March 1988
The 1988 writers’ strike begins.
Another community is forming, an article in USA Today announces (with a Life Section cover story) an “‘Official’ Beauty and the Beast Fan Club” based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Later renamed International at Witt/Thomas-Republic Pictures request, ‘official’ having been self-bestowed).
The ‘fandom’ takes off with a bang. Pipeline is on the drawing board, and yet a third publication, a ‘letter’-zine called “Once Upon a Time …Is Now” is about to be published by founder Jeanne Cloud. Surprisingly, no one of the three knows of the others’ existence until weeks late.
April 1988
The publicity department has one of its most successful months with segments on B&B airing on the Today Show on NBC, the syndie Entertainment Tonight, and Showbiz Today on CNN.
May 1988
ABC moves “Perfect Strangers” I opposition and wins the 8 o’clock writings war. At 51st place for the season Beauty and the Beast still proves itself to be one of CBS’ only ratings successes. The network is not satisfied with its own worst overall season, and resigns itself to being, as one Vice Pres put it, “prepared to be patient” with series like “Beauty and the Beast.”
June 1988
The show is officially renewed, but the writers’ strike has closed down production delaying work on the 2nd season. News comes to light that Roy Dotrice has had successful hip-replacement surgery in England; the use of a crutch from the second episode on has been an all too necessary ‘prop.’
July 1988
Ron Perlman and David Greenlee are already signing on to do fan & pro-run (Creation) conventions. B&B has developed a following faster than any series before it.
Producers and staff et al have an open-door policy remaining accessible and responding to fans whenver possible (not an industry norm).
August 1988
CBS preempts and spreads out reruns with other programming in an attempt to pace themselves while the writers’ strike pushes back the start of the coming new season.
Ron Perlman wins the best actor award from “Viewers for Quality Television.”
Beauty and the Beast begins to be distributed by Republic Pictures to 80 countries world–wide.
September 1988
Production resumes four months late. According to the production office they’ve been given a comparatively free hand with script ideas.
Roy H. Wagner (Cinematography), John Mansbridge and Chuck Korian (Art Direction), and Lee Holdridge (Musical Underscore) when three Emmy Awards out of 12 nominations for B&B.
All of the standing sets, cast and crew facilities are moved from Ren-Mar Studios in Hollywood to a permanent facility located in a warehouse in Vernon, South LA.
Meanwhile, Pipeline expands its coverage into a larger format in hopes of getting over a 500 subscriber break-even point.
The first videotape containing the “Pilot” and a “A Happy Life” is released by Republic Pictures.
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