end of the newsletters? I remember one time I looked it up and it was some fruit or something. -- NinjaMousy A: That went away in the third season of MMPRNL. It was after the Christmas issue that I stopped it. I might as well tell you where I found all those weird names. There's a page in Disney Adventures that has a border as a list around a page. Well, the border said: WEIRD NAMES OF NATURE: and then it listed a lot of them. It was right after I said "Ninjetti.......the Aardvark!" and I noticed that aardvark was on the list, and I started using those names. Some of them weren't animals but trees, plants, or fruit. That's why the one you looked up was a fruit. ************************************************************************** **** STRETCH 3RD PLACE (tie) - "The monster was a camera on "Lights, Camera, Action" -- acmeeko 3RD PLACE (tie) - "In "Rangers Back In Time", they were shot by a camera." -- DrVKP 1ST PLACE - "I can think of three. The first was one the video-camera monster from "Lights, Camera, Action!" The second was the camera monster from "Rangers Back In Time". The third was when Bulk and Skull were trying to take pictures of a UFO in "The Great Bookala Escape". -- muggs@ansel.intersource.com I WAS LOOKING FOR - "The Rangers went on a Scavenger Hunt, they had to find objects and take pictures of them, you take pictures with a camera." Today's stretch word is "Broadway". ************************************************************************** **** MUSIC BOX by Mark Oxman (Maxmouze@aol.com) "Happy Birthday, Baby" Listen, hear my casual. I've got my eyes on you. You've got to take the time to change your point-of-view. Because, this is a special day. A day for you alone. Well, you can get away with anything you want to. So, today's your birthday. And, every little thing's gonna go your way. Happy, happy birthday, Baby! I only have one wish for you. That on your happy birthday, Baby. All your dreams, they will come true. Happy, happy birthday, Baby! Happy, happy birthday, Baby! Happy, happy birthday, Baby! Happy, happy, happy birthday! ************************************************************************** **** PRZ POLL #6 [RESULTS!!!] Here are the results for PRZ Poll #6. We only had 14 votes out of 250 members!!! Question: Do you think "Power Rangers Zeo" will be as successful as "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers"? YES -- 8 votes NO -- 6 votes Here is Poll #7: Do you like the new Zeo theme and new songs? Yes or no? ************************************************************************** **** THE PRZ BULLETIN BOARD If you have an announcement you'd like me to print, send it to "BULLETIN BOARD" at MAXMOUZE@aol.com! --- Today's quote comes from "Mean Screen". --- Wanted: Someone to help create the Power Rangers Newsletter Web Page! Some experience needed. Please contact Maxmouze@aol.com ASAP! --- Wanted: a box of MMPR series one cards. If found, please contact LLinkJr@aol.com --- Looking for someone to buy any Cardzillion cards from. If interested, e-mail Maxmouze@aol.com --- To sell or trade: A bunch of series two and new season cards. If interested, e-mail LLinkJr@aol.com --- Rushnrulet@aol.com is looking for the following cards: series 1: 26, 32, 37 series 2: 74, 96, 115, 122 series 3: 6, 33, 58, 59, 61, 64, 71 --- Maxmouze@aol.com is also looking for the #4 VR Trooper McDonald's toy. ************************************************************************** **** TODAY'S TRIVIA Today's trivia question is "What dish did Billy make in Home Ec. in "Switching Places"? Last week's trivia was "What is Kimberly's favorite song?" The answer was "She's Got The Answers", according to "The Ninja Encounter". I have to mention KibaRanger, our last Scoreboard winner, for getting the last four questions correct. ************************************************************************** **** POWER RANGER B-DAY ANNOUNCEMENTS! Welcome to the PRZ Birthday Announcements! It works like this: We'll list your name, either your real or screen, your e-mail address directly after, and then the month and day of your birth. Happy birthday to these PRZ Newsletter members, from May: Beau Lamourex (lucien@ix.netcom.com).....................5/1/81 Kathie Whitmore (Oshaun@ix.netcom.com)................5/12/62 Jenny Colby (JojoStix@aol.com)................................5/23/80 Emily Chen (EChen13@aol.com)................................5/24/82 Heather Almeter (halmeter@spea.spea.indiana.edu).....5/26/70 Liz DeHoff (AerobicLiz@aol.com)..............................5/26/79 Owen Humphreys (EnsTomP@aol.com).....................5/28/85 Steve Cardenas..........................................................5/29/74 Adam (CVAdam@aol.com).......................................5/29/84 ************************************************************************** **** WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK? These summaries comes from Fox Kids web site and TV Guide. Monday, May 6 "A FEW BAD SEEDS" No summary. TVG: When Skull (Jason Narvy) steals Rocky's botany club project, King Mondo changes the pilfered plant into a ravenous monster. Tuesday, May 7 "INSTRUMENT OF DESTRUCTION" The guidance counselor wants Adam and Skull to broaden their studies, so they find themselves in music class-Skull against his will. But who is the mysterious cloaked pianist Adam has seen in the music room after hours. And why is Prince Sprocket trying to capture him-by any means necessary? And will Skull ever learn that high C is not a fruit drink? TVG: When a mysterious, black-caped musician attracts the attention of King Mondo, the Rangers must uncover the mystery man's secret. Wednesday, May 8 "MEAN SCREEN" In Angel Grove High's new computer lab, Adam and Tanya are getting a guided tour of cyberspace from resident computer whiz Raymond, when strange things begin to happen all over town. It seems King Mondo's latest machine-monster has crafted the ultimate computer virus, and it's messing up every piece of electronic equipment in Angel Grove-including the Zords! TVG: King Mondo's latest plan to delete the Power Rangers is launched when he downloads a killer virus into Angel Grove's computers. Thursday, May 9 "MR. BILLY'S WILD RIDE" At long last, Billy is returning from Aquitar, where the Aquitians have found a peaceful solution to their problems. Unfortunately, King Mondo is out to make Billy's life much less peaceful, by throwing his spaceship way off course. As Billy spins out of control into the black void of space, there's only one place to call for help: 'Zordon, we have a problem...' TVG: Billy's flight home from Aquitar is interrupted by King Mondo, who launches an attack on the spacecraft, leaving Billy stranded in space. Saturday, May 11 TVG: Tommy, Kat and Billy head for the hills on a ski weekend, leaving the other Rangers to battles Robocupid in Angel Grove. Part 1 of two. Monday, May 13 TVG: Conclusion. Tommy, Katherine and Billy are called back from their skiing trip when King Mondo unleashed the Defoliator. Tuesday, May 14 TVG: Adam (Johnny Yong Bosch) is sent on a nightmarish quest by Zedd and Rita; but the reappearance of the Rangers' old enemies is the least of his problems. Wednesday, May 15 TVG: When Tommy tries to interpret the mysterious peculiar dreams he's been having, Mondo plots to drain all of Angel Grove's energy sources. Tommy: Jason David Frank. Thursday, May 16 TVG: When Adam is captured and miniaturized by Prince Sprocket, it's up to Tommy to win him back in a boxing match against Punchabunch. ************************************************************************** **** NEXT ISSUE! The 63rd issue with... Reviews on "Power Rangers Zeo" by our members, an interview with Amy Jo Johnson, "Go Go Zeo Rangers" in the music box, an index on which Music Boxes hold which songs, funny classified ads, outdated articles about the Rangers, another What's On This Week, a new top ten list, a new Stretch game, poll results, and more! Coming on May 15th!!! SEND IN YOUR POWER RANGERS ZEO REVIEWS NOW! I will put in them all! Don't forget -- to participate in the inactive parts of the newsletter! We need more people in the polls and stretches and profiles....why don't you just reply to one and get used to it? Speaking of participation, here's a joke column from fallonkp@ctrvak.vanderbilt.edu -- she's graduating from college this Friday and losing her Net Access, so this is her last NL: Here are some funny classified ads for the "PRZ Bulletin Board" --- WANTED--a life. Friends suggested I acquire one. Looked in TRU, they don't carry them. Also ISO: a clue, a job. Need help finding these elusive objects. Kristen --- FOR SALE: used Command Center. Must sell. Slightly damaged--great fixer upper. Make your best offer. Contact Zordon. --- That's all for now! It's like rain on your wedding day, it's a free ride when you've already paid, it's the good advice that you just didn't take, and who would have thought it figures? Mark "Mighty MAX" Oxman President of the PRZ Fan Club ************************************************************************** SEND REPLIES & CORRESPONDENCE TO MAXMOUZE@AOL.COM or MOXMAN@CHIBA.NETXN.COM **************************************************************************