AGAMEMCON III Aftermath Report

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Well, once again Agamemcon has come and gone leaving us all breathless and begging for more. For the second year in a row Alec Orrock and Company have thrown the Mardi Gras of conventions, from Opening Ceremonies (which lasted more than twice as long as last year's. Way to go Alec!) to the Closing Ceremonies, this convention was top notch and first rate. As I personally did not attend Agamemcon I, I cannot comment on its festivities.

From Day One, it was off with a bang. Stephen Furst was radiant, witty and as energetic as ever. He was followed by the very beautiful Mira Furlan and the fascinating Tim Choate. This gentleman who is responsible for the creation of Zathras is a wonder to listen to. Of my Top Six panels of the weekend, this one logged in #4. (Kudos for the wonderful pairing of these two most intriguing people).

Day One continued with my 5th best panel featuring everyone's favorite actor to grace the Babylon universe, Wayne Alexander. I don't know what it is exactly, but he carries a presence about him almost reminiscent of a First One. (He also carries chits. Go Wayne.) The ending to the first day was capped off by one of the galaxy's greatest rockshows this side of the Milky Way. Starring Bill Mumy & his band 1 2 3, and featuring a special appearance by the outrageous and voluptuous Claudia Christian 1 2 3 4 5 6 7, both signing autographs and singing with the band onstage. What a show! Also appearing in the pre-show festivities was Jack Stauffer and Maggie Egan, who both sang wonderful tunes, which really helped get the night off to a flying start.

It's Day Two, and again we are packed with nothing but highlights. (Lowlights had trouble staying long at this convention). The day began bright and early with what I am dubbing the surprise panel of the convention. Checking in at #2 on my best list is the Costuming panel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12, hosted by the lovely and very funny Kim Holly. She makes costumes fun and interesting. Her stage presence and charm is amazing. I have never enjoyed a panel so much. I just happened to be sitting near Wayne Alexander during this event, and to overhear his little comments on the panel showed me just how much he really loves Kim. (Great little bit of insight. Thanks Wayne.) Kim, you might want to take up acting, you are really good. Look out Wayne...

The day continued with yet another of the convention's top panels. This one checked in at #3, and featured the vast group of actors on the Babylon Memories panel. All were funny and had a great number of stories to tell, but the few that really stood out were of course the trio of Maggie Egan, Jason Carter and Robin Atkin Downes. It was not quite up to the level of the now infamous panel at Gallifrey 10, but then what panel could be? Also Tim Choate was again very interesting when he could get a word in edgewise. (Go Tim.)

Up next was the Working In Make-Up panel featuring Mira Furlan, Tim Choate, Wayne Alexander and the best and most beautiful make-up girl this side of the Rim, Kim Ferry. Another very good panel filled with many interesting questions and answers. Working in make-up ain't all it's cracked up to be. Later that afternoon we were all treated to the verbal wisdom of Andreas Katsulas, my pick as the #6 best panel of Agamemcon III. The man can weave his words together creating very interesting answers for some of the most mundane of questions. He was a very delightful gentleman indeed. Thanks for coming and signing, Andreas.

This was followed unfortunately by a rather weak Crusade panel featuring David Allen Brooks (who did sign), and Peter Woodward (who did not sign). Very disappointing! I personally love the show Crusade, but was very saddened to see such a lack of interest or support for the new show. The one bright spot for Crusade was the most charming and beautiful Marjean Holden, who plays Dr. Sarah Chambers. She was signing and schmoozing with everyone each day in the main area. Because of the lovely chat I had with her, she is now one of my favorite characters on the new show.

We now move into the evening portion of our Saturday program. Up first was a Masquerade filled with many creative and beautiful costumes. It was hosted by Alec & Pam, the two luckiest people on this planet. They both got to wear the original Ranger outfits that were worn during the final episode Sleeping In Light. They both looked incredible. I could really tell that Alec was enjoying himself, because he had the biggest grin on his face that I have ever seen. (Lucky couple).

The show's highlights included two young ladies attired in orange X-wing fighter pilot suits that looked so real that you would swear they stole them off two Rebel pilots, and a group featuring a Delenn and her Ranger Upgrade (Jedi Knights). I must say that is creative thinking. Later a dance was held, and many rooms upstairs on the party floors raged until the wee hours of the morning. Of course, the Agamemcon room was in full swing, but I have learned to expect nothing but the best from this first rate outfit.

Also down one floor another very good party was taking place in the Time Meddlers of Los Angeles/Gallifrey Conventions funky Christmas light room. I just loved the decor, and the people. Shaun Lyon and his staff know how to take care of a guest. All you have to do is attend a Gallifrey convention, and you will know of what I speak. Saturday night ended, and from what I could tell all went to sleep that night well satisfied.

Sunday morning opened with the murmurings of Saturday night's big announcement that Bruce Boxleitner would not be attending the convention on Sunday, because his wife Melissa had hurt her neck. Although this news was extremely sad, the convention had been so great that the news didn't really bother me that much at all. (The news of the accident was what really upset me).

I spoke to Alec first thing Sunday morning and told him that it didn't really matter that Bruce would not be attending. He was appreciative, telling me that his wife Pam was very upset by this news. So I just wanted to let her know that even if Bruce didn't show, it really didn't matter, because I had already had the greatest time of my life. Pam, your hard work and efforts would have been enough even if Bruce had not have shown. Honest! As we all know though, he did show, and signed autographs. Which only made this convention better. (If that was possible). Thank you Bruce for coming even though your wife Melissa was injured, and thank you for making one Pam Buck very, very happy. (Go Pam!)

As the last day moved on we were introduced to the hairstylings and make-up of the again very beautiful Kim Ferry. Centauri hair can be such a pain. It was very entertaining to watch her style the hair of a real person.

As one o'clock rolled around we all found ourselves awaiting the arrival of Bruce Boxleitner. Listening to him and the other guests speak about the International Space Station really shed a light on how far we as a people have come technologically, and still how much farther we have yet to go to reach the stage that Joe Straczynski has envisioned for us. In time I now can see that all this is possible and more. Who knows, someday humanity itself may even evolve to the point where we too can move out beyond the Rim, and take our place among the stars. Bruce, thanks again for a most enlightening and extended panel. It was my pick for the #1 panel of Agamemcon III.

I was standing there watching the ink dry on my autographed Bruce Boxleitner picture when I suddenly realized that it was time for the Closing Ceremonies, and the convention was coming to an end. For a true sci-fi fan like myself this is one of the saddest moments in life. Sighing I headed back inside to say my good-byes, and found Wayne Alexander and Jason Carter standing around chatting with anyone who wanted to join in. I must say, that made for some real interesting conversation.

This was followed by the last event of the day, Wayne Alexander's Grand Exit. As he left we all started yelling "Good-bye Wayne!" This caught on quickly and spread fast, because as Wayne and Kim headed for the exit they were suddenly surrounded by the voices of everybody in the whole convention hall shouting, "Bye Wayne!" and waving. He must have really enjoyed it, because he came back for a second helping. That's Wayne Alexander.

As you can tell, I had a really great time at Agamemcon III, and highly recommend that everyone attend Agamemcon IV next year. Alec and Pam put so much into these conventions, and I think it really shows. Once again, thank you for throwing such a great event.

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Last update: Saturday, August 19, 2000