=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= B E T W E E N T H E L I N E S Volume 4, Issue 8 - August 31, 1992 DDDDD D D D D GGGG D D G DDDDD G GGG G G GGGG A Debbie Gibson Discussion Forum =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= CONTENTS =- ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES INTRO BY JAY WAYNE - Jay Wayne INTRO BY BRUCE ROUBITCHEK - Bruce Roubitchek INTRO BY ANDREW VERNON - Andrew Vernon INTRO BY NIMET DAMJI - Nimet Damji INTRO BY MIKE FALKNER - Mike Falkner FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF LES MIZ WITH DG - Patrick Colcord DEBORAH GIBSON ON BROADWAY... AGAIN? - Jennifer Mussi "SOMEDAY" VIDEO REVIEW - Myra Wong D.G.I.F. 4.3 REVIEW - Andrew Vernon QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CLOSING REMARKS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DISCLAIMER =- This forum does not necessarily reflect the views of Deborah Ann Gibson, Gibson Management Inc. (GMI), the Atlantic Recording Corporation, or any organizations to which members belong or represent. All songs by Debbie Gibson are copyrighted by Deborah Ann's Music (ASCAP) or Possibilities Publishing (ASCAP). Between the Lines operates on a non-profit basis. Distribution is permissible only under the condition that no part of it will be used for profit. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES =- Before you submit your articles, please PROOFREAD them. Remember that about 180 people receive BtL via electronic mail and a significant number of people are receiving BtL via postal mail. Copies of submissions should be sent to all moderators. We reserve the right to edit, defer, or reject submissions. To submit articles by postal mail, please send them to: BETWEEN THE LINES c/o Felix Ng 2137 Qualicum Drive Vancouver, B.C. V5P 2M3 CANADA Postal submissions must be typewritten so that Felix can scan them. To submit articles by FAX, please call (604) 322-5936. For those of you who do not have access to electronic mail, you may subscribe via postal mail. Issues are printed with a bubblejet printer which allows 6 pages of text to be printed on one sheet of paper (both sides). Prices are at cost and are subject to change: Canada $0.50 Cdn. United States $0.50 U.S. International $1.00 Cdn. Please make a cheque or money order payable to Felix Ng and mail it to the postal address mentioned above. We are not responsible for cash lost or stolen in the mail. Issues are always mailed via first class. For those of you interested in joining the "bouncing" version of the BtL mailing list, please send email to Matthew Jung. The supplemental list is for the fans who like to discuss Debbie Gibson and her music on a frequent basis. For those of you interested in joining the BtL Lounge on Time Traveller, please send email to Jonathan Bradshaw (jbradsh2@darwin.cc.nd.edu). This is where fans can discuss Debbie Gibson and her music in real time with other participating fans. Debbie Gibson GIFs (these are computer graphics files) and BtL back issues are available via anonymous FTP at cs.uwp.edu. For instructions on how to use FTP, please ask one of the moderators. -= BtL moderators =- Matthew Jung : ez000018@hamlet.ucdavis.edu mjung@rosarita.ucdavis.edu mjung@pcocd2.intel.com myjung@ucdavis.bitnet Myra Wong : mkwong@sdcc13.ucsd.edu Felix Ng : a1430001@bcit.bitnet =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY JAY WAYNE =- Jay Wayne (GEN3002@HUSKY1.STMARYS.CA) July 20, 1992 Hello. I've been reading up on some of the back issues of BtL, and I thought I should add my own introduction. I first became interested in Debbie Gibson's music when I had the opportunity to see a half-hour segment of her on a video show in the summer of 1988. I thought she was a talented singer, but when I realized she also wrote all of her own material, I was awestruck. I bought the _Out of the Blue_ album four years ago yesterday (July 19, 1988). I think my favorite songs of that album are "Staying Together," "Foolish Beat," and "Fallen Angel." When I became aware that _Electric Youth_ was about to be released, I haunted all the record stores in my city for weeks. By the time I finally got a copy, I had heard "Lost In Your Eyes" many times on the radio. That is definitely my favorite song on the album. Others are "No More Rhyme" and "Should've Been The One." I found _Anything Is Possible_ to be a bit of a disappointment at first (mostly dance on the first side, mostly ballads on the second side), but in the recent months, it grew on me the more I played it. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next album she releases, and if anyone can put a word in for me, I would be eternally grateful if she put Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, down on her list of places to visit in future! I think that this discussion forum is a fantastic idea, so keep up the good work! Jay Wayne Saint Mary's University Halifax, N.S. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY BRUCE ROUBITCHEK =- Bruce Roubitchek (Torrance, California) July 9, 1992 Hello fellow Debbie Gibson fans. I am a 25 year old Business major at a community college near my home and I plan on transferring to Cal State University of Long Beach. My first experience with Debbie's music was sometime in the summer of 1987. I saw the "Only In My Dreams" video on MTV and I was very impressed with the video and I really liked the song. I found out that the only recording of hers that was available was the OIMD 12 inch. I ended up buying it and I eventually bought the album when it came out. I immediately liked all the songs on the album. When the summer of 1988 came around, I found out that Deb would be performing at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. I was really not that big of a fan, but I decided to go to the concert anyway. By the time the concert was over, I became a Debbie Gibson fan immediately. I was impressed with her performance. I joined D.G.I.F. (#1721) and it seemed like forever until I got my first mailing from them. After attending the show, I continued to be a DG fan. I bought the _Electric Youth_ album when it came out and I went to the Electric Youth concert at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles. I found out that Deb was going to make an appearance on the "The Arsenio Hall Show" the day after her concert at the GW Forum. So, I made arrangements to attend the taping of the show. Yes, I did meet Deb, but it was so quick I don't even remember it. Now fast forward to April of 1991. I was still a fan of Deb's, but I think between the time after the Electric Youth concert and after the release of the _Anything Is Possible_ album my fandom tapered off. But this would all change on April 25, 1991. I was listening to Rick Dees' morning radio program. Deb was being interviewed by Rick Dees and then Rick mentioned Deb would be on his TV late night talk show "Into the Night." I ended up being second in line. I would later find out that the guy in front of me was there for the same reason. Before they started to tape, I started to talk with the guy who was first in line. His name was Maurice Montoya. He started to tell me about Matthew Jung, BtL, and his experiences as a DG fan and I became very interested. We exchanged addresses and Maurice sent me my first copy of BtL. Being at the taping of Rick Dees was a lot of fun. I got to meet Deb after the taping of the show and even got to talk to her for a few minutes. That was a day I will never forget. To make a long story short, I eventually came in contact with Billy and Larry Watson. These are the guys who made the banner Myra Wong told you about in the last issue of BtL. Anyway, the Watson brothers only live about 10 miles from me and over the last year we have become good friends. At Deb's show in Anaheim I was introduced to Matt, Shaun Stuart and other DG fans. I wrote to Shaun and thanks to him, I have been receiving BtL for almost a year. I am very impressed by BtL. It is very interesting and I look forward to every issue. After receiving my first issue of BtL, I also became friends with Carrie Sapp. I recently attended the Children's Miracle Network Telethon with Shaun, Myra, Larry and Billy. That was a lot of fun. In closing, I just wanted to thank all the people mentioned above for all the information they have ever given me. I would have to say after receiving my first issue of BtL my level of being a Debbie Gibson fan nearly tripled; it was nice to know I was not the only Debbie Gibson fan out there. It also makes it a lot more enjoyable to attend Deb's appearances with all my DG friends. Below is my address. Feel free to write to me especially those people in the Southern California area. I love to correspond with any DG fans. I hope that I can write some more articles for BtL in the future. Sincerely, Bruce Roubitchek 4439 Highgrove Ave. Torrance, California 90505 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY ANDREW VERNON =- ANDREW VERNON (AVERNON1@UA1VM.UA.EDU) July 28, 1992 (Andrew, looking relieved in finding the Debheads Unanimous meeting...) Hello, My name is Andrew, and I'm a Debhead. I'm twenty-one years old and live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Now, with those formalities out of the way, I can freely discuss my Debhead experience. (Now Andrew leans back in his chair, and borrowing a trick from deposed talk-show host Dennis Miller, runs his fingers through some bushy hair.) I was listening to Casey Kasem some time around the first weekend of September 1987. Most of that week's show was filled with the usual suspects -- Glenn Frey, Richard Marx, Madonna, Gloria Estefan. Nothing unusual. Then, at number four, Casey introduced the debut single of a seventeen-year-old singer-songwriter who took notes from the soaps and worked in a garage studio. The name -- Debbie Gibson. The song, "Only In My Dreams," impressed me immediately, and I began to follow this promising new artist. Next, was supposed to have been that all-important first look. Unfortunately, I can't remember it at all. I have no idea under what circumstances I first saw her. I do remember a weekend during that time when I feverishly scanned the channels for the "Shake Your Love" video. They must have shown "Only In My Dreams" a jillion times that weekend before playing SYL at last. SLAM! The "record" button goes down, and the tape rolls! Thus ends the "First Debquest." I'm sure that we all agree that it's not always easy following and loving that woman named Deborah. In my senior year in high school, I rode both highs and lows in my Deb-life. There were a few types in my school that I could never quite get along with. They force-fed me a constant diet of Metallica logos and Guns 'N Roses jackets. I had no choice but to hang a picture of Deborah from any handy place to proclaim the chart-topping "Lost In Your Eyes" and _Electric Youth_ album. In college, I was spared the harassment of obnoxious headbangers, but I still lacked support from others of the Gibson Faithful. So, last fall, when I received a mainframe account and a rumor of a Debbie Gibson discussion forum somewhere on the Internet, I started my second quest. I poked through the Listserv index and FTP'd to sites across the country before a friend brought me a phone-book-sized list of Internet special interest groups. All she said was that there was a Debbie Gibson forum somewhere in there. So, with no other information, I scanned every single page once, then twice. No luck. On the third pass, I spotted the name "Long Island." After my heart skipped a beat, I combed through the suspicious paragraph and found a DG forum without a name. I followed the listing up and finally spotted the name on the last line of the previous page. "BtL -- Between the Lines? How could I have missed that?" At last, I had found a group of people as crazy about Deb as I was. Thus ended quest number two. But, Quest Three continues .... Unlike many BtL members, I haven't yet had the honor of actually meeting Deborah. I've always wondered what she's like in a one-to-one situation and BtL's "close encounters" articles are no substitute. Unless she's planning a stop in Birmingham or Atlanta on her next tour, the only way I'll get to meet Deborah is only in my dreams. But, until the day I finally get my five minutes with Deb, I'll be right here, celebrating the talents of the finest performer in the world. Andrew Vernon / D.G.I.F. 9691 820 12th Avenue #29 Tuscaloosa AL 35401-2453 (205) 752-2824 Internet: avernon1@ua1vm.ua.edu BITNET: avernon1@ua1vm PS: And on the occasion of Deborah's twenty-second birthday... Happy Birthday, Deborah! I love you.... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY NIMET DAMJI =- Nimet Damji (Vancouver, Canada) August 17, 1992 Hello fellow BtL members! My name is Nimet Damji and I am originally from Mombasa, Kenya, E. Africa. I came to Canada in January 1986, lived in Calgary for 5 years, but now call Vancouver home after staying here for one and a half years. I met Felix Ng on January 26, 1991. I know, I know - I'm sorry for not introducing myself before, but I've been really busy with work. It's a crummy job, but I got to earn money somehow to buy all the Deb stuff out there. I first became a fan when "Only In My Dreams" came out, but went crazy after "Out of the Blue" when I realized that Deb was beautiful and talented at the same time. Before then, I didn't know that this beautiful lady wrote and produced her own songs. It was after her 1989 performance on the American Music Awards when I started buying everything I could of hers. By now, I had a full-time job after graduating from high school. Anyways, the day was September 4, 1989. Deborah was performing in Calgary that night. Luckily it was a holiday, so my three friends (not very big fans) and I went to the Calgary Saddledome early. We were there by 5:00 P.M. We hung around trying to find her, but it was too early. At about 5:15 P.M., a tour bus went by and I told my friends that she had arrived. They looked at me, laughed and said, "Does that look like a limo to you?" But we ran to the back entrance anyway. We waited around for a while and everytime someone came out the back doors of the Saddledome, my cousin shouted, "Debbie!" When she finally did and my cousin called out again, she looked at us and waved. My cousin then asked her to come over (I think I went crazy then because I couldn't believe that I was finally meeting her). We took some pictures and gave her flowers over the fence. I couldn't say anything because my mind went blank. We then said goodbye to her and she left. After about two hours the concert started. Naturally, it was fantastic. I won't go into details since most of your already have. All in all, it was the best day of my entire life. Unfortunately, Felix and I didn't get such an opportunity on November 26, 1991 when she was in Vancouver to film "Street Justice." But, I will meet her again and hopefully this time be able to say something! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY MIKE FALKNER =- Mike Falkner (FALKNEMJ@cnsvax.uwec.edu) August 24, 1992 My name is Mike Falkner. I'm a Debbie (ahem, excuse me, Deborah) Gibson fan, and I love every minute of it. In fact, I revel in the fact that I do catch flak for being a "Debhead," because I know how much I do love her music, even if many people (especially in the last 3 years or so) may not seem to understand. Maybe someday her time will come again, and we can honestly say we stood behind her all the way. Well, here's my story on how I became an avid Gibson fan. I never really did catch on to the first album immediately, though I did see some of her on MTV, especially "Shake Your Love." However, it was the release of "Lost in Your Eyes" that really got me started. I was a radio DJ at another university and I played the song about once a shift. Needless to say, she moved me with that song, and often got me to sing along (off mike, of course). I started listening to some of her other songs (from both albums), and got hooked to "Staying Together." Her voice was just _incredible_ for someone so young, I thought. And her enthusiasm -- in one word, WOW!!!!!!!!!! Then, "Electric Youth" came out, and that clinched it. This song became a personal anthem for me. Even though I am 23, people never really have taken my opinions seriously. I still listen to this song whenever I need a pick-me-up. As they say, the rest is history. I bought _Electric Youth_ and _Out of the Blue_, and I was starstruck with the completeness of her talent. With the exception of some high notes, she seemed to have it all. Finally, _Anything Is Possible_ came out. I waited, for whatever reason, a long time to buy this. I guess it was because I might be disappointed, owing to its poor performance. WRONG!!!! The people who chose to disregard this album because of Deb's image change missed out on her best overall album of the lot. In fact, I was even impressed with "So Close To Forever," and that is one of my favorite DG songs. WHAT DOES DEB DO FOR ME? She's an inspiration. She's like me in many ways; upbeat, charismatic, firm, and caring. I guess I sometimes use Deb to give me an indication of what I could be doing better in my own life (within perspective, of course). Deborah goes out there and pursues her dreams until she is successful. Deborah is the kind of person that I'd like to meet. {Don't we all say that!!} She seems very approachable, for a celebrity, and it just seems that she is one of the nicest people in the business. And forget about that "baby fat" comment in the "Live Around the World" studio interview. She's a great looking woman too. And as her pictures on AIP (and since) have shown, she's quite a woman at that!!! Once I get myself settled in my new place for the school year, I'll be sending off for information on D.G.I.F. I have not seen her live in concert {Minneapolis - St.Paul being a bit far}, but I am going to the next tour date there, hopefully in the best seat available. Well, here is some information about me, and then I'll get on to my favorites list: MIKE FALKNER Birthday: 1-22-69 Senior at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Grad.: May '93 Major: Applied Math Minor: Computer Science Plans: Graduate School in Milwaukee TV Favorites: Pro Wrestling, "The Wonder Years," Game Shows Hobbies: Video games, pinball, MUDs, listening to music, etc. Other Favorites: Olivia Newton-John, Elton John (older), Prince (when he's clean), Paula Abdul (sometimes) Favorite Gibson Songs: "Electric Youth" -- Still, after 3 years, a personal anthem. "One Hand, One Heart" -- Why do I imagine myself and Gibson waltzing to this song?? (If that were ever to even come close to happening, I'D FAINT!!!!) And then in no particular order: "We Could Be Together" -- A song that helps me think of my friends. "Lost in Your Eyes" -- Could she be singing this to her (male) fans?? I know many probably sing it to her while she does it in concert. "This So-Called Miracle" -- One great piece of music. Tells me I'm human. "Staying Together" -- Very dancy. Just a fun song for me to listen to. "Stand Your Ground" -- Another anthem song. She's right; "The only police are in your mind." "Over The Wall" -- Pure inspiration here. All I can say for you is: Keep up the good work. Last issue was my first BtL, but I was immediately impressed. I'd have you drop me a line, but it'll have to be by e-mail. I'm moving to a new house in the next couple of weeks. Now, a birthday wish... Any Deborah Gibson fan knows what the date August 31st means to Deb. She gets a year older, and we get another chance to tell her how appreciative we are to be able to listen to such talent. So, as indirect as this may be, here goes: Especially over the past couple of years, we each know stories of how we've literally had to spell out why we are DG fans. So, for her 22nd birthday, I'd like to spell out my reasons for being a Deb fan so that there's no question: Down to Earth -- A person that many can be proud to look up to. Electric Youth -- The title describes the woman to a T. Broadway -- Where she expanded her career even further. Original -- Writes all her album material; few others match that. Realistic -- Didn't let AIP's performance get her down; didn't quit. Active -- Does the woman ever slow down? Honest -- To herself, to her fans, and to all who work with her. Giving -- of her time and talent for numerous charity events. Inspiration -- Something she wants to give. She succeeds with me!! Beautiful -- Not only to look at, but as a role model as well. Success -- Something Deb has enjoyed, but it has not spoiled her. Over the Wall -- Another of her songs, and where she always heads. Number 1 -- Where she's been twice -- and will soon be again!! Well, at the risk of being long-winded, I'll cut it here. If she'd ever get a chance to read this, I'd just want her to know how much she means to me, and wish that the next year brings her to even greater successes. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEBORAH -- FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT BETWEEN THE LINES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF LES MIZ WITH DG =- Patrick Colcord (Beaverton, Oregon) August 3, 1992 On January 7, 1992 Debbie Gibson started her major Broadway debut in Les Miserables. The following are the box office receipts and attendance records from Variety Magazine. The statistics start in December and end in April to show a more complete statistical analysis. Debbie's last appearance in Les Miserables was on March 29th. Week Week's Net Dollar Change Attendance Attendance Receipt from previous week 11,304 max. % ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dec 23 to 29 $566,963 + $99,860 11,297 99.9% Dec 30 to Jan 5 $591,729 + $24,766 11,257 99.6% Jan 6 to 12 $500,604 - $91,125 10,909 96.5% Jan 13 to 19 $487,773 - $12,831 10,925 96.6% Jan 20 to 26 $460,810 - $26,963 10,287 91.0% Jan 27 to Feb 2 $451,516 - $9,294 10,258 90.7% Feb 3 to 9 $438,123 - $13,393 10,041 88.8% Feb 10 to 16 $485,536 + $47,413 10,829 95.8% Feb 17 to 23 $519,903 + $34,367 11,160 98.7% Feb 24 to Mar 1 $473,094 - $46,809 10,509 92.9% Mar 2 to 8 $469,172 - $3,922 10,483 92.7% Mar 9 to 15 $500,991 + $31,819 11,089 98.1% Mar 16 to 22 $504,423 + $3,432 11,063 97.9% Mar 23 to 29 $493,708 - $10,715 11,201 99.1% Mar 30 to Apr 5 $476,440 - $17,268 10,746 95.1% Apr 6 to 12 $491,790 + $5,350 11,118 98.4% The Imperial Theatre's maximum seating capacity is 1,413, with the ticket prices ranging from $15 for students up to $60 for floor level seating. This may explain why some of the statistics don't always correlate from one week to another. There are a lot a variables from show to show. It's difficult to determine whether Debbie had any direct benefit to the show's revenue since the receipts changed so much from week to week. Even now with Debbie long since gone, the show does exceptionally well in its sixth year. There are two things that I can say with certainty. The Winter months in New York, are not Broadway's best ticket selling season. The other is, Debbie brought in a lot of her fans who would have never gone if she hadn't been there. There is little doubt that she sold more tickets although there doesn't appear to be a major impact at the box office. Perhaps the greatest impact was on the media and her fans. She proved that she is far more than just a pop singer and that she has much more talent than her detractors realized. For her fans, she showed us that not only is she still the greatest singer around, but that her acting talents are exceptional as well. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEBORAH GIBSON ON BROADWAY... AGAIN? =- Jennifer Mussi (Queens, New York) August 17, 1992 I stumbled across this interesting piece in the Thursday, July 30th, 1992 edition of the NEW YORK POST in William Norwich's celebrity gossip column: "Debbie Gibson has nixed a return to Broadway to complete her solo LP, due this fall from Atlantic Records. Gibson had considered starring roles in new productions of 'JOSEPH and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' and 'GREASE.' Talk about reviving the revivals." The brief blurb was accompanied by the picture of Debbie on the motorcycle wearing the mini-dress with zippers and keys, the same as the back of the _Anything Is Possible_ CD. I was somewhat surprised to learn that Deborah would turn down a role in "Grease" since she has been quoted on several occasions stating that "Grease" was one of her favorite movies/musicals. Deborah lists "Grease" (presumably the movie since it is paired with "Dirty Dancing") as one of her "likes" in her high school yearbook from Calhoun in 1988. With such a successful run on Broadway in Les Miz it comes with no surprise that Deborah was considered for these revivals. I somewhat RESENT Norwich's comment "Talk about reviving the revivals" because it has a double meaning. Is he implying that Debbie herself is trying to "revive" her career or simply noting Broadway's constant effort to bring back theatre hits of yesteryear? Norwich is known by New York Post readers for his sarcasm. (He ended a blurb about Marla Maples opening night celebration in "The Will Rogers Follies" with: "Donald Trump is hosting Marla's opening post-performance supper in the Terrace Room of the Plaza Hotel. You didn't think the Helmsley, did you?") So I wouldn't doubt that Norwich's comment about Deb was intended to be equally sarcastic. Nevertheless it is nice to know that Deborah has gained the respect of the "higher-ups" in the Broadway set by being considered for these two "new" productions. This proves that Gibson hasn't just impressed her fans, but a much older, diverse population of entertainment-seekers. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= "SOMEDAY" VIDEO REVIEW =- Myra Wong (mkwong@sdcc13.ucsd.edu) August 18, 1992 "Someday" is a duet written by Chris Cuevas, sung with Debbie Gibson. It appears on his album _Somehow, Someway_. Originally, "Someday" was planned to be the second single from this album which would have been released while Debbie Gibson and Chris Cuevas were on tour during the Spring of 1991. Therefore the video for "Someday" was filmed early on - approximately in January 1991. Plans changed; the tour didn't start until June and "You Are The One" was chosen as the second single. However, the single and video for "Someday" were released in Japan. This video is completely in black and white. This emphasizes the overall dreamy mood. There are two different settings, both on open black sets. The first setting, for Chris Cuevas, resembles an outdoors scene where there are bare trees, a fence, and snow lightly falling. In all of these scenes, he is either playing the piano, his guitar, or simply wandering around thoughtfully. Deborah's set is an indoors scene. She is wandering about a sparsely decorated bedroom dreamily, occasionally glancing out the window. Deborah is wearing a nice sweater-dress with light colored tights. Her chin-lengthed hair is in small twists. For the second verse of the song, Deborah's verse, the camera is close up on her while the room spins around her. Towards the end of the song, close up images of both Chris and Deborah are overlaid. This rather simple video certainly conveys the dreamlike idea of "Someday we'll be together." Deborah is shown more than Chris and she looks beautiful! This video has a nice, romantic feel to it which I really love. Of the four videos that Deborah has done in the past two years, this one is my favorite because of its effective illustration of the music. Although this song does not appear on any of Deborah's albums, I am hoping that this video, owned by Atlantic, will be included on her next video compilation. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= D.G.I.F. 4.3 REVIEW =- ANDREW VERNON (AVERNON1@UA1VM.UA.EDU) July 29, 1992 A membership in D.G.I.F. is an exercise in delayed gratification, and issue IV/3 of the D.G.I.F. magazine was no exception. The magazine took nearly a month to reach the homes of most U.S. members this time, but it was actually worth the wait. --PICTURE PERFECT-- The first surprise happened when I opened the envelope and was greeted by a PROCESS COLOR cover. For those keeping score, this was the first issue since 3.3 to include any process color at all. Better yet, they used that color cover to show off the best picture D.G.I.F. has gotten their hands on in quite some time. After several issues of Alberto Tolot's cast-offs from the _Anything Is Possible_ and Caboodles promo shoots, D.G.I.F. finally delivers a photo of Deb which doesn't look contrived or dressed-up. In fact, Amy Cantrell's cover photo shows Deborah in her natural environment -- lounging at a Baldwin piano, presumably in her Los Angeles living room. No wild clothes, no goopy makeup. Just _her_. The centerfold pin-up shines also, though it's black-and-white, as does that pouty-pretty back page. The pinup collectors and GIF scanners shouldn't be disappointed. --STATE OF THE UNION-- Inside, Deborah writes about her new niece, the now three-month-old Diana Joanne Lampiasi, and her thoughts on the Los Angeles riots. She makes the point that one group shouldn't be blamed for the crimes of generations before, and I agree with her. In fact, Deborah has actually made sense of the whole ordeal. I wish that everyone else could see things this way. --BUSINESS AS USUAL-- Of course, D.G.I.F. offers up its boilerplate Question-and-Answer pages and pen-pal notices. While the pen-pal requests were about the same as in previous issues, Q&A had its fill of ringers. Deborah says she would like to be in Cindy Crawford's shoes for a day. Why, Deb? Why? I couldn't see Deb parading around in the "Sports Illustrated" swimsuit issue. One true-believer asked if Deborah was planning to do more TV, and praised "Street Justice." (Why?) All Deborah said was that it "was a great experience." Go figure. My favorite question this time was "Who is Deborah Gibson? Is she your sister or what?" Those of us who know her well can answer that question easily, but I suppose that some non-English-speaking people may very well get confused by the Debbie/Deborah split. I think it's about time to pick one name and run with it, and I vote for "Deborah." Another small point -- D.G.I.F. should reduce the type size for these pages so they can print more questions every issue -- This is the strongest part of the magazine. --HAVEN'T YOU HAD ENOUGH OF THIS?-- In this issue, D.G.I.F. pulls out some more backstage and grip & grin shots from Les Miz, which she left nearly five months ago. While we get to see Deb in cute degrees of heavy stage makeup with co-stars in cute degrees of heavy stage makeup, I would have rather seen photos from the Children's Miracle Network Telethon. Les Miz was wonderful enough, but when you get around to publishing schmooze pictures with washed-up types like Donald Trump and New Kid Jonathan Knight, it's time to make some new photo-opportunities. Plus, D.G.I.F.'s slap-'em down on the board picture layout is kind of distracting, and sometimes ruins some good photos. --THE BOTTOM LINE-- Aside from the usual quirks about delivery times, D.G.I.F. 4.3 does a good job of delivering the goods. The photos are better, the questions are lively, and even the first-person stories are good this time around (check out Kelly Ann Monahan's account of how her Dad and Deborah hit it off during one of the Atlantic City shows). This time, D.G.I.F. is completely on point. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS =- Q. Ray Wilmott (wilmott@remus.rutgers.edu) While at the mall yesterday, something in Suncoast Video caught my eye. In the performing arts section was a videotape of La Boheme from the Metropolitan Opera, recorded 1/16/82 (I think that was the date). Deb's resume lists "Live From The Met - La Boheme" as a TV appearance. Does anybody know if these performances are one and the same? Q. Mike Falkner (FALKNEMJ@cnsvax.uwec.edu) I've read some of the older BtL's and I know at the time LIYE was doing so well that some of the readers were hoping she'd get a Grammy nomination. I know that she did not win a Grammy, but did she get a nomination? A. Jennifer Yeko (Georgetown, CT) Although Debbie was not one of the five final nominees for a Grammy award, she was one of the "first round" nominees in many categories. Among these nominations were "Lost In Your Eyes" for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop vocal Performance, Female. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= CLOSING REMARKS =- A BtL reader in Australia has requested that anyone who has Debbie Gibson MIDI files, please FTP them onto cs.uwp.edu. Deborah will be performing at the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon again this year. The telethon will happen during the Labor Day weekend. Check your TV Guide or local listings for details. According to the 1B section of USA Today (Friday, August 28, 1992), Deborah will contribute to the _A Very Special Xmas 2_ album (due October 20th). It is a followup to the 1987 album which raised 17 million dollars for the Special Olympics. According to the April 22nd issue of Beverly Hills [213] magazine, the next album is tentatively titled _Different Time_. Please keep in mind the word "tentatively" because GMI has denied that this will be the name of the album (according to fans who have called the office). Also according to GMI, this album will not be released until January of 1993. Deborah turns 22 years old today. This is her fourth birthday since BtL's existence and it is amazing to realize just how much she has accomplished in these past few years. It is rather unfortunate that she never did manage to fulfill her ambition of winning a Grammy award by age 21. Then again, she did not get the role of Eponine for the first Les Miserables run on Broadway either. The point is, Deb eventually did get to perform in Les Miserables on Broadway as Eponine. The same can be said with a Grammy award and Deb will win one in the future. Like Deborah has said before, everything works out for the best and anything is possible. We at BtL wish Deborah a happy birthday and eagerly await what she has yet to accomplish in the future.