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Welcome to The Genre Traveler! Please sign up using the form to the right so that you'll get all the latest updates to the site. You also might want to sign up for the RSS feed, which you can do via email or your favorite RSS Reader. After the success of the stage version of his 1968 movie The Producers, Mel Brooks hopes to strike gold again by adapting his 1974 film Young Frankenstein for the musical theatre. What the hey? It already had one musical number -- the monster performing “Puttin’ on the Ritz” -- why not more?

“Whether it comes out or not, I don't know,” says Brooks, “but we're having fun working on it. I have six or seven songs written for it."

Brooks is working with The Producers choreographer and director Susan Stroman, and plans to make a formal announcement to raise money once the script, lyrics and score are complete.

"Mel has written 10 new songs, and they're very funny," Stroman said. "It's a year and a half away from opening on Broadway."

In the movie, Gene Wilder played the grandson of the original Dr. Frankenstein, and there are rumors that, just as Matthew Broderick stepped into Wilder’s role in The Producers, he may do it again for Young Frankenstein. When asked his opinion, Broderick was quoted as saying, “That would be wonderful.”

Roger Bart, who plays Carmen Ghia in The Producers, is said to have his eye on playing Igor, originally -- and wonderfully -- played by Marty Feldman. “My posture's already bad, so I'm perfect for it.”

Brooks feels that Young Frankenstein, in which he lovingly spoofed the 1930s Frankenstein films of director James Whale, is the best movie he ever made. It was nominated for two Oscars (Best Sound and Best Adapted Screenplay), two Golden Globes (Best Motion Picture Actress - Musical/Comedy for Cloris Leachman and Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture for Madeline Kahn), and one WGA Award (Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium). It won Golden Scrolls for Best Director (Mel Brooks), Best Horror Film, Best Make-Up (William Tuttle), Best Set Decoration (Robert De Vestel and Dale Hennesy), and Best Supporting Actor (Marty Feldman); as well as a Hugo and a Nebula and a Golden Screen.

Since this is one of his favorite works, Brooks is excited about the project. "It is going to be wonderful," Brooks said in a telephone interview with Reuters, and then burst into a German-accented version of his Frau Blucher (originally played by Cloris Leachman) song:

"He vus my boyfriend
He vould come home in a snit
He vould have a terrible fit
I am the first thing he vould hit
But I didn't give a s---
He vus my boyfriend."

Whew! This week has been a bear. I haven’t been getting enough sleep so I haven’t been able to write posts for this blog. Did you miss me?

Horror Genre Gets Its Own Video on Demand Network
Comcast and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced recently that they plan to launch a video-on-demand (VOD) network featuring horror movies and thrillers.

“Our horror channel will have lots of horror movies for VOD and streaming, but no linear channel,” Steve Burke, chief operating officer of Comcast, recently said during a panel discussion at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association’s National Show.

The new network, which is as yet unnamed, is scheduled to launch this Halloween. It will be paired with a broadband channel that offers multimedia applications such as music downloads and video outtakes. Both the VOD network and website will be supported by advertising.

There should be plenty of content to offer. 18 months ago, Comcast joined a Sony-led investment group that bought out MGM. Part if the deal gave them access to a large library of titles from both studios.

“This is the first channel of its kind devoted solely to serving this expanding audience,” said Diane Robina, Comcast’s president of emerging networks.”

According to Comcast, horror films are one of the fasted growing genres. In addition, they are “wildly popular” among views aged 18 to 34, and attractive audience for advertisers.

Video Advertising at the Pump
If you’ve seen Blade Runner or Minority Report, then you’ve seen what some science fiction writers have predicted of the future: advertising everywhere you go. Well, the transition has already begun.

The NBC Universal Television Stations group and VST Media Network have concocted a plan to distribute “customized local news, weather, sports and entertainment video and headlines to on-pump screens at gas stations in markets with NBC owned-and-operated stations,” according to Broadcasting & Cable.

Since the average time a person spends filling their tank is three minutes, that’s how long the program will last. Updated twice daily, the content will come from local NBC stations. Local adverts will be included. State Farm Insurance and Tropicana have already signed up to be advertisers.

VST has video screens set up at 17 Shell gas stations in Los Angeles, as well as plans to expand this year to 500 stations in L.A., San Francisco and San Diego. In addition, VST plans to add screens to gas stations across the U.S. in markets with NBC owned-and-operated stations.

Just what I wanted, more reasons to dislike going to the pump.

People Staff of Nagoya, Japan, wants Hello Kitty to greet visitors when they come into an office. Well, at least a robot receptionist modeled after the popular icon. In February of this year, they launched Robot Dispatch, where Japanese companies can rent an electronic receptionist in the shape of characters such as Hello Kitty for only $424 a month. That is one-sixth the cost of People Staff’s human temporary personnel.

“Many Japanese corporations don’t have a person at reception,” Chihiro Yamada, People Staff spokesperson, told CNNMoney.com. “If a company wants to hire a receptionist, we can save them money.”

The robot receptionist, manufactured by Business Design Laboratory, can recognize up to 10 faces, ask visitors to speak their names, and notify them when they are ready to be seen. In addition, it has 20,000 stored conversation patterns, songs and riddles.

This concept seems to be a boon for Japan, where record low birthrates is creating a need for an alternative workforce. However, in the United States, it may not fly. “People don’t like to face machines,” Jennifer Schramm, manager of workplace trends and forecasting at the Society for Human Resource Management, said. “You need a human when you have a problem. Right now, you could not use this on a regular basis.”

However, she concedes that the future may be quite different. “Robotics research could lead to machines that replace humans,” Schramm said. “Especially if the cost benefits are there.”

Better get working on your resume, just in case.

Space Adventures Ltd, the company that took the world's first three space tourists to the International Space Station, is working with a consortium in Singapore on a $115 million base to launch rockets for suborbital flights.

"The commercial possibilities of space tourism are enormous," Nick Marrett, founder of Octtane and member of the consortium said. "We are tremendously excited about working with Singapore on this innovative project that will bring space tourism to the public."

Unlike the base in the UAE, Spaceport Singapore will not only offer suborbital spaceflights, but run astronaut training facilities and a public education and interactive visitor center. "This world-class center will provide a mix of commercial, educational and tourist attractions, giving everyone a reason to visit," Michael Lyon, managing director of the Spaceport Singapore project said.

Experiences available will include various aspects of astronaut training such as parabolic flights that allow passengers to experience weightlessness, G-force training in a centrifuge, and simulated space walks in a neutral buoyancy tank. Visitors will be able to fly in a variety of jet aircraft, ride flight simulators, enjoy interactive exhibit experiences, or simply learn about the history and technology of space travel.

"We identified Singapore as an ideal location for a spaceport as it has the right combination of foresight, entrepreneurialism and technological sophistication to support a project such as this," Lyon said.

"Singapore is one of the best-connected countries in the world," Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures said. "With its superior geographical and economic infrastructure, {Singapore} is primed to be the hub of a new, revolutionary form of travel -- in space."

Marrett added, "Singapore will continue its tradition of leading the world as a global transport hub for the 21st century with shipping, aviation and now, space travel."
 
The Singapore Tourism Board has been involved with this project for the past three years, facilitating technical discussions with other agencies required for this project and bridging negotiations over possible land sites.

"Space Adventures and the consortium have given Singapore a big vote of confidence as a choice tourism investment location," Lim Neo Chian, deputy chairman and chief executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, said. "With the proposed Spaceport Singapore, we now stand at the threshold of an unprecedented opportunity to launch into space practically from our own backyard. In addition, the Spaceport's integrated training, educational and entertainment facilities will open up many exciting experiences for both locals and tourists."

According to Anderson, "Countries around the world are only just realizing the enormous commercial possibilities of space tourism. The market potential for suborbital spaceflights alone is estimated at $1 billion (USD) annually."

The consortium supporting Spaceport Singapore is a combination of commercial, research, entertainment and tourist interests. Joining with Space Adventures in this venture, are Octtane Pte, Batey Pte Ltd., Lyon Capital Inc., DP Architects, ST Medical, KPMG Corporate Finance, and Space Adventures' global spaceport development partner, His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates.

For more information on Spaceport Singapore, visit www.spaceportsingapore.com.

Further Reading

"Space Tourism," Blog Entry for October 2, 2005
thegenretraveler.braveblog.com/archive/10/02/2005

"Space Tourism -- That Much Closer," Blog Entry for Jan. 19, 2006
thegenretraveler.braveblog.com/archive/01/19/2006

"Another Spaceport Planned," Blog Entry for Feb. 18, 2006
thegenretraveler.braveblog.com/archive/02/18/2006

April 2006 Issue of The Genre Traveler
www.thegenretraveler.com/APR2006/TGTApril2006.htm

Expedition Everest
Disney World's "Expedition Everest" ride, mentioned on page 6 of the January issue of The Genre Traveler, was unveiled for 1,500 travel trade professionals and media last Friday, April 7. The 3.5 minute ride was a collaborative effort between Walt Disney Imagineering, The Discovery Channel and Conservation International.

For more information, visit www.disneyeverest.com/?CMP=KNC-EverestGoogle&HBX_PK=Expedition+Everest&HBX_OU=50

Sci-Fi Fan Trips
More details for the Sci-Fi Fan Trips at Space Camp, mentioned on page 28 of the April issue of The Genre Traveler, have been released. Activities in the package include:

• Laser Weaponry Training
• X-Prize model Rocket Construction and Launch
• Space Missions in actual NASA-patterned vehicles
• Panel discussions by NASA scientists and science fiction authors
• Star gazing with an astronomer, and
• Alien Costume "Part of the Galaxy" and Award Banquet

The party will include a themed menu, award presentations and karaoke.

For more information, vis www.sci-fi-fantrips.com

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The Genre Traveler Trip to Toronto to See Lord of the Rings Moved to October

NOTE: The May trip to Toronto has been pushed back to October. Details on this Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tour of World Premiere Lord of the Rings Musical Available Only from The Genre Traveler and Beyond Boundaries Travel will be available at thegenretraveler.0catch.com/LOTRTour.htm soon.

A Kevin Wallace Limited production. Based on the Lord of the Rings trilogy of books by J.R.R. Tolkien. Written & produced under license from The Saul Zaentz Co. (SZC). ™and ®SZC under license. All rights reserved. ©Kevin Wallace Limited 2005.