FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TOM HANKS AND RON HOWARD LAUNCH APOLLO 13 IN CYBERSPACE NEW YORK, New York, June 30, 1995 -- Online history was made last night when two-time Academy Award winning actor Tom Hanks and director Ron Howard were the guests of CompuServe's Entertainment Drive Forum in the world's first online 'simulcast' to promote the opening of a major motion picture, Universal's "Apollo 13." A combined estimate of over 5000 members of CompuServe, America Online, and Universal's Cyberwalk Internet Web site logged on from around the world to talk with the stars. When asked how he'd like to be remembered for his long career as an actor, writer, producer and director, Ron Howard ("Splash," "Cocoon," "Backdraft," "Parenthood") proposed emulating a late great colleague: "I want to follow in John Huston's footsteps; wheezing to actors, sucking on oxygen while going over my shot list with the cinematographer, and being wheeled around in a chair by an attractive nurse." Hanks responded to a question about the importance of U.S. space exploration with his characteristic wry humor: "We have to figure out how to get out of here because the sun is going to burn out in a couple of billion years and we'd better have a contigency plan other than lots and lots of sunblock." The cooperative event was broadcast from Entertainment Drive's new CyberStudio in midtown Manhattan with moderators from Entertainment Weekly and Digital Planet, a leading producer of entertainment Web sites and multimedia programming. Entertainment Drive on CompuServe is the largest resource of entertainment information in one location anywhere online -- including the Internet -- and the only place in cyberspace to showcase every major movie studio. A half-million regular members download press releases, production notes, full-motion movie scenes, and multimedia programs from Hollywood, television, and Broadway. Free CompuServe software, a free one-month membership, and a $15 usage credit is available by calling 800-524-3388 and asking for the Entertainment Drive representative. Entertainment Drive is a division of the Musicom Corporation.