**************************************************************************** THE POWER RANGERS ZEO NEWSLETTER © THE NEWSLETTER OF THE POWER RANGER CLUB ISSUE #63 -- MAY 15, 1996 "THIS MONSTER CAN MAKE PEOPLE FALL IN LOVE WITH MACHINES?! THAT'S BRUTAL!!!.......NO, OFFENSE, ALPHA!" **************************************************************************** INDEX TO PRZ NEWSLETTER #63 1: SURRENDERING THE PINK An interview with Amy Jo Johnson! 2: TOP TEN LIST Ten strange facts on Power Rangers. 3: NICE TO MEET YOU Drew Harris's profile. 4: MMPRZEO! What Disney Adventures has to say about the new show. 5: SABAN SIGHTINGS! Haven't I seen you somewhere? 6: THE PIED PIPER OF ANGEL GROVE What the producers of "Piper" have to say about JDF. 7: STRETCH Results and a new stretch! 8: MUSIC BOX Stronger than before.....GO ZEO! 9: PRZ POLL #7 Your vote counts! 10: THE PRZ BULLETIN BOARD Looking for some hard-to-get merchandise? Here's the place to look... 11: TODAY'S TRIVIA Do *you* know the answer? 12: POWER RANGER B-DAY ANNOUNCEMENTS! Happy, happy birthday, Baby! 13: WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK? Don't miss it! 14: NEXT ISSUE! A sneak peak at issue 64. ****************************************************************************** *********************** **** SURRENDERING THE PINK reported by Sunil Chamund Hi my name is Sunil Chamund and I'm a British fan of MMPR. Although we are far behind America, we do have something here that no one else does. His name is Mr. Motivator and he's a most annoying man. What follows now is an interview with Amy Jo Johnson. It is first worth noting that I am writing this interview exactly as it was printed in Anime FX and although we all know that Bryan Forbes is in fact Bryan Spicer this is how it was in the magazine. Also ADR stands for Audio Dialogue Replacement - a process by which voices are replaced on the program with new dialogue recorded in a dubbing theater. Hope you enjoy, Sunil. AN INTERVIEW WITH AMY JO JOHNSON ANIME FX February edition page 44 title: SURRENDERING THE PINK In the interests of world peace and harmony and following on from issue 8's interview with Mr. Susumu Yohikawa, AFX presents an interview with the newly de-rangered Kimberly, aka Amy Jo Johnson. It was a chance to get some real in-depth commentary on life at the other end of the production scale, and so, after brushing up his American, our staff translator hunted her down after a California audition, where she's getting used to life without the protection of Zordon... AFX- How did you get into acting? I was born up in Cape Cod in Massachusetts, I was a gymnast which was, like, a really big help in Power Rangers, then I went off to NY city where I studied at Lee Strasberg's Academy for 1 year and a half. Then I got in a car and went out to LA. It was a real spur of the moment thing. I stayed there for 2 months, hated it. AFX- Huh? Well, it's totally different from New York. Like in New York you don't need a car, the energy's totally different. Anyway I went home for 2 weeks, then changed my mind, went back again, and within a week I had the job on Power Rangers, from an audition with Haim Saban... AFX- How much are you like Kimberly? Well y'know, when we first started I did the pilot and the first few episodes, they made her really materialistic, they wanted her blonde... AFX- Urgh! Totally, they wanted a valley girl, but I changed that. AFX- You did? Gradually. Well, y'know, I play the guitar, and we had her playing the guitar in one episode. I'm a gymnast, she's a gymnast... AFX- Wasn't she a gymnast originally? Well, yeah, but...well y'know, I changed her. I mean, I HATE pink! AFX- Oops, I have to ask, what is your favorite... Purple. AFX- Purple? Purple. AFX- Rita Repulsa's secret love child? Totally. AFX- Power Rangers The Movie. I believe it was your first film role, and also Bryan Forbes' first film as director? What was it like for you? It was very, very different. I mean we got to spend 2 and a half months in Australia, which was great for me. Bryan Forbes was a great director to work with. I got to work with Paul Freeman (Ivan Ooze). AFX- The Raiders of the Lost Ark guy? Yeah, he is an AMAZING actor. I learned a lot just from being on the set. But, like, it was much harder work, spending two and a half months on one REALLY BIG episode. Like, in the TV series, we only do 4 little episodes in 2 weeks. And the hours are longer y'know. But I'm off it now. AFX- Excuse me? I got off the show a month ago. I mean, I'll be on it 'til Christmas, but I've finished. They've got a new Pink Ranger, she's from Australia and she's really great, kind of like Olivia Newton-John, y'know? And I've done another film, Suzy Keel with Shelley Long, so I've done another movie. AFX- You don't have to answer this but did you go or were you pushed? Oh hey, I'm outta there. I can say what I want. I mean, I wanted to leave. It was good fun and I don't regret doing it at all. I mean it was a great start, and I was really lucky to get a part just a week after getting to the west coast. But, you know... AFX- How would you explain the success of Power Rangers? They really have been an amazing worldwide phenomenon? Oh... kids, y'know, they're really funny. But I mean Power Rangers has got everything that they look for in a show. It's got Dinosaurs, monsters, real kids they can relate to bright colors. AFX- Do you think it has far to go? Well... kids don't really care. I mean there's been cast changes and all, but I'll be on re-runs FOREVER. AFX- Were there any protests about the lineup changes. Or is it like Menudo, where they just chuck 'em out when they get too old? Oh yeah! I mean, first season the Green Ranger leaves, but the kids went mad, so they bring him back. I mean we had mothers calling up saying, "My little boy won't come out of his room." God! AFX- And when you left? Oh...they don't know I've gone yet, but when they do... AFX- I want to bring you back to Haim Saban, and his involvement with other Japanese shows. You know he did a POWER RANGERS pilot 8 years ago but no one was interested? Oh yeah, I mean I grew up on that stuff when I was a kid. And you know, Shuki Levy, his partner, he's a song writer, and he wrote, like, the Inspector Gadget song and the Smurfs and stuff. AFX- And are you a fan of it now? What? Inspector Gadget and the Smurfs? AFX- No! I mean things like Robotech, Astro Boy, Speed Racer...they're Japanese too... Oh yeah sure. But I don't watch much TV these days. I don't have time. I'll read a book or play guitar or something. AFX- I want to ask you about the Japanese footage. I get this feeling you had more fun doing the dubbing than you did filming the American bits. Oh man! It's just like a Godzilla movie! Even though it's mainly American footage now, we still have to do ADR because those are stunt doubles doing all the stuff. And some of them are actually the original Japanese stunt guys from the Japanese serials, y'know, like, er, Jee...er...Jaw...what is it? Je... AFX- ZYURANGER? Right. AFX- What do you plan to do now it's over? Is it back to TV or on to films? I'd like to do films as the primary thing. I mean I WOULD do TV, there's a lot of good TV, but there's a lot of bad TV, but you know, I'll do anything to get me on the path to where I want to go. Something with longevity. You know, if you want to be famous, you can be famous for something, but a long-lasting career is harder. I mean, my idols are people like Jodie Foster, Holly Hunter, Sally Fields. AFX- Would you consider going into directing, like Jodie Foster? I wanna write, I play guitar. I've just done a demo tape. Who knows? AFX- Finally, what advice do you have for anyone interested in following in your footsteps? I've just been to college and talked about the same thing. I wanted to be an actress since I was like, 7, I love the art of it, the passion of it. If you have a passion for the art of it, you can do anything you wanna do. But it's not easy, it's tough, and you've gotta love it and love your art. You can't say to someone go to this college or do that course, because everyone finds their own steps. It's a fate luck kinda thing. I feel very lucky. I saved all my money. I was smart. ****************************************************************************** *********************** **** TOP TEN LIST Here they are. The Top Ten weird facts about the Power Rangers: 10. MMPR was originally for teenagers. 9. The Power Rangers were called the "Juit Rangers" in Japan. 8. Originally in the second season, only Trini and Tommy were to lose their powers. 7. No one even talks about Kimberly, Aisha, Jason, Trini, or Zack. Let's hope the Zeo Rangers don't forget Billy. 6. Shouldn't Jason, Trini, and Zack be back from Switzerland? 5. There are no original Power Rangers anymore. 4. Billy probably will want to make a strike against overalls and glasses, now that he's a totally different person. 3. Speaking of Billy, doesn't he look like a dork on the box of the first MMPR video? The characters on the box aren't even the real people! 2. No one talks about Ivan Ooze, Dulcea, or anyone from the movie. And, the number one weirdest fact about Power Rangers is: Spandex rules! ****************************************************************************** *********************** **** NICE TO MEET YOU SCREEN NAME: KibaRanger@aol.com REAL NAME: Drew Harris BIRTHDATE: 6/5/80 CURRENT RESIDENCE: Minneapolis, MN FAVE EPISODE: "High Five" FAVE QUOTE: Too many to list. -- Hey, guys! I need some more profiles (Actually, I need *a lot*!) So, please fill out this info. and I'll include it A.S.A.P. Thanks! :-) ****************************************************************************** *********************** **** MMPRZEO! From "Disney Adventures: July 1996" issue Think the Power Rangers have died, leaving Earth in the desperate clutches of the Machine Empire? Not even! The MMPR, now called "Power Rangers ZEO," are new, improved and still on TV. Here are the latest facts, in a zordshell: MMPR ZEO Rangers: Six Five Colors: Tommy--Green,White Tommy--Red Rocky--Red Rocky--Blue Adam--Black Adam--Green Aisha--Yellow Tanya--Yellow Katherine--Pink Katherine--Pink Billy--Blue Villains: Rita Repulsa Queen Machina Lord Zedd King Mondo Power Tools: Power Coins ZEOnizers Zords ZEO Zords Megazord ZEO Megazord ****************************************************************************** *********************** **** SABAN SIGHTINGS! -- Jason David Frank did a CD Rom game called "Piper". -- Austin St. John had a small part in a movie called "Showdown". -- Thuy Trang will star in "The Crow 2". ****************************************************************************** *********************** **** THE PIED PIPER OF ANGEL GROVE reported by ACMeeko@aol.com Here are some comments from the cast and crew of "Piper" "I don't think anyone has ever done anything quite like this before." -Roland Yamamoto, Producer/Director "I liked everything...working on the blue screen, working with a 4 1/2 foot tall rat...and I've never hung around with a Power Ranger, that's really cool." -Billy O, age 14, plays the role of "Buster" "What's the best way to tell stories? Well, it's with real people. So the idea was to use live-action people, but then instead of shooting them on location or with sets, we put them into a 3-D environment." -Vance Martin, Art Director "This is definitely different than The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers... This Piper character is sort of like this con-man that turns into a hero at the end." -Jason David Frank (of The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), plays the role of "Piper" "Working with a Power Ranger was pretty cool!" -Robert Wahl, age 10, plays the role of "Jody" ****************************************************************************** *********************** **** STRETCH Last week's stretch word was "Broadway". "Zack will probably end up performing on Broadway!" - muggs@ansel.intersource.com "Performing on Broadway might be comparable to performing at Carnegie Hall, which Skull could do." -- muggs@ansel.intersource.com "Broadway shows have dancers, dancers do high kicks, the Power Rangers do high kicks." -- muggs@ansel.intersource.com MY ANSWER: "Broadway has a play called 'Tommy', Tommy is the name of a Ranger." Today's stretch word is "laundry". The results will be in Issue 66. ****************************************************************************** *********************** **** MUSIC BOX by Marx Okman (marxokman@aol.com) POWER RANGERS ZEO THEME (Jim Cushineri) Zeo, Zeo.... Stronger than before -- Go Zeo! Powered up for more -- Go Zeo! Rangers at the core -- Zeo, Power Rangers! Higher, they can soar -- Go Zeo! Fired up for more -- Go Zeo! Even up the score -- Zeo, Zeo! Go Go Power Rangers. Go Go Power Rangers. Go Go Power Rangers. Zeo Power Rangers! ****************************************************************************** *********************** **** PRZ POLL #7 [RESULTS!!!] Here are the results for PRZ Poll #7. Question: Do you like the new ZEO theme and new songs? Yes or no? Theme: YES -- 15 votes NO -- 0 votes Fight Songs: YES -- 12 votes NO -- 3 votes The next poll is "Which did you like the best? Trini and Kimberly, Kimberly and Aisha, Aisha and Kat, or Kat and Tanya." Your vote counts! ****************************************************************************** *************************** THE PRZ BULLETIN BOARD If you have an announcement you'd like me to print, send it to "BULLETIN BOARD" at marxokman@aol.com! --- Today's quote comes from "There's No Business Like Snow Business Part II". --- NOW AVAILABLE: A .wav file of "Angel". However, I accidentally turned the Echo up on the microphone so it kind of vibrates. If interested, please e-mail your request to marxokman@aol.com --- marxokman@aol.com is also looking for the #4 VR Trooper McDonald's toy. --- Wanted: a box of MMPR series one cards. If found, please contact LLinkJr@aol.com --- Looking for someone to buy any series of Cardzillion cards from. If interested, e-mail marxokman@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 ****************************************************************************** *************************** TODAY'S TRIVIA Today's trivia question is "What is the name of the elf on "Island of Illusion"? What was he repeatedly called?" Last week's trivia was "What dish did Billy make in Home Ec. in "Switching Places"? The answer was Cheese Soufflé. ****************************************************************************** *************************** 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 Aaron Eiche (meiche@teleport.com)...........................5/28/80 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. Saturday, May 11 "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. Monday, May 13 "THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS PART I" No summary. TVG: Tommy, Kat and Billy head for the hills on a ski weekend, leaving the other Rangers to battle Robocupid in Angel Grove. Tuesday, May 14 "THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS PART II" As the teens are still trying to have a fun snowboarding weekend, they are called away yet again. While they were chillin' in the mountains, things were heating up in Angel Grove. Mondo's Defoliator monster is stepping up the greenhouse effect in Angel Grove. It'll be a hot time in the old town tonight unless the Rangers can put a stop to his atmospheric meddling! TVG: Tommy, Katherine, and Billy are called back from their skiing trip when King Mondo unleashes the Defoliator. Wednesday, May 15 "THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS PART III" No summary. Thursday, May 16 "INNER SPIRIT" Tommy finds himself having a recurring dream about True of Heart, the man who guided him on his quest for the Zeo Crystal. When Tommy meets Sam Trueheart, a Native American artist who looks just like the old mystic, he's even more confused. There's not time to ponder this mystery, however, because another, more pressing mystery needs to be solved: who or what is sucking all the energy out of Angel Grove? And where is all that energy going? Whatever's going on, the Rangers are willing to bet that King Mondo's behind it! TVG: While Tommy tries to interpret the mysterious and peculiar dreams he's been having, Mondo plots to drain all of Angel Grove's energy sources. Tommy: Jason David Frank. Saturday, May 18 "CHALLENGES" Tommy is sees a young man in the desert who could be his double, but before Tommy can find out who the young man is, Sam Trueheart appears, and tells Tommy that another quest lies before him, and only the end of that quest can reveal the identity of the young man. Meanwhile, Ernie's new boxing ring sparks an interest in pugilism in Prince Sprocket. Not being the athletic type, Sprocket creates his own Great Metallic Hope: Punchabunch! 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 64th issue with... The story on going to Magic Mountain with one of the members, "Big Bang" in the music box, outdated articles about the Rangers, another What's On This Week, a new top ten list, a new Stretch game, and more! Coming on May 22nd!!! Don't forget -- to participate in the inactive parts of the newsletter! We need more people in the polls and stretches and profiles. That's all for now! I want to take the time to say goodbye to every member who graduated from college, and lost their student e-mail account. Among them include Kristen Fallon, Li-Ming Fong, and Terri-Ann C. Guingab. Bye, guys! We'll miss you! Mark "Hyper Boy" Oxman President of the PRZ Fan Club Visit me on the Web at "http://www.afn.org/~afn45072/fanclub.htm" **************************************************************************** SEND REPLIES & CORRESPONDENCE TO marxokman@aol.com ****************************************************************************