THIS WEEK IN THE XENA NEWS....
TWXN #03
05/28/96


Brought to you by Xena: Media Review (XMR)

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@bak2.lightspeed.net. Excerpts from the
following cites will appear in future issues of XMR.


THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. 05-24-96. Pg. 1. "1 Dog A-Leaping"
Tentative [x041]
   COMMENTARY: Picture of a 15 month old Doberman pinscher named
"Xena".


THE NASHVILLE BANNER. 05-24-96. Lifestyles. Pg. C1. 720 words.
"Beastmaster finds critters tough tackle" By Jim Molpus.
Tentative [270c] 
   COMMENTARY: More Beastmaster promos. Explains that hopes are
high because the "sword genre" of XWP & HTLJ are so successful. 


THE TAMPA TRIBUNE. 05-25-96. Baylife,  Pg. 1. 962 words.
"Mythical TV Heroes; They're tan, they're taut, they're TV
titans. Hercules, Xena and now Beastmaster rule the late-night
netherworld of "action fantasy."" By Walt Belcher. Tentative
[275] 
   COMMENTARY: Mostly about Hercules, but article attempts to
explain the rise in popularity in "action fantasy". XWP mentioned
three times in tandem with HTLJ.


THE TAMPA TRIBUNE. 05-25-96. Baylife. Pg. 1. 666 words. "Reformed
villain' cuts men to size" By Walt Belcher. Tentative [276]    
COMMENTARY: Other than having 666 words, this article is not to
be feared.  A companion piece to tentative XMR275, this article
covers XWP in detail.
   The article reports that "The producers say feminists and
chauvinists both like her - but probably for different reasons. 
Guys are attracted to the form-fitting leather outfits and
cleavage while women respect her strength and courage, Raimi
says. She also has attracted a gay and lesbian following because
of her strength, the campy dialogue and her relationship with her
little buddy, Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor), Raimi says."
   The article also stated, "Gabrielle, smaller and blond, is
Xena's adoring sidekick. Lawless jokes that she 'will neither
confirm or deny' Xena's sexual preference. But the series has
shown former male lovers, including a romantic encounter with
Hercules. "
   Finally, Ms. Lawless is directly quoted as saying, "Also,
[Xena]'s too serious, I think. I wish they would make her a bit
more funny. I have a sense of humor myself. I was raised on Monty
Python and I can play a big goof, but Xena has to stand around
and look grumpy while everyone else is having fun."


   THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL (Memphis). 05-25-96. Appeal. Pg. 3C. 485
words. "'Nick News' teaches body acceptance" By Joanne Weintraub.
Tentative [277] 
   COMMENTARY: Passing mention of Xena in context to how it
contributes to the message that the only good people are sleek,
well-toned, hard-bodied people.


Pro0528
