_____ ______ ._ `\`/>`\ /`/` /`__________,.'>___ _____ )~\ /<`\ `\ /`/` /``\ \./------> /|\./\ |\./| / | \ /< `\`\ `\ /`/` /` | | |----\ / | |\ \ | | |././^\ \ |\__{o}\--`\`\ `\/`/` /`-----| | |-----`------\`\`\--| | |----^ \ \----. [\\\\\\\{*}==`> <`=======| | ==============`\`\`\| | |=====\ \ \==--> |/~~{o}/-- /`/ /\ \ `\------| | |---------------`\`\\ | |------\ \ \--' \< /`/` /` `\`\ `\ | | |_____,.'>| | | `\`\| | /' \ \ \ \< /` /` `\`\ `\ ,/ /^\------> / |/^\| \ | |/ \/^\\. /`/\>/` `\`\ `\`~~~~~~~~~~~\ / ~~~~~ )^\,\, '~~~~~ `~~~~~` '~~~~~` ` ~~~~~~ ========================== XENA: THE MEDIA REVIEW #04 ========================== http://www.teleport.com/~gater/IAXS.html c/o RIF BBS, P.O. Box 81181, Bakersfield, CA 93308 RIF BBS (805) 588-9349 [24hrs, 14.4bps, & free!] 93 subscribers and growing! This document has 627 lines. Xena Media Review (XMR) is a periodic annotated review of mainstream media reports found in electronic form regarding the syndicated television show Xena: Warrior Princess (1995 - ) and the castmembers, Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor. For a free e- mail subscription send "subscribe XMR" to ktaborn@lightspeed.net. Copyright, legal, and editorial notices are found at the end of this newsletter. Issue No. 04 Release date: April 20, 1996 2nd edition: 07/10/96 Covering 05/26/95 - 07/15/95 Annotations 006d, 019r, and 020 through 025e [006d] PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. 12-15-94. Same as XMR006a. [019r] PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. 05-12-95. Like XMR019a-q. [020] LOS ANGELES TIMES. 05-26-95. Status of syndicated programs. **[021] ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY. 06-02-95. HTLJ story with a paragraph on XWP. **[022] NEWSWEEK. 06-05-95. HTLJ story with a paragraph on XWP. [023a] REUTERS. 06-20-95. Toy Biz license announced **[023b] PR NEWSWIRE. 06-20-95. Details on toy licensing. [023c] INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY. 06-22-95. Sparse [023d] DAILY VARIETY. 06-23-95. Sparse [024a] ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. 07-06-95. Darkman 2. [024b] NEWSDAY. 07-07-95. Sparse [024c] THE TORONTO STAR. 07-08-95. Sparse [024d] THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. 07-13-95. sparse [024e] THE RECORD. 07-15-95. Sparse [024f] PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. 07-13-95. Same as XMR024e. ------------- Introduction: ------------- XMR is celebrating it's first month of distribution. The subscriptions have reached almost 100 (would have reached 100 had no schools ended their terms!). We have traversed in excruciating detail the months from April 1, 1991 to July 15, 1995. It's been a weird ride. Especially this issue. This week we cover the toy announcements (which are covered in further historic detail in XMR090 and XMR162); some XWP news embedded in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys articles; and the video release of "Darkman 2", which Renee O'Connor had a supporting role. Included in this issue are two annotations which were discovered recently and pre-date the dates covered in this issue. I have received more mail from the readers of XMR, and this week it wasn't as rude as last week's when I neglected to expose my Sci-Fi Universe rant in XMR #02 (as promised in XMR #01, but delivered in XMR #03). I am comforted by this. Three different readers asked me in various polite ways why I was doing this. There are many levels to the answer, just as there were to the questions. One specifically asked about my "academic" qualifications. Another asked a generic, are you crazy or something. The final one just asked a casual, I like the concept, just curious about you. First. Why am I doing this? I edit a Star Trek newsletter. It has been around for over five years. It was the first regular Star Trek parody newsletter (actually might have been the first Star Trek newsletter period) to have been distributed over the internet. It has more successful than my wildest dreams. I got my feet wet. I discovered I like editing these things. After three years, I started looking for another property to start editing, publishing, and distributing over the internet. At first I was working on an Mystery Science Theatre angle where we highlighted "MiSTings" on a monthly level. That fell through in negotiations. Then I wanted to created a newsletter covering Star Trek comics and novels similar to "The Kryptonian Cybernet", which is an excellent newsletter covering all aspect of Superman. That fell through (and luckily, since Paramount pulled all the Star Trek Comics off the market in January). Then Xena happened. I always regretted missing out on the first wave of Star Trekmania. Now I could jump on the bandwagon right when it left the barn. I decided I wanted to do something with Xena. Xena parodies are almost non-existent other than the top tens that have been popping up here and there. Xena is a parody, so to parodize it is almost pointless. A newsletter consisting of top tens an interesting project does not make (to mangle a quotation). At my day job, I was briefly an editor of a newsletter which reviewed journal, magazine, newspaper and television articles and shows which discussed matters relevant to my job which was then sent to others in my field. In the course of this project, I discovered many on-line and off-line sources for following media reports on specific subjects. About six months ago, for fun, I did a subject check for Xena: Warrior Princess. After about three weeks of casual research, I came up with about 100 references. Some were nominal mentions, some were amusing, and others were interesting. What finally caught my eye was the fun in following the media trail and seeing what it implied about Xena: Warrior Princess, television production, the syndication market, the way to "sell" a television show, how national and local media react to the "sell", the influence of the consumer to the "sell" and the product, etc. I decided I would do the Xena Media Review for a six month test run. I would release the newsletter weekly in chronological order, cataloging and annotating each reference I could find. That is more how than why I am doing this. The why relates more to the question about my "academic qualifications". Second. What are my academic qualifications? This is a two- pronged answer. The first part is why do I want to characterize this exercise as an academic pursuit, and the second is am I really qualified to do so? Why an academic pursuit? The most obvious reason is legal. The copyright laws allow fair use almost exclusively for the purposes of parody (which I do in my other newsletter "Resistance is Futile"), criticism, review, or education (which invariably should be a fusion of criticism and review). I am allowed more room in presenting the articles if they are offered in an academic or educational light. Another reason is personal. I started out my career as an academic in training. I stopped that path after two years in a Ph.D program. I worked for a year in the real world, and then went to law school. Now I am an attorney. But I do miss the arcane research I used to do on a daily basis (my primary area was Renaissance music). One of the reasons I left my Ph.D. program was the continual disagreements with my advisor over how wide my studies should be. I argued that you had to study the music in terms of the entire social milieu (I had a B.A. in history, had done extensive study of German and French literature from 1750 - 1850, and had a very strong interest in the effects of how music was transmitted to the audience and how that effected the performance and consumption of it.). My advisor felt that I was not spending enough time on the music. After two years, I realized that this endeavor was not going to help me become the scholar I wanted to be. I left. I moved to an area where I could not continue my musical studies, but it had a law school. The rest is history... That interest in how the art form is distributed and "consumed" by the consumer has always interested me. That was the heart of my interest with following the media reports of Xena: Warrior Princess. In fact, you could do the same with any topic, and would get the same results. I liked the show Xena, anticipated an audience to share my results with, and I had the raw material to easily present a six month run. That was the basis of my decision to produce this newsletter. Am I academically qualified? I have a Bachelor of Arts in history; a Masters Degree in music; I spent a two year residency at University of Illinois in a Ph.D program in musicology; and have a Doctorate of Law. I have been an observer of popular culture for over thirty years. I have been active in the phenomena of fandom for decades and have been with Xena from almost the start. I am qualified. You may not agree with my observations or annotations, but the purpose of the exercise is to stimulate others to form opinions and to express them from the direct sources provided. This is not a study of paraphrase, summaries, or secondary sources. It is the presentation of the primary sources of the topic of study: the media reports regarding XWP. That is education at its highest level. Third. Am I crazy or what? I seem to have more energy recently than I could figure out how else to expend. This is a hobby and an extended puzzle. Will this exercise matter? It may, it may not. But the fruits of my research are getting just as much or more readership than I did in my professional academic days. The point is to contribute and be heard. If that's crazy, then sign me up. I only hope that the subscribers are getting some of their intellectual curiosity soothed and are entertained too. I am enjoying myself with this little exercise. I offer my labors to whomever wishes to share it with me. I invite any feedback regarding this newsletter. --Ktaborn ------------------- AMENDED ANNOTATIONS ------------------- [006d] 12-15-94 PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. Entertainment. Pg. E6. 906 words, "She's Afraid 'My So-called Life' Will Breathe its Last in January" by Gail Shister COMMENTARY: Another brief mention of Renee O'Connor. Exact reprint of XMR #006a, found in XMR #1. EXCERPT: ..."ROCKFORD" REDUX. Next up for James Garner - The Rockford Files: Little Ezekial on CBS. (No airdate.) Last month's Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A. was the highest-rated TV movie this season. In Ezekial, Angel (Stuart Margolin) becomes a wildly successful televangelist. When his TV ministry launches a boycott against a new movie, Little Ezekial, Rockford is hired to protect its star (Renee O'Connor). [019r] 05-12-95 PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. Features. Pg. 58. 433 words. "WEEKEND WATCH IT" By Mark de la Vina COMMENTARY: More of the same as XMR019a-q, found in XMR #2. EXCERPT: ...THE ROCKFORD FILES: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE CHANNEL 10, 9 P.M. SUNDAY Angel (Stuart Margolin) is up to his old ways again, creating all sorts of turmoil in Jim Rockford's (James Garner, above) private-eye life. This time, Jim's ex-con friend becomes a televangelist with an empire that includes bodyguards, a limo and a mansion. When Angel spearheads a "Last Temptation of Christ"-style boycott against a movie, Rockford is hired by the film's star (Renee O'Connor) to protect her against attacks. Morton Downey Jr. appears as himself, a talk show host whose on-air discussion turns into a riot... ----------- ANNOTATIONS ----------- [020] 05-26-95 LOS ANGELES TIMES. Calendar; Part F; Page 30; 249 Words. "Syndicated Dramas Having a Tough Go". By David Walstad. COMMENTARY: Nominal mention of Lucy Lawless and Xena. Significance of article lies in illustrating the situation which XWP and HTLJ (Hercules: The legendary Journeys) found themselves in 1995. Makes all the more amazing that XWP and HTLJ consistently stayed within the top three syndicated dramas. REPRINT: Although the episodic hour format is making a major comeback on the major TV networks, first-run syndicated dramas are having a tougher go of it. Already canceled are "Hawkeye," "Robocop," "Sirens" and "Heaven Help Us." And the low-rated "Robin's Hoods," "University Hospital" and "Pointman" are likely to follow unless they perform strongly in the current May ratings sweeps. "Vanishing Son" also will vanish, but may turn up on a broadcast or cable network. MCA-TV president Shelly Schwab says the unusual scenario is a result of some major-market stations that run the so-called "Action Pack" shows -- "Hercules" and "Vanishing Son" -- clamoring for a follow-up hour to "Hercules" that's more compatible. The result is a spinoff called "Xena: Warrior Princess," with Lucy Lawless reprising her role from one of "Hercules' " highest rated episodes. Newcomers that survived the freshman tryout in one-hour syndicated form this season, in addition to "Hercules," are "Lonesome Dove," "High Tide" and "Forever Knight." Also returning for 1995-96 will be veterans "Baywatch," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Renegade," "Highlander," "Kung Fu" and "Babylon 5." Filling the void left by the multiple cancellations will be "Baywatch Nights," a spinoff of the David Hasselhoff hit; a new version of "Flipper"; "One West Waikiki," with Cheryl Ladd continuing her short-lived '94 CBS series; and "Land's End," with Fred Dryer ("Hunter") as a private investigator in a Mexican beach resort. [021] 06-02-95 ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY. Television; Pg. 46. 653 Words. "Macho, Macho Man; the Surprise Hit 'Hercules: the Legendary Journeys' Pumps up the Ancient Myth with Dopey Dialogue, Kung Fu Fighting, and a Heafty Dose of Hokey Humor" by Ken Tucker. COMMENTARY: Primarily a story about HTLJ, but mentions XWP in last paragraph and refers to the "wonderfully named" Lucy Lawless. The graphic is just of Mr. Sorbo. EXTRACTS: Dusting off my old schoolboy copy of Edith Hamilton's Mythology in order to grapple with the goofy wonder that is hercules: the legendary journeys (syndicated, check local listings), I came across this description of the ancient Greek hero: "Intelligence did not figure largely in anything he did and was often conspicuously absent." Bingo! So Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, absurdly popular and supremely silly, turns out to be more faithful to mythological fact than I had expected. If, as Hamilton suggests, Hercules was just a really strong dumb guy, this TV series has him down cold. As played by Kevin Sorbo, Hercules is the sort of muscular adventurer who, walking down a leafy lane, meets a little girl who suddenly turns into a two-headed monster. After slaying this creature, Hercules tells his friends about it this way: "I met a kid on the road. She turned into a thing -- totally unprovoked." Hercules is meant to be a period piece; the opening-credit voice-over helpfully informs us that the show is set in "a time...when the ancient gods were petty and cruel." (You know, as opposed to the present-day Welfare Reform: The Legendary Journeys.) The series' centuries-of-old scenes are actually filmed in a rustic section of New Zealand. The makers of Hercules apparently don't want to slow down their viewing audience with the sort of stilted, formal language that's supposed to make historical epics seem realistic. (Remember the Steve Reeves Hercules movies of the '50s?) Thus, in this new version we have the traditional spectacle of ancients in sandals traveling by oxcart, but when they open their mouths, they're likely to say things such as, "Boy, you sure know how to show a guy a good time," and "Maybe it's time to hang up the old sandals."... ...The executive producers of Legendary Journeys are Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, the team responsible for such parodic genre films as The Evil Dead, Darkman, and Army of Darkness. Raimi and Tapert know that doing a sword-and-sandals show in the '90s demands a certain amount of winking irony. After all, what are shows like American Gladiators and Beach Clash if not genially decadent versions of overbuffed Greek gods and goddesses bulging and sweating for the amusement of us rabble? Previous pop-culture versions of Hercules were often cheap, fleshy epics surrounded by high-mindedness. Legendary Journeys, by contrast, features some pretty impressive special effects and unfettered horniness: In one episode, a scantily clad maiden is trussed up bondage-style. Hercules tries to rescue her, but he's gone temporarily blind (!), so when he reaches out, he almost accidently touches (tee-hee!) her breast. There's nothing approaching wit in Hercules -- the humor is very broad, right down to the ludicrously inappropriate kung fu moves that these folks break into during fistfights. But the plentiful, exaggerated action scenes, combined with Sorbo's low-key, I-know-I'm-a-big-dumb-guy attitude, make this show a magnet for kids and a soothing brain-cooler for adults slack-jawed in front of their TVs. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys has, in its debut season, proven to be the highest-rated new show in syndication, and this fall will yield a spin-off, Xena: Warrior Princess. The fierce, wild-haired Xena, played by the wonderfully named Lucy Lawless, has been popping out of her breastplates all year on Hercules. She first appeared as a villain bent on killing Herc, but in recent episodes, she has become his ally-nay, his soulmate: They smooch and hug and then, side by side, lop off the heads of vicious centaurs. The name Xena is nowhere to be found in my copy of Edith Hamilton's Mythology. Were she still alive, Edith would probably groan at such an absurd character, but, come September, an awful lot of happy preadolescent boys are going to get hooked on Greek mythology. B- [022] 06-05-95 NEWSWEEK. Television; Pg. 67. 482 Words. "a Caring Demigod Kicks Butt" by Rick Marin. COMMENTARY: Primarily concerned HTLJ and only mentioned XWP in the last paragraph. However, the article ended in reference to Xena, telling "Pamela Anderson: put on your fighting bikini and prepare to die." The graphic was of Mr. Sorbo. REPRINT: THE FIRST SURPRISING THING ABOUT "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" is that it isn't dubbed. It's not some strutting body-builder in a toga battling crude special effects on an Italian back lot. This is an all-American Hercules repackaged for TV with big-screen production values and a knowing '90s sensibility. When he kicks butt, it's with empathy. Instead of killing the giant one-eyed Cyclops, he slaps him around, then tries to boost the big fella's low self-esteem. We're talking about a demigod whose strength is "surpassed only by the power of his heart." Did we mention he kicks major butt? In only a few months "Hercules" has turned into one of the top-rated weekly series in syndication. Some weeks it's bigger than "Baywatch." Even more shocking is that "Hercules" is actually good. Two guys see to that: executive producer Sam Raimi and star Kevin Sorbo. Raimi is a movie director with a talent for genre pop (from "The Evil Dead" to "The Quick and the Dead"). Sorbo is a supremely relaxed Minnesotan whose primary acting credits have been hunk-for-hire spots selling Diet Coke and Budweiser. At 6 feet 8, Sorbo is buff without being steroidal. His feathered hair is Kato by way of Fabio. Somehow he gets away with it, his azure eyes hinting at a brain and a sly sense of humor. "We wanted to make him like a Western hero," says Raimi, "not a muscleman in a toga." Sorbo, 86 [sic], says he gets photo-illustrated fan mail from women aged 20 to 80 "in various stages of undress." Martial-arts mayhem and semiclad babes keep men riveted. The violence is cartoony enough for parents not to mind kids winching. And Greek mythology is educational. Raimi and Sorbo make it cool. Their Herc speaks in regular-dude dialogue: no faux-classical "thee's" and "thou's." He doesn't carry a weapon and kills only when the plot demands. He wants to help. He understands people's problems because he's got a few of his own, like being from the original dysfunctional family. Dad is Zeus, king of the gods (Anthony Quinn -- who else?). Mom is merely mortal. Which is why Hera, queen of the gods and jealous wife of the tomcatting Zeus, wants Hercules dead. But not even her army of man-hating Amazons is up to the job. As our hero says with a casual shrug, "I'm undefeated." MCA TV launched this addictive waste of time last year with five syndicated movies, then upgraded it to a weekly hour in January. Shot in Auckland, New Zealand, the show's scenery steals scenes. So does the native acting talent. Michael Hurst, a local Shakespearean, plays Hercules's side-kick Iolaus (and Hamlet in his spare time). Another formidable natural resource is Lucy Lawless, whose wild-eyed appearances as Xena the Warrior Princess were impressive enough to land her a spinoff series for this fall. Pamela Anderson: put on your fighting bikini and prepare to die. [023] 06-20-95 to 06/23/95 NOTE: The next four articles covered the announcement of Toy Biz Inc. licensing toy rights for HTLJ and XWP. For stock history buffs, Toy Biz stock went from 18 3/8 to 13 1/8 after the announcement, but the volume traded doubled. [023a] 06-20-95 REUTERS. Financial Report. 94 Words. "Toy Biz Completes Deal" COMMENTARY: Here it is! The first announcement of the toy debacle. REPRINT: Toy Biz Inc said it has entered into a licensing deal with MCA/Universal Merchandising Inc, a subsidiary of MCA Inc, for the exclusive toy merchandising rights for the series "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys." [Inserting dropped word "toy" before merchandising.] Toy Biz is also acquiring the rights to develop toys based on the Fall 1995 television spin-off, "Xena: Warrior Princess," and any derivative motion picture. MCA Inc is owned by Seagram Co Ltd and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd <6752.T>. -- New York Newsdesk, 212-859-1610 [023b] 06-20-95 PR NEWSWIRE. Financial News. 570 Words. "Toy Biz Captures Licensing Agreement with Mca/universal Merchandising for 'Hercules the Legendary Journeys'; Master Toy Licensee Secured for Top-rated Action-adventure Series and Upcoming Spin off "Xena: Warrior Princess"; "Hercules" Is Given the Green Light to Produce 22 New Episodes for National Syndication" COMMENTARY: Now, the gory details regarding the Toy Biz toy deal. REPRINT: MCA/Universal Merchandising, Inc. has finalized negotiations with Toy Biz, Inc. (NYSE: TBZ) as master toy licensee for the syndicated hit series "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys." Toy Biz is also acquiring the rights to develop toys based on the Fall 1995 television spin-off, "Xena: Warrior Princess," and any derivative motion picture. "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys", which premiered in January as a weekly series, has developed into the runaway television hit of the season. It ranks as the number one syndicated television show among children 2 to 11 years-old and teens ages 12 to 17. The series recently rated among the top ten in U.S. syndication. "We are thrilled that 'Hercules' has become such a hit among children and teens," said Neil Friedman, president of MCA/Universal Merchandising, Inc. "The new line of toys will provide fans with the opportunity to not only relive their favorite episodes, but to create their own stories each time they play. We are confident that the broad appeal of this property will fuel the success of the toy line." Avi Arad, Director of Toy Biz, said, "'Hercules' creates a strong opportunity in the market for action-adventure heroes, villains and monsters based on modern reinterpretations of classic mythology, as opposed to costumed super heroes. In addition, 'Hercules' has strong and growing international appeal with wide demographics including younger and older children. It will be a labor of love to create these toys." The one-hour, action-adventure series stars Kevin Sorbo as Hercules, the son of a mortal woman, Alcemene and Zeus, King of the Gods. Sorbo's portrayal of the classic hero who stands alone as a warrior and protector of mankind continues to captivate audiences across the country. Spawned from the success of the highly rated "Hercules" movies, which aired as part of MCA Television's "Action Pack," the weekly tales of "Hercules" unfold in a time long before ancient Greece and Rome in a fantastic, mythical world created through imaginative set design, state- of-the-art special effects and spectacular New Zealand locations. As a result of its success, "Hercules" has been given a 22-episode renewal for the 1995-96 television season and is cleared in 94% of the country. Executive producers are Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert, known for their wild and popular, action-adventure films -- "The Evil Dead I & II", "Darkman", "Hard Target", and "Time Cop". Toy Biz, Inc. is a toy entertainment company that designs, markets and distributes boys', girls', infant/pre-school and activity toys based on popular entertainment properties and consumer brand names. Toy Biz also designs, markets and distributes its own line of proprietary toys. MCA/Universal Merchandising, Inc. licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Universal Pictures, Universal Television, MCA Publishing Rights, as well as third parties. Some of those properties include "Jurassic Park," "Balto," "Casper," "Dragonheart", "Waterworld," "Earth 2," "seaQuest DSV," "Baby Huey," "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys," "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle & Friends," "The Adventures of Timmy The Tooth," "The Land Before Time" and "Woody Woodpecker & Friends." CONTACT: Shawna Lynch, Elizabeth Loer, or Michelle Nino of Bender, Goldman & Helper, 310-473-4147, for MCA [023c] 06-22-95 INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY. New Issue Pipeline; Pg. A6. 726 Words. "Toy Biz Inc." COMMENTARY: Mention of the toy licensing. EXCERPT: MCA-Universal Merchandising Inc. plans to name Toy Biz as master toy licensee for the syndicated hit series ''Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.'' Toy Biz also will acquire the rights to develop toys based on the fall 1995 television spinoff ''Xena: Warrior Princess'' and any derivative motion picture. ''Hercules'' premiered in January as a weekly series. It ranks as the No. 1 television show among children 2 to 11 years old and teens aged 12 to 17... [023d] 06-23-95 DAILY VARIETY. 158 words "Short Takes" COMMENTARY: Another mention of the toy licensing. EXCERPT: ...Toy Biz Inc. said it has finalized a deal with MCA Inc. to be the master toy licensee for MCA's "Hercules" syndicated TV series. It also won the rights to develop toys based on a spinoff series, "Xena: Warrior Princess" and "any derivate motion picture." [024] 07-06-95 to 07-15-95 NOTE: The next five articles cover the video release of "Darkman II", a movie with Rene O'Connor playing a minor part. The reviews only list Ms. O'Connor as a cast member. [024a] 07-06-95 ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Everyday Magazine; Pg. 4f. 775 Words. "Video Releases" COMMENTARY: Cast listing for Renee O'Connor for Darkman 2. EXTRACT: ..."Darkman II: The Return of Durant": (MCA/Universal, priced for rental) 1995. Directed by Bradford May. Starring Arnold Vosloo, Larry Drake, Renee O'Connor and Kim Delaney. This direct-to-video sequel finds Darkman's arch-enemy setting up a new diabolical super-weapon in Darkman's back yard. Adventure... [024b] 07-07-95 Newsday (NASSAU EDITION). Weekend; Pg. B26. 821 Words. "Virtual Links to New Gaming Machines" by Joseph Gelmis COMMENTARY: Another cast listing. EXCERPT: ...DARKMAN II: THE RETURN OF DURANT (1995, MCA/Universal, $ 95 cassette, $ 35 laserdisc, 1:33, R, CC) - Also arriving Tuesday is this sequel to the 1990 theatrical feature adapted from a comic book about a revenge-crazed scientist left for dead by a sadistic crime lord. Lower-budget rehash of the original looks and sounds like just what you'd expect of a made-for-video flick. It's cheesy, violent, uninspired. Arnold Vosloo, Larry Drake, Renee O'Connor... [024c] 07-08-95 THE TORONTO STAR. Starweek; Pg. Sw34. 622 Words. "Darkman Too" by Norman Wilner. COMMENTARY: Complete review of Darkman 2, with just one mention (as an aside) of Renee O'Connor. EXCERPTS: BODY: ...As Durant, Drake is pretty much the same as he was in the first film, all blustery and mean and prone to chopping people's fingers off with his cigar trimmer. You know, your garden variety nice guy. But he seems to be enjoying all the overdone threats he gets to spout, including my favorite, uttered while holding a gun to Renee O'Connor's head: "Do what I say or you'll be wearing her last thought."... [024d] 07-13-95 THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Entertainment; Pg. 28. 792 Words. "Darkman' Is Back, but Victim of Stalled Plot" by Robert J. Hawkins. COMMENTARY: Detailed review of Darkman 2, with only Renee O'Connor mentioned in cast listing. EXCERPT: ...An MCA/Universal Home Video release. Director: Bradford May. Writers: Steve McKay and Chuck Pfarrer. Cinematographer: Bradford May. Composer: Danny Elfman. Prosthetics: Gino Blaze Crognale Jr. for KNB EFX Group. Special Effects: Brock Jolliffe. Cast: Arnold Vosloo, Larry Drake, Renee O'Connor, Kim Delaney... [024e] 07-15-95 THE RECORD. Lifestyle; Pg. L07. 1103 Words. "New on Video"wire Services. COMMENTARY: Cast listing. EXCERPT: ...DARKMAN II: THE RETURN OF DURANT (1995) (MCA/Universal) 93 minutes. Arnold Vosloo, Larry Drake, Renee O'Connor, and Kim Delaney. Direct-to-video sequel finds the mysterious crime fighter battling his archenemy's new diabolical super-weapon. Available on videodisc. (CC) ... [024f] 07-13-95 PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. Entertainment. Pg. E4. 1112 words. "Einstein Plays Cupid; Jodie Foster as 'Nell'" By Christopher Cornell. COMMENTARY: Cast listing. Same as XMR024e. ------------- THE BACK PAGE ------------- Issue #5 will begin with annotation #25, dated July 17, 1995, to #33, dated 09-03-96. It is scheduled to be released April 26, 1996. PREFERRED CITATION: When citing an annotated review, use the format: XMR 01:007. This example means Xena Media Review, issue #01, annotation #007. DISCLAIMER: XMR (Xena media Review) is a free non-profit informational release. XMR in no way intends to challenge, disregard or profit from any of the original copyright holders of the material excerpted, reprinted, or referred to (including but not limited to MCA, Universal, Renaissance Productions, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek, Reuters, Pr Newswire, Investor's Business Daily, Daily Variety, St. Louis Post- Dispatch, Newsday, Toronto Star, San Diego Union-Tribune, Record, and Philadelphia Inquirer). This newsletter is an academic and educational pursuit to archive, annotate, and study the media response to Xena: Warrior Princess (a television production from MCA/Universal/Renaissance) and the actresses Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor. Only national/international major media released in electronic form are considered. Banner graphic by Colleen Stephan. Copyright 1996 by Kym Masera Taborn